GM Wintermute returned us to the depths of Undermountain! Session two saw some familiar faces with Anna rejoining as a rogue forest gnome and Gala Door, a high elf illusionist wizard (brother of Orbs), joining the party. Kasev Grim, a devotion paladin, also remained with the group. A quick ruling allowed the use of a spear with polearm master.
Continuing their exploration, the party further investigated the magical mirrors, discovering they were illusions with hidden shelves. When Anna wore a bronze mask found behind one, shadowy duplicates of her emerged, leading to the first combat encounter, where the party destroyed the magical mirrors.
Further down the hallway, two faceless creatures ambushed Evoru and Fanus, launching a psionic attack. Kasev failed his save and his intelligence was reduced to zero, stunning him.
Unable to proceed with Kasev incapacitated, the party returned to Waterdeep. They pooled their gold and acquired new gear, including plus one armor and a shield for Anna, a wand of magic missiles, and scrolls of greater restoration. Kasev was restored to health, and they descended into Undermountain once more.
Back in the dungeon, they explored a seemingly empty room before heading south, discovering a corridor to the east and a large stone door. Behind the southern door, they encountered a bizarre scene: six goblins using a human skeleton as a marionette.
Combat erupted, and the party quickly engaged the goblins. However, a bugbear entered the room, followed by another whose head exploded, revealing an intellect devourer. A chaotic multi-front battle ensued.
Amidst the fighting, the party found a broken shield with Common and Goblin words that formed a family name when mended. They also discovered the remains of a shattered statue of three human warriors in a nearby room, seemingly an attempt at reconstruction by the bugbears.
Returning to the hallway, they heard more goblin voices behind another door. Upon opening it, they found nine more goblins, aware of the previous fighting. The session concluded as another combat encounter was about to begin.
GM Wintermute revealed that this first level of Undermountain contains a staggering 41 rooms, hinting at the vastness and interconnected nature of the dungeon. The party has only scratched the surface of the Mad Mage's domain!