Sessie 11 - Uktar 9 (Day 25)

After crossing the lake on the back of a polymorphed Orih, the party continues their journey on the other side of the Lake of Shadows.
During the day, the party enters a large cave filled with steam and sissing noise. When the party crosses it, rocks fall down from above, bursting upon impact in screetching explosions. The party is forced to combat spellcasting bats. When they kill one, the other flees and the party can continue their journey.
Further down the tunnel, they hear sounds of combat. When they hurry on, they encounter a halfdragon drow who appears to have just slain a cave full of carrior crawlers. The half-dragon is interested in their journey so far and is willing to exchange information. From the half-dragon, the party learns that 72 days ago, the drow wizards of Marimydra tried to take over control of the city from the drow priestess of Lloth who lost their powers with the silence of their goddess. The wizard archmage leading the coup named Dunteht Wharreil, apparently made a deal with demons and a demon army under the leadership of Kurgoth Demonspawn was laying siege to the city and setting it ablaze. The half-dragon also tells them about the road ahead. They will have to cross Glauroth's Chasm, a rift between this world and the plane of shadow, where gargoyles lair that require tribute for safe passage through their realm. But first the party must pass a temple that requires the sacrifice of an intelligent creature. The party is appalled but decides to check out the temple anyway as going around would take at least a week.
When they arrive at the temple, they discover it is a temple to Imix, god of evil fire elementals. The temple is surrounded by lava and when the party enters the cavern, the floor slowly lowers into the lava, only resurficing when the party leaves the temple. The party searches the temple and discover a magical aura beneath the lava. After protecting brother Wilfred with as much magical spells as possible, the brave monk dives down to retrieve the object. Upon resurficing, the object turns out to be an intelligent magical weapon. It knows of another possibility to open the way. But it warns that destroying the temple's central statue is no easy task. The party decides to retreat beyond the heat of the lava and take their rest.