Some days later, while you are still waiting for Elinda to finish crafting the items you ordered, a company of well-dressed and well-armed dwarves arrive to the Citadel. That night you are invited to a grand banquet at the Anguses.
Knowledge (nobility and royalty) 12 :
The honors bestowed on the dwarves tell you that this is an important visit. You are introduced to Prince Darnik later. With impeccable manners, he greets each one of you seriously and says that he has heard that you are great friends of the Angus family and of Elinda, and that the citadel is lucky to have friends like you in such troubled times.
Over a bottle of Arb Angus’s finest sherry he tells you that he needs to ask you for a favour and that he will understand fully if you refuse. His brother, Gorsen, was killed many years ago in the battle against the demonic hordes. His body was never recovered. Darnik has never been able to fully recover from the tragedy, but he heard whispers that you were going to brave the infamous dungeon of Rappan Athuk, and he meant to ask you if you could ask the Oracle that supposedly resides there about where his brother’s bones may be found.
He promises to reward you amply, as if anything could compensate for such danger.
The prince looks sad as you bring up the subject of Rappan Athuk. It is called the dungeon of graves, he says, and that's what it is. Many a good dwarf and man have met their demise there, and some have come back as something worse even than their foes. It is a place of great danger and great riches, a sore on the landscape.
"But lately I have begun to have dreams about my brother." He strokes his well-groomed beard. "And I fear that I shall not be able to rest before I have some news about him. Of course I'll reimburse you for whatever you need to bribe the Oracle with. It might lie to you but I am told it knows just about everything."
"I am ashamed to say that I can't go with you but there are matters of state to attend to and the giants are a bit unruly at the moment."
Ka'kara doesn't quite know what to make of this "sherry" and wrinkles her nose a bit at it. Perhaps this prince had a bit of real drink on him, wasn't that what dwarves were known for anyway? Leaning over to Mahaffy she whispers, "Any chance we can get some REAL drinks from the prince?" As the prince finishes his tale she slams her hand down on the table, "By the spirits! We'll not let your kin wander this side of the spirit world. We help you give him final rest."
Tika remembers the story about Darnik's brother well. He was one of a legendary trio of dwarven paladin who braved the infamous dungeon against impossible odds. Songs have been written about them.
Since much of the lore about the lost paladins is legendary, it is a little hazy, but generally it is agreed that they died inside the dungeon.
The dungeon used to be a stronghold of the worshippers of Orcus, so it is safe to say that there are a lot of demons and undead down there, but also many other kinds of foul things.
Elinda explains: "It's about a week of travel, I'm afraid, mainly because it's difficult terrain. If you had a wand of Phantasmal Steed, you could get there a lot faster, but those are expensive gadgets I fear."
"Anyway, I suggest that you pay a visit to an old... er, acquaintance of mine, Brazzer Mandragora, who runs a tavern not too far off from the dungeon. And you really don't want to camp anywhere near the dungeon. Actually noone else would dare set up a tavern even that close. And he's not that bad for an Ogre Mage. Just don't mention cows in his presence and you'll be fine."
Slightly embarrassed, Arb Angus interjects: "We don't actually expect you to do anything in the dungeon. Just to survive is a feat enough, and if you could bring back any news of Prince Darnik's brother, that would be excellent."
Brightly Elinda continues: "Brazzer would be happy to buy any stuff you loot from the dungeon too. And he can sell you just about anything you need."
Prince Darnik is suddenly very busy emptying his goblet and oblivious of any talk of Ogres, magical or not.
Elinda looks pensive. "He does not, I think. At least I never saw any. Goblins I've seen but no undead. The food might not be that good but it's not ghoul fare by any stretch."
Prince Darnik looks increasingly uncomfortable at Elinda's serious consideration of your question and steers the conversation back to the heroic deeds that you have done in the past and are sure to do again in the infamous dungeon.
Elinda is still trying to be serious: "Oh no, Brazzer would never tolerate that kind of behaviour. He'd prefer to buy your loot at a profit. And he never beats up or robs customers. That is, as long as you don't mention cows..."
Soon after that Darnik announces that he is tired and going to retire. He says that you are welcome to accompany them. That would mean that the first few days of your trip would be safe at least.
If you are feeling up to it, and when your stuff is ready, I guess you could stock up for the journey and get going. Do you want to buy horses and tents or how do you plan to travel?
The day of parting has arrived and you accompany the dwarven caravan for a couple of days, moving at a comfortable pace. The food is good and the company is actually enjoyable, except of course the dwarven singing. Darnik is charming enough and tends to your every need.
But a couple of days later, your ways part and you are making your way into the wilderness, stocked with your new toys and any equipment you've bought for the expedition.
The first day alone is uneventful as you travel west in hilly territory, but then comes the time to camp. Do you have any sleeping arrangements in mind?
Ka'kara suddenly notices a sleek tawny dog that seems to be staring at her from the edge of the clearing where you are camping. In the dim light from the campfire it almost looks like it glows.
The dog seems to be saying something.
Sylvan:
Knowledge (nature) 12:
Ka'kara's eyes go wide and she hisses out a whisper "Tika look! It's a blink dog and I think it's trying to tell us something. I've never seen one before but they are supposed to be good luck." She slides off the log where she was sitting. She starts to move slowly in a non-threatening manner toward the dog to see if it wants her to follow it. Knowing her memory was terrible she still does her best to remember what it is trying to say, maybe one of the others can tell me what it means.
The dog looks over its shoulder with a concerned look. Then it gives a loud bark, enough to wake all of you, and disappears.
Behind where the dog was appears the insubstantial figure of a beautiful elven woman, bathed in green flames.
Knowledge (religion) 19:
How about those initiatives? The spirit goes on 20, so if you beat that you are up.
Tika:
The spirit raises its hand and envelops Ka'kara in unholy green fire, causing her 30 points of damage and a Will 22 save to avoid being sickened.
You are up, all of you.
