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Marcus
As you look around, the full moon appears from behind a cloud, briefly casting the vista in front of you into stark clarity.
In stark contrast to the lush greenery of the hills around you, lies a large sunken graveyard laid out in the shape of a cross. Rather than towering above the ground, the graves have settled into depressions, and the main mausoleum, a building of strange green stone, rests in the deepest depression some 40 feet below the ground on which you now
stand.
At the other end of the grave-filled hollow stands what appears to be a stone well. There are no gravestones near it. The normal sounds of wildlife are gone, and large carrion birds circle overhead.
An ominous silence rests about the place and a low ground mist swirls around the gravestones, although you can feel no breeze
You know in your heart that you have found the legendary dungeon of Rappan Athuk. And though you dare not speak it, you wonder if you will live to return to the warmth of hearth and home!
"We're here."
"I have rarely heard more omimous words," Dartalis says, to the Mouse. But, as he speaks, excitement rushes through his veins. What magic will I find here in this cursed place? he wonders.
"Where shall we begin?" Dartalis asks with a trembling voice, his feverish passion for magic kindled.
"I fear you are right, my paladin friend. I need no magic to sense it. I feel it in the chill down my back and in the hairs standing on end."
Dartalis shivers once, noticeably, then collects himself.
"Perhaps we should check out the mausoleum, first? It may yield clues about this place."
Dartalis nods at Joneth and Koryn then turns to Theledor and says, "I'm just glad that we came here with holy men at our side, for I have a suspicion that the dead do not rest easy in this cursed place."
From where you stand, the ground slopes down about 30 - 40'. An old stone well sits near the base of the slope. The graveyard stretches on beyond the well for a good 300' before a cluster of three moldering old stone buildings, (mausoleums?) stand. Numerous gravestones are dotted across the ground, many of them with large crows standing atop them.
You progress towards a cluster of grave stones, scattering the large black crows that are at rest there. Nine graves lie filled with fresh earth and makeshift markers. With a shiver, some of you recognize a few of the famous names; names of recently disappeared heroes and warriors; legends of your own time - a grim foreshadowing of things to come?
The paladin makes his way to a tenth grave which is unfilled and empty. The black tombstone behind it reads "Joneth Soulborn".
"Foolish villain! Is this your idea of a joke? You think yourself clever?" he shouts into the air. "Show yourself! Or are you a sniveling coward, content to hide behind juvenile little pranks?"
The paladin makes his way to a tenth grave which is unfilled and empty. The black tombstone behind it reads "Joneth Soulborn".
"Foolish villain! Is this your idea of a joke? You think yourself clever?" he shouts into the air. "Show yourself! Or are you a sniveling coward, content to hide behind juvenile little pranks?"
Marcus, who was following the paladin, moves away from the man as he shouts. Looking around, he walks towards the well.
"Let's go take a look at the tombstones. Grave inscriptions are like history books, but often overlooked because we fear the dead.""An exellent idea." Dartalis follows the paladin to the graves. Shocked to see Joneth's name on a gravestone, Dartalis looks for the names of the other party members.
After checking the other tomb stones, only the name of the Paladin seems to be present.
Marcus, who was following the paladin, moves away from the man as he shouts. Looking around, he walks towards the well.The paladin makes his way to a tenth grave which is unfilled and empty. The black tombstone behind it reads "Joneth Soulborn".
"Foolish villain! Is this your idea of a joke? You think yourself clever?" he shouts into the air. "Show yourself! Or are you a sniveling coward, content to hide behind juvenile little pranks?"
Marcus moves over to the well.
Marcus
After peering into the well, Marcus makes his way to the closest mausoleum, careful not to walk across any graves.
As you make your way to the mausoleums you come to a paved courtyard / plaza. The three mausoleums exit off of it to the East, South and West respectively, each one reached by a set of stone steps that descend down.
In the courtyard is a life-sized statue of a dwarf on a 4 foot by 4 foot stone block. He looks to have been a great warrior, and dwarven runes adorn the front of the pedestal. This rather large tombstone, crested with the statue of a dwarf, seems to have been visited frequently.
As you make your way to the mausoleums you come to a paved courtyard / plaza. The three mausoleums exit off of it to the East, South and West respectively, each one reached by a set of stone steps that descend down.
In the courtyard is a life-sized statue of a dwarf on a 4 foot by 4 foot stone block. He looks to have been a great warrior, and dwarven runes adorn the front of the pedestal. This rather large tombstone, crested with the statue of a dwarf, seems to have been visited frequently.
Marcus walks to the tombstone.
"The large one sounds as good as any. If we find an entrance to the underground, we can always come back to it after we have searched all of the mausoleums," says Dartalis.
"I have a feeling the large one will contain an entrance to the underground, but they could, just as easily, all contain entrances. We will only know after we have searched them all."
This is a huge stone building, its outer side carved in a grisly bas-relief of demons, devils and other creatures of the underworld. Hundreds of skulls have been carved into the stone. The building extends fully 60 feet long and is over 40 feet wide. Stairs carved into the outside earth descend 20 feet to the foot of the mausoleum wall. At the terminus of the stairs, set within the mausoleum wall, is a set of ornately worked iron doors. Ringing the top of the 20 foot tall building are numerous demonic statues made of a strange green stone. They seem to stare at the you all with a melovolent glare.
This is a huge stone building, its outer side carved in a grisly bas-relief of demons, devils and other creatures of the underworld. Hundreds of skulls have been carved into the stone. The building extends fully 60 feet long and is over 40 feet wide. Stairs carved into the outside earth descend 20 feet to the foot of the mausoleum wall. At the terminus of the stairs, set within the mausoleum wall, is a set of ornately worked iron doors. Ringing the top of the 20 foot tall building are numerous demonic statues made of a strange green stone. They seem to stare at the you all with a melovolent glare.
Marcus, eyeing the statues, makes his way to the iron doors.
Dartalis watches cuatiously as Marcus approches the Mausomleum. A dozen dangers breeze through his mind, but he feels reassured because the others are also nearby and because Marcus seems to move so deftly, mouse-like, toward the building.
Dartalis searches his conciousness for the spells he has prepared, an act that not only helps him prepare, but also settles and calms his concern for his friend.
Marcus, eyeing the statues, makes his way to the iron doors.
This is a huge stone building, its outer side carved in a grisly bas-relief of demons, devils and other creatures of the underworld. Hundreds of skulls have been carved into the stone. The building extends fully 60 feet long and is over 40 feet wide. Stairs carved into the outside earth descend 20 feet to the foot of the mausoleum wall. At the terminus of the stairs, set within the mausoleum wall, is a set of ornately worked iron doors. Ringing the top of the 20 foot tall building are numerous demonic statues made of a strange green stone. They seem to stare at the you all with a melovolent glare.
The stairs descend to a set of huge steel doors that dwarf Marcus. No rust is present on the metal, almost as if time itself stands still here.
Built into the doors is an intricate lock, which looks worthy of the most legendary dwarven smith. This close to the building, it is cold enough to make your breath turn into small whisps of cloud
The stairs descend to a set of huge steel doors that dwarf Marcus. No rust is present on the metal, almost as if time itself stands still here.
Built into the doors is an intricate lock, which looks worthy of the most legendary dwarven smith. This close to the building, it is cold enough to make your breath turn into small whisps of cloud
Marcus makes his way down the steps, stopping before the doors. Cupping his hands, he blows on them trying to take the chill out of them. Holding the key in his hand, he scans the edges of the doors before concentrating on the lock.
Kissing the key, and holding his breath, Marcus slides it into the lock, turning it.
The stairs descend to a set of huge steel doors that dwarf Marcus. No rust is present on the metal, almost as if time itself stands still here.
Built into the doors is an intricate lock, which looks worthy of the most legendary dwarven smith. This close to the building, it is cold enough to make your breath turn into small whisps of cloud
Marcus makes his way down the steps, stopping before the doors. Cupping his hands, he blows on them trying to take the chill out of them. Holding the key in his hand, he scans the edges of the doors before concentrating on the lock.
Kissing the key, and holding his breath, Marcus slides it into the lock, turning it.
Looking around the door carefully, Marcus slowly turns the key. Their is a distant click of a mechanism as the bolt slides free.
One of the double doors slowly swings open revealing the interior of the building. The mausoleum itself is filled with damp, musty air that wafts out of the entrance with a low moan of released pressure. Dust covers most of this barren room of solid stone. You note several broken and rusted weapons lie scattered on the floor along with the remains of several used torches. The room’s sole feature is a large stone sarcophagus, on top of which are two brass candelabras, each holding a lit black candle.