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"If I recall correctly, and I usually do, the only door we haven't been through yet was locked. If we go down these stairs, we may well encounter the female that our rambling 'friend' was talking about."
Rygel glances at the exits, considering his options.
"We might also recall that horrid arrow-flinging machine in the atrium behind us. I'd rather not go back that way if I can help it. Onward then! After you."
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With Sesska scouting ahead, you find the stairs leading down nothing but a little dusty. The stairs lead you deep into the earth and you can hear a faint dripping sound get slightly louder as you descend. At the bottom of the stairs is a circular chamber with three passageways leading from it. In the center is a small stone pedestal. The sound of dripping water can be heard coming from the eastern passageway, while the stench of rot emanates from the west.
The floor bears an inscription spiraling out from the pillar and written in Common. It reads: “To the south you might take your ease, to rest and reflect on Kassen’s deeds. To the east lies the wheel, to open the gate. To the west is the resting place of Kassen, hero of the Fangwood.”
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With the majority voting to press on deeper towards the rotting stench, Helm leads the march. A short corridor leads to the next chamber. The corridor opens up into a winding catacomb. The walls are skillfully carved with deep recesses where bodies might have once lain. All that remains now are cobwebs, dust, and the tattered remains of ancient clothing. The stench of rotting flesh is overpowering here, but the source is not evident.
However, as you file into the room, you can hear low moans and the shambling of feet. The stench is almost overpowering and you know you are not safe here!
Rygel
Helm
B+P
R+G
Pioni
Sesska
Horus
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Rygel enchants the stones in his pocket, whilst Helm delivers a powerful blow to the Zombie, cutting a deep gash into its distended belly. Diseases organs flow from the wound bringing a fouler stench with them.
The Zombie retorts by raising its arm and sluggishly slamming at Helm, whilst its fellow wanders up to confront Pioni. At the back of the room, the rest of the mindless creatures shuffle forwards.
Rygel
Helm
B+P P -9
R+G
Pioni
Sesska
Horus
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Pioni cuts at the Zombie, but somehow misses the shambling husk. Unable to push forwards, Sesska takes a step back to assess the situation. In retaliation, the Zombie facing Pioni strikes at the halfling, whilst the other steps forwards and tries to smash Helm. The Halfling is struck hard, is able to resist the fetid disease.
for
Rygel
Helm
B
R+G
Pioni -7
Sesska
Horus
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Pioni slashes the Zombie, causing pus to spill forth before darting forwards, easily avoiding the slow creature's swings. Sesska does not fair as well and the creatures manage to swing at her. One lands a solid blow staggering the Vishkanya as she and Helm cuts a vicious swathe through them.
for
The Zombie explodes i to more filth, covering Helm and Sesska.
Rygel
Helm
B -2
R
Pioni -7
Sesska -10
Horus
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Sesska is able to stabilise as Helm dashes around the library, which is full of ancient texts caked in dust and pus. Horus calls upon his god as Pioni strikes and Rygel uses Pioni's pilfered wand to bring Sesska back to the world of the conscious, a decision easily regretted due to the awful smell.
Pioni's strike wounds the Zombie and the light from Ra burns it, causing it to pop and burst!
The remaining Zombie shuffles forwards and attempts to strike down the Halfling. Pioni crumples to the ground with a screech.
for
Rygel
Helm
R -7
Pioni -16 (Bleeding, needs to stabilise)
Sesska -7
Horus
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Pioni manages to fight off the rotting disease once more but starts to bleed out on the floor. With terrifying precision, Helm darts round the corner and cuts down the remaining Zombie with one more sickening pop.
Current Status:
Pioni -17, bleeding
Sesska -7
Helm- ???
With the Zombies defeated you have some time to search before the noxious rotting scent drives you from the room. Most of the books here are ancient and you can see ruined piles where someone has tried to pilfer them. The Zombies have nothing of value, but the scraps of clothing they still wear are familiar. Pondering over it, you realise the clothes are very similar to the man you found by the lake...
Searching the room you spy a recess, and closer inspection reveals a weathered backpack. Sitting atop a large bloodstain, this pack holds some rotten rations, a map (detailing the area and pointing out the entrance to the crypt), a potion
of cure moderate wounds, a pouch with 13 gp, and a small handbill (of a type typically found posted in taverns).
Although faded, the handbill clearly reads as a notice of employment, telling all those interested to meet at “The Ranger’s Lament.”
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Sesska pays no heed to her current condition and moves to pour the potion down Pioni's throat.
"That was quite a trial," Sesska adds as she tries to hold back from flinching at her own wounds.
"May I suggest that we rest up a bit before proceeding further into the crypt? These... creatures... were likely created by something even more powerful."
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Deciding to pull back for now, you move back into the circular chamber and then follow the southern hallway. After a short while, you find yourself in a small chamber with no other exits but the way you came.
The short passageway takes a bend before ending in a small chamber dominated on the far side by a silver fountain quietly burbling perfectly clear water. An inscription above the fountain reads:
“Kassen’s legacy lives on with his people. Drink and be refreshed.”
In addition, drinking from the fountain removes the fatigued, sickened, and shaken conditions, and heals the character of 1d4 points of ability damage from one ability score. A character cannot gain the benefits of drinking from this fountain more than once per day (additional drinks have no magical effect).
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Whilst there is no door to this place, you are able to catch your breath and take the time to eat and sleep, with a rotation of watches. The night's rest is not all peaceful, further on in the caves you can ear various sounds of dripping, wailing, moaning and the scratching of feet. You are not attacked during your shelter and are able to revoer.
_______________________________________________________________________
Feeling refreshed, you make your way back to the central chamber and go up this time, having explored the other routes. Two more corridors lead off this one and taking the leftmost you reach a door. As the passageway leading to this room approach it, the water grows deeper, eventually reaching a depth of just over 2 feet. At the end of the corridor is a swollen wooden door, barely contained by its decaying frame. It is easy to tear the door down and as you do so, the cause of the flooded corridor is apparent.
The room is filled with water, probably as deep as the outside corridor. The chamber is in an advanced state of decay, with a gaping hole in the ceiling admitting a constant trickle of water. The three stone sarcophagi in this room are almost completely covered in a thick carpet of moss and fungus. In one of the corners, a frog larger than Pioni and Rygel eyes you hungrily and gets ready to attack!
The first frog swims forwards and bites at Helm! Another bursts from the water to attack Horus. Biting deep, Horus finds the frog attached firmly to his leg and it seems to be trying to swallow him!
for and
Frogs Blue Grappled
Rygel
Pioni
Helm
Horus -8, Grappled
Sesska