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The air in this room is humid and aromatic. Odors of earth and
mud clash with crisp notes of sweet flowering plants. Farther
in, a freshwater spring burbles quietly.
A thick sheet of filthy green fungus growing in twisting patterns across the shoulders and back of a feral-looking man who lumbers from the trees
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The gardener eventually recovers and is thankful for the aid. The Professor is thankful that you didn't use the herbicide. He is very interested in your encounter but seems like he has other things on your mind. As you finish he tells you of another project he has for you the next day and dismisses you.
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The Professor meets with you after you've read over the message.
He gives you the following equipment for the last mission.
Ectoplasmic Ointment (Lightning): A PC can apply this
greasy unguent to his skin like a magic oil. For the next 24
hours, he receives a +1 resistance bonus on saving throws
against mind-affecting effects. If he fails such a save, he
can re-roll the saving throw, after which the ointment’s
effects end.
Etheric Compasses (Manor): Dr. Quolorum carries these
ghostly devices, which help him sense the phenomena’s
location. His using one grants each PC a +2 insight bonus
on the Will saving throw against the illusory hazard while
ascending Diremark.
Experimental Herbicide (University): A PC can throw
the herbicide as a splash weapon. A direct hit causes Large
or smaller plants to wither and die over the course of an
hour. Against a plant creature, a direct hit deals 1d8 points of
damage and bestows 1 negative level. Every plant creature
within 5 feet of where the herbicide hits takes 1 point of
damage. Alternatively, a PC can coat a metal weapon in
the herbicide, much as he would apply a poison. The next
creature struck takes damage as though it were directly hit
with the herbicide.
Eye of Gorum (Monolith): This is an ancient Kellid
symbol. Scribing or painting it on one’s armor, clothing,
or shield grants the PC a +1 sacred bonus to AC against
the cerebric fungus’s attacks. Any number of PCs can use
this tool.
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Once gathered together the professor addresses you. "You've found some interesting things...at the lightning site, at the manor house and at the greenhouse. This will be perhaps your most challenging mission for me. We're heading into the mountains. Yes I'll be coming! "
What dangers might we face? “Aside from the typical
problems one finds when traveling up mountains—
landslides, exposure, dangerous beasts—I think
whatever is causing these disturbances will almost
certainly assault our minds. Guard your thoughts, and
watch your step.”
How long until we get to the source? “I’d say a few
hours at most. My readings are getting stronger with
every passing moment.”
What is our role? “First of all, keep me safe! Secondly,
help me gather as much information as I can about the
source of these phantom phenomena. If we determine
it’s something dangerous, I will need your help putting
a stop to it.”
You might remember some facts about the area.
Knowledge (geography)
The PCs may already be familiar with Diremark and the
Hungry Mountains.
in Ustalav. They run east to west through the center of
Ustalav, mostly through the counties of Ulcazar and Versex.
for driving rain and violent lightning storms. Lately,
strangely colored lightning has been troubling the
area north of Lantern Lake. If the PC has completed
Lightning, she recognizes this as the red lightning from
her previous investigations.
range. Its name comes from not only its treacherous
terrain, but also from the exceptionally large animals
rumored to live there. The few residents of the area report
ghostly images and hallucinations on the mountain
paths of Diremark. It is said the mountain tries to
mislead the wary and take their lives. Many people have
simply disappeared.
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As you head up to the mountain, strange things appear before your eyes...ghostly images of your parents and grandparents that vanish
when looked at directly, bobbing lights hovering off
the side of the mountain, smells of rotting fish, strange
voices whispering cryptic phrases from nowhere, warm
or cold spots in the air, rocks that seem to melt and
flow, lightning strikes of abnormal color, and thunder
claps that sound distorted or muffled, hordes of demons on the horizon, visions of your vampiric relatives dying by wooden stakes...
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After a while the trail ends at a place where the mountain has split.
A fifty-foot-wide crevasse separates one side from the other,
and the only crossing is over a massive boulder that has broken
off the mountainside to the east and become stuck as it rolled
down. The trail continues on the other side.
"Let's cross over to the other side" the professor says.
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The party makes it down the patch with ease. The Professor points the way to the trail and you continue along the mountain.
As you continue strange thoughts pop in your heads. "Why is there air?" "How do fish fly? "Do cows dream?" Although a bit unnerving the voices are harmless.
After a few hours the Professor points to a cave entrance in the side of the mountain. "Here we are.."
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"I would say, however," Galdaric comments, "that it is an interesting question as to whether or not cows dream. Do undead dream? I do. But, then, I'm not really undead, I just have that taint in my blood in some arcane fashion. Do liches dream? Do vampires dream? But, how about zombies? Ghouls?"
"Humans dream. Elves dream. Dhampir dream. What about somewhat intelligent creatures? Ravens talk. Do they dream? And, do cows dream?"
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Wyldyrn stoically approaches the mountain, not speaking of all the strange sights and voices. He makes the climb easily with the knotted rope and continues until they reach the cave. "Whatever we face in here will likely assail your very essence. Steel your minds gentlemen." In response to Galdaric's questions Wyldyrn turns to look at the dhampir. "I think such questions are better answered after we have dealt with whatever this is." He smiles. "But those are good questions to ponder, my friend."