Over hearing the dwarves conversation Nym walks over also with mug in hand
Mý sïstër wăz ălsô tâkën. Mâybê ôür pąthz ïntînëd för ă řæsõn" Nym raises his mug "Tõ fąmīlý änd dëäth õf thôsėthāt hürt thĕm."
"Say, Nym, did you finally rid yourself of that cursed gem?" Kalim asks while trying to remember which dwarf New Dwarf was talking about.
"Say, Nym, did you finally rid yourself of that cursed gem?" Kalim asks while trying to remember which dwarf New Dwarf was talking about.
"Yëz, jüzt įn tīmę. Ît häd āhöld õf mý mīnd"
. Aren't we just a bunch of disfunctional families. My brother killed my father.... Grung says wistfully hearing the stories
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The battle wearied adventurers backtrack and find their way out of the dungeon. It's only been a single day but it has been brutal, taxing every resource the party had accumulated, and they thankfully head back to Fentonville for a night of heavy drinking and rest.
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Grung drinks heartily!
Rappan Athuk History Reminder
Many hundreds of years ago, the forces of good allied to destroy
the main Temple of Orcus in the ancient city of Tsar. With their
temple in ruins, the surviving high priests of this accursed demongod
fled the city with an army of enemies on their trail—an army
of heroic fighters, clerics and paladins—led by Zelkor, a powerful
wizard. The exact fate of these evil priests was then unknown, for
not only did the remnants of the followers of Orcus disappear from
all human reckoning, but so did the army of light that followed after
them disappear as well. Some said that in the eternal scales the loss
of so many good men was a fair price to pay to rid the world of so
much evil.
The evil cult, however, had not been destroyed. The surviving
priests and their followers instead settled on a hill near the Forest
of Hope, a sylvan woodland near the Coast Road. There they found
a vast underground complex of caverns and mazes, carving out a
volcanic intrusion beneath the hill. There, the priests of Orcus found
the perfect lair to continue their vile rituals. For many years, they
carried on in secret, hidden from the light and from the knowledge
of men.
Many years later, their underground delving completed, the evil
priests erected a hideous mausoleum and a sunken graveyard atop
the hill. It is believed that these graves are in fact the final resting
place of the pursuing army of heroes that had been destroyed to a
man. Soon after the mausoleum was erected the peaceful creatures
of the wood began to disappear. Though many rangers and
druids investigated these happenings, the cause of the creatures’
disappearance was not immediately determined. Some years later a
powerful group of adventurers, led by Bofred, a high priest of Thyr,
investigated the evil happenings and found the sunken graveyard
leading to a labyrinthine complex. Bofred and his companions
found great hordes of evil creatures in the complex. Though some
of his companions returned from their expedition, telling tales of
fantastic treasure and ferocious monsters, Bofred was never seen
again—lost in the catacombs beneath the cursed mausoleum.
For the last one hundred years, ranks of adventurers have ventured
to the newfound dungeon. Many fell prey to bandits and monsters
in the surrounding wilderness. Rumors suggest that of those who
survived to reach the mausoleum and sunken graveyard, most were
slain by guardians of green stone or perished on the very first level.
Those rare few who return from deeper treks speak of horrible
undead and creatures that cannot be slain. All who have explored
Rappan Athuk offer this one universal piece of advice: “Don’t go
down the Well.”
I would suggest that some of you make knowledge history or religion checks, essentially as you try to gather information.
Sitting at the table, with (most of) his adventuring companions around, Karnog takes a long draught of ale and smiles around his foamy beard.
"Oy, lads and lasses, I must admit, I feel bad for Felicitas and her friend dragon. To just up and disappear like that, that's a rotten thing indeed. But we have to press on and finish off these cursed shrines in the dungeon. So, who knows how to get to the next one?"
Jus' cause we didn't find her this time ain't no reason to dispair brother. We'll rest this night an see if we can set back in the dungeon soon. If that place is run by anything with a brain, they mighta heard of her from the full assault it lead on the town. She's a valuable hostage, aye? Might be she's still alive and if so we get her back.
Duncan leaned back in his chair a little and nudged the haversack one more time.
The group had yet to trade in the items they'd taken down there, but they needed the breather.
There would be time for business and planning in the morning....
"Aye, I hope and wish she lives yet. My fear is that our enemy is performing some unspeakable acts against her, either prying for information or trying to convert her to evils own cause. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, especially not a friend like her."
Karnog looks solemn for a bit, then digs out his collection of maps and notes of their explorations so far.
"We need to find a path in and down, to find those altars and shut them down. Plus, that dragon is still around and causing trouble."
.
"Eh, she talked too much."
"Aye, I hope and wish she lives yet. My fear is that our enemy is performing some unspeakable acts against her, either prying for information or trying to convert her to evils own cause. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, especially not a friend like her."
Karnog looks solemn for a bit, then digs out his collection of maps and notes of their explorations so far.
"We need to find a path in and down, to find those altars and shut them down. Plus, that dragon is still around and causing trouble."
Duncan looks up at his friend.
Then are we time sensitive?I'll be casting Commune this eve, ta ask the Inheritor about me son. I'll ask about the Bard as wellHe pulls a small piece of parchment and makes a note. He was allowed a few questions and the spell required him to stay on track.
He looks around the table. Most a ye, got yer trinkets, aye? Then lets's make some plans and get back down there. Karnog, been having some thoughts and mebbe we should start stone walling off some of the levels in an out of there. If we make it a straighter path down it makes it less likely foes can double back round behind us and would simply room clearing on subsequent trips.
It had not taken long and he sat cross legged in his resplendent armor, freshly polished and Prayed, Goddess, I’m here today with open hands and an open heart, ready to depend on you to help me through the days to come and all it will bring my way. Help me come to you for guidance, strength, provision and protection. As I face tough choices and hard situations, help me remember my belovedness, help me remember that I am Your child and Your representative to the world around me. Help me live today in a way that brings honor to Your holy name. .
He then waits paitently for the Inheritor's speaker to appear....
"Aye, we can wall off tunnels pretty readily. I usually have at least one or two such spells prepared everyday. A foot or so of solid stone or a few inches of hard iron would dissuade most of the critters we've come across already."
"Regarding a time limit, I cant say. Not for certain, at least. I just worry about the lass and the dragon, that's all. As for communion, that's a proper good idea. The last time I asked for guidance, Torag gifted me with the vision of those altars and how to shut them down. Perhaps the Inheritor can grant you some similar wisdom."
You suspect that you need to look at some of the previous maps your party gave to the Mayor/cartographer to get your bearings. You know that last shrine battle was on level 4 - relatively close to the surface.
Level 0B -The cloister of the Frog God (ground level early on)
Level 3A -"the Well" Zelkor's lair
Level 4 - the Upper Temple of Orcus (completely explored)
level 6A - Caves and Caverns - The Lair of the Spider Queen
Level 9A - Caves and Caverns - The Hydra's Lair
Level 12 - slave Pits
Level 12A - The Goblin City
Level 13A - The Goblins Barrack
Level 14A The Refugee of Tsar
Duncan an angelic image appears during your prayers,
"The Inheritor is pleased with your acts of courage and current path. What knowledge do you seek?"
Duncan an angelic image appears during your prayers,
"The Inheritor is pleased with your acts of courage and current path. What knowledge do you seek?"
Duncan, typical of being a dwarf, remains stoic in the acknowledgement of his faith.
Still his heart sang with Joy at the appearance. Still he had to remain focused, for any dallying or attempt to expand upon forthcoming answers would end the commune.I seek knowledge that will aid in the cleansing of Orcus's cult within the underground tunnels near Fentonville and answers about the dates of those caught up in the conflicts to come.
Are there greater than 5 more levels to the complex than we thought have already seen?
Are there innocents captured down there?
Are Grungsdi's people enslaved to Orcus?
Is Grungsdi's Uncle still leader of the Dwarves?
Do they follow their leader willingly?
Will the Dwarves follow Grungsdi if he defeats their current leader?
Is Grimm Alive?
Is Grimm still in service to Gorum?
Is Grimm providing service to Orcus?
Is Grimm in Service to Grungsdi's kin?
Can Grimm's soul be saved?
Does he truly hate me?
Is Felicitas still alive?
Are they going to kill her in the next tenday?
Is she on the first 4 levels?
He had one last question to ask and hesitated but a moment before asking it.
Did Grimm fall to his current path because of me?
The dark elf waits patently as the dwarf asks his questions and when it seems the dwarf he asks quietly to the dwarf
"Ef yöü cán äsk åbôût mý sístęr?"
Duncan an angelic image appears during your prayers,
"The Inheritor is pleased with your acts of courage and current path. What knowledge do you seek?"
Duncan, typical of being a dwarf, remains stoic in the acknowledgement of his faith.
Still his heart sang with Joy at the appearance. Still he had to remain focused, for any dallying or attempt to expand upon forthcoming answers would end the commune.I seek knowledge that will aid in the cleansing of Orcus's cult within the underground tunnels near Fentonville and answers about the dates of those caught up in the conflicts to come.
Are there greater than 5 more levels to the complex than we thought have already seen? Yes
Are there innocents captured down there? yes
Are Grungsdi's people enslaved to Orcus? yes
Is Grungsdi's Uncle still leader of the Dwarves? yes
Do they follow their leader willingly? Some
Will the Dwarves follow Grungsdi if he defeats their current leader? Most
Is Grimm Alive? No
Is Grimm still in service to Gorum? No
Is Grimm providing service to Orcus? yes
Is Grimm in Service to Grungsdi's kin? Not in service
Can Grimm's soul be saved? No
Does he truly hate me? yes
Is Felicitas still alive? yes
Are they going to kill her in the next tenday? Not sure
Is she on the first 4 levels?[/b] DoubtfulHe had one last question to ask and hesitated but a moment before asking it.
Did Grimm fall to his current path because of me?[/b] He choose
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After discussing with the rest of the team, Karnog heads over to the mayor with the maps.
"Good day, Mayor. These maps we've been making and scribing, I wonder if you can help us out with some planning. We need to find the remaining areas of evil concentration, but for the life of me I can't figure out the best way in. What do you say?"
Desmond returns from a shopping spree, finally getting a chance to spell his ill-gotten (as well as healthy-gotten) gains. New weapons, cloak, magical gear, armor. He practically looks like a new man!
Except that mischievous smile. That never changes.
After discussing with the rest of the team, Karnog heads over to the mayor with the maps.
"Good day, Mayor. These maps we've been making and scribing, I wonder if you can help us out with some planning. We need to find the remaining areas of evil concentration, but for the life of me I can't figure out the best way in. What do you say?"
"Yes...yes come right on in." The gnome scratches his chin. "I've been thinking about those maps recently and trying to puzzle out the dungeon." He unrolls various maps that the group cartographers created over the years. "So, what are you trying to accomplish."
Nym perks up at the mayor's question "Ī æm trýing tö gęt my fãmïly ánd ënd Örcųs."
The mayor notices some of the heroes milling around outside the shop, so he stops and waves everyone inside.
"Yes, mayor, let's do exactly that. We are looking for two more shrines to the Prince of Undeath, ideally with a relatively straight path from the outside in. I doubt we'll find ourselves that lucky, but you never know, right?"
Karnog helps to spread out the maps and shows Walter where they've been and roughly where they need to go.
"I aim to destroy all that would not help against the Void. Also some light deicide."
Two attendants scurry around with tankards of spiced ale and platers of cheese and cured beef. The mayor snags a cup and a slice of meat, then proceeds to straighten out the maps.
"So, what I see here is the need to poke around that Graveyard again." He points out the area on the map. "You went down "The Well" and agaisnt all odds you survived the descent and the "partial" exploration of that level." He takes a big bite of cured beef and washes it down beofre continuing. "So, the signs all point to going back down the Well, I bet there is another way to proceed. I remember felicitas noting that the dungeons often inclined or declined and that was indication of changing levels." He lets out a slight belch.
"From your previous description that Well was about 90 feet deep which means it was relatively close to the surface." He looks around to see if everyone is following him. "Karnog perhaps you get get some guidance when you work your forge." After another deep draw from his tankard he asks, "do you have any idea where the next Shrine of Power is located? I presume its deeper than where you found the first one."
The gnome flips through some of the descriptive pages that Felicitas scribed a few years ago. Then he reads it out loud.
THE WELL:
An ornately-carved well is located on the other end of the sunken graveyard, opposite the mausoleum. The finely crafted artwork of the well
is diminished only by the horrific images of demons, devils, and undead things that form the bas-relief carvings. Runes and scribbling adorn the spaces empty of these carvings. Anyone gazing down inside sees large, grooved scratches along the interior stones, as if something tried to claw its way up the sides. The well ends in water some 90 ft. below and the torch fizzles out in the water. The echo leads you to believe that the well opens up into a larger cavern at the bottom.
Four of you - Desmond, Karnog, Grung, and Kalim - have previously been here and the description should bring back some horrid recollections of the scene and prior battles.
There are notes written in book about small tunnels. That the "normal sized" members had to remove all but light armor to
pass through the tunnels.
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Duncan an angelic image appears during your prayers,
"The Inheritor is pleased with your acts of courage and current path. What knowledge do you seek?"
Duncan, typical of being a dwarf, remains stoic in the acknowledgement of his faith.
Still his heart sang with Joy at the appearance. Still he had to remain focused, for any dallying or attempt to expand upon forthcoming answers would end the commune.I seek knowledge that will aid in the cleansing of Orcus's cult within the underground tunnels near Fentonville and answers about the dates of those caught up in the conflicts to come.
Are there greater than 5 more levels to the complex than we thought have already seen? Yes
Are there innocents captured down there? yes
Are Grungsdi's people enslaved to Orcus? yes
Is Grungsdi's Uncle still leader of the Dwarves? yes
Do they follow their leader willingly? Some
Will the Dwarves follow Grungsdi if he defeats their current leader? Most
Is Grimm Alive? No
Is Grimm still in service to Gorum? No
Is Grimm providing service to Orcus? yes
Is Grimm in Service to Grungsdi's kin? Not in service
Can Grimm's soul be saved? No
Does he truly hate me? yes
Is Felicitas still alive? yes
Are they going to kill her in the next tenday? Not sure
Is she on the first 4 levels?[/b] DoubtfulHe had one last question to ask and hesitated but a moment before asking it.
Did Grimm fall to his current path because of me?[/b] He choose
Duncan was a little quiet in the ensuing hour after he'd left Karnog at the taven to cast his commune.
His Son was dead
His Son was serving Orcus
His Son Hated him
His Son could not be saved.
His. Son. Was. Dead.
Duncan had gone through the motions of bidding the servant of his goddess farewell. Not out of disinterest but more like being on auto pilot.
His son was dead.
Years he had raised that boy, reared him in his own image and the dwarf father's before him. Had taught him what was right. Kept him safe in Cheliax, that damned devil worshipping city.
His son was dead.
Being an only father in that environment meant there was little time for softness during the day, but Duncan had always made sure the young Dwarf knew his father loved him.
His son was dead.
When Duncan had joined those fighting to defeat the council of theives...that was when it had all began to fall apart.
Duncan had died. Killed at the hands of evil Monks and incinerated in a furnace. It was only a dear friend a Calasteian cleric who'd brought him back.
His son had mourned his death.
When Duncan was returned to life, he'd been changed by the experience. The vengeance he'd sought on the Devil's in the place had taken him from Life, from his boy, from his forge.
His son didn't know this dwarf.
Duncan could bring himself to fight for the empreayl lord again. Had lost his faith and was a supporter at best in the most famous battles that had destroyed the Council.
The son saw his father was not the dwarf he'd idolised.
His son had lost his father.
It was a long road back to faith, and during an argument over what Grimm had deemed his father's great shame, the younger dwarf had flown into his rage and stuck his 'father' or rather this cowardly Smith who'd pretended at being his father.
It was only upon the intervention of a Half Orc- Paladin that had taken Duncan's place in the band that destroyed the Council, that Grimm had been beaten back and Duncan taken into the inheritors faith.
By the time Duncan was healed and reborn, his son was gone.
And now his son was dead.
Duncan meandered the streets in the village till he'd quite accidentally come upon the Mayor ushering his group into a room.
I...have...news
Desmond actually manages to somber up for a moment. Duncan has thick skin, even for a dwarf, so for him to be shaken up like this means his whole world has been flipped. He offers a hand on Duncan's shoulder, squeezing it. "That's rough Duncan. Sometimes there's only so much you can do about your kids."
"That is most dire news, brother. You can rest assured, the monster in service to Evil, wearing the form of your boy, it will be put to a final rest. I know not where his soul goes, but a Grimm will see his place in the Boneyard."
Karnog grips Duncan on the shoulder and nods slowly, deeply aware of the sort of pain the warrior bore.
"This is one of the many reasons I don't have kids."
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"This is one of the many reasons I don't have kids."
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The Mayor listens to Duncan's tale of woe. He then comments on a few of the questions, "It sounds like Grung's clan is not completely following the younger brother, Prung. So, I reckon there's an opportunity there." He frowns a bit when thinking about Duncan's family situation. "You say your son, Grimm, is dead but he is servicing Orcus."
He ponders to himself. Seriously, what would you expect after naming your kid Grimm."
"Well Orcus is the Demon Prince of Undead, perhaps Grimm is undead and servicing his master." Of course that statement lands like a bundle of bricks on the father's head. "And if Grimm is undead, he surely is not serving Grung's brother and it's probably the other way around: King Prung servicing the undead acylote of Orcus."
"I suppose more tankards are needed." The Mayor waves at his attendants.
After the cartographer mayor refills the tankards, he continues with his assessment of the maps.
After making sure everyone was ready to review the maps and the corresponding notes:
"It looks like you all explored quite a bit of this level of the dungeon, more so, than anyone else. Although I will say I've come across a few pieces of ancient lore that has me believing there is a mighty weapon of so some sort that "Predated" Orcus's move into the Dungeon of Graves." He unravels a small weathered document. Inscribed in an ancient language nearly forgotten. "Below the Well lies the Great Vault locked in time. Legend reveals that a millennia ago two great powers were in conflict: One lived by sword and axe. While it was symbolled by a "Bloody Sword". the second group was significantly smaller but no less powerful because magic was on their side. They believed in a principle of unified body, mind and soul which were in harmony. They were symbolized a triangle within a circle. He looks at the party. "Do you recall encountering these symbols from your journeys?"
He drinks some of his spiced ale.
The legend goes on to say the knowledge keeper is a sorcerer known as Obares Sin, the Oracle in Rappan Athuk. This oracle possess more detail about the vault and the great weapon inside. Just in case you come across him." He pauses nd drinks more. "The Vault can not be picked or bypassed to enter." He eyes Desmond. "the last this the parchment says is 3 keys that resemble daggers with ornate colored gems must be used to break the seal."
He lets everyone take that information in. "You may want to poke around below the well for clues."
After more food, libations and discussions the cartographer continues.
"Felicitas's notes mention seeing an iron golem around here." He points to Room 7 and the 40 ft cliff in the SW of the cavern. "You all took here feather swann boat to go down the river>' To level 6A.
"You all probably should get another one of those type boats incase you encounter anymore water travel."
His eyes look over the map. "Her notes mention a ledge and underwater tunnel leading out of the pool room." Room 5.
His attention drift to another part of the map. "This area to the east has potential as it hasn't been explored but her notes mention having to take armor off since the tunnels were tight."
"Since most of you've been there before what are your thoughts on the matter."
'We'll need to find a magic boat, then. Or perhaps some wood and such that we can carry down and I assemble down there. Kalim, do you have anything that will get rid of golems? They cant be hurt with magic, right?"
Karnog pores the maps before pouring another ale.
"I have a feeling we are gonna encounter all the nasties we fled from previous, but hopefully we're strong enough now to take them on."
You will be able to get two folding boats which are reusable and/or a single swan boat feather (non reusable).
"Well, from what I remember, the well exuded an aura of fear and darkness. Hopefully, our magics will allow us to mostly ignore that going forward. As for the boats, we should probably get some reusable ones, we can use some of Felicitas's share for that if need be."
Duncan seemed to shake from his stupor at the sound of weapons.
A powerful weapon might need removin from tha field. Either needs ta be used by us or Stop Orcus's followers using it against us.
He tried to push the grief from his mind and focus on the next step.
Golems ARE tough but almost any thing falls to a blade or hammer. Fraid I don't know much about em. Kalim, Nym, anything in particular we'd need ta know about golems? Vulnerabilites? Strengths?
Desmond raises his adamantium shortsword. "I'll be fine. They're just as vulnerable to sneak attack as anything else."
Desmond raises his adamantium shortsword. "I'll be fine. They're just as vulnerable to sneak attack as anything else."
Duncan, trying to come out of his mirth, jokes at Desmond's expense, Bah! Yea actually gotta hit the damn thing first. He'll be off shaggin' some demoness we encounter on the way in...