The City of Kaer Maga sits in the heart of Varisia, a vast stone hexagon of unknown origin perched high atop the cliffs of the Storval Rise. This cyclopean structure has existed for greater than 10,000 years and today it is a city of wonder, of intrigues and of mysteries.
Carved on the cliff face below the city are numerous representations of gigantic bodies and faces, though who these titanic carvings actually represent is a matter of some conjecture - the vanished runelords of ancient Thassilon, forgotten kings, dead gods, or someone else. Some of these massive sculptures lead into the Undercity, a dizzying network of caverns, tunnels and chambers, both natural and man-made, that riddle the cliffs beneath Kaer Maga.
One of the most famous entrances to the Undercity lies in the mouth of one of the giant faces known as the Unnamed King, and opens onto a series of ancient catacombs where the honoured dead of Kaer Maga are interred. From their cathedral in the Bottoms district of the city above, the clergy of Pharasma oversee the Godsmouth Ossuary, the most prestigious place in Kaer Maga to be buried - and the Pharasmins charge a hefty price for the honour.
For generations, Kaer Maga’s wealthy and powerful have been laid to rest in the Godsmouth Ossuary, thus far, their repose seems to be peaceful. Furthermore there seems to be no limit to the number of bodies that can be stored there – the Ossuary has existed for thousands of years, before the founding of the current city, and has yet to run out of room.
The Cathedral of Pharasma is a place of worship that truly never sleeps…for death itself does not sleep. Yet whilst the acolytes and lower clergy of the Church work tirelessly through the long night, it is unusual for the higher priestesses to be awake at a later hour. Tonight, in a small side chapel dedicated to a long dead saint, the severity of a certain situation mandates that the higher clergy meet in secret.
“Sister Nerissia, it is a late hour, pray tell us why you would have us here, in this somewhat cold crypt, rather than resting for tomorrow’s ceremonies”
Standing and turning to greet the two robed priestesses who have quietly entered the chapel, the waiting priestess smiles a thin smile and gestures at a nearby table, “Sister Thorn, Sister Rashael, thank you for coming…please take a seat”. Pouring a small goblet of wine for each of them, “I will get straight to the point…this concerns the matter of the missing bodies in the Ossuary…”
Sister Nerissia pauses, looking for a reaction from her fellow priestesses and when none is forthcoming, she continues, “There are some who say that this matter is no bad thing, that it may indeed be a solution to our overcrowding problem…I say to those people that you have lost your way…that our role is to aid our wards passage into the next life and to safeguard the vessels of their souls”, Sipping from her wine, “There is enough evidence to suggest that the bodies are being taken to the lower levels…for what purposes I could not say although I have my fears…as should you, my Sisters”.
The taller of the two other priestesses ventures a question, “What would you have us do Sister Nerissia? We do not enter the lower crypts and would, I fear, be poorly prepared for anything that may be down there…I have read accounts of attempts to chart the lower levels”, she winces, “they have never gone well”.
“Sister Thorn”, Sister Nerissia looks pointedly at her fellow Priestess, “I believe it is time that we relaxed our restrictions on entry into the Ossuary…and believe me, I do not suggest this lightly”.
The third priestess nods in agreement, “It is a sad day when we need to consider this, but I am compelled to agree…But who?”
“This is a matter that I have thought on for the last few weeks and I have, I believe, identified a group that can be trusted…and more importantly if it goes poorly, will not be missed”, reaching into her robes, Sister Nerissia brings forth five wrapped scrolls, “these are the summons to be sent to this group, please see to it that they arrive safely in the appropriate hands”.
“There is nothing more to be said on this matter, please ensure these messages are delivered and, my Sisters?”, Sister Nerissia smiles coldly, “Need I remind you of the implications of the City hearing that we are ‘losing’ their beloved forebearers?”. The two lower priestesses nod in acknowledgment of the severity of the situation and depart the chapel as quietly and as reverentially as when they had entered.
It is late the hour when Edmond reaches the city of Kaer Maga. After being let through the gates he heads directly for the Church of Iomedae to get some rest. First thing tomorrow i will seek out the Church of Pharasma and see what i can do to help.. Not long after reaching the church Edmond is summoned to the foyer where he is given a message to come to the Chapel of Saint Joan immediately.. He speaks to the messenger "Well you certainly don't wait long.. Let me gather my things.." Tired but awake Edmond sets off to the Church of Pharasma.. This is truly odd.. Only hours after arrival being called for aid.. Surely i can use this opportunity to further strengthen the ties between Iomedae's and Pharasma's clergy.
Arriving at the chapel Edmond doesn't notice anyone else there.. He takes a seat and waits..
"MORE! BRING ME MORE!" Madok's fist thumps against wood. "I HAVE DESTROYED ALL BEFORE ME! BRING MORE!" He drags his arm across his face, attempting to wipe some of the gore and fluids out of his thick, unkempt beard. "MADOK BONE-CRUNCHER IS NOT FINISHED YET!"
An older Varisian man looks at a woman surely his wife. She looks back with daggers. Clearly, this is seen as his mess and his responsibility. She had warned him when the big barbarian from the north came in. The husband had thought this obvious adventuring type might attract more of the same to his tavern. Adventurers were always throwing silver and even gold around for any rumor you could tell them; that's what he'd heard at least.
But the big man had been at it for hours now and hadn't asked a single question. He simply demanded more ale and more chickens. And now, almost inevitably, they had come upon a rather sticky problem. There were no more chickens. The first chickens had been roasted, but seeing as the recipe called for hours of preparation, soon they simply fried the chicken. And the big barbarian seemed not to care or perhaps even notice. The Varisian man swallows his fear and approaches Madok.
"Ah, well, you see, Mr., ah, um ..."
"MADOK IS NO MASTER OF SLAVES! HE IS MADOK BONE-CRUNCHER! MADOK OF THE SHOANTI! MADOK OF THE KEEPERS OF SECRET KNOWLEDGE!" Madok stops short. He continues with a lowered voice. "Forget that last part. Now, where is my next chicken???"
"Well, that's the thing, sir. There, um, well, there aren't any more chickens. You ...ate them all."
"BECAUSE THEY WERE DELICOIUS!" Madok beams.
"Well, yes, thank you very much, but I'm afraid we have no more to serve you."
Madok's face twists and darkens in thought. He mulls over the situation for ...longer than should be necessary. The tavern-owner grows more and more nervous. Eventually, Madok seems to come to a satisfactory conclusion and nods his head.
"PORK THEN! BRING ME PORK CHOPS! BRING ME SALTED HAMS! BRING ME ANYTHING THAT ONCE OINKED, FOR I, MADOK BONE-CRUNCHER, SHALL EAT IT WITH POWER!"
The tavern-owner looks back to his wife, whose face shows how unacceptable this option is. The man weighs his relative fear of his wife versus that of the new-comer, and quickly realizes he is more afraid of his wife. He knows what she can do.
"Well, the thing is--"
Just then, a handsome youth bursts into the tavern. "I have a message for a ...Madok Bone-Cruncher? Is he here?" Just as the boy finishes his question his eyes fall on the man that is obvious the one he seeks. Even seated at a table, he's a behemoth of a human being, outsizing the furniture in the tavern almost as a man would a gnome's. When the barbarian suddenly stands, he bumps his head on the ceiling, making him seven full feet tall. The boy had once seen a seven foot tall Mwangi man, but that one was bone-thin. This Madok was massive all around, with a stout belly as well.
"I AM MADOK BONE-CRUNCHER! DO YOU HAVE CHICKENS FOR ME?"
"No, uh, sir, just a message."
"A MESSAGE!?! PERHAPS IT IS ABOUT THIS SUDDEN CHICKEN PROBLEM! GIVE IT TO ME NOW."
The boy hands over the message and Madok begins pouring over the contents.
"Duh ---deeeeee--deeeeear--dear Muh. Muh. May--Maydo--MADOK! THAT IS ME! DEAR MADOK!" He looks around the gathered crowd to see if anyone is proud of him. Eventually the owner gives a weak smile. Perhaps this will take the giant from his livelihood.
-----One painful hour later-----
"So, what you're saying is that I am to meet Saint Joan at the Nerissa temple tonight and tell no one what I see?"
The messenger sighs. "No, Madok. St. Joan's is the cathedral in the church of Pharasma. You're meeting Sister Nerissia."
"Ah. Yes! Of course! They likely want to know about my secret knowledges! Shhhhh! Tell no one I was here. SHOP KEEPER! I do not understand your 'civilized' system of 'buying.' But here are some shiny coins people keep giving me when I see them in alleys. YOUR CHICKEN WAS DELICIOUS! SO SAYS MADOK BONE-CRUNCHER!" Madok drops 8 gold pieces on the table and leaves.
The shop-keeper wisely resists gloating about the ridiculous amount of money to his wife.
Madok eventually finds his way to his intended destination after asking a few more knowledgeable locals. Inside he sees a half-elf sitting patiently. Madok sits, cramped, next to the cleric. [b]"ARE YOU SISTER NARISSIA?" he stage-whispers, poorly.
Edmond almost goes into defensive mode as a huge man enters the Chapel, but soon calms as he sits down and asks a silly question.. "Well umm.. I.. Do i look like a sister? Don't answer that.. No im not Sister Narissia, i am Edmond Blackerly, Priest of Iomedea, and i was summoned here for im guessing the same reason as you were? Umm.. I didn't catch your name Sir Giant man.."
"I AM MADOK BONE-CRUNCHER! MADOK OF THE SHOANTI! MADOK, KEEPER OF SECRET KNOWLEDGES! I received a message to come here. So this is a church but it is not your church? Who is this ...Iomedeah? Your god?"
Edmond looks cross at Madok.. "He doesn't know of Iomedae? Hmm.."
"Um.. Yes she is my god.. I'm surprised you have not heard of here.. She is The Inheritor, The Light of the Sword.. Goddess of Valor, Justice, and Honor.. I am here to strengthen the bonds of her and Pharasma by showing our willingness to help.. Who do you worship Madok?"
"Perhaps that is why I am here! For my God is a secret God, one few know of. I found his sacred book on a raid, and later found his mystical talisman. Perhaps Far-ass and your strange female god have called to seek his truths."
Not a morning person, Relnan starts his day around noon with a meeting in the Common House. He is meeting with one of Halman Wright's advisors, a Freeman named Sid Grent. Their topic is a slave shipment arrival concurrent with a general lack of funds available to the Freemen.
"No, Relnan, I'm afraid we've spent last of the money," Sid informs the young sorcerer, "It'll be a good month before we can go on another purchasing spree."
Relnan's brow furrows, "Sid, you know there's a huge shipment of slaves coming in just a fortnight. We have to be able to buy at least some of them!"
"Don't forget, boy," Sid chastises, "I've been at this game a lot longer than you. We help as many as we can, and it's unfortunate that the current state of our treasury coincides with the arrival of these slaves. We just can't do anything about it. We'll probably be able to free a few in our raids in the next few months, but I'm afraid that's the best we can do."
"I know, I know...and I don't mean to be rude," Relnan responds, "I'll see if I can find some extra odd jobs this week to make some extra coin, but I doubt it will be enough to purchase even one slave."
Sid stares at Relnan for a moment before responding. "Listen, I know it's tough, but think of all the people we are able to help. Eventually, we will stop slavery in Kaer Maga, but it will take years. Fortunately we've got young 'uns like you with a real passion to make that happen. Come on, let's go down to the tavern and grab a couple mid-day drinks!" Sid quickly rises and motions for Relnan to come with him. "I'll have to pass," Relnan answers with a laugh, "I have some errands to run this afternoon, and I'd best be sober when dealing with the shopkeepers around here."
Relnan shakes his head as he watches Sid leave. Drinking at this hour? That man is true devotee to Cayden...
=================================
In the middle of his afternoon of errands, Relnan encounters one of the local tavern owner's sons. "Relnan!" he calls out, "I got a message for you!"
"Oh, what's this about?"
"I dunno. I got caught sneaking into the catacombs," the boy says with a playful grin, "And the priestess told me if I deliver this letter to you, I'd be off the hook!"
Relnan smiles remembering all the favors he did for the Church after being caught in that exact same situation. He nods at the boy. "You have my thanks. See you if can make it in without getting caught next time though!"
"Haha, I will definitely try!" the boy says as he runs off down the street.
The boy gone, Relnan's attention turns to the letter. What would the Church want with me? I haven't gone poking around there since I was twelve! Er, except for that one incident a couple years ago...Relnan recalls the time he crashed one of the hang gliders from Kites and Crows into the Church's rooftop, But that was all settled! Somewhat unnerved, Relnan returns to his room, a rented space above a cobbler's shop, to read the letter.
=================================
Excellent! Relnan thinks after reading the letter, This could be it! A way to save a least a few of those slaves. Though somewhat bothered that the Church had learned of his newly-discovered powers, he decides now is the not the time to look a gift horse in the mouth. He sets about gathering his things for the coming job. At least this time it's legal, he thinks, reflected on the few slave-freeing raids he'd accompanied the Freemen on. By the time he finishes his preparations (including a quick dinner), night is already upon the city.
Relnan swiftly makes his way from the cobbler's shop to the Ossuary. Only needing to cover a distance of three blocks, he arrives shortly after leaving. He takes the time to sit outside the chapel for a few minutes. The letter vaguely mentioned something about descending into the catacombs...so I'd better take a few minutes to enjoy the Bottoms before heading in, he decides.
Finding a cleric and a barbarian sitting in the chapel, he quietly takes a seat in one of the back pews. After listening to their conversation briefly, he thinks, I guess those are two of the other team members the letter mentioned. Well, the cleric looks like he's about to start a sermon, and the other man looks like he will be a handful. I hope they keep each other entertained until the rest of the group shows up...
Sara had been beating on, whoops, "Training" some other recruits in the temple sparing grounds when the message came. After reading the message, she thanked the messenger, put her training sword away, calmly left the training grounds, and, seeing no one around, took off half running, half leaping, half dancing for the armory. 'Finally, a mission! Sixty four and a half years in a five year training program, and I finally get to go on a quest! Yes!' Seeing a priest walk around a corner, Sara manages to transform her gallivanting into a stately walk before he looks up, and brushes past him as he shakes his head and returns to reorganizing his papers.
Once reaching the armory, Sara gathers her preferred equipment and starts to put it on, but realizes that anyone seeing her in full kit would probably know that something was up. After thinking a bit, Sara stuffs everything but her armor into a sack and hurries to the meeting point. On arrival, Sara sits on one of the pews and waits for a few minutes before deciding that she is too excited to wait the five hours it would be till the meeting time, and stuffing the sack under a pew, heads back to the sparring grounds.
At the designated time, Sara returns the room to find that others had arrived before her. As she walks over to her stuff, she examines them. 'Hmm, a cleric of...Iomedea? Strange, seeing one of Iomedea's in a temple to Pharasma. Didn't our gods have a tiff way back when? A big man, with a big sword. And a big stick. Hope he doesn't get angry at me, those things look like they would hurt. And a quiet guy, in the back, with' Sara bends down to grab her sack, getting a better look at the man in the process 'really weird eyes. This is going to be interesting.' Sitting across from the cleric and the big man, Sara begins to attach everything to herself while listening to the discussion between the two men.
The Cathedral to Pharasma in Kaer Maga is an imposing gothic structure and dominates the skyline in the Bottoms District. It looms over a large square where, during the day, residents of the city set up impromptu markets selling supposedly divine trinkets to bereaved families. The Pharasmin Church ignores this trade so long as marketeers remain respectful to the worshippers, the clergy and the clientele of the Cathedral; of course, there are also the persistent rumours that the Church demands a slice of any profit made within the market.
During the night however, this square is typically bereft of activity for this is not an area of the Botttoms where one would choose to carouse or socialise…anyone approaching the Cathedral could easily be observed by someone looking through any one of the multitude of Cathedral windows overlooking the square.
Tonight, such a person is sat quietly at a high arched window, anticipating the arrival of four visitors to the Cathedral. Sipping at a wine, Sister Nerissia watches and waits…
Sara Evergreen will, of course, be waiting at the Chapel already. I am gladdened to finally be able to give her a task that is suited towards her skills…I just hope that the others will be able to see past her apparent youth and recognise her importance as the sole representative of Pharasma in this endeavour…
Sister Nerissia's first guest crosses the square some time before the hour of midnight. Dressed in the clerical garb of Iomedae, the Half-Elf has clearly been on the road for a while and, from his gait and pace, looks close to the point of exhaustion.
Is this all the Church of Iomedae can spare? A travelling preacher blown in from the wilderness? I would have expected better...more goodwill...but no matter...
Noting the arrival of her second guest…a giant of a man striding with purpose across the square, Sister Nerissia, not for the first time, has a moment of very real doubt.
Are things truly that perilous that we should allow outsiders into our most sacred places? This 'Madok' is well regarded by those who have been watching on my behalf, yet he is not a believer…indeed, I wonder whether he truly knows what he believes in…
As she observes the man loudly announce his presence, to no-one in particular, in front of the cathedral, she takes a large draught of wine…
Not long after Madok-Bone Cruncher passes through the large entrance to the Cathedral, Sister Nerissia observes her third guest sitting at a bench across the square. It is dark and Relnan is a fair distance away, yet Sister Nerissia recognises the sorcerer on sight.
I wonder whether this one knows that we have been watching him for a while now? I wish that I could have waited longer...to see how his powers manifest...to see whether he can be controlled...before demanding service, but needs must...needs must
Placing her goblet on a table, Sister Nerissia stands, straightens her robes and watches for her final guest…
Edmond greets each of his fellow party members as they enter.. "Nice to meet you all.. I'm Edmond Blackerly, Priest of Iomedae at your service.. The huge fellow here is Madok.. I suppose you all received a summons similar to this? I trust we shall be meeting our contact at some point and find out what this is all about.." With that he sits and continues to work on a wooden carving of what appears to be Iomedae's holy symbol..
Sara was just finishing attaching the last of her weapons when Elee arrived. Wrestling her sword into position, she smiles at the explanation Elee gives, which widens to a grin at her accidental correction. Looking up at Elee, Sara's grin dies when she sees Elee. 'Wait, she is coming too? I know that saying she is too young to come would extremely ironic of me, but she couldn't be older than ten! I hope we are not making a mistake here...'
Madok looks at the young child with mouth agape. "A ...a mistress of dragons ...AND a talking bird! Is this some child god, is this your Yomeeday?"
Relnan watches the interactions of the others as the halfing arrives. Alright, clearly I have one goal for this job...not die. He releases a sigh at a slightly higher volume than intended.
"Umm.. No Madok, she is not Iomedae.. And i think she was kidding about the dragons.. Not the brightest star now is he.. With that Edmond goes back to his carving..
Shortly before the strike of midnight, another figure arrives in the square. From the figures' stature and their manner of arrival, Sister Nerissia was able to determine who had arrived...
So, Marta has entrusted us with her daughter...
As the young druid disappears into the Cathedral, the priestess gathers her thoughts and makes her way from her rooms to the Chapel of Saint Joan.
A side door in the Chapel opens silently and a tall woman dressed in the simple garb of a Pharasmin Priestess enters. She nods curtly at you before standing at the front of the shrine, facing the effigy of an armoured lady who you assume must be Saint Joan. The Priestess holds a rectangular chest, the contents tinkling like glass against glass as she walks.
After a short prayer to the Saint, the Priestess turns towards the assembled group and begins in a low voice that nonetheless carries in the quiet chapel, "Allow me to introduce myself to those who I have not met before, I am Sister Nerissia of the Church of Pharasma. You must be wondering why you have been called here at this late hour and I will not keep you in suspense as to the reasons. For generations, Kaer Maga's wealthy and powerful have been laid to rest in the Godsmouth Ossuary, and thus far, their rest seemed to be peaceful. The ossuary has existed for thousands of years, long before the founding of the city itself. There seems to be no limit to the number of bodies that can be stored here and yet..."
Sister Nerissia looks pained as she continues,"Bodies are missing from the Godsmouth Ossuary. You may or may not know that the ossuary is forbidden to all but the clergy and honored dead; even mourners are restricted to the ossuary's entrance or the cathedral; not even the Duskwardens, who safely lead visitors through the Undercity via the Halflight Path are allowed to enter the sacred vaults. But now...there have been increased reports of undead roaming the Undercity and this has led us to believe that the source of the problem lies in the sealed levels below the main crypts.”
“The vessels of the departed are being stolen from the Ossuary and, I fear, are being subject to Necromancy. This cannot be allowed. It stands to reason that none of the clergy here are above suspicion, so I have assembled a capable group of outside help.”
Looking at each of you, “You are that help…you are known to this Church through prior dealings or through your reputation.”
“There is a sealed door in the Ossuary leading further beneath Kaer Maga, it is my belief that whoever or whatever is stealing the remains has come from there. It will be your job to enter that door and to discover the source of the thefts."
"If you need incentive, we are offering a generous fee: 500 gold coins to divide amongst yourselves. In addition, any valuables you find therein will be yours to keep, so long as they are not sacred to the church. I will stress one last time, your silence about this matter after tonight is of the utmost importance. Should word escape of this matter... well, it won't will it?"
She sets down the chest and begins removing vials of liquid, each stoppered and labeled. She pairs them off, one vial of clear liquid to one vial of blue liquid."To ensure your success, we are prepared to give each of you a vial of holy water blessed by the goddess and a potion to heal wounds.", she says before pulling out a long chime of silvery metal and handing it to the armoured Pharasmin warrior,"Sara Evergreen, I shall entrust you with the chime of opening - this chime may be sounded five times and five times only to open sealed doors in the complex below the Ossuary. Be advised that you should keep one in reserve in order to return to the Cathedral- we will not open the doors again, no matter how insistently it is knocked upon."
She looks at the assembled group, "Are these terms agreeable?"
Madok watches in wonder as the priestess enters the room and begins making her speech. Unfortunately, she loses him somewhere around the part where she talked about how long the ossuary had existed.
Ahs-you-ary. Ahhhhs-you-ary. Ahhhh, you scary! Ha ha ha! Wordplay! Madok is clever as well as handsome! And hungry! I wonder if they have anything to eat here? I think it is probably wrong to eat a bird that can talk. Too much like eating a person, and what am I, some sort of Hill Person! I remember when we raided the hill people. They were all skinny. I guess if you eat people then you don't want to be very good for eating. I bet pigs would diet if they were smarter! Who would want a skinny pig?
Madok pictured an emaciated pig with spectacles on winking at him knowingly.
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" The priestess was still talking, so Madok nodded sagely. He then heard the word "necromancy." Madok scowled. Necromancers meant foes that don't eat and can't be eaten. Necromancers were bad ideas. Evil men with no spirit or thirst or hunger! The emaciated pig turned into a sad, skeletal pig, a single tear falling from it's eye-hole. Madok's face took a grim countenance. The priestess was now talking about chimes. Seems like a silly thing to worry about now, but these strange made-up female gods are likely not as wise as my own.
He stands. "I, Madok Bone-Cruncher, vow upon my own honor that your evil necromancers shall be slain and slain hard! And if you said to do other things, that too!"
Relnan stands and approaches Sister Nerissia with a determined look in his yellow eyes.
"Sister, if I may be so bold as to make a counteroffer...instead of 500 gold coins, I would forfeit my share and the group would receive 400 gold coins. In lieu of my share, I request that the Church purchase and free four slaves from the rather large shipment on its way that the city has been abuzz about. It is a gamble, for me and for you. Depending on how hard a bargain the slavers drive, and how well your representative is able to haggle, you may end up paying more or less than the 100 gold you would have given me." Relnan pauses for a second. "I think my motives for coming on this job are fairly obvious to anyone in the Bottoms. So what say you, Sister?"
So, the young man wants to bargain does he? He should think himself lucky to be a free man...how many times have we turned a blind eye to his roaming on our sacred ground? Still, it matters little how the gold is spent and, if it will guarantee his compliance...
"Very well young man", Sister Nerissia replies, with a little too much emphasis on the word 'young', "The church will negotiate the purchase of slaves on your behalf...yet it will be done discreetly and not in the name of our Church. What you do with those slaves is of no concern to us and, when they are delivered into your care, the matter will not be spoken of again"
Those eyes...I have had them described to me but seeing them now, in the 'flesh'...they truly are unique
Relnan nods appreciatively. "Thank you, Sister. Your kindness will not go forgotten among the Freemen," he replies before moving back to his seat.
Sara examines the chime and vials before placing them carefully into her backpack. Thank you sister. I will do my best to stop this desecration.
"You may keep my payment as well sister.. I came tonight to show the willingness of the Church of Iomedae to resovle past conflicts and in turn strengthen the bonds of our two faiths.. You do us a great honor and therefore no further payment is needed.. I wish to help you with your issue and be discreet about it as well.."
Marta's child is still just that....a child....I pray she is ready for this task
"Elee, we do not know for sure whether the stolen bodies are being used to create undead however there is talk of increased numbers of zombies roaming the tunnels beneath our city...it would seem unlikely that the grave robbing and the rise in undead activity are not related. Our church is violently opposed to all forms of necromancy...if you do uncover evidence of such practices, they must be stopped...permanently"
Her message delivered, Sister Nerissia smiles at the assembled group. The smile, whilst not cold, makes it clear that the Priestess has uncertainty in her mind...
"I am prepared to escort you to the entrance to the Ossuary now however if you need time to prepare, I am willing to wait for no more than one day..."
Edmond takes the offered potion and holy water.. "I am ready when the rest of you are.."
Sara touches all her weapons to ensure that they are there, then stands. "I am also ready."
Standing to his full seven feet, "Madok Bone-Cruncher was BORN ready! Ready to slay! Ready to feast! Ready to ...love." Madok waggles his eyebrows at the Sister and Sara.
Relnan stands back up and replies,"Ready as well."
"This way please", Sister Nerissia directs, leading you out of a rear chapel within the cathedral to the edge of the great chasm overlooking the lands of Varisia below. From the high position on the Storval Rise, you can see the twinkling lights of farming settlements and villages many miles south of Kaer Maga. "Watch your step" she cautions as she leads you down the narrow, twisting cliffside path that passes directly into the mouth of the massive carved face known as the Unnamed King.
As she leads you down the path, Sister Nerissia talks in a low voice to the Paladin of Pharasma.
“Sara, what I must say to you is a delicate matter and, were it to be repeated in the wrong place, could prove to be severely embarrassing to our Church. I would ask that you keep this information to yourself until you are absolutely sure that you may trust your companions”
The priestess continues, “A number of years ago one of our priests, a Chelish man who went by the name of Svilennius Tripe somehow found ancient tomes from an ancient heretical sect of Pharasma known as the Chymists of Life in Death. These tomes dealt with the creation of undead through alchemical rather than magical means; providing the sect a supposed loophole around Pharasma's prohibition against the creation and use of undead creatures."
"When his superiors discovered one of the banned books in his quarters, Svilennius was brought before an ecclesiastical tribunal. There he presented his newfound heretical views; that the church could use the undead to support its works, increasing its manpower and solving the problems of space within the ossuary at the same time. Needless to say, Svilennius' ideas fell on deaf ears. The shocked church elders stripped Svilennius of his ecclesiastical rank and excommunicated him, branding him a heretic."
“Svilennius disappeared from view and we thought him long dead…yet some of the undead that have been reported within the Undercity are, from the accounts we have received, different to those who have been raised by magical necromancy. If this is true, there is a chance that Svilennius yet lives and has managed to use his heretical knowledge to raise the dead.”
“If indeed you do find Svilennius somewhere within the ossuary he must be stopped and, Sara, I must insist any evidence linking him to our Church must be destroyed”
Her piece said, Sister Nerissia is silent awaiting affirmation from the paladin.
As you enter the ossuary proper, you see that it is well lit with everburning torches, richly decorated, and amazingly clean. Several Pharasmin priests, robed and hooded, silently tend to the deceased. Sister Nerissia leads you through luxuriously appointed catacombs packed with bodies wrapped in the finest linens and reverently placed in countless stone niches lining the walls. You descend several stairways before coming to an area that obviously sees little use – most of the burial niches are empty and dusty, the air is musty and close, and silence reigns supreme.
In this unused portion of the crypts, Sister Nerissia stops before a wooden door, bound with steel bands. "This is the only known entrance to the sealed lower portions of the ossuary, once you enter, the door will be locked behind you. Do not be mistaken, you MUST save one use of the chime of opening to get back through this door when you are ready to leave." she points at the door as she says this. "The priests will not open the door for you. They have no way of seeing through the locked door to recognize you or determine whether something...else is trying to get through. If you lose the chime or use up its magic, you must find your own way out of the ossuary."
Sister Nerissia then goes to each one of you and touches you lightly on the left side of your face as she whispers, "The Lady of Graves bless and keep you safe." She then draws a large iron key from beneath her robes and inserts it into the door. She turns the key and the lock clicks loudly in the silence.
The door grinds open despite long years of disuse. Within, a stone spiral staircase descends into the earth.
Before the party enters, Relnan draws and loads his crossbow. As the party begins to descend the stairwell, he attempts to slip in fourth in line.
Sara pulls her hammer off her back and steps through the door. "Shall we be off?"
"ADVENTURE!"
As the door grinds slowly closed, your eyes adjust to the darkness within the small room that you find yourselves in....the light from Elee's Light spell illuminate the featureless walls....
The first thing you notice is how dusty the floor and other flat surfaces are...that, and the profusion of cobwebs around the corners of the room suggest that you are the first travellers in this room for a VERY long time.
Moments after the door clicks into a closed position, the glowing sigil of Pharasma appears on the hinges and handles of the door. For a brief moment, there is complete silence, punctuated only by the sound of your breathing.
It appears that there is but one exit from this room (other than the door through which you have just passed), down a narrow stone spiral staircase...
"Alright we lets get to it.. Elee dear would you mind letting Madok and Sara go first? Big weapons are always the best point point for these kinda things.."
Sara glances around the room. 'What a dreary place. If the rest of the tomb is like this, we shouldn't have much trouble finding out where the desecrators are. Still, only having one light source probably isn't a good idea. If it gets snuffed, we would be in trouble. So.....' Sara concentrates for a moment, then a shining halo of light erupts above her head. Turning to Elee, she reinforces Edmond's idea. "Edmond's right, kiddo. Whatever is down there, it probably doesn't want to be our friend.
"As we proceed, try to keep an eye out for any areas where the dust or cobwebs have been disturbed. Hopefully, we can pick up a trail that leads us right to our target," Relnan suggests before the party sets off down the staircase, "And sorry, Elee, but the others are right. Let Madok and Sara take the lead."
Sara smiles at the apparently young child's excitement. "I'm not an angel. At least, not completely. My great-grandfather was one, though. I hope to meet him one day. I am interested in you though. You do seem rather..." Sara gropes momentarily for a word, then gives up "young to be out on your own. Dragons aside, are you sure you will be alright? I know there is some pretty nasty stuff out in the world."
With the only clear route into the crypts being the staircase, the group commence their descent further into the Ossuary. The vertical shaft of the staircase is cramped, this coupled with the narrowness of the steps, forces the party to negotiate the stairs carefully and in single file. The light from the Paladins’ Halo and Elee's Light Spell provide the only illumination within the confines of the staircase.
Small clouds puff up from the steps as your feet disturb years of accumulated dust. The gentle swish of Madok's club clearing the cobwebs and your footsteps echoing along the staircase are the only noises punctuating the deathly silence.
After approximately 30 feet of descent, the spread of cobwebs and depth of settled dust seems to be a lot less severe, indicating that maybe someone or something has travelled along the staircase within recent times.
Similar to the room from which you have descended, there are few features of note along the staircase. The walls are generally smooth, carved from the rock whilst the steps are blockwork construction and are heavily worn.
Suddenly for no obvious reason, the illumination along the staircase reduces…the party pauses briefly in confusion…Edmond, looking above the group, lets out a shout as he notices something untoward...
Almost immediately, there is a flurry of motion from between the staircase and the shaft directly above the cleric at the rear of the group. Through the dimness, you can see a dark shape drop towards the cleric…
You stand horrified as the dark shape extends its' tentacles during it's dive towards the cleric; it fully spreads out leathery webbing between it's tentacles then slams, ineffectively into the wall next to its' intended victim.