Hosilla,
You will remain, for the time being, in Kenabres, but know this: the city’s days are numbered. Seek a place of safety—the underground den of your mongrel lackeys should suffice to keep you safe from the devastation to come. I shall assume command of Drezen shortly, and once Vorlesh has finished with the wardstone and Kenabres is no longer of interest to us, you are to return to my side. Excellent news regarding the salvage of Yaniel’s sword from the museum as well—bring it with you, for I believe this weapon could be quite useful once we corrupt it. Before you leave for Drezen, stop by the three safe houses (Nyserian Manor, Topaz Solutions, and the Tower of Estrod—the passphrase remains “I’ve new material for the archives,” for now) to
ensure no evidence remains behind.
May Lord Deskari and Lord Baphomet watch over you!
S. V.
"Everyone! You need to see this. It is very concerning, and could be evidence of traitors in the city. "
Caliban hold the note out, proffering it to the party to review and discuss their thoughts. His face a look of concern and worry.
Sioned opens the door to the north and uncovers a small room. A stone pedestal holds a copper brazier aloft in the center of this room. Against the western wall, an enormous pile of animal furs and thick quilts serves as a bed. Sheathed weapons and stone carvings adorn the walls. The eastern half of the room holds a wooden desk, beneath which stands a long, thin iron lockbox.
I should've brought some sacks to put everything in. Thick sacks since we'll likely be dragging everything.
Sioned goes south out of the room.
"Everyone, I found a lockbox, a brazier, some weapons, and a lot of furs. We may want to use those furs to wrap some of the loot up to carry back.
Sioned then checks the south room.
After reading the note, Suryani hands it back to Caliban. I don't recognize these names, but it seems what happened to Kenabres was not just a random occurence. We best make out way back up there as quickly as we can, so we can warn the crusaders.
And I need to find my brother, and get out of here.
Suryani then starts piling up stuff, and tries to open the lockbox with the key found.
Caliban passes the note to Caleb, "Do you recognize these names? When Sioned comes back, ask her as well. I will assist Suryani with that chest and gathering up what is there."
Caliban will then assist Suryani with gathering up things, casting Detect magic on the contents of the chest.
What city? Kloss says The hole we fell through is probably all that remains.
Has any of you ever heard of that sword? Sound like something a paladin might find useful. If it's not corrupted, of course
Do I need to role anything to see if I recognize the names?
The desk has some old damaged drawers, but nothing of interest is inside them. It doesn't seem as if this was used much as an actual desk.
Sioned then checks the south room.
The area to the south, where the woman finally died, seems to be some sort of "kitchen". There are old blood stains the floor of this small cavern. Barrels filled with scraps of fur and fat sit against one wall, emitting a foul stench. The two long stone slab tables are covered with skinning tools and piles of freshly butchered meat. Two wooden racks hold drying animal skins.
On the southwestern slab, A masterwork dagger that’s been used as a cleaver is wedged in between the ribs of a butchered dire rat.
Knowledge Religion to see if he recognized the name of the sword.
On the names
Knowledge Religion to see if he recognized the name of the sword.
Caliban will then assist Suryani with gathering up things, casting Detect magic on the contents of the chest.
The brightness of the aura emanating from the box blinds Calbian for a moment, like stepping into the sunlight from a dark room, until his eyes adjust. It seems to be very strong Abjuration magic.
Suryani then starts piling up stuff, and tries to open the lockbox with the key found.
The key opens the lockbock easily. It holds a small leather pouch containing an assortment of semiprecious gemstones (three chips of lapis lazuli, two red-flecked stones, a yellow gem, and a white pearl) as well as 2 scrolls.
The lockbox also contains long, thin darkwood sword case. Inside this case in velvet lies a breathtaking longsword—a weapon of obviously superior craftsmanship with a razor-sharp blade that appears to be made of shining gold.
He will share what he knows with the party.
Kloss is not familiar with the surroundings of Kenabres, nor any local Paladin. Well, she sounds tough enough.
Is the sword there?
Is the sword there?
Inside the lockbox, inside the sword case, there is in fact a golden sword with a blindingly bright magical aura.
He is going to pick up the sword.
"Caleb, be careful with that, it is very powerful. Possibly the Yaniel's blade mentioned in the letter?" Caliban says, kneeling by the chest, shrugging, he turns back to the scrolls in his hand, incanting a spell over them.
"It radiates very strong abjuration magic, and I do not know anything more than that."
Thus the gods light my path. he says as he reaches for the sword fight
Thus the gods light my path. he says as he reaches for the sword fight
When first handled by the paladin, the blade suddenly glows with golden light. Its form shifts and reforms to become a golden bastard sword in his hand.
The sword glows with the brightness of a torch, but Caleb feels that it will recede and relight at his command.
Behold, a sign from Ragathiel! I thank you General of Vengence for blessing me with your favor. May my arm be used to bring righteouss vengence to the demonic hordes and bring peace to those who they have defiled! he utters in prayer.
On the southwestern slab, A masterwork dagger that’s been used as a cleaver is wedged in between the ribs of a butchered dire rat.
Sioned pulls out the knife and leaves the room. It's at this point that she notices Caleb's new glowing sword.
I suspect informing them of butcher scraps and a good knife would ruin the moment.
That is a good idea. He will detect evil
That is a good idea. He will detect evil
There is a dim lingering aura of evil coming from the body of the Tiefling and the note in Caliban's hand, but no active auras here.
He will claim the sword after telling them what he found.
'Ah, yes, truly a sign from the gods. We are fortunate to have such luck on our side in this endeavor." Caliban says, slightly uncomfortable with the overt display of religious fervor.
"Sioned, have we covered all avenues in this complex? Are there other things we need to investigate?" Caliban says, trying to coalesce a pile of found items, and attempting to sort useful things out to a smaller pile.
What does the sword do so I can add it to my sheet.
What does the sword do so I can add it to my sheet.
Caleb feels that it will light at his command, as if a torch, but he does not know anything else about it without identifying it.
Grazie
"Sioned, have we covered all avenues in this complex? Are there other things we need to investigate?" Caliban says, trying to coalesce a pile of found items, and attempting to sort useful things out to a smaller pile.
"There are still more rooms to investigate in this lair, but we should save those for tomorrow. For now, we strip only the rooms we cleared of valuables. My most immediate concern right now is figuring out a way to carry everything back."
"Sioned, you think pulling back is our best option? I will admit, I am pretty spent after that ill-advised engagement with the teifling and heretic. Do you think there are still occupants somewhere in this warren?" Caliban asks, trying to make sense of the pile of things.
'It also may not be worth our time and effort to bring all of these things out, maybe we can lock them up for the residents of 'Neathhome and present them a key??" Caliban says, his obvious frustration with trying to determine the use of some of the furs.
"Sioned, you think pulling back is our best option? I will admit, I am pretty spent after that ill-advised engagement with the teifling and heretic. Do you think there are still occupants somewhere in this warren?" Caliban asks, trying to make sense of the pile of things.
"If we don't know for sure that there are still occupants then it's best to assume that there are. It's also best to be in our best forms in case there are any surprises."
"It also may not be worth our time and effort to bring all of these things out, maybe we can lock them up for the residents of Neathholm and present them a key??" Caliban says, his obvious frustration with trying to determine the use of some of the furs.
"I'd rather trade our spoils than give them away. For now, my advice is to take everything we can carry and come back tomorrow with thick sack we can pull along the ground. After completely clearing this place, we'll be returning to Neathholm one last time to properly supply ourselves before braving the surface."
I think we should take the usable things. The weapons can be of great use as well as the gold and the magical items. Armor as well.
"Respectfully, I do not necessarily see value to travelling more between this place and Neathholm than needed; although if we are to pick up the other three then I suppose it is needed."
Caliban sighs, looking at the assembled gear.
"Then let us prioritize what is immediately useful, and what is easily carryable for us."
We need to get back to the surface to see what remains and what help we might be able to render to the defenders of Kenabres.
We need to get back to the surface to see what remains and what help we might be able to render to the defenders of Kenabres.
"That you speak of "what remains" is all the more reason to value everything we find. For today, however, we should prioritize out findings."
This hideout may prove to be valuable if the city above is destroyed. If demons roam the lands, we'll need a place to be able to retreat to.
Do we need to rest? Is this a safe place to do so?
"Perhaps once they realize their leader was dead, what stragglers still linger here might flee?" Suryani asks hopefully.
"Either way, I agree with Sioned, it seems prudent to head back to Underholm first, this woman seems to belong to those false crusaders we found earlier, so she may have corrupted these mongrelmen to join her cause."
Here is a map of the Mongrelman's lair that you've uncovered so far.
Of the things that have been found recently:
- The Lockbox is large and difficult to carry. It is quite secure and weights around 50 lbs. The scrolls and gems inside it are of negligible extra weight.
- The case for the sword is more decorative and less heavy, it weights around 10 lbs.
- There are about 100lbs of furs in the corner of the room, but some of them are of a much better quality than others.
"We should take the gems and the scrolls, I do not know much about the value of these furs in economic terms. I think we should keep the dagger Sioned found, and obviously the sword Caleb is now holding. Is there someone who can look at the furs?" Caliban says, looking to the group.
I'd much rather look at the sky. Kloss says. We didn't explore all of this rabbit-hole, let's make sure nobody sneak up upon us from behind.
Caliban looks at both of the scrolls, and hands them both to Suryani. "I suspect these are both useful to you. May they help you in whatever trials you face after we emerge from this darkness." Caliban shrugs, looking at the others.
"Do we wish to retreat to the relative safety of Neathhome? It will give us respite and allow us to push further through this complex on the morrow."