"If you've got goblins moving into the area, you're going to have trouble unless something is done about it." Dasim says, following on Ziyad's questions. "So exactly where is this haunted, goblin infested tomb?"
Aye, this deserves a look.
"You're actually going to go there yourselves? He waves away the other patrons he was telling the story to before and waves you in closer. "Ok, look. There wasn't a dozen goblins. The were only a couple but I'm no fighter. I sure didn't see any ghosts like that girl said. The tomb is a little ways to the north east barely into the Sumber Hills. There's a little hole in the side of the hill there. It's almost directly between the long road and the larch path."
"Two or more likely twenty, we'll clear the critters out of there before they get a foothold in the area and cause a lot more trouble."
Turning to the rest of the party he says, "Shall we get a fresh start in the morning? I could use a night's rest before setting off again."
The waitress looks at Ziyad strangely and apologies, "It's not the freshest but I'll get it for you." A little while later a bunch of plates with thick cut steaks comes out for everyone. The waitress gives Magmoira a strange looks but doesn't say anything as she drops the plates off. The stakes are surprisingly well seasoned and cooked for such an out of the way town. You all find find rooms at the inn across the street except for Rrath who returns to the boarding house he was staying at before.
Refreshed from a good meal and a good night's sleep the group meets back up.
Up early the next morning, Dasim quickly readies himself and slips to the common room to have tea and a biscuit as the sun rises over the eastern hills and he waits for the others to set out and explore the haunted tomb.
Just south of the inn's stable is a stone mansion with two wide wooden double doors painted with symbols of many gods. Inside is a priest named Imdarr Relvaunder that tends to your request.
Rrath also rises early, nodding and exchanging pleasantries with the inn keep he has known since his arrival.
Mornin' ma'am. I'm off to investigate a goblin lair with the others in my group. Just lettin' ya know in case I am away fer a few days.
He then travels over to the place where his companions are staying. Seeing Dasim also up and about, he joins him.
Mornin' friend. You ready?
"Good morning to you Rrath." Dasim replies warmly to the big Uthgardt. I'm ready. Just waiting for the others."
He nods politely at Ziyad, eyes narrowing slightly at the red wizard displaying his full regalia, but the Rashiman monk holds his tongue and instead merely finishes his tea.
Mags, still in her natural form, is surprised that no one in the company commented on her transformation, and is slightly encouraged by the fact. The reaction of the waitress was more to her expectations but was still a far cry from being called a monster.....or worse.
She decides to bed down under the stars just outside of town and takes the time to find the perfect spot for meditation and rest.
In the morning she rejoins the rest of the group, well rested and ready to go!
After the party regroups they head out down the long road. As they walk they pass by the miles of farmland being reminded of the peaceful country they are in. Birds chirping and farmers in their fields create a calming rhythm for the road. After about 6 miles they turn off where Mangobarl told them to. A couple miles off the road you find weathered ruins in the foothills. A dark, rectangular hole gapes amid the grass and vines of a nearby hillside. A stone door can be seen, ajar, in the tunnels's dim depths. The door bears chiseled marks that might once have been a name.
Rrath leans over the edge of the hole peering in and listening intently, looking for tracks of recent passersby.
You don't hear anything Rrath but you notice some scuf marks in the dirt that a lesser tracker would have missed. One set belongs to a child while another looks to be goblinoid. The crack in the door looks small enough for a small creature to squeeze inside but anything larger would have to move the door more.
"This place stinks of corruption. It is a blight on nature...and must be cleansed."
Before she moves forward, the Firbolg Druidess gathers a number of ripe berries and, saying a few short words over them in a strange language, packs them away in her belt pouch.
Rrath informs the others of the tracks before stepping back upon Ziyad's command.
Don't go blowin' it up, Ziyad.
Once Ziyad's magic opens the door further, Dasim spends a few more heartbeats searching the entrance for potential traps or signs of danger.
As Ziyad commands the door to open there is a loud crash of metallic objects falling to the ground. The door otherwise opens without event. Dasim finds no other tripwires or boobytraps in his search. Inside the door is a rough passage, ten feet high by ten feet wide. It runs 30 ft straight into the hill before ending in a square room thirty feet by 30 ft containing a stone block table. Stains and marks atop this slab suggest rusted objects were once arrayed on it. In the middle of the wall to the right of the entry passage, is a closed and severely rusted iron door.
Tarandil casts prestidigitation to light a torch.
"Is it safe to move in, Dasim?"
"Looks clear." Dasim says with a nod before stepping in and following the magical servant further into the tomb. Finding another door, the monk again searches it for traps. But the flickering light of the torch makes it difficult for him to get a good look at certain spots.
Mags follows the others into the tunnel. She keeps to the middle of the group, and after a few moments, they see her form shrink down...back to the young human they first met.
As Dasim gives the door a once over there is a chill that comes over the room. Shortly after a specter drifts through the door and speaks in a hollow voice, "Leave my master to rest in peace."
It makes no move towards you and waits.
Startled, Dasim steps back from the specter quickly taking a defense stance. But when the apparition makes no threatening move he turns to Ziyad and Magmoira, eyebrow raised in a questioning look.
"Well...any ideas on how we should deal with this magical apparition?" He asks.
You know most specters have a hatred for the living so the fact that it doesn't attack immediately is unusual.
Mags also steps forward, and as she does so, she enchants her staff with the power of nature...just in case this apparition decides to attack.
"Unnatural creature begone. Go to your rest and leave the living alone!"
"My rest will forever elude me. I failed to protect my master Bergoah in life so I must serve him in death. Now leave this place and let him rest in peace."
"What my friend means to say is that goblins have already violated this tomb. That they still dwell here suggests that something is keeping you from protecting the sanctity of this tomb. Perhaps we may be able to help restore the peace?"
"I see no goblins here nor do I see any signs of them. It's is only due to your eloquence that I give you one more chance to leave with your lives."
Frowning at the unusual specter, Dasim asks about the previous visitors. "Have you driven away any other visitors recently? A small human child, another grown human? They have both claimed to see creatures inhabiting this tomb. " The monk rubs his chin in thought. "If goblins are involved they could have easily invaded your masters tomb from below the ground, thus bypassing your vigilant eyes. If you let us pass, we could see if your master still lies in peace and undisturbed. Once we know the truth, we could see that this place is sealed again so that your guardianship would no longer be disturbed by local curiosity seekers."
"The is nothing living here besides you! I will tolerate your insults no longer! You refuse to leave in peace? Then you will leave by force!"
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