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The two of them arrive to the end of the cave, and from here they can see splatters of blood on the stairs and walls leading to the last chamber.
There are also bloody and torn robes as well as human remains scattered behind some of these crystals. More than one people attempted to escape from unsuccessfully. Several holy symbols of the demon lord Orcus lie among their remains, partly intact from the acid of the Nyogoth, along with a few other things.
You find a extend metamagic rod, a ring and a half torn and bloody journal.
what little is left of the journal can be read as follows (SLIDE 8):
Entry 1:
-unhallowed endeavor, we seek to bring that which lies beyond mortal ken—a demonic entity, a servant of our Lord that will be bound to us. We will seek into forbidden realms for communion with demons of unfathomable power-//
Entry 2:
-Whispers and rumors confirm there's a fragile membrane between the material plane and the Abyss becomes tenuous, like the thin gossamer of a long-forgotten dream within one of the many vaults under Kaer Maga. There, the veil that separates worlds grows impossibly thin, as if beckoning our unholy endeavors, calling for us. We must answer...-//
Entry 3:
//Our steps are guided by fate! We crossed paths with one of the Duskwardens, guards of these tunnels, sworn to protect the secrets that lie below. So much for that! Drunk on foul spirits, they let slip the forbidden knowledge we sought—a vault concealed in the labyrinthine depths, a place where the boundary between our world and the Abyss itself is at its weakest. With this knowledge in hand, we press onward-//
Entry 4:
There is no turning back; the summoning must commence, and the horrors we invoke shall reshape our world into an unending nightmare with the power Orcus will grant-//
It would appear a group of cultists attempted to summon a demon, but got more than they had bargained for with Qlippoths...
Identify Ring
Ring of Summoning Affinity (Qlippoth)
This ring has an odd, disquieting texture that always reveals greater layers of complexity the more closely it is examined. If the wearer can cast summon monster spells, the wearer adds cythnigot to the 3rd-level list of monsters he can summon with those spells, adds shoggti to the 6th-level list, adds nyogoth to the 7th-level list, adds chernobue to the 8th-level list, and adds augnagar to the 9th-level list. Also, once per day on command the wearer can use this ring to summon a cythnigot, as if by the summon monster III spell.
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"It appears that their summoning ritual went terribly wrong. Thank the spirits this is over. Good job, gentlemen."
Shamus gives congratulations all around with handshakes and pats on the back.
Shamus has a look at the ring as he casts detect magic on it...
"A ring of feather fall, possibly? Someone should put it on and jump off a cliff to see how well it works." he says while holding the ring out to his companions.
"Yep. Ring of Feather Fall."
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"I don't recall there being any other unexplored passages, so I guess we just need to head back and report what we have found." suggests Radu "We should also return that poor halfling and ensure he has a proper funeral."
"As for these..." says the Pharasman, pointing at the remains of the cultists "...despite their clearly vile beliefs, we should also ensure that their remains are treated with respect.'
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Dimak follows the scouts and looks at the remains of the cultists.
"Serves them right. Summoning horrible creatures to have them do terrible stuff... I do not like bad people like that."
The dwarf rolls his eyes at Radu's words and spits on the ground (but not on the cultists).
"But if you insist: Ok, whatever, let's not piss on their graves."
"Yep. Ring of Feather Fall."
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"Oh, I don't think they will see their remains being taken care of by a follower of Pharasma as a kindness..." replies Radu "They appear to be followers of Orcus, a demon lord of the undead and I intend to make very sure that there is no chance of them coming back and that there souls are sent to the Lady of Graves for appropriate judgement."
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Thank fully, there's not much left from the bodies that could raise as zombies later. A few rites might be in order, hoping the Lady of Graves keeps their souls from returning.
The way back to Kaer Maga is relatively easy and you don't require assistance to find your way through the tunnels in this particular section of the caverns. You quickly get to the marked Halflight Path and find a group of Duskwarderns escorting a group to the city. They led you to to the entrance where Reena was idly finishing a sausage-filled bun from one of the street vendors selling to travelers leaving/arriving from the Path.
"MMh!" she hurries to chew through the rest, half-choking in the process. "There you are! Glad you are-... in one piece? Gee, whatever you found it certainly chew through you... are those bite marks?"
She accompanies you back to the Last Rites so you may report to Horus who seems amused with your return.
"Well, look at you. Any good news?" He rings the bell for his undead servant to bring refreshments.
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"Qlippoths, you say? Those creatures are opposed to everything that moves, living or unliving. Thank you for getting to the bottom of this mess and destroying those creatures before thy could pose more danger to my citizens."
Ilaktya continues. "It seems the Pathfinders do indeed live up to their reputation. I look forward to working with you and your organization in the future. I will send my regards to your venture-captain."
The Duskwardens were also impressed by your skill to clear the vault without their help and will be happy to work with the Society in the future.
Reena makes good on her promise and takes you to The Bloodbrother's tavern to celebrate a job well done.
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With a grateful smile, Shamus nods appreciatively at Horus and Ilaktya.
"It was an honor to assist in safeguarding your city, Horus. The threat of those Qlippoths is no small matter, and we're pleased to have thwarted their menace."
Turning to Reena, he adds with a twinkle in his eye, "Lead the way to The Bloodbrother's tavern, Reena! A celebration is in order for a job well done and the bonds forged in the depths of the Halflight Path."
With a sense of camaraderie, Shamus and his companions follow Reena, eager to share tales of their exploits over a well-deserved celebration.
Over a game of cards at the tavern, Shamus ends up winning a hefty sum of gold when his lucky number turns up, much to the detriment of the other gamblers. He scoops the pile of coins into his pocket, bids the grumbling gamblers farewell, then joins his companions again in celebration.