Alek Stagram's page

"Well, good luck to you," Alek nods, taking the bulky lockbox in his arms and turning back toward the door by which the party entered. His enthusiasm visibly dampens a bit when he realizes he's going to have to walk back through the skeletons himself. "Er, listen," he says, whipping one of the moth-eaten robes off a rack and draping it around him for an extra Hellknighty accessory, "you wouldn't mind just waiting until I've got out of the room, would you? Just in case?"

Steeling himself, he takes a deep breath before opening the door back onto the Vault of the Nail and its skeletal guardians.

Alek squints skeptically into the gloom. "Look, it seems like I may have found what I came for, even if I can't exactly get at it yet. I don't see the benefits of exploring a dark tunnel used by necromancers. Hadn't we better leave well enough alone and get back to town?"

Having presumably located his ring, Alek has no further interest in exploring the citadel. The party is free to decide to go where they want, but Alek only wants to go back to town at this point; if you explore the tunnel, he will go back the way you came.

"Certainly not!" Alek snorts, sparing a glance for the holy symbol. "A woman with a mask? Some sort of minor god of theatrics, I'd guess. I've no idea what a thing like that would be doing in the Vault of the Nail, though. Odd sort of paperweight for a Hellknight."

"No," Alek answers shortly, frowning at the lockbox. "This could be, though. Damnation! This box is too well-made to have had such shoddy workmanship. There's no way to smash it. I suppose we'll just have to carry the whole heavy thing back to town; the stonemasonry will have tools to get into it."

Once the door is closed, the party lets out a collective breath of relief.

"This is the Vault of the Nail," Alek realizes with enthusiasm. "Every Hellknight in the citadel would have had an assigned lockbox for safekeeping of valuables and documents. My grandfather's box would have been emptied when they returned his personal belongings to the family ... but maybe something was missed. Look around for a box marked 'Stagram!'"

"We never made it past that first dead skeleton back there the first time," Alek answers through an expression that might be meant to be a casual smile if it weren't so frozen and tense. "I say, try the door. Even if they turn on us when we open it, we'll have a wall to put between us and them in the worst case scenario ... unless there are more inside."

Silently, Alek points Drake through the archway to the left.

"Not much good against skeletons," Alek advises Des, "but that could come in handy if you run into any more imps! So, are we ready to take these badges and armor downstairs and see if they convince the guardians we're not their enemies?"

"Oh, here, this is more like it," Alak remarks, pulling a wad of old rags out of the back corner of a drawer. "These are the temporary badges ... well, what's left of them." The stained and crumpled squares of fabric have the crown of nails logo stitched onto them. "See, you'd attach them here on the sleeve," he demonstrates. "As old and filthy as they are, they'd hardly pass muster with an observant paralictor, but they might do the trick with the undead."

"Hm, a storeroom," Alek remarks. "This looks more promising. If anything was left behind...." He uses the tip of his javelin to flip open a cabinet door, stepping back quickly in case these cupbooards, like the ones in the kitchen, are also vermin-infested.

"I very much doubt any bits were missing when they left," he replies dryly. "But they had a better offer. Queen Domina Arabasti of Korvosa -- er, the chieftan of a city many times larger than Breachill -- offered to fund the construction of a great fortress for any Order willing to relocate to Varisia to defend her city and support her reign. Citadel Vraid is huge -- three separate structures, each one of which is larger than Citadel Altaerein -- and built in the mountains rather than simply atop a hill so it is more defensible. Nearly four hundred Hellknights live there, far more than Altaerein could ever house."

"I believe there was another door at the far end of the test arena," Alek offers. "Let's check that out."

Alek draws his greatsword, rushes back into the kitchen, and lets the large blade fall flat-side down onto the swarm. The spiders caught underneath are squashed, and many others flee the vibrations, disappearing into cracks and crevices in the floor and walls.

Alek Interacts (draw weapon), Strides to AY25 & Strikes Swarm 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18: hit damage 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Alek walks into the room behind Gellius. "They would have kept provisions for the test somewhere nearby: silver weapons and supplies for the summoning rituals. If they left anything behind, there may be robes or badges."

Alak emerges from one of the bed chambers he was searching. "There was a wooden shield left behind in there ... not one with the Order's symbol on it, unfortunately. And two flasks of holy water. Wish I'd found them before I ran into the imps."

Alek nods. "The barracks and training hall are in the south wing; there may have been some gear left behind there," he suggests.

Alek looks around at the filth in the room with distaste. "It's possible we might be able to cobble together something approaching a full suit of armor out of what's left here," he muses, "though I'd say it would need a lengthy fumigation to rid it of vermin before I'd wear it myself."

Alek nods as he scans the text. "The creed of the Order of the Nail," he remarks. "Are we going in the front door?"

"Because if there is a chance to avoid fighting these things, I'm thinking that's the way to go. I mean, we should at least give it a shot, right? Anything that results in less blood shed for us is a win in my book," he concludes, nodding emphatically.

Alek is visibly relieved. "Look, if it doesn't work, I'll be sure and lend a blade this time. But ... those are the rightful guardians of the dead. Destroying them and leaving the graves unprotected feels wrong. I'm sure there must be a drawer or a locker or something with temporary badges for new recruits; they're of no monetary value so they'd have been of no interest to looters."

Alek nods. "In the early days of the Order, there was concern that the dead in the vaults could be vulnerable to necromancers. Volunteers were sought; a ward was placed somewhere among the graves, and if a necromantic spell were cast in the area, these volunteers would rise and defend their brothers and sisters -- fighting undead with undead, as it were. The practice fell out of favor long ago, but the ward was apparently put in place in Altaerein before then."

"When we entered the vault, the ward had already been triggered by someone. The guardians were active and fought the interlopers -- us. As your companions have learned, they are formidable, but there is a chance we may not have to fight them. They are, after all, the rightful guardians there, and they are likely to expend more of the group's resources if we continue to approach them with brute force."

"The histories tell that the guardians of the vault were meant to fight side by side with living Hellknights defending the citadel. There is a chance that, if there is any Order regalia remaining in the citadel, the guardians would not attack anyone wearing it. Someone could enter and search for my family ring -- and for any evidence of who desecrated the vaults with necromancy -- with impunity."

"In your exploration of the citadel," Alek asks the party members who have already been there, "have you found any old armor or robes? Even temporary badges issued to raw recruits might do the trick."

"There's something...," Alek begins, hesitantly. "Those skeletal guardians... It's said..."

Alek seems indisposed to linger over farewells. "Shall we get underway? We can discuss tactics on the road. I presume we want to avoid another debacle like the one we experienced in the Hall of Graves on our first approach."

"From what I understand, no," Alek puts in impatiently. "Some sort of tropical lizard from the Mwangi Expanse. Apparently, your representatives need to be certified so that they can move on and deal with the next task? We'd like to get back to the citadel as soon as possible."

Alek folds his arms and rolls his eyes, leaning against a wall with faux patience.

Alek clears his throat. "Look, excuse me, I don't have much to do with this; I just ran into your town's ... 'heroes' in the citadel. My name is Alek Stagram, and my grandfather served at Citadel Altaerien during the Goblinblood Wars. I've traveled from Varisia hoping to recover a missing family heirloom that may have been secreted in the citadel. While officially unaffiliated with your town or the local goblin tribe, I should like to continue the search without interfering in the progress of your chosen representatives."

Alek looks less than thrilled to acquire two goblin traveling companions. "If you intend to return to town, we had better get underway. We're certainly not making any progress just standing around here."

"Those are Hellknights," Alek snaps back, "or were. This is their final resting place. We're the intruders here, not them. If we can solve the problem just by backing off, then, yes, I far prefer that option to destroying the rightful guardians of the honored dead!"

"I'm not sure those were 'run-of-the-mill' skeletons," Darla chimes in. With a chagrined wince she adds, "I've heard enough tavern tales over my years in Breachill about the lesser living dead; not many of them ended with the heroes running away with their tails tucked between their legs like we did."

"Indeed, those were not ... '"run-of-the-mill" skeletons,'" Alek confirms. "There were Hellknights, some of the best of the best. I had heard that, in the old days, volunteers were sought to protect the dignity of the dead. After all, a cemetery is nothing but a recruitment station for a necromancer, and it galled the Order to think that their own honored dead might be pressed at foot soldiers in some evil wizard's army. So, as I said, people could volunteer to serve even after their death. Runes were put in place so that, if a necromantic spell were cast among the graves, the volunteers would rise and defend their comrades' peace."

"It's not done anymore. A generous stipend was paid to the families of the volunteers, but some still found it distasteful. I had no idea Citadel Altaerein had been so warded...."

"Someone," he goes on accusingly, "has been tampering with the dead, or attempting to. There has been necromancy in the Hall of Graves." He frowns at Warbal, who doesn't seem to be following the conversation.

Alek crouches down next to Gethric. "I think he'll recover. Here." He gestures with a flat palm and repeats the syllable of power, and a wave of positive energy rushes through the party in the corridor. "Now, I very much suggest we get away from here. That's all the healing I have to offer."

Alek Casts a Spell: heal 1d8 ⇒ 3 for everyone

End of combat ... for now

Alek sets down the halfling in the corridor and points through the doorway at the wounded Gellius, speaking a syllable of power. "Get out of there!" he urges.

Alek Interacts & Casts a Spell on Gellius: heal 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Round 3 init: Skeleton 3, Darla, Skeleton 4, Gethric, Skeleton 5, Alek, Gellius, Skeleton 1, Skeleton 6 (delaying), Aronida

Current effects: continual flame (Alek)
light (Gellius)
dying ? (Gethric)

Updated map link

Alek seems to be hyperventilating. "This was a mistake! We should retreat!" he calls, his voice cracking with anxiety. "They won't follow us if we leave them alone; they're only protecting the dead!" If the party isn't inclined to concur with his conclusion, he's clearly going to need some encouragement to engage in the battle.

Someone must spend an action to make a successful Request to get Alek to join the fight. Or, of course, you can take his advice and disengage.

Alek Delays

Round 2 init: Alek (delaying), Gethric, Skeleton 2, Skeleton 3, Darla, Skeleton 5, Gellius, Skeleton 1, Skeleton 6, Aronida

Current effects: continual flame (Alek)
light (Gellius)
inspire courage (all)

Updated map link

Alek blanches. "Power and glory," he mutters. "I never knew.... Listen! There has been a tomb robber. There's an old ward to protect the Hall of Graves from necromancy. I didn't know it was still active here.... They were volunteers! Their last act of service to the order would be to destroy those who would raise the fallen...."

Alek Recalls Knowledge

Round 1 init: Alek, Gethric, ??, Darla, ??, Gellius, ?? Aronida

Current effects: continual flame (Alek)
light (Gellius)

Map

"Oh, I know of a way," Alek mutters grimly, shifting his grip meaningfully on his oversized blade.

"I'm not one for disturbing the dead... but whoever did had an interest in the hands." indicating the bones visible through the broken corner of the sarcophagus "Could've been looking for a ring?"

Alek frowns at the broken corner of the sarcophagus. "What did the little grave robber say about where it found that ring?" he asks accusatorily. "'In a big stone box of bones?'"

Alek moves in with the rest. "Sepulcher of the Nail," he murmurs in a reverent tone, gesturing to the words carved in the wall. "This is where the Order interred its most honored officers, those who completed an astoundingly noteworthy deed or made an incredible sacrifice on behalf of the Hellknights."

The group returns to the main vaultway and eyes the three corridors leading south. "Any preference which we should try first?" Alek asks.

Map

"If we are confronted by the undead," Alek offers, "I have some offensive abilities to harm them, but I have no more healing to offer. I suggest we stand ready to retreat if anyone is badly hurt."

"You all certainly don't look well enough to face anything else hostile that we might encounter," Alek remarks frankly, looking over the trio that had been engulfed by the cube. "I've a few burns myself. I suppose a quick R&R might be the better part of valor, in this instance."

On the other side of the door, Alek wields his large blade again, slashing into the ooze. At last, the leaking cube can no longer hold itself together and collapses into a viscous puddle around the motionless form of Gethric.

Alek Strikes 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14: hit damage 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5, Strikes 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 5 = 21: hit damage 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Combat over

Gethric notices something glinting among the dust and debris on the floor and picks it up: a tiny obsidian figure in armor about the size of a chess piece.

Alek recognizes it. "This must have been the war room, where battles and assaults were gamed out here on this table. There would have been a whole set of those pieces: Hellknights, signifers, blank figures to stand in for the enemy."

The figure is of good craftmanship; a collection of such figures could be worth something back in Breachill.

You can spend 20 minutes searching for the figures or just move on and come back for them later. If you want to look for them now, someone could attempt Battle Medicine on Gellius before moving forward; he's down 13 hp.

Alek's face twists in bewilderment. "It said," he calls out, "'Take me with you.'" He moves toward the fray but, unable to reach the enemy, points to Gellius saying, "Sii guarito."

Alek Strides to W15 & Casts a Spell: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 healing

Alek calls out from back in the vaultway: "There! Under the table! Some sort of tiny ... man?"

Alek Seeks: success, Points Out: W23, & Recalls Knowledge

Round 1 init: Gethric, Alek, Gellius, Darla, ??, Aronida

Current effects: light (Gellius, Alek)
hidden in W23 (??)

Updated map link

You may use a Seek action to make the creature Observed rather than hidden. The DC is 21.

"That's not my family ring at all," Alek grumbles when he sees what they've come away with.

Alek sighs. "I suppose that makes sense," he admits. "I certainly owe you a debt for your assistance with the imps, and a united force is more resilient than its separate components. We will move through the citadel together."

Alek shakes Gethric's hand after a bare moment of hesitation.

Darla listens closely to the man's answers, trying not to judge him too harshly. "What does this ring you seek look like?" she asks Alek.

"You understand, I've never seen it," he warns her, "only old imprints it made. But I'm told it was gold set with a red sardonyx. The engraving is a shield marked with a saltire, with an arm holding a dagger extending from the top of it."

The paint is not fresh; the symbol seems to have been part of the decor since before the Order of the Nail moved away.

"No. I haven't," he answers shortly.

Alek's puzzlement seems to grow as Aronida's account progresses. "Goblins I know," he replies, with a nod to Revka. "The rest of those things you said, little lady...." He flicks his hand over his head to convey his failure to comprehend her words. "Something came up from the vaults and attacked goblins?"

"We've come from Breachill," she admits, trying to keep the man talking.

"Then I commend the town's vigilance and concede their right to know what I'm doing here," he replies, getting back on his feet and testing his leg, "though it hardly seems the place is in good repair. Fairly well looted already, I'd say. Bit of closing the barn door after the horse has gone?" He raises an admonitory eyebrow.

"As I said, my name is Alek Stagram, and I'm newly arrived from Varisia. My family served at Altaerein before it was decommissioned. My father decamped with the main force to Citadel Vraid, but my grandfather stayed behind with the skeleton crew. He died in one of the last battles of the Goblinblood Wars. When Altaerein was abandoned entirely, the Order brought his personal effects to my family at Citadel Vraid, but his signet ring was missing."

"This ring is of little monetary value, but it had been passed down from father to son in my family for generations. My father asked my grandfather's comrades about it, and they were fairly certain he had never worn it in skirmishes outside the citadel walls -- didn't want to risk losing a family heirloom as a goblin's trophy -- but they hadn't found it with his possessions, either. My father supposed he had secreted it somewhere secure, where even if the citadel had been taken, it wouldn't have been easily looted, perhaps in the vault. He always thought someday he'd come back and have a good look through the place to try to find it when he had the time, but, well ... he died himself last year without ever making it back here."

He shrugs. "I made the time. The odds are against me, I know, especially after so many years, but I decided I'd rest easier knowing I'd at least tried to locate it rather than giving it up before I even started."

"Not a local, no," he replies. "I'm ... looking for something." He glances around at the armed group appraisingly. "You came here from Breachill, I take it?"

The armored man, seeing the last enemy fall, drops his greatsword with a clatter on the black flagstones and lowers himself gingerly to the ground, straightening his stung leg with an effort and trying to rub some of the numbness out of it. "If you wouldn't mind," he tells Gellius, "take the little vermin's head off just to make sure. It appears the citadel's former occupants weren't as careful about that as they should have been."

"I appear to be in your debt," he goes on, broadening his remarks to address the whole group. "Alek Stagram, at your service."

Fort 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Now that the battle is over, it can be seen that the red marking on the floor is a pentagram in a circle -- the symbol of Asmodeus.