21st day of Fellnight:
The chamber they all stood in had been hewn out of the rock by Dwarves, a very long time ago. It was probably part of the ancient Dwarven city of Tyar-Besil, capital of the ancient Dwarven Empire of Beselmir. In the centre of the room was a large stone block. Written on it an inscription: Bandur translated:
'DO NOT DISPLEASURE THE DWARVES'
Garet and Bandur teamed up to open the door. Garet would open the door, Bandur would rush in prepared to take on all comers.......or so he thought!
The others followed one by one, going to the left or right of the door, whichever took their fancy.
Standing on a plinth in the centre of the room was a construct of horrendous appearance. Standing almost 12ft tall, carrying a shield that was nearly 5ft long, a sword blade grafted onto the end of its arm in place of a hand. A metal plate covered its eyes and mouth, a smaller metal plate was attached to it's chest and leg grieves that looked like they had been hammered into place could be seen on its lower leg. A tattered red cloth hung from its waist. What looked like ruby gems were implanted in its shoulders, chest and waist band. The shield had a black circle surrounded by a circle of silver. Grog had no idea what the circle meant, nor did Karion. Grog tried to speak to it in different languages but the monstrosity didn't move. It stood stone like, like a statue made of flesh and bone.
Grog walked up the stairs and touched the holy symbol of Seldarine to the abominations shield, it immediately sprang into attack slamming its shield into Grog; Grog withstood the blow as its sword/arm appendage sliced down but missed. Bandur rushed up the stairs and both Bandur and Grog went toe to toe with the 12ft tall construct. Garet threw 2 daggers, Karion and Anor fired bolts, Aerie and Zindra fired arrows. Nothing seemed to effect the creature. Bandur was struck but retained his footing, Grog was hit. The creature eventually toppled off the plinth and crashed to the floor. Whatever had given it life now expended. The ruby gems were harvested and collected. Garet used the power of Ki to gift Anor darkvision for the next 8 hours, Grog prayed over Himself and Fabien and enhanced prayer gifting them both darkvision. He put his lantern away in his pack.
This room had 3 doors. Aerie could hear a shuffling noise coming form the eastern door, getting closer/louder then going away/weaker. She indicated to the group what she had heard. The group separated and covered each door. Garet and Bandur acting together again, opened the eastern door.
Bandur rushed in a war cry on his lips straight into a beam of light. Temporarily blinded he kept yelling his Dwarven war cry as the light didn't shine directly in his eyes. As his eyes became accustomed to the semi darkness he observed a male human, well dressed cowering on the floor.
Human: "Don't hurt me please, it wasn't me, I had nothing to do with it"
Some of the others had joined Bandur in the corridor.
During the questioning the group found out that his name was Baragustas Harbuckler, father of the young lad Garet had questioned. retired carpenter and town elder. Garet recognised the name. Baragustas informed them they were the believers for the person called Larrakh had shown them he could read the stones. That was why they were called The Believers. The stones foretold of bad and good omens and danger that threatened Red Larch. Anor thundered down the corridor to assist Aerie guarding the eastern exit from the corridor.
The others left in the other room were suddenly assailed by a group of cultists bursting into the room from the other door, now left unguarded. Anor hearing the turmoil turned around and thundered back up the corridor to assist the others being attacked in the other room. Jumping over Aramil who was in the process of tying up Baragustas.
The fight was short and swift. Bandur dropped one straight away, Fabien shot one with a bolt through the neck and the 2nd cultist fell dead to the floor, Zindra shot one that had attacked Karion and Karion returned the favour by killing the last cultist, who had thrown a javelin at Zindra.
Anor, now out of breath having run up and down the corridor looked through the door to see that all was well. Anor turned around and headed back towards Aerie at the other end of the corridor for the 2nd time.
Aramil had continued the interrogation and had found out that the moving stones or rather the Tomb of Moving Stones was through the east door. Grog, totally out of character for him, grabbed Baragustas by the neck and held him up legs off the ground. In his most frightening voice he threatened Baragustas with all kinds of ills if he was telling lies. Baragustas defecated himself. Putting the now smelly carpenter down, Grog walked off and calmed himself down.
Repeating their door entry procedure, Garet and Bandur took lead positions. Bandur rushed into a vast chamber. Zindra and Grog went left, most of the other to the right, Anor, Karion and Fabien brazened it out and headed straight forward.
Aerie shouted out, as her sight was superior in the dark to the others, there's a figure up ahead holding a staff. Zindra took cover, Aramil and Bandur put what they thought were pillars between them and the rough direction indicated by Aerie of the danger. Garet shadow stepped forward like a ghost.
Figure: "Beware fools for you shall not leave here alive"
Garet prepared to attack as Aerie fired an arrow. The arrow streaked forward then shattered, short of its target, hitting some kind of invisible shield.
The figure raised its staff and tapped the floor with it. Suddenly the pillars and stones levitated a few inches of the floor and moved south 20ft before settling back on the floor.
Aerie uttered an incantation a the figure yelled out in horror, the shield had been dispelled. Arrows screamed towards the figure. The figure was hit many times. He yelled out something and then disappeared.
To their horror from out of the four sarcophagus' arose 3 ghost like figures and 1 figure armed with a scythe, a Cairn Wraith.
Bandur stood transfixed in horror, he couldn't move, neither could Fabien.
Anor and Garet charged the nearest ghost, Garet struck first then quickly moved away before the ghost could strike back. Anor rushed in and swung his magical blade, as it slashed through the figure the figure seemed to melt into nothing but wisps of smoke then they too disappeared.
From his new position Garet could see Grog taking on a 2nd Ghost.
Bandur, shaking himself free of the ghosts horrific appearance now that it had been destroyed turned and charged towards a 3rd ghost. This time he wasn't afraid. He struck the ghost, which in turn plunged its icy deathly cold hand into his body and grabbed his heart. Bandur cried out in pain for he could feel himself ageing from the tough of th Ghost.
Fabien played a tune to raise their hearts and free them from terror.
and the Bard played on.
Karion moved forward as Aramil let out a cry of frustration, stopping himself just in time form launching a fireball at the Cairn Wraith that would have engulfed Karion too. The Cairn Wraith shook off the strike form Karion and seemed to float right through Karion and through Aerie before moving form the ethereal plane back to the material plane and swinging it's scythe with deadly accuracy from behind, it's first strike was deadly, the 2nd just added more damage. Aerie crumpled to the floor seemingly lifeless.
and still the Bard played on.........
Garet charged into the ghost attacking Grog, his short sword sweeping through the ghostly form then slammed a vicious kick into it, which seemed to do the trick before he retreated into the shadows once more. The ghost truck out at Grog hitting him hard before turning ethereal and disappearing.
Grog poured 2 healing potions down his throat to try and repair some of the damage, it did a little help. Anor turning round charged towards the Crypt Wraith and swung his halberd at it twice, one of his blows was a mighty strike. Karion rushed in to assist and swung his magically enlarged club but failed in his strike. Aramil moving with a blur of speed managed to launch a full magazine of 5 bolts at the Wraith, had reloaded and fired another full magazine at the wraith. All 10 bolts tore through the Wraiths form, passing between Anor and Karion and flying across the chamber, narrowly missing Fabien before shattering against a stone pillar.
Bandur facing another ghost struck out with his battleaxe, hitting it with 2 mighty swings, the ghost gave a silent wail and disappeared.
The Crypt Wraith turned its attention to Karion and swung its Phantom Scythe twice, biting deeply, Karion was sorely struck; his constitution nearly failed him but he managed to stay upright, just.
Aerie gave a shudder and slipped closer to death.
Fabien struck a chord, memory flooding back, he struck another and another, magical notes filled the chamber. Grog felt revived, Karion heard the music but his body failed to respond to the healing, soothing tune Fabien now spun, his fingers dancing lightly on the strings, healing energy sailed through the air with every note. Grog stood relieved that his enemy had gone. Garets' spirits were uplifted as he saw Aerie's chest rise and fall once again, very slightly, she was alive, barely.
The Crypt Wraith turned ethereal and disappeared. As it did so Aerie's eyes open and she sat upright;
Aerie: "Is it here? Is it gone? Arghhh the darkness......!"
Aerie struggled to crawl to a pillar to support herself as she tried to sit upright, weak, still close to death. Karion not much better stood , supported by Anor and Aramil. Garet helped Grog over to where Aerie sat. Zindra kept her bow at the ready and with Bandur scanned the chamber around the group in case the creatures should return.
Garet: "Right, f..k this. We need to get out of here. Aerie, Karion and Grog need help. If those things come back we're in no shape to fight them."
Aramil: "I agree, we need somewhere safe - Axeholm or Waterdeep".
Garet: "Waterdeep it is, they have healing and it's safe............when I'm gone count to 5 then follow, you know what to do."
Garet thought of the area outside the gate of Waterdeep Castle, he was there in a flash. A few moments later and they were all together, safe. The guards were astounded but responded well to Garet shouting orders, for they recognised him from before. Carriages were hailed and Aerie and Karion were taken to the Seldarine Pantheon Temple, a 2nd took Aramil to Blackstaff Tower. Before departing Grog handed over the glowing blue crystal and asked if Aramil could find out what it was. He promised to do so.
Fabien indicated the Yawning Portal was near, a good inn, as good as any and better than most. The group headed there under his guidance as Garet went to report to the Open Lord and make a report. He later joined the others in the Yawning portal inn.
Castle Ward - Waterdeep
Aramil made Blackstaff Tower quickly by carriage. He was permitted to enter and granted an audience with the Blackstaff herself. Aramil asked permission to do some research in the spell library and was given permission to do so. However the Blackstaff informed him that this would be the last free session. He would be permitted access but he would have to make a donation for each spell copied dependent on level and complexity. Normal charges would have to be paid for consumable, ink, quills and paper. Once he had made his wishes known the Blackstaff informed him he would require a little over 8 days to complete his tasks, including a practice period.
The carriage carrying Aerie and Karion travelled quickly to the Seldarine Pantheon. The temple was an imposing building. Once the clerics of the temple found out they had two injured Elves they were moved inside to the healing rooms. Aerie had collapsed again but through sheer exhaustion, such were her injuries. Karion after examination was informed he would be well enough to return to his friends at the Yawning Portal by midday tomorrow, Aerie on the other hand would remain at the healing rooms for 10 days to recover. The healers informed her that the weapon she described was probably a Phantom Scythe. Doing little physical injury other than an entry and exit wound, the main damage came from the scythes ability to suck out the very life essence of the person it had struck. It was Aerie's faith that had saved her from instant death, for to falter when struck would render no escape from deaths grasp.
The Seldarine Pantheon
The Yawning Portal was located on Rainrun Street in Waterdeep's Castle Ward between the Castle and Snail Street. A stone building with a slate roof, the Yawning Portal offered guest rooms on the three upper floors. Well-worn boards covered the floor, but the main impression was of comfort. Rich blue tapestries decorated the wood-panelled walls of the common room, which consisted of a bar and tables of stout wood. A signboard that simply read "The Yawning Portal," hung on chains from a black iron pole above the front door, announced the entry to the inn.
The inn had a total of two wells that both could serve as entry points to Undermountain. The first measured 40 feet in diameter (12 meters), descended 140 feet (43 meters), and was located between the bar and dining tables. This dry well was the main and only publicly known passage to Undermountain. A waist-high stone ring was built around the well to prevent customers and objects from falling into the dungeon. Around the 50 feet point (15 meters), the well grew completely dark and on reaching the floor, one entered a sandy floor with stone walls decorated with shields. These shields were rusty to the point of uselessness but for one purpose: people who wanted to be drawn up hit these shields and the noise made that way was considered a sign that people below wanted to be pulled up from the dungeon.
The second well was a normal well in the sense that water could be pulled up from it. It was located in the back room and was the inn's source of washing water. It led directly to a total of two areas: a different area of Undermountain than the Entry Well and to the sewers of Waterdeep. It also led to the Pool of Loss, a portal to Hades.
The clientele consisted mostly of adventurers eager to enter the depths of Undermountain. The Called, as they were sometimes known, listened to Waterdhavians, who were only too keen on sharing rumours and stories about the dungeon. As Durnan, despite his old age, was still a brawny man, who kept his old greatsword among the racks and asked any troublemakers to leave the inn, the Yawning Portal remained safe from toughs and brawlers.
- Entrance down the Entry Well to Undermountain cost 1 gp per person.
- The fee for getting hoisted up again was 1 gp per person.
A typical dish served at the Yawning Portal consisted of quipper and chips. Shadowdark Ale was a popular beverage served at the taproom.
The Yawning Portal was run by its builder, Durnan, and his wife Mhaere Dryndilstann with the aid of their daughter Tamsil. The staff consisted of the waitresses and kitchen maids Luranla Dreer and Marrauda Belaskurth. Jarundur Tallstand and Parth Melander were the senior and junior cook respectively. The rest of the staff was made up of Tarlgarth Vathar, the stablemaster, his two hostlers and four hard-working chambermaids.
Day by day Aerie's strength returned, although she had many relapses when she pushed herself too hard. She decided to make use of the library and ask questions to find answers to things she had seen.
Aramils studies continued.
Fabien and Garet hatched a plan.
Bandur propped up the bar.
Zindra bade the others farewell on that first night. She would return in 8 days. Cities were just not her thing, even with the lure of alcohol in abundance. Bandur had lost his drinking partner decided he would drink for them both.
At various time the group sallied forth into the market, made enquiries about armour, weapons, healing potions and supplies. On these journeys they had to pass close the the Seldarine Pantheon and would pop in to see how Aerie was doing. Each day they could see the change as she fought off the darkness of the near death experience and the sparkle and light returned to her eyes. Her nightmares eased, many of her own making as she tried to recall but as the days wore on her memory played tricks with her and she was glad she had made drawings and notes in those early days. She based her research on those.
Zindra, true to her word returned on the 8th day. Aramil returned on the 9th day and Aerie joined them on the morning of the 11th day.
3rd Solstice:
Tomorrow would be the 4th Solstice, the day after that a new year, the 1st day of the Year of 1492.
RUMOURS IN WATERDEEP:
1. A group of adventurers called the Falkir’s Fist have
failed to return from setting off down the portal to explore Undermountain. All
future excursions have been stopped by the order of the Open Lord until the
fate of the group has been confirmed.
2. News from an unconfirmed source, possibly a merchant,
that a dragon hoard has been discovered. Seemingly a group of adventurers were attacked
by a Green Dragon, followed it back to it’s lair and killed it.
3. Followers of Ellistrae have been given permission to
create a forest-glade to Ellistrae in the Field Ward.
4. The delegation from Mirabar has been rescued. Rumours say
they were captured by a re-emerging Evil Elemental Cult in the Dessarin Valley.
5. The harbour of Mulminster has been destroyed by an
explosion rumoured to be caused by a build up of gas in the sewers.
