New Friends and Dark Places
Day: 9, Mo/Yr: 4/12, 2993[AEP] irl: Feb 22nd, 2025 Session 7
Scribe: Saracor (Alexos)
GM: Evil Tables
| Players | Broken Head | Incapacitated(for 6? days) |
|---|---|---|
| Alexos [Cleric 2] SaracorMeric [Thief 3] ShadowfaxAgoston [Magic-U 2] dcterraGrim [Dwarf 2] Big_PunBelaros [Fight 1] DeViateFeathers [Thief 3] jdsull NPC:Brunwolf* [Torchbearer] | Gemistos [Magic-U] LuminanceHerakleon [Scolar 1]Syagria [Fighter 2] NPC:Lankios [Retired paladin]Khronos and Estelle [Keepers] | Salvatore [Cleric] JdsullMikeleos [Druid 2] Saracor ☠ Dead:Hektor [Fighter] Saracor |
The Expedition into the Depths
The Party:
- Alexos (Cleric 2) – Saracor
- Meric (Thief 3) – Shadowfax
- Agoston (Magic-User 2) – dcterra
- Grim (Dwarf 2) – Big_Pun
- Belaros (Fighter 1) – DeViate
- Brunwolf (Torchbearer)
A Return to the Dungeon
We began at the Sign of the Broken Head Inn, where the party gathered to plan their next descent. Also present were Dalton’s Darlings, a group of seasoned but unsavory adventurers. Their cleric worshiped a neutral evil deity, and their magic-user, despite an eerie demeanor, displayed impeccable handwriting. Wishing to avoid entanglements, the party discreetly made their way to the dungeon entrance, carefully navigating to ensure they weren’t followed. The bats still roosting near the Pyramid paid them no mind.
Upon reaching the main doors, they discovered a trap—rocks piled atop the door crashed down when opened, injuring Meric and Brunwolf. Signs of small footprints and scattered arrows were found near centipede remains. Temporarily separated, Alexos and Agoston maneuvered through the blacksmith’s chamber to regroup with the others without incident.
Exploring Familiar Grounds
In the altar room, more footprints were discovered, along with graffiti scrawled on the wall reading, “Phleb Gang 4 Life.” In a nearby chamber, a large constrictor snake had claimed the nest they had previously found, prompting them to leave it undisturbed.
A stop at the pool room revealed it remained unaltered, with about eight draughts of its mysterious liquid still available. Observing its slow drip, they confirmed its continued efficacy. Meric and Brunwolf drank and found their injuries mended. However, the decaying corpse left in the room was becoming increasingly unpleasant. To deter others, they positioned it to appear as though the water had poisoned it.
Moving to the bat room, they discovered the northern door, near the stairs, now bore a sign reading, “Closed for Construction.” The same small footprints were found here as well. They tidied up the space, reattached the eastern door, and inspected the secret rooms, considering them a potential stash for supplies due to their seclusion and security.
An Unexpected Alliance
Descending the stairs once more, the party remained vigilant for further traps. Upon reaching the chamber where they had once battled baboons, they found it spiked shut. Listening closely, they heard the breathing of some creature beyond. Cautiously, they called out and received a reply—trapped beastmen.
After a brief conversation, they learned the beastmen had been cornered and locked in by halflings. Their leader, Count Sceleros, explained that their people, under the rule of a matriarch named Dino, had been growing in numbers and had a supposed truce with the halflings—one that clearly hadn’t held. They struck a deal: in exchange for safe passage out, the beastmen would reveal another entrance to the dungeon.
Emerging back onto the surface, the beastmen led them to the obelisk and along a hidden pathway down a switchback. About halfway down, they revealed a concealed doorway set into the cliffside, barely visible but now known to the party.
A Darker Descent
Inside, the tunnels differed from previous architecture—rough-hewn, more cave-like than constructed. At an intersection, they found an old, weathered carving of a bearded man, its eye sockets once adorned with gems, now empty. Leaving it be, they ventured westward, descending stairs into a grand chamber adorned with intricate carvings and a towering statue at the back.
The carvings depicted bipedal, salamander-like creatures with bulbous eyes and slit noses—figures the beastmen warned of, citing their presence in the lower levels as a significant danger. Scattered around the chamber lay charred bodies, evidence of some magical devastation. Near the statue, the worst-burned corpse rested ominously.
Among the ruins were several sarcophagi. Most had been smashed or looted, but two remained well-carved, bearing legionary insignia. The party examined the statue, noticing two amber gemstones set in its eye sockets.
The beastmen’s intended passage northward was blocked by rubble, forcing them to reconsider their route. Their growing unease was evident; they no longer knew the way home. Pressing onward to the east, they encountered a chamber where the beastmen’s keen senses detected something amiss. Though the room appeared empty, they discovered a man sleeping behind an illusory wall, his body bearing burn wounds. Upon waking, he revealed himself as a surviving member of the ill-fated group that had triggered the statue’s trap. Grateful for rescue, he was eager to leave and harbored open disdain for the beastmen. He confirmed the trap had been set off by disturbing the statue’s eyes and that the opened sarcophagus had merely contained a skeleton.
Final Discoveries and Departure
The beastmen, now intent on finding their own way, parted from the group. Seizing the opportunity, the party returned to the chamber and examined the last unopened sarcophagus. Upon prying it open, a skeletal guardian within animated and attacked. They swiftly destroyed it and, searching beneath the flooring, unearthed hidden treasure.
With their mission complete, they decided to return to the surface and prepare for their journey to Gosterwick to resupply, sell their findings, and gather fresh rumors for their next expedition.
Treasure Recovered
From the Fallen:
- 210 gold pieces
- Finely made hammer and dagger
- Two potions
- Three long swords
- Mace
- Six daggers
- Assorted burnt clothing
From the Sarcophagus:
- Six ancient, octagonal platinum coins
- Jade necklace
- Scroll case containing Arcane Spells: Spider Climb, Continual Light, Gust of Wind