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Chapter 1: A Darkness Gathering

Turn 22: Associates Old and New

Faced with the choice of possibly joining the goblins or reuniting with Jil and company, Mauser chose to hide. The cleric put out his torch and cast about for somewhere to fade into the shadows, an outcropping, a large rock, anything. Unfortunately, except for the great pile of bones, there was simply nothing large enough to hide in or behind and Mauser was certain that he would not have time to bury himself in the bones. Thus, with little choice in the matter, the cleric invoked Boccob and turned himself invisible once again. Just before he did so, the cleric called out in goblin, <<What was that sound?>>

Moments later, with the goblins in the next chamber moving about and chattering excitedly to one another in low tones, Mauser, now fully invisible, pressed his back against the wall once again. He then watched as first Eiger, then Archangel, and finally Jil stepped through the hole in the wall. Much to the cleric’s surprise, the trio did not look much the worse for the wear. Although Jil’s armor and clothing showed signs of fire damage, the woman herself appeared unscathed by the encounter with the fire worm, making clear to Mauser that someone in the group must possess healing magic of some kind.

The trio moved cautiously, but far from silently, down the hall. Eiger stuck his head around the corner and, apparently seeing nothing untoward, motioned for the others to follow. All three of Mauser’s former associates then turned the corner and disappeared from his field of view. Moments later, goblin screams could be heard, followed by shouts from Jil, Eiger, and Archangel, and the sounds of battle quickly followed.

Mauser moved carefully to the corner and then craned his head around it to observe the fighting. Although he had judged that Jil and company would easily dispatch the half-dozen goblins that he had believed to be present, Mauser was surprised to see that there were at least a dozen of the creatures in action. Instead of fighting Jil, Eiger, and Archangel toe to toe, the goblins had set an ambush and were launching javelins, the same weapons favored by the goblins of the Sunless Citadel, at the trio from three different directions. As Jil and Eiger charged into their ranks, the goblins withdrew deeper into the large cavern, clearly trying to keep their distance as long as possible, as well as to separate and isolate their foes.

It was obvious to Mauser that he now stood in a huge mine of some sort, as carved tunnels branched off from the main cavern in several directions and all of the walls showed the signs of years of excavation for some unknown minerals.Although Jil and Eiger were cutting down one goblin after another while Archangel peppered the creatures with what Mauser instantly recognized as magic missiles, the goblins’ superior numbers were having an effect as well. Mauser had seen both Jil and Archangel struck by javelins and when some sort of goblin shaman appeared and began casting spells at the trio, Mauser judged that he had to intervene if he wanted to have Jil and company alive to assist him in any way.

Shifting invisibly into yet another physical form distinct from his own, Mauser moved into the cavern and cast Hold Person on the goblin shaman. Even as the spell caused his own invisibility to dissipate, Mauser had the satisfaction of watching the unsuspecting goblin freeze in his tracks and then topple over, unmoving.
[Mauser initiative: 8]

With their spellcaster down and the larger goblin that appeared to be in command hard pressed by Eiger, the humanoids had difficulty coordinating a response to the new and obviously dangerous threat presented by Mauser. They did manage to get off a volley of javelins in his direction, one of which struck home and penetrated the cleric’s armor (5 points damage). Before they could do any more, Mauser charged alongside Jil and began wading into the goblin ranks with his mace and shield paving the way (attack: 17+3=20; hit; 2 damage).

The goblin Mauser had hit withdrew a short sword and flailed ineffectively at the cleric with it, just as another of the creatures was doing with Jil, while two others retreated and continued tossing javelins into the melee, heedless of the risk they might hit their fellows. Mauser struck down the sword-wielding goblin (attack: 18+3=21; hit; 6 damage), only to be hit by a second javelin (5 damage).

However, by this time, Jil had killed the goblin that blocked her progress and she and Mauser then rushed forward and overtook the last pair in this part of the cavern. Both Mauser and Jil were hit one last time by the retreating goblins (6 damage). Jil was actually struck in the chest, but somehow she ignored what must be excruciating pain, ran down her attacker, and cut him down. Mauser did the same with his attacker seconds later (attack: 19+3=22; hit; 4 damage), bashing the goblin over the head. The creature survived the blow, but it was enough to daze him and cause him to collapse to the ground, where Jil ran him through without a moment’s hesitation.

“Here, let me help you with that,” said Mauser, helping Jil to sit down against the wall of the cavern and then moving to remove the javelin from her chest.

“Who the hell are you?” asked the woman. “Where did you come from?”

“Name’s Gregory Hucrele,” said Mauser. “I’m from Hommlet. Came all this way to find some missing cousins only to be waylayed by kobolds and driven into the Underdark. Now, hold still. This is going to hurt.” (bluff: 18+2=20).

Without waiting for any reaction, Mauser withdrew the javelin. Jil screamed and blood flowed, but Mauser immediately converted one of his lesser spells into a healing incantation (Light converted to Cure Minor Wounds). The weak spell did nothing to heal the internal damage caused by the javelin, but it did at least stop the bleeding.

“That will have to do for now,” said the cleric. “Let’s get you up and find the others.”

Mauser helped Jil to her feet and the two retraced their steps towards the center of the main cavern, where sounds of fighting had now faded. They found Eiger propping up Archangel much as Mauser was Jil. If any goblins yet lived, they must have fled, for there were none of the creatures alive in sight.

“Who is this?” hissed Eiger when he saw Mauser.

But before Mauser or anyone else could say anything, there was a shout from one of the side tunnels. Mauser and the others turned to see six armored, gray-skinned dwarves standing in the tunnel entrance. One of the dwarves shouted something, followed by another.

“What are they saying?” asked Eiger.

“Something about the presence of goblins and surfacers in ‘their’ mines,” replied Archangel. “There was also something about drow elves, but I didn’t quite catch it.”

With weapons drawn, the dwarves charged into the cavern.

***

“Hells bells, try ta keep pace, Tel!” said Nanoc as the pair of warriors ran down the hill towards the inn and Telemachos began to fall behind.

“Just go, Nanoc!” puffed Telemachos. “Run as fast as you can to the inn and get Danton out of her room!  He has obviously screwed up in some way and not only needs our aid, but also cannot be discovered!  Use those long strides to get there ahead of our lady friend but do it out of sight! Go!"

With his long legs and long strides, Nanoc overtook Aseneth when she was still nearly two hundred feet away from the inn. “Don’t ya worry Aseneth! I’ll check things out!” he yelled out as he rocketed past the woman.
It took Telemachos, who was not nearly as fast as Nanoc, considerably longer to overtake Aseneth. By the time he finally caught up to her, she was no more than a hundred feet from the front entrance of the Welcome Wench. Telemachos reached out and caught the woman by the arm, forcing her to a sudden stop.

“Milady! What is wrong?” he asked between breaths. “You're not making any sense.  Please calm down and tell me what is wrong so that I can aid you.  Are you in any danger? If so, I’ll protect you.”

With his free hand, Telemachos withdrew his sword. As he did so, he watched, out of the corner of his eye, as Nanoc burst through the main door of the inn and disappeared inside.

“Let me go!” screamed Aseneth, thrashing about in Telemachos’ grip.

Telemachos held fast and said, “No, no, no, calm down my lady.  I shall help youin any way that I can. Relax."
“Something is wrong at inn!” the woman shrieked, drawing the stares of numerous passers-by who had already stopped their own activities to watch the mad run of the trio down the hill. “Now let me go!”

***

Feeling his strength flagging with every passing moment, Danton wrenched open the door to Aseneth’s room and staggered out into the hallway. He bumped loudly into the wall twice on his way down the hall, but fortunately there was no one about to observe his erratic behavior. His luck held until he made it to the bottom of the stairs, where his balance gave out and he crashed bodily into Maridosen, the bartender, who was passing through the lower hallway with a tray full of empty glasses. When Danton hit the woman, the tray and glassware went flying, crashing into walls and floor with a cacophony of noise and shattering glass. Both Danton and the barkeep hit the ground hard and neither got up immediately.

***

With Aseneth screaming and shooting him the foulest of looks, Telemachos finally let go of the woman’s arm in favor of interposing himself between her and the inn in a dramatic show of acting as her vanguard. He waved his sword and shield about with abandon, urging the growing crowd of bystanders to get out of the way. He made a great display of moving forward slowly, constantly gazing about for unseen dangers, and somehow managed to bump into one bystander after another, conveniently slowing Aseneth at the same time.

Telemachos interspersed all of this with shouts of “Let’s go!”, “We must hurry”, and “I’ll clear the way!” for dramatic effect.

***

“What the hell? Who?” groaned Maridosen, struggling to clear her head and pick herself up off the floor.

“Sorry, bout that, ma’am!” blurted Nanoc, having burst into the inn’s main hallway just in time to see Danton come crashing down the stairs and slam into the woman. “I didn’t mean ta bump ya!”

Lifting the woman up off the floor, the half-orc interposed his huge bulk between her and the sight of Danton lying dazed on the floor. He turned the woman in the opposite direction and led her towards the restaurant and the front of the inn.

Behind Nanoc, Danton shook his head, managed to get to his feet, and then staggered down the hall in the opposite direction, leaving a trail of glass fragments as he stumbled towards the back door.

Once outside, Danton felt slightly better in the fresh air, which helped to clear the fog in his head. Walking unsteadily, but at least managing to remain on his feet, the Velunese slipped past the inn’s stable, through a garden behind the old town hall and then cut across the backyard of the tailor’s residence before squeezing through the narrow space between two wooden houses and emerging into the street just south of the bridge across the river.

From here, Danton quickly crossed the bridge, ignoring the stares and snickers of observers who apparently attributed his erratic movements to drunkenness, and made it the last few dozen feet to the front doors of the church of St. Cuthbert. With his strength truly failing now, Danton crashed through the double doors and collapsed onto the cold stone floor inside.

With his vision tunneling in, Danton could only hear, and not see, as two men called out, hurriedly approached and crouched over him.

“Poisoned…” hissed Danton, “help me…I can pay…”

Then darkness came and Danton knew no more.

***

By the time Telemachos and Aseneth finally reached the front door of the inn, the woman was so irritated at the slowness of the Furyondian’s movements that she had begun shouting what he could only imagine were curses at him in some unknown language. At the doorway, she finally shoved Telemachos out of the way and pushed her way inside ahead of him. When he followed her, he immediately saw the scene of shattered glass at the bottom of the stairs leading to the second floor.

“Hey, Aseneth, you okay?” asked Nanoc, emerging from the restaurant, where he had deposited the still-stunned Maridosen. “I didn’t see nothing goin’ on ‘round here, but I did accidentally bump inta the poor bartender when I tried ta hurry up the stairs ta see what was happening.”

“I must go up!” said the woman, shooting both Nanoc and Telemachos a glare that practically dared either one to say or do anything to delay her further.

“Right! Of course!” said Nanoc, winking once at Telemachos behind the woman’s back as she stalked down the hall, now clutching her glowing blue staff in both hands.

Nanoc and Telemachos followed the woman up the stairs. When they reached the upper level, Aseneth immediately saw that the door to her room was open and she ran down the hall with the half-orc and the Furyondian at her heels.

“Thief!” was Aseneth’s only word as she first looked and then walked into her room. She stalked straight over to a large, open wooden box. When she reached it and looked down inside, she breathed an audible sigh of relief, then bent down and picked up an eight-inch dark green snake from inside the box. Ignoring Nanoc and Telemachos, who stood in the doorway watching her, the woman held the snake in one hand, caressed its scales with the other, and began speaking, apparently to the reptile, in a language neither Nanoc nor Telemachos could understand.

“I hope that thing cannot tell her who it was that was in here,” whispered Telemachos.

“Boy, good thing you weren’t here,” said Nanoc loudly, moving into the room. “Who knows what they’d o’ done to you? Sure you don’t need some protection here, Aseneth? I’d be more than happy to help with that.”

“Out! Out!” yelled the woman. “I must be alone to be finding what is missing! Out! Out!”

***

When Danton finally came around, he found himself looking up at two men, one of whom he recognized as the cleric Terjon, whom he had met previously in the town square. The other man was taller and older, but he too wore a cassock marking him as a priest of St. Cuthbert.

“You’re lucky to be alive, my friend,” said the older man. “If you had arrived much later, you might well have been done for.”

“Yes,” said Terjon. “Now there is the matter of payment.”

“Oh please,” said the older man, “that can wait. Give the man some time to regain his senses—he’s been through quite the ordeal. I am Calmer, by the way.”

“Danton Verbrugge, of Veluna,” said the scout, sitting up and finding himself on a wooden bench in the main chapel of the church. “How long have I been out?”

“No more than a half-hour,” replied Calmer. “Once Terjon here used the scroll on you, the poison’s effects were purged quickly.”

“My thanks,” said Danton, putting his feet back on the floor for the first time. “You two are useful fellows to have around. I don’t suppose either of you would be interested in joining Danton Verbrugge and his boon companions for a bit of adventure in the wilds when we finally tire of the fruits of civilization in fair Hommlet—either that or our coin gives way?”

Calmer shook his head with a smile. “My work is here—with the Canoness.”

Terjon scowled. “I do like to get out for a mission every now and then, but only with those who are at least as skilled as I—from what I have observed thus far, you and your…companions…do not pass that test at this point. Now, there is the matter of payment…”

“Ah, yes,” said Danton, “just what is the going price for a man’s life these days?”

“Three hundred and seventy-five gold when his life depends on the use of one of our more valuable scrolls,” replied Terjon matter-of-factly.

Stunned, Danton nevertheless counted out every last gold piece he had. Finding himself well short of the required price, he gave Terjon all his gold (294 gold paid) and promised to return in short order with the shortfall.

***

When Danton finally returned to the Welcome Wench, he found Nanoc and Telemachos in the half-orc’s room. When he went inside and shut the door, the duo, speaking in low voices, bombarded him with questions. As Danton explained what had happened and what he had found in Aseneth’s room, Telemachos shook his head and laughed quietly.

“Damn, you can't sing, you can’t score with a woman, and now you can't even open locks without getting bit by a damn snake.  Why did you not simply cut it in half or take a couple of steps? Nanoc and I saw the creature—it was tiny! Still, I suppose we should be grateful that you did not fall unconscious while rummaging through her underwear! I wonder how you will record this inglorious episode in that journal of yours you are always scribbling in!”

“Be assured, Furyondian fool,” hissed Danton, “mine pen wilt be as poisonous as ever. Verily, 'tis too bad we didn't leave Telemachos in the squalor of the Sunless Citadel when he had fallen under the Frog Man's spell.  'Twould have been a fitting end, and convenient besides.  All of that trouble carrying his raving self out of that filthy hole hath paid little dividend, it seemeth to me.  But, then again, I am only a simple 'bard,' and by no means a strong and wizened warrior as yourselves. 'Tis also a shame that Mauser is not here.  At least then, even if he joined in your jesting, I'd have at least an ounce of wits against with to match myself.  Wherefore at the present time, I am woefully undermatched...even recovering from a poison most fatal as I am.”

“Peace!” said Telemachos. “It was merely a jest! In truth, you really dodged thesword on that one. We almost lost you my friend. And, more dangerously, we were almost discovered. From now on, watch out for little poisonous snakes guarding books, will you?"

“Doth the lady suspect my involvement in the rifling of her chambers?” asked Danton, changing the subject.
“I don’t think so,” said Nanoc. “She was really mad and threw me and Tel out. She ain’t even come out o’ there once since. As fer that bartender, she really hates me now, but I don’t think she ever saw you or has any idea it weren’t really me that bumped inta her.”

"So what do we do now?” asked Telemachos. “Our companion Mauser seems to have either died or vanished or is being used for those hideous experiments by Frogface. Whichever it is, I doubt we’ll ever see the man again, and I see little point to waiting around here for him to turn up.”

“As much as 'twould give me pleasure to speak ill of Aseneth,” said Danton, “given that her pet snake left me near to death, I canst say that she had anything in her chamber that suggests foul intent. Guarding her things with a viper is no sign of bad character, methinks, but rather of cleverness and a rightful desire to maintain her privacy. 'Tis perhaps doubly so if the book hidden in the snake-guarded vessel was her spell book, for 'tis common knowledge that enchanters guard such things furiously.”

“So,” continued the Velunese, “if 'tis your will, Nanoc and Telemachos, to bring along the lass, I have no further objection. But just because I found no evidence of ill intent doth not mean there is no ill intent. Men never see more than a shadowy reflection of reality. Wherefore methinks, should we bring Aseneth along, we needs watch her closely ... ‘like a hawk,’ as is said among the commoners of Veluna.”

”As for our other potential associates, there seems little point in taking along Redithidoor. By all accounts, he is a fool, and our ears readily attest to the fact that he offereth little in the way of entertainment value. As for Xaod, I found no good reason to exclude him. His primary vices seem to be drinking, fighting and boorish behavior -- which maketh him no different than any normal man. So, if you want him with us, Nanoc, I do not oppose it. But we have another saying in Veluna – ‘fair is as fair does’ -- and methinks 'twould be wise to follow it, for Xaod as well as Aseneth. To put it plainly, trust Xaod no more than warranted and keep your eyes open.”

“Finally, assuming we take Xaod and Aseneth with us, we are now five strong, consisting of at least three doughty warriors, an enchantress, and a gatherer of information. That's a pretty good group, but I'd prefer to have Mauser amongst us, not only for his cleverness and unique skills but also, frankly, for his healing powers. Wherefore I recommend waiting several days to see if he arrives in Hommlet.”

Nanoc shook his head. “Nah, I agree wit Tel—we should head out as soon as my armor is ready. Mauser's probably dead or he found what he wanted and decided to be off somewhere else, not worrin' bout the small amount o' change he left wit me. My armor ain't done for 'nother two days. If he shows up in that time let's take 'im.”

“Ah, speaking of Mauser’s remaining coin,” said Danton, “I fear I will have need of most of it to pay the lingering costs of my healing at the hands of the Cuthbertians. Twould appear the good clerics think little of charity—even in cases of poisoning.”

“Also,” added Danton, “since it would appear that you are both determined to risk the moathouse without Mauser, 'twould probably be wise, then, to purchase a goodly supply of healing potions for our group, pooling our funds as needed. When it comes to using such potions, methinks the three of us have first claim on them, secondarily using them on Aseneth or Xaod to preserve the survivability of our group, as circumstances necessitate. Also, why not try to recruit a replacement for Mauser? The clerics of Cuthbert hath turned me town—at least for now—but perhaps a clergyman of Pelor might be offered a fair share of the plunder, which could then be tithed to his church.”

“That’s a good idea!” said Nanoc. “Yep I know a thing or two ‘bout priests, and they always got a couple a followers hangin' round. Did I ever tell ya ‘bout Jebadiah? He was a helper o' Justin try'n ta learn the way o' Kord he were so thin...Har, Har, Har...I just gotta laugh think ‘bout him tryin' ta do his exercises...anywho when it came ta prayin' Kord always smiled on him...he must of liked 'is hard work, Jebadiah weren't no quitter an he got 'is spells. So that'd be helpful even if we can't get one o' the main guys.”

“Very well,” said Danton. “I am willing to brave the moathouse without Mauser, if we agree to reconnoiter the place for a full day and night before entering and if we agree to withdraw in the event of very serious injury or other dire circumstances.”

“Deal!” said Nanoc. “Now, I’m off ta recruit Xaod! I can’t wait! The moathouse! What an adventure this’ll be!”

***

[Mauser initiative: 5]
When Eiger went forward to face the dwarven charge, the six creatures surrounded him, ignoring Jil, Archangel and Mauser. They clearly judged Eiger the most dangerous foe and sought to take him down before dealing with the others.

Taking advantage of the dwarves’ preoccupation with the half-orc, Mauser moved forward and began attacking them from behind (attack: 18+3=21; hit; 9 damage); attack: 14+3=17; hit; 2 damage). His first attack smashed the helmet of one of the dwarves into his skull, but his second strike did little to another dwarf’s armored back.

By this time, Eiger had cut down two of the dwarves, but had been hit several times by dwarven hammers and axes in the bargain. As he, Jil, and Mauser attacked the three remaining dwarves, Mauser saw Archangel, looking much healthier than he had only a minute earlier, come forward and place a hand on Eiger’s back before casting what Mauser was certain was a healing spell.

Making a mental note that Archangel appeared to be both a cleric and a wizard or sorcerer, Mauser tried to finish the dwarf that he had previously struck a glancing blow, but the dwarf thrashed about so much as it tried to bring down Eiger that Mauser’s mace went wide every time (attack: 6+3=9; miss; 4+3=9; miss).

However, by this time, Eiger and Jil had killed two more dwarves and the half-orc suddenly spun around and plunged his blade into the chest of the one Mauser had failed to finish, bringing the fight to a sudden end.
With the fight over, Archangel applied magical healing to Jil, Eiger ran his sword through all of the dwarves to ensure they were dead, and then the trio faced off against Mauser.

“Just who did you say you were again?” asked Jil.

“Gregory Hucrele,” said Mauser. “I’ve been looking for my cousins Sharwyn and Talgen, who disappeared in the Sunless Citadel, but I was captured by kobolds and held for I don’t know how long before they dumped me down a shaft almost a week ago. I wandered around for a while before finding my way into the tunnels that ultimately led me here. What about you? What’s your story?” (bluff: 17+2=19).

“We got double-crossed by a smooth-talking, backstabbing cleric of Boccob,” said Eiger acidly. “But you wouldn’t know anything about that—now would you?”

“No, I’m afraid not,” said Mauser. “I am a follower of Istus and have no interest in the machinations of the uncaring Lord of all Magic.”

“The Hucreles are dead,” said Jil coldly. “Killed by a mad druid or some such, so your trip was all in vain.”
Mauser took a deep breath, sat down heavily, and did his best to feign shock and grief (bluff: 18+2=20).

“Whoever this guy is,” said Archangel, “we really don’t have time to sit here interrogating him. If there are really drow elves about, I don’t want to be here when they show up.”

“I don’t like it,” said Eiger. “After what that last guy pulled…”

“I don’t like it either,” said Jil, “but we are trapped in the Underdark and he did help us. There’s strength in numbers—at least until we find a way to the surface.”

“Fine, but he goes first—without ever leaving our sight,” insisted Eiger. “After what that last bastard pulled with that fire thing, I’m not taking any chances.”

“Agreed,” said Jil. She then turned to Mauser. “So, Gregory, welcome to our company.”

***

The next two days passed quickly for Danton, Telemachos, and Nanoc as they made preparations to leave Hommlet. Nanoc first found Xaod where he always was, sitting at the bar in Terrigan’s.

“Say Xaod, hows it a goin?” asked the half-orc when he walked into the place. “Still rottin’ away in this here joint, I see. There’s gotta be better things ta do for someone o’ your skills! Say you ever heard ‘bout that there Moat-House? Sposed ta be a dungeon under it. Me and my friends and this magic using woman we met is gonna go check it out—leastawise she’s goin’ if she ain’t too mad ‘bout somebody breakin’ inta her room—but that’s a whole ‘nother story. You wanna come along? We’s a leavin’ as soon as my armor is done—morning after tomorrow. Gonna split the treasure evenly…though I called firsts on any magic great axes.”

The big man was silent for several moments, staring into his cup. Finally he looked up, slammed the cup on the bar and said:

“Sure. Why not? I didn’t find anything at the temple, but I didn’t check out the moathouse either. You never know.”

Nanoc slapped the man on the back hard enough to have staggered most people, but Xaod did not so much as flinch.

“Great!” bellowed Nanoc. “This’ll be a lot o’ fun. Get what supplies you need. We’ll be leavin’ in two days…they say there is undead there.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” said Xaod. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

***

Danton first used the bulk of Mauser’s remaining coinage to pay off the balance of his debt to the Church of St. Cuthbert and then made his way to the Temple of Pelor in the hopes of recruiting a cleric to join the party for the trip to the moathouse. Unfortunately, once at the temple, he learned that, unlike the larger Cuthbertian order, Pelor’s temple in Hommlet only had two priests, Yether, whom Danton had already met, and a teenaged acolyte named Nerris. Yether was unwilling to leave his temple unattended and Nerris was plainly too young and inexperienced to be thrust in the face of any real danger.

“I am sorry not to be able to assist you—I am too old for such things in any case,” said Yether, “but perhaps we can help one another in a different way—with information.”

“What do you mean?” asked Danton.

“Last week a traveler who worships Pelor stopped in here for services and mentioned that he saw some strangely garbed people on the road east of town,” said Yether. “He described them as wearing ochre-colored robes and having a disturbing presence. If you see such people on the road or at the moathouse, or observe anything odd, please report it to me—and to Captain Elmo. Perhaps I am just being paranoid, but with the history this area has, I find anything out of the ordinary to be…unsettling.”

***

The morning after Danton’s encounter with the viper, Telemachos picked up his new suit of splint mail from Harris Karl. The armor was made of narrow vertical strips of metal riveted to a backing of leather worn over cloth padding. Flexible chainmail protected the joints and the armor was completed by a pair of metal gauntlets. Although the armor restricted Telemachos’ movements more than had his old suit of scale mail, it offered significantly better protection.

While at the smithy, Nanoc purchased an ornate silver-plated shortsword from a halfling named Alphon. It was expensive (50 gold plus Nanoc’s ordinary shortsword), but Nanoc remembered Grundar’s stories of the resistance of some undead to mundane weapons. A magical axe would be better, but until one came along, silver would have to do.

Although the party now lacked sufficient funds to purchase additional healing potions from the daughter of the missing Spugnoir, Danton decided to take a chance and spend all of Mauser’s remaining money, plus a few coins from Nanoc, to acquire two minor healing scrolls from Yether at the Temple of Pelor. Although the party would have no cleric to use the scrolls, the Velunese told the others he might just be able to figure out how to do so himself (purchased two scrolls of cure light wounds for 50 gold). Telemachos used his own funds (50 gold) to purchase two more such scrolls from the Cuthbertians and gave them to Danton to augment the party’s healing capacity.

Aside from these purchases, the party members acquired mundane supplies for an extended journey in the wilds and settled their bills at the Welcome Wench. With Danton now effectively broke because of having had to pay all his funds to the Church of St. Cuthbert, Nanoc was forced to pay his friend’s bill, which included many a bottle of Veluna fireamber and came to more than Nanoc and Telemachos’ expenditures at the inn combined (12 gold spent by Telemachos and 40 by Nanoc).

And then there was the matter of Aseneth. While the woman did not emerge from her room until the morning after Danton’s break-in, when the party members informed her that they would accompany her to the moathouse, she was clearly pleased and appeared willing to move past the events of the previous day. If she suspected any involvement on the part of the trio in rifling of her room, she did not show it.

When the party members awoke on the 10^th of Lipanj, heavy clouds filled the sky and a light rain fell. Nanoc left the inn early to pick up his retooled armor from Naddy Tomanloft and, after a final fitting with the gnome woman, returned for breakfast with the others at the inn. Xaod and Aseneth were both present by the time the half-orc returned. The big man wore his suit of full plate mail as usual, carried a longsword at his side and a huge pack on his pack, while Aseneth had her long hair pulled back in a braid and wore a thick black hooded traveling cloak. Aseneth carried her staff and a small pack, and Nanoc thought he saw the little green snake curled about her right arm at one point when she lifted her fork and the cloak slid up a bit on her arm.

After breakfast, the five travelers hefted their gear and made their way out of the inn. Standing on the veranda out front, they found someone waiting for them. Wearing leather armor that looked at least as well made as Nanoc’s, along with a thick brown cloak and a pack of his own, was Chatrilon Unosh, the man who had urged Danton to investigate the old Temple of Elemental Evil rather than the moathouse.

“I still think this is a fool’s journey,” said Chatrilon, “and we’d be lots better off heading for the temple, but you lot are the first real adventurers to come through here in some time and maybe after you see there’s nothing in the moathouse we can all go off to the temple together. That’s where the real booty is—I’m sure of it—and all I ask is an equal share.”

***

Although they had allowed him to accompany them, Jil, Eiger and Archangel made it plain that they did not trust Mauser any more than absolutely necessary. As threatened, Eiger insisted that the cleric lead the way, while never leaving his sight. While Mauser did not enjoy going first, this arrangement did allow him to choose the group’s path through the mines. With little else to go on, the cleric led the way through the main cavern, noting that as he and the others moved forward, the walls and tunnels seemed to have been cut with less and less skill and precision. Torches in irregularly placed wall sconces continued to light the way ahead.

Off in one direction, loose rock, offal, and pieces of broken tools littered a large part of the cavern. The stench of rotting garbage wafted from it, and small spiders scurried over every inch of the refuse. Mauser gave this place a wide berth. Jil and the others seemed only too happy to follow him away from the area.

Ahead a small chamber was cut out of the wall of the main cavern. The walls of the chamber were covered with strange runes and arcane symbols, while a large blue circle filled most of the floor. The circle was also covered with symbols and it and they pulsed with a slow light. However, a large gash ran through the part of the circle nearest to the open area of the mine. The gash had damaged one of the symbols on the circle, what might once have been a highly stylized spider, and it had none of the glow produced by the other arcane marks.

“Interesting,” said Archangel. “This was clearly a place of great power.”

“Well unless it offers a way out of here, who the hell cares?” asked Eiger. “We keep moving.”

“But maybe it would offer a way out or other useful information, if we took the time to study it,” said Mauser.
“Shut up!” spat Eiger. “When I want your opinion, I’ll beat it out of you! Now, I say we move on!”

Jil looked back and forth between Eiger and Archangel. “Let’s keep moving for now, but if we don’t find another way out, we can come back here and investigate further.”

Mauser shrugged and moved forward once again. Some fifty feet beyond the strange circle, another small chamber was carved out of the cavern wall. It looked as though it had once been inhabited, as a rotting cot and a bone chair with spider designs stood to one side. Markings on the floor showed clearly where other furniture once rested.

Mauser would have liked to investigate, but a scowl from Eiger told him not to bother trying. The cleric shrugged and moved on. A hundred feet past the little chamber, the huge cavern itself came to an end—at a great set of closed iron doors that blocked the way forward. The doors stretched from the rocky ground to the ceiling nearly twenty feet overhead. Carved into the metal of each of the two doors were two huge, stylized spiders.

________________________________________________________________

Notes for turn 23:
Please send postings for Turn 23 by the end of Friday, September 8th.
Keep in mind that for the bulk of the party the date is now 10 Lipanj (“Wealsun”), but for Mauser it is still 1 Lipanj.
Items gained this turn: see individual character listings below
Undivided Loot previously gained: none

Items used/lost/destroyed this turn: none

FOES DEFEATED:

This Chapter:

Entire Campaign:

Current Status of the Party:

Nanoc

AC: 17
Hit points: 35/35
New XP: 0
XP total: 3390
XP needed: 6,000

Equipment: great axe, short bow, silver-plated short sword, masterwork studded leather armor, 46 arrows, 2 quivers, backpack, waterskin, 17 days trail rations, bedroll, 2 sacks, 2 flint & steel, bearskin, tent, 50’ rope, 1 sap, 2 small marble statues, 2 potions of cure light woundsGold: 20Silver: 220

Mauser

AC: 18
Hit points: 15/31
New XP: 300
XP total: 3690
XP needed: 6,000

Spells Available

:0 Level (4): Detect Magic, Read Magic, Light
1^st Level (4* one of these four spells must be a domain spell): Summon Monster I, Command, Cause Light Wounds, Nystul’s Aura
2^nd Level (3*one must be a domain spell): Hold Person

Equipment: heavy mace, light crossbow, scalemail, 36 crossbow bolts, small wooden shield, backpack, pouch belt, 50’ silk rope, 3 ½ torches, waterskin, flint & steel, 2 holy water flasks, peasant outfit, bedroll, entertainer’s outfit, cleric’s vestment, healer’s kit, 10 days rations, four jade dragon figurines, ½ potion of cure light wounds, 1 sap, 1 unknown potion, scrolls of slow poison, command, cure light wounds, inflict light wounds, unknown tome, morningstar +1, magical orb from the Sunless CitadelGold: 10Silver: 220

Danton

AC: 15 (16 vs. one opponent)
Hit points: 14/14
New XP: 0

XP total: 3390XP needed: 6,000Equipment: rapier, 6 daggers, light crossbow, studded leather armor, quiver with 13 bolts, bedroll, backpack, flint & steel, thieves picks, waterskin, 19 days trail rations, hooded lantern, notebook, pen, ink, gold ring engraved with the name Karakas, 1 sap, 1 metal key from Yusdrayl, Everburning Torch, 2 unknown arcane scrolls, 4 scrolls of cure light woundsGold: 0Silver: 220

Telemachos

AC: 18
Hit points: 32/32
New XP: 0
XP total: 3390
XP needed: 6,000

Equipment: splint mail, short sword, 2 daggers, longbow, quiver and 36 arrows, large wooden shield, backpack, large sack, flint and steel, 20 days rations, waterskin, bedroll, tent, 1 sap, Shatterspike (Longsword +1 with special properties)Gold: 65

Silver: 220