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Chapter 1: A Darkness Gathering

Turn 29: The Moathouse Dungeons

“So these are gnolls,” said Luger, gazing down at the bodies of the two dead creatures. “I've heard of them, but I'd never encountered them before. Perhaps we should look for their owners and inform them their dogs are loose... Say, who exactly is this Spugnoir the potion maker spoke of? Was he captured by the Gnolls or this Elemental Eye cult?”

“Luger, you are an interesting fellow,” replied Danton. “In at least one respect you resemble your brother -- the Gregorus brothers are clearly straight shooters and fast on the draw. The ease with which you dispatched that gnoll proveth your worth with a sword. Indeed, you hath already proven to be a worthy addition to our group, but I daresay that, though neither you nor your brother are gunshy, your religious loyalties, and philosophies, no doubt are plainly different. Must have made for an interesting upbringing in the Gregorus household.

As for these gnolls, there are more of them for certain in this stinkhole. We hath dodged a bullet in our last encounter, Luger, because, believe me, these gnolls are crafty and strong warriors, and they oft fight in veritable wolfpacks. Think them not so easily dispatched going forward. As for Spugnoir, he is the potion-maker from Hommlet who is thought to have disappeared in this moathouse. We shouldst scour yon prison cells for signs of him, but I doubt 'twill be that easy to find him.

But, to keep our aim straight, I remind all of us what we are seeking. First, we are looking for clues as to Jaroo's state -- Luger, you can ask good Telemachos here for details of his addled uncle -- not least of which might include bear tracks belonging to Tanak. We are also looking for Spugnoir, though for different purposes: merely to effect a rescue ... and claim a suitable reward. Finally, 'twould seem that we play the role of clue-gatherer for those dithering clergy in Hommlet. P'raps if we find some mighty, eldritch fiend perched at the threshold between this miserable dungeon and some portico to the Nine Hells, well, p'raps then the local clerics will see to providing some substantive support. But I doubt it.”

As Danton spoke, Nanoc’s eyes glazed over as all the seemingly endless words washed over him.

“Finding Heironeus has been a relatively recent development in my life,” said Luger. “I suspect my brother would be dismayed at my calling and I do not look forward to the arguments it will foment. Nonetheless, we share a common enemy whom my twin can no longer turn his back on.

I am happy to wet my sword on these foul dogs. It is obvious the church of Pelor will do nothing, nor will the idiotic cult of St. Cuthbert. I suspect it is more individual cowardice in the local Pelor clergy that finds them cowed. If the temple truly rises again, you will see the Cuthberts leading the first caravans out of the area and the followers of Pelor rallying behind us. Hold strong my friends, for I swear to you that Heironeus will not allow this evil to find footing. It is providence that brought the Slayer and I to your sides!”

“Indeed,” grunted Xaod. “I have seen visions of fire and glory.”

When Nanoc saw Danton drawing breath to speak again, it was just too much.

“Well I don't think we oughta be standin' round here blowin’ the wind,” said the barbarian loudly. “An’ I don't know what a dented privi has ta do with you and Xaod helpin' us out, Luger...but I think we need action not words. Let’s look at those cells an’ see if they gots anyone locked up, and then maybe Danton can listen at some o' the doors and see if we can figure out where some o' these gnolls might be a waitin for us. If they is all quiet I'm for just open each one...one at a time and seein' what they hold then gone down that tunnel off that way after that. Really don't matter ta me as long as we keep movin'-- we is gonna have to look everywhere at some point.”

“Nanoc is being correct,” said Aseneth. “We cannot afford missing anything.”

“Permit me to advance one possible modification,” mused Danton. “After checking the cells, and presumably finding nothing, p'raps we ought next check what lies through the eastern archway? After all, if opening other doors leads to further melee, the sound of the conflict could bring others who might be able to hear from their vantage point down the archway. Thus, mine vote is to check all open areas before popping open doors, but I am willing to defer to those tacticians amongst us who are more seasoned than I.”

“If I too may make a suggestion before we rush in, “ began Luger, “if there are malevolent beings in the immediate area, I can cast a spell that will allow me to detect them. If I concentrate long enough, I should be able to discern the rough location and number of these beings. At least, we will not be walking into an ambush if I can detect additional enemies.”

“I think it is imperative that we search the cells,” said Telemachos, “since any prisoners cold possibly be the most useful source of information we could come across about my uncle or the location of his bear in this stinkhole. Of course, we'll have to watch out for any subterfuge and a detect evil should come in handy though I don't understand magic very well. After that, we are essentially walking around blind down here so I am not sure that it matters all that much what path we choose. Danton rightly assumes that we should carefully listen for any signs of impending attack and set ourselves up strategically as we open doors, fighters in front.”

”You are indeed most welcome to our party,” continued Telemachos, turning to Luger. “You have some skill with that blade of yours. I am sorry about your brother. I want you to know that I tried to stop him from going back into that hole to face many terrible known and unknown dangers alone, but he was insistent and stubborn, refusing to listen to reason. He had an uncommonly dangerous
curiosity. Unfortunately it seems to have gotten him killed. Philosophical
speculation has its place in life, but so does survival. Anyway, sorry about Mauser and glad to have you aboard. Excuse my bluntness.”

Luger looked as if he intended to reply, but any comment was forestalled by Nanoc, who could take no more.

“You know, you fellas is worse than the village women standin’ round the well all day a talkin’. Can’t get nothin’ done that way. There is a plenty o’ time to talk after we is outta this place. Let’s keep movin’ and find out what we can find. You all is a given me a head-ache again.”

“Very well,” said Luger. “Allow me one moment to call upon Heironeous. While I do so, I suggest that you and Danton search for tracks, traps, and the like.”

While Luger invoked the power of Heironeous and began to scan for any evil presence, starting at the door in the northeastern corner and then moving down the hall towards the cells and archway, Nanoc scanned the floor for tracks (wilderness lore: 11+6=17) and Danton searched floor and walls for any surprises (search: 15+9=24).

As those three performed their searches, Xaod, Telemachos and Aseneth remained standing together near the bottom of the stairs.

“Although the ambush above was executed perfectly the other day,” mused the Furdyondian, “I still regret we were unable to fight with blades rather than arrows. Nothing can compare to drawing steel with one’s enemies and striking them down face to face.”

“I dunno,” grunted Xaod, “a good, dark Velunese ale ain’t too bad either.”

“No, you are right,” said Aseneth approvingly to Telemachos. “We Aerdi are having great respect for fighting power—this is way for great man to, oh how are you saying…to show he is strong and having…ambition. Man is fighting and leaving his woman to do thinking—making decisions. This is how should be.”

Before Telemachos could respond, there was a hiss from Luger across the chamber.

“Seems clear behind this door—I’m heading down toward the cells now. You all better stay close!”

“Fine by me,” said Nanoc, “there’re so many tracks all over here, I can’t tell where none of ‘em is goin!”

“Xaod,” stay here and keep an eye on these stairs,” said Telemachos. “I’ve got to go protect Luger and keep him out of trouble.” Turning to Aseneth, the Furyondian added, “keep behind me, Lady, and you’ll be fine.”

As Luger made his way slowly down the hallway, with Nanoc on one side and Telemachos on the other, the foul smell that hung in the air grew stronger (spot: Luger: 18+4=22, Nanoc: 14+1=15, Telemachos: 13+0=13)

As the trio passed the first of the pillars at the center of the hall and moved towards the second, both Luger and Nanoc caught sight of the faintest furtive movement behind the second pillar.

“Hold!” hissed Luger, motioning the others to stop.

A fraction of a second later, some twisted, humanoid undead horror leapt out from behind the pillar and rushed directly at the trio. It was shaped vaguely like a man, but its body was twisted in bizarre ways and places, giving it the appearance of something out of nightmare.

[Initiative: Luger: 4, Nanoc: 9, Telemachos: 16, Danton: 21, Aseneth: 12, Xaod: 10, Undead: 9]

As the creature came at them, Luger, Nanoc, and Telemachos all gagged at the vile smell that preceded the thing (fortitude saves: Luger: 19+6=25; success; Nanoc: 3+5=8; failure; Telemachos: 9+5=14; failure). Although Luger somehow managed to shrug off the stench, both Nanoc and Telemachos began to cough and gag (-2 to all rolls). However, the two warriors were still quick enough to interpose themselves between Luger and the emaciated zombie-like creature that closed on the trio.

“Have at thee!” shouted Telemachos for dramatic effect as he swung Shatterspike at the thing (attack: 16+9-2=23; hit; 10 damage).

Nanoc hoped to let his axe do the talking, but he retched as he swung, throwing off his aim (attack: 5+9-2=12; miss).

Blocked from attacking Luger, the undead moved against Telemachos instead, going after him with its two claw-like appendages and seeking to bite him as well. The Furyondian’s armor and shield blocked both claws, but the razor-like teeth of the creature sank into his right arm (hit for 3 points; fortitude save: 6+5-2=9; fail). The effect of the bite was instantaneous, as Telemachos’ muscles locked up.

Having taken Telemachos out of the fight, the undead thing immediately turned to deal with Nanoc next. However, by this time both Danton and Luger had moved around the far side of the pillar and were now in a position to attack the thing from its flanks. Unfortunately, Danton was retching as much as Telemachos and Nanoc (fortitude save: 6+0=6; fail) and his rapier missed the mark by a wide margin (attack: 7+4-2+2=11; miss). Luger, still somehow able to ignore the vile smell, took advantage of the creature’s preoccupation with Telemachos and Nanoc and ran his longsword through its back (attack: 11+4+2=17; hit; 6 damage).

With Telemachos out of the fight, Xaod guarding the stairs leading to the upper level, and Aseneth holding back to see whether her magic would be needed to tilt the balance, it was left to Nanoc, Luger, and Danton to deal directly with the snarling undead. Danton was the fastest, (attack: 11+4+2-2=15; hit; 14 damage). This time the scout’s aim was perfect and he slipped the rapier into the creature’s back where he judged that critical organs would be in a living humanoid. Although he knew nothing of undead anatomy, his guess must have been correct as the creature thrashed about briefly on the end of his blade and then collapsed, just before Nanoc was ready to bring his axe down on it.

The party members were about to catch their breath when suddenly, three more twisted undead shambled through the archway to the east. With little other choice, Danton and Nanoc moved to hold them off, (Danton attack: 17+4-2=19; hit; 2 damage; Nanoc attack: 16+9-2=23; hit; 11 damage). Each struck one of the undead, but both creatures remained standing and counterattacked. The third one struck at Nanoc as well.

As Telemachos had done, Danton managed to dodge both claws, but was hit by the bite of the sole creature assaulting him (3 damage; fortitude save: 20+0=20; success). Unlike the Furyondian, the Velunese was somehow able to shrug off the paralytic effect of the bite and keep fighting.

Assailed by two creatures, Nanoc was struck by one claw and one bite (9 damage; fortitude saves: 20+5-2=23; success; 3+5-2=6; failure). Although he resisted the chilling effect of the claw, the same could not be said of the bite, and, just like that, Nanoc was out of the fight.

Realizing that their aid was now needed, Aseneth and Xaod entered the battle. The sorceress fired magical projectiles at the undead Danton had injured, knocking it back on its heels but not destroying it, while Xaod finished the creature Nanoc had injured. Finally, Luger took a different tactic, raising his holy symbol and calling on Heironeous to drive back the undead (turn check: 11-1=10; success; turning damage: 13).

The effect of Luger’s power was immediate, as the two surviving undead turned and fled back through the archway. The cleric followed them as far as the archway in order to be able to see where they went. With Danton at his side, providing light from his green torch, the pair saw a rectangular chamber twenty feet from east to west and nearly forty from north to south. The room had clearly once served as a torture chamber, as a rack, iron maiden, braziers surrounded by discarded irons, and other implements of suffering were scattered about the room. However, the whole place was covered in cobwebs and dust, and, other than the recent movement of the undead, there were no tracks in it. There were no other exits visible, and the two cowering undead could flee only as far as the northeast corner of the chamber.

“Stand ready,” said Xaod, sheathing his sword and hefting his bow. “I mean to finish them.”

“Good idea,” agreed Danton, removing his crossbow.

“You take the wounded one—leave the other to me,” said the paladin.

Unfortunately, while Xaod’s shot hit the mark, striking the undead in the chest, Danton’s shot went wild (attack: 4+4=8; miss). When the shots were fired, the two undead rushed forward once more, the power of Luger’s turning now broken. Xaod’s blade clove the head of the first from its shoulders as it rushed in, leaving the second creature for Danton, who quickly drew his rapier once more, and Luger (Danton attack: 15+4=19; hit; 1 damage). The Velunese slashed at the thing, but failed to destroy it and it turned its wrath against him, striking him with both teeth and claw (6 damage; fortitude saves: 17-1=16; success; 8-1=7; failure).

This time, Danton was badly injured enough that he was unable to resist the effect of the undead’s strike, but fortunately he had Luger at his side to finish the creature (attack: 14+4=18; hit; 7 damage).

With the melee finally over, Aseneth went first to Telemachos and then Nanoc, kissing each on the cheek and then shaking them out of their paralysis. “Good fighting, my warriors,” she said to both.

Danton received no such gentle treatment, getting only a rough shoving from Xaod that finally jolted him back to motion.

With the undead destroyed, the stench lingered, but with less strength than before.

“Wha?” grunted Telemachos. “What happened?”

“Jus’ the usual,” said Nanoc loudly, glancing over his shoulder towards Aseneth and Xaod. “I had ta save yer bacon again.”

“My memory is fuzzy, but I do know I hit that first thing—hard,” countered Telemachos. “If I beat a creature to within an inch of its life and you come in at the last moment for an easy mopping up, don’t think we’re going to count that as yours anymore! So, if you’re up to some more action, let’s get on with it.”

“I fear that my spell for divining evil was ruined by that melee,” said Luger, “but something else occurs to me. It might not be a bad idea for each of us to wear one of those triangular symbols of this ‘Elder Elemental Eye’. It may not deter enemies from attacking us, but it might at least make them pause, and any hesitation on their part is to our advantage. Since this place has guards and had men bringing supplies or whatever via a wagon, it’s likely there are more guards here.”

Nanoc withdrew six of the little symbols he had collected and distributed them to each of the party members. Luger then pouched his own holy symbol and put the inverted ‘Y’ in the triangle around his neck, as did the others.

With the undead destroyed, the party was able to search the rest of the hall, and the five cells on its western side. All five doors were either open or opened easily, but they contained nothing other than old debris and bones. Danton (search: 19+9=28) found nothing of interest in any of them. He then proceeded to perform a similar examination of the torture chamber (search: 11+9=20), but found nothing of note there either. By all appearances, both the cells and the torture chamber were dead ends that contained nothing of interest. Before the group moved on, Luger provided healing to Danton (cure light: 8 HP), who had taken the worst of it during the fight.

With this avenue having lead nowhere, the group returned to the first underground chamber and Luger activated his evil detection powers again, explaining as he did that this would be the last time he could do so on this day. When the cleric detected nothing untoward behind either of the doors on the west wall, Danton examined both for traps (search: 2+9=11; 17+9=26). The Velunese discerned nothing unusual about either wooden portal, and he motioned Nanoc to open the southernmost one first.

The door opened easily and beyond it was a chamber roughly twenty by twenty feet in dimensions. It had no other exits and was filled with clutter, having been thoroughly ransacked at some point. Broken barrels, splintered wood, and scraps of leather lay everywhere. Danton searched carefully through the detritus (search: 11+9=20), finding three wooden shields in fairly decent condition, as well as a single suit of leather armor.

“Not really worth totin’ around,” judged Nanoc. “That stuff’s pretty bulky an’ that feller back in Hommlet would pay next ta nothin’ fer it anyway.”

Without further ado, the group returned to the main chamber and Nanoc opened the second door. The room beyond it was the same size and dimensions as the first. What might once have been an armory was now filled with broken and splintered wood, with a few empty racks and black rags hanging from the walls. Water dripped from the ceiling and collected in puddles among the uneven stones of the floor.

Nanoc glanced through the chamber quickly (spot 11+1=12), saw nothing, and said, “It’s clear, Danton. Go ahead and do yer thing.”

The Velunese nodded, moved into the room and looked about in order to decide where to begin (spot: 12+4=16). When his eyes passed over the southwest corner of the room, they stopped and he hefted his rapier.

“You might want to reevaluate that last statement, Nanoc,” said the scout, “for we are not alone.”

“What?” shouted Nanoc, bursting back into the room with his axe at the ready.

“So, you have found me at last,” came a voice from the corner of the room as a man in red robes emerged from the shadows and into the green light cast by Danton’s torch. “I must warn you that I am a wizard of no small power and if you do not allow me to pass, you will regret it.”

“We don’t take real well to threats, bud,” said Nanoc.

Outside the chamber, Telemachos turned briefly to Aseneth, said, “I must be where the action is, but fear not, you shall be safe out here,” and then rushed into the room to stand alongside Danton and Nanoc.

“I really don’t care how many of you cultists there are,” said the robed man. “If you don’t get out of my way right now, I will destroy you all.”

“Why do you think we’re cult…oh, the symbols,” said Danton. “Wait half a moment…a wizard you say…might you be one Spugnoir of Hommlet…a potion maker by trade?”

Hearing this, Nanoc’s demeanor changed immediately.

“Hey, I am sure glad to meet you. I’m Nanoc. I met your little girl at the shop, and she sure is worried. You stick wit’ me and we’ll get you back to her real soon!”

Nanoc’s forthrightness usually made Danton cringe, but here, for once, it proved helpful. As soon as Nanoc mentioned the girl in the shop, the robed man visibly relaxed.

“I am Spugnoir,” he said. “And if this is some sort of rescue, it is most welcome.”

“We actually have other purposes here,” replied Danton, “but ‘tis true that we hath told your daughter we would find you if we could.”

“And we have many questions,” added Telemachos. “Do you know anything about the druid Jaroo? What happened to him? Where is his bear? Who has been here? Just members of the cult? Others?  What capabilities do they have?  What creatures are in their service? Who are the leaders? What else is in this moathouse? What else is on this level or other levels?" 

“I don’t know anything about Jaroo or his bear being involved in any of this,” said Spugnoir. “I can tell you what I’ve seen out here in the last two weeks, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to get out of this room and sit down.”

As he moved past them and out into the larger chamber, Spugnoir limped visibly and upon close inspection it was clear that his red robes were stained with blood.

“Luger, perhaps you could…” began Danton.

“Say no more,” replied the cleric, removing his healer’s kit and attending to Spugnoir’s many wounds when he sat down heavily against the stone wall outside the room where he had been hidden (healing: 11+9+2=22).

“I’ve been coming out to the old moathouse for years,” began Spugnoir. “Searching for items of value and things left behind by the former occupants that were too dangerous to be left lying around. There were always a few undead about, but that was it.”

“Obviously things have changed,” said Danton dryly.

“Obviously. The cultists arrived first. I hid and observed them from afar and watched as they moved purposefully and uncovered a hidden chamber that I never even knew existed. It is on the far side of the dungeon, beyond many chambers—and through a secret door that I can show you if you like.”

“Then the dragon came,” continued the potion maker. “I think it wanted the moathouse as a lair. The cultists attacked it, much to their regret. It killed their leader and one or two others, and the rest fled back down into the lower level. While the survivors were preoccupied with licking their wounds, I tried to slip up to the surface using an invisibility potion that I always carried for insurance, so to speak, but the wyrm smelled me, heard me, or something—and attacked. I tried to fight him off, but I fared no better than the cultists.” The man motioned ruefully at the wounds that Luger was tending.

“I fired off a few spells, but to little effect, and then fled back down here, lucky to be alive. I’ve been trapped, hiding from the cult, ever since. I left my spellbook in Hommlet, not thinking I would need it, and I was basically powerless, slowly running out of food until you all arrived. I take it you’ve dealt with the cultists and the dragon?”

“We drove off the dragon after an incredible struggle,” said Telemachos, “and through force of arms and careful planning, we’ve eliminated an awful lot of cultists and gnolls, but we may not have gotten them all yet.”

“The path to the surface is now clear,” said Danton, “and you are free to go if you wish, but you seem to know a great deal about this place and its layout. Such knowledge could be of great value to us. With all the comings and goings from this place of late, traveling with us might also prove a good deal safer than returning home alone.”

“I can also provide additional healing once I am sure that no one else will be in greater need,” added Luger.

Spugnoir nodded. “I can certainly show you the way to the chamber the cultists excavated. There are also two other ways to the surface that you might want to know about. One leads to the keep above, while the other emerges in the woods beyond it. I would have tried to go out that way, but it is on the far side of the dungeon and I had the cultists between me and it.”

“Sounds good,” said Nanoc, “but time’s a wastin’—let’s get to it!”

The barbarian helped Spugnoir to his feet and then said, “Which way?”

“Through that door over there,” replied the potion maker. “There are two rooms beyond it and then we come to the secret doors—one leading back up into the ruined keep and the other leading to the eastern part of the dungeon.”

“Any dangers in either room?” asked Danton

“Before the cultists came, no. Now, who knows?”

With the now seven members of the party gathered around the door on the eastern wall, Danton searched and listened for any surprises (search: 4+9=13; listen: 13+6=19), but discerned nothing.

Nanoc opened the door and saw yet another twenty-foot by twenty-foot room. Debris and trash filled this room, as had been the case with the others. There was little else of note, save for another wooden door on the east wall. When Nanoc stood aside, Danton examined the room (search: 16+9=25).

“There hath been regular foot traffic through here of late,” said the Velunese immediately. “See the path through the debris?”

Once pointed out, it was obvious to all that someone had cleared a path through the detritus between the two doors and used it regularly of late.

With nothing else noteworthy about the room, Danton moved on to the next door (search: 10+9=19; listen: 18+6=24). The portal seemed unremarkable, but within seconds of putting his ear against it, Danton motioned for silence with his right hand. There was movement in the chamber beyond the door. Danton heard what sounded like someone pacing about not far from the door, along with some other sounds he was unable to identify.

Motioning for Telemachos, Nanoc, and Xaod to approach the door, Danton slipped aside. Without hesitation, Nanoc grasped the door handle in one hand, hefted his axe with the other, then shoved the door open and burst through, with Xaod and Telemachos right on his heels.

The room beyond the doorway was large, nearly forty feet by forty feet, and mostly empty. It was so clean that it almost appeared as if it had been swept. A number of strange objects lay on a white blanket spread out on the floor on the far side of the chamber. Not far away, a lantern sat on the floor, illuminating the room. A single door was on the south wall, not too far from where Nanoc and the others burst in.

There were also three creatures in the room, two surprised gnolls, one standing near each of the doors, and a human woman in splint armor sitting near the blanket and apparently cataloguing the items on it. All three of them wore the familiar symbol of the Elder Elemental Eye around their necks.

When the three warriors burst into the room, the gnolls briefly hesitated, but the woman did not.

“Kill them!” she screamed, leaping to her feet and grabbing up a morningstar from the stone floor. While the two gnolls moved to block the interlopers, the woman ran for the door on the southern wall.

[Initiative: Nanoc: 16, Telemachos: 9, Xaod: 1, Danton: 20, Luger: 19, Aseneth: 18, Gnolls: 8, Cultist: 8]

Nanoc and Telemachos each moved quickly to take on one of the gnolls. Nanoc struck down one of the creatures before it could strike at him (attack:10+9=19; hit; 12 damage), but Telemachos’ foe blocked his swing with its axe (Telemachos attack: 4+9=13; miss) and then hit him hard with the weapon (hit for 4 points). The Furyondian’s armor absorbed the worst of the blow, but it still knocked him back. Xaod was at his side moments later, but he too missed the thrashing gnoll.

Danton, Luger, and Aseneth entered the chamber just in time to see and hear the armored woman reach the southern door, throw it open and scream for whatever was in the room beyond to come to her aid.

With nothing now standing between him and the woman, Nanoc moved to deal with the obvious leader of this particular group. He struck her while she was still screaming for aid, but his axe only glanced off her armor to no effect (attack: 7+9=16; miss).

Behind the barbarian, Telemachos and Xaod continued to exchange swings with the remaining gnoll, with the Furyondian missing once again (attack: 4+9=13; miss).

Seeking to free up the two warriors, Danton moved around the back of the gnoll to strike it in the back (attack: 18+4+2=24; hit; 7 damage). The blow was not lethal, but it did stagger the gnoll just after it had managed to hit Telemachos a second time (hit for 5 damage).

Standing just inside the doorway, Aseneth stood with her staff at the ready, while Luger called on Heironeous to augment the power of his longsword (casts magic weapon).

After her armor absorbed Nanoc’s first attack, the screaming woman turned her full attention to the barbarian, pointing at him with her morningstar and uttering a series of strange words. The syllables boomed in Nanoc’s head, threatening to cloud his mind from all that was happening around him (will save: 14+2=16). Nanoc briefly felt the urge to drop his axe and go wandering off through the dungeon, but he managed to clear his head and focus on attacking the woman again (attack: 20+9=29; critical hit: 36 damage). This time, when Nanoc smashed his axe into the spellcasting woman’s abdomen with all his strength behind it, the force was unstoppable and the incredible force of the blow literally cut her in half.

As the woman went down, a column of skeletons began to pour into the room all around Nanoc. They came from the door the woman had opened and six of the undead quickly surrounded Nanoc and began to hack at him with their claw-like hands. It was a testament to the quality of the barbarian’s new armor, as well as his great dexterity and speed, that he was only hit twice as the skeletons surrounded him (hit for 3 points).

On his third try, Telemachos finally managed to finish the gnoll that Danton had wounded (attack:17+9+2=28; hit; 12 damage). He, Xaod, and Danton then turned to see the skeletons surrounding Nanoc. By this time, both Aseneth and Luger had seen the danger and rushed past the melee with the gnoll to assist Nanoc.

With his sword now glowing a bright yellow, Luger smashed it into one of the skeletons (attack: 16+4+2+1=23; hit; 4 damage), shattering the undead into several pieces.

Spinning wildly, Nanoc obliterated a second skeleton with a single swing of his axe (attack: 7+9+2=18; hit; 7 damage). By then, all of the other party members formed a ring of their own around the four remaining skeletons that clawed single-mindedly at Nanoc. Aseneth smashed one with her heavy staff, which proved a much more effective weapon against the undead than did blades. Luger had moved to assist her, but he missed the skeleton just before she destroyed it (attack: 5+4+2+1=12; miss).

Danton struck another of the skeletons from behind with a truly devastating attack that would have eviscerated any living foe (attack: 20+4+2=26; critical hit: 6 damage). It did not have quite the same effect against a skeleton, but still served to sever the thing’s upper body from its legs, effectively eliminating it as a threat.

With Xaod unable to finish the skeleton he had attacked, two of the undead remained standing and continued to flail ineffectively at Nanoc. The barbarian, along with Telemachos and Danton, attacked one of the pair, while Luger, Aseneth, and Xaod sought to destroy the second.

Nanoc smashed his axe against the head of the first skeleton (attack: 13+9+2=24; hit; 9 damage), causing it to explode in a burst of white dust and bone. Danton then finished the thing with his rapier (attack: 10+4+2=16; hit; 3 damage).

Luger hit the second skeleton with his glowing sword, severing one of its arms (attack: 18+4+2+1=25; hit; 2 damage), and then Aseneth finished it by bringing down the blue-flashing end of her staff on its head, causing it to crumple into a pile of harmless bones.

“Waooo!” exulted Nanoc. “That was some kinda fun!” The barbarian looked at Aseneth. “Ya see! I ain’t no boy. You know us half orcs mature lots faster than normal men. Why when I was 9, there weren’t a man in the whole village who was stronger than me.”

“There is more to war than strength,” scolded Telemachos. “A skilled warrior plans each of his moves with care and would not have waltzed into the midst of those skeletons. Had they been something more formidable, you would have been done for.”

“You stay outta this, Tel! I was talkin’ ta Aseneth, not you!” said Nanoc vehemently.

Danton shook his head and laughed. “The two of you can arm wrestle for the lady later. For now, mayhap we should continue our investigations, hmm?”

“What is ‘arm wrestle’?” asked Aseneth, a quizzical look on her face.

With the fighting over, Spugnoir entered the room and showed Danton where the two secret doors in the chamber were located. One was at the center of the eastern wall, and when the potion maker depressed a particular stone, part of the wall opened up, revealing a curving stone stairwell that led upward.

“That leads to a similar hidden door off of the great hall above,” said Spugnoir. “It was of no use to me before because the dragon’s presence in the main hall effectively blocked this route as much as it did the main stairs.”

The second hidden door Spugnoir showed Danton was ten feet to the south of the first one, also on the east wall. It opened in a similar fashion and led to a hallway and a short flight of stairs running eastward and deeper into the ground. Once he knew how to operate the mechanism, Danton closed the door again until such time as the party was ready to move onward.

While Danton and Spugnoir examined the secret doors, Aseneth had made straight for the collection of items on the blanket. Carefully laid out there were an iron torch with three black cones made of some unknown substance, a black scepter decorated with a half dozen violet gems, a small black sphere, and a black metal tube.

“We should be taking all these things back to town,” said the sorceress. “I will be needing time to examine. But if cult was wanting—digging up—they must be great magic or great value—maybe both.”

“Now see here, Aseneth,” protested Danton, “we know you seek magic items to aid your city, and that’s fine. We all seek certain things, and such wishes can be accommodated. But it’s simply too much for you to lay claim to any and every non-weapon or non-armor magical item. And moreover, whatever hath happened with your promise to restore my journal and letters?”

The woman put her hands on her hips and stared back at Danton. “I am not saying that all is for me—we are not even knowing what these things are—maybe they are only for money. I am only wanting magic. But if will making you feel better, Nanoc can carry all for now. You are trusting him and so am I. And I am woman who does as is saying—when we are resting, I will fix your precious book. I will wrap these things in blanket, and then Nanoc, please carrying them for us.”

“Sure Aseneth,” said Nanoc, giving Danton a dirty look, “I can carry pretty much anything.”

“I can assist too,” added Telemachos helpfully. “And I won’t break things the way Nanoc would.”

With the Furyondian and the barbarian arguing over who would carry the strange set of items, Danton sighed and proceeded to search the remainder of the chamber, with Luger, Xaod, and Spugnoir accompanying him. Other than the secret doors, the items on the blanket, and the bodies of the various foes the party had destroyed, the room seemed completely empty (Danton search: 7+9=16). The skeletons had carried nothing, and the gnolls had nothing of note other than their scale armor and Elder Elemental Eye symbols, the latter of which Danton pocketed. As for the dead woman, she wore splint armor and had a large steel shield, a light crossbow, a finely made morningstar, and a strange set of ochre colored robes in a pack. She also carried 10 bolts, yet another Elder Elemental Eye symbol, and what looked like three potion vials.

Danton scooped up the potions and then called for Telemachos to come and collect the other items, hoping thereby to end the debate over who would carry the other items ‘for Aseneth.’

The room to the south, from whence the skeletons had come, was like most of the others the party had seen: twenty feet square and filled with little more than dust and cobwebs. Bizarrely, someone had carved the words ‘Death to all ogres’ on the northern wall of the room in Oeridian, but Danton could neither make anything of this, nor find anything else of interest in the room (search: 9+9=18).

Once Danton was satisfied he had found all there was to be found and everything of value had been stowed in Nanoc and Telemachos’ packs, the group moved off again. Danton opened the secret door to the east once more and the group headed off, Danton’s torch once again providing the only illumination.

Past the secret door, the hallway, which was only ten feet wide, ran for twenty feet before coming to a set of stairs that descended fifteen feet as they ran eastward. The hall continued for another twenty feet thereafter and then angled off to the southeast. As he and the others followed the corridor, Danton noticed (search: 18+9=27) that there was an iron portcullis flush with the ceiling overhead.

“Tread carefully,” he said, holding his torch high to show the portcullis to the others, that could be part of some trap.”

The party passed under the portcullis with caution, but no trap or other means of lowering the barrier made itself apparent. Once the group was past the portcullis, the hallway split, running both east and south/southwest.

“Which way to this new chamber the cultists hath unearthed?” asked Danton.

“South,” replied Spugnoir from behind him.

“Then we go east first,” said the Velunese, “in order to be certain that we do not have foes at our backs when we must confront the cultists.”

The hall to the east bent back and forth, turning first to the south and then to the north before resuming its eastward march and finally opening up into a large chamber. The hall emerged through the western wall of a rectangular chamber forty feet from north to south and thirty from west to east. There were also three doors spaced evenly along the eastern wall and an archway in the north wall led to some other chamber.

The room contained six very old-looking beds made of wood and padded with mattresses of straw. Clothes, armor pieces, and tarnished weapons lay about the floor, mixed with bones, fruit rinds, and other waste that seemed of more recent origin. The room also had the smell of wet fur. Danton searched the area (search: 13+9=21), found nothing, and the group moved off into the chamber to the north.

This square-shaped chamber had bare stone walls stained and scored with signs of fire from long ago. A wooden bed with a mattress of straw was against the western wall, and a small iron box sat next to it. On top of the box was a pipe, some tobacco, a whetstone, and a stoneware cup full of some dark liquid.

Danton scanned the room (search: 2+9=11), gathered up the whetstone, pipe, tobacco, and the box, which contained more tobacco, and motioned for the group to head back the way it came. There were no other exits.

Once back in the room with the six beds, Danton examined and listened at each of the three doors on the eastern wall (search: 13+9=22, listen: 6+6=12). There was nothing to be heard behind any of the doors and two of them seemed unremarkable, but there was something odd about the center one. When Danton probed and tested it, he felt some tension on the other side, as if it were attached to a rope or cable of some sort. The Velunese did his best to disarm the mechanism (disable device: 8+7=15), but to no avail. After several minutes of probing, Danton opened the door a bit too far, the mechanism activated, and there was a crashing sound somewhere off in the distance.

“Methinks the portcullis hath just dropped,” he muttered in annoyance.

Behind the door Danton had opened was a small closet-like space that housed the mechanism of the trap—a mixture of ropes and pulleys it seemed. When Nanoc opened the other two doors, they had only small, empty closets behind them.

When the group retraced its steps to the fork in the hallway, the party members could see that the portcullis was indeed now down, blocking the way back to the western part of the dungeon.

“Don’t ya worry none ‘bout that, Danton,” said Nanoc, “I’m sure I can lift that thing up if we need ta go back that way.”

“We don’t necessarily have to go back that way,” said Spugnoir. “The last exit I know about is past the cultist excavation off to the east.”

“All right,” said Danton, “just forget not to tell me when we draw close, hmm?”

Like the other hall, this one wound back and forth, turning first to the west and then to the east before going south again and finally opening up into another large chamber. Much like the room with the portcullis trap, this area had a rectangular shape, an archway on one wall (in this case the west wall), and three doors spaced evenly on the south wall.

Six old wooden beds with straw mattresses were arranged haphazardly in the room. Each had a new-looking bag or satchel of varying sorts next to it, and a small iron box sat on one bed. A stand with a brazier, currently unlit and another with a lantern, also unlit, were against the middle portions of the east and west walls.

Ignoring the archway and doors for the moment, Danton examined the room and its contents carefully (search: 16+9=25). It was immediately obvious to the Velunese that someone, likely the cultists, had been sleeping and residing in this room very recently. The various bags and other containers around the beds contained clothing, rations, and other equipment, including five sets of ochre robes. As for the metal box, it was locked and sealed with what looked like some sort of magical rune.

“Hath anyone the means to dispel or otherwise remove yon mark?” asked Danton, pointing at the rune.

Aseneth shook her head, and Spugnoir said, “normally, yes, but not without my spellbook I fear.”

“Naturally,” muttered Danton. “You might as well all stand well back.”

Having learned a hard lesson from his dunk in the moat, Danton removed his pack, weapons, and all of his equipment, save his tools, and stowed it all at the far side of the room. He then set to work (disable device: 20+7=27). Whether it was the result of skill or simply incredible luck, Danton would never know, but in the end he managed to trip the mechanism of the box without disturbing the rune and carefully opened the lid.

Inside were what looked like two potion bottles, two scrolls, six packets of tinder for lighting fires, a gold inlaid dagger and a thick sheaf of papers. Danton gathered up all of the smaller items and then looked more closely at the papers.

Flipping through the pages, it did not take him long to realize what it was that he held. Smiling in triumph, he held up the papers and motioned for the others to approach:

“We are in luck, my friends, for some cultist hath the same obsession as Danton Verbrugge—the need to record his deeds, thoughts and words for posterity. Behold the journal of Geynor Ton!”

The final entries in the journal:

Something has happened above! The gnolls heard sounds of battle and then silence! Perhaps the dragon has been killed or driven off. With Festrath interested only in the obelix, Gren and the trog struggle for mastery. They will send the gnolls to retake the keep and then we may finally leave with our artifacts when the wagons arrive! Thou art generous, o Dark Lord!

Disaster again! The Master of Masters tests us once more! The gnolls were slaughtered! They went up and none returned—the vile wyrm must still be there! Now we truly are trapped—unless Chatrilon and others from Hommlet come to our aid. Gren wants to make another sortie, but the last of the gnolls refuse and the foul trog says we must wait and protect the obelisk. The food runs low.

________________________________________________________________

Notes for turn 30:

Please send postings for Turn 30 by the end of Thursday, November 2^nd.

You will note that Danton, Telemachos, and Nanoc have gained enough XP for 4^th level. Please run them through the level-up process and let me know all the changes when you send me your postings. Remember that in addition to any other improvements, all characters gain 1 point to apply to any of their six basic statistics when the reach 4^th level. If you have questions or need any assistance with the level advancement process, let me know.

Current date/time: 15 Lipanj 592; approximately 1100.

Items gained this turn: 5 potions, 2 scrolls, numerous Elder Elemental Eye symbols, three black cones made of some unknown substance, a black scepter decorated with a half dozen violet gems, a small black sphere, and a black metal tube, pipe, tobacco, metal box, whetstone, two scrolls from cultists in the dungeon, six packets of tinder for lighting fires, gold inlaid dagger, Journal of Geynor Ton, splint armor, large steel shield, light crossbow, masterwork morningstar, set of ochre colored robes, 10 bolts

Undivided Loot previously gained: none

Items used/lost/destroyed/sold this turn:none

FOES DEFEATED:

This Chapter:

Entire Campaign:

Current Status of the Party:

Nanoc

AC: 17

Hit points: 23/35

New XP: 775

XP total: 6425

XP needed: 6,000

Equipment: great axe, silver-plated short sword, masterwork studded leather armor, 69 arrows, 2 quivers, backpack, waterskin, 18 days trail rations, bedroll, 2 sacks, 2 flint & steel, bearskin, tent, 50’ rope, 1 sap, masterwork composite shortbow, masterwork shortsword, 4 iron triangles with inverted ‘Y’ , potion of cure moderate wounds, three black cones made of some unknown substance, a black scepter decorated with a half dozen violet gems, a small black sphere, and a black metal tube.

Gold: 622

Silver: 220

Danton

AC: 15 (16 vs. one opponent)

Hit points: 13/14

New XP: 775

XP total: 6425

XP needed: 6,000

Equipment: rapier, 6 daggers, light crossbow, studded leather armor, quiver with 33 bolts, bedroll, backpack, flint & steel, thieves picks, waterskin, 11 days trail rations, hooded lantern, gold ring engraved with the name Karakas, 1 sap, 1 metal key from Yusdrayl, Everburning Torch, scrolls with pyrotechnics and melf’s acid arrow, waterlogged journal, 6 iron triangles with upside down ‘Y’ inside, 1 protection from fire scroll, 12 scrolls of cure light wounds, 2 scrolls of cure moderate wounds, new journal, notebook, pen, ink, parchment in sealed waterproof box, 5 unknown potions from cultists in dungeon, pipe, tobacco, metal box, whetstone, two scrolls from cultists in the dungeon, six packets of tinder for lighting fires, gold inlaid dagger, Journal of Geynor Ton

Gold: 272

Silver: 0

Telemachos

AC: 18

Hit points: 20/32

New XP: 775

XP total: 6425

XP needed: 6,000

Equipment: splint mail, short sword, 2 daggers, longbow, quiver and 33 arrows, large wooden shield, backpack, large sack, flint and steel, 21 days rations, waterskin, bedroll, tent, 1 sap, Shatterspike (Longsword +1 with special properties), honey and berries, 2 iron triangles with upside down ‘Y’ inside, splint armor (badly damaged in an encounter with Nanoc’s axe), large steel shield, light crossbow, masterwork morningstar, set of ochre colored robes, 10 bolts

Gold: 65

Silver: 210

AC: 19

Hit Points: 15/15

New XP: 775

XP total: 1875

XP needed: 3,000

Equipment: longsword, heavy mace, light x-bow, dagger, 20 bolts, chainmail, large steel shield, 3 belt pouches, large bag, 50’ rope, 5 torches, hooded lantern, 3 oil flasks, flint & steel, 10 days rations, silver holy symbol of Heironeus, 3 flasks holy water, 2 healer’s kits, backpack, cleric’s vestment, traveler’s clothing, waterskin, bedroll, iron triangle with upside down ‘Y’ inside

Spell Selection:

Level 0(4): purify food & drink, detect magic, read magic, guidance
Level 1(3+1): Domain:

Turn Undead attempts left on current day: 1

Gold: 20