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Chapter 1: A Darkness Gathering Turn
32: The Flourmill
“I hath never been reluctant to set forth mine views,” began Danton. “Here we go again,” muttered Nanoc, covering his eyes with his left hand. “…and I hath no reluctance now,” continued the Velunese. “Let us depart this entire dungeon forthwith … and think twice—or thrice, better still—about ever venturing back.” Danton
looked the party’s cleric in the eye and added bluntly: Danton
then glanced at Nanoc and nodded toward Luger “Fer once yer talking sense, Danton,” rumbled the barbarian. “This place is jus’ bad—almost like down in that hole. We ain’t touchin’ nothing!” Matching action to word, the barbarian stalked over to place himself between Luger and the four-sided pillar. “Good,”
said Danton. “Now, in my fashion, I recommend the following
plan. Let us depart immediately, if not sooner. Let us further leave
this dungeon by the secret riverbank exit, being careful to hide or
obscure our tracks to the secret door and then closing the door
carefully behind us. Once beyond that door, permit me a moment or two
to set up several trip wires—I hath not the ability, nor even
desire, to erect a trap at that point, but, instead, I wish merely to
set wires so that if, against all wisdom and sanity, we enter this
moathouse again, I might discern whether our secret passage hath
remained, in fact, secret. Both Aseneth and Luger looked as if they were about to respond to the implied criticisms in Danton’s comments, but suddenly Telemachos slumped down to the ground, his splint armor scraping loudly on the stone of the cavern wall behind him. The soldier’s head sank down and he placed his hands atop it. “Mine quest hath failed. I have been unable to help my uncle. I have failed him. Those of us who survived barely escaped with their lives, me nearest of all. We fought wretched, hellish creatures and struggled gallantly. All for what? Staring at a pulsing, evil granite structure. Not one clue. Not one. None. No bear, no one to tell us what happened, no name in a journal. Nothing. How am I to help my father across hundreds and thousands of leagues when I cannot even help my uncle a day's ride from his home…” The
fighter’s voice trailed off into low sobs. Luger walked over to the Furyondian and put a hand on his shoulder. “Telemachos, when we return to Hommlet, perhaps I could take a look at your uncle and see if I can determine anything new. I don't profess to be expert on the customs of druids, but I do not think an animal companion would leave your uncle willingly. Either he has died or your uncle is not himself. I have a few spells that might shed some light on what ails him.” Telemachos nodded slightly amidst his sobs. “Thank you, Luger, for your kind words,” he mumbled without looking up, “though I fear that they are for naught. Aseneth here has already looked at him and no answers have come as I had hoped." “You know,” mused Danton, “seeing good Telemachos supine in his misery, one further thought doth occur to me. P’raps you all remember Geynor Ton’s journal, in particular the reference regarding hiding out at some nearby flourmill? Well, after we arrive in Hommlet—but before we speak with the local clergy—it might be worth our while to see if there is a flourmill in the vicinity and then have a look see. Such an investigation could satisfy a few ends. First, it might yet turn up information useful for Telemachos’ hope to aid his uncle. Second, it might round out the information that we have on this Elder Eye cult. And finally, to the joy of anyone interested in profit—which I take to include Nanoc, Aseneth and myself, at a minimum—it holds open the possibility of still obtaining some compensation for our efforts. What say you?” “That sounds like a good idea,” agreed Luger. “If there are more of these cultists hiding in Hommlet, it would be best that we take them out before they can call in reinforcements upon the town and us. Surely, this little burg has been plagued by this evil long enough. I would only suggest that we take the time to rest before returning so that we may face whatever challenges full strength. The magic bestowed upon me by Heironeus is all but depleted and I'm sure Aseneth and Spugnoir could also use some time to regain their own powers. If we face more of these evil clerics without our own magic, I fear we will be at a sore disadvantage.” Aseneth had been looking at the strange pillar during much of the conversation, but now, once again standing next to Nanoc, she said: "I am still wanting search old ruined temple and ghost-town being close to it, but we could go first to town and looking for this 'flour mill' that Danton is reading in book. If cult is there, they are danger to us and town. May also be having other items of magic already tooking from this moathouse.” “And,” she added with emphasis, “I will fixing little Danton book tonight when we are resting.” "I
just want to get back to my daughter,” said Spugnoir, “but
I can tell you there is a flour mill in Hommlet. It's on the
north side of the river, not too far east of the center of town. It's
owned by a fellow named Karlun. I don't know if that's the place this
Ton person was talking about, but it's the only mill I know of in
Hommlet.” “Huh,” grunted Nanoc, “I think we oughta take what we found back to them there priests. If they wants to destroy that thing down there, it’s all theirs. As for the flour mill, heck if there is bad guys there, I don't mind bustin' some heads. But I am wit Aseneth—I think we need to take a look at there temple and town. We got some good stuff here and once we is outa this place Aseneth can take a closer look at it. Heck some o' this armor is real fine may even be magic...maybe even some o' these weapons. Well if we can find more o' this stuff I think we oughta be lookin' at the temple next...once we is done with town, ain't that right Aseneth?” “Yes,”
said the woman at his side. “That is all very good idea.” “Chatrilon book is having only few spells,” said Aseneth, reaching into the small bag she carried and withdrawing the little tome, “but if you want looking to use some, that is fine.” She handed the book to Spugnoir. The potion maker took the book, saying, “Anything’s better than nothing.” “I doth have one other comment regarding our trip back to Hommlet,” added Danton. “I propose that we not camp in the wilderness but, instead, camp in the cave at the riverbank whereat this dungeon exit deposits us. We hath every reason to believe that it hath gone undiscovered by the cultists, and, at great peril, we hath dispatched the cockatrices. Thus, that part of the dungeon remains safe for the inhabiting -- we can double-check the cockatrice lair to make sure that none of those foul beasts hath reappeared, perhaps coming in from somewhere in the wilds. Mine thought is that we sleep in the cave, keeping out of the rain and posting two guards, one to watch the corridor to the dungeon, where I can hook up a tripwire and clanging object to alert us, and one toward the outside. That seems the safest option to me.” “Well, ok, Danton,” said Nanoc. “Somebody’ll have ta get Tel on his feet again, but then we kin go back the way we came—all lefts, right?” “I’ll be all right,” said the Furyondian, looking up for the first time. “I will support all of your suggestions about where to camp - indeed, they are strategically wise. I did not think my courage would allow me to say this a little while back, but let us press on." Danton shook his head with a laugh. “I’ll give you the directions as we go, my boy, on that, and mayhap a few other things as well.” With no one anxious to stay in the foreboding chamber any longer than necessary, the group quickly got underway again, with Danton now directing Nanoc to go repeatedly to the right and collecting the crossbow bolts he had deposited on the way in. At one point, when he and Nanoc were a bit ahead of the others, who were slowed by waiting for the despondent Telemachos to catch up, the Velunese whispered to the barbarian: “Mine boy, at a more propitious moment, we must needs have a talk about our beauteous enchantress before you run off and do something absurd. Though this vile moathouse holdeth great peril, there is no greater peril than a woman who hath your heart in her hand … and that is the bitter truth.” “Aw, shoot you ain't needin ta tell me nothin' bout women,” shot back Nanoc. “I knows what to do. Heck you oughta know that from our time in Woodstock, anyways.” *** After making its way back through the maze of tunnels and through the center of the underground dungeon, the party made use of the secret passage once again, and then Danton placed tiny lengths of string across the insides of the two doorways. Next, the group returned briefly to the chamber where it had killed the three cockatrices. There the group ascertained that no more of the creatures had appeared, Luger harvested as many quality feathers from the dead beasts as he could, while Spugnoir removed their beaks for use in his potion making. Thereafter, the party made its way through the long, narrow tunnel that led out of the dungeon, stopping only when it reached the mouth of the cave leading out onto the riverbank. Although it was growing late in the evening, with the longest day of the year only a couple of weeks away, the sky to the west was not yet fully dark, although the stars had already begun to appear overhead. The party set up camp slightly back from the mouth of the cave. With Telemachos still despondent and distracted, Danton suggested that he and Luger keep an eye on the back of the cave, towards the tunnel, while Nanoc covered the cave entrance. While Telemachos slumped down once again and resumed his brooding, Spugnoir sat and began reading from the spellbook of Chatrilon Unosh, and Nanoc set out his bedroll in the cave mouth, well away from the others, Luger motioned for Danton to follow him farther back towards the tunnel. “There
is something else I would tell you, and you alone,” whispered
Luger while Danton set out a simple mechanism of string and bells to
provide a warning of any interlopers that might appear, “about my experience in the obelisk chamber. When I
was transported, I was in a dark place for a few seconds and a voice
spoke to me. I still remember the words: ‘Seek the heart of the
four moons. Together they can sunder the walls of my prison. For now,
eat of my fruit and be blessed’." “I was not
certain what the reactions of the others might be,” said Luger.
“Just between you and me, I am tempted to eat the fruit to see
if gives us any more insight into this new puzzle. Would the voice
detect I am not a cultist and try to poison me or could this entity
be a benevolent being trapped by the forces of evil? Perhaps the
blessing is real." “I would not eat it before performing tests,” said Luger in a calming voice. “I am not so rash—I will seek to determine whether it is poison and then I shall perform an augury and ask Heironeous for guidance.” “Foolishness. Utter foolishness,” said Danton dismissively. “If you continue down this path, you are not long for this world.” “I want to know whether this entity is good or evil, and this fruit is the clue that will answer that question,” insisted Luger. Danton was incredulous. “You were there with us in that foul chamber! Could you not feel the dark presence that chilled the very air around us? Was that not purest evil given physical manifestation? I repeat, this is sheer madness.” At the other end of the cave, Nanoc heard Danton’s animated voice rising in volume, but he could not catch the words. Tuning out Danton and turning to Aseneth, who stood in the mouth of the cave looking out at the night sky, Nanoc cleared his throat awkwardly and then said: “Ya know, Asya, if you is still cold or something, well I could keeps ya warm. I got all my stuff right over there ya know…” The sorceress smiled, stood up on her toes, and kissed Nanoc on the cheek, causing his head to spin even more than it did when Danton started philosophizing. “I am much better with big coat you were giving me,” she said, “and I will be staying by you, but letting us be taking thing slow. This is not good time or good place. We are not knowing us for so long yet—and I must be fixing Danton book tonight or he will be very upset.” “And,” the sorceress added as Danton’s voice rose still higher, “it is seeming he is already in very bad mood.” *** When morning came (+1 HP each), Luger prayed to Heironeous and then slipped a bit farther back into the tunnel to perform a pair of spells. He used the first to determine that the black fruit was not poisonous in nature and, thus reassured, he used another to seek guidance on whether he should consume the fruit. Unfortunately, the result he received was unclear: upon completing the augury, Luger felt that both weal and woe could result from eating the black fruit. The cleric thus decided to stow it away for the time being until he could make a decision. As for Danton, he was awakened when something solid landed on his stomach with a light thud. The scout sat up, spluttering incoherently and searching about for his rapier. “There is your book—and your love letters,” said Aseneth, standing over the Velunese and pointing down at the journal and sheaf of papers she had just dropped on him. “All are now being fixed. It is interesting that you are always writing how you love this woman and yet you are always…what is word I was hearing in town…cheating with her…no…cheating on her with every other woman you meet. Would this be making her happy, if she were knowing, I wonder?” “You hath read mine most private thoughts?” asked Danton in shock. “It was not my choice,” replied Asenth with a shrug. “I had to fixing page by page—I was having this only way. You are teaching Nanoc many things—and that is good—but I am hoping you are not teaching him this bit of your ‘civilization’ as well.” And with that, the woman spun on her heel and walked off, leaving Danton alone with his fully restored journal and letters, his joy at this restoration tempered by the woman’s biting words. Once the group was ready to depart, it crossed the river at a shallow point and then made its way south and west around the moathouse. The party rested for a while behind the low hill where it had previously camped, using the opportunity to survey the ruined keep once again. But there were no signs of activity and the group soon made its way to the road and began the trip back to Hommlet. During the course of the trip back, Danton spent much of the time brooding in silence about the developments of the last twenty-four hours. He had hoped to have a good, long talk with Nanoc, but the barbarian was almost always in the company of Aseneth, whose presence now made the Velunese most uncomfortable. Only when the woman was occupied in a discussion of the spellbook of Chatrilon Unosh with Spugnoir was Danton able to speak briefly with the barbarian. “What fun we had after that first meeting in Devarnish so many months ago, eh Nanoc?” he began. “No rules, save those of the open road. No strictures. No girlfriends or wives to weigh us down—only women to be wooed, bedded and left when the road beckoned once again. Ah, how nice it would be to return to those simpler times, eh?” “I dunno, Danton,” replied Nanoc. “We did have some good times, but I kinda like our new friends too. Xaod was a great guy, and I’m really glad we’re helping ol’ Spugnoir—that little girl o’ his sure is gonna be happy ta see her dad. Tel’s kinda mopey, but I like havin’ him around in a fight, even if he does go all nutty sometimes. Luger’s a bit weird, but it sure is nice havin’ our own healer…an…Asya, well, I likes her a lot.” “Asya?” asked Danton, nearly choking. “Yeah,” said Nanoc, his eyes glazing over, “she told me ta call her that. Sure is pretty, ain’t it? I ain’t never known a woman called that before.” Danton broke out in a coughing fit that only stopped when he noticed that the woman in black was once again at Nanoc’s side and was looking at Danton with a knowing smile. *** It was late afternoon when the party finally reached Hommlet, but the summer sun was still high in the sky. The group had encountered nothing and no one on the road, but it left the pathway well to the east of Hommlet, seeking to slip into town as unobtrusively as possible. The party cut between two sizable copses of trees and then entered town near the easternmost of the three bridges across the Imeryds Run. From there, Spugnoir, with his hood up to hide his face, led the way along the road that paralleled the river until the flourmill came into view. The mill was very large, towering over most of the other buildings around it. It was powered by a huge waterwheel turned by the river. The only other building close at hand was a sizable residence that Spugnoir said belonged to the owner of the mill. Both the mill and house were surrounded by tall, scattered trees that covered the property in shade. “We doin’ this my way?” asked Nanoc when the mill came into sight. “Yes,” replied Danton, “but I will want to search for any traps or other unpleasant surprises—danger may be found in more than dungeons.” A large set of double doors was wide open, allowing the party to walk right inside the mill’s main room. As might have been expected, a huge grinding stone powered by the water wheel dominated the area, while a loft overhead was filled with grain that flowed down a chute into the grinder. The water wheel also drove a conveyer belt with scoops to transfer grain up into the loft. Bags of flour filled one end of the main room. The entire place was covered with a fine dusting of raw flour, and the air was thick with it. Three mill workers were present when the party entered the building, two men and a woman. “Hello there!” called out Danton, when the entire party was inside the mill. The two men looked up from their work bagging grain, while the woman in the loft gazed down at the newcomers. “We would like to speak with the owner, one Karlun, I understand,” said Danton. “He ain’t around,” said one of the men. “But if yer lookin’ ta buy flour, we can help ya.” “Our interest actually lieth in the mill itself,” said Danton, walking about the mill floor and looking for any sign of other rooms or hiding places. “You wouldn’t mind if we take a look around, would you?” “Actually, I think Karlun would mind, called out the woman in the loft. He doesn’t like people poking into his business, so you’d better go. If you want to look around, you’ll have to ask him when he comes back.” “And when might that be?” asked Danton. “We dunno,” said the man who had spoken first. “Ain’t seen ‘im in a few days.” “And hath anyone else been by to visit of late?” pursued the Velunese (diplomacy: 15+6=21). “Well, there are some of Karlun’s friends who been staying in the cellar,” replied the man, “but they don’t say much and ain’t around here a whole lot anyway.” “They left town already anyway,” added the woman in the loft. “We would very much like to take a look at this cellar,” said Danton. “I don’t think Karlun would want strangers just pokin’ around,” said the man. “Then he can come and tell us so himself,” said Danton firmly. “Otherwise, we mean to search it. Now, will you show us where it is, or do we have to find it ourselves?” “Now, see here,” began the man, folding his arms over his chest and moving forward to stand directly in front of Danton. “Nanoc, if you would,” said the Velunese nonchalantly. “Look here, bud,” bellowed the half-orc moving forward to tower over the burly, but short man, “we don’t want no trouble, but we’re lookin’ around whether ya like it or not.” (intimidate: 15-2=13) Although the half-orc’s genial smile and friendly tone seemed counterproductive to Danton, his sheer physical size did cause the mill worker to back off. He and the other man continued grumbling, while the woman above shouted warnings that she would go in search of the constable, but no one made any move to stop the party from searching the mill. Even with these distractions in the background, it took Danton little time to find the cellar (search: 1+10=11), for there was a large wooden door in the stone floor behind the stacks of flour. Danton checked it for any surprises (search: 18+10=28, listen: 15+7=22), but neither saw nor heard anything. He then nodded for Nanoc to open the door. “You two stay here and keep an eye on things,” he said to Luger and Telemachos when Nanoc wrenched the door open. The Velunese withdrew and activated his enchanted torch, and then followed the barbarian down a short flight of stone wooden stairs into a dingy dirt-floor cellar. Laid out in the dirt were four bedrolls, all of which appeared to have been used recently. Judging by the marks in the dirt, at least two other bedrolls had been present not too long ago. A medium-sized trunk stood against the wall farthest from the stairs, and a few satchels and other bags were scattered among the bedrolls. Danton quickly canvassed the cellar for any other items of interest or hidden doors (search: 15+10=25), but he found nothing. “Gather up yon trunk and as many satchels as you can carry, Nanoc, and then we shall examine them above with the others.” Once topside again, Danton set to work on the trunk, while Nanoc and the others rifled the various satchels. Most of the latter contained nothing but clothes, but one held a single book with an ornate binding. As for the trunk, Danton (search:6+10=16) found no traps of any kind on it and proceeded to attempt to pick the lock (open locks: 11+8=19). When the mechanism refused to budge, he stood up, wiped his brow, and was about to redouble his efforts when suddenly the sound of breaking glass could be heard somewhere above. “What was that?” asked Luger, withdrawing his sword. The two mill workers ceased staring sullenly at the party, and one of them called out: “Sart? You still up there? Everything okay?” When there was no response, one of the men ran over to a wooden stairwell on the far side of the mill and then quickly climbed the stairs. When he reached the top, he disappeared from view, but his shout could be heard almost immediately thereafter: “Fire! Run! Fire!” The man then came barreling back down the stairs, while the other man was already running pell-mell towards the exit. “Why they so scared of a little fire?” asked Nanoc. “We kin get some buckets an’ put it out with water from th’ river!” “Oh, no,” said Luger, realization dawning. “Get that trunk and run!” screamed Danton. “He is right!” agreed Aseneth, “we must going fast!” Not understanding, but not wanting to argue, Nanoc scooped up the trunk and rushed out of the mill behind the others. The crackling of flames could now be heard from overhead and as the group charged through the open doors of the mill and towards the riverbank, there was suddenly the sound of rushing air and a massive explosion rocked the entire structure, with a sudden burst of air and flame sending everyone flying across the open space outside the mill before they crashed and rolled into the grass and dirt (damage: Nanoc: 5, Telemachos: 8, Danton: 7, Luger: 5). When the party members picked themselves up off the ground, singed and bruised, but alive, they saw that the entire mill was now afire. The stone foundation resisted the flames, but most of the structure was wood, and it was obvious that, unless something was done, the building would quickly burn to the ground. The two men who had worked in the mill could both be seen running down the road to the west. Shouts could be heard in several directions and assorted gawkers were beginning to gather to watch the building burn. ________________________________________________________________ Notes for turn 33: Several of you had other things you wanted to do in Hommlet after going to the mill, but I wanted to stop at this point to allow you the chance to respond to developments. Feel free to cut and paste anything left undone into your postings for Turn 33. Current date/time: 16 Lipanj 592; approximately 1800. Items gained this turn: cockatrice feathers, unknown book, unopened trunk Undivided Loot previously gained: 43 gold Items used/lost/destroyed/sold this turn: none FOES DEFEATED: Active party members listed in green. This Chapter:
Entire Campaign:
Current Status of the Party: Nanoc AC: 17 Hit points: 31/47 New XP: 0 XP total: 8118 XP needed: 10,000 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; taken from the two cultists at the top of the shaft: 2 sets of half-plate armor, two large steel shields, a scroll, three potions, a set of ochre robes and a set of black ones, a black cloak, two masterwork morningstars, a pair of light crossbows, 20 bolts, a total of 65 gold in assorted coins, another inverted Y pendant and an inverted ziggurat pendant; taken from the cultist at the bottom of the shaft: full plate armor, ochre robes, curved short sword, large steel shield, light crossbow and a box of bolts, yet another Elder Elemental Eye inverted Y pendant, a gleaming white pearl, unopened trunk from the flour mill. Gold: 687 Silver: 220
AC: 15 (16 vs. one opponent) Hit points: 12/19 New XP: 0 XP total: 8118 XP needed: 10,000 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, a folded piece of parchment with a note addressed to someone named Festrath, a bag with a dozen gems, spider pendant, wand, tattered black cloak with burning eye emblazoned on it, unknown tome from the flour mill. Gold: 272 Silver: 0
AC: 18 Hit points: 13/41 New XP: 0 XP total: 8118 XP needed: 10,000 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: 20/25 New XP: 0 XP total: 3568 XP needed: 6,000 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, spherical black fruit, eight cockatrice feathers. Spell Selection: Level 0(4): purify
food & drink, detect magic, read magic Level 2 (2+1): Hold Person, Domain: Spiritual Weapon Turn Undead attempts left on current day: 6 Gold: 20
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