* DM *
You can't help but recall the legend of Rappan Athuk in your minds...
It is said, many hundreds of years ago, the forces of good allied to destroy the main Temple of Orcus in the ancient city of Tsar. With their Temple in ruins, the surviving high preists of this accursed demon-god fled the city with an army of enemies on their trail - an army of heroic fighters, clerics, and paladins led by Zelkor, a powerful wizard. The exact fate of these evil preists was then unknown, for not only did the remnants of the followers of Orcus disappear from all human reckoning, but so too did the army of light that followed after them. Some said that in the eternal scales the loss of so many good men was a fair price to pay to rid the world of so much evil.
The evil cult, however, had not been destroyed. The surviving preists and their followers instead settled on a hill near the Forest of Hope, a sylvan woodland near the Coast Road. They found a vast underground complex of caverns and mazes carving out a volcanic intrusion beneath the hill. There the priests of Orcus found the perfect lair to continue their vile rituals. For many years they carried on in secret, hidden from the light and from the knowledge of men.
Many years later, their underground delving completed, the evil preists erected a hideous mausoleum and a sunken graveyard atop the hill. It is believed that these graves are in fact the final resting place of the pursuing army of heroes that had been destroyed to the last man. Soon after the mausoleum was erected, the peaceful creatures of the wood began to vanish. Though many rangers and druids investigated these happenings, the cause of the creatures' disappearance was not immediately determined. Some years later, a powerful group of adventurers, led by Bofred, a high priest of Heironeous, investigated the evil happenings and found the sunken graveyard leading to a labyrinthine underground complex. Bofred and his companions found great hordes of evil creatures in the caverns beneath the graveyard. Though some of his companions returned from their expidition telling tales of fantastic treasure and ferocious monsters, Bofred himself was never seen again - presumed lost in the catacombes beneath the cursed mausoleum.
For the last one hundred years, ranks of adventurers swarmed to the newfound dungeon. Many fell prey to bandits and monsters in the surrounding wilderness. Of those adventurers who survived to reach the mausoleum and the sunken graveyard, rumors suggest that most were slain by guardians of green stone before they even entered the dungeon or that they perished on the very first level. Those rare few who return from deeper treks speak of horrible undead and of creatures that cannot be slain, All who have explored Rappan Athuk offer this one universal piece of advice: "Don't go down the well."
You steel yourselves against the unnatural chill that runs down your spine. You tell yourself that it's just the cold of the rain, and as Endrin plays a heroic anthem on his pipes, you can almost see the gleaming armor and flashing blades of the heroes of yore. You forget for a moment that they came here in vast numbers, with magics most powerful and you push to the back of your mind, that if legend be true...they lie below in the graveyard you now stand before.
You pick your steps carefully in the quickly softening earth as you make your way down the western side of the graveyard and towards the easternmost Mausoleum.
You notice as you approach the rear that it is made of a strange green stone that is unlike any you have seen before. It is cool and smooth to the tough and from the looks of it is very durable, as it shows no outer signs of wear. Moving around to the front reveals two rather plain iron doors, whose only markings are numerous scratchmarks all over the door, as if clawed relentlessly by something that desperately wanted to get in.
Adrol
Adrol starts edging that direction, but will wait for Crag's approval...
Crag
Endrin
Shadow Lightfoot
* DM *
Standing at the door of the Western Mausoleum, you turn your back on it and move a bit toward the center of the graveyard before heading north toward the well.
As you make your way north, you notice a cluster of mounds to the east. The small tunnels have openings about 3-foot in diameter that lead down into the darkness. At the mouth of the tunnels are pieces of cloth and small bits of what looks like bone.
Finally, at the far end of the graveyard, opposite the main mausoleum, you reach the ornately carved well. The finely crafted artwork of the well is diminished only by the horrific images of demons, devils and undead things that form the bas-relief carvings. Runes and scribbling adorn the spaces around these carvings. As you gaze down inside, you see large grooved scratches along the interior stones, as if something had tried to claw it's way up the sides. The well ends in water some 90 feet below. You believe that the well opens up into a larger cavern at the bottom.
Mylaes Moonglow
"I have been warned to stay away from the well. I feel I must heed this warning, my friends. You may continue your search, but I will only stand here and keep watch of our surroundings."
He does just that, his bow in hand, scanning the perimeter of the party with his green, almond shaped eyes.
Endrin
He will allow the others to do the inspection of the well and await further decisions.
Nile
Nile
Gregor_
Gregor looks at Adrol, awaiting his decision.
* DM *
Gregor_
Endrin
Mylaes Moonglow
Adrol
"Don't worry, little one. You save Adrol, so I no let harm come to you. What you say Nile, Adrol fly?? How you do that? Adrol no have wings. Adrol heavy, not light like bird. I don't know... what if I break spell. I break things a lot sometimes."
As soon as the stone topples, however, the conversation is ended. Adrol drops his pack and readies his axe.
Brother Gile
He waits behind the stone for the responce of the group.
Adrol
"He has wings... why not make him fly? He probably better at it than Adrol."
With that, Adrol turns to continue his inspection of the well.
Crag
"Who are you?", he grunts "and how did you get out here on your own?"
OOC: crag also casts detect evil.
OOOC: I love the picture of the well. Great job!
Brother Gile
"I saught refuge from our attackers, and have been there for some time. The song is what has stirred me, and why I have followed you here," he finishes, hoping to give some explanation for his actions.
Mylaes Moonglow
"I am Mylaes (mil-AY-us) Moonglow, weaver of arcane arts, and my friend here is Sylvus. Well met, follower of the Shining One. Your bravery can certainly not be challenged, though I must offer you my condolences for your fallen commrades."
Gregor_
Shadow Lightfoot
Brother Gile
Gile makes his way toward the group, trying not to appear threatening. When he finally reaches his fellow worshiper, he extends his hand to him, "indeed it is good to see a fellow worshiper of Pelor. I was begining to think I'd be alone in these lands for many days, I am lucky you came by when you did," he says when he gets closer.
"I fear it was undead that attack myself and my companions. I believe they may have been the guardians of the green stone talked about in the rumors I've heard, but I cannot be sure."
Mylaes Moonglow
"Brother Gile... might I ask how it was you and your companions entered the dungeon itself? I have heard tell that the well is a rather dangerous way in, though my companions seem to think I am overly cautious. Perhaps you could lend your aid to our cause and show us the way in? Or perhaps you might even like to renew your efforts in slaying the vile creatures within the dungeon, this time with us?"
Mylaes looks at the human his brow arched in inquiry. He glances at his friends to see what they think as well.
Adrol
"What about trick to make person unseeable then make them fly? That way, if there is something down there, flying person will not be seen. Can you do that elfie?"
Nile
After Arol inquires about a spell of invisiblity, Nile adresses the elf, "Mylaes if you have a spell that can make Adrol invisible that would be a big help. If not, I think we should get moving. The longer we stay in one place the more likely we are to be found, and I think the odds of finding more friendly faces in this graveyard have just dropped", Nile pulls his cloak down over his head just enough to keep the rain out.
Endrin
Brother Gile
"I've heard the rumors of the well, and the warnings not to go in. Personally, I would suggest you all take the time to look else where before resorting to the well as an option. It, in and of itself may not be so dangerous, but it may lead into an area of the dungeon that is," he says in responce to Nile.
"However, if your party's resolve is to go in, I would not mind sharing the power of Pelor with you. I have nothing that can make you completely invisible, but I could make seven of us invisible to undead, and I also have a ward against evil prepared.
"I would be honored to join your ranks," he continues to the Elf, "that is, if no one objects."
Gregor_
Mylaes Moonglow
"Welcome."
Turning towards Nile and Adrol, Mylaes looks a bit dissappointed, and shakes his head.
"I have a spell that might turn many of us, in a certain range, invisible to the normal eye, but unfortunately I did not select that spell this day. I say we heed Brother Gile's warnings, and look for an easier way in. Perhaps that large mausoleum holds an easily accessable entrance? Though our numbers have been bolstered by the holy man of the Shining One, I still fear the well, friends. Though, as I am sure you know by now, I am willing to follow your lead wherever it takes me."
Crag
"You seem truthful cleric among other things. But I would have a look at your companions. Where did you say the battle was fought? Also, if undead killed your group, why then did you not use your spells and charms to help?"
Brother Gile
The Cleric takes a deep breath and continues, "the battle was faught a short distance from the mausoleum, which is where I took cover. I don't know if the bodies remain, it's hard to say what the undead could have done to them." The Cleric slammed his fist into his open palm, "By the power of Pelor, I should have tried harder! ...instead I ran for cover, hoping to make a stand later, rather than then," he says, slowely shaking his head, his hands relaxing at his sides.
Nile
Endrin
The music stops, leaving the silence of the graveyard, for all to hear. The bard immediately breaks it with his own barage of questions, "Excuse me, but I did not catch from where you have travelled from. I am well travelled, maybe you have heard of me, or I of you, or your lost companions. If so I would be honored to prepare a ballad in honor of a fallen friend. I am Endrin the "Eloquent". The questions run together, expressing the anxiousness he is feeling.
"Who were you travelling with? and if I may, what sort of undead caused the demise of such a group, I don't really like undead too much, and would like to be prepared, for surely they know we are now here and will be coming shortly." Endrin ends his questioning and looks to Gile for his answers. He barely realizes how rudely he has just interigated the man before him, though he does expect his questions to be answered.
Crag
"I still would like to see the battle remains by the masoleum. You may come with us for now, its safer than being alone."
Crag decides to leave the conversations for the moment apparently satisfied, although a hint of distrust is still in the knights voice....
Turning to Nile he says calmly, "If you are unwilling to check the well that is understandable my friend. But we should get moving soon, if not this well then the main entrance it shall be."
Adrol
"I had terrible dreams before we left about that mausoleum and its green gaurdians. I was hoping to avoid them, but you are all smarter than Adrol, so I will listen. To the front door it is... come bird-head you are welcome with Adrol if Crag and Gregor like you. You can pray with us, we will have a whole church soon. What do you say Lightfeets? Can bird-head travel with us?"
Shadow Lightfoot
Brother Gile
"Two of them had spent some time in a militia near by, where escapes me at the moment, but they had some experience in combat. There was a younger fellow too, lived a hard life on the streets from what I understood. Not a group I would have preferred to go with, but it is the Shining One who leads us where we must go, and I am not one to argue with that. They wanted to go to Rappan Athuk for the stories of treasure inside, and I knew they would probably need help, if this place was as gruesome as they said it was. We sailed here from Mithril, hiking through the hills until we got here.
"Getting here was the easy part though, we encountered little trouble. We were here but a few hours when," he bit his lip, thinking back on what happened. "I remember ghouls, they seemed to have come out of a fog, surrounding us. There must have been, nearly a dozen of them, maybe more. And something more foul too, I can remember... the stench" he says, his eyes wondering as he begins to remember just what happened. "...it must have been from a ghast, or maybe a few ghasts, I can't remember, I... I can't remember clearly. I remember... I used my strength and power to try to turn them back, and got a few to run, but they were upon us too quickly. My companions were quickly overwhelmed, I found myself trying to heal them, while trying to fend off the undead at the same time. It simply didn't work. Before I knew it, the two fighters were gone..." he pauses for a moment, his eyes darting left and right as he thought. "I... I can't say what happened to the rogue... whether he tried to escape or... or was taken down, I can't remember. The rest is just a blur, I remember running, and barely being able to at that, stumbling over dirt and stones, and finding the mausoleum, and barring the door closed."
The Cleric seems to come out of his daze, "oh, yes, of course, I think I can lead you to the battle field, it should be somewhere back that way," he says pointing south, looking over his shoulder.
He turns back to Endrin, and says quitely, "I have to thank you though. If it weren't for your music I may not have found the strength to come out of my self made tomb. Hard to say whether you are who you say you are, or a messanger from Pelor, sent to give me renewed strength."
Gile thanks those who welcome him with a curtious nod, and a blessing of Pelor, "may the light follow you, and keep you safe in your journies."
Brother Gile
He decides not to say anything, not knowing how to bring it up politely, instead giving the halfling a nod of his thanks.
Endrin
"Let's go check out this battle site and let us be ready." Endrin adds as he returns to his music of inspiration.
Another inspire courage song.
* DM *
You stand some 60 or so feet before the eastern mausoleum. It too is made of the strange green stone as the first you encountered on the western side.
Brother Gile
Gregor_
Keeping an eye out, Gregor says, "Well...those of you who don't believe my fellow Pelorite, go see your scraps if there are any left...I've no desire to see their remains or be caught in another ambush, please be quick about it."
That said, Gregor keeps watch, looking around him and staying VERY alert.
Nile
OOC: I cast fly (70 MINS)
Endrin
He to hopes that the group moves on to get indoors soon, the rain taints the beautiful sound of his pipes. If they were not to expertly crafted, they would be worthless by now.
Crag
Crag pauses at Gregor’s and Niles comments a bit surprised and looks at them through his dripping visor, “I want proof that this man is telling the truth. A simple look at the battle sight would convince me that at least the battle was fought. I will not blindly allow anyone to call me friend and ally without questioning them first. In this land even the dead can be mistaken for the living.”
The rain pelts down off his armor giving him a rather haunted look in a place full of stone monoliths and tombs. He looks at the area and nods his head. “At any rate, in this damned rain and our positioning, you are right indeed, it would be dangerous to descend into that area. I’ll take your word for it Gile, I suggest we hurry and move on to the main entrance on the eastern side and enter the cursed dungeons.”
OOC: Let's rock!
Brother Gile
"It will do my nerves well to get out of this rain," he says, preparing to follow the group as he ducks his head down as if to take cover within his armor from the penetrating rain.
Adrol
"If Gregor and Crag believe, I believe. We are just cautious at a place of such evil, Gile. Rain not bother me, though. This the cleanest I been in weeks. But I am anxious to get to crushing evil skulls! Let us go!"
Adrol falls in with Crag as they head toward the first objective.
Mylaes Moonglow
* DM *
Leaving the mausoleum behind, you travel deeper into the graveyard, traveling closer to the center. You soon come upon a place that looks to have been more recently disturbed than the surrounding graves.
Nine graves lie filled with fresh earth and makeshift markers. Some of you recognize a few of the famous names, legends of your own time...a grim forshadowing of things to come. Past the nine, lies a tenth grave, freshly dug, but it remains empty. Towering over it is a marble gravestone bearing the inscription, "Gregor, Cleric of Pelor. From light unto darkness, his faith was not enough."
Continuing on, you notice, to the south, more of the strange burrow mounds. The opening is about three-foot in diameter and pitch black. Bits of bone and cloth can be seen around the opening. You think you see two dark eyes gleaming from within, but after a blink they are gone. Probably just your eyes playing tricks on you...
Finally, reaching the center, you come across a statue. It is a life-size statue of a dwarf on a 4 x 4 stone block. He looks to have been a great warrior. Dwarven runes adorn the front of the pedestal. (if you speak dwarven, pass me a note if your character decides to read it.)
You continue your journey southward to the main mausoleum...
Before you is a huge stone building, it's outer side carved in a grisly bas-relief of demons, devils and other creatures of the underworld. Hundreds of skulls have been carved into the stone. The building extends fully 60 feet and is over 40 feet wide. There is a set of carved stairs leading down to a set of huge iron doors. Illuminated but shadowy, you can see numerous demonic statues ringing the top of the building in various threatening poses. They appear to be made of the strange green stone as the mausoleum. The little light provided causes shadows to fill the eye sockets of the obscene statues. You can't help but feel uneasy as their wicked faces stare down at you...
Brother Gile
Upon reaching the "main gate," Gile looks upon the statues and carvings of demons and other fiends and allies of evil. He closes his eyes tight, bowing his head and placing his hands together, "by the will of Pelor, and with Pelor's strength we walk into the lands of evil. And by the light of Pelor, and Pelor's divine power, we shall be impervious to the temptations and strengths of evil. Pelor bless us, and bring us all the strength so that we may find our way of such an unholy and demonic place such as this. We shall not falter in the strength of your will, and we will serve the light with unending courage and valor. Protect us oh Shining One, as we bring with us the word and power of light." After a brief silence, and a deep breath, Gile opens his eyes and moves his hands back to his sides, looking again upon the unholy building with mixed emotions.
Crag
As he nears the dwarven statue he looks at it but cannot read the dwarven writings. He looks around to see if anyone recognizes the writing but if not he quickly loses interest.
OOC: anyone like to take a look at this statue? my stats for searching etc. are not too good....
Gregor_
After a short while he turns away, saying nothing.
Endrin
The bard's tune should be in full swing now filling everyone with the confidence and courage they need to move on. To make a special effort as Gregor finishes his prayer Endrin lays his hand upon his shoulder and tosses in the deeds of the cleric along their journey so far, into the song. With a smile that beams into the cleric's heart, he continues to inspect the area, now concentrating on the carvings on the building.
Shadow Lightfoot
Shadow's eyes narrow when he sees the tomb with Gregor's name on it, "Seems like something knows we're coming. I wonder how it knows?" He looks around a bit suspiciously but says nothing else about it. He walks over to the statue and kneels down in front of it and wipes the insciption off with the edge of his cloak so he can read it a bit better. Leaning in close he reads aloud, "Blessed is he who spares these stones. And Cursed be the man who moves my bones."
Not looking around to see anyones reaction he gives the statue a thorough search.
OOC:Got a 29 on the search.
* DM *
Shadow Lightfoot
OOC:got a 23 on the first and a 26 on the second
Shadow Lightfoot
Nile
Nile
Mylaes Moonglow
Gregor_
His mace shrouded in electricity, he makes his way down the stairs with the intention of seeing if the door is open.
Should anyone wish to jump in, feel free.
Adrol
"You be careful, holy man. Adrol have bad dreams about this place... I think we should all be ready."
He studies the mausoleum carefully, searching for any signs of movement.
Brother Gile
He removes his shield from it's position tied across his back, and readies his mace in his right hand as he follows behind Gregor.
Shadow Lightfoot
Brother Gile
Shadow Lightfoot
OOC: got a 25 on the check
Endrin
Gregor_
* DM *
Endrin
Spot check = natural 20
Initiative = 19 + 9 = 28
Remember bard song will give everyone +1 to their attack and damage rolls in combat, as well as +2 bonus for mind effecting spells.
Brother Gile
Spot Check: 22 (19 rolled, +3 wisdom)
Initiative: 7 (6 rolled, +1 dex)
Gregor
Spot Check: (9 + 3 wis)12
AC Flat Footed: 18
Init: 20 (14 +2 dex +4 improved init)
Shadow Lightfoot
OOC:23 on the spot and 18 for Init.
Mylaes Moonglow
Mylaes Spot 15
Sylvus Spot 9
Initiative 9
Adrol
OOC: Spot=11, Init=3... It's been nice knowing you.
Nile
OOC:
I missed the Spot check
Spot Check - 17
Init -11
I've got a really bad feeling about this!
Crag
His sword glows blue as he looks around in anticipation of danger.
OOC:
spot 16
ini 3
* DM *
OOC: Endrin leads the round. Initiave order is posted in it's thread, please note your position and post when your turn is up.
Endrin
Endrin's song get's louder, as he sees the danger. Almost as if signaling the beginning of an event the bard let's loose a flaming bolt to one of the creatures. He hopes this will be enough to alert the others of the situation at hand.
Endrin isn't sure if Adrol or Nile sees the danger so he moves in with them allowing the three to protect each others back.
To hit = 32 (20+12)
Critical? = 14 (2+12)
Damage = 7 + 2fire = 9
Use dodge on statue he shot at. (+1 AC)
Can't pull up map from here. He shot at one on the corner of building closest to him. I believe he moved 5 ft. forward.
Stone Guardians
The stone guardian to the East of the doorway Steps off the roof and lands with a crunch near Gregor. The creature's claws squeal on Gregor's shield but fail to bypass it. Undaunted, it presses the attack thrusting foreward with it's spiked head and piercing the cleric's chest (crit! 10 points)
Stone Guardians
The Guardian that Endrin just shot looks down at the embedded arrow and it's glowing eyes focus on the still singing bard. Pushing off the mausoleum's east corner it soars over the party, and lands behind Crag, nearly hitting his helment in the landing. It's claws reach for Endrin, but only manage a grazing scratch (2 points).
Stone Guardians
Another from the East side of the Mausoleum lifts off and lands beside Brother Guile and in front of Crag, effectively flanking him. The best in can manage however is a shallow wound on the holy warrior due to his heavy armor (3 points).
* DM *
Shadow is up.