In which our heroes return to the keep *yet again*, and do even more searching
Apparently, the council of Gemmel are not yet satisfied. Understandably, they were much disquieted at the discovery of followers of Arnak virtually on their doorstep. Thus they think we must have missed something there (other than the potential captives who escaped). However I must say that considering they are the beneficiaries of our work, they could be a little more grateful for our efforts.
So once again, we trek through that damned forest. This time accompanied by a ranger from Gemmel by the name of Gerom, who has come as a representative of the council.
Retracing our steps was uneventful and swift. No beetles attacking this time. No snipers once we reach the courtyard. All quiet so far.
After arriving we conducted a systematic search of the whole keep. In the room that the bandits escaped from, we discovered a staircase in the outer wall that leads downwards. Sending down Tremorian first, the rest of us followed closely behind. The passage wound around a bit, and then we entered a large room where 6 fighters were waiting for us - all had the yellow eye on their shields.
We were able to despatch them quite quickly. Although incapacitated, Gerom killed them once they were down, as servants of the unlife. He left us one to question (and then killed him afterward). That one informed us that the Master was down the corridor to the south, and was called something like Bacdur Artou. I didn’t quite get it, but it is not important now. He also told us of other guards, lugroki, who would have been alerted to our presence by now.
This proved to be the case, and more combat ensued. Really, that seems to be a phrase I should just put in automatically doesn’t it? Perhaps Eldith can arrange a cantrip for me that just adds it at the appropriate time, to save a bit of writing? I will have to see. Anyway, between the first lot of guards and the lugroki we managed to reap a bit of coin and some other trinkets, including a necklace with some gems in it.
And then we went down another long corridor, at an angle to the others. By now I was completely disoriented and didn’t know if we were heading back towards Gemmel or not. There was a door to the left, but after listening there were no obvious noises.
However it was a trap. It was a long corridor with soldiers already waiting for us. This was a desperate fight, as a mage of some kind - I suspect the necromancer who had been creating the zombies - was lobbing spells at us from the back.
I was severely injured, cleaved almost in two, so I missed most of the action. However everyone showed their valour, and our two valiant spellcasters were able to turn the tide of battle in our favour. Between the bands of magical energy from Thymhe and the explosive holy balls case by Dareama, as well as the martial combat by the others, our group was victorious. I regret that I was not able to contribute more myself, but I am thankful that Thymhe and Dareama were able to save me from death.
Once our foes were sent to the gods, we were able to look at the end of the corridor, where there was a lavishly appointed bedroom. Amongst other things were an alabaster box with ungulates, a silver service & 2 crystal goblets, spare necromancer robes, a jewelry box that had a gold chain set with diamond chops and fire opals, some wines and liquors that Eldith nabbed, plus the items we had scavenged from the corpses of our enemies. This had included other items of jewellery plus a purse of gems that were shared between us all.
Hoping that the death of the necromancer signals the end to this adventure, we gathered all we could carry and set off once more - hopefully for the last time - to Gemmel to see the council.
So once again, we trek through that damned forest. This time accompanied by a ranger from Gemmel by the name of Gerom, who has come as a representative of the council.
Retracing our steps was uneventful and swift. No beetles attacking this time. No snipers once we reach the courtyard. All quiet so far.
After arriving we conducted a systematic search of the whole keep. In the room that the bandits escaped from, we discovered a staircase in the outer wall that leads downwards. Sending down Tremorian first, the rest of us followed closely behind. The passage wound around a bit, and then we entered a large room where 6 fighters were waiting for us - all had the yellow eye on their shields.
We were able to despatch them quite quickly. Although incapacitated, Gerom killed them once they were down, as servants of the unlife. He left us one to question (and then killed him afterward). That one informed us that the Master was down the corridor to the south, and was called something like Bacdur Artou. I didn’t quite get it, but it is not important now. He also told us of other guards, lugroki, who would have been alerted to our presence by now.
This proved to be the case, and more combat ensued. Really, that seems to be a phrase I should just put in automatically doesn’t it? Perhaps Eldith can arrange a cantrip for me that just adds it at the appropriate time, to save a bit of writing? I will have to see. Anyway, between the first lot of guards and the lugroki we managed to reap a bit of coin and some other trinkets, including a necklace with some gems in it.
And then we went down another long corridor, at an angle to the others. By now I was completely disoriented and didn’t know if we were heading back towards Gemmel or not. There was a door to the left, but after listening there were no obvious noises.
However it was a trap. It was a long corridor with soldiers already waiting for us. This was a desperate fight, as a mage of some kind - I suspect the necromancer who had been creating the zombies - was lobbing spells at us from the back.
I was severely injured, cleaved almost in two, so I missed most of the action. However everyone showed their valour, and our two valiant spellcasters were able to turn the tide of battle in our favour. Between the bands of magical energy from Thymhe and the explosive holy balls case by Dareama, as well as the martial combat by the others, our group was victorious. I regret that I was not able to contribute more myself, but I am thankful that Thymhe and Dareama were able to save me from death.
Once our foes were sent to the gods, we were able to look at the end of the corridor, where there was a lavishly appointed bedroom. Amongst other things were an alabaster box with ungulates, a silver service & 2 crystal goblets, spare necromancer robes, a jewelry box that had a gold chain set with diamond chops and fire opals, some wines and liquors that Eldith nabbed, plus the items we had scavenged from the corpses of our enemies. This had included other items of jewellery plus a purse of gems that were shared between us all.
Hoping that the death of the necromancer signals the end to this adventure, we gathered all we could carry and set off once more - hopefully for the last time - to Gemmel to see the council.