Chapter 49: Sands of Ascore

General Summary

Date: 8th of Uktar to 10th of Uktar, 1491 DR

  Weathered and worn the heroes stumbled onto the desert of Anauroch, overlooking the ruined city of Ascore. They first headed out towards the stone ships to find the rations they left previously behind only to find them gone. With the purpose of finding out where Andrew was, they delved deeper into the desert ruins.   As they crossed the streets of Ascore, they came across the bandits they've met before now proudly displayed as a arch of mutilated remains. One of the heads animated and a familiar voice spoke through it. The hags were happy to return Andrew back, but only when the heroes had completed the favors they owned to the hags. The party agreed to these favors but chose to press forward in order to find Andrew.   With the help of Locate Creature casted by Nomime, the party began to scan the city for any sign of Andrew. To hinder their advance, the party was ambushed by the sinister Desert Drake and a horde of mummies. Belros carved the creature with his newly awakened blade while Ranvas and Nomime took care of the mummies. Bene seized the opportunity and stabbed the wounded monster straight through the eyes, bringing it down for good.       Exhausted and battered the heroes sought rest for the night and as morning came, continued their journey deeper into the city.   The spell led them to the heart of Ascore, where the party found several red pyramids surrounding a sandy plaza. The center was covered in a thick black pool of misty substance, and flanking the four corners were obelisks etched with riddles.   The adventurers solved the riddles and pushed the obelisks into their rightful places, dissipating the black mist in the center which revealed a font. After sacrificing some blood to it, the sands departed revealing a massive hidden stairway that descended under the pyramids.   Navigating through traps and facing against the undead guardians of the tomb, the heroes uncovered a statue head. They restored it to its rightful place and doing so, gained the blessing of the Undergod, a mysterious being trapped beneath the pyramids.     Can the heroes survive the deadly pyramids with the wounds and worn they've accumulated thus far? What ancient horrors await them as they descend deeper into the dungeon? Will they save Andrew in time or does their defiance spawn a horrifying fate for the innocent child?