sXX: Caves Beneath the Moathouse
General Summary
Returning up from the Black Nail, the Mercenaries of the Wheel met Heridn once again who informed them about a series of caves that were also discovered and believed to be of some importance. Noises had been heard for many nights now, and guards had been posted outside its entrance to prevent any attacks from what may be living inside.
Deciding to return to Hommlet and get rope and report to Burne, who would reveal that Zuggtmoy (the name revealed on the dagger obtained by Firebrand) was believed to be dead. If she is now back, then every lead on the cult belonging to the spider demoness Lolth was instantly cold...
While getting potions identified by Spugnoir the mercenaries gained the support of the Dwarf Haunor, who upon hearing of the caves beneath the Moathouse volentiered to help explore them and keep the party safe. Returning to the Moathouse later that day, Cure-rig/Cofveve//C2, Dùghall, Firebrand, and Haunor ventured into the caves, leaving Legion behind to hold one end of a rope whose other end was held by C2.
After two hours of traversing the caves and restarting from the entrance three times, the four adventurers found a dark and strange room of strange angles. Inside this room stood a large pillar of black sparkled violet ore that rose from the floor to the ceiling. Carven inside the pillar were four figures, each facing a different direction, and each alcove that contained each figure was a different color: red, green, black, and lilac. And facing the large carved pillar of ore was an altar of a porous black stone.
The Four Statues
Dùghall, feeling an urge to touch the altar, did so, and resisting its strange effects the mercenaries witnessed as the altar turned opaque and purple, then black, then finally it disappeared from sight. This caused the pillar and the four alcoves of figures to change.
The Statues Change
Deciding to interact with the alcoves and statues, Dùghall set fire to the wood and incense in the brazier. He then commanded Firebrand to pick up the drum stick and begin drumming on the black skin drum. Dùghall himself proceeded to the Silver chimes and began to jangle them.
Upon doing this in rapid succession, the four statues and the black ore turned opaque itself, then a black ball began to appear in the center. This ball quickly grew into a flaming yellow-orange eye, that enveloped the statue. Before they could react, a large black tentacle lunged out and grabbed Dùghall, dragging him into the statue, before it solidified once again. This would be the last time the party would see Dùghall the demonic cleric of Pelor.
Shocked, the altar would return, however, this time the altar would not be empty but would contain a set of linked rings of powerful magical auras. These events would horrify Haunor, and he would flee in horror from these scenes.
For an unknown reason, Firebrand touched the altar after retrieving the rings, setting the process in place once again. Following in the sequence set forth by Dùghall, Firebrand was also grabbed and pulled into the burning eye, never to be seen again. As the altar appeared in front of C2 he saw that it now contained a brilliant sword. Heading to get Legion, the bible of Dùghall was recovered from Firebrand's left behind possessions. Along with it were a now-defunct laser pistol, the rings, Firebrand's datapad, and the sword.
Returnig to Hommlet saddened by the loss of two of their friends and commrades, the items where given to Burne, and C2 and Legion were teleported to Carcino to continue on their quest of returning to the Galactic Citizens Alliance.
With no leads to follow, Burne sits in his castle in Hommlet, looking for great heroes to fill the role of the now memberless Mercenaries of the Wheel, while also looking for any possible lead to where the cult may lie.
The first is jet black and depicts a tall, muscular man in full plate armor with unfamiliar flanges and fluting. He wears a cape and holds a wavy-bladed sword.
The second side is dark green, carved into a man swathed in a flowing robe with long sleeves and a high collar. Covering the face is a mask resembling the one that the dead Master Thaque possessed.
The third side is deep blood red and depicts a man in high boots, a doublet, and gauntlets of twisting design. A hood drawn tight around the face covers his head.
The fourth side is a statue of a man colored deep indigo. The figure is clothed in a many-pleated robe with a sash covered in strange sigils (impossible to decipher). His head is cowled and he cradles a scepter in his folded arms.
The first statue did not change.
The second statue has a skin-covered black drum and sticks at his feet.
The third statue now holds a set of Silver chimes in one hand.
The fourth statue now has a brazier fit with chunks of wood and incense at its base.
Rewards Granted
Missions/Quests Completed
Explore all the possible leads in Hommlet and its environs.
Character(s) interacted with
Related Reports
Report Date
06 Mar 2022
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Related Characters
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