Chapter 9 - Into the Well of Evil

General Summary

A long but peaceful voyage toward Egona neared it's end. The party, escaping from the lands of Madeci, were finally coming to the heartland of the Tallian Empire. But before they could dock, the party saw a vision from the Oracle of Amagus within the city. The Oracle, named Epedia, requested the party to see her in person. Then, her message disappeared. Afterwards the party docked within the city of Egona and claimed the bounty on the pirate Oranos, while letting Captain Dorian keep the old pirate's ship.
Egona was an magnificent city, or rather two of them joined together by a massive bridge over a straight of water. As the party explored the city, they realized it was culturally diverse and extremely wealthy. Truly it was deserving the title of "Jewel of the Empire" as Egona was starting to be called. Within the city, the party bought supplies, Creetens opened a bank account with his fake citizenship papers (much to Theden's dismay), and Rashida bought some magic components. After resting for a night, the party hurried to the Temple of Amagus at the top of the city's highest point.
There they met Epedia in person. In her words, she was 109 years old, and the party could tell she was ritually blinded. Yet, despite her blindness, they were amazed by her near-omnipotence. Creetens tried to turn her holy water into soup (after he saw Epedia dump parsley into it for ritual reasons), to which made Epedia laugh. She cleansed the water, of course. Then the wise woman spoke up. She explained to the party that the Coast of Dragoncrest was in grave danger ever since Asthenios unleashed Loxelel from his prison. Then, using the holy water in her bowl, she gave the party a vision:

Asthenios had for years been planning his vengeance against the gods, in particular Vanu-Am who cursed him for his apostasy. With burning anger, the young king relied on those who were also godless: the Grey Dwarves of Durkcavarn. In secret, they forged the young king a blade of despicable evil, Malumferak. A blade so void, that it required souls for its power. And where better to get those than from the gods, the beings of pure soul?

This is Asthenios’ plan, I fear: that he released Loxelel to help him reach the heavens for both Loxelel and him to get vengeance against the gods who wronged him. Already, I feel Amagus calling in desperation to his followers, but we can do nothing beyond his powers.

But all of you… It is no mere coincidence that you came together. The gods have chosen you as the saviors of Dragoncrest. It is why they have not allowed you to die. But soon, the gods will be powerless if Malumferak pierces them. A perilous journey awaits you. Amagus has revealed to me one thing: a weapon of equal power and might must be used against Malumferak. It is the only way to challenge it, or you will certainly be destroyed. But where is such a sword? I fear it must also be forged as Malumferak was: at the Forge of the Celestial. However, I know not where the forge is. But I know where to find a map: in the Well of Evil.

With these instructions, the party made out for the mystical well, which they found within the city. Climbing inside of it, they found it immediately to be some sort of strange catacombs. Theden read along the walls, seeing inscriptions of a strange Voided One causing evil and havoc across the lands of Talamh. The descriptions disturbed them. As they went further into the cavern, the party was bombarded by the souls of those who died within the catacombs, wraiths and ghosts who wished to stop the party. The adventurers made quick work of them.
Eventually the party came to an enchanted door which refused to budge. Rashida used her clerical magic to dispel it, and Theden lockpicked this way through. The rogue narrowly avoided a trap to try and kill him. Further down the halls, the party found four gargoyles in a room, protecting the main entrance to the tomb. Theden was caught by one of them, but managed to outrun it. The party escaped the room as Creetens blasted two fireball spells at the Gargoyles, destroying them. Once the room was cleansed, the party rested and proceeded onward.
In the final room, the party found the tomb of many cultists, outlining the Voided One as well as having a giant statue. Rashida tried to dispel the statue, as she detected transmutation magic on it, but that only awakened the statue. With the statue moving, they discovered it was a mighty Stone Golem, which tried to kill them. However, with the party's combined efforts, the stone statue was laid to waste. And thus the party plundered the tomb.
Creetens and Ascus opened up the sarcophagus of an old Voided One priest, with Creetens nabbing a necklace off of it and Ascus taking longsword made of damascus steel. The rest of the party plundered the gold, but Rashida found interest in the instructions to get to the Forge of the Celestial:

The Forge of the Celestial was once used by the god Flibberoloo, the Father of the Gnomes, to create weapons and tools for men to create. Yet the Void wanted it and all of Boldur’s creation destroyed. The Void attacked it. Flibberoloo protected it with all his might. The Void was repelled, forced back into the Abyss whence it came. Yet to protect the Forge of the Celestial, Flibberoloo, with Boldur’s permissiveness, hid it deep within the shadows of Shakria, located in Durkcavarn.

The Void wishes for it’s non-existence. May all of Talamh be destroyed for the Void and overthrow the oppressors of the Heavens who command us.

With the scroll with directions into their hands, the party escaped the Well of Evil and returned to rest at the Rampant Dragon Inn. From there, they would need to plan their next move.

Jethro: Beautiful. It is always nice to recall the old lore of ancient myths. And Egona. What a beautiful city!

Theodora: Mmm, it still remains quite beautiful to the Tallians of our day. Though, not quite as prominent as it once was. It is true that we live in an era where Tallia's empire is alive again, but it will never match the golden days of this Empire.

Jethro: A shame, but yet it is historically consistent. If only the ancient Tallians knew this would be the beginning of their era of decline.

Theodora: Yes, but we should be more concerned over King Asthenios' plans. Tell me, why is Asthenios and the Voided One linked?

Jethro: I don't know, honestly. Isn't the Voided One a deity? He would denounce it.

Theodora: We shall see the nature of this "Voided One" soon enough, brother. Soon enough...

In World Date

September 5th-8th, 2003

Report Date

09 Nov 2020

Stone Golem by Kikicianjur

In the catacombs under the Well of Evil, the party faced off against a Stone Golem, which defended the dead cultists of the Voided One from the party's grave robbing.

Characters in this adventure:

• Rashida is a loyal human disciple of Vanu-Am, the hidden goddess of fate, who has saved her from death. Rashida devoted her life to hermitage, walking around the coast of Dragoncrest to secretly assist the misfortunate. She hails from Tamay.

• Theden is an elven acrobat and storyteller, hailing from Potea. He has a strong ethical code, looking out for the little guy and does the right thing more often than not.

• Creetens is a triton bard, one who prefers to enchant his problems away. He is a charlatan and a thief, but as well as a proper performer and musician. He was exiled away from the triton kingdom for his ravaging behavior.

Allies of the Party:

• Ascus the Brave. Once a drunkard, Ascus turned aside that life and found purpose as a hero. He swore his life to Morganine and fights for her honor and glory.