Session 40 - Entry into the Caves
General Summary
After some time had passed, the party once again met with the archhegumen. He agreed to send the party to bathe in a spring that supposedly would be able to heal the curses and maladies afflicting the party. However, to reach it would require traverse into the undiscovered areas of the caves beneath the church. And with dire warning that "only those who fear God shall prevail," the party entered the caves.
Most of the time was spent traveling though the caves, with only a vague sense of where they needed to go. Left, right, downwards, then up stairs. At one point the party found itself traveling almost an hour in one direction. However, at many points in the travels, there were symbols. Signs that the old gods had once be worshipped here.
These directions were blocked off by rocks, and of course Dukh wanted to clear the rubble to see what was on the other side. However, the party did not want to trespass in such places, as they feared the wrath of God. Eventually, their travels came upon the Venerable Georgii - a very old, blind monk who led the party to the cave entrance. He was sitting in a cave, praying before a single lit candle, and he gave the party some advice.
"When you avoid the places marked with the symbols of the old gods, are you fearing God? Or something else?" With his cryptic advice, and growing impatience from the party, eventually they worked together to clear a particular passage way of stones. It was marked with the goddess that Dukh himself worshipped, the Lady of the Trees, and a carved statue of what looked vaguely like the Godbearer.
Upon entering through a passage hidden by a strange darkness, they found a pool of water. Forms, long and eel-like, swam in the depths of this pool. Ivan scooped some water with his hand, but with Alena's warning, let it pour back into the underground lake, rather than drink it.
However, a passage continued forward. A ghost of Irina appeared to give words of comfort and encouragement to Ivan, who used the place to pray.
Finally, they found a cave where a tree that grew golden apples stood. They were so intriguing that the party even went as far as to touch them, but ultimately decided against plucking them. With the passage ending here, and no spring found, only a lake, the party realized they must need to go into one of the other passages.
However, tired from the strain of moving so many rocks from the passage, they decide to find a place to rest in the caves, before continuing on deeper into the tunnels.
Report Date
13 Nov 2023
Secondary Location
Comments