The Dungeon of Graves: Session 15
General Summary
Honey-Pot
Report Date
17 Jan 2021
The Shrike’s collected group of adventurers had a decision to make as they stood in a long hallway that turned sharply just out of Mogg’s darkvision. They had once again found a secret door and even the non magically inclined individuals could feel the dark necromantic aura just past the subtle door. In this hallway, they could see four doors and Mogg could see the turn about 90ish feet away. Sinestra, brought up that they want to see what’s behind the door and many concurred, either for the thrill of a secret place, the need to know what could pounce upon them if they continued or the determination to rid the world of evil.
After Mogg and Xantrix thoroughly investigated the door, they all moved to their places as the doors were pushed open. A rough hewn cold hallway was revealed that was passable but a tight squeeze. They sent the sneaky, investigating folk forward to slowly and safely investigate the opening at the end of the short opening. It felt cold and that carver must have followed the path of least resistance and went with the naturally opening of the earthen walls. As they approached, the overwhelming smell of many corpses assaulted them. They glanced around, making sure not to take a step or touch anything within the oddly shaped room before they all withdrew back into the long hallway outside the secret door.
The corpses were interred in the walls of the star-shaped room, many corpses. Almost every three feet of the wall a corpse and in the middle was a tempting pile of treasure. Keartas had detected some magical auras on the treasure and noticed many outstanding pieces and what looked to be a teleportation circle or arcane symbol under the loot. The ever voiceful druid/warlock, Sinestra voiced that it seems too good to be true. Others concur, calling the treasure a ‘honey-pot’ and a trap. They all talk about sending Mr. Skelebones to walk in there and trigger the probable trap.
At the edge of Mogg’s vision, they could notice a couple of ghouls watching them but not approaching. Once altered, Nam moves to guard their back as they continue their talk about the star room. Keartas theorized that some sort of weakened Hallowed spell was on the room and that the entire shape of the room must help in some sort of ritual magic. Instead of using one of their companions, Sinestra summons their Mage Talon to reach out and grab at the coins. Before this, they take their positions. The grave silence of the room is broken by the clatter of coins falling as the magical talon dipped their way to grab some of the treasure. Corpses turn to face Sinestra at the doorway before they step out, moving toward the adventurers. The ghouls that had lingered at Mogg’s vision, screamed and started to run at the group. “Hope this loot is worth it.”
The hells break loose as Sinestra quickly falls back to her companions simply saying “looks like we have some friends.” The ghouls and ghasts are all clad in black robes each bearing holy symbols that flash with the reflected light as they move earnestly toward the group. The holy symbols are clearly for the Master. The assembled combatants are a myriad of aethrin species. Battle ensues. They had talked about possibly falling back but the newish rogue held her ground seeing the rather squishy Keartas in front of the doorway where the horde were going to spill out. Lothar attempted to turn the undead with a mighty prayer to Vrokíva and summoned their Lupus readying to attack. Keartas surprised the rogue and teleported to a safer spot provoking no retaliation by the undead. Acacius heroically takes the unoccupied spot, blocking the path to their companions. On the other side of the group, Mr. Skelebones and Nam hold the right side of ghouls keeping enemies from surrounding the group.
Acacius holds the doorway surprising rather well even when the creatures try to shove him out of the way. Noticing what they were trying to do, Xantrix stands behind their companion to stop the creatures’ feeble attempts to shove the mighty fighter out of the way. Mogg and Vai’len communicate on which group they each are targeting. The ranger focuses on the right side while Vai’len focuses her aimed shots at the smelly ghasts. The battle continues with the adventurers downing the undead while the undead keep up their attempt to move Acacius into the hallway. They eventually manage to move him into the hallway. Lothar joins Acacius but takes a mighty hit and succumbs to the paralyzing hits from the ghouls.
The fighter pushes the frozen cleric out of danger; however, the ghouls make progress and push into the larger hallway targeting the fallen adventure with a vengeance. Xantrix moves to the doorway, casting a spell that protects them hoping to distract the creatures. Nam heals Lothar and the cleric is once again able to join the fight. With only one ghoul left for Mr. Skelebones to finish off, the adventurers focus their efforts on the massive horde in the tiny hallway. Lothar falls again, Xantrix falls and his body is taken down the hallway. Lothar is able to stand again as Mr. Skelebones is finally able to take the spot at the doorway, once again blocking the outpouring of the undead. Unfortunately for the rogue’s new companion, the Skeleton takes a bunch of hits and succumbs to the paralyzing effect but their ultimate purpose was fulfilled. With all of their options becoming more slim, Nam takes the doorway holding the undead until their friends can finish them off. Lothar finishes the final ghoul.
The nature of the battle had created a large pile of bodies at the front of the doorway, blocking the tight passageway to the star-shaped room. After excavating the hallway, they take special care of their fallen friend, Xantrix and the pile of bones of their skeleton friend. They once again investigate the room before the Mage Talon moves in and grabs the dagger. A held breath is released as nothing else assaults them. They find a bunch of treasure which triggers more conversations about risks and rewards. The magical items seem to be of gylidder make and not Tsar. Taking their friend with them, they move to the collapsed room and start digging out the rubble as they wait for nightfall so they could build another pyre for another fallen friend.
As night approached the outside of the mausoleum, the adventurers finally cleared the rubble, revealing a highly adorned coffin. The individual had been buried with a shortsword and an ivory scroll case that seemed to resist time.
