The Dungeon of Graves: Session 27

General Summary

Brumivify

After learning about the legendary and rumored Anima Engine could possibly be real and more importantly the location of their target, the Architect, the Shrike’s aethrin resources have a small talk about morality. Some do not believe that they should give the Shrike the Engine, or the Architect. Halxion reminds them that they are all here for a job and if they don’t want to do it, then they should just leave. He further explains that Inako, the Prime Thrall, thought it was a joke but Vai’len points out that not all powerful people share their plans with their subjects. None of them depart but they all continue to look for the Shrike’s prize, knowing that plans can change at any time. Deciding to delve further into the dungeon by using one of the ogre tunnels, they carefully sneak around the large sleeping purple worm. Thevius cleverly used one of their cantrips to turn the top layer of the stream into a makeshift ice bridge allowing them all to cross the water without waking the sleeping giant worm.
Making their way up to the 2nd level of the Dungeon of Graves, Kaertas wants to stop at the Madman’s former room in search of compiling a full skeleton instead of the mismatched mess he had gathered before, however, the pile was gone. It seems leaving a pile of bones unprotected in a dungeon full of necromancers wasn’t wise. Most likely, they will be fighting those skeletons in the future. They continued the trek down to the rat tunnels, past the ornate ebony door. Mogg glanced at the group to see if they wanted him to open the door but none seemed too interested with what would lie behind the locked and armed door, yet. The rat tunnels are just as tiny as they remember but they make it down, once again dodging bones sticking out of the earth. The familiar dread returned to Vai’len with many of the others also feeling the terror of what would happen to their bodies when they died on this level. Luckily this time, Halxion channeled Tlombi and cleared everyone of their fear as he bolstered their health.
They cautiously move through the level, making sure to keep an eye out for more Wights and clerics. However, the only creature they come across is their friend Max. Knowing they needed to keep focused, they make quick conversation with the otyugh and continue on their way. They do learn that the clerics came through the area and collected the ogres which was upsetting to Max but now they know they need to make sure they destroy the dead or they are bound to have to fight them again. The larger cavern where the ogres used to live was indeed cleaned and the trapped tunnel to the west was reset. Taking the eastern tunnel, they descended what felt like one level before the tunnel seemed to leave the general area. All the previous tunnels and levels seemed to be stacked and the path they were traversing seemed to be heading off to the west.
As they traveled through the tunnel, fresh air seemed to come through small holes that led to the surface. They continued for 14-15 miles before the tunnel opened up. A perfectly square passageway that was pitch black except for the dim light around what looked to be a massive gate. The hallway opened up to a larger area separated by a gate made from volcanic rock that goes from floor to ceiling. The entire area seemed to be magically chiseled from stone with two side pockets of pure magical darkness. Written in Gylidder common, were the words Run! On either side of the darkness filled areas. They talk about bringing out light, but Mogg points out that the lack of light makes it better for him to scout the area. The scout moves up close to the opening and as the bugbear nears the darkness they can hear the familiar clattering of jaws, bones, clanking and scraping of steel on steel when the black skeletons rush out from the darkness, surrounding and instantly slaying Mogg.
Vai’len turns to the group, seeing the body of Mogg materialize dead on the ground at the feet of four skeletons, asking if they are fighting or running. Sinestra clearly states they are fighting and so the battle commences. Halxion casts Moonbeam upon the skeletons and readied himself to take damage from the creatures. Unfortunately, Kaertas and Vai’len also were sapped but were able to leave the skeleton’s range quickly enough to not fall. Lothar attempts to turn the Undead and it seemed that his power worked however, three of them were instantly attacked by the group before they could run. The battle continued with Halxion falling unconscious to be raised by Lothar. The skeletons eventually fall to the group’s onslaught, even the one skeleton that had been turned. With the battle completed they turn to their fallen companion.
It seemed that Vrokíva doesn’t hate their cleric, as Lothar kneels down taking Mogg’s cold hand. Calling upon his Inaethri for help, the mist comes from the stones, filling the area around the cleric and the scout. As the mist dissipates, Mogg takes his first breath looking much like a warm breath in the cold. Seeing the Brume this deep within the earth was odd. They all needed rest and decided upon the darkness out cropping's for a short rest as it was now about midday on the 18th of Senka. During their rest, they can hear the footsteps from the southwest, past the gate. Vai’len, sticking her head through the darkness just to watch, can see two magical casters of sorts and a large golem. The three figures are obscured by the gate where she can hear stones being manipulated before she is forced to return to the darkness as the bipeds are entering the hallway. Everyone holds their breath as they can hear the creatures stop for a moment before they run past the darkness. Either the skeletons attack anyone who doesn’t run past the area, or there are other forces working in the area than those devoted to the Master.
With the area clear, they leave and investigate the gate. Kaertas can sense the magic around the gate but it seemed to just keep creatures from moving through the columns as he had his owl attempt and Terrance got repelled. Mogg offers to take the first look but the rogue reminds him that he just died and then she forces the wizard to open the gate. On this side they are able to just push the gate open but once the necromancer moves through, the gate closes. Two more push their way through and on the other side Kaertas uses the three symbols (a white demon skull, a red circle and black square) and overlaps them which opens the gate from their side.
Everyone moved through the doors and headed to the southwest tunnel. The tunnel continued for quite some time and they all noticed it was magically worked stone. Only someone with the powers of an Inaethri could possibly be able to make this much carved hallway. Or, someone with the Anima Engine...The smell comes first, the scent of freshly tilled earth, then they could hear creatures working and cultivating plants. Halxion spots the area first, a large open area garden growing on top of the stone. There is heat from the room as the halls have precipitation collecting on the walls. Floating above the garden are these large mossy boulders with tendrils of vines. Staying near the path, they move slowly making sure not to tread on the dirt. There are blue flowers every once in a while that give off light, they seem to be made of gemstones. The creatures are tending the flowers and as the group approaches slowly they are noticed. A quick insight into this situation informs some of them to quicken their pace and as they make their way to the top of the incline they once again are ignored until Mogg greets one of the plants. The large mossy boulder creatures turn their attention to them but they just quickly leave the area behind.
Nearing the end of their day they are in need of rest but they haven’t come upon an area that would be a suitable place. They decide to press on, even though it meant some of their party would be exhausted until they rested. An hour later they still haven’t found a place and instead just decide to risk resting in the tunnel. As Halxion prepared his magical hut for their long rest, they could hear about a half dozen boots marching toward them. Thevius informs them he would understand if they decided to press on instead and leave him as he was the newest recruit, but as they never gave Kaertas to the priests they are not going to leave Thevius to whomever was pressing upon them. The hut is cast as 6 ogres casually make their way through the tunnel and as they get to the dome, all they do is yell out “Fucking Wizard’s man, Hey! There is a road here!” and as they climb over the dome “at least we know where there is a bed.”
They all have a night's rest as nothing assaults them or the dome throughout the night. The 19th of Senka leads to more walking through the tunnel and after another 15 miles they finally come upon something. They see torchlight, this part of the tunnel is actually illuminated. The stone has been carved to look like wooden slats, almost like a cabin or an Inn and carved into the wall there is a lovely succubus with the words “The Last One Inn” with six ogres sleeping off a drunken stupor as it seems like they did not know where there was a bed.

Report Date

11 Apr 2021