The Dungeon of Graves: Session 28
General Summary
The Last One Inn
Report Date
18 Apr 2021
After spending the previous night in Halxion’s magical hut, when they had arrived at the Inn some had thought they would spend the night in an actual bed and apart from the group, even if just separated by a wall. They had been together, nearly sleeping on top of each other, for a rather long time. The area around the Inn was illuminated by dim light, giving the carved stone a warm tone helping the wood grain carvings have a more natural feel. As they passed the six sleeping ogres, they could hear the music from the Last One Inn, it was background music without any vocals. There was a short discussion about whether they should stop or continue on but some of them could use a drink and they decided a small rest was in order.
As they made their way in they couldn’t see any band playing, so the lovely music was being pipped in, magically. Behind the bar, they could see a rather large cockroach pouring drinks for the goblins in booster seats and a hobgoblin sitting at the bar. At the far table they could see a goliath that was obviously a necromancer as they were surrounded by five skeletons. Just inside the door to the left they could see two demon-like orcs accompanied by at least a half demon. As the Shrike’s aethrin resources walked into the Inn, the occupants turned to watch. Halxion noticed the patrons and quickly covered his holy symbol so as to not draw more attention. Most of them move to the large open table and sit while some of them approach the bar and order drinks and food. The barkeep uses simple magic to heat food and passes out the requested refreshments. As they had settled the only patron still watching them was the cambion.
Urovok, the proprietor and barkeep, made small talk with Thevius as he was the only one not occupied with watching the other patrons. They talked about what brought them all here and Thevius smoothly replied “Right now, Your food and drink.” Meanwhile, Lothar had walked in with his holy symbol clearly on display. The cambion raised his eyebrows, interested in a cleric of the Brume Wolf. The small talk at the bar continued, with Urovok explaining that they had inherited the Inn after the previous owner left. They had been working in the Inn first so the transition made sense. Thevius asked about the area and learned that the tunnels that head west go through the old Mouth of Doom but no one travels there without protection anymore since the Pestilence. Lothar approached the cambion and their companions, who were devouring their meals. The cleric and fiend have a rather civil and interesting chat that most of the party tried to listen to. They talk about Vrokíva, brume born and lies families tell. Furthermore, the cambion suggests that those who were given power pale in comparison to those who earn it. Lothar learns that they were not born on the surface and have survived even through the lies. It is obvious that the cambion, who eventually introduces himself as Xireg after Lothar offers their name, is intrigued by a cleric of Vrokíva.
While this conversation was taking place, Mogg had sat down at the table and started playing a dagger game with Kaertas. The wizard failed, screamed out in pain as he stabbed his own finger and lost gold to Mogg who was then challenged by the rogue. Vai’len was just a bit quicker than Mogg and won the second round. After announcing he had to take a piss, Mogg left the table and headed north through the door. He waited outside until some of the others very casually walked out after their companion. Anyways, outside they exchange information and gold. Mogg warns them to watch their stuff as it would be a perfect place for a thief to strike.
Upon returning, Kaertas approached the necromancer. He had been trying to get the other’s attention for some time and had only earned a glance when he had called out in pain. Kaertas offers to share a drink and they split a bottle of red wine. They have a pleasant conversation about the art of necromancy. The other wizard introduces himself as Phisildur and offers his manicured hands. Kaertas learns that Phisildur killed and raised each of his skeletal companions. Sometime during their conversation, Kaertas had earned the other’s favor and he had brought out his spellbook and started to copy the spell Animate Dead for Kaertas. The fellow necromancer even shares what brought him here. He had heard rumors of the Dungeon of Graves and had followed the rumors. The clerics of the Master are rather gregarious with their knowledge. He then asks Kaertas what brought him here and he shares that it was the history of this place. This seemed to satisfy the necromancer; however, when the necromancer asked what brought the others here Kaertas wasn’t as successful with his dodgy answers. Phisildur withdrew the copy of the spell he was writing rather disappointed.
While the others seemed, at least on the outside, alright with the other occupants of the Last One Inn, Sinestra was getting rather uncomfortable. As the goblins jumped down from their booster seats and headed to the northern door, not paying for their food or drink, Sinestra mentioned their departure sparking Mogg to toss in his hand of cards and follow them out. As he opened the door, the goblins were donning their tabards that had a rendition of the Master upon it. After another short conversation, Mogg learned that if they were looking for a trading post, that they should head to Greznek, a bit of hike back towards Rappan Athuk. Furthermore, they would be able to escort him in but not the others. Sinestra had departed the table as well, not wanting to be near the necromancer any longer, although she headed to the southern door. Outside she wandered around, investigating the area. At the stables she could see the skeletal horses of Urovok which didn’t help her discomfort. Instead of resigning herself near the door waiting for her companions, she takes the initiative to make a small scouting trip to the western and northeastern tunnels.
As more food and drink had been ordered they had started playing cards upon Halxion’s suggestion. They were on their second round when the cambion asked to join with Sinestra’s vacated spot, Xireg sat down and placed in 10 coins with abyssal sigils and with Mogg’s return the card game was full. Vai’len was rather horrible at cards, her bluff being rather obvious with the tips of ears turning a nice shade of purple. During the game they learned that Xireg doesn’t spend much time in the lower planes from which he hails. He rather prefers the interesting aethrin that are able to grow and change. Xireg isn’t home sick and has spent some time in Gylidd Syn Aethri. Mogg was pretty confident in winning the hand; however, Xireg congratulated him on losing the pot as he had the exact hand needed to win. Instead of gathering the coins, the cambion pushed the pot to the group to go towards the Inn’s fees.
As they are about to leave, having decided to push on for the day, Lothar stops at the necromancer and pointedly asks if the skeletons are there of their own accord or if they were raised against their will. Phisildur responds with “and yet you travel with Kaertas?” Lothar takes that as confirmation of the latter but turns to Urovok letting the proprietor know that he wouldn’t bring violence into his establishment. They all leave knowing that it wasn’t wise to linger. Some even fear for the ramifications of their interaction with the necromancer.
They travel for a while before they have to make the decision to return to the Inn for the night or camp on the road. Knowing that the necromancer might be behind them, they decided to find a nice wall to set the magical dome against. Luckily, nothing assaults them through the night. However, around the halfway mark the group was startled awake when creatures set off Thevius’ Alarm. But the galloping skeletal warhorses with their skeletal riders continued right on by the bubble. They all returned to their slumber for the rest of the night.
The 20th of Senka continued with more travel. Although after just two hours, their path opened to a larger cavern. They could see pools scattered throughout and large stalagmites and stalactites in the natural cavern. Directly across from the opening, a forty foot statue was carved from one of the stalagmites. It depicted a feminine creature with their mouth slightly open. The hair flowing over her shoulders down to her belly. With an angular face and fangs with a necklace of twelve skulls around her neck. Her long flowing robes wrap up into the base of the stalagmite and the statue looks to be offering something from the ten to twelve foot carved jug at her belly. The statue seems to be of a giant vampire and some had heard legends of vampires of other races and in particular the Giant vampires who would tempt dwarves with gemstones. Lothar clearly states to Kaertas that he shouldn’t bow to this statue.
Moving around the cavern, they spot mushrooms that look to be poisonous and some in the far back near the exits that look to be edible. As Halxion moves past one of the pools, he notices an opening in the bottom. But as they are heading in another direction at the moment he doesn’t share. Mogg jumps the small stream of water to the mushrooms and upon landing some of the stalactites break free and drop on the bugbear. The two that miss Mogg start to crawl back up the wall; however, they are quickly dispatched by the group.
