The Dungeon of Graves: Session 30
General Summary
Decisions Were Made
Report Date
02 May 2021
On their way back to New Czira, the adventurers were only set upon a few times by the denizens driven mad by the dungeon. However, none of these attacks were strong enough to even slow their pace. It would take them five days to return the settlement. Just as the last time they had returned the settlement had grown. They now had their own fully furnished lodge, individual rooms and baths. After they relayed what they had found, gathered and created some new equipment they set off, focusing on their goal to find the Architect for the Shrike. The return travel was much like the travel from the dungeon, occasionally eventful but easily handled. They could tell that the area had a festering darkness that was getting worse and potentially cultivating the leyline to evil.
They arrived back at the Dungeon of Graves on the 3rd of Asha after spending about two weeks away they knew that they would be facing a slightly different dungeon. Taking the external rat tunnels to avoid the mausoleum, they easily make their way back to the fourth level. On their trek through the tight tunnels, Halxion blessed his companions with extended darkvision. Some of the group felt the intense dread that this level possessed. Mogg, Kaertas and the skeletons were frightened. Turning to Lothar, the one skeleton that could sign shared that they feared that they would once again fall to the Master. Situating themselves in the tunnel, preparing for what they assumed would be another fight with wights, the rogue was a bit too far out of the tunnel and the wights attacked.
Upon seeing the blue sea elf stand a bit too far out of the safety of the tunnel, they pounced on her. When they approached they could tell there was another combatant but had trouble landing a hit on Mogg. The rogue gets hit and slammed into the rock behind her. Halxion drops a Moonbeam next to Vai’len who nails one with her crossbow before safely retreating into the tunnel. Lothar quickly started to form the front line with Halxion. With the squishier folk protected the battle with the wights continue. From deep within the tunnel the warforged artificer, Nysdrith, joined the fight. Followed shortly after by Kachuun, a small blue kobold, one of the Shrike’s agents. These two seemed to not be affected by the fear this level radiated. The battle was quick with the Shrike’s resources slaying the wights.
After apologizing for drawing the attention of the wights before they were all ready, the rogue asks if they wanted to head straight to this temple of the Master or if they wanted to talk with Max first. It was pretty clear they wanted to visit their otyugh friend as Lothar had already grabbed the wight’s corpses and were placing them into the bag for Max. Their friend was rather happy to see them and asked about their new friends. Sinestra explains that they are friendly for now. Max was very eager to consume the wights as the clerics saved the dead for their rituals. They inquire if the otyugh knows how to get past the ornate door in the temple and he clearly states “pretty easily if you have permission.” Vai’len asked if the ogres had returned, undead or otherwise, and they learned that nothing that big has been heard over there. They all decided to head back to the first room with the trash and move past the pile that blocked the side entrance to the water filled antechamber to the temple.
They said their goodbyes to Max and made their way back. Kaertas asked if they would wait for him to cast Detect Magic and they agreed that it was important; however, the rogue inquired about the wand he had made. The necromancer must have forgotten but they press on. With the Kaertas able to see the magical aura they learned that the door radiated abjuration. Last time they were here, it was difficult for Nam to open the secret door, but this time it was rather easy. Before the rogues could move in and investigate the area, Nysdrith pushes their way in, through the Alarms and past the scouts. Never able to hide her emotions, Vai’len is obviously frustrated by the move. But they are ready for a fight as they know that the clerics set up a warning system.
The massive statue still held two glowing red flames and it seemed that its eyes followed wherever they moved. They ready a fall back area, with a Rope Trick near the door and prepare attacks when the door is opened. Unfortunately the door revealed another unworked stone hallway that looked to head some sort of barracks. Nysdrith continued his barreling and moved into the area. The room contained six beds and chests made of practical yet nice quality workmanship. Investigating the room, the chests are locked and the door had abjuration and enchantment auras. None of the chest radiating magic but two items in the north eastern chest radiated divination and transmutation magics.
Ignoring the chests, they ready themselves for the door to be opened. Kachuun, the kobold, fell back to the other squishier folk but prepared to cast an illusionary door when the physical one was opened. Not only does the door radiate magic but it was filled with the iconography of the Master. Upon opening anyone near it was hit with a Feeble Mind spell and are reduced to slobbering toddlers. With four of their team affected they are forced to fall back to New Czira for help. They could hear the booming laughter of the clerics follow them out of the area.
Kachuun shared their wisdom that their nest mates would appreciate them returning and having someone release them from this magic as they are made completely useless. They arrived back in the settlement five days after they had left. The cloud cover made it feel much later than it was but they were able to make their way to Inako’s cabin. Sinestra was elected to make the plea to the Prime Thrall. She was rather eloquent and effective in her words as Inako agreed that it would be prudent for them to cleanse them of this affliction and yet Inako still added that it would be much harder to find someone to replace them than just purge the magic. They are instructed to return to their lodge and that Baggo would come to them. Baggo is rather helpful and friendly for lich and informs them all that they should be good. They thank the quartermaster who shared some advice before leaving. He advised that they have some caution and just in case that he had some scrolls that they should utilize.
They depart the next morning, heading north once again to the dungeon. The trek was similar as before with minor skirmishes but after another five day trip, they climbed back through the rats tunnels on the thirteenth of Asha. This time; however, they did not head down to the temple but decided to try Saracek’s door. Standing outside the rather ornate ebony door gilded in gold, they could feel the familiar unease. Written in abyssal, the celestial words share that this was once a warrior of light but now served the Master. Mogg, with Vai’len’s assistance unlocks the door and falls back for Nysdrith to open. It seemed that the warforged was still rather keen at throwing themselves at the trouble. With the door opened, they could see the antechamber filled with paintings depicting the fall and rise of Saracek. Kaertas could see the rune auras on the door and a powerful necromantic aura behind the door.
Halxion moves up and dispels the door for the rogue team to move up and unlock before once again falling back. The door opened to a rich man's tomb that had never been looted and the skeletal man sitting upon his throne rushed the door ready for battle. The rogue moves in and holds her crossbow for the creature to make their move to the door. A second later, they appear and she releases, hitting the creature. Saracek takes a breath and lets out a powerful magical blast nearly killing a few of them outright. The battle continues with the range trying to stay out of the cone effect and healing Nysdrith who had fallen. Each time they attacked the servant of the Master retaliated with his own attack on Nysdrith. Sinestra steps to the outer door and heats the creature’s armor before falling back to safety. Vai’len, guided by Terrance, nailed Saracek before falling outside the door. She had thought about closing the door but knew that it would lock and that it would be terrible for those still within the area.
Saracek was forced to dispel his armor but decided to isolate Nysdrith, Lothar and Mr. Collins with him in the throne room by shutting his door. Mogg, being pushed by the small kobold to the door, unlocked it. Nysdrith looked like they were going to take a mighty blow but Lothar shook his head, denying Saracek of his killing blow. Kaertas moved up, fired some missiles at the creature then had his owl help Lothar. Upon seeing this, Saracek turned on Lothar trying to finish off the cleric of Vrokíva, causing him to fall unconscious. Taking a moment to slow her movements and quiet her heart, the rogue steps out from behind the door, asks Mogg to duck and sends a bolt through Saracek’s body, ending the undead. As they collect themselves from the battle, they could feel a rumble throughout the area. It felt like slaying Saracek was more important than they had thought. It was subtle but as they moved about this level, they could see a low hanging fog in the corners as some of the evil had lessened.
