Monster Hunt
Dusk Tiamats Day 10.2.2215
A monster terrorized the Oakhurst River Market a few days back. There were several fatalities. Reports of the attack vary wildly, an enormous crocodile, a pack of marine owlbears, cultists from the ruins of Morlun across the river, and even a monster with seven snake heads Chief is calling the Thessalhydra.
Chief Vurnor's Hall Breakfast Mitra's Day 11.2.2215
A monster is terrible for business. And with the great moot only a few months away, chief Vurnor is taking no chances. The Chief and Kerowyn Huc have clubbed together to reward 1000gp for all of the heads involved. A band of Lomari warriors has also agreed to help. They will search the ruins of Morlun on the river's western bank while you return east to the sunken Citadel at the edge of the Earthreach Caverns. Favouring the party, the Chief believes the beast came from the Citadel, and because your such good pals he's giving you first crack at it. He hasn't mentioned this to the Lomari - First Spear Felosial found tracks of a large creature around the switchback stairs that lead down to the underground fortress.
11.2.2215
The Party investigates the scene of the attack & interviews the witnesses.
Interviews with the witnesses:
Timbo the Lomari River Trader "I have read about these monsters, seven heads, each with a different breath weapon, fire, ice, lightning, acid, poison. My business partner died in the attack. We were unloading the canoe, and I returned to her as I carried goods up to the market. When she screamed, I turned and saw her frozen in fear. To my shame, I fled."
Ammur Hunter - Yar "Marine owlbears, I tell you, huge things with white feathers and claws, and teeth. They come in the spring when the river rises. There was an attack when I was a lad. Cant fly no no no, that's why they swim. Don't look em in the eye. They'll dead yer."
Kerowyn Huc - River Market Boss "I did not see the beast. It attacked the lower market, which floods at this time of year. The snows on the Serex melt and the river rises. I have plans to build a floating dock that will prevent flooding and allow the area to be used for trade all year round. Increasing commerce will increase revenue. Three people died, and that isn't good for business. The Lomari on the flooded dock and two hunters from the musk ox hunt bringing the catch back from the west bank."
Rurik - One Eye "Baah, everyone knows monsters hate fire. I heard it's a roar and ran toward the danger, but as soon as I appeared with a torch, the beast fled. What are you doing tonight, Miss Peren, there is a bard in town, and she's playing at the Ole Boar Inn if you fancy it, Miss Peren?"
Investigations Oakhurst (and surrounds):
At the river market, the purse of one of the victims - frozen solid.
Hike north along the Old River Road to the great rift in the earth & the Citadel.
On the old road, the remains of a Thulean Oxen. The disemboweled beast has had the flesh torn from it savagely. You found white fur from a huge monstrosity in the grass nearby.
At the top of the switchback stairs, the ropes descending are covered in frost.
Once in the Citadel you found the corridors tidy, the bones of all corpses are picked clean. A gelatinous cube had taken up residence.
Upper Citadel
After resting, you burn out a nest of diseased giant rats. Taking your time picking through the filth, you uncovered small treasures and an adventurer's corpse, which Alibongus animates as Ruprecht, his zombie valet. From there, you tracked west across the northern Citadel, coming upon another entrance to the beastmen's lair you raided a few days ago. Having got your bearings, you headed straight for the pulsing shaft and clambered down the dry roots to the level below.
You explored the southwest of the lower level, discovering a rift that splits this part of the Citadel in two. It appears to have been created by an earthquake. A small shrine cut is off by the rift. Untouched by the beastmen squatters or the outcast Belak, the shrine holds a dragon statue constructed from a strange metal that has survived the millennia. The statue radiates conjuration magic. Filling a tray in the dragon's mouth with a fire snake's blood, you conjure a dragon-shaped key also made from the mystery metal. You retrace your steps to the chamber beneath the root covered pulsing shaft and head north into caves where you are set upon by troglodytes. The Troglodytes have come from northern tunnels that lead deeper into the fabled Earthreach Caverns, the deepest cave system in Thule. You determine the tunnels are too small for a huge monster and return to the Citadel to pick up the trail.
Grove Level
Below the pulsing shaft (is it me, or do you guys like spending a lot of time looking up into this ruined old hole?), you pick up another monster's trail -Banner's rampage through Belak's laboratories. However, Peren points out that there are no bodies left, only gnawed fleshless bones. Perhaps you have picked up the river market monster after all. The bloody trail leads back to a chamber with the circular metal contraption with indented draconic runes in the metal rim. Some of the runes are covered in blood. Alibongus recounts a story of a Nesskian wizard who built these contraptions millennia ago for transportation.
The necromancer Skelos built these teleporters thousands of years ago to quickly and secretly travel to his many lairs. It was my ancestor Demiguses life's work to discover lost treasures of Skelos. But having found one such portal, my ancestor Demigus disappeared. That was three hundred years ago.
While you investigate the surrounding area, you discover another one of Skelos devices in a small shrine next to a library. A magic statue that imparts a persuasive advantage for 24 hours when the correct phrase is spoken.
However, the investigations are cut short when a Yeti teleports in from some frozen waste. After slaying the Yeti, you return to Oakhurst for your reward.
(3 x game sessions)
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