Mister_Whisker Presents: Chronicles of the Accursed

Something continues to nag at the tinker after he had asked Thorgath to smash through the wall. '...and perhaps certain items they once held.'

He reenters the Lich's study. "Do you happen to have a list of the items the Dawnwarden heroes carried that may have... tainted them? Would you mind if I took some time to look through the tomes located within your workspace?"

I do not have such a record, the lich says. I have spent centuries trying to trace the exact histories and relevant possessions of the Dawnwardens after they betrayed me and destroyed my chronicle.

He spreads out a few pages on a desk in front of you.

If you wish to go through my notes, you may do so. I have theories and possibilities within, but less facts than I would prefer.

Reading the notes, they are cryptic and convoluted, obviously stream-of-thought writing. But you are able to get out of it that each one of the Dawnwardens possessed an item of legendary power that he or she used against the Mad Dragon Queen Sserah. You are also able to ascertain the names of the Dawnwardens:

- Prince Emir, a human Warlock. Valnach's notes are a bit more complete on Emir than the others, and he states that Gamra was likely Emir's patron whom he siphoned power from while taking advantage of her bound state.
- Lord Talon, a dragonborn Paladin
- Sir Kael, an orc Fighter
- Lady Syrra, a human Druid
- Lady Maeris, a human Wizard

Brynja says, "Thank you Valnach, you have been most kind with your time. Is there anyway we might assist you?"

Insight check: 16..  Byrnja is begining to think this lich isn't evil, or at not fully so.

The massive, heavily tattooed goliath would merely let out a few grunts, making clear he wasn't afraid of any puny lich, but neither has he anything productive contribution to the discussion. He would probably smash the lich into bone meal later but for now he seemed content with smashing down the western wall as per the tinkering dragonborn's instructions.

The wall collapses after a blow or two, reduced to so much powder. On the other side is a long hallway. Six sets of rusty plate armor line the walls.

At the end of the hall is a massive arch, and the stairway leading into the catacombs below.

Quote from JSenecal >>

Brynja says, "Thank you Valnach, you have been most kind with your time. Is there anyway we might assist you?"

Insight check: 16..  Byrnja is begining to think this lich isn't evil, or at not fully so.

If you find any manuscripts that have not been destroyed by flame, I would appreciate if you could bring them to me, the lich says.

You get the impression that Valnach is a creature who has crossed many lines that should not have been crossed, but he's not a raving maniac bent on world domination or raising legions of undead to destroy his enemies. You're pretty sure you're dealing with a creature whose acts of evil are mostly behind him. That is not to say he isn't dangerous... but he doesn't seem dishonest or manipulative.

The massive, heavily tattooed goliath chuckles at his own work. "Too easy for Thorgath." He turns his head and calls out to the other accursed, then he simply starts making his way down the stairs, lighting a torch if needed. "Let's find fire lady, Thorgath still angry about burns."

Stealth: 20
Perception: 13

“Wait, everyone!”

Balthathar raises a hand.

“Before we enter that fire pit, I want to make a few preparations. Don’t worry—it won’t take long. Abishai, may I borrow your magic bag?”

He dashes back to the manor and returns with two barrels of water and six cloaks.

“Abishai can use his ice spell to chill this into cold water. If we soak the cloaks and wear them—or drink the cooled water—it should help protect us from the heat and stave off exhaustion.”

He pauses, then adds,

“Just… don’t drink it all at once.”

Robin, floating behind Balthathar, mutters,

“You know what, boss? You should’ve brought some booze instead of boring water.”

A bottle of liquor—stolen from the baron’s cellar—peeks out from behind her back.

Quote from Oberon99 >>

The massive, heavily tattooed goliath chuckles at his own work. "Too easy for Thorgath." He turns his head and calls out to the other accursed, then he simply starts making his way down the stairs, lighting a torch if needed. "Let's find fire lady, Thorgath still angry about burns."

Stealth: 20
Perception: 13

 

Nothing in the hallway seems to be dangerous. The suits of armor remain silent, inert sentinels.

Quote from Gaiou >>

 

“Wait, everyone!”

Balthathar raises a hand.

“Before we enter that fire pit, I want to make a few preparations. Don’t worry—it won’t take long. Abishai, may I borrow your magic bag?”

He dashes back to the manor and returns with two barrels of water and six cloaks.

“Abishai can use his ice spell to chill this into cold water. If we soak the cloaks and wear them—or drink the cooled water—it should help protect us from the heat and stave off exhaustion.”

He pauses, then adds,

“Just… don’t drink it all at once.”

Robin, floating behind Balthathar, mutters,

“You know what, boss? You should’ve brought some booze instead of boring water.”

A bottle of liquor—stolen from the baron’s cellar—peeks out from behind her back.

 

Putting on the cloaks, you feel a chill run through your bones. But you know where you're about to go, and how hot it's about to be in the catacombs.

Valnach nods approvingly.

A bit crude, but effective, the lich says.

(OOC: The soaked cloaks will give you resistance to the first instance of fire damage you take within the next hour. You will need to re-soak the cloaks again every hour or after taking fire damage to gain the benefits again.)

Brynja welcomes the cold cloak. "We may need to take a break soon. Both Thorgath and I are the bit the worst for wear after fighting in the front line."

If you wish to rest here, I will not stop you, Valnach says.

The lich then picks up a tome and begins reading quietly. The ancient suits of armor hold their endless vigil in the Western hallway, staring with empty eye slits. The armors are battered and incomplete, but it looks like someone with the right knowledge could make something useful out of them.

(OOC: You can reasonably get a Short Rest in here, but the heat makes it impossible to sleep for a Long Rest)

(OOC: A short rest would help Brynja and Thorgath in the next fight. We're both at half HP or less and Brynja has already used half of her healing.)

Abishai agrees to provide his bag of holding to Balthathar after the Elf explains his idea, but struggles to understand where the bag comes into play. He agrees to cast ray of frost into the water barrels until the water is icy cold. However, the tinker refuses to wear the sopping wet cloak. Relying instead on his heritage to protect him.

As the group opens up the western stairway, Abishai thanks the Goliath, "Well done Thorgath! Thank you my friend."

Seeing the rusty suits of armor flanking the stairway, an idea comes to the Red Dragonborn. He grabs his tinker's tools and Smith’s Tools and begins working, clinking and clanking away without a care in the world. If anyone bothered the tinker he would ignore them and continue his work, just muttering, "...not now, I'm busy."

After about an hour goes by, [[OOC: I saw someone wanted a short rest. Wink wink.]] Abishai steps back from his creation. "Moment of truth..." He presses a recently installed button on the suit of armor and it comes to life! The contraptions movements are jerky and sporadic at first, but Abishai continues to fine tune the invention with a drop of oil here, and a widget there. Eventually, a smooth running steel defender begins following Abishai around, awaiting the tinker's next command.

The Steel Defender, still rust covered, but an imposing sight stands near the Red Dragonborn, ready to defend its creator.

"Now... shall we proceed?"

Dhamila is still a little suspicious of the Lich: 'Is that why he's leaving us alive? He wants to see if we can find tomes he missed?' But she assures him anyway, with a disarming smile that contrasts amusingly with her creepy vampire fangs: "Of course, Valnach! But if there are spells written on them, let me copy them too, okay?"

The Creepy Girl shivers a little from the cold water, but accepts it, considering her next destination. Not needing much rest, she watches Abishai's work with interest—and when the steel defender is ready, she exclaims excitedly: "Well done! Could you make one for me, too, later? In bat form, if possible..."

Anyway, the Runaway Tiefling is ready to scout ahead (with Robin, if she'd like to tag along again).

Stealth: 19
Perception: 11

(OOC: Recording short rest, assuming Thorgath is as well, since he needs the HP!)

Abishai smiles and would be blushing if he could at Dhamila's praise. "Well... uhh... no, I'm sorry I can't." In reference to making her a bat minion. "I used up the last of my essence of arcana on this one. I did bring my Monster Harvesting Tools so perhaps I'll find an opportunity to harvest some more at some point."

Whatever spells you find are yours to keep, Valnach replies to Dhamila. I already possess what magics I need.

Creeping ahead, Dhamila (and, as he also rolled a 20 on Stealth, Thorgath as well if he so desires) feels the intense heat weighing even more heavily here. A thin layer of ash covers nearly everything down here. As she creeps ahead, she can see several whispy, burning figures contrasting the cracked stone walls, floating over piles of what are likely their own bones.

Dhamila cautiously turns back and warns her companions of what awaits them.

"I don't think I can lure them into a trap like the bandits, because I don't know what they covet..." the Creepy Girl concludes. "...Except perhaps victims, but I'm not yet capable of creating illusions of people. Let's form a defensive line and prepare to strike as soon as we see them."