Road Trip to the Dragon Isles - Temple of the Blinded God
Note: This dungeon is based on the "Temple of the Blind God" adventure module by Tardigames, modified for level, edition, and to fit the plot of this campaign.
16 Newkolt 349 AC
Camp is broken and the group is soon in their way with Chimeg riding on the pack horse with the rest of the food and the tent. The ground rises beneath the party's feet and the trail wends its way back and forth between the hills. Davaa consults the map periodically, picking out landmarks and comparing them to what is on the parchment. The hills become steeper as the group climbs, eventually ending at a sheer cliff face that rises a good 200'.
A large marble overhang carved from the cliff in front of the group announces the end of their search. A massive gate of marble, lined by two columns, seals the entrance. Four identical runes, depicting eyes, are carved into it. The gate is 20' wide and 40' tall. It is made of the same material as the overhang and columns.
Arthur looks in awe at the massive marble structure and slowly gets off his horse. He places a hand on the ground examining for any traps before continuing, "Any idea what those runes mean?"
Agnes looks up at the runes, squinting her eyes. "I am not familiar with any of these sigils, I'm afraid."
Chimeg checks them out too. "They just look like eyes to me. Maybe it has something to do with the Blinded God?"
As Arthur feels along the ground, Davaa and Altan begin copying him. Altan asks, "What are we looking for?"
The paladin frowns, "Traps or a hidden switch or something that might let us...oh! I have something! Arthur sweeps away snow, revealing the flagstones beneath. The stone has a carving much like the eyes on the gate, only this one is crossed out with an "X".
Being super carful Arthur continues to brush snow away, " The Blinded God," he mutters to himself. "I wonder if there are more runes that appear like those or if they appear to be closed." He keeps searching slowly and methodically. The rest of the group spreads out, searching for more runes. Agnes finds one in a matter of seconds. Chimeg finds a third about a minute after that and Arthur finds a fourth, one that corresponds to each eye on the gate.
He mutters to himself. "Four pillars, four stones, four crossed out, four open...hmmm." He ponders for a bit. "I wonder if all four have to be pressed at the same time, or in a certain order."
Agnes says, "Let's try all four at once. Maybe we should "open' the Blinded God's eyes. Everyone, pick a closed eye and stand on it, then step to the nearest open eye sigil. If that doesn't work, we'll try it going the other way."
Arthur closes his eyes and slowly opens them and steps onto his first sigil and then onto an open eye sigil. It takes several tries to finally get the door to open. From closed eye to open eye, open eye to closed eye, half closed/open eyes to half open/closed eyes. In the end, it is unclear as to whether the group actually solved the puzzle or if they simply broke it by stepping on the icons too many times but there is a grinding sound and the twin doors swing open, revealing a room beyond the entry.
Arthur takes point, moving slow and methodically, his hand on Lawbringer's hilt, searching the walls and floor as they go.
The first chamber a pristine cubic room brightly lit by magic. The floor is painted with an image of an open eye with a black pupil, as wide as the room. To the left, there is a stone door that appears to be locked. In front, there is a closed iron portcullis with a lever next to it.
Arthur makes his way around the room, moving slowly. "Be careful. There may be traps." He makes his way to the eye, kneeling down to inspect it. He finds nothing out of the ordinary. Agnes and the others fan out searching along the walls. Davaa heads west and tries jiggling the door, only to discover that it is locked. Agnes and Chimeg check the east wall. Agnes announces that there is a secret door there and that she has found what looks like a keyhole but there is no sign of a key. Altan heads to the northern portcullis and calls out, "There's a lever over here. Do you want me to pull it?"
"Let's rig up some rope to pull it from a safe distance away. That way if anything does happen we can be somewhat clear of any traps." But first, Arthur stands in the center of the eye. He sinks to the floor and folds his legs into the same lotus position that Mother Gerel had been in when he saw her, not an easy task in plate armor! He closes his eyes and waits... waits to see if anything will happen.
Seconds pass.
Then a minute.
Then another.
He opens one eye, looking around to see if anything has changed.
Agnes, Chimeg, Davaa, and Altan all watch him, looking around the room expectantly. Somewhere, deep within the temple, the sound of something big moving beyond the walls vibrates up through the floor.
And then, nothing.
The knight rises, legs screaming in protest as the metal covering his thighs grates together, and climbs back to his feet. He shrugs, "It was worth a try, I guess."
Altan makes a loop in the end of the rope they picked up in the bazaar and drops it over the end of the lever. He plays out the rope, putting as much distance between himself and the handle and looks around at the others. They give him a nod and he pulls the rope, slowly dragging the lever down. The rattle of a chain echoes from within the chamber as a large block of stone slowly drops from the ceiling, lifting the portcullis and opening the path to the room beyond.
Arthur leads the way into a room of similar proportions to the previous one. Davaa follows, saber in hand, followed by Chimeg, Altan, and finally Agnes. In each of its corners, there is a column, and in the middle of the room, there appears to be a small pond of water. On the far end of the room there is another portcullis, but this time no lever is in sight. His eyes scan the ceiling and move down each of the pillars but he notices nothing unusual so here peers over the edge into the pool.
About two feet below the surface of the water, he spots a lever.
"Everyone step back." Arthur unsheathes the sword he took from the green-cloaked mercenary and leans over the small pool. He tries to use the long blade to flip the lever. As soon as the steel sword touches the water, a jolt of electricity runs up through the metal and into Arthur's hands. He grits his teeth, fighting through the pain and pries the level up. The portcullis makes a rumbling noise and begins to retract into the ceiling. The paladin pulls the sword out of the water, smoke rising from inside of his armor, and staggers back a pair of steps.
Arthur grits his teeth while patting his arm, "Dammit, that was careless of me." He pulls his gauntlets off to check the extent of his injuries. Agnes is beside him in an instant, "Careful, let me look."
The skin beneath the metal gloves is reddened, the hair completely burned away. Luckily, there are no blisters and he is able to open and close his hands without much pain.
Altan, Davva, and Chimeg come over to see how bad Arthur’s injuries are. The acolyte winces when she sees Arthur's hands, "It isn't too bad but we should put something on them to prevent further damage.
Agnes motions for Davaa and Altan to stand watch while Chimeg opens her pack. She pulls out a handful of flasks of herbs and a small bowl. She adds a little water and some of the herbs and begins mixing them into a paste. "This will keep any swelling down and take the edge off of the pain." The mixture has a vaguely floral scent that masks the smell of his burned hair but, more importantly, it feels cool on his skin.
"Thanks for the help, let's get this wrapped up and the armor back on so we can continue." He gives Agnes and Chimeg a small smile, knowing that they are worried. He rises and slowly makes his way to the next room with the others examining everything he can see.
The room beyond the portcullis is a good bit larger than the two previous chambers. It is dominated by a large central statue of a monk in meditation stance. In its joined hands it is holding what appears to be a sacrificial dagger. A large door stands in the center of the far door and a hallway opens on both of the side walls.
Camp is broken and the group is soon in their way with Chimeg riding on the pack horse with the rest of the food and the tent. The ground rises beneath the party's feet and the trail wends its way back and forth between the hills. Davaa consults the map periodically, picking out landmarks and comparing them to what is on the parchment. The hills become steeper as the group climbs, eventually ending at a sheer cliff face that rises a good 200'.
A large marble overhang carved from the cliff in front of the group announces the end of their search. A massive gate of marble, lined by two columns, seals the entrance. Four identical runes, depicting eyes, are carved into it. The gate is 20' wide and 40' tall. It is made of the same material as the overhang and columns.
Arthur looks in awe at the massive marble structure and slowly gets off his horse. He places a hand on the ground examining for any traps before continuing, "Any idea what those runes mean?"
Agnes looks up at the runes, squinting her eyes. "I am not familiar with any of these sigils, I'm afraid."
Chimeg checks them out too. "They just look like eyes to me. Maybe it has something to do with the Blinded God?"
As Arthur feels along the ground, Davaa and Altan begin copying him. Altan asks, "What are we looking for?"
The paladin frowns, "Traps or a hidden switch or something that might let us...oh! I have something! Arthur sweeps away snow, revealing the flagstones beneath. The stone has a carving much like the eyes on the gate, only this one is crossed out with an "X".
Being super carful Arthur continues to brush snow away, " The Blinded God," he mutters to himself. "I wonder if there are more runes that appear like those or if they appear to be closed." He keeps searching slowly and methodically. The rest of the group spreads out, searching for more runes. Agnes finds one in a matter of seconds. Chimeg finds a third about a minute after that and Arthur finds a fourth, one that corresponds to each eye on the gate.
He mutters to himself. "Four pillars, four stones, four crossed out, four open...hmmm." He ponders for a bit. "I wonder if all four have to be pressed at the same time, or in a certain order."
Agnes says, "Let's try all four at once. Maybe we should "open' the Blinded God's eyes. Everyone, pick a closed eye and stand on it, then step to the nearest open eye sigil. If that doesn't work, we'll try it going the other way."
Arthur closes his eyes and slowly opens them and steps onto his first sigil and then onto an open eye sigil. It takes several tries to finally get the door to open. From closed eye to open eye, open eye to closed eye, half closed/open eyes to half open/closed eyes. In the end, it is unclear as to whether the group actually solved the puzzle or if they simply broke it by stepping on the icons too many times but there is a grinding sound and the twin doors swing open, revealing a room beyond the entry.
Arthur takes point, moving slow and methodically, his hand on Lawbringer's hilt, searching the walls and floor as they go.
Arthur makes his way around the room, moving slowly. "Be careful. There may be traps." He makes his way to the eye, kneeling down to inspect it. He finds nothing out of the ordinary. Agnes and the others fan out searching along the walls. Davaa heads west and tries jiggling the door, only to discover that it is locked. Agnes and Chimeg check the east wall. Agnes announces that there is a secret door there and that she has found what looks like a keyhole but there is no sign of a key. Altan heads to the northern portcullis and calls out, "There's a lever over here. Do you want me to pull it?"
"Let's rig up some rope to pull it from a safe distance away. That way if anything does happen we can be somewhat clear of any traps." But first, Arthur stands in the center of the eye. He sinks to the floor and folds his legs into the same lotus position that Mother Gerel had been in when he saw her, not an easy task in plate armor! He closes his eyes and waits... waits to see if anything will happen.
Seconds pass.
Then a minute.
Then another.
He opens one eye, looking around to see if anything has changed.
Agnes, Chimeg, Davaa, and Altan all watch him, looking around the room expectantly. Somewhere, deep within the temple, the sound of something big moving beyond the walls vibrates up through the floor.
And then, nothing.
The knight rises, legs screaming in protest as the metal covering his thighs grates together, and climbs back to his feet. He shrugs, "It was worth a try, I guess."
Altan makes a loop in the end of the rope they picked up in the bazaar and drops it over the end of the lever. He plays out the rope, putting as much distance between himself and the handle and looks around at the others. They give him a nod and he pulls the rope, slowly dragging the lever down. The rattle of a chain echoes from within the chamber as a large block of stone slowly drops from the ceiling, lifting the portcullis and opening the path to the room beyond.
Arthur leads the way into a room of similar proportions to the previous one. Davaa follows, saber in hand, followed by Chimeg, Altan, and finally Agnes. In each of its corners, there is a column, and in the middle of the room, there appears to be a small pond of water. On the far end of the room there is another portcullis, but this time no lever is in sight. His eyes scan the ceiling and move down each of the pillars but he notices nothing unusual so here peers over the edge into the pool.
About two feet below the surface of the water, he spots a lever.
"Everyone step back." Arthur unsheathes the sword he took from the green-cloaked mercenary and leans over the small pool. He tries to use the long blade to flip the lever. As soon as the steel sword touches the water, a jolt of electricity runs up through the metal and into Arthur's hands. He grits his teeth, fighting through the pain and pries the level up. The portcullis makes a rumbling noise and begins to retract into the ceiling. The paladin pulls the sword out of the water, smoke rising from inside of his armor, and staggers back a pair of steps.
Arthur grits his teeth while patting his arm, "Dammit, that was careless of me." He pulls his gauntlets off to check the extent of his injuries. Agnes is beside him in an instant, "Careful, let me look."
The skin beneath the metal gloves is reddened, the hair completely burned away. Luckily, there are no blisters and he is able to open and close his hands without much pain.
Altan, Davva, and Chimeg come over to see how bad Arthur’s injuries are. The acolyte winces when she sees Arthur's hands, "It isn't too bad but we should put something on them to prevent further damage.
Agnes motions for Davaa and Altan to stand watch while Chimeg opens her pack. She pulls out a handful of flasks of herbs and a small bowl. She adds a little water and some of the herbs and begins mixing them into a paste. "This will keep any swelling down and take the edge off of the pain." The mixture has a vaguely floral scent that masks the smell of his burned hair but, more importantly, it feels cool on his skin.
The room beyond the portcullis is a good bit larger than the two previous chambers. It is dominated by a large central statue of a monk in meditation stance. In its joined hands it is holding what appears to be a sacrificial dagger. A large door stands in the center of the far door and a hallway opens on both of the side walls.
Arthur looks at the dagger and than down each hallway to see if he can spot any other doors than he walks over to the large door and looks closely at it. Finding nothing unusual, he moves on while Davaa and Altan move to entrance of either corridor to stand guard.
The corridor to the right leads into another rectangular room with a mural on the floor depicting a closed eye. On the right, there is an alcove containing a small stone idol figure. On the left, there is an iron door with no visible handle or lock.
The left corridor is apparently a dead end. However, an alcove on the left contains a small stone idol figure depicting a meditating monk with a round hole in its chest.
The large door in the north wall is locked.
Arthur begins to pace. "One open eye, one closed eye, a solid idol and an idol with a hole in its chest... the secret door you found earlier, was it a normal key hole? Or was it shaped like one of these idols, Agnes?"
Agnes comes over to look at the keyhole indicated by Arthur. She crouches down to look inside and vanishes with a *POP*!
Altan, Davaa, and Chimeg scream in shock as Agnes disappears and rush over to see what happened.
"AGNES!!!!" The scream rips from his throat. Arthur runs over and looks in the hole with the intention of forcing it open if need be. Instead, there is a moment of disorientation and he finds himself in another room. A moment later, he is joined by Altan and the others.
He finds himself facing a statue identical to the one he just passed through. Agnes is standing beside him. The room stretches out to the north and east. Two skeleton statues stand holding swords in opposite corners of the room. The final corner has an alcove with a pedestal in it.
"Agnes, are you okay?"
"I am fine. That was a bit of a surprise, though," she tells him.
The statues do not respond as Arthur makes his way across the room. Davaa and Altan both draw their sabers while Chimeg pulls some sort of chained sickle from inside of her robe and begins slowly twirling the chain around. Agnes likewise prepares for a fight by taking on the form of a bighorn sheep. Arthur makes it all of the way to the far corner without provoking any reaction from either skeleton and discovers a single key sitting atop the lone pedestal.
Arthur takes a few coins that look to be roughly the same weight as the key and quickly swaps the key for the coins and makes his way back to the group. "We can try those locked doors if we can get back to the main room."
Arthur continues to wade into the battle. Lawbringer crashes heavily into the statue three more times, breaking away two more small chunks of stone as the holy blade shivers with each impact.
Chimeg, her chain still wrapped around the statue's leg, loops the other end of her weapon around her arm and twists, pulling with all of her might. The statue takes a half-step and pitches forward, landing on its face.
Altan jumps on the downed statues back, slamming it in the back of its head with the pommel of his saber, leaving tiny chips in the stone.
The fallen statue attempts to rise but all three adventures continue to attack. Arthur knocks away another chunk of carved rock while Chimeg shouts "HI-YAA!" She drives the heel of her palm into the stone. There is a resounding thud as the blow hits home. Altan keeps beating the statue over the head but it rises to its feet, shrugging him off as if he were weightless.
The other statue rises and takes a swipe at Agnes but she evades with a clatter of hooves. Realizing that her horns had little effect, she invokes her shapechange power again, this time transforming into a scaly crocodile.
Davaa swipes with what is left of his broken sword, punching the statue in the chin but the blow does nothing to slow the stone guardian's advance.
The ghost turns toward Arthur's voice. Whatever she is holding back, surges forward, straining against her binding rays. Agnes and the others rush in behind the warrior and see the ghostly apparition. A roar echoes from the back of the room. The ghost screams in response and she fades away, her energy streams sputter and die.
A deep, raspy fills the room, "Finally, after all of these years."
The huge shape surges forward, stepping into the light cast by the glowing trail of acid.
Eight legs propel the creature into the light, revealing its monstrous form. Black scales cover the monster's leg and chest. Curved horns protrude from either side of its head, the scales on its face have been eaten away, leaving parts of its skull exposed. One green eye glows on the left side of its head and steam creeps out of the corners of its mouth. Wings unfurl from a body the size of a horse and a long tail swishes back and forth, stirring up clouds of dust behind the beast. A black orb gleams in the monster's right eye socket.
"Agnes, if things go south promise you’ll get them out." Arthur uses his helmet to teleport to the creature, thrusting Lawbringer toward the black orb.
The creature jerks its head back as the holy blade flares to life and instead of striking the false "eye", Arthur draws a deep gash along the side of the monster's face.
An arrow whistles past Arthur and shatters against the eight-legged dragon's chest, having failed to penetrate the thick hide. Arthur throws a glance over his shoulder and sees Davaa fitting another arrow to his bow.
Agnes shouts in her native tongue and assumes her true form. Gleaming silver scales shine in the half-light of the chamber.
Altan looses an arrow alongside Davaa's, but like his clansman's shot, it fails to hurt the Blinded God.
Chimeg breaks into a run, racing across the room and leaping over the acid stream, landing beside Arthur with her sickle and chain in hand.
The black-scaled god turns toward Arthur and snaps at him with its powerful jaws. Blasphemous energy crackles as the teeth slam shut on the paladin's shoulder and pain unlike he has ever felt tears through the Lankhmarite's body.
The dragon swats at the Acolyte with the claws on its front pair of legs. Chimeg avoids the first set but is struck with the others. The claws leave deep cuts across one of her legs and she cries out in pain as the abomination spins, slamming Arthur across the chest with its tail, launching him backwards several feet.
The corridor to the right leads into another rectangular room with a mural on the floor depicting a closed eye. On the right, there is an alcove containing a small stone idol figure. On the left, there is an iron door with no visible handle or lock.
The left corridor is apparently a dead end. However, an alcove on the left contains a small stone idol figure depicting a meditating monk with a round hole in its chest.
The large door in the north wall is locked.
Arthur begins to pace. "One open eye, one closed eye, a solid idol and an idol with a hole in its chest... the secret door you found earlier, was it a normal key hole? Or was it shaped like one of these idols, Agnes?"
Agnes comes over to look at the keyhole indicated by Arthur. She crouches down to look inside and vanishes with a *POP*!
Altan, Davaa, and Chimeg scream in shock as Agnes disappears and rush over to see what happened.
"AGNES!!!!" The scream rips from his throat. Arthur runs over and looks in the hole with the intention of forcing it open if need be. Instead, there is a moment of disorientation and he finds himself in another room. A moment later, he is joined by Altan and the others.
He finds himself facing a statue identical to the one he just passed through. Agnes is standing beside him. The room stretches out to the north and east. Two skeleton statues stand holding swords in opposite corners of the room. The final corner has an alcove with a pedestal in it.
"Agnes, are you okay?"
"I am fine. That was a bit of a surprise, though," she tells him.
Arthur looks around, "This has 'attack of the skeletons' written all over it." He draws up his shield and examines the floor taking slow step by slow step.
The statues do not respond as Arthur makes his way across the room. Davaa and Altan both draw their sabers while Chimeg pulls some sort of chained sickle from inside of her robe and begins slowly twirling the chain around. Agnes likewise prepares for a fight by taking on the form of a bighorn sheep. Arthur makes it all of the way to the far corner without provoking any reaction from either skeleton and discovers a single key sitting atop the lone pedestal.
Arthur takes a few coins that look to be roughly the same weight as the key and quickly swaps the key for the coins and makes his way back to the group. "We can try those locked doors if we can get back to the main room."
 |
| Arthur and the Key to the Blinded God's Temple |
As soon as he turns around with the key, he hears the sound of stone grating on stone. Absolutely nobody is surprised to see the skeleton statues come to life and raise their weapons to attack.
Lawbringer hisses from its sheath as Arthur closes in on the nearest stone skeleton. He brings his holy blade down upon the statue-come-to-life with a mighty CLANG. The impact sends reverberations up his arm as a small chunk of the skull flies away.
Chimag is there in a flash. She whips the chain that's attached to her sickle at one of the skeleton's legs and pulls for all she's worth, setting her feet firmly. The chain goes taut but the creature doesn't topple over but she stops it from continuing forward.
Altan jumps into the fight, swinging his saber at the skeleton as well but the blade simply bounces off without leaving so much as a scratch on the surface.
The two statues raise their swords to attack Arthur and Altan but both fighters are nimble enough to dodge aside.
Davaa rushes in and strikes the other statue with his blade. Sparks fly from the impact and the Khur's weapon comes away a few inches shorter.
Agnes, lowers her head and charges. The impact is enough to send the second skeleton sprawling on the floor and make her see stars at the same time.
Lawbringer hisses from its sheath as Arthur closes in on the nearest stone skeleton. He brings his holy blade down upon the statue-come-to-life with a mighty CLANG. The impact sends reverberations up his arm as a small chunk of the skull flies away.
Chimag is there in a flash. She whips the chain that's attached to her sickle at one of the skeleton's legs and pulls for all she's worth, setting her feet firmly. The chain goes taut but the creature doesn't topple over but she stops it from continuing forward.
Altan jumps into the fight, swinging his saber at the skeleton as well but the blade simply bounces off without leaving so much as a scratch on the surface.
The two statues raise their swords to attack Arthur and Altan but both fighters are nimble enough to dodge aside.
Davaa rushes in and strikes the other statue with his blade. Sparks fly from the impact and the Khur's weapon comes away a few inches shorter.
Agnes, lowers her head and charges. The impact is enough to send the second skeleton sprawling on the floor and make her see stars at the same time.
Arthur continues to wade into the battle. Lawbringer crashes heavily into the statue three more times, breaking away two more small chunks of stone as the holy blade shivers with each impact.
Chimeg, her chain still wrapped around the statue's leg, loops the other end of her weapon around her arm and twists, pulling with all of her might. The statue takes a half-step and pitches forward, landing on its face.
Altan jumps on the downed statues back, slamming it in the back of its head with the pommel of his saber, leaving tiny chips in the stone.
The fallen statue attempts to rise but all three adventures continue to attack. Arthur knocks away another chunk of carved rock while Chimeg shouts "HI-YAA!" She drives the heel of her palm into the stone. There is a resounding thud as the blow hits home. Altan keeps beating the statue over the head but it rises to its feet, shrugging him off as if he were weightless.
The other statue rises and takes a swipe at Agnes but she evades with a clatter of hooves. Realizing that her horns had little effect, she invokes her shapechange power again, this time transforming into a scaly crocodile.
Davaa swipes with what is left of his broken sword, punching the statue in the chin but the blow does nothing to slow the stone guardian's advance.
Arthur yells "DAVVA! CATCH" and hurls the mercenary sword to him. The paladin then focuses on the statue and delivers another chop with his blade. More sparks fly as steel strikes enchanted stone and the stone skeleton is forced back a step.
Having failed to keep the skeleton on the ground, Chimeg turns her attention to its sword. She lashes out with her chain once again, this time wrapping it around the weapon's hilt. A quick yank pulls the blade free and it clatters to the floor.
Altan strikes the skeleton from behind, putting another tiny chip in the creature’s back.
Disarmed, the skeleton lumbers forward, "swinging" its sword-less hand, missing Arthur by a wide margin. The guardian facing Agnes and Davaa fares no better and misses with its own attack as well.
Davaa hefts the two-handed sword thrown to him by Arthur and yanks it free of its sheath. He brings the mercenary's sword across, slamming the skeleton in the head. It staggers under the weight of the blow just as Agnes brings her crocodilian tail around to smash the skeleton across its shins, sending it to the ground once more.
The battle turns into a dog pile as the adventurers surround the statues and repeatedly knocking them over while either Arthur or Agnes or, now, Davaa, break chunks off of them with heavy weapons or powerful tail slaps. Finally, after close to minute, nothing but rubble is left of the two stone guardians.
Arthur sheathes Lawbringer. "Keep the sword, Davva." He sips some from the water skin. "Let's go see if this key opens the door and if this was worth the hassle or not." He heads to the teleport statue and stares into its keyhole. One by one, Arthur is joined by his companions with Agnes bringing up the rear, having resumed her human form.
The paladin heads back to the statue room and its large door. He inserts the key into the lock and turns it with a click.
Arthur slowly opens and peers inside the next room making sure to pull the key out before it fully opens. The room beyond the door is huge, split in two by a trail of acid. Four columns once held the ceiling of the room, but only three remain. The far-left column, which intersects the trail, lies shattered on the ground. Suddenly, there is a rush of wind pushing against the door and a woman's voice screams, "GET OUT!"
"I CANT! I GAVE MY WORD TO FREE WHO IS TRAPPED HERE!" Arthur draws Lawbringer and his shield, ready to use its flight magic at a moment's notice. "Allow me to help you."
He pushes the door open and sees the glowing image of a translucent woman floating in mid-air. Streams of energy, flow from her outstretched arms, wrapping a dark shape in the back of the chamber.
Having failed to keep the skeleton on the ground, Chimeg turns her attention to its sword. She lashes out with her chain once again, this time wrapping it around the weapon's hilt. A quick yank pulls the blade free and it clatters to the floor.
Altan strikes the skeleton from behind, putting another tiny chip in the creature’s back.
Disarmed, the skeleton lumbers forward, "swinging" its sword-less hand, missing Arthur by a wide margin. The guardian facing Agnes and Davaa fares no better and misses with its own attack as well.
Davaa hefts the two-handed sword thrown to him by Arthur and yanks it free of its sheath. He brings the mercenary's sword across, slamming the skeleton in the head. It staggers under the weight of the blow just as Agnes brings her crocodilian tail around to smash the skeleton across its shins, sending it to the ground once more.
The battle turns into a dog pile as the adventurers surround the statues and repeatedly knocking them over while either Arthur or Agnes or, now, Davaa, break chunks off of them with heavy weapons or powerful tail slaps. Finally, after close to minute, nothing but rubble is left of the two stone guardians.
Arthur sheathes Lawbringer. "Keep the sword, Davva." He sips some from the water skin. "Let's go see if this key opens the door and if this was worth the hassle or not." He heads to the teleport statue and stares into its keyhole. One by one, Arthur is joined by his companions with Agnes bringing up the rear, having resumed her human form.
The paladin heads back to the statue room and its large door. He inserts the key into the lock and turns it with a click.
Arthur slowly opens and peers inside the next room making sure to pull the key out before it fully opens. The room beyond the door is huge, split in two by a trail of acid. Four columns once held the ceiling of the room, but only three remain. The far-left column, which intersects the trail, lies shattered on the ground. Suddenly, there is a rush of wind pushing against the door and a woman's voice screams, "GET OUT!"
"I CANT! I GAVE MY WORD TO FREE WHO IS TRAPPED HERE!" Arthur draws Lawbringer and his shield, ready to use its flight magic at a moment's notice. "Allow me to help you."
He pushes the door open and sees the glowing image of a translucent woman floating in mid-air. Streams of energy, flow from her outstretched arms, wrapping a dark shape in the back of the chamber.
Arthur fully enters the room, "TELL ME HOW TO HELP YOU!"
The ghost turns toward Arthur's voice. Whatever she is holding back, surges forward, straining against her binding rays. Agnes and the others rush in behind the warrior and see the ghostly apparition. A roar echoes from the back of the room. The ghost screams in response and she fades away, her energy streams sputter and die.
A deep, raspy fills the room, "Finally, after all of these years."
The huge shape surges forward, stepping into the light cast by the glowing trail of acid.
Eight legs propel the creature into the light, revealing its monstrous form. Black scales cover the monster's leg and chest. Curved horns protrude from either side of its head, the scales on its face have been eaten away, leaving parts of its skull exposed. One green eye glows on the left side of its head and steam creeps out of the corners of its mouth. Wings unfurl from a body the size of a horse and a long tail swishes back and forth, stirring up clouds of dust behind the beast. A black orb gleams in the monster's right eye socket.
"Agnes, if things go south promise you’ll get them out." Arthur uses his helmet to teleport to the creature, thrusting Lawbringer toward the black orb.
The creature jerks its head back as the holy blade flares to life and instead of striking the false "eye", Arthur draws a deep gash along the side of the monster's face.
An arrow whistles past Arthur and shatters against the eight-legged dragon's chest, having failed to penetrate the thick hide. Arthur throws a glance over his shoulder and sees Davaa fitting another arrow to his bow.
Agnes shouts in her native tongue and assumes her true form. Gleaming silver scales shine in the half-light of the chamber.
Altan looses an arrow alongside Davaa's, but like his clansman's shot, it fails to hurt the Blinded God.
Chimeg breaks into a run, racing across the room and leaping over the acid stream, landing beside Arthur with her sickle and chain in hand.
The dragon swats at the Acolyte with the claws on its front pair of legs. Chimeg avoids the first set but is struck with the others. The claws leave deep cuts across one of her legs and she cries out in pain as the abomination spins, slamming Arthur across the chest with its tail, launching him backwards several feet.
"AH-H-H-H!" The scream rips though Arthur's throat as he feels the dragon's unholy essence tear through his body. He pushes the pain down and shoves himself forward, the light from Lawbringer blazes, an illumination to match the nimbus of light that surrounds him. The paladin delivers a pair of blows that tear through scales like tissue paper. The Blinded God roars, the power of its voice shaking the pillars holding the ceiling up.
Agnes launches herself across the room. The black-scaled dragon turns, slashing her across the face with a set of claws. Her jaws close one of the beast's horns and jerks his head sideways, exposing his throat to one of Davaa's arrows. Once again, the missile doesn't go in, just impacting on the surface and dropping a rain of splinters on those gathered nearby.
Altan fires another shot but the thrashing bodies makes it difficult to land a hot for him as well.
Chimeg pops the cork on a small flask she pulls from inside her robe and throws it at the Blinded God. The glass breaks, engulfing its head in a cloud of thick, white smoke.
The Blinded God grabs Ag'nesallynn by her forelimbs and wrenches her off of his neck, takes a deep breath and unleashes a stream of caustic chemicals at her. The silver dragon manages to twist aside, avoiding most of the spray but the scales of her right flank begin to bubble and blister.
Arthur attempts to go for the gem-eye one more time, slashing with Lawbringer. He grits his teeth, "Bring it you evil bastard!"
The eight-legged dragon turns its head and the paladin slashes and thrusts with his fiery sword, opening deep cuts in the Blinded God's flank.
Agnes unleashes a cone of icy breath. The blast hits the Blinded God in his left wing and shoulder, coating them in a thick.layer of ice.
Chimeg is there in a flash, swing her chain and sickle combination weapon. Both harmlessly bounce off of the thick hide without leaving so much as a scratch.
Davaa shatters another arrow against the Blinded God's flank while Altan's third arrow flies wide.
The black-scaled dragon turns its lone, true eye upon Arthur. The eye flashes green as its magic takes effect. Arthur’s flesh begins to turn gray as stone forms over him. He screams, marshaling his inner fortitude and fights through the petrifying gaze.
Arthur breathes for a split second and keeps on the assault. "Davaa! Altan! Shoot for his good eye!"
Malazzarr's holy warrior, still surrounded by angelic light, strikes again and again. The blows of his sword drive the Blinded God back, forcing it toward the shadows from where it emerged.
Ag'nesallynn leaps upon it, biting, clawing, punching with her wings. The eight-legged dragon begins to crumple under the repeated attacks. It starts to stagger, bleeding from multiple wounds.
Chimeg drops her weapon and draws upon her ki. She punches the dragon in the elbow with all of her might, eliciting a howl of pain.
Davaa takes a deep breath, draws back on his bowstring, and releases. His arrow flies straight, striking the false deity in the center of its forehead. The arrow shatters like all of the others before but this time, the Khur archer draws blood.
Altan's next shot goes wide, vanishing into the darkness.
"DIE, YOU FALSE GOD!" Arthur throws everything he can into striking the beast down and with one last thrust, drives his sword through the center of its chest and pierces the heart of the Blinded God. The dragon bellows and crashes backwards into a door hidden in the darkness at the back of the room.
Agnes launches herself across the room. The black-scaled dragon turns, slashing her across the face with a set of claws. Her jaws close one of the beast's horns and jerks his head sideways, exposing his throat to one of Davaa's arrows. Once again, the missile doesn't go in, just impacting on the surface and dropping a rain of splinters on those gathered nearby.
Altan fires another shot but the thrashing bodies makes it difficult to land a hot for him as well.
Chimeg pops the cork on a small flask she pulls from inside her robe and throws it at the Blinded God. The glass breaks, engulfing its head in a cloud of thick, white smoke.
The Blinded God grabs Ag'nesallynn by her forelimbs and wrenches her off of his neck, takes a deep breath and unleashes a stream of caustic chemicals at her. The silver dragon manages to twist aside, avoiding most of the spray but the scales of her right flank begin to bubble and blister.
Arthur attempts to go for the gem-eye one more time, slashing with Lawbringer. He grits his teeth, "Bring it you evil bastard!"
The eight-legged dragon turns its head and the paladin slashes and thrusts with his fiery sword, opening deep cuts in the Blinded God's flank.
Agnes unleashes a cone of icy breath. The blast hits the Blinded God in his left wing and shoulder, coating them in a thick.layer of ice.
Chimeg is there in a flash, swing her chain and sickle combination weapon. Both harmlessly bounce off of the thick hide without leaving so much as a scratch.
Davaa shatters another arrow against the Blinded God's flank while Altan's third arrow flies wide.
The black-scaled dragon turns its lone, true eye upon Arthur. The eye flashes green as its magic takes effect. Arthur’s flesh begins to turn gray as stone forms over him. He screams, marshaling his inner fortitude and fights through the petrifying gaze.
Arthur breathes for a split second and keeps on the assault. "Davaa! Altan! Shoot for his good eye!"
Malazzarr's holy warrior, still surrounded by angelic light, strikes again and again. The blows of his sword drive the Blinded God back, forcing it toward the shadows from where it emerged.
Ag'nesallynn leaps upon it, biting, clawing, punching with her wings. The eight-legged dragon begins to crumple under the repeated attacks. It starts to stagger, bleeding from multiple wounds.
Chimeg drops her weapon and draws upon her ki. She punches the dragon in the elbow with all of her might, eliciting a howl of pain.
Altan's next shot goes wide, vanishing into the darkness.
"DIE, YOU FALSE GOD!" Arthur throws everything he can into striking the beast down and with one last thrust, drives his sword through the center of its chest and pierces the heart of the Blinded God. The dragon bellows and crashes backwards into a door hidden in the darkness at the back of the room.
Arthur breathes heavily and walks over to Agnes as she transforms back into her elven body. "Are you okay?" She nods "yes" a little stiffly before Arthur checks on Chimeg and the others. "I say we take a little breather before going on."
The light suffusing the chamber begins to flicker, and the ghostly woman reappears. The spirit looks over at the remains of the black-scaled dragon and nods. "Peace at last..."
"You are free now. You can rest easy." Arthur turns and looks at the ghostly woman and bows slightly. "Thank you for all your did to hold it back."
As the ghost begins to fade, Chimeg leaps to her feet and calls out, "Are you the White Lady?"
The ghost's form stops fading and becomes more "solid."
"In life, some called me that."
Arthur asks, "What is your real name?"
The ghost ignores the questions. She seems...confused, or perhaps lost in thought. "Why have you come?" The voice feels like it is coming from far away even though she floats mere feet from the group.
Arthur gestures toward the acolyte, "This young woman, Chimeg came to us asking for help. Mother Gerel, a, I don't know, priestess, at the temple in Khuri-Khan, hadn't moved in days - seemingly lost in a trance. When I touched her, her eyes shot open glowing with white light. She said 'release the White Lady from her fastness in the Khalkist Mountains'. So we came here to do just that."
"Khuri-Khan... I remember that place. Yes. I remember. Thank you, warriors... al of you." The ghost fades from view, leaving behind an empty space in the air.
Arthur sits down and breaths for a moment. "Do you four wish to explore more or return to Mother Gerel?" He rotates his shoulder. "I'm alright with either but I at least would like to check those other two locked doors before we leave."
A general agreement of departing is voiced by the companions, with everyone wanting to see of Mother Gerel has recovered.
Arthur makes his way to the door where the Blinded God's body fell and slowly pushes it open the rest of the way, revealing a chest in the center of a 20' × 20' room.
Arthur heads over to the chest and crouches beside it. He looks it over and seeing nothing that blatantly screams, "I AM A TRAP" or "I AM A MIMIC" (something he has had an unpleasant experience with in the past) and opens the chest. The inside is packed with coins and Arthur sees a few small blue gems mixed in, and a well-made silver dagger.
The light suffusing the chamber begins to flicker, and the ghostly woman reappears. The spirit looks over at the remains of the black-scaled dragon and nods. "Peace at last..."
"You are free now. You can rest easy." Arthur turns and looks at the ghostly woman and bows slightly. "Thank you for all your did to hold it back."
As the ghost begins to fade, Chimeg leaps to her feet and calls out, "Are you the White Lady?"
The ghost's form stops fading and becomes more "solid."
"In life, some called me that."
Arthur asks, "What is your real name?"
The ghost ignores the questions. She seems...confused, or perhaps lost in thought. "Why have you come?" The voice feels like it is coming from far away even though she floats mere feet from the group.
Arthur gestures toward the acolyte, "This young woman, Chimeg came to us asking for help. Mother Gerel, a, I don't know, priestess, at the temple in Khuri-Khan, hadn't moved in days - seemingly lost in a trance. When I touched her, her eyes shot open glowing with white light. She said 'release the White Lady from her fastness in the Khalkist Mountains'. So we came here to do just that."
"Khuri-Khan... I remember that place. Yes. I remember. Thank you, warriors... al of you." The ghost fades from view, leaving behind an empty space in the air.
Arthur sits down and breaths for a moment. "Do you four wish to explore more or return to Mother Gerel?" He rotates his shoulder. "I'm alright with either but I at least would like to check those other two locked doors before we leave."
A general agreement of departing is voiced by the companions, with everyone wanting to see of Mother Gerel has recovered.
Arthur makes his way to the door where the Blinded God's body fell and slowly pushes it open the rest of the way, revealing a chest in the center of a 20' × 20' room.
Arthur heads over to the chest and crouches beside it. He looks it over and seeing nothing that blatantly screams, "I AM A TRAP" or "I AM A MIMIC" (something he has had an unpleasant experience with in the past) and opens the chest. The inside is packed with coins and Arthur sees a few small blue gems mixed in, and a well-made silver dagger.
"Altan, Davaa, I'm going to need a hand with this," Arthur informs his guides. Working together, all five party members manage to get the chest across the acid stream and out of the temple.
The quintet makes their way back down the mountain and sets up camp. Chimeg treats everyone's injuries while the treasure is counted and sorted.
"I'll take the dagger and these two gems," Arthur announces. The rest of this can be split between the rest of you."
The paladin removes his armor, revealing a mass of bruises and cuts. Chimeg puts in some stitches on the deeper wounds and wraps his ribs in a bandage while Altan starts a fire to prepare the evening meal.
After asking about everyone else's injuries, Arthur tells Davaa to keep the green-cloaked mercenary's sword. The Khur guides thank Arthur for his generosity. Chimeg reveals that she will take only a handful of coins as her order maintains a vow of poverty.
Arthur pulls out the book of the Solamnic Knights Agnes gifted him and tries to finish it, learning as much as he can. "Davaa, once we leave the city how many days do you think we will have until we reach our destination?"
The quintet makes their way back down the mountain and sets up camp. Chimeg treats everyone's injuries while the treasure is counted and sorted.
"I'll take the dagger and these two gems," Arthur announces. The rest of this can be split between the rest of you."
The paladin removes his armor, revealing a mass of bruises and cuts. Chimeg puts in some stitches on the deeper wounds and wraps his ribs in a bandage while Altan starts a fire to prepare the evening meal.
After asking about everyone else's injuries, Arthur tells Davaa to keep the green-cloaked mercenary's sword. The Khur guides thank Arthur for his generosity. Chimeg reveals that she will take only a handful of coins as her order maintains a vow of poverty.
Arthur pulls out the book of the Solamnic Knights Agnes gifted him and tries to finish it, learning as much as he can. "Davaa, once we leave the city how many days do you think we will have until we reach our destination?"
"From Alek-Khan? Two days to Tur and one more to Ak-Baral. When we get there, we'll see about finding you another guide the rest of the way into Neraka."
"I appreciate all you two have done for us," Arthur tells Davaa and Altan.
Davaa laughs, "We appreciate being well paid and the hefty bonus on top!"
Altan looks toward Agnes, "And learning about the gods," he adds.
Agnes smiles softly and nods in his direction.
17 Newkolt 349 AC
The next morning, the group rises. Camp is broken and the horses are saddled while Altan prepares a breakfast of eggs and trout with small, fried potatoes.
By noon, the group rides into Alek-Khan. Chimeg takes her leave of the group and joins up with a group of merchants headed back to Khuri-Khan.
"I appreciate all you two have done for us," Arthur tells Davaa and Altan.
Davaa laughs, "We appreciate being well paid and the hefty bonus on top!"
Altan looks toward Agnes, "And learning about the gods," he adds.
Agnes smiles softly and nods in his direction.
17 Newkolt 349 AC
The next morning, the group rises. Camp is broken and the horses are saddled while Altan prepares a breakfast of eggs and trout with small, fried potatoes.
By noon, the group rides into Alek-Khan. Chimeg takes her leave of the group and joins up with a group of merchants headed back to Khuri-Khan.
MEANWHILE, BACK IN PASHIN ...
Garek lifted his bloody mace from the broken body of the innkeeper. "Thank you for your cooperation, Donson." He passed one of his troopers a scrap of paper. "Our stolen coin is hidden here. Retrieve it and bring it to the camp. I will join you there, shortly. I need to go ask our employers for a little favor."
The mercenary captain, his mace dripping with gore, then turned to the Kender tied to the top of the bar. "As for you, you little vermin. What else did the knight and his woman say to you?"
Garek lifted his bloody mace from the broken body of the innkeeper. "Thank you for your cooperation, Donson." He passed one of his troopers a scrap of paper. "Our stolen coin is hidden here. Retrieve it and bring it to the camp. I will join you there, shortly. I need to go ask our employers for a little favor."
The mercenary captain, his mace dripping with gore, then turned to the Kender tied to the top of the bar. "As for you, you little vermin. What else did the knight and his woman say to you?"
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