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Post by Heret Velnnarul on Mar 18, 2019 17:13:09 GMT
7 Ches, 1396 AR
at the Temple of Waukeen, Daring Heights
Woke today after, the physicks say, more than a tenday sleeping and at some times close to death. With much labour they have now found a way to revive the afflicted, though too late to save about 120 unfortunates.
It seems that I was found in my rooms at the Gilded Mirror and brought to the Temple in company with other guests there who had fallen sick, and here have been cared for by the clerks and physicks, including some from a kobold city N of here.
The gates and teleportation circle are still barred, and I must assume that Lasira is still in Amn and prevented from returning. I can learn little from my sick-bed and must wait for my strength to return before I can know what has become of construction work.
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Post by Heret Velnnarul on Mar 18, 2019 17:13:41 GMT
9 Ches, 1396 AR
at the Gilded Mirror, Daring Heights
Around noon the clerks of the Coinmaiden assented to my protestations and allowed me to leave the Temple. Still a little weak but well enough to walk and work, and so returned to my lodgings here.
In the afternoon the gates were opened and teleportation again permitted, for all are satisfied that those who have not perished are restored, and the bodies of the dead have been burned and all made safe from infection. Sent word at once to Lasira, who will return tomorrow.
Walked a little around and without the town. Very quiet. As I feared, work on the trading post has been quite abandoned and no real progress since I fell ill. Have sent messengers to learn the condition of all the labourers and whether those still living are ready to take up their tools again. If we can begin again tomorrow, the delay will only amount to about a tenday and a half.
Too tired now to do much more. Must do better tomorrow. Much lost time to make up.
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Post by Heret Velnnarul on Mar 18, 2019 17:14:12 GMT
10 Ches, 1396 AR
at the Gilded Mirror, Daring Heights
Lasira has returned. Work resumed on the trading post under her supervision. Three labourers perished in the Lassitude (as locals have named the malady) but have been easily replaced, for all in town have had their livelihood injured by these events are eager to earn a day’s coin again. Lasira expects the work to be finished around 12 Tarsakh.
After much time spent tending to the books and checking inventory, have now turned to future plans. Today posted a notice seeking assistance to explore the route to the darkwood forest whereof the myconids told. We begin tomorrow.
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Post by Heret Velnnarul on Mar 18, 2019 17:15:16 GMT
11 Ches, 1396 AR
near the cave of the green myconids, beneath Daring Heights(?)
Scouted the way to the darkwood forest. Now resting for the night on return journey.
Hired:
- Zig
- Pieni
- Keriss
Agreed fee 10gp each as minimal danger intended, and ⅕ of any gains. Again all agreed without negotiation! These are astonishing people. Party more disciplined this time, took instructions and largely did not act without approval.
Set off in the morning. An enterprising farmer has set up a rope ladder into the chasm and tried to charge a toll for its use – he was dismayed to find that I had one of my own!
Difficult to count time in the tunnels but journey took most part of the day, perhaps until the middle of the afternoon. On the way, met a green myconid. It knew us and behaved as if we had met, but I believe it was not one of those we met before: more evidence of some kind of shared experience among them. Creature told us its people are well established in their new home.
K sketched a competent image of the myconid. Seems he keeps a journal of unaccustomed creatures. NOTE: consider whether K’s skills in technical drawing can be useful to the Venture.
Darkwood cavern is protected by a tripwire that rings a bell (location marked on map). No guards however and wire is easily avoided if seen. Cavern itself is several miles across and ~180ft high, and about ½ mile or 1 mile below surface. Tunnel lets out onto a ledge ~80ft up the side; below is a huge lake. Vast darkwood forest growing downward from the roof of the cavern. Under-elves have established a substantial lumber operation: ~50 labourers, supervisors, &c., working on suspended platforms & walkways, even small ships on the lake. Seems trees are felled and caught by ropes / chains then taken to another ledge on far side for processing and, presumably, removal to some other location. No obvious way down to lake from our ledge. We left unnoticed.
Will be v. difficult to take cavern by force; unclear what possibilities for negotiation.
Camping here for night. Should reach surface again tomorrow morning.
Own conduct: adequate, though unable to see much in cavern because light v. dim. TASK: seek way to see better in darkness.
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Post by Heret Velnnarul on Mar 18, 2019 17:16:12 GMT
12 Ches, 1396 AR
at the Gilded Mirror, Daring Heights
Returned from the chasm without further incident.
Found: nothing of value.
Payments:
- Pieni: 10gp agreed fee
- Keriss: 10gp agreed fee
- Zig: 10gp agreed fee
TASK: finalize map of route to darkwood cavern
After returning to lodgings, went out to talk to townsfolk and research ‘Gladstone’, apparent hero of the tapestry found last month in Stoneleaf Quarry. Many knew nothing. From others, learned that G was a devout warrior from the early days of the town. The bartender of the Three-Headed Ettin remembers him dimly. He led a group to the quarry some years ago and was never heard of again. Unfortunately not enough historical interest to add to value of tapestry.
Also asked people about Stoneleaf itself. Settlement grew by the quarry, which was source of much stone used to build DH originally. Quarry originally owned and operated by first (and last) mayor of the town, named Daffles. Seems he disappeared and is now known to have been trapped by the crone Longtooth until her recent destruction. Thereafter he was freed and went into quiet retirement, probably in Faerûn. Still owns the quarry but seems to care little for it, and certain parties are rumoured to be interested in acquiring it by some means or other.
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Post by Heret Velnnarul on Mar 18, 2019 17:16:46 GMT
13 Ches, 1396 AR
in camp on the Stone Road, near Stoneleaf
It seems Pieni had also been thinking of Stoneleaf, for this morning he told me that he intended to return there and further fathom the catacombs. Agreed to accompany him, as did Keriss and Zig. Camping now after riding most of the day.
Realized while riding that Zozo was due to be reshod some days ago while I was sick and this now overdue. TASK: have Zozo reshod on return to DH.
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Post by Heret Velnnarul on Mar 18, 2019 17:18:00 GMT
14 Ches, 1396 AR
in camp on the Stone Road, near Daring Heights
Completed some further reconnaissance of the quarry, now returning to DH. Some way outside Stoneleaf, accosted on road by large ape-like creature ~10ft tall, apparently already known to P and Z and named Gormaz, with 8 allies poorly concealed in shrubs thereabout. Had glimpsed this figure in the distance in last visit here but now met face-to-face. He conveyed to us, in a rather unpractised manner, that he wished to rob us. I was inclined to refuse this offer but P attempted to negotiate. This proving unsuccessful, he then conjured a large grey leathery creature with a curved horn on its nose, and sat upon it - which also failed to influence the situation for the better. Next, Z and K incited distrust between the ape and his comrades, in particular by Z's ingenious use of divine magics to compel several of the others to admit they intended to betray the larger fellow. In the end the robbers fled, leaving the despondent ape reconsidering his future. I tried to hire him for a porter but the others persuaded him to try killing people and stealing their goods - which seemed to me indistinguishable from his previous occupation, save that (and this is no small point) he would do it to others and not to us.
Having rid ourselves of Gormaz, entered quarry. Unchanged since last time. Pressing on past the Gladstone room, encountered intense magical heat in corridor. Pushing through this (painfully) we came to chamber with tall sarcophagus enclosing gigantic armoured skeleton, similar height and build to Oriloki. Skeleton became mobile and attacked but we defeated it without great trouble. The sarcophagus itself, set against the wall, appears rigged to slide aside like a door, a through a crack I saw dark void beyond, but Z sensed great undead power there so we agreed to return better prepared another day.
Own conduct: should have been quicker to take advantage of Gormaz’ confusion and persuade him to work for the Company before others interfered. TASK: practice opportunity scenarios.
Gains:
1 jar of 10 preserved eyeballs each embedded with a precious gem (val. of gems ~28gp each),
1 enchanted cloak (val. ~295gp),
1 detached skull of the monster, apparently able to repeat phrases by rote (val. ~230gp),
P placed two of the eyes into the skull and we removed the remaining gems and distributed them.
Distribution of gains:
- Keriss: cloak - 107.75 gp (distributed to rest of party) = 187.25 gp in value
- Pieni: skull & jar of eyes (without gems) - 42.75gp (distributed to rest of party) = 187.25 gp in value
- Zig: 187.25 gp in coin & gems = 187.25gp in value
self: 187.25 gp in coin & gems = 187.25gp in value
TASK: update map of tunnels.
TASK: in due course return for further exploration, well prepared against undead & necromancy.
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Post by Varis/G'Lorth/Sundilar on Mar 18, 2019 20:54:43 GMT
It is entirely possible that a certain Paladin could be persuaded to join Heret in further investigation of Stoneleaf, especially if some accommodation concerning access to the quarry could be reached.
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Post by Varis/G'Lorth/Sundilar on Mar 18, 2019 20:55:17 GMT
P.S. great write up as usual!
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Post by andycd on Mar 19, 2019 8:58:18 GMT
Phenomenal. Inspiration abounds with Heret Velnnarul!
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