S2- Well, That’s Can’t Be Good

S2- Well, That’s Can’t Be Good

[Brother Amsel Ur (Bill), his bodyguard Ferris D’Gerum (Ray), guide/physician Hawkin Godling (Julian)]

The Camp: Sunset put an orange hue upon the western trees as Ferris led them into the clearing of the rabble-rouser camp. Hawkin’s calls “We come in peace” went unanswered as they neared the 3 crude structures of wooden walls and tarp roofs. Stacks of felled trees and lumber implied intent to grow the camp. Stacked and mortared stone ringed an obvious well near the center of the camp. Even the insects seemed to have deserted the place as silence prevailed. “Thump, thump.” Amsel turned towards the nearest hut whose crude door swung with the breeze.

Ferris was the first to notice the scratch marks upon the door and frame: pummeled, damaged by improvised weapons. The lock busted from the outside. The scent in the air and the low buzzing sound foretold what lay within. He raised his own blade in one hand while he raised the other to hold back brother Amsel as he stepped inside. Five bloated bodies lay in mangled positions. Flies swarmed the bodies crawling in and out of every exposed orifice. Amsel cut the cords holding the tarp roof so he could let light into the hovel. Hawkin entered to examine the bodies. Ripples under the skin implied fly eggs had already hatched as confirmed by maggots, “From the bloated stomachs and maggots, I’d say they died days ago. These are mostly claw-like cuts.” Ten cots implied there might be survivors. Weapons strewn about implied they put up a fight, “No slashing cuts to suggest the Cohorts found them. Something else lurks in these woods.” They gazed at one of the dead, “Hard to tell with the bloating, but he looks like our church thief, Magdar Uthur.”

The second smaller hut proved to be a supply shed. The largest building proved to be a central gathering hall filled with crates, tables, and food supplies. Deserted, no bodies. Hawkin found papers that listed names, “Their recruits. I recognize some of the names as from Ruehardy. There’s coded markings I can’t make out. We should either burn the papers or at least take them to keep them out of the Cohorts’ hands.” While Amsel found the begging bowl, Ferris found a coin pouch (Rethem and Tharda stampings). Ferris advised, “This is the most defensible building. I say we start a fire just outside the door to backlight any assailants.” Amsel offered, “We still have fading dusk to search outside.” And that’s how they found 2 more bodies covered with a blanket. Hawkin inspected the bodies and realized, “They were the first to die, at least a day or two earlier than those in the first hut. Strange that they have no outward wounds.”

The Well: And that’s when they heard shuffling sounds coming from the well at the center of the camp. Ferris found muddy prints that indicated something climbed in and out of the well. Amsel was already dragging cut wood toward the well, “We block its opening and even stack a heavy crate on top to keep in whatever evil lurks below. String metal drinking cups above to create an alarm if anything tries to move the blockage.”

The sun had already set yet they still had business to attend, “We need to burn the dead else spirits consume their souls. Let’s drag those 2 bodies into the hut, knock down the walls, and torch the thing as a funeral pyre.” Amsel stood nearby and said prayers over the bodies before they retired to the center building where Hawkin took first watch. It was midnight when clanging from the well alerted him to something trying to escape. With torch and spear in hand, he inspected the well… the blockage still in place. It was another 20 minutes before the rattling noise stopped. He heard the faint sound of splashing as if something jumped into the well water and walked away. Then silence. He relayed the news to Ferris who took next watch. His shift was uneventful as was Amsel’s watch that included him making breakfast.

Sunrise: “You want to WHAT?! Find what lurks below?! Are you crazy?” They gathered lamp oil, torches, rope, and spear. They tied the rope under Ferris’ armpits, so his hands were free to wield his sword and torch as they lowered him down the 12-foot shaft. Hawkin then Amsel descended, then followed their warrior who trudged thru the murky knee-deep water of the underground grotto with its 9ft ceiling. They soon came to a rise out of the water which led them to a narrow passage that required them to crawl single file for about 5ft. Ferris kept the torch forward to ward off any attacker till he was able to stand. Onward they pressed till the cave opened unto rubble from the wall of a man-made room.

Crypt: Within, they saw several sarcophagi with one more ornate than the others. All of their lids had been opened. Ferris had to step down to enter the room. He saw the outline of a door along the far wall. The floor was littered with treasure and pictures stacked along the walls. Murals and wall paintings implied royalty. But his attention was drawn to the figure that sat up in the ornate sarcophagus: under its cloth wrappings, he could see his torchlight reflect off of metal armor. But most chilling was the greeting offered, “Ah, my sacrifices. I’ve been waiting.” And that’s when three other mummies sat up in their sarcophagus and began to climb out! Ferris wisely called for a tactical retreat. Hawkin jabbed with his spear to keep the nearest undead from Ferris who had to turn his back to climb out of the crypt. Fortune his leather boots protected him from the claw-swipe of one undead. The trio scrambled in retreat to the sound of laughter, “I can wait for an eternity.”

They paused at the other side of the narrow passage as Ferris offered this the best place to attack the undead who would have to crawl single file. Yet there was no pursuit. They exited the well and replaced the barricade. Amsel was breathing hard as he explained, “I’ve mostly studied about spirits. But I think that was a lich and his mindless minions who are associated with Morgath. I say we enlist the villagers if we hope to vanquish this foul undead. Offer the treasure and revenge for the death of their fellow men killed in this camp. Perhaps the widow Theorena would be our best contact so we can avoid involving Reeve Tobin who reports to the Cohorts. No reason to let them get their hands on the treasure.”

It was dusk by the time they reached Ruehardy. Theorena helped them round up a few trustworthy villagers to include the hothead son whose father was killed by an owlbear. It was another day travel to return to the camp where the three villagers armed themselves with weapons left by the dead. At least the well was still barricaded. Ferris led the nighttime raid as they retraced their steps in the caves below. It was Ferris who slipped into the crypt room and stealthfully approached the first sarcophagus. The splash of oil then applied torch awoke the foul undead who sat up mouthing his silent scream. Well, silent to human ears… the lich and his minions heard and arose.

Round One: By now all had entered the crypt. Ferris engaged the lich while Hawkin and Amsel each had an undead rail against them. The villagers… paused in horror at the sight of undead. They first had to battle their fears as an undead closed on them. Ferris held his own against the lich as each wielded a longsword with equal reach and skill. While Amsel managed to fend off his assailant, one undead closed ranks inside Hawkin’s spear defense and slashed his left arm.   

Round Two: The lich mocked Ferris as they danced with clashing blades. Hawkin managed to keep his undead at bay while the meek Amsel actually tripped his attacker allowing him the opportunity to splash lamp oil. One villager saw the opening and rushed forward to torch the undead.

Round Three: Ferris blocked aside the lich’s slash and drove his blade deep into its abdomen (Impale). Amsel rallied to Hawkin’s aid against his foe and thus was able to trip the foul creature.

Round Four: Leaving his sword to cause further damage, Ferris drew his dagger yet failed to hit. At least he had his shield raised to block the counterattack. Hawkin stood over his foe and jabbed with his spear but missed as it rolled out of the way. Amsel threw his last vial of oil and soaked the ground where the undead had been.

Round five: Ferris pressed his attack with his dagger scoring another abdomen hit yet was unsuccessful in disarming the lich. Neither Hawkin nor Amsel could keep their foe pinned nor score hits.

Round six: Ferris had the advantage over the lich yet his shorter-ranged dagger was no match for the longsword reach. That is: until the lich raised its sword poised to slash downward. Ferris stepped in and thrust his dagger into its exposed abdomen while blocking the sword attack with his shield. As for the undead minion, it stood and swiped at Amsel’s left arm, rending it useless (0 HP remaining). The Peoni brother staggered backwards in prayer (failed to cast Tirrala’s Cure). Hawking used the opening to thrust with his spear, hitting the undead in its leg and thus knocked it prone once more.

Round seven: Thankfully the villagers found their courage and joined the fight against the remaining foe. Soon the lich and its lone minion were vanquished.

The villagers gleefully stuffed their pockets with scattered coins while the trio tended wounds. Amsel was able to “Cure” his left arm to then perform first aid on his bodyguard, Ferris. Hawkin treated his own minor wounds before the trio also gathered treasure.

Once healed, they turned their attention to the back door. They found the pivoting point to open the stone door and thus revealed another chamber filled with pictures and unrecognizable script. Diagrams implied some kind of (Egyptian) embalming techniques.

Another door opened to a room with walls painted in frescos of sailing ships being attacked by kraken and other sea creatures. While the paintings evoked vivid scenes, the 5ft staff in the center of the room drew their attention as it stood out with no obvious purpose. It was gold plated and covered in the same unrecognizable script. “Perhaps it has archaeological value to High Priest Jorom Borskin back in Coranan.” We should hide it and our treasure in the wagon’s false bottom as we make our way home.” They made certain to encourage the villagers to keep this vault secret, “Display your treasure and invite the Cohorts to further rob you blind. They would surely torture you to find out the location of this vault and strip it bare. Them what would you have to show for yourselves?”

Homeward Bound: Brother Amsel didn’t have to cast his “Connection” spell to read the thoughts of the villagers who accompanied them back to Ruehardy. Within weeks they would begin spending their treasure to better their lives. If only the leader of the rabble-rouser camp was still alive to rally his followers. Prayers and hope was all Amsel could offer.

They were just outside Geshtei when 3 riders intercepted their wagon. Two lightly armored men accompanied their leader dressed in fine clothing who addressed the trio, “Halt in the name of Lord Merbid. I am Oswald, the lordship’s tax collector, come to invoke the road tax.” Ferris held the reigns tight to still his desire to confront these highway men. Hawkin emptied the lint out of his pockets as he offered medicine instead for the required 20-shilling tax. Amsel also played the destitute as he showed a few coins. Oswald accepted their meager 18 shillings offering and he and his men road off.

Coranan: High Priest Jorom Borskin was pleased with their success and return of the sacred prayer bowl. He was intrigued with their story of the lich and the displayed staff, “A buried ancient crypt you say. Perhaps you should seek out the Guild of Arcane Lore as to its purpose and history.” For a small fee, the lore master studied the script on the staff, “Appears to be ancient Hepekerian (a continent south of Harn). Maybe it’s providence that the Church of Save K’nor in Shira, Tharda is hosting a visiting scholar from Hepekeria. Perhaps you should seek him out.

Brother Amsel used his position within the Peoni church to study the library regarding Hepekeria:

A large island separated from Lythia by the Elanas. Hepekeria is mostly desert and semi-desert but there are grasslands and evergreen hardwood forests along the coast. Most Hepekerians are semi-nomadic tribesmen and are among the world’s finest warriors, a hard and sometimes cruel people. The tribes/clans of the interior dry lands are somewhat organized into a confederacy that does little to prevent conflict among them and seems to exist only to keep foreigners out of the region. The coastal regions are civilized but those who dwell around the cities are shunned by their desert cousins, the Numec. These desert nomads, who dwell in one of Lythia’s harshest regions, consider themselves the “nobility” of Hepekeria, looking with disdain on the Falani and Korlic peoples of the coast. Little is known of the desert since few outsiders who venture off the trade routes emerge with their lives. Rumors persist of fanciful beasts and hidden riches beneath the sands.

TO BE CONTINUED: