The Keys of Telku / The Temple of the Apocalypse pt. 18 / Fos the 1st, 3593 CE / 7-19-20

General Summary

The Adventurers are locked in battle with ghoul cultists and their earth elemental servants, but are able to effectively vanquish their foes, with only one ghoul escaping. As they explore the complex beneath the Temple of the Apocalypse further, they come across a great dining hall, which Waldo determines was at one time the site of a furious battle, as well a wing that seemed to serve as the prison, with cells and torture chamber. The far northwest corner of the complex is a spiral staircase leading further down, but Sargem reminds the team of their original goal, which was to secure this level by defeating the head priest of the Stonefall Society and attempt to locate the book they seek. He indicates these goals would be best served by heading east. A secret passage discovered by Uli and Waldo has given the party a more direct route to the heart of the Stonefall complex, where they notice that the decor has become more ornate, with the tell-tale symbol of the temple, the obsidian triangle, has been inlaid on the floor, and bas reliefs of death by means the earth cracking open or falling from the sky cover the walls. Following the triangles, the Adventurers find themselves before massive double doors. Opening them reveals the most unique room they've encountered yet; a massive chamber with a natural earthen floor and a large earthen pyramid at its center, the walls covered in a glowing lichen that dimly illuminates the heart of the earth temple. From somewhere within, chanting can be heard, and so the party cautiously makes their way to the southern end of the room, where they are confronted by Romag, the High Priest of Stonefall, and several of this servants, including a massive earth elemental which towers over the party, glowering at them. Romag is not immediately aggressive towards the intruders, instead implying that an alliance may be possible, and so Moss uses his powers of negotiation to come to an accord. The high priest tells them that the true power of the temple's factions is contained within their respective sub-levels by the wards that Manzorian put in place twenty years ago. He also makes it clear that there is a good deal of in-fighting between the Stonefall Society and their fellow factions; the Crashing Wave, the Howling Fury, and especially, the Sign of Everfire. The party puts two and two together, realizes that evidence points to the Everfire cult as being behind the loss of the book as well as various other attacks on party members. Romag agrees to help the party if they focus their energies on attacking the followers of flame, and Moss documents the truce. In addition to revealing the means by which to use the throne in the temples main altar to descend past the complex's of water and air, Romag also gives the party permission to take several valuable magical items. The Adventurers equip, they begin planning their next steps.

Rewards Granted

3 jars of restorative ointment, wand of paralyzation (38 charges), rope of climbing, ring of protection +2, +3 ghost touch studded leather, +2 morningstar of wounding (Brain-Eater)

Character(s) interacted with

Adrienne Kirk, Moss Cherry-Blossom Quickroot, Henry Skalitz, Waldo Worksong, Roisyll, Blur, Uli, Tenser, Sargem, Romag, Ironlaw, ghouls, earth elementals

Report Date

02 Aug 2020