Ports' Gambit Session 2
General Summary
The following morning, the group gathered themselves at the The Smiling Crab Tavern and set out to find the Veleta Stone Circle, located about 5km east of Beachdenn. The morning was brisk, but not too cold, and the hike to the area took them along the main road north and east of town around Gilmeny Lake.
An hour and a half later, they arrived in the area, with the large stone structures standing atop a small hill. The sun towered above them in the sky, casting short shadows. The group took some time to examine the structures and Penguin relayed that, despite living in the area for most of his life, he had never been here before. After a few minutes of searching, Chupa Saltamontes managed to locate a hole in the ground under a nearby bush, just like Saemuel Fletcher had said.
Kregsmum peered down into the darkness, judging it to be about 10 or 12 feet deep. At the bottom she could see the rope and backpack that Saemuel had left behind. Xolos went into his pack and found a rope that he tied around the closest stone carving, and tossed the remainder down into the pit. The group slowly climbed down one at a time, with Kregsmum lighting a torch once she got in.
They checked the backpack and found 8 silver pieces along with an uneaten apple. Penguin pocketed the apple and the group split up the silver among them. Four passages leading in four different directions lay before them. Multiple tracks, including what appeared to be Saemuel's and multiple other sets could be seen leading to the northern passage. The group decided to head into the western passage, with the barbarian leading the way.
As they wound their way through the darkness, the tunnel gradually grew more and more narrow. After passing a fork in the trail, they entered a round room with a large stone sarcophagus in the center. Xolos, Penguin, and Chupa examined the lid and were able to discover some runes carved into it. The language appeared to be in a derivation of Dwarvish. Kregsmum struggled a bit, but was eventually able to slide the lid off. Inside they found the skeletal remains of some individual clutching a rusty sword. After determining it was likely too dull to be of any worth, Kregsmum gently ran her hand along the blade and cut herself. She gave Penguin a sour look and they put the lid back on it, in hopes of not angering any additional curses that may exist in the crypt.
They closed the door behind them and headed down the unexplored arm of the western wing. As they arrived at the door, the hair on the backs of their necks rose and they felt an ill sensation near the door. Discretion being the better part of valor, they decided not investigate that passage any further. The group headed back to the beginning and decided to investigate the south wing.
The path forked once more and the tunnel, again, grew more and more narrow. The room they entered had four large sarcophagi in it, with time-worn carvings of various figures on them. A slight feeling of unease came over some of the group, while Penguin and Spruce Springstream began to suffer the effects of claustrophobia. Kregsmum began to pry open the graves one at a time, but was only successful in opening two of them. Once again they found another skeleton clutching a rusty blade while the other one was completely empty.
Two additional doors presented themselves as further options for exploration: one at the north side of the room and another at the east side. The group chose to head east, and as they entered it they found yet another round room with another stone sarcophagus in the center. This one had large, very clear writing on it in what appeared to be the same language as before. Unfortunately none of them could read it, so the barbarian attempted to open it. At this point, her strength was failing her and she was unable to lift it.
The group headed back to the previous room with the four tombs. This time they would investigate the northern passage. Just as Penguin leaned in to investigate the door, he was immediately beset by a dark, ominous sensation of forboding. He could feel that the air in the door's immediate vicinity was at least 10 degrees colder than the surrounding temperature. He stepped back and, with a slight quiver in his voice, suggested that they leave. The group agreed and they all hurried back to the entrance.
They decided to just drop the dagger that Saemuel had given near the entrance and take his backpack as proof that they had been to the crypt. They climbed up the rope into the daylight, but Spruce had difficulty due to the claustrophobia. He tied the rope around himself quickly and the group began to lift him up. As he neared the top of the crypt, just barely in reach of the party, he heard a gravely boom out of the darkness from the southern wing. It spoke in an unknown language, but it sounded angry. A being stepped forward, just barely into the light, and for an instant Spruce could see it. A humanoid shaped figure with pale skin, white hair, and black armor stood in the shadows watching angrily as Spruce was hoisted out.
The being yelled out again, with Spruce casting Vicious Mockery on him. The creature yelled out in rage while the party began to head back to town. Storm clouds were gathering on the horizon, and Penguin recognized that the winter storms that ravage this part of the coast were in season.
They arrived back in Beachdenn an hour and a half later and found Saemuel waiting for them outside the tavern. He greeted them warmly. The color had returned to his face and he looked much more healthy than when they had first met. They asked how long he had had the blade before he began to feel sick, and he guessed it was a little more than a day. The group appeared concerned, but that was soon dispelled when Saemuel provided them with two gold pieces as payment. Spruce asked if he had heard of a group called "the Society" but Saemuel informed him that he hadn't. He added that he enjoys going on long walks and visiting nearby towns and that he would keep an ear out and ask around for him. Spruce and Xolos seemed encouraged by this and thanked him.
The group decided to head into the tavern before the storm arrived...
Rewards Granted
- XP: 150xp per player
- 5 silver pieces, 6 copper pieces per player
- Inspiration point for Spruce Springstream
Missions/Quests Completed
Wicked Blade
Character(s) interacted with
Related Reports
Report Date
14 Jan 2022
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Related Characters
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