Session 04
General Summary
Nex Pervenio had a couple of days of downtime in Hommlet. The place bustled with activity as
soldiers prepared to head out on manouevres. There would be many legionnaires and dwarf
mercenaries headed to the temple ruins soon, to begin a purge. And Nex Pervenio would be there
too. While the legionnaires would patrol above ground, dealing with any cultist patrols and camps,
Nex Pervenio would be despatched to specific areas of interest.
12th February and the troops were mobilised and ready to depart. Sister Columba came along too.
It was about a half day march to the temple ruins. It was a scene of utter devastation covering a
huge area with immense piles of weathered rubble, jagged rocks and debris. Amidst the
destruction were occasional intact structures, the walls around a couple of rooms or the top of a
turret. Eerily there was no sign of life - no trees, grass or even moss growing - which disturbed
Mika and Dash in particular. However there were signs of recent activity - freshly shifted slag
heaps and worn paths through the rubble.
Sister Columba pointed out Nex Pervenio's first target. Rough stairs led down into darkness. The
area outside was surrounded by heaps of excavated debris and the signs of many feet passing back
and forth. It seems the cultists are digging to uncover something of particular interest or
significance. Before plunging underground, Nex Pervenio were advised to explore and clear as
much of the area as possible before retreating - the unstable ruins might collapse, or the
inhabitants flee if given opportunity.
Adjusting their torches, Nax Pervenio descended the stairs. Debris littered the floor, cracks ran
through the walls and stairs, the footing was uneven - the place was clearly not dwarven built. At
the foot of the stairs was a crossing of corridors, though two of the directions were completely
choked with collapsed rock. Round the corner were more stairs down, another crossroads and yet
more rockfalls. Firelight spilled out of a large room. Dash and Shinobi snuck forward. Four
cultists lurked near a fire, talking in low voices. To one side was a large winding mechanism
attached to a wooden platform over a hole in the floor.
Dash took aim and surprised the cultists with a volley of arrows out of the dark. One of them
grabbed a burning log from the fire to use as a torch and charged forward. The others drew
weapons and approached at a more moderate pace. The rest of Nex Pervenio leapt down the stairs
to support their comrades. The fight was confined in the doorway, the cultists working hard to get
amongst their foes and disrupt their tactics. One of the cultists kept back, calling out targets and
pointing out weak spots to his colleagues. Dash and Valun bore the brunt of the initial attacks. But
soon enough the cultists were all slain and Nex Pervenio had easily prevailed.
Peeking down the shaft it looked to be some 50' deep. The wooden platform looked pretty sturdy,
in fact it seemed that barrow loads of rubble had been hauled up on it. It was clearly a recent
cultist installation, not a relic from 500 years ago. So everyone piled on and the lever was pulled
to begin the descent. As the platform steadily and smoothly travelled down the shaft, voices from
below were heard. They seemed to be shouting encouragement. As the platform neared the
bottom, it became possible to see ahead down a corridor. A couple of cultists with crowbars were
struggling with some heavy stone doors. The doors slid aside with a sudden pop. As the cultists
peered beyond, their triumph turned to fear at what lay beyond - a flesh golem! It obliterated one
cultist with a mighty fist while the other fled.
Meanwhile, the platform had completed its descent. Nex Pervenio cautiously stepped off and
waited to see what was happening. They hoped that the golem and the cultists would attack one
another and they could mop up the aftermath. But the crazed golem came shambling straight in
their direction! It trampled all in its path, swinging huge fists as it went. Nex Pervenio fought it off
as best they could, while preparing for the cultists to enter the fray. Mika dodged past the golem,
intending to distract the cultists, but was forced to retreat after being greeted by a hail of arrows.
The cultists had picked up bows and were keeping a safe distance from the golem while taking
potshots. The golem continued to rampage around the corridor but being whittled down all the
while. Finally it dropped in a heap to Nex Pervenio's relief. They cautiously advanced to the end
of the corridor, under heavy bow fire. Cultists lurked in shadows and behind makeshift barricades.
But Nex Pervenio had brought far superior firepower and swiftly eliminated their foes.
Catching their breath they examined their surroundings. Two corridors were completely blocked
with fallen rubble. It seemed the only exit was where the golem had come from. The room was
filled with piles of rock, with barrows and spades scattered around. Crates and barrels contained
rudimentary supplies. Of special interest was a note found on the overseer's body.
"It seems the former Emperor Trajan is not entirely dead, despite having fallen in battle here 500 years ago. Perhaps he can be persuaded to further our cause or even attempt to reclaim his crown. Regardless he should be a valuable weapon. Excavate his resting place and explore this opportunity. Lareth"
Report Date
10 Apr 2024
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