Dark Cathedral Aftermath

General Summary

Ready'reat 15th, 595 CY

2024-02-26 and 2025-03-12

After meeting with Allustan, the Topknots gathered to meet with the garrison commander, Tolliver Trask. Led by Crichton, and accompanied by Allustan, they were allowed into the garrison and only had to wait a few minutes before Trask had them escorted in. The commander's first words were, "What in the blazing have you been doing?" He explained that they were called to Deepspike Mine a few days ago when Smenk and his Bulldogs didn't show up to open the place. Checking on the manor, they found it emptied of most of the valuables with the mine manager and his goons gone. Chief Scout Sandovar found wagon tracks, at least two sets, but they were hours old. Smenk must have left late the night before and could be anywhere at this point.
Then Crichton, aided by his companions, explained about the Dourstone Mine and the three evil temples below, the Dark Cathedral and the Ebon Triad. Gathering up a dozen men, Trask and the Topknots headed to Dourstone Mine.
At the Dourstone Mines, the militia and the Topknots were stopped at the gate and Ragnolin Dourstone was summoned to meet them. The dwarven mine manager demanded to speak with Governor-Mayor Lanod Neff, which took even more time. Mayor Neff showed up, somewhat out of sorts, with a lady from the Midnight Salute under one arm, slurring his words, he demanded to know why he was awoken at such an ungodly hour. A quick spell by Allustan sobered up his brother to a point he could be reasoned with. At that point the Topknots explained about the temples below while Dourstone feigned ignorance to such a thing, the letter from Smenk bringing Filge to Diamond Lake to help with the temples didn't directly link Dourstone to the temples. At that point, Dourstone agreed to let the militia in, but asked that he be allowed to collect some things from his mine office. Accompanied by a militiaman he headed off into the mines.
The Topknots took Trask and Allustan into the closed off mineshaft and down to the Dark Cathedral, the symbols of Hextor and Vecna on two of the three doors backed up their accusations. Showing Trask through the temples was enough to convince him, and seeing the supplies in the temple of Vecna with Smenk's brand on the crates was proof of Smenk's and Dourstone's involvement. He even remarked that Crichton made a better sergeant on special assignment that he ever did in the garrison.
Back at the mine head, Trask sent some more men to find Dourstone, they found the militiaman dead. Argan traced Dourstone's tracks until they came to a very busy area of the mines. The Topknots with a few militiamen went to investigate Dourstone's Manor. There were no signs he had been back in the manor since this morning and no clues to his whereabouts. Both mine managers had escaped for now.
That took most of the day. The rest of the day was spent in town, dealing with merchants and beginning to establish themselves in town. They had a good reputation and with Smenk gone, they found themselves greeted warmly by many, now to actually develop the properties they had bought.

Ready'reat 16th - 21st, 595 CY

The next morning, Argan was finally able to start tanning the golden aurumvorax hide while Paelex inquired about creating a bag of holding. Directed to see Benezal at the Smelting House, Paelex convinced the alchemist to share his formula for creating bags of holding. The others eventually gathered everyone up at the Argan's base. Tolman shared that he knew the name to open the tomb in the Whispering Cairn. The companions had to gather the lanterns they had removed from the Cairn and made their way there. Showing Paelex the way through the Cairn, they made their way to the tomb and spoke the name Zosiel, a minor Wind Duke warrior slain by the demon Kizarvedexus at the Battle of Pesh. The tomb opened revealing that it was so ancient the skeleton had turned to dust. Near the figure's "head" lay a circlet while near its hands was a palm-sized scale of a silver dragon. A pair of evil-looking horns tipped in red rounded out the items sealed away for so long. Argan claimed the scale while Kaszu took the circlet. Crichton took the horns, which he could feel were of demonic origin.
The Topknots took the rest of the week, searching for retainers for their shops and sites, repairing and renovating their bases, moving and buying furnishings, etc. During this time they had decoded the note found in Theldrick's chambers written by the Faceless One of Vecna. It spoke of a great being known as Kyuss, herald of the Ebon Triad's Overgod. The Faceless One suggested sending agents into the Mistmarsh, searching among the lizardfolk for the knowledge they sought. He also talked of sending agents to the Rift.
During this week, Delilah took her leave of the Topknots, she shared that she wished to return to the University of Magical Arts and complete her studies to become a wizard. Before leaving, she told the Topknots about her fortunetelling when they traveled to the Free City the previous month. Her fortuneteller told her, "When an egg is not an egg, silver is the answer." Whatever that meant, it was right before they helped Adarian the botanist. One of the treasures he gave them in return was vial of silversheen, which turns a weapon silver for a limited time. Herbifrage said that he took it in payment from another client, but couldn't ever imagine using it. Delilah bluntly said, I don't believe in coincidence.
After consulting with Allustan, he said he knew of a mage working in Blackwall Keep, at the edges of the Mistmarsh, his friend, named Marzena, worked as a battle mage for the militia, but strove to understand the lizardfolk, whom she didn't see as enemies of humankind. If anyone were to know something happening in the Mistmarsh, especially among the lizardfolk, Marzena would.

Ready'reat 22nd - 23rd, 595 CY

The next morning, the Topknots gathered at Allustan's manor. The mage, their mentor of sorts, actually seemed to have packed well for this little sortie. He obviously had some background in adventuring. He explained that the trip would be mostly by roads, a day east and then another day south. The trails were clearly marked and the area was patrolled by the Greyhawk Militia, so they shouldn't have too much trouble.
Towards the end of the second day, they approached the Blackwall Keep to find it under siege. From their vantage point they saw lizardfolk had surrounded the keep, in bands of seven or eight. Allustan suggested that he teleport to the Free City to get reinforcements while the Topknots engaged the lizardfolk, Malakai agreed to protect Allustan while he created the teleportation circle. The others engaged the closest band of lizardfolk.
Battle was joined.

Campaign

Against the Ebon Triad

Protagonists

Paelex Cavian

Chaotic Neutral Tiefling (Noble)
Sorcerer 5

32 / 32 HP

STR
8

DEX
14

CON
12

INT
11

WIS
13

CHA
18

Tolman K’hurzz

Malakai Steelbuckle

Delilah Raincloud

Crichton Eogen

Argan Agu-Ulakanu

Chaotic Good Goliath (Outlander)
Ranger 4

36 / 36 HP

STR
18

DEX
14

CON
14

INT
10

WIS
12

CHA
8

Kaszu Billowcase

Chaotic Good Rock Gnome (Guild Artisan / Guild Merchant)
Artificer 3

24 / 24 HP

STR
8

DEX
12

CON
14

INT
17

WIS
14

CHA
10

Report Date

23 Mar 2025