Episode L015: Illithids!

General Summary

Hasdraek and Drogo slip out of the upper floor window of the Whetstone Inn and Tavern to investigate the town. Gimblestone is experiencing its first snowfall of the season, and tracks in the snow might be easy to spot. Drogo is off his game. As they descend the roof of the adjacent building, he slips and falls noisily to the ground, drawing the attention of a wooden, vacant guardsman who attempts to apprehend him. However, Hasdraek, having concealed himself prior to the guard's arrival, sneaks up behind him and slits his throat.
Six more guards converge their location and the two hide in an alley. But the guards spot the tracks in the snow and pursue them. Again, Drogo gives away their location when he stumbles and crashes in the snow, trying to cross the street. He reaches the alleyway where Hasdraek is hiding only to have Hasdraek push him out into the open to be captured by the pursuing guards. Reasoning that no harm will come to Drogo, since Drogo had already slain some guards in a previous attempt at freedom, Hasdraek disappears down the alley as Drogo is tackled by the guards.
The snow begins to fall harder, but there is no wind. Visibility is almost nil, and sounds are attenuated. Hasdraek's footprints are quickly concealed in the snow, but more guards appear. Hasdraek slays two more and vanishes in the storm.
Gradually he makes his way toward the temple, finding an entry to the rear courtyard, and making his way to the kitchen entrance. Hasdraek explores the kitchens, finding human limbs are on the menu. He moves into the dining room and finds a monk, slumped on stool. He wakes the monk, and convincing him he was the "Exalted One", orders him to strip and return to his rest. Donning the monk's robes, he moves through the temple with more confidence now, assuming the wooden gate and vacant expression of the all the townsfolk, guardsmen and monks.
Hasdraek comes upon a large hole in the middle of the hallway, twenty feet across that continues up into the ceiling. It emits a light breeze that reeks of mould and decay.
He then moves up the stairs to the main floor. A monk follows him comes abreast of him, and tells him, "the exalted one will speak to you now". Hasdraek responds, "lead on". He follows the monk into the grand sanctuary and stands before a large hole, the same hole Hasdraek had seen from the lower level. The two wait for several minutes. Then a figure emerges from the hole, levitating. A tall gaunt figure with four tentacles where its mouth should be.
It speaks into his mind, "So, you are the gift from Famath BenGuiliam". Then it emits a psychic beam that knock him prone. The monk binds him, hooks him to a crane and lowers him into the hole from which the Illithid ascended. The he reaches the bottom, he is taken to the "Dissection Chamber".

Report Date

12 Sep 2019