"The journal notes the chamber beyond this door. It should have some cells and a dead man crushed by a portcullis." Tarek motions to the silver chased iron bound door. The only way so far unchecked.
"But why the silver?" Says Lars, shaking his head. "To keep something in, or out."
Before either man can react, Tyrrian turns the handle and throws the door open. "Let us see what lies beyond!"
A large chamber half of which is dominated by two large dungeon like cells, each sealed by a heavy iron portcullis. Between the two cells a pair of iron levers protrude from slots in the wall. The other half of the chamber is bare and perhaps at one time held table and stools for posted guards. Noticably though is the decayed leather clad human bones positioned just like the journal said. Long ago stripped of any thing useful, his death obviously caused by the gate catching him unaware.
"Look" hisses Chi,"there is a girl here!"
Bound in silver manacles at the rear of the second cell, what appears to be a disheveled peasant girl in a dirty shift pleads for help in a hoarse whisper. The party breaks into a small argument as everyone begins hinting at what the girl may be....
"We should kill her swiftly, she's no good." sneers the elf-child sniffing the air and peering through the bars at the girl.
"A were-thing think about all the silver," says Lars pointing into the cell "and those chains that bind her."
"We must raise the gate," Tyrrian motions to Sven "can you lift it?"
The thickly muscled former Duck herder steps forward, "I'll give it a try."
"Wait the levers." murmurs Alexander, as he casts Ward Portal on the gate unseen.
Straining under the weight Sven mutters, "It...won't...budge. Must be stuck."
"Hold on my friends," brother Beavis moves to the gate. "Let me as Losborst for Guidance."
Kneeling beside the portcullis and taking a gulp from his bottle of freshly uncorked red Beavis attempts to commune with his diety.
Losborst answers after a moments silence, "Listen, I'm not gonna say she's good. However she's not that bad either right now, and if you give a little you get a little."
Relaying this to the party, beavis turns and tells the girl they will aid her. At the same time Alexander removes the Ward spell, just as Tyrrian is trying the levers and the gate rises.
Beavis is first to the girl and comforts her with words and lays hands on her. Bull Zi is ready with daggers in case. The girl whispers a thanks to Beavis, her hair turns stark white and she shatters the manacles. Rising to her feet she begins to hover above the flagstones. " I thank thee mortal man, you could have ended me but instead chose to aid. For this I grant you the life of one member of your group. If death should find you, bring them to me upon the moors at midnight. Call Rhiannon three times and I shall come." the girl then becomes transparent and wisps away like smoke.
The only exit from the chamber is an intricate three lock mechanism. It is easily opened from this side but would be quite the challenge for those trying to get in without a key. by the map tarek knows they are just feet away from a chamber of horrific death as related in the Journal. The group opts to head directly to the main entry hall and exit the manor through the as yet untried front doors.
The Master foyer is a sight to behold. Six thick oak pillars support the arched ceiling, Four large oil paintings hang upon the walls here:
"This family was seriously disturbed." says Tyrrian, taking in the bewildering paintings.
As the butler turns from the party, Tarek holds up the deed and says, "I'm the new master now. We're here to clean this place out."
With a side glance at the party as he steps behind a pillar the butler grumbles,"I'm sure you think you are."
An indignent Tarek goes after the butler only to discover he has vanished. The party then opens the front doors and regroups outside on the front lawn with Farhoud.
What will happen next? Stay tuned, more in 2 weeks.
Let us see what stirs!
ReplyDeleteHeroes of Eros
ReplyDeleteThe Heroes of Eros came from the village.
The beastmen of Fhelan had come to loot pillage.
The captives where kidnapped from bed and denied privilege.
The attacks cause fires, chaos, and blood spillage.
The savages were dreadful man beasts,
The heroes were farmers, smiths, merchants and priests,
They followed the tracks to rescue their kin in the east,
They struggled and continued but could not be ceased,
Their foes were laid low and their brows creased,
The families and friends were rescued, prisoners released!
The town was a shambles, but we policed,
The heroes of Eros lives were puzzled in piece,
The townsfolk were gathered to travel numbers decreased,
The road was hard for the heroes eating roots for their feast,
The aged and wise told them of a secret under stars be released,
The portal opened, rooms searched, horde overcome left deceased,
At the abbey the survivors at least found some peace.
Tegal had a market for wares,
To Markus the decent they sold what was theirs,
Lars watched as he sold rutabaga, radish, and parsnip in town squares,
Heroes of Eros wandered the market in pairs,
A night at the White Horse erased all their cares,
They drank and they eat and went off on tears,
Come early morning they had won from Rumph heirs,
The town mayor had asked tasked them to settle affairs.
Off the Heroes of Eros went down some stairs,
Thora was laid low thanks for armors we wears,
Continuing on under ground cultist caught unawares,
Destroying the cultists and loot split in shares,
Become the Mayor and keeping the peace,
Settling Friar Bevis who believes he was fleeced,
Taking care of all things and Markus’ palms greased,
Armed and armored even the least,
Off to the manor house in need of repairs,
A place loaded with many Rumph Heirs,
Back door checked and rooms frigid of airs,
Once round the ballroom sounds of musical chairs,
Now it’s a temple in need of repairs!
Loosed a bainshee from those she had scares,
Met by the butler who then disappears
Lars has earned himself 5xp for his outstanding Ballad!
ReplyDelete