DCC Chapter 23: Of Life and Death in Tegel part 2

 The noon day sun beat down on the adventurers as they stood before the open gates. "Like a maw unto hell." thought Lars. The thief nobleman was none too happy that Brother Beavis had decided to personally return the two gish slave-girls back to the village proper and return before dusk for the party. Looking at Tyrrian the former smuggler crossed his arms and stated his case plainly. "You know I'm not thrilled at the prospect of reentering that place without Holy-aid."

The young warrior turned and held up his hammer, the sun glinting off the God-metal. "I have faith enough here we can stand against that which dwells within."

"I stand with the boy-warrior!" the stocky dwarf brandished his axe and winked, "I have some knowledge of the dangers within and we can use that to our advantage."

An hour later the wagon returns with Garrotte and Chi the Elf-child. Lars still grumbling about Clerics follows the lead of Tyrrian and Erwyn back into the Manor. Retracing their prior path the group now consisting of Tyrrian, Erwyn, Chi, Lars, Kyoto, Sven and Garrotte, return to the bed chamber of the Gish slave-girls.

Erwyn and Tyrrian lead the party into the North east wing of Tegel. The first chamber entered is a long abandoned lounge, layered in a thick blanket of dust and cobwebs. The water damage is evident in the musty smell and poor condition of the paneling. A single Iron door is the only other egress from the room. A cursory search reveals a patch of skin that has been tattooed, Garrotte pockets it for later. Kyoto discovers the entire south wall of the chamber is hollow behind the wood panels. Tyrrian knocks a hole in one and peers through to see an almost exact duplicate of the room they are in but done in a sickly palette of greens and browns. Also a large stuffed ape glowers at him from a open archway at the back side of the room.

Erwyn and Lars inspect the Iron door and open it with little difficulty. Beyond lies a large chamber with a sunken floor the center of which holds a 15' tall statue of a serpent with halfling fist sized emeralds for eyes!

Snake Statue

Entering the lantern light also reveals a glistening carpet of snakes writhing all around the statue!!! Lars is enthralled with the possible value of such a item on the open market and how it could be removed from here. As one the group realizes the serpents emerald gaze has entranced them all, most are able to resist the power. However Lars, Erwyn and Garrotte all drop like rag dolls and the party scrambles to drag them from the room back into the lounge.

Chi vigorously slaps Erwyn multiple times chiming, "Wakey, wakey sleepy dwarf!" the elf-child seemingly enjoying herself overly.

Tyrrian kneels besides Lars and feels for breath, it seems there is none. "I fear they may be dead."

The three ensnared companions find themselves on a vast emerald plain with no horizon. A void of green hue stretching in every direction. "Our souls have been trapped I think." states the Thief as he looks about. Erwyn produces a coin from a pocket and tosses it as far as he can and listens. The clatter of the copper sounds in the distance. Garrotte nervously grips Shadeslayer while bemoaning, "I don't like this at all."

Lars then points off in the distance, "Look there, something approaches I think." A small black dot seems to be growing and taking form as it approaches the trio. After a few seconds it becomes a humanoid shape, a halfling or dwarf perhaps by its gait. Another moment passes and a well groomed halfling in a red velvet suit strolls up to the companions, a broad smile splits his face as he draws a small black envelope from his jacket and he says, "You really should look inside, you're gonna love it." There is a pause as the three adventurers look at on another then the little man continues, "Aw, c'mon. You know you're dying to open it. TRUST me. You're gonna love this stuff."

Erwyn takes the offering and opens the black envelope to reveal a single tarot style card, turning it face up the dwarf sees the image of the Rogue. The card then disappears. The little man in red then says, "Would like to get out of here? I can help you if you'll do something for me. What do you say?"

The three soul lost companions agree to "do" whatever it takes to rejoin their friends. "Before we go, who are you?" inquires Lars of the little messenger.

"You may call me the Laughable Loon, Mr. Lulu's Brigadoon!" with a sly wink, a gyration of his hips and a snap of the fingers his voice trails of in the companions heads as they are returned to the mortal realm, "There will be a man of worms, hold him off until help arrives, that's all you need to do for me."

"We should drag the bodies back outside," says Tyrrian to the rest of the party, "it's either that or burn them here. We cannot allow them to be possessed by the Tegel curse."

Suddenly Erwyn, Garrotte and Lars stir from the death like state that held them. "Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated." states Lars looking up at Tyrrian from the floor.

From the hall they entered the lounge through, a door opens and closes. The party sees a group heading their way. Erwyn's eyes go wide as Tyrrian cries out "SLAYERS!"

Slayers!

A group of five dark warriors march upon the party, the lead pair launch bolts of energy from their spears then spin them to use in melee! The bolts a strong and give both Tyrrian and Erwyn pause as they deflect them with their shields. "A shield wall!" cries Lars, "Let's form up!" the thief looks to Tyrrian.

 "I do not wait for the enemy to come to me, I strike with fury!" the scarlet cloaked warrior charges into the oncoming threat followed by Erwyn and Chi all letting loose battle-cries! Tyrrian hammers at his foe but his efforts are parried by the dark one, Erwyn suffers an unfortunate bout of armor-seizure and finds himself unable to move, "Look-out, they have a Freeze-ray!" yells the dwarf. Chi deflects a blow that would have wounded the dwarf and is knocked to one knee by the blow! Sven then rushes to the aid of the dwarf and elf and knocks the Slayer back a few steps giving everyone a moments respite. Like a bat in the night Lars leaps over the heads of his companions, flipping and drawing himself into a ball as he bowls through the ranks of the black warriors. Gaining his feet like a cat the thief then turns to face his companions and meld into the shadows of the darkened hall. From between Tyrrian's legs Garrotte springs out and slashes wildly at the creature facing the young warrior.

From the doorway of the lounge the Sorceress of Karak calls out words of power in an ancient tongue as a multitude of mystical bolts in the form of glowing foxes blast into three of the five dark-ones as they scramble to pick themselves up off the floor. Tyrrian taking advantage of Lars tactic smashes his hammer into the face of the slayer as a high-pitched wail issues from the creature and a bloody worm-like thing shoots from the cracked head only to burrow into the stone floor!

The last Slayer stands and prepares to fire upon the heroes when Lars emerges from the dark and delivers a skull shattering blow to the vile thing!

The remainders are burned to ash by a second volley of fox-fire from Kyoto, and the party regroups in the lounge while Sven collects three unused Slayer spears.

Taking a few moments to catch their collective breath, Lars then relates the bizarre tale of their out of body experience. Then the group decides to brave the Snake chamber once more and investigate the pair of doors that lead elsewhere in that room. Taking precautions to avoid meeting the gaze of the emerald eyes, they make to the unopened portals. Sven impatient with living a mortal life again rushes past and forces open the furthest door with a swift kick. He sees a trophy room adorned with animal heads, tusks and teeth all mounted or displayed for view. The back wall of the chamber is adorned in a large tapestry depicting a knight slaying a red dragon, flanking this on either side are a set of Green dragon-hide armor and a Red

dragon-scale shirt.

Sven is taken with the shirt and removes it from the stand upon which it hangs looking it over. In the back of his mind race the memories of the curse of Felan's Axe and he wonders if the same dangers could await one who dons armor that once belonged to others.

Lars takes in the sight of the tapestry and is consumed with how he could get this out of the manor with the least damage. Garrotte spies a finely carved wooden box on a side table, opening it carefully he discovers what at first he thought were silvery coins are in fact a few score small loose dragon scales. The halfling quickly tuck the box into a bag.

Erwyn and Chi both remove the Green dragonhide armor from the stand, and look it over. The dwarf knows he could not wear this but remarks that it would be quite the find for the tiny elf-child. Chi then proceeds to doff her animal hides and strap on the wrymhide.

Sven starts to open his pack when Erwyn inquires, "Sven, if you're not going to don that scale shirt may I?" An agreement is made between the two companions and the dwarf sheds his former armor for the fiery hued scale.

The party then tries the last doorway out of the Snake chamber. Lars and Erwyn give the portal a once over seeing that it is water damaged as well and swelled into the frame. Lars finds no trap or lock so he forces it open. The musty stench almost overpowers the noble thief and he let's his friends know the area beyond may be infested with molds and such.

Tyrrian, Chi and Sven elect to head back into the lounge and cover the hall the party first entered this section of the Manor through. Lars, Erwyn, Kyoto and Garrotte elect to stay and investigate the musty room. Lars opens the door slightly to get a peek inside with the light from Kyoto's lantern shining over his shoulder. A very dilapidated and water damaged bedroom is revealed as well as a huge shambling thing! Cat-like

the thing in the room

reflexes allow Lars to shut the door before he is struck by an enormously powerful tentacle that almost knocks the door from its hinges. "There is something very nasty in there!" exclaims Lars as the door begins to splinter from a second hit. Another strike shatters the door, but the thing does not leave the room it is in. the sound of the tentacles lashing about can be heard. "I think Kyoto should give it a taste of Foxfire!" says the dwarf with a grin.


[under construction]

DCC Chapter 22: Of Life & Death in Tegel

After getting affairs straight in Modron and leaving a few of the Heroes to keep an eye on things, the bulk of the group boards the Dragon boat setting sail for Tegel.

The boat is beached near the lighthouse and Captain Hookah, Gilligan, Faroud elect to stay at the Trident while the others head to Hero's Hill to excavate Sven.

The groups first task is to venture out onto the moors after dark and at midnight summon the Banshee Rhianna, whom they saved from imprisonment within Tegel. (see Chapter 9) This errand would not be without much danger as venturing anywhere outside of the village after dark is considered a death sentence. The moors cannot be traveled by horse or wagon therefore a few hours before midnight the brave band set out with the corpse of Sven carried between them on a litter.

Beavis plunges into the thick night fog followed by Lars and his legal valet Pearl, Erwyn, Tyrrian, Kyoto, and Vala, while Tarek, Chi and Garrotte stay behind at the Tavernacle.

As the bell from the Abbey of Law tolls the witching hour Beavis calls out the Banshee's name three times. After a long moment of silence a spine-tingling wail is heard echoing in the night. Suddenly the ghostly form of a beautiful young woman appears before the cleric. For a brief instant everyone is sure she is going to kill Beavis, but then she leans forward and greets him with a soft kiss. "I, we've come to beg of you that favor of which you promised us upon your release." stutters the red-faced cleric as he kneels beside the linen swathed corpse.
"That I would return one of yours should they fall, I remember." Her ghostly hands stroke the form of Sven and the body seems to swell with strength, "I warn you though, he may not be exactly as you knew him. Nor may he be happy about what you've done."

A terrible cry arises from the Warrior as the burial wraps fell from him, hands grasping Beavis tightly he moans, "Why! I sat in Valhalla! I drank and warred with Coriptis! This mortal pain racks me!"

Sven, a single tear running from his good eye staggers to his feet. His hands explore the jagged scar running from his forehead to chin on the left side of his face. His left aye a blank white orb. Dropping to his knees the mighty thewed warrior cries softly to himself.

"Here, I brought you some clothes and a new axe." says Lars presenting a bundle from his pack.

Dressed but still somewhat dazed Sven turns to the party, "What now?"

It is at this moment that death strikes, as three large stones arc through the fog. The first strikes Beavis on the top of the head dropping him instantly, the second crushes the life from Pearl, and the third smashes Lars in the back knocking him down breathless! Lumbering out of the fog come the fabled Mist-men, thickly muscled and twice the size of an average man. A terrible battle ensues seeing the severe wounding of Beavis, Lars, and Erwyn. Vala and her fire-sprite put up a valiant effort fending off a Mist-Man from dealing a death-blow to Lars only to have the life crushed from her. Kyoto blasts the Mist-men with her Fox-fires as Tyrrian
and Erwyn team up to slay another of the night-creatures. The survivors are able to make their way to Abbey and nurse lick the wounds they suffered there until dawn.

The party spends the following day and night in Tegel village catching up with the locals. Most are happy to see the Heroes as well as the new faces, but a few villagers still harbor disdain for the adventurers.

The next morning the bulk of the group heads out to the Manor in a borrowed wagon while Tarek stays behind to investigate rumors of a flaming beast lurking in the woods nearby.

Arriving at the Manor the group sees that the wards placed upon the main entrance by Alexander ust over a year ago are gone! Is this because the inhabitants have overcome the spells power, or is it because Alexander removed the magic himself at the behest of his Patron Sezrekan? The party decides to scout out the entire outskirts of the sprawling abode. On the eastern side facing the sea a large marble gazebo is found. The entire edifice is overgrown with thick shrubs and rose bushes. Erwyn is intrigued and approaches intent on discovering if any secret entrances are hidden within. Erwyn is quickly taken back by the strange almost intelligent movements of the rose bushes, rather than fall victim to unknown dangers the dwarf sets fire to place and watches as the roses see to avoid the flames but in the end are burned away.

Also along this side of the manor is the abode of Sir Robert. The dilapidated guest lodge sits overlooking the cliffs to the sea below. Out front an old well beckons like an open maw to the underworld. Passed out on the front porch of the lodge, feet propped up on the rail is Sir Robert himself surrounded by a score of empty wine bottles. Lars shakes his head and enters the open door into the front parlor. Inside are two burly Skandik warriors engaged in a game of cards. For brief second everyone eyes each other, then Lars sits at the table and sets down some coin. The Skandiks smile at each other and deal Lars in.

Sir Robert is roused from slumber when Erwyn pushes him out of his chair. The delirious noble greets the party and remarks that someone has set fire to the gazebo, again. He then welcomes the party and is happy to see new faces among them, especially the Sorceress of Karak. He then very crudely makes advances upon her and is scared out of his wits as she casts Ekim's Mystical mask.

Lars stays with Sir Robert and the Skandiks while the rest make the circuit of the rest of the Manor. A pair of old Mausoleums are discovered round the back and a rather large graveyard is within waling distance of the manor as well. Upon returning to the lodge the party decides to try and gain entry through a pair of large iron gates on the eastern wall. The area looks to be a carriage entrance.   

Spectral horses are heard within the stalls and a large black coach sits within. Inside a halfling sized coffin is discovered of which the party quickly drags out into the sun and destroys. Heading north out of the carriage house the group heads deeper into the north wing.

The short foray north reveals a hidden doorway in a staircase leading up to the second story of the north wing. The group chooses to explore the secret hallway and soon finds themselves in a bone filled sauna. Just south of the sauna room is a plush lounge inhabited by a mean black cat.

Erwyn is quick to lead the party in killing the feline which upon death, evaporates in a greasy black cloud with one of Lars throwing knives.

A small indoor garden is discovered housing a nest of bug-like sprites, the little creatures are friendly enough and have no helpful knowledge.

A group of skeletal men-at-arms are encountered in the Damp hallway outside the garden room and are quickly destroyed!

Lastly a richly furnished bedroom is opened and two Gish slave-girls are found and released from bondage. Through sign the girls warn of a secret room that has the power to entrance the mind. Lars almost falls victim but resists the call of "Unending Pleasure".

Deciding it would be best to send the slave-girls to the safety of the village before exploring any further the party retraced their steps and sent the girls on the wagon back to town with a note for Tarek.

The group now preps for a second short foray and hopefully to get back out before nightfall. It is now high noon.

Return to Tegel Manor

 It has been just over a year since the bulk of you have been in Tegel village.

An overview of the area:

Tegel Manor is the large orange edifice in the lower right hand corner. It is a gigantic structure that has been slowly added to over centuries by family members of the Rumph clan.

The Blue building in the lower left is the Temple of Law, an Abbey run by a group of nuns dedicated to Ulesh.

Tegel village proper is seen in the upper left.

In the upper right at the end of the east road is the Tegel Lighthouse, a few fishermen's huts and the Trameron's Trident. A quaint seaside bar & grill.

Following the road south will take you to the remains of the village of Eros, where it all began.


*click on the Tegel Manor label at the bottom of the post to bring up all related posts that refer to Tegel in one fashion or other.