(written by Jacob concerning the recent expedition into the Necropolis, earning his character Sesel 100 xp per level)
Dear patrons, this adventure was nearly our last, and so I caution you during your adventures: question what you know, for those who you believe to be friendly may in fact be something else entirely.
On this particular evening we met with Durham, though a patron of one of the lesser of the four taverns, nevertheless he is an excellent adventurer, and a strong sword to have at your side. He also came to us with a plan for lucre, which we all agreed was necessary since last we adventured with Durham was also the last time we have a truly sizeable haul, the Akho.
After some negotiations with one of the houses of Gadeed, for information on how to access the treasure Durham had in mind, we made our way out along our favored path, the Paulberer’s Way. We bumped into some of them on our way, and I just want to take a moment to appreciate their efforts in keeping the road to the Temenos, Oracle, and Necropolis. If not for them, I am certain we would have a much more difficult time weaving more stories for you all.
Reaching the entrance to the dungeon we intended to investigate and explore, we attempted to follow my friend Torkol’s instruction, as he had previously visited this place. Unfortunately, it seems his memory betrays him, as his instructions led us to an unexpected and unfamiliar room. At that point we back tracked and began mapping anew; though traveling in the opposite direction, hoping that perhaps the end of his notes were superior to the beginning.
To our luck, they were, and we quickly made our way to the secret barring our path. After some quick discussion Avin provided the tools for our solution, and the secret passage revealed itself. However, it did not open onto the trove of treasure we expected, but to stairs down to another level.
This is where the true tale begins. For here, after some short exploration, we found ourselves in an exceptionally large chamber, with grand warrior statues holding up the ceiling, a massive dias topped with an altar and lightly garnished in treasure. We took a moment to collect up the treasures here, but as we did some strange grey creatures, with large black eyes, approached us from another passage.
Now, these creatures seemed familiar to us, as indeed we met similar looking creatures on our very first experience within the Tel alSafina. They provided us aid there, in reasonable exchange, and so when they requested a portion of treasure to adventure with us we agreed.
There were signs, they communicated differently, and while alien to us, even these seemed to lack the mannerisms and expressions one generally associated with a being. But we were distracted, perhaps too focused on the lack of treasures we expected to be present.
And so it was that we continued exploring, these strange grey creatures covering our flank. Only a few short rooms later we found an interesting construction. The builders and designers here put in steps to bring the floor down below the previous, and painted in water so as to appear as though one is walking down to the sea floor.
Held within this chamber we found what we had been seeking: inside an odd looking pool of water was at least some of the riches we expected. However, the coins inside the pool did not reflect the light of our lantern as we might expect, and having experienced an array of oddities within the Tel, we became immediately suspicious.
So, working with Durham, who has been designing a similar weapon, we lashed a torch to a spear and performed tests on the water. Ultimately, the only relevant test was to put the torch into that ‘water’ at which point it rose up and out of its container forming a vaguely humanoid shape.
Our swords and arrows seemed to annoy it, splashing bits of it away, though very slowly. Durham had a larger club-like weapon that seemed to be more effective, causing far larger splashes of water to be pulled away from the creature. Meanwhile it struck at us, Avin taking the brunt of the attacks, and protecting herself through a strange magical emanation that created far more Avins in the room than I believe any of us were quite comfortable with.
And so the time came, where we had whittled the water-weird down, that the little grey monsters assaulted our collective, and unprotected, back-side. In one fell swing they took down my ally and friend Barabajagle. Fortunately, being the responsible adventurer I am, I had some life-saving bacta poultice, made here in Cothon-Under-Star, that I applied immediately, saving Barabajagle from the mortal blow.
Seeing that Avin and Durham had the water-weird handled I imposed myself between Barabajagle and the graylings, while attempting to lay them low as Barabajagle and I had countless others. However these things seemed to be mindless and unfeeling. For even as my psionic assault did nothing, so did Ravna’s spell, and even Ix’s assault of blades only seemed to stagger it for a moment before returning to the assault unbothered and unbleeding.
The battle raged, water-weird on one side, graylings on the other. Blows thrown and received all around, water raining around us from splashes there and grunts of frustration as we seemed unable to affect these strange grey creatures.
Finally, the water-weird was felled. At nearly the same moment Ix pierced one of the graylings down the center, and in so doing broke the enchantment upon it, causing it to lose the grayling appearance and instead be revealed to be a writhing mass of ropey tentacles. This one collapsing to the ground, dead.
We can defeat them!
With those losses to the enemy we were able to fully reform our ranks and our moral was renewed. We came at them blades, shields, clubs and arrows. It took significant effort, these constructs were hearty indeed! The battle raged, stretching from minute to minute. The strange things striking us hard, especially against Avin with her leather armor, though after Avin engaged her force-shield she was far better protected against their assault. Then, just as we were wearing, our resources starting to dwindle, the battle broke. Over the course of just a few moments all remaining tentacle-rope constructs were felled. Ix dealing several fatal blows.
As the adrenalin of battle began to subside we all began to feel the exhaustion of an extended fight. Not wanting to leave without our goal, we collected the treasures from the not-pool. Though we did so with renewed haste, as the water-stuff, splashed all over the room, began to move and collect as though reforming.
Ravna and Durham both attempted to collect some of this strange not-water, but even after storing it within a secure vial and water flask, it seems to burst itself free and return to the main mass of it.
Regardless, having collected treasures and being exhausted from battle, we made our way out to return to Cothon, and the security, soft beds, and especially the strong drinks of Under-Star!
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