Session 5: Fungus Coronation

4th day of Sowing, 519 AE. (25-Apr-2026)

With the passing of the Thaw the weather continued its trend to warm days, with residual snows lightening and trending more towards rain. The past week seemed to have put in a final push of snow, but locals now hoped the weather had turned towards sunnier days.

Knowing that camping in the wilds while recovering entailed some risk, the companions set camp and posted a rotating watch. Making some efforts to conceal the entrance to the Zareth-Ka tombs they settled in for the first night.

The first day of the next week saw scattered snowy rain. During the afternoon three Bloodmaw Horde orcs mounted on horses sat upon a nearby rise. Dorcus, who was on lookout duty, spotted this and called to her companions. One of the orcs then galloped down to the camp, around it and several lengths back towards its fellows. Halting, it then bellowed a war-cry, stood upright on its mount's bare back and fired a single arrow, which landed just in front of Dorcus. The creature demanded to know why the companions were camping in their tribe's territory and why Dorcus was associating with "pink-skins". The orc demanded tribute and, as the barbarian's companions began trying to flank the orc, cried "we will be back!" before galloping off.

Jewel scouted the surrounding area the following day and located a root-cave beneath a great oak. The companions decided to move camp to the ancient tree and spent several hours securing the new site. To the north of the giant eagles' grove Jewel surveyed a field used by the area's local horses, watched over carefully by their eagle stewards.

Morning of the third day coincided with the last day of The Thaw, thus having a full moon. Still windy and snowy, during the afternoon the Gilded Banner approached camp on mounts, led by a blonde Paladin of the Light of Thalar. These rivals explained that Lewel had sold them the location of the tomb entrance, however they would not delve into it while our heroes were engaged in adventuring there. With adventuring business to conduct to the west the group moved on, after examining the tomb entrance. While on watch during the night Dimrock witnessed a human transform into a man-wolf and loped northwards. Reporting this to Lyra when handing over the watch, a sense of unease settled over the camp. Some hours later Lyra heard the distant clattering of bones. The sound repeated some time later, but closer to camp. Finally hearing the sound of metal on bone, she woke her companions just as a dozen animated skeletons came into view. These assaulted the reinforced campsite, with Kratos taking a minor wound before Dimrock and Alira channelled the power of their deities to repel the evil things.

Dawn of the fourth day marked the first day of the Sowing Moon and a heavy snowfall. Suspecting the previous night's undead had come from the Snakefolk tomb, checking the status of the site and setting watch there was prioritised. However, the entrance proved unaltered and the tracks of the dead came from the north and west of the rockslide area. Checking the horse meadow to the north of the eagles' grove several were found mauled to death and no live horses remaining. Around midday a caravan of merchants travelled near to camp and Dimrock purchased some cooking utensils in order to aid in the provisioning of game and forage for longer keeping. Late afternoon, during Dorcus' watch, seven Bloodmaw Horde orcs approached camp. Demanding tribute, they eventually were satisfied to go their way with provisions. By the following morning the snowfall had lightened, and several wounded horses—bearing bite and claw marks as of a huge wolf—were seen straying from the direction of the horse meadow.

Wind and scattered light snow greeted the dawn of the sixth and final day of the companions' recovery. Jewel was on watch during the early afternoon when a column of heavily armed and armoured horsemen approached. Somewhat nervously Jewel called out to her compatriots, however Kratos recognised the leader of the troops - Cadbryn, a squire from Castle Thorneford. Engaging in conversation, it turned out that the young man was patrolling in response to increased sightings of Bloodmaw Horde orcs. It seemed the creatures had claimed the lands to the west of the Ashwater as their territory, which they were prowling in ever-increasing numbers. Apparently demanding tribute from established inhabitants and tolls from travellers, returning in increasing numbers whenever met with refusal. Kratos shared details of the group's own encounters with these orcs, Cadbryn wished them safe travels and continued his patrols. That night the peace of the final watch was broken by noises near camp. Lyra, who was taking her turn at guard duty, carefully investigated to find a large piece of wood crudely carved with the Bloodmaw Horde emblem mounted near camp.

After a week's rest the companions broke camp and returned to the Snakefolk tomb. They found their camouflaging measures undisturbed and the upper chambers unchanged. Making their way to the octagonal room they checked that the undead creature behind the northern door had not broken free, then proceeded to the trapdoor which had been concealed in the chamber behind the southwestern-most passage. Making their way down the hatch's ladder the companions heared a large dragging chain beyond the secret door. Kratos suggested a distraction, so Lyra caused a minor magical flare to briefly appear within the large chamber beyond and the group charged in. Within, a large six-legged reptilian creature wearing a helm attacked. This creature turned its gaze upon Kratos and the elf felt ripples of magic course over him. Adroitly resisting its effects, he struck the thing a solid blow and the group then made short work of the monster. Lopping its head off they discovered a key attached to the collar around its neck.

The group then carefully searched the room. Jewel quickly found that one of the statues was holding a shortsword of some silvery alloy. Breaking it free and giving it a test swing it felt unusually light in her hand - the pommel being a knot of snakes tails, giving way to two entwined snakes bodies as handle, splitting into two separate snake bodies for the crosspeice, the end of each terminating in a snake's head. During this time Kratos located a second secret door immediately opposite the one through which they entered the chamber. Behind this they discovered stairs leading upwards to the west and downwards to the east.

Following the staircase downwards they found a rough chamber with walls of mixed earth and stone running south of the base of the stairs. The space was filled with earth, detritus and random objects stuck into the mix. A number of mushrooms scattered the surface. Searching the morass a small rotten pouch with a few coins was located.

Picking several mushrooms, the group moved on — only to stumble into the apparent resting area of over a dozen of the potato-headed, goblin-like bipeds. As several awoke, they jabbered angrily and gestured for the intruders to leave the way they had entered. When the party instead took a south-eastern passage, the creatures followed, growing more agitated and prodding at them with pointed sticks. Another of the bipeds appeared ahead, this one wielding a broom, and the situation quickly broke down into violence. Kratos snatched up the severed head of the reptilian creature and levelled it at them, turning several to stone. With more closing in, Lyra cast a spell that sent most of the creatures into a magical slumber. The few that remained scrambled to gather mushrooms, rubbing them frantically on their petrified companions, while the broom-wielder fled the way it had come.

Quickly following the passage before them, our heroes found themselves in what appeared to be a small storage room with a door on its eastern side. Somewhat battered and broken, the door opened easily enough. On its other side was a small chamber with a door in each of its four walls. The southern-most door bore a large, sturdy steel lock.

Realising the key they'd found on the reptilian monster was the right size Jewel tried it, discovering that it fit and turned easily. Allowing the door to swing slowly open inwards. Within the group found a locked chest, a small wooden cabinet fixed to the wall and, on the wall above the chest, hung a serpentine mace. Made of the same material and of a similar design to the shortsword Jewel found earlier, it featured a knot of snake tails as pommel, running into a snake-bodied handle that expanded into a large snake head. Dimrock grabbed the mace and hefted it in his hands, to find that it was unnaturally light, similar to the shortsword which Jewel discovered. Kratos opened the cabinet to find four vials of liquid, each having a different colour.

Picking the significant lock on the chest, Lyra unlocked it without difficulty. But as she opened the lock, a cleverly concealed needle darted forth, injecting her with a viscous poison. Lyra stopped breathing immediately and collapsed. The companions worked in desperation to try and keep her from perishing. Kratos poured first one vial of liquid down her throat, to no effect. Then another, at which she briefly revived. Only to stop breathing again moments later. Dimrock and Alira exhausted their minor healing magics, each having some small effect. Finally, the elven woman's shallow breathing steadied and her eyes flickered back open.

Using the ten foot pole they carry with them, Dimrock carefully pushed the lid of the chest open from as far away as he could. The lid swung easily open to reveal thousands upon thousands of glittering coins within. Realizing they could not possibly carry all the coins out, the companions invested half an hour in collecting what they judged the most valuable: coins, a small pouch of gems and jewellery and a scroll tube containing what appeared to be wizard spells. They locked the room's door and started back to the surface, planning to buy supplies and items enabling them to transport the remainder, then return for the bulk of the coins. The only event upon retracing their steps was the mummy-ooze creature they had encountered on their previous expedition. The thing had proven hard to defeat back then, however Kratos raised the head of the petrifying reptile they had defeated and the monster turned to stone.

After an uneventful journey back to town, the companions bought a wagon, several horses and hired the services of four soldiers from Thorneford Castle, to guard their wagon and goods whilst they retrieved the remaining treasure. Resting up overnight the companions departed shortly after dawn and made their way back to the tomb entrance. Following their map back to the treasure chamber, our heroes encountered a number of the small potato-headed bipeds in the same area as previously. These seemed keen to attract the attention of the companions and Lyra chose to follow them into a nearby chamber, where the small creatures gestured excitedly for her to sit in a throne. Lyra complied and more of the creatures gathered, bowed down before her and crowned her with an odd construct made of forks, sticks and other small items. Leaving the area unhindered, Lyra found that the creatures reverently followed her. Indeed they were quick to leap to her defence against any perceived threat, but followed her directions as obediently as they could given the language difficulties.

Over the course of two trips our heroes were able to remove the remaining coins from the treasure room and haul them back to town. Lyra had a little difficulty making the potato-headed bipeds understand that she wanted them to remain behind and not follow her to Thorneford. But eventually she made them understand and they stayed behind.

Session 4: Below the Idol of Zareth-Ka

25th day of the Thaw, 519 AE. (11-Apr-2026)

Nearing the end of the Thaw the weather turned windy with flurries of snow, yet was tolerable and in keeping with the season. The Ashwater had fully melted and flowed unhindered into the Gulf of Bones. The preceding week remained generally cool with light snow. Overall, the temperature rose and some days were quite balmy.

Following their return to town a week earlier the group learned that Velric had indeed entered Thorneford, accompanied by his dozen knights. After his entry he had paused for a goodly time on the road, simply staring at the Shrine of the Gods, before continuing upon his way and entering Castle Thorneford. Subsequent gossip told of him attending services at the Light of Thalar church and engaging the Lightbearer there in discussion, which seemed unusual for a representative of the Old faith. Edran Vayel, head priest at the shrine to the Thousandfold Host, grew concerned that the man may cause trouble. Dimrock shared this information with his friends when next they met. The group realised that Velric arrived by road, which was highly unusual for the time of year. The only conclusion they could reach was that he had visited other settlements.

Jewel invested time and a small amount of coin in discovering the shape of the local criminal networks. After several days she made contact with a human male in the Drunken Goose who called himself Jorath. This man claimed to have "contacts", including those who buy and sell without asking questions and without keeping records. The kind of people who can also provide greatly discounted goods - often of dubious origin, repute or legality. Enquiring after a magical weapon, Jewel learnt that such items are rare and fetch prices upwards of 1,000 crowns.

Kratos met a squire from Thorneford keep named Cadbryn, having some interesting discussions about swords, other weapons and their acquisition. Several days later he engaged in a friendly conversation with Rowena Millen of Millen's Herbs. She mentioned that she had some lesser herbal potions of healing in stock. Not as powerful as the strong draughts she sells at 50 crowns each, but costing only 10 crowns per draught.

Lyra studied the items recently retrieved from the crypt the group had been exploring, under the guidance of Althirion Quell. She learnt that one of the items, a silver ring, is enchanted. However, the item resisted their attempts to discern the nature of its magic. Althirion identified all the items collected thus far as artifacts of the ancient Snakefolk empire of Zareth-Ka.

Dorcus spent her time resting and drinking. A wise investment in the barbarian's mind!

Meeting up towards the end of the week the group discussed all that had happened and the finer points of having their adventuring company chartered. They considered reports from at least three different groups of Thorneford folk that small groups of mounted orcs had been spotted in the area. These horse-riding orcs seem to have been watching the area and at least two reports describe the "crimson maw with jagged fangs" symbol associated with the Bloodmaw Horde.

The following day a ship arrived at the river mouth and a squad of four adventurers disembarked. Apparently these were members of a larger chartered adventuring company called the Gilded Banner. Our heroes immediately became concerned at the prospect of Lewel selling the newcomers the location of the tomb they have been exploring. The adventurers reprovisioned, gathered their gear and set out for the site early the next morning.

Reaching the rockslide entrance without incident the companions entered the main passageway. Advancing with care they discovered that the areas they had previously investigated hadn't been altered or disturbed. Coming to the great Zareth-Ka idol the group secured a rope to it and climbed down into the unexplored tunnel below.

The passage started claustrophobically narrow, but immediately expanded to a broad corridor twenty feet across. Lyra quickly spotted a concealed door on the northern wall and Dimrock discerned how to open it. That hidden passage led to an old, dusty guard chamber. The furniture and other contents had rotted to fragments centuries before. Yet the group was able to salvage two exquisitely wrought hooked polearm heads, inlaid with precious metals, that may prove of some value.

Returning to the main passageway the group soon learnt that it opened into the western-most wall of a large eight-sided chamber. The room was originally built with a wide pit in its centre, which had filled with the same stream of water that eroded the floor beneath the Zareth-Ka idol. Six of the octagonal chamber's walls contained grey stone doors, with the southwestern-most wall containing no door, but a corridor leading into the dark. Jewel decided to probe the pool with a long pole. At this disturbance two mummified hands ran up the pole and attacked our heroes. After the group made short work of the things, Jewel tried probing the pool again, bumping into some unknown object. Fixing one of the hooked polearm heads to the pole, she managed to hook... something and haul it up from the water. The object proved to be a mummified Snakefolk head, gibbering and screaming silently at them. Jewel tossed the thing back into the pool and the group turned their attention to the room's exits.

Deciding the open southwest passage presented the greatest potential threat the group entered it, Dorcus leading the way. After a short distance the corridor opened into a rectangular room holding eighteen clay statues of Snakefolk warriors. Toppling them with the long pole caused a number to shatter, but produced no discernible danger so Dorcus entered and smashed the remainder. Searching the rubble, the group found nothing of value or use. Not until the southwestern-most corner was searched, uncovering a trapdoor. They carefully opened the trapdoor to avoid triggering traps or other danger, revealing iron rungs leading downwards. Jewel and Lyra climbed down, employing all stealth, to discover where it led. The bottom of the shaft connected to a short passage running southwards, that ended in the outline of a door. Jewel and Lyra worked carefully to quietly open the door a crack. Beyond they spied a large stone chamber, lined with columns and a floor scattered with very lifelike statues. Some statues intact and others broken, pieces of statue here and there. One statue directly outside the secret door seemed to be of a bat, but had shattered after falling from some height. At this point the two scouts chose to return to the party and report what they had discovered.

Meanwhile the rest of the group had moved on to investigate the southern-most door in the large octagonal chamber. Only to find an apparently incomplete room, with some walls rough-cut and corroded tools on the ground.

Meeting up with Jewel and Lyra, back in the large chamber, the group moved on to investigate the southeastern door. The short passage beyond opened into a room containing three beds, some rotten shelving, numerous scrolls and a table atop which stood a forearm-length silver-and-emerald snake god icon. Most of the scrolls crumble to the touch but Lyra is able to salvage several of them, thinking they may be of value to Althirion. They take the icon with them.

Returning yet again to the octagonal room they opened the eastern-most door next. A short way beyond this door stairs descended more than forty feet downwards. Dorcus started down the stairs, but after a couple of steps the stairs all pivoted into a slide and spikes sprang forth at the bottom. Dorcus slid down, cutting herself on the spikes, yet narrowly avoiding serious injury. She found herself in another hexagonal room, identical in size and shape to the one at the top of the stairs. However, this room's walls had no doors but were instead hung with ancient shields. Rather than a large pit in the centre stood a large stone statue of a giant cobra-like snake person, which immediately advanced to attack the unfortunate half-orc! Hefting her great two-handed sword Dorcus moved to confront the construct, but with one mighty blow it knocked her to the ground. Unconscious and bleeding profusely, things looked grim for the barbarian. Unable to see the statue but witnessing Dorcus' collapse, the party quickly utilized ropes to descend the stairway-turned-slide. Dimrock and Kratos were able to reach Dorcus, with Dimrock using one of his precious orisons to heal her and Kratos standing guard. Narrowly avoiding being struck by the great stone brute the trio withdrew to the stairwell, to discover it was too narrow for the monstrosity to enter! From there the team peppered it with arrows until it was defeated. Noting that the great twenty foot wide gap in the eastern wall of this chamber drops off into a deep chasm, with sturdy stone paths running north and south, the group agreed to return to the first octagonal room above.

Opening the northeastern door next the group found a short passageway that led into a room containing a sarcophagus and some clay grave goods. Approaching with care the room seemed safe enough and Kratos pushed back the lid of the stone coffin, discovering a snake-folk body within wrapped in grave cloths, seeping some kind of dark, jelly-like fluid. The thing immediately struck at him, hitting his face and causing immediate burning pain. After a barrage of attacks the creature collapsed and its cloths flattened out as the fluids within turned watery. Finding only more clay grave goods withing the stone coffin, the companions moved on to the next door.

While preparing to open the northern-most door in the octagonal room a three foot long spider dropped from the ceiling onto Lyra and attacked her. The heroes quickly dispatched the arachnid and opened the door, this time finding a passageway blocked by a collapsed roof. Yet the cave-in was not complete and beyond they could see a figure wrapped in burial clothes gargling, roaring and hammering at the stones preventing it from attacking the objects of its anger. Behind the creature they spied another sarcophagus and stopped to consider. Understanding that they could probably clear away sufficient rubble to pass through in about ten minutes, the group decided instead to simply close the door and move on.

Tentatively opening the northwestern and final door, Lyra saw a short, clear passage that ended in a chamber containing yet another sarcophagus. Beyond this she spied a large, round plate of metal hanging upon the wall. With no danger or resistance apparent she stepped forward... only to feel a solid "click" under her foot. As if in slow motion she watched the metal disk glow and discharge a massive bolt of lightning her way. Whilst the deft elf managed to avoid the brunt of the blast, the electrical discharge was enough to stop her heart. She fell to the ground, motionless. The party quickly dragged her out of the room, closed the door and Alira used a healing orison to revive her just in time.

Feeling that they had pressed their luck far enough on this expedition, the companions decided to leave the tombs for the time being. Part way through their withdrawal a large tremor shook the place and they heard a sound as of massive chains being dragged across stonework.

Continuing onwards they began climbing up the rope left secured to the large idol. When half their group had climbed free, the rearward portion of the group was approached by eight strange bipedal creatures. These three foot tall potato-headed humanoids looked like the result of a wizard magically crossing goblins with some kind of fungi. Most carried pointed sticks as weapons, however one carried a "spear" made of several forks tied to the end of a stick. Apparently not speaking any language known to the party, the things communicated hunger by pointing to their mouths and stomachs. Throwing them several rations resulted in a number of the creatures scampering back down the corridor. Dorcus threw marbles to the remaining creatures, which they snatched up in glee before retreating.

Deciding that the risk of the Gilded Banner delving into the crypts was too high, our heroes decided to set up camp nearby. Choosing a place where they could guard the entrance to the crypts, they made camp.