RC Jalpiar: The Mystery Deepens

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After searching through the upper chambers of the house, the group decided to investigate the lower basement. On the first floor, the door to the basement and the “humming” door, were both opened. One revealed the stairway leading to the basement while the other was merely a closet, although the closet floor was covered with a thick layer of slime. In the basement, they found a large table with 5 chairs positioned around it. In one of the chairs, a female dwarf was tied up. She was unconscious at the moment, her face bruised from being beaten. There was another door on the southern wall, but no amount of prodding by Verna or bashing from Olanth could open it up. The Dwarf was Alein, high priestess of the temple. After being revived, she informed the party that the door could only be opened by uttering some words that were printed on some parchment that “The Blessed” had. Since none of them could read the parchment they found in her chambers, they decided to return to Merdick Forrun to report on their progress. Alein was very grateful, and a party was to be held in their honor at the Stony Gaze Tavern. It would start in the evening.

Since it was only mid-morning, they decided to travel over to the Reality Wrinkly to sell off some of their findings, and perhaps have some identified. Nanky Harppicker, the proprietor of the Wrinkly, was one of the most knowledgeable bards in the region, and he was able to help the party in figuring out what the items in question did. He also recognized the obscure quarrel case that Nyora carried. It was of Drow manufacture, and contained shatter bolts. Upon impact, they would splinter into many shards of razor sharp fragments, causing the target lots of pain. He tried to purchase all the bolts from the party for a “customer” of his, but had to settle for 10.

The odd manner in which Nanky pursued the purchase of the bolts, caused Naffin and Vaeli to become very suspicious of the situation, so, it was decided that Naffin would return just before the shop closed to see who this mystery customer was. The others would wait for his return at the Stony Gaze Tavern, where the party in their honor was to be held. At about the same time that the party was about to begin, Naffin observed a dark robed figure enter the Reality Wrinkle, after hours of course. He listened to the greetings through the door, and overheard Nanky give a warm greeting to Ghaerleth Axom. At this point, he saw a light appear in a window nearby, and quietly peered into the window.

After the party had been in full swing for about a half hour, the party observed as Naffin entered the Tavern. He was pale, and looked more than a little spooked. It became very obvious that something was definitely wrong when he downed an entire mug of ale in an attempt to settle his nerves. Seeing his state, the others immediately began to ask Naffin about what he observed.

 

Still a little stunned from what he had just witnessed, Naffin enters the crowded tavern, and ignoring the festive crowd, immediately heads toward his colleagues. After motioning that they come away from the thick of the gathering, he looks around to see if any unfamiliar faces are listening in, and satisfied that the noise level in the din will allow a sort of privacy he begins his tale:

"Just after Nanky closed up his shop, a robed man - well 'man' isn't exactly the correct word for it... a robed person, no, well *something* wearing robes entered the shop. Nanky greeted the customer by name, which is evidently Ghaerleth Axom, although I highly question whether that is in fact its real name.

I peeked in through the window during their transaction, and while the customer was fully concealed and hooded in his robes, I saw... a tentacle, or something, briefly slither out from underneathe.

Their transaction was very brief, and I shadowed this Ghaerleth thing to its destination. This is perhaps even more disturbing than the tentacle... it arrived and entered the Baron's estate. It simply walked right through the front gate, past the guards - as if it resided there, and its visage is familiar to those within."

 

Vaeli keeps her voice quiet.

"So old Nanky was dealing with a Mind Flayer, apparently. It's strange that the Cultists happen to have rare Drow Shatter Bolts, and that Nanky was so eager get some of them. Not to mention that he's eager to sell them to this Ghaerleth person for who-knows-what, and that Ghaerleth, someone with tentacles on his face, can walk in and out of the Baron's estate as he pleases. Something fishy is going on, all between the Cultists, Nanky, Ghaereleth, the drow, and the Baron. But then again, these people might just be interested in selling the Drow quarrels for a profit."

OoC: Nyora, do you want the magical morning star that Nanky identified for us?

[ August 05, 2002, 18:03: Message edited by: C'Jakob ]

 

Verna listens intently, her interest at it’s peak. “So, you guys want me to try to sneak into the Barron’s estate and find out what’s going on?”

 

"Verna, entering the estate alone might prove to be more dangerous if you are seen. Maybe if Naffin went with you, in the event that either of your presences become known, someone could return to let us know. It is up to you and Naffin, however. Otherwise we could wait until the morning for me to be able to read that parchment."

(Yes, I'll take the morning star)

[ August 07, 2002, 20:09: Message edited by: Xenecor ]

 

"I could send my bat familiar to aid Naffin and Verna if they go investigate the Baron's estate."

(Vaeli hands Nyora the parchment and the Hellseeker morning star.)

 

After listening to Naffin’s tale of the Robed figure, the party decided to return to the Reality Wrinkle to further question Nanky about his mystery customer. While passing a side alley near the Stony Gaze, they heard a voice call out to them. Olanth peered down the alley and was blasted by a cone of cold cast by an Ogre Mage, who then turned invisible. Nyora cast a quick Knife Spray down the alley. The party rushed to the spot they had seen their attacker, but the Ogre Mage left no trace save for a few drops of blood. They decided to continue on their way to the magic shop instead of trying to chase the Ogre Mage.

As they approached the Reality Wrinkle, they could see a cloaked figure exiting the shop, it was Nanky. Naffin and Olanth hurried to catch up with him, and when Nanky heard the very loud footsteps of the barbarian, he stopped and turned to greet them. Nyora informed Nanky that they had a few questions they wanted to ask, and Nanky agreed to answer as best he could. At first, he feigned ignorance, but when Naffin mentioned Ghaerleth Axom by name, he let out with the information. According to Nanky, Ghaerleth was a collector of exotic weapons and frequently purchased odd weapons that he obtained, to include the Shatter Bolts, an Orc Double Axe, and an Enchanted Huge Great Bow (it used to belong to an Ogre Mage). In addition to exotic weapons, which he paid handsomely for, Ghaerleth was seeking information about an ancient site near the Jeweleye Mines, it used to be the ancestral home of Barron Gunther Jeweleye I, the current Barron‘s Great-Great-Grandfather. Supposedly there is information there linking the Barron’s family to the family of Duke Alenor IV. The exact nature of the connection is unknown.

As the conversation was continuing, an arrow struck Nanky in the shoulder, sending him to the ground in pain. As the party turned to search, they spotted the Ogre Mage on a rooftop nearby. The Ogre Mage launched another arrow at Nanky, clearly he wanted the Shopkeeper/Bard dead. The second arrow struck its target also, and the party launched a counterstrike while Vaeli used a potion of Cure Light Wounds to keep Nanky alive. Nyora struck the Ogre with two arrows, while the summoned Hawk of Vaeli attempted to distract the beast. Naffin used the recently acquired ‘Thunderhammer Crossbow’ and also hit the Ogre Mage. Verna finished off their volley, but did only minor damage to the large Humanoid. The next shot from the Ogre missed Nanky, and as Olanth rushed up to enter the house to find a way to the roof, the Ogre was brought down by the next volley of missiles from the party (two arrows from Nyora and one Magic Missile from Vaeli. Naffin, remembering the regenerative properties of Ogre Mage’s quickly doused it with oil while Verna removed its valuables. Nanky lit the oil on fire with a quick Burning Hands, completing the demise of the Ogre Mage. Among the Ogres possessions, Verna found a +1 Huge Greatbow, a Huge Greatsword, a Huge Quiver with 20 Huge Arrows, and a small sack (Actually a huge pouch) with 200 pp.

The party convinced Nanky that it would be best if he left town for a while, and He agreed to visit his cousin in New Jarla, unless the party wanted him to aid them. He would be leaving in the morning, but would stop by to see them before heading south just in case they needed his services, after all they saved his life.

The party retired to the Laughing Halfling Inn for the night. During the night, they all had a strange dream:

Images of huge worms with tentacles, Ogre Mages, and robed figures with squid-like heads haunted their dreams. A voice can be heard, hissing and evil. The words are unfamiliar, but their intent is clearly sinister. Just before waking, each made out the words “The bells toll. The gate swings wide. The watcher has come.”

Each party member receives 500 experience.

 

Stirred by the dream, Nyora arose from her place at the hearth and surveyed the room to see if the rest of her companions had, too, arisen. Noticing that the party was still asleep, she gathered her things and ventured out to purchase some new equipment in preparation for the troubles to come. Cautiously, she arrived at the smithy and checked to see if there was anyone who could help her.

 

Even though it was early, Rurik happily clamored around the Smithy. He wanted to get an early start because he was a little back logged. Seeing the sleek figure of the elven cleric enter, he turned his attention to her. "Well, and what would you be doing wand'rin' 'roun' here so early this morn'? Tis not oft we get customers in here at this hour."

 

Nyora smiled and replied "I was just hoping to get an early start at the day. Forgive me for bothering you so early, but there are a couple of things I am in need of. I wish to sell some items as well as purchase some armor. But.....first things first."

Nyora showed Rurik the Huge Great Bow and Huge arrows and asked "What would you give me for these?"

 

After returning to the inn after her early morning shopping spree, Nyora translated the parchment that contained the words that would open the mysterious basement door in the cult house. “To enter the room of madness, utter these words: All will perish in the void.” Since this was written in the language of the Underdark, they decided to move right away to the cult house so that Nyora could still understand the language. Upon entering the basement room, the party discovered a portal of some kind located in the center of a room 20 feet square. Upon each pedestal was set a gemstone, each one different from the others; Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, and Onyx. When Naffin touched the diamond, it began to spin and a rune scribed into the floor began to glow white. Verna then touched all the gems in sequence. As each was touched, the rune glowed a different color, the color of the gem, until when the onyx was touched the rune turned coal black, nothing else happened. Verna, after searching around the room, noticed some writing on the south wall, but it could not be seen very well. In fact it faded in and out, never revealing one entire letter at once. After trying several things to read the inscription, the party removed all light sources from the room, and the writing glowed in a faint reddish-purple light.

The inscription read “The portal to Erelhei-Cinlu can only be activated when the gems are sorted. Verna, in a flash of inspiration, placed the gems on the pillars in a different order; Sapphire, Onyx, Ruby, Topaz, Emerald, and Diamond. Nyora then touched each of the gems in the same order. As each gem was touched, this time the rune retained the color of the previous gem, until when the last gem was touched and the rune shimmered in a rainbow of color, a cylinder of auridescent light appeared inside the pillars. The party looked on, not knowing what they would do, and the cylinder lasted for only a minute then disappeared. It was decided that they would move through the portal and see where it went.

Again the gems were touched, and the party stepped into the unknown. In seconds, they were perched on a ledge, standing inside a similar portal. This portal was located inside a huge cavern, fully 6 miles wide. They were in the far south-eastern corner. The ceiling of the cavern was over a mile high and near the zenith was a strange glowing mineral that cast a plum-colored light over the cavern. They could see forests of fungi and many strongholds dotted around the cavern. The two most compelling features they could see were a tall black tower located about a mile from the south wall, and a walled city located in the north east corner.

Moving down the ledge, they found themselves inside a gorge that lead toward the tower, and also headed through an opening and entered a passage that lead south. They decided to head to the tower. On the way, they came upon a road junction. One branch led toward the tower while the other two went east and west. A sigh was posted at the junction instructing all visitors to Erelhei-Cinlu report to the Black Tower. The party continued on to the tower.

They arrived at the tower and after ringing the bell, were abruptly asked to state their business within the Vault of the Drow. After stating that they were seeking Ghaerleth Axom, the conversation continued on during which they learned a few things. Ghaerleth Axom was the sworn enemy of the Drow living inside the Vault, he desecrated the Temple of Lloth located inside the Grate Fane of Lloth, and that he was not inside the Vault because the Drow had some means to detect his brain activity inside the Vault. Since they were seeking to investigate and locate him, they were free to wander around the vault and city as long as they followed a few rules. They had to wear special ugly green glowing cloaks and they were forbidden to enter three places; The Fortress of the Sisterhood of the Sword, The Military Brotherhood Stronghold, and the Upper Vault.

Each party member receives 300 experience.

For a map of the Vault use this link:
http://home.attbi.com/%7Ebaldak/Jalpiar/Vault_of_the_Drow.JPG

For a Map of Erelhei-Cinlu use this link:
http://home.attbi.com/%7Ebaldak/Jalpiar/Erelhei-Cinlu.JPG

 

The halfling tugged at the newly adopted cloak. “This has to be the ugliest thing I’ve been forced to wear. At least that necklace in the magic shop in New Jarla was decent. I wanna leave just so I can get rid of this damned thing.”

 

Since Ghaerleth was certainly not located in this haven of Drow villainy, the party decided to return to Sibor Alga to continue their search there. After setting up the portal and activating it, they were soon back in the familiar confines of the cult house basement. It was decided to again update Merdick on the progress of their investigation. After relating the tale of their journey into the Underdark, Merdick informed the party that the Barron had left the city, journeying to Kerr for the Council. Ghaerleth did not accompany him, but rather left later heading toward the mines. They decided that they should finally head off to the Jeweleye Mines and see what was going on there.

Night was falling, but the road was active with travelers, some heading to the city, others returning to the mines. As they approached the mine location, they could not help but see the large cliff face. Atop the cliff, they could clearly see the remains of some fortification. A passing dwarf informed them that the ruin was the ancestral home of Barron Gunther Jeweleye IV. When the city was built, the Barron’s family moved their estate into the city and gave the stronghold to a local monastic order. A curse befell the structure culminating with the murder of every monk by their leader who then threw himself from the top of the cliff.

It was decided that anything they were seeking was probably located within the ruins of the stronghold, so the party began the long trek up the south road that led to the top of the cliff. With Verna scouting ahead, they had traveled about halfway up when Verna returned and informed them that some form of undead creature was ahead on the road munching on some poor slobs arm. Naffin and Verna took up flanking positions and the remainder of the party charged up when they were ready. The Ghast noticed the charging trio immediately, but failed to notice Naffin and Verna. The stench of rotting flesh made Verna and Nyora sick, but with little trouble, the creature was dispatched back into the nether regions. While checking out the remains of the body the Ghast was eating, it was determined that the body was that of the Constable, but the Ghast was not his killer. On the sides of his head were the distinct markings left by a feeding Illithid. Ghaerleth was using this area as his dumping grounds for his victims and perhaps other things. Verna scouted the rest of the way up to the ruins, and determined that all was clear.

Each party member receives 100 experience points.