But a shadow
1/31/1999
Prelude
At the Manor
Pendergrast, is that you?
Yes, Excellency
Then they succeeded?
So it would seem.
Perhaps they are the ones...
Yes Excellency, they could be. Shall I set them a test?
YesElsewhere in Ansalea
Why are you helping me?
It is not yet your time, there are still things which you must do
I will never understand your ways
No, I don't suppose you will...
Summary of the Adventure
The players return to town after another cryptic encounter with the halfling which ends when their fire explodes in a shower of sparks. They also spot an Urd (a sort of winged Kobold) following them. When they stop in town he flies over and heads to somewhere near or in the lake. The company hears the Halflings warning to "Be wary of the lake" ringing in their ears.
They meet with Pendergrast who thanks them for their efforts then bids them have a good time at the festival. As a reward, His Excellency has covered their stay for the next few days. His Excelleny also allows them to keep the horses he had loaned them. Pendergrast seems very interested in what the Halfling might have said, for twice before he has given His Excellency cryptic warnings which, if understood, might have saved them a great deal of trouble. In the end, he asks that they return in three days to hear a proposal from the Baron.
The company enjoys the festival, which now seems rather well-executed. They return and Pendergrast tells them the legend of Karvel the mad and his treasure vaults. His Excellency knows where they are and would like the company to retrieve the treasure hidden there. The group agrees to pay him 10% of the treasure and to give him first choice of any unusual items that are found.The trip is uneventful, but the expedition goes badly. The upper floors are easily cleared of orcs, and the giant rats are avoided by baiting them with some rotted flesh. The orc women are allowed to leave after they reveal the location of a large treasure.
It turns out the door is false and the party is dropped into the first of several pits. Many of the doors are likewise false and there are secret, concealed and one-way doors in plenty. On the lower level, the group finally finds a room which seems to hold serious treasure -- wax figures of several people (6 men, 2 elves) which seem to hold real armor and weapons, including a suit of elven chain.
Unfortunately the room is guarded by a beholder-like beast who seems very civil as long as no one plans to touch the items his guarding. Androth finally tires of bantering with the creature and draws his sword to attack it. One gesture from an eyestalk fells him and the creature lets his companions drag his unconscious body through a secret door.
Badly wounded, and with no idea how to defeat the guardian, the group prepares to leave. On their way out they find another secret door, behind a desk they had been looking for. In the kneehole of the desk they find two sheets of vellum with incomprehensible writing on them. Opening the door they eventually discover four chests. Fearful of further traps, they take the chests out of the Vaults without attempting to open them.
Pendergrast arranges for a locksmith to help them open the chests and they eventually receive a rich bounty. As the shopping spree begins, the evenings events draw to a close.
In Character Moment(s) of the Night
Taernac (to a group of orcs): Two eyes rule
Brother Urbane: You're an experienced soldier Calidon, what should we do?
Calidon: I don't know
Androth and Taernac (in unison): Attack!Brother Urbane: Locksmith indeed!
Player Moment of the Night
Nothing leaps out this time, although Joe's explanation of Jaime's stumbling and banging was pretty amusing
Treasure Summary
60 Platinum, 50 Gold, 500 Copper, 500 silver, 40 essentially identical gems which are appraised at 200 for the lot (there was more, but His Excellency took it in tithe).
Experience Summary
Player Adventure Total Androth 1200 2450 Calidon 1100 2200 Taernac 800/400 1500/1100 Urbane 1500 2900 Variances in experience points are due to good ideas, roleplaying and class abilities.
Names may have been changed since I managed to wind up at John's without my notes. Hopefully, that won't freak anyone out. On the plus side, some of the monsters died much easier than they should have.
