Winthrop watches the bird, then chuckles to himself. He looks around the edges of the cemetery. He looks for signs of wear or decay along the outer walls of the cemetery, and tests the ground.
"If animals are fearful to go through, then there's obviously something wrong. If they go around, why can't I?" he thinks to himself.
((What is the ground like around the cemetery? Is it possible simply to walk around it and get back to the main road on the other side?))
He growls under his breath, learning to hate purple. He clings to this "companion" even though he knows its evil nature. He ill escape one day... soon... and the creature will not live.
As you look, you see the cemetery stretching out for miles in each direction. You calculate that it would be many hours if not days to go around. In addition, there's no guarantee you will find the intersecting road that you would need to travel to get to Underport.
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
You approach what looks to be a massive stone temple carved into the side of a cave wall. The detail of the stonework is astounding as you can clearly see depictions of legendary thieves and rogues who have passed through these walls and made their name known in all of the land; their stories carved in great detail and inlaid with gold, precious metals, and even gem stones. You notice that there are stocks of gold piled every so often around the pillars of the great temple.
This is the unofficial center of Underport. All who travel to this nefarious location come to pay homage at the temple of Oldimarra. To your right, you see a band of pirates, a small chest of treasure being handed to someone dressed in a jester's costume. The pirates reverently hand the money to the jester and back away with their heads bowed in gratitude. To forward and to your left, outside of the temple, a similarly clothed jester holds a fist of incense sticks as he sings and dances around what appear to be highway thugs. The music flowing from the temple is beautiful and skillfully played.
((Roll a knowledge religion check to understand what is happening around you))
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Two years prior, you find yourself thrown into a cell with many other men who seem in the same situation. As you look around, you see the markings of several paladin and warrior factions. Several from Maison duLion, a paladin order similar to yours. The order is known for their courage but now fear is clearly etched into the eyes of these men.
Two undead creatures materialize from the shadows. Adorned in robes and armed with a number of various strange trinkets.
Two of the men dive forward, trying to destroy these beings with their bare hands. The first man swings on one of the creatures and lands a clean hit to its abdomen. As he pulls his hand away, to his horror it is covered in decay and rot. The rot quickly spreads up his limb and as it does so, the previously infected flesh crumbles and dissolves into dust on the floor. A terrified roar erupts from this previously courageous warrior as his whole body is consumed and is nothing but ashes a moment later.
The second man never receives the opportunity to harm his adversary as he is forced back against the wall. His limbs are then torn from his body in a slow, agonizing fashion by the same unseen force. His body quickly bleeds out and the life force fades from his eyes.
Frozen in horror, the others including yourself, await the instructions of these dark beings.
The creatures force you from this cell and down a poorly lit passage. The dirt floors cause several of the men to cough as the dust is kicked up as you pass. Eventually you are escorted to a new cell. In this cell there is a large wooden door along the back wall. The two beings seal the entrance to the cell and after what felt like a lifetime, the door begins to creak open and the creatures force you through it. You are welcomed with the roar of a massive audience. What would normally be filled with the citizens of Agronon awaiting their games is now occupied by a terrible number of evil creatures. Orcs and goblins fill most of the ranks but several unknown and evil denizens fill the box seats. You notice a creature covered in eyes and floating; A massive eye in the center of its head and a large maw filled with razor sharp teeth. It's guests are tentacle faced horrors that are unknown to you. In another box you see the wretched drow. You are keenly aware of their ilk having skirmished with them on several occasions defending your homeland. An ebony skinned woman adorned in purple and white sits in the prime seat and two male attendants are at each side tending to her every whim. A cruel whip in her hand and the men are adorned in Ebony armor and armed with powerful looking weapons. So many similar atrocities fill the boxes but in the center, a massive throne.
Where once sat his majesty, the King of Agronon now sits an appalling blasphemy. A creature that hurts the soul to behold it. An undead monstrosity adorned in in thick robes a crown of black metal. Its eyes glow with a blue fire and about its neck is a massive chain and from that chain hangs a pendant; a small black skull with similarly glowing eyes. The spirits of the dead seem to surround this being like an aura. You feel sick to your stomach to even look upon it for a moment.
You avert your eyes in time to see the door opposite of yours open on the other side of the arena. Out from this portal emerge creature that terrify the imagination. Several of the tentacle faced beings, adorned in light armor and maces. A large creature is in their midst. Half drow and half spider armed with a massive bardiche and covered in scaly armor; it's eyes glowing a bright red.
The dying begins as the men charge forward. In the center of this arena are several weapons and shields. Most grab the nearest weapon and charge forward, meeting their end with reckless courage. Immediately, the tentacle creatures drive forward with the spider drow leading their charge. To your horror you notice that the creatures barely use their weapons. A clear force explodes from their heads and the men are knocked backward. Some are merely stunned and find themselves at the terrible mercies of these creatures as they wrap their tentacle faces around their head. A strange sucking sound emanates from them. After the creature is finished, it drops their bodies to the ground. Twitching bodies with hollowed skulls little the floor.
You notice one of these creatures has eyed you and continues forward in an uniterrupted stride. Its eyes bore into yours. This one is different. Instead of wearing armor, it seems to be garbed in simple robes and it doesn't carry a mace. You stand there, sword in hand, welcoming your end. It continues it's pace and with less than twenty strides remaining, you find yourself knocked to the ground. The giant spider drow lingering over you. The blow is powerful and you loose consciousness.
Darkness.
You find your mind is swimming in so many strange thoughts. You constantly see the face of that creature, that horrifying creature. You awake to find yourself next to a beautiful cliff side overlooking the ocean. The view is serene and restful. You notice you are wearing simple clothes, a light linen tunic and similar pants, both very comfortable. You sit, looking at the ocean with a teacup in your hand. That's when you realize you're not alone.
Sitting opposite of you, taking in the beauty is the creature. He seems to not notice you, occupied by the sights.
**This is such a wonderful memory....you've....you've been here? I've never seen such perfection in the world**
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
You make your way to the barrel. You see a pair of twitching legs poking out as the torso of the creature is crushed beneath. You walk past, torch in hand and make your way to the closet where this creature sprang from. Your sharp mind notices two things, this trap was set long ago and that your target could not have been the one to do it. You to the right of the door and find yourself at the base of a staircase. The wood looks aged and several of the boards are buckled from rot and exposure. At the top of the stairs there is a door. As you make your way up, you mind your footfalls. The floor barely squeaks, an impressive feat considering its present condition. When you reach the door, you find that it is locked. You pull a bobby pin from your hair as a makeshift lockpick.
((Roll an open locks skill check (yours is at a +7).))
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
As you search, you think you can hear something on the other side of the thick stone.
((Roll a listen check))
Kratimos-DC 12 or higher
Spoiler:
You strain your ears but you can tell that it's some kind of music. A somewhat happy tune being played on a stringed instrument. There's someone singing along as well.
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Crimson takes a deep breath, glad that foul creature won't be bothering her anymore but she's also anxious about what awaits behind this door. Both of her objectives lie beyond this door so she must remain focused and stay strong.
Winthrop wonders why the cemetery is so large, or why the main road to a large city would be placed in the center of it. Seems like just asking for trouble....
He steels himself and walks in, sticking to the main road. As he walks, he looks around for any holy symbols he might be able to identify. Since many cemeteries have been consecrated and maintained by priests, he hopes to find any clues to indicate who maintains this one.
((Please roll a knowledge religion and/or a bardic knowledge and a knowledge heraldry roll to identify the various symbols you see as you walk through the cemetery. To understand why the cemetery is so large, roll a separate bardic knowledge roll and a knowledge local to see if your character can recall anything about the Grand Necropolis.))
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Knowledge Heraldry-In your haste you recall several of the main and notable houses of Agronon that are common to everyone.
Knowledge Religion-You see only the main markings of several main goodly gods.
Knowledge Local-The war of the Darktide 1405 (see part 1, first post) this was the location of the largest slaughtering of people in the recorded history of Agronon. Here, the Darktide swept through leaving bodies by the hundreds and thousands. Instead of transporting the bodies to their native homes, they simply buried the bodies where they lied. Eventually this became the most popular location for a cemetery and has remained so for hundreds of years.
You travel through this massive grave complex for what seems like several hours. The white brick stone beneath your feet stretches through this veritable maze of endless stone and gargoyles. It's clear to you that there is no end in sight and that you may need to camp in this dreary landscape for the night. The majority of the graves are of common quality and design but on occasion you encounter massive mausoleums. These enormous tombs are intricate, even beautiful, in their design and decoration. Some carry the standards of various wealthy houses of Agronon. You carry on for several hours more. It is then when you realize that you have somewhat of a nagging feeling inside; an uneasiness as though eyes were upon you, weighing your every move with judgement.
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
