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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ltclnlbrain" data-source="post: 1569067" data-attributes="member: 12882">Chapter 18From the prison, the party made its way back to the cell with the undead creatures, who were still performing their skeleton impersonation act in an attempt to lure another unsuspecting adventurer inside. The party did not fall for it this time, though, opting instead to fire several spells through the viewport in the cell door, not letting up until the creatures were blasted to pieces.After retrieving the magical sword and armor, the party continued to the last room of the Dungeon’s upper level. It was a large room, bare save for a sunken area in the center upon which a complete summoning diagram had been inlaid. A towering, armored figure stood motionless within the diagram. It was another undead creature, and it attacked as Terenon drew near to investigate. The abomination fell quickly before Rumar’s blade, backed up by a few powerful spells from Terenon and a searing ray of light from Rhys.As the creature fell smoking and dismembered to the ground, Grundar shrugged and looked to the others. “Hmm, looks like the Selskaryn crypt isn’t in an obvious location. Perhaps we should head back to the ghost and asked him for directions.”Terenon scoffed at the idea. “Ask for directions? I'm still not happy about doing the task; I don’t want to speak to the dead bastard. I believe it can be accessed via the Well of Stars. It seems like a good place to hide a crypt.”Allanon shrugged. “It’s as good a place as any to look, I suppose.”The group headed back to the Well and began floating down once more. “Remember to keep a hand on the wall to avoid the positive energy motes,” said Grundar as they descended. His eyes were on the walls, and about halfway to the opening at the bottom, his keen eyes caught the telltale signs of a secret door. The elf grinned as he opened it, revealing a dark, still chamber. A door of bronze stood in an alcove to the east, and a large statue of a grim-looking wizard in ancient dress occupied an alcove to the west.Grundar activated his blinking ring and went through the door. The redolence of funerary spices hung in the air of this chamber. Stone sepulchers lined the walls, resting between low thick columns. The chamber was finished in smooth, dark stone, and the sepulchers were made of rose-colored granite. Each was covered by a copper sheet engraved with ancient writing.“Found it!” Grundar called. “Let’s dump these bones off and find something better to do.” He pushed open the door to allow the others in, but as he did, a glowing yellow symbol appeared on the door. It let out a blast of light, and the elf felt his sanity being jerked away from him. With a great effort of will, he managed to resist it, and the symbol faded away.Grundar shook his head after taking the blast of light right on. He'd been lucky twice with traps so far: it was best not to tempt Lady Tymora again. "Next time, I better check before I open doors," he muttered to himself. Then he grinned and swept his hands back at the crypt behind him "All right, here we go: I present to you…the Crypt of the Magi! Feel free to check out a coffin or two, see if there are any valuables you’d like.”Behind his helmet, Rumar's face slumped once more into a tight frown as he heard Grundar's callous words. "Truly, how could I not see how you take this vastly important mission with the utmost seriousness," he murmured to himself as he watched the others move about within the tomb. "I will wait out here," he called into the room, taking up a position outside the entryway. Let the others loot the bodies of the dead if they so desired - Rumar would have no part in such a deed.“Check for more traps,” said Terenon, cautiously moving in to the crypt. “I doubt one symbol on the door is the only protection this place has.”Rhys frowned as he stepped inside. "I've no problems with assisting you, but I'm confused. An agreement was made to put the mage’s bones to rest in this place. Granted, nothing was said about looting it afterwords,and I've few problems with looting it. The Selskaryn don't seem to have had the most savory of reputations. However, the book of Thyzen says in the 3rd Canto: One should always be true to their word; give it not lightly nor in jest, for your word is the hearald of your reputation.”Jelani couldn’t help but smile at Rhys’ quoting of scripture. “What you say may be true, but as the Book of Zarhin says: Be true to yourself, to do otherwise is unthinkable. To deny who you are is the worst of lies. Grundar and Terenon are just being true to themselves.”“And true enough, there are more traps in this crypt,” said Grundar. “It seems that the mage’s put a poweful spell on their sepulchers. If we were to open one, we would be transported to another plane of existence, most likely an unpleasant one. Not to worry, I’ll have it disarmed in a few minutes.”“We should be careful about opening the sepulchers,” said Terenon, looking at the center of the room with suspicion. “There are four ghostly warriors lurking ethereally in the crypt. They are not making any threatening movements yet, but I doubt they would allow us to loot those in their ward.”Rumar concentrated to detect evil auras in the room, finding four lingering about the ghosts. "The souls that lurk within that place are most certainly not benevolent," he called out. “It would be wise not to anger them.”“Well, we don’t have to open the sepulchers, per se,” said Grundar. “I could blink into them and take a look around. Any one have any objections?”"I doubt I could stop you from desecrating this place short of violence if there is treasure inside," Rumar called out in response to Grundar's question. "All the same, yes, I can safely be placed into the objecting category."“Anybody else?” the elf said, ignoring the paladin. “Good. It will just be a moment.”A total of twenty-four sepulchers lined the chamber, so it took Grundar a while to poke his head into each one. Most of the corpses inside did not have much of value on them, just some minor jewelry. One of the crypts was empty, and Grundar figured this would be a good place to inter the ghost's remains. A few of the crypts, those along the east wall of the room, seemed to belong to higher ranking indivduals and had more of value in them.The corpse inside the southernmost sarcophagus on the eastern wall wore two valuable-looking rings and clutched a rod decorated with a lightning motif in its hands.  Inside the sarcophagus next to this one, the corpse wore a silver skullcap. The remains in the next sepulcher were covered with a sheet of parchment; as Grundar looked in, a glowing black symbol appears on the parchment and gave off a bright flash of light. Grundar felt as if his soul was being torn from his body, but miraculously he was able to resist the death effect. The symbol faded away to nothingness. The elf pulled out of the last sepulcher, eyes wide. “Dammit, that’s the third one today! By the gods, I’m going to get myself killed one of these days.”“One could only hope,” Rumar muttered under his breath, but nobody heard him.“Well, the empty sepulcher is over there,” said Grundar, gesturing to a coffin.Terenon opened up the portable hole, and Allanon and Rhys retrieved the mage’s skeleton. Jelani opened the lid of the sepulcher and the others placed the bones within. As they did so, they heard a faint laugh. Floating down through the ceiling, the mage's ghost entered the crypt and favored the party with a smile. He said something in Loross, then crossed his arms and closed his eyes. He floated into the sarcophagus with his bones and faded away, finally laid to rest."Did anyone catch what that mage said? I think he said that we can take what's in the other sepulchers," Grundar snickered.Jelani chuckled. “I’m afraid not, Grundar. He thanked us, and reminded us that we need to destroy Bazim-Groag. Of course, we could just presume that what’s in the sepulchers could help in the fight, in which case I don’t think he’d mind. For what it’s worth, if you want to get what we can from them I don’t see it as a problem. However, if as Rumar says, the souls buried here still linger, then I would think that we should do what we can to see that they are put to rest, and just ask if we can use their former possessions.” He glanced at the paladin, looking for his input.Terenon looked deep in thought before he began to speak. "The warrior ghosts are obviously set with the task of protecting this crypt from robbers. I do believe that the items Grundar saw in the last coffins were worth taking for the up coming battle. The Selskaryn were an evil people, I doubt these four poor souls will find rest without help from us. Jelani, can you speak to them in their native tounge and find out if my speculations are correct? Maybe there is another way to lay them to rest without resorting to violence."Jelani stared off into space for just a moment before nodding. “It’s worth a try at least, but I should warn you that these spirits may have been trapped here long enough to go mad. If that’s the case, then they may attack us just because I spoke to them, or failed to use the proper etiquette by addressing them by their long forgotten titles, so it is best for you to be prepared.”Jelani took another moment to carefully choose his words and then called out to the spirits in the long dead tongue of the Selskaryn people. “Bound spirits of the Selskaryn, hear me. My companions and I have no desire to fight you, but we ask your permission for us to be in such a hallowed place. We would know what binds you to this place so that we might free you from your torment.”The warrior ghosts regarded Jelani for a few moments. Then, one floated forward and replied, “We are bound to this site to watch over the remains of the fallen Selskaryn mages and ensure that their tombs are not disturbed. If the tombs were to be destroyed, we would have no purpose and would thus be laid to rest. However, any attempt to desecrate the tombs will force us to attack you."“Were you bound here against your will?” asked Jelani."In life, we were tasked with protecting the mighty Selskaryn order from danger,” the ghost replied solemnly. “When the troll warlord Harska Thaug led his armies against, we failed in our duty and the Selskaryn were wiped out. Now, in death, we must protect these tombs at all costs. I'm afraid that if you plan on raiding them, we will have no choice but to attack. This will be your only chance to leave."“We wish to use the treasures in the crypts in the fight against Bazim-Gorag,” said Jelani. “From what I understand, it was not your fault that the Selskar Order fell, but rather the treachery of the Firebringer that sealed its doom. We intend to destroy the Firebringer, and these treasures will surely help us in our cause. This is your chance to make up for your failure, by allowing us to right the injustice that was wrought upon the Order centuries ago.The ghost turned to consult with its comrades. After a few minutes, it turned back toward Jelani. "You present a convincing case. We do not know what sort of treasures the mages were buried with, but if you pledge to use them in the fight against the Firebringer, then we will allow you to take them. Do not disturb the sanctity of the bodies, though."Jelani bowed before the ghosts. “I swear that we will use anything we find here to fight the Firebringer, and correct this injustice; as I value the wind on my face, so will I value this oath.” He then turned to the others. “The ghosts will let us take the items, as long as each of you swears an oath to use them in the fight against the Firebringer.”Each party member in turn swore an oath, and the ghosts allowed them to take the treasures from the crypts of the magi. Once they were all finished, Terenon said, “Let us leave this place. We can take Philosten with us when we teleport to Silverymoon. I just don't want the beholder seeing him leave. Jelani and I can spend the next week preparing our spell books with new spells for the upcoming battle with the hydra and the slaad lord. We must also buy generous amounts of fire resistance potions. Let us leave here with haste."----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Serrila Destare answered the knock on her door, opening it to reveal Rumar, Terenon, and the rest of the adventurers. “Welcome back,” she said, smiling, though her smile soon faded as she noticed the ragged man leaning heavily on Rhys.“This is a friend,” said Terenon in response to her questioning glance. “Philosten. The Acolytes had planned to use him in the ritual of unbinding. We need a safe place to keep him until this business blows over, someplace where Acessiwal’s spies cannot find him.”“I will keep him safe here until the situation blows over,” Serrila said. She took Philosten by the arm and led him to a back room with a comfortable bed. She then fetched him a pitcher of water and some food before returning to the sitting room, where the group had already made themselves comfortable.Rumar had pulled off his squat metal helmet when he entered his sister's room, revealing a face which only vaguely resembled his sibling's. Unlike his sister, Rumar's skin had an underlying green tinge to it, the pecuiliarity of which was further punctuated by pupils swimming in circles of pure gold. His head was shorn of hair, though the faint traces of stubble peeping about atop implied that he was not bald, but merely shaved it. “Could that undead creature in the cells have been necessary for the ritual?” he was asking. “I can think of no reason for the acolytes to have had it locked up.”“The thing was obviously insane,” said Allanon. “That would be reason enough to lock it up, for their own protection. Or maybe it had always been there, a remnant of the times of the Selskar Order.”Terenon stood up as Serrila entered and moved over to her. “Serrila, your aid has been invaluable over the past few days. On behalf of the group, I wanted to present you with a token of our thanks.” From within the folds of his robes, the mage produced a small ring. He had found the ring in the treasury after they had defeated the construct that guarded it, and it was a thing of beauty: a white gold band engraved with a leaf motif, with an emerald set inside. The ring also bore a magical enhancement that would protect its wielder from harm. Terenon held the ring forth and presented it to the aasimar sorceress. “May it aid you and protect you from harm,” he said.Serrila’s golden eyes sparkled and a smile spread across her face. "It's beautiful! You didn't have to get anything for me; you know my aid is given willingly. It's very sweet of you. It shows you care." She slid the ring onto her delicate finger and gave a soft kiss to Terenon's cheek.Terenon blushed a little at Serrila's praise of the ring. He said off handedly, "All of us appreciate what you have done. If it were not for your help, we would not have gotten as far as we have."Serrila smiled again and glanced over at her brother. "I hope Rumar hasn't been too much of a burden on your expedition. Once he found out about the danger in the ruins, he insisted on accompanying you. He can be a little...hardheaded at times," she said sheepishly, casting a forgiving glance at Rumar."I prefer to think of myself as merely extremely steadfast in my efforts," the paladin replied wryly, stretching his arms, neck and shoulders about languidly.At the mention of her brother, Terenon's jaw noticably tightened. He gave out a half-laugh and said, "Yes, your brother sees no gray in the world, only black and white. It would seem that you have taken all the charm and left him with none. However, he has good intentions and is only trying to do the right thing, so I can barely fault him for that.“It looks like we will be in town for a week or two. I will be writing spells in my book. Do you think I can pay for a room here in the guild? Perhaps, on my meal breaks, you would be kind enough to dine with me?""I am sure the guild will rent out a room for only a few pieces of gold. And I would be delighted to dine with you as long as you stay here," the aasimar said, smiling.Rumar listened as Terenon talked with Serilla, watching closely with narrowed eyes as the two interacted. By the end, what little good mood that had surfaced upon entering had washed back away, clear irritation showing upon the paladin’s face. It seemed that he did not approve of what was developing before his eyes.Smiling, Terenon turned his attention to Grundar. "Do you think we can sell some of our treasures and rent a hall to celebrate tonight? A private party for us and our dear friends. We can hire bards to serenade us with song and Cooks to fill our bellies with good food. I will start my studying tomorrow. Tonight let us enjoy our successes and good fortune."“Sure thing,” said Grundar. “We have lots of loot to distribute, and I’ll need some help with the dwarf statue and some of the heavier treasures. I’ll get us a nice private hall where we can celebrate tonight.”"I will go with you, Grundar," Rumar muttered, cramming his helmet back upon his face. "I would rather distribute my sixth of the share before it is frittered away on trivialities." The difference between his voice with and without the helmet was vaguely unsettling. Without the metal encasement, it had a musical, pleasing quality much alike Serilla's; with it, his voice just ended up sounding flat and imposing.As they headed out, Terenon turned to Serrila and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. “I will escort you to the party tonight. It will be a night to remember.”----------------------------------------------------------------------------------The half-elf approached the fallen Tower of the Star. He was clad in tight black clothing, but was otherwise nondescript. A man in brown robes followed behind him, his hands bound, his head bowed in submission. A prisoner as powerful as this mage would normally need more than mere rope to keep him complacent, but Yarrick Zan had many more tools at his disposal than the obvious.Zan gazed questioningly at the ruined guardhouse, expecting to see the fomorian giants watching the approach to the keep. His suspicions were confirmed at the sight of the enormous corpses rotting in the courtyard. Various carrion birds picked at the flesh, unconcerned by these newcomers. It seems the Acolytes finally bit off more than they could chew, thought Zan. Leading the mage across the rubble-strewn courtyard, he found the secret door leading to the teleportation circle hanging open. Intrigued, the half-elf stepped into the circle and disappeared with a flash, reappearing in the connecting room below. Before him was a scene of carnage. Several slaad corpses were strewn about the hall, and the tangy smell of ozone lingered in the air. Blood and gore were spattered on every surface.Zan's lips twitched in agitation. Looks like I won't be getting the rest of my payment. There is something I might salvage from loss, however. The half-elf turned to the mage, his eyes gleaming.Several minutes later, Zan emerged from the ruins, alone. His task was completed, and now all that was left was to look forward to the next job. Due to his reputation, he rarely lacked for work; it was only a matter of time before another wealthy patron required his services.Zan raised an eyebrow as a large, spherical shape emerged from the surrounding forest. A beholder, apparently, though one missing its central eye. Zan had had his fair share of experiences with their ilk, though usually not in open, forested areas. Smiling, the beholder floated a short distance away from the half-elf and gave him an appraising look with its eyestalks."Yarrick Zan? I have a proposition for you..."</blockquote>

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