EBERRON: THE SIBERYS SEVEN
SEGMENT 012
“Snig’s Lair”
The secret tunnel that leads to Snig’s safe meeting area is dark and narrow. Vander and Aura in their armor have a difficult time moving. Snig flinches every time their armor loudly scraps on a jutting rock. The nearly 7ft tall Bora finds herself likewise cramped. She needs to bend her knees to walk through the passage. Finally however the narrow tunnel leads to a grate and Snig motions everyone to go down. Mania gives an assuring look to Leeya and Dura. However, it is noted that he will not go first into the new area.
The eight of them are now in an open space. The smell of water is strong. “Where are we?” asks Leeya.
“Below Sharn. Now be quiet. There are many groups and predators within Undersharn. Each would gladly take you and your possessions to the black market.”
Leeya is a bit put off. She has never seen mania be this way. There is more to him than the flirtatious young man he makes himself out to be. Snig and Mania creep ahead of the others. Their forms are just barely visible in the darkness to those without darkvision. Dura, a dwarf, watches them creep to a gate. They look around and whisper something then go back to them.
In a hushed tone, Mania asks everyone to move slowly and quietly. He looks at the paladin and the warrior and knows better. But every effort is important. They creep slowly through the gate, which leads to a rising arched bridge. Once at the highest point, they look around and point below. Dura whispers to the others to be quiet.
Below, on the water reservoir, a raft can just be seen. A lone figure is on it. Unseen by the adventurers, another raft or means for someone to be there is under the bridge. At forty feet away, they can not make out details of the talk. However, Snig insists on listening in on the conversation. Leeya notes he has a cone shaped shell held up to his ear. It must be allowing him to listen in.
Five minutes go by then the raft moves away along with the person on it. Snig and Mania wait another five minutes before motioning to follow them. Leeya begins to protest but Dura motions to agree and move. They cross the bridge and find a series of new tunnels. Some are for walking and others are water chutes. Snig motions to enter a chute and about ten feet up they find themselves entering a small room with heavy curtains. The curtains conceal sight and sound as they pass them.
Fifty feet beyond these is a locked door which Snig has a key for and mumbles a few words in goblin before entering. “Welcome to the lair of the Yellow Fear.”
The door opens and inside is a 25 x 25-foot room with several hammocks and crates used for tables and chairs. Two short pale green goblins are playing cards in a corner with a lantern burning. Without looking up they greet Snig. “Hey Boss.”
Snig clears his throat then steps over and slams the head of one goblin onto the table. The other goblin jumps up. “Company! Big people! Alive people!” He jabbers in a mix of common and goblin.
“Guard the room. NO. NO. Do I make myself clear? No cards.” Says Snig with some anger.
He passes them after kicking the stunned goblin with a bloody nose while it still sits on the floor. The adventurers pass them wondering what they have gotten themselves into.
Within a new room which is better kept and also clean, Snig and adventurers gather.
“What was that about on the bridge?” demands Leeya of Snig and Mania.
“As I was saying before, there are many groups here. Clans or gangs if you will. Everyone is nervous about these undead suddenly appearing.”
“Yes everyone. Including Lady Calderus.” Adds Snig quietly.
“Who is that?” asks Dura.
“Very powerful ruler here. Undead. Vampire. We Yellow Fear thieves avoid her and her people as much as possible.”
“And who else?” asks Aura unhappy with this cat and mouse game.
“Not sure. Could be the Jack of Irons. Could be Silver Crimson for all I know. Someone she respects so I avoid him.”
“Enough.” Says Vander with no room for argument. “What are we here for?”
Snig takes off his green cap and scratches his balding scalp. “Its undead vs. Undead. She is battling the undead. The other person is to take care of the higher levels.”
Leeya sighs.
“Aura looks at Mania and the goblin contemplating what to say and how to word it. “Mania, you lead us to this goblin “rogue” for information. What information does he have? I suspect it is more than what he believes he heard when listening in on these creatures.” It is obvious her patience is thinning.
The goblin chews his lower lip and squints at the paladin then at Mania. “Paladin?” He says with a disgusted look.
“Yup.”
“Human or elven?”
“I doubt either.” This moment makes everyone suddenly aware they do not know either. The Paladin takes a step back. She is uncertain what may happen next.
“WELL?” stresses Leeya. Her strong and stubborn will comes to the surface. “What can you tell us?”
The goblin sits down and tries to pretend he is in control of this conversation still. He calmly gets a bottle and sniffs it’s contents. His eyes go blank for a moment then he pours some into a dirty cup then chugs the rest from the bottle. He looks sourly at her and burbs. Drops of spittle land on his table and floor. “Since you asked so nice….”
“Through my own resources, I have found out this is an act of aggression from an outside faction. It is aimed at Sharn and Breland in General. It will NOT be limited to here however. Somewhere, there is an alchemical mixture that creates these fiendish fumes that change living creatures into zombies of ill will. It is not limited to humans nor goblins.”
“Where does it originate?”
“I would begin near the surface …near Center Bridge.”
“Then we go.” Says Vander turning.
Mania takes the lead and they leave Snig and his two goblin thieves behind.
“What do you think of them boss?”
“They will have their uses. Come. If we hurry, we can eavesdrop on Viorr during his luncheon with the King.”