Surprisingly, they reached the fountain without a hitch. Not only that, but the fountain was filled with enough of its healing liquid to fix not only Sain’s arm, but Halthor’s damaged ribs as well, with plenty of liquid to spare. So Halthor had an idea. He was going to take the waterskins he had, and use them to store the liquid from the fountain. But the process would be sloppy, and potentially waste some of the liquid, so, he had a follow up idea. He would do that before the group left. That way, the party would use as much of the liquid as they needed before he attempted storing any of it. “What a good idea,” he thought to himself.
Having accomplished their goal with surprising ease, the party decided to explore the area as there were still plenty of rooms they had never seen. There were many strange sites such as an albino giant suspended in a glass hexagonal chamber, but still no monsters to contest their travels. They soon found a sarcophagus, and after using a few arrows to shoot the nearby mummified horses, they opened the tomb to find an amulet, and a chest full of treasure.
Their journey through the tomb had been surprisingly calm so far, but finally, something had appeared to contest them as a pair of albino apes approached in a nearby room, beating their chests and screeching at the party. Halthor, having the strongest armor and newfound confidence at his fixed chests, attempted to contests their screeching with his own derogatory cacophony of “ooks” and “eeks”, with the intent of being a target for the apes to fatally attempt to fight while his other companions did what they could to kill them. This plan did not stop Axrid from almost getting his skull bashed in by an ape, but it's the thought that counts.
The rest of their journey through the tomb was less eventful. They had met an abominable giant that was a former explorer of the tomb that had met a terrible fate to its inhabitants. They found a room with reversed gravity, suspended hooks and cut away faces that they ignored, under the suspicion that they would get trapped on the ceiling. And they had finally reached the third level of the tomb, where they began a short exploration of a cavern they had discovered. Aside from this, they had not fought anything else, or found any new treasure. It was a surprisingly calm day for them.
All that was left was to return to the fountain and get as much rejuvenating liquid as they could before leaving. Unfortunately, fate had decided that this relaxed day of theirs must come at a price. Returning to the fountain they saw several eviscerated ticks, indicating that some fight had occurred while they were gone. And as for the fountain, it had been completely drained of its liquid with it likely being used to recover the state of whoever had fought these creatures. It would probably refill in due time, but the experience was disheartening as what would have been an amazing opportunity disappeared before their very eyes. At the very least, they were still able to gain treasure, and they had still healed Sain and Halthor, so while the fountain being empty had hurt, this day was certainly not a loss.
With the party a little bit richer and in better condition, they leave the tomb and prepare to sail northwest towards the Island of Thain. A man named Kalu would like to have a word with Halthor about the potential mapping of islands.
Session 18 Downtime Events
Hidden in the shadows of Lestryhonia, Zanorak further changed. He awoke to find both of his arms scrawny and feeble. Both were covered in green flesh up to the shoulder and each of his hands grew webbed and slimy.
Halthor spoke with those who he knew in Lestryhonia and discovered that Kormak bore no relation to Hetun and was a mercenary from foreign lands. It was said that Kormak had the strength of four men and was able to throw one as a child tosses a doll. Those he spoke with speculated that Kormak meant to bully the Holy Trio out of Lestryhonia so his patrons would not have reason to hire others.
Sain sought to learn about those who could charm snakes. He learned that the Magi of the Trepanted circle were said to have power over snakes even being able to force them to whisper their secrets.
Bodhi searched through the Tome of Lore but was unable to find any mention in regards to a magic amulet.
Axrid took his mercenaries with him to carouse and the trio grew closer. The men proclaimed Axrid a fair and kind commander and that the band of men who he fought with were fearless.
Matthias returned to the temple of Vodim and repeated ancient rites. He chanted the ancient song of the world-tree and prepared doses of holy water. Before he was able to rejoin his companions he dream of valkyries taking him away to Valhalla where he fought fiercely with Gento, Tontra, and Cartivel. He attempted to reach out to them but merely awoke in a cold sweat.
As Nanok searched for rumor he was approached by a trio of men, behind them a figure clad in a dark robe with his lips stitched tight. One of the men offered a letter while, the two behind him set down a small chest at Nanok's feet and then departed. Inside the chest were 12 golden coins and the letter contained the following.
To the Holy Trio
I greet the sword of Vodim and his two spearmen. I hear that you took Hetun's head from his shoulders. I hope you kindly accept my gratitude.
The Sorcerer Called Ebon Pirithus
The following day he was approached by a band of men clad in white masks. They introduced themselves as the anointed of Tepes and servants to King Huhalyn. They explained how word of the Holy Trio's actions had reached them and they wished to barter with the Holy Trio. They explained that in exchange for five able men to serve them, they would extend means of preparing sorcery which would warn a man of danger that would befall them.
Two days after Nanok was approached by a man nearly twice his height clad in a dark cloak. The figure lowered his hood and introduced himself as a disciple of The Sorcerer Arkad. He explained that seeing as the Combative Companions were unable to find the Ring of Kordis, the sorcerer's disciples would enter into the Burial Tomb of the Tridobaktrus. The disciple explained that The Sorcerer Arkad would pay them to protect his laborers as they constructed palisades around the entrance into the tomb.
They gained the following rumors:
1) Kalu Wolf-toothed of Thain seeks a husband for his eldest daughter.
2) Sailors whisper of a pair of giant pincers emerging from the bay south of Lestryhonia and cutting a man in half.
3) King Adok pledges three sacks of sliver to whoever can bring him the Cyclops's head.
4) On Samarta lives a tribe of men who are able to turn their flesh transparent.
5) The Magi of the Trepenated circle gained their sorcery by reading the grimoire of a giant.
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