Part 6: Deeper into the Keep

We’ve finally managed to kill the Goblin boss, and while we managed to secure a tidy sum of valuables from him, we are no closer to solving this rift problem. I would however not let this weaken my resolve and urged my companions to press on through the keep. As we left that bizarre derelict quarry we found ourselves in a secluded cavern with a standing pool of water. In the centre rested an island which had some impressive treasure within eye’s notice. And while this all seemed too good to be true, Korrok decided that fortune favoured the bold and bravely charged ahead. I want to make it clear here that I admire Korrok’s approach to life as it has served us well in battle before, but the ungodly beast he roused from the lake’s depths was something we really could have done without. The amorphous slime burst forth from the water, dousing all our party in acid. While Korrok and I tried to fight through the burning torture, it proved too much for us and we both eventually succumbed to the scorching pain. The rest of our group must not have performed any more as valiantly since when I managed to come too, the horrible blob was still assailing what few of us was left standing. But, summoning a strength that shouldn’t have been possible, I rose to my feet and managed to deal the killing blow to the foul creature, who continued to showcase this foul nature by exploding in one final torrent of acid, searing me into another agonizing slumber.

When I awoke again, I felt as bad as the rest of my friends looked, so with a heavy heart we had no choice but to return to town to lick our wounds once again. When we arrived at the city gates however, we were greeted with a town in panic. After persuading the guards to left us inside, we discovered that while we had been away, the small community had become beset by the living dead. And as much as my warrior’s heart did not want to leave the innocents in such peril, we were all too weakened by our lashings in the keep to do anything about it now. Luckily it was still daylight, so we had enough time to regain our strength and set out just after nightfall right before the undead would obviously begin their reign of terror anew. As we entered the cemetery, we were greeted by the mysterious elf that Franz had so spectacularly failed to persuade in the bar. In fact, where was Franz that day anyhow? I swore he was right behind me back at Shadowfell keep. I didn’t have long to give the question thought though, since the elf invoked the use of an arcane circle set up amongst the graves and unleashed a torrent of undead flesh from their resting places. As I proceeded to rend the skeletal masses limb from limb, our Warlock showed his proficiency for blowing up tombstones, as the elf managed to duck and weave betwixt them to evade his arcane attacks. Korrok, who was becoming increasingly agitated by the Elvin rouges constant evasion, managed to catch her and lay down the following proposition; “Either you quit hoping around and come with us or I’ll rip your arms off.” Surprisingly the elf complied and surrendered herself to Aegis’ care. Before we left to inform the town of our success, the party deemed it best to disarm the spell circle as to prevent further use of its unholy power. However with our wizard noticeable absent, the less arcanely inclined of our group struggled and failed with the magic array for several minutes. Feeling the last of my patience waning, I walked up to one of the rune stones that formed the circle and kicked it over in frustration. To the awe of my companions, this seemed to dispel the circle’s effects, although I still don’t see why that was supposed to be so hard in the first place.
After turning the elf over to the authorities, we returned to Shadowfell so that we may finally uncover the source of these rifts which threatened the town. We scaled down into a yet unexplored level of the keep and were greeted with darkness. Since Franz had still not shown himself at this point, I had to use one of the sun rods I’d been carrying in case of emergency. I stuck the glowing wand through my belt and continued to lead my companions through the darkness. Throughout this level of the keep there were strange symbols inscribed on the floor, and since one of them caused a squirrel carcass to explode in gore, we decided it best to steer clear of them. Unfortunately, there seemed to be one of this cursed marks blocking our ever path, so I decided to try and jump over the obstruction. I managed to clear it in one leap, but found to my dismay that the blasted markings continued to beset us at every intersection. With no choice but to try and avoid them all, Korrok was the first to follow my lead. I was surprised to find that the dragonborn possessed so little of his relatives grace in the air, when Korrok proceeded to jump and fall immediately onto the trap. There suddenly was a frightening howl which filled the halls and I felt a terrible pain in my chest. When the pain finally subsided I found myself alone, save the still fallen Korrok, with the rest of my friends gone off into the dark. There was little time to worry about them however since a horde of zombies came shambling out of the pitch black that surrounded me. I quickly fled to Korrok’s side in the doorway to block the undead’s path to my fear stricken allies, and began to cleave the rotting horrors two by two. Korrok finally managed to get to his feat, and joined me in battle by unleashing a wave of devastating lighting from his jaws, which felled many of the more decomposed creatures instantly. I had never seen the dragonborn’s ability up close like this before, but it was certainly an impressive sight. And after the paladin’s efforts were added to my own there was nary a zombie left standing. Now I must close this journal entry, since I still hear the screams of my comrades filling the dark halls, and I should really go and find them.

~Gene