Several days of rest back at the Keep rejuvenated the party. They wondered what the "Old Watchtower" marked on their map might be. And why was it so close to the caves?
They decided to explore the tower to find out for themselves. They also heard rumors there might be a crazy hermit holed up in the place.
An Ogre attacked them a few miles into Fellgrim Forest that the party dispatched quite easily.
With the tower in sight, they decided against walking straight to it. Instead, they sneaked through the edges of the forest. About 200 feet from the tower an old hermit and a vicious Dire Mountain Lion ambushing them from the trees surprised them.. In a matter of seconds it was all over – the party killed both of them. Whatever secrets he knew about the tower, he took with him to the grave. Speaking of graves, the party buried the hermit in the woods… (After taking the ring from his finger and adding it to their combined treasure).
Entering the tower, they found the hermit lived well. Gardens outside, cleaned dishes, secured door, maybe he was not so crazy after all. They also found a magic dagger under his bed. The upper tower levels were in ruin (evidence of past dragon attack). At the base of the stairs on the southern interior wall, was a heavy iron-banded door barring whatever was below.
The party carefully journeyed down. The first underground room did not follow the tower plan; it was a much larger squared room not a circle like the tower. Evidence of a larger dungeon complex perhaps? Around the walls were pillars. To the East and South led passageways. It was at this time, eight skeletons burst from the walls, plaster flying everywhere. They attacked the party. An excellent battle, all eight were dispatched but not so easily. Working in the darkness was challenging with Zoltar doing his best to keep his lantern on the targets in the heat of battle.
It was time to investigate the passageways. The Southern one, led to another heavily barred door against a natural cavern wall. Behind it was an immense cavern lit by luminous fungus. Not far in, maybe 100 feet, it began descending east steeply. The party closed the door, barred it again and went to investigate the other passageway.
That Eastern passage ended in thirty feet. Along the walls were strange faces with telltale holes for mouths. An obvious dart trap perhaps? The thief, Chopper, found and removed three trapped floor flagstones. With the trap removed, he went to examine the door down the 30-foot hallway. It was inscribed with a riddle in common tongue.
Ye who enter. Thieves and Knaves
Shall find the terror of my grave.
Oar, ye enter, if ye will.
Beware! Your blood I seek to spill.
If ye seek my burial tomb
Where wealth untold pervades the gloom.
Up, up. up thrice past the Beast
Who waits alone, on you to feast,
Not much farther ‘til you’re free.
But first you’ll have to deal with me.
Enter further, if you dare,
But, one day hence, you’ll have no air!
Chopper, not finding any traps, pushed the stone slab that was the door inwards. The hallway beyond led eastward into the darkness. The air was stale and dusty. The door must have been sealed for years. Further down the hallway were empty alcoves on either side of the passage. Beyond that, the passage began sloping downward. It led to a very large 80’ x 80’ square chamber. Other than doors on the North, East and South walls, the only thing here was heaps of bones and garbage.
From the bones and debris rose twelve skeletons that immediately began attacking. One of the skeletons was different than the rest: Dark armor and a nasty looking sword… The battle was both epic and chaotic. The party got separated and the weaker characters were surrounded leading to the death of the Wizard Zoltar. A sad day. In the end, the surviving members of the party finished off the undead and headed back to the surface.
They buried Zoltar behind the tower and re-grouped inside. What to do next? It began to rain; luckily, the tower was rainproof.
Here is where the party begins next session. What, is that two elves in the woods scooping out the tower??? To be determined in Session #5.
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