A Prison for The Gods
With Talindra, Avatar of Indra sealed away once more the party gathered what treasure they could gather from her tomb and contemplated a brief respite to regroup. The ordeal was harrowing and many of the party were in a state of shock once the adrenaline wore off. The idea of locking themselves within the tomb was knocked around but eventually discarded as members of the group wandered off down a long hall. Perplexed La’Fiorre, Soule, Yannad, and Allyne rushed to catch up with their allies. What they found at the end of the hall was yet another of Usher’s Monument’s many secrets.
The Merchant proved to be a strange and mysterious demon in the guise of a dwarf. He offered food and shelter for a not so modest price. He claimed to provide safe refuge and commerce for those that would brave the hardships of The Monument. Like the Guardian and The Warden his role was set by those that created The Monument and had no ability or will to overstep his bounds. Wary of the stranger with powers beyond their understanding the party paid his fees in no small part due to Tartan Klavosh. Tartan was a part of the host of heroes that had set out to find Usher’s Monument but not as an adventurer but as the squire of Ser Robin le Prochain à Mourir. The death of Ser Robin was an unfortunate event that left Klavosh masterless and far from civilized lands. Unable and unwilling to leave him behind the party took the crippled squire on as a porter of sorts. Many thought him lost when the great party split to find a way across The Monument’s Bridges. But it was not so. He met the dwarf and The Merchant took pity on him showing him a secret way into the tower.
Reunited The Reunion Heroes spent a restful night with The Merchant and awakened magically refreshed and ready for the new challenges that awaited. One Tome had been claimed from Talindra’s Tomb, Tome of The Body, four remained.
Beyond the dwarf’s hall was a bridge of old stone spanning a pit of molten lava and flaming beasts. The bridge was in various states of disrepair and the party was forced to rely on their ingenuity and Agility to make the crossing. As they dripped with sweat and ached from straining muscles they reached the other side only to have Allyne lose his footing during a tremor. It would have been The Kinslayer’s end but Klavoshed proved that he was more than just a squire. With agility and bravery at odds with his subservient and cripple persona he dove from the crumbling bridge and saved the doomed elf. None the worse for wear the party continued.
The next room saw the heroes swarmed by more ravenous Tombbugs. This time the party was ready for the stinging and biting creatures. Soele wreathed his allies in magical protections before setting the area ablaze. When the fires settled all that remained were those questing to save the realm and the ashes of their enemies. Signs of a previous but doomed party were revealed and the party found themselves in a stairwell with a deadly trapped but this too only proved to strengthen their resolve.
The next obstacle was a Succubus radiating sexual energy and her two armored Giant thralls. The party quickly found themselves under attack by powerful foes but by working together they weathered the tides of battle. Again Tartan proved to be more than what he seemed. Producing a length of wire previously concealed he choked the demon and managed to keep her from devouring Soele’s soul. And at her moment of weakness he pounced on the demonic seductress and bound her to a strange hidden ring. Wounded but victorious The Reunion Heroes continued to through halls and stairwells until they came upon a familiar stone entrance to a Mausoleum…
To Be Continued…