Date: 15th June 2024
It's another Saturday in Aldershot and time for the next episode of our Evils of Illmire campaign.
Today our heroes delved too quickly, too deeply...
It's another Saturday in Aldershot and time for the next episode of our Evils of Illmire campaign.
Today our heroes delved too quickly, too deeply...
Tour of the town
Morning had come upon Illmire, long dawn shadows loomed across the subdued settlement as a muted, hazy sun rose through clinging early mists over the region.
Our heroes awoke with the rosy light and discussed their next move.
They discussed returning to the Stonemason’s house but decided against it.
It had been a while since our heroes had ventured to the closed off mine situated north of the town, since then, there had been rumour an occasional zombie sighted shambling in the wilds that abounded in the surrounding hills.
They thought there might be a good opportunity to wring money out of Mayor Zlatko.
The mayor’s residence was a two storey brick affair and one of the most sturdy buildings in Illmire. After knocking on the iron-reinforced door, it was answered by Piedlund, they had encountered the cool-eyed servant previously. He looked at them with his usual calm, neutral distance..
“Can I help you?” came Piedlund’s inevitable question.
Our heroes spoke with him, Cheery explained that they had heard the stories of wandering zombies and was inquiring to a reward for dealing with them.
Piedlund explained that Mayor Zlatko was ‘otherwise engaged’, our heroes had heard it before.
Cheery was persistent though and a smooth talker too, he managed to convince Piedlund to let them see Zlatko in the afternoon!
Buoyed by the success, our heroes realised they had several hours before their appointment. They strode over to the miller’s house, they had spoken with Deela and Lanham before and the couple were friendly enough.
Like many people in Illmire, word of zombies had reached Deela and Lanham of farmers and trappers north of the town spotting them in the distance.
Lanham also quietly conferred to our heroes that he thought he had seen movement outside the temple late at night.
Our heroes asked them about the stonemason but they could provide any further information.
Next; our heroes wandered over to the carpenter’s shop. Wendelaine, the carpenter’s wife had told them her husband and son were behaving strangely and our heroes wanted to see if this was still the case. They found young Buel there again, once more his father was elsewhere.
Our heroes enacted their cunning plan: Under the pretence of wanting to engage the services of the carpenter, they would question Buel and gather information.
They did not get any information from Buel, who was as distant and cold as they’d seen before but they did come away knowing that they could buy planks of wood from the carpenter for two silver coins apiece!
The day wore on and as the sun left its zenith, our heroes returned to the mayor’s residence. Before entering, Brother Steve chanted a prayer and they knocked on the door. Piedlund swung the front door wide and coolly allowed them access.
They stepped through the threshold on to a smooth polished floor and found themselves in a reception hall, various decorations and ornaments hung off the walls. Piedlund led our heroes into a reception room and Zlatko was waiting for them.
Dressed in finery, Zlatko was a youngish, corpulent man with a balding head - although this was from appearances not from the balding fever.
The room was well appointed with articles of office, some portraits as well as various semi-precious trinkets while an intricately detailed rug lay across the floor.
Zlatko regarded them intently and invited them to sit in the many upholstered chairs while Piedlund served some drinks.
Thanks to his prayer, Brother Steve could sense the stench of evil emanating from Zlatko! There was little our heroes could do to discuss it now among themselves.
Our heroes proposed dealing with the zombie problem north of Illmire - for a fee of course but Zlatko was not impressed and did not consider it to be an issue for the town.
Our heroes asked Zlatko about the situation with the balding fever.
“That would be an ecumenical matter,” Mayor Zlatko stated flatly.
Our heroes asked when the temple was going to reopen.
“That would be an ecumenical matter.”
Our heroes considered asking the mayor about the ear on a broken necklace they had discovered but It was clear that Mayor Zlatko had little time for our heroes; they gave their farewells and left, after checking he had both his ears.
Passing Piedlund on the way out, they saw he also had both his ears.
For a time our heroes discussed staking out Zlatko’s house but instead decided to visit the carnival.
Day was nearing its conclusion by the time our heroes arrived. The march had been uneventful and a low western sun blazed at their backs, lengthening shadows dancing into the distance ahead.
As the carnival came into sight, our heroes turned off the King’s Highway. A murmurous bustle of activity filled the site as our heroes walked in. Preparations were being made for a nonexistent audience…
Regardless of this, our heroes sought out Esmerelda the fortune teller at her fortune teller’s tent. One of her readings cost a hundred gold. Our heroes bitterly parted with the money, entered the tent, then sat and waited.
Esmeralda consulted her crystal ball elaborately, waving her hands esoterically and staring deep within its distorted swirls of colour, her eyes grew unfocused, voice deepened and our heroes imagined a slight ethereal wind tug at them…
“A heart of green stays out of sight while cached away in webbed height,” said Esmerelda.
Our heroes were confounded by this! What could ‘heart of green’ mean? Perhaps heart of green referred to the loggers camp.
They questioned Esmerelda about fishmen, she stated that she could do no further readings today, she had exhausted herself.
None the wiser, our heroes left.
Outside the tent, Brother Steve concentrated and prayed again, he was shocked to discover that the stench of evil emanated throughout the carnival. Our heroes decided to leave.
Morning had come upon Illmire, long dawn shadows loomed across the subdued settlement as a muted, hazy sun rose through clinging early mists over the region.
Our heroes awoke with the rosy light and discussed their next move.
They discussed returning to the Stonemason’s house but decided against it.
It had been a while since our heroes had ventured to the closed off mine situated north of the town, since then, there had been rumour an occasional zombie sighted shambling in the wilds that abounded in the surrounding hills.
They thought there might be a good opportunity to wring money out of Mayor Zlatko.
The mayor’s residence was a two storey brick affair and one of the most sturdy buildings in Illmire. After knocking on the iron-reinforced door, it was answered by Piedlund, they had encountered the cool-eyed servant previously. He looked at them with his usual calm, neutral distance..
“Can I help you?” came Piedlund’s inevitable question.
Our heroes spoke with him, Cheery explained that they had heard the stories of wandering zombies and was inquiring to a reward for dealing with them.
Piedlund explained that Mayor Zlatko was ‘otherwise engaged’, our heroes had heard it before.
Cheery was persistent though and a smooth talker too, he managed to convince Piedlund to let them see Zlatko in the afternoon!
Buoyed by the success, our heroes realised they had several hours before their appointment. They strode over to the miller’s house, they had spoken with Deela and Lanham before and the couple were friendly enough.
Like many people in Illmire, word of zombies had reached Deela and Lanham of farmers and trappers north of the town spotting them in the distance.
Lanham also quietly conferred to our heroes that he thought he had seen movement outside the temple late at night.
Our heroes asked them about the stonemason but they could provide any further information.
Next; our heroes wandered over to the carpenter’s shop. Wendelaine, the carpenter’s wife had told them her husband and son were behaving strangely and our heroes wanted to see if this was still the case. They found young Buel there again, once more his father was elsewhere.
Our heroes enacted their cunning plan: Under the pretence of wanting to engage the services of the carpenter, they would question Buel and gather information.
They did not get any information from Buel, who was as distant and cold as they’d seen before but they did come away knowing that they could buy planks of wood from the carpenter for two silver coins apiece!
The day wore on and as the sun left its zenith, our heroes returned to the mayor’s residence. Before entering, Brother Steve chanted a prayer and they knocked on the door. Piedlund swung the front door wide and coolly allowed them access.
They stepped through the threshold on to a smooth polished floor and found themselves in a reception hall, various decorations and ornaments hung off the walls. Piedlund led our heroes into a reception room and Zlatko was waiting for them.
Dressed in finery, Zlatko was a youngish, corpulent man with a balding head - although this was from appearances not from the balding fever.
The room was well appointed with articles of office, some portraits as well as various semi-precious trinkets while an intricately detailed rug lay across the floor.
Zlatko regarded them intently and invited them to sit in the many upholstered chairs while Piedlund served some drinks.
Thanks to his prayer, Brother Steve could sense the stench of evil emanating from Zlatko! There was little our heroes could do to discuss it now among themselves.
Our heroes proposed dealing with the zombie problem north of Illmire - for a fee of course but Zlatko was not impressed and did not consider it to be an issue for the town.
Our heroes asked Zlatko about the situation with the balding fever.
“That would be an ecumenical matter,” Mayor Zlatko stated flatly.
Our heroes asked when the temple was going to reopen.
“That would be an ecumenical matter.”
Our heroes considered asking the mayor about the ear on a broken necklace they had discovered but It was clear that Mayor Zlatko had little time for our heroes; they gave their farewells and left, after checking he had both his ears.
Passing Piedlund on the way out, they saw he also had both his ears.
For a time our heroes discussed staking out Zlatko’s house but instead decided to visit the carnival.
Day was nearing its conclusion by the time our heroes arrived. The march had been uneventful and a low western sun blazed at their backs, lengthening shadows dancing into the distance ahead.
As the carnival came into sight, our heroes turned off the King’s Highway. A murmurous bustle of activity filled the site as our heroes walked in. Preparations were being made for a nonexistent audience…
Regardless of this, our heroes sought out Esmerelda the fortune teller at her fortune teller’s tent. One of her readings cost a hundred gold. Our heroes bitterly parted with the money, entered the tent, then sat and waited.
Esmeralda consulted her crystal ball elaborately, waving her hands esoterically and staring deep within its distorted swirls of colour, her eyes grew unfocused, voice deepened and our heroes imagined a slight ethereal wind tug at them…
“A heart of green stays out of sight while cached away in webbed height,” said Esmerelda.
Our heroes were confounded by this! What could ‘heart of green’ mean? Perhaps heart of green referred to the loggers camp.
They questioned Esmerelda about fishmen, she stated that she could do no further readings today, she had exhausted herself.
None the wiser, our heroes left.
Outside the tent, Brother Steve concentrated and prayed again, he was shocked to discover that the stench of evil emanated throughout the carnival. Our heroes decided to leave.
On the road
Sunlight had been reduced to a crimson band across the western horizon while encroaching night began revealing stars as our heroes began the march back to Illmire.
Not far out from the carnival, our heroes spotted a plume of smoke rising above the tree line somewhere further along the winding highway, a rising column of black against a blackening sky.
Pressing on they soon came across a soot coloured silhouette smudged against the road, gloaming light barely revealed the shape of a ruined wagon gutted by fire.
Brother Steve ran forward to investigate, a low heat still radiated from the burnt out, collapsed skeletal remains of what had been a traders wagon, anything within had been reduced to ash. No bodies could be seen but signs of scuffles were apparent, splashes and patches of blood were still drying. Whatever had occurred, had been recent.
Tracks heading north were easily found, our heroes set off in pursuit.
For a short while, the tracks followed the highway but soon diverged, continuing north into open countryside while the highway veered to the north-east.
Pressing on; it was rough going, our heroes waded through wild tall grasses and navigated patches of trees, an open stretch appeared and they briefly caught sight of a small column of black robed individuals ahead and redoubled their efforts.
While passing some dense foliage, five black cloaked figures lunged out of the underbrush, weapons in hand and attacked.
Our heroes were caught flatfooted but Cheery and Ari were quick to react, felling an assailant. However, of the five attackers, one had been stood back. Our heroes heard him chant and beseech a dark power.
Waves of intense fear washed over our heroes, threatening to overwhelm the senses.
For Cheery and Bertha it was too much, the enemies were too dangerous, they turned and fled!
The remaining attackers turned on Brother Steve and Ari.
Fortunately, the battle went the way of our heroes and the attackers were defeated. Before they had the opportunity to gather their wits though, noises came from beyond the bushes. They moved to investigate.
Two remaining blacked cloaked figures had dashed off into the gloom, soon lost in the greenery. Behind they had left half a dozen dour faced individuals.
These six looked in poor condition, signs of injury were apparent and their arms were bound.
Sunlight had been reduced to a crimson band across the western horizon while encroaching night began revealing stars as our heroes began the march back to Illmire.
Not far out from the carnival, our heroes spotted a plume of smoke rising above the tree line somewhere further along the winding highway, a rising column of black against a blackening sky.
Pressing on they soon came across a soot coloured silhouette smudged against the road, gloaming light barely revealed the shape of a ruined wagon gutted by fire.
Brother Steve ran forward to investigate, a low heat still radiated from the burnt out, collapsed skeletal remains of what had been a traders wagon, anything within had been reduced to ash. No bodies could be seen but signs of scuffles were apparent, splashes and patches of blood were still drying. Whatever had occurred, had been recent.
Tracks heading north were easily found, our heroes set off in pursuit.
For a short while, the tracks followed the highway but soon diverged, continuing north into open countryside while the highway veered to the north-east.
Pressing on; it was rough going, our heroes waded through wild tall grasses and navigated patches of trees, an open stretch appeared and they briefly caught sight of a small column of black robed individuals ahead and redoubled their efforts.
While passing some dense foliage, five black cloaked figures lunged out of the underbrush, weapons in hand and attacked.
Our heroes were caught flatfooted but Cheery and Ari were quick to react, felling an assailant. However, of the five attackers, one had been stood back. Our heroes heard him chant and beseech a dark power.
Waves of intense fear washed over our heroes, threatening to overwhelm the senses.
For Cheery and Bertha it was too much, the enemies were too dangerous, they turned and fled!
The remaining attackers turned on Brother Steve and Ari.
Fortunately, the battle went the way of our heroes and the attackers were defeated. Before they had the opportunity to gather their wits though, noises came from beyond the bushes. They moved to investigate.
Two remaining blacked cloaked figures had dashed off into the gloom, soon lost in the greenery. Behind they had left half a dozen dour faced individuals.
These six looked in poor condition, signs of injury were apparent and their arms were bound.
They were a small trading party travelling the King’s Highway, the six told our heroes.
Bandits had set upon their wagon and taken prisoner, the traders had been forced to march while carrying what remained of their stock. Our heroes could see sacks of various domestic goods scattered nearby.
The prisoners had suffered injuries but not so much to threaten their lives. Our heroes freed them and gave them direction to Illmire. After searching the dead attackers, they took off in pursuit of the remaining bandits.
Night’s black shroud had now settled over Illmire, time had been lost on their prey and catching them at night would be an arduous task for our heroes. Instead they settled on tracking them. The bandits had made no effort to conceal their movements, relying on speed to escape; it made the task of tracking them under starlight easier.
For a time, our heroes followed the trail, leading them into low foothills, the verdant lush flatland replaced by sparse rises and falls. Eventually the tracks petered out in the direction of the old watchtower.
Positioned on a pair of exposed rocky plateaus, the entire escarpment cut a stygian outline against starry night, the way up blocked by sturdy gates.
Our heroes surmised that the bandits may have entered less than an hour ago, the occupants would be roused and suspicious.
They decided to return to Illmire.
Bandits had set upon their wagon and taken prisoner, the traders had been forced to march while carrying what remained of their stock. Our heroes could see sacks of various domestic goods scattered nearby.
The prisoners had suffered injuries but not so much to threaten their lives. Our heroes freed them and gave them direction to Illmire. After searching the dead attackers, they took off in pursuit of the remaining bandits.
Night’s black shroud had now settled over Illmire, time had been lost on their prey and catching them at night would be an arduous task for our heroes. Instead they settled on tracking them. The bandits had made no effort to conceal their movements, relying on speed to escape; it made the task of tracking them under starlight easier.
For a time, our heroes followed the trail, leading them into low foothills, the verdant lush flatland replaced by sparse rises and falls. Eventually the tracks petered out in the direction of the old watchtower.
Positioned on a pair of exposed rocky plateaus, the entire escarpment cut a stygian outline against starry night, the way up blocked by sturdy gates.
Our heroes surmised that the bandits may have entered less than an hour ago, the occupants would be roused and suspicious.
They decided to return to Illmire.
Nothing good ever happens after midnight
Utter stillness welcomed our heroes upon their return to Illmire, every scraped footfall or crunched step into the unlit town was a thunderous announcement of their arrival. No candlelights could be spotted flickering through window blinds, no movement passed across Illmire’s few streets.
In hushed tones, they decided to go to the stonemason’s home.
Our heroes crept through the town until they reached the stonemason’s home at the western end of Illmire: A typical timber building of Illmire, its windows and door were boarded, unchanged since their last visit. Our heroes saw no signs of light within and after straining to listen, heard nothing within either.
Cheery pulled a rock from Illmire’s earthy grounds and lobbed it against the door, it bounced off with an audible thud - Nothing.
Brother Steve tried the door, it did not budge, he gave it a stout kick but connected the blow poorly and was knocked back.
Cheery took his place and hurled his sturdy shoulder at the door.
It did the trick! A sharp, abrupt crunch filled the air as the boards securing the door folded inwards and the door itself splintered.
A quick glance at Illmire behind our heroes showed no lights winning into existence in any of the nearby homes. Our heroes entered.
While pale starlight played through the open door, our heroes were greeted by the sweet stink of rot, drawing gags from them. A wrecked interior of shattered houseware and furniture was revealed in the dimness and led to carnage.
Sprawled across a floor was the putrefying bodies of the stonemason’s family, discoloured, bloated and marked with puncture and slash wounds, they had died violent deaths some time ago.
In the corner, closeby, was what remained Jorrid the stonemason, emaciated limbs contorted into unnatural shapes while a terrible, sunken and rictus grin was frozen to a dead, tortured face. Unlike his family, there was no sign of injury on Jorrid.
No other entryways or secret tunnels were revealed by a search, it seemed to our heroes that Jorrid killed his family and then died somehow. They knew also, that if caught in the stonemason’s home, suspicion might fall on them especially considering what they knew of Mayor Zlatko.
Our heroes quietly returned to The Inn of the Weary Wagoner, fortunately, Ballard the innkeep was still awake and unlocked the doors for them.
Utter stillness welcomed our heroes upon their return to Illmire, every scraped footfall or crunched step into the unlit town was a thunderous announcement of their arrival. No candlelights could be spotted flickering through window blinds, no movement passed across Illmire’s few streets.
In hushed tones, they decided to go to the stonemason’s home.
Our heroes crept through the town until they reached the stonemason’s home at the western end of Illmire: A typical timber building of Illmire, its windows and door were boarded, unchanged since their last visit. Our heroes saw no signs of light within and after straining to listen, heard nothing within either.
Cheery pulled a rock from Illmire’s earthy grounds and lobbed it against the door, it bounced off with an audible thud - Nothing.
Brother Steve tried the door, it did not budge, he gave it a stout kick but connected the blow poorly and was knocked back.
Cheery took his place and hurled his sturdy shoulder at the door.
It did the trick! A sharp, abrupt crunch filled the air as the boards securing the door folded inwards and the door itself splintered.
A quick glance at Illmire behind our heroes showed no lights winning into existence in any of the nearby homes. Our heroes entered.
While pale starlight played through the open door, our heroes were greeted by the sweet stink of rot, drawing gags from them. A wrecked interior of shattered houseware and furniture was revealed in the dimness and led to carnage.
Sprawled across a floor was the putrefying bodies of the stonemason’s family, discoloured, bloated and marked with puncture and slash wounds, they had died violent deaths some time ago.
In the corner, closeby, was what remained Jorrid the stonemason, emaciated limbs contorted into unnatural shapes while a terrible, sunken and rictus grin was frozen to a dead, tortured face. Unlike his family, there was no sign of injury on Jorrid.
No other entryways or secret tunnels were revealed by a search, it seemed to our heroes that Jorrid killed his family and then died somehow. They knew also, that if caught in the stonemason’s home, suspicion might fall on them especially considering what they knew of Mayor Zlatko.
Our heroes quietly returned to The Inn of the Weary Wagoner, fortunately, Ballard the innkeep was still awake and unlocked the doors for them.
Along the watchtower
The next day came and our heroes rose with the dawn. Illmire was stirring, trappers and hunters left for the fens, while farmers who kept their animals inside the palisades shepherded them to the day’s grazing.
Our heroes listened intently for news of the stonemason but none came.
It was time to visit the watchtower again and after a couple of hours march through the hilly terrain, found themselves back at the rocky escarpments. Ahead, where the path rose to the plateau was a study set of gates that blocked the way. A pair of scruffy looking guards could be seen staring at them from the ramparts.
Our heroes approached and spoke with the guards, they announced themselves as ‘adventures’ and told of rumours that zombies wandered nearby and of a bandit attack on a caravan on the King’s Highway.
They offered themselves as ‘consultants’ and wanted to know what the guards intended to do about these problems?
The two guards looked puzzled and exchanged long glances.
“Well, there might be zombies out there, but we’ve not seen them,” one of them stated.
“Caravan attacks are really tragic,” the other added. “But there are bandits in the area…”
They asked if they knew anything about the fishmen and were again met with puzzled faces
Our heroes then asked the guards who was ‘in charge’ and Rohn introduced himself. They asked Rohn what he knew about Captain Frey. He replied telling that he knew of Frey but they did not interact much.
There wasn’t much more to be gleaned from the guard our heroes decided: Instead, under the suspicious, watchful gaze of the guards, they walked the perimeter of the escarpment, looking for anything unusual and encountered another gate on a second path up to the tower.
Following this, they returned to Illmire.
The next day came and our heroes rose with the dawn. Illmire was stirring, trappers and hunters left for the fens, while farmers who kept their animals inside the palisades shepherded them to the day’s grazing.
Our heroes listened intently for news of the stonemason but none came.
It was time to visit the watchtower again and after a couple of hours march through the hilly terrain, found themselves back at the rocky escarpments. Ahead, where the path rose to the plateau was a study set of gates that blocked the way. A pair of scruffy looking guards could be seen staring at them from the ramparts.
Our heroes approached and spoke with the guards, they announced themselves as ‘adventures’ and told of rumours that zombies wandered nearby and of a bandit attack on a caravan on the King’s Highway.
They offered themselves as ‘consultants’ and wanted to know what the guards intended to do about these problems?
The two guards looked puzzled and exchanged long glances.
“Well, there might be zombies out there, but we’ve not seen them,” one of them stated.
“Caravan attacks are really tragic,” the other added. “But there are bandits in the area…”
They asked if they knew anything about the fishmen and were again met with puzzled faces
Our heroes then asked the guards who was ‘in charge’ and Rohn introduced himself. They asked Rohn what he knew about Captain Frey. He replied telling that he knew of Frey but they did not interact much.
There wasn’t much more to be gleaned from the guard our heroes decided: Instead, under the suspicious, watchful gaze of the guards, they walked the perimeter of the escarpment, looking for anything unusual and encountered another gate on a second path up to the tower.
Following this, they returned to Illmire.
New tour of the town
The miles were uneventful but when they walked into the town, a gathering at the western edge caught their attention: The stonemason and his family had been discovered.
Townsfolk had congregated in some numbers at a distance in small groups, exchanging hushed words of gruesome death and murders while glancing in the direction of the stonemason’s home with dour faces.
Captain Frey and his guard were there, at the stonemason’s home, their faces a mixture of uncertainty and irritation.
Our heroes immediately approached Captain Frey, Brother Steve explained he was looking for his cohort Brother Jerry and casually tried to bring conversation around to the subject of the multiple deaths. Frey was a burly, unfriendly and unconvinced man, he looked put-upon and didn’t seem to know how to approach the situation.
Frey explained that it looked like Jorrid had killed his family with some sharp implements a while ago.
‘Gone crazy or perhaps the curse’ was Frey’s assessment. Otherwise, he didn’t provide any further insight into the situation.
Our heroes looked around; much of the town had gathered, the millers were watching on from the edge of the mill, they realised the gemcutter could not be seen among the gawking townsfolk.
Unchanged from the last time they had seen it, the gemcutter’s shop was shut and boarded up. Deciding to check up on Kellen and Maidelle, our heroes knocked on the door.
Kellen answered and greeted them. Our heroes inquired after Maidelle and Kellen explained that she was still unwell.
Brother Steve meanwhile, had stepped around the corner, he could be heard praying by our heroes and Kellen. Once the praying finished, he stepped back round with an intense look on his face: Brother Steve could not sense any evil.
Kellen also told our heroes he had heard what had happened to the stonemason and his family.
Next; our heroes decided it was time to visit the temple.
For some time now, The Temple of the Lumininal Star was shut and had been so for some time. Renovations were underway, our heroes had previously been told.
Before they could reach the building, they were intercepted by the temple guards who routinely patrolled the temple’s perimeter. The guard told them that the temple was closed to all visitors until the renovation was completed.
Stymied, our heroes decided to investigate Illmire for hidden passageways and spent the remainder of the day walking outside along the town’s weather stained old palisades. Their searching revealed nothing. Despondently, they slouched back to the inn.
The miles were uneventful but when they walked into the town, a gathering at the western edge caught their attention: The stonemason and his family had been discovered.
Townsfolk had congregated in some numbers at a distance in small groups, exchanging hushed words of gruesome death and murders while glancing in the direction of the stonemason’s home with dour faces.
Captain Frey and his guard were there, at the stonemason’s home, their faces a mixture of uncertainty and irritation.
Our heroes immediately approached Captain Frey, Brother Steve explained he was looking for his cohort Brother Jerry and casually tried to bring conversation around to the subject of the multiple deaths. Frey was a burly, unfriendly and unconvinced man, he looked put-upon and didn’t seem to know how to approach the situation.
Frey explained that it looked like Jorrid had killed his family with some sharp implements a while ago.
‘Gone crazy or perhaps the curse’ was Frey’s assessment. Otherwise, he didn’t provide any further insight into the situation.
Our heroes looked around; much of the town had gathered, the millers were watching on from the edge of the mill, they realised the gemcutter could not be seen among the gawking townsfolk.
Unchanged from the last time they had seen it, the gemcutter’s shop was shut and boarded up. Deciding to check up on Kellen and Maidelle, our heroes knocked on the door.
Kellen answered and greeted them. Our heroes inquired after Maidelle and Kellen explained that she was still unwell.
Brother Steve meanwhile, had stepped around the corner, he could be heard praying by our heroes and Kellen. Once the praying finished, he stepped back round with an intense look on his face: Brother Steve could not sense any evil.
Kellen also told our heroes he had heard what had happened to the stonemason and his family.
Next; our heroes decided it was time to visit the temple.
For some time now, The Temple of the Lumininal Star was shut and had been so for some time. Renovations were underway, our heroes had previously been told.
Before they could reach the building, they were intercepted by the temple guards who routinely patrolled the temple’s perimeter. The guard told them that the temple was closed to all visitors until the renovation was completed.
Stymied, our heroes decided to investigate Illmire for hidden passageways and spent the remainder of the day walking outside along the town’s weather stained old palisades. Their searching revealed nothing. Despondently, they slouched back to the inn.
Mining an old opportunity
Another day dawned in Illmire and our heroes rose with the hazy mist-addled sun. It was early still in the morning when they set out, headed northwards and back to the mines, determined to finally continue their exploration.
For a time they travelled, Illmire had dwindled away behind the horizon and they found themselves marching through the unpopulated uneven wilderness of bush, grass and forest.
Late in the morning, movement caught their eye as they crossed through a clearing. From the west they saw a number of giant geckos, far from their fens who were eying them up.
Our heroes took the initiative and immediately attacked! The battle was fierce and short but our heroes prevailed.
Another day dawned in Illmire and our heroes rose with the hazy mist-addled sun. It was early still in the morning when they set out, headed northwards and back to the mines, determined to finally continue their exploration.
For a time they travelled, Illmire had dwindled away behind the horizon and they found themselves marching through the unpopulated uneven wilderness of bush, grass and forest.
Late in the morning, movement caught their eye as they crossed through a clearing. From the west they saw a number of giant geckos, far from their fens who were eying them up.
Our heroes took the initiative and immediately attacked! The battle was fierce and short but our heroes prevailed.
Soon, our heroes were following the old half-hidden mine track, obscured by time, low lying vegetation and greenery as it was, they knew it would lead them to the mine. Undulating terrain and foothills rolled into view against a backdrop of distant blue-grey mountains while they drew closer and eventually reached the mine.
In their previous excursions into the mine they’d had a lethal encounter with zombies. Now with lanterns and weapons gripped in hand, they returned.
Midday sunlight shrank away as they pressed on into the silent darkness, Our heroes had decided to explore the second vertical shaft they had discovered previously, there was nothing to encounter as they moved in further.
The shaft ran from the height of the hill to deep below; from exposed sky above, a blazing silver-white shaft streamed to the bottom, exposing an unfinished mine tunnel and the edge of a rocky ledge some thirty feet below.
Between them, our heroes had rope enough to secure a line to the ledge below and began hammering a piton into a firm looking section of rocky flooring. Preoccupied as they were, they did not see a zombie, attracted by the noise, stumble from some unnoticed shadow further on and attack.
Fortuitously, Bertha avoided injury; our heroes were quick enough to counterattack and hastily dispatched the creature.
Without any further mishap they managed to clamber down.
The ledge opened into a roughly hewn, low-ceilinged, rocky oblong chamber, empty save for some worn old lanterns scattered about.
In the pale, wavering lantern light, a dingy almost colourless wooden door could be seen in the uneven north wall while the chamber stretched eastwards.
Listening carefully, our heroes could hear weird moans and whimpers coming from beyond the door.
Brother Steve chanted and prayed to the eternal light for guidance in detecting evil. He soon discovered it was all around!
Our heroes were preparing to advance through the door but the corridor to the east worried them. Cheery had some chain and they decided to pin it across the east corridor; it would alert them if anyone walked into it and began hammering pitons into the walls.
Immediately, the door swung open, several dark robed figures lunged through, weapons in hand. Behind them was a scruffy looking individual in a priestly robe: Brother Rand?
Half of the party had been caught unawares as the cultists advanced threateningly. From the back came chanting as the priest uttered a prayer, an intense feeling of terror rippled through our heroes. Luckily, they girded themselves and the sensation passed. The battle was on!
The two small lines closed, weapons clashed loudly and blows were exchanged, a cultist fell and an opening appeared. Cheery rushed the priest and suffered a heavy blow for his troubles, still on his feet, he struck back.
Fighting continued, Bertha’s foe went down and she moved on the priest too while Brother Steve and Ari were still engaged.
It started to go badly for our heroes: The priest restrained from swinging his mace, chanted a prayer and touched Cheery who was then wracked with agony, seemingly white-hot pain burned through his frame, it was too much and he slipped into unconsciousness, Ari meanwhile, was struck down.
Brother Steve also managed to reach the priest, having felled his opponent.
There was more chanting though and suddenly, a darkness enveloped our heroes, a magical impenetrable conjuring that left our heroes blinded and disorientated, swinging swords wildly they struck nothing. Listening, our heroes could hear footsteps vanishing away.
Moments later, as abruptly as it had manifested, the darkness was gone… and so was the priest.
There was one assailant remaining who did prove any trouble for our heroes.
In their previous excursions into the mine they’d had a lethal encounter with zombies. Now with lanterns and weapons gripped in hand, they returned.
Midday sunlight shrank away as they pressed on into the silent darkness, Our heroes had decided to explore the second vertical shaft they had discovered previously, there was nothing to encounter as they moved in further.
The shaft ran from the height of the hill to deep below; from exposed sky above, a blazing silver-white shaft streamed to the bottom, exposing an unfinished mine tunnel and the edge of a rocky ledge some thirty feet below.
Between them, our heroes had rope enough to secure a line to the ledge below and began hammering a piton into a firm looking section of rocky flooring. Preoccupied as they were, they did not see a zombie, attracted by the noise, stumble from some unnoticed shadow further on and attack.
Fortuitously, Bertha avoided injury; our heroes were quick enough to counterattack and hastily dispatched the creature.
Without any further mishap they managed to clamber down.
The ledge opened into a roughly hewn, low-ceilinged, rocky oblong chamber, empty save for some worn old lanterns scattered about.
In the pale, wavering lantern light, a dingy almost colourless wooden door could be seen in the uneven north wall while the chamber stretched eastwards.
Listening carefully, our heroes could hear weird moans and whimpers coming from beyond the door.
Brother Steve chanted and prayed to the eternal light for guidance in detecting evil. He soon discovered it was all around!
Our heroes were preparing to advance through the door but the corridor to the east worried them. Cheery had some chain and they decided to pin it across the east corridor; it would alert them if anyone walked into it and began hammering pitons into the walls.
Immediately, the door swung open, several dark robed figures lunged through, weapons in hand. Behind them was a scruffy looking individual in a priestly robe: Brother Rand?
Half of the party had been caught unawares as the cultists advanced threateningly. From the back came chanting as the priest uttered a prayer, an intense feeling of terror rippled through our heroes. Luckily, they girded themselves and the sensation passed. The battle was on!
The two small lines closed, weapons clashed loudly and blows were exchanged, a cultist fell and an opening appeared. Cheery rushed the priest and suffered a heavy blow for his troubles, still on his feet, he struck back.
Fighting continued, Bertha’s foe went down and she moved on the priest too while Brother Steve and Ari were still engaged.
It started to go badly for our heroes: The priest restrained from swinging his mace, chanted a prayer and touched Cheery who was then wracked with agony, seemingly white-hot pain burned through his frame, it was too much and he slipped into unconsciousness, Ari meanwhile, was struck down.
Brother Steve also managed to reach the priest, having felled his opponent.
There was more chanting though and suddenly, a darkness enveloped our heroes, a magical impenetrable conjuring that left our heroes blinded and disorientated, swinging swords wildly they struck nothing. Listening, our heroes could hear footsteps vanishing away.
Moments later, as abruptly as it had manifested, the darkness was gone… and so was the priest.
There was one assailant remaining who did prove any trouble for our heroes.
With the fight over, a near silence settled over the chamber, our heroes could still detect moans through the door.
Beyond was another roughly hewn squarish room, bound to a wall was a malnourished, frail man, writ across his face was a mix of exhaustion and terror - terror at a baleful clawing zombie which by virtue of being chained to wall could not quite lay its raking hands on the man. Our heroes do not hesitate in dispatching the zombie and freeing the man.
The man relayed his woeful story: He had been a traveller along the King’s Highway some time ago and bandits had struck, taking him prisoner, dragging him to this place, wherever it was and shackling hom to this wall.
He had no understanding of why he had been brought there. From time to time, he would be tortured by that damned priest, who never interrogated or questioned him, otherwise he would be given enough sustenance and left alone, the zombie his only ‘company’.
After thanking our heroes, the man left and was allowed to make his way back to civilisation.
Injured and exhausted, our heroes felt the need to rest. The mine was a dangerous place they realised and the squarish room had no other exits, they barricaded the one way in and rested.
Hours passed, yellowish lantern light cast deep, wavering shadows in uneven corners while Brother Steve prayed intently and the others waited.
Other than the utterings of Brother Steve, it had been quiet. Eventually our heroes were healed a little and they set forth from the room.
Beyond was another roughly hewn squarish room, bound to a wall was a malnourished, frail man, writ across his face was a mix of exhaustion and terror - terror at a baleful clawing zombie which by virtue of being chained to wall could not quite lay its raking hands on the man. Our heroes do not hesitate in dispatching the zombie and freeing the man.
The man relayed his woeful story: He had been a traveller along the King’s Highway some time ago and bandits had struck, taking him prisoner, dragging him to this place, wherever it was and shackling hom to this wall.
He had no understanding of why he had been brought there. From time to time, he would be tortured by that damned priest, who never interrogated or questioned him, otherwise he would be given enough sustenance and left alone, the zombie his only ‘company’.
After thanking our heroes, the man left and was allowed to make his way back to civilisation.
Injured and exhausted, our heroes felt the need to rest. The mine was a dangerous place they realised and the squarish room had no other exits, they barricaded the one way in and rested.
Hours passed, yellowish lantern light cast deep, wavering shadows in uneven corners while Brother Steve prayed intently and the others waited.
Other than the utterings of Brother Steve, it had been quiet. Eventually our heroes were healed a little and they set forth from the room.
The way is shut
The eastern way was unexplored, our heroes followed it for a short while and it tapered off into a walled off area, in its centre was a sturdy looking door reinforced with rust-stained iron bars. A heavy chain and padlock criss-crossed the door.
Our heroes could see a key dangled from a hook in the wall.
Cautiously, they grasped the key, what was being kept behind the door?
Through gaps in the bars, it seemed the passage split into three ways, each swallowed by utter darkness.
They unlocked the padlock, opened the door and stepped through.
“Hello,” said Brother Steve firmly, voice almost echoing.
Low groans from the dark was the reply, our heroes steeled themselves.
‘Zombies were approaching,’ our heroes were sure of it.
They were not wrong.
Dismal shuffling forms, a dozen or more, shambolically emerged into the limits of the light from every way. Watery, lifeless eyes.glimmered with a pale, reflective quality while slack, mindless expressions hung off dead faces that issued dire moans.
Our heroes regrouped on the nearside of the door and formed up at the natural bottleneck as the horde advanced.
They held their ground, zombies were cut down quickly but their numbers did not seem to lessen.
Then from behind the zombies, something came into the light, a pale-skinned misshapen grotesque monstrosity with stunted limbs and writhing barbed pseudopods advanced, regarding our heroes with misplaced malevolent eyes. Curved dagger-like teeth filled a malformed mouth that let forth a chilling cry.
Terror pummelled our heroes, daggers of icy fear that plunged into their hearts. Brother Steve, Cheery and Ari, minds unhinged, fled back to the chamber.
Bertha alone was unaffected, for a time she stemmed the tide, desperately felling zombies, shrugging off blows and pushing them back but it was not enough, struck a grievous blow, she succumbed.
With the way open, the horde surged through, closing on the remaining heroes and attacking. Enduring the assault, our heroes managed to regain their wits. Open ground would favour the zombies’ superior numbers, our heroes quickly made a fighting withdrawal into the squarish room, with no way out, this would be a bitter fight to the end.
The zombies surged forward, unable to break our heroes’ line, then the terrible creature came into view, Cheery and Ari furiously loosed arrows at it.
The monster was struck and became enraged, an agonizing scream issued from its twisted maw, moments later, darkness settled on the squarish room, even with their lanterns, our heroes could see nothing.
There was nothing for it, they had to hold firm, keep fighting until the light returned. Despite their wild swings they managed to land blows on the attacking zombies.
When the darkness vanished and flickering, dim lantern light returned, our heroes could see the zombies were mostly depleted but still pressing, the monster was advancing.
Fighting continued, our heroes pressed the attack, Ari hit the mark and the monster collapsed with shriek, as it expired, an almost arterial explosive burst of viscous black blood-like liquid sprayed out of the dying thing’s skin.
Cheery could avoid it and was coated in the ichorous substance, it was toxic, burning his skin, pushing him into unconsciousness.
Dispatching the final zombie, Brother Steve sprinted to Bertha but it was too late. Surrounded by a pool of her own cold lifeblood, Bertha had succumbed and she had moved on to the great beyond.
Brother Steve quietly spoke a few words of blessing for the commencement of Bertha’s new journey.
The eastern way was unexplored, our heroes followed it for a short while and it tapered off into a walled off area, in its centre was a sturdy looking door reinforced with rust-stained iron bars. A heavy chain and padlock criss-crossed the door.
Our heroes could see a key dangled from a hook in the wall.
Cautiously, they grasped the key, what was being kept behind the door?
Through gaps in the bars, it seemed the passage split into three ways, each swallowed by utter darkness.
They unlocked the padlock, opened the door and stepped through.
“Hello,” said Brother Steve firmly, voice almost echoing.
Low groans from the dark was the reply, our heroes steeled themselves.
‘Zombies were approaching,’ our heroes were sure of it.
They were not wrong.
Dismal shuffling forms, a dozen or more, shambolically emerged into the limits of the light from every way. Watery, lifeless eyes.glimmered with a pale, reflective quality while slack, mindless expressions hung off dead faces that issued dire moans.
Our heroes regrouped on the nearside of the door and formed up at the natural bottleneck as the horde advanced.
They held their ground, zombies were cut down quickly but their numbers did not seem to lessen.
Then from behind the zombies, something came into the light, a pale-skinned misshapen grotesque monstrosity with stunted limbs and writhing barbed pseudopods advanced, regarding our heroes with misplaced malevolent eyes. Curved dagger-like teeth filled a malformed mouth that let forth a chilling cry.
Terror pummelled our heroes, daggers of icy fear that plunged into their hearts. Brother Steve, Cheery and Ari, minds unhinged, fled back to the chamber.
Bertha alone was unaffected, for a time she stemmed the tide, desperately felling zombies, shrugging off blows and pushing them back but it was not enough, struck a grievous blow, she succumbed.
With the way open, the horde surged through, closing on the remaining heroes and attacking. Enduring the assault, our heroes managed to regain their wits. Open ground would favour the zombies’ superior numbers, our heroes quickly made a fighting withdrawal into the squarish room, with no way out, this would be a bitter fight to the end.
The zombies surged forward, unable to break our heroes’ line, then the terrible creature came into view, Cheery and Ari furiously loosed arrows at it.
The monster was struck and became enraged, an agonizing scream issued from its twisted maw, moments later, darkness settled on the squarish room, even with their lanterns, our heroes could see nothing.
There was nothing for it, they had to hold firm, keep fighting until the light returned. Despite their wild swings they managed to land blows on the attacking zombies.
When the darkness vanished and flickering, dim lantern light returned, our heroes could see the zombies were mostly depleted but still pressing, the monster was advancing.
Fighting continued, our heroes pressed the attack, Ari hit the mark and the monster collapsed with shriek, as it expired, an almost arterial explosive burst of viscous black blood-like liquid sprayed out of the dying thing’s skin.
Cheery could avoid it and was coated in the ichorous substance, it was toxic, burning his skin, pushing him into unconsciousness.
Dispatching the final zombie, Brother Steve sprinted to Bertha but it was too late. Surrounded by a pool of her own cold lifeblood, Bertha had succumbed and she had moved on to the great beyond.
Brother Steve quietly spoke a few words of blessing for the commencement of Bertha’s new journey.
Mo' profit
There was little to be found among the scattered zombie remains and only a slight golden glint on the hand of a zombie caught the attention of our heroes: A gold ring inscribed ‘FJ’ on the finger of a zombie that hand been brandishing a pick of noticeable quality
The monstrous beast was surrounded by a puddle of its own toxic blood.
Our heroes were fatigued and wounded but their loss only resolved them to continue exploring. Passing through the iron-shod door they found three ways ahead in a rough-walled, dimly lit tunnel complex. It was quiet, no signs of activity were apparent as they cautiously explored, encountering nothing as they discovered the tunnels all looped in on themselves and eventually found themselves in a cavernous space on the south side of the tunnel network
A nauseating stink hung over the chamber which was strewn with effluent pools and piled bodily waste of indeterminate origin.
It was grim work but our heroes waded in and searched: The effort was worth it! Laboriously, they pulled free a heavy chest, clearing the muck away and opening it, they saw it was heavy with coins of gold.
There was little to be found among the scattered zombie remains and only a slight golden glint on the hand of a zombie caught the attention of our heroes: A gold ring inscribed ‘FJ’ on the finger of a zombie that hand been brandishing a pick of noticeable quality
The monstrous beast was surrounded by a puddle of its own toxic blood.
Our heroes were fatigued and wounded but their loss only resolved them to continue exploring. Passing through the iron-shod door they found three ways ahead in a rough-walled, dimly lit tunnel complex. It was quiet, no signs of activity were apparent as they cautiously explored, encountering nothing as they discovered the tunnels all looped in on themselves and eventually found themselves in a cavernous space on the south side of the tunnel network
A nauseating stink hung over the chamber which was strewn with effluent pools and piled bodily waste of indeterminate origin.
It was grim work but our heroes waded in and searched: The effort was worth it! Laboriously, they pulled free a heavy chest, clearing the muck away and opening it, they saw it was heavy with coins of gold.
It took still more effort to haul the chest up the shaft and then march back to Illmire. Fortunately the return journey was uneventful and exhausted, they walked back into the glum town with their treasure.
