Date: 20th September 2025
It's time for session fifteen of our Evils of Illmire campaign!
It's time for session fifteen of our Evils of Illmire campaign!
Location: Illmire
Buckleberry ‘Buck’ Kopparberg was an individual of unknown standing, tales of uncountable treasure and wealth had proven irresistible to the halfling and ts lure had pulled him far from the reaches of comfy society as he found himself travelling the King’s Highway to the very fringes of civilisation and beyond, and of course, to Illmire Town.
It was the middling hour as Buck watched the trader’s wagon which had brought him this far rattling its way northwards along the lonely highway and eventually out of sight.
Buck approached the settlement. With its old worn wooded palisades, it looked quite the glum affair.
Passing into the town he found it a despondent place and imagined a depressive pall hanging over it. Doors were shuttered, few people walked its strangely melancholic streets and he drew furtive, suspicious glances from dour-faced inhabitants staring out of grimy glass windows but soon encountered The Inn of the Weary Waggoner and inside its somewhat grimy, smoke stained walls the barkeep; Ballard
After downing an ale Buck learned from Ballard that other like-minded individuals and treasure seekers could be found in the vicinity.
Traipsing out of town with Ballard's instructions in mind, Buck turned north and laboriously cut through the densly overgrown and autumnal grasses that permeated the unmanaged farmland and swished lazily in the afternoon breeze.
A little later and the foliage fell away, revealing a newly renewed farmstead at the centre of a clearing, Buck could hear faint voices within.
Knocking on the door, he waited. It was answered by our heroes. Brief introductions followed, Buck was quickly recognised as a kindred spirit and welcomed into their fold.
That night our heroes lounged in the farmstead. The freshly refilled fireplace crackled and lit the interior a wavering orange hue while discussion turned to our heroes’ next task.
It was agreed that they should attempt to investigate the mantisman stronghold beyond the gecko fens.
Buckleberry ‘Buck’ Kopparberg was an individual of unknown standing, tales of uncountable treasure and wealth had proven irresistible to the halfling and ts lure had pulled him far from the reaches of comfy society as he found himself travelling the King’s Highway to the very fringes of civilisation and beyond, and of course, to Illmire Town.
It was the middling hour as Buck watched the trader’s wagon which had brought him this far rattling its way northwards along the lonely highway and eventually out of sight.
Buck approached the settlement. With its old worn wooded palisades, it looked quite the glum affair.
Passing into the town he found it a despondent place and imagined a depressive pall hanging over it. Doors were shuttered, few people walked its strangely melancholic streets and he drew furtive, suspicious glances from dour-faced inhabitants staring out of grimy glass windows but soon encountered The Inn of the Weary Waggoner and inside its somewhat grimy, smoke stained walls the barkeep; Ballard
After downing an ale Buck learned from Ballard that other like-minded individuals and treasure seekers could be found in the vicinity.
Traipsing out of town with Ballard's instructions in mind, Buck turned north and laboriously cut through the densly overgrown and autumnal grasses that permeated the unmanaged farmland and swished lazily in the afternoon breeze.
A little later and the foliage fell away, revealing a newly renewed farmstead at the centre of a clearing, Buck could hear faint voices within.
Knocking on the door, he waited. It was answered by our heroes. Brief introductions followed, Buck was quickly recognised as a kindred spirit and welcomed into their fold.
That night our heroes lounged in the farmstead. The freshly refilled fireplace crackled and lit the interior a wavering orange hue while discussion turned to our heroes’ next task.
It was agreed that they should attempt to investigate the mantisman stronghold beyond the gecko fens.
Morning came and with it a typical Illmire dawn fog, thick chilly mists reduced the region to a lonely, indistinct whitish blur. Our heroes lugged their gear and marched out west. Morning wore on and the desolate landscape gradually materialised out of haze to reveal a untypically cool Illmire day. A bleak watery sky painted grey by a carpet of rain-fat clouds hung above, obfuscating a weak and shapeless sun.
For a stretch our heroes set a good pace. Cultivated and farmed tracts which marked the town’s surroundings made for easy walking. Soon though, it was left behind as the marshy fens ahead came into view.
The expansive wetland was dotted by insect-filled ponds and earthy rises populated by lazing giant geckoes, while overhead, flocks of waterfowl wheeled overhead in churning patterns.
Noon had passed, a murky sun had begun its western descent behind grey stratus clouds, welcoming the demise of a shadowless day when the landscape flattened out. The fens with its gently undulating vista gave way to flat, featureless marshy plain. An empty watery reach which stretched to the gloomy horizon and dully reflected the dismal sky. Eerily quiet and somehow seemingly lifeless, it was home to few, sporadically spaced waterlogged copses and occasional dense thickets.
Our heroes who had to slog along trackless ways which proved no easy hike, were slowed by haphazard pools and unpredictable ground, forced to circumnavigate dark indistinguishable waters and even backtrack.
Later was the afternoon when the ambush came. Emerging from a dense cluster of tall reeds came a band of giant drogue flies, the scent of blood drew in them and they attacked our heroes.
Brief was the battle and our heroes emerged victorious, only Brother Steve having suffered notable injury.
Our heroes spent a moment regaining their breath and took stock. Day was waning now; a dull crimson hue cast from the setting sun. They spent the remaining light searching for some elevated spot or other adequate campsite.
For a stretch our heroes set a good pace. Cultivated and farmed tracts which marked the town’s surroundings made for easy walking. Soon though, it was left behind as the marshy fens ahead came into view.
The expansive wetland was dotted by insect-filled ponds and earthy rises populated by lazing giant geckoes, while overhead, flocks of waterfowl wheeled overhead in churning patterns.
Noon had passed, a murky sun had begun its western descent behind grey stratus clouds, welcoming the demise of a shadowless day when the landscape flattened out. The fens with its gently undulating vista gave way to flat, featureless marshy plain. An empty watery reach which stretched to the gloomy horizon and dully reflected the dismal sky. Eerily quiet and somehow seemingly lifeless, it was home to few, sporadically spaced waterlogged copses and occasional dense thickets.
Our heroes who had to slog along trackless ways which proved no easy hike, were slowed by haphazard pools and unpredictable ground, forced to circumnavigate dark indistinguishable waters and even backtrack.
Later was the afternoon when the ambush came. Emerging from a dense cluster of tall reeds came a band of giant drogue flies, the scent of blood drew in them and they attacked our heroes.
Brief was the battle and our heroes emerged victorious, only Brother Steve having suffered notable injury.
Our heroes spent a moment regaining their breath and took stock. Day was waning now; a dull crimson hue cast from the setting sun. They spent the remaining light searching for some elevated spot or other adequate campsite.
Attack of the Moa.... errr drogue flies!
Night was uneventful and our heroes drifted off into sleep to the tune of the fen’s nocturnal wildlife and come the morning, were greeted by yet more unseasonal weather: From charcoal skies above, brief periods of vigorously swirling snow motes mingled with intermittent heavy rain and hail.
The dim morning light revealed a speck against the grey western horizon, our heroes knew it to be the mantisman stronghold. Tightening their clothes against the chill, they pushed on.
It was a slow, laborious march through the cool quagmire and over the hours, the western speck eventually loomed overhead, growing into the enormous, weird undulating and flue-shaped earthy construct that our heroes had previously encountered. Halting at some dense foliage, they observed the mound from a vantage point.
The dim morning light revealed a speck against the grey western horizon, our heroes knew it to be the mantisman stronghold. Tightening their clothes against the chill, they pushed on.
It was a slow, laborious march through the cool quagmire and over the hours, the western speck eventually loomed overhead, growing into the enormous, weird undulating and flue-shaped earthy construct that our heroes had previously encountered. Halting at some dense foliage, they observed the mound from a vantage point.
Two ways in could be seen - both guarded by a handful of mantismen.
Speed was vital, our heroes had decided following some discussion and charged the guards at the south facing entrance. Volleys were exchanged as they closed and engaged.
At the east facing entrance, mantismen guards had spotted our heroes’ charge and rushed to reinforce their comrades. At the south entrance one of the mantismen, our heroes noticed, had retreated into the mound clicking loudly. Over the din of the fighting, our heroes could barely register the sound of activity from that direction.
A protracted battle occurred, our heroes had barely managed to dispatch the guards before mantisman reinforcements counterattacked, rounding the mound from the east and hurling themselves into an unrelenting assault.
Finally though, our heroes proved victorious, although Brother Steve had borne serious injuries. Pausing only to allow the cleric to administer his wound, they advanced to the edge of the entrance which tapered off into a gloomy nothingness.
The sounds of activity - rhythmic scraping and a litany of clicking voices reverbed along the way in. Our heroes held their ground, ready to resist attacks.
It was not a long wait, a band of the mantismen emerged from the darkness brandishing their customary javelins which they immediately launched at our heroes.
Another battle was joined! With lesser numbers though, the mantismen fell to our heroes' blows.
Unwilling to delay, our heroes marched into the mound.
The entranceway rose above the level of the surrounding marshy waters. Our heroes found themselves walking across a strange, tough resinous and amber coloured surface! The entire mound it seemed, was constructed of this amber material which against the sky revealed a translucent quality that allowed the day’s dim sunlight to feebly gleam through it, conferring a weird unsettling amber hue throughout the passageway.
Speed was vital, our heroes had decided following some discussion and charged the guards at the south facing entrance. Volleys were exchanged as they closed and engaged.
At the east facing entrance, mantismen guards had spotted our heroes’ charge and rushed to reinforce their comrades. At the south entrance one of the mantismen, our heroes noticed, had retreated into the mound clicking loudly. Over the din of the fighting, our heroes could barely register the sound of activity from that direction.
A protracted battle occurred, our heroes had barely managed to dispatch the guards before mantisman reinforcements counterattacked, rounding the mound from the east and hurling themselves into an unrelenting assault.
Finally though, our heroes proved victorious, although Brother Steve had borne serious injuries. Pausing only to allow the cleric to administer his wound, they advanced to the edge of the entrance which tapered off into a gloomy nothingness.
The sounds of activity - rhythmic scraping and a litany of clicking voices reverbed along the way in. Our heroes held their ground, ready to resist attacks.
It was not a long wait, a band of the mantismen emerged from the darkness brandishing their customary javelins which they immediately launched at our heroes.
Another battle was joined! With lesser numbers though, the mantismen fell to our heroes' blows.
Unwilling to delay, our heroes marched into the mound.
The entranceway rose above the level of the surrounding marshy waters. Our heroes found themselves walking across a strange, tough resinous and amber coloured surface! The entire mound it seemed, was constructed of this amber material which against the sky revealed a translucent quality that allowed the day’s dim sunlight to feebly gleam through it, conferring a weird unsettling amber hue throughout the passageway.
Into the mound.
Soon the way opened into a voluminous chamber of strange undulating, curved resinous walls which expanded beyond the reach of our heroes’ torchlight and merged into a darkening amber miasma. There was a noticeable rise in temperature and increase in fetid humidity as they walked into the interior.
Against the chamber’s amber colouration, a horizontal cylindrical shaft of pale sunlight could be seen radiating from the east.
Daylight, our heroes’ realised, coming from outside the eastern entrance.
They advanced into the chamber. It was featureless save for an almost vertical plunge into blackness situated in the north corner and to the west, another passage, this time sloping downwards.
Peering into the shaft was equally unproductive, even so, something about its abyssal impenetrableness was alluring to our heroes. They peered longer into it.
Some discussion followed, they considered laying a mesh of copper wire across the hole but in the end, they decided to hurl some mantisman corpses into the shaft. After waiting a short while and listening, a variety of indiscernible soft rustling noises rose to meet them but nothing else.
Against the chamber’s amber colouration, a horizontal cylindrical shaft of pale sunlight could be seen radiating from the east.
Daylight, our heroes’ realised, coming from outside the eastern entrance.
They advanced into the chamber. It was featureless save for an almost vertical plunge into blackness situated in the north corner and to the west, another passage, this time sloping downwards.
Peering into the shaft was equally unproductive, even so, something about its abyssal impenetrableness was alluring to our heroes. They peered longer into it.
Some discussion followed, they considered laying a mesh of copper wire across the hole but in the end, they decided to hurl some mantisman corpses into the shaft. After waiting a short while and listening, a variety of indiscernible soft rustling noises rose to meet them but nothing else.
Deeper our heroes went.
Nonplussed, our heroes decided to continue exploring, opting to take the western slope downwards. The surrounding ambient amber hue weakened as they descended, the already sickly sun becoming ever more faint. Very soon the passage opened into a broad chamber large enough to stretch away beyond their spluttering lantern, although they spied from the north faint distant-seeming light.
Two patches of darkness were visible in the wavering flame - both exits: A small, almost circular tunnel that appeared to curve upwards while a wide entrance dotted with fungi led south-west into another unlit chamber.
Heading through the wide passageway took our heroes into a curious room. Our heroes’ wavering light revealed an undulating carpet of mushrooms topped with a kaleidoscope of colorful caps that seemingly stretched across the entire chamber and even encroached on some of the vertical surfaces that marked out the chamber's extents.
It was quiet, nothing moved here.
Some brief searching revealed another hole in the floor, only this time the drop was less steep.
Our heroes were hesitant to go deeper at this time, instead choosing to return to the broad chamber.
The odour which permeated the mound seemed to intensify in the broad chamber as darkness retreated before their lantern, revealing a floor littered with strangely shaped, piled translucent substances mingled with filth and general detritus.
Stopping to assess the materials, Brother Steve carefully examined the substance; there was a familiarity to the tangled morass of shapes. He postulated the substances originated from the mantismen and were remnants of their shedded outer shell or skin. Our heroes looked around, the chamber was empty.
They continued north, the distant northerly light coalesced into a dimly lit passageway. Following the tunnel quickly took them to a makeshift barricade constructed of stacked up rubble and rocks. The day’s pale sunlight could be seen streaming through its numerous gaps.
Two patches of darkness were visible in the wavering flame - both exits: A small, almost circular tunnel that appeared to curve upwards while a wide entrance dotted with fungi led south-west into another unlit chamber.
Heading through the wide passageway took our heroes into a curious room. Our heroes’ wavering light revealed an undulating carpet of mushrooms topped with a kaleidoscope of colorful caps that seemingly stretched across the entire chamber and even encroached on some of the vertical surfaces that marked out the chamber's extents.
It was quiet, nothing moved here.
Some brief searching revealed another hole in the floor, only this time the drop was less steep.
Our heroes were hesitant to go deeper at this time, instead choosing to return to the broad chamber.
The odour which permeated the mound seemed to intensify in the broad chamber as darkness retreated before their lantern, revealing a floor littered with strangely shaped, piled translucent substances mingled with filth and general detritus.
Stopping to assess the materials, Brother Steve carefully examined the substance; there was a familiarity to the tangled morass of shapes. He postulated the substances originated from the mantismen and were remnants of their shedded outer shell or skin. Our heroes looked around, the chamber was empty.
They continued north, the distant northerly light coalesced into a dimly lit passageway. Following the tunnel quickly took them to a makeshift barricade constructed of stacked up rubble and rocks. The day’s pale sunlight could be seen streaming through its numerous gaps.
Down down to err.... the mound!
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Rex is unimpressed.
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‘Up before down,’ our heroes decided and retraced their steps to the ascending curving passageway, it spiralled skyward, leading them upwards and round. The ambient amber hue strengthened as they ascended and soon the passage levelled out and straightened somewhat. Our heroes could see several exits along the resinous corridor.
A passageway which spirals upwards.
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Rex looks on as our heroes explore.
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The first exit led into a roundish chamber decorated with gruesome ornaments - rotted bodyparts, heads, limbs and such from numerous vicious wild animals, froglings and humans too. All trophies hanging from various spots across the weakly glowing walls.
There was more: A number of hoarded fine looking weapons were stacked up along one wall.
There was no chance to search the room, seemingly bursting from nowhere exploded a mantisman but no typical mantisman was it.
Standing perhaps a foot taller with stouter limbs, the creature regarded our heroes malevolently with an alien gaze, clicked loudly and moved to strike them with the spear it was gripping.
It reigned blows on Buck who crumpled before the attacks, the rest of our heroes charged it. Fighting was brutal and heavy blows were exchanged but the enormous mantisman was felled, crashing loudly in a heap.
Quickly, Brother Steve put a healing chant on Buck, its magic sealing his wound.
Searching the chamber revealed a swathe of fine weapons as well a grisly discovery; hanging from the wall was a severed hand and somehow clinging to its bloody stump of a wrist was a glittering bracelet. At the opposite end of the chamber was another exit.
Taking their spoils, our heroes continued exploring.
There was more: A number of hoarded fine looking weapons were stacked up along one wall.
There was no chance to search the room, seemingly bursting from nowhere exploded a mantisman but no typical mantisman was it.
Standing perhaps a foot taller with stouter limbs, the creature regarded our heroes malevolently with an alien gaze, clicked loudly and moved to strike them with the spear it was gripping.
It reigned blows on Buck who crumpled before the attacks, the rest of our heroes charged it. Fighting was brutal and heavy blows were exchanged but the enormous mantisman was felled, crashing loudly in a heap.
Quickly, Brother Steve put a healing chant on Buck, its magic sealing his wound.
Searching the chamber revealed a swathe of fine weapons as well a grisly discovery; hanging from the wall was a severed hand and somehow clinging to its bloody stump of a wrist was a glittering bracelet. At the opposite end of the chamber was another exit.
Taking their spoils, our heroes continued exploring.
Giant Mantismen attack.
Almost immediately they found themselves in a smallish chamber. Its centre dominated by a piled mound of miscellaneous goods mingled with detritus: Elegant, sartorial items, once the height of fashion had over time decomposed, cutlery, pots and pans and so forth could also be found.
Undeterred, our heroes searched and found within curious items wrought precious metals, a curious parasol of a black silk and what appeared to to be a crystal skull filled with jewellery.
With no further exits, our heroes returned to the corridor and pressed on. It soon curved and ahead they saw a blaze of sunlight cascading in from an opening in the ceiling. It was a vertical shaft that rose directly to the empty sky above.
Undeterred, our heroes searched and found within curious items wrought precious metals, a curious parasol of a black silk and what appeared to to be a crystal skull filled with jewellery.
With no further exits, our heroes returned to the corridor and pressed on. It soon curved and ahead they saw a blaze of sunlight cascading in from an opening in the ceiling. It was a vertical shaft that rose directly to the empty sky above.
It was time to descend, our heroes decided and returned to the mushroom chamber and the hole downwards.
Cautiously they descended the steep slope into darkness. The resinous surface was smooth though, struggling to maintain their balance, only Brother Steve kept his feet while the others lost theirs, stumbled, fell and slid to the bottom in a heap.
Once they had regained their composure they scanned their surroundings.
Cautiously they descended the steep slope into darkness. The resinous surface was smooth though, struggling to maintain their balance, only Brother Steve kept his feet while the others lost theirs, stumbled, fell and slid to the bottom in a heap.
Once they had regained their composure they scanned their surroundings.
A slippery descent.
Another voluminous chamber that stretched outside of their lantern’s reach. The air was even warmer here, moist and even more fetid while a thin low mist that glowed eerily in lantern light clung to the floor. From the edge of the tunnel, our heroes could see some sort of viscous gleaming fluid coating the usually resinous walls. As they cautiously moved in, they saw eggs the size of barrels embedded in the greenish coating throughout the chamber.
Finally at the far end of the chamber, along the glumly lit eastern wall they spied a dark spot of darkness that indicated a passage out.
Advancing, our heroes intended to investigate one of the giant eggs but were immediately set upon by a small band of mantismen who inexplicably emerged from nowhere as they are wont to do.
Reeling, our heroes were put on the backfoot as they suffered the mantisman assault. Brother Steve and Berto endured grievous blows but steadfastly remained on their feet. Fighting continued until our heroes emerged victorious.
Brother Steve approached one of the enormous eggs and struck it. The shell easily shattered and our heroes were shocked to see what came spilling out.
Scores upon scores of tiny infant mantismen, writhing and squirming, spread like a bizarre insectile pool, proceeding to begin devouring whatever they touched.
Almost immediately, a handful of mantismen came charging from the far end of the chamber, clicking furiously as they bore down on our heroes.
A moment later an enormous mantis appeared at the perimeter of the lantern light - the queen.
She gave an alien scream that reverberated across the chamber, our heroes could feel a faint murmurous tremble through the chamber's ponderous miasma.
Battle was joined, despite her size, the queen moved with terrifying speed, lashing out at several of our heroes, she caught Brother Steve a grievous blow where his neck met his shoulder and he crumpled in a spray of arterial blood.
Moments later, mantismen reinforcements arrived out of the darkness into the chamber and fell upon our heroes.
The situation was desperate: Another onslaught from the queen toppled Buck, he did not rise.
Cheery and Berto kept fighting, blows were exchanged and finally, Cheery landed a telling blow on the queen, dispatching her.
It was not over though, the inhuman mantismen, clicking angrily, pressed the attack and the two dwarves suffered numerous wounds. At risk of being surrounded, Cheery and Berto had to beat a hasty fighting withdrawal towards the unknown exit. Whatever might be found there could be no worse than this and it would at least provide a defensible position.
The bottleneck kept the unrelenting insectoids at bay long enough for our heroes to defeat them.
Finally at the far end of the chamber, along the glumly lit eastern wall they spied a dark spot of darkness that indicated a passage out.
Advancing, our heroes intended to investigate one of the giant eggs but were immediately set upon by a small band of mantismen who inexplicably emerged from nowhere as they are wont to do.
Reeling, our heroes were put on the backfoot as they suffered the mantisman assault. Brother Steve and Berto endured grievous blows but steadfastly remained on their feet. Fighting continued until our heroes emerged victorious.
Brother Steve approached one of the enormous eggs and struck it. The shell easily shattered and our heroes were shocked to see what came spilling out.
Scores upon scores of tiny infant mantismen, writhing and squirming, spread like a bizarre insectile pool, proceeding to begin devouring whatever they touched.
Almost immediately, a handful of mantismen came charging from the far end of the chamber, clicking furiously as they bore down on our heroes.
A moment later an enormous mantis appeared at the perimeter of the lantern light - the queen.
She gave an alien scream that reverberated across the chamber, our heroes could feel a faint murmurous tremble through the chamber's ponderous miasma.
Battle was joined, despite her size, the queen moved with terrifying speed, lashing out at several of our heroes, she caught Brother Steve a grievous blow where his neck met his shoulder and he crumpled in a spray of arterial blood.
Moments later, mantismen reinforcements arrived out of the darkness into the chamber and fell upon our heroes.
The situation was desperate: Another onslaught from the queen toppled Buck, he did not rise.
Cheery and Berto kept fighting, blows were exchanged and finally, Cheery landed a telling blow on the queen, dispatching her.
It was not over though, the inhuman mantismen, clicking angrily, pressed the attack and the two dwarves suffered numerous wounds. At risk of being surrounded, Cheery and Berto had to beat a hasty fighting withdrawal towards the unknown exit. Whatever might be found there could be no worse than this and it would at least provide a defensible position.
The bottleneck kept the unrelenting insectoids at bay long enough for our heroes to defeat them.
Fallout from battling the mantisman queen.
Despite their elation, there was no time for celebration. Cheery and Berto rushed to their fallen colleagues and administered aid as best they could.
Buck’s injuries it seemed were not grievous and he was easily tended to.
Brother Steve was not so fortunate, despite staunching the flow of blood from his injury, it was not enough: The vital spark had fled his eyes and Brother Steve now began his great journey into the mysterious, unknown beyond.
With Buck on his feet, the remaining heroes took a minute to contemplate the situation. Our remaining heroes ventured through the exit.
The chamber they found was curiously clear of the detritus found throughout the rest of the mound. And contained only what seemed like some sort of nesting material. They searched the chamber and found an enormous glittering mirror decorated with jewels.
This chamber, our heroes realised, was the final unexplored area in the mound.
Taking the remains of Brother Steve with them, they marched east through the dismal afternoon until the murky waterlogged flats shrank over the western horizon.
A dejected night was spent camping at the edge of the fens, the nightly chorus of frog croaks and swishing reeds carried across the otherwise silent campsite. With the morning came more miserable weather; erratic snow flurries whipped by a biting north wind blustered about our heroes as they returned to the familiar arable plains that surrounded Illmire and made for their farmstead.
Buck’s injuries it seemed were not grievous and he was easily tended to.
Brother Steve was not so fortunate, despite staunching the flow of blood from his injury, it was not enough: The vital spark had fled his eyes and Brother Steve now began his great journey into the mysterious, unknown beyond.
With Buck on his feet, the remaining heroes took a minute to contemplate the situation. Our remaining heroes ventured through the exit.
The chamber they found was curiously clear of the detritus found throughout the rest of the mound. And contained only what seemed like some sort of nesting material. They searched the chamber and found an enormous glittering mirror decorated with jewels.
This chamber, our heroes realised, was the final unexplored area in the mound.
Taking the remains of Brother Steve with them, they marched east through the dismal afternoon until the murky waterlogged flats shrank over the western horizon.
A dejected night was spent camping at the edge of the fens, the nightly chorus of frog croaks and swishing reeds carried across the otherwise silent campsite. With the morning came more miserable weather; erratic snow flurries whipped by a biting north wind blustered about our heroes as they returned to the familiar arable plains that surrounded Illmire and made for their farmstead.
