Original thread
here.
Local villagers whisper of a mysterious place deep in the marsh - a place shrouded in mist and dotted with barrow mounds, ruined columns, and standing stones. The tomb-robbers who explore beneath the mounds - or rather the few who return - tell tales of labyrinthine passages, magnificent grave goods, and terrifying creatures waiting in the dark. Are you brave (or foolish) enough to enter the Barrowmaze?Five intrepid adventurers have decided to assist Valeria the Paladin in her quest against the Undead. The Bard has still not returned to the village and letter had been received that he will be some weeks yet. The Thief, Paladin, Fighter and Wizard had agreed to meet to decide on the best course of action, however the Thief had a last minute “job” and got word to the group that he would be otherwise engaged. Of the Fighter, no word has been heard…
Viridian the Wizard and Valeria the Paladin set out mid-morning for the half day’s travel to the Barrow Mounds. Prior to departure, Valeria gave a rousing speech looking for volunteers to battle the vile undead that were rumoured to be at the Mounds. Before any of the villagers could volunteer their services, the Mayor pushed forward his two wayward twins Franz and Shen, with no choice but to take them or receive the displeasure of the Mayor. Viridian and Valeria looked at each other wearily. The party now numbered four.
The journey across the moors was uneventful and the party reached the Mounds by mid-afternoon. A low mist hung everywhere and the Mounds were deathly quiet.
Valeria relied on the truth of her feelings and experience to get a feel for the Mounds. She can sense the oppressiveness of the Dead, however of Undead she can feel nothing.
Valeria mentions that she has heard rumours that the Chosen of the dead god Nergal are said to be buried in the maze. Viridian takes time to look in her books to see if she can find any reference to Nergal. During this time with their concentration focused, skeletons emerge out of a Mound ahead. As Viridian communicates her findings, Valeria feels a shift in the aether as the Undead advance.
Eager to prove himself and be recounted for his deeds Franz (Cost: Fame and Glory, Warrior 1) rushes towards the advancing (three) skeletons, despite Valeria’s advice to let her lead. Valeria follows close behind, sword and shield at the ready.
Viridian, murmuring to herself, calls a spirit to her side. However, the disturbance in the ether sends ripples rolling outwards and a moan is heard off to her side, its source obscured by the mist. Shen (Cost: Fame and Glory, Expert 1), standing beside Viridian is somewhat spooked by Viridian’s eerie murmurings and the unearthly moan.
Just as Franz is about to reach the three skeletons, he trips and falls. Valeria engages the middle skeleton, damaging it and dancing clear of its attack.
Hearing the moan and the grinding of bones getting closer but still not able to see anything, Viridian casts invisibility on herself.
The three skeletons converge on Valeria, weapons raised. Valeria rolls to the left and scores a hit on the left hand skeleton, again keeping out of its reach.
Shen is getting increasingly concerned now that Viridian has disappeared, when he hears Viridian whisper in his ear from nowhere to seek out and engage the moaning sound he rushes forwards blindly.
Valeria attacks the right skeleton scoring a hit. The skeleton remains standing but cannot breach Valeria’s defences.
Shen stumbles into and grapples with an advancing skeleton. Viridian sees this and invisibly positions herself to the rear of the skeleton.
Franz manages to regain his feet and assists Valeria with her attack. Again Valeria rolls to avoid the combined attacks of the undead, this time to the right, however she stumbles when she exits the roll and drops hers sword as she tries to steady herself. Unperturbed, she slams her shield into the skeleton in front of her, defeating it whilst keeping clear of its own attack.
Viridian now behind the skeleton grappling with Shen, launches magic missiles at the skeletons back. The missile explodes within the skeleton’s ribcage - but it remains standing. The skeleton has now freed its sword arm and is bringing it down towards Shen.
Valerian swings her shield at the middle skeleton and it crumples to the ground as the edge of the shield severs its skull from its neck.
Viridian slams another magic missile into the skeleton facing her and it too crumples to the ground. Shen slumps to the ground breathing heavily.
Grabbing her sword despite the attacking skeletons, Valeria prepares to defend, however out of the corner or her eye she sees a sword stabbing towards Franz’s back.
Viridian also sees the imminent attack on Franz and launches another magic missile, her aim is off and the missile is zeroed in on Valeria.
Valeria seeing the missile hurtling towards her, has to choose between saving Franz and trying to deflect the magic missile. She chooses self-preservation, and successfully deflects the missile instinctively with her sword. Franz slumps to the ground, stabbed by the remaining skeleton, who then turns on Valeria but is quickly dispatched.
Franz is found to be alive but unconscious, with a serious wound to his shoulder. Viridian uses one of her potions and Franz groggily comes to. Valeria suggests that the twins might be out of their depth and now would be the last chance to return home. Franz take this opportunity in recounting his “heroic deeds” to his brother. A highly heated discussion ensues about “fame and glory” between the two brothers, returning home not being on the list.
Realising the she still has a Spirit by her side, Viridian asks it, “What is most dangerous within the Mounds…?” The Spirit answers, “The Tablet of Chaos,” and disappears.
Advancing into a large Mound (the source of the three skeletons), they see a rusting A-frame with a block and tackle over a hole in the ground. Dropping a torch into the hole they see the floor of a 30’ square room, 35’ below. The A-frame holds as the party descend one by one.
A passage heads east out of the room with a passage way branching north shortly after, the eastwards passage extends beyond the light of their torches.
The party discuss their options (Viridian has heard a rumour of treasures to the South) and Viridian inspects the worn frescos of a burial procession leading to a barrow mound that line the walls. Managing to gain insight into the history of the Mounds, she passes on her newly found knowledge. Having spent some time in the quiet of the room, the party jump when a door is heard to bang and muffled (human) voices are heard coming from the east.
A large group of tomb robbers emerge from a door out the end of the passageway, torchlight streaming down the passage. Valeria stands firm and commands “In the name of the Law, join us against the Undead!” The tomb robbers scoff at the Paladin and advance down the passageway, weapons drawn…