The Darkness

[swrider]

.

[swrider]

Since your last trip to the temple. Several ornamental washing basis and a few statutes have been added in. You make your way to the restricted portion of the library where Unten greets the entire group. Notably absent from the meeting is Shor-tay who has gone to speak with Lord Larimore.

"Welcome. We were just finishing up our research on the necropolis. The kingdom that once ruled from there has almost passed from history. However, we have retained some of their legends. They have a tale of a great darkness which spread through the land. The darkness was caused by an avatar of the demon Lord Orkus who had been risen into the land. He rose armies of zombies and decimated most of the continent before being defeated. The story specifies that worshipers of Orkus took the bones of the avatar and created a sacred relic which could raise the undead and create a darkness. The kingdom faught the worshipers and captured the artifact but could not destroy it. Their civilizations in near ruins the artifact was hidden and the survivors dispersed to rebuild the continent. Their descendants raised the kingdoms which begat the kingdoms which predated our own. That necropolis is the only know site to belong to that kingdom and lead any corroboration to what was thought to be legend. Your reports, however, along with those of the scout have raised questions about the authenticity of the legend. If that artifact exists it must would account for the rising darkness. But why has it only become active now?

[kanila]

Meddaar rubbed his chin in thought as he heard the tale. "I would imagine that the relic had been found and a new cult is using it once more. Either that or they found a new way to raise the dead. Does the city armory have any silvered weapons on hand? I highly doubt they would, but it's worth asking."

[ThreeBFour]

"Silvered weapon are useful against zombies? Regular arrows and swords seem to work pretty well so far." Oomaq asks confused as to why the question was asked.

[DeepSpacer]

Gage comments, "Yes, either the artifact or an avatar Demon Lord Orkus himself has returned. Either way, it seems that the legend is being reborn before our very eyes!"

"Zombies, they are called? They seemed susceptible to normal weaponry and magic well-enough."

[swrider]

Lord Larimore's voice echos from behind you. Surprising as you had not noticed either him or Shor-tay arrive. "The City does not have any silvered weapons. They are useful against vampires and some types of undead, but the city has not had the need to get that extravagant with our weapons. I believe the order has a few silvered relics in the reliquary. Unten chimes in at that point. "We do have a few silvered weapons in the reliquary, but they are sacred and should not be removed for use in battle, unless absolutely necessary and even then only by the order of Lady Sol. Lord Larimore continues. "The scroll you uncovered belonged to a group of looters who were raiding the area for a long lost relic said to be of great worth. The final parts stated that they had found it buried in the central tomb in the cemetery of the dark temple. I believe this is what has caused the darkness. The location of the relic is no longer safe. I will reserach a way to destroy the artifact, but ask that you all go and retrieve it. If stored on holy ground its powers should remain inactive. I purpose we store it in the catacombs until it can be destroyed or at the very least hidden. Lord Larimore offers you a reward for the retreival of the artifact.

Spoiler:

my notes section is not showing up since it was attachments. I need to go home and re-upload the photos to get the exact amount offered.

[kanila]

"Well hopefully that won't be necessary and we can handle it without the added muscle. If everyone is prepared we should begin the trek as soon as possible."

[ThreeBFour]

"Short of having a large pet dragon with a taste for rotten meat, I'm ready to go."

[Boutrose Saba-Norr]

Thew'Ruk was usually quiet in this situation, feeling he had little to offer when it came to discussing topics of history or other leaned information. His teacher had always been the field and the plow, the ax and the shield. He had no formal education and he did not pretend to be a man of conventional learning, but the mention of Orkus caught his attention, "If this is indeed an instrument of Orkus then would not it be appropriate to seek the help of one who is the demon's enemy in helping to defeat him?"

[swrider]

"Pelor is an enemy to all Daemons, for that reason his servants of the order are behind you." Lord Larimore has a passing look of frustration with Uten's comment, but the look is quickly swept from his face. "The God's do not typically intervene directly. Orcus' other enemies are dreams. Summoning one to fight an artifact from another does not seem wise at this point. You should start your journey, but before you do..." Larimore opens the lid to his ring and waves his hand over the top. A single suit of Studded Leather Armor appears in his hand. "One of you requested to borrow some armor. This armor was recently completed for one of the city scouts. You may use it for this mission."

[Boutrose Saba-Norr]

Thew'Ruk accepts the armor, "Thank you, I greatly appreciate this contribution to our combined safety."

[ThreeBFour]

Oomaq looks at Lord Larimore and Uten with a wry smile, "Where gods fear to tread us mortals shall prevail.

[DeepSpacer]

Oomaq looks at Lord Larimore and Uten with a wry smile, "Where gods fear to tread us mortals shall prevail.

"Bold words for one so young! I think you know not what you ask!"

[swrider]

Lord Larimore raises a hand before Uten could respond."It is best not to tempt the God's in one of their temples. They will intervene when they feel it is necessary. Please make final preparations and depart soon. I will have a bounty awaiting for the return of the artifact."

[ThreeBFour]

Oomaq looks to the others, "I'm ready to go when you guys are, and that way I can further tempt the gods outside then temple instead," he winks at Lord Larimore and chuckles as he adds the last part.

[swrider]

The group gathers together the last of their gear and sets back off on the now familiar road. Animal Life seems less active than it previously had and you reach the edge of the darkness much quicker than you had previously. By the time you reach the edge of the Forrest where you turned away to get to the battle field the entire area is surrounded in dark twilight. The necropolis lies to the northeast, an area as yet unexplored by most. Plants in the area are starting to show signs of wilting, indicating that it has been a while since they have seen direct sunlight.

[DeepSpacer]

Gage lights a hooded lantern to see in a certain 15' radius, dim light to 30' radius (to be adjusted for the magical darkness). "The darkness has advanced! There is much to be concerned about!"

[swrider]

"If the darkness is linked to the rising zombies we should proceed with caution as we head to the burial site of an entire civilization. Nevertheless we should not tarry"

[Boutrose Saba-Norr]

"Then let's proceed," Thew'Ruk stated as he tugged on the reigns of The Storm, motioning the animal and the group forward.

[swrider]

The path towards the necropolis is eerily still. No animal life can be heard and very little light can be seen outside of the lantern. The walls of the old city are crumbling and little remains besides ruins. As you approach the center of the city several pristine gargoyles still stand near the entrance to what appears to be a large graveyard.

[swrider]

As the group ponders the mysterious graveyard. An arm of partially decaying flesh come reaching up out of the ground not ten feet away and closer to the graveyard.

[ThreeBFour]

"Ah guys, it looks like our old friends are back," Oomaq says releasing an arrow from his bow.

Spoiler:

Total: 20
Bonus: 5
Character: Oomaq
Campaign: Temple of Light
Description: Short Bow Attack


Total: 6
Bonus: 3
Character: Oomaq
Campaign: Temple of Light
Description: Short Bow Damage
1D6= 3
indivdiual rolls: 3
images:

[swrider]

The arrow lashes forth sticking into the palm of the outstretched hand which turns slightly pointing towards the wall to the old wall like some twisted wind vain.

[DeepSpacer]

Gage points and utters a curse at the immobile hand coming out of the ground while discharging a magical force in its direction.

Spoiler:

Total: 8
Bonus: 5
Character: Gage
Campaign: Dark Patron
Description: Eldritch Blast


"I am not sure if an '8' hits or not. It is 5e and the hand is sticking out of the earth,
IF I hit, the damage is below. Otherwise, ignore."

Total: 7 Damage
Bonus: 3
Character: Gage
Campaign: Dark Patron
Description: Eldritch Blast
1D10= 4
indivdiual rolls: 4
images:

[swrider]

The zombie bursts into pieces. Meanwhile one of the Gargoyle statues lifts its head and flares its wings out. It barrels forward claws extending attempting to grab a hole of cleric bersk. The claws slide of the pristine armor preventing the creature from getting a grip.

Spoiler:

Total: 16
Bonus: 4
Character: Gargoyle
Campaign: DPToL
Description: graple