Tonight the party reveals the deep corruption that has spread throughout Khumric. Not surprising considering its main source of income is the acquisition and trade of relics at sites that once housed very ancient and very evil entities.
So grab our quills, ink and notebooks as we take a lesson from history in tonight’s adventure!
Deep Corruption
510WeDeCo
It wasn’t long after leaving the delver guild hall that they realised that something was wrong. A man was arguing with one of the guards from the gate towards the Windhollow peaks and it didn’t look pretty.
‘I’m telling you. They have not left via the gate, nor have they received permission to leave via that rout by order of the guard. The further risk to life is and always will not be tolerated as per Khumric’s creed.’ the guard aggressively spoke.
‘And I’m telling ye’ you idiot that they already left. I want to know which of them went past on their way out’ the bulky dwarf used a sharp jab of his index finger to punctuate his sentences. As tempers started to flare the pair were broken apart. Taking this opportunity to suss out what was going on the party approached the gate guard and asked some questions. Recognising them as outsiders and from entering through the gates earlier today he was less hostile but still, anger boiled beneath the surface.
‘The idiot guilder over there, that is someone who’s part of an adventuring guild, says hes’ lads went through my gate earlier and he wanted to know who did. You see we record who leaves to those tainted places and who has come back – an insurance policy so we can let loved ones know who is lost to the delves.’ he itched his nose as he spoke. ‘With the current issue going on and the reports from all three delves we decided to close off this morning to obey the creed, the towns rules to prevent a calamity like what happened centuries ago. Eulric helps by keeping in contact with those outside of the walls and let’s us know who’s strayed from the path. But this lot.’ he thumbed at the dwarf who broiled at the gesture. ‘Say that they lost men last week and that some more lads went out looking for them. But the records don’t have them leaving through the gates either then or now.’
After taking a look at the records; the guild master must have had a word with the guards about their involvement in the investigation, the party spoke to the dwarf guilder. However, as far as the old dwarf was concerned his lads had left last week by request of a messenger to reinforce a group that ran into trouble and then again today, to reinforce his other lost men. The only clue – it was supposedly the same man that requested aid this morning was the one that requested it last week. The party at least had a lead.
Finding the man amongst a sea of people was nearly impossible, but as luck would have it sometimes when you go searching for signs of trouble, trouble finds you. They were asking one of the merchants who was selling relics, much like the ones they saw embedded in Eulric, when they heard a voice from behind them.
‘Ah, there you are. I’ve been looking for you lot ever since I saw you in the meeting square.’ the party turned around to see the man that had asked for help earlier this morning. ‘I was unable to get the help needed and heard that you were experienced adventurers, not these relic hunters…’ he paused looking around as a familiar tingle of magic resonated from somewhere on him. ‘I can tell that you’re not convinced but I can say that you’re the only ones I can trust for this. I know a way out of the city past those annoying guards, if you can come with me now it’s not too late to save them and become like the heroes of old hey?’
For whatever reason the party knew that he their best lead to the missing party from before, and now the missing rescue team. As they followed him along the wall they came to a shop that looked like it specialised in relics, much like every other stall or market place in the town. As they approached the door a dizzying wave of magical energy came from the room so thickly that it could nearly be tasted. As they pushed forward through the magical haze they found hundreds of relics, round embossed disks of various metals on tables, in walls and in little boxes for sale.
Many of them resonated with something foul and as they move deeper they noticed a strange exchange between the man leading them along and the owner. The sound of a shutting door behind them told them what they needed. If they were to get out of this alive they would likely find in their fight for life the source of the missing rescuers.
Thanks for dropping by tonight for another expansion for this weeks adventure. Don’t forget that we still have a few more days to add to and expand this adventure. So don’t forget to come back each night this week to stay up to date with how it evolves. And lastly , as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe
Brazen Wolfe Tabletop 