Session III - The Paths of the Dead (2000-05-15)

As the afternoon was slowly darkening into dusk, Drik suggested to postpone climbing to the cave until the morning. He also offered to heal Krag's warriors in the evening in case they got injured hunting for food. Krag would have preferred the healing spells in the morning but finally agreed.

The next morning Hrun eagerly tried to climb to the cave entrace using some vines growing here and there on the slope. Perhaps Hrun had had too much to eat for breakfast because one vine broke free, and Hrun landed on his considerable behind much to the amusement of everybody else.

Radagast took the rope and hook from Drik, and threw it in perfect throw inside the cave mouth. He then promptly climbed the rope up to the cave without any problems. After checking that the hook was really secured he motioned for the others to climb up. Ulf (the new orc apprentice to Radagast) and Hrun seemed to have some problems, both falling once until they finally seemed to get the hang of it.

The cave was formed from sandstone, the surfaces covered with snow and ice glittering in the dim light. Drik lighted a torch, which illuminated some orc bones scattered about. There were stalactites hanging from the ceiling, and stalagmites and broken pieces of stone on the floor.

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The first cave contained a shrine with a statue. The statue seemed to have been altered quite recently. The original statue was probably depicting Aries, but the new look was that of the Celestial Archer. Two unlit candles were on both sides of the shrine.

Ulf told the group that only the village elder had walked the complete Paths of the Dead after the Battle of the Broken Hills. Ulf and Hrun did their worship at the shrine, even though it was a bit unclear why Hrun worshipped the wrong god. Radagast pointed out that he did not worship any gods, which got a remark from Ulf. "Foolishness." Before continuing to the second cave, Radagast blew out the candles so they would be available for the next visitor. The first cave had also entrace to another tunnel which they decided to investigate later.

The second cave entrace had some strange glyphs in the ceiling before the actual cave. Radagast tried to make sense of them but could not read them no matter how hard he tried. Hrun touched the glyphs when passing into the second cave.

Before having a chance to explore further, four dead orcs on the floor slowly stood upright and attacked! Radagast cast Mage Armor. Ulf hit one zombie orc, and Drik finished the wounded undead. Ulf and Hrun were hit, but not too seriously. Radagast managed to land a blow on one zombie, but it was not enough to kill it. Ulf hit his opponents twice, before gathering all his strength for a massive strike which cut his opponent neatly in two pieces. Meanwhile everyone else was just dodging blows and hitting thin air. Finally Hrun got his act together and finished the remaining zombie.

Search of the bodies and cave produced one black dagger and nine silver pieces. Ulf took the dagger as it was sacred to his clan. In the farthest end of the cave there was a hole about three feet wide, with slipperly looking slope. Drik tied his rope to a stalagmite and the party carefully climbed down, Hrun first as usual. He was starting to catch up to the comments from Ulf, who usually mentioned some about Hrun being a coward and not having the courage to do this or that...

The slope lead about 45 feet into a smallish circular chamber which was very high. Before having a change to do anything else, two spiders attacked Hrun and Ulf! Hrun did an amazing move to shurg off the spider, but Ulf was not as lucky - the spider grabbed onto him. Before the ugly arachnid could sink its teeth into Ulf, Ulf grabbed the create into his powerful hands and threw the spider accross the room right into a sharp stalactice, thereby killing the vermin.

The spider that Hrun dropped to the ground got lucky and bit Drik. Drik could feel it injected some kind of poison into him. Drik quikcly smashed his axe into the spider splitting spider intestines all over.

They got a brief look at the cave, which seemed to have several bodies that were sucked dry of blood, presumably by the spiders. There were also webs everywhere. Radagast was the first to notice some movement in the webs above their heads, and shouted a warning while backing up into the narrow tunnel they had come from.

Three more spiders attacked. Drik was obsuring Radagast's view into the spider cave so Radagast cast a Magic Missile into the nearest spider, which didn't seem to slow down the spider at all. Both Ulf and Hrun killed spiders in one hit, but again Drik was the victim of a nasty spider bite. Perhaps raged by the second bite Drik also took a clean shot at the remaining spider, joining its spider heart with the others in spider heaven.

Drik started to feel the effects of the poison, losing some of his strength. He stuffed one spider carcass into his backpack in the hopes that the orc camp might have a shaman who could cure the poison.

Search of the cave floor produced a scroll case. Radagast decided to climb up to see if there might be something interesting obscured by the webs. The party decided against burning the webs. After a first failed attempt Radagast managed to climb 20 feet, after which he saw a ledge some 10 feets away. He managed to climb onto the ledge succesfully, after yelling to Hrun to be ready to catch him in case he fell.

On the ledge there seemed to be two cocoon-like objects, covered in webs. Radagast carefully sliced open the smaller one with the tip of his longsword. Small spiders burst out and scattered into the webs above. This got Radagast feeling a little scared, so he lighted up a torch as an additional precaution. Torch in left hand he cut open the bigger cocoon. A dead orc rolled out. Radagast peered carefully to see if the body moved. After being satisfied it was dead he decided to climb down. Unfortunately his grip slipped, and he fell all the 30 feet to the cave floor. But Radagast knew how to fall, so he was able to roll to absorb some of the damage. Nevertheless, it hurt!

After Drik healed Radagast's bruises, Radagast cast Detect Magic to investigate the scroll. It was indeed magical. Radagast tried to read the scroll, but could not understand anything, except that it was magical. So he gave the scroll to Drik to give it a try. Drik was able to understand it without problems. The scroll contained three spells: Delayed Poison, Divine Favor and Command. Drik quickly cast Delayed Poison at himself.

Although Drik wanted to return back to the waiting orcs, Hrun pointed out that they had to walk the Paths of the Dead or else their word would not be believed, and they would be even in a worse situation than they now were. Drik was not too happy to realize this, he apparently thought he was already dead from the spider poison. As there didn't seem to be anything else to do, they decided to try and pass the caves as quickly as possible.

They couldn't find anything else in the spider cavern, and climbed back into the second cave, and continued all the way back to the entrance cave and took the tunnel they had not yet explored. The tunnel opened shortly into a huge cavern. Near the far wall there seemed to be a skeleton of a huge serpentine creature, only icy bones left half buried into the cave floor.

They heard the a swooshing sound, and a swarm of 12 bat-like creates with mosquito-like heads attacked the party! While the stirges were closing in, the party dropped four of the foul creatures into eternal slumber. As the creates stucked their horrible blood sucking proboscis into the veins of the party members everyone fought furiously for their lives. Radagast, Hrun and Ulf instantly killed the creatures attached to them, but Drik's hit was too feeble to knock the stirge off and it sucked long and hard. Drik felt weak, but continued to to fight. Hrun also felt his orc blood being sucked out of his body by another stirge. One more creature managed to latch onto Radagast, while Ulf and Hrun each killed one sucker. Drik was also hit again. Ulf then dispatched of the stirge attached to Drik. Hrun also killed one more, but Radagast almost lost consciusness and could barely stay on his feet as the stirge attached to him sucked his blood! Finally the last of the stirges was on the ground, and Ulf made sure they all stay dead.

At the end of the cave they found some holes leading down. After tying a rope to the large skeleton they climbed down. When it was Ulf's turn the rope untied itself and Ulf fell to the floor. He was not badly hurt, which he proved by making the near impossible feat of throwing the rope back up to Radagast who was the last to climb down. Radagast tied the rope again and climbed down without an incident.

Next they walked into a deep cavern that had a bridge crossing over it. They did not trust the bridge to carry them all, so they tied two ropes together. Hrun would pass first, and Ulf would keep the second end of the rope so there would be something for Radagast and Drik to hold on in case the bridge fell. As Hrun was a few feet into the bridge, Radagast saw something dark plunging down from above. He quickly shouted to Hrun to come back!

Some dark flying thing barely missed Hrun, and the next thing they realized was it was pitch black! Even the orcs could not see a thing. Drik cast Light onto his axe, but still eveything was surrounded by darkness. The others then heard Hrun yell, and start grunting. Ulf asked if that was normal of Hrun, but Drik said that was most unusual. Next thing Drik did was yell and start grunting as some flying leathery thing smashed into him and wrapped its wings around him and started squeezing. Ulf tried to help Drik, but grabbed dirt. Radagast homed in on the sound, and grabbed what felt like a giant bat off of Drik. Drik stabbed the creature with his dagger, and it stopped moving. Radagast dropped it into the ground and stomped on it a few times just to make sure.

Another "Swoosh!" and a new bat slammed into Drik, hard. This time Ulf managed to grab the creature away from Drik. Ulf tried first to rip the creature apart, but it seemed it was a strong critter. Next Ulf surpised everyone by sinking his big orc teeth into the bat, biting off a big chunk of skin, fur and bad tasting blood! Radagast tried to hit the creature Ulf was holding, but missed twice in the dark. In frustration he yelled to Ulf to hold still, which seemed to help for he finally sunk his dagger into something living. The create went still in Ulfs hands.

Finally the darkness lifted, and they could see the giant bats that had attacked them. They put their bridge crossing plan into action and were soon on the other side. Again there was a three foot hole in the ground, and again they climbed down, one after the other, this time without an incident.

As Hrun was crossing the next chamber, the floor suddenly gave away under him! Only the rope tied to the rest of the party held him from plunging down to the bottom. Radagast was next on the rope, but Hrun's weight made him also loose balance, and Drik also fell behind of him. Ulf, the last bastion of hope also fell down and started sliding towards the whole where everybody else has disappeared. Finally he managed to grab onto something at the edge of the whole. Drik managed to grab a protrusion while hanging from the rope. Following his advice Radagast did the same. Next Hrun climbed up to Radagast. Radagast's first try to also climb failed, but he managed to grab a wall to stop his fall. Finally, one after the other, everyone was on solid ground.

The floor in the chamber appeared to be only a couple of inches thick. Radagast, who was the lightest, left his gear to the others, and with rope around him tried to crawl by the wall on the left past the cave. Just when the floor was about to give in the others yanked him back. Next he tried on the right, and passed. Others quickly followed.

Once again there was a hole in the ground, and they descended again. This time they found themselves in a musty tunnel only about five feet wide. Hrun lead the way. Soon they came to an intersection, and took the left turn that spiraled downwards. The tunnel opened into a smallish cave with a pool of water near the entrace, and an orc skeleton in the middle.

Ulf felt brave and decided to investigate. Keeping his eyes open he approached the skeleton. He thoroughly searched it. He found a sack with some gold pieces and rotten food and rope. The skeleton had a ring in a finger, which he picked up, and a black sword, which he took as well. Next he circled the room looking for anything else, but did not find anything. Radagast was feeling really nervous and asked if Ulf was feeling lucky. Apparently he was, because next thing Ulf was approach the water. Standing five feet back, he threw a rock into the pool. Nothing happened. Ulf came closer and peered into the water. Still nothing happened. Ulf wanted Hrun to jump into the pool, but Hrun declined. Instead Hrun put his finger into the pool. "Warm," he said. That seemed to satisy everybody's interest, and the party returned back to the intersection.

Walking a short while they found out that the way was blocked. There was a stone door covered with runes at the end of the corridor. Hrun tried first kicking the door down, with no luck. Radagast tried to listen, but did not hear anything unusual.

Radagast suggested Ulf try reading the runes, but the boy did not feel convinced about his abilities. Dreading the moment Radagast peered at the runes. He was able to make sense of them, and he read aloud for the other's benefit:

My worth is more than gold and my value more than rubies. Because of me, Kings make just laws and elders righteous judgements. Riches, honor, wealth and justice are mine to distribute, yet all who search for me find me. Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home. For whoever finds me finds life and wins the approval of Heaven. But those who miss me have injured themselves and all who hate me love death.

Ulf said, in Orcish, "The answer is wisdom." The door becomame transparent, showing a view into a cozy little hut. "Damn, that boy is smarter than I though," mused Radagast. Ulf passed, and the door turned back into stone. One after the other they repeated the words and passed, until only Radagast was left. He did not speak Orcish, so he just tried mimicing what the others had said. The door turned transparent, and he passed.

Radagast arrived into a small hut with the others. There was a fire burning in a fireplace, a composite longbow hanging on a wall, along with the usual things one would find in a cozy little hut. Suddenly a man materialized before their eyes, and greeted them. He said he would answer one question for each of them.

Drik introduced himself, and asked: "What is my destiny?"

The man replied: "The doom of all men is to die and then to face judgement." He smiled. "But that is not what you asked. You have been chosen to protect those who come seeking the light. You have also been chosen to prevent the corrupter of bodies from manifesting in Waymarch. More I shall not say for in so doing, I would increase the standard by which you shall be weighed. Chosen of Guthorm, you have been equipped for your tasks. Your destiny lies before you and it is yours to accomplish your calling or fall in the attempt." After a pause he continued: "Should you wish to learn more, you must seek your answers beneath the Shaman's crown, for it is not my place to reveal them to you at this time."

Then Drik vanished. Hrun introduced himself, and asked: "How Hrun impress Humie women?"

"To be loved, one must first be lovable. It is your blessing and your curse to be simple. The sophisticated lies and veneers which smooth faced men employ to deceive women are beyond you. So, yours must be true honor, real wisdom, and genuine righteousness. Purify your mind, but do not neglect to cleanse your body if you seek to attract a woman who will be a blessing to you and not a curse." was the reply he got.

Hrun also vanished. Ulf: "How might the tensions between my people and the Highlanders best be resolved?"

-"This is a hard task which you have chosen - indeed it is difficult beyond the measure of any man. But it is not your destiny to accomplish this task alone."

-"Know that there can be no forgiveness without repentance. Know that your dreams will not be realized until the light that was lost is once again restored. Know that this light will come first to your people for though they never had the light, they responded at the first rays of dawn. Know also that it is not the way of heaven to destroy the will of men. Therefore, the Highlanders as your people, are free to choose between death and life. Nevertheless peace will come to your peoples, if only to a remnant."

-"Your part in this will be to stand at the crossroads and point the way to life. The path before you will demand patience and involve much suffering - perhaps even death - but if you stand fast until the end, you will see the fruit of your labors."

When Ulf vanished, Radagast was feeling like a complete idiot. Hoewever, he introduced himself in North Speak and asked "How could I best combine my fighter and wizard skills to become a better and respect person?"

The man replied: "By hard work and continuous practice. And with these." The man made a gesture and Radagast's spellbook was suddenly floating beside him. The pages flipped fast to the first empty page, and Radagast saw the runes of magic appear for two new spells. Next thing he noticed he was back in the first cave of the Paths of the Dead with his companions.

The group climbed down without an incident to meet the waiting Krag. He examined them gravely, and then asked what they had seen at the end of the Paths of the Dead. Drik and Radagast answered they had seen a man. Hrun and Ulf insisted it was an orc. They also described what had happened. Krag agreed that they had passed the Paths of the Dead.

Drik got the dead spider from his backpack, and showed it to Krag. Drik asked if there was a healer who could heal him because the spider bit him and he was poisoned. Krag pointed out that they did not seem to be hurt. It was only at that point everybody realized they were healed of their wounds. To calm Drik down Krag also told that the spider was not too dangerous, and the venom probably had done its deed already. In fact, he said his son was bit by such a spider but he still lived.

While Drik was asking Krag questions about the situations at the Grove of the Broken Swords, Radagast was daydreaming about inventing a spell just like the one they had just experienced. It would have to be a combined teleport and heal spell. Or maybe it was just a hoax, and he had hypnotized them all. That would explain why the orcs and the humans saw different things, and it would have been easy to have them walk back to the first cave and be healed by someone else without them remembering. The spell to inscribe new spells to a spellbook was also neat. Radagast did not believe the man to be St. Maximus which was what Ulf thought he was.

Krag had only learned that the dead at the Grove were killed with crossbows, and the bolt were of human manufacture.

Krag lead the party back to the orc camp, where Ulf found the families of the orcs whose black dagger and sword he had brought back from the cave. Ulf gave the ring to Radagast.

Next day Radagast cast Detect Magic and learned that the ring was magical. That would be interesting to identify, and maybe dangerous, if Cordwellyn's sword was any indication of danger. He also learned that the new spells in his spellbook where Magic Weapon and Bull's Strength.

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