Dungeons and Dragons:

Harried in Hillsfar

by

Craig DeHart

Started: 27 July 2017

Completed: 5 August 2017
 2.

EXT. DAY, WOODS

22 ELEINT 1487

MOONSEA, 8 MILES WEST OF HILLSFAR

ON THE ROAD FROM ELVENTREE

Rumors of rampant xenophobia has led to the citizens of

Hillsfar to be distrustful of all non-humans. Hillsfar has
run all non-humans out of town and the outskirts are
littered with refugees, many who lost everything when they
were evicted.

The adventurers are from the Silverdevils faction near

Elventree. They have been ordered to investigate these
rumors and attempt to keep the peace.

A muffled shout bursts from trees off the side of the road.
A human man in tattered, bloody clothes staggers into view.
He is still screaming.

Before the party can draw weapons he falls to the ground.

The party approaches and he speaks of five prophecies before
he dies.

The first: A place where dandelions rise above and cover

the people. The hell-tinged one is lost and then several
are found.

The second: Runs red with the blood of roots, where an

heiress lies and hides her pain in long wooden boxes. She
hinds more, but only keeps what is hers.

The third: At the spring of blessed life, where the

haunters protect and the protectors haunt. The water runs
on, and all must be freed.

The fourth: Holds the thundering beasts, but the beasts are
gone, to give way to a greater thundering beast with death
in its eyes. They await at a place of ancient elven evil.

The fifth: Where the ancients lie beneath night's marble,

forgotten, but not gone. The lost wealth of a forgotten
time pays terrible dividends now.
 3.

EXT. FARMHOUSE FRONT OF BUILDING

23 ELEINT 1487

MOONSEA, 2 MILE NORTHEAST OF HILLSFAR

The madman's first prophecy spoke of Farbough Farms. The

green farmhouse, sheds, and barns are green with yellow
roofs. From a distance they look like large dandelions.

As the party approaches two figures are carrying buckets of

water from a nearby stream. The figures are a half orc and
a dwarf. Sounds come from inside the farmhouse, as if they
are a crowd of angry people all shouting at once.

TALRA
Hello! Is there anything we can do
to help?

FEMALE ORC
Ask Ma and Pa. They say while
nodding toward the noisy farmhouse.

The two figures continue toward the barn with the water.
The party walks toward the house.

A male adult gathers at the door as the party approaches.

Nu rolls a 20 on a Wisdom check.

NU OKAHE
They are staring at you two. She
points towards Rargor and Talra. I
think you should hang back.

EBENZ FARBOUGH
Hold it right there. What can I
help you all with?

Nu approaches, she can see through the door behind Ebenz,

there is a gathering of children inside the house, another
person enters the doorway.

BEA FARBOUGH
If you're here for a meal, grab
some taters from the bin, peel them
and we'll cook the up for you.
You'll have to catch and dress your
own chicken though.

NU OKAHE
We thank you.

BEA FARBOUGH
Don't thank me yet. Before we eat,
 4.

make yourselves useful. Someone

needs to go and fetch Pynroth, you
can ask the two girls outside where
he ran off to. I need someone to
go check the goat in the barn and
see if she has had her kid. Verner
take these folk out to the barn.

Before Nu can ask anything more, Bea and Ebenz leave the
doorway and go back inside.

VERNER
Follow me.

NU OKAHE
Dorros, you and Talra find this
Pynroth, Rargor and I will check in
on this pregnant goat.

EXT: WEST SIDE OF FARMHOUSE

Dorros and Talra approach the two girls who are spreading
corn around for the pigs in the pin.

They are nervous and so taking a cure from Nu, only Dorros
approaches.

DORROS
Hey, hey(he says softly and none
threateningly), we were told you
can tell us where Pynroth went off
to. We're supposed to go fetch him
for dinner.

Roll DC10 Cha made with advantage. Roll=17.

DWARF CHILD
Pynroth! He went to the far side
of the field, near the forest. Pa
told him not to.

EXT. FIELD NEAR FOREST

Dorros and Talra near a willow forest. They hear growls and
rush forward. Dorros takes out his light crossbow, while
Talra grabs her flail and shield. They soon see...

EXT. SHORT WAY INTO FORST

Two figures are surrounded by three wild dogs. One figure

is a tall half elf wearing leather armor and clumsily
 5.

brandishing a sickle. The other is standing close of the

half elf, crying and blood on his arm.

Dorros shoots a wolf, hits, it bleeds and has had enough and
runs into the forest.

While running toward the fight, Talra sees a much larger

wolf hiding in the woods (Roll 20 on perception check).
It's close enough that she engages it and misses.

The battle is won, Talra has 6HP remaining, while Dorros has
his original 12.

BERALT
Thank you for rescuing us. My name
is Beralt, and I'm from the Emerald
Enclave.

TALRA
That's a Druid organization is it
not?

BERALT
Why yes, I'm still only an
initiate, but I was sent by my
masters to investigate rumors of
local wildlife acting strangely,
when I heard the boy scream.

TALRA
We're headed back to the farm, if
you're willing to peel potatoes,
I'm sure the owners would be
grateful for the help you've shown
the boy.

BERALT
It's getting late, I'd love to get
some grub.

FADE OUT

INT. GOAT BARN

Nu and Rargor are in the goat barn.

Jovee is a pregnant goat lying on the floor. The first goat

comes out and it is instantly apparent what the problem is.
 6.

This kid is much larger than normal, within moments there

are four red-furred goats making tortured, raspy sounds.
Sounds you would expect to hear in the Abyss. Moments later
Jovee's body explodes in blood and guts, and a large two-
headed goat is standing there. It's about the size of a
horse and has horns that look like curved pitchforks.

Rargor rolls 16 on a DC vs animal handling. Success.

RARGOR
Don't let them charge you. They
will ram you and could knock you
down.

Nu pulls her bow, she knows she only has one shot before the
goats are upon them. Rargor rushes with sword drawn.

Nu misses. Pulls here rapier and rushes forward.

They kill the smaller goats, but suffer damage. Rargor has
3 HP left, Nu has 6.

The unholy screaming of the goats and the sounds of battle

have drawn the people in the farmhouse out.

Ebenz has a pitchfork, but is far away, and won't enter the
attack for 3 turns.

Nu finds a weak spot on the giant goat, lunges and one head
of the goat falls limp. (critical roll, 1 HP left). Rargor
misses. The demon strikes Rargor, he falls to the ground.
(-2 HP).

Nu strikes again, a weak attack, but enough to kill the

beast.

Nu kneels by Rargor, there is no sign of bleeding, but the

head butt of the goats probably caused internal bleeding.
She lifts his leather armor around his chest and reveals a
large swollen purple patch.

NU OKAHE
Shouting. He's got internal
bleeding!

The crowd gathers.

NU OKAHE
Hang in there, we'll get something
for you.

Talra,Dorros, and Beralt jump the pen's fence and rush

forward. Beralt removes a vial from his pouch and quickly
kneels, opens Rargor's mouth and dumps the liquid in.
 7.

NU OKAHE
What was that?

BERALT
Healing potion.

And quickly the dark purple begins to lighten.

BERALT
He should be fine in an hour or
two. Let's get him inside.

INT. FARMHOUSE

There are 6 adults, two human the rest non-human, and 12

children all non-human, who live in the farmhouse. While
Rargor rests, Ebanz tells his story.

EBANZ
I don't know where those goats came
from, but I know it has something
to do with the trouble in Hillsfar.

EBANZ
Continues. Hillsfar used to always
have a kind of problem with non-
humans, but recently trouble has
been brewing. First Lord of
Hillsfar, Torin Nomerthal, revived
the practice of The Great Law of
Humanity. All non-humans were
gathered up and exiled out of town.
Then rumors of demons stalking and
killing on the outskirts of
Hillsfar. Something isn't right.

NU OKAHE
We heard a prophecy on the way into
town, the first lead us to you. A
place where dandelions rise above
and cover the people. The hell-
tinged one is lost and then several
are found. The demon goats are the
hell-tinged ones.

NU OKAHE
Continues. Does this sound
familiar to you? Runs red with the
blood of roots, where an heiress
lies and hides her pain in long
wooden boxes. She hinds more, but
only keeps what is hers.
 8.

EBANZ
Thinks. Mmm. "Blood of roots."
Just over the hill a couple of
miles north is the Goodroot farm.
They grow the best dark red beets
in the area. That might apply to
them.

NU OKAHE
That's great, we'll check that out.

BEA FARBOUGH
Not tonight. Suppers ready and
we've made some extra beds for all
of you. Let's eat.

FADE OUT
 9.

EXT. GOODROOT FARM

24 ELEINT 1487

MOONSEA, 1 MILE NORTH OF HILLSFAR

The madman’s words spoke of the Goodroots Farm. The fields

surrounding the farm team with laborers, mostly non-humans,
packing beets. Some of the beets harvested are twice as
large as a halfling’s head.

On the porch of the farmhouse, four human soldiers dressed

in red clads, chain shirts, and helmets with red feathers
surround a half-elven girl. She stands defiantly with hand
on her hips giving the troops a piece of her mind, despite
their spears and shields.

Does anyone recognize the uniforms? DC 10 VS insight, to

recognize the uniforms, DC 15 to recognize the leader.
Talra has the highest.

TALRA
Those are Red Plume guards, a
mercenary group hired by First
Maalthiir as a city watch for
Hillsfar.

As the party approaches the girl finishes speaking.

DESSANDRA
You'll tell your parents that they
have been legally ordered to have
eight barrels of dye ready for us
by sunrise tomorrow. If the
shipment is not ready, the First
Lord has demanded that the Red
Plume take possession of the farm
due to breach of contract.

The guards leave, ignoring the party.

NU OKAHE
Hello my name is Nu Okahe and these
are my companions. What was that
all about, and is there anything we
can do to help?

CONSTANCE
My name is Constane, and everything
is fine. No problems.

Roll DC12 vs investigation. Rargor will roll. Rolls 19 +4

for investigation.
 10.

RARGOR
Don't mind me saying, but looking
around here young one, I'd say
there are some problems. You look
troubled. Although those are some
mighty large beets, I don't see how
you are going to make that quota
given by the guards. I'm sure we
can help somehow.

CONSTANCE
Breaking down, sobbing for a
moment. Perhaps you are the answer
to my prayers. Chauntea works in
such a manner.

Constance looks past the party and into the fields.

CONSTANCE
If you'll follow me, maybe you can
help me.

She leads them to the cellar.

INT. CELLAR DARK

Constance lights a lantern from the wall, and leads the

party past casks, barrels, and containers. She leads them
to a pair of long wooden boxes.

DORROS
Whispers to Rargor. "Where an
heiress lies and hides her pain in
long wooden boxes."

Dorros and Rargor reach for their weapons. Talra already

had her flail out when she say the boxes.

CONSTANCE
I'm sorry.

She opens the box and inside are two bodies wrapped in
tarps. The bodies look peaceful, except their faces wear
unsightly growths. Some places on the bodies are horrible
purple ulcers.

CONSTANCE
I knoow this looks terrible, but
it's not what you think. You see
I'm not yet old enough to inherit
the farm. If the authorities find
 11.

out that my parents are dead,

Hillsfar will seize the farm and
turn me out. If I can hide their
bodies for just two more months I
will be old enough.

She bites her lip.

CONSTANCE
There's something else.

She leads them to a door, she unlocks it.

CONSTANCE
When I found my parents, I also
found him.

Inside, tied to a pole is a Draw elf. The growth seen on

her parents are seen on him too. He is still alive, but
weak.

Dorros covers his mouth.

DORROS
Sickness. We must get out of here!

He turns and runs out of the cellar.

TALRA
Dorros! Wait, no one else is sick.
It's not airborne.

Too late, he is gone.

TALRA
How long ago did this happen?

CONSTANCE
Three days. I've not told any of
the help and of course not the Red
Plumes.

Talra lays a hand on the draw. Whispers a healing spell.

He awakens.

TALRA
Get me some water. Please.

Rargor leaves.

TALRA
Do you know who he is?
 12.

CONSTANCE
No, I've never seen him before.

Talra unbinds the drow.

TALRA
He doesn't look weak, you've been
feeding him?

CONSTANCE
Yes, yes, I leave water and food.
Today I had to force it.

Rargor returns with a bucket of water. Talra takes the

ladal inside and scoops water into the crow's mouth.

While bending down to set the bucket down, Rargor examines

the sitting figure. DC 15 VS wis(nature). Fails.

TALRA
What do you see?

RARGOR
Nothing. I don't recognize this
kind of growth.

Removes a rolled up parchment from the coat pocket. Roll

DC10 vs Int(investigate).

RARGOR
But. Unrolls the parchment. It's
a contract between him, named
Arrizz, and the beet farmers here.
Nothing seems out of the ordinary.

TALRA
Speaking to Arrizz. Are you awake?

ARRIZZ
Weakly. Yes.

TALRA
Why are you here?

ARRIZZ
I'm a broker. I was meeting
secretly with the Goodroots, cough,
cough, to bring beet products to my
customers. I was here for two
days, when the farmers and myself
came down with this terrible
malady.

With those final words, Arrizz falls unconscious.

 13.

Rargor's head tilts to one side, he draws his short sword.

Suddenly the cellar door slams shut, the lantern flies from
Constance's hand and she shrieks.

Rargor and Talra are struck. Appearing beside each of them

is a large Duergar. They had invisibility spells cast,
Rargor heard them, and was ready, but not quick enough.

The Duergar return to normal size, and miss on their next

attacks. Nu was able to sneak behind one of the attackers
and struck quickly with her rapier. The attacker is
wounded, but not out.

Meanwhile outside, Dorros sees the door close and then the
sounds of battle. He takes his longsword out and enters the
cellar.

A few swings later, Talra falls clutching her arm, she's out
of the battle.

Both duergar are wounded and flee though the darkened

cellar.

Nu bandages up Talra, who then was able to cast a healing

spell on herself. Talra rises and notices that one of the
Duergar dropped a wanted poster. It's of Arrizz, the drow.
Unfortunately, no one can read draw, so the group is
unfamiliar with the crimes he committed and fell it's best
to tie him back up to the pole until they know more.

EXT. MORNING

With no other ideas, the four help Constance and the

farmhands gather enough beets.

Are they able to? With poor DC10 vs athletics rolls, it's
50/50 if the party has enough beets. Roll: Success.

Weary and exhausted, the Red Plume guards arrive the next
morning, take their beets and leave.

CONSTANCE
Hugging each of the characters.
Thank you! Thank you! I could not
have done it without your help.

RARGOR
Don't thank us just yet, we still
have a tied up draw problem. Let's
go see how he is.
 14.

INT. CELLAR

Arrizz is awake, groggy, but awake. He is given water and

food.

NU OKAHE
Highest persuasion skill. You're
still tied up until we know what
this is. She holds up the poster.

ARRIZZ
It's not what you think. I'm not a
killer, just a business man. You
see, I forsook my House and with
that comes a, death wish. I
thought I was far enough away they
wouldn't catch me, but I was
waylaid by this poison. Look.
Look. As soon as I am able, I will
leave this place and never return.
You have my word.

DORROS
The word of a business man means
nothing. You lie and steal just
like everyone else.

RARGOR
It's ok Dorros, he won't be here
for much longer. You see, I now
remember what this infection is.
It originates from the Underdark,
where you are from, correct Arrizz?
You know what it is too, don't you?

ARRIZZ
Yes, yes I do. He says sadly. And
my body will fight the infection,
or I will be dead by nightfall.

INT. FARMHOUSE

Arrizz is up, eaten, packed and ready to go.

ARRIZZ
Thank you, again, I will never come
back, and I will show myself in the
next town. Hopefully leading any
other bounty hunters away from
here.

RARGOR
Don't worry, we're going to spread
 15.

the word too.

 16.

EXT. FOREST HEADWAY TO A TRAIL

30 ELEINT 1487

MOONSEA, edges of the Cormanthor Forest

This area of the forest is often disputed between the

Hillsfar and the elves of Cormanthor. During the last five
days, the party has discovered that the third clue of the
prophecy is here. Rumors of hauntings and strange lights
and noises, and a few disappearances have kept people away.

The spring is sacred to the elves and the humans. Because

os this, an unwritten treaty exists. Pilgrims going to the
spring are left alone by both elves and humans.

RARGOR
Ok. This trail leads to the Spring
of Blessed Life. Local legends say
that those who drink from it before
important events, like childbirth
or marriage, find good health and
fortune.

RARGOR
Continues. However, now there
seems to be haunted and
supernatural phenomena that drive
people mad as they seek the spring.

Rargor are there any animals around that he could speak

with? Likely. Roll 15- Exceptional Yes.

Rargor casts Speak with Animals. Three chittering squirrels

approach him.

RARGOR
They say there is a number of evil
creatures who came, killed other
animals. Remember squirrels are
simple animals, so communication is
difficult, but they also say there
is a large lizard chasing people
away from the area.

TALRA
"A large lizard?" That could be
anything.

DORROS
Well the little ones said evil
creatures, so there is evil and
creatures can die. I say we move
in.
 17.

They all agree and draw their weapons and enter begin
following the path.

EXT. FOREST PATH

The path is plain visible. But there are also problems.

The chirping of birds lessens. The party hears a moan.

A low lying fog begins to form around the area.

They keep going and the moaning is a human man sprawled on

the ground. He tried to push himself up, but falls again.

Talra kneels next to him, the others stand guard.

WITTEL
Thank you, can you help me?

Talra casts a healing spell.

WITTEL
Oh I feel much better.

TALRA
What happened here?

WITTEL
My wife and I were traveling to the
spring when we were attacked by
several dogs. One was larger than
a dog. When I came to, my wife was
gone and I was here.

TALRA
Can you get up?

WITTEL
Yes. Yes, I can. I fell much
better. Are you headed toward the
spring?

TALRA
Yes we are. We're investigating
the trouble in the area.

WITTEL
My wife is in there someplace. I'd
like to come along. He pulls out a
scimitar. I'm not the best at
using this, but I can protect
myself.
 18.

TALRA
Sure, if you're up to it.

DORROS
Let's move out then.

EXT. FOREST PATH

Moving deeper into the forest, they feel something isn't

quite right. The sun, once in front of them, suddenly
appears behind them.

NU OKAHE
Magic is at play here.

There is an unearthly shriek from behind the trees. But

nothing is there. Strange lights appear down a side path,
only to disappear before they reach their source.

Rargor suddenly falls forward. Fails a perception check.

Leaves, twigs, and grass fall into a pit trap. Rargor
though, is able to push off with his legs, and successfully
jumps over the trap. Success DC 15 Sex check.

The bottom of the trap shows a skeleton.

DC 15 Investigation. Rargor rolls 15, success.

RARGOR
This trap was only dug, at most, a
month ago. That skeleton down
there, looks to be centuries old.
No backpack, no rotted cloths,
almost like it was placed there.

Dorros fails a DC 11 Wisdom check.

DORROS
Wailing. Death is coming! Run!

Dorros runs off into the forest, still screaming. Nu runs

after him.

A short way, Dorros falls into a pit trap. DC15 vs

Dexterity. He fails, rolls a 1, critical fail. Takes 4d6
damage, instead of 2d6.

Nu sees Dorros falls, so avoids the pit.

Ten minutes later Nu and Dorros return, Dorros is limping,

so Talra casts healing spell. Dorros has 18 of 21.
 19.

EXT. CLEARING SPRING OF BLESSED LIFE

The party has made it to the spring, despite the strange

lights, sounds, and unnatural effects.

The clearing contains a grisly scene of dead and mutilated

bodies, all human. Rargor inspects the bodies. He finds
bite marks and tearing.

A noise interrupts the party. They ready their weapons, but

two humans, a male and a female, come running out of the
forest into the clearing with panic in their eyes.

They stop when they see the party with weapons drawn.

VOLTZ
My name is Voltz, this is
Francesca. We were attacked and
ran into the woods. But the
creatures are through here.

RARGOR
What kind of creatures?

VOLTZ
Wolves.

DC15 vs Nature. Rargor rolls a 3. Failure.

RARGOR
The tearing on the bodies could be
bite marks.

VOLTZ
Follow me and we can kill them
while they sleep.

DC20 vs Insight. Talra fails, rolls 4. The party follows

Voltz and Francesca.

Voltz turns to Rargor and makes eye contact. DC10 Vs Wisdom

or falls asleep. Success.

Francesca turns to Talra and makes eye contact. DC10 vs

Wisdom. 20 Critical. Talra sees something in Francesca's
eyes and quickly attacks her. Francesca dodges and both her
and Voltz transform into very large jackals.

6 other jackals surround the party.

Rargor hits the creature that Voltz is, but his blade
bounced off.

Nu and Dorros each take out a jackal.

 20.

All of the parties weapons begin to glow and sparkle, but in

the heat of battle, the party doesn't care as long as their
weapons work.

Talra strikes with her flail. It strikes. Talra uses her

Bolt of Inspiration to attack again and hits.

A small, one and a half foot, yellow dragon appears in the

middle of the group of fighters. She is flying.

ZOOK
Keep fighting. I can only help,
but I'll cast my magical weapon on
all of you.

Their weapons again become a brighter blue and sparkle more.

ZOOK
My magic will cost you, but you
will be able to strike the
jackalweres.

With only Francesca left, Rargor, from his wounds and Zook
casting the magical weapon, falls to the ground. Talar is
also feeling weakened, but not enough to take her out of the
fight. She hopes she can last to help Rargor.

In the final round, Nu kills Francesca, and Wittel finally

kills the last jackal.

ZOOK
We did it!

TALRA
Help me with Rargor.

She and Dorros tend to Rargor's wounds. Talra casts her

final healing spell for the day. He awakens.

Meanwhile Nu finds out the story of Zook.

NU OKAHE
This is Zook, a fairy dragon.
She's responsible for casting
spells to scare people off from
coming to the spring. The lights,
the noises. Look has no fighting
ability, and has been waiting for
heroes to slay the jacklweres.

ZOOK
I'm sorry for draining your life
energy with my spell, but after
your blade bounced off the jackal,
 21.

I knew you didn't have magical

weapons.

DORROS
Not a problem. In the heat of
battle, it's tough to communicate.
We thank you.

In the battle, Wittel is forgotten, until Nu sees him

healing by his wife. He has bandaged her and talks quietly
with her.

ZOOK
I work with the Harpers, and when I
give my report, I will mention all
of you. If you are even in
Shadowdale, look us up, we could
use your help.

FADE OUT
 22.

EXT. FARM

2 MARPENOTH 1487

MOONSEA, 2 miles south west of Hillsfar

Holds the thundering beasts. This clue leads the party to

the Allano rothe farm. A rothe is a large beast of burden.
It serves as a source of meat and occasionally as mounts.

Talking with Zook the party discovers that the farm was
built atop an ancient elven outpost used they the fey'ri.
The fey'ri(sun elves of House Diadrageth) consorted with
infernal creatures to strengthen their bloodline.

Signs and smells of death are everywhere. Rotting rothe

bodies lie in the pastures.

After examining most of the barns and house, the four gather
at the last barn.

RARGOR
Remember, we've seen no humanoid
bodies, there are supposed to be
about 20 people around here.

A short while later, inside the last barn is a trap door.

It covers a shaft with wooden rungs staked into the walls.
Decending about 150 feet, they reach the bottom, where it's
sticky with blood. It's dark enough that at this point,
Dorros pulls out a torch. A slightly depending shaft runs
almost a mile before opening to a larger room.

LADY INEDDRA
Welcome! My name is Lady Ineddra,
from Cormanthor.

A voice rings out before the party reach the room and are
able to look in.

LADY INEDDRA
I know the four of you are here. No
need to hide, especially you Nu
Okahe.

They arrive to see an elven woman.

LADY INEDDRA
I'm a member of the Lord's
Alliance. She produces a pin. It's
a crown with 5 figurines atop it.

NU OKAHE
What are you doing here?
 23.

LADY INEDDRA
I was sent by the alliance to look
into the history of the fey'ri in
this area. I ran across this,
bloodbath.

NU OKAHE
How did you know it was us?

LADY INEDDRA
I've been in the Hillsfar area for
a few days and have heard of your
exploits and figured you four would
be here shortly.

Talra rolls DC 10 vs Insight to see if she is hiding

anything.

TALRA
Whispers to Nu. She's telling the
truth.

LADY INEDDRA
Continues. I'm no adventurer, and
this is beyond the scope of my
assignment. I can give you 100
gold for you to investigate and
report back to me.

The party discusses the matter, and agree.

LADY INEDDRA
I'll wait for you in the main
farmhouse.

INT. DARKEND TUNNEL

The tunnel empties into a larger room. Beyond, continuing

on is another hallway.

Although the dwarf, Dorros, and the elf, Nu have dark

vision, it would not help them see the carvings in the walls
and the other stonework.

The images were obviously made by elves, but the scenes show
shocking demonic images.

There are six statues. The three standing on the north are
elves, and the three on the south are demons. They face
each other.

Upon further examination, the first pair of statues each

 24.

hold swords. The second pair highlight spiders and snakes.

The last hold arcane wands.

Etched into the floor is an elven phrase which Nu reads.

NU OKAHE
"To pass, you must speak the titles
of each of the three, divided by
three"

Then there is a long string of letters.

Dorros begins his inspection by walking around the elven

statues. It comes alive and swings, DC 10 vs. Dexterity.
He is hit for 3 damage. The statue then stops.

TALRA
DC 12 vs insight. Success. Look,
although I don't know elven. Look
at every three letters what would
they say?

NU OKAHE
Working it out on the floor. They
read The Slayer. Lord Venom. Lady
Agony.

NU OKAHE
Approaching each statue. Speaks
each phrase.

Nu passes between the statues. Soon the others speak, and

they are passed.

INT. TUNNEL

The demon/elf motif continues into the next room

Nine gaping demonic maws adorn the walls. Each maw has a
number 1 to 9 and they are large enough to climb through.
But they are so dark inside that one cannot see what is
beyond.

The floor is made of a mosaic that obviously represents the

Abyss, home to the demons. It's both beautiful and hideous.

DC 15 vs Perception. Talra success.

NU OKAHE
Look around for any clues like the
last room. Don't climb into
 25.

anything.

TALRA
Over here. See how this dust has
been disturbed?

NU OKAHE
That also makes sense. The 8 is
also an infinity symbol. It
represents the infinite layers of
the abyss.

DORROS
I'll go first.

He steps through. Moments later.

DORROS
It's another hallway.

Soon all are through to the other side.

When Dorros stepped through he could obviously see the

lighted room ahead and hear the chanting, so he quickly
extinguished his torch.

NU OKAHE
I'll go look.

And as quick as that, she slipped into the darkened tunnel

and was gone.

Nu silently crept along and was not gone long when she
returned.

NU OKAHE
There is a large room and four
cauldrons. Humans are lashed to
each cauldron, along with arms and
legs sticking out of each.

NU OKAHE
Finally an elf stands over a purple
slab with a human lying on it, but
his head has been replaced with a
rothe's head.

The party readies their weapons.

ELF
Perfect! My creation is finished!

Dorros fires his crossbow at the elf. It kills him

instantly.
 26.

The four rush into the room, but while Nu was explaining the
situation, four fleshy mounds walked from the corners of the
room and are making their way towards the slab.

With a great eruption, 4 baboon creatures erupt from each

cauldron and set upon the characters.

The baboon creatures are moving between the party and the
fleshy mounds. Like they are protecting them.

The mounds are moving closer to the altar.

Three of the baboon creatures die, but the last drops Talra.

Dorros kills one of the mounds, while the other thee merge
with the figure on the slab.

A total of 5 mounds have merged with the figure.

By next turn, 9 mounds have merged.

NU OKAHE
Look at the size of that thing!
Whatever is going to happen will
probably happen very soon. We've
got to stop it.

Two more merges. One more and the casting will be complete.

Despite the struggle, as the twelfth flesh creature gets

absorbed into the corpse, a loud explosion rocks the room,
sending all flying into a nearby wall.

The slab lies in pieces, the corpse is gone, but in it's

place there is a creature more terrifying than anything the
party has seen. A tall giant stands before them, but it's
head is that of a bull. It's eyes glow bright, blinding
them. It bellows, and then simply disappears.

DORROS
Something horrible has just been
released onto an unsuspecting
world.

INT. TUNNEL ROOM

Talra lies on the ground, unconscious, but stable. After

their report Lady Ineddra listens to the report. She pays
them the 100 gold.

LADY INEDDRA
I don't think there was anything
more you could have done. I will
 27.

inform the Lords' Alliance and

maybe we can help.

FADE OUT
 28.

EXT. CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD

5 MARPENOTH 1487

MOONSEA, JUST OUTSIDE HILLSFAR

TALRA
"Where the ancients lie beneath
night's marble." I think this is
the place.

DORROS
It should be, this is the fifth
church and graveyard we've been to
today.

NU OKAHE
The townsfolk said this place was
abandoned.

Two humans in loose fitting peasant garb move among the

gravestones, which are made of black marble. They are
leading two lumbering rothe, which are attached to
harnesses. It's hard to tell if the caretakers are trying
to fix the stones, pull them out, or something else
entirely.

Do they look like they could attack? Unlikely. Roll. 34,

Yes.

The party readies their weapons. They spread out so they

are not all clumped together.

TALRA
Look at the rothe, the two are sewn
together and their eyes are pure
white.

DORROS
That's not what I see. Beneath
their cloths are weapons.

The robed figures, then pull out skimitars, and rush to

attack. The rothe, lumber towards the party also.

Dorros lets fly a crossbow bolt. It strikes a cultist, who

dies.

Nu shoots her bow and kills the other sword wielding

cultist.

TALRA
I believe the rothe are zombies.
Let me try and turn them.
 29.

TALRA
Takes hold of her talisman.
Concentrates. The talisman glows.

Both undead creatures turn from their advance and retreat.

Soon they are crashing through brush and trees in their

escape.

DORROS
Won't they just be someone else's
problem?

TALRA
No, once they are far enough away
from the source of the their power,
they will fall, and may Torm take
them.

RARGOR
Rises from searching the bodies.
Well nothing on either of them
except these keys. Probably unlock
something in the church. He hands
them to Nu. Here you go, you're
the thief, you can use them better
than I.

INT. RUINED CHURCH

TALRA
By the statues and paintings, I'd
say this is an old church of
Waukeen

The church is in terrible repair. Much of the stonework is

crumbling, many of the statues are fallen and in pieces.

NU OKAHE
I don't see any traps, but in the
back here, is a large iron door.
It's unlocked, but the keys fit.
Probably so the cultists can get
outside.

Following the torch lite hallway, there are multiple niches

which rest skeletons. There are also smaller stone room
with broken doors that hold more coffins and skeletons.

The hallway ends in a well lighted room. And before the

party can react, a figure stands in front of them wearing
the garb of a priest of Jergal, the god of burial and Keeper
of the Book of the Dead. There is a strange dark glow about
 30.

him.

Standing behind him are three cultists. Coming from behind

the group are three other cultists.

ERVE
More fleshy bodies for my master's
army.

DC10 vs Arcana or Religion. Talra roll +3, rolls a 19.

TALRA
The burning brazier. Knock it
over, this cultist is possessed by
a shadow, the brazier is it's power
source.

Nu rushes towards the burning brazier and kicks it over.

TALRA
Nothing's happened. There might be
more braziers around here. Find
them.

Nu is struck twice.

NU OKAHE
I need a little help here!

RARGOR
I've struck the priest, but nothing
happened. Even with this fancy
magic sword.

TALRA
It's the braziers, we must stop his
power.

RARGOR
Agh, I'm hit!

Talra casts two healing spells on Nu.

DORROS
Kills the cultist he was battling
and runs down the hall. I see one!

Dorros reaches another brazier. Knocks it over.

The priests image shifts slightly.

RARGOR
You did something Dorros, keep
going!
 31.

Nu runs back to Rargor and casts her last cure wounds spell.

Nu kills there cultist she has been battling, and runs down
another side of the hall.

Talra, standing next to Rargor, move toward the priest and

strikes. She hits, the priest staggers slightly.

Dorros is struck by the hand of the priest. His had stays a

little longer than a hit, and Rargor feels drained and
staggers away.

Dorros finds a third brazier and kicks it over. The shade

in the priest is revealed for a moment, then integrates
itself.

The body of the priest falls to the ground. A dark shadow

rises from the body.

SHADOW
You may have stopped my vassal, but
you've not stopped me.

The shadow strikes are Talra, hits, and she is weakened and
staggers against the wall.

Meanwhile, Nu finds a brazier, kicks it over. The shadow

wails, and dissolves into the air.

Talra rushes to the priests' side.

TALRA
I'm out of healing spells. Any of
you have potions left?

The priest with a sigh, rolls his head and dies.

Talra finds 4 vials and a book on the priest.

TALRA
The vials are probably holy water,
but this book is a book for
cataloging the dead here. This
priest was just a victim, he wasn't
part of the unholy act. Here is an
inscription on how to return the
book to the church.

RARGOR
We will return this book and ask
for forgiveness.

Dorros and Nu arrive with the Talra and Rargor.

 32.

INT. CHURCH OF WAUKEEN

7 MARPENOTH 1487

MOONSEA, YULASH

Two days later, the party is at the Church of Waukeen in

Yulash.

PRIEST
Thank you for the return of the
book. We will continue his work.
She looks into Rargor's sad eyes.
What happened was not your fault.Be
comforted that Waukeen forgives you
for the death of Erve.

An acolyte returns carrying a pouch of coins.

PRIEST
As a small token of our gratitude,
you now have the help from the
Order of the Gauntly. If there is
anything you need, give this pin to
anyone in the Order. And take this
gold for returning the book

RARGOR
Taking the pin. We thank the
Order, but as for the gold, no
thank you. Help the needy. It's
the least we can do.

FADE OUT

THE END.