Tolð 25 – Lanal 1, 652 DR: The group finds themselves being preyed upon by a stranger who is willing to pursue them into the halls of Kyrm Oryroð. The invisible assassin strikes and withdraws repeatedly until revealed by Jak. Dammon is ejected from Ændroth’s home and is intercepted by the confounding Mot and Drug.

Continued from Trouble in Temple Square.

Padídor, 25 Tolð 652

Mishara was the first to hear the footsteps following behind them as they crossed the open square. Whoever it was that pursued them in the darkness, was not prepared to reveal themselves this night. Within the safe confines of the Temple, they approached Alcèrra, who ministered to the wounds suffered. In the morning a bell reverberated throughout the iron temple and apprentices appeared and asked that the guests remained in their rooms. The day passed under lock-down.

Bærídor, 26 Tolð 652

In the morning another bell rang throughout the Temple, and it was learned that Temple Guards had been murdered at the top of the Great Staircase. The last to be killed was left with a note in an obscure Tirengôl script. Priests of the Temple later learned that the message read, “Release the Impostor”. Mishara explained the circumstance to two priests, who in turn asked Alcèrra if she wished the others to remain under her charge of protection.

Virídor, 27 Tolð 652

The next morning the group accompanied four guards on the pre-dawn watch, looking for the some sign of the elusive assassin. A card dropped near Alcèrra drawing attention to above the Great Entrance. Alcèrra channeled a spell that sought out heartbeats. She found a weakened heart beating on a balcony above and to the side of the great door. Kaithah sang a song of blinding colors that for an instant lit the night with a radiant rainbow. A sound was heard above and was motion detected. Jak and some guards ran into the Temple, searching for some means of reaching the “abandoned” balcony. Kaithah, taking the web-rope, scaled the Temple’s wall with great ability, and quickly reached the balcony. While tying off the rope, her effort was stopped as a heavy blade crossed deeply through her back. Mishara watched his comrade slump across the railing, blood trailing down her limp fingers. Jak and his companions found a hidden door and charged up a concealed staircase to find a dark, soot-covered room opening into the pre-dawn sky. In the twilight he saw Kaithah’s near lifeless body folded over the balcony railing. Tossing his “magic powder” through the room he found a shape hiding against a nearby wall. Jak stabbed at the figure before it could swing and turned his spear inside the groaning unseen shape. Withdrawing his bloodied spear the invisible thing slumped to the black floor, raising small clouds of soot. Alcèrra arrived to speak with the man’s soul, but his words were ambiguous and unhelpful. She sent the soul on its way. Mishara snatched rings from the man’s fingers, rendering the bloody corpse visible. Alcèrra cast her healing magics over Kaithah once again. The group returned to their rooms and spent the day’s remainder studying.

Palídor, 28 Tolð 652

Dammon was dimly aware of the knotted bruise rising on his forehead, from the cup that careened off his skull, waking him from deepest sleep. The room was filled with motion and heavy winds, moving from room to room, speaking in an unearthly voice. Finding his way to the kitchen, Dammon found Ændroth outside the apartment door. The old magician cast two spells before requesting that Dammon collect his things and leave. He explained little, but insisted that the young magician was “unclean”, and was no longer welcome there. Ændroth threatened that should he stay, the old magician would be forced to destroy him. Dammon, with few questions, gathered his books and possessions, and stumbled down the early morning steps and into the street.

Deciding to return to Falterdark’s Tavern, he was intercepted by a strange man and woman who decided to speak with and follow him to the tavern. At the tavern they explained that they were in the employ of a group of wizards, and had been sent to “recruit” Dammon, but first must follow him for a while, and make sure he was proper. Dammon resigned himself to their inexhaustible company, and boarded with them at the local Quiet Inn. There Dammon heard news of the Temple murders, “brought on by the arrival of a Priestess of Death being harbored by the Roðite priesthood itself!”.

After a day in a room studying the bronze orb he’d gathered from Sadast’s sanctum, they slept.

Alídor, 1 Lanal 652

In the morning they journeyed to the Temple to meet with the group. After a brief reunion the group decided to return into the Temple but their way was blocked by two animate Sentinels who stepped into the hall. Retreating they told a priest of the incident and the hallway was sealed until an investigation could be done to discover why the silent guardians may have awakened. Dammon, feeling unwelcome, elected to stay at a “nearby” inn. Alcèrra stole away during this time to visit the Mourners’ Guild, leaving message with the priesthood to inform the group should they ask.

Continued in The Hall of Sorrows.

• Alcèrra Nàdrelan
• Dammon Shroudson
• Jak of Cænden
• Kaithah Argentale
• Mishara Mythdaras
• Ændroth of Oð
• Drug
• Familiar
• Mot
• Sadast: dead
• Uul: dead
• Worron: dead

Played: 14 Jun 1997
Thanks to Caroline and Eric for Mot and Drug’s memorable cameo appearances!