The Depths of Harrowstone

 

Session 5 Recap Part 1

From the Journal of Sister Carlotta Dumaine, Dawnbringer of Sarenrae

Starday, 9^th of Pharast, 4712AR – Night

Feldrin lies in a bed in one of the upper chambers of the Lorrimor House resting comfortably. His ordeal has been much worse than I thought, and though he will recover, he requires several days of bedrest to regain his strength and be of any use to us.

We’ve also been informed by Father Grimburrow that he has sent for Lepidstadt’s premiere Inquisitor Dolmen Vaks to come to Ravengro to interrogate the necromancer Filge in order to glean what information he can from the repugnant spellcaster. Unfortunately, while we rested at night, someone had other plans for the black sorcerer and slit his throat in his cell. This bodes ill for us I think, as Vaks’ wrath is legendary and his stern gaze may come upon us when he arrives. There is of course, nothing to be done about it now, but this sudden act vigilantism in our midst worries me.

Earlier this evening, we headed back to the prison in order to cleanse the lower levels and lay to rest the three remaining spirits haunting the grounds. Before leaving however, we were informed by Gisley that the blacksmith, a dwarf woman by the name of Jorfa Stonehammer, has agreed to travel with us when we leave Ravengro. Apparently, she’s had enough of the goings-on in town and wants to move on. I can’t say that I blame her. While at the smithy, Eswin had the good sense to ask the smith to draw us a rough map of the lower level of the prison, as we had heard that she had been called there on occasion in the past to repair broken mechanical winches that operated the portcullises located there.

Once back inside the prison, we quickly made our way to the pit in the eastern wing that descended to the lower level. After passing through the chamber where we had fought the ectoplasmic creatures, we found ourselves in the heart of the basement. The walls were blackened with soot and the air felt heavy with the pain and anger of long-dead souls. Passageways led off north, west and south. As we made our way to the northern passageway labelled “The Oubliette”, eight skeletons emerged from the darkness and surrounded us – the remains of prisoners caught in the fire, no doubt. We made quick work of them with spell and blade and came out with nary a scratch. Our confidence running high, we headed down the passage. Our way was barred however, by a lowered portcullis. Following Jorfa’s instruction, we headed into a small guard room nearby which housed the winch to raise the portcullis.

Gisley moved to crank the winch for the portcullis, but as soon as he did so, a headless skeleton wielding and axe and wreathed in flame sprung up from the moldy mattress to attack us. The battle was fierce in the tight quarters of the guard room. Many of us had trouble even getting in the door. Gisley hopped up on the mattress to get behind the creature and allow Eswin to move into a flanking position. Thayel remained behind the table firing arrows, while Aeros and I hung back and waited for an opportunity to use our spells.

As Gisley moved past the skeleton he was struck viciously by its axe and scorched from the flame. Most of us were convinced that it was the Lopper we faced, but Thayel suggested otherwise. Owing to the fact that it had no head, he was convinced that this was a victim of the Lopper and not the Lopper himself.

We scored several solid blows against the creature, yet could bring it low. Gisley was struck again by the flaming axe and went down in a heap. The sight of the great barbarian crumpling to the ground made us all lose a little of the confidence we had coming in. The skeleton then turned its attention to Eswin and though the elf nimbly dodged a few attacks, he too was finally struck with the flaming axe and went down. Thayel kept cool through it all however and continued to pepper the skeleton with arrows from a distance.

Forcing myself not to panic, I called upon the divine power of Saranrae to heal my friends and blast our enemy. As I was filled with her radiant light, I felt her voice comfort me and fill me with renewed strength. Gisley and Eswin, being bathed in my goddess’ blessed light, arose and were once more back into the fray, though they were far from perfect health. Gisley injected himself with the curative syringe we had looted from Filge to bolster his strength further.

Finally, after several more minutes of heated battle, we destroyed the creature. But it had one final surprise for us. As it died, it exploded, sending flaming shards of bone to all corners of the room. Eswin caught the worst of it and came perilously close to entering Pharasma’s Hall of Judgment in the Boneyard. I used what little power I had remaining to revive Eswin and cure the rest of us, but our wounds still hampered us. Dejected and bruised, we headed back to Ravengro to fully heal up and rethink our strategy.