Below the Undercroft (Solo)
Below the Undercroft, Delve 4 - retrieving the fallen - by Denby Nov. 16
When Rockmound (dwarf fighter 1/cleric 1) the dwarf and Big Arno (human hireling) returned from hunting down bandits, they explained that part of the undercroft was infested with venomous insects. So venomous that poor Young Oddy (teen human hireling), Olbert (human fighter 1) and even the elf, Dalieliquin (elf magic-user 1/fighter 1) perished after one bite. And, Jebrial (human fighter 1) died from collapsing stones which Rockmound believed to be a trap.
When they ventured to the undercroft previously, they encountered foul magics and he suspected that the trap was laid by an evil wizard and his minions.
Because they were the only survivors, they couldn't bring our fellow villagers' bodies home. So they petitioned the mayor for a group to help them retrieve the bodies. After hearing their stories, no one was eager to risk their own lives until a stranger arrived in the village. He travelled with a small merchant caravan that was passing through. Once he heard the tale of Oddy and the others, he gave an impassioned speech about community and the sanctity of life and the sacred solemness of death. His bronze armour glinted like gold in the square as he spoke.
The man, Gabriel (human paladin 1), went straight to Oddy's mother and swore an oath to bring the bodies back.
Several of the villagers were shamed into action and agreed to go with him and Rockmound. I decided that it was my duty as well so I joined them.
The journey below the undercroft was eerie. Dusty and dank, it generally looked untrodden for an age. While other areas appeared well travelled.
Rockmound led us quickly to the spot where he and Big Arno had left the bodies. He had secured them in a massive chest so they wouldn't be eaten by the denizens of the cavern. We were on our guard, wary of more of the venomous creatures but only witnessed the ones that Rockmound and the others had killed. Even though we heard Rockmound's tales of giant insects, bandits and kobolds, we saw none of it and quickly returned to the village with the bodies on litters. Olbert, Oddy and the elf were horribly pale and their bodies were stiff with death. But Jebrial was a more frightful sight. His face was caved in and it was impossible to remove his helm without his head coming off with it.
Poor Oddy's mother. She was beside herself with grief and, even though Rockmound assured her that Oddy had been killed by one of the giant centipedes, she insisted it was all the fault of the evil wizard and his devilry. When Gabriel heard this, he swore another oath to the mother to put an end to the evil machinations that were surely afoot in the undercroft; or he would give his life trying. I was so inspired by his valour that, before I knew it, I too agreed to put an end to whatever was going on.
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