Sunday April 21st 1428 Imperial Calendar
The next morning the group continued their search of the area beyond the tomb. The secret door that Mouse and Silverhawk had discover the day prior made sense as the next leg of the journey. Though Enzo had spotted exits on the far side of the crypt the lich had occupied it was decided that this was a more likely option for finding the real crypt.
After avoiding several traps designed to discourage grave robbers a stairwell was discovered descending into the deeper reaches of the abbey. A recent collapse in the stairs made access to the lower chambers treacherous. Mouse and Calais made the journey of some 15 feet without incident, but Calais estimated that anyone not skilled in climbing could easily become buried in the tunnel. Corman presented an option that bypassed the collapsed stairwell. Shaping the stone with his hands like a potter molded clay. Corman formed a stable passage to the lower section of the stairs.
Mouse discover a potential link to the recent collapse. A hair tie that smelled of heather was a clear indication that Lilith had been in the area on the far side of the collapse in recent days.
In the room at the base of the stairs the lead elements of the group discovered the rigid form of an angel reclining on the floor of the room. Her movements slowed and deliberate, but clearly alive. Covered in a thick layer of dust, she required a few minutes to animate fully.
Enzo, curious as to Lilith’s role in the collapse attempted to summon her. She attempted to manifest in his presence, but the proximity of the angel negated her ability to form.
Filing into the room with the angel she managed to communicate though her song that she would need half a day to fully regain her strength. She had a mission to attend to that would directly involve the group. Showing proper respect to the celestial creature the party eventually move on to the adjoining room beyond.
What they found there was intriguing and confounding at the same time. The two swamped gondolas was as useful as parchment for floating. Casper elected to scout ahead after using Melecore as and advance scout. Using a lantern the two reveal a beach containing statures of Madrigala warriors. Taking a moment to investigate they discovered that two of the statures had been broken by something powerful. It only took a return trip to the party to discover the nature of that something powerful. Fleshy tendrils shot up out of the water in an attempt to drag the wizard and his familiar below the waves. Reacting hastily Casper levitated up out of the reach of the creature. Ordering Melecore into the extra-dimensional pocket in his vest, unwittingly extinguishing his source of light and method of travel. Faced with the prospect of falling into the gaping maw of the watery abomination he gestured franticly to find a means of suspension. The force cage typically reserved for holding enemies provided an adequate means of preservation.
From the dock area Calais and Silverhawk unleashed a volley of arrows into the tendrils. The creature recoiled from the attack and attempted to use some form of mind manipulation to overrule the rational thinking of the wizard. Shaking off the attempt Casper plotted to turn the tables on the creature. Enzo was the first to take action, using his ability to breath underwater he jumped into the icy water in hopes of vanquishing the aquatic foe. Celeste imbued the floating wreckage of the gondolas with the light of day she shoved the boat out toward the center of the lake.
The creature wasted no time in moving to a new opponent. Crossing the distance between it and Enzo with unnerving speed. The toxic attacks of the tendrilled creature were blunted by Enzo’s resilient nature. After several attack the creatures death was punctuated by Silverhawk’s ice-lace arrows.
The notion of climbing into the icy waster was not a welcome one, but it was the only method for those not blessed with magical flight to cross the divide. A brief stop on the beach where the Madrigala statures stool sentinel over the underground lake revealed a distant shoal and the facade of an angel trimmed mausoleum. A chill was settling in on the group that would soon become a threat to their safety if they did not find a source of warmth soon.
Casper, Calais and Silverhawk were the first to arrive at the mausoleum. Taking a moment to rub some warmth back into their numbing limbs. The trio exchanged a few pleasant quips. A moment later the humor changed as Casper felt a debilitating sickness rob him of his health. A shadow conforming to the shape of a massive goblin warrior seethed menacingly after completing his attack on the unsuspecting wizard.
Acting hastily Celeste and Enzo closed on the creature. Corman scrambled to pull the limp body of the wizard form the melee. The shallow rise and fall of his chest reported that he was still alive, but only just. Enzo blasted the malevolent shade with acid that burned away at its shadowy semblance. Standing before the might that is Celeste, the baneful creature faced extinction with a speed and grace seldom witness by creatures of darkness.
Cracking the tomb was a simple matter according to Mouse, whose contributions up ‘till now had been little more than idle speculation and ogling.
The sight within the tomb was chilling and beautiful. The ornate tomb of the revered St. Roselyn was graced with a living spray of roses seemingly growing from the marble tomb itself. And there at the foot of the tomb resting on the lid was the skeletal remains of her most ardent follower St. Catherine. Choosing to spend eternity with her celestial mentor then recline enshrined in her own place or rest. A soft glow began to fill the chamber. Soon the light grew to fill the entire room. The light collected itself into the visible living form of St. Catherine. Her legendary beauty was not overstated. The golden light of divinity only served to further enhance her radiance.
Filled with a sense of hope St. Catherine blessed the party with her hopes for the future of mankind and their own well-being. She requested that they use the armor and weapons she wore in life to continue the battle against evil. When she had finished she returned to the ball of light and traversed the cavern to inhabit the angel on the far shore. Resplendent in its armor and fully restored ahead of schedule the angel indicated its intention to join the battle above. With the speed of thought it was gone.
Celeste carefully removed the weapons and armor from her patron saint, her emotions welling within her. Once removed she placed the body in respectful slumber once again.
The sword went to Enzo, who at present was only able to access a limited portion of its power, as the remainder were reserved for creatures of good. Corman stood to gain the most from the bestowed gifts. The armor and mantle of St.Catherine would serve to embolden the cleric from a distant land.
Once everyone had made the journey back to the front door. Zophiel the angel possessed of the spirit of St. Catherine flung the doors wide open to begin the assault on the rear echelon of the scaven army. A glance out onto the plaza revealed captured elements of the human army nailed to a wooden stand a scaven shaman was administering the torture to the helpless captives. Surrounding him were elements of the elite soldiers of the scaven.
With the door open Zophiel flew pas the local elements to the greater battle beyond. The bishop’s red banners were present in his forces near the middle of the skirmish line between the opposing forces. William Whiteoak’s army secured the left flank while the Astoria Lighthorse made raiding attacks on the right flank. The battlefield was elevated to the skies due to flights of harpy archers firing down on The Chalice’s forces.
On the plaza atop the ramped entrance to the abbey lines had already formed. The two scaven shaman were unable to launch the full devastation of the magic due to the combined attacks of the the archers and the wizard. A wind wall from the senior shaman limited this harassment. Corman rode out in an attempt to liberate the prisoners only to find himself and his horse swarmed by elite troops. Enzo backed him up, blowing icy crystals at the troops diminishing their ability to fight.
Mouse armed with an invisibility spell quietly made his way behind the senior shaman and delivered a deadly blow to the unsuspecting spell caster. The poison on the blade was not effective enough to complete the work of the well-placed attack. As a result the injured shaman turned his full vengeance on the rogue. After weathering a storm of attacks from anyone who could render assistance the shaman produced a wand and turned mouse into a fish. Celeste who was mounting a vicious mounted attack finished off the other shaman in short order. Continuing to aid her fallen comrade she arrive in time to find the second shaman retreating into the stone floor of the observation platform for safety.
Behind the wind wall the other members of the party conspired to aid Corman in defeating the elite troops positioned there. Though his original assault started with a valiant charge, Corman found himself if a fight for his life. Opting for offense as his form of defense he managed to vanquish the remainder of the troops before they could deliver a fatal strike. With the troops defeated and the remaining shaman out of reach the larger battlefield called to them. Somewhere out the Eric Venns was waiting for a final showdown. |
