The Keys of Telku / The Temple of the Apocalypse pt. 6 / 3592 CE / 1-5-20

The Adventurers have just survived an encounter with dark creepers in a tunnel beneath the estate of the murdered nobleman, Jamisar Baylon. They are investigating the murder of Lord Baylon and his wife as well as the possible kidnapping their daughter, Leah. Having made himself invisble, Moss creeps deeper into the caves in time to see more of the creatures and another, taller darkfolk in robes rush into another tunnel before collapsing it behind them. However, the apparent leader has dropped a note which the party recovers. Addressed to "Morkaine," it appears to be instructions from Lareth the Beautiful, the possible mastermind of the plot. It also names a possible meeting place for the killers, the Moathouse. Unfamiliar with the local geography, the party returns to Magepoint to ask after Captain Kennit, in the course of which they also discover more details about this Moathouse, that at one time it was a forward outpost for the dark forces that occupied the Temple of the Apocalypse, but was destroyed not long after that dark temple's fall by Manzorian and his team of Adventurers. The party is directed to find Captain Kennit at a meeting of the town council. After entering the Town Hall and making themselves known to the council members, several of whom various party members have already encountered, they strike a deal; to continue investigating the disappearance of Leah Baylon and the murder of her parents in exchange for access to the Temple of Knowledge. The fact that the murder of Jamisar Baylon seems to coincide with the disappearance of another council member, Canon Terjon, the librarian, seems to indicate that a plot against the town council may be afoot. Rejoined by the cleric of Accuris, Coron, the party rides for the Moathouse, pushing their horses to the limit. After locating the crumbling, abandoned keep, they carefully make their way across the Moathouse's rotting drawbridge. However, with only half the party safely across, they are attacked by a giant slug that has made its home in the moat. While the party attempts to flee the massive creature, Henry foolhardily steps up to confront it, and, though taking serious injuries, manages to sever the creatures deadly spiked tongue, driving it off. Locating an ebon-stoned room filled with the former occupants' apparent sigil, an upside down red triangle, the party discovers a secret staircase leading down to the keep's lower level. There Adrienne is splashed with dripping green slime, which the party must avoid. Searching various rooms, the lower level appears to be as abandoned as the courtyard, though they do find several forgotten prisoners have transformed into zombies, which Henry dispatches. However, in the torture chamber, they find another passage that leads even deeper into the earth. Descending down the railing to scout ahead, Uli finds himself in a catacomb, one end of which has been dug into a tunnel, possibly the one connecting to the channel underneath Baylon Manor. However, before he can investigate further, Uli is spotted by several darkfolk who appear to be guarding the catacombs. Another battle seems to be moments from ensuing.