What Lies Beneath: Again

 

Objective

Make progress towards stopping the necromancers in the southern underdark
 
 

Observations

Pushing further south than previously explored, we discovered a long cave lit up with what we believe to be the crystals that are being used, harvested, and placed inside the chests of humans under the necromancers control. We aren't sure if these crystals are as dangerous naturally as they are once they're used, so caution is advised. The crystals typically react violently when magic hits them. We also discovered an offshoot in this tunnel that led to a section where humans under control were both mining the crystals and throwing some kind of powder around. Scouting a bit further, a necromancer had transformed some kind of lizard creature to have crystalline scales and would shake and spread more powder around. We engaged and killed the creatures, learning that the lizard could reflect magic. The necromancer also had a crystal staff that, when touched, seemed to drive members of our party mad as they tried to poke their allies with the crystal staff. We subdued them and disposed of the staff but it is possible there are more of these crystal items with the enemy.
 

Follow up

Continue to push back against the necromancers in the southern underdark
 

Preparation Details

None
 

Operation Details

Starting out, there was a box next to the fire from Sylvern. Elouise threw it in and the fire tinted, showing Sylvern who said that we needed to go south because the enemy is doing things with crystals and we need to resolve that. They can replace what was lost in a day indicating a larger operation so we were to push forward and take care of it. The southern outpost has a map to use that marks the entrance to the underdark. Tide used his fishing rod and pulled a fresh water fish through that sings a nice melody. He named the fish Melody and him and Elouise played songs to match the fish's tune. Tide then led the party to the cave entrance that leads into the underdark, the journey taking slightly over an hour.
 
 
  We got to the cave, which was almost fully covered in snow and Kardan used a shovel to clear the way. After another hour of travel we got to the intersection we were at last time and went left. We talked a bit and explained the situation to our newcomers to this area, informing them about the magic crystals and their dangers. We move forward for 2 more hours, until we arrived at the hub of tunnels. Lark determined the walls are limestone and it is possible that water formed these tunnels. We went down the tunnel with the gemstone trail, believing it to be the same way we went last mission. We moved another 200 feet until we came across the big chasm again with the path that led to the other entrance. We traversed it with ease and got to the skinny tunnel that we had to single file through.
 
 
  After some planning, Lark sent Rubble forward while invisible to scout out the area
  Rubble spotted a shadowy creature watching the path towards Rubble. The creature was made of shadow but couldn't spot Rubble. Rubble saw the statue as well but there was no crystal on it this time. The statue is a cloaked figure, hood up, and underneath the hood is a blank face. It held a plate that was empty. Rubble went past into the large room where the alter sits. The alter had a large amount of blood on it but it was all dried. Rubble also spotted discoloration in the stone on the floor by the exit to the left side passage but we never tested it. We decided to approach towards the shadow but when Elouise got closer with her light, the shadow retreated. It eventually fled, with Rubble tracking it as it went out the other exit. Elouise noticed that the statue had been recently cleaned which prompted us to choose to destroy it. Lark stone shaped the statue, which caused magic to lash out of it and hurt her. Caelindriel spotted a disk on the ground and Lark read that it said something along the lines of weak, frail, fragile, or even bad omen. After some discussion, we passed over the disk, not touching it, and continue down through the exit
 
 
  As we moved, Lark noticed that the tunnels here were widened by tools. Rubble also reported that the shadow disappeared and we moved up to Rubble's position. We found a passage carved out of the rock by tools with crystals coming out of the walls. We also determined that we were likely below the darkness so it didn't seem like the darkness could get down to the underdark. We got the idea that the crystals are likely the ones that are placed in people so we have to be careful with magic. We pressed forward passing by some side tunnels that have been completely blocked off from crystals.
 
 
  We moved another half mile before Caelindriel heard metal striking rock in a side tunnel that was actually open. Rubble scouts ahead and sees some humans hammering away at crystals and throwing some powdery substance on the ground and walls. Rubble also spots a four legged lizard creature with crystal spines on its back. A skeletal figure seemingly commanded it and the creature shook, letting out powder which fell on the ground. After some discussions we decided to sneak up and throw some of the crystal guys into the ravine before a proper fight breaks out. We managed to throw 3 of them into the ravine before the other 2 turned on us. We end up fighting the others as the lizard and the undead appear and engage as well. The lizard could apparently reflect magic as any magical damage causes a burst of energy to wash out from it. We defeat all the enemies and Lark picked up the undead's staff, which caused her to try and poke the rest of us with the crystal. She poked herself but nothing seemed to happen. She never managed to hit us and we subdued her. Caelindriel fell under the same effect so we just ended up knocking them both out and carrying them from the underdark. On the way out, Tide decided to interact with the disk that was on the ground. It caused him to have an impeding sense of doom. Elouise also picked it up, getting the same effect, and brought the item back to camp. After returning, Lark managed to cure the two of their doom feelings and took the disk to the TIC.