Getting to the tomb was the easy part. The entrance to our right was collapsed we were able to descend via the left. We soon find that the first ‘chamber’ is nothing more than a choked hallway, its integrity compromised over time. Serena casts a wary eye, trying to deduce if the roof above our heads would continue to hold. Unease settles as we spy orifices in the walls, suggesting a dwelling place for insectoid creatures.
As we venture further, we encounter a rigged section of the floor, set to unleash darts upon the unwitting. Our attention is briefly captivated by intricate mosaics describing events of days long gone. Inscriptions on nearby tombs suggest a date: 68 SF. Below them lay jugs for each sarcophagus. Curiosity piqued, Beryl remotely unseals a wax-capped jug, revealing aged wine. When the parallel efforts of Theodulf and Gore to manipulate a pressure plate fall short the party resolves to crawl beneath the dart mechanisms to get safely across.
On the other side we are greeted by tapestries, coins, and more statues. Discovering another set of stairs leading downwards. We decide to first ensure we’ve thoroughly explored our current level and backtrack. The final door on the main floor bears a solemn inscription: “Beyond here lies the warriors who fell at the battle of thundering wings.” Beyond it, we find another door leading to a decrepit hallway and ultimately a preparation chamber. Here, evidence of insect activity is overwhelming – a sight that doesn’t sit well with any. We find incense, rubies, and a robe that billows dramatically. A playful arm wrestle sees Gore donning the majestic garment.
At that moment our exploration is disrupted. Serena’s sharp ears detect an unsettling sound – a faint scrape of stone. We run out and are ambushed! A ghoul skulker descends from the ceiling, dropping Shift in an instant. Tombs crack open and undead are upon both Gore and Serena. In the chaos, Shift succumbs to his injuries. Beryl unleashes upon the skulker while the others dispatch the crypt dwellers. Gore runs and then slides to the fallen Shift, reading from the scroll in his hands and is able to bring Shift back to the land of the living.
Recovering from the ordeal, the party ventures deeper. Reaching the bottom floor Theodulf is grappled by a lurking creature who vanishes into the darkness. Shift spots the insects and shatters a cluster of them and while the rest of the party dispatch the reemerged grappler.
The final room contains one engraved tomb: “By the blessing of Saint Locas, I pledge my undying spirit to they who may come after us, should we fail our endeavor to leave this realm.” The resting place is labeled “Hildrun 102 SF”. An impromptu decision to strike a nearby gong results in the form of Hildrun materializing, kneeling in respect before Theodulf. She speaks of another location prepared for just this eventuality. We commit to going there soon but not before returning to Sofia’s Rest
