After the last adventure I realised that I've amassed a small treasure! Hence, I spent the morning looking for a small strongbox, which happened to be an adventure in itself. In the end, I was able to persuade the local guild master to part with one of his trusted reinforced chests. For some good coin of course.
The baron has give me his permission to safely store it his premises. On that note, he has been generously funding our expeditions, but we haven't had much to show for sometime now.
I joined the party at the dock, and noticed two new members — another academic, but much more charming than spineless Crane, and Artzua, a fine looking and well armoured lassie. The weather didn't serve us at all. By the time we arrived at the Bone Keep it was raining hard.
Since I wasn't so involved in the planning, I simply followed the rest of the group. Much to my chagrin, I had to take the front-rank. Indeed, if there are no men of strength and will left in this god-forsaken gang of misfits, then I will once more don the plate mail, and show the young ones how's it done!
Once again, we descended through the trapdoor and made our way to the statue. My keen eyes noticed preying spiders, and we swiftly disposed of them. I also noticed that no one thought of taking a torch—only Shay had a lantern. I should've lambasted them right there and then.
We were surprised to find the portcullis lowered. Hats and I took to lifting them, any by god I think I hurt my back! Thrice we tried, and thrice we failed! But once fair maiden took Hats's place, I couldn't risk loosing no more face! I felt something snap, but the gate went up.
Slimy corridor to the right had nothing much. Bronze double door in front led to a cave protected by two orbs. And the reinforced single door to the left led to death.
Orbs are sentient, and quite chatty. They allowed us to enter and roam their cave, as long as we don't attempt to take the "tome of forbidden knowledge." Crane and Shay did most of the talking. The former's tongue will get us all killed one day.
Nearby rubble had 96 coins, 2 ancient scrolls, and a splendid looking sword. Upon closer inspection I noticed that it has highly ornate hilt, resembling intertwined twigs and branches. The sheath also seemed quite marvellous. Words escape me, but I felt something when touching it. I put it in a sack, and tied it to my backpack. I heard of many great men going mad from wielding artefacts of power. Heck, the general I served met the same fate...
Yello tried to pick the lock of reinforced doors, but alas, he did as great job as Hats and I did on the portcullis. But Hats made short work of the doors with some precise hits of pickaxe.
From there we followed a long nature-made corridor. Halfway through we encountered a pile of corpses. Artzua was retching and looking sickly. We carefully approached corpses and tried to move them to the side so we can pass. They fell into ashes as soon as we applied little force to them. There seemed to be an area that had no dust, no nothing. Does it have anything to do with similar circular areas we've seen above?
Either way, we found another doors, and Hats took them down as well. This proved to be a rather poor decision, as we were greeted by purple rays of pain, and a horde of skeletons charging us. This time we ran all together.
Once outside, we had an exquisite pleasure of being greeted by a volley of arrows. Again those damn naked cats that took my comrade Tarek. In a shocking turn of events, Crane shielded Shay and Yello, potentially saving their lives. What game is that little bastard playing now?
Since Andrella is still treating us with some animosity, I've showered her with some nice words, and paid her extra for her services. It's not like she needs the money to live, but it's more about pandering to her sense of worth. Either way, the sword indeed turned out to be magical. She instructed me to take it out.
And what a wondrous feeling that was. As I unsheathed the sword, I couldn't help but to observe the intricate patterns of golden leaf outlines fading away from the hilt. It felt very balanced, and I found it easy to wrap my fingers around the hilt, despite it's branch-like form. According to Andrella, this sword hits harder, and especially so against spell users. It can also detect magic. Whilst gripping the sword, I heard a voice saying "Conciencia." Is that its name?
What could I do with such a powerful sword by my side, but seek glory in the darkest dungeons and furthest wilderlands? This morning I spent a small fortune on getting a new plate mail, custom-made hand crossbow, hand quarrels for it, and few other gadgets.
Glory awaits!
Redwood Castle notes:
- Under the trapdoor, behind wide bronze door, two floating orbs protect the "tome of forbidden knowledge."
- The orbs served Eulgotr, an Elven lord, potentially millennia ago. They did not seem to know where they are or what is outside of the room.
- The orbs continuously repel attack from a "barbarian," who might actually be a lich next door. They spare him every time because he begs for forgiveness.
- Running water can be heard in the moist cave.
- Someone or something removed our iron spikes from the wedged doors and winch.