The descent down through the forgotten maintenance tunnels and natural caverns below Absalom has been mercifully uneventful, and offers plenty of time to think back on the events of the day.
Messengers found you across Absalom before sunrise and summoned you to the Grand Lodge on orders from Venture- Captain Drandle Dreng. His milky, half-closed eyes, normally offering a bearing of regal decrepitude, instead looked sour as he apologized for the early hours and introduced a thick man bearing the scars of many horrific burns seated in a chair in Dreng’s office, his feat soaking in a small metal bucket of steaming water. Behind him stand two enormous, heavily armored half-orcs, their arms crossed over their massive chests and all four of their eyes constantly scanning the room for danger. “Pathfinders, this is Grandmaster Torch,” Dreng muttered sleepily. “He’s an… associate of the Society. We owe him a favor after that business in Sedeq, and it seems he’s looking to collect.”.
“You wound me, my lord,” said Grandmaster Torch, leaving Dreng chuckling softly to himself in the background. “I come in the interest of the common good. You see, my good friend and occasional business associate, Nuar Spiritskin, is missing.”
“You may know him better as the Minotaur Prince of Absalom, the head of the Taurean Embassy and something of a famous foreign dignitary, what with his assertions that he speaks for all Minotaurs everywhere. A collection of papers recently entered my possession that spoke of a grand maze beneath the city; naturally, my first instinct was to discuss the matter with Nuar.”
“He seemed as intrigued as I and after I elicited his help, he set out at once for the maze. It has been several days, more than enough time for a minotaur to solve a maze, and I grow worried for my bovine chum.”
“Clearly, I cannot take this matter to the guard. Poor Nuar would be scandalized if word got around that he couldn’t solve a simple maze. I can provide you with directions to this maze, called Delirium’s Tangle, if you promise to return Nuar quietly to his home. I’m even willing to let your organization keep the artifact I believe lies in the maze’s center. Some ancient, elven hourglass—my notes aren’t specific as to what it does. Just ensure the Prince’s safety.”.
Dreng looks incredulous, but solemnly nods. “Nuar is a useful ally to the Society and a lost labyrinth below Absalom herself is too convenient to pass up. Take an hour to prepare and then head out. And be thorough; no telling what you’ll find down there.”
“About Nuar. He’s something of a local diplomat: officially, he represents Kortos’ minotaur tribes here in Absalom, but most of those tribes aren’t quite as politically minded as Nuar. He seems to know just about everyone, though. Very useful fellow.”
“About the maze. My notes refer to it as Delirium’s Tangle. The author claims to have once been lost in the maze ages ago and escaped by pure luck. I imagine it’s hardly the simple mines and crypts you’re accustomed to. The design sounds elven, but I haven’t finished translating everything. Perhaps you can enlighten me on your return.”
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Muluk considers carefully for a moment before nodding his agreement.
Of course he's looking to collect. He always collects, and Dreng seems as unhappy about having to deal with him as I do. I paid him well for some information once, rather than owe him a favor, and I dislike being in his debt again.
"I should like to pick up a few things before I leave. I'll meet you back here within the hour," Muluk tells his companions, taking his leave.
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"Muluk, Targost! Good to see they assigned at least a pair of level heads to this one. Captain Dreng, I'll also take the chance to gather some supplies with my comrades."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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While shopping Talwin tells his friends what he remembers about Nuar Spiritkin, particularly how he saved Lord Gyr.
-Posted with Wayfinder
It seems you are destined to aid Andoran’s reputation this day! If it is indeed Delirium’s Tangle you seek, historical documents point to an elf named Abysiel Greensummer constructing the complex, but being lost before its completion. The elves mourn their dead deeply, and if Andoran returns Abysiel’s body to his extended family it can only strengthen their commitment to our cause! Should you find his body, recover it and bring it immediately to the Kyonin Embassy in Absalom.
Additionally, I court several of the Ivy District’s noteworthy artists to push our agendas among wealthy patrons. Lately, recent disappearances distract them. If you are truly delving into the dark places below the city, keep an eye open for whoever or whatever may be abducting Ivy District residents. Bring back any evidence you may find of kidnapped Ivy District residents.
Journey Freely,
Captain Colson Maldris
Your latest assignment delights me! A cave system below Absalom’s impenetrable walls would be quite the resource for her Majestrix’s military planners. Map whatever caverns you pass through. And for Asmodeus’ sake, be accurate! A back door is useless if we cannot find it.
And if this elven artifact you uncover is, in fact, Izryen’s Hourglass, ensure that its background is adequately vague. Our illustrious House Thrune may have played a hand in providing it to the Tangle’s mastermind several centuries ago, and any evidence that links our queen to it, however tenuous, would be embarrassing.
Paracountess Zarta Dralneen
If you are indeed destined to cross paths with Izryen’s Hourglass, be kind enough to retrieve a handful of sand from the artifact. Ideally without damaging it. Legend says the sands flowing through the hourglass hail from the deserts of Osirion. If that can be proven, his majesty has some authority to demand the Hourglass be returned to our proud nation.
On a personal note, rumors of this maze that houses Izryen’s Hourglass are intriguing. I theorize the halls act as an enormous magic circle, though I cannot guess to what ends. If you discover Delirium’s Tangle, map it as thoroughly as you are able. A full mapping is likely impossible at this juncture, but any information would be welcome.
Seek Truth,
Amenopheus, The Sapphire Sage
Your meeting with Grandmaster Torch may just save me some time. Kindly inquire after his “mother” and make careful note of where and when she will arrive. And do keep the reasons for your inquiry to yourself. I understand you’ll be operating around the Ivy District. Recent reports from civil workers there claim they have found giant beetles in the sewers, similar to the pack beetles we use in the deserts back home. A giant beetle species adapted to Kortos’ climate gives us an option beyond the filthy, local camel merchants and their inflated prices. Retrieve a viable egg for study should you have the opportunity.
Kind Regards,
Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri
Vidam Tsoulet, distant cousin of his majesty the Grand Prince, arrived in Absalom last week and gives me no end to headaches. Mostly recently, he lost his family signet ring to that boorish Minotaur “Prince” in a card game. The cow now wears the ring like a trophy, an embarrassing situation for the royal line. Recover that signet ring, but be sure no one realizes who took it or for what purpose.
I believe a young lady has caught Tsoulet’s eye; wooing her should keep him from further damaging the royal reputation. Retrieve some impressively grotesque trophy that Vidam can claim he slew in her honor; the head of any terrifying beast should do.
For Taldor and Glory!
Baron Jacquo Dalsine
You all travel to the Ivy District and go through a manhole into the sewers. After traversing the maintenance tunnels for about an hour you go deeper and reach natural caves.
Survival DC 15
= -3
= -8
hours
Instead of aimlessly wandering the natural maze, Muluk and Targost spot some tracks, signs, and clues of the Minotaur Prince’s path and you manage to get to the entrance of the maze quite quickly!
(See map!)
The cavern opens from a bottleneck into a large, smooth cavern of striated blue stone and pale, sandy floors. The walls glisten with moisture, and a small pool sits on the eastern side of the chamber. All across the area, thick carpets of fungus blanket the stones.
As soon as Muluk pokes the sand beetles as large as dogs emerge from the sands and attack! The beetle is a dull brown color brightened by two glowing green-yellow spots on its carapace.
all beetles move in, but only one was close enough to attack in the surprise round.
Initiative
Muluk
Beetle (green)
Beetle (purple)
Beetle (pink)
Targost
Talwin
Beetle (blue)
Ebon
Beetle (red)
Beetle (orange)
Muluk kills one beetle with a single blow and steps back.
Three beetles attack the paladin!
miss
miss
miss
Targost
Talwin
Beetle (blue)
Ebon
Beetle (red)
Muluk
Beetle (green)
Beetle (purple)
Beetle (pink)
Targost fires an arrow at the pink beetle.
Attack-ranged: 1d20+9
Damage: 1d8+4
Targost kills another beetle
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Talwin strides forward and tries to spear a beetle.
And nearly disembowels himself.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Talwin attacks and misses.
Beetle (blue) attacks Muluk
Hits!
Ebon
Beetle (red)
Muluk
Beetle (green)
Beetle (purple)
Targost
Talwin
Beetle (blue)
Ghosting Ebon
Ebon swings his sword at a beetle
but it bouces off the chitin carapace.
Beetle (Red) attacks Ebon
Hits!
Muluk
Beetle (green)
Beetle (purple)
Targost
Talwin
Beetle (blue)
Ebon
Beetle (red)
Green and purple attack Muluk
and both miss.
Targost
Talwin
Ebon
Beetle (red)
Muluk
Beetle (green)
Beetle (purple)
Talwin takes out a beetle!
Targost takes out yet another beetle!
Ghosting Ebon
misses
Beetle attacks Ebon
Misses
Ghosting Ebon
Hits
And Ebon takes out the final beetle.
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Good fight everyone. Let's heal our wounds and press on, though. I think time may be important before long.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Perception
Survival
One of the slain beetles is wearing a crude rope harness, but the harness seems neglected for at least several months.
You also notice several nests the beetles were protecting. These nests include a few odds and ends that obviously hail from the surface. Most of this is rubbish, but a small collection of valuables lies among the eggs. One nest is lined with a scroll of lesser restoration and three potions of cure moderate wounds. A cloak of resistance +1 is incorporated into another nest.
To the northwest of this area is a large tunnel that seems heavily traveled as of late. Looking at the tracks you deduct that not only has a minotaur been here, but it looks like he was attacked by a dozen or more creatures and dragged away.
The natural caverns suddenly give way to worked stone and metal fixtures. Dangling glass balls flicker and cast a weak, greenish glow across the chamber. Ahead, a series of green tiled, wide, terraced stairs slope up to an imposing bronze door, partly torn from its hinges. The stairs bear hundreds of symbols that seem to warp and flicker. The reek of decay, along with a pungent, acidic smell fills the chamber. Heaps of bones and garbage are scattered about the room. On both sides of the bronze doors, numerous small idols sit in niches and nooks. Their clumsy design clearly contrasts the delicate swoops and strokes of the walls and door.
Perception
Stealth
Initiative
(Surprised)
(Surprised)
(Surprised)
Suddenly two creatures leap down from the ceiling. They cry out in a strange language and two beetles emerge from the scrapheaps.
Skin pale as a slug's belly, eyes huge and bulging, this thing crawl down the wall like a spider, but its shape is hideously humanoid.
It leaps down and smashes Muluk with its club.
Hits!
initiative (surprise round)
Talwin
Blue monster
Yellow beetle
Green beetle
Ebon (Surprised)
Muluk (Surprised)
Targost (Surprised)
-End of Surprise Round-
Red monster
Expert Climber (Ex) A morlock can cling to cave walls and even ceilings as long as the surface has hand- and footholds. In effect, a morlock is treated as constantly being under a nonmagical version of the spell spider climb, save that it cannot cling to smooth surfaces. This ability doubles the normal +8 racial bonus to Climb checks normally afforded creatures with a climb speed to a +16 racial bonus.
Leap Attack (Ex) As a standard action, a morlock may make a single attack during a jump. It can make this attack at any point along the course of the leap—the start, the end, or while in mid-air. While jumping, a morlock does not provoke attacks of opportunity for leaving a threatened square.
Swarming (Ex) Morlocks dwell and fight in cramped quarters every day of their lives, and as such are quite adept at swarming foes. Up to two morlocks can share the same square at the same time. If two morlocks in the same square attack the same foe, they are considered to be flanking that foe as if they were in two opposite squares.
The other Molock leaps towards Muluk and clubs him as well.
Misses
The two beetles also join the combat
The first Morlock attacks again!
Misses
initiative:
Talwin
Morlock (Blue)
Beetle (Yellow)
Beetle (Green)
Ebon
Muluk
Targost
Morlock (Red)