Wiki of The Dungeoneering Crew

The session started out with our group starring into a room with a circle on the floor that glowed. On either side of the circle, there were alters with cloth across the top. There were six pillars supporting the ceiling. There were two braziers glowing green near it. There were stone sarcophagus’s in the room, Strahd made a cameo appearance. First thought, who would have thought this was down here. There is another alter to the north, four braziers along the back wall, also a raised dais with a throne on it. Two more statues in either far corner. There were also curtains. On the eastern and western walls were arches and a room divider that you would have to unfolded to go in and out. There were also candles stands with candles that were glowing blue.

Angelique had stepped into the room and was standing there taking in everything she was seeing. Eryn stepped in and slowly started making her way through it. She wasn’t taking the time to search it for traps but was just looking for oddities in the stone floor, trips wires, other common trap types. She made her way across the room, up to, and just past the glowing circle. As she looked at the circle, she felt the presence of magical energy. Symon attempted to disbelieve what he was seeing, he believed it might be an illusion. It had no effect. Cal-El on the other hand, moved to the west side of the room and began making his way across. He came to some doors that folded to open. He passed the first set and continued moving north along that western wall. Eryn came up to the sarcophagus’s and saw there were runes written on them that she couldn’t read. These three seem to be in a special place of honor. Separated from the rest. She circled the circle, and found no traps.

It was about this time that Xor heard movement behind him and turned to see the doors close. He reached to try and block it with his sword but he was too late to stop it. He also noticed the sound of fluttering followed by the sound of someone giggling. He reached to open the door but he couldn’t open it. He announced this to the rest of the room. Symon asked about the giggling. All Xor could say was that it was a light giggle but couldn’t tell from where it came or if the voice was that of a male or female. Eryn asked if the giggle sounded like Zara as we all heard her giggle when we played the trick on the gnomes. Xor couldn’t say one way or the other. Eryn moved back to the door and checked it to see if she could tell what was going on with it. There really isn’t a locking mechanism that she could see. Symon studied the circle and determined that the magic was arcane based. He thought it might be a summoning circle. Whatever it was, it’s power was above him. The magic seemed to be much more modern. Angelique tried to read the writings on the sarcophagus’s around her but was unable to read them.

Cal-El was at the far end of the room looking at the throne. He couldn’t tell what its function was but it was clean and looked to be in good condition. He is not really sure about it but thinks it is probably a clerical thing. Angelique checked the braziers and determined the fire was a magical flame that produced no heat, probably arcane based magic. Eryn spoke up and said, “Hello? We know you were busy and didn’t want us to come in but we are in here and would like to talk to you if you could spare a moment.”. Angelique and Xor heard a muffled giggle coming from behind the southeast column. Xor moved quickly to there and asks, “Who are you? I hear you!”. He got no response. Cal-El was looking behind a heavy curtain on the western side of the room. Behind it is a hallway that ends in a wall but there is a passage north near the end of the hall. There are lit torches and he can hear the flame crackle on them so they are real. He moved further south to the first partition in the western wall. He pulled it back to look behind it and found a room full of coffins, another green glowing brazier but dimmer than the others, and columns supporting the ceiling.

Xor moved closer to the curtain on the north east corner of the room. As he began to look behind the curtain, he saw a gnoll, but not a gnoll. It’s eyes were glowing pen points. It’s skin was drawn and desiccated with wrappings on it, carrying a sword. The site of this shocking creature caused extreme fear to paralyze him for a moment. At the sound of the creature’s groaning, Eryn and Symon turned to see it and were both paralyzed for 4 rounds. Angelique moved across the room to see what it was and as she saw it, she froze in terror for 4 rounds as well. Cal-El closed on it and attacked. His first weapon, even though it hit squarely, did no damage. The second attack was with a magical weapon but he clearly missed with it. The creature, focused on Xor, attacked him and hit him for quite a bit of damage. Cal-El attacked twice and missed. Xor attacked and missed on his first attack and his second attack. The monster attacked him but missed as well. Cal-El missed both of his attacks. Xor hit but apparently it had no affect. There was another round where Cal-El hit very nicely with his magical weapon. Xor continued hitting it but nothing he did damaged it.

Finally, the round came where Symon, Angelique, and Eryn snapped out of their terror and moved to strike. Eryn moved and struck and missed. Cal-El missed both of his attacks. Angelique took a bow shot and hit it for some actual damage. Xor backed up to allow everyone a chance to get better hits. it took a swipe at him and dropped him. Angelique took a second shot at him and hit for a little damage. The creature began trying to speak, or maybe he was speaking and only Cal-El understood him. He couldn’t speak to us to tell us though. Symon picked up a couple of words but wasn’t sure what it was saying. Eryn missed her next attack. Angelique missed. Cal-El became it’s next target and using his sword, he attempted to hit him, and did, for a little damage. Angelique hit it again and though it was looking pretty bad, it was still standing. Symon took a couple of doses of a potion of extra healing and poured it into Xor’s mouth for 6 points of healing. Eryn took another swipe at it and took it down.

Cal-El kicked the body back behind the curtain and closed it, motioning to everyone to be prepared, as if more were coming. He backed up to the column and flourished his swords, preparing for something to happen. Xor stepped back and took a couple of doses of his own potion. Cal-El tapped Angelique on her shoulders and mouthed something that she understood. She turned to everyone else and said,”There are more coming!”. Eryn ducked down behind the sarcophagus behind her preparing to ambush anything that came in. She noticed movement in the doorway that Cal-El had opened across the room, the one with all the coffins. It was as if something came into the room but she couldn’t really see it. She snapped her head around but still didn’t see anything. She announced that something had moved over there and pointed it out to the rest. Everyone else looked but they saw nothing either. Cal-El looked to see if he saw anything, even while listening behind him toward the curtain hiding the body of the gnoll mummy. He heard nothing but thought he might have seen something. He lost whatever it was. Symon looked to the southeast, and thought he saw movement but couldn’t see anything while directly looking at it. Symon said, “We need light!”. Xor pulled out a torch and lit it.

Eryn moved down to that area and pulled some sand out of her pouch and spun, spreading it about, watching where and how it fell and landed. As she spun, behind a sarcophagus to her right, a kind of shadow came up toward her but then quickly dissipated. The sand didn’t cling to anything, just fell to the ground and messed up the pretty floor. She pulled her sword, stepped one step closer to what she thought she had seen, and swung at it, on the off chance she might hit something, or someone, hidden there. She got lucky and hit something, revealing a shadowy form while simultaneously damaging it. Cal-El moved to attack and missed on his first attack but hit with the magical weapon doing a good bit of damage. Xor moved down there with a torch, saw the creature as he added more light to the area and swung at it but missed. Angelique moved down there and seeing it, she knew exactly what it was and attempted to turn it. She succeeded and it tried to flee back away. Cal-El took a parting shot at it and hit it, dissipating it.

Eryn asked Angelique if this shadow could have been responsible for the laughter they’d heard earlier. She’d never really dealt with one before so she wasn’t sure. Cal-El moved back to the curtain hiding the gnoll mummy, looking behind it and still saw nothing moving. The body was still laying there. He checked it’s sword to see if it was a good weapon. He it wasn’t anything special. He also checked the body by poking it with his sword. He couldn’t tell if there was armor or anything on it. He stepped over the body and moved to the corner of the hallway turning north and looked up the hallway, seeing more burning torches running along the wall down the next section of hallway.

Eryn mentioned that we were standing in a tomb of many prominent people in the history of this land and sometimes they are buried with their weapons and armor and such. Sometimes that stuff is magical. I’m not suggesting that we steal anything, but we might borrow something and return it before we left. Cal-El gave her the stink eye. Symon said, “Really? Grave robbing?”. Eryn replied, ”Not robbing, just borrowing for a little bit. We would return it before we left.”. Angelique said, :”You’d risk the chance of waking another undead creature, do you really want to take that chance?”. Eryn said, “You are right. It was just a thought!”. She checked out the room behind the curtain in the southeast corner of the room. This room contained rows of coffins like the room behind the curtain on the western wall. She passed through the room and came out of the northern partition. She didn’t see anything in that room. She met up with Cal-El, behind the curtain and past the gnoll mummy corpse.

Eryn and Cal-El moved down the hallway leading north beyond that until they came to a western turn. There was a very long hallway leading west with three doors on the southern wall and an opening leading north a short distance past the first door. Eryn noted that someone is here, because someone is keeping the torches lit. Someopne suggested that the “Noodler” was the likely culprit. Eryn moved down to the first door. It was old and it was a metal door, in good condition. The henges of the door seemed well lubricated and maintained. Again, this begged the question, who was down here in this tomb? There was a lock on the door and a handle. She checked it for traps and didn’t find any. The door was locked so she picked it and opened the door. She was presented with a room with a desk, a couch, nice rug, a couple of chairs, display cases with odd and ends in it, a table, and a fire place. Judgeing by the cup on the table, this room has been used recently by somebody. As she finished opening the door, she found a set of shelves on the western wall with a bunch of bottles of varying shapes and sizes. There were lanterns but they are not lit. The fireplace is unlit as well, although in looking at it, there has been a fire in it recently. On the back wall was the familiar bifold partition door. There was something that looked like a leather journal on the table and under it was a piece of parchment. She lifted the journal and slid the parchment out. It was a letter. It read as follows:

= = = = =

Xantha,

I understand we both have our differences. However, I am the head of our School. I am due a certain level of respect. I also agree that what you are working on is important. The example you provided was most impressive. I am sure when Styxltrix returns he will be most pleased. He will find them useful indeed. Until then, his return is our foremost priority. That priority should be yours as well.

You know I am working with the high priest Mathias to that very end. As distasteful as that is, we have no other alternative. I too would prefer the direct approach but you know that is not possible. Things here at the Spire are moving rapidly but are not ready. Plus, to do so would reveal our intentions to Silverstein and my support within the Order is not such that we could survive the ramifications of abducting someone of his own bloodline. As of this writing, he is unaware of the map and the specific circumstances around it; but he is suspicious. He certainly would have no idea that we can not read it and why. However, he will learn of it sooner or later. We must make sure I am not directly implicated. With the high priests' help, I determined how it was locked and how to open it.

To that end, she is now critical to our success.

I am only asking that you use your eyes in this matter. Surely you can spare the time for so simple a request.

Against my advice, the priest engaged the twins. They are dogging her every move.

I also have evidence that Silverstein has his spies in the region.

I need more intelligence gathering there for myself. Yoakum is already at the temple with Mathias as my personal emissary. Mathias also knows more about the Dragons Vale than he is saying. The information he has shared about it with Yoakum is guarded at best. You however are unknown to all and would be an important card to play when and if the time arises.

To that end, I “request” you “rethink” your response to my first letter.

A.Z.

P.S. How fair are your two lovely daughters?

= = = = =

Everyone took a moment to read through the letter. Cal-El did move across the hall to the hallway leading north and looked up it. It appeared to continue on for about 30 feet and ended in a wall. Angelique stepped back, shocked at what she was reading. She sat down on the couch and starred, dumbstruck. Symon asked her, ”Do any of these names mean anything to you?”. She said, “Silverstein does!”. Symon asked, “But what about Styxltrix or Mathias?”. Eryn added, “Xantha or this A.Z.?”. Symon said he had his theories about Xantha. He thought Zantha was the mother and one of the two daughters was Zara. While they were discussing that, Eryn’s went back to the bifold doors and looked behind them. She also said, “Remember someone has been in this room recently. Whoever we are dealing with may be here. Symon, you may want to examine that journal.”. Behind the bifold door was a bedroom. It was nice with all of the regular bedroom furniture. She moved to the desk and looked at it. Someone had started to write something but had stopped, it was dated a couple of weeks ago and then stopped. It was not complete. There was a very nice ornate chest. She checked it for traps and found one. It was very powerful fire trap. She determined that if she failed to disarm it, she might likely engulf the room in fire, herself included. She was also sure it was magical based.

Eryn asked if of Symon was able to look at the journal and learn anything. Symon said, “In a quick interpretation, it tells me that Zara‘s mother is deeply involved in this. She’s on the bad team, which would be in keeping with her having undead guardians down here. Probably Roger and that group were milling around down here. She is certainly a high level magic user.”. Angelique said, “We may be in over our heads.”., Eryn said, ”We are here now and we don’t seem to have a way out.”. Symon said, “I think it is critical that someone remains…you know…”, as he looks toward Angelique. Symon continued, “Apparently the twins are following us, watching her.” Angelique thinks on the name Mathias and though it seems familiar she hasn’t placed it yet. (DM. It would be familiar to everybody!)

Angelique asked, “Which spire do we think this talks about.”. Eryn thought it referred to Coldspire. Angelique said, “It could be any of them!”. Eryn’s said, “But Coldspire is the spire that is available, it is not occupied, or at least wasn’t, except by whoever might have taken it over. Theoretically, Coldsapire is ripe for the taking. If someone was starting something, I would think it would be there.”. Angelique said, “Whoever this person is, is working with my grandfather, doesn’t want to mess up and let it be known which is bad for me, cause they would know who I am!”. Symon followed up with, “They already know who you are!”, which she agreed with. Symon said, “They are following you. They are deeply invested in keeping you alive.”, looking back to Angelique. Angelique said, “So it appears these twins are following me but that also there are spies that Silverstein has out for me, or in the area to. And this Mathias knows a lot about this Dragons Vale.”.

Eryn had since moved back into the hallway and looked up the northern passage. It went about 30 feet and ended in a wall. She searched the walls. Cal-El followed her in and spotted the concealed door at the end of the hallway. It was basically concealed behind a rock. She didn’t find a lock. She checked it for traps and found none. Angelique picked up the journal and started looking through it. It read as follows:

= = = = =

Journal

The fools. Have they no wits to understand what I have discovered? Grimbog Vale is fraught with dark magic. It was here I discovered the first one. It almost destroyed me. I was fortunate to survive. If I can discover the secret of the process I may be able to master them. I’ll show all those fools I am to be taken seriously.

Yes, it is in the mud itself! Something long past infused it with the magic of a strange element. I have taken samples back with me to study.

My research has been fruitful. I understand how the process occurs and the base magic involved. It is complicated. I think it may be possible to replicate it, but I will need to uncover another one and capture it to learn more. This time I will be more prepared.

I have returned with my captive. Its malevolence and hatred for the living is refreshing. I draw much pleasure from its company. Although I dare say it would dispatch me with great haste. Its study should prove the most enlightening.

I was right! I was right! The fools! They will learn not to spurn me! So the process is painfully slow to prepare the corpse for the moment of animation. It makes its use impractical, except there may be a way to speed up the process. I will travel to Cyix and see Azgar. He owes me a favor and should have the knowledge that I seek.

The trip was successful but difficult. Too bad about Azgar. I have the ancient process, rituals, and materials. I have the niter, oils, tana leaves, and spices. Done properly with the mud from Grimbog Vale should yield the results I seek.

My first attempts were less than successful. However, I am learning more and more. The corpses of the dogs must not be too fresh. It is vital to remove the major organs, then seal them in spell jars within the first month after death. Then the body is prepared and sealed in its casket for a fortnight. What am I missing?

Fool that I am! Fool! So simple. The moon is the key! I shall try once more.

I have done it! I have done it! What power I now wield with this! Just in time for him to stick his nose back in my business. Azgar must have told him I was up to something. The bastard! At least he will tell no more tales now. Now I must find the control. I had to destroy it too quickly. What control can I put in place??

Ha! Brilliant that I am. Blood is the control. Blood mixed in with the mud! The oldest form of dark magic. I have sealed two magic rings with my blood and given them to Zora and Zara with the two war dogs. They have complete control over them. Guardians I made them. Now it is time to try a more difficult subject.

Again I was successful although the magic required more power and blood from me. How Styxltrix will bless me when he returns. Imagine his swamp guarded by an army of these creatures with me as his queen, Ha! Which led me to think of all the bones in the Valley approach. Could it be possible one of them died and sank beneath the mud in Grimbog Vale? I think that is likely. Think of the possibilities! I must return and search to see.

It took months of searching but I found it! It did not die close enough to the bog to become completely infused with enough of the mud's magics, but I think I can bring the needed amount of mud to it! The creatures have an innate ability that should help! The vital organs were also preserved! I must increase my stores of ingredients. It will require a huge amount and all the blood and magic I have within me. If I can raise it the terror I shall unleash will bring all of those fools to their knees! I know I shall be successful because it was BLACK! It is my destiny!

Once again here he comes interfering! Curse him! I do not have time to be his lap dog!! I am almost ready to begin the rituals! I’ll have to let Zora and Zara deal with this spying idiocy! Meanwhile, I am off to the site again. When I return I will be riding on the wings of terror itself! Death I shall rain down on my enemies! All of them! How dare he threaten my daughters!

= = = = =

Eryn opened the concealed door. It opened out into a cavern. She opened it up the rest of the way. She got a good look into the cavern. It was not especially big but it did have a smell. It’s really nasty smelling, not like anything she had smelled before. It definitely has the scent of death in it. Back in the chambers, they were reading the journal. Based on the last part of the journal where it said, “I am off to the site again!”, it seemed that Xantha may be gone right now. Speculating, Angelique wondered if Zora and Zara were the twins spoken of in the letter. Symon said he thought not. They were being threatened in order to keep Xantha in line. The twins are the ones following us and keeping Angelique from being harmed. He said, “They may be behind us now…that may be them giggling…no that’s probably Zara or Zora giggling behind us. Probably Zara since she said Zora is no fun!”. They discussed what to do next, continue checking the doors or just go out through the concealed door and see if that will get them out of there. They didn’t want to get into it with the girls. Zara seemed nice enough. There was also something about them having guard dogs. Eryn said, ”It just seems like, if we left them alone, they’d be fine down here and we can go upstairs and deal with Roger and get Cassandra free“. Angelique also said, “If there are undead, we need to get rid of them.”. They decided that we should continue to the rooms.

Eryn listened at the next door down the hallway but didn’t hear anything. She tried the door and it wasn’t locked. She opened it and found a kitchen. It was lit and there were shelves and cupboards with supplies. More supplies stacked along the walls on one side. There are no other exits from the room. The stove has been recently used. It’s actually still warm in this room from it. There were pies and breads and an apple on the table, along with plates, and utensils that look to have been recently used. Eryn moved down to the next door and listened at it. She didn’t hear anything. She checked it for traps but didn’t find any. She found it was locked and picked the lock. It took a couple of tries but she finally succeeded. She cracked the door. She found a glowing dais with a mirror on either side of it. There was a stand near it with a book on it. There was an alter with some cloth on it. There were more braziers with the green magical flame. Eryn pushed the door open the rest of the way. There were two cages in there and there was a figure in the cage to the west. It’s eyes were glowing and it moved toward her.

Eryn suddenly recoiled and became paralyzed with fear. They all saw this and recognized her condition from before. Cal-El grabbed her and moved her back down the hallway. As he had reached for her, he felt this aura of hatred flowing out of that room. There were moans coming from within and the sound of metal being shaken like something is trying to get loose. Cal-El stood between her and the room with swords drawn. After a couple of minutes, she regained her wits and composure and was able to tell everyone what she saw. She said, “There is this horrible creature in a cage!”. Symon asked, “Like before?”. She said, “Not really. It doesn’t have wrappings on it, it’s brown, and looks wet. It was leathery and looked like the tissue was rotted and juicy. It was the size of a human. It’s malevolence as it looked at me was pure hatred. All it wanted was to kill me!”. Symon asked, “It’s in a cage?”. Eryn said, “Yes!”, as she slowly reinterred the room. Though she was able to handle it better, the aura of hatred was still very strong. She told them that it was safe to enter but even then she shuttered as she spoke and she never took her eyes off of it.

The creature reached through the bars at her. She took out her sword and hacked at anything that came through the bars. As she did that, she heard a soft voice in the room say, “I wouldn’t do that!”, followed by a slight giggle. Eryn stopped and looked around and asked, “Who’s here?”. Cal-El heard it as well. It didn’t sound like a girl or a man, it sounded like a child. It didn’t sound like Zara either. It may have even sounded gnome like but not quite. Eryn asked, “Is that you Fredrick?”. No answer came. She asked again, “Who’s here, who else is in this room?”. Still no answer. She turned to look at the desiccated body on the alter. The creature in the cage kept trying to reach at her as she asked, “Why shouldn’t I kill this thing? Why shouldn’t I end it?”. She still received no response. As she moved a little further into the room, she could feel a lot of magical power coming from the dais. It’s similar to the one we saw out in the main room, but a different color and that light shines almost all the way up to the ceiling. There were also mortar and pestles and beakers and stuff like that laying about on tables. It really looks like a laboratory. Eryn said, “Again I ask, why shouldn’t I end this abomination that should not exist?”. Still no response.

Symon looked in and became paralyzed with fear. Cal-El dragged him back away from the scene. Eryn told them that they need to be able to come in here so they might as well get past this. Xor tried to look in but was also paralyzed. Cal-El dragged him out as well. Angelique tried to enter as well but also became paralyzed with fear. Cal-El pulled her back as well. Eryn stepped around the podium to look at the book,. It appeared to be arcane chants or maybe incantations. Over on the table near by was a pot of tea and some books and things. Eventually everyone became able to move again. Eryn said, “Cal-El and Angelique are the only people that can hit it and probably should.”. Angelique cut her off saying, “We don’t want to kill it, that voice said you better not do that so we’d better not do that!”. Eryn replied, “You want to leave this abomination existing?”. Angelique said “No, but what’s going to happen if we do try to destroy it.”. Eryn said, “We have to kill it! There is no way around it! I’m not a priest but even I know this cannot exist!”. Angelique responded, “I know!”. Eryn said, “But I don’t want to attack it until there are enough of us here help fight off whoever may come after us for doing it!”.

Angelique came back in there and got another look at it and said, “There is no way I can turn this! This is way beyond us!”. Eryn said, ”But we can hack it up into pieces! We have a couple of magic weapons and can keep taking it apart until it no longer exists!”. As Angelique stands there, it gets even more violent, really going at the bars trying to get at her. Eryn hacks at anything that comes out of the bars. It was making a little headway. Angelique stepped back out as she felt she was just agitating it more. Eryn continued hacking at it. She finally started stabbing at it and slicing at it, chipping away at it as best she could. It was a hit and back away and then move in and hit and back away again. While she was doing that, she suddenly went blind. She froze and backed up a step or so to make sure she was still out of it’s reach and said, “I can’t see!”. Xor stepped in and pulled her out again. Angelique said, “I told you it was beyond us to take care of Eryn, listen!’. Eryn using suggested an oil flask to burn it. Angelique said, “Do you not realize that he is stronger than us?”. Eryn replied, “He may be stronger than us but he is still destroyable!”. Angelique said, “Yes but he just blinded you!”. Eryn said, “It’s just a meat sack waiting to be burned or something! It can be destroyed!”. In the room, they heard chuckling from the mysterious voice. Eryn said, ”It’s the other entity we need to find!”.

Angelique closed the door. As she did, some of that malevolence and hatred dissipated a bit. Angelique said, “We’re just going to have to leave this for later. There is just no way we can deal with it right now, we’re just not strong enough to deal with it. Eryn said, “I think we will be dealing with it at some point and time. Whatever she is doing with that it’as going to become something we’ll have to deal with later.”. Angelique said, “Hopefully by then, we’ll be able to handle it!”. Symon said, “Obviously we saw in the letters that she intends to make an army of these things! This may just be her prototype! Actually the one in the hallway may have been the first prototype, this is an advanced prototype!”. Eryn said, “Well, I’m at your mercy as I can no longer see. I hope this is temporary or I’m going to be a drag on the party.”. Symon examined her and didn’t see any damage to the eye. They looked okay. Angelique looked at her and prayed about it and finally said, “It’s a curse! I don’t have a way to remove a curse. I can cure disease!”. Symon said, “If we go back to our original deal, which is to figure out Roger which is more our thing…whatever is going on in here is way beyond us. We can be holier than though and all that stuff but all we are going to do is get ourselves killed and being no good to anyone. There is clearly something going on here. Swe didn’t pick up anything in her writings that indicates that Roger has anything to do with her. I don’t know if anything that Theo and them are doing crosses up with anything here but the fact tat they’re so close to each other, you’ve got to figure they are commingling to some level.”.

(DM: Your questions will soon be answered! Do not stop now!).

Symon asked if Angelique had someway of fixing Eryn’s eyesight. She told him that she is not strong enough to do that. Symon pointed out that we have potions of healing and poison antidotes but nothing that will help that. Maybe it will wear off but with a curser, it is unlikely. Eryn pulls out her sword and holds it out, “Cal-El, I an’t hit anything like this. Take my sword and use it until I can hopefully regain my sight.”. Angelique asked if maybe Symon should go into that room and destroy the book on the podium. His response was, “I have no interest in going into that room!”. Cal-El moved down to peak around the next corner. There were two doors in the hallway going south. They were in the eastern wall of that hall. Symon took Eryn’s arm and guided her. They moved to the door and brought Eryn up to listen at the doors. She heard nothing behind either door. Symon took he back behind the group again.

Cal-El opened the door to one of the rooms an it was a messy bedroom. A bed, table, desk, chair, wardrobe, and a chest in there. There is food half eaten on the table. There is a candle that is lit. On the table is a letter. He also see’s apples, and an especially big bunch of apples just inside the door. They guessed that this is Zara’s room. Cal-El picked up and look at the letter. It read as follows:

= = = = =

Zara, I got word from our mother. She has a problem and needs my help at the sight. I’m gating there now. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Please keep an eye on things till then. Do me a favor and stay out of trouble Sis! I know how you get bored but remember we are not here for fun. You know you could spend some of your Winter Break actually studying for a change!

DO NOT antagonize Morgan and Marlena! Remember we have an understanding with them and they do not share your sense of humor! Don’t get involved in that! They are dangerous!

Stay out of the lab! Yes, it’s cool but remember one of those things almost killed Mom. Don’t mess with it, and stay out of Mom and my spell components! Leave Taniayuanaxltxy alone please, I know she is cute (smiley face) but you have your own dog to play with. You know you could give him a name besides “Puppy”… just saying. Stop tormenting the Grimms, I know they are funny but if Fredrick comes back they will be dangerous!

Don’t let that Moron of a boyfriend talk you into getting into trouble. If he gets in trouble let him get his own stupid ass out of it! What do you see in him anyway? Yes, he is cute but he is dumb as a rock. And stay out of my stuff and don’t be wearing my dresses.

Oh, leave my shoes alone!! I mean it!!

Love ya, sis! See you soon.

Zora

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Cal-El backed out of the room and closed the door and went to the other door, assuming it is Zora’s room. She is probably gone. It’s very neat, orderly, organized. Obviously the opposite of Zara. Cal-El took a moment to look around this room. There are writings and books of various subjects. Some of the books are on magic and the theory of magic, and life verses death. There are cupboards and stuff. Angelique and Symon went in and looked around. The books leaned towards the arcane with an emphasis death magic and on necromancy. In Zara’s room, her material is less orderly, like she is into the magic but gets bored easily. It’s like Zara is the younger of the two. They close up Zora’s room.

Speculation: Debbie thought that maybe Morgan and Marlena were the twins.

Symon said, “It’s time to move to the cavern!”. They made their way down to the hallway and Cal-El opened the door and looked into the cavern. They appear to be at a point somewhere along a tunnel. There is a path going northeast and a path to the west. Eryn can carry an extra torch for more light. They had Eryn listen before they moved it. She listened very carefully, and she couldn’t tell where it was coming from, but in the distance, she could here someone singing. Cal-El checks for tracks and finds some, very small, and some other weird markings like little holes, like form a giant spider. They were moving up the northeast direction. He moves out of the range of the light so the torches don’t affect his dark vision. There are webs everywhere along with a spider corpse to the west. He couldn’t tell much about it from a distance. As he checks the webs, they are fairly fresh. He finally got Xor to move up with a torch and start burning away the webs. They are slow to burn. They make their way forward slowly and the rest of the party follows a little distance behind. As they are moving forward, they find another carcass.

They finally make it to the carcass. As they look at it, it’s definite a giant spider. It’s very dry and shriveled so they think it’s been here for a while. The webs seem consistent with the kind of spider they found. The path continues and splits with a smaller path to one side and a larger path to the other. From here, they can here the singing a little better, picking up a word or two. Something about a brook and maybe a green meadow. The voice is high pitched. Angelique suggested that Symon pick up some spider webs which he does. That’s when they realized that these webs were the good kind that Fredrick went after. Maybe the voice they are hearing is Fredrich’s.

As they continue up the path the voice becomes much clearer. It was definitely a more carefree song that he was singing. They also heard a clicking sound, a little scratching and scruffling sound. The voice they were hearing sounded gnomish. As they move forward through the webs, they see a creature, a giant spider, as it sees them and turns to come at them Cal-El backs up to be near to Xor. He also see were it looks like part of the ceiling has collapsed and there is a small hole up at the top. Whoever is singing seems oblivious to our presence.

Start the recording