Crossroads Episode 11: Rise of the Dreaded

## Synopsis

16 Highsun 1258 IC

The voice heard coming from Lotte is that of Domanaris.

Domanaris offers the party the knowledge required to take down the Italti citing that he realised he is also a victim of Italti.

Domanaris wanting revenge for the past and freedom from the other Italti tells the party of three villages to the north east where he can feel the presence of Gred'ghul and which seem to be the source of a plague spreading across the land. Domanaris speaks of his experience with Gred'ghul prior to the surge, how Gred'ghul experimented on Domanaris and that Gred'ghul was practically a lich before becoming Italti, now Gred'ghul is most likely ten times more powerful.

The party are wary but Wyrm and Stünislav feel like they can trust Domanaris for now, although angry, Domanaris seems sincere. Before any more information can be gathered, Lotte forces Domanaris out of her and apologises to the party before collapsing to the floor.

The party decide that once rested they will procure horses and head for the villages Domanaris spoke of. Stopping Gred'ghul in now their top priority. As they talk Lotte regains consciousness and asks if the party recieved a message, this was the task given to her in her dreams. Now that task is complete she can depart.

The party look back towards the table that Lotte was sitting at previously and see Cerin Chan'ridax, he smiles and gestures towards Lotte telling the party this is the new body of the Candlemaker. He sits Lotte down at his table with a bowl of broth and talks to the party of visions of the Candlemaker that lead him and Lotte here.

Cerin reminds the party he must go wherever the Candlemaker leads him, wishes the party well with the task ahead and departs. The party get rooms and rest.

As the party sleep they all share the same dream, blood pushing it's way out of the ground, killing and changing all it touches.

Now the morning of 17 Highsun, the party wake to see boils and necrosis of the skin on each other. It seems time is of the essence to stop Gred'ghul and this plague so the party purchase some horses and get on their way.

Travelling for some time the party enter the principality of Hadru. Eventually they come to a village seemingly hit heavily by this plague, The party carry on believeing the closer they get to the source of the plague, the worse it will become. Coming to a second village some time later it seems their suspicions were right, the plague killing people, plant life and animals alike. The party carry on suspecting the next village is where they will find Gred'ghul.

Along the way the party see a torch ahead in the road being carried a man clad in black, as they come closer it appears to be a Mütvian inquisitor.

The inquisitor explains the situation ahead and offers to clear the party of plague in exchange for three gold each but it will take time. The party decide it is worth the delay if they are to take on Gred'ghul. Over the next hour the inquisitor, who identifies himself as Gregory, heals the party of the plague and directs the party to their destination before departing. The party now cured and feeling rested carry on their journey.

In the early hours the party arrive at the village and find it filled with undead, the only way through is to fight. Combat ensues.

As the party fight their way through, howls can be heard nearby. Suddenly Yorsha and Tsukino appear joining the fight, Tsukino yells to the party "*Large house further down the road! Go now! We have these!*" The party start in the direction of the house when a giant brute of a zombie appears in their way. Azra manages to fire an arrow directly into it's eye and the party run past to the house beyond.

The party enter the house. Finding a strangely modern interior not typical for Mütvia the party notice a trap door that has been disturbed. The party open the trap door and head down.

Below they find dark passageways and a strange miasma in the air, they head down the right passage following a set of pipes. Wyrm leads the way checking for traps as whispers can be heard all around them. The party notice the walls are covered in runes and sygils and eventually find themselves infront of a set of wooden double doors. Wyrm discovers the doors are magically trapped and attempts to disable it. Tasya draws her blade, the glow from it reveals spirits surrounding them. Wyrm succeeds and the party rush through.

Inside the find steps leading to an archway and beyond it lies a pool of blood. In the centre stands a cloaked figure emanating pure fear. Skeletal with what appears to be a deer skull and digigrade legs. Eyes can be seen within the skull although there is no other meat on the bones. Looking at the party it speaks.

"Who approaches Gred'ghul the Dreaded?"

*Synopsis written by Caffinated Viking*.

## The Party

* Azra - Lvl 9 Eldrich Archer
* Stünislav Marekoi - Lvl 9 Tiefling Redeemer
* Tasya Marinov - Lvl 9 Human Fighter
* Wyrm - Lvl 9 Goblin Rogue
* Xaby - Lvl 9 Half-Elf Druid
* Za'Rel - Lvl 9 T'nao Swashbuckler