Idolators Under Inzet - Episode Five

## **Synopsis:**

Inzet, the capital city of Mowen's Borderlands province. The city had welcomed labor and entrepreneurship from all walks of life, and as with any large undertaking, unfavorable individuals came to cause trouble. Local authorities believed a cult of idolators of Veyis, the first Lich, had set up in the sewers, with a horde of undead reportedly gathering in the undercity.

Dushah Uloreen's attention was ever-focused towards keeping external threats at bay, such as the Dread Hounds from the east. With no help from him available, officials sought a small band of mercenaries to discreetly assess and handle the situation. The Whispering Cutlass answered this call.

This is the fifth adventure in the Idolators Under Inzet Arc.

In this adventure, the party went mystery shopping, interrogated a necromancer, delved into the sewers, and experienced a “haunted” javelin.

## **Mercenaries:**

* Bandin Volward Deepburrow - Deep Gnome Rogue / Wizard (Sponsor: House Stars)
* Elric Dawnflame - Kalashtar Bloodhunter
* Kiwarden - Firbolg Paladin
* Nwalmë Shadhavar - Shadar-kai Rogue (Sponsor: House Shadhavar)
* Ro'Keer - Tabaxi Ranger
* Tar'ren r'Eehp r'Eehp - Frogfolk Warlock
* Xeithne Aladur - Bugbear Monk (Sponsor: House Stefarni)

## **Adventure Summary:**

### **Identifying Weaponry**

During the evening in the Riot House, Bandin Identified the staff found on the necromancer. While he couldn’t discover all of its secrets, it appeared to be a powerfully enchanted magic artifact, improving accuracy and power when utilized. He gave it to Tar’ren, though warned the Frogfolk that there would likely be a price to attune with it.

Tar’ren brushed off the warning, stating that necromancy was in his wheelhouse, and attuned to the staff. As the power flowed into him, the skin on the hand and arm with which he held the weapon became ashen gray with bulging black veins. Exhaustion overtook Tar’ren, and he felt a compulsion to cling to the staff and never let it go; however, he pushed through the compulsion and remained in control of his body, free from that aspect of the curse.

Meanwhile, Bandin identified the sword Nwalmë had given to Kiwarden. The illusion of a plain weapon faded under his touch, revealing a blade of ice that constantly melted and reformed, giving it a shimmering glisten. It was a powerful weapon called the Icerazor and would do well in the hands of a paladin. Kiwarden decided to give it a name himself, though he would have to think on it.

### **The Griffon’s Oddities**

In the morning, Bandin led most of the party to the Griffon’s Oddities on a tip that they may have some magic items that would be useful. Tar’ren remained behind, sleeping off the exhaustion from wielding his staff. While resting, the Frogfolk tried to pay attention to the patrons in the Riot House, checking if anyone was watching them. He didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, but his focus was split between resting, watching, and reading his notes on the necromancer rituals. He had tried to identify the runes and sigils, searching for a key word to discover how the corpses became weapons of mass destruction. While he had identified a few sigils, the full spell eluded his grasp.

At the Griffon’s Oddities, the rest of the party looked over the small collection of items, including a tower shield, a few potions, a glowing ring, and a wand.

Elric immediately eyed the ring. A Gnome peeked up from around the store counter and asked, “Can I help you at all?”

The woman explained how the ring was purported to hold protection for the mind. Bandin liked the sound of that, adding that they were adventurers who had travelled across A’lune.

At the sound of “adventurers,” a small child appeared, her eyes wide; but the storekeeper, her mother, shoved her back. “Sorry,” the shopkeeper said, “she gets so excited when adventurers come around.”

As for the ring, someone had planned to use it to escape interrogation, but it ended up in the confiscation bin, and eventually to the oddities shop.

“So does it really work?” Elric asked.

“That’s what the claim is,” the keeper answered.

Bandin said that he could work out exactly what all the things in the store did, in exchange for a small discount. The keeper thought this was a bargain and offered to take five percent off of whatever the party bought.

Bandin cast Identify on the ring, but quickly discovered that it was merely a glowing piece of rock that was carved into a ring. “Well, guess the previous owner was snakeoiled.”

The tower shield was not mag but it was inlaid with silver, and Kiwarden stared with awe at the brilliant implement of protection. But at sixteen gold pieces, it was too rich for Kiwarden’s blood. Bandin waved that off, saying they’d take it, much to Kiwarden’s glee.

Under Bandin’s magic, the potions revealed themselves to be a Potion of Heroism, a Potion of Resist Cold, a Potion of Spider Climbing, a Potion of Water Walking, and a Potion of Darkvision. The party was interested in the Potion of Spider Climbing, but with the Inzet inflation pushing the price to astronomical levels, none were willing to take it.

The wand meanwhile was a Wand of Enemy Detection, which Bandin immediately scooped up and added to the pile of stuff to buy.

Finally, there was a Scroll of Burning Hands.

Bandin covered the cost, purchasing the wand and the shield. He nonchalantly added that if the daughter wanted to hear some adventurer stories, he’d been to a city of wizards way past the Endless Divide. But to his surprise, he realized the child was nowhere to be seen.

Meanwhile, Nwalmë had split off from the group, sneaking into the back of the shop to see what lay in there. Just as he thought he’d made it in without issue, he turned to see a bright pair of beady eyes staring up at him. It was the child.

Nwalmë snapped his fingers. “Darn, I was hoping you wouldn’t see me.” He crouched. “I’m Nwalmë, how are you?”

The girl, whose name was Jesse, stuttered. “Are you a burglar?”

“No, I'm an adventurer. Just wanted to come and say hello.”

“You’re not one of the bad ones, are you? My mom says some adventurers might be ‘murderhobos.’ ”

Nwalmë pursed his lips. He’d never heard that term before, but he agreed that some adventurers were bad. “Not that I’m one of those. Can I give you something?” He pulled out an electrum coin. “So you want to be an adventurer?”

Jesse pouted. “Mom says I don’t have a Thread talent, so I can't be one.”

“Oh deary, she may be right about that, but there's plenty you can do besides that.” Nwalmë gave her the coin as a good luck charm and to get her started fortune started. “You keep this with you to remember to do what you feel right to yourself, and don't let anyone say you can't.”

“Thank you,” Jesse said. “Do you want this?” She held out a small, shiny pebble. “Momma says if you get a coin, you should trade, so it’s not stealing.”

Nwalmë took the pebble and tucked it in a breast pocket. Next time they met, maybe they would trade again.

The girl nodded, then covered her eyes. “No one’s here, I don’t see anyone.”

Nwalmë chuckled, tussled her hair, and snuck out.

### **Gambling for Magic**

After finishing up at the oddities shop, the group headed to the bric-à-brac shop, where each could pay five gold pieces to reach into a mystery box and receive an odd magic item.

Elric went first, pulling out a pair of boots. He quickly scanned the aura of the item and determined they were Boots of Independence which, when taken off, would retrace the steps of their last journey.

Bandin pulled out a book covered in streamers and glitter. While he couldn’t figure out what it was at the moment, he later Identified it as a Party Book that would release illusory sounds with each page exposed.

Nwalmë got a gleaming pink-hued potion. He stared at it and whispered, “Tell me your secrets.” Unfortunately, the potion did not give up its secrets to him, but Bandin later revealed it to be a Philter of Love, which charmed someone into thinking the first person they saw was their true love for an hour.

Xeithne got a ballpoint pen made of brass. Bandin later told her it was an Indelible Pen, the ink of which would be permanent on whatever surface it wrote on. Its magic would work only once, however, so he told her to use it wisely.

Ro’Keer pulled out another pair of boots which seemed to have an extradimensional space in it. Bandin later identified it as a pair of Boots of Devouring, which would consume anything that was put into it.

Kiwarden reached into the mystery box and came away with a large salt block. It would magically prevent any food he carried from spoiling, and if placed in a small room, it would turn the space into a preservative closet. It would even preserve bodies.

While Tar’ren wasn’t with the group, Kiwarden persuaded the box attendant to let him pull again in order to get Tar’ren an item. The attendant thought it made perfect sense and gave their consent. Kiwarden pulled out a wooden penguin, a figurine of wondrous power that could transform into an eighty-pound emperor penguin. If the penguin was killed, the figurine would be destroyed, but otherwise it would return to its wooden form and could be summoned again at dawn.

### **Interrogating the Necromancer**

With the shopping completed, the group returned to the Riot House. The next stop on their agenda was to interrogate the necromancer they had captured at the funerary home. Bandin remained behind to identify the magic items the crew had gathered. He also planned to talk with Theo, a Bugbear mercenary who had been tracking Skaxes. Tar’ren continued to rest.

At the constabulary, a courtroom mage gave a subtle wave to Elric, then turned away. The group shuffled into Constable Baldrick’s office. Baldrick, a tall, broad-shouldered Orc with a bushy mustache and a huge mohawk, approached the five party members with a few reports in his hands. He read through the papers, noting the incident with the doll, all the work with the undead, prevented the theft of a Vanguard artifact, entertained a small child—Seeing the party’s surprise at all the constabulary knew, Baldrick informed the group that they had been under watch for a while.

“Plus the mother came in to pay taxes, and Jesse was ecstatic.” Baldrick nodded in approval. “You’ve done well despite opposition.”

Nwalmë smiled coyly.

Kiwarden stepped forward and stated that they were there to help with the issues facing Inzet.

Baldrick said they needed the help. Undead rising more and more, cultists swarming, a corpse train happening, all happening right under his nose. His large mustache wiggled as he spoke.

“Yep, just following the potential leads,” Kiwarden said.

“So I take it you’re here to interrogate the captive?” Baldrick asked. “We’ve got some holy water for some holy waterboarding.”

The party stared at the constable. Kiwarden cleared his throat. “Thanks, I hate it.”

Nwalmë asked to look through the evidence taken off of the suspect. The constable pulled out a metal tin with two locks, opening it to reveal a pound of black onyx, iron-inlaid chalk, four vials of blood, and a silk pouch with charcoal incense—“And, possibly myrrh?” Baldrick sniffed the pouch. “Some sort of herb.”

Nwalmë said that he knew they would need to do the paperwork, but it would behoove them to have the evidence in order to aid their undercover operation.

“So you need his robes?” Baldrick asked.

“We need all the things,” Nwalmë clarified.

Baldrick nodded. “I suppose I could make that happen. I do enjoy a good sting operation.”

The group took and divvied the evidence amongst them, then planned for the interrogation. Kiwarden and Nwalmë would enter the room alone, with Kiwarden linked mentally to Elric so that the rest of the party could stay informed and offer suggestions. Nwalmë would act the loose cannon, Kiwarden would be the smooth operator and extract the information.

Nwalmë swung open the door and let it slam against the wall. The necromancer had his hands tied firmly against the back of his chair legs, a table in front of him.

Nwalmë grabbed the table and slid it away, dragged the man to a wall, put a foot against the necromancer’s chest, and propped the guy against the wall, crushing the necromancer’s hands. “I’m gonna have fun making you talk. Want me to start with breaking stuff—”

Kiwarden grabbed Nwalmë by the scruff just as the necromancer spat. The wad of spit flew by Nwalmë's cheek.

Kiwarden glared at the necromancer. “First of all, gross.” He moved Nwalmë away. “Second of all, chill, Nwalmë.”

Nwalmë went over to the far wall and leaned against it, glaring daggers.

The necromancer looked at Nwalmë. “I know that name. Nwalmë’s pissed off a few people."

Both Kiwarden and Nwalmë ignored him. “Let's start with something easy,” Kiwarden said, “something to break the ice. What is your name?”

“I don’t know if you've earned that yet.”

“How can I earn it?”

The necromancer smiled. “You cut me loose out of here, let me make a few zombies out of the guards and maybe no one will come after you.”

Outside the room, Elric fumed, but didn’t relay the demands to the rest of the party.

Inside, Kiwarden chuckled. “I think that's a lot for a name. Alright, different question. Maybe this'll break the ice better.” He raised a brow. “What's your favourite color?”

That gave the necromancer pause. “Bone white or very black.”

Through Elric, Xeithne advised Kiwarden to ask how the man got into necromancy, to “get him proud and talking.”

Kiwarden refrained from nodding. “So, necromancy. It’s a very lucrative opportunity.” He paced. “How did you get into it? What are your sights set on?” He stared at the necromancer, channeling a Command spell—“I advise that you *answer* me.”

The necromancer’s words began to tumble out of him. His first corpse was his puppy, Rex, which had up and died on him when he was twelve. He wasn’t ready for that, what with his parents’ divorce happening at the same time. Just a bit too much for him. “But, suffice to say, the divorce didn’t matter after having a zombie dog on my side.”

As for why he joined the cult of Veyis, they promised a lot for the power.

Elric told Kiwarden to just grab the necromancer’s face and keep on punching.

“Okay,” Kiwarden said, speaking both to the necromancer and Elric. He cleared his throat. “Sorry about Rex. Now that you’ve given me your dog’s name, can I have yours?”

The necromancer nods. “Call me Dakryn.”

It was obviously a fake name and Kiwarden rolled his eyes. “Such an interesting name. Did you pick it yourself?”

“It's actually an anagram,” Dakryn said sarcastically.

“I'll call you that because that's what you want, but I’m still waiting for the real deal.” Still, Kiwarden moved on. “How long have you been operating in this cult?”

Dakryn looked to the ceiling. His first corpse was when he was twelve, Veyis had led him to the cult when he was fourteen, so he’d spent fifteen years in the cult.

Kiwarden tried not to wrinkle his nose, realizing the scarred and gaunt man before him wasn’t even thirty. “You don’t look a day over twenty-nine,” he lied.

Dakryn was modest. “I try my best to stay in shape.”

“Do you work out with the corpses?”

“I do deadlifts.” He cackled.

“Good one.” Kiwarden leaned in. “So tell me more about this cult. I advise you tell me what Veyis wants in Inzet. Else I won't be able to stop *that*.” He looked at Nwalmë, whose glare had remained fierce throughout the interrogation.

Dakryn sighed. “So here’s the thing. We didn’t really come here with a goal. We were called.”

Kiwarden raised a brow. “By Veyis?”

“Indeed. You know what's under this city?”

“Undead, but I expect you’ll tell me more.”

“Some were here before us,” Dakryn said, “straight from Veyis.” He grinned. “Underneath the sewers, we found a massive vein of black onyx.”

Elric cursed. Nwalmë put his hands on his blades, getting antsy.

Kiwarden breathed deeply and remained calm. “Thanks for cooperating. So Dakryn, can I now have your real name?” He gave a cheeky smile.

Dakryn did not answer.

Elric asked Kiwarden to goad Dakryn’s ego, asking if the zombies they had fought in the funerary home were the best he could create.

“Let’s move on,” Kiwarden said. “So, those winded husks. Surely you’ve made better than that, right?”

Dakryn immediately gushed. “Oh, the things we've discovered! I assume you saw the runes I created?” He stated that he had snuck into the home and strangled two funerary workers in their sleep. “Great fun, made great gusts from their inability to breathe. I've got others, got some who were drowned, some immolated. Some that will explode into fragments of bone upon death.”

Kiwarden clenched his fists, but kept his voice even. “So besides that, there’s the corpse smuggling going on. Know anything about the older man who does the body bag swaps?”

Dakryn made a stone face, but with Kiwarden’s critically keen insight, he realized that Dakryn knew nothing about that end of the operations. The Firbolg raised his brows. “Oh? Oh. You don’t know, and you’re trying to trick me. That’s cute. You’re funny, I like you. Not that much though.”

The jab devastated Dakryn’s ego, leaving him shaken. Rolling with the momentum, Kiwarden made fun of Dakryn’s fake name, causing the necromancer to break and reveal his name to be Gireas.

Kiwarden smiled. “So pleased to meet you. Now you’ve earned my name: Kiwarden.”

“Kiwarden,” Gireas repeated. “Kiwarden, Nwalmë… Seven of you took me down, yes? You're a strong motley crew, aren’t you?”

“What are you thinking?” Kiwarden asked.

“Just wondering how dangerous you could be if we had to find out.”

Kiwarden scoffed. “There's no *we* anymore. You're here, captured—”

Before the paladin could finish, Gireas jerked, blood spurting from his mouth. Kiwarden grabbed the man’s jaw, but saw nothing in the mouth.

Gireas grinned. “Inside me.”

A stain of blood grew from his stomach, and then a leech-like creature burst out of him.

Nwalmë immediately recognized it to be a liver leech, a necromantic creature that looked like an organ with buglike eyes and suction cup feet. He shouted at Kiwarden to keep back from the dangerous creature.

But Kiwarden stayed by Gireas, using Lay on Hands to keep the man stabilized.

The leech jumped out of Gireas, ran along the walls, and landed on Nwalmë, biting his shoulder. Nwalmë stabbed at it while trying not to stab himself.

Gireas suddenly sprung to life and tried to break from his chair, but Kiwarden held him down. At the same time, Nwalmë stabbed the creature enough that it curled up and fell to the ground, releasing an ethereal wail that only he could hear. He knew that the wail was an alert to whoever created the leech, detailing when and where the leech died. Though Nwalmë knew that there was nothing he could do to stop the spiritual alarm, he crushed the leech with his boot, yelling at the splattered goo it to shut up.

Kiwarden glared at Gireas. “So, anymore of those in you?”

Gireas rasped in a breath. “There’s one in each of us. If anything happens to us, they know.”

“So they think you’re dead.” Kiwarden nodded. “Well Gireas, it’s been wonderful getting to know you. Anything you'd like to say in your final words? I'll make sure they don't bring you back, don't worry.”

But Nwalmë tapped Kiwarden and said he’d like a few minutes alone with Gireas. Kiwarden nodded and left.

Nwalmë dragged Gireas’ chair to the door, propping him so the chair wedged the doorknob and prevented the door from opening. The Shadar-kai took two flasks of sugarsalt explosives from his satchel and shook them at the necromancer. He put one on the table, then flung the other one at a wall. The vial exploded, shaking the building.

Gireas stared at him, stone cold.

Nwalmë picked up the other flask, popped the cork and said, “I wonder what would happen if I poured this in your mouth.” He pressed it into Gireas’ face.

The necromancer kept his composure. “You’ve already pissed off one Atrocity God. You really want to piss off another?”

“Who told you?”

“You Shadhavars are the gravekeepers of Abishot, yes? Be a shame if your family wakes up with the dead swarming them.”

Nwalmë jerked the vial, leaving a welt on Gireas’ cheek.

Outside the room, Elric tried the door handle and found it stuck.

Nwalmë grinned. “No one can save you. Now tell me who told you.”

“The Atrocity Gods are working together,” Gireas said.

“That doesn't answer my question.”

“How many Hell Gates have you seen open—”

Nwalmë slammed the wall and tipped the vial slightly, the drip hanging on the lip. “How did you find out?”

Gireas sighed. “Vilithk told Veyis. Veyis told us. Nwalmë, Darius, Erthish, Ima, Gnarlap, and Nyx. Vilithk is looking for you.”

Nwalmë swallowed hard. He stepped back, corked the vial, and left the room.

### **Trawling the Sewers**

Back at the Riot House, the party shared what they had learned in the interrogation. Bandin reminded them what they had learned from Theo: Skaxes and a group of alchemists were apparently working with the cultists. Bandin and Ro’Keer knew that the Riot House in Zachalas had been hit with a sugarsalt bomb, probably the work of Skaxes.

Nwalmë told the group about the spectral warning, but did not mention anything that happened after Kiwarden left the room.

Tar'ren said that they knew the guards couldn’t handle the undead, so they could have Theo alert the constabulary to be on the watch for Skaxes and maybe slow the alchemists down. Bandin didn’t trust the guards to fight someone who was with the Syndicate. Tar'ren deferred to him, as the Frogfolk didn’t have much knowledge of syndicates.

After some debate, the group decided to enter the sewers and confront the cultists directly, taking the secret door by the citadel. They went below, finding themselves on the opposite side of a dead end, no maintenance hole or ladder, but they found a way into the main sewers. They were at a crossroads, a sewer grate blocking the water to the south, a walkway leading north and south, and a cistern to the east with no immediate path to it, though the sewer grate could potentially act as handholds for those dexterous or muscular enough to work their way across.

Nwalmë cast False Life on himself, preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Kiwarden pointed at the cistern randomly and declared that they should check there first.

Xeithne passed her continual flame torch to Kiwarden and cracked her knuckles. She climbed across the sewer gate without issue. Scouting ahead, she saw that the water in the cistern was five feet deep, but it was disgusting sewage.

Ro'Keer tried to cross next, but halfway across his grip slipped and he started to slide down. His nails grated against the metal, halting his descent, his butt and tail perked up to avoid the water below. He thankfully made it across, as did Nwalmë right behind him.

Bandin meanwhile said he’d do a quick scout of the northern passage, heading up the path. He saw a bridge leading east, another eastern passage, and a bend in the tunnel. He crossed the bridge and took a peek around the bend, catching sight of a figure on patrol, tapping on the walls as if counting their steps.

Bandin circled down and signalled to Kiwarden, Tar’ren, and Elric that someone was coming. Tar’ren stepped back, pointed at Nwalmë, and made a shushing noise. Both he and Elric hid.

Kiwarden covered the torch’s heatless flame with his cloak and stepped out of sight. Bandin heard the tapping getting closer and ran to hide with the paladin.

The apparent patroller rounded the corner, a skeleton trailing them. They didn’t notice anything amiss and went down the east path.

Two minutes after the sound of tapping faded, Bandin whispered to the others that they needed to get across the water to the others. After another round of climbing where Tar’ren excelled at nimbly passing the bars, the party was reunited.

Nwalmë volunteered to be the lead scout, turning invisible with Elric mentally linking with him. From the cistern he went south. There was a dead end to the east that looked like the wall was in need of repairs. He passed it and continued south.

As Bandin came down the passage, he saw the damaged wall as well and put the copper coin against it, hoping it was a secret passage, but nothing happened.

Nwalmë moved south with Elric staying within mental range. Suddenly, for a brief moment Nwalmë felt ethereal water choke his lungs. He was able to hold his breath, however, controlling himself and shaking off the feeling. He told Elric what happened and asked if that might be the work of one of the drowned zombies. Sure enough, as Nwalmë continued down the path and looked down an eastern side-chamber, he saw the zombie standing guard. It was a rotting humanoid dressed in tattered clothes, body covered in seaweed.

“Yep, we’ve got a floater,” Nwalmë said. He chose to explore the western paths for a moment, finding empty rooms that had recently been carved out, perhaps an empty barracks for future cultists.

Looping back to the group, the party decided to attempt to ambush the zombie while Nwalmë kept up his invisibility. The rogue snuck into the zombie’s chamber and stood behind it, a hovering by its throat. It didn’t notice him.

Ro’Keer moved closer first, anticipating the drowning aura. He felt the water sloshing into his lungs, but kept calm. It felt like hairballs, which he was used to. He positioned himself at the corner of the side-chamber.

Xeithne went next, and while the pressure was familiar and brought up bad memories, she didn’t show any hesitation, moving behind Ro’Keer as if the aura never touched her.

Tar’ren went next, and the sudden rush of water nearly made him gag. However, he was experienced with water in his lungs and forced himself not to panic, knowing the feeling would pass. Bandin had a similar experience, nearly falling to his knees and choking even with the foreknowledge from Nwalmë. Nevertheless, he rallied himself and pushed through. Kiwarden and Elric followed the others, though they were outside of the aura and knew they would have to deal with it in the middle of combat.

As prepared as they could be, Nwalmë smiled at the zombie and began to sing in his mind: “We’re gonna stab you in the guts.”

Kiwarden hopped across the sewer water to another path, ran down to the where he could see the zombie, and tossed a javelin. It was a critical miss, and Nwalmë nearly yelped as he jerked his head to the side, the javelin nearly piercing his cheek. It ricocheted off the wall, clattering to the floor.

Tar’ren followed Kiwarden’s lead and hopped in front of the paladin. He shot the zombie with an Eldritch Blast, the bubbles pounding into it.

Focused on the Firbolg and Frogfolk, the drowned zombie moved forward, passing by Ro’Keer without noticing him. It swiped at Tar’ren, attempting to slam its arm into him, but he ducked under.

With the zombie so close, Kiwarden and Elric felt the drowned aura envelop them, but thankfully neither succumbed to the effects.

Bandin passed Xeithne and Ro’Keer, moving behind the drowned zombie to stab it with a shortsword. The blade pierced the base of the neck, a critical strike that did massive damage. Bandin then dashed away into the eastern chamber, moving too quickly for the zombie to react. Nwalmë waved at him, but since the Shadar-kai was invisible, Bandin didn’t notice.

Ro’Keer marked the zombie, then slashed at it with his shortsword, cutting into its flesh. Xeithne moved behind the zombie and stabbed into it with her spear, then cracked into its knee with a kick. As she backed off, Elric shoved past Ro’Keer and took her place, stabbing it as well. His Rite of the Dawn seared the undead with holy light.

Seeing that the zombie was in-hand, Nwalmë strolled to the south, making sure there was no obvious ambush about to happen. Then he dashed back to the middle of the chamber, pleased with his contribution.

Kiwarden pulled out his glaive from his back-sheath and swung over Tar’ren’s head. He nearly his the Frogfolk, but Tar’ren ducked just in time. Instead, the blade cut through the zombie, causing it to crumple to the floor as a heap of seaweed.

Tar’ren, crouched and shaking, raised a thumbs up.

With the battle completed, Ro’Keer tried to sniff out Nwalmë, but the rank sewage kept his nose at bay. Nwalmë meanwhile picked up Kiwarden’s javelin and began to make spooky noises, waving the weapon through the air and pretending to be a ghost. As he slid the javelin into Kiwarden’s quiver, he whispered, “Amazing how that zombie really ducked out of the way for you.”

Kiwarden facepalmed, but thanked Nwalmë.

## **Outcome:**

The party rested in the drowned zombie’s chamber and prepared to push onwards to the heart of the cult.

## Adventure Rewards:

None.

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