Austenus Journal- Sunken Spire

From the Journal of Austenus Belloq

Part 1- Searching the Sunless Citadel

(In progress, early draft)

Recently rose in the ranks as an Initiate of the Southwind Adventurers Guild enough to be sent out on a mission.

Was paired with a nudist of a dwarf, named Duart Swordsbane, who is a decent companion despite being not very civilized. Never met one nearly as savage as him, and that is saying something as most of the dwarves I have met were in taverns.

Together we arrived at the Sunless Citadel, which we later found out was a tower that long ago sunk into the mucky ground.

The mission was to find some errant lordlings and their retinue, failing that their signature rings so the family can at least have closure. As someone with a family signet ring this strikes me as a practical use for such.

Specifically

Talgen Hucrele- the male lordling, a warrior

Sharwyn Hucrele- the female lordling, a spellcaster

Sir Braford- Holy knight and guardian of the two.

Karakas- Ranger guide

There we met up with other members of the S.A.G. already on scene.

Smax- a human holy knight, considerably less uptight than similar types

Balak Orebiter- A dwarven priest of ???, who I quickly found to be a touch psycho.

Met with the kobolds, surprisingly civilized. They were in a territorial dispute with goblins who stole their pet, a baby white dragon. So we were told by a sniveling kobold Keeper Meepo.

We found the dragon and got blasted with frost for our troubles. Luckily the goblins were attempting to reacquire the creature and one was surprisingly tough and softened it up a bit. We subdued and returned the dragon.

Met with their queen Yusdrayl & got along famously. She informed us the group we sought had passed through about a week prior.

After a brief conversation we agreed to drive back the goblins in exchange for a key to a closed off area.

Soon after found a strange dragon themed fountain with liquid that was spicy flowing from it. Thinking it would make a good hot sauce I filled a waterskin with it. This later turned out to effectively be a Potion of Fire Breath.

Skirmishes with goblins

Interrogated one, Gruk?, and learned the ranger from the group had died.

Found captives of the goblins we freed: three tied up kobolds and in a cage a gnome named Erky, who turned out to be a healer. We got confirmation of the ranger’s death in that the three adventurers had been through.

Elf Pudding

Skirmishes with goblins, saw the three a few days prior. Allow them to retreat/ evacuate.

Dragon décor

Durn?

Draconic writing: “A dragon priest entombed alive for transgressions of the law, still retains the honor of his position.”

Ghost

Plug tunne

Violet Marble (cracked)

Green-Flame Torch, used to light sconces around:

Dragon decorated 9’ long sarcophagus (likely dragon priest mentioned above)

Turned out Dragon Priest was a Troll!

Put it to final rest.

Ceremonial Dragon Dagger, various coins and scrolls

The “Moon Gate” Iris style, quick fight got some vials, scrolls, gems, jewelry… Including Teldon’s signet ring

Searched same level Cathedral turned Goblin-town though abandoned currently as part of evacuation, got info from one goblin rummaging & got help to open door thing to go down

Spider Climb down to some robed figures farming in vines. Reported back and returned with the group. “Farmers” turned out to be skeletons.

Finally hits Smax that the Belloq bloodline is a Devilish one. He had thought the horns were like a Satyr or something.

Sneaky Bugbears & Giant Rats interrupt the conversation.

Skirmishes with goblins

Found wine, not too shabby though somewhat bitter. Maybe the goblins have some civility after all.

More exploring, goblin armor repair area.

Dragon Art Room

Encountered big snakes made of fire, thankfully my heritage makes me less burnable.

Decided to be less murder-y with goblins. Spared the next group we came across. These guards and fungus farmers gave us lots of info about the dangers ahead, so gave them a 1 gp tip each.

Found important seeming room with dragon décor and a puzzle. Solved it with ease and got a blessing from the magic there.

Then found the Druid’s Library, skimmed and took some books & scrolls that seemed useful &/or valuable. Details on wood blights and a strange tree grown from a stake in a vampire.

As the goblins info meant we were about to breach the druid’s sanctum figured it was a good time to down the hot-sauce I had learned along the way was a potion of fire-breath. Also had some alchemist fire at the ready.

The druid was there with the people we were looking for, but instead of hostages they had been converted somehow. There were also many wood blights. A giant frog hopped in the fray at some point as well.

Charged foolishly & uncharacteristically ahead to go 2 on 1 vs the druid and charmed sorceress

Whilst I was handling the actual threat Smax was dueling with the charmed knight

Wood blights & Vampire tree very flammable

Goblins helped in the clutch

Blinded and very injured I was victorious

Forged the beginnings of an alliance between the Kobolds & the Goblins as well as a prospective trade deal in the future.

Celebration!

The people we saved turned out to be infected with something that was turning them into Wood Blights, this turned out to be fatal (with some help).

Returned to drop off rings with Lady Hucrele, the mother of Talgen & Sharwyn, in Oakhurst.

Went to Southwind Keep to get the next mission from the S.A.G. (see next thread)