Session 209: The Whispers of the Barrow and the Heavy Black Box

Day 27-28 of Ready'reat CY 576

Gather ‘round, if you’ve the stomach for it! Old Vilma has seen many seasons in Orlane, but the air has been thick with the scent of old dust and ancient death lately. Our local band of "adventurers"—those brave, foolhardy souls—returned from the barrel marsh on the 27th of Ready'reat, and the tales they brought back are enough to make your marrow turn to water.

They spent their time in a dank, messy chamber where they slew eleven bloodthirsty spiders. Those nasty things turn on their own kind the moment blood is spilled, but our heroes stood firm. In the webs, they found more than just sticky strands; they pulled out a horde of 464 gold pieces, a fire opal, and even an exquisite ivory comb. There was also a map fragment, though what it leads to, only the gods—and perhaps a very patient librarian—know.

But the darkness runs deeper than spiders. They opened a door and were met by shadows. It was Kyro who proved the hero of that skirmish, his magic arrows flying true until every last shadow was destroyed. They thought the tomb was done, but as I always say, the dead are quite possessive of their silence.

Further in, they faced the mummies. Oh, the stench of old death flooded the chamber! The battle was fierce, and young Feno and Sergius felt the "dreaded mummy rot" creeping into their very bones. They started speaking in strange tongues—I heard poor Sergius couldn't even spell "potato" for a moment there. Luckily, Armatzi was there with his holy spells to cure the rot before their bones "quailed". Even little Gnorcia—would you believe it?—managed to land a backstab on one of those linen-wrapped horrors.

The prize for all this suffering? A massive obsidian coffer. It weighed some 210 pounds, a "tungsten cube" of a thing that nearly broke their backs carrying it back to Orlane. They brought it right into the Foaming Mug, where the food is finally starting to taste like food again—praise the chickens!

The next morning, the 28th of Ready'reat, they gathered in a private room to pick the coffer’s lock. It was trapped, of course. A poison needle pricked poor Lhoss, but she’s a tough one and shook it off. Inside was a king’s ransom: 1,848 gold pieces, enough to give each of them a heavy purse of 264 gold. They also found a glowing magical mace and some ancient priestly robes that haven't rotted away despite the centuries.

Now, Feno and Arnd are over at the barracks, talking to Constable Grover about training with the militia. Feno’s got it in his head to be Sheriff one day, and he wants our town to have stone walls instead of wood.

Bless their hearts. They’re getting stronger, especially young Sergius, who’s reached his "third level" of martial prowess. But as long as there are doors to be thrown open and mummies to be woken, old Vilma will have stories to tell. Just remember: if you see a heavy black box, maybe don't touch the lock.