Brinewood

We meet our adventurers in the entrance chamber of a large cavern, surrounded by the corpses of goblins, wargs, and a bugbear that they had just vanquished. Down the south tunnel, they could hear the sounds of war horns blaring. From the north tunnel, they heard the light sounds of water and a cry for help. In front of them lay a large boulder which may have been blocking something, but appeared to have rested there for quite some time.

At first, the group attempted to move the boulder, to no avail. Inspecting the south tunnel, it appeared that it had been excavated recently, with sharp rocks littering the ground near the opening. The group decided to check on the north tunnel first and return south once they had investigated the plea for help.

They emerged into a large cavern that housed an underground pool. In the center of the water, there was a small rocky surface, atop which huddled a frightened figure. On the edge of the water nearest to the party, several goblins stood yelling at the figure on the island and throwing rocks his way.

The party dispatched the goblins quickly, and then began to make their way towards the small island in the water. They were able to discern that the figure was actually an old man, and Rift, the cleric, made her way into the water towards him with words of peace. However, upon entering the water, the party heard a disturbance in the water.

Four skeletons emerged from the water; animated corpses which advanced on the party menacingly. Rift cast Turn Undead, sending several of the skeletons back into the water, and the party was able to defeat the remaining monsters. They reached the old man, brought him back across the water, and began interrogating him on how and why he was in this strange cave with goblins.

The old man (who said his name was Ansel) said he was a collector and explorer, and had heard that there were ancient relics near the town of Brinewood. After discovering the cave, he was cornered by a cloaked man with an army of goblins, and was being held for nearly two days before the party rescued him.

The group then proceeded to frisk the old man, finding a variety of trinkets on his person. Specifically, they noted a black, stone box intricately carved, and a number of health potions. Ansel gave them the potions, and they returned the stone box, and allowed him to continue with the party as they went further into the cave.

Down the south tunnel, the party tripped a trap and were forced into combat with another group of goblins inside a cave area set up as some sort of temporary barracks. The party, once again, defeated the goblins, but needed to take a short rest before carrying on further down the passage. Unfortunately, they were attacked by skeletons mid-rest, and decided to continue on.

The next chamber presented a very different challenge. The were greeted by a long hallway with a great wooden door at the far end. Eight stone columns supported a high rocky ceiling. Further into the room, near the door, a blue pillar of fire burned in fits and starts. Two small corpses were tied to wooden stakes, also ablaze in a more reddish flame. Behind the blue flaming pillar stood a young man in a cloak, holding a tome and a small dagger.

The man welcomed the party, and revealed himself to be Liam Cartwright, the mayor’s son. He willingly admitted to killing his father, and claimed he had discovered a way to open a portal to other planes by way of his master’s teachings. The party watched as the blue flames formed a portal doorway, and they saw a demonic army preparing to cross into their world.

A great battle ensued, with Liam summoning skeletons and several ancient zombie minotaurs to his aide. With each passing moment, the demons moved closer to the portal gateway. One demon was nearly successful stepping through the portal when the gateway shuttered for a moment, slicing the demon’s leg off mid-step.

Through the battle, they noticed that Liam protected an orb in his hand. When the orb fell, the portal seemed to close. As the party wore Liam down, they were able to land the killing blow and destroy the orb, closing the gate permanently.

For a moment, the party relished in their victory. However, Ansel reappeared moments later – he had disappeared during the battle with Liam – and pointed to the placards adorning the six columns around the room.

After inspecting the columns, the party realized that each metallic placard had a precious gem embedded in it, as well as writing in a different tongue. Each member of the group stood in front of a respective plaque that he or she could read, and they attempted to speak the words in the proper order. As each phrase was spoken, it would light up the gem embedded in the metal, and as long as the order remained correct, the other gems would remain lit.

A few moments later, they had properly organized the stanzas, and as a group recited the following:

The Light fought Dark this world’s first day
And by first dusk, the Heroes called

For light, the Plat’num Drake would pray
To dark the Prism’d Queen was thralled.

The Last War spawned by whispered fright
And grew till Light had lost all plan.

Yet good struck back, through drake and sprite
And dwarf and elf and gnome and man.

And on Fate’s Day, the Light prevailed
Dark Queen was sundered from her form;

Beware the mischief of the scaled
And shield the faith that stays the storm.

Upon completing the recitation, the giant stone doors at the end of the hallway began to creak open. Ansel, the old man, suddenly grew excited and raced ahead of the group through the doors.

The party grew worried and suspicious, chasing the surprisingly fast elderly fellow down a great spiral staircase carved from stone. He ignored their shouting, and Spiphy shot several arrows at him in frustration. Even though one hit Ansel, he seemed unperturbed by the wound, and the group became even more concerned.

At the bottom of the staircase, the party finally caught up to Ansel in a large, ancient room. The ceiling was unseen, more than a hundred feet above them, and enormous stone statues lined the walls. At the far end of the room stood a single dragon statue, overlooking a small pedestal with a crystal orb glowing with flecks of shadow.

By the time they reached the room, Ansel had stepped forward to grasp the orb. They watched as the flames in the room changed colors, the glow from the crystal receded, and the figure of Ansel became ageless, more refined, until before them stood a beautiful woman with red hair wearing a crimson dress.

The woman laughed, and then began to speak.

How many years… how long has it been since I have had this power? Ten thousand? Longer?

I truly cannot thank you enough. For centuries I have tried to find this place. Was it real? Did they actually lock my form away? Or was I simply a cursed mortal? I began to doubt myself, but now, I am who I was again.

I suppose you will have to accept the only gift I am currently empowered to give, and that is your lives. As easily as I can take them now, it seems fair to let you live what little time you have left playing your silly, simple games. I have a small matter of vengeance to attend to, but do not worry, I will return.

I will reclaim my throne in the Abyss, and take this world soon after. Here is your final gift – the sight of a goddess, reborn.

At this, her form changed once more, expanding, shifting, elongating, alternating between reds and blacks and dark greens, until, towering above the party, stood an enormous dragon, shifting in hue with the light. A loud roar shook the entire room, larger rocks fell around the party, and with a thunderous clapping sound, the wings lifted the creature from the ground, carrying it up and up into the shadows. Moments later, the party heard a distant explosion above, a small beam of light broke through, and the group realized the ceiling had been obliterated and was now cascading towards them.

We end our chapter with the party dazed at the sudden appearance of a terrifying dragon, and in mortal danger as the cavern begins to collapse around them.