They Met at a Tavern 25: It's Beetle-riffic!

The Unusual Band of Suspects:

• Rick: Bjorr, 1/2 orc Paladin
• Chris: Thorn, dwarf Wizard
• Dan: Kiara, elf Ras Godai
• Seana: Zanegar, 1/2 orc Sea Wolf
• Callista: Erol, elf Priest
• Roger: Drom, dwarf Desert Rider

The party returned to town, dirty and bloody from their excursion into the Sealed Tower(tm). Recovered loot is converted to booze/carousing, and all repeating PCs bump to 3rd level (I'm not keeping close track of xp, more vibe-advancement). The paladin had been off doing paladin things, and the desert rider returned from a fruitless ziggurat search.

slightly clearer map

Erol noted side-eyes from the citizenry, before being told by a priest of Madeera that the Terragnis sect was generally blamed for the city's misfortunes after the demonic betrayal of Brother Taran Trudheon. She pointed to an overgrown vacant lot - the site of the former Temple of St. Terragnis. The party's ability to enter the tower was a mystery - perhaps the seals were weakening, or the party had some unknown attribute that allowed them entrance. Either way, a mystery to solve.

Some business was conducted, and Bjorr traded his dragon's egg for some mithril chainmail. It was decided to see if the merchants of House Zulad may have any clues or tasks suitable to the party. The unnamed family representative (he of the Rasam's Shop incident) met the party and (random roll on Unlikely Treasures) said that, yes, there was an item of some value that the family would like. The "Scroll of Esoteric Artwork" - a device that would aid in the identification of alchemical and magi-tech items. Something to give them an edge in the relic market. Especially since Rasam was... indisposed. It's in a jade scroll tube. Oh, and we'll put in a good word for you, help clear up that whole Rasam association.

Where was it? Word had it that it was in some old shrine or barrow (because my players lllooovvee barrows). 

And off they went.

Some travel occurred, with the Encounter Dice failing your GM. 

Fine. There's a shrine door. Brass. In the hillside....

The door had been forced, with obvious footprints. Perhaps someone else also wanted the Scroll. Entering, they poked around a statue by the entrance (Forgotten goddess of portals, depicted nude, reddish coloration, holding calendar). The statue gave most of them a healthy concussion, with a couple of PCs deafened for a time. 

Opening a second door into the complex, they found a hallway. And were nearly bowled over by a fleeing pilgrim, who warned them of giant beetles before fleeing the shrine. 

A side door led to a chamber, with a chewed-up murderhobo. Pockets were emptied, and Kiara stumbled upon a concealed trapdoor. The door was locked from below, but Bjorr crowbarred it open. Down they went, to confront an acolyte-caretaker in a lower chamber. Seeing the party, he prudently cast Protection from Evil upon himself. 

The acolyte (Gerard) had locked the trapdoor and barricaded a second door in the chamber in defense against a band of murderhobos (vs. the "Respectable Adventurers" of the party). Gerard's job was to watch over the shrine and its occupant, an esteemed monk of their order. Oh, can we meet him? Certainly, he is in the adjoining chamber.

source

Ah, that kind of occupant. The self-mummified monk whispered parables and idioms in their minds. A couple of the PCs dropped coins in the alms bowl.

Well, let's go get those murderhobos. The door was unbarricaded, and out everyone crept with Gerard as a guide. A couple of turns, and agitated voices were heard from another room. Murderhobos... Kiara scouted to confirm, and the party got the jump on them. Thorn Slept them. 

Shoulda upped their level.

Anyhow, they were bound and relieved of weapons. Gerard disdainfully recovered looted items from the chapel. No scroll or jade tube, though. Gerard suggested that it may be hidden among other offerings and relics elsewhere in the shrine.

But first, some murderhobo questioning. A halfling was shaken awake and questioned. He admitted that they were just looting the place, but were set upon by giant beetles. Two of their gang had been slain. 

Well, maybe we should feed you to the beetles for desecrating this space... Erol vetoes this - being lawful and all. "We're trying to rebrand here." 

Gerard insisted that the beetles be dealt with. Ok, we're exterminators now. More exploring, and an old storeroom was found to have been tunneled into. Four dog-sized beetles burst from the tunnel and attacked. 

surprise!

The fight was on, with much missing and whacking against hard carapaces. Three PCs rolled Nat1s, breaking and losing weapons. 

Finally, the beetles were slain. In time for Mama to burst through the wall (horse-sized beetle). And here we go again. Somehow no one died? Mama Beetle was finally taken down, and the party searched the burrow, finding some minor loot, and destroying some remaining eggs.

The rest of the complex was cleared, and Gerard took them to a chamber with a pool. This is where the goddess sometimes grants boons. 

The whole picture

Erol was game, receiving Advantage on her Light spell. Bjorr didn't feel anything. Thorn received +1 for melee attacks, always good for a weakling wizard. Anyway, his staff is currently two escrima sticks. Among the offerings in the pool was a jade scroll tube. Gerard gifted it to the party in thanks. 

On the way out, Drom asked Gerard if he knew of the lost cities. Gerard paused and thought. Of course, my parents told me old stories of them. Great cities of knowledge and influence. They became decadent and fell, and were buried by the Cold Desert. If any of them are still extant, they will be far to the north.

The Adventurers collected the murderhobos for transport to the nearest authorities. Sometime during the night on Kiara's watch, they "escaped."

Back to Bettiholme...

DM Notes - 

Semi-prepared for this one. The adventure prep was essentially playtest for a half-written draft I've had knocking around. Again, some familiar random resources to fill in the blanks. 

Next session, perhaps northward it is... Otherwise, Tim Shorts sent me a dropbox of about 40 barrows, so that should keep the party entertained.

Oh, and we arrived to the game to find our play-space double booked with a large party. Although we considered murderhoboing and raiding the catering, calmer minds prevailed.

We ended up outside under a heat lamp. Thankfully, even though it was a drizzly night, we were under cover. And we're in the Northwet. We manage. Also, thankfully everyone was a repeat player, so we rolled with it. Gotta appreciate that.