Tienarth’s Raiders waited for several days, anchored near Hestrin Island until food stores ran low. The sailed for the Naked Isle with the captured ship in tow. Unfortunately, a fierce storm struck on the second day, and the ship was lost. The pirates were rescued, and all hands made it back to the Naked Isle on the third day (6/2).
During a week of rest, one ton of garlic was traded for 142 man/weeks of rations for a return voyage. The pirates were set free to stay on the Naked Isle. The new expedition included Tienarth, Hocuspo, Ollie, Saul, Ferris, Nate, Aderian plus the regular crew of three dwarves and two elves. Aderian’s personal knowledge of the route made it an easy trip back to the island with no incidents. They arrived as the sun hit its high point on the third day (6/9). As before, the tomb was undisturbed in their absence. The tapestries were still in shreds, but the stone snakes had disappeared.
Saul applied a magical protection against poison to Aderian who could then approach the dais without fear of being slowed. The snakes appeared again, but he deftly lept up to snatch the papers and then climbed down before the snakes could land any bites. Tienarth cautiously read through the papers. Each of them bore a short thought for Hestrin.
“May Hestrin find solace beyond the veil, where shadows and light intertwine.”
“Was half your treasure and a third of your precious ring worth my services, dear Hestrin? Death shall never conquer me! Signed, Carrasthinian”
“Blessed be Hestrin, the enigma who danced on the precipice of morality.”
“You black heart, Hestrin! Escape on the backs of your mindless servants but you shall never reach me in my prison cave.”
“May the djinn forgive Hestrin’s deceitful ways, for even the wicked seek redemption.”
“In life, Hestrin hoarded gold like a dragon, yet perhaps his heart weighed heavier than his coffers.”
“Grant Hestrin passage to the celestial realm, where his earthly sins may be washed away.”
“Though Hestrin’s heart was as cold as winter, may warmth embrace him in the afterlife.”
“Hestrin’s cunning led him astray, but perhaps the divine scales can still tip in his favor.”
“To the gods, we offer Hestrin’s name—a paradox of virtue and vice.”
“Forgive Hestrin’s treachery, for even the moon waxes and wanes.”
“In death, may Hestrin’s soul find balance, like a ship navigating stormy seas.”
Prayers for Hestrin
A profile of Hestrin emerged from these notes. Nate recognized the name Carrasthinian, which he identified as the lich they fought on another island. With the papers in hand, there seemed little point in fighting the stone snakes. Saul observed they could be avoided by walking the perimeter of the circular room, assembling on the east side where the corridor turned north and widened again.
Soon, they came to a closed door, beyond which was a small room with 14 statues, seven to a side, arranged in two semicircles. The statues were of wealthy nobles in fine jewlry and real clothing. Another door could be seen across the room. Aderian walked into the room, and two of the statues came to life. The two statues met in the middle of the room and began dancing. A retreat was made, and the statues returned to their spots.
One by one, the adventurers crossed the room. They knew something evil was in the air, but they knew not what. Saul’s lion collapsed into sleep as she crossed the room, as did Tienarth. They were both dragged into the northern hallway. Fortunately, a brisk slap chased away the dreams. The party moved deeper into the tomb.
The next room held three fountains. Two gurgled with fresh water. A green slime covered dark water in the third. They made a hasty crossing of this room, noting how the third fountain sputtered to life as the entered. Perhaps they regarded the room as only a trap, because they gave it little more thought as they approached the tenth room. In this wide room stood four statues, four to the east and four to the west. They matched the statues seen in the entrance: four humans and four members of the demi-races.
Aderian crossed the room to an open hallway on the north wall. He whirled at the first sign of movement from the statues. The party sprung into action, expecting battle. Nate cast a circle of silence upon one of the statues that appeared to be a magic user. Hocuspo attempted a slowing spell. The status of an elf mage let loose a fireball into the southern hallway, scorching most of the party. Tienarth countered with a haste spell.
Aderian rushed a statue that looked like a cleric, landing a mighty blow, but the statue answered with a hold spell that left the pirate stiff and unable to move. Hocuspo, though generally frail, dashed out to grab Aderian, dragging him out of the room. Unfortunately, the statue of a halfling thief was just fast enough to follow and to draw his sword across Aderian’s throat.
Meanwhile, the elven magic user read from a scroll, producing a globe of protection. The statues of humans moved around somewhat aimlessly under the magical silence. Then, Tienarth brought forth a wall of fire. Those under the protection globe were unhurt. The other foes took some damage and charged. In the end, the statues stood no chance. They were busted up. Jewels tumbled out of their hollow insides. Those and their belongings were gone over and packed up.
When the wall of fire dissipated, the party made a camp and posted watches. They stayed that night in the tomb, despite and creepy atmosphere. Nate tended to wounds. Aderian’s body was kept safe. They counted on having enough time to return to the Naked Isle where Zhargrave could bring him back. Although there was clearly at least one more room to the tomb, they turned south and left the tomb. On the way out, Tienarth used a magic lock on the doors.
Saul’s friend, the albatross, provided adequate navigation back to the Naked Isle in three days (6/11 – 6/13). During the journey, Tienarth identified the items taken from the statues. Some of the armor and weapons were magical.
After arriving back on the Naked Isle, two remarkable events occurred. First, Zhargrave performed the miracle of raising the dead. Aderian recovered and seemed unhurt. Second, Saul’s albatross performed a strange ritual. He disgorged six small frogs in slow sequence.
End Notes
- Days
- 5/19 – 5/30 Boats anchored at Hestrin Island
- 5/31 – 6/6 Sail back to the Naked Isle and downtime
- 6/7 – 6/12 Expedition to Hestrin Island
- 6/13 Aderian raised from the dead
- Treasure
- 50,000 gp worth of gems taken from inside the statues
- Ordinary plate armor, shield and mace
- Leather Armor +1 and an ordinary short sword
- Ordinary plate armor, shield and a longsword +1
- Dagger
- Chain mail +1, Shield +1, Warhammer
- Dwarf-sized chain mail +1, shield +2, short sword, scroll of protection from lycanthropes
- Halfing-sized leather armor +1, battle axe
- Dagger
- Combat: 4,440 xp
- 8 Level 6 NPCs 555 xp each
- Characters (7 shares of 634 xp)
- Aderian (human, fight, up front) 710 xp
- Ferris (human, from behind) 704 xp
- Hocuspo (npc) 317 xp
- Nate (human, protect, fight) 710 xp
- Ollie (underground, fight, lead) 653 xp
- Saul and Lion (human) 697 xp
- Tienarth (magic collector, serene, avoid combat) 653 xp
- Ships
- The Garlic Frog (Caravel)
- Crew/Passengers: 5/ 8
- Hit Points: 68/75
- Cargo: 53 of 75 tons
- Food: 130 man/weeks
- Water: 5000 gallons
- 22 tons of sugar, 5 tons of cocoa, 5 tons of cotton
- The Ranger (Caravel)
- Crew/Passengers: 0/ 0
- Cargo: 40 of 75 tons
- Food: – man/weeks
- Water: – gallons
- 39 tons of garlic in 40 barrels
- The Garlic Frog (Caravel)