Adventure 18 - The Veiled Spire

1st Month (Bright Moon) 37th - 2nd Month (Harbinger) 3rd

Heading north, through the Soulspine, the party made their way toward the tower of the Apocryphal Mage, the Veiled Spire. It was there that Cain's quest to find the halfling explorer, Etimund Renn, would come to an end. Through the forest they traveled, until the spire loomed over the treetops, standing a full 80 feet above the ground. The spire was a single column of gray and blue stone, with wooden beams extending out beyond the edge of the top, suspending lanterns some 20 to 30 feet below.

Upon arriving at the spire, the party saw a gruesome scene. Several bodies, lying lifeless on the ground near the base of the tower, were being eaten by some wild animals. There were four trollhounds feasting on their remains, only stopping once they recognized that more prey had arrived. The party interrupted their dinner, and the beasts attacked. Though dangerous to lesser adventurers, the party were able to take down the trollhounds with minimal damage to their group.

Among those who had died, the body of Etiund Reen was found. Cain was able to retrieve the family medallion from his body, and provide a proper burial for the halfling explorer. From there, they set their sights on the tower itself.

It seemed someone was watching though. Shortly after the battle was over, a small scroll was thrown down to the PCs. It read "The bodies are starting to smell. Please remove them." The PCs moved forward, intent on exploring the spire itself. But they were greeted with animosity from the start. Upon opening and entering the front door, they set off two traps. An arrow of acid stuck Mordin, while a symbol of pain was revealed to all of the party. Fortunately, the symbol had no effect.

Once inside, another note was thrown to the party. This was read, "The door upstairs is locked, try to get the key. Don't squeeze too hard." With that, a small construct made of bone and feathers shaped like a chicken was released in the room; around its neck was a small key. Rather then trying to catch it, Ryoma drew out his bow, fired an arrow, and destroyed the creation. Doing so set off a trap which detonated fire into the room, injuring most of the other PCs. The key was destroyed as well. Panan was able to pick the lock to the door, and they were all able to proceed.

On the second floor, the PCs found another scroll. This one stated simply, "Remember to duck." The ground itself was nothing but hot coals which caused damage to anyone who walked - or crawled -upon it. As the PCs found out, there were several two sided, automatically resetting traps which attacked down to 3 1/2 feet from the ground. Those who were short enough to walk under them only needed to be concerned with the coals.

Some of the PCs braved the threats head on, while others used alternative tactics to minimize damage from heat, and removing traps wherever possible. The layout of the floor was long maze, so many of the PCs suffered numerous injuries from the heat or from the sword traps along the way, but all survived. Onto the third floor they went.

There, they found another scroll stating that "You won't see it coming." The PCs immediately noticed that the floor was dominated by an obscuring mist which was actually a permanent illusion. Above the mist were two large constructs capable of firing large arrows at those below who could not see the attack. After fumbling through the maze of walls, and taking a few shots from the constructs, the PCs were able to find the far wall, and the stairs up to the next level. Cain even floated above the walls (which were only 10 feet tall) which also was above the obscuring mist. Though the constructs did a bit of damage, the PCs survived this level relatively unscathed.

The top floor awaited. Upon arriving, the PCs heard a voice call out, "I am your target". This came from a small, advanced imp who was hiding behind a large, augmented stone golem. The imp used the golem as a buffer, hiding behind it and taking shots at the party from afar. The golem, though slow-moving, was more than capable of handling itself in combat, but it had to rely on the commands from the imp in order to act. Throughout the combat, the imp command the golem to move and strike at specific targets.

After a short period of cat-and-mouse with the imp, it was eventually taken down, and killed. Without the imp to command it, the stone golem stopped its aggression. The Veiled Spire had been conquered. However, the death of the imp would not sit well with the Apocryphal Mage (who was a member of the Cult of the Arcane faction).