Mandras was chomping at the bit to return to the sea grottos, Umphred and Knuckles needed some avenging. Konrad and Rarder were off in some Eyrish pub, getting tanked. He and the Koko coy were joined by Juttery, Harlin, Henry and Simon – all younger brothers in arms. Another bash at Gaspard was not practical. However, Mandras remembered that they had left a large pile of coin in Malachie’s chamber and suggested it might be an easier way to get everyone blooded.
They marched to Ximes and spent the night before striking out through the forest. When they arrived at the site of the dungeon, Mandras and Koko were surprised to see that the marshland had all been replaced by sand…. Taking the usual entrance down, they pondered the issue and remembered that when Malachie swallowed the cursed shield, things had started to crystalize into fine sand… Oh well, onwards.
Entering the fire beetle room, the carcasses were still there, but their innards had been consumed and fresh sandy footprints were to be found. Taking the SW door, they followed the corridor. The humid smell was gone. What was new was the sound of voices from a W facing room a short way ahead.
Juttery the thief was prodded into sneaking up for a peek, with Mandras behind him for moral support. The room held four figures in chain, wearing blue cloaks and bearded masks. They were deep in discussion… but not as deep as the party shortly became… debating what to do for so long that surprise would be lost. Ultimately, everyone voted that Mandras (who was more minded to go in and deal some death) should go in and parlay. He casually rapped on the door frame with his sword. Startled, they formed a shieldwall at the back of the room. Clearing his throat, Mandras asked for parlay in five different languages – they understood Lawful and called up their boss Kinadius. After a lengthy exchange explaining they had killed Malachie and were here for their treasure, Kinadius offered to hire the party to cleanse the temple of the 3 other cults. As they were about to sign a contract, in good and just lawful manner (no ideas where the lawyers could be hiding), 13 giant cicadas flew in from the corridor, knocking the watchman Simon for six.
The melee was very confusing in such a tight space. Twelve party members, 5 cultists and 13 cicadas… there wasn’t room to swing a cat any more… After a protracted fight, one cultist lay dead, as did Koko’s Gebea and 12 of the cicadas.
- The contract was concluded that the party would receive 30% of Malachie’s treasure for each cult eliminated. Mandras grumbled into his beard that we already earned all the treasure, while others were already glibly plotting to double cross the lawful cult – much to Mandras’ annoyance.