The Golem's Lair - Attention Brad

Deslocke is at Corona Keep the day after the party returns from slaying the Flesh Golem. Deslocke is interested in learning more about the events that are taking place so he will gather some guards...
Deslocke will ask Whey and Reptis if they are willing to lead a small detachment of Corona Keep soldiers back to the site where the golem was killed. If even just one of them is willing, then Deslocke will offer 5 GP a man to up to four off duty guardsmen that wish to come along. Therefore our group could number seven, Deslocke, Whey, Reptis, and four soldiers. Deslocke will also invite Espirti and Melody the bard to come along to look at the paintings too, they would be the eighth and ninth members of the group. (note, Melody would probably be treated as a 4th level Rogue with Streetwise, Knowledge Arcana, and Knowledge History). Deslocke will offer Melody copies of his sketches of the paintings and first choice of any leftover artifacts we find that the party left behind.

We will bring four extra mules and use them as decoys in case we run into more land sharks. Since none of us are riding special horses, mules and horses will be sacrificed before we engage in a lengthy battle with land sharks. Assuming no encounters, Deslocke and Melody will examine the paintings carefully, even taking the time to copy them into a sketch book. Any other artifacts or features of note that the party missed will be taken with us or written down. Before leaving, we'll bar the door, seal it with a wax seal, and then shovel quite a bit of dirt back into the hole. We will then return to the keep.

Let me know if Deslocke finds out any further information of use...

At Corono Keep, after hearing Deslocke's offer, Whey says that he'll be happy to lead a group of guards to keep Deslocke safe. If no one is wearing the Coat of Arnn, Whey will wear it. Whey will bring extra lanterns so they can see underground. Whey will tell Captain Arnn where they are going and that the armor, despite its name, does not belong to Captain Arnn. Whey will ask Captain Arnn to send out a strong search party if the group hasn't returned or sent word by the morning of the third day. Whey will try to convince Reptis and Espirit to go too.

Nevin would certainly go as well if he were asked.

Who's Melody the Bard? Is she an NPC under Mandarin?

Also, don't think your two PC's can really interact by going on an adventure together. Your kind of falling into your old henchmen/follower habits Stu.

Deslocke, still standing in the courtyard, sees that Nevin has overheard Deslocke's invitation to Espirit and sees the Nevin is anxious to go. Deslocke says "Nevin, if you wish to go, you are more than welcome to, please try to keep up with your short stumpy legs. "
Melody is an NPC Bard (see People, Places and Things) who lives at the keep. She has appeared several times to relay information to the party to kick off adventures. Deslocke thinks she is a good selection to go as she has knowledge in many areas, knows the local terrain, can take care of herself in a fight, and is a beautiful woman to boot.
Deslocke, not being an official NCO or leader of the keep, has no authority to lead troops. As such, Deslocke needs either Reptis, Whey, or other recognized leader to go along. Stuart the player didn't want this little trip to turn into a major adventure, that's why I was trying to select mostly NPC's and my own PC's. I'd rather the next Brad adventure further the storyline than go back to somewhere that we have already been. Kinda wanted to do this "out of game".

If it's a big problem that Deslocke is asking Whey to lead a team of guards, then Whey will get "distracted" and decide to go drinking in the town with Gabby instead. It's not like Deslocke is selling Whey his Rod of Corruption or anything... .

Reptis will report to Lord Corona and inform him of Deslocke's intent to perform archaeological research on the unearthed ancient room. Reptis will also ask if he can lead the small group of escort troops that Deslocke has requested.

Brad, as DM, you'll have to decide how Lord Corona would rule, but as the lair is very, very close to the keep, I would think that he would want it further investigated. Reptis is one of his trusted elites and Deslocke is footing the bill for soldiers who are otherwise off duty. Assuming Lord Corona agrees, it appears the group will be:

Deslocke, Nevin, Reptis, Espirit (if Ken posts), Melody, and 4 Level 1 Human Soldiers (most likely Light Cav.). There will be four extra mules to haul back stuff and to be used as decoys in case of more land sharks. We will also be sure to bring lanterns, sketch pads, charcoal, quill and ink, empty bags and signal horns (in case we need to call for help). The trip should be uneventful, but we'll be on guard just in case. After arriving there, the clerics will head down first, just in case there are still some undead lurking. Again, let us know what we learn.

Espirit is very busy with his magical studies, but will accompany the group if it fits into his schedule.

Selling and buying an item for auction to anyone who wants to bid is different than specifically interacting with another PC you control. Still waiting for anyone else to bid more. Anyone anyone?

Teramotos wrote:Again, let us know what we learn.

As suspected, since it was collapsing as soon as the party grabbed the chain armor, you get there & find a bunch of concaved, collapsed rubble. You estimate that room was built at least several centuries ago & held in pristine condition with powerful magic. That magic gone, the shiney metal doors are all but piles of rust, remnants of the stone stairs are still there, but cracked & broken, and the ante room & foyer are completely burried in earth. Were you to bother digging it up, you suspect it's in the same state at the stairs & doors near the surface.
You didn't need Esprit's knowledge arcane to deduce power magic surrounded that room, and you suspect that the 'purely coincidental' discovery by the party might have been divinely anticipated all those centuries ago. The sentient armor you found there relays to it's wearer that it has a mission, and the party pretty easily deduces that it has something to do with the new Dragonborn Kingdom (because of all the unusual Dragon & Dragonborn activity, plus what you remember of all the murals & paintings on the walls).

...too bad things got buried a little more than I suspected. We'll return to the keep then.