"This seems...odd." Ehrendil remarks at the lack of activity. He nocks an arrow, and watches behind the group for an ambush. "What does it say?" he asks, referring to the parchment.

As Zeb awaited the reading of the parchment, his detached hand floated up to rest beside Makari's on Gorm's shoulder.

Gorm and Makari read the scroll and relay the contents to the others.

"Are you seeking enlightenment? Are you yearning for a deeper understanding of the world and your place within it? Look no further, for the Chapel of the Crushing Wave beckons you to embrace the truth that lies beneath the surface.

As the waves of the ocean relentlessly shape the shores, so too does the power of elemental water shape our destinies. Within these hallowed halls, you will discover the ancient wisdom of the deep waters and the great revelations they hold.

Step inside and let your mind be opened to the boundless mysteries of the abyss. Our esteemed priestess, Drosnin, offers her fervent guidance, leading seekers like yourself on a journey of transformation and enlightenment.

Join us as we explore the unstoppable force of the Crushing Wave and uncover the truths hidden beneath the tumultuous surface of the seas. Dare to challenge the conventional and embrace the unyielding power of elemental water.

The time for hesitation has passed. Seize this opportunity to unlock the secrets of the deep waters and embark on a path of enlightenment unlike any other. Your destiny awaits within these sacred walls."

Zeb snorted at the message. "Can't wait stick this trident straight up their portal. Reckon they'll understand that."

Ehrendil laughed, "I agree, Zeb!"

The ranger asks the longest-serving member of the party, "Morg, have you heard the name Drosnon before? I wonder if she is Gar Shatterkeel's replacement?

Although, it doesn't matter. We're here to avenge the halflings and to destroy their portal."

"I don't remember hearing of a Drosnin." Morg says. "Are we sure the new priestess is responsible for the attack on the halflings? If not, then I don't think we should take first blood."

Faith looked at the letter and snorted. "Wow....thats the best they could do? It's not even that creative?" She shrugged. "You ask me, it's a bit 'wishy-washy'."

When Zeb spoke, she smiled. "Oh, i knew i liked you Zeb!"

Makari had read the note out loud. But there was a frown on his face while he did so, that deepened the further on he read. After a small pause, "This is...what? An advertisement? For recruitment?" He shook his head with a sigh.

"Well. Shall we see what there is to see?"

Zeb smiled at faith, his tiny fist floating up to the tiefling's chest level to offer itself up for a bump.

Morg heads down again to the underground lake.

"The halflings were wiped out after we left this place. After Gar Shatterkeel was killed. If this Drosnin is in charge she will be held accountable for what happened."

Faith smiled and returned teh fist bump to the halfling.

She then follows teh dwarven figure. "Don't steal all the fun morg....i want to taunt them before we kick their asses."

The group enters the keep and immediately sees another ramshackle sign, this one pointing the way around the stables. Rounding the corner, a second sign points to the chapel opposite the doors to the interior keep. Morg marches straight towards the doors to the latter structure, presumably intending to descent the stairs beyond the secret door to return to the underground lake.

---

I updated the Loot thread to officially remove any items that now should be in individual inventories.

I'm assuming everyone will follow Morg down, unless folks want to post otherwise. Map updated.

Zeb followed Morg eagerly. He was curious to see what was going on at the chapel as well but wished to be rid of the trident first. That way, if worse came to worse, at least the artifact would not fall into unfriendly hands.

Makari hesitated for just a moment. He then gave a shrug of his shoulders and nodded, muttering to himself. "six to one, half dozen the others, we'll hit all the areas eventually."

He followed after the dwarf and the others. He kept his senses alert as he moved, gripping his quarterstaff in one hand.

Ehrendil lets the others move ahead, content to watch the rear, in case there were some cultists in the upper part of the Keep that wanted to follow them. A slight smile appears on the elf's face, "Let them come, they will pay!" he says mostly to himself. He spins an arrow around his finger as the group heads down.

Faith had trust in her new friends, and went after the dwarf without hesitation. She spoke to him in his native tougne, but had a smile on her face. [Language unknown: "At unome red m reaourter Lar, ard ivadit fimaic la ain hita ai ek ut wh whica"]

[Language unknown: "I atiwerres yinverart reacur the ni butpo ekand."] Morg says, grinning.

The group retraces their steps through the now-empty keep, the secret stair, and the underground river. Stepping out of their boats in the underground cavern, the previous signs of battle here such as dead bodies and the like have been cleared.

---

Map updated. Note the second slide with a wider view of the extent of the cavern explored thus far.

Where to?

Morg tries to listen for sounds not from the water or party, and then asks Ehrendil if he knows the direction and distance to the portal.

---

10:15, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 5 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 1.  Perception check listening for others.
Edit: grammar.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:16, Sat 18 May.

Faith follows the dwarf down, her rapier in her belt she frowned as they went. "You know....you boys take me to the nicest places." She says with a sarcastic smile

Makari looked around, still gripping his quarterstaff in hand. "hm. who cleaned up all the bodies and blood?" Then he shut his mouth.

He gave Faith a look and gesture that seemed to say 'Don't look at me'.

He vaguely thought there were a couple places they hadn't explored as well but for now was happy to go with the flow towards the portal.

10:53, Today: Secret Roll: Makari rolled 22 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 16.  Perception.

Replying to Morg, Ehrendil says, "When we were last here, we were in the altar room when I detected the portal; it was over 500 yards below us. I suggest we return there. I recall a door off to the side that we did not investigate as we were interrupted by Thuluna and her troll friends.

Of course, we need to be careful that we don't run into Bronzefume, as he is expecting 500 gold from us!" Looking to Faith, he adds, "Bronzefume is a very large dragon turtle."

Other than the waters gently lapping at the crumbling stone around the lake, the group can detect no other sounds or movement nearby.

The floor bears signs of rough cleaning, bodies dragged off, etc.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:30, Mon 20 May.

"Let us investigate now, then. The sooner we are rid of this blasted trident, the better." Zeb recalled with a shudder the grasping claws of the gargoyles.