RC Karyst: Bones of the earth

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Within the confines of the earthen mound, the party settles down for a much needed rest. Before laying down for his rest, Jibreel makes another attempt to decipher the magics within the blue crystal globe. He studies it intensely for several minutes, but is unable to unlock its secrets; frustrated, he kicks the globe across the room, where it careens off the far wall. Under the glare of his party members, Jibreel retrieves the globe, and reports that it is intact, and undamaged.

With the watch rotation set, Devious bravely concedes to the first shift. Fortunately, the time passes peacefully, and the party awakens some 10 hours later, ready to move on. Pausing again to examine the blue globe, Jibreel is finally able to determine that the enchantments laid upon it are identical to those of the yellow globe found in the bear mound.

Upon exiting the mound marked with the wolf symbol, the group returns to the surface; the night air is slightly chilly, though the sky, cloudless as it is, is bright with the light of the moon. Deciding to continue on, they move to investigate the mound marked with the deer symbol. In the bright moonlight, the enormous, primative chalk drawing is eerily illuminated.

Devious carefully searches about the mound, looking for an entrance of some sort. After several moments, his diligence is rewarded as he spies a small, suspect depression on one side of the earthern hill. With the aid of Kahraman and Rhwydd, the area is quickly cleared of loose earth and stone, revealing a clear, if rough, opening that leads down and under the deer-mound. After much discussion on marching order, and the possible presence of giant skeletons, a lantern is brought forth and the group descends once again under the earth.

The passageway reveals itself to be quite large, increasing to a height of over 12' by the time the group reaches the bottom of the first passage. Long, musty and strewn with a light dusting of dirt, the passageway makes two right turns, bringing the party back in the direction from whence they came. Here they find a long, narrow chamber (20' by 10'); against the west wall stands another large, crude statue, its outstretched arms bearing a stone cup. To the north east is another exit from the chamber.

Kahraman and Devious carefully examine the statue, but are unable to locate anything of interest. Frustrated by his efforts, Kahraman takes the lead and exits the chamber to the north east. Turning the corner, he finds another chamber, this one a fair bit larger. A giant skeleton, standing against the east wall of the chamber, spies the intruder and advances rapidly on him; Kahraman quickly places the lantern on the floor behind him, and readies himself for the coming onslaught.

Heeding their comrade's call, the rest of the party quickly forms up behind and around him, and a mighty battle is engaged. Kahraman is seriously wounded, but remains in the fight, chipping away at the skeleton's bones; Ratheof bashes away at the creatures kness, and the priestess Rhwydd causes the undead considerable grief with a grenade of holy water. Varg charges the skeletal giant, cleaving large chunks of bone. Finally, Rhwydd invokes the righteous wrath of her goddess, Riva, driving the skeleton back, while Ratheof hammers away at it's shins. With the enormous fiend backed against the wall, Kahraman delivers the final blow, and the monstrosity collapses in a heap of bones.

With the undead guardian safely disposed of, the party members tend to their wounds, and begins to examine this new chamber.

Located in the northern portion is a large stone sarcophagus; large enough for a small giant perhaps. A huge stone slabe lay across the top, although is has split in two, one half having fallen into the coffin. A close inspection of the contents reveals a large pile of bones, as well as two leather sacks.

The first sack contains a rose coloured globe; the second, a large sum of gold coins and an iron ring with a goat's head carved upon it.

While Devious and Rhwydd admire the iron ring, Jibreel examines the globe, and determines it is identical to the others, except in colour. Devious hand the ring to Jibreel, who begins an extensive exmaination. After several minutes of study, Jibreel comes to the conclusion that the ring is indeed quite magical: imbued with two strong enchantments, he believes that when activated it would cause a force, not unlike a charging ram, to strike forth from the ring-bearer's hands.

Still excited from their recent encounter, and from the first indication of any wealth within the barrow mounds, the group once again re-surfaces, with their eyes on the last remaining marked mound: the sun mound.