We’ve awoken in the house, and continued on with our investigation. Sure enough, we found a secret door leading to an attic, and there, we found the children’s room. The children, Rose and Thorn, were locked in their bedroom and starved to death. It sickened me to realize how terrible their family was and hoped they found some peace in whatever afterlife awaits them.
Sadly, that is not the case, for their spirits haunted their bedroom. They were supportive of us and showed the way to the basement, which can only be accessed through a secret door. When we tried to leave, Rose and Thorn grew agitated, for they were afraid of being left behind. Rose ended up possessing Eliza, and I was possessed by Thorn.
I am thankful to say that the possession still left me in control, but Thorn left a notable impact in my head. I was suddenly afraid of everything, including the stairs that led down to the basement. Titus chided me for my childish fear, and I do not blame him at all. I hate to share the details even in my journal about my fear of everything, but I will say that there were times where I broke into tears because I was so afraid. As a paladin of Torm, who took an oath to destroy any evil plague that threatens the common people, this was highly embarrassing. Eliza was of great help during this shift of personality. I am certain her possession made her more assertive and she helped me through my fears.
Thankfully, our possessions did not last for long. We ended up finding the tombs the children were supposed to be buried in. We brought their corpses to the tombs and laid them to rest, and the ghosts left us be. I am thankful that my courage returned to me and pray to Torm for forgiveness for my weakness. I hope that I may never experience such overwhelming fear again.
We searched the remaining tombs, which belonged to the rest of the family. We were briefly assailed by a swarm of insects. There was an extra tomb, which had Titus’ name engraved on the door. The tomb was empty, although Titus swore that his corpse was in the coffin. I hope that my companion was only just seeing things, although I’m not sure what that means for us.
Over time, we explored the rest of the basement, with ominous chanting keeping us on our toes. We encountered a grick, which Len and the boy were able to deal with their magic. Titus unlocked several treasure chests of treasure belonging to the cultists. Titus deemed that the silver shortsword would go to me, which I am sure will prove to be valuable. We both chided Len for wanting to wear an eyepatch with a gem and use a hairbrush with silver bristles. They were treasure to be sold, not to be used, and I am sure that once we find a merchant, we will have plenty of gold coins to go around.
We grew closer to the source of the chanting after encountering a pack of ghouls that we dispatched with ease. I still hear the chanting in my head at night. “He is the Ancient. He is the Land.” We went deeper into the house’s basement, to find a room of shallow water blocked by a portcullis. I lifted up the portcullis for the group, and we arrived on a platform with an altar. The chanting changed as spectral figures emerged. “One must die! One must die!” The spirits of the cultists were calling for us to sacrifice one of our own.
Of course, given our bond from our shared adventures, and our will to live, we would not entertain the notion of sacrificing one of our own. In turn, the cultists unleashed a beast upon us called Lorgath the Decayer. We were tired by this point, so we knew fighting it head on would not help. Titus and Len led the group to a secret door that served as a better exit than the sealed portcullis. I realized that Lorgath could attack us as we entered, so I made the choice to hold the line against the monster so my companions could escape.
Lorgath and I traded blows. Even with a portion of Torm’s divinity strengthening my blows and powers, Lorgath was too strong, and he nearly downed me in a single blow. Titus told me to run through the door, which I told him that I couldn’t do so and close the door in time. Len would close the door for me as I slipped through Lorgath’s grasp and entered the secret room as Len closed the door.
We were not safe yet though. I could sense Lorgath heading towards the portcullis, and after enduring a single strike from the monster, I knew it could easily tear down the metal gate. I healed myself to the best of my ability as I quickly rushed over to join the fray. The rest of the group was wearing down Lorgath the Decayer with everything they had, but the monster approached to the point that Titus and the boy were running by the time I arrived. Lorgath would continue to stalk us as long as it lived, so I knew that I must destroy it for good. I called upon Torm’s blessing for one last time, and charged forward with my halberd. With a single strike, I utterly destroyed Lorgath, which was only made possible through my companions weakening it down for me.
The group congratulated me on my victory, which I am thankful for. We then decided to rest for the night. I wanted to leave this cursed house after everything we’ve been through. Titus, however, was insistent on searching a few remaining rooms for any treasure. I hope that whatever treasure we find will be worth our time.
Chance The Podcaster 