Thunsheer 28, 835
In the morning, as Question and the companions were headed to Betrayer’s Rise, ACHU noticed a drow following them. She introduced herself as Sarielle, Verin’s protégé, and asked us to let her accompany us to Betrayer’s Rise. After some questioning and debate, they agreed and she joined them as they entered.
Near the entrance, Blackavar was abducted by tentacles from the mist and the companions were attacked by gibbering mouthers. After defeating the aberrations, Tok descended into the mist where he found a large carving of Gruumsh’s head with the mouth opening into a passageway. Tok flew back up to his companions with a Vrock chasing him.
After defeating the Vrock, the companions took a rest in the chamber to the north. While they were resting, Tymlor cast Detect Magic and Identify, and sacrificed a magnifying glass to open a passage further north. Meanwhile, two harengon entered carrying Blackavar. Torlar and Jenah said they were taking him to fulfill his destiny.
Examining the northwest alcove, they found the following message scrawled in Abyssal on the writhing back wall: "To me, touch your hand. To me, relinquish hope. To you, accept death. To you, invite hollowness."
They headed north through the newly opened passage beyond the skull-shaped vase. After some twists and turns, it opened into a long chamber filled with two rows of black stone pillars. At the far end was a large stained glass window depicting swirling images around nine symbols. Faint music filled the hall and as they approached, four large flame figures in ornate brass braziers beckoned them to dance. After some failed attempts at dancing, the flames provided clues to the symbols on the window. They touched the symbols of Lolth, Gruumsh, Tharizdun, and Torog, in order, and the window parted, revealing a passageway beyond.
The walls of the passageway were decorated with carvings of chained bodies and the floor was covered in black chains. At the far end, a wailing sound came from a circular hole in the floor. Tok flew over, with the others following behind. When Tymlor entered the passageway, he fell groveling to his knees and barely escaped the chains that rose up from the floor to ensnare him. Once on the other side, they secured their ropes and made their way down to the chamber one hundred feet below..
The wailing was much louder, coming from the mouth of a large statue in the middle of a large chamber, about fifty feet wide and twice as long. The marble statue was shaped like a man on his knees, with arms chained behind his back, and hooks in his lips and eyes. In its chest were iron double doors. Surrounding the statue were giant stone arms, its hands filled with pustules. There were passageways to the right, left, and on the far side.
As the Clockwork companions stepped closer to the chamber, they began to attack their companions uncontrollably. First Tok attacked Question. Then Question retaliated against Tok, activating her tattoos. Then Sarielle attacked. ACHU cast Beacon of Hope and they eventually gained control of themselves or were subdued. Finally, ACHU and Tymlor made it beyond the statue.
Tymlor cast Tiny Hut so the Clockwork companions could rest in safety from their fight. When they recovered he emerged and began to Fire Bolt the statue's mouth in an attempt to stop the wailing. When that had no effect, he began to firebolt the hands. Once all the pustules were destroyed, the iron double doors in the statue's chest unlocked.
Tymlor glanced inside the double doors and saw a narrow passageway that descended into a gradual turn a short ways in.
Sarielle noticed the hilt of a sword sticking out from under the statue's leg. With Tok’s assistance, she easily pulled the ornate hilt out revealing very finely crafted long sword. Tymlor cast Identify on it, revealing a minor enchantment.
ACHU needed more time to recover, so Tymlor cast Tiny Huts two more times, so that everyone could get a full night’s sleep, which was difficult with the constant wailing.
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