In the morning, Idnerth explained that a tomb a half-day into the mountain needed to be resealed. The Daring Friends, joined by Idnerth and Ssicarus, a yuan-ti sorcerer, headed toward the tomb. Ssicarus sent his invisible flying snake familiar to scout ahead.
After a few hours of traveling through the old tunnels, Ssicarus’s familiar spotted a gigantic snake further down the tunnel. Approaching the huge snake, Ssicarus cast Animal Friendship on it, charming it. It agreed to accompany the Daring Friends in exchange for some live food, which Balthasar and Dameron lead it to. After another two hours of travel, Idnerth noticed scraping and tapping from a nook to the east. Inside the nook were giant spiders. Ssicarus sent the snake to deal with the spiders. Meanwhile, Idnerth pointed to the tomb southeast through a doorway that had been blasted into. The air inside was cold. Idnerth detected traps in the area. Dameron noticed oddly placed bones and Camwise identified pressure plates. Hearing whispers from the corners, Balthasar cast Protection from Good and Evil, and following suit, Dameron cast Spirit Guardians. Camwise said he saw a bearded ghost and the lights went out. With Blindsight, Ssicarus attacked a Shadow. Idnerth cast Light on Balthasar’s sword. Balthasar slashed into a Shadow. Having killed a shadow with his Spirit Guardian, Dameron hit another with Sacred Flame. A ghost appeared and tried in vain to enter Idnerth, and sunk into the floor. Ssicarus cast Spirit Guardians and was cursed by a shadow. Two more shadows fell in Dameron’s Spirit Guardians. Idnerth cast Spiritual Weapon and destroyed a shadow. Dameron destroyed a shadow with Sacred Flame. Camwise lit a sconce with Fire Bolt. Shadows swarmed around Idnerth, cursing him. His Spiritual Weapon destroyed one of them. Balthasar lit the other brazier with a Fire Bolt, destroying the rest of the shadows. The ghost reappeared and was destroyed by Ssicarus’ Magic Missiles. As they descended the stairs, Camwise cast Detect Magic, sensing something magical in an urn. He retrieved a feather token from the urn and descended to a chamber below. Two statues of dwarven warriors radiated illusion magic. Approaching them, the first said, “Step not into the holds lest these be your ancestors,” and the second said, “Trespassers shall be struck down with stone and spirit.” Camwise cast Arcana Eye and explored the tomb beyond, finding a pair of crystalline spiders to the west. Camwise noticed that one of the sarcophagi was still sealed. Dameron heard voices coming from the west. Crystalline webs shot at Ssicarus, sticking him to the ground. Balthasar struck at the nearest crystal spider. Ssicarus used Misty Step to escape the webs and hit the spider with an Eldritch Blast. Idnerth cast Spirit Guardians. The spider tore into Balthasar. Dameron summoned his Spiritual Weapon. Ssicarus cast Shield to avoid a crystal web. Balthasar used his Garsp of the Storm to rip one of the spiders off the ceiling and slashed into its prone form along with Ssicarus. Dameron hit it with his Spiritual Weapon and used Shield to avoid webs from the other spider. Balthasar used his Grasp of the Storm to rip the farther spider off the wall toward him. Ssicarus hit both spiders with a Fireball, shattering the closer one. Idnerth engaged the last spider and smashed it with his hammer. Dameron’s Spirit Guardians burned the spider as his Shield blocked its claws. Balthasar circled around the spider and ran it through. In the distance, they could hear dwarven voices singing about gold. After harvesting reagents from the crystal spiders, the Daring Friends took a short rest. Once they were done, Camwise began examining a sarcophagus when they were interrupted by dwarven skeletons. As the first one charged, it tossed an axe toward Idnerth. Balthasar engaged, slashing into it with his sword. Camwise cast Fireball into the corridor. Dameron cast Spirit Guardians and used Shield to avoid an axe, recalling a premonition to avoid another. Ssicarus dropped the nearest skeleton. Idnerth dropped the nest skeleton. One of the fallen skeletons reformed but was quickly dropped again by Balthasar. Camwise hit another skeleton with a Fire Bolt. Dameron dropped a skeleton, but it reformed and hit him with its axe. Ssicarus slashed into the skeleton and sent his snake to snuff the fire in the two braziers to the south. A skeleton fell from Dameron’s Spirit Guardian. Idnerth called on his deity to turn the undead, but it had no effect. Balthasar slashed into the skeletal champion and disarmed it. Engaging, Camwise hit the champion with a Shocking Grasp. Dameron dropped one with his morning star and another fell to his Spirit Guardians. The champion summoned his axe back to its hand. A skeleton slashed Dameron with its axe. Ssicarus dropped the skeleton next to him. Flanking the champion, Idnerth smashed it with his hammer. Balthasar cut down the champion and the remaining skeleton crumbled. Idnerth animated the skeleton. With their attackers fallen, they resumed their inspection of the sarcophagus, while Dameron drank some healing potions. The sarcophagus had a hole in the bottom leading down. Ssicarus sent his snake to investigate and it quickly emerged reporting a short tunnel to the east that opened into a small chamber. Camwise cast Reduce on himself and explored the tunnel. Inside the chamber, Camwise found a latch and was able to open a secret door. He heard panicked breathing from beyond and called out to Balthasar. Balthasar climbed in and they found a scared young human girl. Using his Focusing Eye, Camwise cast Detect Thoughts. She tried to flee, but Balthasar restrained her and sent her through the tunnel out of the sarcophagus. Introducing herself as Moira, she said that she was abducted by dwarves and escaped them. Terrified, she said she was from Codeway. Camwise cast Mage Armor on her. Together, they ventured toward a large chamber to the south and west. Idnerth lit the braziers revealing two closed sarcophagi. Camwise cast Detect Magic, sensing a magical short sword, which Balthasar picked up. After resting for an hour, Dameron heard chittering sounds from beyond as a spider appeared out of nowhere. Balthasar immediately stabbed it to death and helped Camwise harvest it for reagents. When they were done, they explored the east, finding double doors leading to a web-filled chamber with other doors. As Balthasar led the way further east, Camwise veered off to the north. Leading the way down a passage to the west, Ssicarus was struck by blades thrust from the walls and used Misty Step to withdraw from the corridor. Idnerth entered the passage and deactivated a rune controlling the trap. To the north and south were six small chambers, each just large enough for a single sarcophagus, each slightly ajar. In the chamber beyond was a statue of a dwarven hero. A door to the west led to a bone-filled chamber with double doors to the south. Balathasar heard chanting coming from beyond. Beyond the southern doors, was a corridor with double doors to the west. A six-foot-tall dwarven statue flew at Balthasar, who slashed it with his blade. Idnerth dragged a bench to block the doors while his skeletal champion shot its crossbow at the statue. Dameron destroyed it with a Guiding Bolt. Idnerth cast Earth Barrier to block the door as another statue emerged, smashing Balthasar. As axes chopped at the doors, Camwise cast Haste on Balthasar, who slashed into the statue. Ssicarus released a Bless on his companions. Idnerth’s skeleton shot the statue and Dameron engaged and destroyed it with his morning star. Another statue emerged, engaging Balthasar as a horde of dwarven skeletons bashed down the door. Balthasar cast Blur and slashed into the statue. Idnerth cast Shield of Faith on himself. Dameron blasted the statue, horde, and a champion with a Lightning Bolt. Ssicarus sent his snake into the western room and shot a Fire Ball into the room. The horde rushed through the door, engaging Balthasar. Balthasar slashed into the statue and the horde with this sword. Idnerth hit the champion with a Sacred Flame. Dameron used his wand of Lightning Bolts to destroy the statue, the horde, and the champion. Another statue emerged, engaging Dameron, as Ssicarus slashed into it. Camwise hit it with a Fire Bolt. Balthasar destroyed the statue as Idnerth entered the chapel to the west, picked up the champions’ golden axe, and read from the tablet within to deactivate the remaining statues. With their enemies defeated, the Daring Friends investigated the doors to the east. Camwise found the lock to have been hacked off and runes destroyed. Opening the door, they found a small, web-filled room with a circular staircase descending. Balthasar burned the webs in the room and the stairs as they descended into a slightly large room with double doors to the south. Balthasar heard the sound of creaking bones beyond. Camwise detected runes recently scratched into the door. Taking out his spellbook, Camwise cast Detect Magic, detecting abjuration and conjuration magic. Camwise cast Dispel Magic, dispelling both runes. Balthasar opened the doors revealing a squad of skeletons following a skeletal champion. There were more double doors to the south and the east. Balthasar engaged the champion, slashing into it with his Frost Brand. Dameron hit the squad with a Sacred Flame. Idnerth raised his censor and commanded the undead to serve. The champion turned to Idnerth attentively. Idnerth commanded him to hand over the axe, and when it did, all the skeletons crumbled. Balthasar led the way east into a web-filled room. Dameron heard Moira gasp and noticed she had disappeared to the south. They all rushed through the south door into a long room. A horde of skeletons led by another champion advanced on Balthasar. A Dread Spider appeared from the ceiling to the west and restrained Idnerth in webs. Dameron hit the spider with a Lightning Bolt. Balthasar slashed through the horse with his Frost Brand. Idnerth called out to his ancestors and skeletal hands reached out from the ceiling and grasped the spider. His skeletal champions hit the spider with a crossbow bolt. Camwise used a Fire Bolt to free Idnerth from the webs. The Dread Spider ripped itself from the skeletal hands. Circling the Dread Spide, Dameron hit the spider and the horde with a Lightning Bolt. Balthasar slashed into the horde. Idnerth smashed the spider with his Bonebreaker and his skeletal champion hit it with a crossbow bolt. Camwise destroyed the horde with a Fire Bolt, but it soon reconstituted, and he was then hit by the champion’s thrown axe. Dameron cast Consume Vigor in the Dread Spider. Balthasar destroyed the horde again and dodged the crystal webs of a Crystal Spider that appeared nearby. Idnerth smashed the spider with his Bonebreaker. Camwise blasted the Dread Spider with Magic Missiles and searched for Moira. Dodging the Dread Spider, Dameron smashed it to death his his morningstar, and moved to the fouble doors. Cut by the champion, Balthasar slashed into it. Idnerth engaged the champion. Dameron hit the champion with Sacred Flame. Balthasar slashed into the champion. Clawed by invisible crystal claws, Idnerth crushed the champion with his Bronebreaker, and the horde crumbled apart. Dameron hit the invisible spider with a Lightning Bolt. Sheathing his Fristbrand so the crystal spider was visible, Balthasar shoved past it and slashed into it. Idnerth smashed into the crystal spider with his Bonebreaker and his skeletal champion hit it with a crossbow bolt. Camwise hit the spider with a Fire Bolt. Shielding from the crystal claws, Balthasar cut down the crystal spider. Meanwhile, Camwise had headed west to search for Moira and tripped a trap and was sliced by swinging axes. He opened a door that had runes scratched off. To the south, Idnerth found an air rune on a lion-statue-topped sarcophagus. Chasing after Camwise, Idnerth headed west and south with his skeletal champion. Balthasar leaped over the bloody section of the floor, followed by Dameron. The corridor beyond turned east. Up ahead, Camwise found Moira captured by the Warduke, who threatened to slit Moira’s throat unless he left. Camwise bravely refused. Camwise cast Rope Trick and instructed Moira to try to climb it, but the Warduke said she wasn’t going anywhere. Balthasar and Dameron moved toward the doors. Balthasar entered the room and, after sniffing Moira’s scent, challenged the Warduke to kill Moira. Idnerth moved closer to the doors and cast Wall of Stone, separating the Warduke from Moira. Moira began climbing the rope. Camwise cast Haste on Balthasar and began climbing the rope. Dameron summoned his Spiritual Weapon. Balthasar circled around the Wall of Stone, where the Warduke tried in vain to charm him, and poured Essence of Rust on his helmet and slashed into him with his shortsword. The Warduke laughed and transformed into a large drider, Maristra the Mother, and cast Phantasmal Killer on Balthasar. Moira descended from the Rope Trick with eight tentacles protruding from her back. Idnerth cast Spiritual Weapon on Moira, but she blocked it with a Shield. Camwise blasted Moira with a Shocking Grasp and escaped into the Rope Trick. Dameron hit the Mother with a Sacred Flame and a Spiritual Weapon, though the latter was blocked by her Shield. Balthasar used Grasp of the Storm to pull the Mother from the ceiling and slashed into her. Moira disappeared into the Rope Trick. Idnerth examined the area while his champion hit the Mother with a crossbow bolt. Camwise hit Moira with a Shocking Grasp, dropped from the Rope Trip, and fled the room. Dameron moved in and blasted the Mother with Scorching Rays from his Circlet of Blasting. Balthasar used Grasp of the Storm to rip the mother from the ceiling and slashed into her. She screamed, psychically assaulting Balthasar, Dameron, and Idnerth. The Mother began singing a Tearful Sonnet and rattled Balthasar and Dameron. Moira attacked Camwise in a Mind Warp. Idnerth Moira with a Spiritual Weapon and smashed the Mother with a Crushing Haymaker and his skeletal champion hit her with a crossbow bolt. Camwise carefully withdrew from Moira. After hitting Moira with a Spiritual Weapon, Dameron circled around and stepped away from the Mother, who bit Dameron before he hit the Mother with a Lightning Bolt that also hit Moira. Balthasar ran Moira through. Examining the room, they found a statue with words carved into the plinth: “And thus Tak spoke, and the cave did open.” Behind the statue was a door, behind which Balthasar heard moaning. Camwise consulted the Tak’s Tools book he had found earlier. As Balthasar tried to open the door, the statue animated into a Stone Guardian and began to attack. Balthasar drank a potion of healing and slashed into the Guardian. Dameron hit it with a Lightning Bolt. The Guardian slammed Idnerth as he tried to withdraw. Camwise moved toward one of the runes and hit the Guardian with a Fire Bolt. Balthasar slashed into the Guardian. Idnerth pressed the nearby earth rune and heard a click. Camwise pressed the nearby water rune. Dameron clicked the nearby air rune he had maneuvered to. Idnerther’s skeletal champion pressed the fire rune. The Guardian lowered its arms and took its place as a statue. Balthasar opened the door and found a gaunt dwarf whom Idnerth recognized as his father, Ydnfryth. Behind Ydnfryth was another golden axe near a rune. On their return from the tomb, the Daring Friends were arrested by a squad of dwarves. They were escorted back to the Hold and placed in separate cells. The accommodations were spartan but clean, and they were well taken care of.
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