The Thrommel Interludes, Part 1With the din of battle now subsided, the vestibule is as silent as a tomb. Thrommel, ten feet away and facing you, seems indifferent to the soul-chilling cold of this unholy place. His regal poise is as still as carved alabaster, and his expression is serene with the infinite patience of the timeless immortal. He is handsome, despite a pale complexion. His breastplate, black robes, and greatsword scabbard are stark designs devoid of any decoration. His only adornments are a plain silver ring on the second finger of his right hand, and a black iron obex worn around his neck on a slender black cord. After an uncomfortable pause, Thrommel's eyes close and flutter slightly beneath his pale lids. Seconds later, they reopen. He smiles and slowly speaks. "You and I have much in common. Perhaps, more than you know." He begins to walk a slow circle around you, moving with grace and dignity. The tone of his voice is rich and soothing. "While you are in my charge, you have nothing to fear from me – provided of course that you follow my instructions and your friends fulfill their promises. Hedrack, however, has much to fear from you – from us. I must leave you, briefly. When I return, I will bring the means to transport you to a place of safety. The accommodations will be unusual, to say the least, but they will be secure. You may learn to like them." After an ominous pause, Thrommel resumes speaking from behind you. His tone has become grave and serious. "There is one important matter, however, that demands our immediate attention. If Hedrack learns of my treachery, all is lost. We can create a link together that will allow me to guide you, advise you when you need my council, and intervene when you most need my help. It is merely a minor charm that will pass with time. If you resist, leaving me unable to protect you, I will be forced to destroy you for the greater ... good." Clearly delighted by his own wit, he continues. "We cannot risk discovery. You really have no choice in this matter." Thrommel steps quickly around from beside you, his face very close to yours. "Look deeply into my eyes and relax your mind." His piercing eyes seem to bore into the depths of your soul. To be continued...
The Thrommel Interludes, Part 2Thrommel steps around from beside you, his face very close to yours. "Look deeply into my eyes and relax your mind." > Koshmur mumbles a small curse directed towards Thrommel's piercing eyes seem to bore into the depths of your soul. You feel a bit dizzy, but otherwise unaffected. Thrommel steps back, pleased. "Now, my charge, I must leave to deflect attention elsewhere. I will return for you as soon as I am able, and relocate you to a place of safety. Be silent and still, and all will be well. If perchance you are discovered by our enemies, do not lose hope. It may become ... uncomfortable .. for a time, but my minions will get to you in short order. You need not fear worse than a clean death." Thrommel motions into the unnatural darkness at the southern part of the eastern wall. "Wait here. Whatever happens, do not emerge until I return." Once enveloped by the darkness, you realize what seemed particularly unsettling about the vampire's parting words. Since staring into Thrommel's eyes, you have not noticed his lips move when speaking. Alone in the oppressive darkness and silence, you lose all track of time, leaving infinite opportunity to ponder spiritual matters in the vestibule of the Greater Temple of Tharizdun. To be continued...
The Thrommel Interludes, Part 3For an indeterminate time, you sit alone in the darkness at the edge of the vestibule. In the total absence of sound and sight, your only sensation is the perfect tactile smoothness of the rock beneath you and at your back. How much more of this can your mortal mind endure? Minutes, or perhaps hours later, Thrommel's hushed voice whispers nearby. You heard no noise of his return. "Step forth, my charge. I have brought you that which we need." Thrommel stands at the edge of the darkness offering a potion bottle. He looks different from when you last saw him. He bears no outward wounds, yet he seems battered and weary. His shoulders slump slightly forward, and he lacks the vigour and robustness that he displayed earlier. "Drink this, and follow me." His lips did not move. There was no sound. The voice was entirely inside your head. He turns and walks towards the corner of the vestibule to the right of the folding screen. Even as you watch, Thrommel's strength is gradually returning. By the time he crosses the room, he stands taller and seems more alert. Evidently, his undead body is repairing whatever unseen trauma it had endured. Just before he would step into the darkness, his form becomes as translucent and insubstantial as a wisp of cloud. "Drink and follow!" To be continued...
The Thrommel Interludes, Part 4The potion smells vaguely of mushrooms, but tastes of citrus and bile. As you choke down the last drop, your body and all of your gear become gaseous. You move slowly and awkwardly at first, but guided by Thrommel's voice inside your head, you soon adapt to your new form. "Stay with me, my charge. Your vapours shall mix with my vapours, and thus I shall conceal you. First, we must pass through the doors into the hallway. Do not delay – the potion will last only a few minutes, but it will be enough." Thrommel guides you through the darkness, then through the fine crack between the double doors and their frame. "Follow this passageway to the intersection. The guardian beasts will not bother us." Down the length of this hallway, about every ten feet, a purplish stone panel has been set into the walls on both sides. The panels are carved with intricate images of robed and hooded people in procession, each carrying an unusual torch. After fifty feet, the hallway intersects with another corridor. It continues another twenty feet past the intersection, and ends in three alcoves, each filled almost entirely with thick, mucous-like green goo. The opacity of the goo makes it difficult to estimate the true depth of the alcoves. A black, oblong rug covers much of the floor in front of them. It has taken nearly a minute to travel this far. "We go left to the Unholy Font, which Hedrack often uses for scrying. Now that Varachan's crystal ball is gone, he will use this next room as his command centre during any attack." The only object in this small room is a black stone font filled with clear water. Strange runes ring the rounded edge of the font. Each wall has a single purple tapestry with a black symbol upon it - an inverted two-step pyramid. A second hallway exits on the right-hand wall. "Down the corridor and through the doorway at the end of the hall. We've nearly reached our destination." A long-dead corpse in the northeast corner hangs from chains, old plate armor bits clinging to dried flesh and brittle bone, with a symbol of Pelor hanging around its neck. A second door exits on the right side of the room. Thrommel ignores the corpse and moves through a hole in the floor. "Welcome to my home. Come join me in my coffin beneath the stone floor. No one will look for you there." To be continued...
The Thrommel Interludes, Part 5The coffin interior is dark, but not unnaturally so. Thank Moradin for dark vision! The bottom, the sides, and even the inside of the lid are lined with the finest soft silks. The air is stale and musty, but breathable. Listening carefully, you can barely make out the gurgling of distant running water deep below. There are some objects in here with you, including a gold belt, a dagger in a scabbard, an amulet on a fine necklace, and a ring. The potion's effect soon expires, and you become substantial once more. Considerate of the cramped conditions, Thrommel remains gaseous to allow you more space. Doubtless, an elf would already be driven insane. Whether on account of your exceptional willpower, experience in narrow caves, or Thrommel's comforting voice inside your head, your mind holds, at least for now. It nearly snaps though, moments later, when you realize that escape is impossible without help. The stone slab above you must weigh many tonnes. Again, Thrommel's gentle voice calms and sooths you. Later, to pass the time, Thrommel opens a discussion on matters of ethics. "You would do well to abandon your naive notions of honour and principle. Such burdens are unnecessary. I once had principles. I am infinitely stronger now with immense power and eternal life! "You could join me in unlife. I would share my gift with you, and you alone. You would have great power. Power to save those about whom you care. Power to command the armies of the night. Power to bend your enemies to your will. You need merely ask for this of your own free will, and I would gladly give it. Together, we could defeat the Doomdreamers. "Consider my proposition carefully, my charge. You have much time to ponder before your friends return." * * * * * To be picked up next session...
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