Returning to the Temple of Torm in Impiltur, the group is advised that the Rotting Man might be pulling an elaborate ruse to divert attention to the south while his hired minions seek something to the north that would facilitate his control of the region. In fact, the word is that at least two adventuring parties have already been recruited out of Baytown and sent on a northerly arc to seek out a vault that contains this great treasure.
Leaving Impiltur in haste, the group goes overland until they reach the Great Imphras River. There, they unfold one of their portable boats and use the river to shave three days off the travel time to reach the edge of the foothills near the Giantspire Mountains. Magical mounts courtesy of Malchor speeds the party’s overland progress.
A near miss with a cloud full of cloud giants is the only source of angst amongst the party and a few days worth of Divination and eagle-eyed crow flight brings them to a foothill stop which rests a manor house, an amphitheater, some outbuildings and a graveyard. The manor house is inspected, but it is clear that others have been here, as evidenced by the pulped body in the main hall and the obvious arterial blood sprayed all over one of the walls. The rooms have been inspected and it seems clear that items of value have been taken already.
The party moves towards the graveyard, reasoning that a vault should lie below the hilltop and it is soon thereafter that they reach the site of a recent excavation that reveals more gore and a portal. The portal is opened and a short downward corridor is followed to a circular room that contains a statue depicting a hooded man with a lanterns and an open book. When Laddington enters the room, he is attacked by a trio of razorwing bats. One the incoming pass he severs the head of one, but the other two prove to be made of sterner stuff and the battle rages on for a long while before all are rendered inert, at some cost to the party supply of poison-curing pointment and healing potions.
Inspection of the room shows that there are three exits concealed in the walls of the room and that the statue() is able to pivot on its base. The book is open to a page covered in writing and the lantern appears to be functional, with an oil reservoir and a wick. Kormier opines that the statue is probably used in some way to open the concealed doors and the group decides to give it a try…
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