The Three Faces of Evil, Part 1

Edit: These are posts I made back in 2005-2006 and have now transferred them here.

• Tyrrich – Elven, Rogue 1, Warlock 2 (male).
• Garrett – Gnome, Druid 3 (male).
• Cullen – Elven, Monk 3 (male).
• Roma - Half Orc, Rogue 1, Barbarian 1, Fighter 1 (male).
• Janna – Human, Cleric 3 (Wee Jas) (female).

After finding out from the Innkeeper that Balabar Smenk was the one who came and claimed Filge, the group decided that it was time to meet with this notorious mine manager. Roma, the indentured servant to Balabar, went to see if the group could strike a deal with him, and Tyrrich kept an eye on the place from a distance.

Soon after Roma and announce his intentions at the front gate to Balabar’s manor, Tyrrich was approached by a thug and asked if he also would join them. Reluctantly Tyrrich agreed. Inside they had a seat in a modest office where Balabar arrived to greet them. Balabar praised them for their accomplishments in the Whispering Cairn and besting his thugs. He also let them know that there was an investigation being headed by the sheriff into the murder of some of his officers, he implied that their group were the main suspects but he could make that all go away if they help him with his problem in the Dourstone Mine. He would also release Roma from any debts to him.

Balabar then proceeded to describe his experience in the Dourstone Mine when he was given a tour by Ragnolin. He also illustrated how his deal started to go sour when introduced to the Ebon Triad and their new demands… a deal that ended with Balabar’s first lieutenant’s head in his bed when he didn’t meet their demands.

Roma and Tyrrich agreed to help Balabar and ultimately all of Diamond Lake, knowing that the others would agree as well.

Joining back with the others at Allustan’s house, Roma and Tyrrich explain to them what transpired. They formulate a plan that involved them hiding in the cargo for the next day’s delivery shipment, and these plans were coordinated with Balabar’s new shipment manager.

The next day all went according to plan and the adventurers found themselves in a mine shaft next to a lift. With everyone on the lift they started their descent 100’s of feet down until the shaft opened up into a dark black cathedral. With still several feet to go they looked into the cathedral and saw 2 guards standing on either side of the lift as they slowed their descent. One guard noticed the intruders and moved to challenge them, he was quickly cut down but the other guard managed to run to a door marked with the symbol of Hextor and start beating on it. The group quickly killed him and waited for a response from the door, which was locked; when none came they held an ambush position while Tyrrich explored the rest of the cathedral.

Garrett noticed that the dead guards looked strangely like Tyrrich as they had a red skin tone; however one of these individuals had cloven feet, and the other horns and a tail. Janna identified them as Tieflings. They also bore tattoos and holy symbols of Hextor.

In the cathedral was a large pool of black goop, as Tyrrich got close to it, he felt cold death emanating from the pool. The door opposite to their position was also locked and was marked with the symbol of Vecna. The third door was unmarked and unlocked.

After exploring for a few moments Cullen heard movement at the Hextor door and a voice in common telling another to "check it out". When the door was unlocked and opened, the heroes moved in to attack.

End of chapter 7.