Storm King’s Thunder: Session 19. Rassalantar’s Revenge

4^th-6^th Alturiak 1458DR

As they pressed on into the ruins, they saw a short corridor heading right and further down another turning left. Amadeous looked into the darkness of the first room and saw a sarcophagus alone in the room, in the walls appeared to be covered in plaques. They debated on what to do and decided to investigate the room. As they entered they were surrounded by the sound of weird whispers.

On a large plaque were the words “IN HONOUR OF THE DEAD”. Around them names were carved into the plaques, each naming a person and how they died:

Korin Evenstar: Died in battle                      Dalia Summersong: Hanged

Alariel Moonsong: Buried Alive                   Korrak Stonefang: Burned Alive

Amadeous Stormwatch: Drowned              Zakk Brel: Fell to his Death

Simeon Dale: Crushed to death                   Thomdrel Marr: Devoured

Shaldra Thom: Beheaded                            Maganose Michael...(name continues): Old Age

Fenris Karnadresh: Torn apart by wolves     Kailan Dross: Murdered

The names seemed to shift and change around them, not staying the same when read a second time. They heard a voice within their heads:

“I wait in silence, cold and still. No mortal escapes me, nor ever will. Who am I?”

The sarcophagus did not seem to have an obvious lid, but on top 4 images were carved: A picture of a starry but moonless night, A tall hooded and skeletal figure wielding a scythe, a landscape blanketed by snow in winter and finally that of a sundial.

Debating on what to do, the Griffons eventually decided to press the image of the hooded figure. After a few tense moments they heard a grinding sound and to sarcophagus seemed to slide open and inside lay the skeletal remains of a person, clad in armour corroded by time wearing a warhorn inscribed in runes written in Giant. Maganose gingerly picked it up. He sensed magic in the item and put it in the Bag of Holding for examination later.

They pressed on further in to find the final room. Eerie blue lights flitted around the room and the spectral forms of a man and woman appeared above the two sarcophagi in the centre- their faces twisted in hatred towards the living who dared encroach upon their tomb. The spectral man called out, identifying himself as Rassalantar and demanded to know why they were intruding. Fenris appealed to him, explaining that his ancient giant enemies once again threatened the land. Rassalantar sneered, saying that he had lost everything he fought for in life and that nothing that happened in the living world was of any consequence any more. The form of Rassalantar swooped forward as his guards set upon the heroes. After a desperate battle they put the dead to rest and found Rassalantar’s ancient weapon in his tomb: The Heldenhammer. This ancient warhammer was forged of star metal in Rassalantar’s day to drive back the giant armies threatening the land and now would do so again.

After searching the rooms, they left the ruins and head back to the nearby village of Rassalantar. It was now very late in the evening, so they head into the Sleeping Dragon Inn. Concerned that the wraiths and revenants would return, they found Father Silvanus and told him that after the wounded guards were taken care of a party may need to travel to the ruins to permanently slay the undead. They spoke to a young farmer, who was amazed at the sight of the Gilded Griffons and asked for stories of their adventures over a pint of cider. After regaling him with their tales, Korrak invited him to the back room for another adventure, which he agreed to but this is not a story that will be shared. They all head off to sleep.

In the morning they paid for travel to the next settlement along the Long Road. Setting off early they travelled for 20 miles north and arrived at the town of Amphail in the evening. They immediately head into the nearest tavern - “The Stag Horned Flagon”. The taproom was bustling and the main decoration appeared to be a very large drinking flagon, so large it appeared to have been forged from an old frost giant’s helmet. They chatted with Krivvin, the tavernkeeper and talked about the town. He expressed concerns about the recent giant attacks across the sword coast, particularly at Goldenfields as they produced so much food in the region. Korrak decided to look for company again but the only interest was from a local lush named Old Meg: a one-legged, one-eyed woman who blew a kiss at Fenris and her teeth fell out in the process. Korrak thought better of it and they head to the nearest inn: “Hagala’s Manyturrets”.

This large and drafty boarding house had rooms available but the innkeeper Hagala was not particularly friendly. After a good night’s sleep, they head downstairs for breakfast. Before heading out shopping, Amadeous had a prolonged conversation with Hagala about the decorations in her rooms and suggested that a particular symbol carved into the floor and ceiling would bring prosperity. He encouraged her to take the book of Lilith and read it, saying she would understand how it could help once she read the book. He was particularly persuasive and she said she would read it and consider changing one of the rooms. After that they head to a pokey magic shop named Shrunedalar’s Secrets and stocked up on healing supplies.