Mausoleum (Alpine Forest)
Danger Level: High
This location is guarded by will o’ the wisps, drow, and other dark-robed figures. It uses magical compulsion to force captives into slave labour.
What We Know
We discovered this location by accident after Gage wandered from our camp (near Pinechill) while following strange green lights.
Location
The mausoleum is hidden deep within an alpine forest off the road south of Pinechill, within The Frost region. The area is marked by a proliferation of will o’ the wisps.
Description
The exterior is an old, weathered, and mossy mausoleum standing in a dark courtyard. The ground is littered with small animal bones. The door was sealed with a small arcane lock, which Lavender broke open.
Interior
- Entry: A long staircase descends from the mausoleum into a cavern below.
- Main Cavern: The stairs open into a large cavern with multiple passages. We heard the distant sound of pickaxes.
- Left Passage: Smelled of food and had voices.
- Right Passage: Was much quieter.
- Side Corridors: The right passage led to a branching corridor. We took a right turn down another set of dark stairs.
- Mine: The sounds of labour suggest a large mine is in operation.
- Cells: There is a cell block for prisoners. Gage was held here after being captured. The walls are etched with the same skull-with-diamond-eyes symbol seen outside.
Inhabitants
- will o’ the wisps: Lure travellers to the mausoleum.
- Dark-Robed Guards: Figures with torches and whips who oversee the slave labourers.
- Drow Elf: A guard we encountered in the lower corridors.
- Dwarf: A guard accompanying the drow.
- Prisoners: A large group of captives, including Gage, who are magically compelled to work in the mine.
Treasures & Items
- Humanoid Skull with Diamond Eyes: Seen outside in the courtyard, surrounded by wisps. This seems to be the source of the magical lure.
Hazards & Traps
- Magical Lure: The will o’ the wisps and the diamond-eyed skull create an illusion or compulsion that draws victims in. Gage was drawn to it and knocked unconscious.
- Magical Compulsion: Prisoners are magically forced to labour, as Gage was.
- Arcane Lock: The main door was magically locked.
History
The structure is old, but is currently being used as a necromancer-run slave mine. The skull symbol etched in the cells matches the one in the courtyard.
Our Experience
Gage was lured away from camp, captured, and forced to work in the mine. He faked passing out and was dragged to a cell. The rest of the party followed his rope, found the mausoleum, and broke in.
We navigated the tunnels, avoiding the mess hall, and encountered a drow and dwarf guard. Theren hit the drow with a psychic lance, Anaphel froze the drow, and Temerity successfully charmed the dwarf.
Region: The Frost