Turn 24 - Days 143 to 155 - Killingtara

The true motivations of the cult of Sisyn have been revealed : they are the Whispers from Beyond, and are now enemies to Godric's Seven, for even if they intend to raise all the heroes of long-forgotten Tara for their defense, the Rangers of Alladore cannot let the Vale be swamped by the undead.

At Mankhundun, the company already learned much about the elusive and long-vanished Taran civilisation.  A surprisingly advanced Hu-Man civilisation - not the first one the Rangers have encountered since the fight against the Deep began - they appear to have been great builders of underground cities, if the warrens that are the foundations of present day Mankhundun are to be believed.

There are important but still elusive links between these ancient Tarans, and the Death God Sisyn.  Today's worshippers of Sisyn seem to see, in Taran mass burial grounds, a ready source of their undead legions.   The Tarans sought, for some reason, to stamp out Sisyn's cult in a distant past, and evidently did a very good job of it.  His theory is that the followers of Sisyn only saved themselves by assassinating Queen Tara.  It troubles him, however, that the death of Queen Tara seems to signal the end of an entire civilisation, so much so, that they are known to posterity by her name.  Was the assassination of the queen accompanied by mass slaughter in her palace ?  It seems unlikely that the handful of survivors of a waning cult could have done such a thing.  If Sisyn's worshippers did not bring down Taran civilisation, then who did ? 

Whatever the long-forgotten truths might be, the Tarans have returned, the Curse of War.  Twice they have struck against Okerdik, and they must be stopped.

Now everything converges on the snowy flanks of Killingtara...

 

They were high above the world now, clouds shrouding the earth like ghosts. Ice clung to the jagged cliffs overhead like bared teeth, and breath came painful in the cold.

More than once, the mountain had tested their resolve, but their bonds had held, showing no fragilities.   Their courage sufficed to drive forward their guide, increasingly nervous.   For the deeper they pushed into the mountain’s frozen heart, the more it seemed to watch them, alive with secrets. Whispers rode the wind, and strange markings etched in stone hinted at something older than the snow.

Until at last Tara's Tower came into view. The guide pointed out the treacherous, narrow road cut into the bedrock, preserved from snow by the overhanging rock, but slick with ice.  The man sighed with relief when Godric sent him home, with a warm handshake in which he left a pair of gold marks.

Clambering up the last steps, the mountain wind still clinging to their cloaks, the company caught its breath. Tara's Tower was a spire of pale, weather-worn stone, rising like a broken needle from the mountain’s jagged shoulder, leaning slightly, as if bowing to time itself, but its silhouette still sharp against the bruised sky.

The tower was cut downwards into the rock of the mountain. They would enter through its summit, and then descend into its depths. The approach was choked with frost-bitten grass and half-buried statues—remnants of another age. Eyes made of crystal glinted from shattered visages, and thorny branches clung to them, as if to throttle any new hint of life.

The door stood open on its hinges, that someone had recently oiled. The company passed through it, under an arch of white stone, carved with symbols no longer spoken.  The air inside was warmer than expected, carrying a faint scent of over-ripe flowers. Both welcome and troublesome.

Godric felt a compulsion, a need to understand, although in his heart he knew what he would look upon. He lit a torch nonetheless, and recoiled. Nature perverted had reclaimed much of the entrance floor.  The Deep. At this altitude it was vines hanging like curtains, sporting vividly coloured flowers that smelt up close of rot.

It was bad enough, but it was not all. There was a whisper of danger. Godric cursed at his foolishness and snuffed the torch. They had enough time to see the enemy. The living dead were already here, feeding on forgotten magic. 

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Scenario Parameters :

This is Depth 1 of the Delve. 

There are no difficulty adjustments, which occur as of Depth 3.  Once Depth 3 has been reached, always use the Curse of War encounter tables, and remember that encounters with them are at +1 Enemy (p. 207).  

Tara's traditional foes have already reached the tower, for the adventurers face Skeletal Defenders (p.180).  That there are only five of them suggests that the denizens of Killingtara are fighting back.  They were obviously unable, however, to kill the source of their misery, the Deranged Cultist of Sisyn (p.125).  His sinister mastery of the Pull threatens the coming of greater evils...

As Mina scouts forward, she realises, in the Silence of the Grave (p. 143) that an additional three skeletons have been called from tombs in the centre of the cavern.  There must be put an end to it !

Destroying the tombs will accomplish this.  To do so ....., and earn 1 Story Point. 

Terrain is set up as per the generic rules (p.128-129).

Going is difficult, so decrease base move rates by 1", and only characters with the Crawling trait can Dash.  No ranged attacks can be made beyond 8".

This is a Site Battle, see p.142 for the rules concerning it.

Under Siege (p.219) is in effect, so since a Unique Foe is present, if it is not slain, a roll must be made on the Enemy Plans Table (p.207).

A roll will be made after this scenario to see if the Delve is cleared out.

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