Mokmurian is dead. Revolution has begun. But the greater threat of Karzoug is beginning to loom…
The party takes stock of their situation while the sounds of battle begin to echo through the lower levels of Jorgenfist. Of course, this means looting the body of the giant leader. This turns out to be a fruitful venture, indeed.
Here’s everything that Mokmurian was carrying on his person:
- Fog-cutting lenses, to see through fog
- +1 defending spell-storing club, to sap the strength from his enemies
- Type II Bag of Holding, to hold all the things
- A Robe of Runes, to recall past spells
- A hefty pouch of diamond dust
- Numerous spellbooks containing a wide variety of spells
It isn’t until after the corpse of Mokmurian is picked clean that the party addresses the Runelord in the room; is Karzoug really gaining power after ten thousand years of dormancy? What has prompted this ‘awakening’ and what role do the giants play in all of this? Is the party to blame for killing so many of Karzoug’s agents, which apparently pleases him greatly?
With those questions bouncing around their skulls, the party cautiously enters the room where Mokmurian ambushed them from.
Mokmurian’s Lair
Leading the giants obviously had its perks, one being a spacious audience chamber. A golden birdcage stands on the upper stage, containing a decapitated head. As the party nears, the head animates and begins to yell about intruders and alerts. Fortunately, no enemies respond to this alarm, presumably being too far away to hear.
What the party is able to do, however, is have a conversation with this talking head. As it turns out, the head belonged to the headless giant that they fought after the encounter with the cauldron. You know, the one with the toothbrushes? That’s apparently all these players can remember these days, modernistic descriptions.
Anyhow, Fobias and Fyn make the connection to the Headless Lord that was mentioned by the bloatmage during the battle with Garitran. Fobias pulls out the knife that is inscribed with the words, “Property of the Headless Lord.” Indeed, this head is the owner.
The head spews a lot of nonsense about spilling blood and about the duality between his bloody beliefs and Garitran’s bloodless ones. According to the head, the blood has already begun to spill, leaving Golarion hanging in the balance. Mokmurian had captured or otherwise influenced the Headless Lord to carry out his bidding, but the Headless Lord retained his other goals.
Trace has seen enough of this undead abomination, and runs his sword directly through the skull. A small amount of blood exits the wound, but it’s mostly the ‘CRACK’ that seals the Headless Lord’s fate.
Switching Gears
Finally able to search the room in peace, the party begins turning over every rock and dirty fur blanket. They find an usual set of jars filled with blood and leeches, which they learn were part of the Headless Lord’s collection.
In addition, they acquire a sizable fortune of gold and platinum – everyone’s favorite loot is the kind you can buy yourself! Apart from the piles of papers and array of alchemical equipment, the most notable thing they find is a detailed battlemap of Varisia.
On it, Sandpoint is marked with a giant X and there is an inscription that reads, “Hellstorm Flume Ruins – Foundation stones from each would know where the traitor Xaliasa dwelt, and perhaps where he hid his key to Runeforge.”
This all but confirms their theories about the Old Light being a mighty war machine. Just wait until Brodert Quink hears about this! Can the party find more answers to Karzoug’s plans underneath Sandpoint? Or have they uncovered everything for now?
Not wanting to delay, Fyn recommends that they investigate the Black Tower. That means heading back to where they came from, where revolution rages on. Conna’s messengers have done well – as the party ascends towards the surface, the clanging of steel rings out loudly.
Conna meets them at the junction and the party tells her that Mokmurian is dead. This is great news for the giant, because she had told her followers as much already. If she had been caught lying, who knows what might have transpired? She agrees to help escort the party to the surface so long as the group keeps their promise about not harming her kin unnecessarily.
However, as they turn the corner, they are suddenly face-to-face with a pair of young red dragons. Behind them, a hissing sound begins to grow, revealing two lamia clerics. Surrounded and surprised, the party definitely has their work cut out for them!
What are two dragons doing underground? Are these lamia clerics still loyal to Mokmurian, or is Karzoug their master? Will we have to FACE any more head puns next week?