Blue's Clues

The 'businessmen' in the tunnels under the bathhouse were startled at the presence of a zombie shambling up towards Cauldron. The zombie was intercepted at the bathhouse and relieved of his scroll case.

Inside the scrollcase was a letter from Blue Thunderstaff addressed to the elders of the temple of Wee Jas concerning the location of Blue's obsession, Acererak's Robe. Blue believed that he was finally close to locating the Acererak's tomb in the great swamp just three days' travel from Cauldron. Blue wrote that the swamp locals spoke of a place called 'Lonely Hill' that was rumored to be the ancient lich's final resting place.

Jack's Inquisitors kept the note for themselves and with great care and attention purchased the gear that they hoped would lead them to victory in the tomb where so many others are rumored to have died.

Without any clear leads, the party first ventured to the hut of Thingizzard, The Witch of The Fens. Although quite diplomatic, Jaques D'Artangon was unable to obtain any real information from the hag. After some search, the party encountered a group of 10 lizardfolk spearfishing in the marshes. After some parley, the primitives were falling all over themselves to help lead the party to Lonely Hill and even agreed to act as porters for daily wage.

The sandy, scraggy Lonely Hill was remarkable only in its desolation. While exploring around the base of the north slope, Billy Rubin (and later Bosell) discovered the naked, bloated corpse of Blue Thunderstaff partially submerged in the swamp waters. Taking this as a clue, the party searched around the face of the north slope and Billy Rubin discovered a mostly-obscured ancient tunnel. He had discovered the entrance to the tomb of horrors!

A few minutes of frantic digging expose the tunnel as a 20' wide corridor with plaster, frescoed walls. Several member of the party immediately noticed that the many-colored tiles of the floor mosaic spelled out a barely-visible message in the common tongue.

ACERERAK CONGRATULATES YOU ON YOUR POWERS OF OBSERVATION.

SO MAKE OF THIS WHATEVER YOU WISH,

FOR YOU WILL BE MINE IN THE END NO MATTER WHAT!
Go back to the tormentor or through the arch,
and the second great hall you’ll discover.
Shun green if you can, but night’s good color
is for those of great valor.
If shades of red stand for blood the wise
will not need sacrifice aught but a loop of
magical metal—you’re well along your march.
Two pits along the way will be found to lead
to a fortuitous fall, so check the wall.
These keys and those are most important of all,
and beware of trembling hands and what will maul.
If you find the false you find the true
and into the columned hall you’ll come,
and there the throne that’s key and keyed.
The iron men of visage grim do more than
meets the viewer’s eye.
You’ve left and left and found my Tomb
and now your soul will die.

Billy Rubin found two spiked pit traps but was oblivious to the poisoned needle until it stuck him. A search of the pits led to the discovery of a pair of magic goggles among the debris in the bottom of one.

After further investigation, the party discovered a concealed door behind one of the frescoes. Soon after, the party encountered a savage, 4-armed gargoyle towering 10 feet tall. The party warriors Sayuri, Mekrob, & Shamballa held the line while Drakel unleashed volley after volley of devastating spells. After a lengthy, brutal fight, the party prevailed and claimed the beast's gem-studded collar as their prize.

The collar concealed a note in magic runes. Jack deciphered the note to read:
Look low and high for gold, to hear a tale untold.

The archway at the end, and on your way you’ll wend.
—A.