Chapter 3: The Lonely Tower

Naeris and Euphoria make their way from boulder to boulder, trying to stay quiet. At one point, the Shambling Mound rises and looks down in your direction but then settles back down as you freeze in place. The drainage pipe is well hidden at the base of the hill by overhanging vegetation, but erosion has revealed some of the metal, which glints in the light at the right angle. It is definitely large enough for full-sized people to squeeze through single file. Even Kaa will fit. However, it is blocked off with a rusted metal grate. If you test it with a bit of force, you can see that the bars have some give but are still pretty solid (DC 15 Str check to break open)

You reunite with the others without rousing any suspicion.

With Naeris and Euphoria having already scouted out a route, it is much easier for Hilmar, Kaa, and even Alfrey to make their way to the concealed drainpipe. Kaa gives the grate a good yank, assisted by Alfrey and the guidance of Bahamut. The bars refuse to budge, but through Bahamut's guidance, Alfrey sees a weakness in the rusted metal which gives Kaa the angle he needs to pull off the bars.

With the grate free, you are able to move freely up the tunnel. It is slippery and smells of fetid water, but it isn't a hard a climb. Those who choose to go eventually reach a dugout cave brightly lit with torches. Water drips down from roof and seeps from the walls. The drainpipe is just at the lip of a wide, deep mud pit.

Just ahead, a knotted rope hangs from an iron hook hammered into the natural stone wall. Dangling from the rope is a middle-aged male prisoner (P), who has a good view of the drainpipe and sees you coming up it. He makes no sudden movements to give you away, but he subtly gestures to two Night Blade guards (NB1 and NB2) in black uniforms that stand at the edge of the solid ground, crossbows slung over their shoulders. One smokes a pipe while the other is carving his initials into the soft mud walls with a short sword.

One of the guards goes down from Hilmar's sleep spell, while the second goes down to Kaa's javelin. You have obtained a foothold in the underbelly of the Night Blade's lair.

The prisoner watches on, and makes a quiet comment that barely registers over echoes of the loud dripping water: "Not bad. I would be much obliged if you could get me out of these manacles."