Hard to Bard - The Tomb of Richmond

Day 7

After a long rest The Band find food magically presented to them when they are not looking, Sister checked that the food is not poisoned and Hydrica checked that it is not magical.

The Band scoff down the hot breakfast.

Overgrown stones line a small courtyard. In the center stands a 10-foot tall statue of a handsome elven man, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword and his left arm outstretched in front of him, pointing forward.
The statue depicts King Richmond in his prime.

The Tomb of Richmond

The statue points to the entrance of his tomb. 

There is an engraving written in Sylvan on the base of the statue.
“Come, worthy warrior-poets. Claim my song, sing it to the ages for eternities to come.”

The grove is engulfed with plant growth and foliage.

Tiny sprites and spirits hop between plants.

Bianca informed the Band
After reigning as the first King of Richester, Richmond the First returned to his home in the Feywild to live out the rest of his days in peace. A tomb was constructed in the Enchanted Forest of Nevernever to aid his passage into the afterlife. At his behest, the tomb was built like a concert hall, so that King Richmond could forever practice the arts and perform for the gods.
Over the centuries, many adventurers have broken into the tomb to test their abilities against the tomb’s spectral guardians and claim their piece of The Bards’ Tale. It was stated in The Bards’ Tale itself that worthy warriors, poets, and musicians would be able to claim a chapter of the original if they could survive the trials of Richmond’s Tomb. Richmond wanted his song to be in the hands of the most capable people.
Exactly four people have entered the tomb and survived, and exactly four chapters of The Bards’ Tale are missing from the tomb. Only the very first chapter remains, waiting for someone worthy of its power.

She also states she will not enter this place, but if paid will remain in this clearing.

Ekam pays her 50gp to wait for them.

The ornate doors to the tomb

As Ekam approaches the doors, they magically open before him (Ekam struts "Obviously they would open for someone as epic as me")

The thick oaken doors are 3 inches thick.

Ekam proclams the arrival of Lemmog loudly, who strides in upon his Wolf Steed (kinda does mean that Two Princes can no longer adore their steed now, but what do you say now)

Hydrica and Heironymo are waiting at the entrance, keeping an eye on the hallway.

Main Hall

The ornate doors to the tomb open into a grand hallway with marble flooring. Polished stone pillars immediately greet the band on the left and right sides of the entrance and continue on the left side down the hall. Several doors line the right wall.

The Hall is 180 ft long with alcoves along the left wall with decorative dioramas immortalizing the many deeds of King Richmond. Most depict him winning an epic battle, but some show him negotiating with enemy generals and erecting Richester.

On the right side there are 5 doors and what looks like a passage.

The band ponder their approach as the hall only seems to get light from the outside.

Door number 1 please

The door opens to a room with perfectly clean marble floors, lavish stonework, and glowing emeralds laid within the walls. The ceilings are 20-foot high. Candles are kept lit, lighting these rooms with dim light.

There are instruments of all sorts within this room, along with rugs of intricate designs and diverse origins. The band hear a faint tune playing throughout the chamber. Some of the instruments are subtly playing themselves.

There is a door to the south and to the west

Rehearsal Chamber  

The band notice a lute in the center of the chamber, laying face down on a rug playing itself.

The band are very scared of the lute and ritual cast detect magic, which of course it is magical.

Frightened of a lute, Ekam goes to exit via the west door, and finds himself stuck to it.

Mimic door

Strangely the mimic did not attack straight away but instead asks in Elvish.

A surreal conversation ensues with the Mimic proclaiming its love for another mimic door, and if the band would do him the favour of taking an engagement ring to the other mimic and propose marriage on its behalf.

The Band agree, retrieve the ring from under the rug, finding out it is about the size of a bracelet.

In doing so knock over the lute which they see has not strings.

The band then head back into the Mail Hall, to try three doors down and find the mimic.

Ekam again gets caught by a mimic, but Sister gives the mimic the engagement ring (well puts it over the door knob).

The Hall of Mirrors 

They enter the room, which has perfectly clean marble floors, lavish stonework, and glowing emeralds laid within the walls. The ceilings are 20-foot high. Candles are kept lit, lighting these rooms with dim light.

They are in a 15 by 15 room with a central narrow hallway running 45 ft south with a door at the end, and a door to the east

Mirrors of all shapes and sizes cover this narrow hallway. Reflecting off each other the light is more intense down the hallway.

The band very wary of the mirrors, and also the fact that Ekam proclaimed that even seeing his own visage would make him swoon at the pure elegance of seeing such beauty, back out of the room back into the Main Hall.

They go back to the Rehearsal Chamber and tell that mimic the good news that the other mimic has accepted his proposal.

Sister ponders the mechanics of a ceremony, and almost gets a chance to put her self forward to perform the ceremony. 

Main Hall again again

On the route back the band spot that one of the dioramas immortalizing the many deeds of King Richmond, as a 3d aspect to it.

On closer inspection they see that the sword drawn in the diorama is not a painted sword, but a real dagger.

Detect Magic - YES

Scared and frightened, but reassured by Sister stating that if it is cursed she can remove said curse from you.

Ekam reaches out in trepidation

Squinting and bracing himself, Ekam clasps the dagger and removes it from the wall.

The dagger has an intricate design, seemingly crafted from metallic leaves and vines.

The dagger is a +1 dagger.

Ekam, then unsheathes his own dagger, and places it into the picture.

Panic sweat avoided, Ekam tries to style it out.

Ekam then realises that someone or something has tried to cast Charm Person on him.

Looking about he spots a Cat up in the rafters, and gives it a quick Eldridge blast but then can no longer see the cat.

Rehearsal Chamber  part 2

The Mimic now lets the band through the east door, and the band enter 

This room was once a fine dining room. Polished wood furniture in the center of the room has been pummeled and has begun to grow roots that drive into the cracked marble floor. On the room’s outer edges, there are many untouched chairs and side tables.

Dining Room

This room was designed for Richmond to dine in while in the afterlife. Something has destroyed the central dining table.

Sister then realises that someone or something has tried to cast suggestion on her.

Looking about she spots a Cat up in the rafters, and Ekam gives it a quick Eldridge blast but then can no longer see the cat.

Just then three eladrin specters appear in the room and ask the band what the kitchen is serving. They ask the band to bring them a meal as they’ve gone hungry for several years. 

Ekam tries to placidtate them with packs of rations, but to no avail.

Lemmog stats they will go the the kitchen and fetch them their meal, but will need directions.

The three eladrin specters do not know such trivial things like where a kitchen is, that is for the lesser folk.

Sister, spotting this may go wrong very quickly, states that they will find the kitchen and return with their meals.

The band exit via the door to the south.

Portrait Hall

Every painting in this hall is a self-portrait of King Richmond. Most are extravagant scenes embellished with over-the-top drama and fantastical elements.

This large room has no furnishings other than benches lining the walls. Large, ornate rugs scatter the floor. It appears to be an art gallery, with each painting illustrating a valiant eladrin king enacting some great deed.

But there is lurking in the room a Roaming Beholder Zombie which attacks the party.

Lemmog dismounts to attack after realising that he is not great at mounted combat.

Lost of saving thows, Ekam and Sister are blinded, Ekam blasts Lemmog, then eventually they get their act together and kill the beast.

Looking a bit more at some of the paintings

Sister sees one with a scene of King Richmond forging the Kingsblade in the fires of a volcano as several fire giants watch in awe and take notes.

Lemmog see one with King Richmond, sword in hand, riding on the back of T. Rex. It breathes a gale of frost at a balor.

Ekam sees one with a body shot of King Richmond in drag, fabulous as ever. Which Ekam admires greatly.

Before they can ponder over the other paintings, Lemmog opens the door to the west, where Ekam rushes over to announce the presence of Lemmog, Lord of whatever, saviour of something, Holder of the enormous gourd, or words to that effect.

The door opens to This chamber hums excitedly with fey magic.

The whole room is covered with sprawling ivy and vines of various genus, and even though it is underground, you can feel the warm radiance of the sun shining through the canopy of the vines.

Inset in the western wall is a marble fountain that flows with crystal clear water.

Around the fountain are 3 wounded male humans and one wounded female human

Female Human, is a fair-skinned, middle-aged woman with curly red hair. She has a hardy build and wears worn-down brigandine armor.

Very wounded Male Human, is dashingly handsome and wears his brown hair in a short, well-kept style. His beard looks perfect.

Wounded Male Human 2, is relatively short and slender. His dark skin is uncharacteristically smooth for a warrior, and he usually wears a handsome smile.

Wounded Male Human 3, is Tall and Lanky with piercing gray eyes and long black-and-white peppered hair, and a beard.

A bit of a stand off occurs, with everyone asking who each other is.

It is then worked out that the male at the back of the room being protected by the others is non other than King Henry and his entourage Rebecca a veteran,  Peleus a legendary hero champion of Richester’s neighbouring kingdom who is currently very wounded, and Sid Peleus’ squire (a Knight in waiting).

The band recognize King Henry’s entourage as their targets.

Fountain of Life

Henry and his entourage, Peleus, Sid, and Rebecca, gather around the fountain, still recovering from their encounter with the beholder zombie. 

Which Lemmog and Ekam are quick to reply in unison that they defeated that "easily"

Rebecca and Sid attempt to treat Peleus’ wounds with the magical water from the fountain. 

Henry stands to the side, stressing himself out while huffing and puffing about his seemingly hopeless situation.

Rebecca explains, with Henry constantly interjecting, the queen is corrupted and attempted to murder Henry. She also describes how Madeline forced Henry from his throne and is trying to gather all of the pieces of The Bards’ Tale to achieve some unknown evil goal.

The band parley and align themselves with the entourage, Peleus informs them about the beholder
zombie on patrol (like dur, we killed that already - Lemmog). He also tells them that some sort of tricky fiend has taken up residence in Richmond’s chamber. 

Then says they scouted around the hall but the door down the corridor was locked with some magical seal, we were attacked on our way back and managed to bundle the King into this room to protect him

“This is my moment in the sun! This is my-”

King Henry interrupts him, well we are seeking the Bards Tale, King Richmond wrote this magic song as a testament to his achievements. By gathering all the chapters of The Bards’ Tale together, when sung, the song irrefutably reveals the true heir to the throne by birthright. The song also prevents a false candidate from magically altering Richmond’s bloodline, such as by using wish to wish they were the true heir.

The band and the entourage take a short rest and find they recover twice as many hit points from spent Hit Dice. 

The notice that the base of the fountain contains the markings of an Archway Portal installed by King

Richmond.

When they then try to exit the fountain area, all but Lemmog fall into a magical trance for 24 hours.

Lemmog tries to pull them out, but is currently failing to do so.