Evelais (Saint's Day), Clairis 23rd, 868 ID.
Our heroes decide to do some cleanup, first deciding over the coffin with the sounds coming from within, ultimately leaving it well enough alone, and then blasting the ghouls in the pit of one of the grave robbers' demolition sites. After this, they use rope to descend, where they discover a silver short sword which they believe has magical properties.
Next, they decide to rest in the private chamber they commandeered from an unknown party, perhaps the kobold leader, when Ogeir and then Mudghol are drawn out by a strange, wailing voice in the corridor beyond. An incorporeal, ghostly figure is calling our heroes to their deaths, and it begins to drain them of their senses. After a grueling melee, Ogeir and Tundra Wolf are able to dispatch the creature, though attacks with normal weapons seem wholly ineffective against it (as Imperion and Mordecai discover). Meanwhile, Lexxie bars up the room so whatever is out there, can't get in to harm her...
Aric, Clairis 24th, 868 ID.
After the battle, rest is resumed and the drained PCs decide to further explore the sewers by crossing some of the Udders to corridors unknown. They encounter a pair of Eidolorn Guard on patrol, when crossing back from the Vermin Vaults area to the Crypts of Calm, but they manage to bribe the guards into silence. The patrol notifies them that the Cleft Eye kobolds are actually in the sewers by 'permission' of the Guard, who help waylay robbers or other intruders. They also mention that there is a shadowy organization called 'The Stride' who might make use of the sewers, but they haven't seen the halfling Shalabarr Klasp and don't know anything of The Score. They further advise the PCs to remain away from their superiors in the Kings' Grotto area of the dungeon, for there are things there that even the patrolmen are not allowed access to.
The PCs choose to ford the most northeasterly of the Udder crossings, which they accomplish by careful use of rope and to pull one another across. They find themselves in a new area of the sewers, and then stumble across another of the water pit floor traps, which they almost fall for. They find a well locked door, beyond which there is only silence, but decide to turn back and explore further. They discover a passage leading to an unfinished chamber, and then a second floor trap at an intersection. Sneaking east down the intersection, they manage to surprise a guard wearing leather armor, who stands at a locked door. He is quickly slain by Mordecai and Imperion, but first sounds an alarm, after which the PCs can hear many feet pounding through the corridors behind them, and a door or two opening and shutting.
Our heroes at first attempt to fight the oncoming rogues by taking them as they come down the corridor, but they are too many, and too shrewd. In the first few rounds, Imperion is slain by a number of poisoned hand crossbow bolts and then the ensuing attacks from the rogues' leader, Aslak. They parlay, neither side wanting more dead, since blood has been paid for blood (Imperion for the door guard Hoff). The PCs are unarmed by a half-orc rogue, and marched to a small underground market area. It turns out that this is 'The Stride', the local thieves' guild of Floivin Keep, who work under the turned cheek of the Eidolorn Guard. The PCs are on edge, as are the rogues, after each losing one of their number, but they come to a compromise.
Aslak speaks to the PCs in his 'Belowtown' market, telling them he himself trained their boss Lt. Banghorn, revealed to be a rogue. He tells what he knows of The Score, and is surprised that they are purported to have a hideout in the sewers known as The Hold. He is unsure whether Cheeky is part of the mysterious organization, but he affirms that Scroundel the black market dealer is a member, as is Pedegar Pell the poisoner, and the assassin and master of disguise 'Adder', who let the PCs to the sewers under the guise of one Derelech! Mordecai expresses interest in joining The Stride, so Aslak puts him on trial to steal something of a certain value. In order to ensure Mordecai does his bidding, and that the PCs do not try and rat out their location to anyone, a solemn half-orc named Luz is assigned to the group.
The PCs are allowed to transport up The Lift, a hidden and trapped elevator that leads to the guild's front in the city, Royal Leathers. Here it is decided that the Stride will dispose of Imperion's body, so a final rite is given by Ogeir and they part with the corpse. Luz follows the PCs back to their headquarters, but not before some of them make a stop at the Fiery Rat, where they encounter a drunken, angry Bulgoth. Mordecai asks around and learns that there is a rich aristocrat named Kohl Harthas in the city, a collector of valuable objects who he might be able to steal something from and earn his spot in The Stride. He and some others stop at the Seven Flood Inn, where he speaks with a bratty lad named Brand about employment. Brand tells Mordecai to return the following night with a sample, and he will put in a good word with the inn's owner about hiring the elf. With Imperion gone, the PCs decide to 're-hire' Bulgoth as their security consultant, a decision that does not sit well with some of them. Bulgoth returns to the PCs headquarters.
With Imperion gone, Mudghol is now the ruler of the roost...
PCs: Imperion/Luz, Lexxie, Mordecai, Mudghol, Ogeir
NPCs
Anenome Hosspotch (halfling female): She's a cruel shot with a poisoned hand crossbow, and it was one of her bolts which struck Imperion of the Chaste Cloak before he was slain. Anenome speaks briefly with Lexxie Hosspotch, and seems kind enough despite the company she keeps. Her hair stands out on her head in all manner of clashing curls.
Aslak (human male): A treacherous and dangerous man who appears in his late 30s. Aslak has a series of scars running from his bottom lip down below his chin, and a dusty crop of hair which is completely unkempt. Aslak is the current leader of the Stride, a thieves' guild operating out of Belowtown, a small series of chambers beneath Floivin Keep. Aslak claims to have trained Lt. Banghorn of the Eidolorn guard, and answers only to two figures known as Grandmother and Grandfather (Zinsk). Aslak slays Imperion of the Chaste Cloak in a confrontation, but spares the rest of the party. He is known to be lethal with a short sword.
Gardi (half-orc male): A rugged half-orc with wild, wandering eyes, possibly cock-eyed. He's the brother of Luz, whom the Stride assigns to Mordecai's membership trial and to spy on the PCs who've the new found information of Belowtown's whereabouts. Gardi is somewhat important within the Stride ranks, perhaps an officer serving below Aslak.
Hoff (human male): Hoff was a rather nondescript rogue in the service of the Stride, slain by Imperion and Mordecai who surprised him at his post, guarding the Lift that leads from Royal Leathers down to Belowtown, beneath Floivin Keep. His 'blood for blood' debt was considered paid when Aslak and the Stride slew Imperion of the Chaste Cloak.
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