Category:What Lurks in the Dark

Summary

What Lurks in the Dark was a GM-led storyline that took place in the Platinum instance. It started at the end of 2022 and ran through early 2023. It was run by GM Wylloh and GM Naionna.

~Scrawled hastily across the parchment is an article released on the 25th of Charlatos in the year 5123.~

This just in!

Over the last few months, there were several reports of missing women and murders associated with their disappearances.  First was a woman from Kraken's Fall.  The next was a woman from Wehnimer's Landing, and so on.  Each murder becoming more gruesome than the previous.  It wasn't until the disappearance of Opalhilde Orebreaker from Zul Logoth that the case begin to take a turn.

A recollection of the events on Charlatos 10th, 5123, as told by Ricas Konreed and Opalhilde Orebreaker .....

Ricas and a group of adventurers managed to track down the whereabouts of Opalhilde and the other women reported missing over the last several months.  Deep down in the catacombs of Ta'Vaalor, a sub-tunnel system was found filled with trials and ghoulish monsters.

Ricas and crew made quick work of creatures summoned to stop them - traps and locked doorways only slowed the group until they nearly met their match at a dead end in the tunnel system.  The ceiling collapsed in, blocking their pathway back, and the room began to quickly fill with water.  As the water rose above their heads, the floor cracked beneath that water's weight and sent them swirling through multiple water-filled tunnels.

Just as panic began to set in and all nearly drowned, the group was thrust into a beautifully decorated cistern where they were greeted by the vampire Cordahlia!  She admitted to killing men who had wronged or tormented the missing women for their disfigurements and subsequently took the women with her for their safety.  Ricas dispatched of Cordahlia quickly as she was weakened from her summoning efforts.

The cistern was set on fire, burning the area and Cordahlia's remains just before Ricas and the crew made their return to the surface of Ta'Vaalor.  After reporting this to Investigator Cogsmead Gizmo, Gizmo sent guards in to confirm that all that remains is a collapsed tunnelway.  With the women and the missing staff of the Goldspires returned, Gizmo signed this case as closed and removed the curfew for the cities of Wehnimer's Landing, Kraken's Fall, Zul Logoth, and Kharam-Dzu.

With the good news of the murderer finally being taken care of and the missing women brought home, Ricas Konreed and Opalhilde Orebreaker officially announced their betrothal.  Keep a look out for wedding invitations, folks!


~~This article has been brought to you by the good people of Elanthia who like to keep in the know.~~

Cast of Characters

Official Vignettes

Character Vignettes

Logs

In-Depth Summaries

May 2023 Gossip

ask Raeva about Ricas and Opal

Raeva leans in and whispers conspiratorially, "Oh, you didn't hear?!  Ricas and some adventurers tracked down the missing women and found a tunnel system deep under Ta'Vaalor!" She pauses to take a breath then continues, "They nearly met their match when the ceiling collapsed, and the tunnel filled with water.  Just before the end seemed inevitable, the water carried them into a cistern and landed them at the feet of the vampire, Cordahlia!"

ask Raeva about Cordahlia

Raeva's eyes go wide and leans in close to whisper, "She's a vampire!  Or at least she was."  A puzzled look crosses Raeva's features before she shakes it off and continues, "She admitted to killing men who had wronged or tormented women for their disfigurements and subsequently took the women with her for their safety.  Ricas took Cordahlia's head!  And then!"  She pauses to glance around and says, "The cistern was set on fire, burning the area and Cordahlia's remains just before Ricas and the crew made their return to the surface of Ta'Vaalor.  Ricas, of course, told Investigator Cogsmead Gizmo who then sent guards in to confirm that all that remains is a collapsed tunnelway.  With the women and the missing staff of the Goldspires returned, Gizmo signed this case as closed and removed the curfew for the cities of Wehnimer's Landing, Kraken's Fall, Zul Logoth, and Kharam-Dzu.  Crazy, right?!"

ask Raeva about what's next?

Raeva rubs her chin thoughtfully and says, "I'm not sure, but if I hear anything, you'll be the first I tell!"

ask Raeva about gossip

Raeva blushes and says, "Oh yes.  Since the murders that happened in Wehnimer's Landing, Kraken's Fall, Zul Logoth, and Kharam-Dzu, this place has become quite popular with adventurers and retelling tales.  I hear all kinds of juicy stuff!  I'm happy to share, just ask!"

Additional Information

• Official Discord Platinum Instance Channel - Get involved and chat with GMs and players.
• Official Discord Storyline Forum - OOC Discussion of the storyline with GMs and players.

Announcements

• Announcements and Saved Posts