We broke our fast shortly after dawn and headed out to meet with one of Vernon’s contacts. He was a dwarven brewer of ale and stronger spirits called Dorack in the reports. Since he worked outside of the regular city he was easy to find. Rialto introduced us and explained that we were looking for Vernon to discuss expanding his operation and the potential benefits that the merchants here could anticipate from it. Dorack was not impressed with Rialto’s words and explained in great detail why he and most of the brewers in Janderhoff were not interested in expanding their markets beyond what they were currently selling. His description of what should be done to brewers that increased their volume of production just to chase a coin extended on for over a candle-mark and made me wish that I hadn’t taken the time to learn the Dwarven language. A couple of his remarks had me struggling to not blush which would have been trouble since Rialto had expressly stated in his introduction that I did not speak the language so “the men” could feel free to speak business without involving his wife.

Realizing that the discussion probably was unsalvageable from a business standpoint, Rialto asked how long it had been since they had seen either Vernon or his assistant. That query worked better, not because Vernon was liked, but because his assistant Karl was. After all, how could a brewer of spirits not like an initiate of Cayden Cailean, even if he didn’t worship the Deity himself? We were directed to an inn fairly deep within the city, in a rather dangerous area. Dorack even warned that maybe the men should leave their woman in a safe place before going in. Both men glanced at me when that remark was made, but I feigned ignorance well….

With our valuables tucked safely away, and out outward appearance changed by Ferd to make us appear much dirtier than we really were, we headed into the city. My appearance was also altered by tying my hair back and covering up with a large hooded cloak. Since I am rather tall for a woman, a staff was procured so I would look like a slender male wizard. Rialto produced a rapier from his supplies so he and Ferd would be my guards. We had no problem making it to our destination, and by the time we entered the building I had gotten used to walking with the staff so I wasn’t just carrying it like the useless stick that it really was. The man at the desk wasn’t at all helpful until Ferd helped his memory with a silver piece. It took two more pieces to be granted entry to the hallway to knock at the door, and one more with a significant threat to get the door opened.

Karl was in the room, but lying on the floor and covered with blood. Luckily the innkeeper didn’t want to get involved in a crime so he remembered that he wasn’t supposed to be away from the desk and quickly returned there. Rialto had drawn his rapier and cast a light spell on the tip, apparently forgetting about my Ioun stone. I moved over to the unconscious Cleric, wondering how he could have gotten here just to die. Apparently he had used all of his healing magic so he couldn’t heal himself, but where was Vernon? While I was examining the body, Ferd was securing the room and checking for records in any of the locations that guild rogues were trained to use. When he pulled a small scroll out to examine, Rialto moved over to him. I provided the next surprise before either man had time to read the scroll. Karl was still alive, but no more than a scratch away from death. Again, somehow he had returned to this room with wounds that should have killed him, and stabilized himself before losing consciousness! I used a healing hex on him, but it didn’t provide enough healing to bring him awake. I looked to Rialto for confirmation, and then cast a healing spell on him similar to what he probably could cast himself. It was the only such spell that I had prepared so I hoped that it was enough.

Karl woke up and surprised me by sitting up and giving me a quick kiss. I thought that he must have seen through my disguise and decided to do something to startle me. While his action had the desired effect on me, Rialto was upset but Ferd just laughed. Blushing at apparently being the target of the man’s joke, I helped him to his feet. He was still badly hurt but would be fine with the time needed for him to pray and receive his own healing spells. He apparently knew Ferd quite well, and at least knew of Rialto. He showed respect for Rialto even if he didn’t seem to like him much.

Both men started throwing questions at him but he waved them both off asking for a bit to eat and drink first. He assured all of us that haste would not help the situation. Once he had eaten twice what I considered to be an adequate meal and washed it down with more wine that I had ever dared to drink, he finally started talking about what had happened.

Vernon had been working to build the trust of a dwarf brewer named Grunyar for several years because of a rumor that he had heard that Grunyar was also a lorekeeper. His efforts had finally paid off. As part of a payment for a load, and a gambling debt, Grunyar had shown Vernon his maps and historical information about Janderhoff. It included some obscure notes about a cave entrance to a Svirfneblin complex below the mountains by the city. Grunyar assured Vernon that the deep gnomes had abandoned the tunnels and had dismissed it out of hand. Vernon thanked Grunyar for helping him to understand the city better and promised to purchase his next load from him when he was ready to take his wagon on the road again. He returned to the room, drew up a copy of the map from memory, and explained the details to Karl as he prepared to depart. Lore had it that the Svirfneblin group had abandoned the tunnels because of a natural disaster, and they had left behind a small library with a number of treasures, possibly including a book on the construction and control of constructed creatures called golems. This was certainly worthy of the risk of sneaking down a few tunnels to try and see if a way could be found to reach it?

With rope and other common sense equipment they set out. Initially they encountered nothing of consequence barring their way. A few vermin and such had made nests in the dark cracks along the way, but Vernon was good with a blade and Karl had a few spells that helped. They encountered a carrion crawler that paralyzed Vernon for a short time, but Karl had been able to dispatch it and wait for the effects of the thing’s tentacles to wear off. They were blocked by a cave-in, but were able to figure out a way around it, and finally arrived at the complex where they were certain the library existed. Then they found the library. It was almost too good to be true. The walls were still intact and there were still standing shelves of books in unbelievably good shape. Unfortunately, standing in the center of the room was a humanoid shaped lump of clay, and a mouth formed above it calling out, “Speak friend and enter to study. Enemies will be slain upon entering!” The clay form was badly damaged having apparently suffered through many “enemies”, but as it held a large arm up it proved that it was still functional.

The monster was proof that the Svirfneblin had the knowledge desired, but it also blocked any chance of obtaining it. The men withdrew to think about their options. They could call for help, try to sneak past the guardian, or abandon the quest. Vernon absolutely refused to abandon the quest and he was concerned that if they left someone else might follow their trail here and beat them to the treasure. He also ruled out sneaking past the guardian since it seemed to activate through the magical greeting. The only real option then was to finish beating the thing to de-activate it. Vernon did have one bit a trivia about the monster. He wasn’t sure but he thought he had heard that the monsters were immune to most magic and resistant to most weapons, but that crushing type attacks worked well on them. Perhaps they could stand in the entry and attack the monster with sling stones? Regardless, Vernon had a mace with him if the golem did charge to attack them. The thing looked to be in very bad shape and maybe one more good hit would finish it!

What did I say about plans? Well, apparently it held true for the plans of these men too. Karl started by Blessing the men, then they both sent sling stones flying. That activated the golem and the Magic Mouth with a different phrase, “You have chosen. Blood will be repaid in kind.” Vernon met the charge of the golem with a double-handed attack with his mace, but it wasn’t enough. The golem crushed his skull then stepped over him to attack Karl. Karl remembers turning to run, and then pain. He had trained to endure hardship and to stay conscious even with wounds that should have him down and bleeding out. More than once it had saved his life to be able to stabilize his own wounds and follow up with healing magic allowing him to rejoin a battle. But this time something was different. When he collapsed he was able to stabilize himself, but his healing spells didn’t work.

Rialto commented at this point that sometimes wounds from a Clay Golem were cursed and resisted healing. Karl accepted the information with a nod. Fortunately the golem seemed content at that point. There were no standing combatants so it returned to its post. Karl did note that the hit from Vernon’s mace was still there. Maybe Vernon was correct and just a few more hits would finish the monster? He had struggled to make his way back, desperately hoping that he would not run into anything dangerous. The trip back to the hotel had taken several days, in the dark, moving only when all was absolutely quiet. Karl had eaten his rations, drank what water he had and slept when he could. Again he tried his magic and again it failed. His only hope was that natural healing would work on the wounds where magic didn’t. He made it back to the room and collapsed for several days. He was so surprised when I healed him that he had stood up and kissed his savior. He laughed at the end and said “and fortunately my savior was a pretty girl!”

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