The Return of Hanselhopf (the Jedi....NOT)

Adventuring all night in the caverns resulted in some great news. Elvis, Christopher, Grimdor, Nicolas, Ralph (my charmed GOAT-friend), and myself, Quinua the Unbathed continued on our mission to find the famed Deaths Head jewel.

After dispatching a few small bands of goat-men, we were anxious to quickly return to the pink liquid fountain for some healing before we continued adventuring. I explained to Ralph that we wanted him to lead us there and much to our surprise, the route he took passed through a large torture chamber. From the hallway outside the room, we could make out some goat-men voices as well as a familiar voice - it was Hanselhopf! He was alive - but being tortured! We burst into the room and Elvis began yelling in a commanding voice. He flashed his newly acquired sceptre and the horns from the minotaur beast (that he acquired from an earlier battle) in an attempt to confuse the goat beasts. Our ruse succeeded enough to gain a slight upper hand. One goat-dude (Kurush, as he called himself) was clearly the leader of the other four. He commanded his squad to attack us, but we quickly dispatched one enemy and I was able to charm another with a spell. Luck was on our side as a paralyzation dart rendered the leader quite helpless. In the ensuing chaos, we were able to defeat the remaining beasts and rescue Hansie! It's good to have him back with us! After searching around, we obtained a nice crown from Kurush. His crown and some opals (that we procured from a previous room) look like they're worth quite a bit of money.

The rescuation domination

After making our way to the fountain to heal up, we returned to the torture room and continued adventuring. A short way down a passage, we came upon a fancy looking door that, for some reason, was glowing in a purple light. Elvis mentioned that he recognized this door from a dream and he had a strong, overwhelming desire to go inside. We entered the room, uncertain of what we'd discover and found what looked to be a study that was in complete disarray. Everything was strewn about. Beyond that, there was a bedroom that seemed to be for someone of royal status (however everything was in shambles there also). After searching these rooms, we discovered some scrolls from the diary of King Agamemnon. He wrote about being upset with a court magician and how he doubts his loyalty. The scrolls mention his name was Telekis (the one who penned the letter to Morgellon telling him to go to the chamber of pleasures with a chime of opening). Something about the floor below needing to be purified was also mentioned. So much is going on in these tunnels. We must find some answers....

What happened next was very unnerving. We entered a small room and much to our delight, found a tunnel that led to the surface. A bit of anxiety was lifted upon discovering this exit, however the shadows all around me became frantic and their screaming and moaning in my head was too much to bear. Through the incessant noise, I heard whispers of how I must become the "Shepherd of Souls" and that they (the spirits) are "lost souls" that "must be led". Suddenly, everything went quiet and I felt another power or spirit had entered the area. In my head, I was able to communicate with it and I asked who (or what) had just arrived. This new energy force was somehow challenged by my question; as if I was trespassing on its domain. Then I asked what I would need to do to become the "Shepherd of Souls" and felt that there was a demand put on me to liberate a shepherds staff from someone or something. The words "Find the cruel king above" also rang inside my head.

As we attempted to leave to go back to camp, I felt the anguish and frustration of these trapped souls and my conscience wouldn't allow me to leave without offering to help. I pledged that I would try my best to become the Shepherd of Souls to help free them and immediately there was a more positive feeling in the atmosphere, yet still an aura of anxiety and vengeance. At last, my task has become clearer.

Leaving Ralph and Willis (my two charmed GOAT-comrades) hidden in the tunnels, we made for the exit to recoup and resupply at camp for a couple of days. Soon we'll be back to continue seeking the Deaths Head as well as some answers in these mysterious caves.

1st rank: Elvis (in purple hat)

2nd rank: Hans (l), Christopher (r)

3rd rank: Quinua (l), Ralph (r)

4th rank: Willis (l), Nicolas (r)

5th rank: Grimdor (in black hat)