Chapter 4 - Abbey Road

The road to the abbey rises gradually as players venture deeper into the low hills of Gardbury. The abbey is situated on the back of a plateau overlooking much of the foggy downs. Steep gorge faces rise up to meet the exterior walls on the west side and rear. The abbey structure, though severely aged and weathered, is impressive, bearing the dimensions and appearance of a stronghold (befitting the militant knights who once called it their home).

Fields of untended, overgrown corn line the road leading up to the Abbey gates. Through the heavy mist that hangs in front of the abbey, the party spots a cloaked figure standing in the road, bow drawn. Closer observation (and a well-placed arrow) reveals that the creature has been petrified, and looks remarkably like one of the dark elves that have been pursuing the party.

As players loot the petrified corpse, two oversized cockatrices burst out from the rows of corn to flank Kilgorin. Pandemonium (and many a lewd inference) ensues, as the party fends off the thrusting cockatrices while Aryanne hides in the thick rows of corn. Arranis, protecting his face with his hands, is wounded in the chaos, and the diseased strike of these sickly creatures slowly stiffens him to hardness.

Kilgorin, attempting to lure the cockatrices into the open, reaches into his magic bag of tricks only to discover he has been duped, and the wondrous item is naught but an enchanted gag. Thankfully, the party’s nature insight allows them to finish off the raging cockatrices and restore Arranis to health.

As players search the cockatrice nest for spoils (and find a magic floating lantern), Arranis spots a solitary hooded figure, who has been observing the party, dart down from the walls and into the abbey.