The Age of Worms is upon us! What evil will befall the mining town of Diamond Lake? Will an ancient god rise again to cause destruction on the entire planet? A 3.5 D&D Adventure Campaign.

At a perfumed arcade known as the Emporium, Governor Mayor Lanod Neff rubs shoulders with common laborers awaiting appointment in the veiled corridor. in an adjoining antechamber, snakes and exotic dancers gyre to a sonorous weave of cymbals and seductive pipes. A floor below, a gaggle of grasping miners presses against the windowed door of a darkened cell, impatient for a glimpse of a two-headed calf.
Out in the street, a gang of rowdies screams obscenities at a curmpled halfling,, kicking it as if scrambling for a ball. Their drunken laughter echoes off shuttered windows and bolted doors.
In a tower-flanked fortress across the shadowy square, filthy men with nothing to lose, shout hymns to St. Cuthbert, clutching to their idealism and principles like cornered animals. Their wild-eyed chief minister smiles as he draws a cat-o-nine tailes across his bare back, awash in their adulation and in the spirit of his god.
Sounds horrible, but it's just another night in Diamond Lake

Diamond lake information is posted in the Age of Worms Diamond Lake Thread. I will keep this updated with information about Diamond Lake as you find out more about the town including a map with key. As you find information about different locations I will add it to the key

Act 1: The Whispering Cairn

A trio of Free City adventurers have come to Diamond Lake. Three unique members of an order on an important quest. These adventurers have made themselves quite visible amongst the town spreading their adventuring ideas. One, a human gladiator who wears a unique red and black leather girldle topped with the representation of a haunted female face goes by the name of Auric. He fancies himself the leader of the trio and wears the Champion's Belt from the Free city arena. A second Khellek, is a balding, dark haired human wizard. He wears a high collared red cape fastened with a skull clasp over a green jerkin and pants. His receding hairline reveals his advancing age, as do the white streaks at his temples. Khellek promotes a group called the Seekers, an adventurers group that is known to seek knowledge regardless the cost. He recently heard a rumor of a new chamber discovered in an allegedly "empty" tomb elsewhere in the cairn hills. It is one of the destinations this band of adventurers seeks. The third is a vivacious elven rogue and archer named Tirra. She is quiet but as a member of the Free Cities Thieves guild is not to be trifled with. As the three spend their excess of money in the town taverns, the buzz starts to circulate the town about a whispering Carin.

Standing atop a table at the Feral Dog, Auric barks out a tale of adventure for the entire room to hear. Having already bought a round of ale for the entire pub, they are listening quite intently at the show. The Feral dog is the busiest and sleaziest tavern in all of Diamond lake but the large crowds make it ideal for storytelling. Especially since this lot is exceedingly gullible and wanting for a tall tale. Auric clears his throat with a swig of ale and continues the story
So, you ask. Why would a brave and well known band of adventurers like us seek out a place like Diamond Lake. I'll tell you. For you see, you are not just a place of mines and ore, but a place of rich history. Many thousands of years ago, long before the rise of human civilization, two ancient powers struggled to determine the fate of the still-forming multiverse. On the one side was a primal being called the Queen of Chaos, a tentacled horror from an age before ages With this, Auric reaches his hands out into the crown and a couple of men jump back in their seats at the sound he makes from his gullet. Against her stood the mightily rigid legions of the Wind Dukes of Aqua, the most cultured of the elemental lords who ruled before th birth of the living races, and who yet controlled an empire that spanned worlds Auric held his hands apart to show the vastness of the Aquan empire. Centuries of stalemate collapsed when the Queen of Chaos recruited her most potent ally, a ruthless Prince of Demons named Miska the Wolf-Spider. Miska and his demonic legions laid siege to the Wind Duke's territory, routing the elemental armies and snuffing out the culture of Aqua one world at a time. Something had to be done The entire tavern was on the edge of their seat entralled in the tale that the mighty adventurer wove atop the tavern table for all to see. The Wandering Dukes had to strike back so they wove a mighty weapon to undo their hated foe. Drawing upon the lore of a hundred different cultures, they constructed one of the most potent artifacts in history - the fabled Rod of Law Auric raised up his fist as if holding a rod in his hand. Eventually a great battle took place. On the fields of Pesh, the greatest of the Wandering Dukes plunged the Rod into Miska the Wolf-Spider. When the absolute Law of the Rod mixed with the Chaos woven in Miska's blood, a great planar rift erupted, shattering the Rod into seven pieces. The prince of Demons and the Aquaan Duke vanished into the rift while the parts of that rod were scattered. Silence came over the Feral Dog as Auric continued So, you may wonder what this has to do with us .. These dukes, you see, were buried in mighty tombs. The greatest tomb of all honored Icosiol. We believe that the very resting place of this tomb is nearby, burried and lost in time itself. With this he raised his ale mug high as ale sloshed out on the people gathered around. To Adventure! A roar of thunderous applaud could be heard through the town square from the pub as drunken men sang songs of Adventure to the hero in their midsts.

As the new arrivals finish their speech a tall, for an elf, muscular elven figure steps forward and addresses the speaker
"Can I first say, on behalf of the Gard and watch, welcome to Diamond Lake. Now to you we look simple folk and apparently gullible, foolhardy and stupid. Correct me if I'm wrong but we are not any of those things and your 'adventure' sounds like your trying to get us to do your dirty work because this sounds like you plan to set some of us of grave-robbing." and continues to waits for an answer.

Ah .. good sir .. it seems that you are mistaken. I do not intend to let anyone besides my adventuring party go anywhere near the Cairn. We are more than capable of getting the things we need on our own without having others to spoil the treasure .. Nope my good man .. we do not need you or anyone .. I merely tell of our great adventure to come for we are heroes of great renown!

"So then, why have a bunch of grave-robbers come to our town apart from knowledge and why have they bought us all a drink then. I would like to know your real reason for coming to Diamond Lake and I sincerely hope that it's not to steel from any of our stiffs."

It's not your graves you dolt! The hero slams his ale down on the table and hops down and into your face Its a cairn .. you know ..an old abandoned mine .. miles away from the city. Perhaps if you had a brain in that head of yours you would realize that the whispering carin is a legend .. one we intend to unveil. We only stop in Diamond Lake because it is the closest town to the Cairn and we were sent by the Free City itself. The discovery of the Cairn treasures will bring fame and fortune to your tiny town. He looks straight at his challenger and says any more questions or are you finished Good Sir!

The disfigured dwarf hears the bellowing from outside the establishment as he rides by and, curious, he stops and slides off his mount, landing heavily. Tying the mount to a post (or hitch rail, if present), he enters the establishment, noting the odd name on the shingle "The Feral Dog". One look and a deep breath shows the dwarf that only such an animal named on the sign would stay in this place long.

A largish man is standing on a table, spouting to all who would listen about queens, dukes and demons and an epic battle between them. He also, rather forcefully, mentions his intentions to locate the hidden site of an artifact called the Rod of Law, broken into 7 parts during the battle of which he spoke. As he moved aside to let others enter, the dwarf smiled, slightly and slowly, a smile that did nothing to enhance his looks. Now this was of interest to the dwarf! He had heard of powerful artifacts from gods and demons alike that were the source of many stories and legends, but to actually hear a story about one told in his presence, and at the same time to hear that an artifact was believed to be nearby -- this may be what Pelor the Bright had intended him to experience! Why else would he be here, to witness the telling of (most) of a tale of epic measure, with the hint of glorious adventure in the same breaths?

He also witnessed the end of the tale and a brief exchange between the big man and an elf. A large elf, to be sure, larger than any the Dwarf had seen to date. The exchange seemed heated, although the dwarf could hardly hear what was said for the clamorous din in the place increased immediatly after the man had finished his history and stepped down from the table. Pausing for just a moment after the conversation between the two ended, he turned and stepped back outside to maintain a watch on his horse.

Reaching up to pat the mount's nose a few times and leaning against the post, he half-smiled and mused on what he had just heard and witnessed, abstractedly watching those who entered and left.

Sitting in a corner of the establishment sat two deeply cloaked individuals. Robes of black covered their features and both sat in silence, each with a tall glass of sparkling water before them, for the water did so sparkle of its own accord a multitude of brilliant hues thanks to a subtly cast prestigidation spell while everyone's attention was focused on Auric. Aldaris and his dining companion sat observing the rowdy adventurers and their claims. Many in Diamond Lake knew Aldaris was Alludan's aide, but fewer still knew much of who or what he was, and none had dared even attempt at unmasking his friend. The two had arrived on strange steeds a month prior and spent most of their time locked away with Alludan doing who knows what. Aldaris mused over the commoner's fear of the unknown, had even quirked a brow when a young deciple of St Cuthbert had tried to 'turn' him and his companion; to which they both merely shrugged and continued on their way.

So with a distanced interest he watched a slight sqabble break out amongst the local rabble and let his mind wander over to tirra's, grasping at her thoughts on the matter while Auric's mouth kept prattling away.

Hunderel Ghundun sat at the bar of the Feral Dog, his favorite place to relax and eat after work. The work that he did wasnt the most stress free of Diamond Lake, but you got to make some coin somehow. He basically was hired muscle for the dock tenants. He was hired a year ago to work temporary down there, but he eventually grew to the job, and the dock tenants grew on him because of his intimidation. when Hunderel was in full battle gear, he looked quite scary. His spiked breastplate armour and greatsword slung across his back was a force to reckon with. There were also rumors that spread after a certain incident that Hunderel was more than just human.
Once about seven months ago, some thugs were trying to steal food and weapons. Probably for some under-nourished gang that was trying to keep it up on the streets. Well Hunderel found them, and they tried to resist. Hunderel was badly wounded in the beginning of the fight as a thiefs blade slipped into his side. He screamed out and then he seemed to slip into a meditatated state. Moments later he tore into the thiefs with more ferocity than any of the dock workers have seen before. All that as left were piles of bloody masses on the ground, almost indestinguishable after the horrendous damage with the greatsword. Hunderel stood over them, armour blood stained and sword soaked, and then walked off, holding his head and slowly dissapearing into the night.
Ever since then, people have whispered behind his back that there was something more within that man.
But tonight, that memory and more was suppressed by mugs of ale and a hot meal. He reached up and scratched his chin, realizing he was about a few days over due for a shave, but thats ok. He just wanted to get home and get all of this gear off of him, today wasnt even anything interesting. Well except for these new faces walking around town, which one was sturring up the entire tavern as he ate. He just ignored him and ate, back towards the crowd and the man speaking.
He thought to himself as he broke off a peice of bread and dipped it into his stew.

If I ever end up wearing anything as tight and skimpy as that man is, I'll throw myself off the docks
He shook his head and continued eating, silently listening to a growing argument.

Someone must of interrupted Mr. Heros story time. Good for them.
Huderel smiled and listened intently and ate, waiting for something to possibly escalate out of control.

Tirra sat at a table with the wizard in the corner. They both got up when the arguments began. Tirra sighed. As another figure from across the room began to detect her thoughts he began to hear a quiet voice Every time Auric tries to go on about these stories he always seems to get into trouble. This guy here can't even listen though .. what does he think .. we're just some thieves or con-men. If they knew what this Carin had they would .. Her thoughts stopped abruptly as she turned sharply in the direction of the man who had cast a prying spell on her. She whispered something to the wizard and they began to gather their things.

    Grakk was already sitting at a table next to the door, always the wisest place for the likes of him. When he first entered and sat down, there was one other at the table, but Grakk knew he would leave quickly if he growled just the right way. So when he sat, he bent over, looked at the other closely, and squinted, pushing his bottom lip up to his nose and growling menacingly. The guy didn't leave, didn't even seem to react at all. Shrugging, Grakk sat down and ignored him.
    After a short time, someone stood on a table and began to shout to get as many people to pay attention to him as possible. Grakk smiled at the display the man ut on. Somewhat like Grakk himself used to be, this guy. Not being the center of attention rankled, so he inflates his importance by making himself the center of attention. While the man was speaking, Grakk noticed that the guy next to him was snoring, but with his eyes open. He blinked and shook his head, mildly amused, then continued to ignore his erstwhile companion.
    The big man's tale took on fantastic proportions as he told of Demons, Queens, Princes, Wind Dukes ...
    (what the heck are Wind-Dukes? Ah, well. Just listen....)     His "companion" started awake when the big man finished and the singing began. One glance at Grakk and he didn't stay long. Just as well. He was used to it, and took no offense.
    ... and a battle of the eons. Planar rifts? He mentioned a rod. Rod of Law? Seven pieces? Grakk sat up and listened more carefully. He knew that he would not remember all of this, but he wanted to remember all he could. He was not interested in the story for the story's sake. He wanted information about this search the big man and his group appeared to be involved in. He also wondered if any others had similar plans. Now that would be a test of his skills! It might indeed. Possibly a most worthy test.
    There seemed to be an altercation twixt the big man and an elf after the tale was told, but the words were too low to be heard over the noise of the singing, and Grakk saw no reason to eavesdrop. The big man raised his voice once and banged his flagon on the table as if to make a point, but again the words were indistiguishable, just a bit louder.
    (I wonder ... the masters did not indicate a time frame or deadline for delivering my messages. Just that it needed to be done.)     Grakk knew naught of the stories or legends in or around this place, but he knew that the temple of Heironeous might know something, and he was to go there tomorrow. Meanwhile, sitting in this place and focusing his attention from place to place within his hearing range, he would be able to watch things unfold while looking and listening for anything -- anything at all -- as interesting as the information gleaned from the big man's story. And soon he did notice something. An elven female stood up. By standards other than Grakk's own, she might be considered attractive, but ... anyway, she stood and then glanced to a corner, looking at or for something. she whispered something to her companion, a dark-haired human in a red cape. then they both began to gather their things quickly. Grakk watched the pair carefully to see if they contacted or associated with anyone else in here ...

Aldaris felt his subtle connection with Tirra break, but gave no indication that her glance bothered him, he did not even indicate he had noticed, so focused was he now on Auric's thoughts. Aldaris didn't question the morals or motives behind the trio's arrival; he was merely interested in knowledge, and where better to garner such than the source?

Aldaris' companion lifted his drink to the shadow's of his deep cowl, tilting the glass before returning to to its resting place, long black armgloves covering anything possibly visible.