Entry Twenty Six: Howling of the Forsaken
The howls… Ever growing louder with each passing moment… One had yet to rest, as Neyaa would finally awaken to one shriek so loud, all within the Forsaken Inn could hear. The call to Imladris would have to wait a little longer, as one would not stand idle at the odd happenings within the Inn. We would go upstairs to speak with the Innkeeper Anlaf, who nervously swept the floor. The Inn stood as empty as the home one left, the silence between the howling the only soothing comfort. After speaking with Anlaf, we would proceed onward to investigate.
The room, next to that of the one rented for the night stood an odd bookcase. A faint draft could be felt blowing from behind it. Neyaa suggested that a book looked dislodged, when returned upright the Bookcase would slowly rumble, moving to the side to reveal a secret passage. Without hesitation, one would remove a torch from the wall and descend further down into the lower chambers of the Forsaken Inn. It was there that we came across an odd fellow, going by the name Umin…
Umin claimed he was investigating the howls also, though could not proceed further due to a mysterious door. A Riddle was wrote upon it “Do it to my belly and watch me chuckle...do it to my eye and taste my knuckle”. It did not take long, for one to figure out the answer, poking the door which would see it open. As we continued on further, traps had been set-up as to keep those unwelcome out. Spikes would shoot from the floors amongst other mechanisms would trigger if wrong footing would find you upon hidden pressure plate.
Though what was causing the grim howls… As we found ourselves trapped in one room, it was then that we would find out the answer. The Undead hordes, began to rise. No mercy given as they would strike within seconds. Neyaa would finally prove to herself, her skills with a blade not easily forgotten. Umin would cower in a corner until all were slain. But what sorcery was bringing these bones to life?
As the gates rose and a few riddle doors later, Umin would rush ahead towards a burial chamber. He would begin to shout and grow angry at something before things took a turn for the worse. The room collapsed upon him and there was nothing one could do. We would continue further down the only open path to us, leading to a chamber, filled with that of the dead. A piece of parchment lay upon the floor, naming three men who lay to rest within the chamber. More of the Undead would rise, prying open from there final resting places. After all was said and done, a lever was revealed which would allow us to continue.
We would reach a dead end, all seeming lost. One would notice yet another lever, unknowing what would happen if pulled. As he did, the floor would collapse dragging himself and Neyaa down into water. As the rush finally ended with a splash, we swam to the nearest ledge to find a ship lying dormant beneath.
It was then we saw Umin… The man survived somehow, but now he was manically laughing. He clutched hold of a necklace, claiming it was a heirloom of his family. Now that he had it, he had no need for us he would say, which is when he attacked. The amulet would grant him some form of mystical power, as he would grow stronger from each and every strike. It was then, one noticed an odd contraption secured to the mast. With Neyaa distracting Umin, one would operate the pressure plate upon the hull of the ship. The mechanism would spin, knocking the amulet from Umin’s grasp and render him powerless. Neyaa would bring him to his knees and tie him up with rope found upon the ship. One would pick up the amulet, destroying it and casting it to the depths beneath. It would seem Umin was the cause of the mystery beneath the Forsaken Inn and finally brought to justice…
