Part III. Encounter at Blackwall Keep

It is time for research and training within the small town of Diamond Lake. Our heroes ponder over the cryptic notes found from the cult leaders underneath the mines, worrying of its portents. Not only did the three groups of cultists venerate dead gods (and receive clerical powers from such), but also there is mention of a coming Age of Worms. To lend concern to the dire portents, Ilyana receives correspondence from an old friend of hers named Marzena, who mentions strange green worms found in the Lizard Marsh. Ilyana needs to continue her research, but she sends the heroes out (with the jar) to speak with Marzena.

Plans are never that easy, and as they approach Blackwall Keep, a small fort where Marzena currently resides, they find it is besieged by a small army of lizardmen. The group debates their predicament, but opts to lend their sword arm, riding for the gates. They skirmish against small packs of the lizardmen, who are no match for their prowess. The group makes it into the walls where they learn of the fight, which has been ongoing for a few days. The heroes strike out against the invaders, chasing down and slaying their leader and a sorcerer, routing the remaining ones.

Back in the keep, the soldiers are uneasy. The lizardmen have increased their attacks of late, when in the past they had been relatively peaceful. Their brazen actions surprised the guards, and before they could stop them, they had abducted six people, including Marzena. If the heroes wish to speak with the mage, they first must rescue her. After a small bit of rest, the group ventures out armed with a map of the surrounding marshes.

Clem's tracking abilities come to the forefront as he leads the group directly to the invader's lair. The lizardmen hole up inside a dense tangle of mangaroo plants which form walls and a canopy for their lair. The group spots a patrol outside the lair and is able to stop them before they reveal their presence. Stealth is not our group's strong point, but they use it to their advantage for as long as possible.

Inside, they encounter a few lizardmen patrols, which they prevent from spiraling into an unending tide of lizardmen. A pair of harpies prove difficult, as they entrance Jonas and Clem, but Zeb's powers of song are able to counter their effects. The group maneuvers their way through the mangaroo mound, searching for captives and leaders of any sort. They encounter a lizardman lieutenant who slays one prisoner before they're able to destroy him.

Soon afterwards, they find Marzena, captive at the hands of a shaman named Hishka. He knows why the group is here and seeks to parley with them to get their assistance. He has watched the decline of their king, Shukak, and knows that his only loyalty is to his dark master Ilthane. Hishka wants his people at peace with the humans, not the folly of war. To this end, he bargains with the PCs: if they will remove Shukak and deal with the corrupt egg left by Ilthane in the hatchery below, he will spare Marzena's life and work to bring a peaceful solution for his tribe. Agreed, the group moves on to the lair of the lizard king.

Charging in, the party takes Shukak by surprise. He is a strong opponent, nearly killing Corwin in the opening moments. Cergus rains punishing blows upon the king, and within a short span, the lizard king has fallen. Taking his spear as a trophy, they regroup and head to the hatchery.

Cergus strides forward, but devilish kobolds strike from the shadow and injure him greatly. The enemy is not hardy, but their agility and cunning make up for it. Once they are dispatched, the heroes find a room filled with lizard men eggs. In the dead center rests a stone egg much larger than the others. After some debate, the decision is for Cergus to smash it. The egg is far less sturdy than they expect, as it cracks easily and flood the room with tiny green worms. The worms spill across Cergus and out onto the floor, heading for the eggs. The group reacts as fast as possible, moving eggs to save them from the disastrous tide. A few eggs are consumed, breaking to reveal worm eaten skeletons. Jonas unleashes holy energy across the room, destroying the corrupted eggs, and with the help of a few astonished lizard men, the rest of the eggs are saved. Reunited with Marzena, the party returns to Blackwall Keep.

The guards at the Keep appear concerned, and after a bit of questioning, it is learned that something evil lurks below the Keep. Something has risen and snatched two of the soldiers in the past night. They've contained it below, but turn to the party for help. Below, the group finds all three of the soldiers, now all turned to worm-eaten undead known as Spawns of Kyuss. Once again, Cergus is infected by the worms, but his holy resilience protects him from the effect. Could this sinister plot, possibly engineered by the mysterious Ilthane, be the beginning of the Age of Worms?