Adventurers (Book I – Issue #1)

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The issue opens up with the adventurers (Shadolok, Dhakab, Argent, Sultar, Coron, Bladehelm, Tirian and Coron) following a grog that they have captured (off panel). The grog leads them into a secret entrance to the Ruins of Tecumeth, which it had promised to do in exchange for its freedom. However, when it comes down to it, Shadolok thinks better of the idea, and decides to bring the creature along and gag it, so that it doesn’t alert the other grogs of Tecumeth.

They look at the scroll which reads:

Therein lies a skull;
Not of man, but by man;
Above all and nothing else;
Through the Eye which greets the Darkness;
Is Mage Rhannon.

Bladehelm and Coron then get in a small dispute; which leads Sultar to saying, should they kill one another, it’s a larger share of gold for them. Argent stops the bickering by suggesting that if the skull is above all else, then a view from the top may lead to a clue as to where the skull is. Nightwind offers to scale the wall, since as a Ninja, she has had previous experience scaling delicate walls.

When Nightwind reaches the top of the city, she discovers that the entire interior city is shaped like a skull. They discover that the Eye that Greets the Darkness, is implying the eye that is closest to where the sun sets.

The Adventurers make haste but pause when Shadolok comes across a patch of fresh blood. Suggesting they leave immediately, the Adventurers press onward. A giant cobra emerges, and only Nightwind’s amazing reflexes save her from being struck. Tirian manages to lodge his sword deep into the cobra’s eye, but losing his sword as a result. When the giant cobra turns its attention on Tirian, Bladehelm comes to his rescue – only to be confronted by the giant cobra instead. The giant cobra then falls over and dies suddenly. Shadolok’s ribs are crushed but he manages to walk quickly, fighting through the pain, knowing the noise of the battle was sure to attract much unwanted attention.

They uncover the labyrinth that leads to Rhannon’s catacombs, unaware that a large pack of grogs is following their every step. Inside the crypt, Bladehelm steps on a brick that triggers a trap door, closing behind them. At that moment, an army of grogs led by the dreaded Delgar the Beast emerges. The Adventurers respond in kind, with Shadolok and Tirian meeting the rushing grogs head on. Sultar’s hands burst into flames as he ignites an inferno around him, destroying handfuls of grogs.

At that same moment, Nightwind examines the blocks that they had stepped on that set off the trap – and shoves her dagger between the stone, which allows for Dhakab to lift the gates. They check the room beyond, which should be Rhannon’s treasure – and to their dismay find the room empty!

Shodolok is injured during the battle as a spear clips his upper shoulder. Tirian saves Shadolok’s life just as a grog is about to finish him off. Beyond the lifted gate, Coron shouts that they had better run for it. Shadolok tells Tirian to go through the gate, since he can hold them off – but Tirian will not have it, because Shadolok is wounded and would not be able to hold them off. Shadolok agrees and makes it under the gate. As Tirian makes a break from the battle, a spear pierces his back. He collapses. A grog is about to finish him off, but Shadolok sends an arrow into the grog’s throat, killing it. Tirian drags himself to the dagger and breaks the blade, causing the door to close – dooming himself, yet saving his comrades.