Intro Plot Point: Necrotic Cave Laboratory

Trevor Thatcher was connected to the Keep family escaped unnoticed during their downfall. During the Keep downfall, he escaped, taking his research and fleeing to the wilderness where he continued his studies.

The necrotic channeler is trying to build an army of the dead for the former Keep family and attempting to discover the methods of creating Metal Owners. He can animate the dead, but nothing beyond the limits of the Animate Dead spell. His assigned duties from the Keep family were to determine a method to bring the dead back permanently while controlling them. His research into Metal Owners is a side project he has been fascinated by for years. He had hoped to one day reveal his side project to the head of the Keep family to gain favor.

This quest does not reveal any information about the Keep family's return, as the channeler is unaware of their return. The party is unaware of the Keep name, but they gather he used to work for them and had plans involving Umi’s demise. He still wears his robes given to him during his service under the Keep family. The symbol on the robe is unique and unknown, but it is the Keep family’s emblem.

While exploring the wilderness, south of Byhase, he stumbled upon a cave system and has been using it as a home and lab for years. During the party’s travel, nighttime falls, and the party needs to find a place to camp. Either they find the cave to use as a place to rest or find a wandering zombie (or skeleton). If the party wants to determine where it came from, it left a very noticeable trail back to the cave.

Otherwise, if on the trail of the missing child, it leads back to the cave.

Main Plot Point Connection: The End of Albiat

To have a continuous supply of fresh corpses, Trevor reached out to the local bandit guild, the Jade Daggers. Despite the Keep family's downfall, he maintained his contract with the Jade Daggers. He has notes explaining their agreement, including the location of a hideout for future meetings or instructions. The note is written in a language at least one character knows. This is also the language Trevor prefers to write his notes in. Finding this note starts the main plot point: The End of Albiat.

The Cave

There are two passages in the cave, and one goes straight ahead beneath a natural rock bridge. The other leading off to the left around a bend that connects to the bridge. The bridge connects to the elevated secondary lab, while the path straight ahead leads to the main lab where Trevor is working.

Elevated Secondary Lab

This lab is filled with dead bodies, piles of humanoid bones, a table of unique metal spikes, and an odd contraption hanging from the ceiling. A table sits off to the side where scrolls and notes on the process for creating metal owners can be found, all written in Runic. The notes are incomplete as if the channeler in the middle of their experiment. The scrolls are three spell scrolls, two Animate Dead and one Plague (no legit merchant will buy the plague spell scroll. Selling it legally could raise suspicions and lead to questioning by local authorities. However, it can be sold in the black market if the party can access it but for a reduced price and an unlucky barter roll, if they try).

Rows of dead bodies with metal spikes can be seen on the contraption hanging from the ceiling. The bodies are attached to a metal frame that keeps their arms stretched out. The frame supports their torso but leaves open space for the spikes to be driven through the torso.

Opposite the entrance of this area is a fifteen-foot cliff that shows a bird's-eye view of the main lab. There is no cover at the cliff’s edge. Attempting to look down gives Trevor a chance to spot the party (Trevor’s perception vs. DR12, unless the characters are using their hide skill).

The stench coming from this area is putrid and revolting. Stamina checks (DR10) to not vomit is required when entering the area for the first time.

If this plot point was started with the married couple missing their daughter, then inside a cage is a halfoid Myri/Raf’shat girl.

Main Lab

Creatures: Trevor Thatcher, zombies and/or skeletons

The main laboratory is filled with dead bodies and piles of bones. There is a makeshift wooden desk next to a battered, old straw mattress in a small alcove off to the right. The center of the room contains a large circular stone slab with runic etchings around its edge. Layers of dried blood are caked over it. Laying in the middle of the slab is a male human corpse. Trevor is standing over the slab chanting in Runic as he points his conduit at the corpse.

If undetected, as the party walks into the lab, Trevor completes his spell and the corpse on the slab shakes and twitches as it stands staring towards the party. If Trevor sees the party beforehand, he completes his spell quicker and readies his undead servants to attack.

Maps