(First Expedition) Expeditions to the Ancient Castle Malabeaux
Player Notes by Darren
A true and accurate accounting by Norg Leadbelly, Gnomish Treasure Hunter
Foreword
I am Norg Leadbelly, sometimes known as Norg Nine-fingers, and at other times Norg the Tinker, or Norggert Nimblethumb. Some may consider me a petty thief, and while it is true I have done my share of second-story work, I am also a treasure finder and adventurer.
What follows are the true and accurate accountings of my expeditions into the ruins of Castle Malabeaux. Where possible and reasonable, I recollect my impressions and memories of these ruins. If you have found this, I am dead. Toast to my memory if this memoir aids your adventures. If you have paid for this, I am alive, and you have paid a fair price! No refunds! May Garl Glittergold smile upon you and yours.
Rumours Learned in the City
While asking after the castle ruins and surrounding environs in the New City, I heard many tales from a cast of unsavory characters who I am quick to forget. The choicest morsels follow.
“If you see the sign of the cross, you can rest safely.”
“The ancient forest cult is working in the mountains, beware the stone circles.”
“A party recently went out and saw undead monks chanting in a chapel.”
“Someone sold old wine they scavenged from the castle.”
“The long-lived Malabeaux family has been producing wine for centuries.”
The First Expedition, June 2****nd 2026
My first foray into the castle was made with my companion, Quirky the Elf Fighter. She was well provisioned, wielding a halberd, battle axe, and spear she claimed is magical. The Elven Damsel was also appointed with torches and other mundane goods expected of an adventuring companion. She fought well when needed and showed good judgement. A fledgling, I tried my best to impart upon her the importance of mapping and avoiding messy confrontations.
The Castle Courtyard
A cobblestone road leads up the castle gate. The gate was destroyed long ago and is a heap of rubble. It is easy enough to climb over, even for one of smaller stature like myself.
The cobblestone road leads around to the rear of the castle. A bridge or other structure connects at the rear. At this time, it remains unexplored.
The castle exterior is in disrepair. It is falling apart, mossy, and gargoyle statues and ravens watch the comings and goings. Arrow slits, otherwise known as “murder holes,” survey the inner courtyard. I suspect the ravens are watchers for a power within the castle ruins.
The north courtyard contained a large, overgrown rose garden. A ten-foot climb is required, but it is easy enough. My companion and I used the ladder from the stable hayloft to make this easier. The garden contained roses that emit a sleeping perfume. Arms and legs were buried here which attempt to trip and disrupt adventurers. Both were burned out with oil and fire. It is no longer a threat.
To the west of the rose garden is a garden shed. It contains a secret passage into the castle, which I have further detailed in the next section of my notes. Otherwise, the shed contains a variety of garden tools. An exit also leads south, and remains unexplored.
In the middle north of the courtyard is a pond, shallow and clear enough to be wadable. A small island sits in the middle, with a pavilion at the center. A stone sarcophagus is here. It is inscribed with the name “Tristano Malabeaux.” And inscription reads, “The Love Lost.” An icon of four handprints is on the lid. The prints are the same size. An entity, finely dressed, was loosed upon our first visit. He lamented that he wasn’t brought a woman for courting and took his backpack and left through the ruined gate. If you hear of a four-armed man in your travels, it is likely to be Tristano. I thought him kind, if not odd.
To the east of the pond is a stone statue of a young woman wearing robes. Her arm is outstretched, and palm upward. Her expression is wistful, and she is classically depicted.
To the south and east of the pond are two small guard posts. Each post contained one animated skeleton, armed with a halberd. Each was subdued, and relieved of their halberds, to be sold for extra coin. To the east of the posts are large double doors, presumably the main entrance to the castle. At this time, they remain unopened.
South of the pond is a small garden. The scarecrow is only half intact and is missing its legs. In the garden grow potatoes. The potatoes are unsampled. If you try them, please tell me how they turn out!
South of the garden are stables. The stables are empty. A refuse pile is there. Disturbed by a ten foot pole, vermin spilled out but nothing more. A ladder leads up to a loft. A saddle bag was found here, containing a bottle of “fiery wine.” Back at town, we were able to identify it as a potion of greater healing. Or was it superior? Either way, it went to my companion, Quirky.
Connected to the stables is a forge, with a stoked burning fire. Upon entering, a hammer flew at me. Iron ingots were suspended in the air around the forge. Attempting to remove them resulted in the hammer flying at me again. I buried the hammer in the dirt floor of the stable and removed the ingots.
To the east of the stables is a door. On the other side we found seven animated skeletons. They appeared to be taking target practice with an eighth figure, suspended by rope from the rafters. The figure is wearing plate armor, and the skeletons were taking turns to hurl a spear into the figure’s chest. We remained unnoticed, and I sealed the door with an iron spike.
Beyond the Secret Door
Starting in the rose garden shed, you will need a torch.
The first room contains a bar. We encountered apparitions, engaged in a discussion on what to do with the living. When I stepped out of the shadows to engage them in polite discussion, they melted away into ectoplasm. I recovered a bottle of “ghost gin.” The label says there is enough for three servings. I haven’t mustered the courage to try the spirits. A door leads to the north.
The door is clearly labeled, “Do Not Disturb.” Inside this room are eight cradles. Before entering, I could hear the sounds of a lullaby being sung, followed by a baby’s laughter. My companion and I passed through, heeding the message of the sign. On the walls hung many daggers. Our imaginations suggested many ways those daggers might react to a disturbance. This chamber exits to the northeast.
From the nursery you will come into a large hall which runs north to south. About 30 feet north there is a door on the west wall. The hallway continues further north, with another door on the western wall. The hallway turns to the right, too, and continues eastward until it turns to the south. We did not explore further in that direction. While in the hallway, we could hear the cry of a wolf. Sadly, pinpointing the direction of the howl was impossible, as the cry seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere.
The first door north of the nursery contains what appears to be an armoury. Seven rotting, standing bodies polish spears. An enormous floating head, the size of a boulder, floats here observing the maintenance. We were able to exit before being noticed until the last moment, when it called out a query, “What are you doing here?” I spiked the door shut and we were not pursued.
North of the armoury was a room containing a multitude of things. Fluttering white sheets at the walls, framing a swarm of severed hands. The hands are chasing after a sparkling small thunder cloud. At the center of this thunderhead is a purple heart-shaped bottle. My companion and I both tried to snatch it up with sacks, but to no avail. We managed to flee.
The hallway also heads southward before turning a corner to the east. Rounding this corner, I espied a group of men in finery. Sneaking close, I eavesdropped on their conversation. The five men were plotting to create a scandal against the performer Matricia Malabeaux. Their plan is to ruin her performance by mistuning a piano key to make it appear that she made an error in her performance. It is unknown when the performance is to take place.
Of Note
When leaving the castle grounds, we encountered a small party of man-sized figures. There were four or five. Our torches extinguished, no features could be made out in the darkness. They appeared to be covered from head to toe in heavy clothing. Hugging the walls of the bar room, they passed us by and continued into the nursery. By Garl’s glittering beard, I am thankful for this.
The halberds and ingots were sold for twenty pieces of gold, which were split evenly with my companion. I gifted her the healing wine, and I retained the gin.