Being free from Marcus's spying eyes, Mitu takes a moment to speak with Bodan and Slip about their shared experience in the Cave of Voices (What happens in the Cave, stays in the Cave...). They converse as they walk, the Talmoril's Sword still pointing to the Northwest -- into the Mountains past the river.
Marcus uses his sorcerous powers to make contact with Soreiss, explaining that he was abandoned and was making his way to Corwinton instead. Soreiss tells him to return to the waywinder stone, and Soreiss -- leaving Lugh on the road to Sashmir -- opens a gateway for Marcus and his eagle. Mitu, Bodan, and Slip pay it little mind when the eaglerider emerges. Soreiss does not bother to stick around, returning instead to Lugh's side, and choosing to head into The Barrens, a slum built outside the city's south wall, in the hopes of getting aid from Lugh's family.
Marcus takes to the sky just as the ground begins to shake. Bodan uses his Earthmastery to anchor Mitu and Slip to the ground so they might weather the tremor. Unfortunately, they seem to be under attack. Slip uses his waterlens to discern a balding Usho magus clad in deep blue and gold robes. A booming voice proclaims that he is hunting the Necromancer Veldir Kedrith, and will slay all his minions if they do not stand down. Once again Soreiss's necromantically tainted eldritch signature has been mistaken for that of his brother. Marcus flies up toward the source of the voice, but loses sight of him. And suddenly, the voice speaking is calm -- an invisible hand rests itself on Marcus's shoulder. The mage addresses Marcus, noting that he is an eaglerider of the Order, and therefore no likely to be in league with Veldir. Marcus explains that what the magus sensed was not Veldir, and offers to say more if he ends the tremors on the ground below, and lands so that all present may speak. The Magus agrees.
He identifies himself as Zillmiran, a name recognized by both Mitu and Slip. The Ogren knows that Tharivol and Uli had some contact with the man back before meeting Mitu, and Slip knows the mage by reputation. Zillmiran is known as an Archmage, a former lecturer at the Southern Academy at Tal'Ushorin, and a condescending prick. Indeed, the rumors were quite true -- immediately condescending, Zillmiran is only respectful to Marcus, and to a lesser extent, Slip. They discuss what Zillmiran sensed, and Slip slips that the archmage sensed Soreiss, Veldir's "brother". For once, there is someone who seems to have never heard of Soreiss.
Zillmiran and the party verbally fence for a while, with Zillmiran belittling Mitu and seeming to read the Ogren's every behavioral trait without recourse to Magic. After a time, and the understanding that they are all heading in roughly the same direction. Zillmiran teleports the party in a northwesterly direction, jumping from hilltop to hilltop. At each stop, he asks a question of the party, and agrees to answer one in turn. Mitu consults the Talmoril's Blade at each stop, and eventually Mevonn's Quill points someplace other than into the high Mountains of the Northwest.
There is evidence that the Krinod of Muros's army is camped in the valleys and far hillsides across from where the party now stands. Zillmiran takes his leave of the PCs, claiming that he must go and find a friend of his down there. Mevonn's Quill, however, does not point at Muros's Camp. Instead, it seems to point along a rough path along the very ridge upon which they stand. After a short walk, the party hears a voice rumble from the rocks beneath them. Unmistakably, it is the voice of Warrin, the chosen of Caarpachi. When Warrin asks whats up with the sword, Mitu explains about the Talmoril; Warrin laughs heartily, and approaches from the rocks. The sword does not point toward him, and Warrin laughs even more soundly. He explains that the sword seems to be pointing to his camp, which leaves only Caedin and Fartlegoth as its chosen. Both options, the barechested warrior admits, are amusing enough to drive him to convulsions.
It turns out that the sword identifies Caedin... who refuses to accept it, and storms down into the valley, into the hordes of Krinod, and soon it is obvious, into the heart of Muros's own encampment. Mitu and Marcus follow, even as Warrin and Fartlegoth offer Bodan and Slip a drink and the general hospitality of their camp. Soon after, Zillmiran arrives again -- Warrin was the very friend he was seeking.
Mitu and Marcus follow the path Caedin has cut through the Krinod, ad find him railing at Min, the humanoid guise of the phoenix Minulex, Akarri, and Izizi. Caedin is demanding to speak with Mevonn, but the assembled Phoenixes are not responding to him. Min actually seems amused. When Muros attempts to approach, Caedin shoots him a comment as well, warning the Archon to mind his business and stay out of this matter. Sensing the implied threat, Tharivol steps in front of Muros to defend him -- but his face clearly shows an understanding that he won't hold Caedin off for long. Mitu tries to speak to the enraged swordsman, but Caedin warns Mitu to back off. So long as Mitu is carrying Mevonn's Quill, he and Caedin are not on the same side. He urges Mitu to toss the sword aside, since Caedin will not take it. Let the Phoenixes handle their own mess for once.
Eventually, the situation calms enough for Caedin to state that he will not even consider taking the sword until he has a chance to speak to Mevonn. Minulex agrees to pass on the message.
Mitu and Marcus follow Caedin back to camp. They discuss the issue of Caedin with Warrin even as the swordsman sits alone, brooding.
They all sense a strange presence a moment before a glimmering humanoid figure, albeit a massive, 8 foot tall one, with a hawks head and eyes like turquoise stones approaches. The being gleams like burnished steel, and all realize that they are in the presense of Mevonn (Who rests his hand on Mitu's shoulder as he passes, filling the Ogren with a sense of serene calm).
Caedin leaps up, but the others watch as Mevonn states calmly that the choice of the Talmoril cannot be unmade, regardless of whether or not Caedin ever accepts the sword or not. Furthermore, he curses the swordsman to be without any sword save the talmoril's blade. If he is to continue as a swordsman, Mevonn's Quill is the only sword that will have him. To make this point, Caedin's own sword cracks and disintegrates. Caedin hurls down the remains of his sword, but refuses to take the Phoenix blade and Mevonn tells Caedin to enjoy his life as a farmer.
Caedin goes off alone, even as others in the camp talk about what just occured. Zillmiran finds it all quite amusing, but is too drunk to participate for long. Marcus, Mitu, and Warrin each have different viewpoints about the whole affair bickering about the differences between chosen responsibilities and those which are imposed. Sometime during the conversation, a storm breaks out... and a short while later, they notice that Caedin has gone.
Just before dawn, Caedin staggers back into camp. His face is bloodied raw, and his eyes dark. When asked what happened, he informs the party that he "had it out" with the Phoenixes, all of them. Then he tells Mitu to toss him the Talmoril's Sword, adding that, ultimately, he lost. After a short conversation, Mitu understands that it was probably Krakaroon who cowed the proud swordsman, since Caedin admitted that it was he who pummeled himself into his present condition. After that, Caedin sprawls out on the rocks to rest.
Meanwhile, back in Kesh, Soreiss and Lugh poke around the Barrens, hoping to find Manny Pazuna, a Kuzani clan cousin of Lugh's that Grandfather had advised him to seek if his travels lead to Sashmir. Indeed, they eventually find Manny (and his door closing Luma son, Lolo), a corpulent Kuzani living in a house in the center of the Barrens. Manny listens to them, and agrees to arrange for them to slide into the Sashmir port a few hours before dawn. Oddly enough, it is Captain Ahze (whose ship they thought they saw in the Barrens' port) who is tasked -- reluctantly -- with ferrying the two travelers as well as Manny's son Lolo into the great city.
Unfortunately, things do not go as planned. As they near the Sashmir docks, they can see something amiss with the dockmaster (who is connected to Manny, and therefore supposed to be an ally). They push into port anyway, and even as the dockmaster helps them secure the ship and climb up to the docks, he apologizes, saying he had no choice.
A flurry of small darts streak out and blanket the area, and all five men (Ahze, Lolo, Lugh, Soreiss, and the dockmaster) collapse.
When Lugh and Soreiss awaken, they are in a small room with a handle-less door. All of their belongings seems present and untouched. A small bowl of dried fruits and bread are set on a table near a pitcher of water and some glasses. A note informs them to be comfortable and eat and drink what they wish. They start making noise on the door, and they discern the sound of approaching footsteps. Backing away from the door as it opens, a smoky miasma pushes into the room. Three shadowy figures wrapped in pale gauze stand there. They wear masks which cover the lower halves of their faces, and only their eyes seem uncovered by the gauze wraps.
The three people identify themselves as members of the Alu Mahar, and apologize for the method of their first meeting. They inform Lugh and Soreiss that their coming was foretold by a book nearly 150 years prior, and that they must not venture into the city until well after dawn. Inquiring why, Lugh and Soreiss are told that the Beast-Who-Wears-the-Skin-of-a-Man watches the city, and would surely find the pair this night if not for the measures taken by the Alu Mahar.
(The Alu Mahar is an ancient order of assassins and mystics founded sometime during the era of the 2nd Prophecy).
The Alu Mahar eventually escort the pair outside, and leave them by the University's great courtyard, near enough their destination. They pass time shopping and drinking at a bar across town before heading into the Blue Candle Tavern, supposedly the oldest Bar in the world. Just about midnight, Marika Dracos arrives -- she is taller than Maraianna, her features more stern and slightly sharper, but her eyes are almost identical. She walks right to their table and Soreiss returns her dagger to her (those she already has several worn openly, once which, it seems, she has used several times since arriving in Sashmir). Marika admits to having some serious confusion -- the world has changed significantly since her time, and she needs a while to sort things out. She implies that she has some of Maraianna'a memories, but lacks the context to properly understand them right now. In Marika, much of Maraianna can be seen plainly; they are not so different at all. Yet, they are not the same, either.
Marika seems startled when she learns that two of her former companions are the most dangerous of the Nightmasters. Anjoule was a rival of hers, but she seems genuinely surprised at his fall. Akur, though, was one of her closest friends and is almost incredulous at the statement. That the dragon fell to the darkroad seems to trouble her. She informs Soreiss and Lugh that she will be remaining in town, heading to Moon Hill to find some answers. She also comments that the Alu Mahar contacted her as well, claiming to have been founded by her, and therefore, are at her disposal.
The meeting ends, and Marika departs the Blue Candle. Soreiss and Lugh teleport away to rejoin the rest of the Party on the glass continent.
As Caedin has taken up Mevonn's Quill, the task of delivering the blade is complete. They all decide that it is best to rest for a few days back in Larka. Caedin surprises everyone by asking Soreiss for a ride to Sashmir. It seems that Muros decided there is no room in his army for the Swordsman.
Back in Larka, there is a huge crate of books and journals on the table in the study. It contains copies of the materials promised to Soreiss by the Syments. Soreiss forgets about sleeping and pours over the ancient notes on Dimensionl Mechanics penned by the Darkweaver himself.
----
[Jolt Code: 3B,5C,2CB, 2R]
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Chapter 15: Session 06
Back in Mount Wind, Krius informs a young Eaglerider named Marcus about a new assignment. Marcus, an expert at gathering intelligence in the Varukko Market, is tasked with following and assisting the party of Bearers. Marcus is not entirely pleased with the notion of babysitting, even though Krius insists it is not. Yet Marcus is a professional and will follow orders, waiting for the Party's return to Mount Wind.
Having left Drathmorton, the party sets off to buy Durin dinner in Port Arlin, Kesh. The establishment he wants to visit is a place called "The Burning Tree" a name which does not make Lugh all too happy.
The name comes from a local story about the origin of the town. The founders of the this town had come upon this land and saw two potential parcels in which to populate. One, a rocky coastal shelf, the other, a wooded area in need of much effort to clear. The settlers asked their gods for an answer to this dilemma; that night a great thunderstorm rained down lightning bolts on the wooded area, catching the forest ablaze, clearing the wooded spot. Seeing the destruction as a bad omen the settlers decided upon the difficult to farm rocky shelf and built first a common house, today named, "The Burning Tree" (Others say that the location of the town was placed to spite the gods through the intentional misreading of an obvious omen).
Port Arlin, is the northernmost port city in Kesh, located just south of Rocky Bay, a region ceded to the Kinlarn Hegemony after a short territorial and trade dispute. Kesh gave up the rights for any ports in Rocky Bay itself, in return for reduced tariffs on trade goods. It was the same agreement that has recently caused Shrewsborn to grow into a regional tradehub as products are brought overland between Kesh, the Hegemony, and the Protectorate.
The streets of Port Arlin are rough gravel and the buildings reflect much of the same rough but sturdy construction. The Burning Tree is a large building made of stone and wood, with a large black metal sculpture of a tree worked into the side of the building, extending over the roof and shading the rear outdoor dining area. The inside looks much the same, sturdy with barely a nod toward aesthetics.
As the party approaches The Burning Tree, Mitu, among others, notices a man in an alley across the way, seemingly watching their movements. The man appears suspicious, the kind of suspicious that makes you wonder if any second he could pull open his cloak and flash his fleshy wangdoodle. That, or perhaps he intends to harm you. Thinking the latter, Mitu tries to stare down the man who keeps a steady gaze locked on the party, seeming unimpressed. He nods an acknowledgment to the party before disappearing down the alley.
The party enters The Burning Tree and is seated in the outdoor area behind the main building, since this is more comfortable seating for someone as large as Mitu, it also helps put the other patrons at ease to see this strange group seated away from them.
The food is remarkable, fine selections of local fish, poultry and mutton, roasted or stewed with root vegetables and exotic herbs; food fit for the Merchant Princes. Durin recalls the last time he dined at the establishment some 25 years ago, remarking that the food is better than he remembered. This could be due to the fact that living in Drathmorton in the past few years, everything local seemed to taste kind of "off".
Dinner is abruptly interrupted as flaming glass bottles come flying over the roof and into the outdoor dining courtyard. Mitu beats a hasty retreat from the fire as Soreiss, Slip and Bodan easily contain and extinguish the minor nuisance. Lugh and Bodan are fired upon by two men perched in the tree sculpture on the side of the building. Mitu and Soreiss investigate the front of the building, hoping to discover who threw the bottles. They find four men, possibly mercenaries, readying weapons as they recognize both Soreiss and Mitu by name.
Lugh summons a mighty gale, knocking the pair of men from the tree. Bodan cripples one man with a shard of stone through his knee, while Lugh and his wolves easily subdue the other. Bodan turns his attention toward the scene in the front of the building, as Slip simply walks through the back door of the building and out the front to see the same. Soreiss shows uncharacteristic calm and restraint as Mitu charges at the four men.
The attacking archers coordinate their bow-fire on Mitu as the monster rushes forward to pummel someone into unconsciousness. Quickly, and luckily, although not luckily enough, their arrows strike the Ogren's head and shoulders; the attack does not cause the Ogren any pause. An instant later one of their rank lies flat on his back, dazed and in pain from a brutal suicide rush. Bodan, seeing a perfect opportunity, uses his earth mastery to shake and move the earth beneath the feet of the four men, knocking the rest to the ground.
Mitu takes a split second to assess the arrows in his armor notices the color of the fletching, gray and blue, the colors of the Sellswords... and of the Company. These aren't mercenaries, these are the unwitting soldiers of the Nendir hoping to earn a hefty reward for the capture or death of anyone in this party. This information makes Soreiss stop using restraint, and Mitu takes up a more lethal weapon than his hands.
Seeing that the attack is foiled and their chances of survival have faded quickly, the leader of the four Company men crushes a small jade pendant...
In a flash of pale green light, they disappear.
The two captives are questioned as local guards show up to police this commotion. Not wanting to be bothered with local politics Soreiss simply opens a gate to Turwinton taking the two captives with us, and the guards follow. Seeing the error of following, the guards surrender much to the amusement of Soreiss and he sends them back with a grin.
As the two company captives are questioned, Mitu gives them a choice -- talk and have their injured legs splinted, their open wounds bound, or remain silent and have their uninjured legs broken. They opt to talk, but reveal nothing of importance. The low ranking Company men don't have any idea who they serve or why. Some of Turwinton's Ganthur (bystanders to the scene) laugh at the two as they hobble away, giving the two "ladies" thirty seconds to "get the hell out of their town"
Durin joins the effort of crafting the Eog, and Bartlebye and his family are picked up in Drathmorton.
Moments later, Everyone stands on the shores of Ghostrock. It is the day of the towns first election.
Bartlbye begins the process of settling in and everyone chats with the locals for a short while. Lugh walks around the town, looking at the changes that have been made since he last saw this rapidly expanding sea side town. Everyone else takes a letter of passage from Tol'Urvinn Silliann, the newly elected mayor of Ghostrock, giving them access to the cave of voices to see if they can investigate further into the darkness than they could last time.
Quickly, Soreiss realizes that the darkness remains just as impenetrable as before and convinces everyone that this is a waste of time. But he convinces them too late. The entrance to the shrouded underground pass has been sealed, it would seem, by the Mirror Black.
The walls grow slick with a sickening ichor that appears alive, responding to your every fear. The slimy blackness stretches, making the mouth of the pass appear farther and farther away. Soreiss's skin draws tight to his bones as it withers and dries, his eyes sink back deep into his head until only two bright pinpoints radiate from within hollow sockets. Soreiss is quickly fading back into the form he shed as Athrin Nur. Completely disgusted at the games the Mirror Black plays on your fears, Soreiss curses the mirror (...and the GM), and through his sheer indomitable Ego ignores the Mirror's corruptive impulses. Instantly, Soreiss returns to normal and walks to the mouth of the path.
Unfortunately, Slip, Bodan and Mitu are not so lucky. They fall victim to their deepest fears and regrets.
Across town, Lugh senses a sudden shift in balance to that of corruption, emanating from the cave of voices. He rushes off to assess the situation.
At the Cave's entrance, Lugh is faced with The Mirror -- dark and oily slick. He calls forth Warwood on his druidstaff and strikes at the Mirror in defiance. As before the Mirror yields to his blow and begins to pull Lugh inside. Fighting with all he has to remain outside The Mirror, Lugh pulls half of his druidstaff out forming what appears to be a lever.
Inside, Mitu tries to rally his friends, urging them not to give up and to walk alongside him to the entrance. They all hear that failure is upon them; they should stop fighting and give up, for all is lost. Mitu closes his eyes to what his mind might see in an attempt to break free as he feels that he is treading on something sickeningly squishy, presumably his family, now dead beneath his feet. Slip feels all of his water mastery draining away, being ripped from him, as if he stood in the massive water vortex of Mount Wind. the power drains and begins to pull away his own life as his control fails him. Bodan hears the desperate cries of everyone he ever helped, or tried to help, as they blame him for not doing enough or doing too much, failing them in the end.
Meanwhile Lugh pushes the lever his druidstaff had formed and finds himself in the Ymorphus -- a small Andir girl standing next to him. He realizes this is the dream of Nalema Renda, lady of house Renda, which he carries in a dream bottle in his pack. Knowing that the destruction of the Mirror in this realm must be a sacrifice, he asks that this girl might help. After brief explanation, she agrees to try, and try as she may, nothing happens.
Lugh turns the lever again to the real world to contact Nevia (since he's wiser than Lugh... and everyone else for that matter). Nevia confirms a suspicion Lugh has. The real Nalema had sacrificed herself to save the honor of her house and her family -- she is no longer alive. With that sacrifice made, Lugh knows what he must do as he re-enters the Ymorphus.
Lugh spins a tale, the tragic tale of House Renda and thier betrayal to the Andir people. Young Nalema's dream knows what she must do. She must rejoin her body and soul in death, and sacrifice herself to the Mirror. But sacrifices to The Mirror Black are always somehow twisted -- House Renda is doomed to fall, and this sacrifice forgotten.
In the final fleeting moments of Nalema's sacrifice, Lugh grasps at the story so as not to forget, luckily remembering enough to write another tragedy. A story doomed to be mis told or forgotten.
A bit disheartened, Bodan, Slip and Mitu emerge from the shrouded pass. Soreiss is angry at the attempt to control his feelings and Lugh is somber in writing a new tale and relieved at his victory over the Mirror.
The party assembles to meet their next task as hand... While Soreiss and Lugh attempt to plan out a means of sneaking into the city of Sashmir to meet someone at the Blue Candle, Mitu, Slip, and Stony Johnson (erm, Bodan) decide it is time to have Mevonn's Quill lead them to the next Talmoril. The party briefly returns to Mount Wind, and there they acquire Marcus before they head off to the Glass Continent.
After Soreiss has opened a gateway for them, and then leaves with Lugh to head to Sashmir, Mitu, Bodan and Slip quickly ditch Marcus through the waywinder stones, affording them a few moments to discuss what occurred in the Cave of Voices.
----
[Jolt Code: 1B,3C,2CB,2R]
Having left Drathmorton, the party sets off to buy Durin dinner in Port Arlin, Kesh. The establishment he wants to visit is a place called "The Burning Tree" a name which does not make Lugh all too happy.
The name comes from a local story about the origin of the town. The founders of the this town had come upon this land and saw two potential parcels in which to populate. One, a rocky coastal shelf, the other, a wooded area in need of much effort to clear. The settlers asked their gods for an answer to this dilemma; that night a great thunderstorm rained down lightning bolts on the wooded area, catching the forest ablaze, clearing the wooded spot. Seeing the destruction as a bad omen the settlers decided upon the difficult to farm rocky shelf and built first a common house, today named, "The Burning Tree" (Others say that the location of the town was placed to spite the gods through the intentional misreading of an obvious omen).
Port Arlin, is the northernmost port city in Kesh, located just south of Rocky Bay, a region ceded to the Kinlarn Hegemony after a short territorial and trade dispute. Kesh gave up the rights for any ports in Rocky Bay itself, in return for reduced tariffs on trade goods. It was the same agreement that has recently caused Shrewsborn to grow into a regional tradehub as products are brought overland between Kesh, the Hegemony, and the Protectorate.
The streets of Port Arlin are rough gravel and the buildings reflect much of the same rough but sturdy construction. The Burning Tree is a large building made of stone and wood, with a large black metal sculpture of a tree worked into the side of the building, extending over the roof and shading the rear outdoor dining area. The inside looks much the same, sturdy with barely a nod toward aesthetics.
As the party approaches The Burning Tree, Mitu, among others, notices a man in an alley across the way, seemingly watching their movements. The man appears suspicious, the kind of suspicious that makes you wonder if any second he could pull open his cloak and flash his fleshy wangdoodle. That, or perhaps he intends to harm you. Thinking the latter, Mitu tries to stare down the man who keeps a steady gaze locked on the party, seeming unimpressed. He nods an acknowledgment to the party before disappearing down the alley.
The party enters The Burning Tree and is seated in the outdoor area behind the main building, since this is more comfortable seating for someone as large as Mitu, it also helps put the other patrons at ease to see this strange group seated away from them.
The food is remarkable, fine selections of local fish, poultry and mutton, roasted or stewed with root vegetables and exotic herbs; food fit for the Merchant Princes. Durin recalls the last time he dined at the establishment some 25 years ago, remarking that the food is better than he remembered. This could be due to the fact that living in Drathmorton in the past few years, everything local seemed to taste kind of "off".
Dinner is abruptly interrupted as flaming glass bottles come flying over the roof and into the outdoor dining courtyard. Mitu beats a hasty retreat from the fire as Soreiss, Slip and Bodan easily contain and extinguish the minor nuisance. Lugh and Bodan are fired upon by two men perched in the tree sculpture on the side of the building. Mitu and Soreiss investigate the front of the building, hoping to discover who threw the bottles. They find four men, possibly mercenaries, readying weapons as they recognize both Soreiss and Mitu by name.
Lugh summons a mighty gale, knocking the pair of men from the tree. Bodan cripples one man with a shard of stone through his knee, while Lugh and his wolves easily subdue the other. Bodan turns his attention toward the scene in the front of the building, as Slip simply walks through the back door of the building and out the front to see the same. Soreiss shows uncharacteristic calm and restraint as Mitu charges at the four men.
The attacking archers coordinate their bow-fire on Mitu as the monster rushes forward to pummel someone into unconsciousness. Quickly, and luckily, although not luckily enough, their arrows strike the Ogren's head and shoulders; the attack does not cause the Ogren any pause. An instant later one of their rank lies flat on his back, dazed and in pain from a brutal suicide rush. Bodan, seeing a perfect opportunity, uses his earth mastery to shake and move the earth beneath the feet of the four men, knocking the rest to the ground.
Mitu takes a split second to assess the arrows in his armor notices the color of the fletching, gray and blue, the colors of the Sellswords... and of the Company. These aren't mercenaries, these are the unwitting soldiers of the Nendir hoping to earn a hefty reward for the capture or death of anyone in this party. This information makes Soreiss stop using restraint, and Mitu takes up a more lethal weapon than his hands.
Seeing that the attack is foiled and their chances of survival have faded quickly, the leader of the four Company men crushes a small jade pendant...
In a flash of pale green light, they disappear.
The two captives are questioned as local guards show up to police this commotion. Not wanting to be bothered with local politics Soreiss simply opens a gate to Turwinton taking the two captives with us, and the guards follow. Seeing the error of following, the guards surrender much to the amusement of Soreiss and he sends them back with a grin.
As the two company captives are questioned, Mitu gives them a choice -- talk and have their injured legs splinted, their open wounds bound, or remain silent and have their uninjured legs broken. They opt to talk, but reveal nothing of importance. The low ranking Company men don't have any idea who they serve or why. Some of Turwinton's Ganthur (bystanders to the scene) laugh at the two as they hobble away, giving the two "ladies" thirty seconds to "get the hell out of their town"
Durin joins the effort of crafting the Eog, and Bartlebye and his family are picked up in Drathmorton.
Moments later, Everyone stands on the shores of Ghostrock. It is the day of the towns first election.
Bartlbye begins the process of settling in and everyone chats with the locals for a short while. Lugh walks around the town, looking at the changes that have been made since he last saw this rapidly expanding sea side town. Everyone else takes a letter of passage from Tol'Urvinn Silliann, the newly elected mayor of Ghostrock, giving them access to the cave of voices to see if they can investigate further into the darkness than they could last time.
Quickly, Soreiss realizes that the darkness remains just as impenetrable as before and convinces everyone that this is a waste of time. But he convinces them too late. The entrance to the shrouded underground pass has been sealed, it would seem, by the Mirror Black.
The walls grow slick with a sickening ichor that appears alive, responding to your every fear. The slimy blackness stretches, making the mouth of the pass appear farther and farther away. Soreiss's skin draws tight to his bones as it withers and dries, his eyes sink back deep into his head until only two bright pinpoints radiate from within hollow sockets. Soreiss is quickly fading back into the form he shed as Athrin Nur. Completely disgusted at the games the Mirror Black plays on your fears, Soreiss curses the mirror (...and the GM), and through his sheer indomitable Ego ignores the Mirror's corruptive impulses. Instantly, Soreiss returns to normal and walks to the mouth of the path.
Unfortunately, Slip, Bodan and Mitu are not so lucky. They fall victim to their deepest fears and regrets.
Across town, Lugh senses a sudden shift in balance to that of corruption, emanating from the cave of voices. He rushes off to assess the situation.
At the Cave's entrance, Lugh is faced with The Mirror -- dark and oily slick. He calls forth Warwood on his druidstaff and strikes at the Mirror in defiance. As before the Mirror yields to his blow and begins to pull Lugh inside. Fighting with all he has to remain outside The Mirror, Lugh pulls half of his druidstaff out forming what appears to be a lever.
Inside, Mitu tries to rally his friends, urging them not to give up and to walk alongside him to the entrance. They all hear that failure is upon them; they should stop fighting and give up, for all is lost. Mitu closes his eyes to what his mind might see in an attempt to break free as he feels that he is treading on something sickeningly squishy, presumably his family, now dead beneath his feet. Slip feels all of his water mastery draining away, being ripped from him, as if he stood in the massive water vortex of Mount Wind. the power drains and begins to pull away his own life as his control fails him. Bodan hears the desperate cries of everyone he ever helped, or tried to help, as they blame him for not doing enough or doing too much, failing them in the end.
Meanwhile Lugh pushes the lever his druidstaff had formed and finds himself in the Ymorphus -- a small Andir girl standing next to him. He realizes this is the dream of Nalema Renda, lady of house Renda, which he carries in a dream bottle in his pack. Knowing that the destruction of the Mirror in this realm must be a sacrifice, he asks that this girl might help. After brief explanation, she agrees to try, and try as she may, nothing happens.
Lugh turns the lever again to the real world to contact Nevia (since he's wiser than Lugh... and everyone else for that matter). Nevia confirms a suspicion Lugh has. The real Nalema had sacrificed herself to save the honor of her house and her family -- she is no longer alive. With that sacrifice made, Lugh knows what he must do as he re-enters the Ymorphus.
Lugh spins a tale, the tragic tale of House Renda and thier betrayal to the Andir people. Young Nalema's dream knows what she must do. She must rejoin her body and soul in death, and sacrifice herself to the Mirror. But sacrifices to The Mirror Black are always somehow twisted -- House Renda is doomed to fall, and this sacrifice forgotten.
In the final fleeting moments of Nalema's sacrifice, Lugh grasps at the story so as not to forget, luckily remembering enough to write another tragedy. A story doomed to be mis told or forgotten.
A bit disheartened, Bodan, Slip and Mitu emerge from the shrouded pass. Soreiss is angry at the attempt to control his feelings and Lugh is somber in writing a new tale and relieved at his victory over the Mirror.
The party assembles to meet their next task as hand... While Soreiss and Lugh attempt to plan out a means of sneaking into the city of Sashmir to meet someone at the Blue Candle, Mitu, Slip, and Stony Johnson (erm, Bodan) decide it is time to have Mevonn's Quill lead them to the next Talmoril. The party briefly returns to Mount Wind, and there they acquire Marcus before they head off to the Glass Continent.
After Soreiss has opened a gateway for them, and then leaves with Lugh to head to Sashmir, Mitu, Bodan and Slip quickly ditch Marcus through the waywinder stones, affording them a few moments to discuss what occurred in the Cave of Voices.
----
[Jolt Code: 1B,3C,2CB,2R]
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Chapter 15: Session 05
The PCs spend some time pursuing various interests in the city at Mount Wind, waiting for the Council to end its meeting. The bladesmen, Thelius and Hovirith are the first to find the party, arriving in the company of Krius and an unnamed female. Unfortunately, Soreiss and Slip need a member of the Voice -- preferably Olarus -- to enter the Library's closed section.
Mitu, who has been walking about town running errands with Bodan, sees Olarus seemingly walking alone, though engaged in conversation. However, Mitu begins to suspect that someone invisible is walking with the older man. The mysterious conversation ends when Olarus greets Mitu, and informs him that he is already planning a visit to the other Bearers where they are staying. Mitu waves him on, but lingers. Indeed, the Ogren's suspicions are confirmed when he hears a voice address him. First met years prior, Mitu recognized the voice of Domaorin, the thief responsible for stealing the gem of Doxinaru and revealing the Warpstone. And Domaorin's invisibility lends credence to the notion that the man still bears the Gem.
Domaorin greets Mitu, but the Ogren is somewhat defensive. He accuses the theif of spying for the order, but Domaorin responds that such is not the case. While he is certainly giving information to the Voice through Olarus, he claims he is not working for them. Further clarifying, he states that he works only for the being who seems somehow able to see him, and then says nothing more. This sets Mitu's mind racing. Does Domaorin work for Minulex? Or perhaps for Cabot?
After Olarus arrives to greet the rest of the party, he agrees to their request about accessing the voice's portion of the library. Thus, the better part of the next two days are spent researching assorted subjects.
Lugh finds volumes of journals and historical records documenting various rites of the Druidim, many written by famous members of that order. He focuses on the rite to summon the World Wolf, and then turns his attention on how the Druidim cleansed and restored balance to a corrupted Node.
Slip spends a while learning about how elementalism and magic relate, and learns that that some users of either, or both, have used one set of powers to augment the other.
Soreiss turns to history, and finds no shortage of volumes about the past era's of prophecy. His finds a wealth of information specifically about the Mirror Black, including how it has been defeated in the past. Once more it is confirmed, the mirror must be twarted twice -- in the physical world, the otherworld of the spirits, or in the Ymorphus, the realm of dreams. Soreiss also begins studying the circle of Shadowwall and their accomplishments and mostly tragic fates.
Soreiss and most of the party follow Soreiss to the Darkweaver's transit tower in the northern Hegemony when they want a safe, secure place to talk. Mitu tells them all about Domaorin -- when the thief himself chimes in. It seems he has been following them. He speaks with them a short time, confirming that he does, indeed, work for Minulex and is sharing information with the Order at the request of the Phoenixes. He also makes a comment about Adder not having yet returned from the desert -- which the PCs assume means that he travelled back to the Cradle of Life for more guidance and the hope for another vision. Domaorin insists that he is on the same side as they are, then leaves -- hopefully.
Mitu's continuing errands had included asking about any regionally famous smiths -- he still hopes to find more Eog crafters. Everyone told him much the same thing. Speak to Naris, an old smith to the north, in the little village of Harestown. And the following day, the party follows Mitu's lead and travels there.
Harestown is a cluster of a couple dozen wooden homes and small buildings along a road running north from Mount Wind. Harestown's resident Sherriff is a Sheildsman named Loril Manus who tries to be at once both helpful and authoritative, but fails at both.
In short order, they find Naris's smithy in one of the larger homes, where he and most of his family live. Naris turns out to be a retired Shieldsman himself, with a slight limp and a cranky disposition. He yells at Mitu for interfering on one of his grandchildren's chores, and then has his sons bring out some morning coffee so all may sit and discuss whatever it is the odd folks of the party came to discuss.
Naris's sons, Lornius and Velis, both in their forties, join the conversation. Neither are members of the Order itself, although Velis reveals that he spent many years as a merchant sailor in northern Kesh. Lornius has never ventured beyond the bounds of the Protectorate. When the PCs reveal that their main reason for coming is to see if they can work Eog, the trio of smiths set to work immediately. Each, it seems, is indeed capable of shaping the Eog, and each seems well versed in the theory and metallurgy involved in their craft as well as the practical aspects.
Naris says that in no uncertain terms is he willing to leave his home, regardless of however noble the end may be. He is just too old, he claims, with too many responsibilities at home. Velis, the youngest son, jumps at the chance to leave for the glass continent, volunteering immediately. Lornius, although somewhat reluctant, agrees to come as well when his father says he'll be fine handling the business alone for a while. As they prepare to leave, Naris adds one final comment -- He knows an old smith in the Ganthur town of Drathmorton. If anyone else can craft that stuff, Naris is sure that old Durin can do so. Lugh recognizes the name immediately. He has had business with Durin in the past, back when he was travelling with the likes of Rymar, Ebu, and the others.
Arriving in Turwinton with a pair of new smiths, the party is greeted by Krosbye, who takes the two newcomers to introduce them to the other smiths. Although he does pause to complain about one of the smith's (Smithy) eccentric behavior and how it is made worse by the man's companion (Cardinal).
Travel to Drathmorton is a quick affair as well. However, the town looks like a place of illness. The people seem listless, their skintone sallow and their eyes yellowed. Many of them seem too thin for Ganthur, although life indeed continues in the city. Lugh explains a bit about this towns recent, and tragic, past and adds that he is not well liked here. Conversation turns to the warrior Bartlebye who was one of only two survivors of Wilgoth's tragic attack on Muros at he ruins of Harbinton nearly ten years prior. Lugh and the man hashed out some of their differences the last time Lugh passed through here, but he still worries. Mitu decides that he should try and heal the man, with luck wiping the slate clean, when he is told that Bartlebye owns the local inn.
Bartlebye is still a densely muscled Luma, although some of his mass hs gone to pudge. All of his hair is long burned away, and his skin is a patchwork of burn scars. He seems reluctant to take Mitu's offer at first, wondering at the motivation of an armored Ogren suddenly coming into the bar and offering healing services. However incredulous he may have been, he agrees to let Mitu try and heal him... with great success on the Ogren's part. In less than a minute's time, Bartlebye's scars begin to thin and fade, leaving little sign of his past injuries. The Luma is shocked, stammering a thank you, but seeming now quite confused. Bartlebye's wife comforts him, even as Mitu eases himself away.
After healing Bartlebye and giving the Luma some time to come to terms with his sudden life-change, the party crosses the road to Durin's Smithy. Unfortunatly, all they find are a man and a woman, undressed, in bed, and seemingly addled. The party gets enough information from the woman (Durin's daughter, herself once a glass-crafter) to determine that Durin himself has business with the town's fletcher, across town. Lugh knows the place.
Durin, a man even older than Naris, is bickering with the hawknosed fletcher about certain crafting costs. When the party arrives and asks for Durin, Durin breaks off and speaks only to the PCs. He agrees with almost no hesitation to leaving Drathmorton, and when Mitu pulls forth the Eog chunk, Durin comments that he has actually worked Eog before. Returning to Durin's forge, the old man proves his ability to work the metal. Another of the line of Greymalken has been found. He agrees to go to Turwinton under one condition -- they buy him a meal at a certain resturant in Port Arlin, Kesh. Durin's request is intriguing enough to Soreiss that he agrees to it.
Mitu and Lugh also hit upon the idea of taking Bartlebye, his wife, and his child, from Drathmorton and taking them anywhere else they might want to go. Bartlebye agrees, saying he would like to be someplace small and rustic, where he can see the ocean. Considering Bartlebye's heritage, the party recommends the town of Ghostrock. The Luma is fine with leaving for Ghostrock, but requires a day or so to prepare his belongings.
-----
[Jolt Code: 3C,1CB,7R,1S]
Mitu, who has been walking about town running errands with Bodan, sees Olarus seemingly walking alone, though engaged in conversation. However, Mitu begins to suspect that someone invisible is walking with the older man. The mysterious conversation ends when Olarus greets Mitu, and informs him that he is already planning a visit to the other Bearers where they are staying. Mitu waves him on, but lingers. Indeed, the Ogren's suspicions are confirmed when he hears a voice address him. First met years prior, Mitu recognized the voice of Domaorin, the thief responsible for stealing the gem of Doxinaru and revealing the Warpstone. And Domaorin's invisibility lends credence to the notion that the man still bears the Gem.
Domaorin greets Mitu, but the Ogren is somewhat defensive. He accuses the theif of spying for the order, but Domaorin responds that such is not the case. While he is certainly giving information to the Voice through Olarus, he claims he is not working for them. Further clarifying, he states that he works only for the being who seems somehow able to see him, and then says nothing more. This sets Mitu's mind racing. Does Domaorin work for Minulex? Or perhaps for Cabot?
After Olarus arrives to greet the rest of the party, he agrees to their request about accessing the voice's portion of the library. Thus, the better part of the next two days are spent researching assorted subjects.
Lugh finds volumes of journals and historical records documenting various rites of the Druidim, many written by famous members of that order. He focuses on the rite to summon the World Wolf, and then turns his attention on how the Druidim cleansed and restored balance to a corrupted Node.
Slip spends a while learning about how elementalism and magic relate, and learns that that some users of either, or both, have used one set of powers to augment the other.
Soreiss turns to history, and finds no shortage of volumes about the past era's of prophecy. His finds a wealth of information specifically about the Mirror Black, including how it has been defeated in the past. Once more it is confirmed, the mirror must be twarted twice -- in the physical world, the otherworld of the spirits, or in the Ymorphus, the realm of dreams. Soreiss also begins studying the circle of Shadowwall and their accomplishments and mostly tragic fates.
Soreiss and most of the party follow Soreiss to the Darkweaver's transit tower in the northern Hegemony when they want a safe, secure place to talk. Mitu tells them all about Domaorin -- when the thief himself chimes in. It seems he has been following them. He speaks with them a short time, confirming that he does, indeed, work for Minulex and is sharing information with the Order at the request of the Phoenixes. He also makes a comment about Adder not having yet returned from the desert -- which the PCs assume means that he travelled back to the Cradle of Life for more guidance and the hope for another vision. Domaorin insists that he is on the same side as they are, then leaves -- hopefully.
Mitu's continuing errands had included asking about any regionally famous smiths -- he still hopes to find more Eog crafters. Everyone told him much the same thing. Speak to Naris, an old smith to the north, in the little village of Harestown. And the following day, the party follows Mitu's lead and travels there.
Harestown is a cluster of a couple dozen wooden homes and small buildings along a road running north from Mount Wind. Harestown's resident Sherriff is a Sheildsman named Loril Manus who tries to be at once both helpful and authoritative, but fails at both.
In short order, they find Naris's smithy in one of the larger homes, where he and most of his family live. Naris turns out to be a retired Shieldsman himself, with a slight limp and a cranky disposition. He yells at Mitu for interfering on one of his grandchildren's chores, and then has his sons bring out some morning coffee so all may sit and discuss whatever it is the odd folks of the party came to discuss.
Naris's sons, Lornius and Velis, both in their forties, join the conversation. Neither are members of the Order itself, although Velis reveals that he spent many years as a merchant sailor in northern Kesh. Lornius has never ventured beyond the bounds of the Protectorate. When the PCs reveal that their main reason for coming is to see if they can work Eog, the trio of smiths set to work immediately. Each, it seems, is indeed capable of shaping the Eog, and each seems well versed in the theory and metallurgy involved in their craft as well as the practical aspects.
Naris says that in no uncertain terms is he willing to leave his home, regardless of however noble the end may be. He is just too old, he claims, with too many responsibilities at home. Velis, the youngest son, jumps at the chance to leave for the glass continent, volunteering immediately. Lornius, although somewhat reluctant, agrees to come as well when his father says he'll be fine handling the business alone for a while. As they prepare to leave, Naris adds one final comment -- He knows an old smith in the Ganthur town of Drathmorton. If anyone else can craft that stuff, Naris is sure that old Durin can do so. Lugh recognizes the name immediately. He has had business with Durin in the past, back when he was travelling with the likes of Rymar, Ebu, and the others.
Arriving in Turwinton with a pair of new smiths, the party is greeted by Krosbye, who takes the two newcomers to introduce them to the other smiths. Although he does pause to complain about one of the smith's (Smithy) eccentric behavior and how it is made worse by the man's companion (Cardinal).
Travel to Drathmorton is a quick affair as well. However, the town looks like a place of illness. The people seem listless, their skintone sallow and their eyes yellowed. Many of them seem too thin for Ganthur, although life indeed continues in the city. Lugh explains a bit about this towns recent, and tragic, past and adds that he is not well liked here. Conversation turns to the warrior Bartlebye who was one of only two survivors of Wilgoth's tragic attack on Muros at he ruins of Harbinton nearly ten years prior. Lugh and the man hashed out some of their differences the last time Lugh passed through here, but he still worries. Mitu decides that he should try and heal the man, with luck wiping the slate clean, when he is told that Bartlebye owns the local inn.
Bartlebye is still a densely muscled Luma, although some of his mass hs gone to pudge. All of his hair is long burned away, and his skin is a patchwork of burn scars. He seems reluctant to take Mitu's offer at first, wondering at the motivation of an armored Ogren suddenly coming into the bar and offering healing services. However incredulous he may have been, he agrees to let Mitu try and heal him... with great success on the Ogren's part. In less than a minute's time, Bartlebye's scars begin to thin and fade, leaving little sign of his past injuries. The Luma is shocked, stammering a thank you, but seeming now quite confused. Bartlebye's wife comforts him, even as Mitu eases himself away.
After healing Bartlebye and giving the Luma some time to come to terms with his sudden life-change, the party crosses the road to Durin's Smithy. Unfortunatly, all they find are a man and a woman, undressed, in bed, and seemingly addled. The party gets enough information from the woman (Durin's daughter, herself once a glass-crafter) to determine that Durin himself has business with the town's fletcher, across town. Lugh knows the place.
Durin, a man even older than Naris, is bickering with the hawknosed fletcher about certain crafting costs. When the party arrives and asks for Durin, Durin breaks off and speaks only to the PCs. He agrees with almost no hesitation to leaving Drathmorton, and when Mitu pulls forth the Eog chunk, Durin comments that he has actually worked Eog before. Returning to Durin's forge, the old man proves his ability to work the metal. Another of the line of Greymalken has been found. He agrees to go to Turwinton under one condition -- they buy him a meal at a certain resturant in Port Arlin, Kesh. Durin's request is intriguing enough to Soreiss that he agrees to it.
Mitu and Lugh also hit upon the idea of taking Bartlebye, his wife, and his child, from Drathmorton and taking them anywhere else they might want to go. Bartlebye agrees, saying he would like to be someplace small and rustic, where he can see the ocean. Considering Bartlebye's heritage, the party recommends the town of Ghostrock. The Luma is fine with leaving for Ghostrock, but requires a day or so to prepare his belongings.
-----
[Jolt Code: 3C,1CB,7R,1S]
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Chapter 15: Session 04
After a night spent drinking and conversing with Thelius, Cadmon, and Hovirith, the PCs begin to make their way out for the day. Mitu decides to chat with some of the locals, and Lugh gets an early start with his language tutelage, while the others choose to return to the library under the mountain. However, as Soreiss dawdles, he is approached by that odd, barefoot fellow, Bodan Weepingcrow. Bodan apologizes for his odd behavior, explaining that he mistook the wizard for another person; as usual, Soriess has been mistaken for Veldir. Soreiss accepts Bodan's word before meeting with Slip at the library.
Lugh's language studies intensify at a rapid rate, especially once his teacher realizes that Lugh has a solid understanding of not only Kinlari, but of ancient Cathic as well. Slip studies some magical theory, especially where it concerns the nature and development of focus objects. Soreiss researches the minor prophecies of the earlier cycles... and finds a startling revelation from an ancient prophecy from the era of the first cycle. He learns that "the first hero will fall to the Painking, but soon will rise from death to exact his vengeance against tormentor and betrayer alike. However, in a time long hence, when the darkness has come and gone and come again many times over, he will unite the slaves and lead them into battle". Notations imply that the Order suspects this first hero is most likely Lord Prion of Cathan, the first of his people's great heroes to battle against the Daemok. And with that piece of knowledge gleaned from a minor prophecy several thousand years old, Soreiss confirms his suspicions that Lord Prion the Necrus is Puraiun, the In'ta of the Varukko.
During this time, Bodan finds a distressed child wandering the streets in the avenue between Mount Wind and the first tier of houses. The kid is dressed in a somewhat archaic style, clad in a fine, silk cloths of deep red with gold trim and white accents. Around his neck is a pendant resembling an inverted hammer. He speaks to the child (though neglects to ask the boy's name), and learns that the child has been having dreams of his uncle since four days prior. The kid seems to bounce between levels of listlessness and being generally distraught as he explains his dreams are more like visions in which he sees his Uncle, Daenus, an eagle rider of the Blade, in mortal peril. In his dream, the great eagle plummets from the sky over a dead field containing a single, large tree, and his uncle is thrown from the eagle's back, and wounded, crawls through the hills to seek shelter in abandoned ruins. The child explains that he has been seeking the Blades for over a day, but no one seems to be around. Bodan offers to help the kid, and heads to where he knows members of the Order are stationed.
Mitu notices Bodan and the child, and inquires about what is happening. Once more the kid tells his story, and when Mitu asks, explains that many of his dreams come true. Once he had a vision of his older cousin dying in battle, and soon after, the vision was revealed to be true. Mitu offers to help as well, but seems oddly ill at ease (even to the point of rudeness) around the boy. The two men and the boy head to the local barracks and speak to the Watch Commander, who does not seem to notice the boy (who has wandered off to chase an odd, brown lizard down a narrow, gravelly side street) until Mitu drags him forward. The Watch Commander explains that almost anyone of rank is currently meeting in closed council, and that the only local member of the Blades not on an assignment is a man named Krius who is training in a local park.
The trio head to the park and meet Krius, a very tall, well built (but not quite ganthur burly) man with a tiny mustache and a torso full of random tattoos. He wears only loose, wool pants and is fighting of other men two at a time unarmed as they attack him with sticks. He laughingly mocks his attackers as he throws them to the ground each in turn. When Mitu and Bodan inquire regarding Krius, he ceases his training exercises to speak to them. He does not know anyone in the Blades of Oryon by the name of Daenus, but he explains thats not unusual since until a few days ago, he had been assigned to coordinate intelligence gathering in the Corwinton area of the Glass Continent. Krius is convinced to help the boy after hearing the tale, since he recognized some of the places described in the boy's dream. The large tree, he explains, is in a field of strewn gravel. It is said to be a very old grave, and when he last saw it, had strange writing on it. He adds that there are many old ruins in the hills south of Mount Wind.
Krius enlists the aid of his Eagle companion to fly a scouting mission, but warns him to return if he senses any serious danger or threat. If something killed another great Eagle, then Krius would prefer not to jeopardize the life of his own companion. The Eagle heads out to scout, while the others await word of what he finds.
Soreiss and Slip finish their research, and they hope to find Olarus so they might attempt to gain his support in accessing the restricted portions of the library. However, they are told that Olarus is in closed council chambers and not to be disturbed. The Watch Commander adds that the only person of rank within the Voice or the Blade who is available is Krius, who can be found in the park. And thus, Soreiss and Slip find their way to Mitu and Bodan. They are filled in about the boy (who glares at Soreiss, seeming to sense the man's dark aura) and his vision, and continue to wait.
The Eagle telepathically informs Krius that he senses corruption in the hills. Krius has him come back; there is no point risking danger now. Krius writes a quick note to be given to Thelius of the Blade when the council meetings have ended, explaining whats happening and that he is joining the party to figure out what is happening.
Lugh finishes his language study for the day, and decides to head to the park to unwind. Instead, he comes upon his friends and a member of the Order discussing a plan of action. They explain to Lugh that there is dark road corruption in the hills, and tell him about the child's dream (and still no one has asked his name), glossing over the part about trying to find the wounded or dead Daenus.
Everyone is committed to heading into the southern hills, with Krius agreeing to fly overhead while the others handle the ground. Everyone gears up expecting a fight, and after Soreiss attempts to scry upon the area (and finds far too much of it to be warded), the Wizard opens a portal just outside a warded area at the northern edge of the small valley containing the ancient tree.
The valley is little more than a steep-sided bowl nestled between two hills. With a narrow pathway leading in and out, the valley is filled deep with gravel and hillside detritus. It is immediately apparent that something is amiss, which Krius confirms when he indicates that he sees something moving under the gravel, rapidly approaching the party from the valley's far side. Lugh and the great Eagle both sense corruption coming from the hills a fair distance north of them, however, they also sense a lesser source of corruption coming from the being moving under the gravel. Addressing the immediate thread, they all take a defensive posture.
Slip tosses up a thick barrier of water just as a long stream of acid sprays from something that pops up from the gravel. Soreiss and Krius quickly see the source -- a Dragon.
A fight ensues, and within seconds the Dragon has burst from the gravel and taken to the sky in a hasty retreat after a barrage of spell fire, forced dehydration, and stabbings. However, Bodan reveals his mastery of Earth as he hurls a volley of sharpened boulders into the sky, tearing a hole through the beast's wing and smashing it about the neck and chest. Stunned, it plummets to the ground, where both Krius (who stabs it from Eagle-back with his lance) and Mitu (who smacks the dazed dragon in the side of the head) put it out for good. However, even dead, Lugh and the Eagle can still sense corruption from it...
...From INSIDE it, they realize, as they surround its crumpled form. Mitu guts the dragon, opening its stomach and spilling the contents all over the gravel. While they find some evidence of it having feasted upon birds, and maybe even an eagle, there is not enough there for it to have recently devoured a great eagle within the past couple of days. They root through the remainder of it's stomach contents, and Slip finds the source of corruption within it -- a stone ring with Daematic inscriptions, still on the severed, half digested finger of a woman. Perhaps a Pax'a priestess? Krius confirms that the Order knows the Matriarchy sends spies into the hills all the time, so the notion is not implausible.
Lugh examines the tree itself, and confirms that it is indeed a grave of sorts. The writing on the tree is an old Ogham script explaining that this is the final rest of Gwynn, the first Heirophant of the Druidim. Bodan uses his earth mastery to search under the gravel around the tree itself. He finds several hundred coins of various types and some odd jewelry. Most interesting, however, is a bone scroll case containing a note. The note itself is in no language understood by the party -- until Krius sees it and explains that it is a coded message using the current encryption sequences for the past few months. This dates the note itself as being fairly recently penned.
After studying the daematic ring for a while, Soreiss dispels the magic of the ring, and Mitu shatters the stone. With those efforts, that source of corruption fades. However, there remains the greater source of corruption still in the hills. Lugh seems ready to head into the hills immediately to confront that corruption, but is dissuaded when it is stressed that Daenus's potential rescue is first and foremost the priority. Instead, he communes with the stones themselves, and learns that no eagle has landed in this clearing in many, many months -- however, there was a great impact four days prior just outside the valley, further up the southern path.
Heading south, the party does indeed come upon the decomposing corpse of a great Eagle. First examination indicates that it was struck by acid on its underside, however, deeper probing uncovers three arrows embedded deep it its chest. The arrows are made from a black colored, very light weight metal shaft, (shattered, red) glass tipped arrows, and deep blue (though stained black with blood) fletching, with a yellow-gold contrasting feather. Soreiss notes this immediately as the colors of Pax... once more the Matriarchy's presence is identified.
As the party prepares to leave, Krius's Eagle requests that the dead eagle be incinerated. Too badly decomposed to bring to the summit of Mount Wind, he would rather the bird be burned to ash than be left to the earth. Lugh recites the canticle of life when Soreiss agrees, burning the corpse until nothing remains but black smoke pouring into the sky. The Eagle is satisfied.
Lugh notes faint indications that someone has dragged themselves up hill from the where the eagle died. They follow the path up hill, noting several ruined structures in a small gully down one hillside. The path disappears over that edge, so the party heads down into the ruins. Krius calls out in Pargrati, but there is no response. However, after entering the nearest of the shattered old buildings, they see a red, white, and gold lump on the ground. Definitely a man, his legs are bent at odd angles and his hips seem collapsed. He breaths, but slowly and laboriously, and appears unconscious.
Mitu rushes forward and attempts to heal the injured man, who mutters when he sees Krius, begging the man to bring him home.
Krius explains that he knows this man, a fellow member of the Blades of Oryon. However, his name is not Daenus, but Urith Danius. As Mitu takes on many of Urith's wounds, the fallen man regains consciousness. He speaks to the party, wondering how they ever found him. They speak of the boy and his dream, but Urith is confused. He has no nephew -- he does not even have a family. When he is told the name Daenus, he seems surprised they know the name. He explains that Daenus is an archaic form of his family name, Danius. He adds that he was carrying a message from the midlands of Kesh, and was supposed to be reassigned to the region around Shrewsborn.
As Danius and Mitu rest a short while, the others discuss what to do next. The issue of the boy is an odd one. Considering his description, Soreiss recalls that he had seen the hammer pendant before as an ancient holy symbol of the God, Woed. There is some speculation that the boy was a ghost, but that seems to quickly shift toward speculation that perhaps the boy was an aspect of Oryon himself. Tired, confused, protective of his family, and wearing the colors of the Order. Oryon, too, had once been a loyal follower of Woed. Furthermore, known only through tales of his apparent superficial juxtapositioning with the Guardian, Corwin, who is known are Dark haired and bright eyed, Oryon was supposedly light haired and dark eyed, like the boy. It remains a mystery, for upon returning to Mount Wind, there is no sign of the boy.
It is decided that after Urith and Krius make reports to Thelius, the will inquire about the Order's response to the apparent incursion of Matriarchy persons into the hills of the Southern Protectorate.
-------
[Jolt Code: 3B,6C,3CB,5R,3S]
Lugh's language studies intensify at a rapid rate, especially once his teacher realizes that Lugh has a solid understanding of not only Kinlari, but of ancient Cathic as well. Slip studies some magical theory, especially where it concerns the nature and development of focus objects. Soreiss researches the minor prophecies of the earlier cycles... and finds a startling revelation from an ancient prophecy from the era of the first cycle. He learns that "the first hero will fall to the Painking, but soon will rise from death to exact his vengeance against tormentor and betrayer alike. However, in a time long hence, when the darkness has come and gone and come again many times over, he will unite the slaves and lead them into battle". Notations imply that the Order suspects this first hero is most likely Lord Prion of Cathan, the first of his people's great heroes to battle against the Daemok. And with that piece of knowledge gleaned from a minor prophecy several thousand years old, Soreiss confirms his suspicions that Lord Prion the Necrus is Puraiun, the In'ta of the Varukko.
During this time, Bodan finds a distressed child wandering the streets in the avenue between Mount Wind and the first tier of houses. The kid is dressed in a somewhat archaic style, clad in a fine, silk cloths of deep red with gold trim and white accents. Around his neck is a pendant resembling an inverted hammer. He speaks to the child (though neglects to ask the boy's name), and learns that the child has been having dreams of his uncle since four days prior. The kid seems to bounce between levels of listlessness and being generally distraught as he explains his dreams are more like visions in which he sees his Uncle, Daenus, an eagle rider of the Blade, in mortal peril. In his dream, the great eagle plummets from the sky over a dead field containing a single, large tree, and his uncle is thrown from the eagle's back, and wounded, crawls through the hills to seek shelter in abandoned ruins. The child explains that he has been seeking the Blades for over a day, but no one seems to be around. Bodan offers to help the kid, and heads to where he knows members of the Order are stationed.
Mitu notices Bodan and the child, and inquires about what is happening. Once more the kid tells his story, and when Mitu asks, explains that many of his dreams come true. Once he had a vision of his older cousin dying in battle, and soon after, the vision was revealed to be true. Mitu offers to help as well, but seems oddly ill at ease (even to the point of rudeness) around the boy. The two men and the boy head to the local barracks and speak to the Watch Commander, who does not seem to notice the boy (who has wandered off to chase an odd, brown lizard down a narrow, gravelly side street) until Mitu drags him forward. The Watch Commander explains that almost anyone of rank is currently meeting in closed council, and that the only local member of the Blades not on an assignment is a man named Krius who is training in a local park.
The trio head to the park and meet Krius, a very tall, well built (but not quite ganthur burly) man with a tiny mustache and a torso full of random tattoos. He wears only loose, wool pants and is fighting of other men two at a time unarmed as they attack him with sticks. He laughingly mocks his attackers as he throws them to the ground each in turn. When Mitu and Bodan inquire regarding Krius, he ceases his training exercises to speak to them. He does not know anyone in the Blades of Oryon by the name of Daenus, but he explains thats not unusual since until a few days ago, he had been assigned to coordinate intelligence gathering in the Corwinton area of the Glass Continent. Krius is convinced to help the boy after hearing the tale, since he recognized some of the places described in the boy's dream. The large tree, he explains, is in a field of strewn gravel. It is said to be a very old grave, and when he last saw it, had strange writing on it. He adds that there are many old ruins in the hills south of Mount Wind.
Krius enlists the aid of his Eagle companion to fly a scouting mission, but warns him to return if he senses any serious danger or threat. If something killed another great Eagle, then Krius would prefer not to jeopardize the life of his own companion. The Eagle heads out to scout, while the others await word of what he finds.
Soreiss and Slip finish their research, and they hope to find Olarus so they might attempt to gain his support in accessing the restricted portions of the library. However, they are told that Olarus is in closed council chambers and not to be disturbed. The Watch Commander adds that the only person of rank within the Voice or the Blade who is available is Krius, who can be found in the park. And thus, Soreiss and Slip find their way to Mitu and Bodan. They are filled in about the boy (who glares at Soreiss, seeming to sense the man's dark aura) and his vision, and continue to wait.
The Eagle telepathically informs Krius that he senses corruption in the hills. Krius has him come back; there is no point risking danger now. Krius writes a quick note to be given to Thelius of the Blade when the council meetings have ended, explaining whats happening and that he is joining the party to figure out what is happening.
Lugh finishes his language study for the day, and decides to head to the park to unwind. Instead, he comes upon his friends and a member of the Order discussing a plan of action. They explain to Lugh that there is dark road corruption in the hills, and tell him about the child's dream (and still no one has asked his name), glossing over the part about trying to find the wounded or dead Daenus.
Everyone is committed to heading into the southern hills, with Krius agreeing to fly overhead while the others handle the ground. Everyone gears up expecting a fight, and after Soreiss attempts to scry upon the area (and finds far too much of it to be warded), the Wizard opens a portal just outside a warded area at the northern edge of the small valley containing the ancient tree.
The valley is little more than a steep-sided bowl nestled between two hills. With a narrow pathway leading in and out, the valley is filled deep with gravel and hillside detritus. It is immediately apparent that something is amiss, which Krius confirms when he indicates that he sees something moving under the gravel, rapidly approaching the party from the valley's far side. Lugh and the great Eagle both sense corruption coming from the hills a fair distance north of them, however, they also sense a lesser source of corruption coming from the being moving under the gravel. Addressing the immediate thread, they all take a defensive posture.
Slip tosses up a thick barrier of water just as a long stream of acid sprays from something that pops up from the gravel. Soreiss and Krius quickly see the source -- a Dragon.
A fight ensues, and within seconds the Dragon has burst from the gravel and taken to the sky in a hasty retreat after a barrage of spell fire, forced dehydration, and stabbings. However, Bodan reveals his mastery of Earth as he hurls a volley of sharpened boulders into the sky, tearing a hole through the beast's wing and smashing it about the neck and chest. Stunned, it plummets to the ground, where both Krius (who stabs it from Eagle-back with his lance) and Mitu (who smacks the dazed dragon in the side of the head) put it out for good. However, even dead, Lugh and the Eagle can still sense corruption from it...
...From INSIDE it, they realize, as they surround its crumpled form. Mitu guts the dragon, opening its stomach and spilling the contents all over the gravel. While they find some evidence of it having feasted upon birds, and maybe even an eagle, there is not enough there for it to have recently devoured a great eagle within the past couple of days. They root through the remainder of it's stomach contents, and Slip finds the source of corruption within it -- a stone ring with Daematic inscriptions, still on the severed, half digested finger of a woman. Perhaps a Pax'a priestess? Krius confirms that the Order knows the Matriarchy sends spies into the hills all the time, so the notion is not implausible.
Lugh examines the tree itself, and confirms that it is indeed a grave of sorts. The writing on the tree is an old Ogham script explaining that this is the final rest of Gwynn, the first Heirophant of the Druidim. Bodan uses his earth mastery to search under the gravel around the tree itself. He finds several hundred coins of various types and some odd jewelry. Most interesting, however, is a bone scroll case containing a note. The note itself is in no language understood by the party -- until Krius sees it and explains that it is a coded message using the current encryption sequences for the past few months. This dates the note itself as being fairly recently penned.
After studying the daematic ring for a while, Soreiss dispels the magic of the ring, and Mitu shatters the stone. With those efforts, that source of corruption fades. However, there remains the greater source of corruption still in the hills. Lugh seems ready to head into the hills immediately to confront that corruption, but is dissuaded when it is stressed that Daenus's potential rescue is first and foremost the priority. Instead, he communes with the stones themselves, and learns that no eagle has landed in this clearing in many, many months -- however, there was a great impact four days prior just outside the valley, further up the southern path.
Heading south, the party does indeed come upon the decomposing corpse of a great Eagle. First examination indicates that it was struck by acid on its underside, however, deeper probing uncovers three arrows embedded deep it its chest. The arrows are made from a black colored, very light weight metal shaft, (shattered, red) glass tipped arrows, and deep blue (though stained black with blood) fletching, with a yellow-gold contrasting feather. Soreiss notes this immediately as the colors of Pax... once more the Matriarchy's presence is identified.
As the party prepares to leave, Krius's Eagle requests that the dead eagle be incinerated. Too badly decomposed to bring to the summit of Mount Wind, he would rather the bird be burned to ash than be left to the earth. Lugh recites the canticle of life when Soreiss agrees, burning the corpse until nothing remains but black smoke pouring into the sky. The Eagle is satisfied.
Lugh notes faint indications that someone has dragged themselves up hill from the where the eagle died. They follow the path up hill, noting several ruined structures in a small gully down one hillside. The path disappears over that edge, so the party heads down into the ruins. Krius calls out in Pargrati, but there is no response. However, after entering the nearest of the shattered old buildings, they see a red, white, and gold lump on the ground. Definitely a man, his legs are bent at odd angles and his hips seem collapsed. He breaths, but slowly and laboriously, and appears unconscious.
Mitu rushes forward and attempts to heal the injured man, who mutters when he sees Krius, begging the man to bring him home.
Krius explains that he knows this man, a fellow member of the Blades of Oryon. However, his name is not Daenus, but Urith Danius. As Mitu takes on many of Urith's wounds, the fallen man regains consciousness. He speaks to the party, wondering how they ever found him. They speak of the boy and his dream, but Urith is confused. He has no nephew -- he does not even have a family. When he is told the name Daenus, he seems surprised they know the name. He explains that Daenus is an archaic form of his family name, Danius. He adds that he was carrying a message from the midlands of Kesh, and was supposed to be reassigned to the region around Shrewsborn.
As Danius and Mitu rest a short while, the others discuss what to do next. The issue of the boy is an odd one. Considering his description, Soreiss recalls that he had seen the hammer pendant before as an ancient holy symbol of the God, Woed. There is some speculation that the boy was a ghost, but that seems to quickly shift toward speculation that perhaps the boy was an aspect of Oryon himself. Tired, confused, protective of his family, and wearing the colors of the Order. Oryon, too, had once been a loyal follower of Woed. Furthermore, known only through tales of his apparent superficial juxtapositioning with the Guardian, Corwin, who is known are Dark haired and bright eyed, Oryon was supposedly light haired and dark eyed, like the boy. It remains a mystery, for upon returning to Mount Wind, there is no sign of the boy.
It is decided that after Urith and Krius make reports to Thelius, the will inquire about the Order's response to the apparent incursion of Matriarchy persons into the hills of the Southern Protectorate.
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[Jolt Code: 3B,6C,3CB,5R,3S]
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