After some heated discussions, the party decides how to handle the Oracle of Dunger. Rin is left hidden for a few hours, watching to see how the Oracle is treated, how the spirits interact with her, and whether or not she should be "liberated".
During this time, Soreiss uses Map and spies out Veldir, finding his wasting form in the great library of the mages in Tal'Ushorin, pouring over several tomes. It seems Soreiss's "brother" is attempting to learn the secret of implanting a spirit into a crafted homonculus. He also spies out the two remaining Waywinders in the shattered isles, lounging at the observatory they found a short time prior.
The PCs tell Arius about Rhedd's words indicating a Nendir spy highly placed within the Larkan government. Arius agrees to speak with Kethryn and make a list of any individuals in Larka City who had high clearance and access two years ago. Soreiss and Slip speak with the criminal underworld of Larka City, and agree to pass on a note to Kethryn with contains the names of three people they want let free from prison if they successfully help ferret out the spy. Similarly, Mitu speaks with Red-Eye, asking him for any aid he might provide.
When returning to check on Rin, events roll out of control when the rest of the party sees Rin arguing with the spirits of the Oracle. It seems the Oracular spirit itself decided the pestering bearers were not worth her trouble. The party gates to Rin's side when they see the young girl fall limp, seemingly dead. A few moments later, a new girl, younger than the first, steps into the Oracle's Shrine, descends the stairway, removes the shackles from the Oracle's body, and, crawling atop her, peers eye to eye, forehead to forehead with the girl. Some kind of spiritual transferrance has occured, with this new girl becoming the Oracle of Dunger. The new Oracle chains herself and lays down in the pool.
Rin explains that from what he can understand, the Oracle itself is a spirit who has taken possession of each young woman in turn since the first long ago. Lugh adds that there has been an Oracle here for nearly 500 years -- longer than there has been a town, and nearly as longer as Dunger has been a Kingdom. Ther party is unsure of what to do, since the Oracle is so tightly connected with the regional culture (indeed, Mitu expresses an understanding of why the Order of Oryon has opted to seperate itself from local politics). However, before anything can be decided, they opt to figure out where this new host girl came from. Lugh and an angry Rin approach an old farmhouse near the edge of town, after having tracked the young girls passage. There are light in the farmhouse, and at least three people seem to be talking.
Inside, a man in robes -- a guard/tender for the Oracle -- is paying off an excited (ecstatic, really) mother and a visibly displeased father to the amount of one dairy cow and two pigs. Rin notices that the Oracular guard is tethered to some kind of spirit, and uses his skills as a psychopomp to wrest the spirit under his control. He learns that the spirit is sent from the Oracle herself, and the guard -- though somewhat taken aback at whats happening -- is unphased, continues his exchange, and quickly excuses himself. The mother is pleased with what has happened; her youngest daughter has been claimed by the oracle. She always knew the girl had a special destiny. The father is definitely not pleased, and speaks at length with Lugh about it. Lugh manages to convince the man not to do anything stupid since there is no freeing the girl, but promises that he and the rest of the party will look into things.
Indeed, they return and speak to the Oracle herself, who speaks only cryptically. But she seems to indicate that she is powerless to change the party's decision once they make one, but adds that mercy should be shown to those who must commit necessary evils. Some in the party speak with the shrine guard, and learn a bit more of the Oracle's history. They also demand access to the shrine records. Between the shrine guard and the records, they learn that girls tend to die off, though there is no set time, but are not abused or demeaned. There has only been one recorded case of abuse by a shrine guard, and that was nearly 200 years prior. The man was castrated and cast from Dunger. Nothing else has been done to the oracle without the oracle's expressed request.
The party's decision is to alter the Shrine. They reckon the toxic living environment contributes to the high mortality rate among the girls mounted by the oracle, and decide to seal off the the vents of sulphurous fumes, create apertures for fresh air, cleanse and then reroute the waters flowing into the chamber, insuring that there is a steady flow to help keep the place clean. Slip and Bodan spend several hours making changes to the terrain, and the party leaves Dunger.
They set back down to business in what amounts mostly to gathering intelligence and tieing up a few loose ends. First they return to Hillshadow and Mitu completes his healing treatments on the Archmage Tol'Uddi Dunn. However, it is here they meet with over a dozen Pheonix Cultists en route to Sashmir to gather around the new Talmoril -- they all shared a vision that included not only Caedin, but Mitu as well, the Messenger who bore Mevonn's Quill from the last Talmoril to the new one. The hippies descend on the Ogren, one burly fellow even snipping a lock of Mitu's scraggly hair.
As most of the party laughs, Mitu is horrified -- not only does he warn that these nameseekers are likely to find only an asskicking at the hands of the Talmoril, he fears that he will take even more of an asskicking himself simply for being involved. The cultists only seem to hear part of what he says, taking an twisting his words and message -- They should go home, and the Talmoril will show them the way.
Most of the bystanders agree in believeing that Krakaroon definitely has something to do with the shared vision of these nameseekers. Minulex, they reckon, may also have some part in it. Regardless, Map confirms that hundreds of cultists are approaching Sashmir on all roads, and some have already assembled on Moon Hill.
Antilles -- who is at Hillshadow during this time -- asks the Party to perform a task for him, one which may require negotiation and diplomacy. It seems that the Archmagus and Artificer, Tol'Dorinn Finnian (aka Dalwimple the Red) got too close to the Inta. He is currently held captive by the man and his small army of Varu shamen and Kon'Dai. Antilles simply wants the party to discuss what Prion wants in order to release the Wizard. He sees no need for combat, or he'd just go himself. Soreiss comments that the Inta is Prion, and adds that he figured they'd have to meet some time. The party agrees to speak with Prion, and returning to Map, they spy a long train of people crossing the foot hills north, across the bay, from the Imperial Hearth of Varu'Nora.
Soreiss gates the party a couple of miles ahead of the procession. Lugh sets his staff alight to show there is no stealth or hidden ambush here -- just a meeting. Indeed, Prion's outriders -- his Necrus minions who continue to serve as his military commanders -- make contact first, and arrange a meeting with Lord Prion in one hour's time.
Prion is a massive figure, retaining the full Cathanus stature he held in life. His armor is stylized Cathic Plate, and he bears a warmask much like the Varukko Kon'Dai do in battle. He removes his helm as he approaches -- unlike most necrus who usually appear in heavily decomposed states, Prion's flesh is not at all marred or putrid. His tone and pallor are corpse like and ashen, but otherwise flawless. A steady light burns in his eyes, making it hard to tell if his real eyes remained or if the lights themselves have taken that form.
Alongside Prion walks an unexpected figure -- Temu, the exiled Varu Shaman -- with his Giro assistant skulking at the fringes of darkness. Temu greets the party, but says little more as Prion takes over.
The Necrus lord speaks with the party at length, about both Tol'Dorinn Finnian and other matters. Indeed, he seems to stump Soreiss with a very simple question -- Who is Soreiss that makes him uniquely Soreiss, and not Athrin Nur? In short, why would Athrin Nur choose to become Soreiss? He speaks plainly about some issues, even when challenged, and expresses a distaste not only for his "cousin" Oryon, but for the Pheonixes as well. What good is a god, he asks, who refuses to use his divine power? Indeed, power seems to be the primary theme Prion expresses in the conversation, a focus that colors his apparently narrow world view.
Ultimately, Prion presents several useful pieces of information:
- He has always been the Inta, in all places and times the Inta has revealed himself.
- He has been shaping Varu culture according to his vision of an idealized Cathan, and has always been tied to their spiritual core.
- He thinks the Eled races are fit for nothing but death; corrupt or not, they are all a blight on the world.
- He admits that he has not yet decided where he is throwing his lot in the grand conflict, but comments that it will never be the Dark Road.
- He admits that he has met with the being the Varu call the Bone Crow, whom the PCs know as Cabot Darkhollow.
In the end, Prion agrees to free Tol'Dorinn Finnian if -- and only if -- Antilles himself meets with him. He obviously has something to say to the Guardian's son.
The party returns to Hillshadow, informing Antilles of Prion's conditions. The living shadow departs immediately. A Nom traveller in the tavern pesters Mitu about being "the Messenger", then laughs, revealing himself to be Vernir Guide in disguise. He mocks the hippy Phoenix Cultists, citing the superiority of the Path of S'qarb. However, he agrees to accompany the party back to Larka.
When they return, Arius is waiting with a list from Kethryn.
Showing posts with label Prion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prion. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
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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