The PCs send word to Stefan Aldroth about the death of Sephora.
They find that the location containing Skullsneer's heart may be under water, so they attempt to find Hargan and press the kid into helping them. He is found being watched over by a large bird, who Lugh notes is a companion animal much like his wolf. He speaks to the bird, who brings him the greetings of Orlan, an old animist in the forests near the keshite village of Hillshadow. Hargan comes with the PCs, but seems addled. It turns out he's been eating toxic berries for days.
They successfully enter a giant, sundered statue (of Uli, oddly enough) that contains Skullsneer's Heart. As usual, blood must be used to open the door (the blood of the dead). The way to the heart is guarded by beings both natural and demonic. Luckily, the demons bound to watch the Heart are reluctant and spiteful, and are easily convinced to abandon their task. Their hearts just were not into it. When taking possession of the Jar, they break it, Soreiss cuts the heart apart with an eldritch blade and he and lugh recite the canticle of life.
Soreiss uses Map and his own magic to locate the remaining two site containing Skullsneer's organs.
With the help of one of Soreiss's gateways, Lugh and Rin bring Hargen to Orlan's grove where they meet the affable old animist and his friend, the Ogren Thorn. Orlan, it seems, has been trying to do what Lugh has done, and learn about the old Order of Druidim. However, though he has met with less success than Lugh, his trail eventually lead him to S'qarb.
The rest of the party decides it is time to tie up a loose end. They report Marcus' death to the Order of Oryon, finding Thelius and giving him the news.
They head back to Larka, and find a message from Belovius waiting for them. The odd sorceror is in good health, and offers them some help. He tells them much they already know about Skullsneer's strange ability to cheat death, but he also tells them of the blood required to open the last two doors -- the blood of the guilty and the blood of the mad.
Lugh and Rin rejoin the party, leaving Hargan with Orlan. Lugh promises to return soon since both Orlan and Lugh have a lot they may teach each other.
-----
[Jolt Code: B1,C3,CB5,R2,S3]
Monday, April 02, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Chapter 15: Session 11
The PCs locate two of the Jars containing Skullsneer's essence, and attempt first to find his Brain.
The PCs win past a series of traps and puzzles (using the blood of an innocent to find open the door inside), and locate the jar in an underwater chamber. They take the jar and trigger a trap of sorts -- a trap which swaps Rin's and Mitu's minds.
Oddly enough, the strange voice in Mitu's head that he calls Number 3 remains tied to Mitu's body -- conversing now with a startled, troubled Rin. Mitu suspects the voice comes from the demon bone armor, but even when the armor is removed, Number 3's voice continues speaking with Rin.
They know of only one accessible Shaman who may have enough power to reverse this strange effect of swapped minds. They head to Turwinton and speak to Tara. She drugs the pair and performs a series of rituals intended to tie the proper spirits back into one another.
However, she notes something else... Number 3. Three Minds, and Two Spirits (and one Soul). Number 3 turns out to a sharp spike of hematite imbedded subdermally in the small of Mitu's back. He is temporarily removed, and it is noted that he resonates faintly as some sort of spirit construct. It turns out that Braena, Mitu's Mother, embedded the stone in her baby as it was being born... hoping, it would seem, to guide and protect her son as much as it could.
With the issue of Number 3 still unresolved, Mitu and Rin's minds return once more to their proper homes after a protacted ritual.
----
[Jolt Code: Forthcoming]
The PCs win past a series of traps and puzzles (using the blood of an innocent to find open the door inside), and locate the jar in an underwater chamber. They take the jar and trigger a trap of sorts -- a trap which swaps Rin's and Mitu's minds.
Oddly enough, the strange voice in Mitu's head that he calls Number 3 remains tied to Mitu's body -- conversing now with a startled, troubled Rin. Mitu suspects the voice comes from the demon bone armor, but even when the armor is removed, Number 3's voice continues speaking with Rin.
They know of only one accessible Shaman who may have enough power to reverse this strange effect of swapped minds. They head to Turwinton and speak to Tara. She drugs the pair and performs a series of rituals intended to tie the proper spirits back into one another.
However, she notes something else... Number 3. Three Minds, and Two Spirits (and one Soul). Number 3 turns out to a sharp spike of hematite imbedded subdermally in the small of Mitu's back. He is temporarily removed, and it is noted that he resonates faintly as some sort of spirit construct. It turns out that Braena, Mitu's Mother, embedded the stone in her baby as it was being born... hoping, it would seem, to guide and protect her son as much as it could.
With the issue of Number 3 still unresolved, Mitu and Rin's minds return once more to their proper homes after a protacted ritual.
----
[Jolt Code: Forthcoming]
Chapter 15: Session 10
Rin, Sylvarsyr, and some of the Taerani return from the other Septet World. Rin is missing an arm which he seems to have replaced with a bound Air Spirit.
Aided by Sylvarsyr, Arius, and Guvani, the PCs face Skullsneer. Though Marcus falls in battle, the Dark Shaman is defeated. The telling blow comes when Mitu and Lugh time an attack for Lugh's called lightning to strike an iron spike Mitu hurls at the shaman.
However, Rin is nearly consumed by the darkroad energies, and finds himself the rope in a tug of war between the many normal spirits who inhabit this region, and the conduit to the Dark Road. Marcus's spirit sacrifices itself so Rin might escape, and Owls helps Rin to see that Skullsneer is not dead -- only defeated. He cannot be killed unless four objects containing his bodily organs and his blood are found and destroyed within one complete lunar cycle.
----
[Jolt Code: B2,C2,CB1,S3]
Aided by Sylvarsyr, Arius, and Guvani, the PCs face Skullsneer. Though Marcus falls in battle, the Dark Shaman is defeated. The telling blow comes when Mitu and Lugh time an attack for Lugh's called lightning to strike an iron spike Mitu hurls at the shaman.
However, Rin is nearly consumed by the darkroad energies, and finds himself the rope in a tug of war between the many normal spirits who inhabit this region, and the conduit to the Dark Road. Marcus's spirit sacrifices itself so Rin might escape, and Owls helps Rin to see that Skullsneer is not dead -- only defeated. He cannot be killed unless four objects containing his bodily organs and his blood are found and destroyed within one complete lunar cycle.
----
[Jolt Code: B2,C2,CB1,S3]
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Chapter 15: Session 08
Setting about in Larka City, Soreiss's backside is pretty much glued to a chair for nearly three weeks as he pours over the Darkweaver's old journals on Dimensional Mechanics.
During that time, most of the others spend time with the pursuit of language study. Marcus attempts to teach Slip how to read and write in Kinlari, but progress is slow going. However, it is far worse with Mitu's continued efforts toward literacy in Paxish. The Ogren is scattered, drawing pictures with letters and generally frustrating Lugh completely.
After a week of hell, Lugh decides some help is needed. He uses one of his herbal concoctions that help the mind become more pliable, and aids Mitu in focusing his attention. Indeed, with the help of the drug, the Ogren quickly grasp the basics of what has been eluding him for so long. Lugh whips up many more batches, feeding some to Mitu before each study session. The drug continues to help, even allowing Mitu to come up with some much more complex ideas -- such as using the magical portals Soreiss and Tarsis are working on to form a trading company to facilitate the transportation of goods and services between Ghostrock and Ordona, via Larka as a central hub.
Unfortunately, no one seems particularly interested.
After nearly four weeks, Soreiss is done studying. He, Tarsis, and Bodan work together to form the portal gateway between Sandstone Canton and Larka City. Mitu finally pieces together some measure of literacy in Paxish, and with Lugh's help, Marcus teaches Slip how to read Kinlari.
-----
[Jolt Code: 1B, 4C, 1CB]
During that time, most of the others spend time with the pursuit of language study. Marcus attempts to teach Slip how to read and write in Kinlari, but progress is slow going. However, it is far worse with Mitu's continued efforts toward literacy in Paxish. The Ogren is scattered, drawing pictures with letters and generally frustrating Lugh completely.
After a week of hell, Lugh decides some help is needed. He uses one of his herbal concoctions that help the mind become more pliable, and aids Mitu in focusing his attention. Indeed, with the help of the drug, the Ogren quickly grasp the basics of what has been eluding him for so long. Lugh whips up many more batches, feeding some to Mitu before each study session. The drug continues to help, even allowing Mitu to come up with some much more complex ideas -- such as using the magical portals Soreiss and Tarsis are working on to form a trading company to facilitate the transportation of goods and services between Ghostrock and Ordona, via Larka as a central hub.
Unfortunately, no one seems particularly interested.
After nearly four weeks, Soreiss is done studying. He, Tarsis, and Bodan work together to form the portal gateway between Sandstone Canton and Larka City. Mitu finally pieces together some measure of literacy in Paxish, and with Lugh's help, Marcus teaches Slip how to read Kinlari.
-----
[Jolt Code: 1B, 4C, 1CB]
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Chapter 15: Session 07
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]
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]
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]
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