Author: Alessandro Bertolucci

Session 182 – Because it’s there!

Morning of 7th On’Relden     00.00.03.08

After the battle. We prepare for our trek up Grey Beard. We open thes guts of the bird – find nothing.

As we climb – we find an offering totem, more recent. Totem seem to be dedicated to a Native deity not familiar to Kauri. It’s rather common to find them in around the jungle – Oskar and Kauri just don’t know or what who the deity is.

Going is relatively easy – but windy and rainy as we stop for the night. We set up between large stones for cover.

During the night Rallion and the others (non-spell casters of the party) encounter a shiny Eagle (gold colour) – it seems intelligent and want us to follow it.  

They decide to wake the rest of the party and follow. Kauri doesn’t see any evidence of transpatial energy, yet it emanates light.

Sarathos is woken and he sees the bird and confirms that it’s real, but admits he’s never seen anything like it and suggests that Nash moves closer – rather easily. About halfway there (130 yards) – 90 yards away it (the bird) jumps behind a rock – the glow is still visible.

We approach while Bavmorda goes around, stealthily and sees only a glowing feather, illuminating a staircase heading up the mountain.

Fortuitous!

Rallion picks up the feather – still no sign of transpatial energy (like his mask).

We go back to rest.

Next morning we inspect the stairs and after some deliberation we decide to climb the stairs and see where it leads. The rain continues – and we find another totem offering. We leaving an offering (from Oskar) – Kauri says a few words.

Rallion manages to see evidence that someone has been down and up recently – likely for the offering.

We continue to follow the stairs up.

A few hours before sun-down we look up using the spy glass – looks like we’re heading towards an opening – a large one – near a waterfall. Directly north we see evidence of fire – towards the ship wreckage. We should get there in an hour.

Either side of the stairs is very rough terrain – difficult without climbing gear. Bavmorda decides to climb in that rough terrain – just to keep an eye on our flank (to the right). She disappears into the rain.

We figure we’re close to where we saw the roc fly to.  

We continue.

We find an opening with a waterfall to either side, split by a carving of an eagle, wings guiding the water into pools on either side of the opening. Wind chimes shimmer nearby.

Lights from the cavern – crackle of fire and a low humming (voice) – repetative as if chanting. The waterfalls are reflective and our reflects seem that they are not the same between them – but we can’t tell unless we’re closer.   

We see a lot of traffic evidence from the right pool.

Sarathos says the voice is speaking in ancient common – a prayer to the “4 Matriarchs”. Mentions that nash was doing something “weird” last night when we were checking the “bird”

We reach between the pools – opening goes 20 ft into a large cave with buildings (not in good shape) – damage can be seen, couple of dozen bodies. There’s a large totem, and one guy sitting cross-legged facing the totem, chanting, with his back towards us.

We see another person (almost don’t notice) looking down at the totem from top of one of the buildings. Dressed in islander garb.

Rallion approaches and greets them – person above raises a bow (no arrow) – Rallion continues, she whistles getting the old man’s attention.

Old man get off the ground and walks over to us (slowly), Bavmorda stays hidden.

Speaks to us regular common. Tells us earthquakes hit – Taimo and Azra are survivors. We tell them about how we found the stairs. Nervous about us hunting the Roc, but warms up suddenly when we mention the feather. Apparently the bird was a messenger of the 4 Matriarch.  He invites us to the fire to warm up and get comfortable. Oskar offers to make tea.

Bavmorda doesn’t notice anyone else.

Kauri asks what is this place? Caverns of the Dead – resting place of the 4 Matriarchs – they’re former explorers who heard rumours of treasures, and found this place. They decided to retire here.

Back wall collapsed – uncovering something. Tell us about a door – we’re on a quest to save the word. They roll their eyes –  it’s a nice place, even after the earthquake.

We go take a look. Kauri uses his lamp.

Eastern wall has collapsed – exposing finished walls – and a door. 20×20 space. Very solid looking doors with inscriptions:

Those who Pass Beyond these Doors

Shall Face Tests to Prove whether they are Worthy

To Enter the Presence of those Matriarchs

Who Stood Against the Outsiders

Cerida, with Logic as Cold as the Northern Ice

Vigorous as the Dawn’s Symphony of Bird-calls

Feldma, Protector of Wisdom’s Dying Light

Oswitha, Warm Bloom of Southern Isles’ Compassion

When Those from Beyond Threaten the World

The Way shall be Revealed in Cataclysm

Guardians of our Inheritance and Home

To Claim the Shard of the Mother from its Resting Place

We return to feed and discuss our next moves.

We offer to help them bury their dead and they offer to help train the others.

Speak with Dead – to Elder Agas –

Q: 1.) What is the Shard of the Mother?

    A weapon to use against those not of this world, breaks their power, destroying them.

    2.) Tell us all you know about the tests to get the shard?

    I’ve heard there were test  -the test the virtues of the hero’s, puzzles, traps

    3.) Who are the outsiders?

    Never seen one – told that they are those to come from beyond Meadia (the world) – from faraway. They don’t belong here.

    4.) What is the significance of the the golden feather left by the eagle messenger of the 4 matriarch?

    To receive the feather, means that we were chosen to seek the shard.

We talk with the Prix-Copy – she remembers 4 warrior queens who fought against them for some time – they disappeared and the dragons took over. They’ve been called “outsiders” before.  

Kauri studies Edan’s notes during that time.

Training Starts on the 10th and end on the 24th –  

Session #164: The Sleeper Has Awakened!

(We handled our Psionics this session)

Journal Entry – Nearly sunrise. {didn’t take note of the day}

As we prepare for our battle against the dragon intent on destroying us I’ll relate what has happened over the last few hours.

The ritual was a success – Prixathalma is alive. I scarcely can believe it myself, but there she was in her full dragon glory.

Her reactions were confused, luckily we made sure the first person she’d see was Mariantaxsis and she recognized her kin and immediately began speaking with him in Dragonic. (I must learn this language if given the chance!)

Kotar roughly explain what was said – that she at asked him if he had rescued her, to which he explained no, we did, and went on to explain generally the current situation regarding the flight of 3 dragon on their way to eliminate her and all of us.

Finally noting our presence – she focused on Thorfus and began question him in Ancient Dwarven. He and I did our best to answer, including informing her about Xenotel visiting our dreams. She tells its troubling, but could be a way to access Xentel that way if need be.

Thorfus repeats the impending arrival of the Dragons and questions if she would know if they’d be carrying Imperial Dervishes. Not surprisingly she didn’t know who the Dervishes were (I figure that the imperial dervishes came into being much after he “death’’) but did know about the shadow stepping. She alluded that normally dragon wouldn’t stoop to carrying lesser creature, but admitted that during the Rebellion she and others did so.

She then wanted to hear the Prophecy that Mariantaxis mentions, Axel obliged, repeating the words he heard during his long road back to us. Thorfus and I then explain who the Liar, Mad King and Consort are (though she knew exactly who the last one was) and explain what we hope we can accomplish. She explains it’s possible that our plan may work, especially if we can undo what she did to the Orbital Defenses to prevent the Dwarves from repairing what she had done.

Thorfus also explained the plans (as we know them) of the other factions – Dark King, Silverthrone and Imperials. She did not seems too concerned with them (or did not show it) as we moved on to discuss our next course of action.

After some deliberation we decide to explore the crash-site in the hopes of finding items that may help us against the coming dragons or the other factions (she’s a big fan of using other people’s devices against them) as she’s still not fully recovered from her resurrection.

NOTE: We did not tell her everything yet, the fate of her son and Chuq’s misguided attempt to end the crisis by eliminating her and the death of her old allies.

Our explorations were fruitful:

Amodeus spoke with Zyaid and discovers a treasure trove of items including a repair wand, exo-suits, schematics for some micro repair droids, electro-stics

Zyaid also confirmed that the fighters are functional and the Beserker is aswell, though defective.

He also has a plan to self-destruct while we escape through a tunnel made by a Bulette

He also confirmed that the ship could not fly again, nor did it have a battery charging unit.

Amodeus was quick to use the Repair Wand on the Beserker – giving us one more weapon.

We also find a fully functional repair pair, allowing us to repair Thorfus’ monkeys – and later the Beserker, after it managed to defeat the Bullette blocking our escape.

Chuq informed me that Zyaid confirmed that the fluid in the tanks could not repair the damage caused by Jagger’s manipulations – though the scars could. Also – after Thorfus’ use of the tanks to heal – we discovered that they too seem to have been affected by the strange energy emitted by the engines earlier. (Must question Kalgunn about these engines)

With Zyades help we confirm that if Prix wears one of mind protecting rings she cannot easily be detected by the ships – and therefore – the other dragons.

With our search complete, and our escape route clear – we begin to plan exactly how we will defeat the oncoming storms: Red, Blue and likely Black.

We have the skiff loaded with what we found and have it moved far enough to avoid detection.

Chuq hopes to trap one in the Shadow-Realm – risking his own entrapment. Mariantaxis believes he could likely defeat or divert one – leaving one for us.

This may be my last entry – unless my ancestors say otherwise.

Session 161 : What goes up, must come down (Aug 1st, 2017)

After some discussion in what is likely the control room we come up with a plan to tackle the bats in engineering – we believe the information reliquary is important.

Due to the inconsistent gravity, we decide to lower a rope down to retrieve Thorfus, Lambertus, Nash and Edan with Mariantaxsis pulling up on the rope and Bellasante guiding.

While getting this ready Chuq positions himself to cover Bellasante or anyone coming up. It’s as he gets into position that he realizes that the door to the other side where the bat-like creatures are is open, but there’s no movement.

Since they’re not being attack, Chuck decides to lower the rope to Edan who has moved up halfway up the corridor in order to guide the rope further below to Lambertus who ties himself to the rope and signals for ascent.

Seeing Edan’s signal, Bellasante yells to Mariantaxis to begin pulling. Just then, Bellasante seems to have been affected by the bat-like creatures and drops the rope and attacks Chuck – striking him by surprise.

It doesn’t take long for Chuck to grapple and overcome Bellasante, but the damage was done. As Lambertus reaches them he too is afflicted and runs away in fear (deftly dodging Laurene, Chuq and Axel’s attempts to grapple him), but Chuck and Edan are unaffected due to their ESP block abilities and magic.

Chuq bolts after Lambertus and again swiftly disables the Cleric. With Harb’s help he’s tied up, while Laurente and Axel drag a very angry Bellasante out.

In frustration Chuq grabs the Dwarven Flamethrower and fills the Engineering Room with fire as Thorfus makes his way up and Edan fires arrows.

In a combined effort the bat-creatures are defeated.

We retrieve the information reliquary (which Edan confirms is a more complete schematic of the ship), a pair of green crystals and a small “very sharp” knife.

Shortly thereafter- everyone regroups at the barge to discuss the next course of action.

Session 157 – May 31, 2017 – : Westward Ho!

We decided to head west and try to find the cloning facility rather than try to kidnap people or convince kobolds to sacrifice themselves.

6AM 21st of MazRelden 00.00.00.00.03.24

Kotar and Prix will travel on the Barge rather than on the skiff, while Mariantaxis will fly – he says that touching the carbon material is painful to dragons – likely the reason their cages were effective in keeping them in check.

Edan takes control of the skiff and guides the ship – about 45ft up – and travels along the valley towards where we think the Cloning Lab is.

Thorfus speaks to Sarathos using the broachie-talkie – confronting him about the “insanity” he caused. Thorfus wants to know if he can reverse the damage – apparently Sarathos can, but by individual. Sarathos doesn’t seem to think reviving prix is a bad idea – considers her wiser than her “mate” … he wouldn’t mind speaking with her should we be successful. Alone – of course.

We suspect that someone else may be listening in through the talkie-broachie, but Sarathos says he can’t detect anyone else listening in on our devices. Putting on ESP circlet or ring dampens the buzzing sound, but it isn’t eliminated.

We place the skull cap, broachie-talkies and the scrying mask in Edan’s Strong Box for it’s “blocking” ability just in case. NOTE: It’s just a plain waterproof foot locker, not sure where they got this idea, but if it makes them feel better then who am I to argue – at least it’s wizard locked.

The Valley between the mountains heading westward is fairly barren – but we can see jungle in the distance.

About 40 minutes in – we begin to reach the jungle – and then suddenly we feel like we’ve just been attacked. An explosion happens – the skiff’s batteries explode (Stissa is blown away) and we fall to our doom. Edan attempts to slow the impact with Levitate while Chuck and Harb shadow step to safety. The rest of the crew scramble to the back of the ship to avoid the brunt of the hit.

Mariantaxis attempted to catch the ship, or at least Prix, but was unsuccessful even with Ronan’s attempt to throw him a line.

Despite the efforts – the damage is bad – we lost Stissa, Adrelle, Fyarin and Eva – and we’ve all taken a beating.

Thorfus has the monkeys retrieve our chests and cas while Edan attempts to asses the damage to the engine.

As we recover – 5 creatures come out the ground, Vilstrak, the stone-like insects that immediately attack the Mechanical Monkeys.

We defeat the Vilstrak and have one of the monkeys remove the battery and place it far away. It’s smoking and we then bury it, stopping the smoke. Ronan manages to loot some gems from the Vilstrak lair we landed on.

Edan determines that one of the power chambers was damaged, but the others seem to be fine. As a test, we place the spare battery in the powercell and the barge lifts a foot, enough to inspect the damage – we also notice that the battery rattles much like the previous one so we assume it’s also sabotaged in some way. The barge is sound, but it won’t float. After a short discussion we decide to move the ship closer to the jungle so that the monkey can affect repairs in order to make it water worthy incase we need to make a landing again.

While we prepare – Stissa wakes up and we hear distant colonial drums approaching from the east. Lambertus checks her wounds and he’s amazed she’s not really injured. She’s really alive and doesn’t seem to be freaked out. She doesn’t know how she survived. Very suspicious as this is the 2nd major “incident” she has survived without injury.

We ask Mariantaxis if he’s noticed anything about her. He tells us that he hasn’t really looked at our camp followers, but after hearing what has happened agree to inspect her. As he approaches her, he immediately finds out she’s not what she seems – and before he can swat her she shadow steps away towards the jungle (we assume).

We discover that the mirror is magical, and likely was being used to track and listen to our conversation. Mariantaxis is worried, if the Emperor knows we have Prix – he’ll come to claim her, likely with a horde of other dragons. BBQ Anyone?

Ronin plans to misdirect our pursuers by faking a change of plan and then get a bird to fly around with the mirror.

We lure a bird and with whom Chuck tries to negotiate to have it carry it away. After some cajoling he manages to convince the little guy to take it away.

We head west towards our goal as low as we can, and quickly come across a fight. We listen and it seems to be two or more people fighting – we hear “face-stealer” so we figure it’s our Stissa.

We quickly turn around and head towards the fight.

Session 154 – Interlude

12:30PM 18th Maz-Relden, Clock readsL 00:00:00:03:27

After meeting with Jardin and making our demands, we head to our estate to wait for his answer.

On our way we stop by the Mapmakers to pick up the key, Cutty hands us the key and returns to his mourning.

At the estate we settle-in and discover that progress was made, yet there’s more to do. As we take a look around Ronin grabs a couple of bottle of wine and Thorfus’ monkey goes to the “burial” tree and whistles for a while (keans).

Four hours later, Jardin arrives with news. He agrees to provide us with the blood and tries to discover whom we’re trying to revive (he consulted with empire sages and found out). We didn’t tell him. He also brings a mini steam engine for Ronin and more power cells.

We try negotiating for the skiff plans, but Jardin wants more than we’re willing to give.

We also get our stipend of 250 gp each – or 1250 gp – which we place in the house fund.

We go to the Ark Temple – to see our friends that were affected by Sarathos’ shenanigans. We find them in the dungeon. The militia gave us trouble until a Grey Cloak (Larens), who works with the clerics attending the afflicted, cleared it all up once he recognized us.

When we ask about the afflicted he explains that despite treatments (magical & non-magical) there have been no improvements… he finds it odd.

The clerics look tired and worn, but one, Iscipio (a jr. acolyte), agrees to take us to see our friends. He explains that they take care the physical needs of the afflicted and read to them.

We see Em first – she’s restrained for her own and the baby’s safety.

She speaks of magic flying fish (Dreys?) – says the fish wants the girl dead (looks down to belly) – Magic Fish keeps his promises. Mentions the Frogs that abducted her, and then some other parts of her past veiled in metaphors and lunacy. Chuck and the others believe the she’s referring to Sarathos – Edan, not so much, but he never liked the devilfish anyways. She mumbles : 1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Seems that she’s aware of her history.

Admiral Dykenson – believes everyone is Grel in disguise.

Admiral Duffeld – naming fishes and dishes – recipes.

Aardman – gives his aliases, says he’s been everyone – rather everyone is an alias of him.

Aleric Winterberg – stories about tunnels – tiny little elves with dark skin live in them (drow?).

Shartaine (Merindor’s Librarian) – talks about people poisoning him, believes we’re here to poison him.

The other afflicted we less interesting or no one we know directly.

We return to the clerics, they tell us that they’re discussing moving them to more comfortable accomodations in the palace – Thorton seems to be agreeable to that but hasn’t given his go-ahead. (What about our estate?)

We go to the ruined cathedral – still barely together – services are suspended and the statue of our former henchman still together – surprisingly.

We go in regardless of the signs telling us to stay away and we find Chuck’s order’s master is using the Patriarch’s old room. He recognizes Chuck who introduces Ronan and Thorfus and Edan (still invisible) after he noticed Edan despite it. (Should have moved silently)

He knows about the coming invasion – he knows that we know.

He explains how he was abducted, and how he was convinced by their evidence, some that we provided.

Chuck explains our experience – and he counters that he plans to try to retake Lonely Island . Chuck maintains that it would not be wise.

Not many dragons in the empire apparently – especially those from the beginning, and the younger generation are few likely from a low birthrate.

Chuck explains shadow stepping, DBLs and deamons. His master has already observed shadow stepping and is ready to experiment with it, though more cautiously after having been told about DBLs and deamons.

Chuck tell his master that he’s left the order to become a fighter. He’s disappointed and hopes that he’ll continue working towards the same goals.

Chuck reminds him not to trust the Devilfish – they may be gone, but they’re still around.

We leave to go to the “gambling House” where Ronin has some contacts.

We’re followed by Owayne – Wants to know what we’re up to so that he can report back to Dreys – we tell him that we’re looking for the sub. Tells us they carried it out – but not sure where – likely the main temple or the smaller one on the floating shipyard. He tells us they’re heading south towards the Serpent’s Tooth, where exactly or why he doesn’t know. He’s following Drey’s orders.

At the G.House – Ronin speaks with his buddy and we find out the Sub is next to the small temple of Merendor in a warehouse.

Edan followed Ronin invisibly and noticed references to Scarnwode Camp – lots of expensive mercs and “food for the plants” – likely where they’re making Dog Froth.

Next step? Druid compound – find out where Canis is.