Category: Graveyard of Empires: The Islands of Curabel: Session Summaries

Session 66 – July 22, 2015

Hoping to entice the undead Dwarves back into firing range, one of our last chicken lures is tethered then lowered to the floor below. Taking the bate, we pepper him with missiles until he slumps over the dead and mauled chicken. The invisible Socrates lends a beak and a talon so that we might lasso the body, then hoist it to our floor above. Keeping watch, Axel hears one of the other four undead dwarves mutter “Fool”.

The carcasses stench is unbearable, forcing all but Uthruk to retire to the pedestal gallery. Left to himself, Uthruk discovers a platinum necklace with a jade stone pendant, another black card with the Silverthrone constellation design, and another multi tool. He heaves the body back through the elevator hole and joins us in the pedestal gallery. 

Meanwhile, Thourfus uses his gold key to activate a pedestal. We notice the room lights flicker and hear a chime from the dais pedestal near the gallery window. The message about power is replaced by an image of a winged dragon. Thorfus reads out loud the ancient dwarven text “Ancient Red Dragon”. He then mutters a bunch of statistics which no doubt apply to the Red Dragon. 

Moving his hand over the word “Vartiations”, the image above the pedestal changes to that of a wingless dragon. The ancient dwarven names sounds like Pan Lung, vitals mention a 55′ long water dragon. This information sparks a little heated discussion among the Starchie Boys until a loud bang is heard from beyond the gallery window. 

Rushing to the dais pedestal, Thorfus finds an ancient dwarven message that the occupant of cell C is trying to open the cell door demanding too much power. Scanning the options, he touches “Cells” then “Occupancy” then skims through the three options. Cell A has 5 small lizards described as pack hunters that are slated for additional study. Cell B is empty. Cell C has two large reptiles approximately 50′ long and are also slated for additional study. He quickly returns to “Cells”, then touches “Synchronization”. A new message : Error, synchronization power compromised, system rebooting.

Glancing through the window, we notice the blue glow is no longer below the partially raised doors to the East. To our surprise, 6 medium sized reptiles running on hind legs emerge from behind the raised eastern. They are barking to each other. 2 of the first six soon dash southward to what looks like a large doorway leading outside to a green lush jungle beyond. Those 2 are quickly followed by 2 other lizards emerging from the partially raised door to the east. The remaining lizards investigate the closed door to the west after another loud bang is heard. 

Thorfus touches the command to open Cell door C. 5 more reptiles scurry into the center room. As two humongous reptiles emerge from the now raised western doors, some of the smaller lizards flee to the south. Those that stay, begin to stalk one of the larger reptiles. The reptile closest to the south runs into the jungle beyond after felling one of the lizards. His companion slays another lizard forcing the survivors to scurry northward into a space below the gallery. 

The monstrous reptile notices us gawking and lunges at the gallery window. Thorfus uses the Electrical Deterrent. A blue spark coruscants about it’s body, wracking it in pain, before all the room lights extinguish. The gallery window yields to the blow but holds together. 

We ready ourselves. Most of the Mercer Mercs ready themselves all the way back to the main portal room. Fitz lays an oil trap before the window. The beast’s second lunge bursts through the window but the strange metal mesh within it saves us from being showered by flying glass. Ftiz’s fire trap hurts the beasts massive head as Thorfus charges aggressively, pressing his multi attack button. He and a score of his doubles, sever the beasts head. It’s body slumps dead as we are sprayed with blood, 

The lizards below have called the elevator platform! Chuq, Talon and Belroar hurry to cover the opening. Four of the curs are riding the platform up. Three leap a charge at Chuq, Beroar and Thorfus. Talon and Chuq strike  with set spears as only Chuq is bit. Fritz tosses in a molotov, killing the reptile Talon stuck. Belroar’s Yeager and Chuq’s daggers fell another. 

Two arrive on the elevator platform. Axel moves up as Chuq moves back. The Boys slays another quickly. The lone survivor flees over the reptiles carcass, down to the floor below and then south into the jungle. We heave the monster reptile body off the gallery. It’s landing thud spurs a lone medium sized lizard to dart out the southern exit. Then we examine the damage done to the dais pedestal. It’s severed near the base. Returning it to it’s proper position doesn’t help any.

Shortly after, the lights turn on again and the intact pedestals reactivate. Examining the last three pedestals, Thorfus reads a report on the King of the Lizards. Also about a Dangerous monstrous predator, that has no bioforge options. Lastly he reads about the medium sized lizards : pack hunting predator, further study necessary for use as anti-rebel weapon, no bio forge options. 

While Thorfus is at the library, Axel, Belroar, Chuq and Fitz take the elevator down to another locker room. The door hear is propped open by a Ancient Dwarven Multi-Tool. Looting the lockers, we find a 10′ Monk Stick, another leather armor apron and a pouch containing a silver biconvex key and two stones. The propped open door’s panel is glowing red. Bringing the new silver biconvex key close to the panel, it flashes green the returns to red. 

Fitz limbos under the propped up door and has a better look to the south. He sees a path flanked by cairns topped by human sculls. He can’t decide if the wall beyond the raised double doors is either a portal to a jungle or a whole in the wall leading to a jungle. As the sun sets and stars are seen, Belroar sees that the constellations are the same as Midmark’s.

Chuq and Axel have collected the loot strewn about the lizard statue with the humanoid body chained to it. The haul is impressive with many platinum and ancient dwarven electrum coins. Fitz detects magic on the key, 10′ monk stick (I thought there was a third, anyone?)

As the time is approaching 9:00 pm our thoughts are on how we are going to rest tonight…

Session 65 – July 15, 2015

We continued to question the former prisoner of the ancient dwarves. He explained some more about the use of the cubes and we learned that each station had a cube that allowed us to view prisoners and see visual records of the tests the ancient dwarves put their prisoners through.

The other pedestals showed different species on the island and we could interact with the images. It was all quite confusing. [It allowed the user to investigate various aspects of biology from posing the virtual bodies, choosing male or female, interacting with the boy, such as peeling back the skin to reveal muscle, and fiddle with DNA. Not all species had as much information as did the human option.]

We decided that we had better get back to the temple in preparation for our meeting with the Naga. As we attempted to leave the lights on the doors changed from green to red, and the door to the south changed from red to green. A voice out of the air, called us servants and wondered what took so long and told us to prepare to meet our doom.

Chuq uses his shadow hopping ability to open the doors and we get to the central room. We try to use the pedestal and amulet to leave, but it does not work. 

The man from ancient times tells us that if we have a silver, copper, or platinum amulet, similar to the gold one Thorfus now has, that it would allow us to override the controls and get back.

We recalled the undead below and that one of them had an amulet that might help. We try shooting them with missile weapons, but they run off, out of the line of sight. We decide against going down there after them. They did move awfully fast.

To the south is a room similar, but taller than the room to the north. It is open and we see jungle and mountains in the distance.

Now what do we do?

Session 64 – July 8, 2015

Fulbrecht is pounding on the glass, as we approach the southern locker room. A klaxon can be heard  from above. Our lead group ascends to the Human research gallery where the klaxon is blaring over a familiar scene. Talon and the Mercs have recovering from a melee with the Undead Ogre last seen behind the west vivisection room. Talon reports the Mercs’ success, an unconscious Xelina was the price. He also point to one pedestal near the glass. Its’ ethereal display now says in ancient dwarven “ unauthorized tampering, desynchronized cells detected, security has been notified, if this is an error access the security program.” We did it again….

On top of the cacophony, a thudding is coming from the east. THorfus examines the open doorway to the west, while Chuq sees a human standing beyond the east vivisection room door. No doubt, like the Ogre, this body was last seen lying on a slab. His scars are visible now, he looks like the top of his head was shorn off then reattached. Unexpectedly, the door rises – there is an undead kobold moving to attack. We fell the kobold and the human with little effort.

Now it’s more babel in ancient dwarven. Looming over Thorfus, the articulated floating cylinder says “New dissection candidate identified” – back to work! Spying something on the slab farthest from the doorway, Chuq shadow steps across the room and dons a golden crown/helmet. Thinking himself clever he yells in modern dwarven “Stop!”

Ftiz contains the murder automation by sealing the door, with just a few saps on the wrong side.

Belroar slips in the room before the door slams shut, brandishing his Silverthrone card and barks “Halt”. Thorfus tries a command in ancient dwarven. The dissector ignores everyone, turns and advances on Chuq. It’s attack is quick and true. Close to death, the Monk shadow steps behind Thorfus by the doorway. Axel and Talon charge – Talon hits! Belroar raises the door allowing Chuq to scurry to Brice. Uthruk enters as Fitz closes the door again. The fight is in earnest now!  Our muscle takes some licks but answer back in kind!

Brice soothes the monk’s aches, so he returns to the fight. Belroar begins to fashion a connections between a javelin and rope hoping to bring down the dissector in a trap. Before he can attempt his plan,  Thorfus takes out the machine. 

Before Fitz can seal the door again, the Boyz all retire to the gallery. After our post battle clean up, we opt to exam the west vivisection room.  

Belroar wants to euthanize the single thrashing human body lashed to a slab. Chuq senses someone else’s feelings as he enters. Taking off the golden helmet, he loses the sensations. Donning it again, he speaks to the thrasher, expecting some acknowledgement. The body continues to thrash, but now Chuw “hears” a wailing voice in his head. Not understanding the words, he mimics the sounds out loud. Finkelmur recognizes it  as ancient common. Handing over the golden helmet, Finkelmur hears the same cry over and over again. “Stop the cutting” 

“We will ease your pain” Belroar whispers as he stabs the thrashing body. 

Finkelmur and Chuq search the drawers as Thorfus collects the strange metal instruments on the slabs. Belroar searches the nest of junk and drawers in one corner. He finds some trinkets and many clean bones.

The drawers contain organs that have been dressed and appear to be freshly butchered. We find Kidneys, hearts, lungs, intestine, stomachs, spleens, back bones, brains, feet & hands( the limbs separated by races – lizard men, elves, humans, kobolds & ogres). Thorfus tests the cube and gold amulet found in the rubbish heap with the raised pedestal in the gallery room.  The amulet causes the ethereal message floating above the pedestal to be replaced with a new interface. In ancient dwarven it lists “Security; Holding Cells; and Cube Interface” 

Touching CUBE INTERFACE the message changes again to a list of five options of random ancient dwarven letters and numbers.  The first choice yields to an image of a dwarf that is perfectly alive and healthy. Dwarf moves about and a detached voice from the pedestal says in ancient dwarven “So they’re here now. They’ve made it into the portal system. Don’t know what the chief is going to do, continue work, security on high alert” then the dwarf looks at something to his side then freezes. 

Second option shows the same dwarf speaking “Odar I don’t know if you are receiving these. No attacks here but the battle is not going well. They should have better luck at Pathogens. This stuff is hundreds of years old don’t know if it will help fighting the rebels.” 

Third option shows same dwarf. He appears not as well groomed previously with  more haggard look in his eye. “Now we’ve done it. So, the chief bio forgers sent some of the specimens through the portal. It failed! A whole wing is now quarantined. Security keeps us in our rooms with only one bathroom for everyone.”

Fourth option is the same dwarf bedraggled worse than before. ”Lost all communication with rest of the facility, on emergency power protocol. No portal, some have had an argument with security team to leave. Others will try again I will wait for the all clear. Maybe we can pull out”

The last and fifth option shows our dwarf disheveled and somewhat emaciated. “Most of the supplies are gone, can’t get to cafeteria, no hope of rescue. Looks away, static, much later he is hysterical “the dead, they have come back. It’s revenge for what we have done to them!”  

After selecting the last option, the screen is now blank, Thorfus plays with the ethereal image until he finds and chooses “Holding Cells”. This list appears: Records of Current Occupants; Synchronization Status;  Door Locks; and Sonic Control Deterrents. 

Selecting Current Occupants shows: 

1. Three lizard men

2. One elf

3. Three elves

4. One ogre

5. Two kobolds

6. Three lizard men

7. Four elves

8. One human

9. Three humans

10. Three elves

11. Two lizard men

12. One elf

13. Empty

14. Four elves

15. Empty

16. Two humans

17. Empty

18. Three elves

Next, Synchronization Status:

1. Synched

2. Synched

3. Synched

4. Desynched 100%

5. Synched

6. Synched

7. Desynched 100%

8. Desynched 100%

9. Desynched 100%

10. Desynched 100%

11. Desynched 100%

12. Desynched 100%

13. Desynched 100%

14. Desynched 100%

15. Synched

16. Desynched 100%

17. Synched

18. Desynched 100%

Thorfus changes number 4 from Desynchronized to Synchronized. Belroar take the elevator to check and finds a single naked ogre in one of the cells we could not open. Belroar slams the door shut on the Orger and runs back to the gallery to tell us what he found.. 

Thorfus now synchronize number 8 with Uthruk, Finkelmur and Fritz checking to see if there is actually one human occupant. They find a humanoid sitting with his back to the door. When spoken to, he doesn’t respond. He is before a makeshift altar and the walls are blood smeared. The old dark man turns and hoarsely barks in ancient common “Humans? Here? You come to free us? Are the dwarves dead? Did the dragon emperor send you?” Everyone is curious after Finkelmur translates.

Our interrogation of the man is far from one sided. Hardly fazed when we explain his time is long forgotten in our most dim past, he peppers his short answers with pointed questions about the dwarven people, the city of Xen’Kehl and our opinion of the Dragon Emperor (which is undoubtedly his patron hero and the architect of the downfall of the Dwarven empire). He encourages Throfus to kill Brice as an apostate, claiming her “Zen Tellar” is an imposter. He also is very interested in the SilverThrone company and their agent Marchmain Sivis. 

Piecing his answers together, we know his mission was to poison this research facility from within. His magic seems to be a cross between Wizard and Cleric, perhaps he is a sorcerous witch? He calls his patron deity/hero Zen Tellar but insists the god known to the dwarves today as Zen Tellar is actually Zelina Tel. An evil personage that was cut off from the ancient dwarves and entrapped by some instrument of the Dragon Emperor of old. 

His intents seem aligned with ours after we loosely sketched our suspicions of the SilverThrone and Empire conspiring to enslave Midmarkers. But he is reticent to assume the Dragon Emperor could be an agent of evil.  Perhaps we should lubed his tongue with food and drink before exchanging information but we hoped he could lift the curse of undead from this place. 

He claims he can help somewhat but insists on the boys killing Brice in return. We still look upon Brice as a dupe but maybe he is right and she’s the best actress we’ve ever met? We need to know more about him, his mission and his relationship with the last Naga before we have our meeting with her.

Session 63 – July 1, 2015

We finally make our return to the depths of Xen Khel and make it to the temple unobserved and cross over to the hidden area.

After much debate about how to proceed, we decide to avoid a face to face confrontation with the dozen or so undead on the other side of the doors. We were greeted with a foul rotting smell that was not there before, and it is coming from the lower level and the undead below us are active.

This is too reminiscent of Kaligan. At least these undead stay down when we “kill”them.

We finally agree to go to the north rooms and peeking in on one room and knocking leads to an ogre getting off a table and failing to get through the door.

We find a room with a slightly open door with a slime creature and a box full of that yellow mold like we found in Kaligan. We slew the slime creature and shut the box with the mold.

We worked our way to a lower level and found rooms we could not open and another gate, like what brought us here, but we can’t seem to activate it.

We found several platinum shapes and lots of bodies.

We were wandering what to do next, when the ogre finally gt past the door, but our mercenaries slew it. It was nice to not have to fight, and even nicer to not have to bury anyone.

We still have several hours until our appointed meeting with the surviving naga.

Session 62 Summary

Journal Entry 102

Well hello me, it’s good to chat with myself again, a true credit to Insanity. It’s time to lay down another chapter of my dark yet blurry past and bury  it in the backyard or throw it in the  back of the closet so no one will ever know or find it.

It seems that I found my dead companions today, and those pesky raptors had to bring that shinning moment back on the stage so that everyone could see it.  I wonder if they saw what really happened and if they know what I really did. I wonder if that’s how they knew where to find them.

I bet they are trying to scare me or maybe it’s just some sick joke or both! Wait… I must be paranoid there is no way  they saw.  I made damn sure no one was looking and Wilby would have said something. Wilby wouldn’t have lied, I mean he told me to do it.

I have to keep this together, I almost blew it when I just up and burned those dead bodies, like no big shit. I mean did you see the way everyone looked at me?

Anyways, so I’m appointed or maybe blackballed, not sure which, into being the one to talk with a giant talking serpent, who by the way is very angry at us, cause well she thinks we killed its kin.

There was no cents in arguing with them about how ridiculous this idea was. I think that I am already assumed to be this negative Nancy when it come to how to proceed. They are starting to think I’m weak and this was the prefect way to show how brave or just how damn insane I really plowing am.

In either case it seemed to work out for me because that I didn’t get eaten, well not yet anyways. I am sure it was the puns that caused it to spare my life. Always laugh death in the face I always say.

So now we will go talk to her after we go explore the dwarven ruins some more. I suggested that we feed Brice to the serpent as sacrifice, but no one took it very seriously, they just laughed it off.  I wonder if the group will do what it takes to survive and succeed or will they be falling down a dark shaft as well.

Time will tell…

Session 61 summary 

To: Brother Mac

I send word by raven today brother, hopefully this message gets to you soon enough. I know it’s been a fortnight since we last spoken but the group I left with is not the same group I am with now.

Without getting in to much detail all that you need to know for now is that I am alright and am in good company. They have no love for the Empire that is for certain  and I’m not having to look over my shoulder here at the edge of the world.

Since I have come up out of the ruins there has been a few events that have taken place. Firstly the snakes that guarded the entrance to the ruins are no longer in power. 

Second the dwarves are trying now to fill that vacuum. They wish for the group I’m now running with to tie up any loose ends if you catch my meaning.

But then  there is another faction here that works from the shadows of the ruins. This bunch of low life scum call themselves the Raptors. I’m sure you would get along great with these Sallies just fine, if you were here.

Anyways I wish I could be more specific but there is to much going on right now and I fear that this message may get intercepted.

I will write again as  soon as I can, but until then take care of yourself brother, I know somehow you always do.

-Fitz Ravan

Session 59 – June 3, 2015

As we prepared to return to the hidden rooms off the temple in Xen Khel, we were met by a lone explorer, Fitz, the lone survivor of his party. He is a human wizard with a cat. We determined that he was trustworthy and let him go with us to safety.

After resting and healing up, Recusin is back to consciousness and tells us that it was the dwarven bodyguards of the clerics that attacked them, as we supposed.

With most of us healed, we left the wounded with Brice and a couple of the hirelings, the mule and our supplies and go to check on my uncle and the known exit. Understandably, Fitz is concerned about a way out. He was heading out when one of the dwarves advised him to not go this way. He took the hint and was safe from the explosion.

Finkelmur had turned his owl, Sokrates, invisible and sent him ahead. From what he saw all the dwarves and two of the three nagas were dead. I feared this meant that my uncle was dead.

We found 20 adventurers waiting at the bottom of the spiral below the temple entrance. I informed them that my uncle happened to be among the dwarves and that my mother would never forgive me if I did not take card of her big brother. They told us that the entrance was blocked and that the bodies had been looted by the thieves guild. The thieves guild was also charging a steep price to show others the way out that they controlled.

We spiraled up and found the bodies, and I quickly found uncle Dolman, his face half burned away. As I verified it was him, I found a hastily scrawled note from him, that the looters had left. It admonished me to write my mother, now, I must tell her that her brother is dead. I can’t write her, I must go home and tell her myself. I fear that I can’t leave this place with all the things now set in motion.

We account for the 11 dwarves. The only body not looted was that of the ambassador, Thorri Carrow. He only had a bit of gold and silver, and a pack with a week of food, but his magic armor and battleaxe will come in handy.

Our newest member, Fitz heard the faint sound of work above, so we learned that they were digging us out.

The young ranger has an obsession with skinning things and taking trophies. He skinned up those two nagas. I fear what the other sister will do, if she lives. 

I suggested that we move the nagas to one side and cover them out of respect, and move the dwarves to the other side and cover them also. I loaded my uncle’s body onto the cart.

We then go back down, where the half elf, Oliver Wells, who tried to get out attention when we were at Ghermin’s compound, definitely a member of the thieve’s guild. Before he spoke, I offered the week of rations off the ambassador to the leader of one group of ten. He took it, shook my hand, and suggested we meet for a drink when we get out of here. After he left, Oliver offered to show us out for 100 GP each. We declined that offer. 

Oliver offered to lead out the remaining ten adventurers for 25% of future finds, since he knew they had no money. I spoke up and offered the ten men a gold piece each and food until the way was cleared if they stayed. Oliver was miffed and left. I suggested that Finklemur have the still invisible Sokrates follow him. We waited and followed and marking the way in chalk found the room with empty crates blocking a rough hole knocked in a wall that connected it to a smooth 5′ wide passage that we later learned led about 70 feet to a bend where they kept two guards.

Before we moved the crates, I put on the mask and it was clear. I saw over 100 dwarves, men, and others digging out the temple in an effort to open the passage. They were about 1/3 of the way. I then scanned and found two buildings one in the adventurers quarter that was lit by torches with some men out front by a fire. One of the men was one of the ones with the fellow who offered to help us avoid the nagas test for a fee. Another building on the other side of the wall between the adventurer’s quarter and an unused part of the city on the way to the temple was also lit up with guards outside. Both buildings were up against the mountain and on side streets, so not easily visible from the main road. Both seem good candidates for the entrance/exit controlled by the thieves.

We then sent the invisible Sokrates in the tunnel and learned there was firelight after a short distance. Finklemur then made Chuq invisible who then snuck in the tunnel and found that after 70 feet it turned and two guards were stationed in the narrow passage. Since he could not squeeze by or hope to overcome both without one getting reinforcements, Chuq came back and we put the crates back.

We then went back to the temple and took the cart back and found that Brice had healed the remaining wounded and that only Aris was still unconscious. We learned from Recusin that Pelgax bound many of his comrades, but the dressings on there wounds showed much more care than a hasty binding during a fight.

We gathered up the older meat, before it went bad and filled a large sack to take it to the men at the base of the spiral exit. We gave them the meat and told them that we had a way to know that the rescue party was large and nearly a third of the way finished. That encouraged them and I urged them to go up the spiral so that the 20 adventurers could deal with the thieves guild, if they came back for retribution. When we got to the top of the spiral, the sound of working rescuers was clear. I gave a gold piece to the ten at the top, as they left before I offered the gold to the others. I encouraged them to be friendly to me and my friends. I told them my name, but NOT that we are the Starchy Boyz or Baldric’s Boys. I feel that may mean something helpful to us, but perhaps not.

We let them know we found a room we could defend, but that it only had room for us, or we would invite them. When we left, Chuq, who was still invisible stayed behind to make sure no one followed us. Two men started to follow, but Chuq spooked them off.

We returned to the safety of the hidden room behind the thone and will wait until the exit is opened.

The only good thing about this catastrophe, is that no one else knows what we have found with the death of the dwarven archaeologists. Only we know of the phoenix egg device, and as Axel let it slip that we were the ones who found the dwarven tomb under Midmark, the difficulties that we would have otherwise had are removed. 

How do we or anyone else explain the explosion? I don’t think we should tell anyone what we know. 

Once the entrance is opened, will the dwarves be in control, and will we have free access as under the nagas? Is the third sister dead, or only wounded and driven off? With the loss of the ambassador and two important clerics, how long until replacements arrive to further complicate our efforts? 

Now Brice tells us Xen Teler wants us to find a five foot sphere, and she does not think it is in this portion of the secret rooms. I am not so sure I want to go where this leads, even if it means riches. I am glad that I did not tell the others of the dreams I have had of Xen Teler speaking to me. He has not spoken to me since before the idol was destroyed, so it must have just been my imagination. I think this only confirms that I made a good decision not to follow my uncle into the clergy.

My poor mother! I can’t explain this. I can only say that I honored Dolman and cared for his body instead of leaving it trapped in the rubble. 

I knew that my efforts to make my fortune to reclaim my birthright as head of the Ironhand clan would not be easy, this is an event I could never have imagined! It is so unfortunate that my father was denied his place after grandfather died. His one mistake, cost him and me so much. Mother doesn’t understand these things. She pretends that I don’t know about father’s troubles, the debts and the drinking. 

Now that I’ve practically helped kill her brother, I fear that I can never return home! 

Session 58 – May 27, 2015

The body of the ancient dwarf we found turned out to be some undead creature, whose icy touch was like that of the beast that affected Finklemur. Poor Axel felt its touch and is now much weaker than before, but we killed it. I asked it “Who are you?” and it said “Something deserving of death.”

We found another key on this dwarf, which Axel now has, plus a silver disk and a square card or some strange substance with the Silver Throne constellation on it.

We figured out how to open the doors with green lights on the areas next to the walls. Spiking doors open prevented heating us. We believe that if one delays between the two door sections and does not punch in the right code, they will be damaged by heat, as our armor got quit warm in the short time it took to go from one room to another.

We looked through the windows in the doors off the room we were originally in and noted as much as we could see. In typing in numbers on the pad to the outer door to the “East” it beeped and we attracted nearly a dozen skeletons, so we stopped trying to go that way. All of the skeletons seems to be yelling for death for the end of the punishment for their sins.

Next we tried to go to the room to the North and figured out the number pattern that works is 3827. One must move rapidly to punch in that number to avoid the heat. We found four doors, three with windows and on without. There was one window taking up nearly all the north wall. It opened into a room below with lots of dead that were human sized with passages off to the North, East, and West.

The two doors on the NE and NW rooms showed 6 stone slabs, each with two bodies. They had obviously been experimented on.

The other door with a window showed an L shaped room with a door that is ajar. 

We decided to see what was on the other side of the door without a window and found an ice cold room with bodies that had been hanging on hooks and rotted and fell to the floor and some on a metal cart. These bodies rose up and attacked. In all we “killed” and ogre, elf, orc, 3 kobolds, and 3 humans. Both Thorfus and Brice were knocked unconscious. Uthruk bound Brice, bringing her to consciousness. Brice healed Thorfus, returning him to consciousness. 

We decided to return to the temple and check on our men, and found BETRAYAL!

We found Talon in tears and Pelgax dead! Aris, Recusin, Laurent, and Barmir were unconscious.

Brice told the old cleric of Xen Teler about the Phoenix Egg, which is why they let her come to the temple.They used their magic to freeze two of the men and make off with the chest containing it, an hour and a half before our return. Then an hour ago, our hirelings found our injured comrades being looted by another party of adventurers. They would not return their gear, but left them in their armor. Zelina said she did not know these other adventurers, but would know them if she saw them again. About a half hour before our return, there was an earthquake, which I can only guess was the result of the egg.

I am none too happy with Brice. My thirst for vengeance upon the party who stripped our men, and perhaps attacked them, is only slowed by my own injuries. I commanded my companions and our hirelings to go back to the ancient dwarven rooms we found where we know that we cannot be assaulted by unknown forces. We agreed that we should be safe there until we are all rested and can find out from our unconscious men what happened.

I swear that I will take the heads of all who stripped our men. If the dwarves of Xenilum Khel slew Pelgax, I only hope my uncle was not involved. I know I could never raise my hand against him. I know not if we can even return the way we came. I fear those foolish dwarves attempted to take out the nagas. What have we done?

Finally having found their way into the empty of halls of the lower city of Xen’Khel, the party stops, finding thier path to the temple blocked by a party of dwarves. Knowing that the archaeologists have been lobbying to prevent adventurers entering, especially non-dwarves, we stop to weigh our options. Socrates did a quick fly-by, confirming that it is a research group with armed guards, currently examining a runic inscription on the wall.

One idea is to use Brice, citing we are her escorts down the temple where she can pay her respects, unfortunately, the group includes clerics from Xenilum’Khel, so she decides to hide within the party. A second fly-by reveals them to be talking about recording more inscriptions, following down into the temple, provided they meet with ‘no interlopers’.

We decide to just wing it and walk past, trusting on the dwarves in the party to be able to get us through. Naturally, they stop us, asking if we are there to loot. Axel starts to try and weave a tale of us merely coming to worship and see the temple as dwarves ourselves. The humans are merely our travelling companions, and we have no need of plunder due to our travels elsewhere.

A pair of older looking clerics step forward, and Thorfus recognises his uncle, Elder Brother Dolman. They hug and greet each other, Dolman asking after Thorfus’ mother, and what brings him to Xen’Khel. Thorfus continues the story, to some skepticism, and asks what his uncle is doing, which seems to be inventorying the remaining contents of Xen’Khel. It turns out that they are there as official representatives of the dwarven people, to which Axel and Chuq almost get themselves in trouble refuting.

The other dwarf, Thorri Carrow, Chief Ambassador to Xen’Khel, offers to accompany us down to the temple, and we begrudgingly accept. They ask for our leader, and we point towards Thorfus, much to Dolman’s pride. It’s at this point however, they notice Brice within our ranks, and they instantly take offence at they presence of someone they deem to be a heretic.

This instantly starts a large debate on Brice’s devoutness, potential heresy and religion in general. We don’t seem to make any headway however, the high-ranking clerics in our presence very sure of themselves. They cannot accept that the first person to ever directly speak to Xen’Tellar was a young acolyte, favoured by a rich man, over other dwarves who had devoted thier entire lives to the god’s service. It doesn’t go well, and the two elders stomp off, leaving Dolman to ‘talk sense into his nephew’ and telling us that they will not permit ‘that’, meaning Brice, to enter the temple.

Dolman tries to convince Thorfus of their views a little more, explaining Brice’s history with her order and their reasons for expelling her. Of how a rich merchant was looking to make some grandiose gesture to a temple, talking only to the younger acolytes in his tour of the temples, eventually favouring Brice and gifting her a holy symbol. His name was Silvas, a Silver Throne merchant from Curasor, and it was after this that Brice started hearing Xen’Tellar’s voice. The conversation ends in another stalemate however.

Brice approaches and requests a private audience with Father Thovo, which we allow with some warnings, even making sure Starchy accompanies her. Apparently she has seen some way for them to work through this spat, granted through a vision, whom she needs to relay a message to. After a brief conversation, they return, and Thovo has somehow been convinced to allow Brice through.

In the meantime, Dolman takes the time to hint heavily that Thorfus should write his mother more, using Axel as an unwitting example. He also discusses a bit of ours and Talon’s legends, and the state of Xen’Khel as a livable city.

Eventually, Brice and Thovo return to the group, and we move on towards the temple. The archeaological group take the lead, and we keep our distance some few dozen feet behind them. They stop at the end of the tunnel to examine another inscription, and we pass them by, entering the temple itself. Reading the inscription, we see that the room beyond is referred to as ‘The Hall of The Seat and the Path’.

The temple is a large open room, that is nonetheless oddly plain. Balconies flank the entrance, and a number of doors a set into the walls on either side, leading up to a dias in the centre. Two more doors are behind this, flanking a large arch. Upon the dias is a large, metallic throne, evidently the Silver Throne of this temple. The floor of the dias has a design set into it, made from the same metal, designed to represent The Path. We spend a long time trying to match this design to known astronomical signs, which it does indeed match the constellation, though we lack anything but astrological information on it. We also try to match it to locations, specifically those seen with the mask, but it takes some doing, without reference, though might work with the missing Crystal Tower. We notice the metal, which some enterprising adventurers have at some point tried to dig up, is made of the same material that comprises some of the automata cubes.

In the meantime, Brice prays for answers, but gets nothing but grandiose visions of the god. The dwarven group behind us continue thier exploration, disappearing into one of the side doors, eventually appearing on one of the balconies.

We also try fitting the key into the design, looking around for any other location it might fit, getting a vibrating reaction the closer we get to the throne, but not finding anything else. Thorfus also tries the mask, but outside it looks stormy, and zooming in shows only grey. Belroar gets the idea that Thorfus should sit on the throne, utilising the key like a ship’s wheel. After some more tests, he tries it, and gets a reaction!

The Path lights up, with glowing blue balls lifting out of the depressions to float in mid-air and linking. They link to the throne, and it spins around 180 degrees, one of the arm rests folding open and out, a flat section levelling out above his lap. In the centre of this is a square peg, marked with the letter ‘A’ and an arrow pointing down. Thorfus mounts the key on this, aligning the ‘A’s, and a humming noise permeates the area as the wall between the arch becomes a dark grey colour, crackling with electricity. It seems somewhat mirrored, with dark reflections of the room and our party in it.

Belroar touches it, and gets shocked naturally. Thorfus then twists the key in place, so the ‘D’ is now at the top, and the wall changes. The static leaves, and now we can see a room beyond the arch, smaller and octagonal with several doors and windows, though still blurry. When Belroar touches it with a gorilla hand, it passes through the wall and returns unharmed. Whilst he repeats the trick with a cloak-wrapped hand, Axel tosses a spike through, which lands on the other side. Belroar then walks through entirely, entering the octagonal room as the dwarven party returns and comes up behind us.

The room has four doors, and four windows on the walls between. The arch he passed through is in the centre, and to the side is a pedestal. There is a skeleton at it’s base. Ancient text adorns panels above the doors, and there are lights beside them, three green, one red.

Thorri asks what we are doing, to which Axel replies ‘exploring’ as the clerics push to the front, very curious as to how we acheived this. Unfortunately, we have no answers, and they are confused as the octagonal room is not the catacombs that should be behind the wall.

Axel also passes through at that point, collects his spike, and returns, asking after Finklemur and Brice to translate the text. The dwarves seem to want to stop us going any further, even when we offer for them to accompany us. We take Brice through regardless, as Belroar pops his head back through to call her. All we can tell them that it was pure luck that we found this place, being adventurers after all, it’s our job.

Slowly, one by one, the entire main party of the Starchy Boyz passes through, taking Sturloc and Kottar, but leaving Talon in charge of the cart and other hirelings, tasking him with keeping the portal clear for us.

Thorfus removes the key and gets off of the throne, and after several moments, the edges of the portal begin to grey out, evidently closing. To be sure it’s safe, we check the pedestal, and discover another square spoke, this one marked ‘D’, and think we can get back through just fine.

Finally on the other side, the portal finishes closing, and we explore the new area. Each door has a small, meshed window in it, and a panel to the left with blinking lights, north, east and west are green, and south is red. The signs read in a clockwork fashion; Humanoid Research, Housing and Recreation, Reptilian Research, Analysis and Administration.

We decide to look through arrow slits, starting at the northeast. Each window shows a trapezoid shaped room, with four lockers set into the opposite wall. There is a square section of material of floor in the middle, made of some unidentifiable material. The south-eastern room has rubble all over the floor emanating from the south, and the square section is instead a hole leading into blackness. There are bones in the rubble.

Thorfus then decides to check the pedestal, lining up the key before turning it to A. After the static filled grey, the wall becomes the image of the temple, a number of people setting up camp beyond. We confirm with Talon that everything is still ok, then switch to G. There is a different room beyond, this one a short hallway with a door at the end.

F shows a triangular room, with the portal at the point, with a door on the opposite wall. Finally, C shows a larger room with vine-covered pillars and another door.

We also check the skeleton by the pedestal. It looks to have been a plain robed dwarf, the robes being once white. Axel rolls it over, and we see that there was a gold threaded design on the front, representing helixes. He has several pouches and a necklace, holding a stone disc.

Before we can inspect further, it opens it’s eyes and reaches out to grab Axel.

Session 56 – May 13, 2015 (partially uncomplete, you’ll know when…)

21st of Anureldin, after midnight.

Droart the merchant and Thorfus spend some time getting to know each other. Hoping to work out a deal for the curious mask of sky vision, Thorfus invites Droart to spend the night in our camp. Droart is eager for a hot meal and some company. The conversation first moves into a possible supply for security limited partnership. Droart is eager to move on from Xen’Khel. Thorfus’ entreaties are politely refused. Unfortunately Droart’s counter offers are not in line with the Boys immediate plans. 

The talk then shifts to Droart’s time at Xen’Khel. Good thing Dwarves like talking about themselves like people do. He shared a lot about the last 7 years he spent here. 

We learned of several reputable business owners on the mountain, the veritable pillars of the community if you will: Flipa Grell is the local weapons smith. Ancelm Wardale handles alchemical supplies. Gian is an armorer. The local inn, the Sleeping Colossus is kept by Cvenild Piereson. The Sleeping Colossus is known as the largest in on the mountain. Droart describes what could only be a dormant autonotom in the common room of the Sleeping Colossus. 

With little prompting, Droart then tells of some local gossip. Old Stimmens, a local brewer, recently witness a winged dragon in the sky just the other week. In addition to the elders, Grell Wardale, Gian and Cvelnid, the Sisters help keep things orderly here abouts. The sisters are three mind reading Nagas that occupy the temple on the highest slope of the mountain. The temple is the only know entrance to the caverns of Xen’Khel. Entrance into the caverns is only granted to those that are successfully judged by the Sisters.  

Weary of being judged, Thorfus asks if there is another way into the caverns. Droart explains the Rafters are known to have an alternative route. It is also known that those that use the Rafters’s way don’t necessarily fair better than those that pass judgment. Droart suspects the Rafters roll their customers after leading them into an ambush in nearby caves. The Rafter’s are lead by Tamás Ebor, a man that Droart doesn’t trust or approve of.

Next, Droart mentions the tale of Lady Em, fair damsel enthralled by the Dark King and her liberator Talon, head of the MidMark Militia. Thorfus quickly switches to old Dwarvish (Tolkien or Dwarven??) and warns Droart should stop right there. Talon is notoriously self-aggrandizing. Thorfus valiantly saves Droart from a late night of grandiose gestures and peacock strutting about the camp fire.  

To set the record somewhat straight, Thorfus stresses that Talon is Starchie Boy sell sword, not the commander of the Midmark Militia. He also explains Em is as common as they come and lucky for her, she never was enthralled to the Dark King, whoever that might be… Droart questions Thorfus version of things. Perhaps Thorfus would not be so confused about the details after reading a copy of the story circulating. There should be a copy in the Sleeping Colossus inn.

When asked about the surrounding environs, we learned there are apes that desire men for their own pleasure. These scourges can be found somewhere to the northeast of Xen’Khel. Droart refuses to beleive the Starchie Boys found Balric’s Gem.

It seems the 3 Nagas have held the Temple since the fall of the ancient Dwarven empire. It’s been there habit to open the temple doors every morning to allow supplicants to be judged. The Dwarven archeologists feel indignant their heritage is coopted by the Nagas. They prefer the Nagas be expelled and Xen’Khel a Dwarven demesne only. 

As the conversation fizzles, we organize a watch for the night. Not to waste an opportunity, Belroar spends his watch getting to 

After breakfast the next morning, we leave talon and the mercs guarding our camp, he wants to come with don’t need him to talk to much.

Owen, his group and Droart escort PCs and Fink to Ghermin Guards in front of gate (Metteck) surprised we finally arrived, ushered in, three more guards dicing/gaming. Asks about delay, find anything in fort? about to leave, glad to have us hear. looking for treasure? thorfus has a clue, Desric loans 800 for 1200 back so we can buy the mask. Droart loiters for protection.

No idea how to charge thorfus battery

We are invited to move in the mansion. 

Small group of men approach as we are moving camp to the mansion. “Hey you there, looking for treasure”

Try to sell a map, not impressed with axel’s. Belroar offers to hire owen’s group for 1 gp/week.

Thorfus tries the mask – fly about words – “WEAK LINK” in the sky. “Next available Xen Telar Continue ?” Yes in ancient dwarven. everything goes black, focus above an island not large with dormant volcanoe, settlement near the coast with a fortress to the west. about 200 miles to the south east. fortress is in good shape with a silver thorn flag above. looking for slaves by the excavations – none. Now looking for Alain Grell. within the fortress yards are stockpiles of supplies and dwarves everywhere. Dusty Gnome is scried in the harbor. Trying to move NW from the island – see Next Available Xen Kel Continue, yes in ancient dwarven back to where we are. Looking about Xen Kel for another entrance, scanning advance camp wall and adjoining slopes of the mountain – nothing. Little activity, nothing on the first plateu, across a dangerous bridge, few buildings before the next wall. Open doors beyond the gate, nothing about the naga temple – larger mansion than ours there are dwarves, the archeologist. Looks like an adventuring party rallying about the mansion, then march towards the naga temple.

Checking for more nodes above Xen Kel, only Xen Telar to the E & S

Checking for more nodes above Xen Kel to the S – Zurnost’Khel

Zurnost’Khel to the south Zurilum’Khel

Zurnost’Khel to the west – Weak Link, Xen Telar

Fulbert Charmouth hired by Belroar as a mercenary.

Brice doesn’t want to expose the key to the Nagas

Chuq doesn’t want the Naga’s reading our minds and wants to find a private route.

Thorfus doesn’t trust thieves or any ambush and wants to take the straightest route to keep our combat effectiveness.

Its 8 am, we collect everyone and organize the cart with our gear. Leave the wagon at the mansion and begin the march to the naga temple.

Pass the first wall, we see the first bridge Its’ made of two almost flat stone spans that meet midway across. 2 wagons wide comfortably or three abreast. Pass through the 2nd wall, buildings beyond are less dense and avenues are wider

third wall, men are lingering about the gate of the 3rd wall. six armed men in leather mostly armed with swords. One greets us asking if we want to talk to the nagas.

Tomas is willing to help out if we can’t get through the gates (nagas). Now across the longer 2nd bridge. 

The Temple – pillared and tiered into the mountain peak. Open large double doors. 70 x 40 room raised dais in the center column large chair or throne on the dais ne & se corners 30′ foot statues of dwarven warriors, the far end is definitely in the rock of the mountain.

we are tested, judging our intentions. they can not judge thorfus, brice and chuq. since we did not fail they let us pass with a warning about ancient evils of thorus’ ancestors. beyond them is a 20′ wide slope leading down. 

passage widens to 40′ across as we descend and slightly turns to the right. 200′ and no branches and spiraling down, the radius of the spiral seems to increase as we descend another 500′ spiraling down, 200′ straight then we find the column hall. The hall is 300′ below the temple axel. There is a point of light at the other end of the hall.

Socrates reconnoiters and spies a group of 12 dwarves at the opposite end of the chamber reading ruins on the wall. They are near an exit from the hall that leads to the NE. We entered from the NW.