Grand Duchy 103

Grand Duchy of Adventure

Session 103
September 30 - October 3, 2016

The Knowledge of Elders is Found

Nytdain 8 Klarmont

The Tome Recovered

The Grey Company has accomplished what they have come to do. They have recovered the ancient Hutaakan tome, the Knowledge of the Elders. But now what? The book, large and weighing at least 20 pounds, seems delicate and may prove to be difficult to transport and Draven has proclaimed a great evil present in the Vault that must be destroyed.

Griffin, Draven, Iris and Kifein are all in the upper vault, where the tome was located while Remar, Kasiex and Ree remain in the lower vault, some 15 feet below. Both rooms are finely decorated and filled with many valuable things, some of which have ended up in Griffin’s pocket, unbeknownst to all but Iris. A black and silver ring that Iris detected as magical and a finely wrought necklace designed like a stylized peacock.

Oooo, shiny. Griffin pauses. Draven might not approve. Better he doesn’t know. He grins. Yet. He slides the necklace and ring into his pouch. He gives Iris a wink to let her know that he’s not unaware that she knows about them as well.

Kasiex maintains his guard position in the lower vault, idly looking at the history of his people laid out before him as he keeps eyes, ears, and nose wary for anything approaching the Company and Kifein.

“While I know that this is what we came for, we simply can not leave without finding the source of the darkness that sits on my heart in this place. I reiterate, it’s nothing to do with this book or anything else of the conventional Hutaakan practices.” He looks around, grim of expression. “I fear we, or at least I and any who are hearty enough to follow, will need to breach the double doors upstairs.”

Kas listens to Kifein’s translation of Draven’s words.  “I will stand with you in this, Priest.  Perhaps we should escort the scholars to your companions outside, to ensure they and the book make their way back home?”  Here, he nods at Kifein and sort of half-includes Iris, thrown a bit by the contrast between her studies mien and flaming saber.

“Well said, though I suspect most will want to join in. We will surely want to bring Marcel back inside as well. He has a stout heart and stouter arms with which to help vanquish whatever we find inside here.” He frowns, considering just what could be inside the vault that would leave such a blemish.

Iris addresses Draven, “If you say this must be vanquished now, then of course you have my support.  I find myself sombered by the thought that you’ve never felt such an evil before.”

Draven, Kifein and Iris hang in the upper doorway, speaking down to Kasiex and the others while Griffin continues to look around the room, casually cataloging its contents. A large and finely crafted but very aged wall hanging depicting Hutaakan crafting. A dark wood sideboard table with 3 small, circular metal containers and a pile of detritus that was probably some sort of fabric. An old writing kit lays open on another shelf next to a nearly decomposed stack of parchment. A small, fragile looking container sits next to the parchment. Two large metal pots sit on the floor, their bottoms filled with some black remains of organic matter, be probably plants. The remains of a plush chair or stool sits near the center of the room, its covering completely destroyed and its stuffing no more than dried lumps on the floor.

Hmmm, too big. Too ruined. Wait, those look interesting. The writing kit could be of value, or something Iris might appreciate anyways. And what’s this? Inkwell maybe? That goes in the pouch, too. Nice woodworking, but too bulky. Those on the other hand. Griffin pauses to check out the containers on the sideboard.

Griffin takes up the writing kit, folding the leather cover over but the dried old material rips then crumbles in his hands, dropping the contents to the stone floor in a clatter. Draven, Iris and Kifein in all turn to look in his direction. Griffin thinks he feels his cheeks redden as he imagines the Hutaakan priestess glaring at him. He quickly picks the dropped items up and places them back on the table. The other three turn back to their conversation.

Undeterred by the notice of Kifein, Griffin continues to look at the other items he has deemed interesting. He grabs the nearest of the three and checks it out. It feels solid and well made with a removable top. It is made of some type of yellow metal, possibly gold or brass, but heavily corroded. He can see what looks to be intricate etchings in the surface but they are very concealed by the leavings of time. He scratches it with a fingernail to try to make a better determination of what type of metal it is, but realizes it will take a thorough cleaning to know for sure. He tries to remove the lid but it is also corroded in place. Gripping it tighter, he turns it, eventually rewarded with a satisfying, grinding twist of the lid and it pops off in his hands. A dark yellow cloud puffs out of the container and covers him, burning his face and skin where it touches him.

Griffin gags and wipes off the pollen or dust or whatever it was. “*ack* Okay, that’s just nasty…” He feels the eyes of the priests return to him in his distress. “What?”

The priestess speaks to him in Traldar, “Those are artifacts of my people, religious tools. Please leave them be. Thank you.” She bows and turns back to the conversation with Draven. Iris looks at Griffin and makes a face while swallowing hard. Looking down at his own clothing, Griffin sees that the yellow powder has covered him. He tries to brush it off with a gloved hand but finds that it is quite sticky. It also smells bad, like when “Mother” would forget to take a batch of sticky buns out of the oven and they would burn. It was a nasty, lingering type of smell that seemed to stick around all day. Glancing into the container that is still in his hands, he sees the bottom of it covered in a dried out, black and yellow mass, whatever contents it had previously contained now ruined by time and cemented into the bottom of the bowl. He suspiciously eyes the other two containers, wondering if they contain similar dangers. His gaze then drifts to the small lacquered box nearby. It is small, it would fit in the palm of his hand, not much bigger than a large knife handle.

“Okay, okay, I’m putting it back.” The container clatters as he returns it to the shelf and he places the lid back on it, without closing it. As his hand passes over the lacquered box, it vanishes up his sleeve. I’ll secure you when I get somewhere a little less crowded. And hey, it’s that blasted powder’s fault if I have ‘sticky fingers.’

Oh what was I thinking! Poor Kifein. With everything she's trusted us with…and then I helped---no, encouraged! Suggested, even, that Griffin pocket the ring. Iris hangs her head slightly and makes an effort to keep her guilty feelings off of her face.

An Exit Strategy

Anxious to continue the work, Draven addresses Kifein. “You and Kasiex are the best representatives here to say what should return with you to your village fortress. The more we take, the slower our going might become and the greater the risk that misfortune might cause damage to the artifacts of your people. There is some chance that in defeating the greater evil that has housed itself here will allow us to open this place and bring your people back here, at least some few of them. Maybe we should come back for the bulk of these goods after we’ve completed our cleansing?”

Kifein nods her canine head in agreement, “All of this is the history of my people, our culture, our faith, our daily lives. It should remain here, but until we have a better way to access it, I think it should be brought back to Byxata for safe keeping. The logistics of this, though, I am unsure of. Our first priority is to return this book to Kforedz so she can figure out a solution to our bigger problem. And if you believe there to be great evil here, we should vanquish that before leaving!”

Griffin returns from his wanderings. It is apparent he has been listening to the conversation. He clears his throat. “Okay, I think we’ve all come to the same place. Let’s get this caravan moving.” He gestures to Iris. “First, the four of us need to get down there, with the book. Perhaps you or Draven, with your magics, can carry it the most carefully. We can come back and explore some more later.”

“Then we escort Kifein out, and bring Marcel in. Do all the door-shuffling we need to make that happen. If we’re not out by dawn, the two of them can get the book back to her people.”

“Brother, we’ve checked out everywhere except the big double-doors. So that’s where the Big Evil must be. Get down from here and get ready - if the opposition here is anything like the one at the other temple, we will have our work cut out for us.”

A rumble of concern and displeasure echoes from the Wildstewards chest.  “I would not leave Kifein to the night with only a single guard, friends.  Perhaps Ree or one of the others would stand watch over her, or escort her down the mountain with Stephen?

Or we could secure the front room. Once the doors are closed, I would think they would be safe there” here, he turns to Kifein “if that pleases you, Mistress. Say the word, and I will see you back to Kforedz myself with all haste.”

And with that, Griffin swings out through the door and commences to scramble back down the wall to the floor below.

Iris looks as though she was trying to get Griffin's attention before he leaves the room, then awkwardly turns the reaching gesture to brushing off her clothing.  Looking around, she waves to Kifein. Finding that she's unable to meet her eyes, Iris looks at her own feet, saying, “how about we wrap the tome in my cloak and carry it by hand? If we lift it together I think we should be able to package it in a way that stabilizes the bindings.”

Remar, listening to the parts of the conversation passing back and forth from the lower to the upper room that he can understand offers, “So did you all want me to continue maintaining the levitation on Kifien while she carries the book like we were discussing a while back?  I think I can do so and still let her walk as well if she wants, only using it to move her out of harm’s way if such a thing should come up.  I assure you that it wouldn’t really be bothersome to me since I am already concentrating on the spell, even with all these others ongoing.”  He chuckles.

Are ye showin’ off Rema?  Ya’r aren’t ye?  I’m so proud o’ye Rema.  See, I’ve already ‘elped ye come a fair ways since ye were just content as a beast o’ burden.

Then the mage seems to continue but turns his head toward one of the lower room’s corners.  “I’m not trying to show off and I don’t need your approval either.  I’m only trying to help.”

Turning back, he sees Griffin coming back down and steps back out of the way.  “Oh, um...hi Griffin.”

As Griffin climbs down, Draven cocks his head to the side and peers around. “I have felt the great evil aura lifted from this area,” he says in Thyatian. He walks around the room and nods, “Yes, it is gone. I can no longer feel it. I can still sense that this place is holy to Pflarr and its worshippers, but the other that I had sensed is now gone.”

After carefully wrapping the tome up in Iris’s cloak, her and Kifein carefully fly back down to the other secret room. Kifien gives Iris thanks and states that she will be in charge of the book. “If I move slowly and keep it tightly wrapped, it should be ok, but I would like to avoid fighting if possible. Maybe we could hide it in one of the other rooms until we deal with this great evil or like you said, I could wait outside with the other two. I should be safe enough with both of them.

Nimbly reaching the floor, Griffin looks back up at Draven. “Does this mean we can leave? Or do you still want us to open the double-doors and investigate that room?”

He pauses, then looks over the team and the abandoned temple. “Cause if it’s all the same to you guys, I would say that we get Kifein outside with Stephan and Marcel, then finish our search, so we don’t have to ever come back here, okay?”

“You don't think that...erm...evil Draven was sensing is the type that would snatch Kiefin and this book up once we take her outside, do you, guys?” Remar inquires.

Cast of Characters: 

Garrett "Griffin" Constantine, a Thyatian rogue of a gambler from Penhaligon rolled by +Arne Jamtgaard 

Draven Rickart, a Thyatian Acolyte of the Church of Karameikos ministered by +Jason Packer with help from +Patrick Burke 

Remar Umerus, an Alphatian battle mage that escaped forced service in the Thyatian army currently marshalled by +Patrick Kelly 

Iris Varda, a Thyatian explorer and historian searching for answers and adventure, now guided by +Stephanie Kelly 

Kasiex, a Hutaakan Wildsteward used to ranging the mountains and valleys now led down a new path by +Patrick Burke 

and +Jason Woollard as The DM

Grand Duchy 102

Grand Duchy of Adventure

Session 102
September 29, 2016

The Knowledge of Elders

Nytdain 8th Klarmont

Griffin steps in to the left and sweeps the room looking for trouble and sees that the rest of the room appears to devoid of unnatural dangers. Debris lines the outer edge of this room. Some dragging tracks can be seen through the dust and dirt in the middle of the room, probably mummy tracks

Iris pokes her head in the room and looks for mummies and Draven begins picking through the rubble near the walls in a search for secret doors. There are no mummies present so Iris searches the room for symbols, text, inscriptions with help from Kifein. Griffin says, "Okay, we can't do any other doors until we're done here." Griffin checks for secret doors too. The search goes on in relative silence and the rest of the Vault remains silent.

While the others search the room, Remar keeps an eye out for enemies approaching from where they came, especially the hole in the ground since it appears the doors seal when 1 is opened. Kasiex remains in the silent vault with Remar, his bow ready.

There are no writings on the walls that are visible but it seems that the debris in the room seems to have been racks or bookshelves and much of what is there is made up of ruined books. Over the course of 20 minutes, Draven and Griffin find no secret doors or anything of the sort though Iris and Kifein find a handful of potentially salvageable writings.

Iris says, in Thyatian, “I think...I think this may have been a small library”

Kifein says to Iris,”I will hold these and we can examine them once we return home,” and carefully stores the writings in her pack.

Draven intones, "well, I hope your searches are more fruitful. There's no way forward in this room that I can find. So, where to next?"

Kifein mentions that there was a set of stairs at the far end of the main vault chamber.

Hearing his friends discussing the search in the next room, Remar calls out, “Thankful to say that my searching out here is also proving fruitless.” Iris giggles at this.

Iris says, “Thanks, Kifein! That's a great idea. Basement does sound good for our next move”

The Company closes the door and moves to investigate the door at the bottom of the stairs.
The group approaches the door at the bottom of the stairs. Kasiex reaches out and pulls the door open. An L shaped room lies ahead. The floor is covered with much debris. It looks to have once been an old store room, but all the contents have been destroyed by time, or other hands possibly. Draven steps inside and glances around, seeing that there is a door off to the left side of the room. The group moves through the debris to the next room and in the process, Kasiex catches his leg on a sharp piece of debris while crossing the room and cuts his leg! He lets out a pained yelp.

The next door is similar to the other doors, dark wood, ironbound, well fitted. Griffin says "Okay, we have another door. Let's skip searching the trash in here and press on."

Kifein closes the door to this chamber then nods to Kasiex to go ahead and open the next one. It reveals a small storage room, possibly a wine cellar or something. The floor of the room is about 3 feet lower and the ground is covered with what looks to be broken wood and debris from a time long past. Bits of broken glass glint in the shining light of flaming weapons

Griffin says "OKay, split up. Let's take both rooms on at the same time."

Remar adds, “Be careful not to allow your weapons to aflame the debris in here”

While searching in the first, larger, room, Ree calls out that she has found what looks like a secret door and Griffin rushes over. In the corner of the room she points out what appears to be the outline of a door in the wall. Iris takes Griffin's weapon in her off hand so he can get a better look at it. He quickly finds what he thinks is a hidden latch. Griffin maneuvers the workings of door and after a moment he hears a click and a section of wall slides away revealing another chamber beyond.

Griffin takes back his sword from Iris with a short bow, then enters the secret room. This next room appears to be much less destroyed and ruined as the others. Iris smiles wide. There are several old tapestries, similar to the one from the homestead, but depicting different images, some intact bookshelves and books. Iris seems anxious to explore this ancient find.

Draven says, "Let the lady through..."

Iris says, “Be careful of your weapons! There are delicate flammables in here. Kifein! You should see these tapestries! And the vaulted ceiling!!”

The door in the northwestern wall is about 15 feet overhead. A wooden ladder leans up against the wall below it. The ceiling in this room is nearly 25 feet overhead, terminating in a decorated dome. Iris and Kasiex gawk at the ceiling from the doorway of the chamber.

Having an idea, Iris asks Draven for the enchanted needle they had used previously to reveal clues from some of the tapestries. The priest holds the needle out to her and Iris accepts the needle, and carefully touches it to the closest tapestry. Each of the tapestries are at least 10 feet high and 3-5 feet wide. They would weigh hundreds of pounds if they had to be carried.

As the needle touches the tapestry, it moves of its own accord and begins weaving itself through the tapestry, pulling a magical golden thread behind it. When it is done, the image remains the same, but the gold accents now give it a different focus. No one has any idea what it refers to though. Kifein scratches her head. This is wonderful, though I do not know what it shows.

Iris muses, “Perhaps we should sketch it?”

Kifein responds, "That would be smart."

Iris produces some drawing material and sketches the tapestry while Griffin checks out the ladder. The chamber contains several other items as well. Several valuable items appear on various shelves. A tea service, a writing kit, some other metal objects, possibly religious implements.
The ladder looks to be many hundreds of years old and probably would not support much weight. Instead, Griffin decides to climb the wall to check out the door

While moving about the room and searching, Draven exclaims that he has felt a terrible evil and blackness wash over him. Iris half turns, clearly concerned and pales visibly. She says, “I mean, you still think you could handle it, right Draven?”

Draven says, "It's not so bad that I feel the need to flee, but we must be vigilant"

Iris nods and furrows her brow. Iris says, “Kifein, do you feel this darkness?” The Hutaakan priestess nods that she does not.

Draven searches the northwest half of the room more closely, looking for anything out of sorts and then activates his boots and floats up to the high door. Draven says, "Let me see... the feeling of foreboding doesn't increase at the door..."

Griffin reaches the door just as Draven floats up and searches around. There is a small ledge at the door. Standing on the ledge, Griffin checks out the door and finds it to be not trapped or locked. Feeling brash, he opens the door. Griffin sees another squarish room. It's ceiling is of normal height. The walls are carved decoratively and to the left, he sees a golden pedestal containing a thick, leather bound tome.

Upon hearing that the object of their desiring is potentially in the next chamber, Iris makes her way up into the room. Iris says, “I'm going to keep looking through this room until everyone else is up, if that's alright” Griffin, Iris and Draven search the newly discovered room. Iris looks at the tome and pedestal, but doesn't touch it quite yet. Next to the book on the pedestal is a golden necklace and a finely wrought ring.

Draven says, "The book and pedestal are not the source of the ill feeling. Hutaakan sanctity which, while different, is not evil."

Iris oh so carefully turns the cover of the tome. Iris excitedly whispers, "This is it!!"

Down below, Remar senses the importance of the discovery and says to the Hutaakan priestess, “KIEFINE REMAR GET YOU HIGH?” in very awkward Traldar.

Kifein calls up above "Have you found the Knowledge of the Elders?" then turns to Remar and responds "Yes, Remar. Can you help me get up there?" though Remar’s unskilled ears hear “Yes, you get me off” while Kifein points up to the door and makes butterfly motions with her hands.

Remar hears, "See, yer a regula lady killa Rema. Fun fer all ages, shapes, sizes, and races"

Iris says, “Griffin, how about you examine the jewelry while I look at the tome?”

Draven looks over Iris's shoulder as she whispers, “That's a special ring”

Griffin examines the necklace, holding it up to the light of his flaming sword. He smiles wide. "This looks VERY valuable. Very fine craftsmanship. Some of the most well made stuff I've ever seen.

Iris seems completely absorbed in the tome. The cover of the book is heavy, written in Hutakan and possibly some other language as well. Iris sees some Nithina writing as well as a third language she does not recognize but have seen in the Hutaakan library back at their village. The book is very old and feels that rough handling of it could easily damage or destroy it. Iris mutters under her breath, "I wonder if this is some kind of codex," then louder, “This is a fragile piece.” Iris walks to the door and pokes her head out looking for Kifein as the Hutaakan priestess floats up to the doorway awkwardly. Iris helps Kifein get her feet on the ground.

Once she gets into the chamber, her eyes widen and she looks around. Tears come from the corners of her eyes. "This vault and this tome have been lost to my people for centuries. Thank you for recovering such valuable artifacts for us.” Kifein carefully hugs Iris, Griffin and Draven, watching out for their flaming weapons. Iris feels freakin' awful and looks at Griffin guiltily.

Griffin gives her an "It's okay" look

Kifein says "How do we get the book out of here? I fear that carrying it in a backpack could damage it. I would hate to have come all this way only to ruin what we need to save the valley and all its inhabitants." Kifein looks carefully at the book and pedestal and the space to either side of the book. Fortunately there are no dust lines indicating the missing items.

Griffin says, "Should we try and glean the knowledge we need from it while we're here? How long would that take?"

Kifein says "Oh no, that could take days. We should return this to Kforedez."

Iris says, “Well...Kifein, I was thinking about transporting the tome. Perhaps if we wrapped it carefully, and carried it by hand, that would be for the best,” then adds  “And it may be a good idea, as Griffin suggested, to read what we can while we are here and it's safe. If Remar could levitate the book as he did you, that might help as well, but I'm not certain as to how much effort that would cost him.” In Traldar, then Thyatian, Iris says, "There are no less than three language in the pages I've already seen"

Kifein gives Remar the thumbs up and has Iris tell him that she no longer needs the magic. Iris raises an eyebrow.

Draven comes back over from examining the other side of the room. "Whatever this evil, we need to deal with it before we leave this place. It is a blight upon all that is good and just."

Iris sighs then  shakes her head and grins

Ariadne says "So what's the plan?" she yells up?

Notes

This part of the Vault is also a Dyson Logos Map. Flear's Temple has been altered a bit and combined with another Dyson map to create the Vault. Thanks +Dyson Logos for all your wonderful maps!

Cast of Characters: 

Garrett "Griffin" Constantine, a Thyatian rogue of a gambler from Penhaligon rolled by +Arne Jamtgaard 

Draven Rickart, a Thyatian Acolyte of the Church of Karameikos ministered by +Jason Packer with help from +Patrick Burke 

Remar Umerus, an Alphatian battle mage that escaped forced service in the Thyatian army currently marshalled by +Patrick Kelly 

Iris Varda, a Thyatian explorer and historian searching for answers and adventure, now guided by +Stephanie Kelly 

Kasiex, a Hutaakan Wildsteward used to ranging the mountains and valleys now led down a new path by +Patrick Burke 

and +Jason Woollard as The DM

Grand Duchy 98

Grand Duchy of Adventure

Session 98
August 23, 2016

Journey to the Vault

Tserdain 6th Klarmont

An Awkward Conversation

After a long day of research and planning, the Grey Company, with the help from a few Hutaakan's, decide they are going to hit the trail at first light the following morning. Kaisex, the Hutaakan Wildsteward has plotted a course that he thinks will safely get the group to the Vault of Elders.

Kasiex indicates on Griffin's map.

Kasiex says ”Some of our travel will follow goat trails through the edges of the mountains. It will take us about 2 days to get there on foot. You can bring those dirty lizards if you like, they can carry supplies.”

Draven says “Will the lizards be able to walk safely on the goat trails, Kasiex?”

Iris looks at Griffin

Iris says “We still don't know where the silver bowl is though, right?”

Remar says “I know where it shouldn't be… In the vault. Otherwise, we wouldn't need a ritual long forgotten to get into it. Kifein remembers the bowl being in the Temple of Plfarr. So if she doesn't also remember it getting stashed into the Vault…”

Draven says “I hold some hope that the bowl is still in the temple, just not where we can easily get to it.”

Remar says “Like, in that fire-ringed pit or something?”

Remar 's eyes gleam a little

Draven says “Anything is possible, I suppose…”

Kifein says "The bowl should be in the Temple of Plfarr. "

Draven says “It was not where we were told to expect it, but I have hope that with his better understanding of your ways, Kasiex will be able to help guide us to it.”

Kifein says "Only someone blessed by Pflarr could have taken the bowl from the temple. It is said to have been in the temple when we lost control of the temple. I imagine one of the remaining priestesses hid it. Once we retrieve the tome from the Vault of Elders and we are ready to perform the ritual, we should be able to locate it."

Kifein says “Is there anything I can get you before this evening is done? Equipment and supplies will be ready to go in the morning.”

Remar says “MAGIC ITEMS HAVE YOU?”

Draven says “Provisions would be helpful, of course. Kasiex, on this route, will we need rope or climbing gear?”

Kifein looks at Remar, then gets a better translation from Iris, who seems to be mastering the Traldar tongue with ease.

Kifein says “We do not have many items of enchantment. Most have been lost to us in time. Pflarr blesses us to enchant items but of a more mundane nature, nothing that would be helpful to this quest.”

Kasiex says “All the necessary equipment will be made ready. I see you lack a hand. Climbing must be difficult for you. I hope you do not fall and die.”

Iris gasps and smiles nervously

Draven says “You needn't worry about me. I live under the protection of my gods. You'll find I'm full of surprises.”

Kasiex cocks an ear up at Iris's reaction. "I am sorry if I have offended you. I hope none of you fall and die."

Remar tries to follow the fast moving conversation in Traldar

Iris forces a short laugh and says, "Well I'm looking forward to a nice long hike tomorrow!"

Remar says “He hopes we fall and die?”

Iris says “Oh no---no, he hopes we don't…”

Remar says “Guys, can you tell him again that I'm really sorry for mucking up that translation earlier”

Iris apologizes once more to Kasiex on Remar's behalf

Kasiex narrows his eyes and gives Remar a glare.

Remar says ”REMAR COMMANDS HUTAAKAN”

Iris facepalms

Iris says ”Remar, really---what are you trying to say”

Remar says ”That I don't have command of the language yet. Why, isn't that what I said?”

Iris says ”I mean...it was a little close”

Remar says ”You have to give me some credit...I've learned this much from none in what...about a week?”

Iris laughs

Iris says ”You're right, you're doing wonderfully! It's just that...the things you are saying are coming across as very...aggressive”

Remar says ”Though, you obviously are either a faster learner with language or have studied this before Iris. You all are for that matter. I wonder what's wrong with me”

Iris looks at Remar incredulously and says “Really? I'm good with languages, sure! It's a hobby; I'm glad I'm decent at it. But you can immolate things nearly at will”

Remar says ”Oh, no. Not at will. I'm still working up to that”

Remar smiles

Iris says ”Wow---I was using the expression loosely, but you think you can do that?”

Remar says ”Where there's a will…”

Iris snorts

Remar says “Lore has it that there's a spell for instance that could potentially allow it's master to set anything ablaze just by setting their eyes on something”

As the group beds down for the night, Griffin comes to Draven and shows him that his necklace has stopped glowing.

Draven says "Good that you brought this now. I can set you up with a light again before morning prayers."

After some brief chanting, the necklace again glows with the faint light of a candle.

Moldain 7th Klarmont

Have a Nice Trip, See Ya Next Fall

The next morning everyone rises and prepares to head out. Kaisex has already been out on one scouting mission earlier that morning to make sure there were no unwanted watchers around.

Kasiex says “The first 4 miles or so will be across some rugged mountainous paths. Be very careful. I will tie a rope between each of you. Do not tie these to the lizards, they will not fall. Disgusting, stinky beasts, but they are good on the trail.”

The climb is rough and the sun beats down, tiring everyone out, but all is good.... until....

Somehow, during a rest time, while untied from his rope, Firewild, er, I mean Stephen slips over the edge.

Stephen yells "Ahhh!"

Remar reacts quickly, casting a spell even as his friend falls.

Stephan floats back up over the edge. The crotch of his pants is noticeably wet.

Iris looks on wide eyed

Remar says “Is...this...a good time....to talk about...steading shares.....Stephen?”

Iris creeps away from the edge

Remar floats him to safety

Stephan says "Uh, um, thank you, friend. Im not sure what happened there. I just felt a little light headed and stumbled, next thing I knew I was floating in the air."

Draven says “Truly the gods are looking out for you, Stephan.”

Iris says “I think you ought to drink some water”

Kasiex keeps an eye on Stephan. "I am glad you did not fall and die."

Iris says “It may help with the lightheadedness”

Kasiex says “Nice magic you do.” in very accented Traldar.

Iris laughs nervously

Remar nods a thanks to Kasiex

Remar says “SHOULD SEE ME NOT-NICE MAGIC,” in loud and stilted Traldar, thinking that the louder and slower he speaks, the easier for Kasiex to understand him.

Remar laughs

Iris laughs and says, "I think you got that one spot on"

Remar walks over to Stephen and claps him on the back

The Long Hike Across the Valley

The rest of the hike is easier. Several groups of goats flee away from the approaching hikers and their lizard friends. Just before coming down the last sloping trail, Kasiex points out to the west, right through where the mountains come down and a smaller rocky outcropping. "Ronkan. Our true home. Past that, you can see the Temple."

Kasiex says “We will watch from here for a moment to see if there are any long range Traldar scouts. This is about the extent of their range, but some of those dirty savages go farther from time to time. As much as I would like to run into some of them, it would not help our mission.

You can see a few groups of figures moving about in the far distance near two ruined towns closer to Ronkan but nothing up close. We will hike across the valley and then up into the mountains a bit to make our camp for the night.”

Draven says, in Thyatian to those who speak it, “I will count on you all to help me stay his hand if we do run into any Traldar, and to stop them from violence as well.”

Remar says “Definitely Draven” as he pants and wheezes

Iris says, also in Thyatian, “Absolutely, Draven. Diplomacy!”

Draven says “It may be that we are called here to bring peace to a valley that has known little but all consuming war for ages. It is the least we can do.”

The sun keeps getting hotter and hotter, and Remar seems to be struggling with the hike. He is sweating, he keeps getting rocks in his shoes, causing the group to stop.

By the time the group makes it to the mountains on the other side of the valley, Remar is about wiped out. Kasiex leads the group up to a sandy cave about 100 feet up the side of the mountain. It is dry and cool and relatively comfortable, though not quite comfortable for Remar to shake his exhaustion from the day.

That night, Iris's necklace and Marcel's shield both go dark. Marcel tells Draven he does not have to re-light his shield at this time.

After some brief casting by the young priest, Iris's necklace begins to glow with a soft, divine light.

Iris says “Many thanks, Draven”

Draven says “Of course. It is my duty to be a light in dark places.”

Kasiex says “We will reach the Vault tomorrow evening, it should still be light, but not for long. The Vault lies up on the slope, many steps to reach it.”

Remar winces at the words he understands...many steps

Griffin beds down first, to take the final watch of the night but he is restless and has trouble sleeping. When he does fall asleep, he is loud and snoring nearly the whole time.

Iris plugs her ears with her fingers

That night, the waxing half moon shines brightly in the valley below. Those that are awake at different times see numerous groups of figures wandering aimlessly through the valley. The restless dead. Even later that night, several Fire Beetles scurry around the outside of the cave, but are scared away by Griffin's snoring and uneasy sleep.

Nytdain 8th Klarmont

Boot Surprise!

Kasiex says “It might rain some today. See, heavy clouds coming in over the mountains.”

Just as the Company has packed up for the trip, a light steady rain begins to fall.

Iris says "I hope those steps aren't too smooth"

Griffin shrugs. "A cooler hike today, eh, Remar?"

Iris slips and fall face first into mud, jumps up sputtering

Remar says “Oh Gods not more hiking…”

Remar continues to have trouble with the all day hiking portion of the adventure. He finds he has some sort of dead animal in his shoe.

Remar says “No guys really, I have another rock in here. I know, I know I'm sorry. Lemme just empty this thing ouuuutttttOOOOOOHHH MY GOODNESS!!!”

Iris gags

Remar says “I...uh...I guess I didn't check my boots like I usually do in the morning before shoving them on”

Remar chuckles weakly in embarrassment

Draven says “No need to explain. You were just saving it for a snack later…”

Remar wonders if this is some sort of bad omen

Remar says “You can eat these? I had no idea”

Iris says “mutters under her breath, "Oh dear lord don't give Marcel any ideas"

Marcel says “Did someone say Chipmunk? My grandmother told me a great recipe…”

A Tense Meeting and Regret

Just as the group is ready to come down out of the mountains, Kasiex freezes and draws his bow, pointing the weapon down at the ruined village just below.

Kasiex whispers “Quiet! We have company”

Draven lays a hand on Kasiex's shoulder. "Easy, friend, what do you see?"

Just then, several Hutaakan, dressed like Kasiex appear. Two on the rocks above and 3 emerging from the village below. They all have long spears at the ready.

Kifien quickly holds up her hands and calls out to them in Hutaakan

There is some shouting back and forth between the newcomers and Kifien. Kaisex remains strangely quiet during this exchange. He lowers his bow but does not take the arrow off...

Kasiex 's eyes narrow and go from the Hutaakan to the Company and back to the Hutaakan

The arguing goes on for some time, then finally the other 5 Hutaakan leave. They go around the group and head up into the mountains, possibly back toward the campsite the Compnany just left

Draven says “That seemed... tense.”

Griffin says "Iris, any way you can get the gist of that?"

Iris does not understand anything but that the other Hutaakans were mad, possibly about your group

Remar watched for signs of differing standards of any kind that would highlight them as form a different army or tribe

Kasiex says “They did not like that we were with you. They claim that outsiders like you helped kill many Hutaakan 10 days ago.”

Iris whispers in Thyatian, “Well, are we going to talk about this to them, or let it go? Bad news does not age well”

Kifein says “I told them that it was not you but probably that wizard, Golthar, that followed you here.”

Draven says “The sooner we can help you to end the scourge of undead in the valley, the sooner we will earn their trust.”

Kasiex shakes his head at Draven's words. "Let us move on"

Draven adds, in Thyatian, “And we will make amends as best we can…”

Griffin says “Sounds good to me, Draven.”

The rain really slows the travel down. This end of the valley is quite low and the ground becomes a veritable swamp. Draven begins having flashbacks to a particular dream he had once. He keeps looking from side to side, as if watching for something to come rising up out of the muck...

Remar falls in beside Draven and, quietly, in Thyatian, “Brother...how does one unburden something like this from oneself?”

Draven says “I think it will be sufficient if we can help both of these peoples out. Justice is the first casualty in war, and they have known nothing but for so long.”

Remar says “Even if we appeared to have ready, fire, aimed?”

Draven says “In our defense, I think we all thought we were going to be facing the gnolls who had been pursuing us. Our mistakes were honest ones.”

Remar says “Well...they didn't look like Gnolls to me, but I still fired on. Maybe at some point...you all who speak better could help me in what I'd say to apologize”

Reaching the Foot of the Stairs

The group finally makes it across the swampy lowlands and back to the rocky spur of the mountains. Being less than 6 miles from Ronkan, the two Hutaakan urge care and stealth.

Kasiex says “The rain will not stop the Traldar, but it will keep them from going too far from their walls. They do not want to be caught out at night. Come, we have several more hours to climb up and over this mountain, then we will have to climb the stairs to the Vault of Elders.”

Griffin says “Lead on!”

After several more hours of intense hiking and climbing, the Company and their Hutaakan escorts reach the little stretch of land at the far western end of the valley. The rain has stopped somewhat and Kifein points up into the mountains. High up, probably a quarter mile or more, stonework can be seen. A weathered and broken, but wide stone stairway leads up along the side of the mountain.

As the group prepares for a long and gruelling climb, Remar decides to do a little scouting ahead. He speaks a few magical words and performs a simple set of motions with his hands then leaps from the ground, flying up the mountain, roughly following the stairs that lead to the Vault of Elders.

Cast of Characters: 

Garrett "Griffin" Constantine, a Thyatian rogue of a gambler from Penhaligon rolled by +Arne Jamtgaard 

Draven Rickart, a Thyatian Acolyte of the Church of Karameikos ministered by +Jason Packer with help from +Patrick Burke 

Remar Umerus, an Alphatian battle mage that escaped forced service in the Thyatian army currently marshalled by +Patrick Kelly 

Iris Varda, a Thyatian explorer and historian searching for answers and adventure, now guided by +Stephanie Kelly 

Kasiex, a Hutaakan Wildsteward used to ranging the mountains and valleys, now led down a new path by +Patrick Burke 

and +Jason Woollard as The DM