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Session Ninety-Eight Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2023-05-06T01:10:22Z

Laris: /* Velkin Scrolls 62 - Session 98 */

== Session 98, July 6 2022 ==
[[File:Monsters in the dark.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 2:30AM on the 15th of Denrilden (00.000.09.16 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party still cut-off from the surface after the attack on the Winter Elves' conscription lottery. While it seems that the surviving Higiki guards and reinforcements from the major gnomish clans are beginning to reimpose order on Malgrim, unknown hostile forces seem to be gathering just outside the embassy. Who or what are these enemies? Will the party find a way back to the web nexus and the surface before the convoy of ships arrive in Armada? Could Azrael be more sad-sack about Prixathalma? Answers to these questions are likely when we resume the campaign in July ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Jardin, Felix, Oscar, Ajax, and Khelratha on the ship, rest in the embassy cut off due to collapse of tunnel access to web. Felix, Oscar, and Ajax in the web.

Larry ran Lungmold.

Kauri, Druul, Velkin, Lungmold, Ranarth, Prix, etc.

Endeavor to make the pylons invisible. Rather than use blood magic seek to get Ithirialma, Prix, and Philomanthraxus. Philomanthraxis can’t cast, but Pris and Ithirialma can.

Velkin asks Philomanthraxus if he can see or hear anything. Velkin also listens and hears a squelching liquidy gloopy plopping noise. It could be a pudding. Also the clank of metal and a very faint humming noise coming from the darkness. Alleyways seem to funnel the noise, which is probably on the other side of the darkness.

Velkin takes a continual light coin and prepares to shadow step once Ithirialma and Prixithalma make the pylons invisible.

Prix comments that invisibility doesn’t affext their efficacy.

Lungmold picks up a single being approaching up alleyway. Undercurrent of hostility that is in check.

Lungmold asks, “Who are you and what’s with the darkness?” Senses the mind closing up.

First see some feet step our of the darkness it is a gnome, Billi. Lungmold, “What the Hell, Billi?” Billi stairs at Lungmold. (Prix finishes invisibility. Billi looks in each direction at the party on the wall. Then he says, his voice is weird, “The embassy will be surrendered.” You wish to surrender to me? The devices will be handed over. Yes, you will give me all the devices. You misunderstand, the containment devices will be handed over and you may leave.” You can trust the Billi.

Lungmold tries to penetrate into Billi’s mind. Lungmold punches through (rolled a 1) and sees inside the mind, it is a mess. Visions of tentacles, “Stranger Things upside down hellscape.” Clearly being puppeted by something close by. Everything locked down below the surface.

Sense of direction is nearby and somewhere behind Billi.

Lambertus stands ready to cast hold person.

Velkin prepares to shadowstep and take out the controlling entity.

Lungmold senses more beings coming forward, overtly hostile.

Velkin on a rooftop overlooking Billi darkness behind.

Velkin can see behind the darkness with some beings gathered. Ten cloaked figures gathered around with a cordon of 5 with constantly shifting forms almost made out of a sludgy liquid. Behind the darkness, not inside of it.

Velkin hears marching with figures marching through the darkness with clanking.

Velkin drops a coin to negate the darkness behind Billi. Down the alleyway, ten figures approaching. They look very much like the soldiers from the war galley, carrying some of the weaponry the party stashed in the Caverns of the Dead - . Kauri and Lambertus notes that they have rifles.

Kauri prepares to cast Lightning Bolt at those with rifles and they drop and kill him. Left leg blown off, cauterized by beam of the weapon.

Lungmold shoots one of the ones with a rifle, but doesn’t drop him.

Philomanthraxis steps back with fists at side and flesh starts to ripple and stretch and transforms into a good sized red dragon behind us.

Prixithalma runs up and throws a spear at one with a rifle, dropping the one Lungmold hit.

Ithirialma casts bolts of pure energy at one of those with a rifle. Not quite enough to drop, but seriously injured.

Velkin climbs down to the alley to gather as many shear rifles as he can.

Lambertus holds 3 more, for a total of 5.

Philomantrhaxus breathes fire, killing Billi and destroying those using rifles that were held, and reaching to the robed figures. This does not drop any, but Ithirialma drops one with magic missle.

Prixithalma doesn’t have a spell to use and out of spear range.

Velkin gathers up 4 rifles that survived the dragon’s breath. He walks back to the base of the courtyard.

Lambertus gets lowered down. Lungmold goes with him. Lambertus grabs a shear rifle. Lungmold can’t grab one. Lambertus shows Velkin how to use one.

Lungmold lifts Lambertus onto a building so he can run across to get to the other side to keep the robed figures in sight. Heading in direction of stairs to the undercity.

Lambertus shoots at the apparent leader and misses, damaging a building. Velkin has a near miss.

Tall figures and two ooze creatures keep leaving. One stands and sways and a globe of darkness appears between us. The other 3 ooze creatures come towards Lambertus and Velkin. They make it to base of building we’re on.

Lungmold investigated the armored figures. They are humanoid, but no idea what they are.

Lambertus will run back to the other side of the building and Lungmold helps him down.

Velkin pops across from them to shoot at them from behind.

Lambertus and Velkin’s rifles have 7 shots. 8 Shots in the other two not used.

Velkin misses but draws the 3 ooze creatures away.

Lambertus and Lundmold gather up Billi and head back to the embassy.

Billi is crispy, but is there.

Slide the shear rifles through the gate and leave on the stairs around the corner.

Velkin says to the dragons, I guess the cat’s out of the bag now. Prix asks if it’s safe to keep using this place?

Prix gestures at the remains of Billi. Perhaps he knows something, or perhaps the information our enemies had came from him.

Lungmold announces he is staying, and Dampfoot and Rotbreath also announce they are staying. Velkin suggests that Ranarth should also stay. Ranarth stands up and says that the Winter King is looking to expand, so I’ll stay with you.

Velkin carries Billi’s body inside. Lambertus carries in Kauri’s body and leg.

Lambertus goes to lay down.

Prixithalma says, I think, at least some of us will need to make an effort to leave once Kauri is brought back to life to get out of this city to find someplace safer.

Jaxx, I’m gonna stay as well. I understand if the rest of you need to go. Ithirialma I can’t stay when the ships reach the Inquisitorial Library. Our research, we can’t continue into the portable pylons. Jax, I think I understand the principles and what we need to do this. What about you, gesturing at Philomanthraxus. I suppose I can stay to help forge what needs to be forged. Jaxx 2 claps his hands, it’s settled, I’ll stay with these fellows, and this guy can help forge.

If those things come back, we’ll just stay inside.

How do we get out of here? Velkin suggests Bogfunk. Lungmold suggests Bogfunk may have been taken by the Silence. Velkin gathers the other shear rifles and stuff them through into the same pile with the others.

---

Khelratha gets out of his wet clothes and hangs them up and gets some rest.

Woken early by a bell on deck, for breakfast and watch change.

Khelratha eats breakfast then scans the horizon with his spyglass. Captain Hero comes over and asks if everything worked out. I don’t like swimming, especially in the middle of the ocean. We’re four days out from Armada. There’s a chance Druul won’t be back. His mother is an admiral.

Imperial ships, Eclipse, Lady of Fire, and Redcrest, and ahead are 5 Armada ships. Partly to show us the way, and to be first to Armada.

---

4 AM, Noon Lambertus is up and able to cast raise dead. Pockets of darkness are still there and city seems to be calming down, not rioting any more.

While Lambertus sleeps Velkin meditates on the state of Astral Projection, then get some rest.

Raise Dead on Kauri, sadly missing his entire left leg.

Forcas calls dibs on Kauri’s leg….

Lambertus goes to get more rest to be able to raise Billi.

8:00 PM Lambertus awakes. Armored Higeki and other clan militia going through the streets, partway through Lambertus’ rest, Rotbreath contacts Lungmold that they want to talk to someone in charge.

Lungmold goes out to the courtyard, there is a group of 15 deep gnomes, heavily armored, not Higeki. They appear to be Clan Regathi. The leader starts calling up are you in charge? This other doesn’t know anything. We’re clearing this neighborhood. Is there everything all right up there? It’s OK now, we drove off an attack by the Silence.

Lungmold points towards the burnt, armored bodies, and the darkness.

I forgot any Winter Elves, we’re taking them into custody. The Sizek Ygnas have ordered it. An assistant whispers about the Winter King.

Lungmold tells them there is no one here they need to worry about. This is my private residence and I will defend it and this area from the Silence and anyone else who attacks my home.

Healing on the wounded,

===Velkin Scrolls 62 - Session 98===

2:30am, Denrilden 15

00.00000.09.16 Apocalypse Clock

Our party is split part in Malgrim, part on the Eclipse

'''Malgrim:'''

The surviving Higeki guards are imposing order across the city while the globes of darkness here at the embassy are kept at bay with the continual light coins. I hear some squelchy goopy noises, a clanking noise, and a high pitched faint humming noise.

We turn the pylons under the tents invisible.

Bili walks out of the darkness, and acts odd. He blinks slowly and monotones: Turn over the imprisonment devices and leave. Lungmold punches through into his mind and he’s being puppeted, he sees tentacles and a hellscape in his mind. Something close by. Behind him.

I go scout, invisible and hiding. Shadowstepping behind the darkness there’s 10 cloaked figures and 5 figures with shifting liquidy forms.

A squad of beings like the ones on the war galley wielding shear rifles attack, one taking Kauri’s leg and killing him.

Phil goes dragon and breathes, killing all the soldiers and Bili’s possessed body. All the other creatures are still alive, variously wounded by the dragonfire. The 10 are squidfaces… Oh Shit.

Lambertus and I grab shear rifles and pass them to the party on the terrace then we take off after the fleeing enemies. We don’t do much damage and I draw them off before they get to Lambertus then return to the Embassy.

I carry Bili inside while Lambertus goes to rest, planning on bringing Bili and Kauri back to the land of the living.

We discussed strategy and such a little. Some will stay, some will continue on to the Library. Finding someplace safer than the embassy seems like a good idea.

I do some meditating on the Astral walking idea I’ve got… no progress and get some rest myself. Still wiped from the stint into dead.

Once Lambertus rests, he brings Kauri back. Much to Forcas’ delight, his leg doesn’t reattach.

Lambertus rests again and plans to raise Bili.

A Higeki force comes to the Embassy about 8pm. Clan Regathi. They are clearing the neighborhood. Lungmold speaks with them and tells them we are good. They also tell us that any winter elves are being rounded up on order of the Czik Ignas. Lungmold reiterates there’s no one here that needs to be of concern to them.

'''Surface, on the Eclipse:'''

4 days to Armada. Khelratha dries out. Uneventful day.

Session Ninety-Seven Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2023-05-06T01:08:42Z

Laris: /* Velkin Scrolls 61 - Session 97 */

== Session 97, June 8 2022 ==
[[File:Dnd-explosion.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 12:40AM on the 15th of Denrilden (00.000.09.16 on the Apocalypse Clock) with Malgrim in in shambles after various explosives hidden throughout the city detonate during the Winter Elves' conscription lottery. From the vantage point of the Embassy, the party can see that both Higiki Citadels and the city's main bridge (along with the Automaton temple of the Czizek Jagartha) have collapsed. It soon dawns on the group that, cut off from the portal in the citadel, they are trapped in the Underdark and unable to return to the ships on the surface. Meanwhile, Khelratha discovers from the other side that the Malgrim portal has been destroyed. How will the party reunite to continue their mission to the mainland? What will the Winter King's reaction be to the chaos in Malgrim? Is the embassy still safe? Find out next week!

=== Larry's Summary ===

Party in Malgrim suggests Higeki guard organize as a police force to restore/maintain order.

Velkin uses Khelratha’s spyglass to look across the chasm.

Much discussion of what to do with the embassy, and how to proceed from here.

Kauri casts embassy magic invisibility on Velkin. Lungmold gives Velkin back his ring to allow safe shadow stepping. Velkin then shadowsteps to a rooftop to overlook the main thoroughfare with the lottery.

Velkin is invisible and sees utter devastation. Skeletal remains, bones on top of each other, hundreds of dead. Charred bones and buildings.

He finds the body of the Cizek Jagartha.

Velkin shadow steps to the podium where the Cizek Jagartha lay. The podium collapses.

Velkin gathers up all the bones he can find and amounts of ash.

A gnome stumbles in from a sidestreet and looks unwell. Looks up and down the street, sniffing a bit and just stands there, then sits in the middle of the street.

Velkin throws a bone and the gnome swats in its direction, but lays down like exhausted.

Velkin then shadow steps across the chasm. More burnt bodies but not as many.

15 Higeki guards moving surface debris moving stones trying to find a way through debris blocking tunnel,

Velkin calls to them from the rooftop and they are OK with him up there. Velkin mentions Higeki at the embassy,

Velkin asks about the elementals? That would be the clans or the Jagarthas, Major clans have in house holy men who speak to the elementals.

Lower levels seem to be in better shape.

Higeki sent some to seek aid from house troops of a major clan.

Karst estate, the one we’ve dealt with. Sinister

Gnomes march down from from the Karst level.

----

Khelratha talks with Azrael & asks if he has any news.

Khelratha asks for Ale and maps of the underdark.

Azrael mentions maps of possibly where settlements might be.

Sorts some parchments. And gives parchment and a small keg.

Azrael asks about Prix and Khelratha explains she is busy and to stick with the

Braztiamachus grab some potions for us. Crate of 8 minor healing potions.

Next week might have more. Maybe wine.,

Tell Prixithalma if she wants to talk.

22nd next time to check the portal.

Khelratha pokes head into ship’s cabin and calls for Jardin,

Khelratha tells Jardin that he needs some help to translate.

Jardin gets Felix to keep an eye on the portal.

Khelratha shows him the former portal to Malgrim.

This wounded elf might know something. Jardin starts slapping him and Khelratha gives Jardin a healing potion that jardin forces down his throat.,

Elf guard at citadel, fire, exploded door, and he thrown through, then a lizard cam.

Web is in Tralvig. Malgrim is Northish from here.

Jardin then starts talking to the other elves.

Easily over 50 side tunnels, 50 potential portals.

Muse over what to do,

We don’t know if they’re alive, so maybe best to wait.

Khelratha tells Jardin to tell the Winter elves to keep an eye on things,

Khelratha, Jarin, Oskar, and Ajax all go through portal,

---

Back at the embassy,

Rotbreath goes stiff and picked up something unpleasant in the neighborhood. Maybe one of the sick people, it seemed more lucid. The only word for it is evil.

Whatever it was was thinking about the embassy and not in a kindly way.
Druul goes to Jax to alert to something with unkind thoughts to wards embassy,

You think they might try to damage the pylons? Oh dear, that’s a worry, we need to come up with a way to protect them,

Ithirialma and I will work on some sot of shielding with help on forge work from Philomanhraxus. It won’t be quick, so organize the others to protect the pylons until then,.

Druul tells the Higeki guards that their duty tonight is to protect the pylons and send alarm if anything odd.

Lungmold and Kauri watching,

One of alleyways goes dark. Darkness hides buildings.

Kauri tosses a continual light coin. Darkness is spreading back. The coin is keeping the darkness at bay.

---
Velkin watches all these gnomes coming and sees the relief on the Higeki guards.

Khargim Karst says we’re here to help and sends in their elementals into the citadel to help. The “wrong” citadel for the portal.

If you find any sick try to capture them.

Citizens and guards to come here. Any Winter Elves to be put under arrest.

Karst hears about the guy with the spyglass so he sends guards to find the person with the spyglass.,

Velkin sees something odd at the embassy and globes of darkness.

Velkin shadow steps to the embassy next to Kauri, Lungmold, and the rest looking at the darkness below,

===Velkin Scrolls 61 - Session 97===

12:40am, Denrilden 15

00.00000.09.16 Apocalypse Clock

'''Malgrim:'''

Soon after the city is wracked with explosions and waves of dog froth gas pass over the city, there’s a quiet that settles in.

The Automaton bridge is destroyed and the Higeki citadels are in shambles. Using the telescope, I see some Higeki guards poking around across the chasm and some unwell figures frantically running about.

Bili isn’t back yet. With the Citadels in shambles, the exits/entrances to the city except for the river down below are sealed.

Still weak, I feel well enough to scout invisibly around and the Lottery area is complete shambles. Hundreds of dead, charred bodies burnt to bones and storefronts blackened and destroyed. The Jagartha’s bones are on the soapbox where he died.

House Karst elementals and gnomes with Khargrim at the forefront arrive and begin excavating the Citadel. Giving orders to corral any frenzied gnomes and arrest any Winter elves.

Rotbreath picks up something wicked coming this way. Foul. Evil.

Jax is informed and they’ll figure some sort of shielding for the pylons…

Darkness spreads from across the street in front of the Embassy. The mycelians detect something coming.

I collect the bones and ashes of the Jagartha after the darkness starts showing around the Embassy and Kharst sends guards to look for me. I pop back over to the Embassy from the Citadel across the chasm and fill the party in on what I know and take in what’s happening here.

'''Web Nexus:'''

Azreal chats with Khelratha:
Asks about Prix - He tells him she’s working at the Embassy.
Asks about how the trip to the mainland is going: SLOW, says the dwarf.
Khelratha and Azreal complain about Prix together…
He passes 8 more healing potions from Brastiamachus
He looks, maybe longingly down the tunnel hoping to see Prix, sighs and closes the portal.

The burnt winter elf’s story is interpreted by Jardin:
He was in the citadel in Malgrim guarding the portal when fire engulfed everything as he entered the portal and it burned behind him.

Session Ninety-Six Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2023-04-28T00:03:11Z

Laris: /* Velkin Scrolls 60 - Session 96 */

== Session 96, June 1 2022 ==
[[File:Lottery Malgrim.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 10:10PM on the 14th of Denrilden (00.000.09.17 on the Apocalypse Clock) with Lambertus having just raised Velkin from the dead in the Malgrim embassy. Worried about rumors of unrest and Bogfunk's activities, the party now plans to attend the conscription lottery being held at the Higiki Citadel. Meanwhile, on the surface, Khelratha and Jardin continue their travels aboard an imperial warship. Their vessel, the Eclipse, and its companions are following Armada ships toward the floating city of pirates. Will something bad happen at the lottery? What awaits the party at Armada? Find out next time ... probably ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Velkin catches up, Velkin suggests watching the lottery, but won't go. Druul plans to go.

Druul tells Jaxx, Ithirialma, etc. about the lottery for the Winter King and the suspiscious doings of the resistance.

Jaxx increased the guard. No one in or out. Druul asks that he and Lungmold be allowed to leave. Jaxx says to let them know so the machines don't kill them.

In addition to Rotbreath, Dampfoot, and the broken automaton, is a working automaton, and two smaller automatons with ornate swords that appear to be oversized dwarves with ornate swords, and there are 5 floating orbs that occasionally crackle with electricity.

Party alerts Rotbreath and Dampfoot to be ready for trouble, just in case.

Druul asked Lungmold to scan the gnome woman Anat working for Druul for the faces of the ones she had mentioned.

Anat recounts her memory and there is talk of placement of the eggs and that they'll do their part.

Let Jaxx know that Druul and Lungmold are leaving. They go to inform Firthold of planned ambush and also look into it.

Velkin has to rest and puts on the Platinum Circlet he has.

---

Khelratha continues asking, "are we there yet?"

Sun sets and rain lasts into evening. No more light to try to jump between, rain makes on deck unpleasant.

A bit before Midnight hear some commotion on deck and a voice calling out. Lookout's call carries and something about a ship off to starboard side.

Khelratha runs up to check it out, and is met by a downpour. People are running around and most have gathered at the starboard railing cupping their eyes and pointing. Khelratha goes to railing and looks.

One says, I can see the light, it's not one of ours. Khelratha can see a bobbing light, not a perpendicular course nor parallel. It is pointed in the same direction but at an angle.

Khelratha asks a seaman to get Jardin.

Jardin asks if Khelratha wants to go check it out, and he says, OK.

Let's go! Khelratha suggests that they both be invisible. Jardin makes them both invisible. Then Jardin transforms. Khelratha attaches a rope to help him hang on.

Soon circling the ship, a bit smaller than the Eclipse. No flag. Crew seems to be orcs. At first Khelratha pretty sure he didn't recognize. But on second swing by sees a familiar looking fella hanging out there.

One orc/half orc vaguely looks familiar (Grissel). Khelratha tells Jardin about the familiar orcs.

We go to nearest Armada ship to let them know about the new ship. Goes to *Carrion Crow* and Captin Krench. Jardin tilts and says, jump when things tilt.

Khelratha kicks a barrel and an orc says, "ghost!" Khelratha stomps over and slaps the orc, and says, "Snap out of it!" then the orc says, "Dwarf ghost!" Khelratha shouts for Krench.

Krench drops sails and drops back quickly and the other ship spots the *Carrion Crow.* Lantern signals bring them closer and they get close enough to shout.

The other ship is the *Wicked Wave* under Captain Zulekon. They are heading back to Armada too. General call all ships return, the Admirals want everyone back and are carrying a message for the admirals.

Khelratha stomps over to the rail and says "Who's that one orc?" He doesn't talk, he has a message for the admirals.

Have you heard about the prophet, the prophet's dead, the seer? We'll tell you tomorrow.

New ship falls in with other Armada ships ahead of the Imperial ships.

Jardin says he'll jump and Khelratha to jump after and aims for the rope. Khelratha doesn't see the rope and something smacks and is growing under him and feels scales below him.

Wait where's the rope, you're not between his wings.

Khelratha falls and hits the water. Khelratha draws his sword to give some light.

Something grabs Khelratha's collar and Jardin is now visible. Jardin lands and sets Khelratha down gently.

Jardin says he's going below deck.

Khelratha glares and thinks bad thoughts at Jardin.

---

Lunmold and Druul go to Citadel to talk to Sir Firthold escorted by Higeki guards. See Sizek Jadartha preaching. Lungmold picks up bad thoughts towards him from the gnomes nearby.

Cloth covering a table and several Winter Elves, and Sir Firthold, and Higeki guard has given a message and Firthold waves. Guard meets back and lets know that Sir Firthold wants to speak to them.

Spot a gnome with a fancy mustache, and may be the one from the vision.

Lungmold shares images and Firthold's secretary says, I know that guy, Sargent Faelan. Firthold suggests that they re-assign him to the Citadel, make sure the storerooms ok in Citadel, word something smuggled in that is dangerous.

Secretary tells Sargent Faelan to go with Lungmold and Druul to inspect the storerooms, Faelan swallows hard, says OK and looks even paler, but goes with them.

Faelan is incredibly nervous, doesn't want to go with them, but doesn't think he can get out of it, can we delay this?

Druul asks if someone smuggled something in, any idea where it would be. Lungmold is able to break through. He is nervous because he needs to get out of here as he is afraid he will die. It is 3 doors down in a crate, brought in by Bogfunk, his co-conspirator. Bogfunk was quite clear he should not be in here when the lottery starts.

Faelan notices what happened and draws his sword. Druul draws his crossbow. Lungmold broadcasts danger, explosives in the citadel.

Ceres misses, Lungmold reaches a Winter Elf to tell Firthold. Druul tells him to lower his sword. Faelan takes a swing at Lungmold and hits. Lungmold fails save vs. poison and Lungmold collapses. Faelan smiles unpleasantly at Druul.

Ceres breathes on him and Faelan drops.

A door opens and a Winter Elf looks around, and says, you called, Druul directs to the door.

A squad of Winter Elves help carry off Lungmold. Inside a shout, "What are we looking for?" A crate with eggs, as Lungmold raised up the stairs. Lots of shouting above.

Finally make it to the top of the stairs. One of the elves stops and says to Druul, "Whelbarrow?"

Down below, shouting in the storeroom, and the sound of breaking boxes stops.

Druul hops on Ceres and rides to find Firthold, the crowd is loud and wild and the secretary is trying to call out to the crowd, but not working.

Secretary comes over and asks if we found out anything from Faelan? Faelan is a traitor, a group of Winter Elves is trying to deal with the explosives. Firthold sent to his quarters. Wait how big are these explosives? Big enough to bring down the building.

Lungmold in a wheelbarrow being pushed by Winter Elves. Druul hooks up ropes on Ceres to the wheelbarrow and plays lute to charm gnomes to get out of the way.

Druul aims to get Lungmold back to the embassy.

There is an explosion in the crowd, screaming, another explosion goes off, then a dull roaring echoing in the tunnel of the citadel getting louder and louder.

Looking back it looks like a tide coming in, but white hot flames out the opening of the Higeki citadel and hits part of crowd he's already pushed through.

Dull sounds of explosions throughout the city. A couple of explosions in front. The goliath automaton starts to slip sideways. Makes it to closest corner.

Facade of Higeki Citadel collapses in on itself. Clouds of noxious green smoke form different areas/terraces.

Strange smell. A gnome comes at him from the direction of a cloud and is frothing at the mouth (Dog Froth).

From the embassy, the Goliath automaton (used as a temple) falls and breaks the bridge across the chasm and it falls until there is a splash below.

Guards below shout up asking if everything is OK up there.

Hear fighting down below the terrace. Guards at gate have been attacked by a very angy housewife, beating on them with her fists.

Druul, Ceres, & Lungmold come around the corner, Druul shoots and misses, and she bites Druul on the leg, and he saves.

[Oskar has potions of Neutralize Poison] Once Lungmold raised to terrace, Lambertus casts Neutralize Poison.

Lungmold activates the snowflake.

Looking across the other Citadel of the Higeki guards on the other side of the chasm has collapsed. The portal to the web nexus is in the Citadel.

Khelratha opens the portal below decks to check in on the other side is one of the Winter Elves in ancient elven. "Jardin!" to get him to translate. The lizard went to check there was screaming. Pointing to the main part of the web. It sounded like someone hurt on the other side of the web, come see.

Khelratha tells Jardin to keep an eye on the portal while Khelratha checks things out.

Khelratha follows the Winter Elf pass the area with Lungmold's zombies. Leading towards tunnel to Malgim. At the end of the tunnel, Oskar is leaning down over a body on the ground, the body is a Winter Elf, except horribly burnt missing a leg and very crispy as it the end of the tunnel.

What happened? Oskar says we were in camp and then this screaming. I found this elf here. several feet of web has just burnt away and Khelratha stomps off to check on the dragon emperor to see if Azrael was also affected.

Khelratha sees an open portal. Azrael says, "Ah is Prix coming?"

===Velkin Scrolls 60 - Session 96===

10:10pm, Denrilden 14

00.00000.09.17 Apocalypse Clock

'''''Malgrim:'''''

I awaken on a bed in the Embassy with Lambertus chanting something. A ragged breath or two and some water and I feel like what one of Lungmold’s zombies smells like. I do not recommend dying, it’s taxing on a fellow.

I have a thought after that experience and laying around for a few hours. What if we can enter the Astral realm using something other than the powdered worm poo Borthan had… Something to ponder…

Lambertus fills me in on what’s happened since my pulverization and its overall success. Minus the fact I didn’t make it. Plus the fact that his magic works here. Thankfully.

The Lottery in Malgrim is happening tonight. That ought to be interesting. I’m too weak to attend, but Druul and Lungmold go to watch.

Anat, Druul’s spy lady, is read by Lungmold and we learn the resistance will be staging some sort of activity that portends to be … treacherous or explosive. We don’t know for sure but get some details and some direction on potentially stopping it.

Jax locks down the Embassy with the Automatons. Expecting trouble of course.

I suggest searching the pylons to be sure nothing has been planted there… There was nothing…

Druul and Lungmold head to alert Ser Ferthold and send a runner with the information. On the way, there’s a number of minds that aren’t very happy with the Lottery and Lungmold. They reach the Citadel and Sgt Faelen, the image of which Lungmold lifted from Anat’s thoughts attacks, poisoning Lungmold but not before he learns of a crate brought by Bogfunk. About this time, explosions wrack the city. The inert automaton bridging the two halves of the city topples, a wave of white hot flames roll out of the Higeki citadel and other explosions across the city and clouds of noxious smoke billow down from above. A gnome, frothing at the mouth from the directions of one of the clouds and attacks with a bloody wooden dowel. Druul hooks Lungmold in a wheelbarrow to Ceres and flees towards the Embassy.

Reaching the embassy not without some close calls from the apparently rabid gnomes from the gas. We speculate the explosions were caused by Pheonix eggs. We identify the gas as Dogfroth, it causes people to go nuts in the manner we’ve seen.

'''''Surface on the Eclipse:'''''

It’s raining. A lot. Jardin and Khelratha are below. Jardin’s quiet, fairly somber. He’s flicking toothpicks into the wall of the cabin.

Just before Midnight a lookout calls out. A ship is off to the Starbord. Jardin and Khelratha investigate. Jardin impatient, Khelratha stubborn. An entertaining mix. Jardin drops.. maybe it could be considered a toss, Khelratha on the new Armadan ship causing a ruckus as Khelratha finally communicates Krensh is on a ship nearby. Grissel is here with the Warden’s message.

Khelratha attempts to jump on Jardin and fly back to the Eclips but slips and falls. Jardin only finds him after he draws the Winter King’s sword where he picks the soaked dwarf and drops him on the Eclipse’s deck, then transforms back to human with not much more conversation as Khelratha’s piqued, wet and grouchy. The Imperials are kneeling when Jardin flies back in Dragon form.

Down below Khelratha opens the portal and sees some excitement… a burnt winter elf at the Malgrim web portal and Oskar. He checks the Xhen Khel portal… Azreal is there and asks, almost forlornly, if Prix is coming.

Session Ninety-Five Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2023-04-28T00:01:45Z

Laris: /* Velkin Scrolls 59 - Session 95 */

== Session 95, May 25 2022 ==
[[File:Armadaships.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 11:30AM on the 14th of Denrilden (00.000.09.17 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the Armada pirates and imperial ships regrouping after the defeat of the DVL war galley and the party mourning the death of Velkin at the hands of the Stone God summoned from inside the pockets of Druul's robe. While Khelratha and some others plan to stay with their new nautical allies, the majority of the group now plans to travel back to Malgrim's embassy in an attempt to raise Velkin from the dead. Will they succeed in returning the heroic drow to life?

=== Larry's Summary ===

Khelratha, Felix, and Jardin stay on the Imperial Ship, the Eclipse while the others enter the portal.

Imperial ships following Armada ships to NE. Capt. Hiro says according to Armada pirate, 5-1/2 days since some ships are slower.

The rest enter the portal. Oskar stays just inside the portal and keeps an eye on Tik Tok and the nanocarbon book.

The lottery to select troops from Malgrim is at Midnight.

Lungmold and Druul uncovered some secret meetings with the aid of the gnome Annette where lots of crates are moved by Bogfunk and there is mention of some sort of eggs.

After a nap, Khelratha and Jardin discuss "light stepping" and collecting Jardin's black dragon acid to use against DVLs to pursue when not on a ship in the middle of the ocean.

Khelratha attemps "light stepping" and it just looks like interpretive dance.

Prixithalma used the jewelers lenses to copy the symbols from Borthan's sword and part of it resembles for formula in Prixithalma's copy of the nanocarbon book.

Kauri discovers Ancient Common writing on the inside of his mask and copies it down, once for himself and again for Prixithalma. She says it is also a formula.

Jax and Ithirialma have a plan to make a portable device to use against the DVLs and are having Philomanthraxis make a prototype of regular metal. They plan to use the metal eating creature in the actual contruction and think it will take a couple of weeks.

Lambertus rests and about 10 PM raises Velkin from the dead and casts cure light wounds on Druul and Cure Serious Wounds on Velkin.

===Velkin Scrolls 59 - Session 95===

11:30am, Denrilden 14

00.00000.09.17 Apocalypse Clock

'''''Surface'''''

The remaining Armada and Imperial ships regroup and head NE presumably toward the Armada. The Pirate ships in the lead. About 5&½ days to Armada according to their estimates.

Khelratha and Jardin chat, Khelratha considers ‘light stepping’ in lieu of shadowstepping. Jardin bounces some ideas around, but he’s more the doer than the thinker of the dragon crowd.

'''''Embassy:'''''

Apparently my body was easiest to transport inside a barrel. Pulped by the Stone God and the exploding gunpowder barrel…

The Lottery for conscripting soldiers for the Winter King’s army is happening at midnight.
Phil and Billi are working the forge at the Embassy
Bili’s hoping Raynarth is going back with us. He’s a glutton and a pain in the ass per Sybil, Prix, and all the rest.
Lungmold’s Lift project is still going.
Prix and Borthan are working together well. It appears the Githyanki sword and the Nanocarbon book are similar systems.
Prix warns that Azreal will always pursue his goals. Only share what is absolutely necessary with him.
Jax and Itherialma are arguing about what sigils to use on a portable pylon… Itheiralma and Jax 2 are becoming an item… They’re creating a chestpiece with the appropriate sigils to wear.
Kauri copies the Nanocarbon book and chats with Prix about the Matriarchs.
Kauri’s mask has a series of symbols - written as if they were part of the creation process. He makes a couple copies and gives one to Prix. Prix looks over and comments: she recognizes it as mathematical formula…. It’s familiar in the book somewhere, or borthan’s sword
Lucifer is in the Srhine room with a couple kittens and asks Lungmold if he’s there to worship him when he comes by. He adds the Raynarth must go.
Bogfunk talks to Billi when he comes by.

'''''Undermarket:'''''

Druul, Lungmold and Ceres head to the Undermarket to do some shopping. The general city is quiet, most vendors and shops are closed. Druul commissions a custom pocketed cloak from Youri Hengel made of Drow Shadow Cloth. OK in sunlight.

Things are really really quiet. Very few shops open this afternoon. Fish shops open, a few shroom shops. There is no entertainment going on. Tristan the bard isn’t around. Druul notices the smith we’ve dealt with before and he does have a few crossbows on display. On the way there, they’re intercepted by Anat, she looks nervous, she’s the gnome he set to get information for Druul. He says they’ve had more meetings. Tristan was there, a lot of others, even some priests were there. Higeki were there too. That guy, Bogfunk was there too. Some important people from the upper levels. The priests were from upper levels too. She was chased off when she was trying to listen in. They were talking about eggs… Their meetings have stopped a few days ago. She tried to keep track of the people they knew. All the people from down here that she knew, they’re not here now. She knows something isn’t right.

Lungmold and Druul make their way to the bar in the underwarren and it’s shuttered. Lungmold bangs on the door and a gnome tells him to bugger off. He says Bogfunk’s tab is going to be paid off (20gp). And the bartender opens the door and Lungmold gives him 12gp toward bogfunk’s tab. Bogfunk’s been doing hella business moving stuff all over town. He had a bunch of guys hired and had copies of his Writ from lungmold he passed around to move a bunch of stuff. The meetings at the docks were more political dealings… one of the regulars said that today would be a good day to close up shop and balance the books or something.

They head down to Maggot’s docks and get there about 4:10pm

Down further it gets busier. They see Maggot yelling and guiding his fishing boats in. Normal business as usual. Most of Maggot’s workers are pretty shifty fellows. Hauling fish up to be processed, payment to the fishermen coming in, and a new shift heads back out. Maggot strolls around after the excitement. And his Lieutenant (Davis) are inspecting things. He comes trotting over, addresses him as Sir Lungmold and is friendly and happy.

Maggot seems ignorant of the meetings. He brings Davis over to pick his brain and he seems to know more about them than Maggot did. He’s holding a Lucifer looking cat. Lungmold asks directly about something happening tonight. The fishermen are saying something is going to happen up top, nothing to worry about down here. The word is ‘don’t go up top’. Davis says that someone came by from the guild of the Lower Porters and he was saying his people are in charge of hiring the people for the lift.

Weird shipments? Maggot says not his boats while he’s running them. But he did see Bogfunk hired some boats to bring in some stuff. He came from upriver. Paid his bill, used Lungmold’s writ to move heavy crates off some of the boats he rented.

They head back toward the embassy.

Mangkin Regathi is the guildmaster of the Lower Porters in the Regathi

Druul picks up his custom cloak of Shadowcloth with 5 hidden dagger pockets and 10 hidden pockets.

There’s a bruhahaha at the Citadel where the Lottery is going to happen. A large crowd is expected there.

They get back to the embassy, the forge is cooling, Phil’s finished his work. Kauri and Prix are at the table working.

Lambertus raises me, and I get the cliff notes version (See above) of what’s going on… I think I’ll lay here for a little while.

Session Ninety-Three Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2023-04-27T23:59:19Z

Laris: /* Velkin Scrolls 57 - Session 93 */

== Session 93, May 11 2022 ==
[[File:ParlayatWatchersIsle.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 2:30PM on the 13th of Denrilden (00.000.09.18 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party split between the web portal and Watchers' Isle, where Druul and Kauri have made contact with the imperial ships and plan to negotiate an agreement between them and the Armada pirates. There is hope this will lead to all eight ships traveling together first to Armada itself and then on to the mainland for the raid on the Inquisitorial Library. Meanwhile, after their conversation with Ajax, the summer elves escape captivity with help from Velkin and flee to the island. So far, it seems the party has managed to find a peaceful solutions to their problems. Can that last?

=== Larry's Summary ===

Velkin gets the Summer Elf Captain's quilt which he explains was part of his wife's dowry that he acquired on their marriage. They elect to stay on the island as they trust neither the pirates of Armada nor the Imperials.

Velking reaches the Imperial ship, ''The Eclipse'', with Jardin, Kauri, and Oskar working out the contract to present at the parley with the pirate captains.

'''The Contract as later amended by Captain Karzak of the ''Blood Wave'':''' 

''On behalf of His Imperial Majesty, Azrael the Emperor of Dragons, the Chief Inquisitor and Imperial Advisor Jardin proposes a contract with the Admirals of Armada to provide three ships to accompany a scouting expedition to the Imperial Mainland in exchange for 5,600GP at the signing of this agreement and another 5,600 GP in coins and gems and 6 writs of safe passage within Imperial waters valid for five years upon completion of said reconnaissance and return to [the island of Curmidden?]. The scouting mission will be expected to approach to within 20 miles of the port of Gharmarost and remain in that general location and at that range for a period of 72 hours while Jardin leads a small force of his allies ashore. If Jardin or any of his party fail to return within that time, the ships may return and claim their payment from a representative of His Imperial Majesty located in/at Vargen. [Space for Signatures]'' 

'''The above is in Jardin's fancy script.''' 

'''Captain Karzaks's poor penmanship adds:''' 

''Safe passage to and from Armada to negotiate the agreement.'' 

At nightfall, Velkin opens the portal in the Captain's cabin that Jardin was given and Khelratha, Lungmold, Lambertus, and Felix step out.

Khelratha brings the wine bottle and asks for ale and sings the Ballad of Xenilum Khel loudly at the orcs who are partying.

Khelratha keeps that up until his watch and hears the pirates talking about weighing anchor and preparing the cannons.

Suddenly one of the pirate ships explode, it is not the ''Carrion Crow'', the renamed Elven ship since it looks different than the other ships of Armada. It is pulling away from the fight, since it is not armed.

We get back in the web portal and Khelratha lets Velkin use his spyglass to shadow steps into the shadow of the mast of the ''Carrion Crow''. The Imperial captain of ''The Eclipse'' along with the other two Imperial ships weigh anchor to go aid the pirates.

Velkin sees flaming winged humanoid females with flames for the feathers of their wings. All but Velkin rush to the deck while Velkin puts the web portal away and see one of the flaming flying females use a whip on Krench and he screams and falls to the deck writing in pain. Druul rushes to take the wheel.

Khelratha, Lungmold, and Oskar all charge the flaming DVL and all three hit and its flames go out and it falls to the deck and is a shriveled husk over a skeleton, the whip also falls to the deck no longer flaming.

Beyond the Armada ships is a huge war galley, dark against the night. It is full of ranks of armored motionless troops in what looks like full plate armor. At the wheel is an giant woman with the lower half a coiled snake like tail, and she has six arms. She is ordering an attack on the Blood Wave under Captain Karnak. There might be two rounds before it is in position, and could just ram it.

Three other flying flaming females remain.

We have to choose what to do next....

===Velkin Scrolls 57 - Session 93===

2:30pm, Denrilden 13

00.00000.09.18 Apocalypse Clock

'''''Surface'''''

Watchers Isle - Druul and Kauri negotiate with the Armada and Imperials

I have a chat with Captain Serverak and the Mage Tagalan who left the ship by shadowstepping to catch them after they arrive on the Island. They’re in a heated discussion on whether to go back to the ships or not. I give the captain his quilt, he seems happy. We talk a few minutes and they know I’m a drow and not a Winter King follower. They elect to stay on the island and take their chances rather than travel with us. Can’t blame ‘em. They agree to speak to the Summer King regarding the Wardens of Media. I think in at least a not entirely negative light…

An agreement was made with the Armada for passage to Gharamost, Kauri and Druul handled most of that negotiation and Jardin put the agreement to parchment.

The 5 Armada ships overall approve the agreement and Druul parties with his brethren as a ‘prisoner’ while the rest of us stay on the Eclipse. We learn the Armadan Conclave is in Farilden, 3 months from now.

At nightfall, We open the portal and Lungmold, Khelratha, Felix and Lambertus come out on the Eclipse.

One of the pirate ships explodes. We hear drums reverberating across the water and spot a very large war galley, manned by DVL’s led by a large snake woman with 6 arms. A rather large contingent of some sort of soldier stand silently in ranks on the deck. The party re-enters the portal and I take them to the Carrion Crow while the imperial ships move to assist the Armada ships. On the Crow, I get the portal open so the partymembers can defend the ship from flying flaming women with whips. They take the one down attacking the Carrion Crow as Krensh falls writhing in pain from a hit from its whip. Druul takes the wheel.

Having an idea, I snag a blackpowder keg bomb… I’m sure it’ll be fine…

'''''Web Portal'''''

Forcas ponders fermenting some fingers… Lungmold isn’t impressed…

Session Ninety Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2023-04-27T23:57:03Z

Laris: /* Velkin Scrolls 55 - Session 90 */

== Session 90, April 13 2022 ==
[[File:Sailorsewing.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 2AM on the 12th of Denrilden (00.000.09.19 on the Apocalypse Clock) with some of the party aboard the Jaunty Jade en route to Watchers' Island, others camped inside Llolth's web, and a few more visiting the Winter Realm to consult with its king. Back in Malgrim, Prixithalma has taken over the embassy's research efforts just as the group's allies there successfully test new anti-DVL protective pylons. Unfortunately, tensions between and with several potential allies are beginning to heat up (e.g., Czizek Jagartha, Winter King and Dragon Emperor, Azrael and Prixithalma). Will at least one of these simmering conflicts boil over? Seems like a safe bet to me...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Velkin, Druul, Kauri, Oskar, and Jardin on the ship.

Lungmold, Tyriol, and Ranarth are visiting the Winter King.

Rest waiting in the web. Khelratha is picking through the rubble of the cannon.

Firthold leads Lungmold, et. al back to the citadel and Lungmold gets an escort to the embassy.

Lungmold sees a couple of gnomes signing up for the Winter King's army.

Looks like people taking a break. Lungmold talks to Bili. Those inside are resting.

Bili explains that the new pylons are now a protected area. Asked if that dwarf made it back.

Lungmold asks about a portable model.

Bili thinks they want to turn the automata into walking pylons.

Bili says that he got jewelers magnifying glasses and they're looking at Borthan's sword.

The new one that's in charge is mostly into that book now.

Lungmold asks Philomanthraxis if he knows anything about the reincarnation process? They killed a bunch of sick dwarves from Xen Khel and used that bit of Prixithalma's body to bring her back. Lord Azrael talked about it, if she had still been alive, it wouldn't have worked, it had been tried when she was a prisoner of the dwarves.

Lungmold asks if anyone else had stopped by. I think that young gnome woman the bard had contracted something. She was keeping an eye on someone or something, but she left. I do have a message that was delivered. I have to consult with the guild master of the lower hall porters. Something about the lift. Progress lining up artisans to build it.

Lungmold asks about the Jagartha guy. Bili says apparently he dislikes your group and the embassy again. I head that he said you tried to kill him. One of his other Jagarthas was imprisoned but has been released. I wouldn't recommend popping in for a visit at the temple.

Lungmold finds the conference table with papers neatly stacked, and Prixithalma is sitting and reading the copy of the book by candle light. Lungmold sits across from her, she asks if all is well in the web. My name's Lungmold, I'm in charge here. Yes, Bili said that you're the ambassador here, for the Winter King? Have you heard of him? Only the vaguest rumors from long ago. Lungmold holds his snow globe closer. So you are his agent and you believe he is to be trusted as an ally vs. the devils? At first, he didn't think they'd be an issue, but has changed his mind. Any thing, like these pylons, maybe portable to help with the DVLs?

My job is to keep the city calm and functioning in working order.

I don't distrust you Lungmold, but this Winter King worries me. He didn't have the best reputation in the old days. I could say the same about the dragons. She chuckles, fair point.

I understand the formula, but not how it relates to reality. I think Borthan's sword may be the secret.

Prix may go with us to the library, depending on how things are going in the library.

A portable means of controlling DVLs will support Azrael's dream of DVL transpatial magic will be under out control. Lungmold, yes, our control.

Lungmold pulls out a gold biconvex lenticular device and puts it on the table. Ah a key for the ancient Dwarven ruins, but it takes power. She looks up, hmm... power, then goes back to the book.

Lungmold checks kitchen it is empty, then back to conference room. I'll be back when it's time to get ready. Bili was a bit unclear on sending word to you. If it's important, just go to Citadel and going through the portal. Yes, given the political situation, we need escorts.

Lundmold will let the mycelian guards know if they need to send a message, that the mycelians can handle it.

Back on the terrace, Rotbreath is helping another mycelian onto the terrace. Excellent to find you hear, said Bogfunk, I have gifts! Delivery ten more batches of the herbs for the potions to brew (extra healing). Lungmold gives him 11 gp as a tip. Bogfunk says that the real payment is the ability to move goods in and out of the city.

Lungmold asks what Rotbreath knows about the Jagartha dude. He hasn't been saying nice things about you. Lungmold wonders what him having an accident would cost. Before the attempt on his life he is claiming it had fewer guards. Rotbreath thinks an untraceable accident would cost about 5,000 gp. Code: "The purchase of a soul" to discuss it.

Lungmold returns to the web & checks on his zombies. Khelratha says to keep them away from him.

Lungmold goes over what Khelratha told him earlier & says Khelratha did a good job. Khelratha reveals that he trusts Prixithalma with his life. She saved his life once.

Lungmold relays the meeting the gnome woman mentioned. Asks Velkin to make another copy of the nanocarbon bound book. Lungmold wants another copy for himself. Why? Are you going to let me take the original? No. We can make another copy. I always found that having another backup is a good thing, so we can stash it if something goes down. I'll need some materials. (It took Ithirialma two full days to copy the book.)

Velkin and Kauri read through the introductory/research volumes that lead up to the final book. It references the process and rails against the authorities that didn't value him, and a few breakthroughs with a bit of formula. Nine days to the island, so plenty of time to copy it. Kauri suggests two books so he and Velkin can each make a copy.

Raynarth is sent to go shopping for paper and Forcas to get some snacks for Velkin. Kauri asks for a nice bottle of wine and nice crystal glasses to go with it. More tea ingredients for Oskar. 2 dozen empty vials for future potions.

Velkin hollers through the portal in Drow to Forcas to pick us out some good stuff to eat. You know what I like, get yourself something too.

Druul asks the captain why they were in Port. Doing pirate things, after the troubles of the falling DVLs, looking for port.

Captain Vishnek hands him a spyglass and points a direction and just barely visible is a ship. Yup, look at the flags it is running, Curanost, far from home. A bunch of elves, easy pickings. Evening at the very least. I don't think they've seen us yet, at least they're not reacting.

Are you and your friends interested in joining in? Druul is open to it. Glad your friends are helping out. The big one Bobork, we'd be happy to have him along when we make our boarding action. Druul lets them know when he sees them on deck.

Tension amongst crew as word spreads that they are hunting. About midday, flags are run up - a Midmark flag, but better than the one from the Dirty Maid.

---

Khelratha has enough shrapnel to wrap another keg of gunpowder.

Khelratha re-does his pack. Mentions he wonders how Ronan is doing? (He is so impulsive and hard headed.)

15th someone should be checking Azrael's portal in 3 days as it is the 12th.

---

c. 2:00 PM on the boat. Crew about their business. Velkin in crow's nest with Siday, Jardin sewing. Kauri keeps reading, looking for hints. Oskar does heavy lifting and makes tea for the crew. Shouting that there's something in water to starboard.

5 scaly creatures in the water, heads covered in seaweed, shadowing the ship. c. 50-60 yards out. They are big, but not big enough to endanger this ship. Also getting closer to ship they are following.

Krensh back at helm and uses spyglass and doesn't look happy. What are those things? Sea lions. They can be good eating, but it complicates things. The ship, we don't want to get involved in a fight with them and scare off the prey. Hopefully, they'll just lose interest.

Sea Lions are keeping pace with the Jaunty Jade. A complication.

Velkin asks Druul if he can convince to let the captain to let them talk to the elves. Druul takes exception to it.

Druul approaches Jardin, and he is please with his sewing, and has sewn Bobork into a sail. Druul explains the pursuit of a ship. Jardin says, Sure! it's not an imperial ship is it? No, OK.

Anything that can distract sea lions? Bodies in the water....

Bell rings and Krensch orders all non-essential personel below water.

Velkin asks Jardin for invisibility and Jardin does it.

There is a knock on the door from Siday? You all ready in here? To charge out to help us with boarding. Where's the other one? He didn't feel well, he might have gone overboard. He's an elf, he's not going to cause trouble. When the bell rings.

Bell goes off and shouts from on deck. Bobork stands and pulls out his sewing needle and heads for the door. Invisible Velking goes to one side of Borork. Druul is ready to go, slightly in the back to encourage sailors with a song. Kauri and Oskar go too.

As they run out on deck, things are chaos everywhere. Ropes thrown across and ships lashed together. Orcs moving across and elves on other ship, and a full on boarding action.

Jardin runs to cross over.

Druul starts a song (Iron Maiden - "Trooper"). It is actually to enchant the elves on the other side. Combat already started, so can't enchant them. So is towards the back encouraging with song, and will use his bow if needed.

Kauri & Oskar - They don't want to be involved since we're supposed to be trying to bring everyone together.

Elves on deck and suddenly the captain draws his sword and flame ripples down his blade. There's another elf on deck in greenish robes. He reaches to the sky and swears for a second the sun kind of dims and a ball of fire rolls out of his hand towards the captain on your ship.

There is an explosion of fire on the pirate ship. Captain Vishnek fails save and goes down. Three others with the captain all go down. Ship is on fire, and the orcs look nervous, and that's before the arrows come raining down.

Jardin charges the elven captain with his sewing needle and hits for 5 HP.

Invisible Velkin grabs his pack and Kauri and Oskar gather up everything else.

The mage reaches out to the sky and bolts of pure energy come flying out towards Jardin, who screams out in rage with a battle cry.

Druul attempts to shoot the elven mage in green with a sleeper bolt and misses.

Several orcs work to put out the fire.

The elven mage summons more flame power and a ball of fire is not aimed at anyone on deck, but down. It ignites gunpowder, the deck rolls and the ship lurches over. The ship comes crashing down on the elven ship and their masts are tangled together, and the elven mage looks surprised. Three elves are killed by various wood, rigging, & masts that come crashing down to the deck.

Jardin hits the captain, but he does not go down.

Druul finally hits the mage and he fails his save and goes down.

Kauri uses magic missile to cut 4 of the 6 larger ropes tangling the ships together.

Velkin is still invisible and shadow steps and cuts another rope, leaving one rope.

Every orc on deck (35) has jumped across to the elven ship. Vishnek is lying crispy on the deck, still alive is unknown.

Oskar tosses gear to elven ship.

Druul runs down to captain's quarters to grab what he can off his desk. Everything is on the floor, logbook and charts in pile next to desk. Druul goes for logbook and charts and stuff Druul gave him the clothes, nameplate. Under the bed is a footlocker. Druul kicks it open, inside are a few sacks that jingle, the nameplate and uniform. Druul tosses logbooks and charts into footlocker, closes it and starts to run.

Kauri and Oskar jump across.

Jardin makes another attempt on the captain and drops the captain.

The orcs finish off the elven swordsmen, and three elvish archers remain.

Velkin shadow steps and cuts the last rope. It is like it is springloaded. The Jaunty Jade goes flying back in the other direction, there is a giant hole at the water line. It looks like it's going under, very quickly.

Kauri binds wounds of captain, and Oskar binds the hands of the elven mage.

Druul stuggles onto deck as ship lurches and Druul goes flying to the opposite side into the water. Velkin sees this and notices that the sea lions are still around.

The last of the elvish archers are dropped.

Oskar grabs the captains magic fire sword before the orcs do.

Velkin shadow steps to the opposite side of the sinking ship and tosses a rope.

Druul sees the rope from the Jaunty Jade. Druul uses the sceptre to speak with animals. By the mercy of your good grace, please help me.

Velkin sees the sea lions converging on Velkin and they skirt around him. Druul is still afloat due to the air in the footlocker. Druul puts the scepter away and ties the rope through a handle on the footlocker. Then he holds on to footlocker and looks around for sea lions.

Krench has the orcs toss elves overboard and he is saying he is captain now. Vishnek's gone and if anyone has any problem with that speak up now, while your blood is up.

They come to grab the captain to toss overboard, and they tell Krench this human won't let me toss the body. Krench says it's ok for now. Krench kneels down, prisoner? This is Boborks prisoner, since he dropped him. If he wants to split any ransom or prisoner. Kauri - I understand that, now you can go back to what you're doing.

Krech says that the mage is - where's Druul. Druul ties off the handle of the foot locker.

Velkin thinks maybe two rounds before the Jaunty Jade is under water. He yells to Druul to swim to the other ship as he pulls him up to the surface. Velkin pulls in the footlocker.

Velkin shadow steps to the rigging of the elven ship. Druul sees the locker in the air and lets go and surfaces and sees flotsam of the Jaunty Jade and grabs on and starts kicking towards the elven ship.

Druul sees thrashing in the water and spurts of blood as things are torn apart, and he seems to be left alone.

The Jaunty Jade disappears as Druul kicks away from the bodies and Velkin sees him down there. Some orcs notice and call it out to Krench and ropes are thrown to Druul.

Velkin shadow steps near Kauri and Oskar and asks Oskar to sit on it. No one notices it.

Druul is pulled onto the ship and is met by Krench.

Druul spits water out of his mouth, ah, it feels good to be back on the water. Good shot! You took that elven mage down. Though as new captain, you are my prisoner until you are ransomed by your mother. Unless you join my crew and server Admiral Elkior. Druul demurs.

Krench sighs and looks around, not as good a ship.

Orcs below, it's riding high in the water, I don't expect much.

Krench goes to see what they're finding Druul notices Oskar sitting on the footlocker. Velkin says, I must've drowned in the fight.

Druul keeps walking behind Krench. Krench is heading straight to the looting of the ship.

===Velkin Scrolls 55 - Session 90===

2AM Denrilden 12

00.00000.09.19 Apocalypse Clock

'''''On the Jaunty Jade'''''

At Dawn, we have… food? We think it’s just food, for the morning meal. We head up top and Jardin joins the sewing group again, he’s really taken to it. He’s quite proud of his skills. Today is my day for polishing spars, the lanky creepy old knob polisher is awaiting me… /sigh. Druul is like an aboleth in water, renewing his shipboard skills and looks like he’s at home. I suppose he is. As he’s chatting up Vishnik, they see a Curanost ship, a ship of elves. They plan on taking it. I talk to Druul a bit and attempt to sway that course of action, but we’re on an orc ship flying Armada colors he tells me. Pirates will do what they do, he says, possibly with a little gleam in his eye and a bit of scorn at the suggestion. …Didn’t know he had it in him.

Kauri and I were trying to digest some of the introductory books to the Math book. It was ….difficult. There’s some dense stuff in there. Lungmold really wants a copy of the book, he’s acting a bit weird about it.

A few Sea Lions, big scaly things in the water keep course with us as we close on the Elven ship.

Jardin’s showing off his stitching and knotting, he seems quite pleased with himself. The others in the circle seem impressed. For the record, Spar polishing is worse than sewing, better than swabbing.

As we approach the elven ship, Jardin invisibles me and the elves prepare for a fight. The Captain’s sword lights up and a green robed elf casts a fireball at our ship! Vishnik goes down along with his guard and the ship’s on fire. The creak and groan of ships crashing together is followed by an explosion below decks. The Mage cast a fireball down there. Boborc and his sewing needle wreak havoc. Druul takes down the mage with a sleep bolt after bolstering the crew with a song. It looks like the sinking pirate ship will drag the elven ship down, I start cutting lines that have tangled the ships together. Druul jumps to the pirate ship and retrieves some of Vishnik’s valuables. He dives off the sinking ship and uses the Scepter to send the Sea Lions off to eat freshly dead bodies while I toss a rope to him and retrieve the footlocker, he swims to the elven ship, pulled up by Krensch and his men. Krensch’s men toss most of the remaining elves off the ship. I pull up the locker shadow stepping to where Kauri and Oskar are, we cover it and they begin making tea, Oskar using it for a seat. Oskar grabs the captain’s sword that was flaming.

Krensch, Druul and some orcs go down below to search. I follow, Likely something interesting in the Captain’s quarters…

'''''Second hand notes of the goings on in The Underdark:'''''

– Lungmold, Raynarth and Tyriol, returning from a visit to the Winter King. Tasked with: Getting a copy of the Pylon plans, Capturing a dragon for working the Nanocarbon, and getting a copy of the Math book. (Not party knowledge)

– Bili gets jeweler’s loupes for examining Borthan’s sword.

– To raise Prix, they used a bunch of the sick dwarves in Xen Khel for the ritual.

– There are a few gnomes signing up for the Winter King’s conscription, but not a lot.

– Druul’s girlfriend gnome stopped by with some news…. but left.

– Lower Guild of Porters wants to meet with Lungmold

– Cizik Jagartha - working against us again after recovering from the Charm

– Bogfunk offers a price of 5000gp to make the Jagartha go away, untraceable accident

– Bogfunk comes through with 10 more Extra healing potion batches

– Khelratha trusts Prix, she saved him once

– Lungmold’s zombies are getting moldy

– Lucifer has the unexpected pleasure of having a family!

– Lungmold and Prix have a conversation with them verbally spar lightly but do not ruin their working relationship. Prix obviously is distrustful of the Winter King. Lungmold is distrustful of her and the dragons.

– Lungmold, Raynarth and Forcas go to Malgrim to pick up some luxury items for Kauri and Velkin in hopes they’ll make another copy of the Math Book. The plan is to make 2 more copies.

Projects:
– imbue automatons with runes to create a moving anti-DVL field. Jax and Itherialma

– Study Borthan’s sword to work on figuring out how to miniaturize the runes to make the equipment smaller. Prix

– Figure out what the formula in the Math book is and how it relates to Reality and controlling DVL’s . Borthan’s sword may hold the key. Prix

– figure out a portable anti DVL, or DVL controlling method for using transpatial magic. Jax and Itherialma

Session Eighty-Nine Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2023-04-27T23:55:53Z

Laris: /* Velkin Scrolls 54 - Session 89 */

== Session 89, April 6 2022 ==
[[File:Ship-paintings-nautical.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 6AM on the 11th of Denrilden (00.000.09.20 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party casting off aboard the Jaunty Jade with Captain Vishnik, an orc from Armada who had been waiting to pounce on the party's acquiantances aboard the Bronze Wizard. Druul's connection to the floating pirate city, though, has smoothed out that problem and the group can now continue on their way to the Inquisitorial Library on the mainland. Will there be digressions and distractions? Indubitably.

=== Larry's Summary ===

Most of party is in the portal.

Velkin, Jardin (Bobork), Druul, Kauri, & Oskar aboard the *Jaunty Jade*

Those on ship mention the need to stop at Watcher's Island to deliver a message to potential to three Imperial ships. This is accepted and they give a general letter to Captain Vishnik and he suggests presenting to Council of Admirals. Vishnek will have to ransom Druul as a matter of course.

Prixithalma shows up and Khelratha escorts her to the embassy. She tells us to only tell Azrael what she says is OK to share.

Prix looks at the nanocarbon book's copy and will need time to dig into it.

Khelratha waits until the fourth pylon is ready and helps place them. Jax comes out and does not lose his spells. Khelratha suggests that Jax make a circlet to help keep his spells. Jax decides he can coat an automaton with nanocarbon so it can leave the embassy.

Khelratha goes back and tells Lungmold and the others what is going on.

Lungmold finishes his zombie army then he Raynarth and Tyriol go see the Winter King. Lungmold elevates Tyriol to his Seneschal. The Winter King gives Lungmold his snowflake necklace back so he can listen in.

Sir Firthold mentions that the Sizek Jagartha is now preaching against us.

=== Velkin Scrolls 54 - Session 89 ===

6:00am, Denrilden 11

00.00000.09.20 Apocalypse Clock

A group of us travel aboard the Jaunty Jade (about 60 sailors) towards where Jardin thinks there should be 3 Imperial ships awaiting future orders. Myself as Frank, Jardin as BobOrc, And as Themseleves: Kauri, Oskar and the star of our current act, Druul, the son of an Armadan Admiral. Druul says the ship looks like it’s being run pretty ship shape.

Captain Vishnik and his First Mate Crensh give us one of the cabins, it’s a bit tight, but with the Portal, it isn’t a real issue.

We speak with Captain Vishnik and learn the admirals are concerned about the DVL’s and we ask to be taken to Watchers Isle. We pass on one of are letters to him. We join the sewing circle and sing shanties for a day. I don’t think sailing is part of the makeup of Drow. This ship stuff isn’t that great.

It rains the next morning and while Druul, and Jardin sit under cover sewing, I give my hand at swabbing the deck… might be worse than sewing. Another minus to ship life…

We dine with the Captain and discuss various things, hear of a one eyed lady coming to Armada.

I’m going to help with something called a Spar tomorrow…. Maybe it’ll be better than sewing or swabbing? 8 more days to Watcher’s Isle… Lloth help me...

'''''Second hand notes of the goings on in The Underdark:'''''

Prixithalma , Former Consult to the Dragon Emperor, appears from the Xhen Khel portal in Azreal’s study. She says she’ll filter what we learn through her to Azreal. Advises us not to report to him directly. Khelratha and her commisurate on being the weapons being weilded. They head to the Embassy. She was resurrected by Azreal. Advises that the Winter Elves won’t make good allies, they’re fighting the Silence now.

Embassy: Itherialma, Borthan and Alisceon are there with Philomanthraxis who’s furnishing the dragonfire. They’re creating pylons with runes infused with Itherialma’s blood. They are about to test their effectiveness. Prix is intrigued by the math book and goes into full on research mode.

Dampfoot informs us of a messenger from the Porter’s guild for Lungmold and a lady gnome for Druul.

The experiment with the pylons works and extends the Embassy’s protection. Jax is ecstatic that it works, and Khelratha’s just glad nothing exploded...

Work begins on modifying the system to work on an Automaton.

Back in the Web – Lungmold tends his Fungal Zombie horde… some are missing fingers and Forcas looks all innocent. 36 zombies arise to fungal life.
Lungmold, Raynarth and Tryiol go to the Winter King through a 2nd portal in the Citadel that leads to the Front with the Silence.

Draft is in 3 days, the Cizek Jagartha is preaching against us.

Lungmold informs the Winter King of the Embassy’s progress. He’s to recover a copy of the plans for the pylons and a copy of the Math book. But not to let the party know. DVL’s are helping the Silence so things are slow going. Requests that Lungmold kidnaps a dragon to help with working the Nanocarbon. Raynarth and Lungmold get snowflakes. Ears for the Winter King.

Session Eighty-Four Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2023-04-27T23:52:45Z

Laris: /* Velkin Scrolls 51 - Session 84 */

== Session 84, March 2 2022 ==
[[File:Nanocarbon book.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 12:50AM on the 5th of Denrilden (00.000.09.26 on the Apocalypse Clock) with Velkin having returned to Jardin on the beach of Curmidden to sleep; meanwhile, the party in the web portal begins lugging the nanocarbon machinery pieces to the embassy in Malgim -- along with the book detailing some kind of formula for binding DVLs ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

We lug the stuff back to Malgrim and get a bunch of Winter Elves to help carry it. We get them to help get the machines up to the courtyard.

Jaxx and Ithirialma seem to have been making progress. They are exited by the 36 volumes of the mathematical formula research, and the magical formula book. We are not sure if the magic on the lock is something we need to keep. Kauri asks Tik Tok and there is a DVL in there, but it will not answer Tik Tok.

Lungmold makes a truce with Bogfunk who swears fealty to Lungmold and the Winter King in exchange for a writ to continue his procurement and transportation business. Lungmold gets a writ for him from Sir Firthold.

Malkin Regathe, the Master of the Guild of the Lower Porters makes a deal with Lungmold to run the lift so that it doesn't cut into their business and not affect the revenues of Clan Regathe.

Both Bogfunk and Malkin will put in a good word about us.

Borthan will stay behind so that Jaxx and Ithrialma can examine his sword until we are ready to assault the Inquisitorial Library.

Kauri gives a list of ingredients needed for healing and extra healing potions for Bogfunk to procure.

Borthan gives a list of ingredients for his tea so Bogfunk can try to acquire some.

Since Jaxx and Ithirialma are not sure about the DVL magic on the ''Book of Formulas'' it will need to stay on the terrace so that the DVL it not inadvertently stripped away because it is not clear if it is bound in such a way that crossing the threshold of the embassy will have an effect on it or not.

Ithirialma will give a list of mathematical books in the general portion of the Inquisitorial library to help understand the mathematical formula. Ithirialma says that Prixithalma would be a good one to understand the ''Book of Formulas''.

It is not clear if one must understand the answer, or what to activate the formula or just inscribe it. It is not clear if one long formula or several related formulas.

Jaxx claims to understand the formula, but Ithirialma is not so sure he's truthful about that.

Lungmold relays messages to Bogfunk to come get his writ and the lists for items, and that Sir Firthold will be reaching out to him.

Jardin and Velkin have an uneventful night. Jardin hunts and returns with a young elephant. Velking cuts the turnk and ears into strips for Forcas.

They take flight over the ocean and have a long uneventful flight until nightfall with no sign of land. Velkin watches for points of light from fires.

During their journey the discuss using other dimensions for shadow stepping. Jardin asks what would be the doorway to focus, like one focuses on the doorway of shadows?

Another discussion, Velkin proposes using the dream state for shadow stepping. Velkin suggests gathering books on the topic from the Inquisitorial Library.

=== Velkin Scrolls 51 - Session 84 ===

1:20pm, Denrilden 4

00.00000.09.27 Apocalypse Clock

Jardin and I rest, he finds us a nice young elephant for breakfast. I cut some strips from the snout and ears for Forcas. He likes those kinds of things.

In just a short time we’re flying over open water, no land in sight in any direction…

The day passes as we discuss various things from math magic to inter-dimensional shifting astral vs shadow medial dimensions. Jardin postulates that there needs to be a focus to open the doorway, like the shadow in shadowstepping. Or the dream state in astral projection?

'''''Second hand notes of the goings on in Malgrim:'''''

Kauri notes that the lock on the nanocarbon bound book, ``Dervus Karn’s Fantastic Formulas``, has transpatial energy emitting from it. Likely a trap.

Plenty of Nanocarbon salvage is at the Embassy now, thanks to our recent foray into the dwarven outpost.

There is Lungmold Dipolomacy attempting to sway the Jagartha to be more accepting of our presence and authority here.

Rotbreath, Dampfoot’s cousin, joins Dampfoot as mycelian guards for the Embassy.

Messages asking to meet with Lungmold were waiting. One from Bogfunk and one from Mankin of Clan Regathi, the Master of the Guild of Lower Porters.

Alisceon and Ithelrialma are on good terms, Jax is more reservered.

Jax believes the Nanocarbon book is a way of binding DVL’s. There’s discussion of combining the warding/capturing tech with the formula.
The Nanocarbon tome is very dense and very complicated. Even with the notes from the 36/50 volumes. Itherilalma gives us a list of books from the Inquisitorial Library that can help as well as a list in the Locked Archives on the Medial Dimensions.

Borthan’s githyanki greatsword is covered in miniscule inscriptions very similar to the formulas Dervus Karn’s book. He’s unhappy that he’s staying here to have his sword pored over. He’d much rather be fighting.

The party meets with Bogfunk at the Underwarren. He shows up after they order the ‘house special’. There was a gnome waiting for the sign near the barkeep. An agreement is made to supply the Embassy with what it wants in return for unrestricted passage through the winter elf garrison. Ser Furthold is informed of the arrangement.

We learn that Bogfunk is very respectful of Primilla, Billi’s aunt. She’s a badass.

Session Eighty-Six Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2023-04-27T23:50:52Z

Laris: /* Velkin Scrolls 52 - Session 86 */

== Session 86, March 16 2022 ==
[[File:DVL Attacking Ship.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 1:30PM on the 6th of Denrilden (00.000.09.25 on the Apocalypse Clock) with Velkin and Jardin traveling over the ocean towards Serpent's Tooth Island, aiming for a stopover island with small village they saw on the charts aboard the Dirty Maid; meanwhile, the rest of the party waits inside the web portal with the cannon, supplies, and dead bodies they salvaged from that same ship ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Khelratha shows how to load the cannon and then tries to teach Druul the *Balad of Xenilum Khel*.

Druul puts cotton in his ears and Khelratha's humming actually sounds decent. Druul says it is for in case the cannon goes off.

Kauri is reading a book.

Lungmold is starting his myconid zombie farm.

Velkin is flying on Jardin and about 4:30 pm sees something splashing around in the water, mostly under the surface. Whatever it is is big, and water spouts.

About early evening just as the sun is setting they see the small island that they are speeding up on and the village should be on the opposite, Eastern shore. Don't make out any lights.

They land on the beach and Velkin goes in to meet the villagers and it welcomed as a shipwreck survivor.

He gets Velkin and ten swords to give to the islanders. Velkin notices that there are whispy strands, hard to see in the '''moonlight'''. They sleep and the next morning turn invisible and fly to the next island.

It is a day of rain and they get to a smaller island and the invisible Jardin is knocked on the head and a group of 40 Sahuagin tie ropes on him to drag him into the water. VElkin wakes to this. He moves away and opens the portal and holds it up so we can fire the cannon.

The cannon explodes and Lungmold and Druul fall knocked out. All the Winter Elves are wounded, four of them are killed.

Oskar charges out hitting the nearest one. Khelratha also charges out and hits the same one with the frost brand sending shards of ice from its body and the raindrops flying at the rest, which smoke streams from his beard.

Ceres runs out and uses his frost breath on the leader and 5 others, the rest flee back to the sea and we chase them.

We learn that Jardin was hit over the head, explaining why he didn't wake up.

We pass around healing potions then re-enter the portal.

Kauri makes 5 healing potions overnight.

This is now the 8th and Ranarth goes to check on the embassy in Malgrim and Forcas waits for Ithirialma.

Khelratha and Lambertus go to watch the portal for Azrael.

=== Velkin Scrolls 52 - Session 86 ===

1:30pm, Denrilden 6

00.00000.09.25 Apocalypse Clock

Jardin and I have been flying quite a long time out of sight of any land. We pass by a large something splashing in the ocean spouting water. Not wanting to get into something we don’t want to handle at the moment, we decide to fly on.

Early evening Jardin spies a small island. The chart says a village is on the opposite side from our approach, but easily walkable. Oddly, there’s no boats at the piers down from the village, they’re away from the village in another cove. We land away from sight and make our way into the village of around 50ish people a few armed with bows and spears.

Jardin and I introduce ourselves as Bob Thornton (Jardin) and Frank to a couple scouts that we approached all charitable and kind offering some swords to let us into the village. We’re brought to the Elders. An old woman and 2 old men. With the help of Lungmold, we determine they’re not hostile and they offer their hospitality for the night. Lagi, the old woman chatters about what we figure are DVL’s and the fall of Xeno Tel then she lets us know that we’re to work tomorrow digging something. Neither of us are remotely interested in that. After eating and resting well, we exit with no one noticing and continue our journey in the morning. Leaving them in a state of confusion as to our whereabouts, made for some conversation of the islander’s actions after they figured we left. We finally decided they’d probably welcome us as gods of some sort if we ever happened to go back. With slightly less even odds we might be burned as evil spirits. You never can tell the whims of folks.

Denrilden 7

3 days off the coast of Curmidden about halfway to Serpent’s Tooth and it’s storming.

The next island on our chart looks small and uninhabited. We land, rest and I wake up to some barking. Scaly black-green aquatic humanoids with crests on their heads that are trussing Jardin up. Hurriedly, I open the portal and Lungmold lights off the cannon and BOOM! It explodes… killing some of the winter elves... So much for that! The rest of the party rushes out and we route the attacking Sauhagin. Jardin was poisoned and knocked out. We collect what they left in their haste to depart with Forcas trimming some delicacies from the fallen.

We rest up a bit, and the party returns to the web portal. We decide to fly for 2 days to an inhabited island hoping to skip another lesson in complacency.

'''''Second hand notes of the goings on in The Underdark:'''''

Lungmold tends to his zombie garden

Raynarth heads to check in on the Embassy

Kauri brews and reads

Khelratha and Lambertus monitor Azreal’s portal

Session Eighty-Three Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2022-09-03T17:32:12Z

Laris:

== Session 83, February 23 2022 ==
[[File:Hill Giant.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 1:20PM on the 4th of Denrilden (00.000.09.27 on the Apocalypse Clock) with Jardin having flown across Curmidden and reached the eastern coast in a deserted area. Having spotted some hill giants near a large automaton, Velkin leaves the sleeping black dragon to investigate. The remainder of the party still waits inside the web portal, having returned from their business in Malgrim ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Velkin entered the automaton and it was empty. He then waited til nightfall to open the portal and get the book.

The giants processed to the automaton for a celebration, so Velkin went to their village and found a palisade and three buildings. The palisade curved in front of a hill. Velkin went around and over the hill and found that there was an entrance to an ancient dwarven ore processing facility.

We found most of a set of books and the index from the site Administrator, Dervus Karn, a mathematician who developed a way to bind DVLs without Xenotel. We found a key that we later learned opens the nanocarbon bound book.

Kauri could read the books, but the letters were used as symbols that didn't make sense.

Bortham said that the writing is similar to those used by his people to bind DVLs to items. His blade has such symbols all over it, but are too small to see. He can't read or understand it himself.

We also found come more platinum pieces and several nanocarbon tools and a cart we decided to use to hold all the books.

Velkin then created a distraction by setting the vat of the giant's alcohol in one of the storage huts on fire to draw away the giants.

He then went back to the automaton and let us out to move the machine to get at the book and found that the key fit it's lock. We then put two more large nanocarbon machines and 4 square batteries and 3 triangle batteries into the portal.

Kauri reviewed the book and those in the portal started lugging the books and the nanocarbon to the embassy in Malgrim.

Velkin returned to Jardin who wondered where Velkin was. Velkin tells him of our little adventure and Jardin keeps watch while Velkin sleeps.

===Velkin Scrolls 50 - Session 83===

1:20pm, Denrilden 4

00.00000.09.27 Apocalypse Clock

Rain’s stopped, yay.

These piles of junk aren’t for a one person move. I’ll have to wait for dark to safely bring help from the web.

I talk with a brilliantly colored blue bird and learn there are weird things in the water, giants and big bugs around. 2 out of 3, I’ll pass on the weird things in the water if I can. I trade some food for him to do some lookout duty for me while I explore the automaton and see if I can get the book out and search the junk piles.

There are a number of dwarven items here, a lot were powered. And some batteries. While exploring, there’s a horrendous squawking coming from the north. I hid in the trees… there’s a flock of hundreds of the Web Birds, Ajax reminded me of their name, that fly over. Greyish black, long sharp beaks and reddish eyes… nasty looking things.

I try entering the automaton via a door on it’s chest, but can’t get it open and settle for crawling in through it’s mouth. It’s tight in there.

The machine is dead, no power, no occupants. I note where there are areas of gauges and such. There’s a really complex, elegant mechanism at a door on the bottom area where the sand’s come into the thing. I leave it alone for now and head back out, find a place to relax and wait for a bit after dark. If those sentries return, I don’t want to be surprised. About 20min after sunset, there’s a drunken giant party coming down the path, they set up for a grand ole time with the whole village it looks like and I head back up the way they came, avoiding a larger giant, dressed in a ‘fancy’ cloak with a mask that looks kinda like the automaton’s face hurrying toward the party site.

At their … camp… there’s a couple giants left to hang out and guard the place, I avoid them and head down what looks to be a dwarven tunnel leading into the hillside where their palisade also encloses 3 buildings.

It’s a pretty long walk down a spiraling ramp to what looks like is a processing station for mining something. I open the portal so the rest of the party can come play in the dark underground dwarven site.

There are numerous hallways spoking out from the central area and a space under the machines with stone grinding rollers covered with nanocarbon ‘teeth’ with hoppers below. We find a silvery powder, but nothing that’s readily identifiable.

The giant’s wrecked the place, but there was a fight a long time ago from the looks of it. And likely dragonfire causing the death of a number of dwarves in the lower part underneath the grinders.

Mathmetician, Dervus Karn the Administrator of this place who conducted secret research. He was at Xhen Khel working with a lead scientist there, not named. Calgon Kauri wonders.. He’s obviously resenting being sent away from Xhen Khel. He’s studying an alternative means controlling DVL’s instead of relying on Xeno Tel. Having something to do with Mathematics. These volumes are more of a record of his experimentation’s mainly failures. Towards the end, he seems more excited and has some success. He’s managed to bind a DVL without Xeno Tel’s control. We figure this out from a shelf full of research note books 1-50 with 36 volumes present including 1 and 50 and notes about a nanocarbon bound book with his final formulas in it. The one in the pile at the automaton. We also find a key under a drawer in a desk, we’re guessing it’s for the book. The high level gist of the research is really intriguing, binding DVL magic through the use of mathematical formulas.

Borthan, he saw in the books we brought out. His people have similar magic. He doesn’t understand it. The holy men, the ones who step between worlds use incantations that look very simliar. There are other races that can do simliar. Those that we call the Silence, at least the ones who live in the world he comes from, they can travel between the dimensions. At least the ones who understand these ways. He doesn’t understand it, just recognizes the symbols. It’s used for making the sword he carries. These magics works on it while it’s being forged. They’re too small to see, but the numbers are there. You need special objects to see it as he caresses the blade. It feels smooth, but it’s covered in writing that allows you to cut through the skin between worlds. There was a bound DVL to the sword, then they enact the formula. They had formula makers and also DVL binders. Enchanters.

With everything in the portal including the party, I make my way back up the tunnel and check out the buildings. One of the two giants is sleeping, two building are storehouses for what passes for giant food, and another is a brewery of sorts with a bunch of alcohol in jars, jugs and a vat in the center. I set a torch on the side of the vat with a trail of alcohol for it to burn down to, and head toward the automaton. About halfway there, there’s a big kaboom. I guess it worked! And I move to the side as a whole village of hill giants stumble back to their village. I wonder if either of the two there survived, and if they’ll get blamed for it…

We get to the automaton and load up pretty much everything there, leaving trash, but taking anything worth taking into the portal to be transferred to the Embassy.

Main things moved into the web portal to be taken to Malgrim:
Evidence of suspected dragonfire killing a number of dwarves.
Leather satchel full of nanocarbon tools for the machinery down here plus 8 tools and a set of allen wrenches, a wafer thin platinum medallion with finely punched rectangular holes in it,
70pp, Purplish shards, 5 large and 5 small pieces, 4 square batteries, and 7 triangular batteries, a suit of non functioning power armor, some staves and swords, 36/50 volumes of research notes 1 and 50 present. 3 large pieces of nanocarbon and a trolley to carry stuff on.

Dervus Karn’s Fantastic Formulas: A nanocarbon bound locked book and it’s key.
Written in a silvery ink. There’s breaks in the formulas, but even Kauri can’t make heads or tails of it. Borthan’s familiar with the premise, and told us all he knows.

Session Eighty-Two Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2022-09-03T15:36:13Z

Laris:

== Session 82, February 16 2022 ==
[[File:Assassination-of-thomas-becket.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 3:20AM on the 4th of Denrilden (00.000.09.27 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party split in two groups: on the surface of Curmidden, Velkin visited with an ancient elven woman named Solanna who lives in the middle of the jungle; meanwhile, in Malgrim, the party has confronted the Czizek Jagartha in the high temple and things have deteriorated quickly into a physical struggle ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Kauri charms the Czizek Jagartha and he corroborates the story that the junior priest Taman was corrupted by the Silence and tried to assassinate the Czizek Jagartha.

Taman is deposited in a cell in a converted store room down below.

We stop by the citadel and tell Sir Firthold about the "assassination" attempt and he will use it to request volunteers to go fight the Silence for trying to assassinate the high priest.

We then go check the embassy to verify that the Higeki guards are there. There are four guards and suggest that those in the embassy take a Higeki guard.

Dampfoot has a friend Rot Breath who wants a job, Lungmold OKs it and says talk to Cybil.

Talk to Jax and Ithirialma.

Itirialma will join us once we reach the Inquisitor's Library.
***
Rest of party rejoins Alician, Ajax, and a few Winter Elves inside Velkin's portal.

Alician says, "Finally, you missed out on some weirdness."

Mentions meal with old woman, cemetery, flying snakes, Jardin will reach Eastern shore by mid day.
***
Velkin & Jardin continue their journey and reach the coast and Jardin lands and promptly declares he will sleep.

The plan is for Jarin to sleep til the next morning. It is now midday.

They passed an automaton with a pile of gears like worship, and spotted two giants. Velkin decided to investigate the giants and sent to the stream.

Velkin came upon a group of giant beetles and evaded them, as he is invisible.

He comes upon the giants lugging a litter of junk to the fallen automaton.

Lungmold scans them through the micro opening in the portal and the leader saves and grabs his head, yelling at the others to go in the general direction of the invisible VElkin.

Velkin avoids them and investigates the litter.

He pockets what appears to be a platinum circlet, 5 platinum lenticular devices, 2 platinum chains of office. He notices a large bound book with a clasp and it appears to have nanocarbon covers.

The book is under a large piece of machinery.

Velkin waits for them to finish carrying the load and placing it before the fallen, nearly prone automaton.

He sees that they appear to be making a phallic symbol out of junk to make the automaton's junk.

Velkin finds the book, but it looks like they just took stuff off the litter the way it was and it is still under a large piece of machinery that Velkin is not sure if he can move it to get at the book.

===Velkin Scrolls 49 - Session 82===

3:20am, Denrilden 4

00.00000.09.27 Apocalypse Clock

Malgrim:
Kauri charms Czik Jagartha and the story’s planted that Tarmon was the source of the assassination plot backed by the Silence and taken into custody.

The story planted, instead of conscription, a volunteer force for revenge against the Silence for the attempted assassination is proposed.

Other arrangements are made for protection of those from the embassy using Higeki guards, another mycelian, Rotbreath is hired.

Surface:
Jardin and I decide to leave Solanna and the Imperial fortress with it’s evil whatever alone, along with the cemetery, and continue traveling overnight.

The rest of the party returns from Malgrim and Alisceon fills them in on the encounter with Solanna I fill in some blanks but there’s not much else to tell.

We fly over 4 large apes that appeared to have killed a dragon/scorpion thing wyvern, and are laid out in a funerary display with flowers on them.

We come to a hilltop mid morning that rises above the jungle canopy with 10 dead trees ringing the top. We pass it by, it would have been a decent place to rest. Those dead trees, not sure ‘bout them.

Just before noon we reach the coast passing a fallen, broken automaton that looks to have been there a while. A couple giants are lounging near it, look like hill giants. There’s a river flowing toward the coast leading back up that way.

Jardin lands north from the river on the coast at the upper end of an isolated beach and promptly begins his rest.

I head back to follow the river to investigate the giants and the automaton sighting. On the way, it starts raining and a few beetles notice something amiss in my direction, I avoid them and continue on.

At the automaton, I get there about the time a group of 8 hill giants are moving down toward it carrying a lot of junk on a palanquin. Lungmold reads their minds and they feel like they’re about done with what they’re doing and are tired. He tries to mess with them and they start coming my way, searching.

I circle back to poke through the palanquin they were carrying after while they’re out looking for me. I find a number of nice trinkets, swap my gold circlet for a platinum one and gather some other treasure. There’s a nanocarbon bound book pinned some large machinery. I make myself scarce as they make their way back and follow them down to the automaton.

The giants are making piles in the shape of male genitals for the automaton… humongous male genitals. After they stack up their…. ‘junk’ piles, they head back up the path.

The book’s still under a rather large piece of machinery...

Session Eighty-One Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2022-02-28T05:55:45Z

Laris:

== Session 81, February 9 2022 ==
[[File:MysteryHut.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 12:20AM on the 4th of Denrilden (00.000.09.27 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party split in two groups: on the surface of Curmidden, Velkin and Jardin have stopped to explore a mysterious cottage by a lake where there was once an imperial outpost; meanwhile, in Malgrim, the rest of the party works to defuse the unrest amongst the deep gnomes and secure Lungmold's stronghold/embassy ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

We drop off the kittens at the embassy.
We go to Sir Firthold and Maggot was there. Maggot is on board with Firthold.
We learn from Firthold that the Silence collected all those magic items for veneration and the freed DVLs did not try to destroy them and are helping them with the Winter King.
Thus the draft in Malgrim is about to start.
Khelratha wants to Kill the Sizek Ygna Villems who is responsible for the death of Thorfus Ironhand.
Kehlratha also wants to kill the Sizek Jgartha who he thinks is responsible for the death of the alchemist.
We go to the giant automaton which is the temple and come upon a service on the bridge outside the door into the body of the automaton, already in progress and wait until it is over.
Lungmold asks the priest for an audience with the Sizek Jagartha and the priest asks if we are the ones present at the meeting with the clan leaders. When Lungmold says yes, he leads us in and asks the Sizek Jagartha to come down.
The Sizek Jagarthat comes down and says that he can get a message to the resistance and talks about trouble and not believing the DVLs are a threat.
Lungmold attempts to use hallucinogenic spores on him, but he saves.
The head priest and his assistant win initiative, but there were enough of us to block the door. Ozkar and Tyrial tried to subdue the assistant priest, Jagartha Taman but he gets the door open and yells assassins!
The Sizek Jagartha tries to run up the stairs and Khelratha charges and grapples him yelling that we are protecting him from the assassins.
Jagartha Taman is subdued and the door closed, and people on the bridge scream when they see it.

===Velkin Scrolls 48 - Session 81===

12am, Denrilden 4

00.00000.09.27 Apocalypse Clock

Aboveground:
We surmise that only smaller animals are affected by the wards around the cemetery. The Cemetery is from the Imperial Invasion, an Imperial cemetery. It’s an important location here at the site of the tunnel underground.

I turn visible and introduce myself to the lady of the hut and keep the door open so Jardin can enter and observe. She’s a very, very, very old elven woman. Solanna. I introduce myself as Harris. She keeps an eye on the villagers and keeps them from disturbing the Sky Serpents of Ixchat Lake and watches the old cemetery.

She ‘worked’ for the empire, I don’t push that subject as I don’t really want to know what she had to do for them. She decided to stay after they were repelled. She warns against disturbing the wards and talks of a ‘Flesh Undead’ writing runes and things all over the inside of the large mausoleum. He’s crazy she says.

I partake of her hospitality and the stew is good. She’s wary, but not unfriendly.

The feathered serpents are friendly, a couple months ago, there is an evil that awakened inside the old Imperial fortress there. She warns us away from them as they’ve got baby feathered serpents they’re protecting and will probably try and get someone to go into the fortress to get rid of the evil so there’s no problems for their offspring. She says they can be persuasive, best not to bother them.

Malgrim
Billi’s Aunts:
Primila Nanchak – Undermarket Aunt
Sybille Nanchak – Embassy Aunt

Lucifer begrudgingly accepts the kittens with some prodding by Lungmold.

Lungmold talks with Sir Ferthold discussing the Czik’s. Maggot is there and is on board with supporting the occupation.

The Silence front isn’t going great. The Winter King’s pulled a lot of Ferthold’s manpower from Malgrim. The Silence has DVL’s on their side, when they were released, many stayed as the creepy creatures worshiped them and the DVL’s are working together with them.

Ferthold says he’s barely got enough manpower to control the city, relying more and more on the Higeki guards and we must be careful not to provoke any further insurrection. Lungmold will talk to the Czik Jagartha.

The party heads towards the Czik Jagartha’s automaton and demands an audience. Things go poorly and Lungmold goes to spore the Czik, not being successful creates a panic in Taman, his assistant who opens the doors shouting Assassins! They both are grappled….

Session Eighty Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2022-02-28T05:54:38Z

Laris:

== Session 80, February 2 2022 ==
[[File:Jardinasdragon.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 7AM on the 3rd of Denrilden (00.000.09.28 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party leaving Xen'Khel and flying east on the back of a black dragon (Jardin, former High Inquisitor of the Dragon Empire). The group's plan is to check out the settlement on Serpent's Island and then rendezvous with Imperial ships anchored at Watcher's Island. The intention is to then sail these ships towards the mainland and then figure out some way to infiltrate the Inquisitorial Citadel's library near the port city of Gharmarost ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Velkin and Jardin passed over a lizardfolk village, saw a burnt native islander village that Jardin said was destroyed by gnolls, another human village worshipping DVLs preparing to burn a woman at the stake. Finally they spot a lake fed by a waterfall that looks like a dragon. Behind the waterfall is an old Imperial outpost that Jardin planned to check out once Midmark was under control. There is also a hut. They try to land behind the waterfall and there are two large things, Jardin flies away and a giant flying snake with feathered wings seemed to sense them and flew but stopped the other side of the falls, then went back.

They landed near the cemetery and noticed a large ring of bones of various small animals that appeared that they may have dropped dead in place and rotted. Along the path various totems like dream catchers. Velkin hands off the scroll case with the portal, just in case.

Velkin sneaks ahead and sees the garden with a white picket fence warded with the dream catcher like totems. Sticks bound with small animal guts for string. He hears a female singing a song about cooking a stew.

Lungmold leaves three of his Winter Elves and Ajax the raven to watch our spot, just in case.

The others head to Malgrim. We get an honor guard. We drop off our gear at the embassy. The graffiti has been mostly cleaned up. We are greeted by a mycelian, Dampfoot, who is keeping out anyone who doesn't say password, who Lungmold doesn't give the OK to.

Dampfoot mentions a murder. He said to ask Bili. We find Bili getting a dozen deepgnomes and a couple mycelians ready to harvest nanocarbon.

We learn from Bili that the alchemist Griselle is dead. She was strung up and disemboweled with a sign lavelled "Traitor."

Khelratha wants to know who did it. Bili mentions he Sizek Jagartha. Khelratha wants to put down his loot, etc. and go get the Sizek Jagartha's head. Khelratha puts his stuff in the secret room to the right behind the ambassador's desk in the ambassador's office. It once held the automatons.

Khelratha walks through the conference room and doesn't stop, walking for the exit. Khelratha gives epithets and stomps back in saying, "Let's go." because he doesn't know the way.

Lungmold addresses the assembled in the embassy through Druul.

Druul presents the essence of what Lungmold said. And Lungmold re-iterates it to Bili. You get paid for the nanocarbon, go get it and stay safe. Lungmold asks if Bili is going. Bili says he thinks he should. Bili already paid an advance and per day. Has some acid that they will test out. Hoping some mycelians can help out. There are actual ore carts with ore in them. Bili plans to start with the rails. Caverns may be full of Winter King soldiers. Other than force occupying city proper, I don't think there are many Winter Elves here.

Bili says they are almost ready to head out. Trying to get all gear together.

We go with the Winter Elf honor guard down below.

Things are quiet but still a bit of commerce. The gnome bard is quiet and glaring at us. Khelratha asks the bard if he knows the Ballad of Xenilum Khel.

The Bard doesn't speak dwarven and Khelratha doesn't speak gnome.

Lungmold translates, and the bard doesn't know the ballad. Khelratha appears more dejected, if that's possible.

We talk to the other two alchemists and they are tapped out on healing potions due to the troubles, and don't want to take up Lungmold on his offer of a writ.

Down at the docks things seem normal.

We learn that the Winter Elves came and took Maggot, who was in charge down below. Davis is keeping things together in Maggot's absence, and really wants Maggot back to take charge.

The dam is still there so Lungmold's village is still flooded. The dam has lead to bountiful fish, avoiding starvation in the city.

Lungmold makes a deal to have fish supplied, since it is due to the dam flooding his village, that he will allow to stay in place. Lungmold suggests a lift to more easily transport fish topside.

Davis dashes off to a boat and brings back a basket of kittens sired by Lucifer, the mother ran off.

Druul carries the basket back to the embassy.

On the way we hear the gnome bard playing a seditious song.

Druul moves ahead to listen in.

Pretty good song. Talking about freedom, revolution, throwing off the yoke of the oppressor. There is a lot of stress on good old gnomish values, being true to clan, great crystal, Jagartha, and Malgrim itself which is suffering now.

Not too long before someone notices you, and whispers soon travel to those near the bard, who tug his sleeves, and he does an instrumental then sits down.

Druul gets out his lute, finds a table, jumps up, and starts to play. A song about a golden age of the future. Druul will allow the side effects to happen and concentrate on golden flowers, in Deep Gnome, and occasionally into Drow. Past history Drow and future in Deep Gnome. Flowers spring up around the table.

Gasps and wardings off of the evil eye at the flowers.

Within the song is the bigger picture of bigger wars, changing times, and there will be golden renaissance. Other bard pays attention, sips his drink. Picks up his lute looking for a chance to respond.

It is very close, and Druul wins. The crows appreciates that Druul's song is better. Druul gets a few coins.

Why not go back topside, you aren't wanted here. Druul plays a song to charm him. And says why don't you trek to the lower side and take a swim.

The gnome walks over to railing, hikes their leg over and disappears.

There are screams.

Druul asks the bard his name - Tristan.

Tristan says "Good Song, but it's a load of bunk."

Was that stuff true? We had one of those things hanging out down here, that Yellow Hatted guy? Usually very evil, and willing to sacrifice, not ones you want inside your home. He looks pointedly at the W.E.

Where do you reside, so I could find you to meet with you. Grabs a hanger on. If this guy comes asking for me, you come find me. Come back here, I'll hear about it. You kind of stand out.

Forcas goes and buys some fingers.

Druul picks out one gnome that really gravitated towards him. I need to ask a favor. See if you can watch that bard and report back to us at the embassy. Find a young gnome named Bili at the embassy. Her name is Anat. She will do it.

As approach the stairs, there is another gnome lady who is vaguely familiar, and almost gets in our way, and at the last second, steps out of the way. Keep an eye on your back boys, people want to put a knife in it. You think it's Primilla Nonchuk, Bili's other aunt. Lungmold checks his stuff and seems to all be there.

We arrive at embassy to drop off the kittens, and the graffiti has been renewed.

Whoever renewed the graffiti gouged out all the mushroom spoors. Anyway you can have guards posted here. There is a building nearby you can use. We'll have to clear it with our captain.

Lungmold talks to Lucifer, "I have some news for you. You are a daddy, and presents the basket of kittens." His head spins around and darts off into the embassy.

As about to walk-in, Dampfoot asks for password. As far as I know, no murderings while you were gone. I suggested to the one named Bili that it would be better to guard down below.

Go ask for Azra.

===Velkin Scrolls 47 - Session 80===

7am, Denrilden 3

00.00000.09.28 Apocalypse Clock

I climb onto Jardin’s back after watching him transform from his human form to his true form. That of a very large black dragon.

The former High Inquisitor of the Dragon Empire and I fly off into the sunrise headed toward Serpent’s Tooth with the portal safely tucked away in a scrollcase, folded to where there’s an opening for Lungmold’s telepathic senses to be able to reach us.

We pass over a number of sights and discuss many things throughout the day. Some highlights:

-Azreal doesn’t have much love for the Winter King, Nor likely the Summer Lord either.

-There is still a dragon, Dagon, under the ocean who doesn’t come around much at all anymore. An old guard. Myriantaxus and Prixathalma, they’re hoping one of them can be raised soon.

-Jardin was the Chief Agent of the Dragon Empire in Curabel for a long time. He was instrumental incurtailing a full scale invasion here by Azreal. He’s less of a hardass conqueror compared to Azreal. He also may stay if Azreal decides to return to their plane.

-Sardukour was an admiral of the Dragon Empire. Builder of airships. He’s most likely died when his airship was destroyed just before Xeno Tel fell during the recent destruction.

-We’re hoping that with the research we find, we may be able to control the Winter King and Summer Lord’s access to Meidia among other middle dimension.

-Jardin does not predate the founding of the Mainland Dragon Empire.

-Black dragons spit acid. Paralleling their ‘biting commentary’.

-Jardin is more laid back compared to Azreal on mission parameters. He’s not opposed to exploring things in addition to the current mission’s goals.

-Dragons took advantage of DVL bindings, borrowing the ancient dwarven technology. They don’t have much dealings with Daemons. Also don’t have much interest in Underdark dealings in general.

-Underdark locus is centered around Curmidden, possibly due to the dwarven Necropolis there bringing stability to that area. No known focus of civilizations are on the Mainland.

-Jardin and the Starchy Boys had a tumultuous relationship.

-The dervishes might not come back from their scouting mission through the portal at Jaeger’s tower. A lot of times, such portals are one way.

-Jardin enjoys more mundane technology, steam power. His parents died a few lifespans ago.

We pass the Vargwater and are over the jungles N of Balenwood headed through Michelwood.

-Lizardmen ‘Might?’ be native to Meidia, but unknown. There were some in the prison cells of Xhen Khel. We pass by a lizardman village. Jardin discusses how Vargwater marshes lizardmen have held back some of the creatures attacking from the Micklewood. They have a barbarous reputation, but they’re quite civilized. Great Brewers of beer and tea. They’re completely uninterested in bribery or coercion. Non entity for politics. They do seem to be decidedly not destroyed by DVL’s.

-There’s a burned out village, uninhabited for a long while, gnolls destroyed it before the DVL’s came.

We pass over a fortified village with fires, lax humans on watch. There’s a totem in the center with a woman tied up about to be burned. The villagers look to be refugees from a nearby city. The totem looks similar to One Horn, except with 2 horns. We fly on by.

Around dark, we pass over a tranquil lake with a split waterfall with a formation that looks like a snake/lizard/dragon with stalagmites/tites giving the impression of teeth. Jardin says it’s an old Imperial outpost. We attempt to go behind the waterfall and disturb a couple feathered serpents and beat wings out and down toward a tidy hut on the shore of the lake to the south. Landing on a path near a cemetery with wards along it’s length every 10’ or so leading back toward the hut.

Around the cemetery, there are bones of small mammals that are in various states of decay, look to be killed on trying to enter the cemetery. Some sort of ward around the place.

I make my way toward the hut down the path, well tended wards, new ones replacing old ones rotting away. They’re dreamcatcher looking made of sticks, gut and string. Not creepy. A pleasant garden with flowers and vegetables. The sound of a woman singing while making a stew. A white picket fence surrounds the hut, along with many of the wards.

Malgrim:
The rest of the party heads to Malgrim to the Embassy to drop off our excess stuff from the Dragon Emperor’s hideout. Deposited in the left secret room where the chest was in the embassy.

They find there’s trouble in Malgrim, a vociferous and violent part of the population there is fomenting unrest and rebellion there!

Grissell, the gnome alchemist woman was brutally murdered after trying to go get the ingredients she needed using Lungmold’s writ.

Lungmold and crew head down to find Maggot and run into a Bard playing in the Undermarket plaza, singing anti-occupation songs. No one wants to sell Lungmold anything, or says they’re out of stock because of the recent troubles. They head down.

The docks and areas below the Undermarket are in better shape. Not as effected by the occupation of the Winter King’s forces. Since the Aboleth’s are gone, and the river’s pooled up, the fishing is great. Maggot was taken by the winter elves and Dave is running the place. He gives the party 6 kittens that are Lucifer’s according to him…

The party heads back up, Druul challenges Tristan, the Anti-Occupation bard to a Bard-off and wins. Then a heckler jumps over a rail… not making many friends. Druul chats up Tristan and makes a reluctant contact. He has Anat, a gnome woman follow and report where he lives to Bili at the Embassy. Eyes start to watch her.

On the way back up, a gnomish woman they recognize as Primilla after she passes whispers, “Keep an eye on your back boys, there’s a lot of folk looking to put a knife in it.”

In the upper city, fewer dirty looks are noticed.

There’s a ‘Traitor’ sign at the embassy that’s been repainted and lungmold’s spores he planted are dug out.

They enter the embassy and introduce the kittens to Lucifer…. Who’s having none of it….

Session Seventy-Nine Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2022-01-28T05:50:16Z

Laris:

== Session 79, January 26 2022 ==
[[File:Bluedragon01.png|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 10:10AM on the 1st of Denrilden (00.000.09.30 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party having arrived back at Xen'Khel after the dragons decide to ignore the group's request to visit Montoa for healing; we will also be resolving the actions of Lungmold and the others who took the opportunity during the flight to visit the embassy in Malgrim. Based on their deal with the Dragon Emperor, the party should be leaving quickly for a raid on the Inquisitorial Library in hopes of finding more information on medial dimensions where time flows differently ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

While Velkin flies back on the dragon to Xen Khel Lungmold and company go to Malgrim & the embassy.
Ithirialma and Jax have a plan and need nanocarbon to build a shield to keep DVLs away.
Lungmold gathers plans for DVL repulsor.
Lungmold gets back about the time we get back to Xen Khel.
We brief Azrael and Jardin on Hdrasta.
We rest up for two days to heal up.
Khelratha asks Jardin if the dragons know of any other dwarves and grows even more morose after Jardin mentions infected from Xen Khel went to Xenilum Khel and they know of no survivors. Khelratha walks away muttering, "I am Khelratha."
Khelratha carves Brendil's name among the other names carved into his body.
We discuss the plans to get to Gharmarost & elect to fly to Serpent's Tooth which has ruins and a settlement for scavengers/adventurers that is also frequented by pirates as a stopover on the way to Watcher's Island, the Easternmost island in the Curabel Archipelago. Azrael mentions it was once called Curabel.
There are supposed to be 3 ships of the Dragon Empire there waiting.
It should take 18 days for a dragon to fly to Gharmarost, but about a week by ship.
We plan to get near the coast then fly to scout and work out way to the Inquisitorial Citadel to retrieve the needed information.
Ranarth has a private meeting with Lungmold and seems nervous. Gharmarost is where he is from and is the city granted him by the Winter King.
Khelratha spend a lot of time alone in his cell muttering in dwarven, and "Khelratha" is heard over and over.
Velkin asks Azrael about his loss of vigor and Azrael will research it while we are gone.
Velkin takes a draft of the healing waters from the lake that Felix carries and it restores his vigor.
Druul tells Terathiel about Brendil. She wants to know who to kill. She helps Brendil craft the story of Brendil that Druul will use to compose a song.
Druul uses the scepter to heal Borthan.
We rest another day.
We gather our items from the vault and load into the portal to take back to Malgrim.
Velkin asks to see Jardin transform before he goes invisible and leaves the portal open for us to watch.
Khelratha seethes and flexes his grip on his frostbrand while muttering, "I am Khelratha."
Velkin then folds the portal and leaves it open a bit so Lungmold can use telepathy, then puts the portal in the scrollcase.
Azrael turns Velkin invisible, and Jardin makes himself invisible, then takes to the sky towards Serpent's Tooth.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 46 - Session 79

10:10am, Denrilden 1

00.00000.09.30 Apocalypse Clock

Lungmold went back to Malgrim, he was none too happy the dragons didn’t listen to our plan of going to Montoa for healing. Meh, they’re our ride and hopefully all this running around will eventually get some good things going for Meidia. Azmodeous is down one animated set of dragonbones. That’s gotta be a good thing right?

At the embassy, Lucifer is hanging out watching with Bili outside and the cat saunters back in when they arrive.

Lungmold finds Jax and Itherialma up in another excavated pylon hole. Jax 1’s pretty keen on her, Jax 2’s not so much… the Pylons, they’ve figured out, create a barrier, one that could be extended and enlarged, maybe indefinitely. They think they’ve everything they need knowledge wise: the runes/symbols of draconic/demonic script. Access to dragonblood. Access to dragonfire. All they need now are at least 5, 6’x1’ pylons of nanocarbon to take their next step in their experimentation. After that, it’s possible, a smaller, portable version might be created with finer tools, but they feel there’s a minimum mass that would be necessary to trap or repel the DVL’s.

Itherilama helps Bili make a copy of the resesarch, plans and runes and he takes it with him.

Lungmold and Ferthold make some arrangements and produce writs for Bili’s aunt to go harvesting for the alchemical ingredients she needs for brewing our list of recipes. Focusing on healing and souped up healing potions. He also gives him some pointers on who they might try to get them to help quell the rebellious nature of the gnomes. He also creates a writ giving bili permission to form a work crew with guards and equipment to gather nanocarbon rails or enough nanocarbon to make the pylons needed.

Passes a large sum of money to Bili to get the nanocarbon that Jax and Itherialma need for their task. He tells him a strong acid, like we saw from the black pudding, may be helpful in gathering the nanocarbon.

All that happens while Brast and I navigate back to the waterfall entrance to the Dragon Safehouse at Xen Khel. I’ve had another few hours of chatting with a dragon. Amiable fellow, he didn’t threaten to drop me once. And I learned a bit more of dragon lore, such that he knows at his ‘young’ age. Never did get a firm answer on that…

We enter and find Jardin and Azreal in the common room discussing things and we tell him of the events just after opening the portal for the party to engage the situation at Hdrasta. The loss of Brendil and pretty much the details of what went on.

Phil backs us up, and brings up the difference of opinion on traveling to Montoa. Azreal points out, rightly, that it’s a known place that we’ve frequented and is most likely monitored. So maybe we dodged a bullet there. Still. We discuss we all should know what their intentions and followup plans are so that there aren’t misunderstandings in the next trip we take together.

We take some time to heal, and get refreshed then we make our way back to the common room to discuss the journey to Gharamost. The Inquisitorial Library is our target there. To infiltrate and retrieve Jardin’s research on medial dimensions. Hoping to find a way to cut off, or control those dimensions to stop Azmodeous’ plans.

Azreal produces a general map of he world. We debate, rather quickly for us, and decide on heading to Serpent Tooth as a halfway point before going to a group of 3 Imperial ships on the eastern side of Watcher’s Isle that Azreal and Jardin think should be there. Last contact was a couple months ago.
From there by ship to Gharamost is 18 days with fair winds and full sails.

We intend on gathering information on the Pirate Armada, Gharamost, and DVL’s while at the settlement at Serpent’s Tooth. Maybe hire more ships to head to Gharamost.

On Gharamost:
It was built over the ruins of an Elven city that was destroyed and settled by the Dwarven invaders, that were vanquished by the Dragon Emperor. It’s a many layered city with deep roots. Peronel had talked about dwarven airships raiding her people, taking slaves.

The location of the Imperial Shipyards. Mainly seagoing, but they have also an airship yard there. One was made, and destroyed, another was partially finished.

We discuss the vision of galleons covered with bones being built by slaves, overseen by DVL’s.

Steam Powered cable cars connect areas of the city and the Inquisitorial Library layout and entrance. There’s a steam elevator that goes down into the vaults with the information we’re looking for and other treasures. The city and it’s surrounds, we have no current news on, so it could be covered with DVL’s, might have a number of more powerful DVL’s there as it’s a population center.

We will keep open communication by using the spider portals. Once weekly, Azreal will open the portal in his hideout for communication.

We retire for the evening to rest and recuperate. We’ll take a day for rest and restocking, Kauri agrees to show me how to do brewing of potions and such. I’ll be concocting the rest of my sleep poison ingredients. I’m looking forward to doing some non violent brewing for a little breather.

Khelratha asks about any dwarves known to the dragons, and they don’t know of any. He gets morose and goes to talk to Ronin…. Strange chap that.

Druul and Trathiel hole up in a room for a few minutes, it seems they’re remembering Brendil.

Raynart holes up with Lungmold, he’s looking pretty nervous. Not sure about that…

I ask Azreal about restoring my lost stamina/life force that was stolen at the animation ritual we interrupted in Hdrasta. At this time, he’s unable to do anything. But he’ll think about whether it’s possible without transpatial energy.

At the end of the day, Felix offers me one of the healing water pots from Montoa. It restores my health. I’m very happy!

Denrilden 3, AM. Jardin comes to gather up our party for the start of travel toward Gharamost. We get all our things from the vaults below to be transported to Malgrim while he and I fly to Serpent’s Tooth today. I give Forcas some instructions, I haven’t been to Malgrim in a bit.

I ask to watch Jardin’s transformation before being turned invisible, and he humors me, I’m impressed. He’s a black dragon and impressive, very impressive. I’m a little awed at what we’re doing here. Fighting DVL’s, Riding Dragons, interrupting necromantic rituals. I think I read a book like this once.

Azreal sees us off and Alisceon heads into the portal for the trip as well.

I climb aboard Jardin and look forward to another day of conversation with a dragon. This one, ancient. No telling what stories and bits of information I might learn… How cool is that, flying on a Dragon!!!

Session Seventy-Eight Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2022-01-27T01:44:03Z

Laris:

== Session 78, January 19 2022 ==
[[File:DragonBoneThrone.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 1:30AM on the 1st of Denrilden (00.000.09.30 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party ransacking One Horn's throne room after banishing him and several of his DVL compatriots via the heroic sacrifice of Sir Brendil of the Cloak. For the moment, the other monstrous denizens of Hdrasta have retreated with broken morale after seeing their leader and his plans defeated ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Khelratha offers to carry the Matriarch blade and gauntlet and the others agree.

We find the shrine and Khelratha picks up the five statues, one missing a head, Khelratha uses 4 gold coins to help balance the head. Lungmold finds a large gem under the altar. Khelratha and others help level the altar and Khelratha makes an offering of 100 platinum coins. Lambertus drinks his cure serious wounds and then uses blood magic to bless the shrine, and it glows and the platinum offering disappears.

Druul plays and grows flowers on the mural of the Matriarchs to replace the defaced flowers of Feldma.

Druug asks to be let out of the web portal and agrees to be our ally and establish his claim as the new orc chief.

Lungmold uses the divination arrow and it points between going to the statue and leaving Hdrasta, so we head up to the stairs and hear Druug explaining his "plan" to hire mercenaries to deal with One Horn.

We go to the statue and have to fight a room full of hobgoblins. We put the candle in the candle holder and get a bunch of questions: who, what, when, where, why. and Velkin tries to answer but nothing changes.

Ajax flies us out of the entrance and we land where the dragon landed to bring us in and we argue to go to Montoa for the healing waters of the lake, and they fly and head towards Xen Khel as they are ready to go to the library on the mainland.

Lungmold goes to Malgrim to visit the embassy and take care of business.

[Will let us know that he is bowing out to look for a 5e game, but might be back. He ran Bortham tonight instead of rolling up a new character.]

[John had the following quick interaction to work on Brendil's fate.]

(If you (Brendil) find yourself falling through the sky surrounded by DVLs what would you do? The blade and gauntlet are missing. One Horn is confused, Fenris is less confused, and below is a huge city with Onion Domes.

Smack One Horn in face with mace of disruption. Fenris blinks out. Maniacal laughter. Some fraction of a second later Brendil is also gone.)

===Velkin's Scrolls===
Velkin’s Scrolls 45 – Session 78

1:30AM, 1st of Denrilden

One Horn’s Throne Room

Having found a concealed compartment in the seat of the throne here full of treasure and another of the impossibly thin dagger and protective bracers we empty the contents among our friends in the portal.

I walk through a door behind the throne and something affects me… I’m not dead, but that wasn’t on my list of intelligent things I’ve done without looking for a trap…

Behind the Throne, there’s a desecrated shrine where One Horn had his lair. We take some time to reconsecrate and tidy up the area, resetting the alter best we can and Lambertus blesses the area with Khelratha offering 100pp that disappears from the alter when bless is cast.

There was a hulled walnut sized red gemstone just underneath the alter. It doesn’t fit the bracer, we put it in the pile of treasure.

I climb up and look around the ledge above, but find nothing.

Druul plays his flowermaking music and refreshes Oswitha’s spot on the mural behind the throne.

Droog, our orc ...friend? Makes his case for us to set him free to guide the orcs away from this area and go back to setting up their relatively peaceful existence before One Horn and friends came along. We let him go and he scoots off post haste. He’ll be our ally in the future.

We do as well, Kauri turns me invisible again. Burning more blood, that’s painful.

Lungmold scans some individuals near the Vault entrance that are unhappy, regretting some choices recently made.

Time to GO!

As we make our way back up the Western, less populated stairway up, we hear Droog talking to the group of guards there. Making his case of his superior awesomeness because he hired the ‘mercenaries’ to get rid of One Horn. The ogre mages and hillgiants are about to get frisky, even more reason to get the hell outta here.

We take a couple moments in the room with the broken statue of Feldma. After we dispatch a gropu of Hobgoblins. We place Kauri’s candle in there and swirls of Ancient Common runes appear on the walls. Who What When Where How in no particular pattern or order. In the few minutes we are there, we don’t figure out what it’s for.

After thinking about it a bit, I wonder if it’s some sort of scrying or divination device.

There is great crash and while I’m scouting the way out, the elevator isn’t above. It’s smashed on the dragonbone pile...which looks like it is damaged as it looks like it’s receding down into the pit. That’s not good I don’t think.

We make our way upwards and out the way we came with Ajax hauling the portal and we get out under cover of darkness. We stop at the same spot where we came in, Brast and I get out and prepare for the journey ahead.

We debate on next stop before going back to the dragon emperor’s hiding place. The dragons are set to go back, while we are in favor of heading West to the Montoan lake to heal. After a brief spirited debate, the dragons appear to acquiesce to our guidance.

I give up more blood to make Brast invisible through Kauri’s blood magic and we set off same as we did on our way…. East…

Brast says that they were ordered by Azreal to come straight back when this mission was complete, no detours. I assume Azreal’s reasoning is to keep the remaining dragons of Meidia alive and unexposed to risk. Since they’re our ride, we don’t have a lot of choice. I chat with Brast on the way back and make sure that he knows I (we?) understand his stance. I plan to talk to Azreal about that. I’d like to be more transparent in our communication on mission parameters. Lungmold isn’t very happy about it though and heads to Malgrim with Raynarth, Tyrial, Borthan and Forcas. That animosity could have been avoided, but no real harm done I don’t think. It just drives home that parallel objectives isn’t necessarily the same as being on the same team. I certainly hope that our Winter King fealty swearers are more ‘team’ than ‘parallel’. The jury doesn’t have enough information to make a decision there yet. Best keep Meidia’s interests foremost in my sights.

Entering Malgrim, the Winter elves there send an honor guard with Lungmold and friends to the Embassy. He learns there is a number of rebellious events happening in his city. There is graffiti on the embassy walls in gnome “Traitors”. Some of the gnomes on the way give the procession dirty looks.

Bili and Lucifer are sitting outside the embassy as the party arrives, Lucifer wanders back in. Sybil, his Embassy Aunt, thinks Primilla, his Undermarket Aunt, is involved with the resistance. Jax and Itherialma are in a hole dug by one of the automata researching the embassy’s secrets of DVL capturing and such things.

Lungmold debates whether to discourage Primalla’s resistance activities

Overall I’d call this a ‘win’. We stopped a major force aligned with Asmodeus and thwarted a ritual to bring a nasty tool to the DVL’s side.

ASIDE:
Brendil finds himself falling through a sky full of reddish orange cloudscape surrounded by DVL’s. Below is a giant city covered with domed buildings of varying heights. The matriach weapon and bracer are gone. One Horn looks confused, Fenris is less confused and the others he doesn’t have time to take in. In his last act of desperation, he swings his mace at One Horn and misses. He hears maniacal laughter and there’s a flash….

Session Seventy-Seven Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2022-01-21T14:49:02Z

Laris:

== Session 77, January 12 2022 ==
[[File:Dracolich.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 12:40AM on the 1st of Denrilden (00.000.09.30 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party inside the web portal while Velkin sneaks closer and closer to the demonic ceremony to animate a dragon skeleton. Noting that One Horn's gemstone necklace has been transferred to the so-far inanimate bones on the floor, Velkin prepares to shadow step into the middle of the ritual circle and steal the jewelry ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

In preparation for action, Druul imagines reaching into a pocket for something that will help with the DVLs and rolls a 1 and pulls out a piece of parchment. It is actually dried skin. It is not the usual type. The writing is in blood.

Brendil reads it - "Dispel Evil." (OSE Rules) This is the same spell that Lambertus put to use so well, and hands it to Lambertus. Lambertus puts it in his quick items.

Felix preps his god stone as a quick item.

15 prisoners looked pained/tired, and bone DVLs looked bored/antsy.

One of the hobgoblins gasps. Velkin is now visible and rolled a 4 vs. death and would lose one point of CON 16 to 15 and loses 1 HP per level. He used his re-roll and rolled a 3 so elected to keep the loss. He

Velkin rolls initiative and fails, One Horn does not stop chanting and some of the ice DVLs begin prodding some of the non-DVLs to come at us. Druul used his party re-roll and rolled a 5 so that we win initiative.

Velkin throws his +1 dagger at One Horn in an attempt to disrupt his casting and it is a perfect throw but bounces off.

Velkin prepares to shadow step and now has to save vs. magic and makes it. Velkin successfully shadow steps and there is confusion as all but One Horn look around.

Velkin throws a flask of oil to attempt to break the plain of the circle right in front of One Horn. It falls short and misses by 3 feet. It hit One Horn and a bone DVL. Velkin shadow steps again.

Velkin steps around the corner and opens the portal a bit to relay to Lungmold about a bunch of bone devils and One Horn is performing the ritual.

Khelratha says that he's ready to fight, as does Brendil, Druul & Ceres,

PCs, Borthan, 1 dragon, and 1 PC are invisible. All the invisible people step out.

Velkin gets in the portal and Kauri folds it up and carries it. It is partially folded so people can communicate.

Velkin hands over the gemstone and sets it into the bracer/gauntlet that goes with the special sword.

The ice devils have taken charge and One Horn is still chanting. They are grouping up to hunt mysterious intruder. Hobgoblins in front of us are being ordered to go search the kobold caves.

Will plans to shadow step to the pillar to get behind One Horn to shadow step again and stab One Horn.

Khelratha waiting for a gap to charge forward. Lungmold & Borthan stay in the hallway, the rest of the party steps around the corner.

Lungmold shadow steps and plans a spore attack on One Horn with pacifying spores, who rolls a 2 and doesn't even cough. Now Lungmold is visible.

Brendil uses his re-roll for simultaneous initiative or we would have lost.

Ice Devils invoke the power of the City of Brass to freeze the bones of their enemies.

We are all wounded by ice storm and Lungmold go down.

We use the party re-roll and it hits One Horn and Brendil rolled a -1 on his save and is gone as is the Ice Devil Fenris, and another Ice Devil, a hill giant, 3 bone devils who were invisible, and an ogre, and the dragon skull and some of the neck bones. Sadly, the shard sword and gauntlet go too. {12:58 AM and at 1:00 AM the dracolich would have animated.}

Khelratha runs forward and grabs the cure serious wounds from Lungmold's quick items and Lungmold gets up and joins us in fleeing.

The last remanining ice devil disappears and Kauri no longer sees the transpatial energy of the bone devils and everyone else starts running.

The prisoners have expired two minutes earlier.

The others flee and there is trampling of Hobgoblins.

We find One Horn's throne & let the orcs & hobgoblins flee and three invisible (bone devils) flee with them.

4 of the matriarchs, Brita, Cerida, & Feldma - defaced. Oswitha flowers defaced & hands obliterated on N. wall.

Above us mountain peak circled by dragons.

Kauri moves the cushion. The seat is not bone, it might be a lid - holes to place fingers to lift it up.

Druul uses his lance to lift the lid and there is a flash of light. The explosion of fire has a 5 foot radius, and would have done 30 HP so his lance is gone.

A large number of gems and coins survived. Also see a stone blade that looks impossibly thin. Also tossed in is a gauntlet with no stones (the source of One Horn's stone).

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 44 – Session 77

Denrilden 1, 12:40am

...Hanging on a pillar of nanocarbon netted dragon bones overlooking a DVL chanting a ritual to raise a set of dragonbones to further Asmodeus’ plans here on Mediea. Time to see about causing trouble…

I shadowstep to the gem and become visible. (Oh shit!) And am immediately affected by the magics of the ritual as it drains me of stamina. (Double shit!) I grab the shiny rock. I throw one of the best aimed shots with a dagger in my life hitting One Horn perfectly...AND bouncing off. (Triple shit!) I step away, back up on the pillar. Luckily, they don’t see where I went. Unluckily, the ritual continues unaffected. I toss an oil flask to see if it’ll scramble the runes and mess things up. No luck, again. (I’m outta shits… good grief!) It does hit One Horn squarely, splashing one of his neighbors as well but doing nothing to interrupt the gathering of magics to do the thing with the Dragon Bones. I step away down the western hall as far as I can go, then round the corner and open the web portal. We decide to attack and continue to try to finish our job here…

I duck into the portal, handing off the gem to Brendil for his bracer while Kauri folds it up outside and our invisible strike team disrupts the ritual and routes the horde of humanoids and DVL’s. The major factor in that was Brendil’s hit on One Horn. Disrupting the ritual and sucking him and may others nearby to another plane, Brendil included…

We find a cache under the throne with another banishing blade and bracer with no gems. Plenty of gold, platinum and gems to go ‘round though!

It’s likely only a matter of time before the horde recovers and comes to see what’s happening...

Session Seventy-Six Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2022-01-21T14:46:45Z

Laris:

== Session 76, January 5 2022 ==
[[File:Riding-a-Dragon.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 4:30PM on the 30th of Laurilden (00.000.10.01 on the Apocalypse Clock) making their final plans and preparations to leave Xen'Khel for Hdrasta. The group's current intent is to fly westward to Hdrasta on an invisible dragon while safely ensconced within the web portal; Ajax, also invisible, will then fly the portal into the pit of Hdrasta and find a quiet place where the party can disembark. Stealth is the goal, so no doubt something loud and violent will ensue ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

We divvy up the healing potions.

We discuss unloading items over encumbering us.

However, it takes a couple hours to get there and back. Azrael has a very concerned look on his face about further delay.

We follow Allician down to the vaults to leave our extra stuff.

Khelratha leave "Ronan" to keep an eye on things. He hangs Rallion's Starchy Badge on "Ronan."

Brastimachus - Has volunteered to carry us. Velkin will ride his back, carrying the portal. Brastimachus will land a bit off from Hdrasta. Brastimachus will get in the portal. Ajax will then fly the portal in. Velkin is already invisible and may stay out of the portal when Ajax carries it.

Azrael and other elder dragons cast invisibility on the PCs and Lambertus and Borhan.

All but Velkin get in the pouch. Brastimachus changes form and has Velkin climb aboard. Velkin feels the scales of Brastimachus' scales are Winter King cold.

Brastimachus takes flight and sees the bridge automatons in the distance.

Flies into the West with clear weather, into the sunset.

A voice says, "Six hours."

Velkin has a conversation with Brastimachus and asks how many types of dragons are there? About a dozen. Brastimachus is cold and blue - lightning.

Conversation inside the portal.

Khelratha "I hope Ronan's OK. He's sure mad at me, he was looking forward to a good fight."

Lungmold asks how best to incorporate them into the fight? They are trained in group fighting in human form. As dragon form, they are better on their own, but only in extreme need. They take up the middle of the marching order

No sign of large birds (roc).

6 hours later. c. 11:30 PM. Brastimachus says that he will find a place to land and Hdrasta is to the North.

Brastimachus & Velkin get in the portal, Ajax steps out.

Ajax folds up the portal and we wait....

About ten minutes later the portal peals back. We are in the barracks.

Ajax says the "bad ones" on the surface were looking down the pit when he flew in, so did not see him, nor did the ones on the balcony.

Velkin works his way down the stairs.

Barking animal asking for more food.

Velkin walks to the central shaft balcony on level two and looks down to bone pit and sees some creatures walking on the edge of the bone pit. Velkin sees 11 ogres gathered around. Seem to be looking at the bones or maybe listening. Velkin hears a muffled chanting or something from somewhere below.

The next level down Velking hears voices he doesn't understand, the portal is open a bit and we hear in orcish. They are missing out on the ceremony, end of raids if it works.

Velking keeps going down the stairs.

It gets louder as Velkin goes down the stairs from chanting and being clouded.

It's also warm.

Velkin shadow steps into a less crowded area. He sees one horn and then shadow steps to the pillar and sees the bones of the "dragon" that has the stone from One-Horn's necklace is laid across the bones of the "dragon."

The plan is for Velkin to shadow step and grab the necklace, shadow step back to the pillar, then shadow step out the corridor as far as possible. (We will pick this up next time.)

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 43 – Session 76

Laurilden 30, 4:30pm

We divide up the healing potions amongst us and Azreal, the mighty ancient dragon, ruler of the Dragon Empire and Extraplanar Power, is giving all of us hugs and pats on the back as we leave. Those of us who accept them that is.

We make our way to the waterfall exit where Brastimachus and I fly invisibly to Hdrasta carrying the web portal with the rest of the forces resting inside. Brast is a very very cold individual when in his dragon form. I can’t see what he looks like, but it’s not an overly pleasant experience except for the conversation.

It’s expected to take about 6 hours and Brast and I fly off into the sunset. In another time and circumstance, it might be comforting and peaceful…

Brast and I chat along the way, I learn about the dragons accompanying us and some of the Ways of Dragons and I talk to him about what we’ve learned of the Winter King and the elven people’s history. We aren’t accosted by Termarir or encounter anything eventful.

We land about 10m out from Hdrasta, as the Crow flies. Brast and I exchange places with Ajax and he flies in to the area behind the western ballista. I exit and proceed to do what I do best. Be sneaky.

Avoiding contact and a pack of some canid I make my way down to where we expect One Horn to be. As I get closer, I close the portal to not set off DVL alarms as I shadowstep to our goal. It takes some time and once on the lower level where there’s chanting, I sneak around via Shadowstepping to find our goal and there he is. One Horn. Chanting over the laid out dragonbones with the native islanders chained to the walls surrounded by a horde of humanoids, giants and DVL’s. I feel like this is going to suck… But hey, I might get lucky!

I set myself up clinging from the dragon bone pillar wrapped in a nanocarbon webbing of some kind. That might be interesting sometime... I’ve got a great view of the ritual and am lined up to see about interrupting things.

Here goes nothing!

Session Seventy-Five Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2022-01-21T14:45:14Z

Laris:

== Session 75, December 29 2021 ==
[[File:Astral-plane.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 10:00AM on the 30th of Laurilden (00.000.10.01 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party in the midst of using Borthan's Astral Projection Tea to scout Hdrasta ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

**Kauri: 
1. **Throne Room** [Session 74] 
2. **Vault** [Session 74] Only ornamentation is the depressions where the stones can go. (Stones match gauntlet and the one One Horn has.) 
3. Kobold Area (Western Side of shaft) 

**Philomanthraxus: 
1. Dragon Bone Area - Very large chamber lit with torches all around. It is huge. SW area of chamber. Center of room is a pillar of bones. The bones are clearly dragon bones and are contained in pillar shape by a huge net of wire mesh. c. 30' across. Pillar 30' diameter, c. 50' high. A lot of doors out of here. Dbl doors to N, Dbl doors to S. A few single doors. S of pillar to E. North of pillar to W. Open Double door to W. with fortifications. Large open area off central open shaft. Mostly cleared out. In the center there is a dragon with a single set of bones. Laid out in correct positions, if it was a living dragon. There is currently an ogre directing a hill giant to place the final bone in the tail and shift it. Couple more hill giants w/o anything to do. 

2. Central Area 1 level up from Bones - Flies up through pillar.
Floor of a very tall chamber. Just a bit of sky way far above. The center of this floor is littered with bones, actually, the top of the pillar. A walkway around the edge. "Pool of bone" in the center with walkway around. Balconies with ballistas. Way high above is the underside of the elevator. Not just bones. Random garbage that is much fresher. A group of hobgoblins and orcs goes rushing through.
Short passages about 20' long to N, S, E, W then a door. Just a chamber beyond the W door and perpendicular hallway to E door. Clamor of hammering, perhaps workshops to E.
Bone pit has other bones, humans, kobolds, feline. Any dead thing tossed in as a bone pit. Base layer is dragon. Higher than the walkway around it.
Elevator does not appear to be made to go to here. 
3. Pool of water somewhere S of bones - Slips through floor and comes in a hallway to other side of collapse to S. full 20; passageway. To S. torchlight and a lot of orcs gathered around something to S. two rough passages to E. & W.
E & W passages very rough perhaps created by current residents.
Crowd is a bunch of orc women, gathered in N. end of large pool of water. Room must have been huge. On S. end the ceiling has collapsed blocking the walkway that goes around the pool. Orcs filling buckets.
Originally looks like a purposeful water feature. Walkway around water with lip separating the pool.
S the collapse is pretty solid.
Through the water there is a passage under the water.
Pool goes for awhile. c. 30' past beginning of collapse. about 12' deep all the way through. c. 4' through the collapse. S. end of pool sees underwater there is a grate and can feel and see that water goes past the grate. There is some garbage. Pokes head above water. pitch black, other side of walkway. About 5'x5' under the grate. (metal grate) c. 40' before yanked back. 

**Velkin** 
1. Surface - Above mountain 5 wooden structures around pit - S. side semi-circle. . two wooden towers near pit - above it. Two ballistas either side of pit. E & W. Currently pointing so cover the arc that is down hill. Can be moved. Looks like have handles and hill giants could just pick up and aim. 
2. Upper balcony with the ballista - Two empty ballista spots that explains the two up top. Originally 6 ballistas, 2 gone, leaving 4. One to NE, one to SE, each originally 3, now each has 2. 
3. 30x30 room doors to W, N, & S came from W. Statue in center - candle in right hand, it is a candle holder. Vandalized, head removed. (Everburning candle could have powerful effect.) 

Two new blood magic spells - Lightning & Bless.

We make plans.

Lungmold & Velkin & Tyriol escort Ithirialma to Jax.

Azrael will check the portal once a week. Lungmold says, "Make sure you're not alone when you check it." I don't trust this portal, but it does seem useful.

Dragons are gathered and Azrael has 15 CLW & 8 CSW potions.

We suggest leaving the 3 orcs for helping raise Prixithalma and take Druug with us, and the dragons will turn Ajax, Velkin, and Philomanthraxus invisible. Velkin can carry the portal and ride Philomanthraxus, then land at night, and Ajax fly the portal in past the guards and ballistas.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin’s Scrolls 42 – Session 75

Laurilden 30, 10am

Apocalypse Clock 00.000.10.01

...Continuing our Astral Scouting of Hdrasta

Phil scouts the dragonbone area: We get the layout of the bonepit and it’s exits with the pillar of dragonbones. 30’wide and 50’ high. Also the view of the dragon bones laid out properly covered in runes.

Central ‘balcony’ above the pit: We get the layout of this central area on this level with the pillar of bones coming up through the central hole almost touching the sides. Fair bit of detritus from the current residents.

Pool: South of the bonepit with a collapsed room with a pool. Walkway around the pool with the collapse cutting off the southern waterway. Orc women gathering water. 12’ deep 30’ passage under the collapse ending in a grate above into a dark room the room is about 5’x5’.

My Scouting:
Starting outside the mountain above Hdrasta:
Encampment with 5 large wooden structures surrounding a pit in the center.
2 wooden guard towers 40’ uphill from the pit.
2 Ballista, manned on either side of the pit pointing downhill.

Lots of orcs, dozens and dozens (70 to 100 beings)
A lot of hobgoblins
A few giants a handful close to the pit.
At the pit - opening about 50’ diameter a clearly old structure built across it. Original elevator?
The thing attached to it isn’t original, it’s a crude improvised elevator attached to the preexisting brace over the pit. It looks very sketchy.

Looking down over the pit edge - can barely make out the first balcony. A gangplank is extended to the edge from the elevator sitting at level 1.
2 empty ballista spots (they’re up top)
6 ballistas were originally on this balcony, 4 are here now. A platform on either side, NE and SW side, each side having 2 ballistas.
1 ballista is functional on the SW platform manned by 2 ogres and 10 hobgoblins. Behind the platform area there is a hallway E and W respectively. The creatures aren’t paying too close attention.

North through east passage 30x30 room stairs down NE corner - decorations: N wall, undefiled original painting showing magic users shooting lightning out. Combination of ancient common and runic chr’s Blood magic for Lightneing bolts. Open door to west - old barracks not in current use.
Down the stairs in the Norther room in NE corner. Long stairwell.
Come out into another 30x30 room in room west side. North Wall - painting - Caster is surrounded by warriors and they all have a halo effect on them. Bless. Blood magic.
4 way intersectoin: wait til later

Down the stairs, 20x20 room, continues down. Off the landing to the east, there’s a chamber 30x20 from the staircase.
Door in N wall - west open door,
Guardpost 10 orc hanging there, completely uninterested in the staircase, drinking a lot.

Closed door - large chamber about 60’ n/s less E/W in a balcony over a 2 story room. Ceiling has a mountain on it Kauri will be here in a second. Mural on N wall with MAtriarchs. (Kauri comes in and Velkin heads out)

Back out past the guardroom, N or E N - 20’ then widens
East 10’ 30x30 D to W,N,S
Center of room, Statue - vandalized. Holds a candleholder in it’s right hand.
North: 10’- 30x20 room. West is a section opened. 10’ passage to open area, N,W
W-Empty room 30x30 no exits
N-30x30room- secret passageway into it bulk of passageway head down the passage - 20’ sidepassage to the south. It would open in a north wall of the W room above. Another 40’ it goes S, then 20’ to a secret door - kauri is looking around. Head’s stuck through the mural - North side upper level.

We finish our Astral scouting and all pop back to reality in the dining room/planning center of Azreal’s stronghold and recover with varying success from our journey.

Knowing that the dragon bone ritual appears to be close to completion and with Droog’s recollection of the timing of Shaitan’s visit for One Horn to show off his project, we plan on leaving very soon to keep the desecration of the dragon remains to happen and thwart this small piece of Azmodeus’ incursion.
Azreal urges us to leave now.

Alisceon is instructed to give us ¼ of their stores of healing potions.

Before we go, we’re going to escort Itherialma to Malgrim to work with Jax on the DVL trapping device and that aspect of DVL thwarting. The Winter Realm portal has closed. Based on what we know, we’re assuming the Magisters reopened it closer to the Silence so the Winter King’s campaign there can be continued. It’s still not known precisely what interference here caused it’s instability.

We leave a list and money for Bili to fill for Drow Sleep poison, healing potion, super healing add on ingredients.

I also ask Bili without the rest of the party’s knowledge to check into any Drow not aligned with the Winter King present in Malgrim.

Jax and Itherialma know each other. Jax 1 isn’t super happy, but Jax 2 is excited that she’s here. Jax’s efforts have uncovered another pylon.

Lucifer purrs and rubs Lungmold, cat attaboy. Azra and Bili’s aunt prepare for Itherialma’s stay once we let them know…

We leave the tattered web portal so Itherialma can return easily. Azreal will check it on a weekly basis.

Alisceon has the potions to divide up, we leave equipment and non essentials in the vaults here for safekeeping while we go to Hdrasta.

Session Seventy-Four Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-14T03:06:48Z

Laris:

== Session 74, December 8 2021 ==
[[File:Empthrone.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 8:00PM on the 29th of Laurilden (00.000.10.02 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party having finished various tasks while at rest in the Dragon Emperor's hideout beneath Xen'Khel. Mistrust is brewing after the Winter King's servants meet with him privately, though, especially after Ranarth's inept lying. Still, the group is almost ready for their assault on Hdrasta ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Alician shows up with whiskey and the party passes around a few bottles and enjoys Druul's playing and Alician is amazed at the growth of the flowers.
Watches? Ceres & Ajax in the hallway.
Brendil asks Terathial when is her watch and if she's interested in continuing her watch.
Lungmold has the orc prisoner Druug join the drinking and we get information on siege engines, timing, etc.
Elevator goes down to where the bones start. (Bones of dragons.)
Elevator is loud, can't sneak in using it.
It was broken down when we got there, we fixed it up a bit. We've only had a few orcs die on it. One time a dozen were killed.
Elevator means outside duty.
We drove off the eagle lions. The ballista was pretty good about driving them off.
Ask Druug to draw a map, and looks around and makes hand motions in the air.
Velkin gives him pen & paper.
Down elevator one level with weapons, next level no watch, then bones, then giants building a dragon out of bones.
Druug talks about things while drawing a very crude map, and mentions area with cells, rooms w/ writing on the wall, some they vandalized, stairs, throne and statues, pool that is fresh water, dug a tunnel, door he can't open.
Lungmold tries reading his mind. Writing resembles that in the secret room under Montoa and flashes of the door.
Lungmold asks Druug if he knows any other way into this place? There are smaller tunnels of the kobolds, a deep pit that the giants say doesn't go anywhere, and the pool. So he says, "No?"
It's so dumb as we were fine before One Horn, and he's building a dragon and it's just bones, but he says it'll do something.
"We never went anywhere before One Horn came. We fought the kobolds and the kobolds fought us and we were happy, goddammit! Now they're gone and we've gotta do watches....""
Tyrial is overseeing Druug, and realizes he is more valuable, but don't speak the language to know what he's saying.
Raynarth excuses himself after Alician and goes to his room.
Ronan sleeps next to the door.
First thing in the morning, Lungmold has a knock at his door.
It is a couple of dervishes with a cloak of fresh dirt.
We go looking for Azrael to chat and find Jardin who takes us to the dining hall for food and to meet with Azrael.
Jardin leads us through the throne room to table with all the papers, the re-purposed dining room. I'll get Azrael and get some rations.
Jardin asks not to touch the papers, as Azrael has some sort of system. It looks like the different research he is following up.
We're not sure, but annotations on drawings have to do with making the DVLs sick, with a virus to attack them, and drawings to re-open tunnels to the pathogen lab.
Top paper - "How many infected = Prixithalma?"
Map of world covering Curabel to coast of mainland, with lines and possible routes to Gharmarost and a ? out in ocean "Armada?"
Maybe a schematic for Inquisitorial Library.
Azrael comes in. "There's an order to that...."
He takes a seat. Jardin mentioned breakfast and you wanted to talk about something.
Velkin mentions Jax and is researching. Jax, they were geniuses, obviously not good team players, they were their own team. If can help, that will be great.
Lungmold mentions he's not coming here, you have to go to him. Azrael doesn't plan to leave Xen Khel.
"I can send someone to him, where is he?" Malgim - Underground. It's under control of the Winter King. "Is that so, it's good thing we have an in with him."
Azrael will determine which of his kin is the best one to send.
Velkin says, that the embassy is a working DVL trap. Maybe Itherrialma who's researching ways to seal off transdimensional spaces, may be best to go.
DE - "I don't know where that is."" Lungmold asks, "Do you plan on them going back and forth, or just leave them there?""
DE - "I don't know, are we talking a week or a month." "How far of a distance and how long it takes to get there."
Velkin mentions transporting. and that it is a portal of the workings of Lolth's web, and we will have to coordinate it.
This works out, as Itherrialma's work involves the Inquisitorial Library, so she can be working with Jax, you do Hdrasta, then she can accompany you with Jardin to the Inquisitorial Library.
Kauri asks if the dragons flew in invisibly, how did they detect you? - Their mages. They kept is warded and guarded.
We mention the dragon made of bone and it disturbs Azrael who assumed that dragons were immune to being undead, but the ancient humans did something so they can't be resurrected, so perhaps there is something to it.
Dragons didn't take Hdrasta by force, but starved them out. They could not open the vault either.
Jardin comes in with 6 dervishes, 4 male, 2 female, light skinned with armor with dragon emblem and red cloaks. Azrael stands up, these are children in the general sense: Maerthrumax, Prystilia - female, Brastimachus, Kharatilia - female, Jargathus, & Philomanthraxus.
We plan to use one pot of Borthan's tea for 3 of us to scout the place.

Velkin will gather images of locations from Druug

It is decided that Velkin, Kauri, and Philomanthraxus

1. Locked Door - Kauri (Mask)
2. Throne Room (One Horn) - Kauri (Mask)
3. Dragon Bones - Philomanthraxus
4. Level Above - Central Areas Find way around to throne room/vault - Philomanthraxus
5. Layout around top - Velkin
6. First Level Down - Velkin (Druug's memory?)
7. Pool - (Properties of the lake? Druug says it's just water.) - Philomanthraxus
8. Pit with wooden ladders of the giants then busted and fall and die if go too far. - Velkin (underdark??) Potential exit?
9. Kobold Area (goes around the pit) - Kauri

c. 3 or 4 days from Malgim to Hdrasta.

Borthan gets tea ready. Azrael and Jardin watch in fascination, sniffing the tea.

"And this allows you to travel through a medial dimension?"

Lungmold, "It only comes from Borthan's world."

Azrael, "And this is all you have?" Yes

**Kauri:**
1. **Throne Room** - Physical location
Large Hall. Not always a throneroom. A T-shape slmost like a church of Baldric Evenkeel (anchor). A Large throne of bone (dragons) is only furniture. Sits to one side, N. Wall. Large Mural of 4 women the matriarchs, but defaced. South door is used more often. Path through the dust. 2 doors to North, and 1 set of double doors to South.
Kauri peeks through Western door on the North wall. Wide room, very spartan. on North end, had been an altar of 4 statues, maybe the matriarchs, smashed to pieces. Above doorway ledge 15 feet up on wall, one horn is there crouched down, sleeping like a gargoyle. Glowing brightly. Stone on necklace is exact shape and size of one on gauntlet. NOT the same color as the one on Brendil's gauntlet.
Kauri runs around room with head in walls and all solid stone.
Through South door, 30 foot space to another door, with 6 statues, NOT the matriarchs. Not smashed and not seen before.
Left side they look like warriors, all with similar clothing, insignias maybe siege engines. Something like devices in Xeno Tel (laser rifles). With nameplates: Abigail Pritchard, Thomas Cromwell, Jonathan Turner
Right side, long coats with various instruments, like stuff in Xeno Tel and Edan's notes and technomagical equipment, with nameplates: General Dorn, Corporal Tanner, General Fields

2. **Vault** - In front of a large door with double doors behind and tools to try to pick away. Large double door panel chest high. Three depressions the size of the gem One Horn is wearing. No handle or obvious way to open it.
Entire door is glowing with Transpatial Energy. Where the walls are excavated also shows Transpatial Energy. Kauri tries pushing his hand through, it is solid. He tries from underneath but can't pass through. The only thing he finds is about 40 feet in, there is a bulge in the floor kind of bowl shaped.
Kauri gets rough dimensions of area, room beyond is about 80 x 80 N, S, E, W diamond shapes with points on cardinal points. Door on West, depression in exact center. About 30 feet tall. No bulge in the top.

**Ran out of time here. End of Session will resume in two weeks on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at normal time.**

---

We will finish Kauri's 3rd item and then the three items for Velkin and Philomanthraxus.

3. x

**Velkin:**
1. x
2. x
3. x

**Philomanthraxus:**
1. x
2. x
3. x

=== Velkin's Scrolls===
Velkin Scrolls 41 - Session 74

Laurilden 29, 8pm

Apocalypse Countdown 00.000.10.02

Raynarth is a terrible liar. No secrets revealed yet, but his ineptitude at dissembling is disheartening. The less he knows of anything is a plus.

Alisceon arrives with Brendil’s request for a case of whiskey. We invite her to hang out and she leaves again, returning with some small bottles and cups.

We generally chat and hang out a while in relative peace for a precious few hours.

Khelratha’s generous use of Jardin’s beard oil and his more presentable personage is much more pleasant than his previous visage. However there’s a perturbed Jardin after Alisceon’s pilferage of his personal pot of bear oil. …. Whatever… I amused myself with that.

Druul begins to play after vying for a tip from Velkin… ok, I’ll stop now… still amused though.
His music brings flowers that appear randomly. How interesting. I’m not sure whether that’s a nod to the Summer Lord, or more likely, Oswitha’s blessing on him or his lute. Sortof akin to this new ability of mine to speak with animals.

Alisceon turns in after a while and requests we check in before we leave for Hdrasta. She unsteadily makes her way back to her room down the hall.

We pick Droog’s brain, I suppose more literally with Lungmold’s abilities, less literally in actually cracking his skull…. I wonder if orc brain is any good… things to ponder.
Droog is quite sloshed as we’re gleaning him for more details on Hdrasta. Other than leaving his tribe in charge if we attack…
The high points:
Siege engines, 2 Ballista on the surface, 2 on Level 1, 1 on level 2.
About 100 troops on the surface with watchtowers up the hill from the entrance hole.
An Elevator used to get troops and materials up and down the hole.
One Horn killed/chased away the Griffons that had nested above Hdrasta using the Ballista.
He draws a crude drunken orc map… yay.
There’s secret passages vertically among the main chambers.
There’s a bone dragon being constructed at the bottom.
There’s rooms with strange writing on the walls, similar to the runes under Montoa. (runes? Ancient Common?)
One Horn is usually in his throne room, with statues.(East)
A door that can’t be opened (The Vault).
A pool of Fresh water that keeps filling up from somewhere. (south)
A Deep pit near the giants (Excavation to try to penetrate the vault likely.)
The kobold tunnels have a lot of little tunnels. (West)
Store rooms and Smiths (East)
Ogres and Hillgiants (Southeast ish)
Orcs - Kobold caves (West)

We eventually all get tired. Ajax and Ceres sleep in the hallway to keep watch. I put a perch, of sorts, out for Ajax to get up off the floor. We pass the night in peace.
Brendil hangs withTyrithial on her watch and they swap more language lessons.

Laurilden 30 AM

We head upwards and as we pass Jardin’s well appointed rooms, he joins us to head up for breakfast and speak with Azreal.

We scan Azreal’s notes on the dining table and:
He’s considering reopening the tunnels to the Laboratory where the research was done creating the undying virus to use against the DVL’s.
There’s a map of the surface world with a note NE between Curabel and the mainland along a path towards Gharmarost that says “Armada?”.

I ask Azreal of his home plane and how he came here:
Azreal has always been interested in the building blocks of reality and had a school of like minded individuals and he built a device that was supposed to help them study those building blocks and there was a miscalculation on his part and he and all the school researchers were tossed through a tear in reality to this world. It was surprising, he thought it was a major breakthrough at the time… then they realized they couldn’t find their way back. It was a nicer place than here, more fully civilized. All dragons, they had their servants, but it was well ordered and settled. This world by contrast is of constant battles.

We discuss Jax’s work and his offer to collaborate under his conditions on the Pylons and portable DVL Trap ideas. He’ll send Itherialma. The other notes for that aspect of ridding Meidia of DVL’s is in the Inquisitorial Library on the mainland.

The ancient people who built Hdrasta could ward it against invisibility, One Horn likely doesn’t have that capability.

He gives us a … more detailed and coherent map of Hdrasta than that of the drunken orc.

One Horn’s visage: Scaled, with leathery wings, a prehensile tail with a barb on the end. His tusks and one of two horns are present. Not particularly large, a little bigger than a human, but not giant sized. Not that remarkable, typical devil with a necklace with a gemstone in it.

Itherialma is going to research with Jax.

We’re to keep them safe and hopefully undetected. If Asmodeous gets wind of Dragons working against him, he’ll spare nothing to hunt them down. There’s only 12 left in the world now.

Jardin comes back with 6 dervishes. Armor with Dragon emblem with red cloaks. Azreal, these are his children. “Nephews and nieces” 3 males: Maerthrumax(Male), Prystilia(Female), Brastimachus(Male), Kharatilia(Female), Jargathus(Male), Philomanthraxus(Male)

I’m one for languages and such… but for ease of communication, here’s my nicknames:

Phil
Marty
Pris
Brast
Khar
Jarga

Our job is – smash and assassinate. Shadowstepping isn’t going to work, DVL’s are sensitive.

Droog recommends the Left side where it’s been cleaned of spiders and kobolds. It’s pretty clear and isn’t used as much as the right side.
Hillgiants for main construction of the bones, they’re strong.
Ogres - lieutenants
One Horn is going to activate the bone dragon in Denrilden. Asmodeous will be there for it’s… raising?

Azreal will give us ¼ the potions he has available.

We discuss scouting with the Astral Tea of Borthan’s. Azreal is very interested in the tea and how it works. He’d love to study it. Thinks it could be tied to the timetravel means of taking on Azmodeous.

We’ll get together a shopping list for Malgrim.
Healing potions
Astral Tea? Longshot, but gotta try.
Poisons Drow sleep, other
Neutralize poison

We begin scouting with the 2nd to last dose of Borthan’s Tea using Droog’s memory and Lungmold’s Telepathy to get us the picture of where we’re going to scout.

We split out what we’re going to scout.

Kauri-

Locked Door-vault

Throne Room

Locate 1 horn/Kobold area

Phil-

Bones

Path from left side to Throne Room

Pool

Velkin-

Top for entry

First level

Lower level - pit going down?

Kauri
Goes to the Throne Room first
In a large hall looking around, you’re not sure it was a throne room always. It has one of the Churches of Baldric Evenkeel with an Anchor T Shape. Throne of Bone in the room, Dragonbones. Wall decorations: North Wall, Giant Mural – 4 women depicted, the Matriarchs. Cerida with her many eyes, gouged out. Scales are X’d out. Brita with Rising Sun turned into a skull, wings of birds. Feldma’s candle chiseled out. Oswitha’s hands chipped off as they’re exiting the wall, would have been reaching to the south, but can’t be sure if there was any pointing.
South door used more often.
Left door behind throne: single room not quite squared off, large. Opens into a large room where both doors from the throneroom enter into. Shorter on either side than the throneroom. An Alter with statues, 4 statues smashed. Room is trashed and spartan. Alter smashed. Above the doorway there’s a little ledge about 15’ up on the wall and 1 Horn is on there, crouched down and sleeping like a gargoyle.
His stone is the exact shape and size as the stone on Brendil’s gauntlet.
No secret doors into the throneroom.

T shaped room with Doors on either side of the throne. 1 door to the south.

Either side to the south, 3 statues, not the matriarchs.
Rt side going north. Look like warriors with similar clothing with insignias maybe Seige engines depicted. The look like devices like the ones in XenoTel.
Other side 3 statues, wearing 3 long coats, various instruments in their hands. Dwarven runes, stuff from Xenotel? All the statues are humans
Right: General Dorn, Corporal Tanner, General Fields
robed ones on Lt Side Abigail Prichard, Thomas Cromwell, Jonathan Turner

Vault

Large Door, double doors behind Kauri as he’s facing the Vault Double Door.
A panel chest high with 3 depressions about the same size as the gem 1 horn is wearing. No handle or doorknob.
It’s got some transpatial energy going on. Anywhere the vault is has transpatial energy associated with it. He can’t put his hand through into the vault from any walls.

About 40’ in, there’s a bulge in the floor, bowl shaped down into the floor. He uses the rest of his time to map out the edges of the room.
The Vault. 80X80x 30’ tall, diamond shaped with points NSEW and W is the door. The depression is in the exact center.

Session Seventy-Four Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-14T03:05:27Z

Laris:

== Session 74, December 8 2021 ==
[[File:Empthrone.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 8:00PM on the 29th of Laurilden (00.000.10.02 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party having finished various tasks while at rest in the Dragon Emperor's hideout beneath Xen'Khel. Mistrust is brewing after the Winter King's servants meet with him privately, though, especially after Ranarth's inept lying. Still, the group is almost ready for their assault on Hdrasta ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Alician shows up with whiskey and the party passes around a few bottles and enjoys Druul's playing and Alician is amazed at the growth of the flowers.
Watches? Ceres & Ajax in the hallway.
Brendil asks Terathial when is her watch and if she's interested in continuing her watch.
Lungmold has the orc prisoner Druug join the drinking and we get information on siege engines, timing, etc.
Elevator goes down to where the bones start. (Bones of dragons.)
Elevator is loud, can't sneak in using it.
It was broken down when we got there, we fixed it up a bit. We've only had a few orcs die on it. One time a dozen were killed.
Elevator means outside duty.
We drove off the eagle lions. The ballista was pretty good about driving them off.
Ask Druug to draw a map, and looks around and makes hand motions in the air.
Velkin gives him pen & paper.
Down elevator one level with weapons, next level no watch, then bones, then giants building a dragon out of bones.
Druug talks about things while drawing a very crude map, and mentions area with cells, rooms w/ writing on the wall, some they vandalized, stairs, throne and statues, pool that is fresh water, dug a tunnel, door he can't open.
Lungmold tries reading his mind. Writing resembles that in the secret room under Montoa and flashes of the door.
Lungmold asks Druug if he knows any other way into this place? There are smaller tunnels of the kobolds, a deep pit that the giants say doesn't go anywhere, and the pool. So he says, "No?"
It's so dumb as we were fine before One Horn, and he's building a dragon and it's just bones, but he says it'll do something.
"We never went anywhere before One Horn came. We fought the kobolds and the kobolds fought us and we were happy, goddammit! Now they're gone and we've gotta do watches....""
Tyrial is overseeing Druug, and realizes he is more valuable, but don't speak the language to know what he's saying.
Raynarth excuses himself after Alician and goes to his room.
Ronan sleeps next to the door.
First thing in the morning, Lungmold has a knock at his door.
It is a couple of dervishes with a cloak of fresh dirt.
We go looking for Azrael to chat and find Jardin who takes us to the dining hall for food and to meet with Azrael.
Jardin leads us through the throne room to table with all the papers, the re-purposed dining room. I'll get Azrael and get some rations.
Jardin asks not to touch the papers, as Azrael has some sort of system. It looks like the different research he is following up.
We're not sure, but annotations on drawings have to do with making the DVLs sick, with a virus to attack them, and drawings to re-open tunnels to the pathogen lab.
Top paper - "How many infected = Prixithalma?"
Map of world covering Curabel to coast of mainland, with lines and possible routes to Gharmarost and a ? out in ocean "Armada?"
Maybe a schematic for Inquisitorial Library.
Azrael comes in. "There's an order to that...."
He takes a seat. Jardin mentioned breakfast and you wanted to talk about something.
Velkin mentions Jax and is researching. Jax, they were geniuses, obviously not good team players, they were their own team. If can help, that will be great.
Lungmold mentions he's not coming here, you have to go to him. Azrael doesn't plan to leave Xen Khel.
"I can send someone to him, where is he?" Malgim - Underground. It's under control of the Winter King. "Is that so, it's good thing we have an in with him."
Azrael will determine which of his kin is the best one to send.
Velkin says, that the embassy is a working DVL trap. Maybe Itherrialma who's researching ways to seal off transdimensional spaces, may be best to go.
DE - "I don't know where that is."" Lungmold asks, "Do you plan on them going back and forth, or just leave them there?""
DE - "I don't know, are we talking a week or a month." "How far of a distance and how long it takes to get there."
Velkin mentions transporting. and that it is a portal of the workings of Lolth's web, and we will have to coordinate it.
This works out, as Itherrialma's work involves the Inquisitorial Library, so she can be working with Jax, you do Hdrasta, then she can accompany you with Jardin to the Inquisitorial Library.
Kauri asks if the dragons flew in invisibly, how did they detect you? - Their mages. They kept is warded and guarded.
We mention the dragon made of bone and it disturbs Azrael who assumed that dragons were immune to being undead, but the ancient humans did something so they can't be resurrected, so perhaps there is something to it.
Dragons didn't take Hdrasta by force, but starved them out. They could not open the vault either.
Jardin comes in with 6 dervishes, 4 male, 2 female, light skinned with armor with dragon emblem and red cloaks. Azrael stands up, these are children in the general sense: Maerthrumax, Prystilia - female, Brastimachus, Kharatilia - female, Jargathus, & Philomanthraxus.
We plan to use one pot of Borthan's tea for 3 of us to scout the place.

Velkin will gather images of locations from Druug

It is decided that Velkin, Kauri, and Philomanthraxus

1. Locked Door - Kauri (Mask)
2. Throne Room (One Horn) - Kauri (Mask)
3. Dragon Bones - Philomanthraxus
4. Level Above - Central Areas Find way around to throne room/vault - Philomanthraxus
5. Layout around top - Velkin
6. First Level Down - Velkin (Druug's memory?)
7. Pool - (Properties of the lake? Druug says it's just water.) - Philomanthraxus
8. Pit with wooden ladders of the giants then busted and fall and die if go too far. - Velkin (underdark??) Potential exit?
9. Kobold Area (goes around the pit) - Kauri

c. 3 or 4 days from Malgim to Hdrasta.

Borthan gets tea ready. Azrael and Jardin watch in fascination, sniffing the tea.

"And this allows you to travel through a medial dimension?"

Lungmold, "It only comes from Borthan's world."

Azrael, "And this is all you have?" Yes

**Kauri:**
1. **Throne Room** - Physical location
Large Hall. Not always a throneroom. A T-shape slmost like a church of Baldric Evenkeel (anchor). A Large throne of bone (dragons) is only furniture. Sits to one side, N. Wall. Large Mural of 4 women the matriarchs, but defaced. South door is used more often. Path through the dust. 2 doors to North, and 1 set of double doors to South.
Kauri peeks through Western door on the North wall. Wide room, very spartan. on North end, had been an altar of 4 statues, maybe the matriarchs, smashed to pieces. Above doorway ledge 15 feet up on wall, one horn is there crouched down, sleeping like a gargoyle. Glowing brightly. Stone on necklace is exact shape and size of one on gauntlet. NOT the same color as the one on Brendil's gauntlet.
Kauri runs around room with head in walls and all solid stone.
Through South door, 30 foot space to another door, with 6 statues, NOT the matriarchs. Not smashed and not seen before.
Left side they look like warriors, all with similar clothing, insignias maybe siege engines. Something like devices in Xeno Tel (laser rifles). With nameplates: Abigail Pritchard, Thomas Cromwell, Jonathan Turner
Right side, long coats with various instruments, like stuff in Xeno Tel and Edan's notes and technomagical equipment, with nameplates: General Dorn, Corporal Tanner, General Fields

2. **Vault** - In front of a large door with double doors behind and tools to try to pick away. Large double door panel chest high. Three depressions the size of the gem One Horn is wearing. No handle or obvious way to open it.
Entire door is glowing with Transpatial Energy. Where the walls are excavated also shows Transpatial Energy. Kauri tries pushing his hand through, it is solid. He tries from underneath but can't pass through. The only thing he finds is about 40 feet in, there is a bulge in the floor kind of bowl shaped.
Kauri gets rough dimensions of area, room beyond is about 80 x 80 N, S, E, W diamond shapes with points on cardinal points. Door on West, depression in exact center. About 30 feet tall. No bulge in the top.

**Ran out of time here. End of Session will resume in two weeks on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at normal time.**

---

We will finish Kauri's 3rd item and then the three items for Velkin and Philomanthraxus.

3. x

**Velkin:**
1. x
2. x
3. x

**Philomanthraxus:**
1. x
2. x
3. x

=== Velkin's Scrolls===
Velkin Scrolls 41 - Session 74

Laurilden 29, 8pm

Apocalypse Countdown 00.000.10.02

Raynarth is a terrible liar. No secrets revealed yet, but his ineptitude at dissembling is disheartening. The less he knows of anything is a plus.

Alisceon arrives with Brendil’s request for a case of whiskey. We invite her to hang out and she leaves again, returning with some small bottles and cups.

We generally chat and hang out a while in relative peace for a precious few hours.

Khelratha’s generous use of Jardin’s beard oil and his more presentable personage is much more pleasant than his previous visage. However there’s a perturbed Jardin after Alisceon’s pilferage of his personal pot of bear oil. …. Whatever… I amused myself with that.

Druul begins to play after vying for a tip from Velkin… ok, I’ll stop now… still amused though.
His music brings flowers that appear randomly. How interesting. I’m not sure whether that’s a nod to the Summer Lord, or more likely, Oswitha’s blessing on him or his lute. Sortof akin to this new ability of mine to speak with animals.

Alisceon turns in after a while and requests we check in before we leave for Hdrasta. She unsteadily makes her way back to her room down the hall.

We pick Droog’s brain, I suppose more literally with Lungmold’s abilities, less literally in actually cracking his skull…. I wonder if orc brain is any good… things to ponder.
Droog is quite sloshed as we’re gleaning him for more details on Hdrasta. Other than leaving his tribe in charge if we attack…
The high points:
Siege engines, 2 Ballista on the surface, 2 on Level 1, 1 on level 2.
About 100 troops on the surface with watchtowers up the hill from the entrance hole.
An Elevator used to get troops and materials up and down the hole.
One Horn killed/chased away the Griffons that had nested above Hdrasta using the Ballista.
He draws a crude drunken orc map… yay.
There’s secret passages vertically among the main chambers.
There’s a bone dragon being constructed at the bottom.
There’s rooms with strange writing on the walls, similar to the runes under Montoa. (runes? Ancient Common?)
One Horn is usually in his throne room, with statues.(East)
A door that can’t be opened (The Vault).
A pool of Fresh water that keeps filling up from somewhere. (south)
A Deep pit near the giants (Excavation to try to penetrate the vault likely.)
The kobold tunnels have a lot of little tunnels. (West)
Store rooms and Smiths (East)
Ogres and Hillgiants (Southeast ish)
Orcs - Kobold caves (West)

We eventually all get tired. Ajax and Ceres sleep in the hallway to keep watch. I put a perch, of sorts, out for Ajax to get up off the floor. We pass the night in peace.
Brendil hangs withTyrithial on her watch and they swap more language lessons.

Laurilden 30 AM

We head upwards and as we pass Jardin’s well appointed rooms, he joins us to head up for breakfast and speak with Azreal.

We scan Azreal’s notes on the dining table and:
He’s considering reopening the tunnels to the Laboratory where the research was done creating the undying virus to use against the DVL’s.
There’s a map of the surface world with a note NE between Curabel and the mainland along a path towards Gharmarost that says “Armada?”.

I ask Azreal of his home plane and how he came here:
Azreal has always been interested in the building blocks of reality and had a school of like minded individuals and he built a device that was supposed to help them study those building blocks and there was a miscalculation on his part and he and all the school researchers were tossed through a tear in reality to this world. It was surprising, he thought it was a major breakthrough at the time… then they realized they couldn’t find their way back. It was a nicer place than here, more fully civilized. All dragons, they had their servants, but it was well ordered and settled. This world by contrast is of constant battles.

We discuss Jax’s work and his offer to collaborate under his conditions on the Pylons and portable DVL Trap ideas. He’ll send Itherialma. The other notes for that aspect of ridding Meidia of DVL’s is in the Inquisitorial Library on the mainland.

The ancient people who built Hdrasta could ward it against invisibility, One Horn likely doesn’t have that capability.

He gives us a … more detailed and coherent map of Hdrasta than that of the drunken orc.

One Horn’s visage: Scaled, with leathery wings, a prehensile tail with a barb on the end. His tusks and one of two horns are present. Not particularly large, a little bigger than a human, but not giant sized. Not that remarkable, typical devil with a necklace with a gemstone in it.

Itherialma is going to research with Jax.

We’re to keep them safe and hopefully undetected. If Asmodeous gets wind of Dragons working against him, he’ll spare nothing to hunt them down. There’s only 12 left in the world now.

Jardin comes back with 6 dervishes. Armor with Dragon emblem with red cloaks. Azreal, these are his children. “Nephews and nieces” 3 males: Maerthrumax(Male), Prystilia(Female), Brastimachus(Male), Kharatilia(Female), Jargathus(Male), Philomanthraxus(Male)

I’m one for languages and such… but for ease of communication, here’s my nicknames:
Phil
Marty
Pris
Brast
Khar
Jarga

Our job is – smash and assassinate. Shadowstepping isn’t going to work, DVL’s are sensitive.

Droog recommends the Left side where it’s been cleaned of spiders and kobolds. It’s pretty clear and isn’t used as much as the right side.
Hillgiants for main construction of the bones, they’re strong.
Ogres - lieutenants
One Horn is going to activate the bone dragon in Denrilden. Asmodeous will be there for it’s… raising?

Azreal will give us ¼ the potions he has available.

We discuss scouting with the Astral Tea of Borthan’s. Azreal is very interested in the tea and how it works. He’d love to study it. Thinks it could be tied to the timetravel means of taking on Azmodeous.

We’ll get together a shopping list for Malgrim.
Healing potions
Astral Tea? Longshot, but gotta try.
Poisons Drow sleep, other
Neutralize poison

We begin scouting with the 2nd to last dose of Borthan’s Tea using Droog’s memory and Lungmold’s Telepathy to get us the picture of where we’re going to scout.

We split out what we’re going to scout.

Kauri-

Locked Door-vault

Throne Room

Locate 1 horn/Kobold area

Phil-

Bones

Path from left side to Throne Room

Pool

Velkin-

Top for entry

First level

Lower level - pit going down?

Kauri
Goes to the Throne Room first
In a large hall looking around, you’re not sure it was a throne room always. It has one of the Churches of Baldric Evenkeel with an Anchor T Shape. Throne of Bone in the room, Dragonbones. Wall decorations: North Wall, Giant Mural – 4 women depicted, the Matriarchs. Cerida with her many eyes, gouged out. Scales are X’d out. Brita with Rising Sun turned into a skull, wings of birds. Feldma’s candle chiseled out. Oswitha’s hands chipped off as they’re exiting the wall, would have been reaching to the south, but can’t be sure if there was any pointing.
South door used more often.
Left door behind throne: single room not quite squared off, large. Opens into a large room where both doors from the throneroom enter into. Shorter on either side than the throneroom. An Alter with statues, 4 statues smashed. Room is trashed and spartan. Alter smashed. Above the doorway there’s a little ledge about 15’ up on the wall and 1 Horn is on there, crouched down and sleeping like a gargoyle.
His stone is the exact shape and size as the stone on Brendil’s gauntlet.
No secret doors into the throneroom.

T shaped room with Doors on either side of the throne. 1 door to the south.

Either side to the south, 3 statues, not the matriarchs.
Rt side going north. Look like warriors with similar clothing with insignias maybe Seige engines depicted. The look like devices like the ones in XenoTel.
Other side 3 statues, wearing 3 long coats, various instruments in their hands. Dwarven runes, stuff from Xenotel? All the statues are humans
Right: General Dorn, Corporal Tanner, General Fields
robed ones on Lt Side Abigail Prichard, Thomas Cromwell, Jonathan Turner

Vault

Large Door, double doors behind Kauri as he’s facing the Vault Double Door.
A panel chest high with 3 depressions about the same size as the gem 1 horn is wearing. No handle or doorknob.
It’s got some transpatial energy going on. Anywhere the vault is has transpatial energy associated with it. He can’t put his hand through into the vault from any walls.

About 40’ in, there’s a bulge in the floor, bowl shaped down into the floor. He uses the rest of his time to map out the edges of the room.
The Vault. 80X80x 30’ tall, diamond shaped with points NSEW and W is the door. The depression is in the exact center.

Session Seventy-Three Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T04:15:28Z

Laris:

== Session 73, December 1 2021 ==
[[File:DE Lab.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 12:00PM on the 29th of Laurilden (00.000.10.02 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party having concluded their extended discussion with Azrael and Jardin about the nature of the threat to Meidia and what might be done to foil Asmodeus's dastardly plot. While Kauri and Oskar accompany the Dragon Emperor down into the archives to find records from the dragons' war against the Matriarchs and Alisceon Hayne retrieves some healing elixirs from the storerooms, the rest of the party follows Jardin to the dervish cells to settle into their temporary home. The plan is to leave in a few days to assault Hdrasta before heading off across the ocean to raid the Inquisitorial Library for information on Medial Dimensions ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

'''As agreed at the end of last session:'''

* Kauri & Oskar and Velkin go with Azrael the Dragon Emperor to look at things.

* Allician Haynes healing potions.

* Jardin leads rest of party to Dervish cells to rest.

The party gets settled in.

Druul focuses on Oswitha and ends up with a mat of flowers on the floor that make a map with blue flowers as waves, brown as the southern islands of Curabel, and white flowers as the lands far to the south. Red flowers like ships, and a gold flower on the lead ship. Druul sketches a map, then cuts down the flowers and annoys the Winter Elves with them.

Velkin, Kauri, and Oskar go with Azrael to his ancient study and help look for the report on the ancient Matriarchs.

'''The summary follows:'''

After thorough interrogation of the captured human warriors and vivisection of select specimens, the initial hypothesis that the entire human race is native to Meidia must be revised. While the prisoners themselves were born in this dimension and will admit to no knowledge of a previous home, there is clear evidence that members of this particular tribe have ancestors from Elsewhere. Specifically, the supernatural powers of some of their shamans (i.e., those who don’t practice blood magic) depends upon a unique “negative” trans-spatial force. This negatively charged intrinsic quality allows them to manipulate energy to create effects similar to what the Draic’kin can achieve, but by very different means; they are, in effect, energy sinks that passively collect power just from existing on Meidia. The likeliest scenario is that two groups of humans have mixed in this tribe – one native and the other Outsider. This would explain the sporadic nature of these abilities in the current population. While this is interesting from a theoretical standpoint, it follows from the distinctive nature of the negative trans-spatial force that further study of this tribe will not lead to any insights regarding a means for our own people to return home. Their original dimension must differ considerably from the Draic’kin home, at least in terms of energy signature. The best course of action, therefore, is to eliminate the unusual shamans and pacify the remaining tribe members

Lungmold, Brendil, and Ranarth use the much more frayed and much smaller portal to go to the Winter King. They find the Nexus bare and the portal to the Winter Realm much smaller. They are greeted by Sir Firthold who leads them to the Winter King.

The Winter King charges them to tell no one of his desire, not even other Winter Elves, for the secret of time travel and to get it from the dragon emperor unawares. He changes their medallions to only have a dim light, like Kauri's candle, and gives them a small snowball that only lets them call the Winter King, he can't listen in. Brendil takes charge of that.

The Winter King muses that if they succeed, they will be at his right hand like brothers and he can give them entire planets. They can meet the dragons with overwhelming force and kill them, then do the same for the dwarves and use their portals to take over their realms.

He admits to being worried about the DVLs as they are a lot like he is which is why he is consolidating power in the underdark.

Sir Firthold leads them back to the Nexus and they learn that there is another web portal in the Higeki temple in Malgrim. They send Ranarth to tell Velkin that Lungmold and Brendil are going to get the other portal from Bili.

Ranarth is obviously lying when he says that the Winter King promised them some things vaguely and said that we are doing a great job and to keep it up. He even suggests Velking should get in on the action.

Lungmold and Brendil get to the embassy and get the portal from Bili and tell him about the other portal in the Higeki temple.

Azra gives Lungmold a bunch of paper labeled "To Kauri."

Jax says that he won't leave the embassy, but that Azrael or one of his flunkies, like Jardin are welcome to visit. He "resigned" which isn't allowed, so is concerned about retaliation.

Lungmold and Bredil head back to the other portal.

Khelratha gets a basin and water for a bath and a comb and beard oil, that Alician gets from Jardin.

Khelratha washes up and combs out the scraggles in his beard and applies and combs out his beard and used a generous amount of beard oil (using nearly all of it) and braids it to indicate he is a dwarf without a clan and is on a mission of revenge.

Lambertus then knocks on all the doors asking if we've seen Lungmold, Brendil, and Ranarth.

This agitates Ajax who flies to Druul, who uses the scepter to learn that they went to see the Winter King.

When Khelrathat learns this he hurriedly dresses and stomps off looking for them.

We get to the room with Velkin, Kauri, and Oskar and learn that everything is ok. Oskar returns with the group and Ranarth squeezed in the middle.

Druul shares the sketch he made of his flower map with Velkin & Kauri and stays with them.

When Lungmold and Brendil get back they explain what they've learned, omitting details about their deal with the Winter King.

Lungmold gives the papers from Azra to Kauri.

'''Contents of papers for Kauri:'''

i.) The Matriarchs are ancient heroes who sacrificed themselves to preserve the knowledge of their people. They are the guardians of knowledge, wisdom, courage, and good health.

ii.) The Matriarchs called their original acolytes to the Great Mountain before they cast off their mortal forms, teaching the earliest Daughters and Sons secret wisdom that was used to fight back the wilderness’s monsters and establish a realm of peace surrounding their holy mountain.

iii.) Eventually, though, the Matriarchs grow ancient and chose to sacrifice their living form to become eternal guardians. They were able to continue shepherding their acolytes, who consulted the Matriarchs’ wisdom in prophetic dreams and visions.

iv.) When the Dragons came from the Outer Darkness, the Matriarchs helped lead their living acolytes in war against those abominations. Despite their great wisdom and goodness, though, the Matriarchs and their children were almost undone by the unnatural power of the dragons.

v.) Some, like Oswitha’s children, fled the dragons; others, hid themselves on the holy mountain; most marched to their deaths in an attempt to destroy the Outsiders.

vi.) When it was over, the Dragons had triumphed. However, the Matriarchs were kept hidden and safe. They whispered in the dreams of their children, keeping alive the memory of freedom – both through the Dragon’s realm of terror and the Dwarven Empire that succeeded it.

vii.) Finally, when the Matriarchs’ great-great-grandchildren won their freedom from Outsiders, the Mothers called a new generation of acolytes to the Holy Mountain. There they lived lives of simplicity and hard work, guided by dreams and visions filled with the Matriarchs’ wisdom.

viii.) The ascetics of the Caverns of the Dead taught me and Azra about the Mothers. Neither of us attained the same degree of enlightenment they enjoyed, but we were improving. When the earthquake killed them, we tried to continue our meditations on our own, but it was hard.

Druul takes Brendil to his room and gathers up a bouquet and asks Ceres to breath ice on them, and Druul says, 5 gold for your lady? Brendil pays and delivers them.

She gives him a stony look as Brendil hands them over, but does not knock them out of his hand.

Brendil bows and she points at Brendil then points at the door. Then he hears a bunch of laughter and giggling.

Lungmold relays to Tyrial that any way shape or form to get the information on time travel from the dragons.

'''For Next Session:'''

* Tell Azrael about Jax to work on the pylons and the snowflake thing.

* Azrael did make a sketch of Hdrasta. Just general shape of main entrance.

* Velkin will ask if there are any stashes of weapons that will affect the DVLs. Most Imperial weapons were DVL stuff.

* The door One Horn can't open has three depressions the stone key around his neck looks like the stone on the bracer that Brendil now has. So we need one more.

* Perhaps the Harpy lair or Myrientaxus' old lair?

=== Lungmold's Summary ===

Lung mold session 73

After the audience with the winter king.
We are shown to where we will be sleeping.
i mention to trial that he should set up Watches,
he agrees and suggest each winter elf take a prisoner as well to watch over.
He is a good kid, i wonder why he thinks of me....

Hmmm of course Hard Stone Floors, i wouldn't expect anything else
from peoples so detached from the land.

so i asked the jardin fellow for some fresh dirt to settle into.
he agreed.
Well they are very abominating, i suppose they are not that bad.
i do need to talk to this jardin more about the time travel stuff.

So Vulcan , Kauri and Oscar went below to look at what this dragon king calls his library
for some kind of information, always writing and studying those two,

while waiting for my dirt i got this since i should go talk to the Winter King
and as i was thinking it, ranarth came in and suggested the same,
and his emblem was slightly glowing.

i said ok but need to grab brendil, and go find Welkin.
On our way out. The dragon people came back with my dirt enough for one night.

, and then we ran into Alician, who had the potions we requested.

i did tell Ajax where we were going so at least someone here knew, in case there was trouble.
So Alician directed us down to where Velkin is.

as we made our way we ran across Azrael, he had a lot of questions about why i wanted to know about time travel, and what these symbols
the three of us ware,
he wanted to examine one, but i declined to do so before asking the winter king about it.
so we respectfully declined and went to find Welkin.

Finding Welkin, Kauri and Oscar, in a room filled with scrolls and a couple of desks
i tell welkin we need to go to see the winter king right away.
Welkin doesn't hesitate, but as he opened the portal, he noticed it started to fray a bit more.
he said he would leave it open just in case.

so we go into the web portal and find the chambers to be empty except for Firth old
he was expecting us.
Before we head into the winter realm we notice the portal is way smaller now
we go in and make our way to the winter kings chambers.

as we arrive, we are announced by foothold, seeing no one else there and all furniture removed from the chamber
except for the one chair the winter king is in

The Winter king greets us and tells us to come get warm by the fire

then he proceeds to tell us about the web portals won't be used by him much longer
although they will still work.
and how they are moving the portal to the Front, where they will be attacking the silence from.

We talk for a bit and the winter king is very pleased without progress, and
we need to pursue getting the info for the time travel.

he praises us and talks about trust, and status of position should he succede
with our help on time travel,
he talks about going back in time, and figuring out how to defeat all the armies that have come here
over time.

he then asks us for the medallions we wear. and know Ariel will find out what they are
he dispels the magic on them, gives them a small dose of magic in the form of a glow.

and says he trusts us enough now so the need to know every move is not necisary.
The Winter King gives us a snow ball, and tells us it will track us, but he can not hear through it
(i dont know if i believe that) tells us to hold it in our fist and help will arrive.

We finish up with a bit of small talk, he even called us Brothers, and then we head back
we decide to to Malgrim to get the web portal from Billy for a back up,
lucky for us there's a portal open in the upper halls, so its not far from the Embassy.

We send Ranarth back to let the party know we are ok, and where we were going.
so they dont worry.

We get to the Embassy. and talk to everyone there, telling jax about the possible meeting of the minds, jax suggests they come here
azura gives me parchment for Kauri, and all information is shared. then we head back.

coming out of the portal they are relieved we are back. i give Welkin the 2nd portal.
and give Kauri the parchment.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 40 - Session 73

Laurilden 29, 12:00pm
00.000.10.02

Azreal leads Kauri and Oskar and I down to his ancient study and we find a scroll with notes from the time soon after Azreal and the Dragons arrived on Meidia and were in opposition to the Mikal humans.

This is the scroll we found:

'''Human Matriarchal Tribes from the Mikal Peak Region'''
''Conclusion:''
''After thorough interrogation of the captured human warriors and vivisection of select specimens, the initial hypothesis that the entire human race is native to Meidia must be revised. While the prisoners themselves were born in this dimension and will admit to no knowledge of a previous home, there is clear evidence that members of this particular tribe have ancestors from Elsewhere. Specifically, the supernatural powers of some of their shamans (i.e., those who don’t practice blood magic) depends upon a unique “negative” trans-spatial force. This negatively charged intrinsic quality allows them to manipulate energy to create effects similar to what the Draic’kin can achieve, but by very different means; they are, in effect, energy sinks that passively collect power just from existing on Meidia. The likeliest scenario is that two groups of humans have mixed in this tribe – one native and the other Outsider. This would explain the sporadic nature of these abilities in the current population. While this is interesting from a theoretical standpoint, it follows from the distinctive nature of the negative trans-spatial force that further study of this tribe will not lead to any insights regarding a means for our own people to return home. Their original dimension must differ considerably from the Draic’kin home, at least in terms of energy signature. The best course of action, therefore, is to eliminate the unusual shamans and pacify the remaining tribe members.''

He gives us the scroll and heads back up top while Kauri and I continue to filter through his study. There’s 2 desks here, they were Azreal’s and Prix’s desks. He seems nostalgic about the past and is more focused on going home than he has been. Or so he’s leading us to believe.

He relates that the Mikals were a more negatively charged race, Dragons from Drakon, are a positively charged race.

Hdrasta was the Mikal’s last fortress.

The Winter King’s sworn come looking for me and ask to open the portal, they've been summoned to an audience with the Winter King. I oblige and they head down the portal. It’s very frayed and only 1 person wide now. It’s curiously less cold than it was. Kauri and I continue our scouring of the Dragon Emperor’s study.

Azreal took interest in them on their way down and quizzes them on the Winter King and his motivations. They stonewall him when he asks to examine a snowflake.

Raynarth returns without Lungmold and Brendil, I chat with Raynarth, he’s not forthcoming about the meeting with the Winter King and is obviously hiding something. He does attempt to sway me to siding with the Winter King. In his mind, the prevailing party in our future. This could be a problem depending on what exactly is going on.

The whole party came marching down looking for whatever trouble Lungmold, Raynarth and Brendil went to take care of. Raynarth relates his story and since there’s no excitement they head back up. Druul stays and shows us the map he received from his meditative vision. How interesting. The Matriarchs listen.

—---
The web nexus is empty when Lungmold, Brendil and Raynarth get there, the portal is notably smaller with a single winter elf, Sir Firthold standing guard over the portal. The portal is having problems and we’re moving. They’re going to open the portal near the Silence and the Winter King wants an audience with them. The dining hall is empty with just the Winter King present. The Herald is also gone. Firthold announces them and leaves the room. The three are alone with the Winter King.

The Winter king says, you’ve surprised me again. Time travel, you’ve found a way. Lungmold says he’ll acquire the time travel papers from the Inquisitorial Library. If the Winter King turns back time and is ready for both the Dwarves and the Dragons and will wipe them out, they can flip time multiple times coming back multiple times creating bigger and bigger armies. When the dwarves come, we take their ships, go back through their portal and take their empire and you’ll be given entire planets. He takes their symbols and gives one of them a little ball of snow. It’ll do the same thing as the symbols and has less of a connection than the medallions. He can’t hear what your group says and sees. “But you’ve gained my trust.” He places his hands on Lungmold’s shoulders and says “I trust you, you’ll do the right thing.” and does it to Brendil as well, but not Raynarth.

Brendil carries the Snowball of the Winter King after the medallions are taken. And asks for a replacement/fake medallion to be examined by Azrael. He demagics them and passes them back. This conversation stays between the four of them only. No one can know this plan.

Lungmold reports the winter elves of their retinues are doing well. He says that they are fully within their bounds to promise them rewards once the Winter King conquers the Contested Lands. They bow and leave. He says you do this last thing, bring me time travel, you’ll be like brothers… Not like that Summer Lord brother, he’s an ass. I’ll amass an army over eons and then I’ll crush him and take over the Contested Lands. Do not let Azreal have the information.

He shares some information: The DVL’s are the one enemy he has concerns about. Ideally, they can be dealt with before they were ever free’d. Depending on what the rules of Time Travel reveal. Lloth is fraying the portals. The whole web nexus will be gone eventually. The portals have been given to the commanders that have been sent out to fight. They’ll need them for his offensive against the Silence.

Firthold says that the portal to the Higeki citadel in Malgrim is open and they’re free to use it.
Tralvig is where the Web Nexus is.

They go get Billi’s portal at Jax’s to take back to the party and swap out with the frayed portal and talk with those at the Malgrim Dwarven Embassy.

Lungmold and Brendil go through the correct passage into the Higeki citadel of Malgrim. They head to the Embassy. The city is calm again, no fighting. Though there’s a fair bit of graffiti, pictorial and in gnome. Anti-Winter King propaganda.
At the Embassy, Lungmold tosses a grapple over and goes into the Embassy, telepathically using the Password (Dedicated Virtual Lifeforms).
Lungmold and Brendil leave their DVL stuff outside.
They go find Bili with his Aunt in the Eastern room (Kitchen/food prep) along with Lucifer the cat.
They get Bili’s portal. And we’ll use the Higeki citadel to come back to Malgrim.
They have their freedom of movement papers for Bili and the rest.
No traffic, the city is still on edge.

Jax and Azra come in. Azra goes over with some papers tied with a string. Points to it and it says “To Kauri” on the outside.
Jax comes in, “Weren’t you just here?!?” We have news.
We’ve been talking with Azreal and Jardin with a way to repel Xhen Khel.

He’s not interested in coming to Xhen Khel but they’re welcome to come to the Embassy. He’d worked with Jardin before. He ‘resigned’ his position with them, which is not allowed… so he’d rather meet them under his terms, not theirs. In case a discussion is needed.

Jax has misplaced his ‘freedom of movement’ papers. He’ll clean the table… Azra mimes… ‘SHE’LL be cleaning the table.

Head back to Xhen Khel.
—---
Brendil and Lungmold return.

I ask about the Winter King’s meeting and get vague answers. Concerning. They pass me the backup portal and give Kauri the message from Azra. And we write down directions to the Higeki tunnel from the Nexus.

Message from Azra on the teachings of the Matriarch she knows.

''i. The Matriarchs are ancient heroes who sacrificed themselves to preserve the knowledge of their people. They are the guardians of knowledge, wisdom, courage, and good health.''

''ii. The Matriarchs called their original acolytes to the Great Mountain before they cast off their mortal forms, teaching the earliest Daughters and Sons secret wisdom that was used to fight back the wilderness’s monsters and establish a realm of peace surrounding their holy mountain.''

''iii. Eventually, though, the Matriarchs grow ancient and chose to sacrifice their living form to become eternal guardians. They were able to continue shepherding their acolytes, who consulted the Matriarchs’ wisdom in prophetic dreams and visions.''

''iv. When the Dragons came from the Outer Darkness, the Matriarchs helped lead their living acolytes in war against those abominations. Despite their great wisdom and goodness, though, the Matriarchs and their children were almost undone by the unnatural power of the dragons.''

''v. Some, like Oswitha’s children, fled the dragons; others, hid themselves on the holy mountain; most marched to their deaths in an attempt to destroy the Outsiders.''

''vi. When it was over, the Dragons had triumphed. However, the Matriarchs were kept hidden and safe. They whispered in the dreams of their children, keeping alive the memory of freedom – both through the Dragon’s realm of terror and the Dwarven Empire that succeeded it.''

''vii. Finally, when the Matriarchs’ great-great-grandchildren won their freedom from Outsiders, the Mothers called a new generation of acolytes to the Holy Mountain. There they lived lives of simplicity and hard work, guided by dreams and visions filled with the Matriarchs’ wisdom.''

''viii. The ascetics of the Caverns of the Dead taught me and Azra about the Mothers. Neither of us attained the same degree of enlightenment they enjoyed, but we were improving. When the earthquake killed them, we tried to continue our mediations on our own, but it was hard.''

—-
Druul meditates, concentrating on Oswitha and wakes when Alisceon knocks offering healing, he finds himself in a room full of flowers that coincide with what we know of the geography south of where we are now with the symbology of ships heading this way with a gold star on the lead ship.

Druul destroys the flower map leaving a rootbed over the floor. Collecting the flowers for his nefarious purposes. Selling them and making the Winter Elves uncomfortable. Although he does good by Brendil…
—-
Brendil gives Tarathiel a bundle of frozen flower. Her and Adthana do some giggling when he leaves. They’re still working on their language skills.
___
Khelratha cleans up and uses most of Jardin’s beard oil…
—-
Alisceon sends up Whiskey to us at Brendil’s request and is convinced we’re hedonists… naked Druul, a Dwarf needing bear oil

Session Seventy-Two Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T04:10:18Z

Laris:

== Session 72, November 24 2021 ==
[[File:Dragon Emperors Throne.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 10:50AM on the 29th of Laurilden (00.000.10.02 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party standing before the Dragon Emperor in a hidden sanctuary behind the giant waterfall near Xen'Khel. Various iterations of the group have worked tirelessly to thwart this outsider's plans to conquer Curabel, but now the party is here at Azrael's invitation and seeks to recruit him in their fight against the DVLs. Will they be able to forge an alliance?

We shared almost all of our information with Azrael, the Dragon Emperor, after he laid out all his cards on the table.

'''He has 5 avenues of research to deal with the DVLs:''' 
# Controlled Eruption: Heliocharnaxus (Place of Medeia erupt into the Dragon Home World to negate magic.)
# Time Travel: Jardin (Imperial Inquisitor that the party as the Starcy Boyz dealt with. He impersonated Lord Thornton for a while. Lungmold piped up on the time travel bit.)
# Sealing/Destroying Medial Dimensions: Itherrialma (Seal off all connections to the City of Brass to cut off the DVLs from their home.)
# Virology: Niximanthus (Combine the Ancient Dwarven undead contagion with Prixithalma's DVL virus.)
# Soul Harvesting: Azrael (A way to collect the Transpatial Energy from the dead and store it. Allow the dragons to return home.)

'''We revealed the following information:''' 
* That we had a vision from the Matriarchs about the plans of Asmodeus & the DVLs to build a tower and destroy all life on Medeia.
* That we have Suttung's Notes on the DVL trap based off Azrael's research. (We did NOT mention that the Silverthrone Embassy in _ is functional, nor that that is where Jax is.)
* That we are working with Jax. (We learn that he was once an Imperial Inquisitory, like Jardin, but retired a long time ago. Sort of like Jager.)
* That we have a vial of what we believe to be Prixithalma's blood and the scales and blood of the dragon that we met with the Dervishes when we checked out Jager's place. This cemented the deal to help us deal with One Horn.
* That we have invited the Winter King, Summer Lord, Verdant Fellowship, Parliament of Birds, Lord Thornton, Southern Tribes, and Armada.
* That Hdrasta is occupied by One Horn and has some sort of vault from the Matriarchs that he cannot open. This greatly interested Azrael.
* Khelrathat mentioned that time was funny at the Winter King's place.
* [Edit: Did I miss anything that we revealed?]

I believe the only thing we withheld is that Jax is in the embassy and that the embassy is a functional DVL trap.

'''Examples of Medial Dimensions are:''' 
* The Shadow Realm (allows shadow stepping)
* The City of Brass
* Winter King's realm

Various uses of '''Medial Dimensions''' would allow traveling through them similar to Shadow Stepping. These involve the first Three of the five areas of research directed by Azrael.

Khelratha was agitated and more talkative and revealing about his origins/memories/who he may actually be.

He held up the Starchy Badge he took from Rallion's gear and said "This is all that remains of the Starchy Boyz." He ended up taking off his armor and revealing scars on his arms and front of his torso, many in common and some in dwarven.

Khelratha talked like he knew Jardin and Prixithalma and many of the Starchy Boyz.

Khelratha explained that he fell from the sky and remembered hanging around some gnomes, then a big fight, then waking up someplace else, then falling from the sky, wandering in the jungle until being found by the Montoan Warriors and joining the Wardens of Medeia.

'''The plan of action we settle on is:''' 
# Azrael and Kauri will search the archives for information on the Matriarchs. (Azrael mentioned that he didn't think they were from Medeia. But we argued they were.)
# We will talk with Jax and work out what he is OK for us to reveal to the Dragon Emperor.
# Azrael will send 6 junior members of his family, AKA dragons, to go with us to Hdrasta to deal with One Horn and try to access the vault. Hdrasta was the last stronghold of the Matriarchs and was a dragon killing funnel. Azrael lost a lot of family there. Azrael feels that this might aid Heliocharnaxus with his research into ''Controlled Eruption''.
# Go with Jardin and a small force to Gharmarost to the Inquisitorial Library to retrieve information about the details of all the Medial Realms to help with Research.

'''Names Khelratha has carved into himself in Common:''' 
# Baldirc's Boys
# Starchy Boyz
# Guardians of the Council
# Ir’Alle
# Edan
# Sturloc
# Kottar
# Bellisente
# Talon
# Chuq
# Starchie
# Elspeth
# Shiggareth and the merfolk
# Myrientaxus

'''Names Khelratha has carved into himself in Dwarven:''' 
# "Mother" [over his heart]
# Dolman
# Dardanna
# Desric Three-Horn
# Axle Rhomkul
# Xenilum Khel
# Clan Ironhand

'''Fresh Names in Common:''' 
# Montoa
# Rallion
# Gath

'''Names He Carved during the meeting when he heard that they were dead:''' 
# Prixithalma
# Marchmain Sivis
# Serithaz

'''Incomplete Name:''' 
# Ro...

Kehlratha revealed his ''friend'' whom he keeps talking to in his pack. Wrapped in a tattered cloak is a stone, about the size of a head, that Khelratha introduced as Ronan.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 39 - Session 72

Laurilden 29, 10:50am

We’re in the throneroom of the Dragon Emperor Azreal and Jardin, another Dragon for an audience.

We speak with Azreal and Jardin on the current and recent states of affairs. We relay what we know of the fall of Xenotel, and the fate of Prixithalma along with what we know of Azmodeous. We tell him of the Winter King and the various goings on between the Parliment of Birds, Temorere and their point of view after the leadership change.

Khelratha is fairly confrontational with Jardin and Azreal’s past deeds. He reveals that the scars he has are all the names of fallen… comrades and his rock is named Ronan… I dunno. Still haven’t been able to follow completely his ramblings… That’s likely a sane thing to have said I think…

Azreal is a realist. Now that the Control device of Xeno Tel has been destroyed. The Magic of the Dwarves is no more. Mostly for the worse since putting that back in the bottle won’t be easy… maybe not even possible.

The Matriachs and he encountered each other. And they’re still around. Asmodeus is up to something and Kauri describes the vision. He has an artifact to place in a tower exactly where his palace used to be. The vision intones it’s bad for this world. Contacting his other selves, Gathering a massive amount of transpatial energy for something really big.

Jardin looks at Azreal and shakes his head. Azreal can follow asmodeus’ thought process thus far. Azreal’s spend a good bit of time on how to get back to their home dimension. Part of that research involved the possibility of harvesting massive amounts of transpatial energy. He put that aside as it was too heinous. Maybe it would have been a better idea given where we are now. But that’s behind us now.

1 thought, at some point the artifact will be brought here (the shard to Meidia). it’d be cutting it close though. We need intelligence.

Winter king and Summer lord are rapacious conquerors. He’s familiar with them.

Jax he knows.

We’ve a vial of Myriantaxis’ blood and scales and blood from Narthox.

We go over those we’ve invited to the Meidian conclave.

There’s a barrier around Azreal’s area. Keeps the DVL’s from seeing into this area. They pass over it. This research goes back for as long as the matriach’s have been gone. The first invasion of the ancient dwarves. it’s kept us safe so far. It’s built into the structure of this laboratory. Not portable. He can share some of the design notes from when it was created. Not sure it could scale up to save the world though.

We discuss the Embassy’s functional DVL trap. And show him the notes from Edan and Setung of the trap. He thinks a portable version could be done.

His people are working on some things… He wants to talk about some potential solutions with what ‘s left of his scholars, family.
4 maybe 5 options for potential solutions to the DVL problem.

Controlled Eruption: Heliocharnaxus
Time Travel: Jardin
Sealing/Destroying Medial Dimensions: Itherrialma
Virology: Niximanthus
Soul Harvesting: Azrael

1) Heliocharnaxus: Controlled eruption of mediean geography into the dragon homeworld. Based on the principle that low energy worlds can be thrust into higher magic worlds if an area can be stripped of magic. Stripped of inherent energy signature of this world can force an intrusion of a higher energy world. Jager had researched it. An artifact like the theoretical orb of antimagic would be needed. Something that would negate or counter magic. (the Shard?)

2) Time Travel. Jardin: Mostly theoretical. Medial dimensions, between the prime dimensions, like the city of brass. there’s a multitude of them and some don’t follow time like other planes where time could flow backwards. For years, inquisitors collected information on dimensional anomalies. He dismissed most of them. Focused on travelling between prime dimensions. That information was held in the inquisitor’s stronghold on the mainland. Jardin and an inquisitor are working on a raid on the library.

3) Itherrialma: Time travel on a different end. Sealing off/destroying inter dimensional dimensions. (Medial Dimensions such as The City of Brass. Figure out how they’re connected. Use the dimensional understanding to cut the links to the medial dimensions from. Figure out connections between the dimensions.

4) Virology and DVL’s. Niximanthus. Alterations to the infectious diseases under xhen khel. Modify it to attack the DVL’s. Rely’s on some of Prix’s work on antimagic viruses. Combine that with pathogen tech to target DVL’s. Also anything recovered from the pathogen lab. A bit of luck and better safety protocols.

A 5th option: Azrael: Large scale soul harvesting to power a return portal. Based on azreal’s theory of death relating to release of transpatial energy. His problem, there was no way to store the energy from a mass killing… he’s dismissed it.

Azreal believes DVL’s can’t be destroyed, they return to their medial dimensional home: The city of brass.

Kauri asks about original Median magic of the matriarchs? Azreal always thought the matriarch’s weren’t from ‘round here. They used to take prisoners and experimented on them. He’ll look for his notes. He believes, these matriarchs were from somewhere else as well. They don’t emit transpatial energy at all. He sends Alician to get those notes. The old records regarding the original empire. The elves were from elsewhere, abandoned here by those who brought them. The winter king and summer lord.

Khelratha knew Prix. He didn’t know where she was. He pulls out a rock wrapped up in his cloak, a stone. He says it’s his friend Ronin….. All the names carved into Khelratha, are people that have been in this group, present and past. Jardin comes closer to khelratha and looks into his face. Then holds his had up to see how tall he is. Unhunched. He says that Khelratha is the last descendent of the dark king, Thorfus Ironhand. Khelratha insists he’s Khelratha. Elspeth was the innkeeper in Midmark where the starchy boys had their first Headquarters.

Azreal thinks something may be wrong with Khelratha’s mind. The last thing he remembers before he was in the sky: He was running, left myriantaxis behind with prixithalma. He just described the fight where thorfus was killed. Khelratha is Thorfus. Just before Thorfus quizinarts ronin.

Azreal proposes coming into the meeting with a plan to save the world instead of meeting to plan a plan.

Gharmarost, the main port of the empire. Firmly in the hands of the DVL’s. They’re building seagoing ships intended to collect tributes from various DVL’s across the globe. Enslaved people.

Less than 60 dragons left worldwide, a handful of inquisitors, one a dragon. 12 dragons are with him. There aren’t a lot of bodies to go around to assault One Horn. Heliokarnaxis may go with a contingent of troops.

Some things:
We’ll search his old archives for records regarding the Matriarchs.
We’ll talk with Jax about a cooperative operation with the Dwarven battery and DVL trap options, he thinks a portable option may be possible.
Azreal will help us with taking Hdrasta. Hoping an antimagic item is there.
We’ll go with Jardin to extract the notes he needs from the Inquisitorial Library on the Mainland.

Session Seventy-One Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T04:09:25Z

Laris:

== Session 71, November 17 2021 ==
[[File:Bridge Automaton Xen Khel.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 9:30PM on the 28th of Laurilden (00.000.10.03 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party cowering inside the open web portal after fleeing back inside to escape the giant bridge automaton guarding Xen'Khel. Can the group sneak the rest of the way across the wasteland and arrive in one piece at Xen'Khel? Will the portal be damaged further by either blunt force or the sun? Who's pulling the strings of that colossal guardian? Maybe there will be answers, maybe not ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Felix & Lambertus heal up all the wounded and get Kauri and Druul conscious. We the retreat into the portal and Velkin closes it up to wait until dawn to shadow step to the mountain. Velkin is approached by what we later surmise to be two DVLs operating the colossus that hit us with a bridge. We later learned that the DVLs are using the colossi for a blockade to keep others from gaining access to things in Xen Khel. The dragon emperor's people were there prior to that.

Druul used the scepter to heal Khelratha who failed his save and raved about all kinds of things. It was hard to tell a difference from his usual ramblings other than they were much louder and more animated. Khelratha was restrained so it didn't cause any real issues.

Felix, Lambertus, & Kauri rested and re-charged their spells off the portal. Once again, the portal was destabilized, because of this. One apprentice cryoturge lost his hand when the portal collapsed.

The next morning, Velkin shadow stepped onto the trail up the mountain past the guard house. Velkin noticed a humanoid shape at the guardhouse looking down the trail. Wisely, he went beyond where the figure could see him open the portal and we all quickly exited. Khelratha moved up and suggested a building to enter. On the way, Velkin, who was invisible, closed doors and held them so the infected would not react to us. The hobgoblin tried to make a break for it, but we killed him before he could alert any creatures to our presence. Lungmold scanned and detected wrong minds to warn us.

The building we headed to was occupied with normal minds. Khelratha knocked and when asked who's there? answered that we were invited. We were let in when Velkin mentioned Allician Haynes. We were informed of the blockade and that the infected are all over, and that they have blocked off some areas. We went a different route and followed a path along the canyon and behind the Hammer Falls. A non-dwarven construction with enormous iron doors with embossing of a dragon were inside.

We were escorted to Allician, who had food and drink brought, and then escorted us to the Dragon Emperor. On the way, Tik Tok let out a scream. Something isn't right. Felix stayed behind with Tik Tok, as did the Winter Elves, and Raynarth. Raynarth is here hunting illegally, and doesn't want to meet his "true king." Especially because of his allegiance to the Winter King.

We were escorted to a large room with a dais and a middle aged looking man in a white robe on the throne. He was not impressed with our looks and asked someone off to the side, if this was them. Jardin stepped out, who did not recognize any of us, and no one in the party recognized him.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 38 - Session 71

Lorilden 28 Evening
Moon 1: Half moon
Moon 2: ¼ waxing

I’m on the plain, invisible, hiding in a crater with the gigantic automaton keeping lookout over the area surrounding Xhen Khel waiting until almost dawn to shadowstep to Xhen Khel’s immediate surrounds. Hopefully the night will pass uneventfully.

So much for that, well mainly uneventfully. A couple DVL’s came poking around the crater, I couldn’t understand them but they see where Kauri and I got bloody, and moved back toward the Automaton. The automaton is evidently being run by a DVL or under it’s control as it pays no attention to the creatures walking by it., and it’s guarding Xhen Khel from anything trying to head that direction… and maybe getting away from as well….

The night passes uneventfully and as the morning shadows pass along the path leading up to the outer settlement, I shadowstep above the gatehouse toward the city. There’s a humanoid figure near the gatehouse keeping watch on the approach to the gate. I leave him be and move on up the path around the bend out of it’s perception, I hope. The Automaton is focused outward and so I open the portal and bring the party out and head toward the settlement atop the mesa.

Not much happened while they were waiting for me, this is what they told me:
Back in the Winter King’s area, the portal to the winter realm, is a lot more flickery now.

One of the apprentices who was putting his hand in and out gets his hand amputated. The portal winks out of existence and stays gone for a bit. Then comes back. Wrathmere, one of the mages lungmold talks to looks perplexed and wanders towards the party stroking his chin.

Druul interprets Rathmere. He asks for help with the malfunctioning portal. Borthan suggests there’s an interruption in the flow of power to the portal.

Kauri – explores the idea of using blood magic energy to power the control circlet with TickTock. They weren’t DVL’s in the circlets. He says the automatons shouldn’t be working. It could be like his clock, the DVL just hangs out with his happy place. If so, the circlet would be useless if it’s a free DVL…

Their conclusions about the automaton coincide with what I saw with the DVL’s wandering about last night.

As we approach the city KhelRatha seems to know the way. I hear noises that aren’t from the wind, but could be associated with the dead/not dead creatures. Lungmold scans and between his telepathic sense and my stealth, some luck and a pint of oil for squeaky hinges, we pass by a number of undead before the belligerent hobgoblin attempts to escape. He’s quickly brought down without alerting any of the creatures. Forcas brings him down with a poisoned bolt.

I’m refining my idea of Forcas’ servitude. The little guy is quite helpful. Our current set of circumstances and reality require a much more cooperative effort for survival and continued existence than a master/servant arrangement. I’m loathe to lose a servant, however, could it be that slavery isn’t as perfect as I once percieved? The bonds of a common goal with these varied personas and races I travel with are enlightening in the lengths this party will go for each other. Those who’ve sworn to the Winter King somewhat excepted from that. Divided loyalties could be a problem for the Wardens of Meidia. Or not. As yet to be determined.

We reach a larger building toward the gate leading deeper into the Khel and Lungmold detects normal thoughts. It turns out the Dervishes were watching us as we made our way through the past few hundred yards or so. The Redcloaks let us in when we mention Alisceon Hayne’s invite. They lead us down into the Khel relating the current and recently passed events here at Xhen Khel. He takes us to the Dragon King Azreal’s current domain. It isn’t much, and we pass through some sketchy areas of the Khel, along a river and behind a waterfall.

We’re offered food, water and a brief rest before meeting Azreal. Alisceon’s official uniform of office, an Inquisitor, has her wearing a mask with a mirror-like surface.

As we’re led to meet the Dragon Emperor, TikTok gets restless and Kauri relates there’s something ugly ahead, it’s messing him up, he can’t tell time, and he’s got vertigo or something. We leave him with his clock along with Felix and Raynarth and some others outside that influence. Raynarth is from the Empire and looks peaked at meeting his previous liege.

We meet Jardin and Azrael.

Session Seventy Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T04:08:10Z

Laris:

== Session 70, November 10 2021 ==
[[File:Temeraire-attack.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 7:00AM on the 28th of Laurilden (00.000.10.03 on the Apocalypse Clock) with most of the party at the nexus of Llolth's web seeking a guide to the Winter King's court to trade battle trophies for healing. Meanwhile, Velkin prepares to shadow step across the wilderness to avoid a giant automaton and bring the party to the base of the Xen'Khel peaks. What awaits them in the ruined dwarven city remains to be seen ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

Sir Firthold is not available. Lungmold gives Sir Gharmond one of the giant heads to take us to the Winter King to present our trophies for healing. He agrees to return us just after we left. Gharmond presents the head Lungmold gave him fist. Then Lungmold presents the other three heads and the bone snapper head for healing. Khelratha presents the head of the giant he fought and asks that if the Winter King's forces find the Dark King that Khelratha be the one to take his head. Gharmond then takes us back to the portal. At the portal we rest and Lambertus recharges his spells. 3 minutes into the process and 30 minutes before the end the portal flickers and gets the attention of the Winter Elves. At first they think it a fluke, then when it happens again they are more concerned. If it fails they will have to open a new portal, but it won't be in the same place. This reduces the efficacy of Lolth's web to coordinate their attacks. Lungmold suggests Lolth could be behind it. Lambertus suspects it is because he drew power from it and it may be at its limit.

Kauri ends up in the roc nest atop Old Greybeard and talks to Temeraire. Kauri explains that he can't trust Asmodeus. Kauri brings out Tik Tok and talks to him. Temaraire seems to look straight at Tik Tok. Tik Tok mentions ASmodeus is the "Father of Lies." It may be that he's telling the truth, but only because he doesn't need all the power from the birds. More likely he is lying. It then occurs to Kauri and Tik Tok that perhaps Asmodeus is trying to free the DVLs in the dimensions where they are not free. Why else would he need that much power, since he seems to be able to travel back to the City of Brass, if he wanted.

Kauri then convinces Temeraire to return him to the group, so Kauri is dropped off near where Velkin is waiting for nightfall.

Kauri and Velkin decide to walk to the path to avoid the chance of DVLs following them. Kauri turns Velkin invisible, then himself.

Things went well until about two hours into their journey when the giant automaton hit them with a bridge. Velkin is bleeding out and Kauri is knocked senseless.

The rest of the party is at the end of the strand and knows it is past time for Velkin to open it. Druul reaches into his pocket for a portal to Velkin and crawls out of one of Velkin's pockets. Druul binds Velkin, but does not notice Kauri.

Druul finds the portal and opens it and pushes Velkin in. Khelratha comes out and puts on the gold control circlet, but he and Druul and smashed by the bridge. Lungmold activates his snowflake pendant and an ice dome appears. Lambertus casts cure light wounds on Velkin, then cure serious on Khelratha. Kehlratha thinks towards the automaton to stop and steps into the portal. The ice dome is smashed and the bridge comes down a few more times. Felix casts cure light wounds to make Velkin conscious and he alerts us to Kauri. Druul is also healed, as is Kauri, so all are conscious.

We elect to wait. Velkin will step outside, still invisible and fold up the portal and stow it. Then at first light, he will shadow step to the path.

=== Velkin's Scrolls ===

Velkin Scrolls 37 - Session 70

Laurilden 28, 7am
Apocalypse Clock 00:000:10:03

The party led by Sir Gharmond takes the party to the Winter King’s Hall.

It’s not feast time. The Winter King is hanging out going over some papers and maps of a diverse range of places, including some surface maps.

Lungmold presents the giant heads and the bonesnapper’s head for tribute to him as Sir Gharmond gives him one that we gave Gharmold.

Khelratha asks the Winter King the favor of taking the Dark King’s head if he’s found.

Brendil considers Cryotheurgy, one aspect of them. Natural energies as they are, or Transmutation pulling out the energies from the natural world. Summer Lord uses Heliotheurgy.

Sir Furthold has taken over a higeki citadel for the Winter King’s HQ, the Embassy is Lungmold’s to use for now.

Winter King Comments:
Military campaign takes precedence over Lungmold’s machinations so he’s not going to give us access to more Web portals.
Kill Traitors, and something about Time….

Sir Gaurmold leads the party out from the winter king’s area and bids us farewell. And he’s checking on maps.

Xhen Khel – the pathogen library was blown up by Starchy Boys and Marchmain dug down looking for a key from Prixithalma and let out the pathogen. Marchmain used a bridge automaton to go to Vargen… There may be a bioweapon problem here.

The winter realm portal flickers a bit. This excites the Winter Elves, the Cryotheurge mages come look at it. Losing the connection??? They’re going to post a watch over the portal and see if they can catch what happens and see if they can figure it out.

A few hours later, the portal flickers and fizzes again, he puts his hand through it and it steadies out. Something is breaking the connection. He doesn’t understand. There shouldn’t be anything pulling the Eternal Storm’s power away from the portal. Could it be Lloth (Lungmold suggests). Maybe they should put some protective magics around the area. Rathmere is the Mage, one of the King’s Cryothuerges. He goes to consult with his group. Possibly a retaliation by Lloth.

The web portals deteriorate over time away from the underdark and loci such as Lloth’s web.

The winter realm portal may have to be moved. If it gets closed, it’ll have to be opened in new spaces and may make using the central hub for the strategic advantage.

—-
At Greybeard, Kauri and TikTok have a chat.
The Machine absorbs the dead to maybe send DVL’s to a higher plane.

Stacked realities, that differ in some aspects, there could be some where it didn’t work out for him.

If Asmodeous is telling the truth about not needing every life, then maybe the birds will survive.

Kauri – we don’t know the whole picture of what’s going on.
Temorere is watching Kauri.

Asmodeus isn’t telling the complete truth… not sure why he’s trying to gather so much power. We have theories. Either moving further up the planar chain, or win in instances of reality.

Kauri convinces Temorere to take him back to the party.

I’m waiting alone and hidden for some shadows to appear on Xhen Khel watching the giant statue/automaton move a little occasionally, smashing the ground with a piece of bridge occasionally. Watching away from the plateau. A rat scurries around and I chitchat with that peabrain a few minutes and it notices Temorere coming back. I keep hidden and invisible. The Roc brings back Kauri and deposits him, then goes up very high, probably just watching. Kauri tells me of his conversation with Tictok and we discuss the option of attempting to sneak by the automaton or risk shadowstepping when the time is right. We decide to deal with the devil we know… so to speak, and take off walking, both of us invisible to cross the plain leading to Xhen Khel. It doesn’t go so well…. The automaton smashes the bridge near us, attracted by our movement, and knocks us both out. After we don’t open the portal timely, Druul reaches into his pocket and the web portal opens up in my pocket and he scrambles out, stabilizing me… Kauri’s still invisible. Khelratha runs out and challenges the automaton using his gold circlet to attempt to control it… He really isn’t right…. And when I’m revived, I grab Kauri and drag him back, Lunmgold taps his snowflake creating an icedome over the crater while we retreat into the portal. The automaton smashes and smashes the ice dome and crushes it.

After some recovery, I slip back through and close the portal inside the crater to carry out plan A properly.

Session Sixty-Nine Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T04:07:04Z

Laris:

== Session 69, November 3 2021 ==
[[File:XenKhelGates.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 9:30PM on the 27th of Laurilden (00.000.10.04 on the Apocalypse Clock) with the party in the Mikhel Peaks somewhere west of Xen'Khel shortly after Ajax was attacked by Temeraire the Roc while carrying the web portal. After the portal plummeted to the ground, the group was able to extricate themselves and recover the seriously injured raven. Now, the party waits for dawn, anxious about both a potential attack from their formidable avian foe and how far they still have left to travel to find the Dragon Emperor ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

While looking for firewood to make a fire to attract the roc Timorere, the King of the Parlement of Birds by usurpation, Khelratha, Lungmold, Druul, Ceres, and two winter elves are attacked by a large lizard called a bone smasher, but quickly kill it. We had just acquired 6 small scragly shrubs. Before dragging the wood and dead lizard back, Druul played to make some flowers grow where we had taken 6 of 7 shrubs.

On the way back to camp, we saw a light in the sky. Upon reaching camp, we find that Timorer had attacked and Lambertus cast continual light, but missed his eyes. Velkin attempted negotiation, the winter elves fired their bows and missed. Timorer attacked Oskar and started to fly off with him when Kauri cast charm monster and successfully charmed the roc. The roc said that we were upsetting the right order of things as the time of the humans was coming to an end. While he would morn the death of Kauri, he would keep him safe. He grabbed Kauri and flew off. There was nothing else we could do to stop this. We speculated that it might be Old Greybeard and the nest of the mated pair who once dwelt there.

Khelratha was greatly dejected that Kauri was now gone.

We moved camp and just after dawn on Lungmold's watch, he spotted 5 giants trying to sneak up and surround us. We acted and several set for charge, the winter elves fired their bows, and Khelratha charged.

Lungmold and 3 of the winter elves were dropped. Velkin poisoned one giant, and slowly the other giants were dealt with. Khelratha was not connecting as well as he has recently, so it was not until Lungmold was back in the fight that Kehlratha finally dropped his opponent. We found 100 gp.

We looked to get our bearings and saw that we were a day's journey from the base of Xen Khel. Between us and Xen Khel is a giant automaton about 100 feet tall carrying what looks like a bridge. Khelratha gave a shudder and spat with a dwarven curse. The others asked about the giant, and Khelratha gave obscure answers. The giant appeared to smash something beneath it and then resumed its pose. Khelratha shook his head and said, "It's a dangerous place, we should get walking."

The others pointed out that we have 3 unconscious and need healing and the clerics need to re-charge their spells. (Only Lambertus case spells in the fight with the roc.)

We decided to use the web portal and get healing. We gathered the 5 giant heads and the head of the lizard and entered. The web looks frayed. We then realize it is drow make and sensitive to the light. WE rush in and Velking closes it up. Ajax is in the web. VElkin then shadow stepped into the shadow of the peaks, past the giant automaton.

Those of us in the web seek healing from the Winter Elves. Brendil trades a handaxe that he claimed was used to kill 5 giants and the bone snapper to Sir Gharmold, the Keeper of the Citadel of Ice. This was more valued than the gems we were prepared to trade. This gets 12 cures and gets all on their feet, and makes some of us feel better.

We then plan to seek a guide, either Sir Gharmold or Sir Firthold, to take us to present trophies to the Winter King, then bring us back a few minutes after we left.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 36 - Session 69

Laruilden 27, 9:30pm
Somewhere West of Xhen Khel

Ajax was just attacked by Temarere, the Roc who killed the Golden Eagle and is now King of the Parliment of Birds.

Parliament of Birds, only inhabitant of Meidia when the Summer Lord and Winter King arrived to fight over it.

The Roc returns and says he’s spoke to a Yellow Hat and was led to believe that the DVL’s want nothing to do with the Parliment so he challenged and won the Kingship from the Golden Eagle, they just have to stay out of the DVL’s way and the birds can have Meidia back without the pesky humanoids. Temerere then attacks and is wiping the floor with us until Kauri charms him…. Then he flies away with Kauri, to keep him safe, leaving the rest of us dumbfounded but alive. Osker is beside himself.

We move camps, thinking that Temerir may have taken Kauri to Old Greybeard.

Tyrathiel and Brendil have a tutoring session, Brindle learning some Ancient Elven.

Khelratha talks to his pack.

I chat with Borthan about his homeland/plane where the one fixed point is the fortress of his people floating in the void. He’s going to see what happens here in Meidiea. He’s here to the end, whatever that may be, even literally.

I also chat with Forcas… I do think the little pech is growing on me. I’m not sure what that means just yet.

In the last watch, it’s noticed that 5 giants are ‘sneaking’ up on us. We prepare and they charge. We finally drop them after taking a beating and collect 160gp.

We take our bearing and we’re about a days journey from Xhen Khel. There is a giant automaton guarding the plateau where Xhen Khel is located:
Eastern slope of a mountain, looking to the lower lands to the east. We’re up a couple hours up the mountain. To the NE, there are several mesa looking areas, smaller peaks at the bottom of the range, there’s structures on them. Winding up the side to the lowest Mesa there’s a path going up. Crossing the land it’ll take most of the day to get to the incline. Has fortifications unknown if they’re manned. There is a very very large man shaped something not made of flesh about 100’ tall standing between Xhen Khel and where we are.

Giant is made by the ancients, used to be powered by DVL’s it’s holding a piece of the bridge it’s using as a club…. It smacks something, WITH A BRIDGE, then goes back being still.

We decide to split the party. I’ll stay out here and wait while the rest of the party goes and visits the Winter King’s outpost for healing taking the giant heads along for tribute. Our portal is becoming frayed, we figure it’s exposure to the light causing it’s degradation.

In Lloth’s web:
The winter elves are impressed by weapons with a history.
Sir Gharmold, Keeper of the Citadel of Ice. Lungmold and Brendil traded a hand axe and 6 priests arrive to heal the party and the retainers.

Session Sixty-Six Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T04:06:06Z

Laris:

== Session 66, October 13 2021 ==
[[File:Bstone 01.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at some unknown hour on the 25th of Laurilden (00.000.10.06 on Apocalypse Clock) with the party having convinced the Czizek-Ygna's of Malgrim to surrender to the Winter King's forces. The group is now headed back to the embassy to regroup in preparation for their return to the surface (and their quest to destroy One Horn).

=== Larry's Summary ===

The party left the Clan Kharst compound and decided to do a bit of shopping before dealing with the Mycelian gang, since they seem intent on bothering us.

We acquired more healing herbs so Kauri can make more healing potions.

Lungmold acquired a metal box to put his snowflake medallion in from the Winter King. It re-appeared on his neck. He bent the lid so that he could close it around the snowflake while still wearing it.

Along the way, the ground opens up in front of us and a large Earth Elemental comes out. Lungmold asks if it looking for Rallion and it says, "No, I'm seeking my master's arm."

Lambertus used the god stone that Felix gave him, that was cracked to cast Dispel Evil. The stone exploded with a flash of light and the elemental crumbled. Lambertus brushed off the crumbs of the stone on the remains of the elemental. Several gnomes saw and gasped.

We quickly hurried to the lower market and Billi led us to his other aunt. After enjoying strong tea with her, se directs us to the clubhouse of the mycelian gang. Billis directs us. We meet a mycelian who realizes who we are. Lungmold punches him and kills him.

We keep going until we come to two mycelians with crossbows outside a heavy door. They order us to stop. Lungmold kneels to fire his crossbow. Khelratha, Brendil, Oskar and others charge. Khelratha nearly drops one. Lungmold finishes it off with his crossbow. The other is badly hurt.

Lambertus casts Prayer.

Brendil is pacified by spores. Khelratha drops the other and Kauri gives Brendil a cure poison brew.

Khelratha takes a couple tries to kick in the door. The second attempt is after he used his recently purchased acid to melt the lock.

Kauri casts haste.

We rush into a room with 8 mycelians, quickly dropping 6, but not before they can shoot at us. Lungmold sacrifices his shield as most of the poisoned bolts come at him. Khelrathat is his and falls foaming at the mouth. Lambertus rushes in and gives him a cure poison elixir.

Lungmold scanned the door to the left and nothing. The invisible Velkin (he let Kauri cut him to cast the spell) listens at the door and hears something.

The remaining two mycelians are slain. Khelratha again fails to kick in the door. Others join in and the door is forced open.

We come to a hallway of 4 doors. Velkin uses his spear on the ground in front of him and finds no traps. Lunmold scans at each door, finding nothing.

We knock open the door and there is a massive explosion. Lunmold falls unconscious. Lambertus and Felix act quickly to use healing elixirs from the Montoan vessels and casting of healing spells to almost completely heal the party.

We await finishing our search, perhaps a bit more cautiously, to find and deal with the gang leader Bogfunk.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 35 – Session 66

Laurilden 25, hour unknown

After convincing the powers of Malgrim to peacefully acquiesce to the tender ministrations of the Winter King, those three sworn to him feel a relief and a presence release them.

We plan on cleaning out the Mycelian gang and head to do a little shopping before doing so.

We buy more herbs for potions and as we’re moving through the marketplace, an earth elemental appears in front of us. He isn’t looking for Rallion, he’s looking for his Master’s Arm. Lambertus obliges and uses Dispel Evil to destroy the elemental, along with the stone. Much to the chagrin of the gnomes of the marketplace. We make haste out of there to the lower marketplace and Bili’s aunt’s place. We partake of Permilla’s hospitality and get directions to BogThunk’s lair. We also learn of Drow hiding out in the city after the Winter King took over.

We head to bogthunk’s, kill a scout, gather a bunch of poisoned weapons and take out the ones guarding the forward area. And set off an explosive at the end of a long hallway, taking a toll on the party and we spend a lot of resources healing up before proceeding.

Session Sixty-Four Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T04:03:23Z

Laris:

== Session 64, September 29 2021 ==
[[File:Cf4a561ac67978958e5e19f02640e3ed.jpg|left|thumb]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at some unknown hour on the 25th of Laurilden (00.000.10.06 on Apocalypse Clock) with Khelratha having bested Old Man Winter, a frost giant, in a wolfrider joust. Having collected their winnings from various wagers, the party now prepares to return to Meidia with new magic items and winter elf hirelings. They will have some time to kill, though, before Ajax reopens the web portal, and consider a side trek to Jax in Malgrim.

=== Larry's Summary ===

Before leaving the Winter King, he presents Lungmold, Brendil, and Ranarth each with one of the snowflake symbol medallions. If they tap it twice, it will summon aid, if they are able to give it. Similarly, they can be used to summon them to aid the Winter King. They are not to be used lightly, but only with a true need. The 5 retainers each for Lungmold and Ranarth are divided.

We arrive back at the portal to the center of Lolth's web shortly after we left, as we see our footprints. Kauri verifies that Tik Tok still shows 00.000.10.06.

We then leave and the spellcasters try to charge the god stones, but the portal between the feast hall and the hunting lodge is on the home world of the Winter King. The portal that opens in the heart of Lolth's web is however, one we can use to charge the god stones. Sadly, the attempt to charge them has worked, but each of them is cracked. Kauri then attempts to charge the battery in his stun stick and is successful with the first charge, but it explodes on the second. Khelratha removes the battery from his lightning axe and lets Kauri try to charge it, but it immediately explodes. Lambertus and Felix use the last of their healing spells to help him.

The spell casters then rest and are able to re-charge their spells from the portal. Lambertus makes a new continual light coin.

We then head towards Malgrim and are soon there before the gates, between the gates and fortifications the Winter King's forces have put up.

Lungmold projects thoughts to the gate sounding like a negotiator. Khelratha walks up and presents the Starchy Badge he picked out of Rallion's gear saying that it shows him to be an ambassador and he needs to get to the embassy.

They ask for a name, we give them Maggot and they gring Maggot and he asks us what we were calling ourselves, and we tell him "Abstract Goods."

We are let in after sending the winter elves and our orc prisoners back to the center of the web to wait for us, and meet Khargrim Karst the merchant the party met in Valgrim. His mother is the Sizek Ygna of Clan Karst. He allows us to go to the embassy with a retinue of ten Higeki Guards.

We reach the embassy and the lower gate has a wizard lock with blood magic and they want to get something to break it down. We convince them that they got us here and we will see ourselves in.

We get to the terrace and Lugmold goes next to the door and projects: "Dedicated Virtual Life Form" AKA (DVL) our pass phrase so that Jax does not start blasting.

Jax is excited to show us what he has learned.

Lambertus tosses in his newly magiced platinum piece with Continual Light and the magic sticks, since it is NOT DVL magic. We leave Tik Tok outside on the terrace.

The pylons are nanocarbon as we knew, but are incised with combined dragon and ancient common runes. The channels of the incised runes have dragon blood to power them.

'''Jax wants three things from us:'''
# Dragon Blood
# A Live Dragon
# A lexicon to make more words. (More words are needed, plus larger pylons to extend the reach of what is now here.)

'''Jax has Kauri look at the color of the transpatial energy and we combine our knowledge of what the different colors indicate:'''
* DVL magic is Blue
* Dragon magic is Red
* Stone God magic is Gray
* Jager's magic is Bluish
* The Winter King's magic is White

'''We Share the following with Jax:'''
* Books on Dragon Transpatial Theory from Jager's tower.
* There is a portal near Jax's tower. His creations and DVLs took over/levelled it.
* Jax still recommends that we go to Xen Khel and find the Dragon Emperor's secret lab.
* Old Gray Beard - We tell him about the tombs of the Matriarchs and what is written there.
Lungmold gives Jax one of the arrows that Rallion had blessed by the Matriarchs.
Jax hopes to figure out how it works.
* Explain the attempt to form and alliance and the date for the Apocalypse as we understand it.

It was suggested that we give Jax some tea so he can see the DVL trap from the inside to understand it better.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 34 – Session 64

Laurilden 25

Brendil, Lungmold and Raynarth are given snowflakes to summon aid (tap it twice), also allows them to be summoned by the Winter King. Don’t use lightly, only in times of great need. Raynarth and Lungmold receive 5 retainers each, all winter elf warriors.

When we go back through the portal to Meidia, time has not passed.

Charging the godstones works at the portal from the Winter Realm to Meidia. However we crack two stones attempting to charge some dwarven batteries. Our spellcasters recharge their spells.

We then head to Malgrim and enter under Abstract Goods. We send the winter elves and the orc prisoners to wait at Lloth’s web. The Winter King’s forces have set up fortifications across from the entranceway to Malgrim.

Khargrim Karst meets us, his mother is the Sizek Ygna of Clan Karst. He allows us to go to the Dwarven Embassy under the escort of 10 Higeki guardsmen.

We reach the Wizard Locked door to the Embassy and dismiss our guards as we’ll make our own way in.

We get to the terrace and Lungmold projects: “Dedicated Virtual Lifeforms” So that Jax won’t fry us on entry.

Jax greets us merrily as he’s excited to show us what he’s learned and interested in what we bring back.

The Ambassador’s table is covered with papers. Jax goes to the head of the table.
Jax pulls out a piece of paper with a drawing of a pylon:
The pylons are powered by amalgmation of ancient rune magic and blood magic combinations, they’re draconic in nature, but elements of other script of possibly ancient human tongue written in blood. Pylons are made of nanocarbon infused with blood, not just any blood, but Dragon blood.

Brendil reads the symbology: Repeated incantations of binding and guarding over the pylon.

Setung’s papers are talking about the construction of the pillars, but not the symbology.

The characters are scribed into the nanocarbon and infused with blood.

Draconic symbols mixed with something else, maybe ancient human?

The blood itself has some odd properties, Jax thinks that the blood isn’t from this world. Most likely dragon – a golden dragon -

Need 3 things, more dragon blood to write the runes. A dragon to forge nanocarbon. And some kind of key or compendium/lexicon or dictionary to figure out the runes we need. We could expand the coverage of the device, but we need more words to do that. It does seem like there are indications on what.

Velkin confirms that it’s ancient common mixed with ancient dwarven.

Apparently according to Jax’s notes this tech is based on technology the silver throne took from the dragons.

We tell Jax of the interdimensional notes from Jaeger
Portal above Jaeger’s tower
Temple on old greybeard – we give him an arrow from the Matriarch’s tower.
3 hidden images - tableauxs
I still think there may be one more we’ve not detected, or it’s in another area… no clue

Lungmold gives him one of the Matriarch infused arrows to see if he can figure out how to make them.

Kauri – colors of transpatial energies has a reddish tinge on the pillar in the bed room.
DVL Magic is blue
Stone Magic: Grey
Jaeger’s portal: Bluish
Winter King’s magic: White
Dragonblood from one of Jax’s pillar: like a snowflake in size. Tiny bit of reddishness.

Colors of magic are linked to their origin it seems

I wonder if the Summer King is Green, … Or yellow?

Session Sixty-Three Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T04:01:32Z

Laris:

== Session 63, September 22 2021 ==
[[File:IceGiant.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at some unknown hour on the 25th of Laurilden (00.000.10.06 on Apocalypse Clock) with the party having pleaded their case to the Winter King after a feast in his court. Following Lungmold and Brendil's pledge of fealty to this elven lord, Khelratha declares he has no honor and must now face someone known as "Old Man Winter" to prove himself. Will the off-kilter dwarf survive this test? What aide does the Winter King intend to provide to his new subjects?

=== Larry's Summary ===

We are in a domain of snow with mist and a snow storm in the distance. While we wait for Old Man Winter to come, Sir Firthold explains the rules and helps us pick out a wolf for Khelratha to ride.

Lambertus casts Cure Light Wounds on Khelratha as he is still hurt from the last fight with the two DVLs.

Ranarth and Druul review the Winter Wolves Sir Firthold picks out and chose the larger one Keres. Druul uses the scepter to speak to the wolves and Keres agrees to bear Khelratha. Keres says that if Khelratha loses, it will not be his doing.

Lungmold asks Khelratha what his symbol is, and Khelratha gives him a dark image of a desolate, shattered Khel. Lungmold requests a banner for Khelrathat with a broken khel on a blood red field with a black border and a lightning bolt splitting the khel.

Old Man Winter is a Frost Giant riding an enormous Winter Wolf.

The rules are simple nothing intentionally lethal. 3 runs, points for hits, shattering your lance, and unseating opponent, high score wins. Loser can request to continue on foot at discretion of winner. Seconds pledge one of their domains.
Lungmold agrees to be my second and thus his lands are on the line. Sir Issankar the Baleful, Warden of the Necropolis, puts up the Necropolis. Yes, the Necropolis of the ancient dwarves.

There are side bets. Khelratha offers his lightning axe and Old Man Winter offers his magical mace that appears to be a stick that forms a mace when drawn forth. Borthan offers his sword and the Winter King offers his sword that brings forth cold. Lungmold offers up the 18 arrows blessed by the Matriarchs that were Rallion's and Sir Isakar offers up a necklace of protection. Druul pulls a ballista out of his cloak of many pockets, thinking of a light crossbow & the Winter King offers up Keres, the wolf Khelratha will ride. Brendil wagers the Mace of Disruption and the Winter King offers a suit of the platemail the Winter King's guards wear.

Velkin offered the explosive device from the Dwarven Embassy in Malgrim and the Winter Elves find it distasteful.

Lungmold offers 2 hallucinogenic mushrooms to Khelratha along with a greater healing potion. Lungmold reviews the lists and drops a 3rd hallucinogenic mushroom on the part that Old Man Winter will ride. One mushroom is on the first lance and third lance. The second lance and third lance Brendil wipes his cloak on them.

Druul starts to play and the crowd gasps at the flowers, as they are a sign of the Summer Lord. So Druul helps Sir Firthold stomp them out and Druul just plays.

Druul hypes up Khelratha and does his best ''Knight's Tale'' emulation.

Khelratha sits taller in the saddle than he seems on foot, like an unusually tall dwarf.

The first run Khelratha seems to blink out and back in surprising Old Man Winter so Old Man Winter cannot aim his lance. Khelratha strikes, but his lance does not break. Old Man Winter stays mounted and shrugs off the effect of the mushroom. Kauri sees what appears to be Khelratha shadow stepping himself and Keres.

New lances are used.

Khelratha again seems to blink out, but at a different distance, but Old Man Winter is ready and stikes Khelratha, breaks his lance, and unseats Khelratha. Khelratha still has a good showing as he manages to strike and shiver his lance before losing his seat. Khelratha holds a narrow lead and has to drink the greater healing potion from Lungmold. However, Old Man Winter's mount steps on the hallucinogenic mushroom Lungmold dropped on the field and runs off in fear, forcing Old Man Winter to step off. (Kauri sees what appears to be Khelratha shadow stepping himself and Keres.)

Khelratha agrees to give Old Man Winter ten minutes to obtain a new mount. This forces him to have little time to ensure all the straps are secure.

New lances again for the third run. This run Khelratha seems to have a normal ride and strikes first striking Old Man Winter, shivering his lance, and unseating him.

Khelratha has won 36 to 17, winning by 19 points. Khelrathat declines the offer from Old Man Winter to fight on foot, and Khelrathat lets him keep his weapon.

Khelratha declines the title of Warden of the Necropolis as it is an evil place.

We take the other wagers, and Borthan gives the Winter King's sword to Khelratha, and the others receive their winnings, Keres now joins us.

The herald shows up with the warrants for their lands, contracts for Lungmold and Ranarth to sign. They are assessed at having no more than 50 retainers each, which entitles them to 10% from the Winter King, so each now have 5 Winter Elves who join us. Winter Elves do not have the limitation of sunlight that Drow do.

Various members trade items, such as Adamantine for like magic items and mundane items for mundane items. Velkin trades the ice frog egg for 2 day's worth of hart meat from two harts the Winter King's wolves recently caught. Khelratha trades the now empty acid pouch from the Thessalohydra wrapped in Thessalohydra hide for two day's of hart meat from the same stags. (These are the two elves who wouldn't share a hart and were cursed to be harts.)

Khelratha gives his two days of hart meat to Keres for bearing him so well in the joust.

It comes up that there was a deserter in the ranks of the Winter King. When he returned and brought the dead in the tomb to life, the ''Righteous Halberd'', Aubry Grotecop was one, adn he fled. He is a target of those loyal to the Winter King.

We realize that there are at least two portals we passed through, so we plan to charge up the three remaining godstones. Kauri has one and Felix has two. We plan to charge them, re-learn spells, then charge them at the next portal, like we did at Jager's tower at the portal there.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 33 – Session 63

Laurilden 25 in the Winter King’s Realm
Apocalypse Clock: 00.000.10.06

Khelratha’s supposed lack of honor has him facing off against Old Man Winter in a joust riding wolves. Sir Ferthold guides him and Lungmold who agrees to be his second in the rules. Old Man Winter puts his mace on the table while Khelratha puts his axe out. Borthan puts his sword out against the Winter King’s personal weapon. Other side bets were wagered. Khelratha bests the frost giant handily with shadow stepping and help from our party. Khelratha refuses Old Man Winter’s weapon and also the Wardenship of Necropolis.

Winter King’s Sword goes to Borthan and Khelratha takes it to use. Longsword if Ice +4.
Protection Amulet +3 goes to Lungmold
Druul gets Keres the winter wolf
Brendil gets Elven Plate +1, Enc 1, AC 2

Sir Furthold mentions that we’re interested in Cryotheurgy. It will take effort to learn, we can set you up with the knowledge but you’d need to swear fealty to the Winter King. The energy is channeled through a special pigment. He offers training and enough pigment for a couple months and you can return for more. The training effort will not impinge on your timetable. He can take the ones out of time and train them.

There was an individual bisected when he was brought back but he didn’t stick around with his armies. He was a deserter. Some intruders, the Seneschal’s mount. It was the Rightous Halberd, he was raised, then deserted the Winter King’s service.

Brendil traded his Adamantine Spear for +1 spear

Velkin traded his adamantine sword and 1 adamantine dagger for +1 weapons.

We charge our godstones and our casters replenish their spells at the Winter King’s entrance to our dimension.

Session Sixty-One Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:56:59Z

Laris:

== Session 61, September 8 2021 ==
[[File:Thessalhydra.JPG 68828.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 6:30AM on the 24th of Laurilden (00.000.10.07 on Apocalypse Clock) with the party underway once more after camping for the night in the jungles of western Curmidden. Their goal is still Hdrasta and One Horn, but a perilous encounter late at night with a wandering Thessalhydra has exhausted some of their resources and left them injured. Are they still ready for the dangers ahead of them?

=== Larry's Summary ===

Ajax the Raven flies ahead and returns to warn us of giant scorpions ahead.

We go back to try and find the Thessalahydra lair. Ranarth tries to track it but we doubt he found the path and Velkin finds a lizard to talk to and it agrees to help us track the Thessalahydra back to its lair. It is a couple hours to the South/Southeast. It is a large cave that is empty, most likely because of the acid.

We continue up the side and Ajax comes back and gives us the layout of the plateau and 4 giants, hobgoblins, and goblins.

Overnight, Lambertus is healed. On the final watch two DVLs appear and notice us and come toward us. We have a long fight where they hit us a few times, and we have a hard time hitting them.

Khelratha shoots one DVL with the acid sack from the Thessalahydra and hurts it bad.

The wounded one is blinded by light from Kauri killing one of the orcs. It then throws up a wall of fire. We hurt it a bit more and then it disappeared.

Druul tried to summon help and felt a hand grasping him and Druul disappeared into the pocket.

The other DVL kept focusing on Brendil and it threw up a wall of fire. Then it dropped it bident and tried to grapple Brendil, but Brendil threw it off, stunning it. Brendil then killed it with his mace.

Lungmold picked up the bident. Khelratha smashed the skull of the slain orc "to keep them from raising it and talking to it." Then he took the rope and gage binding it.

We then decided to go into the web portal for help from the Winter King. We found a servant of the Winter King waiting holding Druul's hand. We rolled in the DVL to take parts off it.

We then told Ajax to fold it up and fly to the lake. (Ajax offered to toss it into the hole of Hdrasta or take it to the gryphon nest above Hdrasta.

It is now the early morning the 25th of Laurilden. 00.000.10.08 on the Apocalypse Clock.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 31 – Session 61

Hdrasta look

Laurilden 24, 6:30am

We follow our illustrious ranger Raynarth to find the Thesselhydra’s lair in hopes of recovering some treasure. Being charitable and kind, I chat up a rather large lizard and double check Raynarth’s observations. He points us toward some rather large reptillian footprints that Raynarth passed by. Now he’s on the trail, we follow the tracks to it’s lair. Which of course is muddy and empty of anything of interest to us.

About noon we stop for a snack, Forcas shoots our lizard guide and he and I have a fresh lunch. The others seem a little disturbed. Ahh well, Forcas and I are happy. Crap. There I go again, treating him a little more as a hired hand instead of a servitor.

We travel on towards Hdrasta and as we move out of the trees, we see a figure, unmoving on a hillock, it’s a statue without a head facing westward, the direction we came from. Not certain male or female as it’s robed. The statue has been defaced by fire and claw, possibly from a dragon long ago. A candleholder has a broken candle. It’s one of the Shrines. Of Feldma. Kauri places his everlit candle on the candleholder and we get a feeling that all is well and sensible. (Wisdom +2 for a while.) Protector of the wisdom’s dying light.

Ajax comes back from some scouting and says by about midday tomorrow we should be at the Hdrasta encampment. It’s rather large.
5 large wooden buildings crudely made surrounding a big hole in the ground. 2 wooden guard towers about 40’ tall uphill from the hole. The hole is about 40’ across. There’s stone structure above it with a pulley system. Better quality to the pulleys. 2 ballistas, 4 giants, a bunch of orcs and hobgoblins. Uphill past it there’s an old griffin nest that’s empty. Didn’t see the pulley system in use while he was there.

We contemplate a bit and I check the Underdark map:
One entrance west of here well past the farthest known outpost in the western quadrant. The next closest is in Glavnon on the other side of the mountains. And another north of the mountains close to the caverns of the dead (Greybeard).

Lungmold questions Droog.
Coming in from East or West. It’s a bit of a blind spot come in from the side and straight up a sheer surface to get you in close but once over the lip everyone’ll see you.
In the lower levels there’s lots of collapsed caves. Many denizens. One horn’s been cleaning out the areas below.
Once One Horn showed up he kicked ‘em to the surface to build up defenses.

We find a passable campsite and during the last watch we’re attacked by 9’ tall devils Leathery batwings, forked tails, scaly skin, long pointy horns with reddish glowing eyes using 2 tined forks for weapons. They’re susceptible to poison, and acid, but are immune to normal weapons.
It’s a close fight, I shadowstep and backstab while others engage directly. Khelratha squirts one with the thesselhydra acid gland. Kauri blinds one with light cast from an orc’s life force donation.

Druul disappears into his pocket to somewhere.

They are tough and drop walls of fire.

Brendil shakes a grapple attempt and kills it while it’s stunned.

The others fled.

We’re pretty certain they were sent to dispatch those troublesome meddlers… us. Joy.

We decide to get out of sight and enter the Web Portal and find Druul standing there with a winter elf. We roll the devil’s body and take some parts.

We take a fork (Lungmold), 2 horns, a tail, pinions from the wings and some scales from the one we killed.

Ajax will fly to Montoa with the portal and open it at the predetermined time.

We go to visit the Winter King.

Session Sixty Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:55:52Z

Laris:

== Session 60, September 1 2021 ==
[[File:Ice Devil.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 10:30AM on the 23rd of Laurilden with the party having finished their preparations to leave Montoa. Their plan is to seek out the ruins of Hdrasta in the mountains to the east and confront One Horn, the DVL who ordered the attack on their native islander allies. A pall hangs over the leave-taking, though, given the failed attempt to coerce the DVLs beneath the Malgrim embassy into enchanting some previously magicked items ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

We depart Montoa at 10:30 AM on the 23rd of Laurilden and Tik Tok shows the countdown of 00.000.10.08 (Era, Year, Month, Day).

We revised the marching order.

Droog was talkative and said that the orcs were living in Hdrasta and killed off some kobolds. Then One Horn showed up and killed their chief. Then One Horn brought in hobgoblins, ogres, and hill giants. They have a compound up top outside the entrance. There is an elevator with a column of dragon bones. One Horn is gathering dragon bones that would make an enormous dragon and "re-articulate" it. There is also a large door that takes three keys to open it. One Horn has one key that he wears around his neck. But One Horn can't open it and had the giants try, so he is focused on what he is trying to accomplish with the dragon bones.

We travel and set up camp at night fall. Then just before the end of the 3rd of 4 watches a thessalahydra attacks. It drops Borthan. Lambertus tries to aid Borthan and is scooped up and put in it's mouth. Velkin misses on a backstab. We continue fighting and Lambertus is swallowed and then Velkin is picked up. By now, almost all of us are wounded.

We defeat that thessalahydra and Velkin is not swallowed. Khelratha expertly cuts to reveal the stomach with the aid of Ranarth but the stomach acid gets both Khelratha and Ranarth. Khelratha with help removes the acid pouch and wraps it in its skin.

Lambertus loses his armor and shield and some food and his fully charged god stone to the stomach acid.

We resume marching and find a dead gryphon brought down by a ballista bolt. We know this means we are getting near to Hdrasta. Drood the orc says it is at least a day, maybe more.

We debate seeing the Winter King until Lungmold points out that the arrow of destiny directed us to Hdrasta. But it did pass close to the Winter King token prior to landing on the Hdrasta token.

The next morning at 6:30 AM on the 24th of Laurilden with the Apocalypse Clock reading 00.000.10.07 we resume our journey with Ranarth seeking the path and Ajax the raven scouting ahead.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 30 – Session 60

Laurilden 23, 10:30am

After the unfortunate exercise in co-opting cooperation from independent DVL’s, we’re a more sober bunch.

We revise our marching order to accommodate those who aren’t with us either dead or parting ways for now.

Droog’s chatty. Dragonbone elevator and skeleton One Horn’s putting together, door that wouldn’t open with a necklace gemstone as a key and walked through killing everyone. The entrance is some kind of elevator, a large force surrounds it on the outside and somewhere down is One Horn. The large door takes 3 keys to open it. One Horn has one of the keys around his neck.

We set up camp at nightfall and are attacked by a Thesselhydra. It’s a tough fight, I miss a backstab and finally it’s defeated. Lambertus is swallowed and his armor, shield and a God Stone is lost.

Raynarth and Khelratha harvest the thing’s poison gland an acid pouch.

I collect 5 poison and 4 acid vials. Refilling those empties used at Montoa.

At last watch a flock of 20+ web shooting birdlike things fly over. Ajax warns that they’re always hungry and have a distinctive sound. Headed toward the peak directly south of Old Greybeard.

We come to a dead Griffon felled by a ballista bolt. I pick up a few feathers.

Apocolypse clock: 00.000.10.07 – Tiktok is a happy DVL!

Laurilden 24, 630am, it’s raining, With Ajax scouting and Raynarth tracking, we’re headed out. Raynarth seems very confident in his tracking.

Me, not so confident, but what do I know...

Session Fifty-Eight Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:54:44Z

Laris:

== Session 58, August 18 2021 ==
[[File:Iu.png|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 9:00PM on the 22nd of Laurilden beside the lake northeast of Montoa. Rallion, slain by beetles, has just been reincarnated as a golden unicorn and indicates he will stay to protect the enchanted waters and the village. Gath indicated that he will stay with Rallion. Meanwhile, Ajax brings back word about the orcs fleeing back to One Horn's lair and the party contemplates where to go from here ...

=== Larry's/Kelratha's Summary ===

The party says their farewells to Rallion and Gath as they wander off seeking a new lair.

Once they return to Montoa, Kahlia pulls Lungmold aside and asks them to meet with her. When we meet with her, she says that she has decided to pardon Misra and the other changelings based on their aid against the orcs. Druul suggests another test, sending them back with the embassy to Hizzou. Folcard volunteers to go with them.

At the suggestion of Druul, Grissel agrees to take out letter [to be written]. Folcard volunteers to see Grissel to the coast and a ship once the emissaries are delivered to Hizzou.

The party divvies up some of Rallion's gear.

The party had to revise their watch order as Rallion and Gath normally had first watch. The watches pass peacefully, until near the end of the last watch when Lungmold hears some excitement as Daughters of the Matriarch shout, "We've caught one!" meaning an orc.

Lungmold goes out to see a strange figure of a filthy and much dissheveled dwarf in piecemeal power armor and a tangled and uneven beard.

Lungmold tried to read his mind and he throws Lungmold out and falls to the ground shouting and ranting in Dwarven to "Get out of my head!"

Once the dwarf realizes he is no longer being scanned he stands looking at the Mycelian.

Velkin comes behind hearing he dwarf say over his shoulder, "I told you it'd be alright."

At the sight of Velkin, the dwarf draws forth a sword and a disenchanted lightning axe yelling, "Get back you slaver! You'll never take me alive!"

Lambertus is asked to come in and assures the dwarf they are not slavers.

Once the dwarf is calmed down, they hear a disjointed story about falling from the sky and dying and being tortured and having no honor, seeking his honor in fighting the ''dark dwarves'' and the DVLS. Although one can't fight DVLs since magic was destroyed.

They learn that his name is ''Khelratha'', a sign of his dishonor. ''Khel'' meaning "fortress" and ''Ratha'' meaning "killer".

The party invite him to wash up and join them for breakfast and he gladly accepts.

Once in the hut for the meal, he sits and sets his sword and lightning axe down. His cloak has the bottom end folded up and tied with vines to hold bits of food, roots, berries, and raw meat from his hunting and foraging in the jungle.

Brendil shows off his glowing mace and the funny looking sword (the shard sword) to Khelratha saying he has magic. Khelratha gives a huh! of derision at that. It must be a trick, the way the mace glows.

Lungmold writes symbols on 6 planks for each of 6 possible destinations: Jax, Coast (Armada, Devilfish, etc.), Myrientasxus' Lair, Winter King, and One Horn in Hdrasta. He then takes them outside and arranges them in a fan like pattern and invites us to go out. He takes an arrow and shoots it a bit into the air and it takes a winding course and lands on the one for One Horn in Hdrasta. They speak of orcs and a DVL. Maybe they do have magic! Killing a DVL would be a good start.

As they eat they talk of a contract to free DVLs from some prison to power items. If there are trapped DVLs somewhere and they can be put back where they belong, he could use his lightning axe again! He'd rather use the weapon of an ancient Lord Marshall. Those rare and powerful items can do awesome things. Maybe then he could seek vengeance on the Dark King and redeem his honor. He'd settle for being able to actually hurt a DVL again.

These people aren't entirely mad, and they seem to have magic. Although I'm back on Curmidden, maybe I can start the path to redemption in this Hdrasta. If the ancients fought dragons maybe we can find a way to fight dragons. Nasty, lying beasts. Silver Throne, DVLs, and Dragons were among the biggest liars I ever met. Scheming and twisting and using others for their evil plans.

They speak of "blood magic" and teleportation and a Jax and other disenchanted items he has. He's in the underdark? I don't want to go back there. But if that is where my path of honor leads, I will go.

We have walked many miles in the jungle, now with many more to walk to the mountains. We can keep walking. We will complete our journey to honor. Even if I'm the only dwarf left after I kill all the dark dwarves, that Dark King will rue the day he dared cross my path. We can take him, now that we've got magic and he doesn't....

'''LIST OF DISENCHANTED ITEMS TO ATTEMPT TO RE-ENCHANT:''' 
Liar Box 
Ring Protection - Kauri 
Ring of Wizard 
Bag Of Holding 
Chain Mail 
P. Robes - Lambertus 
Short Bow 
Clock for Tik Tok 
Borthan Sword 
Probability Sword 
Rectangle Battery QTY: 1 
Lightning Axe - Khelratha 
Triangle Battery QTY: 5 

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 29 – Session 58’

Laurilden 22, 9pm

Rallion will stay at the Lake with Gath and guard it.
Kahlia pardons the Flesh God children, keeping their sins secret from the village for now.

Ajax returns and that the orc force is more than a day away and we wouldn’t be able to catch them before they reach the mountains.

Myriantaxsis’ mountain is on the other side of Hdrasta, where One Horn is holed up.

I touch the spiderbox – millions of tiny little voices. Some of the louder ones go quiet. Yes. To the question if they understand him. Some were listening, box gets hot. Eat, Cover the world, Find Mother.

Folcard is staying in Montoa. Will volunteer to travel to Hizzou with Mizra and family. If Grizzel wants to go to the Armada.

New Watch Order
1 Brendil, Oskar
2 Druul, Grissel
3 Velkin, Borthan
4 Lungmold, Felix

Droog is the cooperative orc from our prisoner pool.

The daughters of the matriarchs caught someone, hunched back, looks orcish. Lungmold digs in. Kilratha. (Larry’s new character). He was in the jungle nearby and he feels Lungmold’s influence trying to get into his head. He notices and starts screaming and hollering cussing Lungmold. Shrugs off Lungmold’s telepathic influences.

He says “I’m not an orc!” and the daughters ask what is he? Muscular dwarf with a scarred face and sourpuss, tangled mess of a beard. 4’8” Piecemeal dwarven power armor, has a sword and a lightning axe and a cloak folded over carrying his stuff.

He says he is Khelratha, he used to be a dwarf…

Lungmold comes up to him in front. Velkin comes along from behind.
Khel (Settlement) Ratha (Slayer)

He fell from the sky when the DVL’s left somehow he still lives. He claims not to be a DVL. Kauri scans him with his mask. No DVL’s. No magic. Fell with Xen Tellar. That was the station in the sky.
He says to restore his honor by killing dwarves and DVL’s.

Khelratha seems to be talking to himself… he was worse than a slave, it was death without dying.

Sits down in a corner and eats breakfast, pretty dour fellow.

Lungmold picks up: Confusion, Loss, Frustration, Relief at finding a semicivilized place that hasn’t driven him off, fresh food. Disappointed, thinks he can take anyone in the room.

He once had powerful magic, now nothing. (Magic Items)

He once heard of someone from another place, long ago didn’t use DVL magic. Was from another place that had magic he didn’t understand.

23rd of Lorilden

We discuss some things we know:

DVL’s controlled the place between the veil/shadow.

Lungmold makes marks on some boards
Xhen Khel/Dragon
Winter king
Sea Coast
Hdrasta
Myrinataxis’ lair
Jax

Shoots his arrow into the air to see which plank it guides us towards.
a benefit to a number of these to bring them to our side.
Not Jax – just checking in.
Myrintaxis – useful but not swinging
Winterking no, XhenKhel/Dragon, Hydrasta yes.

When brendil jumped into the embassy battery, he couldn’t get out on his own, the DVL’s could touch him.

There’s talk of making a deal with a contract with the DVL’s in Jax’s battery… I have reservations….

Session Fifty-Seven Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:52:44Z

Laris:

== Session 57, August 11 2021 ==
[[File:Aftermath Battle.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 12:00PM on the 22nd of Laurilden in Montoa as the villagers and party deal with the aftermath of the orc battle. The group must figure out how to re-consecrate the healing lake and insure the safety of the Montoans from One-Horn's forces while also moving ahead with their plans to counter the DVL invasion ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

AT the lake, Felix casts commune with these 3 questions and gets a ''YES'' answer to each question.

'''Commune questions asked:''' 
1-Will Remove Curse restore the lake's healing power after we clean it? ''YES'' 
2-Is the Winter King amenable to our proposal to join the coalition to fight the DVLs? ''YES'' 
3-Is there any of Myrientaxus' treasure left in Myrientaxus' lair that will directly benefit us in fighting the DVLs? ''YES'' 

Lungmold talks to the emissary from Hizzou and the talks went well. The emissary thinks he can get the village elders to agree to be part of a defensive pact to deal with hostile forces West of the mountains.

Brendil looks at Velkin's notes on blood magic and talks to Kauri about blood magic.

Rallion, Lungmold, Velkin, & Will Seibold go looking for Hermengart. They come upon a burned patch of jungle in the rain and discover 7 giant beetles. Rallion entagles with blood magic and holds 3 and slows 2. Lungmold is attacked by the two not held and goes down.

Will is dropped by the two beetles who turn and blast fire out their hind ends and Will goes down, badly burned.

Rallion drops another entangle and gets 3 of the 4. One is not affected. Velkin rushes in and gives Lungmold a healing potion and he's back on his feet. Velkin bound Will.

Rallion strikes the beetle facing him, it turns and blasts him, and both he and Velkin are stunned.

Rallion is then slain. Velkin is invisible and safe. Lungmold charge but got hung up in the entangle.

Hermengart showed up just in time and distracted the beetle from slaying Lungmold, but Hermengart gets hung up in the entangle when he charges in.

Hermengart is slain and the beetle carries him off.

Just before the entangles wear off, Velkin comes to his senses and kills 3 entangled ones. The first 3 held ones come in and drag off Will and Rallion. One gets hung up. Velkin and Lungmold kill the beetles carrying off Rallion, Will, and Hermengart and slay one that was slept and one entangles.

They make a travois and pile on the bodies and head back to Montoa.

Back at Montoa, the villagers clean up the lake and Felix casts Remove Curse and the party and villagers heal up and top off their vessels.

It is after dark before Lungmold and Velkin return to Montoa with the bodies of their companions.

This brings a solemn tone to the party. Gath is sad when Rallion doesn't respond to prodding.

Lungmold relays to Gath that the party will fix him, so Gath picks up Rallion's body and carries it to the lake.

Lungmold places his glowing feather in one of Rallion's hands and Rallion's glowing feather in the other. Lambertus and Felix lower his body into the water and his body is no longer damaged, the feathers vanish, and Rallion glows.

Druul reaches into a pocket thinking of resussitation and gets a parchment with a rune that VElkin, Kauri, et. al. record.

They elect to bring the 5 orc and 6 hobgoblin prisoners to the lake and preserve Lambertu's final god stone, keeping it as a last resort to raise Rallion.

Lambertus begins slaying hobgoblins and it takes 5 of the 6 hobgoblins to power the spell of the rune. Rallion changes form and stands before all as a glowing unicorn. He cannot speak. Gath thinks that Rallion has ascended to become a higher power. Gath elects to stay with Rallion. Rallion decides to remain at Montoa and stand as a guardian of the lake and the village.

Ajax returned and relayed that about half as many of the orcs as were slain appear to be the surviving force and they are making their way towards the mountains. We slew about 70, <s>so we estimate about 35 survived</s> so about 70 remain of the original assault force.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 28 – Session 57

Montoa’s Lake Cleansed, Rallion Dies

Laurilden 22, 12pm

Current things:
Reconsecrate the healing lake.
Ajax following fleeing orcs.
Missing Hermegart
Prisoners:
5 orcs, one of them, Droog, is cooperative.
6 hobgoblins

Recharge stones from life forces?
Hermergart – find
Discuss with the Pirate Kings
Diplomats back to Hizzou – they were successful in their negotiations.
The Hizzou guards were killed

Felix casts Commune:
1-Will Remove Curse restore the lake's healing power after we clean it? YES
2-Is the Winter King amenable to our proposal to join the coalition to fight the DVLs? YES
3-Is there any of Myrientaxus' treasure left in Myrientaxus' lair that will directly benefit us in fighting the DVLs? YES

Lungmold converses with the Hizzou diplomats
Their higher powers are Bocca and Niamah, the Mother brings the rain and the Father, keeper of the hearths. Their shaman also are not able to cast magic.
He asks Kaliha if the feather has been of use. He tells her that it was blessed by the mother’s.

Brendil looking through Velkin’s notes and (he can read anything with his cloak) and it’s got a fair amount of the actual runes and stuff. Not much about the theory. Kauri says it’s not something to dabble in, you’re all in or out.
(Out of Character: You can switch classes if you want. But it depends on how much you come to concentrate your actions and studies. If you start carving things into your arm, then you’re switching to Magic User and until you don’t use your current abilities, you wont ever get better at them though)

Rallion, Lungmold, Myself and Will go search for Hermegart.
Not many birds around as we’re headed toward finding Hermegart. Velkin doesn’t get a response.
A ways away – we find a break in the tracks.
There’s a shriveled up and burnt line, about 100’ away, a large group of beetles are present.
Fire beetles attack, 2 slowed, 2 made it through. The sound that the fire beetles butt spray torch Will Will goes down

Still invisible, I heal Lungmold, Another fire beetle blast hits us and stuns Rallion and I.

Rallion is killed by the firebeetle. Coup de gras

Hermegart is killed after distracting the one that was on Lungmold and a beetle carries him off.

Just before the Entangle wears off, I wake up and dispatch 3 of the beetles caught in it, Lungmold and I kill the rest of the beetles. We fashion a travois and haul the dead back to Montoa.

While we were gone, Felix casts Remove Curse after the lake is cleaned and restores it’s healing properties and our vessels get topped off.

Sun sets and Ajax returns. He followed the orcs and hobgoblins are definitely headed for the mountains. The force headed back is just under half of the dead left at Montoa, we killed about 70, so we’re figuring about 70 are left.

Lungmold takes Rallion to the lake and places his and Rallion’s feather on his body and the feathers vanish and Rallion glows, however his body is still inert.

Druul reaches into his pocket and pulls out an ancient common rune on a parchement. We record it then use it. Lambertus and I kill 5 of the hobgoblin prisoners to fuel the blood magic, however it’s a mixed result. Rallion returns as a Unicorn. We should have sacrificed the God Stone to raise him. Instead, the rune resurrected him in another form. Gath and Rallion are going to remain at the Lake as guardians.

Rallion is gone. A sobering time. He was our unspoken leader of sorts. Not that we followed blindly, but his loss is felt by all. Even this dark elf, used to the cheapness of life in the underdark. I might say I’ll miss him, but that may be going too far…. maybe? I gather his cloak and shortbow for my own among some of his other possesions. The rest of the gear from our fallen is distrubuted and we take the night to mourn our fallen.

Session Fifty-Six Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:50:18Z

Laris:

== Session 56, August 4 2021 ==
[[File:Orc-attack.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 7:40PM on the 21st of Laurilden with Montoa still under attack by orcs, giants, and other monstrous enemies. The party continues to hold the line against the invaders, making use of just about every resource available to them ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

We defeated the orcs. The last giant was dropped by Gath and several more orcs were dropped by arrows and melee. Kauri slept 8 more and Kahlia used blood magic on herself to cast Ice Storm on the large group of orcs to the North, killing them all. This broke the morale of the remaining orcs who fled East and South.
Kahlia was dropped by this use of blood magic. Lambertus rushed to her aid.
Lambertus came to have Kauri cast invisibility on him so Velkin and Ajax could follow the orcs. Velkin went towards the lake and found the desecration by defecation in the lake and the totem of one horn. Velkin removed the totem and came back to tell the rest of us.
Ajax followed the orcs and most of them re-grouped to the East and continued East.
The rest of the party did what healing we could with our 5 jars and the 9 jars of the Montoans.
We then bound and gagged the sleeping and held orcs and hobgoblins.
Then we set watches and rested til morning.
The next day we investigated the lake and destroyed the totem by chopping with the shard sword, then burning it.
The water away from the despoiled area was drinkable, but no longer healing.
Lungmold questioned the prisoners and learned that the larger ones are hobgoblins.
We learned that One Horn sent them to desecrate the lake and destroy the power of the Old Ones and get servants to take back to Hdrasa (an ancient stronghold of the ancients that fought the dragons before the arrival of the dwarves).

'''We then debated what to do next:''' 

1-Clear Lake 
2-Find Hermegart 
3 - Talk to the Winter King. 
Maybe get his help wit One Horn? Or deal with One Horn ourselves? 
2.5 - experiment with blood magic. 
How far away is the hole? (two days to the East) 
How far do they have to go? 

'''3 Questions For Commune by Felix:''' 
1-Will cleaning lake restore its healing power? 
2-If above No - Will Remove Curse restore its healing power? 
3-If above No - Will Dispel Evil restore its healing power? 

Brendil would be interested in learning more about blood magic. 
How many more orcs & hobgoblins & giants are left? 

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 27 – Session 56

Montoa Defended

Laurilden 21, 7:40pm

The attackers are repelled, at a high cost. Most of the warriors have been killed and we’ve taken a beating, using a lot of resources.

The final giant was killed by Gath while he defended Rallion with a heady offense. Kauri continued to use the unconscious orcs provided by a plucky Forcas to fuel his magical wrath. To the North Kahlia uses bloodmagic to cast Ice Storm and falls unconscious on that front’s advance and devastates the enemy while Kauri charms some and Druul aids that front defending the villagers and children. The remainder scattering as their morale is broken.

I have Kauri cast invisibility on me again. Ajax and I take off after the orcs to see which way they flee. Arriving at the lake, it’s been desecrated and a totem with one horn is erected in the lake.

Ajax comes back soaked, the orcs are headed east toward the mountains, mostly regrouped and had a bit of a discussion. They were upset, in the end they ended up continuing east away from us. He’ll rest up then scout them in the morning.

We’ve taken some prisoners, healed best we could and after the post battle regroup and rest for the night.

The giant to the east that recovered from the poison has a Montoan healing pottery jug, it may also neutralize poison as well as heal.

Forcas and I grab a shortbow and some arrows and as a party, we distribute weapons to any able bodied human in the village.

560gp in coin from the orcs.

Laurilden 22

Lungmold scans the ‘not orcs’
One Horn is their leader. He needs slaves, desecrate the waters of the old ones. Base camp to the east in the mountains, a hole in the ground. You get an image of a room of stairs going down, on the landing before the stairs, everything is stone. There is a decoration all skins and skulls of humanoids covering up older wall paintings of almost an image of warriors killing a dragon. These things are Hobgoblins.

Druul scratches his head and has heard of Hdrasta. A long ago people who fought against the dragons, they had a place, a place of refuge. This location apparently kept them safe from Dragons. It was in the mountains.

We’ve got the location of Hdrasta.

One of the orcs, Droog, agreed to show us the way to Hdrasta.

One Horn: Scaly, batlike wings, horns, one’s broken. Tusk-like fangs, large ears. Tail.
His chambers are at the lowest levels of Hdrasta.

We discuss what our next steps will be, the obvious one is to figure out what’s needed to clear the lake’s desecration.

Session Fifty-Five Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:48:25Z

Laris:

== Session 55, July 28 2021 ==
[[File:DND-Orcs-1.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 7:30PM on the 21st of Laurilden with Montoa under attack by orcs, giants, and other monstrous enemies. The party repels the first wave of attackers, but more foes emerge from the jungle and the number of defenders diminishes with each volley of arrows ...

=== Larry's Summary ===

The fight continues...

We drop the giant to the South and some via the party and Daughters of the Matriarchs firing arrows.

An orc fires a burning arrow into the Web Kauri cast, killing the orcs within and the orcs move in. Alfredus and Grissel go down.

The sleeping giant gets up and several orc burst through a hut to the East. 3 swarm Lungmold.

Lungmold uses the scepter to heal himself, but he, Hermagart, Cesario, and Will Siebeld are feared along with 4 orcs. Lungmold and Hermagart run North through a spike pit and continue on into the forest. Cesario & Will flee to the East and take damage from a spiked log and a spiked pit, and fall wounded and bleeding. 2 orcs ran North, one died and one injured. 2 other orcs ran south and into the woods, wounded by a spiked log.

Alfredus is struck down dead. All but one Hizzou warrior in the South is dropped. Grissel and Folcard go down.

Oskar is the target of focus from the archers. Some volleys miss entirely, some have a few hits, and some have many hits. Oskar keeps fighting.

Raynarth fires his bow into the archers to the East.

Rallion runs up and shoots two archers coming through the hut to the East. Raynarth also fires and helps Rallion.

Lambertus casts Continual Light to the South which hinders the orcs caught in it.

Kauri charmed 4 orcs trying to hack their way into the Shaman's hut with the children and healing jars in the basement. Thankfully some villagers are in there. Druul ran up to help by firing his crossbow into them, and is soon assisting the 4 charmed orcs. Although one of the charmed ones is big (not an orc?).

Kauri is hit by archers from the East.

Kauri is later assailed by 3 orcs, but his casting of sleep with the cracked stone drops them and several others.

Forcas helps by killing the two of the slept ones and Kauri uses the third to cast sleep and dropped several more. (Forcas then has to go drag another sleeping orc in so Kauri can cast another sleep.)

The group of party members to the South and the last Hizzou warrior make headway, but the archers drop Oskar, but Felix binds his wounds.

Finally, the last Hizzou warrior is dropped.

The last of the standing Daughters of the Matriarch are firing at the orcs to the South from cover.

Rallion is hit a couple of times by the giant, Gath comes in and drops two of the 3 orcs with the giant. Lambertus hits the other, and Kauri's sleep then drops it. Rallion, Gath, and Lambertus focus on the giant.

Velkin snuck off to the East and backstabbed a leader looking type, but he resisted the sleep poison. Velking managed to eventually drop him.

The orcs have been kept at the perimeter of the village and those trying to get into the Shaman's hut have been distracted by the 4 charmed orcs killing them, along with the ones Druul is wounding/dropping, and those felled by Kauri's sleep.

Nearly all of us are wounded, and we have been on the back foot for most of the fight.

Perhaps a steady source of life force for Kauri to keep casting sleep or other spells will help turn the tide....

Kauri used his cracked god stone to cast sleep and it cracked.

=== LungMold session 55 ===

We are now surounded,the archer vollys have done a number on us, and now they are charging in.
i have killed a few. and that dam giand got up, i knew i should have taken him out.
moral is still high. and even better when Kouri Hit them with that lightning.
and the web. They are on me now, i am surrounded. and hurt. i know this
sceptor causes fear.

maybe if i heal my self, i can make that save. and anyone else near me.
i am hoping the enemy will fail. here goes nothing, HEALs with the sceptor.
i suddenly feel a fear growing in me ."OHNO!" RUN as i run i notice other
party members are running as well as some of the enemy

my gods,were all going to Die. i have to get out of here. as Lungmold runs i
nto the jungle.............

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 26 – Session 55

Montoan Defense Continues

Laurilden 21, 7:30pm

South Front:
Felix, Borthan along with the Daughters take a giant down.

East: A sleeping giant is revived and advances again, Rallion rushes to confront it. 3 orcs swarm Lungmold who uses the Scepter to heal himself, and fears many of those around him. Hermagart, Lungmold, Cesario and will all flee and take damage from the spiked areas and disappear into the jungle.

Alfredus is killed, Grissel and Folcard also go down, not dead.

Rallion and Raynarth fire away to the East.

Lambertus casts continual light to the south hindering their advance.

Forcas aids by executing those Kauri sleeps and dragging more for him to use to fuel blood magic spells.

Rallion, Gath and Lambertus are fighting the giant to the East.

I take out one of the leadertypes on the Eastern front.

Kauri bleeds the slept and sleeping poisoned orcs for his spells and we make headway.

Session Fifty-Four Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:47:01Z

Laris:

== Session 54, July 21 2021 ==
[[File:Orcs in Jungle.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 6:00PM on the 20th of Laurilden with the party having finished a full day of helping the Montoans build defensive structures in preparation for an attack by orcs. So far, there has been no sign of any approaching enemy forces

=== Larry's Summary ===

Overnight 3 Daughters of the Matriarch patrol the village and we have our normal watch. In the second watch, Brendil and Will heard howling of wolves in the distance.

The next day we add more defenses in spite of the rain. Velkin sends his note through the portal and checks it every four hours. The second time he checked, he had a note in silvery script inviting him at his earliest convenience to the court of the Winter King.

A parrot comes and speaks to Ajax the Raven and tells him of a force larger than the village population along with some larger creatures.

We implement the plan to move the children to the shaman's hut, and the Orc, Nim is executed.

After nightfall we hear yells and drums to the East that last for about a half hour.

Then a force of orcs to the South rush the causeway lead by two giants. The Hizzou warriors move to intercept. Kauri cast haste on the party and some warriors. Felix cast bless on the party. Lambertus cast hold person on two orcs to limit the flow of orcs between the giants to the South.

The giants dropped some of them. A volley of arrows came down dropping some of the warriors of Hizzou and Montoa. Some were dragged into huts and their wounds bound.

Rallion shot at the giants and hit one and the poison dropped it.

Other arrow fire dropped some orcs. Kauri used lightning bolt and dropped a bunch of orcs. The next volley was smaller.

More orcs following a giant came from the East. Lungmold dropped that giant with an arrow with sleep poison. Some orcs fell in the pit, but the bulk avoided it. Several hasted party members rushed to fill the gap and dropped several orcs. Kauri cast web to help block that opening.

Velkin snuck behind the orcs to move in to take out the leader on that side.

We've dropped about 3 dozen orcs and lost more warriors from Hizzou and Montoa than could really be afforded.

We prepare to thin the orcs some more.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 25 – Session 54

Montoa’s attacked!

Laurilden 20, 6pm

Overnight the howling of wolves is heard in the distance.

We rush to add a few last defenses before the expected attack today.

We receive a reply written in silver ink on thick parchment from the Winter King, nothing from Master Enrilden.

To Velkin Herig
Your presence is requested at the court of the winter king. Please come at your earliest convenience.

A parrot comes and warns us a force is approaching that is larger than the village population along with some larger creatures.

We move the kids to the shaman hut, and execute Nim.

After nightfall we hear drums to the East for about half hour.

We poison a number of arrows and spears, hoping to even the odds to a degree.

I go a scouting, nothing yet and return to the village.

A force attacks from the south, 2 ogres and a mess of orcs bearing crossbows.
Kauri Hastes us and Felix gives us a Blessing, Lambertus catches 2 orcs with Hold Person slowing their advance.

Kauri lightning bolts a mass of orcs, about ½ the advancing unit from the south.

The orcs take their toll as well, and the Hizzou and Montoan warriors lose some of their ranks to arrow fire. Some were dragged to the huts to bind wounds and save them if the can.

Kauri webs to the east to slow that front’s advance.

I make my way Eastward looking for a leadertype to take down.

Some of the hasted warriors and party members block the advance from the East.

Session Fifty-Three Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:45:45Z

Laris:

== Session 53, July 14 2021 ==
[[File:Manvillage.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 1:00PM on the 19th of Laurilden with the party gathered inside their temporary home in Montoa after filling their special clay vessels with the enchanted healing waters of the nearby lake. The group is now determining what to do about the imposter villagers and the threat of orcish raiders.

=== Larry's Summary ===

Folcard one of the hirelings is from Montoa. He decides that he will stay here when the party leaves.

We make a plan to have Druul do a puppet show for all of the kids in the village. Druul hires a pre-teen girl to watch the youngest children so that both the 5/6 year old and the 1 year old are away from the adults.

Lungmold scanned and learned that the imposters are from the village of the Flesh God followers whom the original Starchy Boyz killed their hunters/warriors to resurrect the dragon Prixithalma, the Consort of the Dragon Emperor, as she helped us achieve the goal of destroying magic. None of the current party was involved in that.

While the children were at the puppet show, we questioned them and with Lungmold's mind reading, learned the truth.

Their villagers were scattered and most slain. These four were among the last and they tortured the ones we found tied to trees to get information to help them fit in in Montoa.

(Raynarth really got into the puppet show. Druul had borrowed some socks from each of the party to represent each of us. Druul let Raynarth take over and left as we escorted the imposters to Kahlia.

Rallion plead for mercy to use the imposters to benefit the village. Kahlia said that they should be put to death and she can't just give them mercy. We put forth the argument that they should be put to use defending the village.

The party had them visit the orc prisoner, Nim, and touch him to be able to look like orcs.

We learned from Nim that he wanted to lead us to his village, but Lungmold got past his defenses as he was thrown off by the duplicates of himself, and we learned that he just wanted to lead us in circles in the jungle for a couple of days. The orcs know about the lake.

The next day even though it was still raining, Ajax went to get information from the local birds and have them relay any sightings of approaching orcs.

The party asked Kahlia to have the villagers work with us to improve the defenses of the village. She saw the wisdom in that and broke the news that orcs would be attacking. We built barricades between the buildings on the East side of the village and added a few shallow pits with spikes.

We plan to do more tomorrow.

Ajax returned and learned that a group of orcs headed East towards the mountains on the 16th, just 4 days ago. The birds will let him know of any sightings of approaching orcs.

It is now the evening of the 20th of Laurilden.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 24 – Session 53

Laurilden 19, 1pm

Imposters amongst us.

It’s raining, a lot.
Folcard lets us know he’s going to be staying in Montoa.

We observe and Lungmold scans the shapechangers. There’s a baby and a kid who are human with them.

With Lungmold’s scanning, we learn they worship something called a Flesh God and their village was devastated. One of the dwarven ships could copy villagers but it exploded destroying the people copying machine.

Druul knows that the Flesh God was associated with a village north of Montoa that used weird rituals and traditions. They would go to the temple where the children were given to the Flesh God. This practice weirded out the people who knew of them.

Raynarth takes an interest in Druull’s sockpuppet play for the kids. Hoping to get the children out of harms way when we confront the 4 imposters.
Forcas also helps out. He does have some personality, weird. I honestly never thought of whether he, or any slave for that matter, would be interested in something other than their duty.
The Puppet play works and the children of the village gather while we and some of the Montoan warriors surround the hut and we confront the shapechangers.

Jendash and his ‘wife’ Mizra along with Kirin, Jendash’s brother and Tolk, their friend are all from the Flesh God village north of here. Looking for a place to live instead of just surviving in the jungle. Their village was decimated not long ago and all of their hunters disappeared. They found them ritually murdered in the jungle. They are Children of the Flesh God and can take the form of others by touching them. Brendil is our guinea pig, and Mizra shows us her powers. They did kill the villagers after interrogating them for information on their lives. They don’t have a true form. They are some of the children that were given to the Flesh God by the villagers.

Turns out, these shapeshifters were affected by the Starchy Boyz who used their hunters as sacrifices to resurrect Prixithalma. None of our current partymembers were present at that time though.

We bring the information to Khalia, she and Rallion discuss the situation and he negotiates on their behalf to wait until after the Orc threat is dealt with.

Nim, the captive orc, is still pandering for leading us away from the village to lure us away so when the attack comes, we’ll be taken out.

Lorilden 20, we fortify the village best we can, spike pits and barricads. We prepared the villagers to attempt to repel the impending orc attack.

Ajax comes in from scouting and relays the scouting orc party left on the 16th heading East. This coincides with when Nim was captured.

We send letters through the web portal to Master Enrilden and the Winter King.

Master Enrilden,

I open this letter in ignorance of the current state of affairs of the Drow Houses and where my current status lies within House Herig. In light of these circumstances, I would inform you that I currently have taken the initiative, in light of what I now know, to do what I can to preserve all those living on Meidia, Above and Below. I have not forsaken House Herig. I will do my utmost to bring these Outsider threats to the very survival of our Reality to task and in doing so, will ensure that House Herig will at the very least, have the chance to continue, however changed it may be when things settle out. Even if my actions cause my expulsion from the House, I will continue my current path.

My travels have shown me many things and I have come across much information concerning the present state of Meidia. The DVL’s are planning a purge of all living sentients on Meidia, maybe all life in this reality. The fighting amongst Meidia’s major factions and powers are playing into their hands. The Winter King, The Summer Lord, The Dragon Emporer, the Matriarchs, The Verdant Fellowship, the Stone Gods. They all have their agendas and wants. If these powers continue along separate paths, most if not all will be taken from their mortal bodies. The DVL’s are developing a great device that will gather souls of Meidia. I am now a member of the Wardens of Meidia who are striving to unite these powers and any others currently unknown to us. A conclave at best, to oppose the DVL’s, at worst forge a truce to allow those who would cooperate to defend our Reality.

Only by putting their differences aside for a time will these powers be able to continue their goals at sometime in the future. For if the DVL’s have their way, there’ll be nothing left to fight over, or they’ll be enslaved or destroyed.

I would ask the leave of the Winter King and any Drow Houses to bring this information personally, or via written missive if such sanctuary and return to my current task cannot be granted. I implore Him and any Drow Houses to consider withholding any offensive actions against Meidians resisting the Outsiders until the DVL’s have been routed. A neutral conclave of these powers of Meidia is being planned.

I would ask for any aid or consideration that you might be willing to procure.

I’ve included a letter for the Winter King.

I will open the portal approximately every lantern after sending these letters through, hoping for a response, written or voice.

Sincerely and with respect,

Velkin Herig
Warden of Meidia

To the Winter King,

We have information that the DVLs plan to end all life on at least this planet, potentially this reality, and we have learned the date for that event.

When the dwarven incursion was defeated, the DVLs were set free to wreak their vengeance on all the ancient dwarves both here on our world and across the stars of all realities. The leader of the DVLs has set his sights on destroying all life in our world to fulfill his own plans.

We propose an alliance of all of the powerful and ancient forces who have battled on Meidia through the ages. To set aside past differences and work together with shared information, shared tools, and coordination of efforts to stop this.

A truce among all the powers is asked from all who do not wish to join cooperatively in the fight for our Reality.

Time is of the essence as we have about 10 months from the time I pen this message until the DVL's plan to exterminate or possibly collect the souls of Meidia.

It is our hope and aim to bring together the divided forces of our world. At the very least temporarily to repel the forces against us. At best a lasting peace.

We are reaching out to all the powers we know of to help save our Reality. Those we seek can best leverage their current strengths, information, and place in our world to work toward defeating and sending the Outsiders back to their City of Brass.

The meeting of these varied powers and interests is to be a neutral conclave. Leaving grudges, and agendas behind for a discussion of the future of Meidia’s existence. We request that each guarantee each other's safety at and during passage to an appointed meeting place.

We have more information to share and welcome a pooling of knowledge, information, resources, and coordination of efforts for the best overall effect opposing the DVL threat.

You, the Winter King, are uniquely positioned with the current location you control to make a difference in wresting Meidia from the DVL’s machinations.

Once the DVLs are defeated, it is hoped that Meidians can continue to cooperate, or at minimum coexist, however this is a secondary goal to the immediate need of survival. I will open the portal for a response, written or voice, approximately every 4 hours from the time I send this missive.

Sincerely and with respect,

Velkin, Warden of Meidia

Session Fifty-Two Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:43:56Z

Laris:

== Session 52, July 7 2021 ==
[[File:Kamadan.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 4:30PM on the 18th of Laurilden with the party having looted the lair of the leopard monster they slew and then animated to pull their cart of supplies for Montoa.

=== Larry's Summary ===

We continue on until nightfall with the leopard creature pulling the cart and we stop until nightfall.

Three frogs attack and one swallows Forcas, another Ajax the crow ambassador of the Parliament of Birds. We quickly kill them and rescue Forcas and Ajax. Lambertus heals Ajax.

We continue the next day and near Montoa we find a clearing with bones and Velkin searches and finds the body of a woman under a bush.

We take the body to Montoa and learn she disappeared and was feared taken by orcs.

Montoa captured an orc and we questioned the orc. We learned that the orcs are scouting out Montoa and live to the East in the mountains and are lead by a DVL with one horn they call One-Horn.

Druul convinces the orc, Nim, that he is on his side, and gets some information.

We get the 5 vessels promised us, and the clay from the lake was the secret to the vessels.

We realize that a woman and 3 men were the ones we found tied to trees, beaten, and their throats slit. We alert Pahlia, one of the guards, who orders guards for the delegation from Hizzou, who are there to negotiate a trade treaty.

We let Kahlia know about the woman and three men, and that the orcs are scoping out Montoa. Rallion pledged the group to stay and do all we can to keep Montoa safe from the orcs.

We then stay for the meeting between Kahlia and the Hizzou delegation. Kahlia has us lead off with what we know. Rallion speaks for the group and starts with the big overarching threat of the DVLs, and the need to work together. That goes as well as the first time we talked about the threat from the ancient space dwarves.

When Rallion mentions the orcs lead by a DVL that is a smaller more local threat that they can get behind. Rallion also shows the Feather of The Chosen that he has born since the party first visited Old Greybeard. Showing that we have magic gave weight to our words. The ambassador from Hizzou indicated this would probably mean that their chief would help with the orcs.

We then left them to discuss their trade agreement.

We drink from the lake and heal up. We discuss dealing with the woman, Misra, her husband, brother, and friend. There is a child who seems to be normal that we need to be careful how we handle this.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 23 – Session 52

Laurilden 18, 4:30pm

On the way to Montoa from Greybeard.

The time with the Mothers has had an effect on me. I can speak with animals, not just spiders anymore. Learning about this world and getting out beyond the myopic sampling of it that has been my life up until the past few weeks is eye opening.

We camp for the night and are accosted by giant frogs. One slurps Forcas down and instead of just blowing that off, I fought to save him. Ajax too. What was that, a feeling for another sentient? Hmm….

We clean and dress the amphibians and divvy them up for rations and the rest of the night goes by uneventfully.

Nearing Montoa, we come upon a campsite and within earshot are a gathering of people speaking common. There’s a beaten and stabbed beyond recognition, a female human. An islander, half covered, no grave. Some footprints head toward the village according to Rallion.

We reach the gates of Montoa and some Daughters of the Matriarch are alerted yet relax when our party is seen as they recognize some of us. Being still invisible, I stay on the periphery of the party, scouting and observing for anything amiss.

Khalia comes and greets the party. She’s fairly distracted and nervous, but not about us according to Lungmold. There have been Orc attacks and it’s thought that is who killed the lady outside the village.

Lungmold gets a flash of an alien thought, but fleeting. He can’t localize it.

I keep a lookout outside Khalia’s hut as the party goes in to chat.
Only 7 warriors are left in the village. Bavmorda took many to Shem for Vengeance, including Alea. They have an orc prisoner in the priestess hut and a Hizzou delegation is here for talks.
She’s not surprised at Rallion’s news of impending doom, it sounds as if she’s already feeling pretty doomed.

The mud near the lake was made into vessels and the waters hold the power of the healing lake with the runes.

We gather 5 of the healing waters vessels (Double Healing Potions, can be split) and interrogate the orc. I stay on watch.

There’s a force of orcs coming from the east, there were 7 in his scouting group.

They’re led by a winged something with a broken horn. One Horn.

While on watch, I see a walking dead person. One of the bodies we found in the jungle is walking around. Some sort of shapechanger? I lurk about and find the 4 supposedly dead people are walking around acting, or trying to act, normally. It’s a husband and wife, a brother and a friend who fled when Montoa was attacked and miraculously returned.

Hizzou, Khalia and Rallion all have a conference. Hizzou is put out, much like they were when Drueta brought news to them before. Same story, different voice. Apocalypses don’t interest them. They are interested in our access to magic though.

Session Fifty Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:41:27Z

Laris:

== Session 50, June 23 2021 ==
[[File:RocFlight.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 6PM on the 16th of Laurilden with the Parlement of Birds having just concluded. The party has spent the past two nights split between the Matriarchs' tomb near the summit of Old Greybeard and the entrance cave where Timon and Azra once lived. Working with some of the birds, the group has selected their potential allies and drafted letters to invite them to a summit at the former lair of Myrientaxus the dragon; they have also breeched the lower chamber of the spider chest and recovered the items inside. Currently, the party intends to set out to revisit Montoa before making their way back eastward to seek the Dragon Emperor in Xen'Khel.

=== Larry's Summary ===

We return to the Cavern of the Dead and use blood magic to identify the shard short sword and bracer. The sword sends extradimensional creatures to their plane of origin. The bracer helps the wielder of the sword resist being drawn in. The reddish stones power the bracer, and the range is 20 feet with one stone, 10 feet with two stones, and only the wielder with 3 stones.

We drew lots and Rallion drew the short straw to bear the sword and bracer and Rallion put up the scepter to be selected by the others and Lungmold drew the short straw to bear it. Rallion will get last chance next time there are items to divvy up.

We healed up in the pool after identifying all the items from the Mothers.

We selected the name ''The Wardens''.

We loaded up with disenchanted dwarven gear to take with us to Jax to put to use.

We rested and had watches.

We prepared to set out for Montoa in the morning.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 22 – Session 50

Laurilden 16, 6pm

The Parliment of Birds is over and messages have been drafted and sent across Meidia to bring together potential allies in opposition to the DVL machinations. We sign the letters Wardens of Meidia. We also spent some time in meditation with the Motherrs.

Cerida blessed my adamantine suit of chainmail, proofing it from the degrading effects of sunlight. Maybe there is power in these old superstitions.

We head back down to the Cavern of the Dead and use the healing waters for Kauri to cast Identify on the sword and bracer we retrieved from the spiderbox by Ptolemy the woodpecker’s sharp beak.

Short Sword – the blade’s edges are hard to look at. Not metal, ruddy color.
Any Extradimensional beings are banished to their home plane when struck by this weapon
The sword tears into the fabric of reality to send beings back and there’s a chance the slice will take the wearer and those around the slice may get sucked in along with it.
Blade does extra damage and has a better chance of hitting than a normal blade (all hits)

Bracer – tiny inscriptions written over and over “To Protect the Veil”
Protects the wielder of the blade from the blade.
Each stone that is in the bracer increases the protection offered by it. Not random stones, they were specially made for it.
A single stone there’s a moderate penalty to resist the tear, those within 20’ may also get sucked into the reality tear.
2 stones, minor penalty, and within 10’ have to be concerned.
3 stones, no penalty to save, and only the wielder has to worry.

We also learn Brendil’s axe and shield’s runes are for raising dead.

Rallion wins the lottery to carry the sword and bracer.

Session Forty-Eight Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:39:04Z

Laris:

== Session 48, June 9 2021 ==
[[File:ParlementBirds.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 6PM on the 13th of Laurilden with the party having arrived back at the Caverns of the Dead just as the sun sets. After quickly checking on their stashed equipment, the group gathers in the large cavern. There is talk of breaking into the bottom of the spider box to recover the items Brendil found as well as plans to attend the Parlement of Birds starting the next morning atop Old Greybeard. Will trying to break open a deadly artifact or insert themselves into a otherworldly council turn out to be the bigger disaster for the party?

=== Larry's Summary ===

We leave Raynarth, Cesario, Alfredus, Will Grissel, Folgard, & Hermengart back in the cave to guard it while the main party goes to the '''Parliament of Birds'''.

Will works to remove the image of Lolth that desecrated the totem in the cavern.

The party goes to the doors and on the North door in Drow is the word ''SAFE''. We erase it and go in the East door through the maze and to the room with the bridge and use ropes to go down and a rope with a grapple tossed from the bridge, then up the stairs to the cloister and around the cloister to the ''Tomb of the Matriarchs''.

We leave all the stuff that is otherwordly, or that we are not sure of, guarded by Borthan and Forcus outside the tomb.

Rallion places his feather on the pedestal and we all float up and commune before the tombs of each of the mothers.

Rallion kneels before the East/Brita and offers his Roc Feather Cloak.
Lungmold offer to her the feather from the hawk we met at Brita's fountain East of Old Greybeard.

Velkin put his hand on the North/Cerida's tomb and the spider box.

Kauri lit a candle to the West/Feldma.

Oskar went South/Oswitha.

Some slept and those who attempted an all night vigil were overcome with sleep. We all had the same vision.

First of Brita as a young woman, and then scenes of her aging. She fought dragons and drove them back.

Next West fighting dragons and dragons seem to be winning.

Finally, North/Oswitha is being prepared for burial and her eyes open and she gives this message:

''Time runs short; you must choose your allies from amongst the foes of times past, either singly or united in common cause. Dead Mothers, Tyrant Lizards, Stone Gods, or Opposed Seasons. Choices that are divergent paths to restore what was lost, paths that in turn lead to divergent futures – some fractious, some serene. Otherwise, the City of Brass triumphs and there will be only one common future for this reality like so many before it: death.''

Then the final scene:

''A scene of a crushed city with a tower being built and a plain full of DVL’s with human slaves being put to work carrying materials to continue to create the tower. On top of the tower at the peak. There’s a shard of stone encased in a crystal globe which grows brighter and brighter in power with power shooting across the planes where all humans and slaves are destroyed while their spirits are sucked into the shard while the DVL’s watch on in rapture.''

When we awake we each find something to take with us.

To the East/Brita - Lungmold's feather now has a glow like Rallion's feather, and Rallion's Roc Feather Cloak is different and his vision seems to slid off of it.

To the North/Cerida Velkin hears the spiders saying to ''Let us out, it will be OK, really.''

To the West/Feldma Kauri's candle is still burning.

To the South/Oswitha Oskar's cup of tea is still warm and is always full, and Druul has a new upbeat song of Spring/Summer and growth in his head.

We descend and Rallion retrieves his feather. Then we go to the walkway and retrieve our things. Rallion pours oil on a piece of parchment and lights it and throws it over the edge. (Some seem to think it was some sort of contract.)

We then climb up to the Parliament of Birds and are allowed to address them.

The golden eagle from whom Rallion received his feather is their King. Long ago they swore allegiance to the ''Summer Lord'' and the hawk whose feather Lungmold has argued that their first responsibility was to their ancient oath to the Summer Lord.

We argue to getting all factions to work together to fight a common enemy.

When we share our vision via Lungmold to the Parliament of Birds, the owls know the place as the capital of the ''Dragon Empire'' and the date the space station hit was the first of Tenrilden and the tower with the ''Shard'' will be complete on the 1st of Tenrilden, in ten and a half months.

We manage to convince all factions of the Parliament of Birds to agree to contact all the factions we can think of, those mentioned in the dream, and others like Lord Thornton's rebels, the Floating City of Armada of the half orcs, the golden cat, the people of the Mother's who went South (there are humans living to the South), and others we can think of.

The Parliament of Birds traditionally lasts 3 days, and this was the first.

Rallion suggests using his Starchy Badge as a bona fide to take to the dragons at Xen Khel, and we can possibly get a message to the Winter King. The hawk, Vermillion, is sent as the head of the embassy to the Summer Lord, and Ajax the raven is to go with us when we leave.

We have to decide on a place to meet and a date and time. Both a place they can reach and enough time to do it.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 21 – Session 48

Laurilden 13, 6pm

Parliment of the Birds

Our main party goes into the Caverns of the Dead to make their way to attend the Parliment of Birds.

Will removes the image of Lloth desecrating the totem in the cavern.

In Drow across the northern doer, SAFE is written in chalk. We make our way to the chamber of the matriarchs leaving our potentially offensive dvl powered items of dwarven make outside the chamber. Rallion places his feather on the pedestal and we float up to commune with the Mothers.

Rallion beseeches east, Brita, Lungmold as well
Kauri to the west, Feldma,
Oskar to the south, Oswitha
I was drawn to Cerida’s tomb to the North.
Others slept.

A lady looks like Oswitha in an area similar to Old Greybeard with indistinct figures. Looks really young. Time accelerates. Somewhere underground older. Comes up on a magic shell that’s blocking something and she touches it and it falls apart. Humans fighting dragons, humans doing well. Brita seems to be charging the dragons and things are going well. Oswitha fighting dragons but dragons have the upper hand and she and her followers are being routed. A bunch of women standing around a corpse of what looks like Cerida preparing to put her into her sarcophagus.

Cerida Speaks: Time runs short; you must choose your allies from amongst the foes of times past, either singly or united in common cause. Dead Mothers, Tyrant Lizards, Stone Gods, or Opposed Seasons. Choices that are divergent paths to restore what was lost, paths that in turn lead to divergent futures – some fractious, some serene. Otherwise, the City of Brass triumphs and there will be only one common future for this reality like so many before it: death.

A scene of a crushed city with a tower being built and a plain full of DVL’s with human slaves being put to work carrying materials to continue to create the tower. On top of the tower at the peak. There’s a shard of stone encased in a crystal globe which grows brighter and brighter in power with power shooting across the planes where all humans and slaves are destroyed while their spirits are sucked into the shard while the DVL’s watch on in rapture.

When we awaken:
Kauri – the candle is still lit, hasn’t burned down.
Lungmold – Hawkfeather glows now like Rallion’s feather.
Rallion – rockfeather cloak has shadows woven around it like your eyes want to slide off of it
Velkin – Hand on box – listens to the spiderbox, can understand them. Nothing interesting obviously.
Druul – new tune in his head, upbeat
Oskar – Tea offering – still warmed. Everfilling cup of tea.

I get my first look at the tableaux from the descriptions they gave before, nothing like seeing a wonder such as this with your own eyes…

The 3 tableaux:
• Seven warriors who have laid down their arms atop a mountain; behind them is a woman with too many eyes holding scales; seven hearts on one side of the scale are lighter than a feather on the other side (Northwest side)
• Three ships setting sail toward the horizon, where the figure of a woman whose arms are full of flowers smiles benevolently (West side)
• Human prisoners chained together are led down into the earth by dragon/snake-headed captors (they seem to be on a plateau with a huge waterfall); a young woman with birds on her shoulders and finger sheds a tear watching them descend (Southwest side)

Something flaming falls from the peak and Rallion stands there with a happy, maybe satisfied or even smug look on his face, hard to tell…

We make our way to the Parliment of the Birds in the Roc Nest. They’re all speaking in the listener’s native language, we all can understand each other easily.
A heated debate is going on at present. We’re on one edge of the nest and approach the group.
In the center, a large golden eagle who seems to be in charge.
A parrot, brightly colored, he’s making an argument to working against the DVL’s. Could mean working with the summer lord, but they need to guide the summer lord to work with Media and not try to conquer the world.

Crows and owls are on board, other groups are jeering. Songbirds jeering, Hawks aren’t on board.

Velkin moves toward the Corvids
Lungmold moves toward the hawk who gave him the feather.
Rallion is hanging with the duck at present.
Druul and Brendil head toward the brightly colored songbirds.
Felix, Borthan, Kauri and Oskar hangs behind Rallion.

Lungmold shows the hawk feather and Rallion holds up his feather.

Rallion, Lungmold and I ask to be recognized to address the Parliment and are acknowleged by the Golden Eagle.

Rallion gives the Parliment the message and vision we received from the Mothers last night. They recognize the place of the vision is where the Dragon Emperor’s palace was.

The Owl asks, what ally gives way to Serenity. Unknown.

Ravens:
Matriarchs have been gone along time, fought the Dragons ages ago and fell to them. Descendents are very few. Some lived here, some to the West in the Jungle. Some sacred places in the jungle are left.
Other structures – graves of the champions to N,
Unclear what it means by the dead mothers.

A Gull speaks of other lands of across the oceans to where (South) a land of ice, small number of humans live there. May have a matriarch connection. Where the mother sailed?

Albatross: Pirate kingdom floating city is intact.
We ask the Parliment if they’d be willing to be messengers for us, the Wardens of Meidiea. Ajax, a Raven, will accompany us after the Parliment.

The songbirds, corvids, parrots, and owls are all on board, the Raptors abstain in the vote to aid us.

The Golden Eagle (king) says: the Parliment will do as we request and try to reach the different factions, including the golden cat, and bring them together, an old oath was made to the Summer Lord and Vermilion, the Hawk, will be in charge of the delegation going to the Summer Lord.

There are 26 harpies at the Mountain of the 7 warriors.

Session Forty-Seven Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-12-06T03:36:56Z

Laris:

== Session 47, June 2 2021 ==
[[File:Fantasy-face-rock-tree-woman-dance-thumbnailb.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
We continue at 1PM on the 12th of Laurilden with the party camped at the head of the Vargwater River beneath the stone visage of a face carved in the westernmost end of the river's gully. The group plans to wait overnight to see if dawn's light causes anything interesting to happen when it strikes the carving. In the meantime, the adventurers also debate using Borthran's astral projection tea to explore the web-like fabrics that unfold into portals to some other place. Will there be wonders to witness in the morning? Are those web portals dangerous to open? What other hazards await the group further into the mountain range? Does the Parlement of Birds make use of Robert's Rules of Order?

=== Larry's Summary ===

Borthan brews up some astral tea and Rallion, Velkin, and Brendil each check out 3 places to increase our available information.

Rallion goes to Old Greybeard and appears OK. The totem inside is defaced to include Lolth. The two doors into the maze to reach the tomb of the Matriarchs are intact. The one for the wrong way has an X and what Rallion believes to be writing similar to what he saw in Vilgram (drow?). The other door is unmarked. He then went to the roc's nest and it has been tidied up and is full of all kinds of birds all making the calls of their type.

Next Raliion went to Montoa, the village of the Daughters of the Matriarch and it has more people and is much repaired. Rallion then found Bavmorda covered in blood standing with other Montoan warriors (female) standing over bodies. It appears that Bavmorda made it to Montoa when we parted ways on the surface and is helping secure Montoa and seeking revenge for what the other tribes did to them.

Finally, Rallion went to the imerial base Cesario described. It has patrolling skeletons acting like their normal routine in life. He found the entrance and got a bearing to be able to find it in the future. He saw a skeleton in full plate and a two handed sword laid out and it appeared to look when Rallion entered the room, but laid back down, unable to see him.

Brendil checked behind the face of Brita and it is just stone.

Next Brendil looked in the spider box. There is a short sword and a bracer that appear to be of the same material as the shard Bavmorda lost to the demon when it got stuck and lost in the maze on the way to the Mothers' Tomb. The box has a rod in each corner with a "cap" just under the lip of the lid. As long as this "frame" is intact, it helps maintain the structural integrity of the chest. Above a ceiling of "obsidian" are infinite spiders.

Finally Brendil went to check on Jax and got sucked into the generator. Tik Tok spotted him and it is Asmodeus who sent so many to try and figure out the secret of this place. Tik Tok protected Brendil from the other DVLs. Tik Tok was able to touch Brendil but was unable to accompany Brendil. [Failed save.] But we think it is possible to get Tik Tok out if we want.

Velkin first sought Jarlana and saw her in a tall tower overlooking an "endless" city with odd colored clouds. After the three astral travelers returned we surmised this is the City of Brass.

Velkin relayed to Lungmold to have Druul open the handerchief of Jarlanna one fold. Velkin then went through and saw 30 elves that are not drow but bluish black. The leader had a horn pointed towards the opening, but when no one came through, and Druul closed it, they relaxed. Velkin overheard them talking and it appears that the Winter King has displaced Lolth from her web in Tralvig. The web is enormous and Velkin saw his master the drow magister, master Enrilden. There are 50 openings into the central hub like the one Velkin entered.

Velkin then goes to Lolth and Lolth detects him and asks who he is and he quickly went seeking the dragon who flew most of the party across the Vargwater River. Velkin found a dead dragon ripped apart and ravaged by scavengers. Teh hope was to get a vial of dragon blood, but it must be from a living dragon.

Finally Velkin goes to Allycian and sees her group approaching a ruined city on a mountain plateau (Xen Khel).

With all the party back together we compare notes.

The plan is to build a box around the spider box to keep it intact and use tools (in Old Greybeard) to open a hole in the lower portion to remove the sword and bracer.

We wait until morning and prior to the dawn the depression before the face is filled with song birds. Rallion uses the scepter to speak and learns that they sing praises to Brita, ''Patroness of the Morning''.

Rallion learns that there are four equidistant shrines like the one for Brita to the East of Old Greybeard.

* One to Guard Against the Lizardfolk - Brita/East
* One for the Daughters of the Matriarch - West
* One for the 9 Wanderers - North - Bad/not nice flying creatures - "like" us - Dangerous now
* One for the Old Fortress - South - Some good flying creatures with 4 legs - Dangerous now

We then feel refreshed. [+1 to hit, damage, and saves until night fall.]

Rallion leads the party towards Old Greybeard and soon finds a totem and leaves a gold coin. 4 more totems are found and Rallion leaves a gold coin in each. WE spot a giant unusual looking wasp flying across our path behind us. We leave it be and continue. 5 more totems are found and Rallion leaves a platinum coin in each. We saw a lot of birds heading to Old Greybeard.

We reach the entrance and Rallion explains that the right pool heals and the left is deadly. We all drink and all the wounded are healed.

Rallion retrieves his gold control circlet, and they find all the rest of the stuff left behind is still there. Rallion suggests that some of the items in Bavmorda's pack might be useful.

===Velkin's Scrolls===

Velkin Scrolls 20 – Session 47 – Astral Tea Ceremony
Laurilden 12, 1pm

Since we’ve searched the ravine over, and we didn’t find a whole lot, we decide to do some scouting using a dose of the astral tea of Borthan’s.

Rallion, Brendil and I settle in to do some astral travelling after a long discussion of where we were going to scout.

Our targets are:
Rallion: Old Greybeard, Montoa, the Imperial bunker and his alternate is where the Jungle Cat was encountered.

Brendil: Explore the spiderbox, Behind Brita’s face, Jaeger’s tower/portal, alt is Jax

Myself: The Web Portals, Dragon/Alisceon, Vilgram, Vilgram, Winter King’s seneschal

These are the things we saw

Rallion:
1) Old Greybeard:
A few things have changed, a fight has occurred. Broken bolts etc. The offering totem in the center of the main chamber has been defaced. It now has a crude likeness of Lloth on it.
Room with party gear: still intact
Maze area: entrance: door not to the maze has a Drow Chalkmark on it.
Roc Nest: Looks like it’s been cleaned, it’s spruced up and a number of birds fliting about. Many species. The Gathering of the Parliment of the Birds.

2) Montoa
Looking a lot better, many more people. A lot of repaired buildings. A few female warriors.
Chieftan hut: Khalia is holding court
Shelf with clay vessels on it decorated with inscriptions in ancient common.
Shaman hut’s storage: being restocked.
Secret chamber: Physically obscured further.
Bavmorda: There is blood everywhere, much of it on her sword, surrounded by female warriors who have been in recent battle.

3) Imperial Bunker described by Cesario:
Skeletal warriors patrolling.
Place is many miles NE from Old Greybeard. Almost like you’re in a pocket where the mountains curl around. He goes down, laying in repose on a slab. A skeleton dressed in full plate decorated in dragon embellishments holding across his chest a 2 handed sword blade pointed toward feet. As Rallion arrived, he looked in his direction but doesn’t see him. The armor looks like plate armor, not fancy.
He scouts the place. Many many skeletons. Looks like they’re going about their business as they once did.

Brendil:
1) Behind the Face:
Nothing, no matter how much he tried to find something. Persistant he is.

2) Spiderbox:
From underneath he peeps on the contents
There’s light emanating from 2 objects:
Shortsword and something is odd about it. Not made out of metal he’s familiar with. Rusty colored, but not rusty.
Bracer made of the same material.
Obsidian top to the compartment, no latches, triggers or anything.
Looking at the metal doodads in the corner of the box, there is a tension bar running up the corner of the box from the lower corner and passes up through the obsidian roof that goes up to the top part of the box, it’s mechanical. He passes through the obsidian sheet and he’s covered with spiders everywhere doing spidery things in a spidery place – there’s only a mass of infinite spiders here...
He follows the metal bar to the top of chest and it looks like it messes with the structural integrity of the corners of the box.
All 4 corners of the box have a rod going down them. (He gives a visual to Lungmold)

3) Jax:
Brendil gets sucked into the battery in the Imperial Embassy. He meets TickTock in the DVL trap and tries to pull him free unsuccessfully.

Myself
1) Pass through Jerhlanna’s kerchief. - squadron of elves awaiting to spring forward. 30 of them. Blue skinned.

Crossbows, swords, chainmail. Symbol: Snowflake thing of the Winter King. Leader has a horn readying to blow. Now that hole is closed. 2nd horn he blows back the way he came twice, short bursts.

Leader and the ones around them speak amongst themselves: Lloth and their priestesses are a tricky bunch. Cant trust ‘em.
It was a funnel web opening to the outside. A puckered seam is present in space..sphincter.
Tunnel of web up ahead opening up into a large chamber with an orb of webs, gigantic. Size of a large building. Temporary encampments with very many of the elves present.

2) Continuing down the web funnel into a huge open space surrounding a cocoon hanging from the top of the chamber. Many more tunnels leaving the area. 50+
Lots of elves, mixed in are a few drow. Red, green stones, etc. A magister is present, Master Enrilden. He’s in the largest encampment. This looks like Lloth’s inner sanctum.

3) Jherlanna: Outside in a city, dotted with minarets, clouds are crazy mix of sulfurous yellow, red. City goes on forever. On a balcony overlooking the city. Lloth seems to be in the city, large webbed chamber, giant bulk in the center.

4) Lloth – near Jherlanna, suspect they’re in or around the City of Brass. She percieves me and I panic, and blip to the dragon that led the Devil Birds away so we could escape Jaeger’s Tower.

5) Narthox the Bloody, dragon: dead.

6) Alisceon: In a mountainous area. She is still invisible. South of where we were. NW is Greybeard. Southward on a plateau, pieces of a ruined city.

Returning to the physical world, we relay our respective findings to the party. The shortsword and bracer in the spiderbox is recognized to be made of material similar to the Shard but polished and worked.

We plan to build a brace around the spiderbox and use a tool as yet to be determined to open the box from the bottom and get the sword and bracer out.

We camp peacefully for the evening watches being uneventful.

At dawn, flocks of birds descend on the relief of the face in the wall. They’re singing praises to Brita, Patroness of the Morning according to Rallion’s speak with animals ability from the scepter. He also learns there are 4 shrines N,S,E and W from Old Greybeard.
- East, Brita - Guard against the Lizardfolk (boon +1 hit, damage and saves until nightfall)
- West, Daughters of the Matriarch
- North, Nine Wanderers, Harpies are there, dangerous
- South, Old Fortress, some good flying creatures with 4 legs there, dangerous

We head out toward Old Greybeard avoiding a giant wasp, many birds heading toward the site and Rallion leaves a gold coin in each totem we pass.

We heal at the Right pool as the Left is deadly at the entrance to Old Greybeard.

We take the items left previously by the party that we think could be useful before going into the Caverns of the Dead.

Session Twenty-Six Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-01-13T02:44:54Z

Laris:

== Session 26, January 6 2020 ==
[[File:F20bd8930314b1b4c37abcc38fa1e8c4.png|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
''We continue at 7:40PM on the 17th of Tenrilden with the party having just returned to the Temple of the Winter King to rest after their encounter with winter wolves ...
''

=== Session Summary ===
We rest eight hours in the ''Temple of the Winter King''. Rallion heard shuffling on his watch. Brendil heard whispers saying his name, that soon ceased. The other two watches were quiet.

Lambertus used one of his stones and re-learned spells. He healed Aubrey, Lungmold, and Oskar. Rallion gave Lambertus his last healing elixir.

Velkin searches the chest of Jarlana and avoided a trap of poison gas and finds everyday drow clerical vestments, a holy symbol, and a sticky web-like handkerchief that unfolds and seems to be a portal to another place as a breeze came out of it. We suspect it is a portal. Also inside is a book and a fancy scroll case. The scroll case are fragments of parchment that discuss the Winter King and Summer King. The book is Jarlana's journal that starts with the end of magic.

Jarlana's Journal:
Jarlana had a messenger from Lolth, whom we suspect to be the demon in the yellow hat. This messenger knew how to track those with the box of infinite spiders....

Lambertus asked the corpse of the sacrificial victim two questions with Speak with Dead.

'''Where were you killed?'''
Answered in Old Elvish close to Drow.
''I died in the Halls of the Winter King beyond the snowy forest and old cabin on the other side of the Veil before being brought to these contested lands.''

'''How do we find the Summer King?'''
''The Lord of Summer can be found in the Elysium Fields beyond the Veil; he will come soon to fight his mortal foe and claim his kingdom in these Contested Lands.''

The winter wolves lead us to their "master" the Winter King, but Rallion convinces them to lead them to the Seneschal of the Winter King.

First to a door that is the "dangerous way." Then the safe way, past the ''Winter King''.

Wolves lead us to a door. (We will pass through the Master's Forest. Master is in the cabin.)
''As in an enchanted space,'' / 
''Trees stood in the vapor rootless,'' / 
''While the stag flew onward, footless'' / 
''Yet unwearied by the chase.''

We enter a huge room that turns to a snowy forest. Lungmold detects a mind to the North, that we assume is the ''Winter King''.

We come to a door and hear moaning. We open the door and there are zombies, but Lambertus turns them and they fall to pieces.

We come to a statue in a semi-circular alcove with an articulated arm. Moving the arm opens a door. The wolves lead us through.

At an intersection the wolves are worried. Lungmold senses animal minds. He telepathically asks them "What is your purpose?" and they get active and come towards us. At least 3 bluish giant toads. We get through a door and two pivoting walls beyond. We spike the door and both pivoting walls and head in the direction Lungmold detected the frogs.

It is now 10:30 AM the 18th of Tenrilden.

===='''<big>Velkin's Scrolls</big>'''====

Tenrilden 17

7:40pm

We camp in the Temple of the Winter King. I’m pleased that these people are willing to share their knowledge. I take a turn at watch which goes by uneventfully. Others had some odd things happen on their watches, but nothing of note.

We open (very carefully) the box form Jherlanna’s quarters. It was trapped with a fragile globe of poisonous gas. One of these days I’ll get better at finding them. Judicious use of a fresh wolf pelt prevented an unfortunate series of events. Inside was a few mundane items, a cloth made of webbing than when laid out opens a portal of some kind. There is a quality leather bound journal that Jherlanna started at of the fall of magic and a copy of an ancient parchment in a rather nice scroll case the combination of which correlates with our findings at the Guild. There are a few more details concerning the Summer and Winter King’s departure and Drow servitude to the dwarves. She makes note of a servant of Lloth sent to guide her to hunt down the party that carried the box and return it to Lloth.

The portal cloth we think may lead to Lloth. Or close to her. I look inside and hear chimes in the distance. Jherlanna’s quest to obtain the spiderbox was successful. I guess she’ll have to get it there the hard way.

Other things of note: Rallion filled us in on the party’s history over the past few months. I have to say, I’m quite impressed, awed and to be honest, envious. The things this group have experienced and the knowledge they possess is extraordinary. These notes I’ve made from their adventures are quite informative, it’ll be a few days before I can thoroughly digest the info dump. DVL’s, AI’s, a second reference to the ancient elven split. Spaceships, Dragons… I have much to learn and absorb.

I see Lambertus use a stone to replenish his daily repertoire of spells. We discuss that in detail. Although the source of that stone’s power is currently out of reach, as it’s a piece of an elemental god from another plane… hmm… I wonder if that can be of use…

Aubry Grotecop. Confirmed. I’ll decide what to do about that if anything later.

Shadowstepping, that’s something very interesting. I would not mind learning such an extraordinary skill. That alone would be worth aligning with this group for a while. While the task of escorting them from Vilgrim is my charge. I think further association will be beneficial over the long term. Especially with their current quest to restore magic to Meidia.

Lambertus casts Speak with Dead on the head of the sacrifice we found on the alter.
He answers 2 questions:

Where did you die? Answer: ''A raspy voice: I died in the Halls of the Winter King beyond the snowy forest and old cabin on the other side of the Veil before being brought to these contested lands.''

How do we find the summer king. Answer: ''The Lord of Summer can be found in the Elysium Fields beyond the Veil; he will come soon to fight his mortal foe and claim his kingdom in these Contested Lands.''

Rallion tasks the wolves with taking us to their Master, and state to him that the elven sacrifice is the Enemy. We’re assuming Master is the Winter King. We decide instead to go to the Winter King’s Seneschal which the wolves agree to.

We come to a door with an inscription:
As in an enchanted space,
Trees stood in the vapor rootless,
While the stag flew onward, footless
Yet unwearied by the chase.

The door opens into a strange place. As we go into the area…. It doesn’t seem to be a room. A forest appears and “snow” is falling. I can say I’ve seen snow now. Lungmold, with his telepathy, senses a mind tending a fire northward of where we are. We’re assuming that it’s their Master from what Rallion learned from the wolves. They urged us to petition him and his court. Dark elves who are likely feasting on the quarry of their last hunt. We are guided to a door in the center of a wall.

On the other side of the door are zombies. Lambertus wipes them out with his holy power. They look to have been priests.

The wolves lead us further passing burial niches. Taking clues from their indecisive actions, we find a secret door triggered from a statue in a semicircular inset. We move through a passage that looks to have been added between two well constructed areas, continuing to follow the wolves toward the Seneschal. They say that he isn’t awake yet...

Lungmold touches the lethargic mind of something and it moves our way as we make our way through pivoting walls back toward the area where Lungmold first sensed the minds. They’re giant blue frogs.

Session Twenty-Six Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-01-13T02:43:44Z

Laris:

== Session 26, January 6 2020 ==
[[File:F20bd8930314b1b4c37abcc38fa1e8c4.png|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
''We continue at 7:40PM on the 17th of Tenrilden with the party having just returned to the Temple of the Winter King to rest after their encounter with winter wolves ...
''

=== Session Summary ===
We rest eight hours in the ''Temple of the Winter King''. Rallion heard shuffling on his watch. Brendil heard whispers saying his name, that soon ceased. The other two watches were quiet.

Lambertus used one of his stones and re-learned spells. He healed Aubrey, Lungmold, and Oskar. Rallion gave Lambertus his last healing elixir.

Velkin searches the chest of Jarlana and avoided a trap of poison gas and finds everyday drow clerical vestments, a holy symbol, and a sticky web-like handkerchief that unfolds and seems to be a portal to another place as a breeze came out of it. We suspect it is a portal. Also inside is a book and a fancy scroll case. The scroll case are fragments of parchment that discuss the Winter King and Summer King. The book is Jarlana's journal that starts with the end of magic.

Jarlana's Journal:
Jarlana had a messenger from Lolth, whom we suspect to be the demon in the yellow hat. This messenger knew how to track those with the box of infinite spiders....

Lambertus asked the corpse of the sacrificial victim two questions with Speak with Dead.

'''Where were you killed?'''
Answered in Old Elvish close to Drow.
''I died in the Halls of the Winter King beyond the snowy forest and old cabin on the other side of the Veil before being brought to these contested lands.''

'''How do we find the Summer King?'''
''The Lord of Summer can be found in the Elysium Fields beyond the Veil; he will come soon to fight his mortal foe and claim his kingdom in these Contested Lands.''

The winter wolves lead us to their "master" the Winter King, but Rallion convinces them to lead them to the Seneschal of the Winter King.

First to a door that is the "dangerous way." Then the safe way, past the ''Winter King''.

Wolves lead us to a door. (We will pass through the Master's Forest. Master is in the cabin.)
''As in an enchanted space,'' / 
''Trees stood in the vapor rootless,'' / 
''While the stag flew onward, footless'' / 
''Yet unwearied by the chase.''

We enter a huge room that turns to a snowy forest. Lungmold detects a mind to the North, that we assume is the ''Winter King''.

We come to a door and hear moaning. We open the door and there are zombies, but Lambertus turns them and they fall to pieces.

We come to a statue in a semi-circular alcove with an articulated arm. Moving the arm opens a door. The wolves lead us through.

At an intersection the wolves are worried. Lungmold senses animal minds. He telepathically asks them "What is your purpose?" and they get active and come towards us. At least 3 bluish giant toads. We get through a door and two pivoting walls beyond. We spike the door and both pivoting walls and head in the direction Lungmold detected the frogs.

It is now 10:30 AM the 18th of Tenrilden.

===='''<big>Velkin Scrolls</big>'''====

Tenrilden 17

7:40pm

We camp in the Temple of the Winter King. I’m pleased that these people are willing to share their knowledge. I take a turn at watch which goes by uneventfully. Others had some odd things happen on their watches, but nothing of note.

We open (very carefully) the box form Jherlanna’s quarters. It was trapped with a fragile globe of poisonous gas. One of these days I’ll get better at finding them. Judicious use of a fresh wolf pelt prevented an unfortunate series of events. Inside was a few mundane items, a cloth made of webbing than when laid out opens a portal of some kind. There is a quality leather bound journal that Jherlanna started at of the fall of magic and a copy of an ancient parchment in a rather nice scroll case the combination of which correlates with our findings at the Guild. There are a few more details concerning the Summer and Winter King’s departure and Drow servitude to the dwarves. She makes note of a servant of Lloth sent to guide her to hunt down the party that carried the box and return it to Lloth.

The portal cloth we think may lead to Lloth. Or close to her. I look inside and hear chimes in the distance. Jherlanna’s quest to obtain the spiderbox was successful. I guess she’ll have to get it there the hard way.

Other things of note: Rallion filled us in on the party’s history over the past few months. I have to say, I’m quite impressed, awed and to be honest, envious. The things this group have experienced and the knowledge they possess is extraordinary. These notes I’ve made from their adventures are quite informative, it’ll be a few days before I can thoroughly digest the info dump. DVL’s, AI’s, a second reference to the ancient elven split. Spaceships, Dragons… I have much to learn and absorb.

I see Lambertus use a stone to replenish his daily repertoire of spells. We discuss that in detail. Although the source of that stone’s power is currently out of reach, as it’s a piece of an elemental god from another plane… hmm… I wonder if that can be of use…

Aubry Grotecop. Confirmed. I’ll decide what to do about that if anything later.

Shadowstepping, that’s something very interesting. I would not mind learning such an extraordinary skill. That alone would be worth aligning with this group for a while. While the task of escorting them from Vilgrim is my charge. I think further association will be beneficial over the long term. Especially with their current quest to restore magic to Meidia.

Lambertus casts Speak with Dead on the head of the sacrifice we found on the alter.
He answers 2 questions:

Where did you die? Answer: ''A raspy voice: I died in the Halls of the Winter King beyond the snowy forest and old cabin on the other side of the Veil before being brought to these contested lands.''

How do we find the summer king. Answer: ''The Lord of Summer can be found in the Elysium Fields beyond the Veil; he will come soon to fight his mortal foe and claim his kingdom in these Contested Lands.''

Rallion tasks the wolves with taking us to their Master, and state to him that the elven sacrifice is the Enemy. We’re assuming Master is the Winter King. We decide instead to go to the Winter King’s Seneschal which the wolves agree to.

We come to a door with an inscription:
As in an enchanted space,
Trees stood in the vapor rootless,
While the stag flew onward, footless
Yet unwearied by the chase.

The door opens into a strange place. As we go into the area…. It doesn’t seem to be a room. A forest appears and “snow” is falling. I can say I’ve seen snow now. Lungmold, with his telepathy, senses a mind tending a fire northward of where we are. We’re assuming that it’s their Master from what Rallion learned from the wolves. They urged us to petition him and his court. Dark elves who are likely feasting on the quarry of their last hunt. We are guided to a door in the center of a wall.

On the other side of the door are zombies. Lambertus wipes them out with his holy power. They look to have been priests.

The wolves lead us further passing burial niches. Taking clues from their indecisive actions, we find a secret door triggered from a statue in a semicircular inset. We move through a passage that looks to have been added between two well constructed areas, continuing to follow the wolves toward the Seneschal. They say that he isn’t awake yet...

Lungmold touches the lethargic mind of something and it moves our way as we make our way through pivoting walls back toward the area where Lungmold first sensed the minds. They’re giant blue frogs.

Session Twenty-Five Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-01-06T02:01:07Z

Laris:

== Session 25, December 30 2020 ==
[[File:35301.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
''We continue at 5PM on the 17th of Tenrilden with the party about to enter the Temple of the Winter King in the catacombs beneath Vilgrim ...
''

=== Session Summary ===
'''Rallion's Recollection:'''

We enter the ''Temple of the Winter King''.

We find two wooden coffins on stone plinths. We don't recognize the wood. The underside of the lid has a painted scene of a dead warrior in repose.

When we opened the firmly sealed lid, the skeleton inside rose up, and Lambertus turned it. Skeletons from as yet unseen niches come to attack us, and Lambertus and Felix turn them all.

As we continue to explore we find many empty niches and the ceilings of each have paint that is similar to the scene in the coffin.

We gathered up the electrum coins we found.

There are three statues and an altar with a sacrificed surface elf.

'''Statue of Winter King:''' 
''They think that his doom was sealed for aye (ever),'' / 
''by no prayers to be diminished:'' / 
''To hunt until the last Judgment Day'' / 
''Till World and Time were finished'' 

'''Statue of mounted hunter with Bow East of stairs:''' 
''The hunters’ shouts, the thunders’ crash'' / 
''Roared high in the lust of slaughter,'' / 
''Through horses’ whinnies, the snap of the lash,'' / 
''Above the livid water.'' 

'''Statue of mounted hunter with Bow West of stairs:''' 
''Just before them, roe and hart'' / 
''Flew as if on hidden pinions'' / 
''From the Winter-king and his minions,'' / 
''Cleaving the slow mists apart''. 

'''Altar with inscription'''
There is a body on top of it. NOT old, but much fresher. 
Human, maybe an elf. It is split down the center, ribcage cracked. 
A lot of blood. Not killed here since not enough blood. Fairly fresh, it is sticky. 

'''Inscription on Altar:''' 
''Sacrifice is made, the forest sated''. / 
''Elf, animal, and all share'' / 
''The pledge of blood, belief'' / 
''That through this guilt incorporated'' / 
''The elements return to balance'' / 
''And power renews in every creature''. 

'''Back wall behind Altar:''' 
''From oblivion resurrected'' / 
''Champions in their rest ejected'' / 
''From the dim necropolis'' 

'''Velkin shares the tale of the Ware of Winter and Summer:'''

''The War of Winter and Summer:'' 
Even older legends, of which only partial accounts remain in the crumbling tomes, 
obliquely reference the war that split the elven peoples and led the Drow to abandon the surface. 
This conflict was a battle between the forces of the Summer King and Winter Lord. 
These otherworldly beings granted their followers extraordinary powers that could alter reality 
in ways that sound like they surpass anything available to practitioners of dwarven magic. 

'''Inscription above the Door going out (opposite side of door we entered temple):'''
''At their head there flitted, leading,'' / 
''Tall and white, a wounded hind'' / 
''Stuck with many arrows, bleeding,'' / 
''Shaking, in the midnight wind.'' 

We go West and find a passage leading South. We investigate and soon find a niche with a single coffin. Someone banged on the coffin and we heard howls of wolves to the North.

Next we find a passage to the West with a door, and the passage we are in continues South.

The read of the Party, Bortham and Aubry are assailed by wolves who breathe cold. They each injure a wolf, but Aubry is brought down.

Rallion rushed back and took Aubry's place and pulled Aubrey out of combat and Forcas, the Pech slave of Velkin, bound Aubry's wounds and Lambertus healed him.

Kauri cast Web and blocked the wolves from getting close.

Rallion used his sceptre to charm the wolves and to speak to them.

Lungmold confused one of the wolves, but they breathed and injured Lambertus and dropped Lunmold. Lambertus dragged Lungmold to safety.

Rallion asked the charmed wolves to tell their friends to stop attacking. They did so with howls.

The wolves attacking the other end of the hall were ready to stop, but Gath the Troglodyte charged and killed one that Lungmold confused, and Oskar attacked another.

Another breathe of cold and Gath went down and Oskar was hurt.

The last two wolves decided to leave. Oskar's parting shot only dealt a severe blow, not quite killing one.

Lambertus used his two heal potions to try and get Lungmold and Gath on their feet. Rallion used a potion on each as well, and they were finally able to walk. Rallion has one potion left.

Rallion now has 4 new pets and they join the party in the ''Temple of the Winter King'' since it is a dead end with a door, so we can rest up and hopefully learn spells. Lambertus hopes to level and may be able to speak to the head of the sacrifice.

Rallion skins the 3 wolves we killed. He offers the meat to his new friends and fashions packs from two large sacks and some rope to carry the meat and take turns having each wolf carry it. (If they agree to carry such a load.)

We found 638 Electrum pieces with a motif of the Winter King.

===='''<big>Velkin’s Scrolls</big>'''====

Tenrilden 17

About 5pm

We enter the Temple of the Winter King. There are wooden boxes with pegged lids. One of which we remove and a skeleton emerges. It’s quickly dispatched by the male priests of this group. There are paintings inside the boxes of a warrior in peaceful repose surrounded by reddish flowers, maybe poinsettias? There are many skeletons that rise and attack. The two male human priests, quickly dispatch them with their powers to destroy undead. I wonder if their priestly magics extend to spellcasting.

The masked one, Kauri, looks around and informs us that he does not see any magic. The niches and the one box have coins the party collects and as we explore the room there are 3 statues and a recently used alter, all with inscriptions. The central statue is of a hunter riding one of the shaggy horses holding a horn. Statues to either side of the alter are of bowmen on horses facing away from the alter at an angle.

The verses are as follows:

They think that his doom was sealed for aye, (aye = forever)
by no prayers to be diminished:
To hunt until the last Judgment Day (Round plinth with a hunter with a horn on horseback)
Till World and Time were finished

The hunters’ shouts, the thunders’ crash
Roared high in the lust of slaughter, (SE of the alter bottom of the stairs)
Through horses’ whinnies, the snap of the lash,
Above the livid water.

Just before them, roe and hart
Flew as if on hidden pinions (SW of the alter bottom of the stairs)
From the Winter-king and his minions,
Cleaving the slow mists apart.

Sacrifice is made, the forest sated.
Elf, animal, and all share
The pledge of blood, belief (On the Alter)
That through this guilt incorporated
The elements return to balance
And power renews in every creature.

From oblivion resurrected
Champions in their rest ejected (Behind the alter)
From the dim necropolis

At their head there flitted, leading,
Tall and white, a wounded hind (Above the doors exiting the Temple)
Stuck with many arrows, bleeding,
Shaking, in the midnight wind.

The sacrificial body: leather armor, stamped with decorative elements of suns (Stylized like Tangled’s sun), not snowflakes. This is the temple of the Winter King. There is a dark green cloak we collect. Druul is carrying it.

Kauri hasn’t seen magic with his mask at all. I can't see any magic either... nice mask.

We make our way further west and then south down a hallway with a niche and another coffin. We hear howling of wolves to the north. As we’re examining the door to the west we’re attacked from the north by a pack of wolves. The Githyanki, Borthan, and Grotecop faced them at the entrance to the hallway we’re in. These wolves breathed a freezing cloud that dropped Grotecop and Kauri, the masked one, cast Web. How I’m not certain, but I hope to find out. I move to backup Borthan and order Forcus to aid Grotecop. Rallion moves up and using a magical scepter, charming the wolves it seems, and then speaks with them. At that point we’re attacked from behind. I didn’t get a good look at what was happening that far back, but in the end we all survived and 2 of the wolves escaped. Rallion expertly skins the wolves and butchers them. Lungmold, Gath, Grotecop and Oskar, the lizardman all were injured. The party was free with healing potions among all their members regardless of race.

Interesting the group’s cooperation among individuals of varying backgrounds and races. If this is how the surface world works, then Herig’s philosophy will prove valuable in dealing with them. Mutually beneficial advancement of interests.

Kauri fills me in in on Transpatial energy theory: blood magic, Stone magic. Now we’re getting somewhere!
I fill them in on what I know of the War of Winter and Summer and the split between elves of the ancient past.

We move back to the Temple room to rest. I intend to talk with these folk more and pick their brains on what all is happening... Also what their goals are… Vilgram is in chaos, opportunity to bring new avenues to abate that chaos may lie in working more closely with this motley crew. Kauri’s notes if he’ll allow me to collaborate with him ought to get me started along the blood magic lines and maybe we can figure more out. Who knew learning to read all those ancient texts would come in handy in revitalizing magic. What else do these people know.

Session Twenty-Five Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2021-01-06T01:58:18Z

Laris:

== Session 25, December 30 2020 ==
[[File:35301.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
''We continue at 5PM on the 17th of Tenrilden with the party about to enter the Temple of the Winter King in the catacombs beneath Vilgrim ...
''

=== Session Summary ===
'''Rallion's Recollection:'''

We enter the ''Temple of the Winter King''.

We find two wooden coffins on stone plinths. We don't recognize the wood. The underside of the lid has a painted scene of a dead warrior in repose.

When we opened the firmly sealed lid, the skeleton inside rose up, and Lambertus turned it. Skeletons from as yet unseen niches come to attack us, and Lambertus and Felix turn them all.

As we continue to explore we find many empty niches and the ceilings of each have paint that is similar to the scene in the coffin.

We gathered up the electrum coins we found.

There are three statues and an altar with a sacrificed surface elf.

'''Statue of Winter King:''' 
''They think that his doom was sealed for aye (ever),'' / 
''by no prayers to be diminished:'' / 
''To hunt until the last Judgment Day'' / 
''Till World and Time were finished'' 

'''Statue of mounted hunter with Bow East of stairs:''' 
''The hunters’ shouts, the thunders’ crash'' / 
''Roared high in the lust of slaughter,'' / 
''Through horses’ whinnies, the snap of the lash,'' / 
''Above the livid water.'' 

'''Statue of mounted hunter with Bow West of stairs:''' 
''Just before them, roe and hart'' / 
''Flew as if on hidden pinions'' / 
''From the Winter-king and his minions,'' / 
''Cleaving the slow mists apart''. 

'''Altar with inscription'''
There is a body on top of it. NOT old, but much fresher. 
Human, maybe an elf. It is split down the center, ribcage cracked. 
A lot of blood. Not killed here since not enough blood. Fairly fresh, it is sticky. 

'''Inscription on Altar:''' 
''Sacrifice is made, the forest sated''. / 
''Elf, animal, and all share'' / 
''The pledge of blood, belief'' / 
''That through this guilt incorporated'' / 
''The elements return to balance'' / 
''And power renews in every creature''. 

'''Back wall behind Altar:''' 
''From oblivion resurrected'' / 
''Champions in their rest ejected'' / 
''From the dim necropolis'' 

'''Velkin shares the tale of the Ware of Winter and Summer:'''

''The War of Winter and Summer:'' 
Even older legends, of which only partial accounts remain in the crumbling tomes, 
obliquely reference the war that split the elven peoples and led the Drow to abandon the surface. 
This conflict was a battle between the forces of the Summer King and Winter Lord. 
These otherworldly beings granted their followers extraordinary powers that could alter reality 
in ways that sound like they surpass anything available to practitioners of dwarven magic. 

'''Inscription above the Door going out (opposite side of door we entered temple):'''
''At their head there flitted, leading,'' / 
''Tall and white, a wounded hind'' / 
''Stuck with many arrows, bleeding,'' / 
''Shaking, in the midnight wind.'' 

We go West and find a passage leading South. We investigate and soon find a niche with a single coffin. Someone banged on the coffin and we heard howls of wolves to the North.

Next we find a passage to the West with a door, and the passage we are in continues South.

The read of the Party, Bortham and Aubry are assailed by wolves who breathe cold. They each injure a wolf, but Aubry is brought down.

Rallion rushed back and took Aubry's place and pulled Aubrey out of combat and Forcas, the Pech slave of Velkin, bound Aubry's wounds and Lambertus healed him.

Kauri cast Web and blocked the wolves from getting close.

Rallion used his sceptre to charm the wolves and to speak to them.

Lungmold confused one of the wolves, but they breathed and injured Lambertus and dropped Lunmold. Lambertus dragged Lungmold to safety.

Rallion asked the charmed wolves to tell their friends to stop attacking. They did so with howls.

The wolves attacking the other end of the hall were ready to stop, but Gath the Troglodyte charged and killed one that Lungmold confused, and Oskar attacked another.

Another breathe of cold and Gath went down and Oskar was hurt.

The last two wolves decided to leave. Oskar's parting shot only dealt a severe blow, not quite killing one.

Lambertus used his two heal potions to try and get Lungmold and Gath on their feet. Rallion used a potion on each as well, and they were finally able to walk. Rallion has one potion left.

Rallion now has 4 new pets and they join the party in the ''Temple of the Winter King'' since it is a dead end with a door, so we can rest up and hopefully learn spells. Lambertus hopes to level and may be able to speak to the head of the sacrifice.

Rallion skins the 3 wolves we killed. He offers the meat to his new friends and fashions packs from two large sacks and some rope to carry the meat and take turns having each wolf carry it. (If they agree to carry such a load.)

We found 638 Electrum pieces with a motif of the Winter King.

===='''<big>Velkin’s Scrolls</big>'''====

Tenrilden 17

About 5pm

We enter the Temple of the Winter King. There are wooden boxes with pegged lids. One of which we remove and a skeleton emerges. It’s quickly dispatched by the male priests of this group. There are paintings inside the boxes of a warrior in peaceful repose surrounded by reddish flowers, maybe poinsettias? There are many skeletons that rise and attack. The two male human priests, quickly dispatch them with their powers to destroy undead. I wonder if their priestly magics extend to spellcasting.

The masked one, Kauri, looks around and informs us that he does not see any magic. The niches and the one box have coins the party collects and as we explore the room there are 3 statues and a recently used alter, all with inscriptions. The central statue is of a hunter riding one of the shaggy horses holding a horn. Statues to either side of the alter are of bowmen on horses facing away from the alter at an angle.

The verses are as follows:

Total poem:

They think that his doom was sealed for aye, (aye = forever)
by no prayers to be diminished:
To hunt until the last Judgment Day (Round plinth with a hunter with a horn on horseback)
Till World and Time were finished

The hunters’ shouts, the thunders’ crash
Roared high in the lust of slaughter, (SE of the alter bottom of the stairs)
Through horses’ whinnies, the snap of the lash,
Above the livid water.

Just before them, roe and hart
Flew as if on hidden pinions (SW of the alter bottom of the stairs)
From the Winter-king and his minions,
Cleaving the slow mists apart.

Sacrifice is made, the forest sated.
Elf, animal, and all share
The pledge of blood, belief (On the Alter)
That through this guilt incorporated
The elements return to balance
And power renews in every creature.

From oblivion resurrected
Champions in their rest ejected (Behind the alter)
From the dim necropolis

At their head there flitted, leading,
Tall and white, a wounded hind (Above the doors exiting the Temple)
Stuck with many arrows, bleeding,
Shaking, in the midnight wind.

The sacrificial body: leather armor, stamped with decorative elements of suns (Stylized like Tangled’s sun), not snowflakes. This is the temple of the Winter King. There is a dark green cloak we collect. Druul is carrying it.

Kauri hasn’t seen magic with his mask at all.

We make our way further west and then south down a hallway with a niche and another coffin. We hear howling of wolves to the north. As we’re examining the door to the west we’re attacked from the north by a pack of wolves. The Githyanki, Borthan, and Grotecop faced them at the entrance to the hallway we’re in. These wolves breathed a freezing cloud that dropped Grotecop and Kauri, the masked one, cast Web. How I’m not certain, but I hope to find out. I move to backup Borthan and order Forcus to aid Grotecop. Rallion moves up and using a magical scepter, charming the wolves it seems, and then speaks with them. At that point we’re attacked from behind. I didn’t get a good look at what was happening that far back, but in the end we all survived and 2 of the wolves escaped. Rallion expertly skins the wolves and butchers them. Lungmold, Gath, Grotecop and Oskar, the lizardman all were injured. The party was free with healing potions among all their members regardless of race.

Interesting the group’s cooperation among individuals of varying backgrounds and races. If this is how the surface world works, then Herig’s philosophy will prove valuable in dealing with them. Mutually beneficial advancement of interests.

Kauri fills me in in on Transpatial energy theory: blood magic, Stone magic. Now we’re getting somewhere!
I fill them in on what I know of the War of Winter and Summer and the split between elves of the ancient past.

We move back to the Temple room to rest. I intend to talk with these folk more and pick their brains on what all is happening... Also what their goals are… Vilgram is in chaos, opportunity to bring new avenues to abate that chaos may lie in working more closely with this motley crew. Kauri’s notes if he’ll allow me to collaborate with him ought to get me started along the blood magic lines and maybe we can figure more out. Who knew learning to read all those ancient texts would come in handy in revitalizing magic. What else do these people know.

Session Twenty-Three Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2020-12-29T03:35:37Z

Laris:

== Session 23, December 9 2020 ==
[[File:Valeriamartyrofc00withiala 0065.png|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
''We continue at 11AM on the 17th of Tenrilden with the party in their rooms at House Herig after the abortive attempt on Jherlana Thule's life. They are waiting for Aquil Herig to return with guidance on how they can flee Vilgrim without being caught and executed ...
''

=== Session Summary ===
The tea allows Rallion, Brendil, Oskar, and Borthun to travel via Astral Projection to the drow temple area.

The rooms of Jarlana are unoccupied. We follow a drow patrol down.

In the area where the drow had the spider box we observer and see the Dark King, a human wearing a platinum mask with the face of a dwarf.

We think to go to where Jarlana and Vikram are now and appear in a new set of rooms with a lot of drow guards from house Thule (purple). An older female is talking with Jarlana. The older drow holds up a book. Jarlana summons Vikram who reads in common, so we realize it is Laris' journal. Thus they know all that we know from the time of Laris joining the party, our activities on the Xeno Tel station and our role in the end of magic in freeing the demons & devils from the ancient space dwarves.

Brendil tries to chop off Jarlana's hand, but his sword just passes through her. Vikram looks in the direction of Brendil and either chose to hold his silence, or merely sensed something but did not see what it was.

We begin to feel nauseous and think to return to our rooms and when we do, we find Borthan already there, as he was not with us in Jarlana's new rooms. Rallion, Oskar, and Brendil all vomit. We later learn from Borthum that this is common the first time. We also learn, thanks to the half orc Druul who can speak deep gnome, that the tea is made from the dung of a creature from Borthan's home world. It lasts about 30 minutes and when it wears off you end up back in your body. He has enough to make two more pots of tea, enough for 6 each time. The tea does not keep.

Borthun is anxious for revenge for his fallen comrade, even if it means death.

Aquil Herig frees the half orc bard Druul to escort us through the upper catacombs, and sends a representative of the Magisters, Velkin, to explore the condition of magic's change and lead us through the lower catacombs since he has read about them. Velkin has a pech servant, Forcus. Velkin tells us that we are looking for the tomb of the ''Winter King's Seneschal.
''
Aquil will tell the rest of the drow, when they come looking for us, that we were deluded agents of ''The Silence'' (mind flayers), as one of us mentioned that we didn't recognize our face in a mirror. The information from the member of ''The Silence'' we slew were also on Laris, so it is even more believable that we were under the influence of ''The Silence''.

We know that there will be guards at a locked gate, and Aquil gives us papers to let us through.

We avoid drow in the catacombs and meet a fungus person, Lungmold. Rallion re-traces Lungmold's steps as he was lost, and it is in the direction we wish to go. Lungmold says he was sent to get us after we passed his people's territory without drawing our weapons. He knows of a crack formed by water.

We surface dwellers and Lungmold hide in a side passage, while Velkin and Druul send the guards after the giant mushroom they said burst in. Velkin outranks them so it was easy to do. The guards gave Velkin the key. We then met up. Lungmold takes care of the guard he injured entering the upper catacombs. Velkin opens the door and hangs up the key with a note, since we can't lock the door behind us.

'''Velkin's note says:'''

''Fungus guy came back, following him down, lock up behind us we’ll report in when we’re able.''

''Signed Druul''

We then see some statues up ahead and a spider appears. Borthun senses it phasing and is ready.

Two spiders appear among us and one bites Druul who falls frothing at the mouth. Lambertus uses an alchemist potion to treat his poison and saves him.

We kill one spider and drive off the other seriously wounded. Lungmold tied a bell to it, so we can hear it coming. We do not hear it after it gets far enough away from us.

The statues are of elves on horseback and we assume they are of Peronelle's people. Between the statues are stairs going down and cold billowing up. This is the way Lungmold came and his feet burned. Rallion gives him two large sacks to use as shoes as there must be ice on the floor. The belts of the elven statues have intricate designs that Azra tell us are snowflakes.

We go down the stairs and find a large room, but it is filled with mist with ten feet of visibility.

===='''<big>Velkin's Scrolls</big>'''====

''To the future purveyor of these writings,''

''The sudden and unforeseen abeyance of arcane magic is a troublesome thing. I feel it will be a topic of legend for generations. These are the notes of one man’s observances during these times. I sincerely hope these pages survive to one day shine a light through the darkness of your past regarding the happenings known to this seeker of knowledge. I make these notes in deference to those who came before that have illuminated my sight into ages past.''

''-Velkin of House Herig''

''Year''

'''Tenrilden 1'''

I’m not sure what to say. Something is terribly amiss. Magic doesn’t work. The Magisters are in disarray, pointing fingers at the Priestesses for successfully lobbying Lloth to take away any competition for power. I’ve never seen some of these high stationed people unnerved and looking like a slave sent to the Arena. It’s a crazy time right now and I have my gear prepared for a mission, with all the chaos, I’m certain something will be going on soon. Until then, I’m hitting the books and looking for any hint as to what could have set such an event in motion and if there’s any clues to a remedy. News coming from our contacts in the priesthood concerning the Necropolis are troubling.

'''Tenrilden 3'''

The Dark King invades Vilgram. Not quite in the literal sense, but close enough. Once he arrived with his retinue of warriors and lackeys, the majority of the younger Magisters conclave aligned with his philosophy. Looking for an ally countering the unbridled power the priestesses have now. Short term goals aimed toward local dominance. The priesthood has other plans. Fighting Those From Beyond. Rumors fly of powerful artifacts and end of the world, but nothing new there with conspiracies, outright fear and unabashed conniving.

'''Tenrilden 9'''

After Magic disappeared, all except for the Priestesses, we’ve been scrambling. The manufacture of our racial items has not been harmed, nor has alchemy as far as we’ve tested it. There are stances shaping up on the next direction of goals. However I dislike the priesthood’s haughtiness, the threat they describe seems more existential. The Silence have been a nagging presence for years, not to be discounted, or ignored. They’d need to be dealt with in some way before traipsing off who knows where in the dimensions while leaving things weak here in our home, ripe for conquering. In my humble and insignificant opinion.

'''Tenrilden 13'''

The past week and a half have been less than entertaining. I’d been striving to complete my apprenticeship with the Magisters when arcane magic stopped working. Years of study gone to waste. I was sent on various tasks and have been honing my non magical proficiencies that kept me alive and respected during my time here. The contacts and friends I’ve made have come in quite handy in acquiring a few more things to aid my new role. If Magister I am not to be, then gatherer of things for them I will do as efficiently as possible. I’ve put in requests for items to complete my kit. We’ll see what comes of it. House Herig will need all the eyes and ears it can get as well to solidify our hold on trade profits to these warmongers.

'''Tenrilden 14'''

News: Lady Jharlanna has acquired an item of great power. What a tool that will be for the Drow. Especially if the Magisters, or better yet House Herig is primarily involved in it’s useful application. I’ll have to work on finding more about the box so if we do get to examine or be involved with it, I can make myself useful. A celebration is being planned for her return with sacrifices even. We haven’t had such a festival in a while. It’ll be a nice change from the scrambling around we’ve been doing with the lack of arcane magic. Say what you will about Jherlana, her current exploits have given us a well needed boost to morale.

'''Tenrilden 16'''

The rumor gatherers tell me the Dark King, or his minions, are plotting. Something big. It’s not known exactly what yet, but with all the upheaval, anything is possible. I’ve wrapped up most of my research and consolidated those findings. Tomorrow’s rest period should be fun. A Celebration. Food, fun and festivities! A short respite before whatever comes next with the Dark King and Jherlana’s machinations.

'''Tenrilden 17'''

By Lloth’s wispy fang hairs! There is more chaos if that’s possible!
The Celebration was going well, fun was had by all until an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Jherlanna A Djinn, from what I can tell facilitated her escape. During the unrest that followed I made my way back to House Herig. Master Aquil arrives and I am volunteered to escort a group of surface dwellers out through the lower catacombs. Druul, the half orc who fancies himself an entertainer is to guide us through the upper chambers and I’m to guide them through the lower. The Tomb of the Winter King’s Seneschal is in the lower catacombs and may have an exit from the city through there. Aquil seems a bit off, but evidently these surface dwellers are worth him sticking his neck out. This will give me a chance to explore the Tomb and see what I can learn there.

They are a motley group. A Githyanki, Lizardman, Troglodyte, and 7 humans, I’m assuming the masked one is human. One human, Rallion, steps forward and speaks for the group. Aquil gives papers to Rallion to pass the guards at the lower catacomb entrance, however if we can avoid using those, it will be beneficial. There’s a story of this group being under the influence of the Silence to cover their actions. Still not clear on what those actions were, surely these were not the assassins at the celebration. It appeared to be a priestess in Jerhlanna’s retinue that made the attempt. I’ll ask once I have them in the lower catacombs as I have been tasked.

We make our way through the upper catacombs, Druul leads, avoiding the high stationed Drow burial ceremony taking place. We come across a fungus in a rough humanoid form. A Mycelian if I recall correctly. It communicates telepathically, handy that. This group from the surface is of interest to the mycelians, as they did not attack them when they went by on the river. So they’re not hostile to all, nice to know. He’s to lead us somewhere, maybe it’s got something to do with the Silence. I’ll be on my guard. Druul and I go to the guards while the group secrets themselves in a nearby corridor. I avoid confrontation by sending the remaining 2 guards to find the Fungus guy who stormed in and wounded one of the 3 guards here. It finishes the job on the guard as the group makes it’s way down into the lower catacombs. I leave a note from Druul stating we’re going into the catacombs after the fungus creature and will report back when we can. I attach the note to the key and leave it in the keyhole.

We make our way down and are attacked by disappearing spiders who ignore my attempts at conversation. Poor things must be hungry, it’s quite barren down here. One is killed and I extract a vial of poison handing it to Druul, who without the ministrations of one of the humans, most likely would have died. The other retreats wearing a bell the fungus put on him.

Further down we come to the entrance to the Tomb of the Winter Seneschal, or so we think. Lungmold, the name of the mycelian, communicates that is where he came up from with dead things chasing him that looked like the statues. The entrance has statues of elves riding horses decorated with these polygonal fractal patterned perforated flat plaques with radial symmetry, no two of the same shape. One of the older humans calls it snow. Falling frozen water from the sky… hard to imagine that. We make our way down the passage flanked by the two statues and it gets colder and the air is mustier as we descend. Ending in a chamber in thick mushroom soup fog with visibility only about 10’.

1:50pm

Session Twenty-Four Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2020-12-29T03:35:01Z

Laris:

== Session 24, December 16 2020 ==
[[File:Image23434234s.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
''We continue at 2PM on the 17th of Tenrilden with the party descending the stairs into the old catacombs deep beneath the Drow city of Vilgrim. They are seeking a secret exit from the city inside the tomb of the Winter King's Seneschal ...
''

=== Session Summary ===
The party moved into the fog and a blast of icy wind struck Lungmold. Lambertus healed him.

Velkin found that Lungmold stepped on a pressure trap. Later we found 3 statues of elves on horseback with hunting horns and bows. Velkin believes this to be a representation of the Winter King, who was known for hunting.

The party moves around to the walls and finds a door then a hallway, then another hallway. Both hallways went north and met in another room with stairs leading down. We looted electrum from several niches and also found a necklace. There were two doors going north.

We returned to the first foggy room and went to another door on the west. We opened it and there were drow on the other side with green, but not of House Herig, but House VEros, who died out a few drow generations ago. They once ruled the city. We let them pass and Velkin advised them to seek his old master and tell him Velkin sent them.

The drow told a tale of a wintry forest and a blizzard in which they spent a night. Lungmold developed a time travel theory from this. there was also the sound of a wolf.

We went through the other door and it appeared to go a long was to the west after turning south, but we went back north past the door and found the halls lines with burial niches angled back to the two doors on the lower room we looted. We found a large door labeled: ''The Long Hall''. We opened this door and found ice covered skeletons who had a chill touch and broke the shield of Lungmold and Rallion, and then gave frostbite to Rallion. We struck at them, and Lambertus came up and turned them and they shattered. A second round of turning left one, whom Gath struck and shattered.

We found other bodies that all had arrows in their backs. We heard the sound of a galloping horse and dove out of the way and arrows flew at all our backs. We found one body with its back to the wall and arrows in its back. the next time we heard the galloping, Rallion and several others set spears to receive a charge and others dove out of the way. Only those who sought cover had arrows fly at them from behind. We then all stood our ground and were safe.

We found shields and armor on some of the bodies and Lungmold and Rallion replaced their shields.

We moved to the West, since it appeared we had more room to travel and found a large double door labeled in Drow: ''Temple of the Winter King''.

===='''<big>Velkin's Scrolls</big>'''====

Velkin’s Scrolls

Tenrilden 17
2pm

We explore the catacomb section we’ve entered. Visibility is limited to around 10’ with the mists. We make our way into what appears to be a larger room and the Fungus man, Lungmold he is called, strides right into the room and is promptly wounded by what is determined to be a pressure plate at the vertex of 3 statue’s spaced out wielding horns that send a frozen blast to that point.

Druul points out that the statues appear to depict the Winter King on horseback, a shaggy haired beast, in the midst of a hunt. His knowledge may prove useful as we continue our travels. The catacomb residents all have coins on their eyes and a cache of electrum in each burial niche. The party spends some time looting, leaving the coins over the eyes of the dead.

We continue to explore the tomb and open a door revealing a Drow patrol. The party restrains themselves and do not immediately attack. They saw at least Rallion, myself, Druul and Lungmold in the poor visibility. Handy that telepathy Lungmold has, I ask him to tell the rest of the party to stay quiet and out of sight. I tell the Drow party that we’re in search of a crazed Fungus man that attacked some guards at the entrance to Vilgram. The one we have with us was chasing it and we’re continuing that search. Their House color is green, which I incorrectly associated with Herig. Surprisingly, they say they are of a House Veros, an ancient House that once ruled Vilgrim. The patrol is quite agitated and tells a tale of a wintry forest and a blizzard in which they spent the night listening to the sound of wolves. They’re bedraggled and aren’t in the best of spirits. Their patrol was a routine check of the catacombs that turned into more than they bargained for.

Feros, their leader, believes the date is about 500yrs in the past, I tell him the current date, which he doesn’t believe entirely. I attempt to have them accompany us, but from what they say they’ve been through, they’re morale is shattered and the patrol starts breaking up with Feros’ men heading out toward the exit without his consent. I tell him to seek out Master Erilden a Magister of House Herig, and tell him that I have sent them to him. House Thule now rules Vilgram, to be careful, strange things are happening there now and keep a low profile until you get your bearings. I certainly would have liked to have had a real conversation with them. Unfortunately none wanted to hang around. With luck, they’ll make it to Master Erilden and I’ll be able to read of his findings later, or encounter them in the future on my return with my own news.

I suspect that the fall of magic initiated whatever set of circumstances brought them to this age. Some thoughts would be: time travel, collapsing of a stasis effect of some sort, shifting back to the present time from another plane/dimension or a spell trap.

--''Inscriptions in the tomb are written in Drow''

We come to a door with the inscription: ''The Long Hall''. On entering we find a number of elven remains which have been dead a very long time. Some skeletal, some mummified, adhered/frozen to the floor. The weapons suggest Drow with adamantine weapons and hand crossbows. There are those with a green gem and those with red among the dead. Veros and whatever house red denoted back then. No papers or anything on any of them that we found.

We recover a number of valuables, intact armor, weapons and shields. But nothing indicating why or who any of the various groups are. There are mostly elves. Many weapons were of Drow origin. There was one gnome.

A horn sounds and we hear approaching sounds of someone on horseback we take cover and are all shot at by arrows…. Hitting from behind no matter our facing.

We find a few other bodies and collect their weapons, armor and a few more coins. Still nothing helpful in determining why they’re here.

Those without armor or weapons equip themselves.

The hunting horn sounds again, Rallion, myself and a few others set to receive a charge. When the arrows come this time, none are fired at those of us who stood fast and didn’t try to hide.

We come to a double door with ''Temple to the Winter King'' inscribed over it, it opens away into a hallway.

Session Twenty-Three Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2020-12-14T05:32:38Z

Laris:

== Session 23, December 9 2020 ==
[[File:Valeriamartyrofc00withiala 0065.png|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
''We continue at 11AM on the 17th of Tenrilden with the party in their rooms at House Herig after the abortive attempt on Jherlana Thule's life. They are waiting for Aquil Herig to return with guidance on how they can flee Vilgrim without being caught and executed ...
''

=== Session Summary ===
The tea allows Rallion, Brendil, Oskar, and Borthun to travel via Astral Projection to the drow temple area.

The rooms of Jarlana are unoccupied. We follow a drow patrol down.

In the area where the drow had the spider box we observer and see the Dark King, a human wearing a platinum mask with the face of a dwarf.

We think to go to where Jarlana and Vikram are now and appear in a new set of rooms with a lot of drow guards from house Thule (purple). An older female is talking with Jarlana. The older drow holds up a book. Jarlana summons Vikram who reads in common, so we realize it is Laris' journal. Thus they know all that we know from the time of Laris joining the party, our activities on the Xeno Tel station and our role in the end of magic in freeing the demons & devils from the ancient space dwarves.

Brendil tries to chop off Jarlana's hand, but his sword just passes through her. Vikram looks in the direction of Brendil and either chose to hold his silence, or merely sensed something but did not see what it was.

We begin to feel nauseous and think to return to our rooms and when we do, we find Borthan already there, as he was not with us in Jarlana's new rooms. Rallion, Oskar, and Brendil all vomit. We later learn from Borthum that this is common the first time. We also learn, thanks to the half orc Druul who can speak deep gnome, that the tea is made from the dung of a creature from Borthan's home world. It lasts about 30 minutes and when it wears off you end up back in your body. He has enough to make two more pots of tea, enough for 6 each time. The tea does not keep.

Borthun is anxious for revenge for his fallen comrade, even if it means death.

Aquil Herig frees the half orc bard Druul to escort us through the upper catacombs, and sends a representative of the Magisters, Velkin, to explore the condition of magic's change and lead us through the lower catacombs since he has read about them. Velkin has a pech servant, Forcus. Velkin tells us that we are looking for the tomb of the ''Winter King's Seneschal.
''
Aquil will tell the rest of the drow, when they come looking for us, that we were deluded agents of ''The Silence'' (mind flayers), as one of us mentioned that we didn't recognize our face in a mirror. The information from the member of ''The Silence'' we slew were also on Laris, so it is even more believable that we were under the influence of ''The Silence''.

We know that there will be guards at a locked gate, and Aquil gives us papers to let us through.

We avoid drow in the catacombs and meet a fungus person, Lungmold. Rallion re-traces Lungmold's steps as he was lost, and it is in the direction we wish to go. Lungmold says he was sent to get us after we passed his people's territory without drawing our weapons. He knows of a crack formed by water.

We surface dwellers and Lungmold hide in a side passage, while Velkin and Druul send the guards after the giant mushroom they said burst in. Velkin outranks them so it was easy to do. The guards gave Velkin the key. We then met up. Lungmold takes care of the guard he injured entering the upper catacombs. Velkin opens the door and hangs up the key with a note, since we can't lock the door behind us.

'''Velkin's note says:'''

''Fungus guy came back, following him down, lock up behind us we’ll report in when we’re able.''

''Signed Druul''

We then see some statues up ahead and a spider appears. Borthun senses it phasing and is ready.

Two spiders appear among us and one bites Druul who falls frothing at the mouth. Lambertus uses an alchemist potion to treat his poison and saves him.

We kill one spider and drive off the other seriously wounded. Lungmold tied a bell to it, so we can hear it coming. We do not hear it after it gets far enough away from us.

The statues are of elves on horseback and we assume they are of Peronelle's people. Between the statues are stairs going down and cold billowing up. This is the way Lungmold came and his feet burned. Rallion gives him two large sacks to use as shoes as there must be ice on the floor. The belts of the elven statues have intricate designs that Azra tell us are snowflakes.

We go down the stairs and find a large room, but it is filled with mist with ten feet of visibility.

===='''<big>Velkin Scrolls</big>'''====

''To the future purveyor of these writings,''

''The sudden and unforeseen abeyance of arcane magic is a troublesome thing. I feel it will be a topic of legend for generations. These are the notes of one man’s observances during these times. I sincerely hope these pages survive to one day shine a light through the darkness of your past regarding the happenings known to this seeker of knowledge. I make these notes in deference to those who came before that have illuminated my sight into ages past.''

''-Velkin of House Herig''

''Year''

'''Tenrilden 1'''

I’m not sure what to say. Something is terribly amiss. Magic doesn’t work. The Magisters are in disarray, pointing fingers at the Priestesses for successfully lobbying Lloth to take away any competition for power. I’ve never seen some of these high stationed people unnerved and looking like a slave sent to the Arena. It’s a crazy time right now and I have my gear prepared for a mission, with all the chaos, I’m certain something will be going on soon. Until then, I’m hitting the books and looking for any hint as to what could have set such an event in motion and if there’s any clues to a remedy. News coming from our contacts in the priesthood concerning the Necropolis are troubling.

'''Tenrilden 3'''

The Dark King invades Vilgram. Not quite in the literal sense, but close enough. Once he arrived with his retinue of warriors and lackeys, the majority of the younger Magisters conclave aligned with his philosophy. Looking for an ally countering the unbridled power the priestesses have now. Short term goals aimed toward local dominance. The priesthood has other plans. Fighting Those From Beyond. Rumors fly of powerful artifacts and end of the world, but nothing new there with conspiracies, outright fear and unabashed conniving.

'''Tenrilden 9'''

After Magic disappeared, all except for the Priestesses, we’ve been scrambling. The manufacture of our racial items has not been harmed, nor has alchemy as far as we’ve tested it. There are stances shaping up on the next direction of goals. However I dislike the priesthood’s haughtiness, the threat they describe seems more existential. The Silence have been a nagging presence for years, not to be discounted, or ignored. They’d need to be dealt with in some way before traipsing off who knows where in the dimensions while leaving things weak here in our home, ripe for conquering. In my humble and insignificant opinion.

'''Tenrilden 13'''

The past week and a half have been less than entertaining. I’d been striving to complete my apprenticeship with the Magisters when arcane magic stopped working. Years of study gone to waste. I was sent on various tasks and have been honing my non magical proficiencies that kept me alive and respected during my time here. The contacts and friends I’ve made have come in quite handy in acquiring a few more things to aid my new role. If Magister I am not to be, then gatherer of things for them I will do as efficiently as possible. I’ve put in requests for items to complete my kit. We’ll see what comes of it. House Herig will need all the eyes and ears it can get as well to solidify our hold on trade profits to these warmongers.

'''Tenrilden 14'''

News: Lady Jharlanna has acquired an item of great power. What a tool that will be for the Drow. Especially if the Magisters, or better yet House Herig is primarily involved in it’s useful application. I’ll have to work on finding more about the box so if we do get to examine or be involved with it, I can make myself useful. A celebration is being planned for her return with sacrifices even. We haven’t had such a festival in a while. It’ll be a nice change from the scrambling around we’ve been doing with the lack of arcane magic. Say what you will about Jherlana, her current exploits have given us a well needed boost to morale.

'''Tenrilden 16'''

The rumor gatherers tell me the Dark King, or his minions, are plotting. Something big. It’s not known exactly what yet, but with all the upheaval, anything is possible. I’ve wrapped up most of my research and consolidated those findings. Tomorrow’s rest period should be fun. A Celebration. Food, fun and festivities! A short respite before whatever comes next with the Dark King and Jherlana’s machinations.

'''Tenrilden 17'''

By Lloth’s wispy fang hairs! There is more chaos if that’s possible!
The Celebration was going well, fun was had by all until an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Jherlanna A Djinn, from what I can tell facilitated her escape. During the unrest that followed I made my way back to House Herig. Master Aquil arrives and I am volunteered to escort a group of surface dwellers out through the lower catacombs. Druul, the half orc who fancies himself an entertainer is to guide us through the upper chambers and I’m to guide them through the lower. The Tomb of the Winter King’s Seneschal is in the lower catacombs and may have an exit from the city through there. Aquil seems a bit off, but evidently these surface dwellers are worth him sticking his neck out. This will give me a chance to explore the Tomb and see what I can learn there.

They are a motley group. A Githyanki, Lizardman, Troglodyte, and 7 humans, I’m assuming the masked one is human. One human, Rallion, steps forward and speaks for the group. Aquil gives papers to Rallion to pass the guards at the lower catacomb entrance, however if we can avoid using those, it will be beneficial. There’s a story of this group being under the influence of the Silence to cover their actions. Still not clear on what those actions were, surely these were not the assassins at the celebration. It appeared to be a priestess in Jerhlanna’s retinue that made the attempt. I’ll ask once I have them in the lower catacombs as I have been tasked.

We make our way through the upper catacombs, Druul leads, avoiding the high stationed Drow burial ceremony taking place. We come across a fungus in a rough humanoid form. A Mycelian if I recall correctly. It communicates telepathically, handy that. This group from the surface is of interest to the mycelians, as they did not attack them when they went by on the river. So they’re not hostile to all, nice to know. He’s to lead us somewhere, maybe it’s got something to do with the Silence. I’ll be on my guard. Druul and I go to the guards while the group secrets themselves in a nearby corridor. I avoid confrontation by sending the remaining 2 guards to find the Fungus guy who stormed in and wounded one of the 3 guards here. It finishes the job on the guard as the group makes it’s way down into the lower catacombs. I leave a note from Druul stating we’re going into the catacombs after the fungus creature and will report back when we can. I attach the note to the key and leave it in the keyhole.

We make our way down and are attacked by disappearing spiders who ignore my attempts at conversation. Poor things must be hungry, it’s quite barren down here. One is killed and I extract a vial of poison handing it to Druul, who without the ministrations of one of the humans, most likely would have died. The other retreats wearing a bell the fungus put on him.

Further down we come to the entrance to the Tomb of the Winter Seneschal, or so we think. Lungmold, the name of the mycelian, communicates that is where he came up from with dead things chasing him that looked like the statues. The entrance has statues of elves riding horses decorated with these polygonal fractal patterned perforated flat plaques with radial symmetry, no two of the same shape. One of the older humans calls it snow. Falling frozen water from the sky… hard to imagine that. We make our way down the passage flanked by the two statues and it gets colder and the air is mustier as we descend. Ending in a chamber in thick mushroom soup fog with visibility only about 10’.

1:50pm

Session Twenty-Two Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2020-12-12T05:49:37Z

Laris:

== Session 22, December 2 2020 ==
[[File:Images123.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
''We continue at 8:20AM on the 17th of Tenrilden with the party in Jherlana Thule's apartment above the Great Temple just after the door is blown off its hinges by Vikram carrying the priestess ...
''

=== Session Summary ===
The party rushed Jarlana and Vikram trying to strike Jarlana. She was hit several times.

Peronelle tried to grapple Jarlana but Jarlana threw her off and Peronelle fell back stunned.

Jarlana said something and the spider statuette burst forth from Laris' backpack and became a huge spider.

Vikram fled through the door before we could block their exit.

Laris and the Githyanki along with Braadlur and Fisher dealt with the spider. Laris backstabbed it and it succumbed to the Drow sleep poison.

The rest of the party ran after Vikram and Jarlana. Ralion grabbed Gath the Troglodyte and shadow stepped after Vikram and a hideous snake headed demon with a horse like body followed them.

Rallion lost sight of Vikram and Jarlana down the spiral stairs and still grasping Gath, he shadow-stepped down the stairs to get away from the demon.

The Demon gave a keening wail and summoned a little demon like a crocodile.

Laris mimicked the command word for the spider and scooped up the spider statuette. The Githyanki grabbed the storage locker of Jarlana. Laris and Brendil grabbed the stunned Peronelle and followed the others.

Two drow appeared at the opposite end of the hallway and Oskar and Lambertus dealth with them.

The crocodile demon unleashed its multiple attacks on Fisher, shattering all the shields Braadlur had so carefully placed.

Kauri cast lightning bolt and wounded the crocodile demon, but had no effect on the snake headed horse demon.

The party and the last of the two drow fled.

Kauri Hasted the party just as the snake headed horse demon breathed a cloud of noxious green vapors. Fisher, Braadlur, Laris, Xandor, Peronelle, Herasib, and Renthark the Githyanki fell to the choking cloud of death.

Rallion and Gath ran to the bottom of the spiral stairs and the way was clear, thanks to our drow guide Sadi.

In the central area where we knew the spider box to be, Rallion saw about 7 drow guards, but thanks to the drow cloaks, they didn't spot Rallion and Gath.

Once again, Rallion shadow-stepped into a shadow in the room and ended up on the table with the spider box. This time a fat, winkled demon follows and it goes for the drow guards and gates in a demon horse with four human arms who also goes for the drow. There were 20 drow guards.

Thanks to the drow cloaks, Rallion and Gath flee, with Gath carrying the spider box. Gath is not spotted, and several swipe at Rallion, but he sacrifices his shield and quickly switches to his spare shield and runs around to where the party agreed to go to make their escape.

Due to the haste from Kauri, the remaining party members escape the first two demons and see them begin to eat their fallen comrades. They reach the bottom of the stairs, and picked up Braadlur's "cat" (a spider like automaton) that Braadlur had affixed a sleep gas dart and pointed it towards the Drow.

Kauri and Co. get to the bottom of the stairs at the appointed spot to make our escape and see the other two demons tearing through the drow guards.

Just then, Rallion and Gath come running around the central area with the spider box.

The party discusses what to do when we spot a bedraggled dirty human in ratty clothes. The figure turns to avoid us, and Rallion calls out, "Aubrey!" and the figure stops and turns and Rallion lowers the hood of his Drow cloak.

The ''Righteous Halberd'' had escaped execution due to the assassination attempt. The geni (Vikram) took Jarlana up and a short while later back down. Aubrey leapt from the platform to escape.

There was much chaos. We made our way back the way we came, hiding Aubrey the Gath with the spider box behind the rest of us with our cloaks and we avoided detecting by the last drow group to pass us.

We make our way down to the lower city in the chaos and Rallion leads the group back to House Herig. Before coming in site of the house, Rallion gives Aubrey his drow cloak.

The guard looks surprised to see us, he has us escorted to our quarters. Soon Aquil shows up and asks what happened.

Rallion explains that we had things in hand when the geni fled and demons showed up and killed half the party. We could have handled the geni and Jarlana, but not demons.

Rallion suggests that the dwarves worked with demons, so it makes sense that it was the Dark King, but Aquil counters that it might be Asmodeus. (Or perhaps the potential "benefactor" who is the boss of the demon in the yellow hat.)

Aquil updates us, Ilska is dead, the Dark King killed her and blamed the Silence for corrupting her and having her commit a plot in the Dark King's name.

Rallion tells Aquil that Jarlana and the geni saw us, and Aquil seems agitated but seeks to honor our agreement and will send food. Before he can leave, Rallion grasps the sceptre under his cloak and utters the command word and suddenly Aquil is our friend and will have wholesome food brought to us, and definitely not poisoned food. He also has Timon and Azra sent to us. They are both very weak and worn out from ill treatment, but are now as safe and well off as we can make them.

Rallion notices the paper (the contract left by yellow hat) in the hands of the surviving Githyanki (Borthan). The Githyanki gives it to Rallion and Rallion stashes it away.

The Gith has herbs and motions for Oskar to make tea. Rallion, Brendil, Oskar, and the Githyanki drink the tea. We see our sleeping bodies sitting in chairs at the table slumped over with a silver chord connecting us to our bodies. We plan to go check on the upper levels to see what is going on. Gath wanted to try the tea too, but Rallion told him to guard the spider box.

===='''<big>Laris’ Journal</big>'''====

'''A Demon’s own Luck comes a knocking...'''

'''You smell something?'''

…All hell breaks loose. We concertedly attack Jherlanna, Peronell attempts to grapple her, is unsuccessful and is tossed against the wall, stunned. I step back into the shadows and the priestess shouts a word. A giant spider emerges from my backpack and attacks Braadlur and I. And Vikram escapes with her. Dammit. I mimic the word I heard Jherlanna shout and the spider goes back to figurine form, collect my stuff and head toward the door grabbing Peronell with Felix’s help on the way out. Rallion shadowsteps to try and catch Vikram and package. When he emerges one of those hellbeasts appear and looks around not looking very friendly. The thing calls for a friend and a little crocodile looking lizard appears near the door. We’re making our way away from the demons looking for something to do, I take a potshot at one, and we get into the hallway headed toward two Drow that Oskar and Lambertus are making quick work of. They’re less scary than the crazy things down the other way. The little crocodile goes absolutely insane at one of the new guys and attacks what looked like a dozen times in a flurry of claws, teeth and tail. The really disturbing looking demon moves up and takes a breath… holy crap it’s gonna breathe something. We’re all asses and elbows trying to get away, maybe we’ll get lucky….everything else has gone sideways, it’s time for some good karma, right?!!

What’s that smell?
------------------------------------------
Interesting. So this is Dead… with a capital D… Finally caught up with me. I reckon I can stop running now….

What’s that over there?

Session Twenty-One Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2020-11-27T05:00:14Z

Laris:

== Session 21, November 25 2020 ==
[[File:2266006d11f86848f85ae855d21f5fc2.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
''We continue at 10PM on the 16th of Tenrilden with the party returning to House Herig from the Drow Arena after their meeting with a representative (Ilsske) of the conspirators planning to assassinate Jherlana at her triumph ...
''

=== Session Summary ===
==== Larry's Summary ====
We go back to House Herig and reveal the plot to Herig.

Herig agrees to "go along" with the plot, as long as he can send "delayed" warning. No one likes Jarlana and want her dead.

We ask for 20,000 gp in gems, but get 18K, with half up front. Plus the freedom of the two slaves, Timon and Azra, and the pech Seepa. We have no chance to buy the freedom of Aubrey Grotecop, ''The Righteous Halberd''. He is too great an enemy of the drow.

We go to the war college and ask for Ilska. We are led there by Seepa with a new letter from Aqil Herig allowing us into the upper city.

We meet Ilska and the plan is for a priestess of house Herig to launch the assassination with a poisoned blade. We are sent to her chambers as a backup to the assassination plan.

We are led to a servant's chambers to wait. Sadi of House Teneliu is our guide. He is to wait with us until near the time of the assassination. He is to pull away some of the guards to ease our escape.

About halfway through our waiting time, a servant of House Thule forces their way in past Sadi, and turns to flee, but we stop him and kill him. We load him on Fisher as the "assassin" we leave behind. He has keys which we take.

When the time comes, Sadi leaves and we go to the chambers. One of the keys opens the doors.

We search the room, only one entrance/exit that we see and three rooms. We open the chest with TikTok and ask him to read the contract from Yellow Hat, and to alert us when Vikram is coming.

Laris searches the desk and finds some papers and a Spider carving that is very realistic. He puts it and the papers in his pouch/pack. He managed to prick his finger on the poison needle, but was unharmed.

Soon, TikTok warns us that Vikram is coming.

The door bursts in. Vikram is carrying Jarlana. She does not look poisoned.

Laris tries to sneak up and snatch the ring, but is spotted by Jarlana.

We all make preparations for a fight hoping to kill Jarlana and get the ring before Vikram can kill us.

==== Patrick's Summary ====
When Braadlur was first sent on his mission. he had no idea he would end up where he is right now. Dealing with the Drow House has been a step in a direction he didn't anticipate.

he is good with the deal they made,to play both sides, although i dont think theres was much of a choice in the matter. and securing a place for Seepa. and the 2 humans from the mountain was pretty cool. and hey 18k in gems, Not Bad,on top of the 6500 in gems for going to talk to someone.

any ways.we made our way to the war college. and set our tasks. we will be the back up team laying in wait for the priestess if the assassination attempt goes bad, it will be our job to take care of it.

i think our plan will work out. so se killed a servant and got some keys. so that worked out in our favour. those keys got us into the priestess's chamber. i noticed 2 candles on an alter. so i blew them out hoping it disrupts the prayers to Loth. it seems it worked. as we searched the rooms. our resident devil was spotting for us,and warned us Vikerum was coming. and BOOM the door flew into the room with Vikerum holding the priestess.

what happens next no one know. i just pray to the stone gods it works out in our favour.......

~Braadlur Quartswarper.

===='''<big>Laris’ Journal</big>'''====

'''Operation Arachnophile Extermination'''

'''DVL Deliverance from Evil...maybe...'''

Tenrilden 16

10pm

We return to House Herig and relay Illsske’s proposal of assassination cooperation and complicity. Aquil is not much interested in the Dark King’s goal of waging war with the Spiderbox here in his own backyard. I heard that wise saying before in a different context when our crew was running jobs near Vargen. More direct and to the point, but same sentiment.

I stay out of the negotiations this time around. I’m not sure we’ll still be in a position to collect after whatever happens. It’s agreed that we’ll be paid 18,000gp in gems, half now and half on delivery of a dead Jherlana. If successful, Azra and Timon are to be freed, we’re unable to bargain for the Halberd’s stay of execution, his war against the Drow has sealed his fate. Seepa, our Pech guide, will be transferred to our Company upon completion and we all get black Drow cloaks that will help us blend in on our travels. Aquil is going to hedge his bets and let Thule know of an assassination attempt in time to be seen as helpful, but hopefully not in time to be successful in the thwarting of Jherlana’s untimely death. He sends us to Illsske to relay his approval and for instructions on our part to play.

The meeting with Illsske ends in a plan for us to be stationed near Jherlana’s quarters and to be the backup assassins. Sadi, of House Tanielu, red colored gem, is to be our guide. He speaks no common and Braadlur continues his role as our sole interpreter and slavemaster.

Xandor disguises himself as a Drow priestess and we make our way to the Temple. The general populace Drow give (her) wide berth and we make good time. As we enter the Temple stalactite in the upper city, we see hundreds of thousands of eggsacks on a bottom platform with spiders tending them. A giant eggsac of stone hangs in the center of the chamber with walkways leading up to it from the overlook to the breeding ground below. As we make our way in, Sadi points out our multiple exit routes downward. The basic idea is to head down, preferably along the ramps outside, and get lost in the confusion of the public assassination attempt and make our way back to House Herig.

We are going to be passing the Council Chambers where the Spiderbox is being guarded. We guess about 24 or so guards are outside the chambers and an unknown number inside. Sadi speaks with the guards and they’re quite friendly. We make it past without incident. Sadi leads us to the staging area, a servant’s quarters. We rest and prepare. Peronell surprises me pleasantly by agreeing to have her blade poisoned. She’s always talking tough about proper weapons, but isn’t persnickety in taking advantage when offered. She moves up a rung in my book. We wait and a servant with a purple sash comes by, Sadi attempts to dissuade him from entering but he pushes his way in and is quite alarmed. We dispatch him quickly before any shouts go out. Fortuitously, we seem to have killed Jherlana’s assassin! How nice for House Herig. Avenging Jherlana’s death! He also brought us a set of keys to the Temple. Very thoughtful. Sadi leaves just before we’re expecting to have to hold up our end of the bargain to peel off some of the guards at the council chambers in response to the raucous going on below. Can’t hurt to have less opposition to whatever path we choose after the expected events in Jherlana’s quarters. We head to our ambush and use the keys to open the door to her chambers.

We search the place in the time we have. Kauri talks to TickTock and learns that Vikram is near, TickTock agrees to read over the contract that Yellow Sombrero dude left with us. I miss a trap on one of her desk drawers and luckily the poison on the needle had dried. I’ve gotta pay more attention or I’ll be on the menu here, or baby spider food. I gather a spider trinket, all the papers from the trapped desk drawer those from the top of it, plus a vial of sparkly ink and the writing instruments. I was about to check out the chest when TickTock sounds out that Vikram is headed this way in a hurry. We set the ambush, hide ourselves with our cloaks and behind what cover there is and await their entrance. Vikram bursts through the door carrying an apparently unwounded Jherlana. I step on a splinter of wood from where I forced the drawer and…

To Be Continued!

Session Twenty Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

2020-11-23T03:58:23Z

Laris:

== Session 20, November 18 2020 ==
[[File:05ee7aeef3b176efbd01fcb55059bf56.jpg|left|200px]]
=== Introduction ===
''We continue at 11:30AM on the 16th of Tenrilden with the party catching their breath after defeating a black pudding about halfway between the trade post and drow city of Vilgrim ...
''

=== Session Summary ===
We meet up Brendil in the lair of the black pudding and he joins us.

We walk and come to an area where the mine cart rails are broken up. It turns out to be a rust monster. Rallion tosses a couple of iron spikes so we can run.

We make it to Vilgram and present letter of introduction to Aguil Herig.

Aquil hires us to go learn about a conspiracy involving the upcoming ceremony for the high priestess.

The plan is to assassinate the high priestess as per Ilska, the western warband leader of the Dark King. We learned from the Pech, Seepa, that the dark king is now in a human body.

We are to take word back to Aquil and have him decide to go in with the conspiracy and perhaps move up the drow pecking order in Vilgrim.

There is a possibility that we can get in on the action and help or be backup.

====<big>'''Laris’ Journal'''</big>====

'''Aquil's Abstract Goods Appraisal'''

'''Drow Plotting Death Daringly'''

Tenrilden 16

1130am

The tunnel above the cavern holds only a wayward soul. Brendil. He’s invited to accompany us and we head on toward Vilgrim.

I wonder how long these new guys’ll take to figure out this group is a bunch of trouble. Who else can you hang around with that willingly goes into places ripe for a last trip to anywhere. I’m pretty sure we’re on our second foray into darkness, this being the opposite of the last rendezvous with insanity. Underground instead of above the world. Inky blackness both places. Who knows where we’ll be next….City of Brass comes to mind. Lloth’s webs. Or the end might come as mundanely as a drow blade across the throat. I keep these musings to myself, don’t want to scare the folks away… the more the merrier! At the very least a target rich environment for our opponents the next time things go sideways.

As we continue on to Vilgram, a strange creature is chewing on the rails. The Nanocarbon rails. Rallion thinks quickly and tosses a few snacks of iron spikes and we pass hurriedly by without direct confrontation.

We arrive at a similar challenge point to the one at the Malgrim-Vilgrim Trading Post. Proceed through as before answering the questions in the same manner. We learn that there’s to be a sacrifice from our Pech guide, Seepa. Pechs are one of the races of slaves here, Seepa is shorter than Braadlur, dressed in grey-white rags with giant eyeballs and a shock of white hair. We noted others of his race feeding the living in the lines of chained humans in various stages of death on the way in to Vilgram. They are what’s left of an army that the Rightous Halberd led down here to oppose the Drow. He’s one of the sacrifices tomorrow. As well as Azra and Timon. Big party Seepa says, Drow priestesses taking a soak in a bathtub of blood and snacking on the bloodless corpses afterward. The Pech are owned by all, any high ranking Drow may command him. Braadlur can’t.

Braadlur learns that the Guard is of House Tanielu, red color denotes them. They serve the Lord Marshall and are part of the War College. The Lord Marshall is partly a surface dweller. They say he’s a dwarf in human clothing, brain replacement maybe… I thought that was turned off now. I guess he found a way.

We pass into another room through double doors, the walls and ceiling adorned with arrow slits and murder holes. Past the double doors at the far end of this chamber opens into a massively enormous cavern suffused by a purple glow that Seepa says is created by a fungus. It’s a truly massive natural cavern, I can’t guess accurately the area we’re looking at, not measurable in feet, more like furlongs in length. The foreground has kind of a marked path going straight ahead. There are a large number, a few hundred, Drow in the fields ahead of us drilling in formation. Further in, there are giant mushroom farm fields, beyond that, a lake in the center of the cavern, with a river coming in from a waterfall on NW side and flowing out SE. Beyond the lake, a city of stalagmites/tites glowing with the purple algae/lichen. Various openings, landings and balconies surround the rock formations above and on the ground level. There is a very large column in the center of the city. Beyond that, there are more mushroom fields.. The workers in the mushroom fields are of various races mostly human and deep gnome slaves with Drow overseers. The mounds in the mushroom fields are the slave’s quarters, they go down into the mounds like ants.

Seepa leads us on through the outer fields and into the city taking us to Aquil Herig at House Herig’s are of the city. Along the way Braadlur chats with Seepa and we’re told again that the Lord Marshal is the Dark King from the Necropolis, the Shadow King. He’s in charge of the Military. The Drow are at war with about everyone. The Silence, other Drow, Those from Beyond, Shaitan. Thule is quite warlike, Herig not so much. The center city is divided into Houses. There’s also the Great Hall, the Temple and the Magisters. The Magisters are Drow males who’ve lost their magic. We learn the general layout of the city and who’s where, I make notes in my book as Braadlur relays what he learns from Seepa.

The sacrifice will happen about 3&1/2 lanterns from now. Lots of partying will be happening tonight, might be a good time to sell things if we have them as folk will be in a partying mood.

We get into the city proper about 5pm, Tenrilden 16. As we make our way through city the Drow eye us more suspiciously on this side of the bridge. There are multiple connections between the stalagmites and stalactites of spiderwebs, and many balconies and openings. Drow are moving along these avenues going about what looks to be generally business as usual in a city of this size. There are Drow ascending and descending without aid as well. Levitation. Neato.

Arriving at House Herig we are shown to rooms, plain and cramped with a prison-like door. Braadlur accepts the key and says that his slaves will stay in the same quarters as he. He requests an audience of Aquil Herig. The guards look quite surprised but do as he asks. We don’t wait too long and a richly dressed dark elf comes to us with a high collar covered in green gemstones and one set in his forehead. He looks a bit like Ghermain. He speaks in common with a commanding presence. He informs us that since his brother vouches for us, that he does need a bit of business conducted. We bargain and accept the task of going a chatting with someone about a game changing event that will happen at the sacrifice tomorrow. We’re to see what the offer is and come back to him with as much information as we can. 6500Gp fee, half now, half on delivery with a bonus if we get more juicy bits. We call him out on only giving us partial half payment and he appears pleased. The guards appear very surprised.

Seepa takes us to the meeting place, and along the way Braadlur continues to get information on the places in the city and areas that each House controls including their colors. We’re headed to the Arena where it looks to be gladiatorial style combat and he highly suggests that we do not agree to participate if asked. We set up midway up the arena’s observation stack and after a while, quite the female specimen strides into the room and once she spots us makes her way toward out group addressing Braadlur. She’s human wearing a golden mask concealing her visage, her armor is well used. It looks to be of ancient dwarven make. She introduces herself as Illska, Western War Leader to the Dark King and is bringing an offer to House Herig. We’re to follow her to discuss the matter in a more private environment. She takes us up the spire, richer, more ranked members of the Drow houses are more prevalent as we ascend and we get to a private viewing area. One of our new fellows takes Seepa out into the hallway as the rest of us array ourselves non-nonchalantly about the room as Illska relays the request. Assassination of Jerlanna during the celebration. The assassination has been arranged, the Dark King is asking the Houses to support his coup. The Dark King has learned that the doomsday weapon is to be turned over to Lloth to be used in the war against Asmodeus. He wants to use it for more temporally significant gains. Specifically the Silence and the rest of the Underdark. If Herig supports this, there’ll be opportunity for advancement in Vilgram. There’ll be a shakeup in the Heirarchy once the assassination is successful. There are Houses not supporting the coup, and some that are. She’s tight lipped about any of that, but does remove her mask to show her face, a native islander. She says to come to the War College and ask for her if Herig is in. She says that she can use us in a backup plan if Herig so chooses. She mentions Jerlanna wears a ring binding an outsider and that (Aubry ????, Azra and Timon) are the sacrifices.

I wonder if I can get a lead lined pouch or box for the ring if I can lift it. Not sure how we’re going to get away with the others though. I’m sure something’ll come up. Plus there’s the Spiderbox. This feels like a house of cards about to come tumbling down…. I wonder where the Jokers are in the deck...