Session One Hundred and Fifty-Six (Graveyard of Empires Summary)
Session 156 May 24, 2017
Early hours of the morning, 20th Masrilden
AD clock reads 00.00.03.25
Once the party is once again on the deck of the Keeper Barge, Edan and Lambertus confirm the location of our ancient dwarven submersible. They find a shadowed quiet alley among the warehouses were Lambertus can Locate the Object in privacy. Before he calls on the powers of long dead dragons, Edan suggest Caesar the invisible cat slink into the Merendur warehouse to have a look see. On his return, in his own loveable way, Caesar informs Edan that the submersible is actually in the warehouse. It is set unceremoniously on the floor, obviously not a position that can be launched easily in the water. The cats certain tactical assessment was that both Edan and Lambertus can easily take on the guards present if necessary.
The three return to the Keeper Barge to report their findings, which includes an ongoing exodus of several Midmark Navy ships heading out into the night. The Keepers decide not to move against the Merendur clergy just yet, since the submersible is secure in their possession and we don’t have a secure locale to keep it, we all agree it is safe where it currently is. Several keepers express their fervent desire to give the Merendurs a bloody nose, especially the Matriarch. Next we interrogate the dock workers about the navy’s mobilization.
Lord Thorton and the council have ordered the admiralty to tighten the blockade of the now diseased Vargen. It’s is hoped the sick people of the city and their Dwarven invaders can be contained by sea power. We later learn that the militia is also mobilized to secure Midhaven and the former Bargemen’s ferry across the Vargwater. Having to move across land means it will take another day or two for the militia to arrive at their posts. The keepers decide another conference with Jardin (Thorton) is not necessary before we ship out at dawn. It is our intent not to get involved with the Vargen situation. Our mission to save the world takes precedence.
Our departure from the floating island is without incident. Once clear of the harbor proper and any curious eyes, the barge is lifted above the ways by Captain Thorfus who sets our course for east of Vargen to skirt the harbor. Axel spends the day training Chuq. It appears old Saw Tooth’s house boat is anchored close to where it was before our scuffle. Thorfus keeps us well clear of the house boat, ignoring Ronan’s desire to rain acid on the domicile.
Edan sits down to read Saw Tooth’s journal. It tells a tale of his schism with other clerical authorities in his home city. The following persecution for his beliefs which prompts his flight from home when he realizes refuge could be found near Midmark. In those waters, sympathetic Mermen give sanctuary allowing him to live in peace and cooperation with both Mermen and the people of Midmark. His musing are suspicious of Devil Fish, noting their various plots and schemes over the years. His latest entries suggest he realized the Devil Fish are plotting against the Mermen and he intends to warn the Mermen before it’s too late. Edan shares this last bit with the party. We can’t take the time to either make peace with Saw Tooth and help with contacting the Mermen or alert the Merman ourselves using the journal as independent corroboration. Perhaps if we have uncommon luck in our mission up north, but this is unlikely.
That afternoon, the barge skirts Vargen harbor. The dwarven colossus is undoubtedly one of the bridge autonotoms from Xen Khel. It still has a section of the bridge held in its hands! Remembering our exploration within one of the bridge colossus, we debate the merits of assaulting it at this time. Realizing the Keeper Barge lacks the elevation to avoid direct contact with the colossus, we determine the best tactic against it would be with a silver control circlet. The barge continues north, we watch from our decks the blockade and burning Vargen.
Amelia helps us locate her community north of Vargen. Alighting among the humble homes, we are greeted by the locals. At first Thorfus and Axel cause a stir but Amelia ameliorates the situation by testifying to the dwarves heroism and past alliance with her husband Cannis. Accepting the two as not invaders, we are told of Cannis unending bender. We are directed to where our erstwhile Druid is lost in another bottle bemoaning the loss of his wife. Cannis is not convinced he is confronted by Amelia and his former colleagues. It take some persuasion but eventually he realizes we aren’t figments of his imagination. Though the day hasn’t ended in cheers, the party is gladdened to have put the two back together. We depart somewhat disappointed when both refuse to journey with us away from the disease and war just a short walk away from their home. Thorfus gifts a sizeable jewel and some coin to the couple before we launch the barge and continue flying north.
The flight north is with little incident. Upon reaching the Vargwater, the barge is turned westward and follows the river to Jagger dock. Setting down into the water, the barge is lashed to the dock for the night. During his shift Ronan notices an uncommon silence from Jaggers warehouses. Drawing closer to investigate, he narrowly dodges arrows flying out of the darkness. His yells alert the sleepers. During the scuffle Thorfus is magically held in place and an arrow causes Ronan to fall down paralyzed. While Edan spits jets of flame at the warehouses, the barge is released so we can escape upriver. As the jungle begins to blaze, Edan pilots the barge into the air and he flies us the rest of the night to our destination.
The wounded are tended to by Belisonte and Lambertus. All are awake and alert as we approach Meriantaxis’ mountain lair. The sun is rising to the east as we are guided by Araquille to their new hideout via the broachie talkies. Meriantaxis is pleased we acquired another dragon’s blood but notes that we have less men than last time. Explaining the archers were loss with the Salty Leprechaun, the conversation turns to the last reagent for Prixalthalmus’ resurrection.
Who and where to find 12 thinking sacrifices whose blood Prixalthalmus will have to be bathed in is hotly debated. Chuq suggests Meriantaxis could awe the kobold east of Vargen to willingly sacrifice themselves to resurrect their Queen mother. Meriantaxis resist this plan since it means being closer to the dwarves assaulting Vargen. Dwarves he knows have designs against him. Thorfus agrees since the way east is beyond the range of the barge and whether the kobolds still lair in the mountains is uncertain. The argument to search west wins the day. It is hoped the local Islander communities can be found quickly or perhaps the fabled cloning machines could be discovered so that a little bit of all of us could resurrect Prixalthalmus. The thought of enslaving more Islanders makes the former monk want to sick up.