2nd Campaign, Session 8. 4/29/25

Icemonth the 4th, 10 AM. The group finished talking to the goblin (Aaris, of the Ahshit goblin clan) and decided that this was as good of a time to leave as any. There was 1 more ogre up here that we were told had gone down to the goblin chief (Gavin) and was going to come back soon. We know there is a cleric, Moray Vaco, who was working with Jector and the slavers and was acting as the go between for the Ahshit tribe, Jector, and the red dragon living here as well. If we stayed we risked conflict with more foes than we could deal with.

So the Halfling went to the door with the Neanderthal’s behind it, unlocked it, and took the lock and key. We all then filed out of here, made our way to the sanctuary of Aine, passed through the secret door, went down to the long southern hallway, and then headed to the end to the store room. We unlocked that door (with picks), and entered with care.

We took the barrel full of crossbow bolts, and then in the crate, loaded it up with 12 shields. The 3 goblins outfitted themselves with leather armor, short swords and spears. They filled their pockets with the dried beans and fruits. Then the druid and the gnome used the scrap books they had to make kindling and fire starting places while the rest of us piled everything together and added 3 flasks of oil. The assassin was watching the hall and then we lit the damn thing.

Whoosh.

We left, leaving the door open so the fire would stay hot and spread. We went back down the hall, to the secret door, into the sanctuary of Aine, and then the front door.

To 29” of snow. Fuck. We swapped around to bigger guys in the front to plow ahead. Everyone was wrapped up and bundled tight as we trudged through the cold biting wind. Across the compound. To the wall. Down the sloping path. And then finally the clearing. The druid walked about and picked a tree for us to remember here. We dug out a space in the snow and then placed the barrel of bolts and the shields here. We covered it back up and then relied on Aaris the goblin to lead us to a path he and his 2 goblin friends wanted to use. It would go to the boats. Sounded good to us.

We walked through the cold south until we arrived at the south path, and then followed it eastward until the sun was almost down. We headed south off the path and set up a cold camp in the snow using all the shovels and shields we had to dig out an area. Bedrolls were laid out and blankets wrapped. The paladin and half-ogre were pretty hurt and needed a good night’s sleep. We divided the watch up to 5 and then after eating cold rations, fell asleep.

Icemonth the 5th. Another cold day, but no snow. We broke camp, ate breakfast, and then after creating water, were on our way. The path went on for some time, eventually arriving at the north end of a long lake. There was a 30’ frozen waterfall here, the same one we had seen but from the top! How we were to cross? Aaris and the goblins showed us the large path went under and behind the waterfall. Damn neat – we would have to remember this.

We followed a broken trail north and the goblin’s told us after the next fall there was a small lake and Gavin’s boats were there. The boats would meet merchant ships coming up from Jector when given the name and time from Moray Vaco, and armor and weapons would be taken at that time. The boats were also going to be used for the raid on Guido’s Fort once there were enough ready and armored troops.

And there were usually a few ogre’s guarding the boats. Sometimes. Not always.

It was about 3:30 when we arrived there – and sure enough – 6 boats! Over sized flat bottom row boats. Rudder steering, 3 oars (2 and a spare), 30’ coil of rope. We split the groups into two as the assassin and the half-orc had some skill on the water. We lashed the boats together making a long line, and then took all 6 boats with us into the stream (40’ wide, 5’ deep at deepest). Almost no current.

We paddled on leaving that area behind. It was almost 2 miles to the River Shrill and once there we made the turn into the greater current. The half-orc’s boat handled the swap from no current to wider current with ease, but the halfling’s boat had more of a problem, almost swamping until he managed to unloop a length of rope that had gotten tangled with the rudder but holding onto the side and getting partially in the water to pull it free. Once done, we stayed near shore and eventually made landfall at Northbeach. It was 6 PM, too late to light the signal log, but enough time for us to make camp.

We used the driftfwood to make a big fire to keep us warm, and we ate from our stores again. The next day we broke our fast, set up Aaris and his goblins with 3 of the rowboats and they thanked us. If we get to Jector, he will be working at a cousin’s bakery and no more of this try to get rich by raiding stuff anymore. They went into the Shrill and did their best, rowing south and out of sight.

Thobar got the fire lit, tossed the signal log in, and we waited. 11:30, Tila was coming back across, her single masted schooner coming out of the gloom. The goblin girl and her crew of 3 helped us on, took her 10 crown payment, and ferried us across to Fort Guido. She offered to take across when we were good and ready again.

At the Fort, Guido met us and we talked. He honestly didn’t expect us to survive. Most everyone dies over there. And we came back with a book. Thobar went off to see Enja at the Trading Post to have the 1 tome entrusted there. We all talked to Guido and after coming up with some sort of payment, went off with him to the Lion’s Den.

At his office we sold off crossbows, weapons, and gems. Any other weapons he’d love to buy and at a discount. With some coin in our pockets, we went off to the Trading post and did as much outfitting as possible. The Assassin worked on the Teraniv root, getting 4 decent doses of the poison for his time. The thought was get a good night’s sleep and cross back tomorrow. Thobar was using the Temple’s scrip to buy another 10 days of trail rations so we’d be ready for the next foray. And it should be less time since we now knew a faster way to get there thanks to Aaris and the goblins.

Icemonth the 6th, 6 PM. And leaving in the morning.

Meet 121, Adv 15, 4/26/25

We got a lay of the land from Twilick and disembarked at the Airship docks in Tilani. We got the ok to leave a few things on board should need be and he mentioned that the Kaiser gave him a scrip to pay for food and lodgings for us as long as we stayed at a middle of the road establishment. We asked and were directed to the House of Silk and Smoke in East River district, just shy of the Cliffs.

We went to the aviary first and met with Lady Labades, Mistress of the Aviary. A kindly elder elven woman, she asked how Scotar Bork was holding up. The ravens would be brought to the Vael Th’anar (elven for “The Silver Branch”), the local circle that used to tend to the Lifetree but now make sure Tilani is well taken care of. We learned the ravens will be reimprinted to recognize Tilani as their home base and be made useful again. They are also taught to fight other birds, especially falcons which we found interesting.

We asked about the Winsome Maid, a place that Nate used to know. In this time it's still in existence in West River, but is more of a rough and tumble place with a larger footprint as a brothel.

We went north and arrived at The House of Silk and Smoke. Godrick and Nate let us know this place did not exist in our time. It was an old 4 story tall hotel in what in our time is a manufacturing district. In fact, most of the nicer elven business and homes are pretty much gone in our time. We went in and the proprietor was a middle aged elf named Cargalene and he was more than happy to meet with us.

He knew about the Windshade and asked about a scrip, assuring him it would be here later. He told us that we could two rooms on the 4th floor with an adjoining door to house the 10 of us. Animals over 30 pounds would be in the kennel which we had a chance to see and it was seriously top notch. Room cost includes Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper. Two glasses of wine, beer, or cider with each meal. Laundry service is included for free. Each room had an internal lavatory as well as a full shower. A barber was on staff should need be for a small cost as well as a masseuse. There is no brotheling here at the Silk and Smoke but there is a sister operation at the top of the Cliff that would cater to anyone’s needs.

We were blown away. And dinner was at 4. We went upstairs, dropped our stuff, took a fast shower (how is this possible!?!?) and then went down to eat. Duck and Chicken were the main course meals as well as salads and delicious wines and cheeses. We ate and were served by a young half (maybe ¾?) elven wench named Meena. She was thin and lithe, but her human heritage was on display with a deep cleavage. Asher tried to chat her up but she was unimpressed.

We ate till we were stuffed and then left a large tip. We went up to our room and cleaned up, left and looked around, heading south to the aviary and having Lady Labades guide us to the local druids. They were doing some irrigation to the Farms here and after talking a bit about getting a raven and not really making headway, we headed off to meet with Twilick in a section of the town called Little Gorok.

On the central western part of town, Little Gorok (crudely referred to as Stuntietown to some of the older elven inhabitants in town), is a series of 10 to 12 squat buildings with canopies and lattice blocking the space between the buildings. Gorokian dwarves are a bit agoraphobic so this makes them feel better. We met with Twilick at a place called “The Open Cave” where he introduced us to the Gorokian Representative, Siskel Brawndyarms.

Looking pretty much like a wide shouldered Gorokian, he once again sort of surprised us with how friendly and open he was (something we were still getting used to). He asked if we were hungry and even though we ate only a bit over an hour ago, we were up to get another meal. A meal called “roadkill”, it was assorted goat and lamb meat chopped up and baked in a long trencher with split potatoes and topped with spices and cheese. As for a drink, there is a local elven beer called Long Ear Stout that they’ve been making for a century and a half.

We all drank and he asked a number of questions about the front. Some young Gorokian dwarves want the chance to join the front if need be. Supplies are coming. And everyone is doing their part for the war effort.

Eventually we asked questions as best we could. Sort of narrowing it down to where would you hide something that almost no one would be able to find. Something important. He thought about it and narrowed it down to 3 places. The Palace of the Speaker of the Sun. It’s been there a bit over 5,000 years and Logari Simuscene, the last Speaker, makes his home there along with his household. The Crater, the place where the original Lifetree once stood. It’s now sealed and warded and has been so for a good centuries plus since the tree fell back in ’14. And finally the Schools of Magic. There are chambers and rooms that have not been entered or seen the light of a candle for centuries if not millennia.

We asked about the crater and learned it was sealed. There is a dome that covers it and only 1 person enters every couple of months, Scortine Honeywine, the Most Beloved of Frey. We can look at it tomorrow if we want at the Overlook. He did say that of everything that happened in the Kinslayer wars, the knocking down of the Lifetree is something his people are not proud of. Face it, the dwarves were on the back foot for a large portion of the war, losing to the elven might and magic along with their orcish support troops. The tree had been here since the 14th age – it was supposedly directly related to Alefheim. And the dwarves knocked it down. Yes it turned the tide of the war and they won, but could have done it better.

The elves eventually signed the peace compact maybe 30 years later and agreed to pay reparation to the Gorokian Empire  for 500 years. Since the elven nation is in decline, they have not been able to pay their share. So the High Thane of Gorok about 50 odd years ago agreed that they would take young elven wizards and sorcerers and indenture them in Gorok for 1 year. During that time their magics and mana would be used to help the city under the mountain and then after that time they’d be returned home. Hmmm, things we know…but also not quite how it is in our time.

After thanking and leaving, we headed back to the Silk and Smoke. Nate and Godrick let us know that in our time, the crater is an open thing that everyone can go down, and there is a remembrance pool at the bottom of it. Ok, something has changed since now and then.

At the House we had Meena again and ate…again. The harpsichordist was playing well and we were entertained as well as eating meat pies and cream stuffed berry torts. Eventually we went to bed and were feeling really good. And really full. And Asher went off to sleep with Meena. Ugh.

We awoke early enough the next day to make sure we were going to breakfast. After that we had the barber come where we got shaves and haircuts. Massagers followed and Connal and Wilhelm got directions to a good tailor named Maudilant , and he runs the Thorn and Thread up Cliff in East Canopy.

They walked the stairs and found the place, actually the building was attached to the trunk of a growing tree maybe 15’ off the ground. Mauilant was a tailor of good skill and taste and outfitted the two men in some very nice finery, hats, scarves, vests, boots, and even moccasins. They paid the funds (not too bad) and made their way out and back to the Silk and Smoke.

Meanwhile Eoghan and Nate went off to the druids near the aviary, hoping to talk to the Vael Th’anar about getting one of the ravens. The druids were running the irrigation canals and did not understand why the ranger wanted a fighting raven. It takes months to train and not typically for sale. But they could work with him to train it. Meanwhile one of the druids coaxed a rat out of the fields, made friends with it, and gave it to Nate. “This is Frederico,” he was told, the rat happy to sit with the fighter. Eventually he climbed to his shoulder and sat there, paws holding tight.

“Why did you get a rat?” Eoghan asked. “Dude! This is the best thing ever!” Nate replied, handing Frederico some grain to chew on.

Back at the House we settled in and the party went off to the Overlook to check it out. There was a series of small walls and statues, showing who had been here when the tree was struck and some of the names and deeds of those who tried to save the tree. There are then some art establishments and displays and then eventually the Overlook itself. It extends over the crater. It’s 150’ in diameter and maybe 25’ deep. There is a 20’ down of black translucent crystal covering the entire thing.

We followed the path and trail to the bottom where we could see it closer but not too close. There are guide posts and fences and wards preventing anyone from coming too close. And the Vael Th’anar are always patrolling, weeding and moistening the soil. There is a shrine to Frey here and it is indicated that the God of Sunshine and the Elves helped to erect this dome to protect the place where the Lifetree once stood. A series of complex runes are here in 4 rows of 5, 6, 5, and 6 (22 runes in total). Beyond this is a 10’ diameter circle of stone 4’ thick. Has to be 13 tons. According to the Vael Th’anar, Frey himself put it here and only the Beloved of Frey can move it. Which he does every 2 months to go into the crater and see if the soil is fertile and ready and for any signs of the Lifetree regrowing. No one else is allowed to go and the rock moves for 2 minutes total time, once per day.

We thanked them and left, heading back to the House to discuss options. It was Plantmonth 12th, 3 PM, 289 of the 29th age.

Meet 120, Adv 15, 4/19/25

Plantmonth 8th, 289 of the 29th age, 8:30 PM. Party revisited everything that had occurred during the day, and went back over their purchases, cross checking with one another to make sure nothing was lost or forgotten. Eventually we fell asleep, knowing that we were going on the Zephyr’s Windshade tomorrow to eventually arrive in Tilani.

We awoke early on the 9th as per the Kaiser’s servants, ate a hearty breakfast, and then were escorted out of the center ring to the airship docks on the north end of town. Three gnomish battlewagons, 4 civilian/merchant airships, and 1 smaller sloop were there. The small ship was captained by Twilick One-Eye Taperton who immediately took to Shim.

Introductions were made all around and he gave us our itinerary. The Windshade without stress can make 30 miles easily a day but it was best if it was not stormy weather to end up in a way station each night to load up on water. So we were going to Bork Keep, then Bogon, and then TIlani – expecting to make it to the former elven home city by the later afternoon on the 11th.

We took off and made our way across the massive Enderlyn Bridge (which does not exist in our time), the air ship passing through a set of spell locks to keep it working as it trailed through the mile and a half long expanse. Once across we rose to roughly 4, 500 feet and set off to the east south east. The road below matched what we knew in our time but where Erylond was in our ime, was a much smaller town. Maybe 30 thousand. It was on the same hill, but there was construction going on there. Were told that was Randaz and the Kaiser was using it as a destination for evacuated families and important objects and artifacts.

We sailed along for some time, the road did veer north from where we were used to it in our time, heading to the trees and some hills and small cliffs. According to the map, this was Cradel, and on top of the Cliffside was Mother’s Peak. The Cathedral to Frigga. We passed over what we knew to be Canaslan in our time, just farmers and farm land, and eventually came to Bork Keep.

We were told the Steward of Bork Keep would meet with us, a black orc named Scotar Bork. Not a lord? In our time it’s Lord Corface Bork, and decidedly a human. The grounds were more finished and there were 4 cavalier training encampments below – in our time only one and its inside the keep. We did note the building that housed the entrance to the Terror Dungeon does not exist here.

The Windshade docked and a number of workmen and workgnomes came out, hooking up guides and ropes, eventually some hoses from the water tanks. Twilick met with the Steward’s man and we were invited to dine with the Steward now even though the hour was late. We all went off and into the keep itself.

Scotar Bork met with us. Older, in his late 40’s or 50’s. Again, Black Orcs are not normal for us so this huge muscled, noble looking oversized black/green skin was a bit daunting. We did invite us to sit and eat and we chatted for a while with the Steward.

Bork Keep was commissioned by the Randari Ympire a bit over a hundred years ago. Since Timber comes from Nightwoods and stone from Jarlborrin, it was assumed that these two groups would be handling the building. However, the Jarlborrin were involved in a number of expansive keeps and forts throughout Morata and did not have the time or stone to do the work in a timely fashion.

The Gorokian Dwarves thought they had a lock on it and were already upping their price for stone and laborers. Since the Nightwood Gnomes were tasked this, they contacted their neighbors to the east, the dwarves of Daro. They were willing to do the job for 60% of Gorok’s cost and in the intervening 2 and a half years, the land was reshaped and the keep constructed. This has been a point of contention for the Gorokian Dwarves who have taken a dim view on the Keep.

Scotar Bork currently acts as Steward for the keep. It sounded like he was 3rd or 4th generation to do so and he willingly relinquished his nobility title due to a quarrel his eldest (Gunther) had with a human woman (Litha). She had been enamored with the younger Bork and they had been due to wed but Gunter’s arrogant ways and sense of superiority as well as his racism turned her off. She had sought to get out of the marriage and one of her guards, an ogre named Luddock had agreed to help her out. They grew to love each other and Luddock acted as her champion when they petitioned the Friggan elders at Mother’s Cathedral in Cradel to vacate the betrothal.

It was done but Gunther did not accept it, blows were exchanged, and Luddock was mortally wounded. Gunther then took his anger out on Litha, who was pregnant with Luddock’s child, daring to hit her. Scotar had his son punished, recompense was given to Luddock’s family, and Litha was brought to Cradel where her and her son, Ludson, currently reside. To prevent a shit like his son ever getting the title of Lord, Scotar renounced his own nobility and agreed to act as Steward for his family’s Keep until the Kaiser can find a replacement to take over.

Party is asked to take a crate of ravens to Tilani since they are going there. The Steward ends up collecting the ravens after a time when the animals lose their ability to return to their home. Both locales have an aviary on site, with TIlani having a Druidic Circle as well to reimprint their crate of avians. The orcish lord spoke of responsibility and the 5 circles that command the varying layers of importance. We rested, thinking about this time in the Randari empire. There is a mix of height of Roman Empire and Camelot feel to everything.

The next day we left early with the crate in question. We also did note Gunther. He was a brutish looking black orc with a pretty big “M” branded on his right cheek. He kept his head down, is disliked, and works on the breastworks doing concrete repairs.

The Windshade took off at 8:30 Am on the 10th, heading north to Bogon. There were a number of hills and mountains in the way, so the Captain brought the ship up to 1,200 feet, and reminded everyone that this was flyover country. It’s mostly older dwarven and elven battle sites that have been long abandoned. A few dragons are known to inhabit the area and they have been accorded a mutual protection pact with the Kaiser and the Council of 6.

Bogon, Flight, and Stivil are located to act as midway stops for airships that want to navigate north to south and not follow the trade routes. Right on the edge of the Gameron Woods is Bogon. This frontier style town is home to about 600 people, about a quarter orcs, a quarter human, a quarter gnome, and a smattering of other races. The primary industry here is wooden spars and airship parts. A number of large hydrotanks are on site and the place is pretty rough and tumble.

The mayor is a wormy looking gnome named Harpis Tank Locknut. He talks to the Captain for a bit before turning to the party. After looking them over he asked that Wilhelm and Asher join him for the time being. Twilick and his gnomes were going to make some small repairs here in Bogon and stay at the ship. We would be leaving in the morning by 8, 8:30.

Once inside the Bogon Crossed Arms, Harpis brought the two men to his “office” – a small room in the back of the Crossed Arms. He is not only the mayor, but he manages the Crossed arms? Yep – and some other businesses as well. He started off with questions: Who are they? I hear they are special. Why are you special? They’ve been at the front? Anyone on the Windshade is pretty important to the Kaiser.

Word is they are going to Tilani. Going to try and talk to that angry fossil Logari. (Logari seemed to be the leader of Tilani, a very old elf who was a bit of a racist and skinflint). It seems that Logari agreed to a trade some time ago (3 years) with Mayor Harpis for a number (30) of elven crafted exact specification 4’ silvered engine rods in exchange for some Bogon crafted gnomish weights and scales for skyship crystal gears. The scales have been completed and have been ready to send to Tilani but Logari has not set up a date to arrange the trade. The Mayor doesn’t want to send the weights and scales as he suspects he won’t get paid. The Speaker has pulled that crap before. Letters are not answered or answered tersely. And even the Mayor’s own emissary had been left waiting twice for an audience with the Speaker (3 days and 7) before returning frustrated.

These were not cheap to make and the market for them is sparse at best. If Logari doesn’t want them, say so and he’ll find another buyer at a discount somewhere. Since the group can actually go and talk to Logari (its known he only has interest these days in meeting with elves), he’d like it if they can at least find out about the silvered rods / scales trade and eventually let him know.

Conversation broke down as Captain Asher got upset with the Mayor’s tone and things he was saying. There were some derogatory comments about Hairy arms  bandied about. Eventually the Mayor felt that this was not going to work. Just bring back and answer. 10 Crowns if they come back with a no answer , 110 crowns if they come back with a positive answer. Then Asher asked for something up front. The Mayor felt he was being extorted and tossed a small pouch at the Half-elf. “Here, take 100 brass bits.”

After some back and forth, Harpis took the original contract back and told them to “get the fuck out”. He then stormed out and yelled at his staff, to “Stop serving those fuckers from the Windshade” and “They can get water and fuel somewhere to fuck else. I want those hoses taken off!”

Captain Asher was escorted outside and told to wait in the gutter. The food was taken off the table and we all were like, “Asher, what the fuck did you do?” He tried to explain and Connal and some of the others tried to fix the problem. They spoke to the Mayor and eventually got a place where we agreed to go and ask. Asher was not allowed back in, go sleep in the gutter. Captain Twilick showed up pissed off and wanted to know what the fuck was going on. The Mayor gave the ok to refuel the Zephyr and we were given room at the Crossed Arms – but shitty rooms at the end of the row.

We went to the dirty alley afterwards and set up Leomund’s hut. Then Asher was invited to stay and we all rested well. In the morning we snuck back in and the waitress (new staff in the AM) thought we were the lumbersmiths from Rooms 1 and 2. We ate well, she was named Greta, and was not a good looking woman at all. Fell in love with Darius and we all left, getting on the Windshade and we took off heading north.

We had clear skies and made good time, arriving during the afternoon (3ish) at Tilani. From a distance Tilani looks like a wonderful elven city. There are wide streets and thoroughfares, a small river runs from the forest to the north, south, cascading over a set of falls and then widening to a pond where the local kids are playing. A series of well irrigated and laid out farms on the southwest and the northern part of the city is on a rise of stone like a ledge some 40’ over the rest of the ground. Fanciful stairs run up the sides of the rises as well as counterlifts. There are three wizard towers just north of the pond each sticking 80 feet into the air and connected by gossamer bridges.

A huge elven fanciful palace is in the center of town where an observatory and over sized prism turns slowly across the sky channeling the sun’s rays into the castle. Just south and west of that is a 150’ crater covered by a black prismatic dome, the site of the original Lifetree.

Airship docks are on the southeast part of the town and a number of residents seemingly come and visit.

The city houses about 10k, and is about 1/3rd elves, most of which are very old. There are a number of half elves here and near the river south of the magic school is a tight packed section of squat stone homes and businesses all close together, the architecture is different than the rest of the town and there are covered streets and lattices blocking most of the sun. Twilick let us know that we had 60 days from this point on before he had to take off and bring the party back to the Kaiser and Erylond – Kaiser’s orders. The Windshade came down low and settled in one of the 4 cradles where ground crews came up to attach lines and lay out a gangplank.

We have arrived. Plantmonth the 11th , 289 of the 29th age. 3:13 PM

2nd Campaign, Session 7. 4/15/25

We cobbled together a decent plan and before waiting too much longer, shoved the door open hard. The room was pretty large, 3 ogre sized beds on the north way, couple of weapon rack, over sized crate with a lock on it, ballista ready to fire, central table with some coins on it, 3 chairs. 1 big ogre and 2 arguing hobgoblins.

We led off with a sleep spell dropping the hobgoblins and then engaged the ogre. The Halfling ran up to coup de grace the hobs while the paladin, the half orc, and a few others closed to melee range. The ogre took some seriously punishing blows and the group received in kind. But a well placed light spell in the ogre’s eyes had his spinning around wildly before a few cuts and stabs finished him off.

We looked the bodies over, checked out the room, and noted a door on the far end of the room. To save on oil, we squeezed the ogre’s “Lighted” eyes into the lantern and checked out everything. Beds eventually revealed a key, weapon rack had some over sized ogre spears and mauls there – but the cleric did find a set of seemingly enchanted brass knuckles. Crate was unlocked and we had some treasure in there and a really foul bag of holding as well.

The far door was locked on our side and we heard some grunting inside – we assumed it was monkeys or apes. We did not want to leave the ballista to be used against us at a later date, so we wheeled it to the corner, piled mattresses around it, shoved a spear sideways into the hawser line, and dried fired it after the druid warped the trigger and safety.

Yeah, it wasn’t going to be used again.

We did take a number of wine jars, adding them to the bag of holding, and a few of us swapped armor for the hobgoblin’s armor.

It took a while but by 20 after 9 we were ready to move on. We left the room and headed back to the hall. There was another door here on the north side that we had to force open. Inside was a variety of furniture but like another room in the Monastery, it was very laden with dust. Like lots of it. So once more, the half-ogre volunteered to go in and look around. We tied a rope to him first and set him off.

He almost immediately stumbled and set off a dust cloud to roil around, obscuring vision and getting in his eyes and lungs. As it was getting worse, he knocked over a china cabinet with a crash and fell over to his knees. He was going to need to be dragged out and the half-orc stepped up to volunteer to do so.

But the party’s assassin had ready eyes and ear out and heard goblins coming from around the corner. Lots of them. And they had a pair of bugbears as well. “Guys! Get ready!”

A few of us ran to the front, shields and weapons up and set. The druid and the half orc swapped places, the druid took to dragging the half ogre out. A Molotov cocktail was hurled, arrows and crossbow bolts were fired. To get a better view, the gnome and Halfling dragged a bed to the door to stand on and took shots and the bugbears who were hurling axes at the group. One of them took a shot to the head and the hairy goblinoid was staggering in agony.

Shields were splintered and even a goblin was thrown into the crowd. But the fight did wind down and the last 3 dropped weapons and asked for leniency.

We took them all into the Ogre’s room and began questioning things. There is a goblin king below named Gavin. He has a deal with a cleric of Cyric (god of decay) named Moray Vaco to get weapons and armor from Jector and then assault Guido’s Fort. They intercept shipment vessels with their own boats hidden somewhere on this side of the river for the items they have paid for. They borrowed money from a dragon who lives below. And the figures behind the door are humans only with hairy bodies and sloped heads – they don’t have a language but grunt. Some sort of portal dropped them here and Gavin has been giving them to the Ogres for food and torture. There is a third ogre brother down below talking to Gavin. And there are other things also down there.

The one talking agreed to share what he knew and just want to be let go. Lead them to the outside and they’ll go off on their own. It’s pretty split on doing that or not.  Time now is Icemonth the 4th, 10 AM. We need to make a call on the goblins and then eventually go back to the door on the north wall by the secret door to the Grotto and engage the goblins there. That is the way down to the next level.

Meet 119, Adv 15, 4/5/25

Plantmonth 7th, 289 of the 29th age, 11:15 AM. Party is aboard the Gnomish Airship, Haverton Tenton, captained by Sheverport Steve Fitspinner. The gnome shakes everyone’s hand and we are left to talk to Fenix Donnegarten, Nornian Priest and the Kaiser Steelheart Randari, leader of the Randari Ympire.

It is a slow flight back to Erylond. Fenix Donegarten does the heavy lifting at first explaining the situation and what’s been going on. There are almost no touched priests of the Norns, 4 all together. They have all been dwarvish. People might pray to the fates for special guidance but they are not known for answering or meddling. Their job is to record the passing of all history – birth, life, death.

There are snags that do come up now and again and for those purposes the few priests that do exist show up to help get a granular view of what’s going wrong to help the fates make better decisive decisions. Right now there is Fenix Donnegarten and his counterpart in Gorok, Seer Desmond Lagarde.

Apparently on Plantmonth the 2nd, at 9:05 in the morning exactly, a powerful spell had been fired off that had used most of the resources of the Ympire called a Chasmstorm. The entire empire has been under the threat of the Lizardmen from Starlizia to the south. There was a sudden migration north of the powerful saurials almost 15 years ago but it turned to conflict and war back in 281.

They pray to a massive black dragon named Sanctadragodon and the Starlitzian Lizardmen have been laying waste to the countryside really heightened about 3 or 4 years ago. At that time Sanctadragodon made some sort of deal or pact with the Lord of Nightmares – and the spectral figure has been living inside the dragon ever since.

They indicated the children. It’s the kids. Throughout the kingdom, if someone has a nightmare, the nightmare becomes real and flesh the next day. Within a short time the world was being inundated by monsters from story and legend. Goblins and bugbears, minotaurs and beholders, hydras and nightmare creatures. A spellbarrier had been erected around the Enderlyn River which has contained the situation for now, but it’s only got about 6 months of possible life remaining.

Hence the Chasmstorm. It went off, the most expensive and costly bit of magic ever enacted. It was like a second sun that spun over southern reaches of the Randari Empire. Any and every monster that had been given birth through the Lord of Nightmare’s largesse was swept up and pulled inside the Chasmstorm. The land itself was awash in flame and the water of the Borbute Sea and the Enderlyn River actually boiled at the surface.

For now it had denuded the monstrous horde that has affected everyone. This spell was supposed to counter Sanctadragodon and seems to have been successful – but the after shocks and other wrecking has caused earthquakes and rumbles everywhere – and the concern was that it would open rifts to other worlds.

As for Fenix, we already have 1 being here that doesn’t belong (The Lord of Nightmares), and based upon his highly attuned skills and constant efforts, he was able to pinpoint 35 definitive rips in the skein, appearing almost like a black hole, or a null thread – 35 minor points that enter the skein within 12 hours after the Chasmstorm went off. 1 was found almost immediately after the artifact was enacted and the next 7 were found at slightly further distances away from the epicenter but all within 6 to 10 miles of Erylond. It was the other 27 that were the most strange as they all appeared at the exact same time and at a distance of 50+ miles away deep in the kill zone. The air was poor to fly through and it was strange the presences would fade on and off for 3 days.

They were not going to go back to Erylond until all threads were accounted for. Donnegarten verified that one of them did get snuffed out so the remaining 34 are now here so we can bring them to Erylond where the Masters of Spells will be able to verify that they are not a danger to the Ympire as well as maybe provide an anchor point on a going forward.

We made our way tired and full of concern to the passenger deck where the kids were finally situated and the other 8 saved beings were sitting around in a state of worry and confusion (7 were like that, 1 was just pissed off looking). They waved us over to talk but we asked them to wait a second as we moved aside to discuss.

Tell no one a damned thing. Let’s get to Erylond and then figure out what the next move it. And then go to Tilani. We have an idea on the situation and will meet with the Master of Spells and then see what’s next.

At this point, one of the saved people comes over. Human, male, mid 40’s. He has two broken wands in his belt, covered in 2nd degree burns, clothes are a mess. Identifies himself as Viridian Healer. We all get together and talk to them and they to us. We pretend as they do to have no knowledge of what happened before the last 5 days.

We all talk together and the consensus is that the 7 other beat up people all are fairly high level people. Most are either wizards or priests. One, a younger half orc sort of identifies as a thief. They are pretty broken and have gaping holes in their memories. Know their names and a few aspects of their life. They each talk about the place being familiar but don’t know much of what went on before. Have only a concept that they were in the terrible place, a cave of some sort, underground, and it was breaking, burning and falling apart. They each managed to use their skills/spells to try and escape. A variety of plane walk, plane shift, and shadow strides. However it did not work and their spells latched on to the only thing they could see in the end of all things fire – a streaking blue light and raced off and eventually they spilled out here. They all agreed that they were going to identify themselves as a single letter for now – the whole not part of the skein and whatever has them freaked out. “V” and what not.

The 8th figure is different. 6’ tall, black shoulder length hair in a ponytail, bespoke suit immaculate cut, a few stray smudges, sporting a very nice singular rapier held crossway fashion at his belt. Identified himself as Samodia Hardas and he was just pissed. Like furiously pissed.

He had a little verbal spat and sparring with Darius, getting to the point where Samodia asked him if he knows him. He won’t admit to anything but says quite vociferously that his being here is a HUMONGOUS fucking problem. “I doubt there is any 1 idiot in this entire plane that has the strength to open a portal large enough and powerful enough for me to use to get home.”

He knows where he comes from (didn’t say), and it’s just a fucking accident that these half skilled monkeys opened the gate large enough in the first place to get him here. And it almost broke the fucking entire plane. And plane ripping accidental tears don’t happen often enough that he could just bounce back to his own land. He did say that Fenix Donnegarten seems to be his best bet on trying to work out any possible way to get home, and no better time than the present to get the wheels rolling.

He went to the gathered belongings here, rummaged around and with an “A ha!” lifted up a 6’ steel faintly blue glowing key.

“You can’t take that,” Darius offered.

“It’s mine,” Samodia retorted, holding it over his shoulder and heading back for the main deck.

“Was that the Dumathion thing?” Eoghan asked. And the group nodded. Lovely.

By 3 PM the Haverton arrived at Erylond. Similar to the one in our time, it was larger and taller. Grander. The walls were taller and the buildings climbed 4, 5, even 6 stories tall. Bridges ran between them and a flying brigade of Hippogriff riding knights filled the sky. There was an airship dock on the northwest side of the city. 10 skyships were there – some as large as the Haverton, others smaller. Lots of people about.

Crossing the river here north of the city was a bridge that according to Captain Fitspinner was built almost 200 years ago with the skill of dwarven, gnomish, and orcish artisans and engineers. Over a mile long, reaching up to 70’ in height, 400 feet wide. Many arches reached up and down into the Enderlyn River while suspension cables ran along the lengths giving it more strength. A vast multitude of people were making their way across.

Nothing like this exists in our time. At all.

We docked and the dockmaster came out and talked to the Captain before clearing everyone to disembark. An honorguard came and the Kaiser led us off the Haverton and through the crowded streets of Erylond. Worried people. Lots of Skyships. And so so many kids heading out. The ships fly to the one bridge and carefully pass over and then are gone.

We were told that there is a ward that has been put into place preventing anything magical from crossing the Enderlyn River. It takes LOTS of money to run it and the Gorokian Nation are on the hook for maintaining it. It does keep the war with the Starlitzian Lizardmen contained to one area. But it has an end date, about 6 months from now. At that time the ward will fall and nothing will get it back up again. So the issue with Sanctadragodon needs to be resolved then.

We pass by many wonderful shops and places and eventually make our way through the Inner Wall. Here there is a Temple District like ours (but in our time, it's all Orphanages). What is interesting is that besides the 12 Major Eddas Gods, there are also at least a dozen other temples just as prominent and displayed. Lathander and Garl Glittergold, Corelleon Larthian, Sejoca, Tyche and others. A more acceptance of other religions and faiths.

We eventually arrive at the Kaiser’s Castle, a huge sprawling colorful edifice of white and blue. The grandeur was enough to slow us down. We were given rooms to stay in on the 3rd floor, and would be attending a dinner after our visit with the Master of Spells. He was a venerable elf, well over 6 or 700 years of age (making him in the 90’s for a human). He took his time doing an aura read and casting on everyone. “Fascinating” was uttered dozens of times.

He had 2 dwarven journeymen following behind him as he was explaining exactly what he was seeing and what he was doing and how he wanted it. Each of us was boiled down to a single casted rune, making 34 of them. He then had 6 others in place established (North, south, east, west, up, down) making a total of 40 runes.

Between him and the dwarves they then turned this into an amulet for each of us – a circle surrounding a center stone. The amulets are voluntary, but they would provide a few benefits. One, each one would let the Nornian Priests better able to find the wearers should need be (as opposed to Hot/Cold As they had to do now). Two, it would act as an anchor point or a start position should our presence here be more long term. Meaning the Fates would weave us into the skein. And if we died, our souls wouldn’t just fade away and disappear. And third, any spells or magic that would be cast on us would have a better chance of performing as supposed to. Being out of phase means that there is a chance that the local magic might not work properly on and for us.

The Runes allow something that is not part of the skein to exist within it instead of being rejected.

The Master of Spells did say that he loved his work but that rune casting is a difficult art and fewer elves are interested in such a stratified style of magic works. But the dwarven apprentices he’s had, although generally very weak wizards, have a natural aptitude for rune work.

For those of us that have been in the terror dungeon – there is a ring of runes at the entrance of the dungeon that we pass through. 40 of them. And they looked pretty much like the amulets we had now.

We got dressed and went to the banquet where we ate and drank and laughed. The kids had a great time and the other castaways also seemed in better spirits. At some point the Kaiser’s man came to us and said that our meeting with the Council of 6 would be at 9 tomorrow morning, not 8.

We slept well and on Plantmonth the 8th we ate and got dressed, all of us, kids and animals, followed the pages to a meeting chamber. We noticed that Samodia Hardas, V, and the others were leaving which had us a little confused. The Kaiser was here along with Fenix Donnegarten and 6 others all dressed as Roman senators. The last of the guards were then told to leave and the chamber was closed.

We were introduced to Firbold Gorok (Gorokian dwarf), Sherlain Jarlborrin (Jarlborrin Dwarf), Declan Thirdwheel Goldshare (Nightwood’s Gnome), Magister Nevilwyn Ariscula (High Elf), Justicar Sworam Blooripper (Randari Orc), and Viscount Aaron Hundarson (Human). Each personage was seemingly the most “representative” of their specific race – embodying not only the stereotypical build and demeanor, but also a gravitas about them.

Except for Viscount Aaron Hundarson, the human representative. He was about 40, slight pouch, thinning hair, and just happy to be there.

We were told a bit about the governing of the land. The Council of 6 make good decisions and policy and the Kaiser usually makes the deciding vote. However for certain things he makes a unilateral decision. The upkeep of the empire also has a requirement of need as each race can bring to bear.

The area was originally divided into the 5 Peace Compact. In the defense of the realm, the elves are responsible for magic, gnomes for timber, Jarlborrin Dwarves for Stone, Gorokian Dwarves for money, and Randari orcs for people. The 6 Peace Compact had recently been ratified (30 or so years ago) to include humans at the table and they are sharing the people portion with the Randari. They also bring inspiration and invention – as they are the least rigid of all the civilized races and they often and usually think of better ways to do things if given enough time.

Gorokian Dwarves complain often that they are being drained dry. They dig and refine and find and make coins and then have to spend it. They are stretched thin and the Gorokian Heights are large, but the wealth is not consistent or infinite.

Kaiser Steelheart had the group alone because he does not believe they are unable to remember their past. The kids had been subtly questioned and they admitted that they knew the party, they were saved from a fire, and their memories go back weeks or months (each is Lathandar saved kid so they have no memory before the font discovered them). They mentioned Sunrise Rabbits and the Orphanage. And even living in Erylond.

Which is not here.

According to Fenix and the Master of Spells, when the Chasmstorm went off, besides ringing the empire like a gong, it might have sheared against another plane, ripping holes in it. And those holes is where we came through. Why are we important? The Kaiser explains it here.

As a final magical solution to take out Sanctadragodon and the Starlitzian Lizardmen, he’s had a last ditch overload spellwork in place. Erylond is where it is because the roots of Yggdrassil, the magic weave, is closest to the surface here than anywhere else as far as people have ever looked. Its one of Erylond’s most important riches, and next to Tilani, is the seat of magic and research and the like everywhere.

Right now there is a drill that has exposed a section of the weave here far under the ground in Erylond. They have set up a feedback cycle of spellgems and manastones that are under the null zone and Enderlyn Bridge. When the null zone ward falls in 6 months across the river, the magic will race into this spot and will not only obliterate the bridge (as well as the city and anything close to it on this side of the river), it will set up a repulsion effect in place. So powerful that even after this is all done, any dragon or starlitzian lizardman from beyond the Randari southern border will have an intense aversion to this area. A 700 mile space. It means abandoning everything – the entire raw earth mining operation down here and the heart of the Randari empire.

The Kaiser does NOT want this to happen. “This is our home, it’s where we first rose to power. It’s literally one of the 3 first orcish clan cities. Here, This, and There. Erylond is home to half a million.” The other 7 cities and towns in southern Rand on this side of the river house at least another third of those numbers. But the people are what matters. He has a duty and has to do what’s best for everyone. So if that’s what’s got to go on, that’s the plan as much as he hates it.

It’s accepted the group is from another world and that for now, Kaiser Steelheart and Fenix Donnegarten have their back. The Council of 6 offer their support and outside of these 8 – the party’s secret is safe. They have a destination in mind? We try to avoid answering but then eventually its pointed out Tilani is our destination.

At this point we are given 2 things. One , with Shim and his one eye it is fortuitous that the Kaiser has a gnomish ship and captain that does missions for him off the books. The Zephyr’s Windshade, with Cap’n Twilick One-eye Taperton, a 9 crew skyship sloop, would take them to wherever they think they need to go next. But, they must return and let the Kaiser and the Council what they’ve learned after completion and what the next steps are. Two, he will give each member of the group 150 crowns and his own buyer and valet to escort the group around Erylond to outfit themselves however they see fit.

We thanked the Kaiser for his help and agreed. In fact, being as it was early enough, we wanted to hit all the places now so that we can be on our way tomorrow. The Windshade can make 30 or so miles a day. We also were given a map of the area – which as Shim noted after studying it intently is similar to the one we already have – as well as decidedly different – indication things had changed over the intervening 202 years.

We went shopping, learned that food and water was being loaded on the boat for us, and we would be at the Airship docks by 8 AM to shove off on Plantmonth the 9th

There! Lots of exposition. Lots of Sushi. And lots of hanging out and camaraderie.