Firemonth 10th, 10:15 AM. After the scent of brimstone had faded away, the group left the toporified divine beings where they were and trudged across the feculent floor to the elevator shaft. Looking up, the group discussed options. It was going to be Wilhelm and Connal going back to the top. The druid cast a pair of spider climb spells and the two men began the long walk up to and back to the top. A light spell followed and eventually they arrived at the 2nd floor. From there, not trusting the duration of the spell, they turned to the stairs and made their way with care back to the top floor.
Wilhelm went back to the Lift Control Station while Connal made his up the rungs to the Lift Machinery. He shook out the fire pan, primed the pump. Made sure the pilot light was lit. Then it was kindling in the dampener and some time later the burner was hot enough to start heating up the boiler. As the temperature gauges rose Wilhlem stabbed the start button and the entire machinery burst to life again.
With smoke gathering over there, Connal made his way down the rungs and then back up to this side. Wilhelm started the lift rising up after getting a Telepathic OK from Shim 4 levels down – and the group was brought back up through the Donnegarten Complex and we were all together again. The machine was shut down and we let the fire box cool. We then made our way slowly to the entrance where we had to fuck with the doors and counterweights to get it to open again. We were outside by 1:15 and by 2 PM, had the place sealed up again.
Eoghan leading the way took us off the mountain and eventually to the valley floor below. We traveled to the southwest and in a cup shaped tree full valley, set up a camp. We rested, tired and exhausted, and awoke the next day feeling much better. A Create Water had our skins refilled. It was Firemonth the 11th sand by 9 AM after praying and studying, we were ready to go. Our foodstuffs should be ok to get us home but the party was pretty worn out. We discussed the 3 day trip back to Erylond, or we could press south to Great Road and head off to Canaslan and rest in Paxian. It would be late, but we’d be able to rest and eat properly.
Our road decided, we headed off south. We were out of the Mountain area by 1 and by 1:45, were safely across the river. We headed south, Eoghan and Wilhelm being dead on with their directions and picking the best trails and paths for us to take – maximizing our travel time. By 6:30 PM we were looking for a campsite and eventually bedded down for the night. Again, we were lucky not to be disturbed by the locals.
On the morn of the 12th we were up early, 6 AM, and by 7 were on our way. The travel was not arduous and we made the Traderoads by 3. We went east for an hour or so and arrived @ Canaslan without issue. On entering we noted the pressing heat and the fact that there was more drunkenness and merriment abounding. Turns out it was “Paxian Day” – roughly 16th year anniversary since King Seljack found the Sovereign Stone and became lord of Canaslan.
We entered the gates of Paxian which were thrown wide and were informed that King Seljack was picking up the tab for…well…everything. As long as it wasn’t top shelf crap or exotic food stuffs, just about all shows, foods, and drinks were gratis from the King. The place was already crazy with open bottles and fornication in the streets. Revelers were dancing and racing about, even the guards and constabulary were partaking.
We made our way to Third Shadow and got a room just off the main strip. We drank and laughed and had a good time. Someone came in asking about Knox, our donkey, and Connal wanted to know why. Was it for sale? One of the entertainers did not have a donkey available as hers had come up lame and wanted to buy ours. At first it was like, no, thanks but go away. Then when they offered 400 commons for it so she could do her donkey show, we were like, hmmm. The party discussed it and to a man, they all said to dump it. “Damn thing never liked anyone,” Wilhelm offered. “And I’m a druid. What is a donkey show anyway?”
After paying the monastic the bag of coppers, the pimp led Wilhelm out to the stables and the druid had the chance to see the awkward and perverted joining of equine and human set to the pounding beat of a kettle drum and a vibrating mouth harp. He was stunned and watched the entire show. Twice.
We awoke the next day amidst the rain and gloom and Eoghan was just a miserable fuck for it. With pounding heads and tired limbs, we left Thirdshadow and made our way out of Paxian. And Damn it to hell, King Seljack was there! He wished us a good trip and asked if we had a good time. He wanted his people to be happy and blowing off steam for a few days and not having to worry about paying for it (outside of a headache) was a cheap enough cost for him.
We travelled down the Traderoad westward, without a donkey this time, so we were all carrying the tool boxes, food stuffs, and other items Knox had been carrying. It was slow going and were were tired and wet. Eoghan snapped at Dizzy and Connal a few times before the day was done. We rested that evening without a fire and ate our rations cold.
The next day was warmer and brighter. Firemonth the 14th was already much better and we travelled on. The miles passed by with little fanfare and our steps were light and happy. We saw smaller thorps and farms, then larger estates, and in the distance on the hill, was the mighty city of Erylond. 6:30 had us going through the main gates and 6:50 at our home.
We greeted the friends there (Asher, Annalee, Gryg, Thalin, Godrick) and shared some of our tales with them. It was 8:15 on Firemonth the 14th, and according to our calendar – it had been 16 days since we had left Erylond to head off to Donnegarten.
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