Session Fifty-Three (Graveyard of Empires Summary)

Session 53 – April 22, 2015

I write more frequently in this journal than I have for many weeks. There is much on my mind.

This stupid idol bugs me. How can I destroy it without hurting Axel, or our friendship? I didn’t like going along with that first devil fish and

that idol.

Axel seems to be acting strangely. Is it just the hope of treasure, or has it taken over his mind? Why does no one else but Brice have an opinion

about it?

I have a feeling that I need to keep my thoughts to myself.

[We learned as players observing Axel’s interaction with the idol that it could not see Brice and could only partially see Thorfus and that it

was worried what might become of it. The idol told Axel that Xwn’Teler is more evil than the idol. Which Axel did not share with the rest of the

party.]

We decided to go to Midmark where we hoped to get a better price for our loot from the dungeon. The fellows from Midmark who trained us and

advised us on our progress in clearing the evil from under the fort were now able to return to Midmark. I rode with them aboard the Bitter Horse,

as I did not want to be anywhere near that idol. Brice does not appreciate Chuq’s comments, so she road with Axel aboard the Bawdy Bachelor.

I am sure it is all my mother’s talk when I was young that I should become a cleric, like her brother. That and all the anticipation of finally

being able to get to Xen’Khe, that I am having dreams of Xen’Teler. I dreamt that the ship stopped and I ran to the deck and it was a clear,

starry night and the ship was surrounded by fields. This time, in my dream, the image of Brice with the dark star filled eyes stood in for

Xen’Teler. I was commanded to destroy the idol.

Xen’Teler told me that the idol is actually an avatar of an evil god and that I should smash and scatter its stone. He then said to bring the key

to Xen’Khel to find me. I had many questions, but was told that I will find answers in Xen’Khel, such as where the ancient dwarves went.

“Brice” left and I could not wake up. I turned around and saw that blasted idol! I finally found a belaying pin and smashed it, and then I awoke.

This is all so confusing! Was I to smash the idol in my dreams? Was I to smash the real idol? It doesn’t matter now, Brice managed to get the

idol from Axel and smash it to bits.

[Thorfus has not shared details of his dream with anyone, and only the briefest of generalizations with a cleric from the Brotherhood of the

World Forge, who said it was unlikely that a god spoke to me. Perhaps it just means I need to be more attentive to my religion. Thorfus was not

satisfied with that answer.]

We traveled about the town and sold many things to Aldus and learned about the tapestries and books.

We sold the gems and jewelry to the jeweler across from Aldus. We had a nice haul.

We stopped by Thornton’s and asked about the animal heads and the new captain of the Grey Cloaks, Perrette, said he thought for sure Thornton

would want them, but would let us know tomorrow.

We stocked up on supplies, chain mail for our hirelings. I bought ten shields, they seem to get broken far too easily.

Desric was disappointed that we were back in town. That foolish wizard has a death wish, getting zapped by Desric’s contraption.

The tavern was quite hectic when we returned, there was word that Talon and a young woman had made it to Merchant’s Haven and were now at the

Lord Mayor’s. We rushed out to the lord mayor’s hoping against hope that the young woman was Em.

The impudent guards we not willing to let us enter, until I relied on my regal heritage, the mere mention of my name and my association with that gem from Baldric’s crown got their attention. They’ll remember me next time!

We were able to see them, and it was indeed Talon and Em! The poor girl’s spirit is almost broken! She is with child and there is a chance that it belongs to that vile nephew of Grell’s. If I ever see that sorry excuse for a human, he won’t like it! I can’t believe that I thought it was that Judge Grell who hired men to kill us. Unless that nephew of his was in league with the empire plot with the wizard….

We then went to Em’s parents to tell them that we finally had good news and had Em. Her poor mother fainted at the excitement, but Uthruk managed to revive her.

to revive her. I left them a pouch with some gold, hopefully it helps.

The next day, Talon showed up and asked to join us. We welcomed him back to the group.

We have to outfit Talon and before we sail, I plan to purchase that magic box with one charge for my sword from Desric, in case we find a way of charging such things in Xen’Khel.