Session Eighty Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)
Session 80, February 2 2022
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 ...
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.