Session Fifty-Six (Graveyard of Empires Summary)

Session 56 – May 13, 2015 (partially uncomplete, you’ll know when…)

21st of Anureldin, after midnight.

Droart the merchant and Thorfus spend some time getting to know each other. Hoping to work out a deal for the curious mask of sky vision, Thorfus invites Droart to spend the night in our camp. Droart is eager for a hot meal and some company. The conversation first moves into a possible supply for security limited partnership. Droart is eager to move on from Xen’Khel. Thorfus’ entreaties are politely refused. Unfortunately Droart’s counter offers are not in line with the Boys immediate plans.

The talk then shifts to Droart’s time at Xen’Khel. Good thing Dwarves like talking about themselves like people do. He shared a lot about the last 7 years he spent here.

We learned of several reputable business owners on the mountain, the veritable pillars of the community if you will: Flipa Grell is the local weapons smith. Ancelm Wardale handles alchemical supplies. Gian is an armorer. The local inn, the Sleeping Colossus is kept by Cvenild Piereson. The Sleeping Colossus is known as the largest in on the mountain. Droart describes what could only be a dormant autonotom in the common room of the Sleeping Colossus.

With little prompting, Droart then tells of some local gossip. Old Stimmens, a local brewer, recently witness a winged dragon in the sky just the other week. In addition to the elders, Grell Wardale, Gian and Cvelnid, the Sisters help keep things orderly here abouts. The sisters are three mind reading Nagas that occupy the temple on the highest slope of the mountain. The temple is the only know entrance to the caverns of Xen’Khel. Entrance into the caverns is only granted to those that are successfully judged by the Sisters.

Weary of being judged, Thorfus asks if there is another way into the caverns. Droart explains the Rafters are known to have an alternative route. It is also known that those that use the Rafters’s way don’t necessarily fair better than those that pass judgment. Droart suspects the Rafters roll their customers after leading them into an ambush in nearby caves. The Rafter’s are lead by Tamás Ebor, a man that Droart doesn’t trust or approve of.

Next, Droart mentions the tale of Lady Em, fair damsel enthralled by the Dark King and her liberator Talon, head of the MidMark Militia. Thorfus quickly switches to old Dwarvish (Tolkien or Dwarven??) and warns Droart should stop right there. Talon is notoriously self-aggrandizing. Thorfus valiantly saves Droart from a late night of grandiose gestures and peacock strutting about the camp fire.

To set the record somewhat straight, Thorfus stresses that Talon is Starchie Boy sell sword, not the commander of the Midmark Militia. He also explains Em is as common as they come and lucky for her, she never was enthralled to the Dark King, whoever that might be… Droart questions Thorfus version of things. Perhaps Thorfus would not be so confused about the details after reading a copy of the story circulating. There should be a copy in the Sleeping Colossus inn.

When asked about the surrounding environs, we learned there are apes that desire men for their own pleasure. These scourges can be found somewhere to the northeast of Xen’Khel. Droart refuses to beleive the Starchie Boys found Balric’s Gem.

It seems the 3 Nagas have held the Temple since the fall of the ancient Dwarven empire. It’s been there habit to open the temple doors every morning to allow supplicants to be judged. The Dwarven archeologists feel indignant their heritage is coopted by the Nagas. They prefer the Nagas be expelled and Xen’Khel a Dwarven demesne only.

As the conversation fizzles, we organize a watch for the night. Not to waste an opportunity, Belroar spends his watch getting to

After breakfast the next morning, we leave talon and the mercs guarding our camp, he wants to come with don’t need him to talk to much.

Owen, his group and Droart escort PCs and Fink to Ghermin Guards in front of gate (Metteck) surprised we finally arrived, ushered in, three more guards dicing/gaming. Asks about delay, find anything in fort? about to leave, glad to have us hear. looking for treasure? thorfus has a clue, Desric loans 800 for 1200 back so we can buy the mask. Droart loiters for protection.

No idea how to charge thorfus battery

We are invited to move in the mansion.

Small group of men approach as we are moving camp to the mansion. “Hey you there, looking for treasure”

Try to sell a map, not impressed with axel’s. Belroar offers to hire owen’s group for 1 gp/week.

Thorfus tries the mask – fly about words – “WEAK LINK” in the sky. “Next available Xen Telar Continue ?” Yes in ancient dwarven. everything goes black, focus above an island not large with dormant volcanoe, settlement near the coast with a fortress to the west. about 200 miles to the south east. fortress is in good shape with a silver thorn flag above. looking for slaves by the excavations – none. Now looking for Alain Grell. within the fortress yards are stockpiles of supplies and dwarves everywhere. Dusty Gnome is scried in the harbor. Trying to move NW from the island – see Next Available Xen Kel Continue, yes in ancient dwarven back to where we are. Looking about Xen Kel for another entrance, scanning advance camp wall and adjoining slopes of the mountain – nothing. Little activity, nothing on the first plateu, across a dangerous bridge, few buildings before the next wall. Open doors beyond the gate, nothing about the naga temple – larger mansion than ours there are dwarves, the archeologist. Looks like an adventuring party rallying about the mansion, then march towards the naga temple.

Checking for more nodes above Xen Kel, only Xen Telar to the E & S

Checking for more nodes above Xen Kel to the S – Zurnost’Khel

Zurnost’Khel to the south Zurilum’Khel

Zurnost’Khel to the west – Weak Link, Xen Telar

Fulbert Charmouth hired by Belroar as a mercenary.

Brice doesn’t want to expose the key to the Nagas

Chuq doesn’t want the Naga’s reading our minds and wants to find a private route.

Thorfus doesn’t trust thieves or any ambush and wants to take the straightest route to keep our combat effectiveness.

Its 8 am, we collect everyone and organize the cart with our gear. Leave the wagon at the mansion and begin the march to the naga temple.

Pass the first wall, we see the first bridge Its’ made of two almost flat stone spans that meet midway across. 2 wagons wide comfortably or three abreast. Pass through the 2nd wall, buildings beyond are less dense and avenues are wider

third wall, men are lingering about the gate of the 3rd wall. six armed men in leather mostly armed with swords. One greets us asking if we want to talk to the nagas.

Tomas is willing to help out if we can’t get through the gates (nagas). Now across the longer 2nd bridge.

The Temple – pillared and tiered into the mountain peak. Open large double doors. 70 x 40 room raised dais in the center column large chair or throne on the dais ne & se corners 30′ foot statues of dwarven warriors, the far end is definitely in the rock of the mountain.

we are tested, judging our intentions. they can not judge thorfus, brice and chuq. since we did not fail they let us pass with a warning about ancient evils of thorus’ ancestors. beyond them is a 20′ wide slope leading down.

passage widens to 40′ across as we descend and slightly turns to the right. 200′ and no branches and spiraling down, the radius of the spiral seems to increase as we descend another 500′ spiraling down, 200′ straight then we find the column hall. The hall is 300′ below the temple axel. There is a point of light at the other end of the hall.

Socrates reconnoiters and spies a group of 12 dwarves at the opposite end of the chamber reading ruins on the wall. They are near an exit from the hall that leads to the NE. We entered from the NW.