Session Forty-One Summary (Graveyard of Empires: After the Fall)

Session 41, April 21 2021

Introduction

We continue at 3:30PM on the 8th of Laurilden with the party fighting some of Jaegger's hybrid monstrosities on the path from the surrounding hills to the gnome illusionist's castle. Previously, Jaegger's illusions protected travellers on the road but that doesn't appear to be true any longer ...

Larry's Summary

We finished off the creatures that attacked us and ran for Jager's tower.

Some flashing lights were following us, so we ran, they were gaining, so Velkin shadow stepped with Kauri, Oskar carrying the unconscious Gath, Lambertus, and Forcas.

When they reappeared they were followed by 6 huge DVLs - basically devil birds. Lambertus failed to turn, as did Felix far away with the rest of the party. They attacked and wounded Kauri, Oskar, and Forcas. Kauri and Oskar managed to resist the poison from stingers.

The rest of the party looked on helplessly as Velkin shadow stepped again, we weren't sure where. We later learned it was to the balcony at the top of Jager's tower.

Velkin and the others found the walls of the balcony removed on two sides with pulleys and other equipment to haul something up and a 10 foot square shining spot that is probably the portal Jager and Jasper used to leave. They opened the door and found a bedroom with loose papers on Jager's desk. Velkin lay on the balcony and looked for us.

The rest of the party moved off the path into the jungle and fought the 10 hummingbird sized flying salamanders that breathed fire. They knocked down two of our new hirelings, Hermangard and Folcard. We managed to kill all ten of them.

We then carried the wounded and got close to the castle gate and Lungmold sensed 55 minds. Brendil has the cloak from the sacrificed Summer Elf and snuck up and saw 5 giants with scorpion tales, over 40 dwarf sized mongrels - collections of various races, and 5 spider/human hybrid archers. They were building siege equipment.

We went around the walls and snuck over, and were met by an Imperial Dervish in chainmail and a red cloak. He let us get over the wall. He then lead us to meet their leader. As we followed, Velkin shadow stepped down to join us.

We were taken into the main hall and up the stairs and around to a tower that serves as Jager's library. We were introduced to Alisceon Hayne, Imperial Battle Mage, whom prior members of the party met at a banquet here at the tower.

Alisceon told us that Jager took all the most useful books. They packed up the ones they think will be helpful and welcomed us to look at the leavings and possibly any books they missed.

We mentioned the DVL invasion of Curanost, which did not surprise them, but when we mentioned the counter invasion from others from elsewhere, that peaked their interest.

They plan to leave in the morning, but invited us to their "feast". (They have transport - Rallion suspects the young Dervish Alisceon asked about counter invasion is a dragon.)

Druul offered to play his instrument at the banquest in exchange or a healing potion. They also want to hear what we have to say and welcome us to use any rooms of the castle they are not using.

Velkin's Scrolls

Velkin Scrolls (Session 41)

Bad things From the Veil

We finish off the abominations, however we’re severely injured. Lambertus, Forcas and Gath are down. There’s a swarm of fire breathing bumblebats after us and in a desperate attempt to keep them alive, I shadowstep to escape with the wounded. Hoping the ring’s power will hide us all. It doesn’t.

6 Devil Birds followed us out of the Veil and immediately attacked further wounding the battered half the party I fled with. Not wanting to stick around and see how fast they kill us, we shadowstepped to the top of Jaeger’s tower. A balcony leading to his personal chambers. Once there, we note a 10x10’ shimmering portal floating in the air. There are what we figure are harnesses/tack on the roof next to a door leading to the rest of the tower. We take refuge in the Jeager’s quarters and hope the other half the party make it to the compound.

The 6 Devil Birds ripped apart a patrol of creatures that came out of the jungle, then moved away.

Looking around Jaeger’s quarters, Kauri, Oskar and I make the unconscious comfortable and search the room. There’s 6 mirrors around the room and papers strewn, mainly over the bed, that Kauri reads through as I move to the balcony to keep lookout for the party…. And whatever else might come our way…

Kauri learns that Jasper and Jaeger had towers at the same point in different dimensions. Jaeger went through the portal to Jasper’s dimension.

As Kauri reads through the strewn notes, I see the rest of the party come around, avoiding the gathering of freaky humanoids and giants at the front gate. There are a few redcloaked figures patrolling the walls. It looks like they make contact with a red cloaked soldier and enter the compound as I am able to make contact with Lungmold. As the party is led into the tower, I take the opportunity to join in the procession, appearing between the party members and entering the tower with them.

Brendil had scouted the force in front of the tower: There were 5 giants with scorpion tails and a menagerie of creatures that were a mishmash of different beings following the orders of dwarf sized multi-species parts beings, Mongrel men. 5 spider/humans keeping watch. They’ve almost completed building a few trebuchets and a battering ram to breach the gate.

Entering the tower: There are 2 huge statues of Jeager and a fresco of multiple scenes mixed up and bleeding into each other. Quite disorienting honestly. We’re led up to the 2nd floor into a massive library where we’re introduced to the red cloak’s leader in a dark red cloak, Alisceon Hayne, Imperial Battlemage. An old colleague of Jaeger sent here by Azreal, the Dragon Emperor to get what records she could salvage from Jaeger’s research. There are 6 red cloaks. Dervishes that can shadowstep according to Rallion, also the younger of the Dervishes he believes is a dragon in human form. They’ve been here about 2 weeks searching Jeager’s library for notes on dimensional theory and information.

Books: Inquisitorial Notes on Dimensional Travel and Barriers General History

We have a pleasant, slightly strained at first conversation as we feel each other out. Tensions relax as Druul offers to put on a show. Alisceon appears excited. Having an interlude of a pleasant evening appeals to us all.

The Tower half of our party stays put.