Session 97: "Missing friends and companions........" or "There's a long, long trail a winding!"

28th day of Frostmoot: Late Evening:

Mission:  Return to Grogs Tower

Campaign: Elemental Cult Campaign

Location(s): Hidden valley of Feathergale Spire. 

Present: Aramil,  Anor,  Bandur, Grog, Karion,

Present but not active: Aerie and Garet

Red Larch: Zindra, Fabien  & Fenn

After an uneventful rest the group picked themselves up and retraced their steps to the entrance to the underground. Although the going wasn't difficult it took some time.

By the time the group exited the tunnel/cave next to the flowing stream it was dark in the valley outside.

Bandur led the way as best he could. Followed by Karion then Grog who had to resort to using his shuttered lantern. Aramil came next and Anor brought up the rear.

Somehow Bandur had lost the trail back to the Spire and seemed to be heading along the stream which wound its way through the steep sided valley. At least he knew from what Aerie had told him the stream would lead them out of the valley.

Picking his way along the wooded edge of a hill arrows suddenly erupted from the darkness to their right. Many missed but a few hit the mark.

Anor charged off to his right, Bandur charged across the stream. Karion tried to see where the arrows were coming from but he could see nothing. Aramil cast a spell and a bush and ambusher burst into flame. Grog cast a healing prayer. 2  Gnolls were quickly killed by magical attacks.

Anor was fighting his way through a tangle of bushes unsuccessfully when a Gnoll charged him out of the dark. Spear thrust after thrust missed. Anor managed to strike the Gnoll back.

 Bandur had managed to cross the stream and engage another Gnoll on a hill. Aramil turned the tree into another ball of fire.

Bandur killed the Gnoll on the hill and took off after another to the right. Grog and Karion tried to kill the Gnoll and save Aramil.

A Gnoll charged Aramil and laid him flat. Grog stepped between them. Karion who had been felled by an arrow managed to regain his feet and launched arrow after arrow at the enemy, one arrow way of course struck Aramil as he struggled to regain his feet.

Anor with 2 mighty swings felled the Gnoll facing him and charged round the bushes instead of struggling through them. He charged across the river up the hill and into another Gnoll hiding in the trees.

Anor was charged from behind. Karion and Grog killed the Gnoll attacking them, then moved into a position to fire into the rear Gnoll attacking Anor.

Bandur, having dispatched his Gnoll was charging towards Anor when he let one of his hand axes fly out of his hand, straight into the rear Gnoll. 

Karion and Grog killed the Gnoll attacking them, then moved into a position to fire into the rear Gnoll attacking Anor.

Anor was charged from behind.  Anor Killed the first Gnoll he charged and turned to face the second. Bandur launched another hand axe, it struck true too, an arrow from Karion, magic missiles from Aramil and a final blow from Anor killed the last Gnoll.

Axes recovered, healing taken or healing prayers cast and the group searched the bodies of the fallen Gnolls.

3000 copper pieces, 1000 silver pieces, 80 gold pieces, 9 gems worth a total of 450 gold pieces and a +2/+2 Longbow with 5 +1/+1 arrows and 2 +2/+2 arrows.

29th day of Frostmoot: Dawn:

Bandur led them back along the east bank of the stream heading southward, or so he hoped. A few more hours and they emerged from the valley onto the plain. They could see Grogs tower some 2 miles away as the sun, still below the horizon arose in the east.

Bandur held his hand up, he had seen the snow covered land move about 100ft in front of them. Forming an arrowhead formation the group moved off to the right, circling round a large single rock formation sticking out of the ground.

They hadn't gone far when the ground started to moved in a straight line towards Bandur. As the huge, horned behemoth burst from the ground Bandur managed to jump out of its way as it landed on Grog. Grog was pounded flat into the ground, an armoured rider on the creatures back struck out with its lance, 3 times.

Karion cast flame blade and prepared to attack, Aramil moved off to a flank and unleashed 5 bolts from his crossbow, all 5 bolts stuck into the thick hide of the creature. Anor and Bandur charged in, Grog too. The creature then leapt away and landed on Aramil, Aramil was pounded into the ground but the lance missed him. Again the others closed in and attacked, again the creature leapt away and fell on Grog again.

This time the group attacked as a group and the creature was felled. The rider was thrown to the ground and Anor, Bandur and the others pounced on him before he could rise and before too long the rider had joined the creature, dead. His clothing indicated he was a member of the Earth Cult. No doubt sent to find out what had happened to their missing Earth Cult members. Karion identified the mount as some form of Bulette

The body was searched.

He carried 130 gold pieces.

The group made it to Grogs tower without further incident. The horses were brought outside and Grog deactivated the tower. Placing the cube back in his pouch. They had a short ride to Red Larch, it being only 12 miles away. They arrived shortly before midday, for tomorrow was the last day of the month.

Session 95 & 96: "Come see the wonders........" or "Send reinforcements we're going to a dance!"

 28th day of Frostmoot: Mid-Day:

Mission:  Destruction of the Air Cult

Campaign: Elemental Cult Campaign

Location(s): Temple of Howling Hatred. 

Present: Aerie,  Anor,  Aramil,  Bandur, Garet, Grog, Karion,

Red Larch: Zindra, Fabien  & Fenn

The group entered the plaza in front of the gates of Tyr Besil (1). Garet quickly checked the gate in front of him and moved into the zig zag corridor (2), checking the arrow slits as he went. At times he waved the others to close. Again Garet took the lead, checking left and right he proceeded eastward, or so Bandur informed him.

The checked a room (3) with two massive wheels set into the floor, for operating some mechanism Bandur surmise, what mechanism remained unclear.  A Room (12) held a desecrated alter to Moradin, raised on a semi circular plinth. Again this room was empty, the elusive music seemed to follow them, leading them.

Numerous rooms (14) were checked, again all empty.

Garet led the way to (15) where the passageway stopped and a pool of water lay before them. Labouring in the water was a creature fearsome, yet magnificent, regal even. The Djinn wore a torn vest and ragged pantaloons. His noble countenance bore a stoic expression as he carved a boulder with stone carving tools. It was rebuilding a fallen wall, the music, feint, but discernible, seemed to emanate from this area.

Djinn: "Do not disturb me in my labours". He said without looking up. "What does she command now?"

The group looked puzzled.

Aerie: "Magnificent, and worldly wise we only seek information and help if you are able?".

Djinn: (looking up) "Ah, you are not of her. Alas I cannot tarry my work for she has summoned me and I must obey".

Aerie: "From whence did you come Oh Great one, and pray, what is your name?"

Djinn: "I am Ahtayir,  Torhild Flametongue, king of the Besilmer dwarves, possessed a horn that could summon me once every one hundred and one years. By the power of the horn, I or one of my kind were obligated to complete a single service or task. The palace quarter of the dwarven city was partly constructed by the djinni. When Aerisi Kalinoth discovered the horn, she commanded me to restore the dwarven city to its former glory. I work endlessly at this task, carving stone masonry and statuary and flying them through the cavern, reconstructing the city block by block." 

It was obvious by his tone that he resented this duty.

Aerie: " Why don't you , well just leave?"

Ahtayir: " I can’t escape it until the task is complete."

Aerie: "Is there anything we could do to help you noble Ahtayir?".

Ahtayir: "If you kill Her or destroy the horn that rests behind her throne then I will be free. If you do this I will give 3 wishes and each of you a gift. 

The group offered to do all they could to help. Garet led the group back to the corridor leading north with the pillars running up the centre (16).

The short pillar corridor ended in a small bridge over water, on the far side was the edge of a wall, Garet could just make out.

They advanced cautiously, Garet in the lead. Aramil, throwing caution to the wind, ran forward and threw his back against the wall. Garet could now make out it was a large stepped building, each level smaller than the one below, he could make out at least 1 other floor.

Before they could act a large winged, dragon looking creature with an armoured rider landed in front of Garet.

Wyvern Rider: (In an authoritarian voice), "I am Skyweaver H'ran Koll, who dares enter the Temple unbidden?"

Garet answered in the only way he knew how, slashing forward with both short swords. The creatures tail whipped around and struck Garet in the chest, a mighty, poisoned blow. Aerie took flight as Bandur tried to close to help.

Arrows and magic missiles rained down on the Wyvern and rider.

Garet was badly injured and shadow stepped out of the battle as Bandur and Anor charged in.

Grog turned to the front and launched a prayer as Aerie, Aramil, Anor and Bandur killed the Wyvern, H'ran Koll deftly jumped from the dead creatures back before it slid into the water shouting out:

H'ran Koll: "For that you die!"

Aerie landed by Garet and laid on her healing hands, his body slowly becoming upright and nearly back to his normal self as Aeries healing hands purged his body of the grievous injury and poison. 

Aerie: (whispering in Garets ear), "You can thank me later". 

Aramil's magic missile, combined with Bandurs battle axe and Anors Sword made short work of the overconfident H'ran Koll. He slid to the floor dead.

Garet now back in the lead, led the group right, along the wall of the building.

Garet came to a door (18) and opened it. Faced by 3 cultists he attacked one.

Garet jumped out of the room after killing the cultist and slammed the door.

Garet: "At least 6, maybe more, and some of those Priest types and Skyweavers, oh and more cultists! There's also some kind of wind/air vortex in the middle of the room, steps immediately left and right, up, and a door at the far end."

Anor: "Very comprehensive, now can I kick this door in and kill something?"

Garet: "Be my guest".

So Anor quite kindly kicked the door in and Garet moved into the room, Where are they, damn moved, he thought to himself. Anor followed Garet in. Aerie and Karion provided cover from the doorway.

The doorway jammed with Aerie and Karion, Bandur, Aramil and Grog started to run around the building making for the far door.

Witch Bolts and Lightning Bolts were ripping through the room as Karion and Aerie ran in as Bandur shoulder charged the other door off it's hinges and burst into the room, surrounded by 4 Cultists all looking menacingly at him!

Bandur wasted no time on charging a Skyweaver. Then slipped and his battle axe slammed into the floor causing some damage and reducing it's effectiveness. Grog cast a sorcerer spell as Garet closed in and killed 2 Cultists as Anor killed a 3rd.

The vortex was spinning faster.

Aerie dashed upstairs, Garet followed. Karion charged a Witch but could do nothing as he was out of breath. The witch screamed and slashed twice with her knifes, Grog moved to support Karion as Aramil killed the 2nd witch. The 2nd Skyweaver closed in on Armail.

Anor and Bandur killed the 2nd Skyweaver, as the Skyweaver dropped Anor could see 4 distinct shadows falling down, through the air vortex. Suddenly from the shattered door, more of the Air Cult appeared, Cultists led by a Skyweaver.

Anor activated his sword and a lightning bolt flashed out towards the skyweaver. It killed the 2 cultists behind but the Skyweaver seemed to shrug off the Bolt. Bandur could feel a prescience  behind him, he turned and there stood a gigantic, armoured air elemental, wielding a long chain with a spiked ball on the end. And the vortex had disappeared.

Bandur without hesitation swung his battleaxe twice into the Elemental. it seemed to pass through it's form with some ease but he thought he had caused some damage. Aramil faced the Skyweaver alone. Several cultists charged into the room, engaging Aramil, Anor, and Grog. Aramil cast burning hands and was rewarded by 3 of the cultists falling to the floor wreathed in flames, a Anor cried out in pain too, for he had been caught by the fiery blast from Aramil.

Karion changed into Dire Wolf form and attacked the elemental just as Bandur was hurled across the room by a mighty swing from the elemental facing him. Grog attacked the last cultist as Aramil and Anor killed the Skyweaver.

Anor charged the elemental and swung a mighty blow with his sword. Bandur followed up with 2 mighty swings of his battleaxe as Karion continued his attack in Dire Wolf form. The Elemental was destroyed.

With no more Cultists to deal with the group ran upstairs to assist Garet and Aerie (19). The chamber was a throne room, a dais and throne stood at one end, behind which was a gigantic dwarven statue holding a horn. Grog destroyed the horn with a few blows and as soon as it was destroyed Ahtayir the Djinn appeared in the room.

Ahtayir: "You have done well, you have kept your bargain, I will mine. I grant you 3 wishes, however I would ask that you use the last to return me to my home plane, for it is the only way I can return now the vortex is closed. I also give to each of you a bottle of air. You may have need of this. NOw to your wishes".

After some deliberation the group, through Aramil completed the 2 wishes.

Aramil: "We wish to know the exact location of the leader of the fire cult?"

Ahtayir: "Seek yee the Fane of the Eye, from there find the Temple of Eternal Flame, the leader is there."

Aramil: "We wish to know the exact location of the leader of the air cult?"

Ahtayir: "Seek yee the Fane of the Eye, from there find the Temple of Howling Caves, the leader is there."

Aramil: "We thank you for your assistance, We wish you to return to the Elemental Plane of Air".

With that Ahtayir the Djinn disappeared.

The group had been bloodied, battered but victorious. They would take a short rest of 4 hours before using their pendents to join Garet and Aerie.

 

Endpost:

After an uneventful 4 hours the group started preparing for the next part of the mission. Bandur looked down and said:

Bandur: "Chaps, I say chaps, we may have a problem!". 

He was holding up the central pendent which was now around his neck in place of his personal pendent.

28th day of Frostmoot: Late Evening:

After an uneventful rest the group picked themselves up and retraced their steps to the entrance to the underground. Although the going wasn't difficult it took some time.

By the time the group exited the tunnel/cave next t the flowing stream it was dark in the valley outside.