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.
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.
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