Reconstructive Surgery - remembering a 5-year old adventure
[ Hecatomb 17th – Day 31 ]
After breakfast, each of the characters is found by a messenger bearing a note from the Fiery Blades. There is an urgent mission that they have been requested for, and it requires their immediate attention. This is odd to each one, since employment at the Exchange has always been very relaxed. It sparks their curiosity, and soon enough each stands in Felinca’s office, listening to her mission.
There is a need for a certain variety of celestial magic, one that can only be obtained from Mount Celestia. Killian groans inside as he listens to the details of the task unfold. Someone has need for spells known as ‘Crown of Flame’, and they have recruited the Blades to obtain them post-haste. Felinca does not order them to go, but she stresses the importance of the mission and the need to leave promptly. Quinn, Tira and Killian converse among themselves, and they agree after a suitable payment is reached. The characters are provided with a hefty amount of jink to barter with for the magicks. Felinca does advise that on this plane, good deeds are likely to earn as many favors as jink will buy. She provides the location of a portal, saving them that portion of the quest.
The characters grab their travel garb and head to a tavern called Aurora in the Market Ward. Inside they find large common rooms separated by arched doorways. They are greeted by an attractive female tiefling named Krista, half-owner of the bar. She offers them some of their fare, interesting meals with recipes and foods from certain Prime spheres. They regretfully pass, grabbing an ale before they try to locate the portal. They inquire about the portal, and she tells them that it is within the third archway. She offers to provide the key for a small price, since they weren’t going to buy lunch. Gold changes hands and she gives them a silver-plated dinner knife. Krista says it won’t be consumed from use, and it is a return key if they can reach the portal. No one thinks to ask what she means by reaching the portal…
Through the portal they go, and they are unceremoniously dumped into an ocean of clear silvery water under a starlit nighttime sky. The transition throws them off, and Quinn and Killian find themselves struggling to stay aloft. Tira tries to assist, but she’s also concerned about her bow and other items getting soaked. The weight of his weapons makes Quinn’s struggle difficult. As he begins to sink below the waves, he considers throwing them away…
And gentle arms wrap around each of their waists, pulling them above the surface of the tranquil sea. Rubbing the water out of their eyes, they see that arms do not hold them, but instead tentacles. A yellowish-green creature with the torso of a man and the lower half of an octopus smiles at them and holds them safely in the air. It introduces itself as Nemren, a humble zoveri servant. He tells them that it is his duty to prevent the unwary from drowning in the Silvery Sea without just cause. The zoveri is quite cheerful, and all too happy to ferry the party to the shore. Soon enough, Nemren deposits them on the shores of Solania and departs.
After a bit of walking, they come upon a group of petitioners working to travel up the mountain. The petitioners invite the trio to come along, which prompts a discussion among the three. It is quickly decided that to best ascend this mountainous plane, they should find other travellers and journey with them. Tira has an inkling of the philosophies of the plane, and that invoking good deeds may be the best way to travel. Given the inherent nature of the trio, relying on others seems to be their best bet. They accompany the group, each trying to help the others along. When a wagon wheel gets wedged in the rocks, Quinn is there to help move it along. Tira acts in a social capacity, getting to know the friendly petitioners. And Killian strives to keep his thoughts in check, practicing meditation when he has the chance.
The journey is expected to be peaceful, so it is a surprise when a group of clockwork creatures – modrons – march across the pass and directly towards the group. Quinn tries to push the wagon and others along quickly to move out of the way, but it is not enough to avoid the tide of creatures. The modrons act quirky and violent, and start a combat with those in their way. The three rush to defend the others, even though they are outnumbered by the living spheres and pyramid.
At first the battle seems overwhelming because of the solid tactics of the modrons and their razor sharp swords. Quinn calls out maneuvers to Tira, involving switching up on their enemies and doing rather chaotic actions to bring them down. Killian looks for ways to sneak attack the pyramid-shaped tridrone, but its numerous eyes follow his every movement. The strength of the creature knocks Killian to the ground, but he manages to stab his short sword through the bottom of the pyramid.
The petitioners are hesitant to involve themselves in any violence, but when the force appears overwhelming, a few of the men dogpile on the remaining monodrones and take them down. They survey their losses once the modrons are dispatched and find that only one of the petitioners was slain. The others do not despair, knowing that his soul has departed to join with the plane.
Continuing onwards, a few hours of travel upshore brings the group to the Monastery of Inner Light, a place where one of the petitioners suggested that they could receive the ‘Crown of Flame’ spell. They say farewells to the petitioners, who continue their trek up the mountain. The guards at the gate are pleased to see them, but they regreat to inform them that only archons, the celestial spirits of the realm, are admitted into the monastery. The trio pushes their case, attempting to gain sympathy from the guards. They do tell them of petitioners and the like who have signed recommendations allowing safe conduct. These can be obtained from Alamiel, a lammasu from the town of Heart’s Faith. The trio is disheartened, but they resolve to travel to this new town and obtain the neccesary permit.
The trip to Heart’s Faith is much easier and without problem. Heart’s Faith is a well-sized town built into the steep cliffside over the sea. They are greeted by a pair of majestic lammasu that patrol the gates. These two are part of the Winged Lions, the lammasu guardians of the city. The guards are aggressive, taking a keen eye to Quinn and Killian as potential evildoers. They note the signs of recent battle and give stern warnings to the group against such actions in town. They give the distinct notion that they will be watching every action of the group. Irritated, the trio continue into the town.
After the battle and several hours of legwork, the trio decide that it would be a good idea to rest for a few hours before they press onward. They learn that the nighttime skies of Lunia are a perpetual feature, so they won’t be losing out on any daylight. They secure lodgings at the Ironshod Mount, a clean inn near the front edge of the town.
) but the book is filled with great ideas!
