Zandyrium
Episode 53
The adventurers
teleported back into the Frost Giants’ glacial rift the following morning and proceeded to the lower level. There they found a very large cavern, apparently abandoned and continued going deeper into the rift. The cavern passageway opened into a cavern where the adventurers immediately viewed three giant skeletons splayed out on the ground. Near the skeletons they spied a large pile of gold and a man-sized shield.
“This smells like a trap,” Wassabe warned.
“I agree,” Githraldul replied. “Ginny, do you want to sneak up there and check it out?”
Ginny answered by skulking forward into the cavern. As she began probing the treasure pile and the area near the skeletons the snow and ice in the rear of the cavern began to move! Three hideous giant toads leapt forward to the attack, flicking savage cold tongues at the rogue.
The toads were unable to hit Ginny with their tongues but their bodies created such intense cold that it wounded her deeply. Heinrich rose up from the back of the group and shouted, “Ginny, incoming!” He then bathed the cavern in holy fire crisping the toads to death and wounding Ginny even more severely.
“I’m not sure what’s worse – the disease or the cure!” Ginny shouted at him.
“Be still,” Heinrich chided as he moved closer to her. He cast a number of curing prayers over her and brought her back to health quickly.
The group was befuddled by the giants apparent disappearance. They began retracing their steps. When they came back to the first large cavern they spied two Frost Giants each with a pack of five Winter Wolves on their trail.
“We may have lost their trail, but they are on ours,” Wassabe whispered.
“Not a problem,” Morguhn stated confidently.
KaBOOM – KaBOOM
Mercutio and Morguhn each launched fireballs. The reign of destruction vaporized the wolves and left the two Frost Giants reeling. The rest of the adventurers cleaned up rapidly and the Frost Giant hunting party was turned to charred flesh paste in less than five seconds.
“The question is – where did they come from?” Heinrich asked.
“The answer is – over here,” Githraldul answered standing next to a large boulder. The boulder was pushed away from the wall revealing a passage beyond.
The adventurers began exploring the passageway and found numerous empty caverns that had obviously recently housed giants. One of the passages ended in a very large boulder.
“Can your sand sprite travel through the crack and see what lies beyond?” Heinrich asked Mercutio.
Mercutio replied, “I should think so.” A quick arcane gesture and a spray of sand brought forth the desert fey. Mercutio instructed it to go into the chamber beyond and then return to report what it saw. The sand sprite trickled through the crack between the boulder and the wall and after a short time returned.
“What did it say?” Wassabe asked.
“That the largest giant ever seen in the short, miserable existence of mankind lies beyond that boulder,” Mercutio answered.
“It did not,” Justinius countered.
“Well, just the giant part,” Mercutio admitted.
The adventurers began preparing. Numerous enchantments were placed, contingencies were assessed, and finally the boulder was pushed aside to reveal a female Cloud Giant!
With two great strokes from her mace giantess nearly had Thoren down. Mercutio poured
scorching rays into her, while the clerics called forth holy fire. Githraldul punished her with a volley from the legendary bow
Bleeding Razor. Wassabe maneuvered around to her flank and he and Ginny took shots at trying to hamstring the giantess. Another couple of attacks from the giantess nearly killed Wassabe. Everyone could sense that one more such set of blows would mean death for someone.
A desperate series of ripostes from Wassabe and Thoren’s heavy blade spelled doom for the giantess. She teetered like a great tree, and then crashed to the ground. The adventurers let out a whoop of celebration.
“Uh guys?” Wassabe asked, “What if she was a prisoner of the Frost Giants?”
The members of the group began looking at each other realizing the thought had never occurred to them. Ginny then called out, “These chests of treasure would seem to indicate otherwise.” The rogue revealed the large chests lined with gold and gems.
The adventurers continued exploring, but they kept finding abandoned chambers. Areas that were clearly living quarters or places of occupation had recently been vacated.
“They are massing,” Githraldul suggested, “Readying themselves to make a stand for the Jarl and the stead.”
A trip down a large passage into a huge cavern confirmed Githraldul’s suspicion. The adventurers found themselves at the end of a magnificent 300-foot long cavern, lit on all sides by huge torches in sconces. Facing the stalwart band was 15 Frost Giants armed with ice boulders and the massive Jarl himself.
Githraldul led the melee off with a frightfully accurate volley of missiles that struck the Jarl despite intervening distance and cover. Thoren moved up to confront the closest group of Frost Giants and was rewarded by being charged by four of the giants. The giants took turns bonking Thoren in the skull and in short order the fighter was nearly dead.
The Jarl, sensing that the distance of the cavern was actually working against him took a vanguard of bodyguards and retreated out of the cavern.
Heirich put up a
blade barrier essentially cutting the chamber in half and permitting the group to concentrate on the closest half dozen giants. The usual volley of fire spells came forth from the casters spelling hot death for the giants. After Thoren and the rest of the group was cured up to snuff they undertook the pursuit of the Jarl; vaulting past the
blade barrier courtesy of Morguhn’s
dimension door.
Giants were one of Githraldul’s favorite preys to hunt and he unerringly led the adventurers down a corridor past a chamber holding Frost Giant women and children to an exit covered by a large fur.
“I think they are waiting on the other side of this,” Githraldul warned the group.
“Everybody get back,” Mercutio insisted and he then
disintegrated the fur. Githraldul stepped up to shoot a couple of arrows at the Jarl and his companions and was greeted with a massive sword reaching out and wounding him grievously.
“Everyone hold on to me!” Morguhn shouted and
dimension doored the entire group directly in the midst of the giants.
The giants first directed their wrath on Githraldul and a few seconds later the elven ranger was on the ground unconscious and bleeding. Dar was the next victim of the giants’ wrath, and very soon he too was on the floor unconscious and bleeding. Mercutio and Morguhn took flight to the upper reaches of the cavern and directed their fire magic at the giants to the best of their abilities. Things were a bit too tight for truly effective use of
fireball and the casters resorted to numerous
scorching rays.
Following another assault from the giants Wassabe and Ginny were on the edge of consciousness and struggling to stay upright. Thoren was hanging tough and had managed to down a couple of the Jarl’s bodyguards.
Heinrich decided it was time to take a risk. He dashed towards the side of the Jarl and endured a heavy hit from the Frost Giant king. The cleric then unleashed a
harm prayer. The effect was immediate and the mighty Jarl came crashing down. With their king dead the remaining bodyguards put up a futile resistance and were smitten in short order.
The adventurers saved their two downed companions and began the process of healing everyone. An exploration of the back of the cavern led to the discovery of Loremaster Grimsson with his head smashed in.
“He was alive just a few hours ago,” Dar exclaimed in sorrow.
“He will live again if he wishes and by the grace of Siegphorus and Delgrod*” Heinrich reassured his friend.
The adventurers also found a massive amount of loot in the chamber and the missing uberstahl.
Thoren crudely hacked the Jarl’s head off and marched into the common room full of the remaining male Frost Giants and the females and children. “Behold! We have slain the Jarl and only our kind hearts keep us from slaughtering all of you. Let this serve as a dire warning to any who would interfere with the mighty Dwarves of Verkorenvalt. Oppose us again on pain of
death!” Thoren tossed the head on the ground and returned to the rest of the adventurers fairly proud of his threat and warning.
The adventurers
teleported back to Verkorenvalt and Heinrich raised Loremaster Grogni Grimsson who complained bitterly about being called back from Delgrod’s Halls of Legend.
“Verkorenvalt needs you loremaster,” Dar stated.
“And that is the only reason I came back,” Loremaster Grimsson replied.
The adventurers were packing and arranging their treasures to return to Zandyrium when Heinrich received a
sending from Silcrass:
I have received a very important message for you. Please come see me as soon as possible.
Heinrich relayed the message to the rest of the group.
“Damn it all,” Wassabe complained, “I have some drinking and whoremongering to do!”
“A rest would have been nice,” Ginny agreed.
“You need to respond,” Mercutio said, “Tell him I’ll be there early tomorrow morning.”
Heinrich replied to Silcrass’s
sending:
We will be at your cave tomorrow at dawn.
Realizing they might only have a few hours in Zandyrium the adventurers hastily packed their belongings and then
teleported to the city gate.
*****
Primarch Granachus laid a hand on Justinius’s shoulder. “You look haggard Sacred Revealer.”
“I am,” Justinius admitted, “I must push on though. I wanted to stop by and present you and the temple with this.” Justinius opened a chest revealing thousands of gold.
“What’s this for?” the Primarch asked taken aback by the staggering wealth placed before him.
“A tithe of course,” Justinius replied grinning.
“You mean to tell me this is a
fraction of the gold you took from the Frost Giants?”
“A significant fraction,” Justinius replied.
“A blessing on you Sacred Revealer!” Primarch Granachus exclaimed. The Primarch gathered the gold and placed it in the temple’s safe. “I wish I could say we would use the funds to expand our temple or make other capital expenditures, but the truth is we have run a deficit for sometime.”
“I know,” Justinius stated flatly.
“Your contribution should keep us flush for a few years to come,” Primarch Granachus said. “Gravitas Morte has brought us so much peace in these last few days.”
“What else has happened while I was gone?” Justinius asked.
“A new Grand Vizier for the Emperor’s Throne was elected. A young man from the Pulanti family by the name of Cosimo.”
“The Pulanti family!” Justinius practically screeched.
“I know, I know, that was my initial reaction as well,” the Primarch admitted, “But he is calling for some significant and welcome changes. Earlier he called for the governing council to reinstate the Order of Temple Priority.”
“That was revoked before my time,” Justinius admitted.
“It was an order that required state controlled tithes to be directed to certain
essential temples to the health of the city. Naturally, our temple was on the list and we did not have to beg for alms like a destitute vagabond. Your tithe has alleviated much of that burden, thanks be to Gravitas Morte, but it would still be a welcome return to traditional support.”
“The Pulantis are dangerous,” Justinius said. “I do not trust them. When was the last time a Pulanti received the sacred ceremony of last rites?”
“Over 200 years ago when Eleonora was buried,” the Primarch replied.
“Exactly,” Justinius replied.
“I understand your concern, but Eleonora was given last rites before her husband Garzia had returned from sea. He wanted to raise her, but that was impossible because of the priests actions. It was a mistake.”
“There are rumors Garzia did have Eleonora raised in a different manner,” Justinius quipped.
“True, but there are always rumors. Take the late Emperor for example…”
“Ah yes,” Justinius interrupted, “I have some rather interesting news in that regard Father.” Justinius proceeded to tell the Primarch of the late emperor’s association with the Cult of Flame, Boethricus, and possibly the Great Pretender**.
“Well, well,” the Primarch mumbled, “And to think you are worried about the new Grand Vizier being corrupt.”
“I have a request,” Justinius said changing subjects.
“If it’s in my power,” Primarch Granachus replied.
“I would like to reserve a small open place below the temple,” Justinius said.
“Are you going to perform another summoning to bring a devil here?” Granachus asked.
Justinius raised an eyebrow,
”How did he know?” he thought.
Granachus sensing Justinius’s question said, “I could feel its presence. I trust your judgment, and if you must summon devils this may be the safest place to do so.”
“I am relieved by your understanding Father, but no, it’s not for a summoning. I just wish to have a space for the miracle
word of recall.”
“Your power in Gravitas Morte continues to grow,” Granachus mused. “Of course you are welcome to the space below the temple.”
“Thank you,” Justinius replied, “I will be heading to bed. I have to be somewhere at dawn tomorrow and a real down mattress will feel very good indeed.”
“Dust to dust Sacred Revealer,” Primarch Granachus said.
“Ashes to ashes Primarch,” Justinius replied and went off to bed.
*****
“So a deal was made?” Heinrich remarked to Bishop Polariate. The Bishop had just finished informing Heinrich about the Emperor’s council meeting and the election of Cosimo Pulanti as Grand Vizier.
“It would seem so,” Polariate replied. “On the positive side his first meeting with the ruling council went very well.”
“What do you know of Cosimo?” Heinrich asked.
“Little, very little,” the Bishop admitted. “General Kilphus has asked for a meeting with us tomorrow. He seems extraordinarily agitated – even for him.”
Heinrich sighed, ”Is there anyway he can meet tonight?”
“Why?” Polariate asked.
“I have to meet with Silcrass at dawn tomorrow. He said it was urgent.”
Bishop Polariate called an adept over and sent them with a message to the palace. He then invited Heinrich to dinner while they awaited the general’s answer. Following a dish of wild foul in a white gravy the General’s response came back agreeing to meet the clerics later in the evening.
*****
Wassabe had just finished reading the letter from Captain Isomara and took a long drink from his cup. He looked up at Rothlor sitting across from him.
There was a long silence and then Rothlor finally asked, “What do you think?”
“I haven’t a clue,” Wassabe admitted. “I’ve heard of whirlpools and strange conditions south of the Tropenmark, but never in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s very odd that they should occur in main currents. I have to agree with Isomara – this smells like witchery.”
“To what end?” Rothlor inquired.
“Who would gain from a slow down in trade or the destruction of trading ships?” Wassabe asked in return.
“Boethricus?” Rothlor suggested.
“You’re obsessed with old snakey aren’t ye’” Wassabe laughed. “Nah, I don’t think din Woad is behind this. It doesn’t seem like his style.
“Thray may not like us, but I don’t see how disrupting our trade would help them,” Rothlor said.
“900 gold ain’t bad fer a set of delays like ole’ Isomara faced,” Wassabe said looking down in the pouch Rothlor had presented him.
“Heirich won’t be pleased,” Rothlor commented.
“Disod spoiled him,” Wassabe agreed. “This whole whirlpool thing is going to have to wait. We’re headed to Silcrass’s tomorrow morning.”
“What for?”
“Don’t know. Ye’ want to come?” Wassabe asked.
“I will be available if you need me, but I am preparing for a trip of my own,” Rothlor responded.
“Where to?”
“Kalcedon,” Rothlor answered.
*****
“Thank you for meeting with us this evening,” Bishop Prolariate said.
General Kilphus grunted. “What do you think of the Pulantis?” Kilphus asked Heinrich.
“I don’t know, but my prejudice is unfavorable at the moment,” Heinrich admitted.
“You have good instincts,” Kilphus replied. “The new Grand Vizier just threatened me.”
“Oh,” Bishop Polariate said in real surprise, “How’s that?”
“He told me if I did not stop calling for war against Thray he would have me removed from office.”
Heinrich hesitated to respond. It was clear the General was indignant about the threat, but in his heart he agreed with the Vizier on this point. He spoke slowly, “Perhaps he wishes to get the house of Zandyrium in order before contemplating a foreign war?”
“That’s exactly what he said,” General Kilphus complained bitterly. “He wants us to concentrate on getting the city back to a position as a great trading power and a vibrant city before we waste resources in a war with Thray.
Waste! That is the word he said. He is so blind he cannot see the root of the problem is Thray!”
General Kilphus’s face was red and a vein was pounding so hard on his forehead Heinrich feared it might burst.
“General, you are one of my trusted friends. I respect your wisdom and knowledge greatly. However, I think the Vizier may be right.” Heinrich braced himself for the torrent of fury he expected to come forth from the General.
“It is clear who you have chosen to bed with Lord Protector,” Kilphus practically spat the last title.
“Do not take an abrasive stance General,” Bishop Polariate said. “Heinrich has given you a true opinion as a loving friend. Only a deceiver would agree with you and hold reservations in his heart.”
“If I want loving friends like you I can always go to Thray,” the General retorted.
“Now General…” Heinrich began.
“Good night Bishop. Good night Lord Protector. This conversation is at an end.” The General stood up and stormed out of the drawing room.
“I really wish I could side with him on this issue, but the Vizier is right frankly,” Heinrich said. Bishop Polariate nodded in response.
“Let us return to the temple and give prayers to great Siegphorus for strength and honor,” Bishop Polariate stated.
“Strength and honor,” Heinrich replied.
*****
Everyone gathered at the Priestess’s Barrel prior to the sun rising. The grumbling tavern keeper fixed the adventurers breakfast, but was brightened by the generous tips they laid out for him. Wassabe shared the information about the whirlpools and passed out shares to the founders of
Fortune’s Favor Trading House.
A quick *snap* and the group was
teleported to Bison Cave home of Silcrass and his mate Neolepta. The adventurers smiled at the sight of a dozen small spiderlings scrambling about on the webs.
“I see congratulations are in order,” Morguhn stated.
“Ah yes, thank you,” Silcrass replied. “It’s been a busy web, but Neolepta is most pleased.”
“Your
sending said it was urgent,” Heinrich said.
“Yes, I met with a friend the other night who I had not expected to see again,” Silcrass began.
“Who was that?” Ginny asked.
“Ampyx of the Green Vale,” Silcrass replied.
“Where?” Mercutio asked excitedly.
“I was sleeping. At least, I thought I was sleeping. Ampyx appeared to me and said the secrets of the Thraegian Covenant’s Criador the Magnificent – the Golem Maker were in jeopardy. A Chimeyan*** scouting party is searching for his lost fortress near the Thraegian Coast and they may find it. He said the consequences would be disastrous if they find it and many of the covenant’s most powerful secrets would be imperiled.”
“So this was a dream?” Justinius asked.
“Well, I thought so,” Silcrass admitted. “Until I found this the next morning.” Silcrass held a map out to the adventurers.
The map was a sketch of the Thraegian Coast with the five points of the Thraegian Covenant highlighted. The date of the map was during the high point of the Thraegian Wizard Covenant’s power some 300 years earlier. The Hold of Criador was circled. “I had never seen this map before and can only conclude that Ampyx left it for me.”
“I took the liberty of contacting Dirth and letting him know you might need his help,” Silcrass stated.
“I hate constructs,” Ginny complained bitterly.
“As do I, but it seems we have little choice,” Thoren added, “Where do we meet Dirth?”
“The Thray Agora,” Silcrass replied.
“At least I have been there,” Mercutio said, “Let him know we are on our way.”
A few moments later Mercutio cast
teleport and the group found themselves on the docks of Thray. “Interesting, I did not know Thray had magical protections like Zandyrium,” Mercutio stated.
The adventurers made their way through the bustling dock crowds to the Agora.
To be continued…
*Delgrod is the dwarven deity.
**Great Pretender is Orcus.
***Chimeyans are a hated race of pirates and slavers. They are distantly related to the Wood Elves of the northern hemisphere. The Chimeyans mainly haunt Southern waters and the unpredictable oceans around the tropenmarks.