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Message: <blockquote data-quote="CleverName" data-source="post: 1237724" data-attributes="member: 2591">Adventure 11The Wonders of Jormunsteinnby Copoc Kitzam (David Nickerson)No sooner than White Dragon had crushed the life from the vile sea hag Abashag, we prodded the corpse for treasure.  Unfortunately, several potions were demolished, but we collected a ring of protection, a scroll bearing the spells Haste, Dispel Magic, and Fly, and a ring with the Three Mother’s insignia, slightly bent, but holding three magnificent opals.  Also, we recovered the coveted  Horn of Triton Summoning- possibly the cause of the thwarted sahuagin invasion.  Determined not to make the same mistake twice, we burned  Abashag to black ash and crunchy bone fragments before sailing back to Jormunsteinn.  May her vile spirit dwell forever in the Shadow Realms!There was much commotion in the streets, a bizarre mixture of jubilant and mournful dekkalfar.  Many paid their respects to those lost in the battle while others reveled in drink and games, overjoyed to find themselves alive.  I noted one particularly boisterous group of dwarves erecting wrought iron hoops mounted on poles and arranged at varying heights.  They wielded mallets forged of a wide variety of metals to propel sahuagin heads, which were surprisingly aerodynamic, through the hoops.  We asked for an attendant to conduct us to Brathor Goldenhand and we were soon approached by his son Uller, who was directing the massive and increasingly smelly clean up.  Instinct urged me to consume the flesh of my fallen foes, but even I was repulsed by its foul stench.  Perhaps I am becoming “civilized?“  After giving him the horn to deliver to his father, we went our separate ways.  Gudlaug sought others of his faith, Malcolm went out to join in the revelry, and I retired to my inner sanctum to commune with the spirit of Kanul Yat Balam.  It had been too long since I had visited my people, so I inquired about their well-being and voiced my concerns that the dreaded black kulkans might return soon to terrorize my village.  Kanul Yat Balam assured me that all was well and that I was indeed following his path.  He then requested to be further enlightened by the rare extravaganza of capering dekkalfar, and so I slipped into the night and rejoined Malcolm just in time to witness the tabletop finale of his unprecedented yet inspiring performance. The ballad (i.e., drunken spectacle) went something like this…(Currently awaiting Remi’s insert)The night was not a loss, however, as Malcolm gleaned some interesting information about the Iconian Ambassador Sir Narses Mandormenos Spartanos.  He had resided in Jormunsteinn for ten years, was fluent in all of the faerie languages, and appeared to be in Brathor Goldenhand’s inner circle.  This was apparently unusual for a human.  He also had a sister named Bacauda who was lobbying for an Iconian temple in Jormunsteinn.  The next morning a loud banging brought me to instant alertness.  Hoisting my greatclub, I invoked the Fury of Yax Che Mal.  Gudlaug, who had slipped in during the night, opened the door for a bleary eyed dekkalfar who promptly summoned us to convene in two hours time at the citadel of Eorl Brathor Goldenhand.  After I had chosen favored allies from my increasingly impressive spirit entourage and my comrades had otherwise busied themselves, the dwarf returned and we were led into Brathor’s Citadel.  The stone dwellings silently boasted exquisite craftsmanship, though many passages were confining at times and rather difficult to navigate.  They were splendid nonetheless.When we were presented to the eorl, he was studying gems and referencing passages in a large tome.  He was dressed immaculately, with hints of Iconian garb.  Finally he looked up, introductions were made, and many thanks were offered.  Brathor acknowledged us as heroes and presented us with finely crafted dekkalfar bracelets.  Also he gifted Gudlaug with a war hammer, Malcolm with a dagger, and me with a sleek and deadly longspear.  Brathor then inquired about our part in the battle and was suitably impressed until Malcolm cleverly dropped the name of Abashag.  Brathor’s jaw dropped, his beard further polishing his already lustrous boots.  The eorl appeared shocked to learn that the sea serpent was employed by the sea hag.  Did Uller not tell him what had transpired?  The ensuing conversation was both puzzling and frustrating, a battle of wits, with both parties vying for information while attempting to reveal nothing.  We did learn that Brathor knew of the Coven of the Three Mothers, and had watched their power grow in his lifetime.  He believed they were now commanding vessels of undead!  He was also familiar with Abashag, calling her the Mother’s progeny, and seemed genuinely relieved that we had killed the hideous monster.  Again.  And burned her this time.  All in all it was a very strange conversation, and raised as many questions as it answered.  Was the whole invasion simply a diversion?  An opportunity for Abashag to claim the horn?  Was this just the beginning of an insidious campaign directed by the Three Mothers?  Perhaps the most troubling revelation was the apparent lack of communication between father and son.  It was a very strange conversation indeed.Before long Brathor Goldenhand’s mood seemed to lighten.  He thanked us again and mentioned that the Iconian ambassador, Sir Narses, would like to meet with us as well.  As we prepared to leave he extended sincere wishes that we remain upon the island for the Festival of Nott, the dekkalfar goddess of spirits and the night.  It was to take place in three days on the isle’s opposite shore.Kanul Yat Balam’s appearance was forceful and sudden.  He urged me to focus, hinting at a possible traitor in the midst of the dekkalfar.  A conspiracy with Abashag!  The Horn of Triton Summoning was supposedly well hidden.  How did Abashag know where it was?  Who could have divulged such information?  I warned my comrades to be wary.  Advice from Kanul Yat Balam, no matter how vague and obscure, is not to be taken lightly.  And this had been his most straightforward revelation ever!Slightly unnerved, we kept our appointment with the Iconian ambassador.  We were well met by Sir Narses, and thanked profusely for our part in the previous day’s drama.  Suspecting that we had suffered physical trauma, and obviously unaware of my rapport with the healing spirit Nak Te Kan, Sir Narses offered to heal us and return us to our previous vitality.  He introduced his sister, Bacauda, and she requested to do a spell on me.  I agreed, as indeed I still felt the effects of Abashag’s withering gaze and was quite curious to witness the magic of a human.  Immediately I felt nothing.  No restored vitality.  No resurging strength.  Gudlaug snickered.  I am ever wary of those professing his faith.  Perplexed and slightly annoyed, I resolved to summon Nak Te Kan soon but said nothing.  Bacauda then smiled and promptly restored my strength.  Soon we were regaled with a sumptuous and delectable eight course meal.  Inevitably, the conversation settled upon the world of spirits.  Bacauda asked if spirits were good or evil.  I chuckled inside.  If only it were that simple.  In vain, I attempted to describe the nature of spirits and the countless wonders of the hidden world in which they dwell.  I extolled the Fury of Yak Che Mal, touted the unwavering strength of the mountain spirits, and raved over the fathomless wisdom of the deep sea dwellers.  Finally Gudlaug suggested that I summon the spirit of a spoon.  I attempted this with humility and good humor, and surprisingly the tiny spirit was not dormant.  It greeted all, claiming to have been awakened during its transformation into a spoon.  It was extremely chipper, content to transport soups and other tasty morsels to salivating apertures.  Of course no one present could see the wee sprite and it was not powerful enough to physically manifest itself.  The humans immediately washed the spoon and took it away to be revered.  By Kanul I know not if they mock me or if they just suffer the oblivious fate of the spiritblind!  I forget sometimes how life can be without the spirits.  But it is of no matter.  I live to serve Kanul Yat Balam, unfazed by the ridicule of others.  If he sees fit to reveal himself solely to Copoc Kitzam then so be it!  Forgive me.  I return to my tale.Following the delightful meal, Bacauda revealed that she had enveloped me earlier in a spell meant to detect evil.  Quickly, so as not to offend, she explained that the serrated claw hanging from my neck had aroused her suspicions and had indeed, she claimed, been touched by evil.  I gazed at the black appendage of  Dalas Salik, razor sharp and wickedly efficient.  I turned to Bacauda, and everyone present, and assured them that the claw posed no danger and that in fact, its spirit had proved invaluable in our struggle against the sahuagin, freeing our vessel from the water elemental that held it fast.Kanul Yat Balam has bade me to use Dalas Salik’s powers to further his goals, and this I will continue to do , secure in the knowledge that Dalas Salik is safely contained, regardless of her nature.  Still, I will remember Bacauda’s words.Up until the moment we left, the ambassador and his daughter continued to thank us.  We were presented with three potions- Remove Curse, +3 Weapon Enhancement, and Heroism- along with some delicious and juicy oranges.  As a final gesture, Bacauda offered me a copy of the  Logotheum, the holy book of Logos.  I will study it and learn what I can.  Perhaps it will shed some light on how the humans, among others, have become such a powerful force in this world, supplanting the vast and ancient Kulkan Empire.Sated and ready to face our next challenge, we departed to find horses for our journey to the island’s opposite shore and the intriguing Festival of Nott.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=DM's Note: Keith (playing Andreas and his cohort, Dario) found a job just before this adventure so, we had Sir Narses ask Andreas and Dario to bear tidings of the twarted attack on Jormunsteinn to the Iconians officials in Ephesium. He took a lock of Gudlag's hair to later scry the group and attempt to rejoin them (assuming his job schedule allowed.)  So now I was down to running a game with basically a rogue, a druid and a shaman. It was going to make figuring EL's a little tricky...FYI: Adobe pdf of city notes: <a href="http://webpages.charter.net/wpeacock/palaestra/Haradrak.pdf" target="_blank">Haradrak (279 kb)</a></blockquote>

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