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<blockquote data-quote="CleverName" data-source="post: 1262706" data-attributes="member: 2591"><p><strong>Adventure 17 (6/18-19/497)</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Deadly Ascensions</span></p><p><em>by Copoc Kitzam (David Nickerson)</em></p><p></p><p></p><p>After Kanul Yat Balam had <em>hypnotized </em> the strange yuan-ti/ cimbri amalgamation named Cryda, and we had interrogated her thoroughly, it became clear that we would have trouble getting any useful information. I asked the wretched creature to give us one reason that we should not kill her immediately. She claimed to know of a secret entrance to the Nothroc's valley and offered to lead us to it in exchange for her life. Up until now we only knew vague directions to the Nothroc's vale -- a game trail leading east towards the mountains, a day's walk outside town. Cryda swore an oath to Gudlaug and the Druids that she would not fight us or help her brethren if they were encountered along the way. </p><p></p><p>The bloodlust was upon Kuldar. He was frustrated that the sorceress Bethune refused to be cleaved in our previous encounter, and I knew that his axe would soon put Cryda’s wicked spirit to rest. It mattered not. I suspected that any further aid we might receive from her would be unintentional. She had chosen her fate. At least the fanged mutation had provided a small amount of treasure that could be used to further our cause. We collected some +1 studded armor, a masterwork scimitar, 2 potions of Cure Serious Wounds, 20 platinum pieces, and 400 gold pieces before binding her fast and venturing out to finish our clean up of the barn and inn.</p><p></p><p>Big Nate was at the inn surveying the damage and we found Vykos dragging out the remainder of the slaves for a feast. I vowed silently not to masquerade as a slaver in the future, at least not in a way that would put innocents at risk.</p><p></p><p>We explained to Big Nate how we were assaulted in the inn by Cryda and her mistress Bethune. We also offered to pay restitution for the ruined barn. As Kuldar handled this well, and Gudlaug inquired of Nate as to where we might find the residence of Solviss, the Nothroc healer that had vanished from the town, and also that of our attacker, Bethune. We suspected that the two might somehow be connected. </p><p></p><p>It happened that Bethune resided some miles outside of town, so we decided to visit Solviss’ home first, before leaving. As Malcolm sought and removed the various traps protecting the healer’s dwelling, Big Nate glanced at our work from the porch of his inn across the street. He appeared to be stockpiling water buckets, perhaps to ward off future conflagrations. He shook his head and quickened his pace when Kuldar smashed the door open. </p><p></p><p>Soon we found ourselves in some sort of herb emporium, with narrow stairs leading up. Slowly ascending, Malcolm probed for traps once more. There was a yelping noise as Malcolm deftly dodged a wicked spike that was no doubt dripping with poison. He then announced that the place was now free and clear. The two rooms upstairs proved to be a bedroom and a lab of sorts, the walls covered with scrolls describing various herbal concoctions. I was regretting that I had failed to complete my training in herbal lore when a patch of writing on one of the scrolls caught my attention, pulsating rhythmically in a bizarre hue. As I approached the scroll, I silently thanked Kanul Yat Balam for bestowing upon me this magical vision. I could now see the various auras given off by enchanted items. I also imagined that I saw a snake uncoil from the scroll and strike at my neck. Momentarily startled, I shouted perhaps too loudly “Hey friends, I think I have located another trap!” Slightly annoyed at the laughter erupting from my comrades, I turned to see that Andreas and Dario had mysteriously joined Kuldar, Malcolm, Gudlaug, and our prisoner! </p><p></p><p>Confusing explanations followed, in which much was revealed. I was quite surprised to discover that I had indeed located a trap-and set it off! A <em>Sepia Snake Sigil</em> I was told. I had been cloaked in amber energy, unable to move or think. It sounded far fetched to be sure, but there was no other explanation. </p><p></p><p>Having finished with their pressing business in Ephesium, Andreas and his cohort Dario had scryed Gudlaug and then teleported to his side. Andreas had subsequently been able to free me from my prison, a fact that I am most thankful for and will remember.</p><p></p><p>We informed Andreas that we were hunting for the Nothroc, a sept (sub-tribe) of the Siluri in league with the yuan-ti, and that Kuldar had joined us at the request of Queen Nighean of the Vacomagi. We had only one clue -- that a yuan-ti operative named Krace was, or had been, embedded within the Nothroc. After recounting the story, Gudlaug focused his attention once more on Cryda.</p><p></p><p>“Did you ever have contact with Solviss?” he asked</p><p></p><p>“I saw her at the Nothroc village.”</p><p></p><p>“What is the connection between the yuan-ti and the Nothroc?”</p><p></p><p>“There are lots of Nothroc now loyal to the cause. The others are our prisoners.”</p><p></p><p>“What cause? Scaly supremacy?” blurted Andreas.</p><p></p><p>Cryda smiled and her brusied and bloodied fate was lit with some insane joy, "I was told that you destroyed a lesser leader of the Yuan-Ti, Wulvera. No matter. Krace was her better. Krace has layed the eggs of your kind's destruction all about you. Krace has restored to us, Galavesh, who is greater and more Terrible than any. You will join us, or die. The eggs are already hatching..." </p><p></p><p>Sickened at this point, Andreas described a hideous new spell that he had recently acquired called <em>acid fog</em>. If Cryda was intimidated, she still failed to speak more.</p><p></p><p>We were soon distracted from the interrogation as Malcolm discovered a cubbyhole behind the hanging scroll trap. It contained several additional scrolls detailing a list of herbs, and also a note written in cimbri questioning the need of some of the items. Someone had sent Solviss shopping.</p><p></p><p>I wasn’t sure if it was the recipe for a potion, but I did use my herbal knowledge to identify most of the ingredients. My teachers would be proud. Some of the herbs were not indigenous to this area, but common in the southern climes. Also there were some low grade narcotics and poisons- herbs that only kulkans cultivate as far as I know. Very strange. Malcolm also found lots of potion brewing equipment and sniffed out a secret compartment in the headboard of the bed. It contained scrolls in old cimbri, extremely fragile, that recounted tales or myths of the Nothroc. We took these as well as the ingredient lists.</p><p></p><p>After collecting our cart and donkeys we departed. We noticed two men leaving the Medocii fort and heading into town, but continued our trek for about three hours and then set up camp. </p><p></p><p>That night we studied and rested as Malcolm captivated us at the campfire with stories from the scrolls he had discovered. Two stories we found particularly interesting and perhaps relevant to our current quest. One described an ancient Cimbri tribe and their discovery of a mountain valley with one end filled with fetid swampland. They entered the valley and encountered a strange race, the ard-nothroc, which Malcomb translated as "noble serpents." These ram horned serpents formed a bond with the charismatic leader of the Cimbiri. The leader of the ard-nothrac presented the chieftain with his very daughter, and the Nothroc tribe was born of that union. The Cimbri continued to protect the ard-nothroc in exchange for the serpents' great wisdom and knowledge as alchemists and healers. </p><p></p><p>Another tale revealed a terrible civil war within the Nothroc tribe. Apparently a powerful creature "with a head like a nest of serpents" found its way into the vale and resided there for a time. Some of the nothroc tribesfolk fell under its sway and led some of the cimbri astray, effectively splitting the tribe an engendering a war. Finally the ard-nothroc rose up with their protectors and fought this creature. When the destruction had ended this agent provocateur had been bound up and sealed in a barrow.</p><p></p><p>The next morning we continued our journey with Cryda in the lead. She was apparently content to lead us to this Nothroc stronghold with its mysterious “back entrance,” and slyly neglected to make it clear that Bethune’s residence was in the opposite direction. At around midday we found ourselves in a clearing of sorts, deeply forested on both sides. (When a voice from the sky suddenly made inquiries about our marching order we knew that there would be trouble.) </p><p></p><p>Several of us heard a terrible whooshing din and we turned to see the very grass in our wake being flattened to the earth by an unseen force. This invisible blast approached too rapidly to dodge, and we were shaken to our core as a black dragon suddenly appeared, soaring overhead and laughing. A terrible miasma of acidic gas engulfed us and most of our poisons and all of our water spoilt. </p><p></p><p>Two of my potions of neutralize poison were clouded and I heard gasps of dismay from Malcolm and Kuldar as they lost potions as well. The dragon spun in the air ahead and I recognized a chance to test the mettle of one of my newer spirit allies- Ikali Mox, the Living Storm! Fingering Tempest, the ice blue gem that anchored Ikali Mox to this plane, I called upon her to rush toward the earth, pummeling the black wyrm with a column of turbulent air in an attempt to bring him before us. The <em>downdraft </em> failed and the dragon continued to fly unperturbed. Was it my imagination or did he glare at me? Still quaking inexplicably, I was unsure. Dario fired an arrow and missed. The black dragon hung in the air, laughing, and we could see that he was both horned and fanged, and also covered with a swirling patter of green scales. In retrospect, I felt rather fortunate that Ikali Mox had failed! </p><p></p><p>Gazing upward and with a mixture hope and fear Cryda cried out “Cyranog!”</p><p></p><p>“You know this wyrm?” shouted Kuldar, grabbing her arm.</p><p></p><p>“Of course! Cyranog helped Krace to unlock Galavesh’s prison and was rewarded with ascension, like myself! Now he guards the unascended traitors.” Cryda struggled to against her bonds. </p><p></p><p>Malcolm fired another arrow and missed. Cyranog laughed again, then retreated, lazily to the east just as suddenly as he had arrived. When would he return?</p><p></p><p>He was replaced, however, by three new reptillian shapes in the sky. I grasped my blade fashioned from the claw of a devil cat and implored Xmukane Kan to encase me once again in stoneskin. Just as the three wyverns descended, Bethune teleported several yards in front of us with four cimbri guardsmen. Gondoc appeared before me and chaos ensued.</p><p></p><p>Like a rabid pack of blink dogs, Gondoc’s spirit minions were leaping and snapping at his thighs and elbows, begging to be released into the fray. Deeming himself the master strategist, Gondoc directed me, or I should say commanded me , to attack the sorceress. I think he forgets sometimes who, exactly, is running the show! Maybe I have not gone toe to toe with the Black King after fighting my way through his dread nest, but I know a thing or two about who is posing a threat! Gondoc was happily preparing to release his <em>ghost dance</em> when Andreas dropped an acid fog on the sorceress and her four defenders. The towering spirit was disappointed at first, but seemed well pleased by the screams that soon erupted from within the sizzling mist. </p><p></p><p>“Save me mistress!” hollered Cryda, and began running forward. Kuldar, who was already charging, turned to yell, “Stay put wench!” When Cryda continued attempting escape, Kuldar rushed her and cut clean through her torso. So much for our guide.</p><p></p><p>Malcolm meanwhile continued firing at the wyverns, and several of his shots rang true. Suddenly the sorceress and three of her, now steaming, cohorts appeared behind us. We were all exasperated by this constant teleporting, so I had Xmukane Kan haste Dario in hopes that some extra speed would prove useful. As Dario hurdled toward Bethune she shouted in draconic for the wyverns to “get the sorcerer!” All three monsters swooped toward us, but luckily Gudlaug had prepared a chain lightening and was able to kill one while severely injuring another. Wailing in agony, the second wyvern closed on us, slashing me with its jagged claw. I was knocked aside, but hardly felt the blow through my stony flesh. Andreas roasted my attacker with a scorching ray before it could continue its assault while Kuldar and Malcolm decimated the third wyvern. </p><p></p><p>Stamping his feet and howling, Gondoc would be denied no longer! He released the spirit warriors of his ghost dance and they surrounded Dario, Bethune, and the three remaining cimbri. They seemed to be awaiting instructions so I directed them all at Bethune. The maddened pack tore into her immediately, ripping and raking with delight as they strove to drag her down. She screamed with rage and then <em>Bamf! </em> She was gone once more. </p><p></p><p>Xmukane Kan was growing jealous at the attention being given to Gondoc and urged me to enter a barbaric frenzy and demonstrate his might. Dario had already killed two cimbri, however, and the kulkan spirits were practically devouring the unfortunate one who remained, so I chose to refrain. I did not wish to become a liability or pose a threat to my companions. Xmukane Kan does much to protect me in battle and I will reward him soon with an impressive display of his barbarian rage. </p><p></p><p>All of the dead wyverns were <em>ascended</em>, covered with green scales and horns and other nasty protrusions. As we inspected the dead cimbri and collected our loot we discovered that they were mutated as well. We salvaged three mighty +2 longbows and some masterwork studded armor. The cimbri also had a total of nine potions. The vials were indeed surrounded by a magical aura, and strangely enough were labeled in a neat script as cure light wounds and cure critical wounds. </p><p></p><p>I withdrew from my comrades to bleed myself and make sure that Gondoc was sated He had surely proven himself to be a worthy ally. I noticed several crows circling a small cottage set in the woods and then returned to find Malcolm and Kuldar greedily drinking the potions. Suddenly Malcolm keeled over. He was pale and shaking and drooling a lot. I shook him but he did not respond. Before long he was green and well on his way to full blown <em>ascension</em>. Guldlag cast a neutralize potion, which seemed to slow the trasfromation. Andreas cast a <em>break enchantment</em> and that seemed to finally disrupt the transformation. Within minutes the weird coloration was gone and Malcolm appeared to be normal. </p><p></p><p>We inspected the remaining potions, all cure critical wounds. We discovered that these, and in fact all of the vials, were marked with the Nothroc symbol -- includig the ones taken from the orc slavers two days ago! Kuldar secured the tainted elixirs, claiming to be immune to any ill effects. This did not strike me as a good idea, but I must admit that Kuldar did not appear to ascend. At least not in the manner that Malcolm had experimented with.</p><p></p><p>We approached the cottage and were welcomed by the stench of charred flesh emanating from the corpses of fifteen Siluri. There was a damaged wagon and a strong box that had been cracked open. We assumed that there would be a Rogulkan mercenary waiting in Medoc for the second half of a payment that now would never arrive. Vycos would not be pleased. </p><p></p><p>Inside the cottage we uncovered two crates of neatly labeled vials- healing potions of deadly ascension. There was also a list of destinations including Silurus, Medoc, Trien, Perna, Arras & Laon. All checked off. </p><p></p><p>Now some of this began to make sense. The mastermind of this insidious scheme would start a war between the Cimbir, weakening both tribes and manufacturing troops for its cause at the same time. Gudlaug summoned two ravens and sent messages to the half ogre Vykos in Medoc. </p><p></p><p>The hastily scrawled parchment read: "Your payment is not coming. Someone has killed the messengers and stolen the gold, we found their bodies about 10 miles up the road towards Silurus. Beware potions marked with the horned serpent, they are poison." </p><p></p><p>Andreas also suggested that he send Kuldar and Gudlaud to deliver <em>dream </em> messages via a spell. It will be interesting to see what this means and how it will be accomplished. </p><p></p><p>Of all the spell users I have encountered in my travels none of them have been trained in the old ways. I have heard rumors of non-kulkan shamans, but in reality they seem not to exist. It is difficult to fathom, but I have witnessed these mammals harnessing magical forces -- powerful forces -- while bypassing the Spirit World entirely I feel that I must learn more. </p><p></p><p>None of my ancestors had this ability, but the Spirit World abounds with those who have followed this path. The lost souls of wizards and sorcerers and priests call out to me as other spirits, searching for a shaman to latch onto, desperate for a means of ingress into our world. Many are the emotions I sense in passing, with a mixture of motives. I must find one who can further the goals of Kanul Yat Balam. I will give him a peek, let him gain purchase in our reality and then see what he can teach me. As always, I look to my Guardian for guidance.</p><p></p><p>We gathered our goods together and set off towards where we believe the trail to the nothroc villiage lies, determined to get closer and then wait until nightfall when we have the best chance to have the dream spell function. The targets, Sativola and Nighean, must be asleep for the spell to work.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CleverName, post: 1262706, member: 2591"] [b]Adventure 17 (6/18-19/497)[/b] [SIZE=5]Deadly Ascensions[/SIZE] [I]by Copoc Kitzam (David Nickerson)[/I] After Kanul Yat Balam had [I]hypnotized [/I] the strange yuan-ti/ cimbri amalgamation named Cryda, and we had interrogated her thoroughly, it became clear that we would have trouble getting any useful information. I asked the wretched creature to give us one reason that we should not kill her immediately. She claimed to know of a secret entrance to the Nothroc's valley and offered to lead us to it in exchange for her life. Up until now we only knew vague directions to the Nothroc's vale -- a game trail leading east towards the mountains, a day's walk outside town. Cryda swore an oath to Gudlaug and the Druids that she would not fight us or help her brethren if they were encountered along the way. The bloodlust was upon Kuldar. He was frustrated that the sorceress Bethune refused to be cleaved in our previous encounter, and I knew that his axe would soon put Cryda’s wicked spirit to rest. It mattered not. I suspected that any further aid we might receive from her would be unintentional. She had chosen her fate. At least the fanged mutation had provided a small amount of treasure that could be used to further our cause. We collected some +1 studded armor, a masterwork scimitar, 2 potions of Cure Serious Wounds, 20 platinum pieces, and 400 gold pieces before binding her fast and venturing out to finish our clean up of the barn and inn. Big Nate was at the inn surveying the damage and we found Vykos dragging out the remainder of the slaves for a feast. I vowed silently not to masquerade as a slaver in the future, at least not in a way that would put innocents at risk. We explained to Big Nate how we were assaulted in the inn by Cryda and her mistress Bethune. We also offered to pay restitution for the ruined barn. As Kuldar handled this well, and Gudlaug inquired of Nate as to where we might find the residence of Solviss, the Nothroc healer that had vanished from the town, and also that of our attacker, Bethune. We suspected that the two might somehow be connected. It happened that Bethune resided some miles outside of town, so we decided to visit Solviss’ home first, before leaving. As Malcolm sought and removed the various traps protecting the healer’s dwelling, Big Nate glanced at our work from the porch of his inn across the street. He appeared to be stockpiling water buckets, perhaps to ward off future conflagrations. He shook his head and quickened his pace when Kuldar smashed the door open. Soon we found ourselves in some sort of herb emporium, with narrow stairs leading up. Slowly ascending, Malcolm probed for traps once more. There was a yelping noise as Malcolm deftly dodged a wicked spike that was no doubt dripping with poison. He then announced that the place was now free and clear. The two rooms upstairs proved to be a bedroom and a lab of sorts, the walls covered with scrolls describing various herbal concoctions. I was regretting that I had failed to complete my training in herbal lore when a patch of writing on one of the scrolls caught my attention, pulsating rhythmically in a bizarre hue. As I approached the scroll, I silently thanked Kanul Yat Balam for bestowing upon me this magical vision. I could now see the various auras given off by enchanted items. I also imagined that I saw a snake uncoil from the scroll and strike at my neck. Momentarily startled, I shouted perhaps too loudly “Hey friends, I think I have located another trap!” Slightly annoyed at the laughter erupting from my comrades, I turned to see that Andreas and Dario had mysteriously joined Kuldar, Malcolm, Gudlaug, and our prisoner! Confusing explanations followed, in which much was revealed. I was quite surprised to discover that I had indeed located a trap-and set it off! A [I]Sepia Snake Sigil[/I] I was told. I had been cloaked in amber energy, unable to move or think. It sounded far fetched to be sure, but there was no other explanation. Having finished with their pressing business in Ephesium, Andreas and his cohort Dario had scryed Gudlaug and then teleported to his side. Andreas had subsequently been able to free me from my prison, a fact that I am most thankful for and will remember. We informed Andreas that we were hunting for the Nothroc, a sept (sub-tribe) of the Siluri in league with the yuan-ti, and that Kuldar had joined us at the request of Queen Nighean of the Vacomagi. We had only one clue -- that a yuan-ti operative named Krace was, or had been, embedded within the Nothroc. After recounting the story, Gudlaug focused his attention once more on Cryda. “Did you ever have contact with Solviss?” he asked “I saw her at the Nothroc village.” “What is the connection between the yuan-ti and the Nothroc?” “There are lots of Nothroc now loyal to the cause. The others are our prisoners.” “What cause? Scaly supremacy?” blurted Andreas. Cryda smiled and her brusied and bloodied fate was lit with some insane joy, "I was told that you destroyed a lesser leader of the Yuan-Ti, Wulvera. No matter. Krace was her better. Krace has layed the eggs of your kind's destruction all about you. Krace has restored to us, Galavesh, who is greater and more Terrible than any. You will join us, or die. The eggs are already hatching..." Sickened at this point, Andreas described a hideous new spell that he had recently acquired called [I]acid fog[/I]. If Cryda was intimidated, she still failed to speak more. We were soon distracted from the interrogation as Malcolm discovered a cubbyhole behind the hanging scroll trap. It contained several additional scrolls detailing a list of herbs, and also a note written in cimbri questioning the need of some of the items. Someone had sent Solviss shopping. I wasn’t sure if it was the recipe for a potion, but I did use my herbal knowledge to identify most of the ingredients. My teachers would be proud. Some of the herbs were not indigenous to this area, but common in the southern climes. Also there were some low grade narcotics and poisons- herbs that only kulkans cultivate as far as I know. Very strange. Malcolm also found lots of potion brewing equipment and sniffed out a secret compartment in the headboard of the bed. It contained scrolls in old cimbri, extremely fragile, that recounted tales or myths of the Nothroc. We took these as well as the ingredient lists. After collecting our cart and donkeys we departed. We noticed two men leaving the Medocii fort and heading into town, but continued our trek for about three hours and then set up camp. That night we studied and rested as Malcolm captivated us at the campfire with stories from the scrolls he had discovered. Two stories we found particularly interesting and perhaps relevant to our current quest. One described an ancient Cimbri tribe and their discovery of a mountain valley with one end filled with fetid swampland. They entered the valley and encountered a strange race, the ard-nothroc, which Malcomb translated as "noble serpents." These ram horned serpents formed a bond with the charismatic leader of the Cimbiri. The leader of the ard-nothrac presented the chieftain with his very daughter, and the Nothroc tribe was born of that union. The Cimbri continued to protect the ard-nothroc in exchange for the serpents' great wisdom and knowledge as alchemists and healers. Another tale revealed a terrible civil war within the Nothroc tribe. Apparently a powerful creature "with a head like a nest of serpents" found its way into the vale and resided there for a time. Some of the nothroc tribesfolk fell under its sway and led some of the cimbri astray, effectively splitting the tribe an engendering a war. Finally the ard-nothroc rose up with their protectors and fought this creature. When the destruction had ended this agent provocateur had been bound up and sealed in a barrow. The next morning we continued our journey with Cryda in the lead. She was apparently content to lead us to this Nothroc stronghold with its mysterious “back entrance,” and slyly neglected to make it clear that Bethune’s residence was in the opposite direction. At around midday we found ourselves in a clearing of sorts, deeply forested on both sides. (When a voice from the sky suddenly made inquiries about our marching order we knew that there would be trouble.) Several of us heard a terrible whooshing din and we turned to see the very grass in our wake being flattened to the earth by an unseen force. This invisible blast approached too rapidly to dodge, and we were shaken to our core as a black dragon suddenly appeared, soaring overhead and laughing. A terrible miasma of acidic gas engulfed us and most of our poisons and all of our water spoilt. Two of my potions of neutralize poison were clouded and I heard gasps of dismay from Malcolm and Kuldar as they lost potions as well. The dragon spun in the air ahead and I recognized a chance to test the mettle of one of my newer spirit allies- Ikali Mox, the Living Storm! Fingering Tempest, the ice blue gem that anchored Ikali Mox to this plane, I called upon her to rush toward the earth, pummeling the black wyrm with a column of turbulent air in an attempt to bring him before us. The [I]downdraft [/I] failed and the dragon continued to fly unperturbed. Was it my imagination or did he glare at me? Still quaking inexplicably, I was unsure. Dario fired an arrow and missed. The black dragon hung in the air, laughing, and we could see that he was both horned and fanged, and also covered with a swirling patter of green scales. In retrospect, I felt rather fortunate that Ikali Mox had failed! Gazing upward and with a mixture hope and fear Cryda cried out “Cyranog!” “You know this wyrm?” shouted Kuldar, grabbing her arm. “Of course! Cyranog helped Krace to unlock Galavesh’s prison and was rewarded with ascension, like myself! Now he guards the unascended traitors.” Cryda struggled to against her bonds. Malcolm fired another arrow and missed. Cyranog laughed again, then retreated, lazily to the east just as suddenly as he had arrived. When would he return? He was replaced, however, by three new reptillian shapes in the sky. I grasped my blade fashioned from the claw of a devil cat and implored Xmukane Kan to encase me once again in stoneskin. Just as the three wyverns descended, Bethune teleported several yards in front of us with four cimbri guardsmen. Gondoc appeared before me and chaos ensued. Like a rabid pack of blink dogs, Gondoc’s spirit minions were leaping and snapping at his thighs and elbows, begging to be released into the fray. Deeming himself the master strategist, Gondoc directed me, or I should say commanded me , to attack the sorceress. I think he forgets sometimes who, exactly, is running the show! Maybe I have not gone toe to toe with the Black King after fighting my way through his dread nest, but I know a thing or two about who is posing a threat! Gondoc was happily preparing to release his [I]ghost dance[/I] when Andreas dropped an acid fog on the sorceress and her four defenders. The towering spirit was disappointed at first, but seemed well pleased by the screams that soon erupted from within the sizzling mist. “Save me mistress!” hollered Cryda, and began running forward. Kuldar, who was already charging, turned to yell, “Stay put wench!” When Cryda continued attempting escape, Kuldar rushed her and cut clean through her torso. So much for our guide. Malcolm meanwhile continued firing at the wyverns, and several of his shots rang true. Suddenly the sorceress and three of her, now steaming, cohorts appeared behind us. We were all exasperated by this constant teleporting, so I had Xmukane Kan haste Dario in hopes that some extra speed would prove useful. As Dario hurdled toward Bethune she shouted in draconic for the wyverns to “get the sorcerer!” All three monsters swooped toward us, but luckily Gudlaug had prepared a chain lightening and was able to kill one while severely injuring another. Wailing in agony, the second wyvern closed on us, slashing me with its jagged claw. I was knocked aside, but hardly felt the blow through my stony flesh. Andreas roasted my attacker with a scorching ray before it could continue its assault while Kuldar and Malcolm decimated the third wyvern. Stamping his feet and howling, Gondoc would be denied no longer! He released the spirit warriors of his ghost dance and they surrounded Dario, Bethune, and the three remaining cimbri. They seemed to be awaiting instructions so I directed them all at Bethune. The maddened pack tore into her immediately, ripping and raking with delight as they strove to drag her down. She screamed with rage and then [I]Bamf! [/I] She was gone once more. Xmukane Kan was growing jealous at the attention being given to Gondoc and urged me to enter a barbaric frenzy and demonstrate his might. Dario had already killed two cimbri, however, and the kulkan spirits were practically devouring the unfortunate one who remained, so I chose to refrain. I did not wish to become a liability or pose a threat to my companions. Xmukane Kan does much to protect me in battle and I will reward him soon with an impressive display of his barbarian rage. All of the dead wyverns were [I]ascended[/I], covered with green scales and horns and other nasty protrusions. As we inspected the dead cimbri and collected our loot we discovered that they were mutated as well. We salvaged three mighty +2 longbows and some masterwork studded armor. The cimbri also had a total of nine potions. The vials were indeed surrounded by a magical aura, and strangely enough were labeled in a neat script as cure light wounds and cure critical wounds. I withdrew from my comrades to bleed myself and make sure that Gondoc was sated He had surely proven himself to be a worthy ally. I noticed several crows circling a small cottage set in the woods and then returned to find Malcolm and Kuldar greedily drinking the potions. Suddenly Malcolm keeled over. He was pale and shaking and drooling a lot. I shook him but he did not respond. Before long he was green and well on his way to full blown [I]ascension[/I]. Guldlag cast a neutralize potion, which seemed to slow the trasfromation. Andreas cast a [I]break enchantment[/I] and that seemed to finally disrupt the transformation. Within minutes the weird coloration was gone and Malcolm appeared to be normal. We inspected the remaining potions, all cure critical wounds. We discovered that these, and in fact all of the vials, were marked with the Nothroc symbol -- includig the ones taken from the orc slavers two days ago! Kuldar secured the tainted elixirs, claiming to be immune to any ill effects. This did not strike me as a good idea, but I must admit that Kuldar did not appear to ascend. At least not in the manner that Malcolm had experimented with. We approached the cottage and were welcomed by the stench of charred flesh emanating from the corpses of fifteen Siluri. There was a damaged wagon and a strong box that had been cracked open. We assumed that there would be a Rogulkan mercenary waiting in Medoc for the second half of a payment that now would never arrive. Vycos would not be pleased. Inside the cottage we uncovered two crates of neatly labeled vials- healing potions of deadly ascension. There was also a list of destinations including Silurus, Medoc, Trien, Perna, Arras & Laon. All checked off. Now some of this began to make sense. The mastermind of this insidious scheme would start a war between the Cimbir, weakening both tribes and manufacturing troops for its cause at the same time. Gudlaug summoned two ravens and sent messages to the half ogre Vykos in Medoc. The hastily scrawled parchment read: "Your payment is not coming. Someone has killed the messengers and stolen the gold, we found their bodies about 10 miles up the road towards Silurus. Beware potions marked with the horned serpent, they are poison." Andreas also suggested that he send Kuldar and Gudlaud to deliver [I]dream [/I] messages via a spell. It will be interesting to see what this means and how it will be accomplished. Of all the spell users I have encountered in my travels none of them have been trained in the old ways. I have heard rumors of non-kulkan shamans, but in reality they seem not to exist. It is difficult to fathom, but I have witnessed these mammals harnessing magical forces -- powerful forces -- while bypassing the Spirit World entirely I feel that I must learn more. None of my ancestors had this ability, but the Spirit World abounds with those who have followed this path. The lost souls of wizards and sorcerers and priests call out to me as other spirits, searching for a shaman to latch onto, desperate for a means of ingress into our world. Many are the emotions I sense in passing, with a mixture of motives. I must find one who can further the goals of Kanul Yat Balam. I will give him a peek, let him gain purchase in our reality and then see what he can teach me. As always, I look to my Guardian for guidance. We gathered our goods together and set off towards where we believe the trail to the nothroc villiage lies, determined to get closer and then wait until nightfall when we have the best chance to have the dream spell function. The targets, Sativola and Nighean, must be asleep for the spell to work. [/QUOTE]
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