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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mathew_Freeman" data-source="post: 1573722" data-attributes="member: 1846">[Note to readers - I was away for the second part of the Frost Giant Jarl's expedition, and for the fight against the dragon.] Xiang's Account Xiang had been summoned into the presence of Duke Kanor. It had been a few days since the two had spoken, the Duke having been very busy with his new responsibilities. As Xiang entered the Duke's rooms he noticed both Cailin White - newly promoted to Commander - and King Sigurd. A priest of some sort was accompanying Sigurd, and it soon became apparent that Kanor had negotiated his presence to help speed the integration of the former Scornic League territories into the Overkingdom. Kanor spoke quickly and eloquently, as always, explaining that the Oakshield Dwarves who had been central to the Battle of Jarrikig had asked for a favour in return. Xiang, Sigurd, Cailin and a small force of human knights were to head to the Dwarven Halls and help them. No further details were given at the moment, but Kanor did take Xiang aside before the group left and inform him that he was responsible for the reputation of Kanor and the Borderlands. Xiang knew that this meant he had to maintain his concentration and diplomatic skills - minor though they were - during all that was to come. The journey was swift and simple, taking a barge most of the way. The Dwarves met them at the designated point, and escorted the group into a large meeting hall, hidden away in the mountains. Xiang and the others were introduced to Queen Tori Oakshield and Captain Konerk, as well as the sage Fillum. In addition, Xiang was pleased to see Leo, Tarquin, Fjorent and Raven! Explanations were quickly given as to the nature of the problem. A race of creatures named Duergar - similar to dwarves but twisted and evil - had kidnapped several dwarf miners. It was the culmination of hundreds of years of battling, deep under the mountain, but the Dwarves suspected this time the Duergar were planning something greater. Raids had been increasing, and fragments of lore suggested that this might be the foretelling of something greater and more terrifying, and according to the Dwarven Sage, something that could threaten the surface world above as well. Xiang distinctly caught Leo rolling his eyes theatrically at this point at the claims the sage was making. The Wizard had clearly done some research of his own, and proceeded to explain what he knew of the powers of the Duergar. Xiang listened carefully, but realised that there was little he could do to affect the likely tactics, except possibly to negate some of the Duergars more outlandish powers by killing them as quickly as possible... The following morning the party left for the deeper parts of the Dwarven halls and further on to the tunnels beneath. Leo provided a darkvision spell that allowed everyone to see in the darkness under the earth, and apart from a few bruised shins early on the group quickly adapted. Cailin and a dwarven scout named Hled guided everyone on, with Cailin's new ranger accomplice Deorn bringing up the rear. He seemed a quiet but competent sort. The Dwarf knew exactly what he was doing, guiding them unceasingly towards the Duergar raiding party. Several times he referred to creatures living in side tunnels, and the two other dwarves sent to accompany him (Korbon and Balto) also explained unnusual features as they passed by. Xiang was interested in the names and alleged powers of the various creatures mentioned, and awed at the scale of the tunnel left behind by a creature called a Purple Worm. Balto enjoyed explaining that he once saw a Purple Worm swallow whole a dwarf that was fighting it before being overcome. After some hours of travelling, Cailin held up a hand, indicating cessation of movement and silence. She crept forwards, out of sight, then returned quickly and described a group of large creatures ahead, apparently eating on the remains of some sort of fight. Leo dredged up the name "Children of the One" from somewhere in his exhaustive knowledge of history and arcane matters. These creatures were likely to be tough in a fight. Fjorent asked for a few moments to summon a friendly spirit to help her. Xiang had not seen this before, yet after a minute or so the rock bulged up from the floor into the shape of a large humanoid ape-like hunk of rock. She named his as Black Rock Ape. The group determined that a volley of magical power followed by a group charge would be the best way to make the fight quick and decisive. Leo stepped forwards and killed all but two of the creatures with a single Chain Lightning. There was a short, shocked pause as everyone realised what had happened, then Black Rock Ape charged forwards by himself and slaughtered the last two. The group moved forwards and investigated the remains, finding that a group of dwarven miners had attempted to break free of their duergar enslavers and managed to kill two before dying themselves. Cailin and Deorn thought that the smell of rotting flesh had possibly attracted the other creatures to feed. Taking the armour of the dead Duergar (in order that the dwarves in the party have the tools to attempt a deception later in time) and after saying a short prayer over their dead brethren, the party moved on further into the tunnels, before finally camping that night. The night passed peacefully, although in the morning Cailin announced she didn't need the darkvision spell today. Her tatoos that improved her archery abilities had now adapted to the darkness, granting her the ability permanently! Leo looked like he was itching to investigate this, but restrained himself. With practiced ease, the group was up and ready to go quickly, and continued following the trail. Another day of travelling, hard marching. It reminded Xiang of some of his training in Mount Fire. After years of fighting, travelling and fighting again, he didn't mind the long days, but he wondered how some of the others were getting on. No one complained, or said much at all. Tension ran through the party. Another period of sleep. The following day real progress was made. Cailin noticed a huge stone bridge spanning a huge chasm, and guided the party across. Dwarven inscriptions told that it was Maugraign's Hall, the outer levels of it anyway, an ancient hall that had been lost. The dwarves were mightily impressed, but kept their focus. A side ledge led down into the chasm, but the tracks the party were following carried on ahead. Cailin moved forwards again, only to return quickly and announce a huge cavern ahead, filled with Duergar campfires. Xiang briefly entertained the idea of battling an entire army, but quickly dismissed it. Frontal attacks with no preparation almost always failed. But at this point Fjorent showed her worth once again. Moving everyone back, she summoned another spirit, this one much smaller and named Stolid Cave Guide. The spirit took the party (after some negotiation with valuable gemstones) back down the ledge into the chasm and onwards, saying it could find a way around the huge cavern ahead. Apart from a short scuffle with a group of flying reptilian creatures that were beaten off fairly quickly, the group eventually found itself standing next to the bottom of the chasm and raging river. Magical flight and shape shifting got the group further on, although Stolid Cave Guide had to be left behind. Fjorent summoned another guiding spirit - Green Cloud Fish, she called him - to help them again. This one seemed much greedier! Xiang was feeling like he needed to hurt something, the Black Spear shifting quietly in his hands, and he got his chance. A short corridor on led to a wedged shut door, behind which sounds of movement could just about be hurt. Sigurd, Raven and Xiang had a short conversation which ended with Raven charging the door bodily and with Sigurd and Xiang's help. The door burst open under the impact, and as the dust settled Xiang just about had enough time to see a group of trolls on the other side...before four of them threw nets, entangling him. Incredibly, Raven and Sigurd managed to avoid the nets entirely, and battle was joined. Between a flame strike, a haste and a calm emotions, together with some close combat work, the trolls were defeated with little mopping up required. Xiang managed to engage one briefly, but it was an unfufilling fight in many ways. More exploration followed, leading to a blank wall. Cailin thought she could find a secret door, but no way of opening. Leo stepped up and used his ring of earth to passwall through and let the group continue. A few minutes later Hled and Cailin froze in place, then Hled dropped to the ground. Tarquin cried out that Cailin was in trouble, and the group charged forwards under the light of a daylight spell. The Duergar patrol was butchered in no uncertain fashion as Sigurd and Fjorent took them apart, leaving no survivors. Once again, Xiang was left with nothing to do. After recovering the body of Hled - punctured by several arbalest bolts - the group returned to the room with the secret door and rested again. Fjorent summoned a final spirit, Baron Ghost Bear, to follow the trolls that had escaped the party earlier and to wreak any havoc he wished. Xiang envied her array of allies. Deorn set magical wards to awaken everyone should anyone approach. [The end of the session]</blockquote>

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