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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
Welcome to the Halmae (updated 2/27/07)
- Thread starter spyscribe
- Start date
thatdarncat
Overlord of Chat
So did the party ever figure out exactly WHY there was an intelligent skeliton making arch in the basement of the keep? Or why the priests had been killed?
Or did they just take the loot and run?
Or did they just take the loot and run?
Fajitas
Hold the Peppers
thatdarncat said:
The bulk of the whys and wherefores were found in Petros's Journal. The Wraith Chieftan was a leader of the Go'nah-li, the Old Ones, barbarian tribes that lived in the Ketkath mountains before the Sovereigns came. As the Sovereigns pushed East towards the Halmae, they killed or forcibly converted all the Old Ones that they came across. As a result, the civilization of the Old Ones died out.
Based on their means of dress and appearance, Petros speculated that the non-skeletal undead, the wights, ghouls, and wraith that were responsible for the tragedy at Bountiful were risen Old Ones, avenging themselves against the Sovereigns and taking back the lands that were once theirs. The priests were slaughtered and the temple desecrated because the priests are the symbol and spirit of the Sovereignty (and, well, 'cause these guys were undead).
The Chieftan's precise motivations for creating skeletons that thought they were still alive were never explicitly determined, and, alas, he is no longer in any position to enlighten the party. Petros's best speculation is that he sought to create an unliving mockery of Sovereign society, an even worse horror than that which the Sovereigns visited on his people.
KidCthulhu
First Post
Boy, they've got issues.
spyscribe
First Post
Part the One-Hundred Thirty-Second
In which: loose ends are tied, an invitation is made, and the party boggles at their newfound wealth.
The party members take a couple of days to rest, recover their strength, and periodically stare at the pile of loot in Petros’ living room with stupid grins on their faces. Despite Anvil’s earlier words, they also spend some time cleaning the city’s temple.
In the keep’s vault, Eva found a large square of gold, heavily marred, but recognizable as what was once the centerpiece of the altar. Rather than attempt to replace it, Reyu uses shape stone to close the hole in the altar’s top and carve a holy symbol of Ketennek on the front.
The bodies found there are laid in repose, and the worst of the blood cleaned through judicious use of prestidigitation. Finally, the party stacks dry wood around the walls, ready to burn.
Petros sequesters himself in his private chambers at the top of his tower and the party does not see him at all for nearly two full days. When he finally descends, his hair is once again the rich black of his portrait, and he appears to have two whole arms. The party does notice, however, that his hands are both covered in black leather gloves, and his goatee remains bone white.
Petros quirks an eyebrow at the pile of treasure in his living room, then turns to the party.
“Thank you, once again for the service you have rendered me.”
“We have done only our duty under Ketennek’s Justice.”
“Nevertheless, your aid is much appreciated… Tell me, have any of you examined the artifact?”
There’s a pause.
“You mean, the one we broke that caused all the skeletons to fall apart?” Thatch asks.
“Yes.”
The party shrugs and shakes their heads. It seemed pretty well broken to them.
********
Petros and the group descend again into the keep’s kitchens. Everything is as they left it, and Eva, Thatch and Euro confirm once again that no treasure has been left behind.
Petros, meanwhile, turns to the broken remains of the bone arch and casts detect magic. Lira, never one to be left out where detecting magic is concerned, casts too.
What before appeared as a pile of fused human bones, now, under her magical sight is revealed to be… a pile of fused human bones.
“Ah ha!” says Petros triumphantly. “Fascinating.”
Lira squints. She really doesn’t see anything of particular interest.
“Look here,” Petros says, picking up a bone fragment and showing Lira its core. “The bones have been hollowed and filled with some other substance. It’s an aura like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
Now that Lira knows where to look, she can make out a faint magical aura coming from inside the bones. Although it is neither divine nor arcane in natures, it is also not unfamiliar.
“It’s—” Lira stumbles for words in her excitement. “It’s like the Big Not-Evil Rock. What did Chi’i call it? Gods’ Breath… but in little chunks. Like cement.”
Petros does not bother to conceal his surprise. “You have seen this substance before?”
Lira summarizes the group’s experiences with Gods’ Breath.
Petros listens thoughtfully. “If anyone would have had experience with this, I’m not surprised it was Chi’i. She has a particular interest in the… essence… of magic.”
“You know her well?”
“Passably. She sought me out first, to share spells and magical knowledge. More recently, I went to consult with her when I began to hear rumors of what had happened here in Bountiful.”
The party asks, but Petros has never met Barnabus, Manaal, or the Miyan Kai.
After some thought, Petros strikes upon a means of separating the Gods’ Breath from the other elements of the (now broken) artifact. Lira watches through cracked fingers as he casts some kind of very powerful transmutation spell which dissolves the bone covering and leaves a pile of God’s Breath chunks and loose dirt behind.
“Now,” Petros begins, “if someone could locate a broom…”
**********
That night the party shares a meal with Petros. A meal that perhaps would have been more tasty had the party not killed his butler, but when the chef can cast prestidigitation no dish is unpalatable.
Over dinner, the party members formally present Petros with an invitation to come to Dar Pykos to interview for the post of Chancellor of the Mages Academy.
Petros seems gravely concerned over the attack on the Academy that made necessary the search for a new chancellor.
“You may tell the search committee that I would be honored to meet with them regarding this post.”
“We shall,” Anvil replies with typical solemnity.
“Now then,” Petros continues as he pushes away his plate. “Might I ask what your plans are after you leave this valley? After the aid you have rendered me, the least I can do is help you on your journey.”
“Well,” says Lira, “I think our next step is to find Manaal—”
“And get rid of Gemil,” Eva reminds her.
“Right,” Lira continues, “But both of those require traveling to Ebis, first to wherever it is Gemil wants to go, and then…” she trails off. “I can’t remember the name of the city Chi’i mentioned where Manaal lived.”
“I wrote it down,” Annika reassures her.
Lira sighs. “Good.”
“But,” Reyu puts in, “Now that we know there are five archmagi, we are short an invitation. If we can, we should try to get another from Professor Alexandra.”
“It might also be wise to return to Dar Pykos for other reasons,” Anvil points out, looking significantly at Reyu and Benedic. Neither has fully recovered from the wounds they took at the hands of the wights in the keep, and if they do not get better soon they will require greater healing than he is capable of providing.
Petros considers. “If you like, I can take you to Dar Pykos, leave you time to procure this invitation, then return and take you on the next leg of your journey.”
“Really?” Thatch asks, “You don’t mind?”
Petros smiles. “It is hardly an undue burden.”
That settled, the only thing that remains is to lay the inhabitants of Bountiful to their final rest.
In which: loose ends are tied, an invitation is made, and the party boggles at their newfound wealth.
The party members take a couple of days to rest, recover their strength, and periodically stare at the pile of loot in Petros’ living room with stupid grins on their faces. Despite Anvil’s earlier words, they also spend some time cleaning the city’s temple.
In the keep’s vault, Eva found a large square of gold, heavily marred, but recognizable as what was once the centerpiece of the altar. Rather than attempt to replace it, Reyu uses shape stone to close the hole in the altar’s top and carve a holy symbol of Ketennek on the front.
The bodies found there are laid in repose, and the worst of the blood cleaned through judicious use of prestidigitation. Finally, the party stacks dry wood around the walls, ready to burn.
Petros sequesters himself in his private chambers at the top of his tower and the party does not see him at all for nearly two full days. When he finally descends, his hair is once again the rich black of his portrait, and he appears to have two whole arms. The party does notice, however, that his hands are both covered in black leather gloves, and his goatee remains bone white.
Petros quirks an eyebrow at the pile of treasure in his living room, then turns to the party.
“Thank you, once again for the service you have rendered me.”
“We have done only our duty under Ketennek’s Justice.”
“Nevertheless, your aid is much appreciated… Tell me, have any of you examined the artifact?”
There’s a pause.
“You mean, the one we broke that caused all the skeletons to fall apart?” Thatch asks.
“Yes.”
The party shrugs and shakes their heads. It seemed pretty well broken to them.
********
Petros and the group descend again into the keep’s kitchens. Everything is as they left it, and Eva, Thatch and Euro confirm once again that no treasure has been left behind.
Petros, meanwhile, turns to the broken remains of the bone arch and casts detect magic. Lira, never one to be left out where detecting magic is concerned, casts too.
What before appeared as a pile of fused human bones, now, under her magical sight is revealed to be… a pile of fused human bones.
“Ah ha!” says Petros triumphantly. “Fascinating.”
Lira squints. She really doesn’t see anything of particular interest.
“Look here,” Petros says, picking up a bone fragment and showing Lira its core. “The bones have been hollowed and filled with some other substance. It’s an aura like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
Now that Lira knows where to look, she can make out a faint magical aura coming from inside the bones. Although it is neither divine nor arcane in natures, it is also not unfamiliar.
“It’s—” Lira stumbles for words in her excitement. “It’s like the Big Not-Evil Rock. What did Chi’i call it? Gods’ Breath… but in little chunks. Like cement.”
Petros does not bother to conceal his surprise. “You have seen this substance before?”
Lira summarizes the group’s experiences with Gods’ Breath.
Petros listens thoughtfully. “If anyone would have had experience with this, I’m not surprised it was Chi’i. She has a particular interest in the… essence… of magic.”
“You know her well?”
“Passably. She sought me out first, to share spells and magical knowledge. More recently, I went to consult with her when I began to hear rumors of what had happened here in Bountiful.”
The party asks, but Petros has never met Barnabus, Manaal, or the Miyan Kai.
After some thought, Petros strikes upon a means of separating the Gods’ Breath from the other elements of the (now broken) artifact. Lira watches through cracked fingers as he casts some kind of very powerful transmutation spell which dissolves the bone covering and leaves a pile of God’s Breath chunks and loose dirt behind.
“Now,” Petros begins, “if someone could locate a broom…”
**********
That night the party shares a meal with Petros. A meal that perhaps would have been more tasty had the party not killed his butler, but when the chef can cast prestidigitation no dish is unpalatable.
Over dinner, the party members formally present Petros with an invitation to come to Dar Pykos to interview for the post of Chancellor of the Mages Academy.
Petros seems gravely concerned over the attack on the Academy that made necessary the search for a new chancellor.
“You may tell the search committee that I would be honored to meet with them regarding this post.”
“We shall,” Anvil replies with typical solemnity.
“Now then,” Petros continues as he pushes away his plate. “Might I ask what your plans are after you leave this valley? After the aid you have rendered me, the least I can do is help you on your journey.”
“Well,” says Lira, “I think our next step is to find Manaal—”
“And get rid of Gemil,” Eva reminds her.
“Right,” Lira continues, “But both of those require traveling to Ebis, first to wherever it is Gemil wants to go, and then…” she trails off. “I can’t remember the name of the city Chi’i mentioned where Manaal lived.”
“I wrote it down,” Annika reassures her.
Lira sighs. “Good.”
“But,” Reyu puts in, “Now that we know there are five archmagi, we are short an invitation. If we can, we should try to get another from Professor Alexandra.”
“It might also be wise to return to Dar Pykos for other reasons,” Anvil points out, looking significantly at Reyu and Benedic. Neither has fully recovered from the wounds they took at the hands of the wights in the keep, and if they do not get better soon they will require greater healing than he is capable of providing.
Petros considers. “If you like, I can take you to Dar Pykos, leave you time to procure this invitation, then return and take you on the next leg of your journey.”
“Really?” Thatch asks, “You don’t mind?”
Petros smiles. “It is hardly an undue burden.”
That settled, the only thing that remains is to lay the inhabitants of Bountiful to their final rest.
spyscribe
First Post
Part the One-Hundred Thirty-Third
In which: Bountiful burns, and we regain a missing member of our party.
The winter in Bountiful has been dry. The party has stacked wood at strategic points and worked out their strategy. Eva, Anvil, Benedic, Thatch, and Kiara hold torches.
Petros, Annika, Reyu and Lira stand ready to cast.
Petros begins to chant, weaving his arms in the complex gestures of one of the most powerful spells Annika has ever observed. As he finishes, a single lightning bolt leaps from his hands to the temple.
The bolt hits, and then fragments, branching out to light the surrounding buildings.
The party blinks collectively. Well, that would help defend the academy from its enemies.
Torches, a single lightning bolt from Annika, Reyu’s burning sphere, and Lira’s burning hands soon have the town ablaze. The group retreats to Petros’ tower.
Petros watches the smoking city with a certain amount of satisfaction. “I sill owe you a debt. Can I transport you to the next stop on your journey?”
“We are in need of an additional invitation for an additional wizard. We would be much obliged if you would transport us back to Dar Pykos, so that we might consult with our superiors,” says Anvil.
“That can certainly be done,” Petros replies. “It seems the fire is not in danger of spreading unduly. We can depart at once—“
“Wait!” Thatch cries out. All eyes turn to the young fighter. “What about Bob?”
Cue flashback:
The party originally left Bob in care of the dwarves of the Ironroot mines, planning to return there for him after the completion of their mission at the monastery at the Sharpstone Pass. When they decided to travel to Chi’i’s valley overland through the Ketkath instead, Anvil used the headband of sending to ask Olek Stoneshaper to send Bob to the coastal city of Cauldron, where the party planned to depart the Sovereignty. Of course, after meeting with Chi’i the party did not leave the area as planned, but instead traveled deeper into the Sovereignty in search of Petros.
All in all, Thatch and Bob have been separated for more than a month, and although Thatch has felt the absence keenly, other members of the party have apparently been preoccupied with other things.
End flashback.
Lira looks at Petros, a bit sheepish. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could we make a brief stop first?”
###
Inside the tower, Petros descends to the basement control room, while most of the rest of the party clusters around the second-story windows to watch what happens. Eva is especially determined not to blink.
Then, one moment she is looking out at the smoke rising over Bountiful, and the next there is a massive white flash… and then the window looks out into a stand of pines, boughs still heavy with late snow. She turns to Lira who had cast detect magic just before their departure.
“What did it look like to you?”
Lira is as eloquent as always: “Sort of like a teleport… but really big.”
The party thanks Petros again for making the stop and reassures him that they do not think their business in the city should take very long.
Petros waves off their concerns. “I will not be able to move the tower again until tomorrow in any event. And I certainly owe you the trip.”
Thatch, for one, is eager to be on the way. “Are we ready to go now?” he asks as the others fasten their coats and make sure holy symbols are safely hidden from view.
“Almost,” Anvil replies. He stops Lira before she reaches the door and places his hand on her forehead. “Kettenek,” he intones, “shield your brother’s servant from the eyes of those who would know her soul, and do her ill because of it.”
Lira feels a small pulse of magic followed by the feeling that a second invisible skin has settled over her own. It is not exactly unpleasant, but vaguely odd.
The party walks quickly and uneventfully to Cauldron. The city, they find, has been built inside the crater of a dormant volcano. It was something they could have guessed at, given the city’s full Sovereign name, “The City of the Cauldron of Our Lord’s Sleeping Fury,” but the reality is something to behold.
The gates of the city are positioned just on the crater ridge, and from them all roads lead down into the bowl-shaped depression in which the rest of the city is built. The party notices that the ground beneath their feet is distinctly warm from the geothermal energy that heats the entire city.
The party easily locates the dwarven quarter, where they find Bob safely being cared for at a smithy. Bob seems very pleased to see Thatch again, who is overjoyed at the long-awaited reunion. The dwarves are friendly and helpful, and Lira once again endears herself by chilling the keg they have set up for workday ale breaks.
In fact, the only odd hiccup in the excursion comes as they are leaving Cauldron and heading back to Petros’ tower.
Eva is walking along, trying to think Sovereignty-appropriate thoughts when a woman passing in the other direction hails her.
Eva stops. “Excuse me?”
The woman turns. “I’m sorry?”
“Did you say something?”
The woman quickly shakes her head. “No. I’m sure I didn’t,” and then hurries on her way.
Lira falls in beside Eva. “What happened?”
“I… I just thought she said something to me as she passed.” Eva rubs the center of her forehead absently, then realizes it feels warm under her fingers. Her eyes widen. “Alirria said I would know her children in Cauldron, because her mark was on me, and then she kissed me, right here.” The realization strikes her then that woman didn’t say anything. She just heard it, in her head as she passed.
Lira follows Eva’s line of thinking. “She must have been one of Master Genichi’s people.”
The woman is not yet out of sight, and before she disappears around the bend, Lira manages to discretely cast detect magic. The woman radiates a faint abjuration aura, but nothing else. Lira shrugs. With Anvil’s spell in place she also radiates a faint aura of abjuration.
They decide to let the woman continue on her way. Once outside the city, Anvil uses the headband to contact Master Genichi and ask if the group can be of any service while they are in the area.
The reply comes back, All is well with us. You have done more than enough for us already. Our thanks and blessings are with you.
The party returns to Petros’ tower sometime after dinner. They cook for themselves outside—and invite Petros to join them—and then return to the tower to sleep.
Well, everyone except for Thatch, who—fearful his horse will think he has been abandoned again—stays with Bob under the stars.
In which: Bountiful burns, and we regain a missing member of our party.
The winter in Bountiful has been dry. The party has stacked wood at strategic points and worked out their strategy. Eva, Anvil, Benedic, Thatch, and Kiara hold torches.
Petros, Annika, Reyu and Lira stand ready to cast.
Petros begins to chant, weaving his arms in the complex gestures of one of the most powerful spells Annika has ever observed. As he finishes, a single lightning bolt leaps from his hands to the temple.
The bolt hits, and then fragments, branching out to light the surrounding buildings.
The party blinks collectively. Well, that would help defend the academy from its enemies.
Torches, a single lightning bolt from Annika, Reyu’s burning sphere, and Lira’s burning hands soon have the town ablaze. The group retreats to Petros’ tower.
Petros watches the smoking city with a certain amount of satisfaction. “I sill owe you a debt. Can I transport you to the next stop on your journey?”
“We are in need of an additional invitation for an additional wizard. We would be much obliged if you would transport us back to Dar Pykos, so that we might consult with our superiors,” says Anvil.
“That can certainly be done,” Petros replies. “It seems the fire is not in danger of spreading unduly. We can depart at once—“
“Wait!” Thatch cries out. All eyes turn to the young fighter. “What about Bob?”
Cue flashback:
The party originally left Bob in care of the dwarves of the Ironroot mines, planning to return there for him after the completion of their mission at the monastery at the Sharpstone Pass. When they decided to travel to Chi’i’s valley overland through the Ketkath instead, Anvil used the headband of sending to ask Olek Stoneshaper to send Bob to the coastal city of Cauldron, where the party planned to depart the Sovereignty. Of course, after meeting with Chi’i the party did not leave the area as planned, but instead traveled deeper into the Sovereignty in search of Petros.
All in all, Thatch and Bob have been separated for more than a month, and although Thatch has felt the absence keenly, other members of the party have apparently been preoccupied with other things.
End flashback.
Lira looks at Petros, a bit sheepish. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could we make a brief stop first?”
###
Inside the tower, Petros descends to the basement control room, while most of the rest of the party clusters around the second-story windows to watch what happens. Eva is especially determined not to blink.
Then, one moment she is looking out at the smoke rising over Bountiful, and the next there is a massive white flash… and then the window looks out into a stand of pines, boughs still heavy with late snow. She turns to Lira who had cast detect magic just before their departure.
“What did it look like to you?”
Lira is as eloquent as always: “Sort of like a teleport… but really big.”
The party thanks Petros again for making the stop and reassures him that they do not think their business in the city should take very long.
Petros waves off their concerns. “I will not be able to move the tower again until tomorrow in any event. And I certainly owe you the trip.”
Thatch, for one, is eager to be on the way. “Are we ready to go now?” he asks as the others fasten their coats and make sure holy symbols are safely hidden from view.
“Almost,” Anvil replies. He stops Lira before she reaches the door and places his hand on her forehead. “Kettenek,” he intones, “shield your brother’s servant from the eyes of those who would know her soul, and do her ill because of it.”
Lira feels a small pulse of magic followed by the feeling that a second invisible skin has settled over her own. It is not exactly unpleasant, but vaguely odd.
The party walks quickly and uneventfully to Cauldron. The city, they find, has been built inside the crater of a dormant volcano. It was something they could have guessed at, given the city’s full Sovereign name, “The City of the Cauldron of Our Lord’s Sleeping Fury,” but the reality is something to behold.
The gates of the city are positioned just on the crater ridge, and from them all roads lead down into the bowl-shaped depression in which the rest of the city is built. The party notices that the ground beneath their feet is distinctly warm from the geothermal energy that heats the entire city.
The party easily locates the dwarven quarter, where they find Bob safely being cared for at a smithy. Bob seems very pleased to see Thatch again, who is overjoyed at the long-awaited reunion. The dwarves are friendly and helpful, and Lira once again endears herself by chilling the keg they have set up for workday ale breaks.
In fact, the only odd hiccup in the excursion comes as they are leaving Cauldron and heading back to Petros’ tower.
Eva is walking along, trying to think Sovereignty-appropriate thoughts when a woman passing in the other direction hails her.
Eva stops. “Excuse me?”
The woman turns. “I’m sorry?”
“Did you say something?”
The woman quickly shakes her head. “No. I’m sure I didn’t,” and then hurries on her way.
Lira falls in beside Eva. “What happened?”
“I… I just thought she said something to me as she passed.” Eva rubs the center of her forehead absently, then realizes it feels warm under her fingers. Her eyes widen. “Alirria said I would know her children in Cauldron, because her mark was on me, and then she kissed me, right here.” The realization strikes her then that woman didn’t say anything. She just heard it, in her head as she passed.
Lira follows Eva’s line of thinking. “She must have been one of Master Genichi’s people.”
The woman is not yet out of sight, and before she disappears around the bend, Lira manages to discretely cast detect magic. The woman radiates a faint abjuration aura, but nothing else. Lira shrugs. With Anvil’s spell in place she also radiates a faint aura of abjuration.
They decide to let the woman continue on her way. Once outside the city, Anvil uses the headband to contact Master Genichi and ask if the group can be of any service while they are in the area.
The reply comes back, All is well with us. You have done more than enough for us already. Our thanks and blessings are with you.
The party returns to Petros’ tower sometime after dinner. They cook for themselves outside—and invite Petros to join them—and then return to the tower to sleep.
Well, everyone except for Thatch, who—fearful his horse will think he has been abandoned again—stays with Bob under the stars.
Len
Prodigal Member
I've had the same problem with my ranger's mount in our Eberron game. It seems that all of the published adventures are written to showcase Eberron's magical technology, so there's lots of "Quick! You must jump onto this train/blimp/submarine/mage-bred horse immediately!" My horse missed out on three whole adventures that way.spyscribe said:
spyscribe
First Post
Happy Birthday WisdomLikeSilence! May this year bring even more than you could hope for.
Part the One-Hundred Thirty-Fourth
In which: we bid a not-so-fond farewell to the Sovereignty of Kettenek, and make a welcome return to Dar Pykos.
The next morning, Reyu casts reduce animal on Bob so that he can be more easily transported inside the tower. Bob seems rather nonplussed to suddenly be shorter than Thatch is. Euro is thrilled.
Hey Boss, you tell her next time, just a little bit smaller, right? That horse thinks he’s so big.
Euro, he is that big.
Not now he’s not, Boss!
Petros brings his tower to a forested area a few hours’ walk from Dar Pykos. Although the party invites him to come with them to the city, he demurs.
“I am not certain that it would be… appropriate… for me to meet your city representatives without the others present.”
The party accepts his regrets and heads out, promising to return soon to haul away their accumulated loot. Petros—for his part—has business of his own to attend to elsewhere, but he promises to return in a week and bring the party as far as he is able on their quest to fulfill their obligation to Gemil, and find the next archmage, Manaal. The party will take the time to re-supply and find out what they can about the Empire of Ebis
The party enjoys their walk over fallow fields on their way to the main road to Dar Pykos. Alirria Rising is only a few days away, and out of the mountains, it is obvious that spring is nearly here. The sun is shining, the air is warmer, and as she walks, Lira takes her holy symbol out of her blouse and lets it hang openly around her neck. Eva digs hers out of her pack and does likewise.
Once they pass the city gates, the party’s first stop is the Temple of Justice where Anvil immediately goes barging into the quartermaster’s office to requisition a cart and mule to help haul their treasure back to the city.
The quartermaster grudgingly accedes to the request, although he cannot resist calling after Anvil’s back: “Bring them back this time!” Anvil also presses two young acolytes (Novices David and Howard) into service for help with loading and hauling. The young men are amply rewarded on the walk out and back with all the stories they would like to hear about the Ketkath, and Sovereignty, and even details about the Mages’ Academy fire, apparently still looming large in the public consciousness.
As Anvil expounds upon the blight of undead that had overrun Bountiful, Lira turns to Eva. “You know,” she says, “I’ve been thinking.”
“Yes?” Eva prompts.
“We’ve got a lot of money—”
Eva completes the thought herself. “—We should go to Dar Karo and spend some of it.”
The rest of the group is in hearty agreement.
###
The party returns to the Temple of Justice that evening, just around dusk. As they approach, they notice that more than a few Justicars have left their studies to see their arrival, and they are soon beset with more offers of help from willing acolytes than they could ever need.
They also find many messages waiting for them.
The one message addressed to the entire party asks them to see Professor Alexandra at the Mages’ Academy to report on their progress. The next morning, they go to do just that.
###
As they approach the Academy grounds, the party members cannot help but notice that major construction work has taken place since the fire. Specifically, the Academy grounds have been surrounded by a high stone wall.
Lira feels her stomach sink. “So much for being a part of the community.”
The wall is bare stone slapped together with heavy mortar. Some minor effort has been made to finish the exterior surface, but clearly, whoever constructed it was more concerned with the barrier’s structural properties than its aesthetic ones.
Anvil gives it an approving nod. “It is a good thing,” he offers.
“What?!?”
He meets Lira’ outraged expression with his usual calm demeanor. “Things that are different should be kept separate from each other.”
“So we should just put all arcane casters in a box and forget about them?” Lira asks.
Anvil starts to answer, but thinks better of it. Lira glowers, but lets it drop.
Inside, the buildings decimated by fire five and half months ago are starting to be rebuilt. The rubble has all been cleared away, and the grass in the main quad is starting to push up new, light green blades.
Still, the place has an air of a school under siege. Students and professors hurry from one building to the next, intent on their business. Most glance warily at the party as they pass, or whisper among themselves, but no one comes up to greet the newcomers.
Eventually, Annika is able to flag down a friend and ask where they can find Professor Alexandra.
The Professor has a new office, and although she is less harried than she was in the immediate aftermath of the attack, a permanent fatigue has settled itself around her eyes. The party’s arrival gets a smile though.
“So,” she begins once everyone is settled, “there are five archmages of the Halmae?”
“So we are told,” Reyu replies.
The party tells her what they can of Chi’i and Petros, and also of their adventures in Bountiful. The mood in the room lightens considerably as Thatch recounts charging across the field after Anvil in rabid pursuit of farming skeletons.
“… and the skeletons are bookin’ it across the field and we’re running after them, and Anvil has got his holy symbol out and yelling, ‘Lira! You should practice this!’”
The Professor laughs, although she seems a little confused. “But Lira can’t turn undead,” she points out.
“Sure can’t,” Eva snickers.
Lira elbows her, blushing.
Professor Alexandra, in her many years of classroom management, has learned to pick up on the subtle signs that indicate she isn’t being told something. “What’s going on?”
Lira squirms under the collective gaze of the entire room.
“Well… I kind of can… I mean, Eva’s right, I’m no good at it, but…” Lira sighs. “While we were in Chi’i’s valley, I… I started casting divine spells.”
Professor Alexandra raises an eyebrow. “Really?”
Everyone nods. “I set myself on fire,” Lira elaborates.
“Fire fire,” Annika adds.
“It’s okay, though, she healed herself afterwards,” Kiara puts in.
“There are other people who can do that too, right?” Lira asks. “I mean, I can’t be the only arcanist in the world who casts divine spells.”
Professor Alexandra clears her throat. “Well, to my knowledge… you are.”
“Oh.”
The group sits in silence for a few moments. Professor Alexandra tries to change the subject. “So, any other exciting discoveries on your journey?”
“Well, Chi’i offered to make Lira not a sorcerer anymore.”
Another pause.
“Oh.”
Part the One-Hundred Thirty-Fourth
In which: we bid a not-so-fond farewell to the Sovereignty of Kettenek, and make a welcome return to Dar Pykos.
The next morning, Reyu casts reduce animal on Bob so that he can be more easily transported inside the tower. Bob seems rather nonplussed to suddenly be shorter than Thatch is. Euro is thrilled.
Hey Boss, you tell her next time, just a little bit smaller, right? That horse thinks he’s so big.
Euro, he is that big.
Not now he’s not, Boss!
Petros brings his tower to a forested area a few hours’ walk from Dar Pykos. Although the party invites him to come with them to the city, he demurs.
“I am not certain that it would be… appropriate… for me to meet your city representatives without the others present.”
The party accepts his regrets and heads out, promising to return soon to haul away their accumulated loot. Petros—for his part—has business of his own to attend to elsewhere, but he promises to return in a week and bring the party as far as he is able on their quest to fulfill their obligation to Gemil, and find the next archmage, Manaal. The party will take the time to re-supply and find out what they can about the Empire of Ebis
The party enjoys their walk over fallow fields on their way to the main road to Dar Pykos. Alirria Rising is only a few days away, and out of the mountains, it is obvious that spring is nearly here. The sun is shining, the air is warmer, and as she walks, Lira takes her holy symbol out of her blouse and lets it hang openly around her neck. Eva digs hers out of her pack and does likewise.
Once they pass the city gates, the party’s first stop is the Temple of Justice where Anvil immediately goes barging into the quartermaster’s office to requisition a cart and mule to help haul their treasure back to the city.
The quartermaster grudgingly accedes to the request, although he cannot resist calling after Anvil’s back: “Bring them back this time!” Anvil also presses two young acolytes (Novices David and Howard) into service for help with loading and hauling. The young men are amply rewarded on the walk out and back with all the stories they would like to hear about the Ketkath, and Sovereignty, and even details about the Mages’ Academy fire, apparently still looming large in the public consciousness.
As Anvil expounds upon the blight of undead that had overrun Bountiful, Lira turns to Eva. “You know,” she says, “I’ve been thinking.”
“Yes?” Eva prompts.
“We’ve got a lot of money—”
Eva completes the thought herself. “—We should go to Dar Karo and spend some of it.”
The rest of the group is in hearty agreement.
###
The party returns to the Temple of Justice that evening, just around dusk. As they approach, they notice that more than a few Justicars have left their studies to see their arrival, and they are soon beset with more offers of help from willing acolytes than they could ever need.
They also find many messages waiting for them.
The one message addressed to the entire party asks them to see Professor Alexandra at the Mages’ Academy to report on their progress. The next morning, they go to do just that.
###
As they approach the Academy grounds, the party members cannot help but notice that major construction work has taken place since the fire. Specifically, the Academy grounds have been surrounded by a high stone wall.
Lira feels her stomach sink. “So much for being a part of the community.”
The wall is bare stone slapped together with heavy mortar. Some minor effort has been made to finish the exterior surface, but clearly, whoever constructed it was more concerned with the barrier’s structural properties than its aesthetic ones.
Anvil gives it an approving nod. “It is a good thing,” he offers.
“What?!?”
He meets Lira’ outraged expression with his usual calm demeanor. “Things that are different should be kept separate from each other.”
“So we should just put all arcane casters in a box and forget about them?” Lira asks.
Anvil starts to answer, but thinks better of it. Lira glowers, but lets it drop.
Inside, the buildings decimated by fire five and half months ago are starting to be rebuilt. The rubble has all been cleared away, and the grass in the main quad is starting to push up new, light green blades.
Still, the place has an air of a school under siege. Students and professors hurry from one building to the next, intent on their business. Most glance warily at the party as they pass, or whisper among themselves, but no one comes up to greet the newcomers.
Eventually, Annika is able to flag down a friend and ask where they can find Professor Alexandra.
The Professor has a new office, and although she is less harried than she was in the immediate aftermath of the attack, a permanent fatigue has settled itself around her eyes. The party’s arrival gets a smile though.
“So,” she begins once everyone is settled, “there are five archmages of the Halmae?”
“So we are told,” Reyu replies.
The party tells her what they can of Chi’i and Petros, and also of their adventures in Bountiful. The mood in the room lightens considerably as Thatch recounts charging across the field after Anvil in rabid pursuit of farming skeletons.
“… and the skeletons are bookin’ it across the field and we’re running after them, and Anvil has got his holy symbol out and yelling, ‘Lira! You should practice this!’”
The Professor laughs, although she seems a little confused. “But Lira can’t turn undead,” she points out.
“Sure can’t,” Eva snickers.
Lira elbows her, blushing.
Professor Alexandra, in her many years of classroom management, has learned to pick up on the subtle signs that indicate she isn’t being told something. “What’s going on?”
Lira squirms under the collective gaze of the entire room.
“Well… I kind of can… I mean, Eva’s right, I’m no good at it, but…” Lira sighs. “While we were in Chi’i’s valley, I… I started casting divine spells.”
Professor Alexandra raises an eyebrow. “Really?”
Everyone nods. “I set myself on fire,” Lira elaborates.
“Fire fire,” Annika adds.
“It’s okay, though, she healed herself afterwards,” Kiara puts in.
“There are other people who can do that too, right?” Lira asks. “I mean, I can’t be the only arcanist in the world who casts divine spells.”
Professor Alexandra clears her throat. “Well, to my knowledge… you are.”
“Oh.”
The group sits in silence for a few moments. Professor Alexandra tries to change the subject. “So, any other exciting discoveries on your journey?”
“Well, Chi’i offered to make Lira not a sorcerer anymore.”
Another pause.
“Oh.”
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