A Hidden Crypt, the Northern Army, Defying a Queen, and a Rescue
07 Newkolt 349 AC
Note: The Temple of Kiri-Jolith is based on "The Ghost Blade" from the 3rd edition Dragonlance Campaign Setting Sourcebook, modified for level and to fit the plot of our current campaign.
AT THE ABANDONED TEMPLE OF KIRI-JOLITH
Grotto shoots Lorraine a look. It takes a few quick blows of the pick to break the door open. The pieces fall away, dropping down into the hoke, revealing a stairway of shaped earth, leading downwars into the earth. "But there you sit! Let's get moving then." Grotto draws his throwing axe and enters the darkness. Grotto can see that the room at the bottom of the stairs has a floor made of packed dirt.
Lorraine takes a breath, "I think I'm going to wait up here. I am far too old to go traipsing around some dungeon."
EN ROUTE TO THE DRAGON ISLES
Ag'nesallynn flies north, carrying Arthur for several hours before she spots the glint of metal and the massed banners of Silvanesti below. She slows and descends to the forest floor, resuming her elven form. The pair picks their way through the woods, eventually coming upon a large encampment of close to some 500 warriors, all clad in mail and armed with spears, bows, and swords. Several bear wounds of varying degrees of severity and Agnes spots several healers from Lorraine's hospital tending to the troops. Wizards of all robes, mostly white and red with the rare black mixed in, roam through the camp as well, all moving with an evident sense of purpose.
A young healer runs toward the pair as they arrive. She reaches them, gasping excitedly, "Have you come to join us?" Arthur looks at the girl, he recognizes her but can't quite recall her name... Maescia, perhaps. Or, maybe... Saria?
Whatever her name may be, she is already launching into her story, "... and then the hobgoblins fell back, not wanting to face us in battle. Everything was going well until the Draconians arrived. They fought like savages, stabbing with their spears and biting like possessed animals. Whenever one of our warriors felled one, they transformed into stone statues, trapping the weapon that killed them."
Agnes frowns, "How many troops are here? Where did they come from?"
"Saria" smiles, "King Lorac. It turns out he didn't believe that Ariakas had any intention of honoring their pact and was secretly building an army behind the backs of the Council! He's had ships bringing supplies up the Thon-Thalus and caching them in hidden locations all throughout the forest. Weapons, armor, rations, scrolls, items with defensive enchantments. I even saw..," she pauses, looking around, her voice dropping to a whisper, "Dalamar the Dark amongst the warriors, weaving illusions to confuse the enemy and cover the withdrawal of our forces."
Arthur looks to Agnes and than back to the healer, "We must get word back to Silvanost about all that has happened. Do you know any more of thier plans? Who else may have been with this Dalamar the Dark? Anyone else of high rank we may need be concerned about?" Arthur looks to Agnes, "What do you think we should do? We are in this together as equals."
The healer laughs nervously, "Lord Arthur, the commanders are in contact with Speaker Lorac and the generals. That is what most of the wizards are here for and Dalamar is one of our kinsmen. He is helping us."
Agnes rests a hand on Arthur’s chest, just over his heart. "First, we eat. I didn't bring any provisions for us when we left the city. Then, we continue on our mission. My kin must be notified about what is happening here."
Arthur takes Lady Agnes' hand and smiles, "Alright."
IN COUNCILOR SUMMERWALKER'S WAREHOUSE ~ NOW SERVING AS RA'ZIIR/SHADOW/KYSEK'S COMMAND CENTER
Earlier in the day while Ra'ziir was preparing spells and inspecting the amulet...
The voice says nothing in turn but the Elfemental gets the sense that the face behind it is smiling. A vision appears in Ra'ziir's mind. It shows an elf with long blond hair, wearing a crown, his face gaunt and withered as he sits upon a throne. His right hand rests upon a glowing globe, his eyes filled with the same light. The smell of death hangs heavily in the air and the eldritch knight can feel madness pressing in on all sides. Something large moves in the shadows beyond the light cast by the orb, something sinuous and green.
"It is the end of the elves. You could prevent it... if you do as I command."
“And what would that command be?” Ra’ziir replies. “Be specific. Details are important if I am to meet your approval.”
"When the time comes, you must slay Lorac Caladon."
“Is there a particular time you have in mind, or just ‘whenever’?”
"I will tell you when. If you act too soon, his successor will bring about the downfall of the elves in his stead. Have I your word that you will obey my command when the time comes?" Ra’ziir feels the edges of an enchantment, hanging on the final words of the voice's question.
Ra’ziir considers the request from the Dragon Queen, playing over the scenarios as he understands them. He sighs, shakes his head, and looks to the amulet on the table, “You attempt to belittle and manipulate me yet again, thinking less of me than you should. In doing so you show your hand and your weaknesses. I’ll not serve one so arrogant and hubristic that they fail in such a seemingly simple task as offering me something I cannot refuse.... Your original offer was paltry at best, and your skills at renegotiation have failed, because you offer nothing. You have proven yourself worthless and weak. I will not serve one destined for further failure.”
Now...
“Cedron, I think your skills will be needed here once the survivors arrive…” As Ra'ziir stands ready for Shadow to transport the extraction party to their location, he instructs his scouts to assist the priest of Malazzar in setting up a triage area. Before dismissing Falindrithan, his scout sergeant, the Black-Robed Elfemental quietly inquires, “The King, Lorac Caladon, remind me where he is holed up…”
"Probably the Tower of Stars, Sir," Falindrithan replies, "Overseeing the plans for repelling the Dragonarmies with General Tederai and Commander Tarak."
Cedron begins preparing for the injured. Gathering supplies from the warehouse and his own stash of healing items, he rells them, “I will be ready. Safe travels to you all.”
Shadow’s eyes have been glazed over before but not like this. He is in a trance for nearly an hour as Spewer walks around him intensely watching his master. Finally, he begins to mumble then speak clearly. He’s playing back what Raven is doing or has done recently. He has a location. He awakens and says “Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen. Found them. Near the woods outside the city fighting Minotaurs. We must hurry."
Kysek readies himself for the upcoming teleportation. He makes preparations to cast chain lightning should the area be severely hostile upon arrival.
The scout leaders gather around Shadow who is already in the midst of casting his spell. As the magic reaches its climax, he cries out "Μεγαλύτερη Τηλεμεταφορά!" In that instant, Shadow, Ra'ziir, and Kysek vanish.
AND, LASTLY, IN KURINOST...
The three remaining minotaurs shout, "FOR HONOR!" And then they charge.
Raven shakes his head, "Idiots," he grumbles under his breath. As the first, already wounded sailor reaches him, Raven drops low and slices with Nightwatcher, cleaving through both of the charging brute's thighs, severing one leg entirely.
As the others come with reach of his blade, he yells, "Are you so prideful that you feel compelled to throw your lives away!?" A lightning flash of the adamantite sword opens the belly of one sailor and the throat of the other. Raven looks up and sees more minotaurs rushing toward him and turns to see that the fleeing elves still have not reached the safety of the trees.
Then, an earth-shattering roar splits the night. "WHO DARES DISTURB MY SLUMBER?"
Raven pauses long enough to look toward the ruined tower near the center of town and sees the green dragon rise to its feet and spread its wings. "^@%$," he mutters, "Why can't things ever go smooth? They just HAD to wake the dragon."
It is in that second that Shadow, Ra'ziir, and Kysek appear before him.
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