Session 52: Out of the Fire Report

General Summary

Stocking up on various magical items to resist the heat of the Tir Dalthak, the scales were prepared to planar shift into the realm of fire. They arrived upon a block of cooled lava, jagged bits of obsidian jutted up across the smoky and oppressive landscape. Lava flowed around them like a river leaving them on a small peninsula, a small brazier burning before them. As the scales looked to the great volcanic mountain looming over them, Ismaril would note something was moving within the lava. With a dart and a splash, an otter, fur red like fire, shedding lava like water burst upon the shore, barking furiously at the scales from its diminutive stature. The Scales would be startled at the creature and even more so as it spoke to them in Draconic, "Who goes there! BARK!" A'lar would look to the others and raise his hands, "I am A'lar and these are the Scales of Fate...mighty warden who are you?" The title would seems to disarm the Otter he would cease barking, tho its flaming fur still seemed to stand up, "I am Emberwhisker! Guardian of the Gate of Karthala!" the little otter would chirp with immense pride. A'lar would hide his smile as the others looked dubiously. "We have a gift for your master and seek an audience with Magmus upon his holy day," Al'ar would declare simply. Emberwhisker would look them all over and nod slowly, "Well..that is good for mortals to honor Lord Magmus...Feed the flame to prove your worth and you may pass," the otter would node to the brazier. The scales would look confused between each other until Ismaril would offer, "Air, A'lar breathe into the brazier." With a nod A'lar would do such, producing a little flame. Ismaril would move over blowing with him next, and soon all the scales would join till the brazier roared to life and a great cave opened at the base of the Volcano. Emberwhisker would clap and trot ahead leading them inside.  

Coming to a large cave with flowing lava the otter would call, "This way!" and leap into the magma as tho it were water, the Scales would frown as the oppressive heat of Karthalas already was barely manageable despite their magic wards. Adalon would mount his drake and begin to fly across the lake of magma while A'lar prepared some scrolls of flying. Before Adalon could reach the other side the lava would bubble and burst as many Salamanders would erupt from the lava and snap and thrash at his Drake. Before the Scales could react Adalon was swarmed by the fiery beasts and others were swimming with haste towards them upon the shore. Emberwhisker would bark furiously at them in Ignan but to no avail, battle was soon joined. Long Wei would deftly leap across the precarious magma paths atop the lava, finding the ground would give way behind him disappearing into the magma. Ayrien would enchant her bow with her magics and begin firing her arrows infused with magic spells, slamming into the salamanders with terrible force. Adalon would release a torrent of ice magic and withdraw his drake back towards the shore as Longwei sped along to the other side drawing several of the lizards with him. Eyes flashing with his inner power he would run with such speed that he seemed to fly delivering heavy kicks as he passed each salamander landing with grace upon the opposite shore. Indalell and Ismaril would square off with several of the salamander coming ashore. While Indalells blade would cut deep as he worked his angles, Ismaril would move with grace her rapier impaling the first salamander then piercing the second behind. A'lar would sing a dirge of cold and freezing winter filling the fire denizens with fear. As Emberwhisker would continue to protest, the scales would waste little time dispatching the lava lizards that assailed them. Finding the land crossing perilous Adalon would ferry his friends across upon his drake. The Sounds of heavy foot falls would draw the scales attention as 2 great Fire Giants emerged wielding great flaming swords.  

"Emberwhisker what is this!?" one of the giants would boom. The Otter would bounce forward chirping, "These mortals have come to pay homage to Magmus, as the Guardian of the Gate I have found them worthy and am taking them to see the Lord!" The first giant would hide a smile at the small creature while the second would discreetly roll his eyes. The giants would survey the Scales then fall onto their sides, "This way, we shall let Pyrathos decide your fate." The Otter would nod and motion his new friends to follow as the giants escorted them ahead. Soon the cave would give way to finely carved stone, a palace would open up before where female figures, moved to the sounds of drums and symbols. A great efreet would dominate the room, sitting upon a might throne, flames rippling across his bronze skin, his dusty red hair would ripple and move giving him a wild look. As the song would end his eyes would move to the band of mortals before him, the giant speaking, "My lord Pyrathos, Emberwhisker has admitted these mortals to pay homage to Magmus." The giants would leave them at this moving up to guard positions at Pyrathos's throne. The Efreet would look over them a moment, "Well it has been some time since we have had mortal guests!" He would snap a great feast table, low to the ground would appear filled with all manner of delights, "Sit and enjoy my hospitality!" The music would resume and the flaming women would begin to dance and sway to the music's, alluring and enticing their new audience. Pyrathos would make idle conversation with them as they all ate, and about mid way thru he would change the subject to one of a more dire tone. "My friends...you see we can not just let any see Lord Magmus, you must first prove you are worthy to enter the Ember Maze to reach our lords Lair." Adalon would frown some, "we must prove ourselves to have the opportunity to prove ourselves?" "indeed so," Pyrathos would offer snapping his fingers again, a great flaming circle appearing before the scales. "Discarding all your tinkets you must endure the flames of Tir Dalthak, should you endure this heat, you will be worth of the Ember maze and to take its trial." A'lar would look to Emberwhisker, "Is this a trike, how long must I remain in?" The otter would give a shrug, "Most only last a few seconds and can not go forward." The scales would debate between themselves who it should be, A'lar eventually making the case he is best suited given his past experiences. Removing the allotrope which granted him fire immunity he would step to the flaming circle. The flames were searing, simply as he neared, sweating and his clothes starting to smoke he would enter the ring. As he stood for a few seconds his clothes would burst to flame, his hair soon joining, his body wracked with pain and the smell of burning dragon flesh would fill the air. Struggling to keep his feat as the flames burned all around him he could feel parts of his jewelry beginning to melt. As his body began to succumb to the heat and flames, he would hear a protesting squeek. Emberwhisker would fly into the ring trying to knock him out, only to bounce harmlessly off of him to the ground. Indalell would push to his feet to move to do the same, however A'lar would scoop up the Otter and exit the ring looking to Pyrathos in his charged and burnt condition. Pyrathos would stare for several long moments then slowly clap. "Well done....well done indeed you are flame kissed indeed." With a snap of his fingers A'lars wounds would be healed, his clothing, jewels and hair restored. "Rest tonight as my guest and tomorrow you may enter the ember maze." The scales would spend the night as honored guests of the court of Pyrathos and prepare themselves for the next step to find Magmus.