Session 37: Thru the Looking Glass Report

General Summary

The jingle of Redcap bells echoed in the temple, mixed with the flurry of fluttering pixie wings and the ominous moans of the Slaugh. The Scales moved into action, Long Wei released the power of his Ioun Stone, a fireball erupting in the center of the temple scorching the floor and gilded pillars, disrupting the pixie swarms and singing many a blood soaked cap. Ismaril, Adalon, and Ayrien pressed to the center to support A'lar engaging with two Slaughs and a swarm of Pixies, their draconic breath weapons once more unleashed, creating a series of small detonations disbursing one swarm. Indalells blades cut into the ghostly Slaugh as he maneuvered behind them. The onset of the battle went well for the Scales, but Fate is fickle and soon turned. As Longwei and Indalell were pushed to the right the murderous Redcaps set about their work, deadly scythes cutting thru the heroes armor, then darting away to deliver flying kicks to others. Indalell soon found himself swarmed, knocked to the ground and heavy boots of the murderous gnome like fae raining down upon him. One of the three Slough pushed Adalon to the wall and its claws were slicing deeply into him, while another rended the fur and flesh of Vaera, Ayriens companion. Ismarils rapier would pierce the first Slaugh, dispatching it as her portion of the battle began to turn attempting to connect to Longwei and Indalell. It was however to late. The third Slaughs claws tore thru Long Weis flesh, knocking him to the stone floor unconscious as it spun with a cackle, doing the same to the battered Indalell. In a moments time the Scales were reduced by 2 and Ayriens companion was on the ropes, with redcaps smearing their little hats in the pools of blood of the fallen scales.  

A'lar having kept up his inspiring aria, would skirt the back of the temple his magic forming into a soothing ray of healing light, mending Indalells wounds, then moving to do the same to Long Wei he would call out, "We need to wrap this up! I am fast running out of magic!" As if cursed at these words the Second Slaughs claws would tear thru Ayriens Dragonscale armor and leave here in a heap against a pillar. Adalon now beset with a cold determination seeing his love fall would spin his scythe over head in a devastating arc, dispatching the Slaugh in turn with a series of blows, his hand glowing as he knelt to mend her wounds and stop the bleeding. "Not what I meant!" A'lar would shout picking up a basket of coin donations with his magic and pelting on of the redcaps with them. Ismaril and Indalells blades would move in tandem flanking the last Slaugh and dispatching it. With heavy breaths they would survey their comrades. 3 were badly wounded, two others showing signs of heavy battle, magic depleted, but all still alive, an eerie calm fell over the temple of Roulon.  

Spending some time to bandage wounds and collecting themselves they would inspect the strange mirror. On the other side the visage of an evening forest, beset in an eerie light would be seen. Gold and red leaves clung to the trees and blanketed the forest floor as the strange light flickered and moved over the scene. Steeling themselves they would step into the mirror passing from this realm to the realm of Tir Fin Dagara, the Faery Court of Autumn. The image in the mirrior expanded, a large forest glenn was now before them, a calm pool of water at its center, several pumpkins sat all around with a variety of carved faces, all giving forth a flickering orange light. About the glen were many fae creatures from Fauns, Nymphs, Satyrs, Treants, and Centaurs. Among the fae however were also the various acolytes and members of the Church of Roulon, their bodies suspended in a dreaming animation upon the mortal realm, their spirits, here in this court, sitting around the feet of a tall elven creature, 8 maybe 9 feet in height, seated in a great oaken throne, antlers jutting up from his pale blonde hair. His face and chest bore many swirling tattoos and his clothing were fine velvets of red and brown, "Ah! So you are the intruders to my temple and the killer of my guards, what are your names hmm?" A'lar and the others would step cautiously forward from the portal taking in the scene and looking to the great spirit whom called to them across the small pool. "Broke in? Well the door was open we are not trespassers, and you are the host it is rude that you should not introduce yourself," A'lar would say coolly. The tall antlered elf would frown, the pool rippling and showing the scales as they picked the lock and broke into the temple. Ismaril would speak next, "Well that isn't your temple, and those undead fae were attacking us, besides if it was your temple, then why is it we do not know your name?" The the Spirit would lean forward now clearly agitated, "Liars, Intruders, and most Rude, perhaps I should finish the job of my huntsmen." The great spirits fingers would grip into his chair as he contemplated their demise.  

A'lar would step forward, "Perhaps good spirit, if I were to guess your name, the transgression of our intrusion can be forgiven?" Bemused the spirit would calm slightly and lean back in his seat. A'lar would recount several admirable qualities of the spirit before him then smile brightly, "You are Gensandoral of the Wild Hunt!" Several of the fae would applaud at this, and Gensandoral would smile and ease somewhat, "Well one trespass forgiven, two remain, your friend is most rude, and you have slain my men." Ismaril would fume slightly, "Forgive me, I do not often fear what I should, and your men were undead, we thought them evil that needed dispatched." Glensandoral would shrug, "It is a marvel you are still alive then...as for my men they have failed in their duties now cursed as Slaugh until they can collect enough souls to appease my mistress." A female faun would move over to Indalell and poke at him, sensing his curious nature, Indalell would smile and his visage would shift and change to mimic the Faun, who would laugh delighted as he did. "Yes and would your mistress be pleased you are taking a temple unto yourself? Seems like reaching for god hood may disrupt the Courts." Glensandoral would look curiously to them, "Godhood? I should think not and not that she should mind, there are plenty of structures on your world dedicated to all manner of powerful beings, you even have that new spring grove here, I very much like this one." The interactions would remain tense as the Scales attempted to maneuver and speak Glensandoral into the workings of temples on the mortal realm to which he had few or no cares there to. Reaching an impass the scales would depart collecting the sleeping leadership of the Temple to take for questioning when they were released on the morning as it seemed Glensandoral held power only during the night of the temple. Degna the High Priest had struck this deal with Glensandoral to gain the help of the Autumn court for his Anti Dragonist activities, and Glensandoral seemed all to eager to see Dragons destroyed, they always caused so much destruction to the natural world. After some much needed sleep Ayrien and Adalon would go and see what they could find of Glensadoral while the rest returned to the bank to try and find the notes of the Gryphon cell. The High Priests personal documents would be uncovered, revealing communication with most of the Northern Clans, less the White Dragons, they confirmed Aelindon was the leader of the Anti Dragonists among Clan Aureate, as well as personal letters showing in Degnas home of Clan Radiance delegations from the Holy Empire had been frequently visiting, a curious note. Dismantling the Gryphon cell now complete, the Scales set to work uncovering the remaining members of the Anti Dragonists within Amarantine.