Cramus Wrenth
Knowledge Warden Cramus Wrenth
Craums Wrenth is the level-headed leader of There Be Dragons, a group of once mercenaries who have now been swept up in a battle to save the deserts. His guild, Time Sworn Sentinels, asked him to recover a few artifacts from a cave and the items found in that cave propelled the group into a battle with the evil Khalitharius.
The key that Cramus wears has some link to this journey - an imprint was found in a room and it opened a hidden door. There he found more clues those that pointed to Marion Dredwater.
Physical Description
Apparel & Accessories
"Lida ath Menatu"
Ring of Mind ShieldingKrelik, leader of the Timeworn Sentinels and devout of Thoth, led Cramus through a series of trials that challenged his dedication to protecting and uncovering ancient knowledge. After proving his worth, Cramus has become the sixth inductee of this Age. From their observatory in Caerodale, Cramus gathered knowledge of the stars and mathematics. The immense knowledge contained in the Thothian libraries pushed Cramus to the outside world, to make real the things he's read in books and to discover new knowledge in dedication to the Sentinels. As a token of his vigilance and recognition of his burden, Cramus must bear on his finger "Lida ath Menatu".
"Eight-pinned Soles"
Slippers of Spider ClimbingThe spider Nixod feasted upon those who dared enter its lair. Rarely did it need to venture forth, as Arumar presented plentiful prey. Cramus and his party were commissioned to track down a scroll of minor importance when Nixod snared Cramus's hired man, Thred. Thred's screams echoed through the caves as Cramus's company slashed through Nixod's brood. Eventually, Nixod spewed its final ichor and shuttered to the ground, slain. Thred did not survive, despite the mass of spider hairs clutched in his hand. His body was carried back to Arumar, where his father, a worker of fine cloth, comissioned his final work in honor of his son, the "Eight-pinned Soles". The slippers honor Thred's memory and, crafted using the spider hairs Thred still clutched, took a power to walk upon surfaces as if Nixod himself.
Knowledge-seeking half-elf sorcerer whose greatest desire is to know his origin. Reveres life, respects thieves, and loves old, abandoned places. Wants to know why he gets deathly ill and loses his powers when he's separated from the key in his pocket.
Current Location
The lost Garden City of Pazar?!
Children
They See Things Too!
29th day of Arwassa in the year of 146 NE
I'm not the only one seeing things! Overnight, Merosh conversed with a man who wore a leopard skin robe and ornate headpiece, with a snake that faces out. Waking Jaimis, Merosh talked with the man, who apparently wasn't a man at all. He was moving unnaturally. He revealed himself as "Amun'Ra, son of Takash-Ra, of the house Mul'Palar", and that his shadow is wandering the lands in search of men of valor. He hoarded posessions in his tomb, everyone hated him, and the people rose up in anger to demand their lives, gold, and freedom back. Amun'Ra cursed them, and the rivers slowed and died in Cyrus's holy name. Athnis, the spring, stopped its flow.
So now we know the source of the curse that dried up the land! In return, Osiris cursed Amun'Ra, to live forever, until his staff of ruling is taken, as well as the gem of Mul'Palar. Merosh, amazing as he is, was even able to glean information about the star gems, who were given to pharaohs to protect and to watch in many of the battles. Mar'tek created Amun'Ra's gem. Merosh told us that when he asked about what could arm us, Amun'Ra's shadow spoke only gibberish.
Thallan didn't see anything, but Fy did! A regally-dressed man approaached her, in flowing gowns with the headband of a snake. Apparently Amun'Ra was that shadow as well. Interestingly enough, the figure said, "I think this is the first time someone has shown up who can enter the tomb. The tomb is not plundered, but there is wealth to be had and secrets to be unearthed." Fy also was able to determine that Amun'Ra and his kin used to live where the dragon was circling the rock. I guess that confirms it, I was seeing things.
A lone figure has just appeared on the dune ahead. Oh good, everyone else sees it too.
Still Seeing Things
28th day of Arwassa in the year of 146 NE
The settling of the rubble beneath us had me nervous, but as it slowed I found myself drifting off. Merosh and Thallan took watch through the night. I guess Thallan almost shot Jaimis with an arrow.
Fy and company query Jaimis to see if he has knowledge about the dragon. He says that you can use it as a guide, to head north, but that some people actually think it's been slumbering for a thousand years. Fy asked Jaimis about the red light, but he didn't know what it was, but that he thinks it's some kind of reflection. He also mentioned that the pyramid is empty, with nothing to be seen. We'll see about that.
As we journey, I know in my heart of hearts that I actually saw a man standing on the dunes garbed in regal gold. No one else saw it. They think I'm crazy because of the black doors.
I'm beginning to doubt my judgement, or at the least, my sight. We've made another camp safely, and for that, I am thankful. We'll see where our journey takes us tomorrow.
Lost Garden City of Pazar
27th day of Arwassa in the year of 146 NE
The statue I had seen in the distance was massive, and the tablet it held was covered in sand and dust as if no one had been there in many decades. I could barely make out the words "name" and "city", but after walking up the side of the statue, I was able to clear it off to reveal:
"My name is Maizemus. Look upon the ruins of the great city that surrounds you and despair. Here, great magic once was. Now, you see only the mighty ruins of mens' works. We held back the water while we could, and now it has killed us."
Just as we were thinking about what it could mean, Jaimis fell into the ruins below. It's like the sand below him just caved! Merosh quickly lowered his rope of climbing and Fy and Thallan took off down it in flashing style. Merosh and I quickly staked down the camp and both slide down the rope, where I was greeted by the sight of two giant spiders.
I should have known that web wouldn't work against a spider, but my curiousity got the best of me and I tried anyway. Fy decided to herself turn into a giant spider to better feel along the webbing, but it didn't matter; Thallan dispatched of the spiders in good fashion while Jaimis took a nasty bite to the chest. Afterwards, I could see the pain in Jaimis's eyes, so I "restored" his sword to its former glory. He seemed pleased.
Jaimis complained about a humming coming from the large set of doors in the room. There's text on the door, but I'm unable to read it despite my best efforts. I think upon how I can do better as I walk with Thallan to explore the north passage from here, while Merosh and Fy go to the south. Thallan and I find nothing, but when I venture to the south with Fy, we encounter some dusty books with a note that pulled to me. I couldn't make out the whole thing, but Merosh was willing to help out with his very useful ability to translate any language, and discovered:
"Thus facing the great doors, and passing the right hand before them, speak 'Sakha al Jinni.' Then approach the first and speak "Alhamduhla." So shall the way be open unto you. Speak then "Bismilla" and "Duban" and thee shall be within thy hand's reach of the great of all."
Despite the scholarly efforts of myself and Merosh, Thallan of all people is able to solve the riddle in confident fashion. His efforts "rewarded" us with a six-wedged black star on an altar. They "convince" me to levitate it off of the pedestal, and as I do, I hear the words booming:
"So Mar'tek thought that he could hold me. He thought that he could defeat me. I am the ifriti who will destroy your world, and you have unleashed me on this desert! Nothing will stop me! I'm not afriad of an old dead human, I come from-"
As he's saying his last word, rumbling echoes throughout the walls. Dust begins pouring down, and I get the sense that some of my party cannot see. I begin to peer around to find some sort of exit or insight that will lead us to deeper knowledge, and I see a black door! Upon approach, it revealed itself to just be a wall, but I swear I saw it. A falling rock battered shoulder, and I knew that I couldn't spend more time seeking it. Peering around, I found exit with Merosh and his handy rope. Once again, he's saved us.
Thallan deftly grabbed a paper from the tomb before ascending, and we pored over the map. A pyramid with a fountain outside gave us a clue as to where we should journey next. We definitely think this is the pyramid of Tur'Bakaar. As the rumbles settle, Fy, in a flash of insight, skitters up the statue in her spider form to peer out over the desert. She claims that she saw a dragon encircling a rock. I climb to verify, and relay that I see nothing but a black door. It seems suspicious. Maybe there's something wrong with me.
I'm going to sleep this off.
On Our Own with Jaimis
26th day of Arwassa in the year of 146 NE
It's tough to write from the back of a camel, but I feel us growing close to something monumental. We're finally on our way to what we think is the lost Garden City of Pazar, and we've left the Sand Voyager's!
That didn't go without event, anyway. Thallan was able to convince Jaimis, one of the newer members of the desert group, that he could come with us. As we're talking with Jaimis, he mentions that he knows we want to go to the sunken city. He knows that something is out there, and he's even heard of people coming back! Interestingly enough, Jaimis also mentions that Sekuh has a mage adviser with him named Maunry. How we didn't notice him, I guess I'll never know.
Jaimis told Sekuh a lie about his departure, and we almost got caught telling him something different. That would have been very bad indeed. It's a good thing quick thinking won out on that one.
Fy informed me of a beautiful streaking meteor shower that looked like an arrow. I'm so excited about this one! I could tell that she didn't know how to explain much about how it looked, but things like this don't happen often. According to my latest research, these types of things largely go unrecorded and un-witnessed, and the last major recorded thing like it was thousands of years prior. I'm almost convinced that I should find something that will let me see into her mind to get a peek, but I guess that would be wrong of me.
Oh, I guess I saw a guy slash another guy across the chest and run away from camp. We're keeping watch for him as we ride, but I'm guessing he won't show up. Maybe he went out to die in the desert.
There's something hazy ahead. It's hard to make out with all of this shimmering but it appears to be some kind of...statue?! It must be big.
The Desert of Desolation is Desolate
25th day of Arwassa in the year of 146 NE
Fy sure did us a favor by spying on the Sand Voyager's Guild. I can't believe they are keeping all of those people as laborers, and to what end we don't really know. They seem somewhat willing and desperate. This must be something big though. Sekuh told his friend that if any slaves escaped, Al would kill them all. We also learned that they don't trust us. Now I'm really glad we didn't offend Al, and it explains why Al was so hesitant to let us come along.
To add to all of that, on Merosh's first watch, he saw two men dragging a third behind them to the laborer camp. He might be unconscious or dead, we don't even know! At least the other two watches weren't as crazy as all of that. Fy said hers was wonderful and Thallan said he got to spend his time playing chess with one of the guys. I guess that guy did mention something about how they guide through the desert using flags to mark the path. It's their third time through. We probably won't see that guy Jaimis again anyway, especially if we journey away from this caravan.
We filled our water supplies and set out into the desert. I remember the heat smacking me in the face, and I still feel the dried sweat as I'm writing this. The shimmering illusions were disconcerting to me, and I'm glad we had a guide. A glimmer of something in the distance flickered on and off, like a star pulsing. It was probably just one of those flags Jaimis told us about.
The Gates of Sulih loomed ahead, peaks touching with inscriptions worn by sandstorms marking their pocked faces. This is what I live for, to see sights like these! Squinting, I could just make out some of the ancient text. I remember how scared I was when I deciphered it, "These are the gates of Sulih, and the gates curse those who enter unbidden." It's a good thing that Merosh can detect magic, as he was able to put me at ease by not finding anything of note. I'm guessing our association with the caravan marked us as bidden. They must have had some secret up their sleeves.
We arrived at this nearby signpost for the evening. There's a fallen obelisk nearby, with its top fallen towards the southwest. The runes on it say something to the effect of, "Here lies the road of the kings of the Garden City of Pazar, whilst there lies the road of Tur-Bakaar, keeper of the pyramid." I guess that studying paid off.
Merosh and I questioned Sekuh about Pazaar. Maybe we tricked him by having Merosh read his thoughts. It's a gray area. Anyway, he pointed east when asked about Pazar, and his thoughts were that anyone going that way is foolish.
I'm exhausted and it's cold. I'm going directly to my tent tonight.
The Desert and our First Camp
24th day of Arwassa in the year of 146 NE
Al'Jaladiya of the Sand Voyager's Guild in Bralazar was a very clever man. Our visit there ended in his giving up little and us walking away one hundred gold lighter, but it might have been worse for us if Fy hadn't been so keen on impressing him. In hindsight, perhaps we should have shopped around, but the group had a hunch that this was the right move.
The next day, we spent research the Sand Voyagers themselves. They are hardy men who travel often in the desert, but trading what, nobody really knows. They keep the townspeople happy, in any case. They also really don't appreciate the Dupari.
Another evening spent in Bralazar turned out to be fun and casual as we waited for the caravan's departure. The term Dupari, we found, is an ethnic term, representing those who worship Anu. They are traders who have a great cunning for business. They prefer to talk versus fight, and seek to protect trade for all. You'd think the townspeople like them, but apparently they are zealots, and rare do people like fanatics. The Warindi, an older group of this region, assimilated into the Dupari, but they still have differing opinions on the gods.
The day of the journey found us standing before Sekuh as he attempted to wrangle everyone together for the voyage. He barked orders while he and his 20 companions ensure the other 40 were well situated. His twenty seemed hardy and ready, while the others were a surprising mix of races, most not really situated for what they were getting into.
We set out, a dust wall known as the Knife Pass quickly coming into contention with our vision. Its walls were swirling with dust, but interestingly enough, there seemed to be the remnants of dried up cascades. It made me think of the story of the Curse of Amun-Ra that we heard about in Bralazar. Perhaps there was something to that. We crossed the river with the help of what appeared to be some laborers. It definitely made sense to hire someone now.
Finally we reached the Knife Pass, and were greeted by walls that had to have been over 300 feet high. Cutting through the middle like a giant swing of a sword, the path began to narrow. Towards the top, the wind was howling, but we found a small pool no more than a few feet across that was absolutely beautiful. I remember its flowers, purple and white, streaked with crimson blossoms and white lilies. My reverie was interrupted by Sekuh's yell to set up camp.
I'm sitting here at the campfire, wishing it were light again so I could look at the flowers once more, writing as I listen to the conversation that's been struck up. The people are from the Ilkante region, where they use guttural sounds to sing, quite different than what Merosh has to offer. I'm not sure they appreciate his music. They are going on about their gambling, and their brothels, and how much beer they drink. How droll.
Wait, what's Fy doing? A camel? Oh my...what is she up to? She's disappeared behind a tent. I'd better put this away.
Cave Twenty-Six
21st day of Arwassa in the year of 146 NE
We finally arrived at cave twenty-six. It was light out, and I was bored and impatient. I just wanted to go in, but Merosh made it a point to try to sniff out who's been in or out. I count on him and Fy and Thallan for that, I suppose. I guess you can never be careful enough here in Kitchwa. It turns out the cave was clearly inhabited, but the bugbears we encountered posed little challenge. Fy's bear antics were in full force again. This time she fell on her face trying to leap of of Merosh's back. I'll never forget the hilarious thud.
Our journey to the rear of the cave provided what we seek: a chest covered in bones. To no one's surprise, there were magical elements to it. A daring look inside produced some stones that seemed tied to the elements Air, Earth, Water, Fire, and Ice. That's what something said anyway. More interesting was a note from Aman al'Rakhib to Eliminster, that he'd unraveled the mystery of Martek, and that there was a prophecy that four heroes would present themselves.
As we scrutinized the contents of the bone chest, some trolls (or some big things, anyway) came back to what could only be their hideout cave. We quickly arranged the stones in a certain way, making some sort of portal. Fy had a great idea to lure the trolls into the portal, but the prophecy that we'd just read seemed to pull us through instead. Where we found ourselves was truly bizarre.
In front of us was a man who described himself as Aman al'Rhakib. It's crazy that the paper and the stones took us right to him, right? Interestingly enough, Aman seemed to be a person of magical influence. He inquired our intentions, and, after feeding us a large story about the Star of Aga-Pelar, sent us on our way fetch it from the lost Garden City of Pazar. Why we accepted so readily remains a mystery, but you could call it fate. I will note that Thallan received a magical letter-opener, of which I don't know is safe or not.
We left Aman's and shopped for provisions for the desert journey. Some camels, tents, and other provisions were paid for by the group, at least. It'll have to do for now. Hopefully we can find more gold on the journey since I won't be able to collect payment on the bone chest. I can only assume that we're really, really far from where I need to report my findings. My reputation will take a hit for this one. At least Qatrun was nice enough. His camels were fine and his manner even better. I'll remember him.
I wonder what makes us do things that we shouldn't, like jump through a portal when our livelihood resides in the delivery of a bone box. I also wonder why we are still going to Pazar when one in my group clearly spotted some form of deception from Aman. Maybe it's because we need to do something different for a change.