Aleria Campaign / The Seekers / The Frozen Oath pt. 5 / 3588 CE (4/2/19)

General Summary

The party has breached the inner sanctum of the Frost Giant temple of Veimhand. There they are confronted by a towering giant standing on a large dais covered with offerings. It appears to be the frost giants' dark god, Kostchtchie, for whom this temple was built and imbued with sleep magic to keep the malevolent entity forever in state of slumber. The demon-lord demands the party give him their most precious treasures as offering. but the esrtwhile Seekers decide instead to fight back. A pitched battle ensues with Kostchtchie and his frost giant guards, and the party find themselves badly outmatched. At one point Quigley is knocked unconscious, and separated from his fleeing comrades. Vercingetorix claims that this counts as tribute, but this doesn't seem to appease the enraged frost giant guard who still pursues them. Vercingetorix is able to escape Veimhand with the assistance of a fly spell, but Dorzha and Arturo are likewise knocked unconscious as they fend off the frost giant. As Vercingetorix flies to safety, he is observed from afar by a glowering Fafnir.
Arturo, Dorzha, and Quigley regain consciousness in a storage closet that resembles a larder, stacked with the bodies of dead frost giants who appear to have been gnawed on by some large animal. Standing over them is Fafnir. He hands them some potions of healing, as well as Arturo's dropped healing staff. As the heroes use magic to heal their wounds, Fafnir gives them an ultimatum: finish what they started in Veimhand in order to preserve his uncle's honor, or die trying. After learning about their battle with Kostchtchie, he also reveals what he's long suspected, that this Kostchtchie is a fraud, posing as the true demon lord. The party prepares once again to do battle, with Fafnir luring the guards out one by one in order to slay them. After the last of his guards are dead, Kostchtchie reveals "his" true identity, a female white dragon named Avanar. With their combined forces, the heroes are able to slay the dragon. At that moment, the stone statue in the offering room speaks to them, revealing itself to be the voice of Shyan, the wizard follower of Agalorn who built Veimhand thousands of years ago. She thanks them for vanquishing the interloper, and tells those assembled that Avanar come to this place many years ago looking to unlock the secrets of the Trail of Agalorn, but could not, for opening the trail required giving up that which one holds most dear, and there was nothing which she truly valued. Instead, Avanar hoped that other's offerings would open the trail for her. The voice of Shyan now offers each of those assembled the opportunity to take the Trail of Agalorn, if they are willing to give up that which they hold most dear. Dorzha declines the offer, but Quigley places the bag of holding with the body of his dead companion, Blue, upon the altar, and it shimmers translucent, revealing a trail under the ice. He bids his companions adieu and enters the altar. He is followed by Arturo, who discovers that he must give up his honor and reputation. After agreeing, he too enters the altar. As Dorzha is exiting the temple, she spies Vercingetorix coming back up the trail, regretful for leaving his companions behind. She relays what has transpired, but when Vercingetorix explores the temple, the statue and altar are dark, and he is alone, except for the corpses the party has left behind. Dorzha and Vercingetorix return to the Seeker station in Vikkurs empty-handed, relaying to Lieutenant Sig and Ogthup that one of their number chose to stay behind. There is no mention of Arturo, for no one in Aleria even remembers who Arturo was.

Character(s) interacted with

Quigley, Vercingetorix, Dorzha, Arturo Caldor, Avanar, Fafnir, Simulacrum of Shyan, Lieutenant Torrie Sig, Ogthup, frost giant guards

Report Date

06 Apr 2019