Session 24 - Akdzakd

General Summary

Interlude

As The Cinder slips away from Emris and Dragon Rock you take time to lick your wounds and prepare yourself for a long sea voyage to Akdzakd. What awaits you there? Hopefully the final Oharith tablet and brass coin that ultimately, when you find Sazmok’s device, will provide clarity on what is expected of you.
There are of course still unanswered questions and gnawing away in your minds is the prospect that further questions may yet be unearthed. The Serpents of Amnos seem to have been conspicuous only in their absence, who or what are they and will you be ready to face them? The most recent mosaic discovery is worrying, The Waste is simply enormous and you have no idea where the strange buildings you saw are within that vast emptiness; current maps of Ellios you suspect do not show the entirety of the desert. Most significantly perhaps though and clearly disturbing to some of Ayla’s crew is the presence of Baka and Riele. Everyone saw Baka fall, saw Riele transform and dive to her aid, and then Baka ride astride the great hawk like she was born to do it. Fresh in your minds is the vision of Riele plucking hapless Soa’n Elves from the ground and hurling them into the sea, and Baka urging her forward. Baka has found it hard to explain what she now feels, it’s not so much that she understands Riele, and that Riele understands her, more that they are one, together. Baka almost reluctantly admits that she is sure Riele’s natural form is her gigantic self and at some point, the transformation will be permanent. What prevents Riele from assuming her true form now is something that eludes Baka, though she senses the answer to that is drawing closer. Akdzakd is reputedly home to more than a million Orcs, odds that even Digby finds daunting.
Finally, the Sea of Suffering has lived up to its name. You have each lost count of the number of times you spewed your most recent meal onto the slick decks of The Cinder. When trying to catch some sleep in the ever-pitching maelstrom the sound of another of your unfortunate group vomiting from their hammock onto the sodden timbers was sure to set someone else off as well. Only Digby's formidable constitution has so far prevailed.
It's taken you two weeks to reach the shores of Akdzakd near your presumed destination, when you first saw the number letter combinations, they meant nothing to you, now the final pair draws you closer to what you presume will be the final location at which an Oharith tablet is hidden.
Apart from the torrential rain, howling winds, mountainous waves and countless amounts of puke the journey has been without incident. Sight of other Soa'n vessels is now far less frequent than at the beginning of your voyage and presumably no-one has managed to get ahead of you and warn anyone (assuming they knew where you were headed) so there's just a few million Orcs to deal with and by all accounts many of them have marched on Sunom and more recently sailed into Paleran.
In the atrocious weather Riele has been reluctant to fly, she hasn't enjoyed the sea voyage either and only once during a brief bright clear period did she and Baka take to the air, soaring high above you. You were reminded of a sketch you saw in the Mosaic design house near Gulumi that showed a bird flying ahead of a ship, but that was an Elven ship, and the sea did not appear to be as disturbed. Are these mosaics prophecies or just works of art?
The shores of Akdzakd are jagged and rocky, it will be a tough climb, and a tough trek to the location you seek. Whilst healed of your physical wounds you all feel severely drained by the journey, whatever Akdzakd has to throw at you at least it will be on solid ground.

Orc Takedown

When we arrive at the coast of Akdzakd, we are all back on full hit points, and the Forever Flask is also full. Lilrie checks her herbs and although our supplies are low, she still has some useful ones which give double strength, haste and healing and maybe she can find more on our journey. It will take two days to get to the third set of coordinates that we received from Ecaeris and two days to come back. Ayla promises to be at the same spot in a week’s time, but after that they will have to go home and if we cannot meet them, we will have to walk out on our own.
As we set off Baka sends Riele up to scout ahead and look out for Orcs. The terrain is rough and rugged with some vegetation which Lilrie scouts diligently for herbs. She is rewarded by berries and moss which can be used for healing and we all feel a bit safer knowing that she has supplemented her supplies. We make 20 miles on the first day with Riele guiding us away from Orc parties, which vary in number from 4 to 10, and also vary physical size. The Orcs are not going in any particular direction, and there are no major tracks. We also notice a lot of wildlife and once, in the distance, Riele saw a pair of Ekar hawks. The ground is hard and rocky so the likelihood that our trail will be picked up is low.
We pass thru canyons of various sizes, carved from wind and water, and we choose one to shelter in for the first night. The water probably came from the mountains towards which we are heading. As we bed down for the night, we stand watch in standard party order and the following day we head towards those mountains which we can see rising in front of us. At the end of the second day, we know we are only two miles from the target since Riele has seen a domed structure in the side of a mountain, the only man-made structure in the vicinity. It seems to be smaller than those that we have seen before, perhaps 80-foot in circumference, with only a quarter standing free of the mountain. Baka tells us that we will have to make our way thru some narrow canyons to get there and that there is a large, open area, 60 to 70 feet across in front of the dome. Given its size Riele could only just land there in her giant form, which would make it difficult for her to help us in a fight. Riele has seen some Orcs that seem to be protecting or patrolling the open area in front of the dome so we may have to fight our way in.
We decide to rest up for the night before making the final approach soon after dawn, hoping that the daylight will hinder the Orcs’ vision. Riele shows Baka the layout of the surrounding area and the eight Orcs that she can see around it. We suspect that there may be more as they come and go, perhaps in and out of the surrounding caves. We wake up just before dawn and approach the open area, preparing for our attack. Brovar and Tripp target one of the Orcs with their bows, while Sai Kyo goes for Silent Kill and Baka prepares Minor Pain. Baka attacks first, her spell working perfectly so that the Orc takes 25% of his remaining hits. Sai Kyo then moves in for Silent Kill which is also successful, his strike resulting in a 17E critical which knocks the Orc’s two-handed battle-axe to the floor, doing 3 more damage. Brovar also successfully uses Silent Kill and fires his long bow landing a 12C puncture critical, stunning the other Orc and making it bleed. Tripp fires next, his first arrow doing a 21E puncture critical, stunning the Orc for two rounds, doing 5 more damage. His second arrow does a 20E puncture critical, and 3 more damage.
Next round, Sai Kyo strikes again for a 11B critical, knocking the Orc flat, and stunning it for 9 rounds. He finishes it off quietly. Brovar fires again using Silent Kill to keep the Orc quiet. His arrow punctures it for a 22E critical, taking it in the shoulder, straight thru the arm, and killing it instantly. Riele hasn’t seen anyone taking alarm – our plan is working. Riele also see the Orcs by the door seem to be trying to get into the Dome.
Sai Kyo whispers about picking up a stone to create a distraction and as Baka seems to think it at the same time Riele is already moving to pick up stones to draw out one of the Orcs. Within moments, Riele drops the stones which clatter to the ground and climbs away as an Orc moves to investigate, coming out into view. As Tripp and Brovar take aim, the Orc look looks up and sees them. Brovar goes for Silent Kill again, successfully, and fires his long bow hitting for a 12C puncture critical, doing 3 more damage, putting it on 2 hits per round and at -10, stunning it for 2 rounds. Tripp fires next, his first arrow hitting for a 22E puncture critical, doing 6 more damage, and an additional 5 hits per round. His second arrow does a 17D puncture critical for 5 more hits, putting it on -25, 2 more hits per round. The Orc cannot take all this damage, and as they watch it sags to its knees and bleeds out on the ground next round.
To the West Baka does Jolts 3 stunning another Orc for three rounds. Sai Kyo then moves to strike it for a 27E critical, a front kick to the mid-section, doubling it over and knocking it out. Teamwork.
Tripp and Brovar sneak further up the canyon, targeting one of the other Orcs. Tripp sneaks so well, he almost disappears as he crosses the canyon to line up on it from the other side. His Silent Kill works and his first arrow lands for a 24E puncture critical, striking thru the lower leg, stunning it and making it unable to parry for 3 rounds. His second arrow is a 13C puncture critical, a minor chest wound, making it bleed at 2 hits per round, and doing 3 more damage. Brovar also use Silent Kill successfully, and his arrow lands for a 30E puncture critical, for 3 more damage. It is well and truly dead.
The remaining Orcs are out in the open and we cannot take any of them without making a noise. Tripp and Brovar move North to target one of them as Digby and Baka cast Shield and Sai Kyo prepares Adrenal Speed. Game on.
Brovar fires first, his arrow ripping thru the Orc’s chainmail doing a 30E puncture critical, for 2 more damage. Tripp’s first arrow hits for a 13B puncture critical, the strike shattering the Orc’s weapon arm elbow, stunning it for 4 rounds and doing 3 more damage. His second arrow hits for a 12B puncture critical, and 2 more hits. Sai Kyo’s first attack is a 40E critical, a front-kick which doubles the Orc over, followed by a knee strike to the face, knocking it out. His second attack on the second opponent is at -20 and does 2 damage. Digby is up next, his battle-axe hitting for a 42E crush critical, a minor side wound, putting it on one hit per round and doing 3 more damage. The Orc attacks back, hitting him with a 23D crush critical and 4 more hits. Lilrie and Baka head South where two more Orcs have appeared, Baka preparing Sleep as she goes. She casts her spell and the Orc fails his saving throw, dropping to the ground, and she dispatches it quickly with her short sword.
Tripp and Brovar move into position to attack as Digby hits his Orc again for a 36E crush critical, taking it out. It looks like a house has fallen on it. Lilrie attacks her Orc, hitting it for a 17C crush critical, the blow shattering its thigh with a compound fracture, severing an artery and doing 9 more hits. It dies after 12 rounds of agonizing inactivity. Brovar fires at the stunned Orc again hitting for a 21E puncture critical, killing it in a spray of blood. Tripp also fires again, his first arrow hitting for a 14C puncture critical, striking thru his foe’s cheek, killing it after 9 rounds of incapacity. His second arrow is a fumble and he drops it. That could have been a lot worse.
We close in on the two remaining orcs, Sai Kyo preparing with Adrenal Speed. His first attack strikes for a 9A critical, a light but well-placed attack, doing 5 more hits. His second attack hits for 5 damage. Tripp hits with his long sword for a 17D slash critical, slashing his foe’s side, as it drops immediately unconscious, doing 20 more hits, killing it in 3 rounds due to massive internal organ damage. Lilrie fumbles with her morning star losing her grip and failing to land her blow. Digby hits the last Orc with his battle axe for a 25B slash critical, cutting off one of his arms, stunning it and making it unable to parry. It too dies after a few rounds.
What a fight! I don’t think we have ever fought so clinically, and taken so little damage. We take some time to search the Orc bodies, but don’t find anything too useful, apart from some meat which looks suspicious. There is no way of telling what kind of creature that came from.
The sun is starting to rise now, and casts long shadows from the pillars of rock. Looking closer at the dome, it is clearly much smaller than the others that we have seen. Above the door is the head of a screeching Ekar hawk bursting out of the lintel. Scattered around the case of the door are several crowbars dropped by the Orcs as we attacked them. The central portion of the door, where there is a lock, is familiar, having the imprint of a hand, just like the vault in the Library of Sunom. Riele lands on Baka’s shoulder as she walks up to the door, putting her hand on the imprint. As expected, the door unlocks and she pushes it open to reveal a small dome, about 80-foot in diameter.
Going inside we can see that there is an image with some form of writing at the base, but everything is obscured, as if someone has painted over it. Examining it more closely there seems to be a thick black fog moving over it, preventing us from the seeing the image. In the center is a pool of clear water, 15-foot deep, probably potable. In the bottom of the pool there are three openings, probably large enough for a person to pass thru. Around the room in groups of three are 12 metal stands upon which are crystals, fractured, and with pieces missing. Above the water there is a shadowy, shimmering image of a hexagonal device which we have seen before. As Lilrie takes the container off her back, she can see that the orientation of the faces match exactly with those in the image. So, this does not show us the solution, but just reflects the current state. We search carefully, but find nothing more.
Baka closes the door in case there are more Orcs, and Riele chooses to stay outside since she doesn’t like enclosed spaces. Baka can tell that she has chosen a perch high up on the mountain, from which she can keep an eye on the surrounding area.
As the designated diver, Sai Kyo takes off his pack and takes the Sun gem out for light. He dives into the pool and swims down to the bottom with some difficulty, failing to redeem his reputation as a swimmer. Examining the pool, he can see that there are three, almost man-height, arches which lead off 40 or 50 feet, after which there seems to be a shaft going up. He thinks he can go thru pretty easily and that the others could too. Sai Kyo takes one end of the 100 foot of rope going thru the middle arch, and reaching the shaft, he goes up to the top coming out into a 5-foot pool in a room. He ties off the rope for the others to use as a guide, so that they can join him easily. There is a pale illumination in the room and four doors with grills, beyond which he can see broken pieces of crystal on metal stands, similar to those in the main room. The ceiling of the room, is a plain mosaic, with a blue background and the word “milawn” (10,5) written on it. Each of the doors has a hexagonal opening which looks about the same size as the hexagonal container.
Sai Kyo goes back to report this to the others, and then goes to one of the other two rooms, where he finds exactly the same set up, with exactly the same word. However, the last room is different, since the mosaic on the ceiling has the word “mishus” (10, 4). Also while there are three doors having a lock-like hexagonal opening, the fourth door has a shrieking echo hawk and leads to a room that contains not only a stand with a crystal, but also a chest.
Tripp comes thru and puts the smooth section into the West door with no result, but the other end works and the door opens. Sai Kyo takes the crystal back to the first room and the others are excited since as soon as we put the hexagonal container in the door, the end of the shadowy image has solidified, showing the end that has been removed. We work out that the total of the numbers on the hexagonal container sections, matches the total of the numbers on the ceiling. It seems we have to use the container to unlock each of the doors in the three rooms, and that the total of the container sections in each room, must equal the total on the roof of that room. We begin to do this and as we do so, the shadowy image in the first room continues to solidify, in line with each door that we open. Once we have completed 11 crystals, just the end cap of the container is remaining. We all go to the last room and Baka puts the end cap into the last door, the hawk door swinging open as expected, and she grabs the last crystal. Tripp searches the stone chest for traps, but does not find any. Prising the lid open we find the sixth Oharith tablet and brass coin inside and Tripp picks them up.
Going back to the main room, we notice that the image of the container is gone and that there is something floating on the water. It is a quarterstaff, 6 foot long, perfectly balanced at the center and covered with martial arts poses. Sai Kyo picks it up and immediately knows what it can do. It is a +20 magical weapon and gives him two skill ranks, and he can continue to learn at half the normal rate of two-handed weapons, so 7 points. What’s more, he can use it in concert with martial arts strikes and throws, using it to attack simultaneously. He grins uncontrollably, as he stares at the staff adoringly. I think he is in love.

We put the final crystal into the broken crystal on the last stand and the whole room bursts into light. It shows the tower buildings that we saw on Dragon Rock, this time with all the doors open. In a defensive circle in front of the buildings are 6 figures, 4 male and 2 female, and this time we can see their faces. It is us. Brovar holds the Twins, the Ekrum sword and mace. There is a hawk circling above and there are 6 dragons hovering above us, each with a cloaked figure astride it, their faces hidden. And around the base of the dome there is a script, which says “the words of the Oharith are the key”.
While we stare at this Baka starts swearing profusely. Looking thru Riele’s eyes, she can see two giants walking towards the door. They are at least as big as Crolos, and are leading a woman in chains. It is Sirenna, and it looks like they intend to coerce her to open door. It seems she has a broken arm.

Kitty

• Session start – minus 80 gold!
• Income – a paltry few coppers
• Expenses – none
• Session end – minus 80 gold!

Report Date

01 Feb 2022