Session Preface:
As the last kobold's head rolls unceremoniously to the cavernous floor, you take a moment to examine your surroundings. The dull lantern light reflects off of the stone walls as the multi-colored hues of precious gems glimmer against the veins of platinum and more mundane stone holding the structure intact. Examining the area where you first observed the kobold, you notice the carts emptied and turned over with several tools left still lying around. Loose stone in the area suggests the creatures had not only stolen the mined resources but seemed to have continued the work as well, assuming this tunnel as their own. Fanning out to other offshoots reveals more of the same. Loose stones, missing gems, and tools whose hilts are marked with the claws of kobold workers.
As you thoroughly investigate the area and the fallen kobold, you recover a myriad of pickaxes, two empty but well-forged metal dwarven tankards, 17 silver pieces, and another of the same platinum-infused gems which you discovered in Telzuun's Tower, though this one is comparably raw, uncut and unpolished. After completing your search, you reconvene towards the back of the cavern where two of the kobold escaped through a narrow crevice.
Looking further into the crevice, it is immediately evident these paths were carved by the burrowing kobold, seeming relatively recent with the claw marks still fresh on the surface. Shining a light into the crevice, the space is cramped and twisting, only going a short ways further into the mountain before curving off further east. Although you know the only way forward is through this gap, your body preemptively aches at the thought of how far these narrow and stooped tunnels might lead, not to mention what you may discover on the other side.
Session Summary:
After searching for alternative routes, the party eventually begins their journey through the kobold-carved tunnels. Their journey takes the better part of a full day of travel as they must contend with not only the cramped conditions but numerous traps and deceptive obstacles placed by the kobold in their dizzyingly complex network of caverns. After hours of crawling, crouching, and climbing, the party discovers a brief reprieve within a larger chamber.
Meeting Zisilu:
After the hours of endless marching through the dangerous and circular kobold tunnels, the path finally opens to a large cavernous room. Whereas many of the walls were fresh with the marks of burrowing, the walls now slowly shift to the naturally hewn stonework, shaped by time and erosion. As you step into the chamber, expansive by comparison to your travels so far, you feel the slightest breeze, a welcome sign. Out of the near silence of the chamber, you hear a desperate croaking voice, "Vela...vela." The sound comes from across the room against a far wall that juts upward to a jagged edge, not unlike your previous encounters. Boulders and loose stones surround the corner of the room, evidence of a trap already sprung. "Vela, Vela" the voice calls once again.
A thin-framed and blue-scaled female dragonborn looks up at you. Both of her legs are pinned beneath the largest boulder, the stone below stained in dark blood. The familiar hempen rope is tied around the leg closest to you to slow the bleeding, but the leg looks in terrible condition with the bone exposed in more than one place. "Vela, vela..." she says once more, a shaking hand extending towards you.
Once the party is able to move the boulders crushing the dragonborn's leg and provide healing sufficient to stabilize her condition, the dragonborn introduces herself as Zisilu, explaining she was sent from Velqwen to track down the kobold who have started stealing from them. When Parathrax and Vorothruun introduce themselves, the scout immediately seems to recognize their names and shares that the Speaker and Elder of Velqwen will certainly want to speak with them. Unsure of what to make of such a claim, the party agrees to help Zisilu return to Velqwen as a start.
Approaching Velqwen
The endless dizzying tunnels wind on for another hour or so. Then, with little fanfare, a dim light swells slowly before you just out of reach. Eventually, the light grows and the sun's warmth beckons you forward. Turning a final curve, the claustrophobic crags give way to a light brick subterranean room with an open-air ceiling through which midday light pours through. From above, you hear the sound of footsteps, indistinct conversation swirling around the central opening. Taking in the room, you realize you stand in small piles of sand, noticeably uncommon for the Nether Mountain region. So too is the color of the stone, fair lighter than the dark grey stone of which Avraathe is constructed.
Zisilu turns to you. "Perhaps it is best if you let me be the one to call up to them. Stand back a bit. It will be easier to explain your presence before they see you."
With a grimace fighting back the lingering pain, Zisilu moves forward into the light of the open roof. "Bodran! Are you up there?" Zisilu calls out in a pain-laced cry. At this, the quiet shuffling and conversations above stop and transform into a flurry of action as an older blue dragonborn in white robes peers from above and in a deep voice shouts "Zisilu, you're hurt! We'll lower the ladder down. By Xymor, what did they do to you? Hold on." A pair of ladders drop down on either side as two blue dragonborn descend, holding opposite ends of a cot. The dragonborn who called out, presumably Boldan, wears a deep green robe trimmed in gold and covered in sand. A monocle eyepiece falls out of his pocket as he leans down to help Zisilu onto the cot.
"I'm not the only one who's returned, Boldan. We have important guests." As Zisilu lifts a weary hand in your direction, she speaks, her voice now weighty with an air of significance, "Those two call themselves Vorothruun and Parathrax. I think the Speaker needs to know they've arrived."
Boldan introduces himself and promises the party answers to their understandably many questions after they have had a moment of rest and he can gather the Elder and Speaker who will meet with them.
Exploring Velqwen
Lingering snow cracks underneath your feet as you walk through the unfamiliar walkways of Velqwen. The sight is one of apparent juxtaposition. Sandstone ruins, older than Avraathe, sit in measured and symmetrical rows while canvas tents and haphazardly built lean-to structures stand seemingly grafted onto the ruins.
Pushed against the edge of the buildings where the snow thins, ankle-high sand dunes slowly forms in wind-driven piles. Further down the path before you, smoke rises through a stone ventilation chute. Two figures on either side of the chimney raise their hands, dispersing the smoke before it rises beyond the height of the walls. As you continue walking, you hear the welcoming crackle of an open flame. The sweet scent of dripping grease fills your nostrils, your eyes are drawn to a suckling pig roasting outside of a large canvas tent. In comparison to the recent meals of basic rations, the smells are nearly intoxicating. Somewhere further off the road, children call out in the excitement of play.
Along the wall, individual guards in shining steel armor pace the walls, reflecting the early afternoon sun overhead. The guards march with an air of confidence, not so much a swagger as a certain resolve. As you draw closer to the largest tent in the center of the ruined city, an unavoidable oddity comes into view. Near the center of the city is a massive pit. Perfectly square and dropping down deeper than any of the kobold's trap pits, the crater seems to be the size of one of the largest ruins within the walls of this peculiar place."
After a moment to discuss the turn of events amongst themselves, the party is gathered to meet with Speaker Zorvathrax, Elder Farastri, and Boldan. Boldan gives a brief overview of the history of Clan Zirthund. He describes the people of Velqwen as descendants of the first Speaker who led the dragonborn on the Great Exodus who separated from the founders of Avraathe when it was discovered they lied about the appearance of Bahamut during the Moon Pass Skirmishes. Instead, Clan Zirthund's traditions tell of the then Speaker receiving visions leading them out into the wild to truly seek Bahamut's will. For a thousand years they wandered the Nether Mountains as nomads until during the Spellplague a vision led them to settle in the discovered ruins which have sense become the community of Velqwen.
Vorothruun then inquires Elder Farastri about her most recent visions, to which she responds,
"I have seen many things, lost sons of Velqwen.
I have dreamed of two lilies of the river, bursting from the dark soil. One bloomed in the light of the sun, the other sought strength in the shadows. Both growing in parallel, straining for more. And when one grew weak, the other lent support. Until the two were woven around each other like tangled vines.
I have dreamed of a warrior standing on the field of battle. Bearing Ildreth and Ulrath hand in hand. Commanding the faithful and forgotten together. Against the forces of evil within and beyond."
Speaker Zorvathrax attempts to bridge the span between the Elder's visions and their recognition of the two dragonborn brothers. Zorvathrax explains that both Parathrax and Vorothruun are descendants of Clan Zirthund as their mother, Voronelle, was his only daughter. He goes on to explain the meaning of their names in
Ancient Draconic. Not only are both names combinations of their dual lineages, but they also potentially carry the weight of destiny, as Parathrax's "Bearer of Righteousness" signifies his status as one who would wield the Ildreth, the Shield of Justice and Ulrath, the Sword of Mercy.
As the implications of these visions and conclusions overwhelm Parathrax, he immediately stands up and departs the tent, leaving his shield behind. As he does, a small child moves to draw a sword against him intentionally trying to strike the shield, but draws short when he realizes Parathrax is unarmed. Vorothruun chastises the Speaker and the child alike, the later of whom explains he was simply trying to prove the power of the shield if they didn't believe.
Before Vorothruun follows after Parathrax, the Speaker shares one final revelation - he believes their mother was murdered by the elite of Avraathe who saw her place there as a political threat. Though it is not a typical cultural habit for children to be particular close to their mothers, Zorvathrax requests justice be served for the murder of his daughter. Vorothruun offers to look into it, though he admits Avraathe is dealing with many other pressing matters at the moment before unceremoniously departing.
Parathrax storms out of the city and finds himself alone in the snow-covered forest. His panic eventually subsides enough to meditate, reaching out to Bahamut for clarity on the situation. In a familiar vision, the Seventh Prophet of Avraathe walks towards him, but no longer quoting holy texts with an air of formality. Instead, the small child holds his face and says "You have returned. You have protected. Now believe, and avenge. You are the prophecy of your ancestors. But you still determine who you are and what you will become."
After this exchange, Parathrax returns to Vorothruun and Endriel as the sun sets. The three discuss the unexpected turn of events and slowly make their way back to the Speaker's tent to ask further questions.
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