Session Preface:
Broaching the edge of the city as the last rays of light cast elongated shadows across the haphazard alleys of ruins and makeshift homes, you observe as the entire city in collective stride transitions from the days work to preparing for their evening routines.
As the orange and purple painted clouds overhead meander eastward, within the city walls small campfires burst to life. Mothers and fathers tend to the flames and slowly turn evenly cut portions of meat as children return from afternoons of levity to begin evening chores.
Individuals covered in sand and sweat move through the crowd, shovels resting against their shoulders while others carry pickaxes covered in the familiar dark grey soot shook loose beneath the Nether Mountains.
As you pass by the largest tent in which you rested before your meeting only hours ago, you observe a small scattering of individuals, some kneeling, others standing in singular quiet reflection and meditation.
Approaching the tent of Elder Farastri, you overhear a quiet murmuring inside. The speakers voice, but the words indiscernible. Then an abrupt but soft spoken response from the elder, her voice crackling in volume but firm in tone.
As you step forth, pushing the lip of the tent ajar, the speaker stands, bowing humbly to your presence.
“Our guests” he says in a tone of sincere thought, “I fear our excitement at your arrival has made poor hosts of us. Perhaps I spoke too rashly in our prior discussion. Forgive me, I only intended to convey the seriousness and sensitivity of the situation at hand. I would like to make it up to you by answering any lingering or new questions you may have. Please, let us sit and enjoy a meal together. We have dinner preparations being made as we speak. While we wait, how can I be of service?”
Session Summary:
The party shares a warm and welcome meal with the Speaker and Elder as they discuss more of Velqwen's history and the coming threats looming over Clan Zirthund and the greater region of the Nether Mountains. Realizing Parathrax's discomfort with the themes of destiny and fate, the Speaker works to find common ground on the pressing issues of the dragon threat to the east and the orc armies gathering in the northwest. The two come to an agreement of Parathrax as a logical choice as someone who can aid in leading the small but loyal warrior of Velqwen alongside the forces of Avraathe who are faithful to the cause.
The Speaker also shares the incident of how the dragon, Anaxaster, migrated to the Nether Mountains after his mother's defeat by a band of giant-aligned heroes and his subsequent failure to claim her territory from his sister. In setting up a new stronghold for himself, Anaxaster began bringing the kobold in the region under his domain and using them to pilfer from Velqwen through their network of tunnels through the mountains and valleys alike. Finally, when supplies of magical tributes ran out, Anaxaster himself visited the community, demanding the sword wielded by the Speaker - a crucial clan artifact. When Speaker Zorathrax hesitated, an innocent community member died as a result. Eventually parting with the blade, Ulrath, the dragon has not been seen since, but continues to pester Velqwen with kobold forces demanding tributes regularly. With most of their artifacts and weapons which might serve them well in the coming war with the orcs in the hoard of Anaxaster's lair, the Speaker notes defeating the dragon and removing it from the gameboard would serve the entire region as a great benefit.
The party agrees to pursue this course of action and takes a evening's rest in private accommodations afforded to them by Tazroth, a young and excitable blue dragonborn oft seen enthusiastically wielding a blade much too large for him. As the evening draws to a close, Endriel and Parathrax discuss the strange turn of events of the last few days over smoking pipes while Vorothruun completes an evening ritual of self-immolation to reach into the void for answers. As Vorothruun completes the process, an omnipresent voice bellows through his person:
THE RIVER OF POWER DEMANDS MORE FROM THE SOURCE OF THAT WHICH IT HAS ALREADY BEEN GRANTED PROCEED THROUGH THE WINDING VALLEYS OUT TO THE OCEAN OF POWER TO QUENCH THE THIRST OF THE GROWING DARKNESS WHICH WILL CONSUME THE CITY AND THE HEAVENS SHOULD FAILURE FALL FROM YOUR TONGUE
The next morning over breakfast, the party observes three potential companions who may join them from Velqwen's ranks: the silent and observant Stragri as well as the formidable and imposing Rocreth and Vudrogg. In the spirit of competition and measuring their merit, Parathrax and Endriel challenge the three to sparring bout, which is observed by the community with great interest.
While Stragri gains a quick advantage over Parathrax by quickly diverting his shield, the two allies manage to knock their potential compatriots to their feet before either of them fall, winning the bout handedly. Stragri congratulates Parathrax on his victory saying the winner has to buy a round for whoever returns alive from the dragon's lair.
Thanks to preparation and keen instincts, Endriel is able to lead the party through the remaining kobold tunnels and traps with relative ease in comparison to the first leg of their journey and after two days of uncomfortable but safe travel, they find themselves within a mining corridor of a kobold camp. Making quick work of the miners before they can sound the alarm, the party and their new companions find themselves journeying further into the camp as they continue making their way towards Anaxaster's lair.
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