Session 8 Recap: "Diverging Paths"
General Summary
The party finds themselves finally arrived in the frozen northern city of Sodden after nealy ten days at sea. However, while the group endured the rigors of sea travel and the dangers that prowl the open waters and arrived safely, Dain decided they would not be disembarking and continuing onward with them. They offered only a cutting farewell, before boarding the Celestial Seahawk for the return journey to Baewic and left the party to continue on alone.
With no other option but to press on, the party made their way to the Shrouded Lantern Inn to secure rooms for the evening, before splitting up to make the most of their time in town before having to depart again. Verna and Xerren took to the streets and eventually made their way to the Temple of the Winter Queen where they came across a priestess deep in prayer. Xerren recognized her as wearing the heraldry of the Empire of Reikfell's royal family, and eventually deduced that the priestess before them was the lost Crown Princess of Reikfell, Caliope Rosetta ReikfellThe two were somewhat taken aback, as it had been over 800 years since she had first gone missing. She explained briefly how she had come into the service of Aliah, the Lady of Winter, and her confrontation with Azariel, before offering to "read" Xerren and Verna. The two quickly declined such an offer, and returned to find the party.
Vigo and Last Leaf embarked on a shopping trip of their own, finding some new clothes suitable for the northern climate, styled heavily with beastial furs from the area, and Yvonne sought out a guide who might be able to help the group traverse the dangerous landscape and arrive at their destination in one piece. She found the grizzled Jorr Natherson, who agreed to help the party and promised to meet up with the group the following morning to depart.
As the party regrouped back at the Shrouded Lantern Inn, the group realized that Caliope could possibly have more to do with the prophecy imparted to them by the Kyrite Obelisk, and returned to the temple where they found her in the same spot they'd originally left her. The Winter Princess was willing enough to provide the group with further details of her story until that point and her betrayal at the hands of Amon and the fates of the 725 people who had followed her into the Underdark who eventually became "The Lightless".
Yvonne attempted to ask about the party's own prophecy, unwittingly handing over her own journal where she'd kept the words written. Caliope provided, not information about the prophecy, but that both Yvonne and Xerren had been touched by the Forbidden Ones in much the same way she had herself. While Xerren seemed unsurprised by this information, Yvonne was left stunned by this revelation.
The rest of the evening passed uneventfully, and Jorr came to collect the party along with a massive polar bear, Miska, to embark on their two week journey into the Weishan Mountains. With Jorr's help, the journey progressed rather uneventfully save for an avalanche that wiped out a chunk of their supplies and Miska's saddle. However, the party did manage to arrive cold, but no worse for wear to their destination. Jorr refused to go any closer but did at least promise to wait for the party for two days before he would return to Sodden on his own. The group agreed and pressed on toward the massive structure built intot he side of the mountain, weaving through long abandoned paths and stairs to find their way through the frozen landscape. They were ambushed along their route by a Yeti and a massive wolf, with Deej taking the brunt of the attack and falling twice, before the yeti was felled and the wolf driven off into the snow. The group recollected themselves and continued on, finally reaching the great stone doors that stand as silent sentinels to the Temple of the Creator...
Rewards Granted
None
Missions/Quests Completed
Reached the Temple of the Creator, Defeated a Yeti
Character(s) interacted with
Caliope Reikfell, Jorr Natherson
Report Date
20 Oct 2023
Related Characters
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