Session 27: The High King
35th of Snowmelt (Petrified dreaming)
General Summary
The party seems just as surprised at seeing a not-ruined upper city full of dwarves as the dwarves are at seeing the party. Though both sides hit a temporary dwarvish language barrier during which they demand that the other side tell them what is going on, eventually the dwarves decide to take the party to their king such that he can decide what to do next. Thus, the party meets "High King Mor II", who looks ancient upon his throne, and has unnerving green glowing eyes. Nevertheless, a compromise is reached where the party will not be executed for trespassing and will instead help the upper city closing various rifts in reality that have opened around the place. Additionally, the party learns that there is a curfew, that a previous strange visitor had arrived before them, the place is covered in magic suppressing runes, and they will be given a home for the time being
Thus, the party is escorted to their temporary home, which turns out to be a large mansion in one of the rich housing districts. In their new home, they have a comfortable conversation with their 'babysitter' Vrokin, who is assigned to them to make sure they follow the rules. Though the party is still attempting to figure out how long the upper city has been like this, a difference in the way time is measured is making this difficult. The dwarves use "Crystal cycles", which are determined by when the crystals inside the mountain lighten and darken. Most importantly, the party learns that they are currently 'trapped' here and cannot leave their area. In fact, Felix identifies their current situation as Petrified Dreamwalking, a spell-based condition where their bodies are turned to stone, but their minds are ensnared in an illusion. Eventually, Vrokin leaves the party after being summoned elsewhere, and Leaf goes to explore the nearby plants. During this time, another dwarf bumps into Leaf, stealing their wallet and leaving behind a note that mentions "avoiding the king" and "meeting them at the lorekeeper's house after the crystals dim". Though Leaf initially follows the thief, they eventually return to the rest of the party.
As the party discusses their next move, they hear a knock on the door. Killian answers, and Ka'arn enters their home, a shifty out-of-place dwarf wearing rags that has clearly gotten a few screws loose. It quickly becomes clear that this is the "other visitor", and that he has been here for a few hundreds of years. Though the party had previously heard from Felix that killing the caster inside the dream might be a way to escape, the party now learns that Ka'arn might be able to break the current hold over them from within. However, as he does this by tearing open a rift, he needs the party to defend him from both the guards as well as whatever comes through the rift. As the rifts spawn Feaster-related creatures, the party decides they need to think on it, causing Ka'arn to teleport out of their home to leave the party to their thoughts. It is at this point Felix and the LUKI Four combine their knowledge on the Feaster and the "Star that Looks Back", as they learn that this is in fact the same entity.
Not wanting to waste any time, the party quickly casts a "Pass without a Trace" and heads over to find the lorekeeper's house. On their way, they notice "Ka'arn" opening up a rift, and are shocked when they see the same sort of beast that had fought them at the theatre play in Brothers' Crossing step through. Luckily, this distracts all nearby guards, which the party uses to get inside the house of the lorekeeper. Inside, they go to a hidden room and meet yet another Dwarf 'Dorik Fyrbel'. Dorik explains much more to the party, and all but confirms they are inside a Petrified Dreamwalking state. He, along with some others, are also tired of being in this state as it slowly saps all energy from them. Thus, they ask the party for help in identifying who the caster of the spell is, and to bring that creature down. It is at this point Felix mentions that the King did look like he was distracted, and thus that he might very well be the caster. The party agrees to investigate who might be the caster, and they get the name of the chef and potion brewer of the king "Larynd Swif".
However, eventually the party is ordered to leave as guards as they are warned that guards are approaching the home of the lorekeeper for a routine check-up. Thus, the party returns home with several options. They might want to help Ka'arn, they might want to help Dorik, but most of all the party wants to get as much information out of both the King and Galgrun as they can. This leaves them a busy day tomorrow, so the group turns in for the night. However, their 'sleep' is all but eventless. Each of them is trapped inside a completely darkened space, with the outline of a humanoid creature in front of them and a yellow star overhead. Though they all try to figure out what goes on in their own way, eventually Uthal, Killian and Leaf look up at the star and can see it approach their position at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, Indra and Felix snap out of whatever was holding them, instead only seeing their friends stand at the centre of a star-shaped room, looking up at "The Star That Looks Back"... Next session: Session 28: Starry nightmares
Thus, the party is escorted to their temporary home, which turns out to be a large mansion in one of the rich housing districts. In their new home, they have a comfortable conversation with their 'babysitter' Vrokin, who is assigned to them to make sure they follow the rules. Though the party is still attempting to figure out how long the upper city has been like this, a difference in the way time is measured is making this difficult. The dwarves use "Crystal cycles", which are determined by when the crystals inside the mountain lighten and darken. Most importantly, the party learns that they are currently 'trapped' here and cannot leave their area. In fact, Felix identifies their current situation as Petrified Dreamwalking, a spell-based condition where their bodies are turned to stone, but their minds are ensnared in an illusion. Eventually, Vrokin leaves the party after being summoned elsewhere, and Leaf goes to explore the nearby plants. During this time, another dwarf bumps into Leaf, stealing their wallet and leaving behind a note that mentions "avoiding the king" and "meeting them at the lorekeeper's house after the crystals dim". Though Leaf initially follows the thief, they eventually return to the rest of the party.
As the party discusses their next move, they hear a knock on the door. Killian answers, and Ka'arn enters their home, a shifty out-of-place dwarf wearing rags that has clearly gotten a few screws loose. It quickly becomes clear that this is the "other visitor", and that he has been here for a few hundreds of years. Though the party had previously heard from Felix that killing the caster inside the dream might be a way to escape, the party now learns that Ka'arn might be able to break the current hold over them from within. However, as he does this by tearing open a rift, he needs the party to defend him from both the guards as well as whatever comes through the rift. As the rifts spawn Feaster-related creatures, the party decides they need to think on it, causing Ka'arn to teleport out of their home to leave the party to their thoughts. It is at this point Felix and the LUKI Four combine their knowledge on the Feaster and the "Star that Looks Back", as they learn that this is in fact the same entity.
Not wanting to waste any time, the party quickly casts a "Pass without a Trace" and heads over to find the lorekeeper's house. On their way, they notice "Ka'arn" opening up a rift, and are shocked when they see the same sort of beast that had fought them at the theatre play in Brothers' Crossing step through. Luckily, this distracts all nearby guards, which the party uses to get inside the house of the lorekeeper. Inside, they go to a hidden room and meet yet another Dwarf 'Dorik Fyrbel'. Dorik explains much more to the party, and all but confirms they are inside a Petrified Dreamwalking state. He, along with some others, are also tired of being in this state as it slowly saps all energy from them. Thus, they ask the party for help in identifying who the caster of the spell is, and to bring that creature down. It is at this point Felix mentions that the King did look like he was distracted, and thus that he might very well be the caster. The party agrees to investigate who might be the caster, and they get the name of the chef and potion brewer of the king "Larynd Swif".
However, eventually the party is ordered to leave as guards as they are warned that guards are approaching the home of the lorekeeper for a routine check-up. Thus, the party returns home with several options. They might want to help Ka'arn, they might want to help Dorik, but most of all the party wants to get as much information out of both the King and Galgrun as they can. This leaves them a busy day tomorrow, so the group turns in for the night. However, their 'sleep' is all but eventless. Each of them is trapped inside a completely darkened space, with the outline of a humanoid creature in front of them and a yellow star overhead. Though they all try to figure out what goes on in their own way, eventually Uthal, Killian and Leaf look up at the star and can see it approach their position at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, Indra and Felix snap out of whatever was holding them, instead only seeing their friends stand at the centre of a star-shaped room, looking up at "The Star That Looks Back"... Next session: Session 28: Starry nightmares
(Noteworthy) Characters Interacted With:
High King Mor II
Guard Captain Aradthul Hrummaz
Vrokil Wyzlor
Ka'arn..?
Dorik Fyrbel
High King Mor II
Guard Captain Aradthul Hrummaz
Vrokil Wyzlor
Ka'arn..?
Dorik Fyrbel
Report Date
26 Jan 2025
Guard Captain Aradthul Hrummaz
Ka'arn
Resistance Leader Dorik Fyrbel
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