Session 44 - Consequences

General Summary

40 Amberspell - contd.

Ell executed a deep courtly bow, "We have done prospered as well as can be expected. There have been pain and losses as well. But it is lovely to see you as well my Queen, I am pleased to find you in good health. "

Queen Alara Askhevron nodded solemnly and her face fell, "Yes, I heard about the death of your elder brother. That must have come as a terrible blow to the entire family, particuarly after the brutal murder of your uncle and grandfather last Blooming. Of course I have already sent word to Lord Byron and Lady Elise, but you have our deepest condolences on your loss.

"Thank you, your Majesty," replied the young noble smoothly, "as ever, we are grateful for your notice and concern. Gesturing at the rest of the party, he added, "I trust that you remember my traveling companions."

Passing a glance over the others, Queen Alara's smile returned, "Of course, it is quite good to see all of you again as well. And I see you have made a few new friends as well." Focusing on Vellikar for a few moments, she asked, "Do you come from the southern Pelagris, per chance?"

The nervous firbolg druid dropped to both knees and prostrated himself before the throne before asked the floor, "Yes, ma'am. How...how did you know?"

Queen Alara chuckled musically and waved a hand, "Please, please do stand up. That doesn't look particularly comfortable, and while I may be the Queen, technically you are not one of my subjects. As for how I knew, let's just say that while I am aware of the reputation of the Pelagris, it is not a story I put much stock in. That and I once knew a fellow who shared similar features. Cardan Dewsong was his name, he was an amazing herbalist instructor as I recall."

"Old Cardan?" asked Vellikar puzzled, "shoulder length pink hair, quite a bit of grey around the muzzle?" At the Queen's nod, he went on, "I do know him, he used to come into my village every now and then to trade supplies. I recall there was something about him disappearing for a few years some twenty or twenty-five years ago. I was too young to notice at the time and he never said where he went, just that the Earth Mother had given him a quest."

The queen nodded before turning her attention to Ranunkel, "And welcome to you, Master Dwarf. I hope that your visit to Paxtopa has been enjoyable."

Ranunkel shrugged, "It is quite different from the mountains. I've made a few friends. Had to fight a few monsters as well."

"Indeed," said Queen Alara, leaning back into her throne and steepling her fingers, "I have heard rumors that you all found another of those dreadful Gulthias Trees. I wanted to extend the thanks of the crown for your service for removing such an evil from our land."

After a moment or two of silence, Ell glanced quickly at the others before stepping up and giving another bow, "We live to serve, your Majesty."

Jilken muttered, "You can't let something like that go unchecked. Not when you have people to protect."

"True enough," agreed Queen Alara, "I have dispatched several companies of guards and druids to the area to help clear out any remaining blights." After a long moment of silence, the queen nodded, "Well, thank you all for coming. If there is anything I or the kingdom can do to help you in any way, please speak to my seneschal and we will do all we can to support such heroes of the crown."

Recognizing this as a dismissal, Ell bowed once more and murmured a farewell before leading the others out of the audience chamber and back out into the hall. After collecting their weapons, the party followed a page back towards the main entrance.

As they walked, Vellikar, looking rather confused asked softly, "So that was it? Did she not need anything...she just wanted to say hello?"

"And thank you, I guess," added Denye with an avian shrug.

The firbolg still looked confused, "But she could have just sent a courier with a message, couldn't she?"

Denye ground her beak for a moment before replying, "I think that she thinks we are supposed to be honored by that."

Janora let out a sharp bark of a laugh, "Personally, I don't think she needed to grace us at all. She strikes me as someone who likes to show off the appearance of power."

"She knew you by name, Ell," said Vellikar, changing the subject, "What was up with that?"

"Well," said Ell awkwardly, "we aren't quite of an age, but we both have parents and familial lines. The Darnet House has always supported the Ashkevron throne...and continues to do so quite ardently. For that, my family manages the lands and estates of the Eskar Province."

Only Janora caught the sound of a snicker from the page at that last statement. But Vellikar pressed on, "She seemed to be genuinely grieved for your brother."

"She has to be, I suppose," said Ell blithely, "at least as much as I have to be." Changing the subject quickly, he suggested, "I think we need to go talk to the seneschal."

Ranunkel grunted, "Sounds almost like you didn't really like your brother."

Ell let out a bitter chuckle as Denye quickly said, "It's complicated...and probably a better discussion for a time with less ears." Turning to Ell she asked, "Why talk to the seneschal?"

By this point the party had made it to the main entrance hall. Just before the page turned to scamper off to other duties, Ell asked, "Can you check with the seneschal, see if he has an appointment available in the next day or so." Turning back to the party he answered Denye, "Call it a hunch. It shouldn't take too long regardless."

Ell was right, the team only had to wait for a few minutes before the man himself appeared. Older with long white mutton chops and a portly build, Seneschal Kyril Malmeri strode up to Ell, "Ahh Master Darnet, how may I be of service?"

Smiling broadly Ell laid on the charm, "We were just speaking with the Queen, very briefly of course, she is so busy. But I was wondering if there was anything I or we could do for the queen? Any services needed or problems to be dealt with?"

The seneschal gave Ell a penetrating once over, stroking his mutton-chops as he chewed on a lip. Several heartbeats later, his hand dropped into a pocket. It came back out palming a slip of paper. Stepping closer to the young man, he held out the hand to shake, "Nothing that I can think of currently, but if anything comes up, I will be sure to let you know. Thank you for your interest in the welfare of the kingdom."

Ell took the hand and shook, retrieving the note and leaving the square bronze coin in it's place. "No, no, thank you," said Ell with a wide grin, "It is so good to know that the kingdom is well-managed and in such fine hands. The seneschal started when he saw the token, but recovered quickly and dropped it into a pocket.

Taking his leave, Ell returned to the others and ushered them out on to the Hill, where an overcast sky dribbled a slow but steady cold rain. Denye remembered that she needed to see Wayfinder Brightfinger and Vellikar elected to accompany Denye and try to do some more research in the great library. The rest of the party waved goodbye and pulling cloaks over their heads began making their way back to Darnet Manor.

Denye and Vellikar were greeted by one of the trainees who always seemed to be loitering around the doors and quickly shown to the Wayfinder Majorus' office. The elderly dwarven woman was a mass of wrinkles as she greeted the wizard and druid, "Welcome back Denye, it is quite good to see you. I expect you have been keeping up with your studies, yes?" Turning to Vellikar, she added, "And you must be Vellikar Rainguard. You caused quite a stir in the refectory last night, you know?"

Denye nodded, "It's good to see you as well, Ms. Brightfinger. Things are good, busy, we're only in Haven for a couple of days. I'm not sure what we're doing next but Ell seems to think we'll be leaving soon. I have a message from Eskarina Price for you. Well actually a message and an object of some sort. I'm hoping that if I give them to you, you'll know what to do with them. As usual, Ms. Price was not particularly clear."

"That girl," said Matebera, "Oh yes, I know her. Never met someone who so quickly got themselves Banned. Even when she did answer you, the answers made no sense, although I did get the sense that she was trying to be helpful. You said she gave you something?"

Denye produced the strange metal spike with a sunburst at one end and handed it over. The elderly Wayfinder spent several long moments examining it before her eyes widened in recognition. In a soft, distracted voice, she asked, "What was the message?"

Denye said, "Look to the past to understand the future. That's it, I have no idea what it might mean."

Matebera blinked once or twice and finally took her eyes off the metallic object to focus on Denye. After asking her to repeat the message, the elderly dwarf leaned back in her chair and gripped the arms, muttering to herself, "She had it. Has she had it all along or did she just find it to return?" Shaking her head, in a more normal voice, Matebera asked, "Do you know what this is? What it is you have brought us?"

Denye shook her head, "With everything going on over the past couple of weeks I haven't really had a chance to investigate it."

"You have found the key," replied the Wayfinder excitedly. Pushing away from the desk, she gathered up both object and walking staff before saying, "Come, let's go to the Library and I will show you." Leading the pair out of the office, the elderly dwarf set off at a brisk pace in that direction. Vellikar was surprised, but with longer legs had no trouble keeping up. Denye wasn't quite so lucky and had to hustle to keep up with the others.

Entering the main hall of the Great Library, Wayfinder Brightfinger led them directly over to the still and silent orrery that dominated the center of the study area. A small control panel sat at one side and lifting the three pronged spike, she carefully inserted it into a socket that looked made for it. Fully inserted there was a click. With a large smile, Matebera turned it clockwise and the entire construction shivered a bit as if coming to life. Reaching over, the elderly dwarf spun a dial and the various planets began to swing into a new configuration.

A cheer broke out behind the group, as a dozen or so Wayfinders and trainees had been drawn by the appearance of their leader. Brightfinger smiled as she turned to look at the gathered group. Focusing on Denye she said, "Thank you. That key has been lost for over three hundred years. I shall have to ponder that girl's message, but just the return of this is greatly appreciated."

Denye listened politely, but as the large orrery had begun to spin her attention was immediately drawn to the magic inherent in the construct. It was old magic. The metal work itself was clearly dwarven in construction, but the traceries of spell work was a blend of elven and human. It even included strands of the strange hexagonal glyphs they had found on the stones of the ruined standing stone circle.

Vellikar grew excited at this strange, yet wonderful, construct that showed the heavens. It used such different magics than he had come across, but something about it was very familiar as well. The pair spent the rest of the afternoon studying the orrery, Denye sharing everything she had learned about astronomy. Eventually hunger drove Vellikar and Denye back the manor house, in search of dinner.

---

On the way back to the manor, Ell stopped at one of the upper class shops on this side of town and ordered a basket of fruit to be delivered to Belword Chestward as an apology for his rudeness yesterday. Once at the house, Ell led the way inside with Tear on his heels and Ranunkel and Janora right behind them. Jilken, who had followed the others back to the manor, veered off toward the stables where she found Ironheart in a loose box. Giving the war mare a few welcoming pats, the Aiel elf asked, "Feel like going for a run? Somewhere we can stretch our legs." At the horse's excited whinny, Jilken laughed and went looking for her tack.

It was only a few minutes later that the pair headed down into the city toward the gates of Haven. The rain hadn't slowed and by the time they made it out into the open countryside. Jilken didn't care, it still amazed her how water would just fall out of the sky. Wheeling Ironheart around they began picking up speed as the grasslands outside the city walls vanished behind the Shin'a'in horse's hooves.

Eventually the fading light and the chill in the air sent Jilken and horse back into the city. By the time they reached Darnet Manor the sun had fully set and night had spread her cloak over the sky. Leading Ironheart into the warm stables, Jilken gave the horse a solid brushing to get all the water out and left the mare nose-deep in a bowl of hot mash, a warm blanket thrown over her withers.

Jilken headed up to the house and went directly to her room for a wash up and a change of clothes. She debated going down for dinner, but the thought of a hot bath sounded too appealing and she rang for a servant to bring food she could eat while soaking.

41st Amberspell

The next morning over breakfast Janora asked, "Are we finally going to leave today or do we still have things to do in this town?"

Ranunkel looked up excitedly, "I really want to go have a look at that orrery, Denye was telling me about it. It sounds amazing."

Jilken shrugged, "I'm still waiting on my new hellhound cloak, but that won't be ready for a few more days." With a laugh, she added, "We could probably go up to Wolfworth Basin, look around, and be back before it's ready."

The witch winced, "Yeah, I don't mind waiting another day, but I'd really like to leave tomorrow. There are just too many people here."

Denye nodded, "Tomorrow sounds like a good idea. We really should start looking for those bells."

Ranunkel headed up to the library while the others hung around the house or went shopping. The morning passed quietly enough, but things got much more exciting after noon, when a lot of noise at the front door heralded the return of Lord Byron.

The mood in the house changed to a subtle tension and the adventurers mostly kept to their rooms. It was almost three hours later when a servant knocked on Ell's door, "Your father wishes to speak to you, at your earliest convivence." Sighing, Ell told Tear to stay and followed the servant back down to the study where his father waited. Ushering Ell in, the servant pulled the door shut just as Lord Byron began, "Ell Nirar Darnet, what in..."

The door was thick, as was the stone of the manor so it muffled any sound from inside. It wasn't a long conversation, only 20-30 minutes, but still Ell was in quite a black mood when he left. Whisking himself back up to his room, the young man found somewhere and began cursing his father in every language he knew.

44th Amberspell

Rather than use the forest transport spell, the party had elected to ride overland, a course that took them through the Broken Lands. There were a few close calls, like a trio of ettins sitting around a fire, but Janora's eye in the sky spotted the problems and was able to steer the party around. Thus the party arrived safely in the village of Foxhall a little after sunset.

Heading over to the Glittering Cup, they were greeted by the innkeeper, a stocky dwarf with a glittering, glimmering beard, who introduces himself as Haveral Glimmerdust. After negotiating rooms, baths, and food, Ell asked, "We came to do some exploring out on the lake. Anything odd we should know?"

"Anything odd about the Basin," guffawed the dwarf. Looking over Ell's shoulder he called, "Aye Zardok, ya hear that, they want to know if there is anything odd about the Basin." Locking eyes with Ell, Haveral said, "Only that the lake be cursed."

Janora gave the dwarf a black look, "A curse, what kind of curse? I have lived near the Basin my entire life and never heard of a curse. People sail on the lake all the time."

Haveral nodded, "Around the lake sure, and there are boats that go out to fish. The curse is at the center of the lake and everyone avoids it."

Janora waved a hand in dismissal and started stalking up across the tavern room toward the stairs. Ell gave them a look, but turned back the glittery dwarf, "What does the curse do and what is at the center of the lake?"

"A thick fog, they say it's so thick that you can't see your hand in front of your face. Only about half the boats that have tried sailing through ever came out, none of them going in direction that matched their previous course."

"A few boats came back without any crew," said Zardok Truwater, a crusty old gnome, joining the conversation, "but aye, there's a befuddlement in the wretched fog. Moaning and screaming, too I hear."

Janora, half-way across the room, turned and growled back, "I don't think you should worry about your little curse." Using Prestidigitation the witch made all the flames dim and flicker, "You should be worried about what happens when a witch runs out of temper." Spinning around, they crossed the room and were up the stairs before the silence broke.

Blinking Zardok took a long pull from his beer mug, he set up on the bar. "Don't think you can swim under it either, the befuddlement goes all the way down to the bottom."

Ell flipped a silver onto the bar and nodded toward the empty cup. Haveral took the mug and turned to refill it as Ell asked, "The bottom, how deep is it?"

Zardok smiled and lifted the now foaming beer mug and saluted the young man. After taking a drink he said, "Something like 20 miles deep, I believe. There are some things supposed to be living down in the deeps. Metal skinned sharks and thorn-tipped octopi. And by everything that is holy, if you see a light ahead in the water...swim away, don't go looking for it."

Ell looked puzzled and asked, "Why not?"

"Legends say it's a sort of angler fish," replied Zardok, "but only a couple of people have ever seen it and returned." Cackling a bit he added, "Nobody in my lifetime that I know of."

Ell nodded, "That sounds like some excellent advice, thank you. Would you be interested in taking us out on to the lake?" The warlock held up a hand as Zardok started to protest, "You don't have to sail into the fog, just near it. I think we should take a look at it, but my friends and I need to do some diving."

The old gnome finished the beer and nodded, "Aye, you folk did a good turn for Miss Panna last Planting. Come on down to the docks in the morning and we can go sailing.

45th Amberspell

The next morning Janora was in a much better mood and the party had a quick breakfast before heading down to the docks, looking for Zardok. The old gnome was sprawled across a pile of ropes, but woke quickly when Ell called his name. The old fisherman let the party over to his boat, a single sailed trawler with the unlikely name of Lucky Starfish.

After settling everyone on board, the gnome raised the sail and began steering the boat out into the lake. As the party rode along, they began discussing what they were going to do once they got out near the center. Janora assured everyone that she had Water Breathing prepared and could also easily cast Water Walk. They also suggested that at least Janora and their self try to take a look at the strange fog.

Denye nodded, "I don't know if we will be able to do anything about it but I am quite curious to examine the phenomeome."

Ell shrugged, "I don't think it will hurt, but aren't we trying to get to the bottom of the lake?"

"Eventually," agreed Janora, "but you said this weird magic extends down into the water, didn't you?"

Ell nodded, "That's what Zardok said last night."

Hearing his name, the gnome called over, "So what it you folks are looking for? The enormous stone cube that's down there?"

For a moment, no one said anything, but then Jilken, her brows furrowed, asked, "A giant stone cube? Do you know if it black and shiny, like volcanic glass?"

"Oh aye," agreed Zardok, "with waves of pale colored lights that wash over the surface of the thing."

Denye looked over at Jilken, "That sounds like what you told us about your dream, doesn't it."

"Sure sounds like it," agreed Jilken, "the dream showed me a way to get in as well, a crack near the base."

Vellikar looked back at Zardok, "How do you know about this giant stone?"

"I seen it, didn't I," said Zardok gruffily, "Long, long time ago it was now. Me and a couple of the cousins went down on a dare. That twisting magic goes all the way down too, but Velza knew a secret bout that. Follow the cold, she said, so we did and we found that block of melted looking stone dead center at the bottom of the lake."

The party might have asked further questions, but Zardok announced that this was as far as he would take them. The strange swirling fog, was only about 60-70ft away and seemed to be contained by a smooth cylinder of force. Both Janora and Vellikar tried using Gusts of wind to disperse the fog, but it had little effect beyond making the mists roil faster.

Denye just closed her eyes and began reaching out to get a feel for the arcane forces at work. After a few minutes of quiet study she opened her eyes and cocked her head to the side in puzzlement. "The good news," she announced, "is I don't think the fog itself is magical, nor do I think this is a spell per se. The weave of magic is all twisted and warped in that area, probably damaged in the original explosion. That is what is creating the mist, the surface of air and water mixing in the damaged area. If this is really from the Cataclysm, why did it happen here, but not down in the Bay."

Vellikar looked aghast, "What do you mean, damage to the Weave?" Examining the fog closing with his own druidic abilities, he shook his head, "You are right, worse, it looks to have been growing into this twisted form for centuries." Turning to look at the others, he added, "That would certainly mess with peoples heads and confuse directions. So how are we going to get through it."

Ell nodded at Zardok, "He just told us, we need to find the cold paths." Looking over at the older gnome, he asked, "Where exactly should we be looking?"

Zardok shrugged, "Can't remember 'xactly. Down near the bottom of the lake certainly."

Ell sighed, "So that brings us back to the question of to get down there."

Ranunkel brightened, "What if I transform into my stone elemental and you all hung on me? The weight should be enough to pull us down easily enough."

That seemed like a good idea to everyone else, so Janora cast Water Breathing on the party and one by one, they all jumped over the side. Ell was the last to jump, and Zardok called out, "Keep your wits and be careful. Watch out for the coral."

The descent was uneventful and apart for several schools of fish, saw nothing to cause concern. The dive itself was almost four hours, but still half the time it had taken to get to the bottom of the Bay. Ranunkel's stone shape ran out just before the team reached the bottom, but by then it was in sight and the party began looking for the channels of cold that Zardok had mentioned.

While the words had be somewhat confusing, of course water this deep would be cold, it made much more sense when Jilken pushed a hand into the effected waters and found it quite warm. A single hand in the area didn't seem to be enough to cause the confusion they had been warned about and so the team set about following the edge and looking for cold spots.

Janora was the first to spot such an area and called to the others to come check it out. After a bit of discussion, they began following the channel staying within the colder waters. The channel itself twisted and turned, spiralling in one direction, before almost doubling back on itself, but eventually everyone made it out into an empty bubble at the center of this column.

Before them stood a large almost cube of stone, at least three-stories tall and just as wide. Just as Jilken had described from her dream, the stone itself was a sort of melted looking polished glass. It had clearly fallen into place as it sat slightly askew, one corner slightly lower than the others.

Looking around, there were little in the way of fish or small animals in this bubble, but the bottom of the lake was covered in mosses and seaweed. Large clusters of blood red coral lay scattered around the small bowl as well. The enormous stone, however, stayed clear of any growth. As they watched, waves of arcane energy washed over the surface in a slow motion light show.

Ell wandered over to look at one the clumps of coral, "Why do you think Zardok told us to avoid this?" As he neared, the coral shook and tried to grab for the young man, but Denye pulled him out of the way just in time. Pointing to a few bones laying on the sandy ground at the base of the coral she said, "Probably so you don't end up like whoever that was."

Jilken called to the others, "I think I found it." While they had been looking at the coral or examining the stone, the Aiel elf had been circling the base and easily found the crack. Pointing it out to the others, it seemed wide enough to slip through and one by one they did so.

Report Date

11 Mar 2022