Session 68 - Sanctum of the Sphinx

General Summary

21st Sov'van - Contd

The doors of the room with gemstone statues stood open and another tunnel lies beyond sloping ever downwards and becoming more pronounced. The path became difficult, but everyone managed to keep to their feet. As they were walking Janora noted that they had crossed out of the Material World proper, but not fully into another plane either. Eventually the team arrived at the bottom with the tunnel spreading out into an enormous room, the walls and ceilings vanishing into the darkness past what even darkvision could pierce.
A single dim light in the distance drew the party and they discovered a large sandstone ziggurat, topped by pillar of moonlight in which hung the Reasoner. The space was silent, save for the party's footfalls, but about 30-40 ft from the base, Janora noted the soft sound of sand grating against sand on the nearest side of the structure. Getting closer, they discovered a sandy pit, in which a smallish sandworm swam.
"Is that the same kind of worm as the ones we rode?" asked Denye, "How has been kept so small? It has to have been down here for centuries."
"What?", asked Jilken, pulling her eyes away from a pipe set into the back wall at the base of a set of stairs. Gulping, she looked down at Denye, "The sandworm? Yes, it's the same kind, just kept small by being hemmed in by rock. If held in captivity, they only grow as large as the space allows."
"And this one has just been swimming back and forth for 500 years or more?" asked Ranunkel, with a touch of horror in his voice, "What did it eat?"
"We're not really sure what it is they eat or how often they really need to eat," replied Jilken with a shrug. Chuckling she went on, "I mean, they will eat anything that can fit in their mouths, except water or solid stone. Some say that all they really need is the sand itself, but they filled with an unrelenting hunger and so desire to consume all." Another memory popped into Jilken's head and she blinked once or twice before saying, "I read once that the Jenn Aiel called the worms a reminder, a punishment, and a guide."
"Of what?" asked Denye, looking thoughtful.
"The punishment part is easy," replied Jilken, "I assume they meant punishment for the Great Sin. My people have had to stay sharp and learned how to move through the desert of our homeland with the aid of the Behel'kaa so that would explain the guide bit, not to mention some of the gifts of the worms, like the hora dust and....other things." The Aiel stuttered over the last words as her eyes drifted back over to the sandpit and the pipe.
Denye nodded, "And the reminder is what...that there are always things bigger than you that you need to watch out for?"
"Perhaps it's the insatiable hunger of the worms," suggested Janora, "that's an affliction I have some familiarity with. A reminder to not let pleasure become mindless." Pointing down at the worm she asked, "But why is it here? Are we supposed to do something with it?"
"I'm not really sure," replied Jilken with a weak laugh, "most of the sietchs have at least one on hand. It can be difficult to find the sandworms when they are small enough and usually requires at least one priest and one wise woman." Wanting to move the conversation away from the setup, Jilken pointed up at the bell, "It looks like it's right there, let's go get what we came for" and began walking toward the nearest staircase.
When Jilken got within two steps of the stairs, a booming voice from the darkness above called out “What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?” Before anyone could say anything, the question was followed by a blossoming of fire high above as a large androsphinx spread his wings and dropped to land lightly on the ziggurat, waiting for an answer. The sphinx itself is a wonder to behold; large leonine body but scaled with what looked like gemstones and wings of fire. His mane is made of swirling thunderclouds and his humanoid face is mobile ice, with eyes like a starfield. Regally he surveyed the party and asked, “Well, have you no answer for Melathon?”
Jilken swallowed once or twice, but thinking quickly offered the answer, The Letter “M.” This was the correct answer and the sphinx relaxed and became somewhat friendly. "Very good, child of the sands," he said, "I am Melathon, guardian and protector of this holy site. It has been long years since any have found their way here, what quest has brought you to this sanctum?"
"Things in the world outside have begun to move," responded Jilken, recovering most of her calm, "Ancient powers long thought gone and my friends and I are trying to do something to stop it from happening. We were given a poem about artifacts of great power and one of the stanzas has led us to you." Looking over her shoulder at Denye, she mentally asked, "Do you have the bit about mighty empire and the sphinx sans nose?" Denye who had pulled out her notebook and was furiously sketching, looked up in surprise but repeated the relevant stanza of the poem. Jilken nodded before finishing, "That led us to the city of Token'eska and finally here. We come for the bell."
"Indeed," said Melathon gravely, "I would be pleased to learn that my guardianship is at an end." Nodding at Janora before focusing once more on Jilken he added, "I also see that you already carry two of the bells. I must warn you however, I cannot let you have it unless you tell me the riddle stipulated when I swore the oath to guard this place. Fight me if you will, but I am sworn to defend the bell until such time. Do you know this riddle?"
This caused a quick fire discussion, both verbally and mentally, about the various bits of lore the team had learned in their research. Jilken even pulled out the note from the last of the Jenn Aiel to glance over before handing it to Denye to look for hidden messages. None of it proved to be the needed riddle and the enormous sphinx shook his head ruefully after each attempt. After the four or fifth, Melathon locked eyes with Jilken and suggested, "Perhaps there is another way to learn, to see into the deep past whence my task was set."
Jilken flinched at the phrase but didn't say anything. After a moment or two Ell asked, "Could you do another trance, Jilken, like you did back at the gate with the hora dust?"
The Aiel still looked shaken but shook her head as she turned to look at Ell. "Unfortunately," she said, "hora dust only shows you visions of the future."
Ranunkel snorted and suggested, "So then look ahead for yourself telling him the riddle."
Jilken brightened and started to look hopeful, but it was Melathon's turn to shake his head, his stormcloud mane sparking and rumbling madly. "That will not work I am afraid," said the androsphinx, "this sanctum is outside the weave and weft of reality and as such cannot be scryed upon or seen in any vision. But that is not your only option, is it Daughter of the Sand and Stars?"
"No, sandstorm take you," muttered Jilken flushing hotly, "I already said no to this once. My own mother couldn't force it on me, what makes you think I will do it for you?" In a more accusatory tone she added, "Why is it even here...did someone in the past see me performing the initiation?"
Melathon shrugged one massive shoulder, "I do not know what the Jenn Aiel had seen or not seen, but I think it unlikely, see my earlier point about visions. Nor was I given instruction that one must perform the ritual to acquire the bell, only that they knew the proper riddle. Perhaps it was a fail-safe in case the question was lost, perhaps it is a message by itself, or perhaps it is only a reminder of the desert you come from." Looking intently at Jilken, he added, "Nor was I told to expect you, Jilken Jesop, but you are the first child of the sands to present yourself here. I know that what I suggest could be dangerous, even fatal, but I can see from your heart that you have both the knowledge and strength to consume the waters of awakening."
"Hold on a second," said Janora raising a hand, "what are you talking about? Waters of awakening, what is that? Why would it be fatal?"
"Its..." began Jilken, rubbing her face with her palms and pacing, "it's one of the biggest secrets of sietches, if I tell you this there will be some who will declare me outcast, no matter what the kal'pakto decided. But you are also my amela'bat'shaidar and deserve to know." Pointing at the sandworm she explained, "Do you recall how I said that most sietches have such enclosures? In short the worms can be drowned and their bile collected, this is the waters of awakening. It's used by the reverend mothers for several purposes, but one of those is a ritual of initiation because only reverend mothers have the skill and talent to take in the highly toxic waters and neutralize it, resulting in intense visions that are said to extend to both past and future." Rubbing her face again, the fighter added, "Like I said, I know about the ritual, my mother was pressuring me for more than a year to join the wise women before I finally told her no, quite decisively, and left.
"So you could do this?" asked Ranunkel
"Maybe there is a way Denye and I could help neutralize the poison before you drink it," offered Janora.
"I think the transmutation is part of the whole thing," said Jilken, "but I appreciate the offer. And yes, Ranunkel, I can probably attempt it...but I'm going to need a few minutes to think." With that the Aiel turned and walked off into the darkness for a bit.
The rest of the party looked at each other in confusion but before conversation got much beyond trying a couple of other riddles, Jilken returned, looking and feeling calmer. Taking a deep breath she spoke, "Perhaps it has always been my destiny to undergo this transformation, but I do it on my own terms. I may reach into the past but by doing so serve the future."
Denye nodded solemnly, "How can we help?"
Jilken glanced over at the sandpit and then back to her friends, "The first step will be to drown the worm and then we'll need to collect the bile. If this was truly prepared for such an event, there should be a funnel/waterskin somewhere nearby. I can do that part, but I will need at least one or two people to help hold the worm and someone will need to turn the water on."
Ranunkel offered to help immediately, as did Janora, although the witch looked concerned. The witch put a hand on Jilken's shoulder and asked, "Is there anything you need? Do you need to do anything special to prepare your mind, body, or spirit? Anything we can do for you?"
Jilken laughed shakily, "Honestly, I think if I spend too much time thinking about, I will back out. Better to just get it over with." Dropping most of her weapons and belongings, she lead the way up and into the sandpit. There was indeed a funnel hanging on a hook at the top of the stairs and Jilken picked it up, directing Ranunkel to mover over and begin turning the wheel attached to the pipe.
Water began to spill out and on to the sand and within seconds the sandworm was already reacting, thrashing widely and pushing itself against the far wall. As the water soaked the sand and began to fill Jilken helped the other two grab hold of the creature and hold it in the proper position. The pit was not deep and the water began to rise to the level of their knees. Moving around to the head of the creature, Jilken whispered a prayer before pushing the nose and mouth of the worm underwater. As it thrashed and bucked, she let it back up and as spicy, cinnamon-scented foam began to form at the open mouth, she jammed the funnel over its head and held on as it spilled its guts, producing almost a two quarts worth of liquid. As the worm stilled, Ranunkel ran over to turn off the water, but discovered it had stopped itself, as if a reservoir was emptied.
Leaving the now unmoving worm to sink down under the water, Janora and Jilken followed Ranunkel back up the stairs and down to the rest of the party. Denye came up and with a swirl of golden light used Prestidigitation to dry their clothes.
"So what happens now?" asked Ell.
Tapping the funnel, Jilken said, "Now I drink this and it either kills me or sends me on a visionquest."
The young man paled, "Is it that dangerous?"
Jilken smiled wanly, "If you were to drink this, yes it would almost certainly kill you. But I've taken hora and had some training, before I realized what it was for, so I know the theory of how to handle it."
"What is this going to look like for us?" asked Janora, "What should we expect to see?"
"Much like the hora trance," replied Jilken, "I'll go unconscious and stiff and my breathing will slow markedly, but as long as I keep breathing I should be fine."
Settling down into a seating position, Jilken spent several minutes slowing her breathing and her mind. When she felt ready, she lifted the vessel to her lips and drank deeply, mouthful after mouthful, until Jilken felt like her stomach could hold no more. Setting aside the waterskin Jilken laid back, clasping her hands over her chest as a warm, almost burning sensation filled her and she found her consciousness falling away into the void below.
A moment or two later Jilken found herself standing on a plain of purple grass under a night sky that blazed with a blue and green aurora. 100 yds or so away, she saw a small campfire burning in a circle of 9 standing stones and a pad placed where a 10th pillar would stand. Walking over, Jilken settled onto the cushion before holding her hands out to it. From out of the night a commanding, yet feminine, voice rang out, "Who are you?"
Jilken stood and looked around, "I am Jilken Jesop, daughter of Sietch Fernis and Far Dareis Mai. Who are you?"
Three of the statues on the far side shimmered and become people, old Aiel women from their look, though dressed in white robes. They begin to speak, each one picking up from the other until it was difficult to differentiate one voice from another. "We are the Keepers of History, the Ancestors who came Before, the Makers of the Choice."
Jilken nodded, "Then you are the ones I seek. It has been a long road for me to get here. You speak of a Choice?"
"Indeed," replied the women, "it is the Choice that has drawn you here and the Choice that has long ruled our people. See for yourself who we were and the decisions that were made." Images in the fire attracted Jilken's eye and then seemed to swell to consume her vision as the words of the wise women washed over Jilken.
"Once the shining height of civilization and magic, the Bur'aiel empire, was a land of resource, comfort and plenty. As the first race, elves were born with a connection to the world around them. Making use of this ability the elven nation flourished, but when men, orcs, tabaxi, and dwarves were created these species were shunned and forced to find their own way of being in the world. This then was the first sin against the One."
"Still the magic of the Bur'aiel grew, with floating cities and marvels of every kind. The elves learned to harness this connection to nature and bend elemental forces to their will. This led to windmanes and salamanders, sylphs and dryads being captured and used to power the arcane machinery of the elves. Even going so far as to forge automatons that could be used as protectors or servants. Not all of the elves were happy with this, a small minority spoke out that these were sentient beings who were being enslaved. But with the comforts the empire had to offer such protests were ignored. This then was the second sin against the One."
"This has long been considered the sin that caused the Scouring of the once great Bur'aiel empire and it would have been grave enough, but know now that there was a third sin that blackens the soul of the elves and was the true cause of the destruction. Among the king and his court the voice of the Deceiver whispered and a plan was hatched to remove the sentience from all other forms of life. This appalled others when they learned of the scheme and they sought the advice of the gods. Having retreated beyond the Divine Gate they could do little but offer advice and they advised an alliance between the rulers of the elemental planes, the dragons, and the Titans. This then was the force that swept through and reshaped the Threefold Lands."
The scene in the fire changes to a night sky in the edge of a desert, 9 figures sit around a campfire arguing. "When it was over the land that had been fertile and bountiful was a blasted wasteland and of the millions of elves who had populated the empire only a handful of thousand remained. Those who remained argued for three days as to what the People would do next. Some felt that it was best to forget the past and move on with rebuilding. But the others believed that these sins must be propitiated and that the People must accept the punishment and pay the price by wandering in the wastes for a time. This then was the Breaking when the Bur'an walked away and the Aiel swore the Way of Serenity."
"Before the council departed, a 10th figure appeared, the ancient seer who had first learned the truth of the Bur'aiel. She had foreseen that the council would arrive at the Breaking and strained herself to see what would become of the elven people. Here then is the second secret of the Wise. 'All things change. So too do the people. Long will be the years of this Choice, full of pain and struggle for both of the People. The Bur'an will build their city and prosper, but by ignoring the past they shall be bound by it in ways they have not foreseen. The Aiel have chosen the crucible and so will be tempered in the fire. They too will be unable to hold to their vows and the time of trial shall extend for generations. But all things change, and there will be a time when a new Choice can be made and a new way for the People to reunite and grow. You will know it is time when when the Ham'a Sorei (Dawn Dancer) appears among the Aiel.'"

---

Back in the sanctum, Jilken's body had gone stiff and for several long moments it seemed that she had stopped breathing. Janora was concerned and knelt down to place two fingers at the elf's neck. After a moment or two she nodded and said, "Her heart is still beating and she is breathing, but I'm not sure what that really means in this situation."
"We should put something under her head," suggested Ell, "or maybe...do you think it's safe to move her? Maybe we can spread out one of the bedrolls so she's not laying on the stone."
"It would not be amiss," said Janora nodding, "she's already growing somewhat cold, but I don't know if moving her will disrupt the ritual."
Melathon, who had settled down on the ziggurat, rumbled, "If you are gentle and slow, it will not disturb anything. That she still breaths means she has mostly likely been successful in transmuting the waters, let us hope she is just as successful with her vision quest."
Tear brought over a bedroll and spread it out next to the unconscious elf, and as Janora and Ell lifted her, the goblin slid it underneath. Settling Jilken on the blanket, Janora settled down to keep watch while Tear pulled Ell over to create a magical bonfire so he could brew tea.
Denye had finished her notes on the ter'angreal ritual and gone back to sketching the pyramid. She was startled when the enormous sphinx asked, "So little bird who's nose is always in a book, you among the group are the only one not touched by the gods. I assume you are a wizard...after all why bother with the gods when you can control the very forces of the universe."
The young Corva looked surprised, "I was raised on stories of the Dawnmother...and I still say a prayer now and then, but I'll be honest since I have found my studies and begun understanding the harder magics I haven't had much time for it. Not that there is anything wrong with it, I still believe in the gods but that is not my path."
"Indeed," purred Melathon, "I see much potential and untapped resources within you. For you I will say two things, don't be afraid to try new things and just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD. Consider the path do you seek to blaze."
Denye chirpped a laugh, "You aren't the first person to give me that advice, I'm still trying to work out what it means."
"All part of the process," chuckled the sphinx, before turning to look at Janora, "You on the other hand bear the mantle of the Matron of Ravens, a force long silent in the Material Realm. She must sense the changes in the worlds, but I fear that confirms that darkness comes on the winds of those changes. In her name, I offer you this." Holding out one paw, a small crystal vial filled with a thick red liquid appeared.
The witch took it and looked at it quizzically, "Thank you for such a gift. May I know what it is that I'm holding?"
Melathon smiled, "Three drops of sphinx blood."
Janora blinked several times in shock at the reply, but looked back up at the sphinx and asked, "Why?"
"If the times of change are to be survived, there must be guardians," replied Melathon, smoothly, "you have already said that your group is seeking to stand against the coming dark. Drink the blood and it shall give you strength." Seeing that he hadn't fully answered the witch's question, he added, "If you ask why I would do such a thing for a cleric of the Raven Queen, let us just say that I am repaying a debt from a former incarnation."
Janora looked like she wanted to stay more but simply said, "Then in the Raven Queen's name I thank you."
Melathon nodded gravely before turning his attention to Ranunkel, "And you master dwarf, you shine with the ight and luck of the Master Crafter."
Ranunkel, who had just accepted a cup of tea from Tear, began to shake, but got out, "Oh, thank you. Surely something such as exquisite as you was crafted by that same light."
The sphinx took a moment to look down at his form, "You may be right, the form that I have taken this time is quite lovely. You forget these things after several hundred years alone and after so many bodies. But if you ask if I come from the divine realms, I do and will return through the golden latticework when my guardianship is over...perhaps very soon now." Turning his otherworldly gaze back to Ranunkel, he added, "Three things to hold true. Trust to that luck and you will find what you seek. A keen mind can be trained, but an open-heart, such as yours, must be offered. Like a stone, you are shaped by the forces around you, but unlike rock, you can have mind and will to act as well. Do not forget that."
Ranunkel sat back, a little nonplussed, before admitting, "I do not think I have considered that before, I shall ponder the meaning of your words."
"And you, young man," rumbled Melathon, addressing Ell, "you are fascinating, I would say you bear the mark of a fallen, forgotten goddess, but it's as if some of that fallen corruption had been cleansed and now shown with the same rainbow light the shines from your young goblin friend there. "
Ell looked down at Tear and patted him on the back, saying, "One can only hope to aspire to have such a clear and honest spirit as Tear of Midnight Sorrow. But aye, there are connections to the same Lady."
Melathon eyed Ell appraisingly for a moment or two before nodding, "You carry the Rod of Strength. If it is a path of redemption you are on, seek the Hand on an ancient volcanic island filled with giant lizard beasts from long, long ago."
Ell looked confused and reflexively put a hand to the rod, but only nodded and said, "Thank you for the information."

---

The fires began to die down as new voices, male voices, joined the narrative. "And so history proved to be. The Bur'an built their great city of Djedbura and became locked into tradition and history, trying to recover the magics of the past. The Aiel too, failed to hold to the path of nonviolence until the Jenn Aiel despaired and left their brethren to the lessons of the Threefold Lands."
Looking up Jilken saw that three more of the stones had melted into Aiel. They continued speaking, "Then the Jenn Aiel withdrew and looked to the future. Founding the city of Token'eska the Jenn Aiel continued their own penance, praying for those who were left behind, and preparing for the coming of the Ham'a Sorei. For a time Token'eska flourished and the Jenn Aiel began once more exploring those elemental powers but as partners rather than commanders." The voices blended once more into a single female and a single male voice, "This is the past, the path your Ancestors walked and the choices that were made. Would you now see the futures that may be?"
"I would," replied Jilken carefully, "Or perhaps the wider present, whatever you feel it is important I know or learn."
The six figures raised thier hands and begin chanting one more and as the fire roared up once more, the final three stones shimmered into more elves. Unlike the others, these were dressed in robes that Jilken recognized as Bur'an. These three joined the others in chanting as the figure directly across from Jilken reached into a pouch and flung the contents into the flames.
Once more the visions appeared, though there was no commentary, only the rhythmic chanting. Most flickered by too fast to perceive fully, a thousand different futures both personal and societal, but it was possible to make out themes. Futures where the sietches continue as they were, futures where the sietches lie empty. Futures where the desert has been replaced by rolling hills of grass, futures where human, gnome, and halfling refugees sought shelter and the sky was blackened with roiling clouds filled with red lightning. In many of these a shadowed figure appeared, tall and thin like an Aiel but there was no sense of dress or likeness, only glowing tattoos that covered the body. A red dragon curled around the right wrist shooting sharp, angular flames up the arm. The left wrist was similar wrapped in a blue/green cannadragoon, shooting spiraling, curving jets of water up the other arm. These designs met over the heart forming a maelstrom from which rose fractal clouds of purple steam wrapping around the neck.
A few of the visions lasted long enough for a solid look. Jilken and her friends surrounding a 25 ft high figure with blackened, flaking skin and flame shooting out of eyes and mouth. The party was clearly performing a binding ritual with the bells. Now it was a vision of the same figure, but now 40ft tall and undead roam the lands of Ellebore, the Titan's shadow sucking the life force of all who fall beneath it. Flash, the party is once more fighting, this time against an enormous dragon of bleached bone and necrotic power in a bleak and barren shadow world. The final vision was of Jilken speaking before a council of clan chiefs and princeps, bearing the tattoos of Fire and Water upon her exposed upper body. This was enough of a shock to break her out of the visions of the future to find all of the gathered Ancestors smiling at her. Looking around Jilken looked down at her arms only to see the two dragon tattoos wrapped around her wrists.
Taking a deep breath, Jilken spoke slowly and solemnly, "If this is the future that is to come and destiny has laid this path before me, then this is the path I must walk. But to reach forward, I need to see into the past, to when the sphinx Melathon was bound to the ziggurat."
The woman across from Jilken, who was clearly the spokesperson nodded, "Indeed, you will need all of the bells if the Dark Titan is awakening. The riddle you seek is 'I never was. Am always to be. No one ever saw me, nor ever will. And yet I am the confidence of all who live and breathe.'"
"Thank you," said Jilken smiled gratefully.
A wave of motion sweeps around the circle as the figures knelt, one after the others, until only the woman on the far side of the now smoldering fire was standing. As she stepped forward, to the very edge of the firepit, she lifted her arms and face to the sky. When she brought her head down her eyes were limitless pools stars, similar to the Sphinx's but different and yet somehow familiar. Holding out both hands toward Jilken, she spoke in a much more powerful and resonant voice, "The world is coming to coming to a crossroads and the Aiel must change, you are the Ham'a Sorei, the Dancer Who Brings the Dawn, and you must be the one to guide the People, all of the People, into that new world. Those who came before foresaw this day, and a way has been prepared to breathe new life into the wasted homelands. But first you must answer these questions. Answer honestly and with the wisdom of the past and future, for as a leader in service to your people, you will always dance along the moment of Now." Other voices began calling out, "Have the Aiel been humbled? Have the Aiel learned the value of the other? Have the Aiel repaid their debt to the elementals? Are the Aiel and Bur'an willing to take their place as citizens of the larger world, as equals rather than rulers?"

---

Tear was making a second pot of tea when there was a sudden flash of red and blue light as the tattoos appeared on Jilken's arms, dragons curling over her hands and wrists.
Ell pointed at the tattoos and asked, "That's gotta be a good sign, right?"
"Indeed," purred Melathon, the sphinx, "She is Becoming." Stretching out his wings he went on, "So tell me, you have said you search for these bells to stand against the rising dark, do you know the shape of the dark you face?"
"There's a lot," said Denye, ruffling her feathers.
Janora nodded before asking, "Do you know the name Ollamaas?"
It was Melathon's turn to nod, "I do indeed know of the Dark Titan. Not all of the details of that war, I was not summoned to fight then, but enough."
"We believe," said Janora, smiling grimly, "that there are a group of individuals working to bring him back."
"That is grim news indeed," replied the sphinx gravely, "but it clearly explains why you are hunting Phosro and his siblings."
"Phosro?" asked Janora.
"Yes, the bell that I guard is the Reasoner," said Melathon calmly, "All that remains of Phosro when he and his siblings, the Bright Shiners, poured body, soul, and magic into stopping the Dark One. I met him once, he liked to present himself as an elderly dwarf who was hard of hearing. Stubborn too as I recall, but with a wicked sense of humor."
In response, Janora pulled out the other two bells and asked, "What can you tell me of these?"
"Redanar and Dralloe," replied the large sphinx, sagely, "they were just as formidable in their own ways. Dralloe was always so full of energy and innocence, flitting from one thing to the next...got her in trouble occasionally, but she'd always find a way out. I never met Redanar, but from what I have been told by the Whisperer she was determined and strong willed, she had a way of getting people to do things her way." Chuckling, he added, "Never really worked on Ninsidra, but that is probably because they were smarter than their sister."
"That's not one of the names of the Titans we've found," said Denye curiously, "who were they?"
"You would likely know them as the Betrayer or the Deserter," said Melathon, "I do not know why they did not participate in the Binding, but if I had to guess they saw some unexpected problem with the working and left so that the others would have to go to Plan B. Ninsidra was always the smartest of the group and had a way of analyzing situations and seeing all the potential gaps. Didn't hurt that she also seemed to have a gift of foresight."
Janora nodded and returned the bells to her pack as Melathon went on, "It would make some sense I suppose that Ollamaas is stirring. The Great Conjunction is only a year or so away, and it would take such a time of great power to bring him back...just as the Shiners used the last Great Conjunction to lock him away."
"You know about the Great Conjunction?" asked Denye excitedly.
"It is the end of one Simurhg cycle and the return and rebirth of Zriavli 's Breath," explained Melathon. "This is a very magical event and echoes throughout the nearer planes causing them to shift and move in odd "directions." Many things that are not possible at other times become possible. If I recall that how the Mistress got the job, killing the former god of death."
Janora looked uneasy at that but muttered, "I'll have to ask her about that." In a louder voice she asked, "Do you have any advice for us on facing the Dark Titan or collecting the remaining bells?"
"I know not where any of the other bells are hidden," said the sphinx, "nor do I know anything of this group seeking to free him, but stopping them before he is released would likely be significantly easier. From what I've been told, like the bells, his spirt was bound to a physical object, or rather a pair of them, two half orbs constructed from seven wards of metal (lead, silver, and gold), traditionally protective runic woods (rowan, ash, and oak), and last of all, bone. These two halves were then hidden away, far away from each other, under more wards and spells of the Writ. They were also magically enchanted to repulse each other so that they could not be brought together. Breaking or overcoming that will take an enormous amount of energy, so if this cult cannot be stopped, look for locations where such power could be found."
Denye had been furiously writing this all down in her notebook, when her head snapped up and she looked off into the distance. Muttering a quick, "Be right back," she darted off about 20-30ft from the other and seemed to be talking to herself for a moment.

---

Back in the vision, Jilken absorbed the flurry of questions that had been thrown at her. Taking a deep breath she replied, "Have the Aiel been humbled? There are some who have been, grown sick to our souls at the bloodshed and violence. Some have grown haughty and almost proud of survival in the trials of the Threefold Land. We have learned skill at blacksmithing, the value of family and clan. But there is still blood-feud between the clans over patches of water or territory ranges, fearing that our own will go thirsty and die."
Looking down at her hands, Jilken went on, "Have the Aiel have repaid their ancestral debt to the elementals. We no longer take water or other comforts for granted. We have learned to rely on one another and think outside of our own individual needs. We are resourceful, learning to live in this harsh land and draw moisture from the very air. You ask if the People are ready to take their place in the larger world? The Bur'an have already made much progress in that founding one of the largest trading cities in Umberfell. The Aiel have had less contact, but I believe we can learn. The People need a strong leader who can show the way and lead by example."
Indeed," replied the woman across the fire, her eyes and voice back to normal, "And now you are here. As we have said, the Jenn Aiel have discovered a way to restore the desert. It was a plan that took centuries to conceive and centuries more to prepare for, but in the end it was judged not yet time, nor could the Jenn Aiel do such violence themselves. For the cost of regreening the desert is the destruction of the behel'kaa , our jailors and benefactors.
Producing a bag of seeds from a pocket, she tossed it to Jilken. "These seeds are the catalyst. To perform the activating ritual and germinate the seeds you need two other things; the Sun and Shadow Bowl from the pyramid of Pharaoh Mentu'ra the Elder and the heart of Grandfather Shi'a'kaa. Insert the seeds into the heart and place it in the bowl and leave in the open air for a cycle of Rilar's dance. The seeds should have sprouted and will now be ready for planting. Plant one near each seitch, several near the Welsari Delta and the remainders in the deep sands. Once a month, sacrifice 3 gal of water and pour it over each tree. Do this for a year and the roots will be fully established and the process non-reversable. We are unsure of the exact speed of the transformation, but believe that it will be a matter of decades rather than centuries it might take to happen naturally. The choice is yours, to use this gift now or at a future time...or to not use it at all. You are the one who brings the dawn and what that dawn reveals. It is not an easy road. Trust in yourself and those you call friends."
As the woman spoke these final words, Jilken found the world fading out around her and her eyes closing. When she opened them again, she was back in her body, laying on a bedroll, surrounded by her friends.
Janora was at her side in a flash and helped the Aiel sit up, asking "How do you feel?"
"I feel," began Jilken, "I feel great actually." Holding out her arms, Jilken stared at the new tattoos that marked them, "A little overwhelmed and confused, but I don't feel ill or sick."
Janora pursed her lips, "Can you talk about it? What do you remember?"
"All of it," Jilken replied, "I saw the past, our sins and our choices. I glimpsed visions of possible futures, both dark and kind." Gesturing at her arms she added, "I discovered a destiny and responsibility and was given a gift, a key to remake my homeland and lead us into the future." Looking down in her lap, she discovered the bag of seeds had indeed come with her.
Janora clasped Jilken's hands with one of her own and used the other to grab Jilken by the chin. Looking her dead in the eye, the witch asked, "Did you happen to hear or see anything about a riddle?"
"Janora," exclaimed Ranunkel, "you can't just ask someone that when they are in the middle of explaining their religious experience to you!"
This elicited a bark of laughter from Jilken, as Janora sniffed sharply and said, "Clearly I can, I just did."
"Yes, I was told the riddle," said Jilken when she had recovered, "here, help me to my feet." Standing the Aiel walked over to stand before Melathon. Giving the sphinx a complicated Aiel bow she recited, "I never was. Am always to be. No one ever saw me, nor ever will. And yet I am the confidence of all who live and breathe. What am I?"
With a smile and a final stretch, Melathon will provide the answer, "Tomorrow." Giving the party a deep bow he said, "My stewardship is over and I may rest. Step into the sunlight and you will be transported to the surface." As he finished speaking began to fade away into glittering deep blue and golden sparks leaving the party alone in the chamber with the bell.
"Wait," called Ell, "what sunlight? It's a column of moomlight."
There was no answer, but after a moment or two of silence, Jilken led the way up the pyramid. Reaching into the pillar of moonlight, Jilken grasped the bell and began drawing it out. Two things happened when the bell left the light. The first was that the clapper of the bell began to softly chime against the side of the bell, but Jilken heard it and with her other hand grasped the clapper before it could truly ring. The second thing that happened was that the pillar of moonlight, brightened into the yellow-gold of the noonday sun.
"And there's the sunlight," said Janora, handing Jilken a strip of leather to wrap about the clapper. Pulling out another cloth, Janora accepted the now muffled bell and wrapped it tightly before slipping it into her bag. Looking around at the others, the witch asked "Anything else we need to do down here?" Everyone shook their head no and Jilken led the way, stepping into the sunlight and vanishing, the others following one by one.
The party reappeared next to one of the four obelisks surrounding the Sphinx in Token'eska in the late afternoon light. Janora looked around and taking off her hat to run a hand through her hair, she said, "Well that was all a fucking lot. I vote we just set up camp and we head out tomorrow."
"I like that plan," agreed Denye.
Jilken shook her head, "I don't think I will be able to trance for a while. I need some time to process everything that just happened. But let's find somewhere to set up camp first."
There was a larger building, still looking whole and without cracks or damage. Several smaller rooms were arranged around one larger space with a fireplace, so there was a good communal space, but also private rooms for those who wanted them.
As they were setting up, Denye remembered the message she had received, "I almost forgot in the excitement, that thing I had to take care of was a message from Labradorite. She thinks she may have found the location of another bell and wanted us to come to the Collegium when we had a chance. I can teleport us there in the morning."
Janora shook her head, "I would really prefer to head down the backside of these mountains and get down into the jungle. I'm sure it's close enough to a forest for my travel spell, but I need to spend some time walking there for it to work."
"But I can take us to Haven directly," insisted Denye.
"Right," agreed Janora, "but can you come back here? We haven't seen a teleport circle here anywhere. If we can spend a couple of hours in the jungle, I should be able to return us there if we ever want to come back."
"Ohhhh," said Denye, "you are right, that would be much faster than spending a year inscribing a new circle."
"So where are we going next?" asked Ranunkel, "do you need to go back to your people, Jilken, and report that we found Token'eska?"
"If someone could send a message to Reverend Mother Oladre," suggested Jilken slowly, "and let her know. I think I need some time to adjust before I go back in person."
"I have that spell," said Denye happily, "If you give me a message, I can send it to her."
"Give me a little time to think about what I want to say," said Jilken, "I'm going to go wander for a bit, but I'll be back before you head to bed." With that Jilken headed outside, disappearing into the dimming light of the abandoned city. The others settled down to deal with things as Tear began rummaging through packs to begin dinner.
As darkness fell the stars began coming out and after dinner Janora stepped outside to look up at the night sky. As she did so, she froze, her eyes narrowing and furiously tracking the positions of the stars. Moving back over to the doorway, she announced, "Everyone, I'm fairly sure we were gone a lot longer than we think. The stars look to be two weeks further along in the dance of the seasons."
"How did that happen?" asked Ell.
"Well I didn't say anything about it, because it didn't seem threatening," said Janora, "but the place where we found the sphinx and the bell wasn't really quite on the material plane...it felt sort of in-between."
"Ohhh, it's a demiplane," exclaimed Denye, "that would certainly explain the limitless void that surrounded everything." What followed was a long explanation of demiplanes and how these pockets of reality could be carved out of the nothingness between worlds.
Before everyone went to bed, Jilken handed Denye a scrap of paper with a message for Mother Oladre. Reading it over one, Denye nodded and Sent, "My Sister, through drowned water I have gazed into my blood. Dawn dances closer, but should I quickly dance home or follow the quest. Jilken"
The response came swiftly and Denye relayed, "I am pleased to hear of your success. Take your time and do what must be done. I look forward to your return."
Before Janora went to bed, she pulled out the vial of blood and stared at it for several long moments. Speaking to herself she said, "I trust the sphinx don't I, he seemed genuine and honest...if a little cryptic. This has to help, right?" Before she could change her mind, she uncapped the vial and drank it down. It burned going down, much like a fine whiskey and the witch fell asleep dreaming of raven feathers.

38th Sov'van

The next morning Janora woke feeling refreshed, but apart from joints feeling stiffy and achy, there was no visible change. But she wasn't the only one to wake up to a surprise, Ranunkel woke and found the large green gem he had found, clutched in one hand and cradled to his chest.
Neither said anything, but joined the others over a breakfast of porridge that Tear had started last night. Over breakfast the party discussed plans for the day and confirmed that everyone was still on-board for heading for the jungle and the fabled city of White Gryphon beyond. Packing up, the party headed back for the entrance they had used before and the tunnel beyond leading out to the Gate of Peace. The large golden sphinxes did not react as the team passed through and they soon made it back to the large cave where five doorways stood behind the block of numeric sigils.
Janora took the time to call up her raven and took to the sky, flying low to scout out a path through the mountains. That aid provided invaluable and the team were able to find a jagged path that took them curving around to the back side of the mountains. It was a series of rocky goat trails, sheer precipices, and vertical climbs. At one point Denye even had to cast Fly on the party to get them over a particularly deep gorge.
As the sun began to vanish behind the Teeth, the party found themselves breaking out of the mountains and caught their first good look at the jungle that awaited them. A riot of colors including every shade of green one could think of spread out. Bird song fills the air, as did a number of small biting insects, other animals noises could be hear further in as the nocturnal denizens began to wake. Tall trees with large frond leaves tower over a tangle of vines, ferns, and other strange-looking underbrush that choked the visible terrain.
Deciding that dusk was not the best time to venture into an unknown place, the team decided to search out a nearby suitable location to camp. An open area among large boulders provided some screening and hid the fire that Tear used to cook dinner. After the meal, Janora cast Tiny Hut and choosing a watch, the team all settled into their long rest.

39th Sov'van

The next morning dawned cool and damp, with thick tendrils of fog that drifted among the trees, adding more mystery and a touch of foreboding to the jungle. As the day began to warm, the fog began to clear. Once more Janora took the lead, and armed with her sickle began cutting a path through the underbrush, heading in a northeasterly direction. After a quarter mile or so, the underbrush had spread out a bit and wasn't as snarled. Using her barghast the witch found a stream bed, mostly dry right now for the party to follow.
That increased the pace significantly and the party made good time for an hour or so. Eventually they found that the stream bed ran into a medium sized pond covered with florescent green algae, muddy water visible beneath. As they neared Ell pointed out a pair of sharp pointed sticks, maybe 3-4ft apart that stood straight up in the middle of the pool. "That's funny," he said, "I wonder if that just happened naturally or if someone put them like that."
Denye moved closer to the edge of the pool, trying to get a look into the water, but it was difficult with all the muck. Before anyone could say anything else, Ell conjured his Mage Hand and sent it out to tug on one of the sticks. It wasn't able to lift the stick out of the water but a moment later the "stick" rose anyway, proving to be a horn of a large six legged, frog creature pushed itself up out of the water. It's upper body was covered in a thick bark-like skin and moss and water weeds clung to it's shape as it turned beady eyes filled with hungry and madness on those standing at the shore.
Ell looked completely nonplussed but recovered quickly, leaning forward and waving slightly he said, "Oh, I'm so sorry. We didn't mean to disturb you. How are you doing today, Mr. Frog?"
The enormous frog blinked once or twice before leaping to put himself at the edge of the pool. Taking a deep breath that expanded his throat pouch, the creature released a deafening croak. Denye managed to cover her ears in time, but both Ell and Tear were deafened as their eardrums ruptured and blood began dripping from their ears. Janora immediately cast a Blight spell as Jilken fired off an arrow blast.
Tear was also knocked to the ground unconscious, but there was a flash of ice blue light from within Ell's pack and the little goblin came away, shaking his head in confusion. Pushing himself to his feet, he backed away as he pulled out a greater healing potion and downed it. Ducking behind a rock, he grabbed his force pistol and fired off two shots. The first was just a little high and passed over the creature, but the second blast struck the frog full in the face.
Shaking it off, the monster leapt out of the pool, landing between Jilken, Ell, and Ranunkel. One claw went for Jilken, but the elf danced out of the way and returned the attack with a sharp crack of the spear into one eye. A second wrapped around Ranunkel's arm, digging in and drawing the dwarf closer to take a chomp with surprisingly sharp looking teeth. 
Jilken flipped the spear and delivered two solid strikes with her lightning blade. She tried a couple more strikes with the butt as well, but the armor was too thick. Ranunkel Wildshaped into his elemental form, forcing the monster to release him. The stone druid swung two heavy fists at the frog. The first blow landed on its back and didn't seem to do much, but the second was an undercut that struck it square in the face.
Ell looked on in horror and began walking backwards to get out of range before casting Mental Prison. The giant frog managed to resist the worst of the spell's effect but took a large bit of psychic damage. As he did so, there was a rustling in the undergrowth as a second bukavac burst into the clearing and ran at Janora, trying to gore the witch but she saw it in time to dodge.
Denye looked back and forth at the two creatures and getting an idea, ducked around behind Jilken to get out of range, taking a quick slash from the bukavac as she did so. Whirling around she shouted, "Cover your eyes, Ell!" Throwing up her talons she conjured a Sunbeam that lanced through both monsters, burning off moss and charring their bark. Ell would have been caught it in it as well, but the bright golden energy simply split and flowed around him.
Janora threw out a hand toward her small goblin friend and cast Shield of Faith on Tear. Turning to look at the beast that had rushed her, she swept out with her Sickle of the Harvest, catching one of the horns, but only managed to score it. Feeling a bit more daring, Tear leapt out from his hiding place and fired off two more shots with the force pistol. The first shot blew away a chuck of bark and moss, but the second went high as the goblin tripped over a nearby rock.
The first bukavac, howling in pain, lashed out at Ranunkel twice, claws digging into his rocky form. The beast also swiped at Ell and Jilken. The young man wasn't quite fast enough and ended up getting grappled, but Jilken danced out of the way and sent a bolt of electricity into the monster in response. Angry, she brought the spear around and delivered two more strikes into the creature's chest, killing it and freeing Ell in the process.
Seeing that Jilken had dispatched the first beast, Ranunkel circled around to close with the second monster. As he did so, Ell warned over party radio, "Watch out, that one didn't use it's big attack yet." Pulling out the Rod of Strength, the warlock cast Aid on himself, Denye and Tear. It was a good warning as the second bukavac, released it's own Bellowing Croak, catching Jilken, Ranunkel, and Janora. Jilken and Ranunkel shook off the effects but the witch found herself deafened and began cursing up a storm.
Still holding the orb of golden light, Denye turned slightly to get a better angle and sent another Sunbeam lancing through the second monster. Looking over at Ell she winced and said, "You don't look very good. Just hold on and we'll see about getting you patched up. For the moment take this..." as reaching into her bag, she pulled out a potion of greater healing and tossed it to the young man. Now fully pissed, Janora called up another Blight spell and sent it hurtling toward the enormous frog. As it struck, black tendrils of necrotic energy spread out over the creature, causing some of the moss and brush to wither and die away, but still the monster refused to die. 
Tear decided to change tactics and shoved the force pistol into a pocket before reaching down and pulling out the alchemical lantern. Edging around to get a better shot, he send a large glob of the fiery goo to splatter all over the creature's back. Backing away, he threw himself flat behind a bush. Jilken meanwhile advanced on the second beast, calling, "If you have any sentience, now would be the time to run away." When the monster didn't react, the Aiel swung out twice more with her spear, but only one of the strikes managed to penetrate the tough hide. 
Ranunkel looked at the big frog and muttered, "I really don't want to do this, but you keep hurting my friends." With a roar he brought both fists down on the bukavac, breaking off one of its horns. Ell tried to help out as well with a trio of Eldritch Blasts, but only one of the blasts hit. Still it knocked the creature back 10ft. Which was great, until the bukavac rushed at Ranunkel, trying to gore him with it's remaining horn. As it got close, Jilken hit it with another spear attack and it turned it's attention to her, swiping out with two claw attacks. The first one scrapped down Jilken's leg, but she managed to avoid both the second strike and getting grappled by the monster. It also lashed out at Janora and as it struck her, the witch exploded in a burst of raven feathers and then reappeared 30ft away, glowering at the beast. 
With a sigh at the creature's tenacity, Denye sent one more Sunbeam against the foe. This time, the spear of golden light burned right through the center of the beast's head and into it's brain and with a final gasp, it fell to the jungle floor unmoving.
Breathing hard, everyone gathered to examine one of the creatures, marveling how different it was from other creatures they had encountered. When Denye realized how badly injured both Ell and Tear were, she pulled out her spell book and muttered, "I've been working on something new, let's see if works." Holding a hand up towards Ell, the wizard cast Life Transference and sent some of her own lifeforce into the young man. 
"That was pretty slick," acknowledged Janora, nodded approvingly, "but you didn't need to give him your lifeforce, I still have group healing spells. Closing her eyes for a moment the witch cast Mass Cure Wounds on the party. That brought them back up a bit, but everyone decided that a short rest probably wouldn't hurt either and so they all settled down to watch Jilken collect the legs of these strange frog-like creatures.

Character(s) interacted with

Melathon - elemental androsphinx who guarded the Reasoner, deep below Token'eska

Report Date

21 Mar 2023