|
Post by kore on Mar 11, 2011 0:07:59 GMT -8
My meditation seemed short-lived as the more immediate task of determining the nature of this complex of cairns kept the whole fellowship on edge. Exploration of each corridor, room, and building has lead to mysteries and dangers, all of which having a distinct link to the engravings upon the cairns near the entrance of the garden; some more obvious than others. My attempts to descry the purpose of these buildings and the arcane energy coursing through the runes that mark the walls have resulted in visions: walls of carved stone lead to a room of faded paintings and an overwhelming sense of emptiness; brick walls mortared with a black ichor dripping down them surround me as despair washes over me and distant moans offer only hopelessness; desolation surrounds me as a black void looms overhead as if all life and energy had been removed.
My attempts to explain these visions to my companions seemed almost futile until one building displayed a perplexing property: walking through its doors at specific intervals transported us to different planes. Because our first encounter with a golem of ivy required a retreat so that we could recover, we hoped to find some alternative route to the room or corridor it guarded or a means of aiding its defeat; its power was well beyond that of anything our fellowship has thus encountered. Thusly, we happened upon the transplanar building which required synchronization, through some trial and error, on everyone's behalf in order for us to traverse the building together. Of course, the nature of this building wasn't determined until we had experienced each of its planar manifestations: Eberron, Dolurrh, and some other malevolent plane of which I could only guess. Regardless, it is evident that my visions correspond with each of these planescapes.
Alas, this building revealed no secrets for defeating the ivy golem and we decided, with some insistence from me, to return to the poem for clues, thus leading us back to the room of tapestries; therein the riddle was solved. In that moment, Josan disappeared in a crack of thunder and in his place sparks of lightning heralded the appearance of Valna ir'Tasrin, weary and tattered. As glowing blue scars on her arms slowly faded, she greeted us with relief, claiming that Gydd had sent her, hastening us toward destroying the beast she called the Ivy Heart. With her assistance we felled the monstrosity at which time she insisted that we destroy the gem set in one of its eye-stalks; the gem seemingly attempted to steal the souls of both myself and Mummy-John during our encounters and Valna cautiously alluded to some unknown individual who could see through such a gem. Then Valna's scars began to glow blue as she quickly handed Watcher an invisible dagger, instructing us to "go to Sharn, find a place where the barriers are already weak and cut through, this will want to go home". Lightning flashed and thunder boomed as Valna disappeared and was replaced by a confused Josan.
|
|
|
Post by kore on Mar 29, 2011 23:08:06 GMT -8
After the fellowship had gathered itself, we entered the doorway that had been locked magically. Down the dark corridor we could see strobing blue light flicker through runes carved through the walls and doors. Within the chamber beyond we found a device to which all the arcane energy, on which the complex was drawing, was being focused. Though it proved easy to dismantle I fear we've drawn the attention of the unnamed power alluded to by Valna as the room was filled with an enraged scream from some far away place; it would seem that the function of this arcane engine has ceased, though. Satisfied that we had thwarted the ill-intentions of someone willing to defile this sacred place, it was assumed that we should return to Eberron, perhaps by means of the way we entered Thelanis.
Despite the urgency of Valna's parting words, however, I could not forsake the chance to see my home; not surprisingly, my companions didn't share this enthusiasm. The expanse of mist that seperated us from Shaelas Tiraleth was daunting to say the least, but my instinct told me that the portal into which Elfstar evaporated would lead me to what I desired. As for everyone else, stepping into the device was not a gamble they were willing to take. Therefore, I decided to part ways, taking only that which I needed. Though they were not willing to step through the portal with me, my companions agreed to linger a short time in case I returned quickly.
On the other side of the portal was a path leading to a glade. Through the haze I could see the silhouettes of several individuals. I did not wish to gamble on the disposition of the group thus I resolved that I would have to convince my companions to join me. Knowing that, at the least, entering the portal did not lead to annihilation the fellowship passed through together. Further observation of the group in the glade revealed that one of the members, a human, was about to be executed by the others, all of whom were warforged. Our encounter with them revealed that they were loyal to a warforged called the Lord of Blades.
The individual they harried turned out to be Caldur d'Medani, the investigator who was helping Edwin d'Cannith find Kara d'Orien and the parcel she carried; he also happened to be a rakshasa. Unusually, Caldur did not greet us as rescuers but as interlopers, insisting that "you should not be here"; it would seem that wherever I go I am not where I should be. He spoke to us in quick, broken sentences, switching between thoughts like a madman as we questioned him; we soon discovered that he was the rakshasa with whom I conversed in both portal images. As he had then, he spoke the phrase "time and prophesy are malleable in the mist" and revealed that we had not only crossed planes but had travelled to some time in the future. He warned us not to be eager about knowing more about our "present" location, explaining that the business of time travel and its effects on one's perception of reality eventually lead to insanity, a battle with which he was apparently losing; ultimately, he explained, the mind becomes a portal through which the spawn of Xoriat may enter our plane.
As for me, it seems that I was a willing party in my deeds displayed in the portal and I was doing so to save Shaelas Tiraleth. It is clear, now, that Elfstar's passage through the portal changed history in some manner, thus changing the form Caldur adopted in order to make plans with my future, or present, self. The final thing he shared with us he revealed by asking to see the Dragonmark map. Thereupon we saw that the mist had spread well beyond the borders of Cyre, engulfing whole nations such as Darguun and Zilargo and covering much of Breland. He hastened us to leave and instructed us to find him in Sharn if we had more questions. He then lead us to a spiraling path that eventually returned us to Eberron.
|
|
|
Post by kore on Apr 15, 2011 13:22:41 GMT -8
The spiraling path proved treacherous as our fellowship hurried around the continuing bend. It eventually led to a lightly wooded area near the shore of the Dagger River, north of Sharn. At what point along the path we returned to the time from which we came or crossed over to Eberron is unknown, but it took little time to notice that something was different. Sheets and chunks of ice floated silently down the river and the chanting of war mages could faintly be heard upstream; the sky was strangely empty of airships.
We later learned from various sources that many airships mysteriously crashed, due to some unknown event linked to elemental forces, while scores of others seemed to be migrating north toward Aundair. Captain Kalaes was busy coordinating a response and taking reports from across Khorvaire when we reported the outcome of our mission to him at the Sivis communication tower, of which he was using as a base of operations.
After an evening rest, we sought Caldur. While entering his office, a cloak on the rack near the door brought the sudden realization that Caldur was the messenger who brought me out of Cyre before the Day of Mourning. Caldur revealed the purpose of my mission. According to him, I was (am) trapped in Thelanis due to the events on the Day of Mourning, thus preventing me from fulfilling my role in certain passages of the Draconic Prophesy. When the opportunity presented itself, I was sent back across space and time so as to circumvent the hindrance of the mist to provide me the opportunity to save my beloved city.
Through an exchange of information, we also learned of the Lords of Dust with whom Caldur has some affiliation. They fear for the annihilation of Eberron by the spawn of Xoriat but only so far as to insure its survival for their planned conquest. Why I would align myself with such fiends and participate in their schemes escapes me, though the simple answer is that our interests align. However, the character of a person willing to ally oneself with demons and other monstrosities is highly suspect.
Who was (am) I that I would consider such an alliance? Though I consort with unfathomed powers that I scarcely understand, to knowingly deal with the denizens of the Chaos of Khyber, prison to Lolth and her kin, would seem unimaginable were it not true. Was I deceived? Was I coerced? Did I choose? As I ponder these matters I find myself unable to focus and discern the truth; it is as light scattered by a prism.
However, the words of Khyber demand reconciliation. As an author of the Draconic Prophesy, his discontent with my presence would suggest that the prophesy, a portion of which Caldur claimed I was sent to fulfill, was never my destiny. In his arrogant confidence, Caldur has proven himself a liar. The truth is that he and the Lords of Dust are no more qualified to decipher the Draconic Prophesy than a child; they merely seek to twist it to fulfill their own ends. The corruption of the prophesy brought on by the mist has merely provided an opportunity for malevolent powers to bend it to their own ends.
|
|
|
Post by kore on May 26, 2011 17:57:35 GMT -8
Our next task was apparent, though not entirely clear: "...find a place where the fabric is already weak and cut through." Additionally, Mummy-John had learned that his brother, thought dead at birth, lives in Sharn and he wished to find him. As destiny would have it, we sought the one person who could lead us to both, Valna. Unfortunately, Mummy-John's brother, known as the Son of Khyber, is under constant threat of assassination by the dragonmarked houses and our rendezvous was postponed. Until new arrangements could be made we found ourselves returning to the home of Aric Blacktree where we might follow the instruction given by Valna.
As Watcher followed Valna's instructions with precision, fear gripped me and I gave pause, attempting to persuade our fellowship not to go through. But with a conviction unlike any that I had yet seen from him, Watcher insisted we cross over and we returned to the future, to Sharn, despite my shameful reluctance. Fear of returning here, to a time where I have already conspired with Caldur, had caused me to hesitate when determination was required. However, seeing what awaits those who call Eberron home and weighing it against the Corellon herald's admonition has enlightened and emboldened me with purpose.
As history has unfolded around me I have now found myself at odds with the being of my origin in a way that transcends my original understanding of the herald's guidance. I had perceived my destiny as something to be obtained, searching for some elusive "great secret" over which to claim guardianship and bring about fulfillment. This primitive belief has served me well enough to bring me to action, but it is no longer sufficient. My destiny has been ever-present, it is now and forever, and perhaps I am the mystery of which the herald spoke, the vessel through which the power of the Azure Star will undo that which spreads its corruption across space and time.
As I explore the possibilities of my destiny my attention is drawn to my hope to one day return to Shaelas Tiraleth and what I may lose as my destiny is brought to fruition. What if my destiny saves Shaelas Tiraleth, can I truly hope that the threat of Caldur's meddling will cease? Though he seeks to drive back the mist, I cannot presume to plum the depths of his cunning. Whatever connection he and I once had was severed on the Day of Remembrance and I must remain vigilant not to allow him to weave a new bond. Thus, even the hope of returning to my beloved home may be used as a means to his ends; I'd rather remain an immortal vagabond than be a tool for Caldur and his Lords of Dust.
|
|
|
Post by kore on Jun 10, 2011 22:01:18 GMT -8
In this bleak future everyone I know lives their lives as refugees in the shattered remnants of the once thriving metropolis of Sharn. Brinjin has brought his rather large (by eladrin standards) family to this dark place. Kara d'Orien and Julian d'Denieth seem resolute in their efforts to defend this sanctuary. And Gydd seems to have found herself a leader of these forsaken people, but a serious toll has been taken as she seems withdrawn. Now she looks to me and my companions to mend this broken future to save Khorvaire for all time.
Gydd revealed some of the events of the past as Marus and his followers continued to tear planar rifts in various manifest zones throughout Khorvaire to draw on Khyber's elemental power. Each corruption brought about the retribution of Argonnessen dragons as they sought to "cauterize" the festering wounds opened by these genasi. However, hope remained as she explained that the eldritch engine we dismantled in Thelanis was but one part of the machinations of those responsible for the corruption that pervades Khorvaire today and led to the catastrophe on the Day of Mourning. Furthermore, another such engine is accessible from within Sharn and it is within our ability to destroy it as undoing this power will stop its influence of the past which has brought about this future.
Our mission into the gloom of Sharn has brought on new trials and our path has led us to a curious discovery: a warehouse of inert warforged apparently collected for a cult of which Watcher has some knowledge...the Becomers. Anyhow, I would have never have imagined "spiritual" warforged. We found the warehouse forcibly breached and the remains of General Stained, a warforged from whom Watcher learned of the Becomers. Through a bit of trial and error, we were able to bring the warforged online and learned that none of them knew what brought them to the warehouse or why they were there. The general's damaged final messenger was found; fixing it may reveal what more of this mystery and should help us identify his murderer. For the moment we rest safely in the presence of dozens of bewildered warforged, awake from their long sleep.
|
|
|
Post by kore on Aug 3, 2011 14:52:23 GMT -8
Our pace toward the second eldritch engine has been unrelenting as we found our way to a warded teleportation circle and were assailed by the entity of which Gydd forewarned, the Bane of Dhakaan. The massive, swirling cloud of undeath claimed Mummy-John as we attempted to retreat into the portal. Watcher seems to blame himself for the loss and is the most distressed, though the fact that we have found ourselves in Dolurrh may be exasperating the matter; this place seems to have affected all of my companions. As callous as it may seem, I find myself distracted with the loss of Murkoorak's Orb, the Dhakaani artifact that Mummy-John carried. If Ashurta's Blade is capable of cutting rifts through time and space, we cannot presume the orb's whereabouts to be an insignificant matter.
As it was in the Garden of Graves, I am visited by visions during my attempts descry the mysteries of this place. It seems many others have attempted to navigate the lethal corridors of this Tomb of Shadows only to fall victim to its architect's machinations. We happened upon a half-mad druid named Pankratz who seeks to escape this dreadful place with our fellowship after losing his own some unknown time ago. How so many came upon this place is a mystery to me, though our jaunts between the present and future suggest time favors the architect. This notion has been demonstrated by our most recent encounter: a confrontation with the reanimated corpses of some version of ourselves; that is, Mummy-John, Gwen, Josan, and myself. Though I attempt to heed Caldur's warning, many questions arise. Nevertheless, I was able to recover a journal from the charred remains of myself and glean insight into the entity with which we are dealing, the demilich Acererak. Eberron's nemesis has a name and it seems his existence had a profound influence on Karrnath's development and its affinity to the undead.
|
|
|
Post by kore on Sept 28, 2011 22:37:49 GMT -8
As we began to destroy the shadow engine, the enemy sought to thwart us himself in the form of an animated skull. With an almost single-minded effort, we dismantled the eldritch engine, resulting in a shower of gems. Our achievement yielded an instant effect as the reality we occupied collapsed around us, sending us back to the space and time from which we came. Once again in Aric Blacktree's home, our fellowship was whole, including the fallen corpse of Mummy-John but excluding Pankratz; perhaps he was taken to his own place and time. We urgently collected ourselves and left for Morgrave University to assemble the Ashen Crown and resurrect our companion.
We sought Valna with the hope that she could repair the broken final messenger of General Stained; she was no longer in the city and we settled for a different artificer. The repair would take two days, thus affording us some time to recuperate and resupply. I returned to Gydd for more information regarding Acererak but she knew nothing except for the fact that rumors suggest he had constructed a place called the Tomb of Horrors north of Korth. Once the final messenger was repaired, Watcher replayed General Stained's final moments, a vision of chaos and war. Alarmed by the vision, Stained took the final messenger and activated the warforged cadre, vowing to keep a vigilant watch over Sharn.
Lastly, we visited Captain Kalaes, who expressed interest in Stormhome and purchased our services to gather intelligence; this new mission has piqued Gwen's interest. However, Kalaes informed us that he could no longer spare Josan's services and reassigned him to duty with Bren. As we parted ways, I spoke briefly with Josan and requested Zaarani's Solitaire as it may prove vital to our success. Without much further delay, we made use of House Orien teleportation services to Fairhaven from which we would seek a means to reach Stormhome.
Our arrival was not without incident as a customs agent and his mercenaries were not thoroughly pleased with the stated purpose of our visit or with Mummy-John's connection to the Eldeen Reaches. To our benefit, the agent happened to be a spawn of Xoriat and dispatching it gave us enough influence, having done everyone a favor, to convince the House Orien operators and guards to forget they saw us. We then departed to the Gwen's family estate and briefly met her father, Ron Ronclave, who seemed unpleased with the company Gwen kept, perhaps even suspicious. Unwilling to host our fellowship, we sought an inn while Gwen spent time with her family.
|
|
|
Post by kore on Oct 23, 2011 0:16:52 GMT -8
One of the methods by which we might procure passage to Stormhome may lie with Gwen's mentor, Torval Enkiliost. She has been very protective of any detail about this individual and seems to hold him in high regard. Still, I wonder if he can be trusted and to whom he ultimately owes his loyalty. Also looking for Torval is a changeling who believes he has deceived us with his human persona, Smythe. Though we could not reliably corroborate his lead, his information suggested that we might find Torval in the city of Moonstair, northeast of Fairhaven, by which we dubiously agreed to join our efforts.
As we flew above the tree-line toward Moonstair, we happened upon a band of trolls who were in the midst of enjoying the spoils of a recent ambush. We saw fit to rid Aundair of this menace and discovered that one of the victims was a courier destined to Fairhaven. On him he carried a message from Moonstair's mayor, Kelana Dhoram, requesting military aid against the growing threat of trolls from the Trollhaunt Warrens who have rallied to the leadership of some "troll-king". Upon our arrival to Moonstair, we sought a meeting with the mayor and reported our grim discovery. She implored us to handle the troll-king matter but the immediacy of our quest required that we refuse her desperate supplication.
The fellowship set out to canvas the city for leads to Torval's whereabouts which ultimately led to a small island near the northern dock. Upon it was a single cottage near which we were assailed by creatures of Xoriat, among whom was a mind flayer devouring the brain of the island's sole occupant, an eladrin named Rualiss. We did not find Torval, but from Rualiss' various letters we learned of the Moondoor over which Rualiss was a steward; the Moondoor may be our means of passage to Stormhome. Twenty years ago he was sent from Pylas Pyrial, the Gate of Joy in Zilargo, to watch over the Moondoor atop Moonstair. He appears to be an arcane consultant to many individuals, with multiple correspondences to some; a stern warning regarding Faarlung's "algorithm" piqued my interest.
Of immediate import was a warning addressed to Mayor Kelana that Rualiss was in the process of composing at the time of his demise. He referred to an arcane device called Moran's Eye which might be in the possession of the purported troll-king. The urgency of this message makes the presence of the Xoriat abominations suspect and thus the troll threat cannot be ignored. We have relayed this news to the mayor as well as our intention to hunt down the troll-king. For the moment we will delay any meeting with Torval and have seized the opportunity to relieve ourselves of Smythe's presence in exchange for that of a beleaguered dragonborn named Bax who has experience combating the trolls of the Trollhaunt Warrens.
|
|
|
Post by kore on Jan 19, 2012 22:08:28 GMT -8
We travelled east toward Trollhaunt and dispatched an encampment of trolls before turning south. As we recovered from our skirmish, Gwen vanished into a flash of lightning. I suspect that powers outside of this history-unfolding are attempting to change that which is yet to come. Perhaps Gwen's presence was the effect of some interference, or guidance, by an influence outside our time. I cannot ignore that our course, for the moment, is clear and we seem to have the means to one end, with or without Gwen's mentor, Torval. However, the next time I encounter Smythe I believe I will put an end to the pretense that comprises our alliance. Continuing on our trek south we encountered an oddly placed temple of the Silver Flame where we freed a halfling from a magical mirror; Braaga reluctantly joined us to the warrens.
At the warrens we talked our way through the main entrance before stalking from corridor to corridor for Skalmad, the troll-king. We did not encounter trolls, though, but troglodytes of whom we spared the life of Kasszt. We were able to reach an "agreement" such that our search would be narrowed and the troglodytes would stay out of our way; Kasszt forgot to mention the black dragon, Gloomfang, who lurks in the caverns of the warrens. Regardless, the dragon seemed content to allow us to pass provided we returned a "shifting globeā that he had somehow been deceived into lending to Skalmad; I am certain he was referring to what we know as Faarlung's Algorithm.
We eventually confronted Skalmad who boasted that we could not have that which Marus sought and he conceitedly disclosed that an invasion of Moonstair was already beginning. We engaged Skalmad and his cadre and upon issuing a killing blow his body vanished, followed by Moran's Eye. Without Skalmad's head, Moran's Eye, or Faarlung's Algorithm to achieve any progress, we hastened to Moonstair to aid in its defense. The troll onslaught caught Moonstair's defenders by surprise but with our combined effort the troll invasion was thwarted. It seems, now, to be no coincidence that an insane "procurer of goods" named Xixix recently arrived in Moonstair and that in his possession was Faarlung's Algorithm.
|
|
|
Post by kore on Jan 27, 2012 16:10:26 GMT -8
After a much needed rest, Mummy-John and I attempted to solve Faarlung's Algorithm; I'm convinced I'm getting closer to a solution, though Mummy-John's efforts may undo any progress I achieve. After breakfast we sought out Mayor Kelana to describe our encounter with Skalmad, hoping that she might have an insight to the powers protecting him, but she always deferred to Rualiss in such matters. Thus we returned to Rualiss' island cottage where we were ambushed by slaads. During this encounter Mummy-John and I contracted chaos phage. We were later able to cure ourselves but it's worth noting that my condition seemed to become exasperated when the power from which I draw my ability flowed more freely.
From Rualiss' study we learned that Moran's Eye has the power, when used with another device called the Stone Cauldron, to return to life the original troll-king, Vard. According to Rualiss, the Stone Cauldron lies within a manifest zone in Thelanis. It is clear, now, that Marus seeks to use Moran's Eye to exploit this manifest zone and draw more elemental power from Khyber. During our previous encounter with Skalmad it seemed he was no ally of Marus, suggesting that we may be able to parley with the "troll-king". However, finding Skalmad may be no simple matter as he seems to have some means by which he can pass between Eberron and Thelanis, where I suspect he currently resides. Exploring the depths of the warrens seems to be our best hope, though we are doing so without Watcher who is remaining in Moonstair to help stabilize its defenses.
We again fought our way to Gloomfang's cavern where the dragon warned us of new threats within the warrens and introduced us to a new companion, a wizard from Arcanix named Delann, who was searching for Mummy-John, Watcher and me; that discussion will have to wait in light of our current mission. As we made our way deeper, we encountered Khyber cultists and more slaads. With much regret, we were forced to retreat, myself barely escaping death's clutch and losing Faarlung's Algorithm, as well as the accumulated wealth of the fellowship, in the process. This loss is truly great as I weigh it against my resolve to never willingly surrender such artifacts...but I know I did what is right; why I am alive to chronicle these events remains a mystery. However, we did learn something new from the ledger of Xixix that was found on the body of a dead cultist: Torval Enkiliost hired Xixix to acquire Faarlung's Algorithm.
Defeated, we planned to recover in Moonstair, passing through Gloomfang's cavern once again. After explaining out setback, though omitting certain details about our possession of Faarlung's Algorithm, Gloomfang urged us to rest in his cavern and continue our pursuit of Skalmad after we recovered. I am not certain of his motives, but Gloomfang seems to be concerned with protecting the artifact from those that would seek to exploit its power; the ability to access and draw upon the power surrounding manifest zones. Regardless, I doubt he has the ability to protect it against those who we seek to end.
|
|
|
Post by kore on Mar 4, 2012 23:22:20 GMT -8
Aeroneth's attachment to the arcane has been his undoing. A jealous desire to obtain and understand arcane artifacts as a guardian of arcane power seems to have been delusional and naive, at best, or calculating and overtly malevolent, at worst.
|
|
|
Post by reiphil on Mar 5, 2012 11:16:41 GMT -8
Sometime, somewhere, Brinjin's fur stands on end and a shiver runs down his spine.
"Something has happened," he gruffs. He picks up his huge mordenkrad and begins to stalk out the door, off in search of his friend.
(no i'm not returning to the eberron group... but brinjin is out there...)
|
|