"Our runelord slavers made this place."
"Runelord..." She looks at the Shoanti cleric. "That would have been a very long time ago, yes? Haven't you found information about this star?"
"Wait- what now? The seven pointed star? A sihedron? Vethran is wearing a medallion of we found with that symbol. And Elisile... Would a medallion do the same thing?"
"Then there were those giants yelling at people to bring out their greedy souls. I guess they are looking for fuel. And then Ironbriar, Aldern and the Skinsaw men- all feeding this Karzoug."
"Wasn't there someone selling tattoos like that in Turtleback Ferry?"
"I do not know this Turtleback Ferry of which you speak. But Mokmurian wishes to sacrifice as many as possible to his spirit mentor. But how may I aid you in destroying this menace?"
"Tell us about him. Tell us about you. How does he fight? What are his weaknesses? If he is defeated, how will his army respond? Does his army follow him without question or is there some doubt among them? Do you have allies among the others here that can aid us? If a conflict, how can you aid us?"
"Without strong leadership, his army will fall apart. His war-chiefs are as nothing next to him and do not have his vision and power, and the warriors will soon depart without him. Forget about his army - without Mokmurian there is no army.
"Mokmurian has few weaknesses. If he is given time to prepare he can gird himself with magic, making your task the harder. So you must move quickly. He has servants with him in his lair - dead things that walk and strange things of metal and springs. You would be well advised to head through the tunnels south of here to get to him, rather than east - the dangers you will face will be lesser.
"I am unimportant. I am old. I could not stand up to Mokmurian before and I cannot now. But powerful heroes can destroy him and his ambitions."
"Does Mokmurian like to use a particular magic? If Mokmurian falls, what will Conna do?"
"Mokmurian prefers to fight from a distance and allow his magic to hold his enemies at bay and destroy them. He knows many powerful spells to hold an enemy in place or throw them away from him. You should ensure you are prepared for a great battle."
"A great battle," murmurs Enga, "That would be massive!"
"But for me," says Conna, "If Mokmurian falls, I will lead those of my brethren away and back to our lands, and abandon any thoughts of conquest."
Alwyn has been listening quietly to Conna's explanation. "Mokmurian's spirit guide - Karzoug - could it be an old runelord? That could explain how he learned their magical ways, no? But even so, how can he sacrifice souls to this... thing? Though immensely powerful, the slavemasters of old were mortals, not actual gods or fiends."
"Also, Vethran carries the sihedron amulet. I'll tell him to get rid of it once we've dealt with Mokmurian. I knew that sign was trouble."
"Perhaps," says Conna. "The legends of my people tell that the runelords were of immense power and ambition. There is likely little of which they were not capable, including returning from the dead and feasting on the souls of the living."
"This is, to my mind, even more disturbing than if Mokmurian was just the follower of some garden-variety archfiend or demon lord. Mortals becoming demigods..." Alwyn shakes his head, clearly disturbed. "This makes his destruction even more important. I will not allow some emerging godling's prophet to wander Varisia unchecked."
"Mmmm... Where did you find two of these amulets? There might be more of these around, perhaps they will need to be dealt with."
Turning back to the giantess, "Conna, you said there was a second way to reach Mokmurian, one with less danger. Maybe one we could surprise him from? We must think and plan, but that seems a wise suggestion, thank you. Tell me, when he casts his magic, does he usually speak? Some powerful casters are able to use their magic without voicing the words - is he one of those?"
"He rarely comes out now - he is too engrossed in his studies. I mentioned heading to the south as you will find less opposition that way. But Mokmurian is cautious, and hard to catch unawares."
Camlo grins at the talk of sneaking, but otherwise leaves the planning to those bigger and wiser than he is.
Looks like it's "take the tunnels, lots of sneaky prep on the way in, then the casters keep his magic occupied while the rest of us mob him...."
"Does he keep guards around?"
"Mokmurian has few weaknesses. If he is given time to prepare he can gird himself with magic, making your task the harder. So you must move quickly. He has servants with him in his lair - dead things that walk and strange things of metal and springs. You would be well advised to head through the tunnels south of here to get to him, rather than east - the dangers you will face will be lesser.
To Sefyall- "There was a cultist of Lamashtu back in Sandpoint who was given one of the medallions by the Skinsaw Men of Magnimar. We passed that one around for a while, but Vethran has it now. Then the two lamia sisters working for Mokmurian had them. Elisile got one of those and Camlo had the other."
He pauses and looks over at Cam, "Whatever happened to that one? You sell it in Magnimar?"
"Then there was Mokmurian's witch doctor up at Hook Mountain running the ogres. We've still got his, but its too big to wear."
"I think we know what we need to do. Conna, your help has been invaluable, but we need one more thing. After Mokmurian falls, we need you to spread the word that his Sihedron brand was designed to steal the souls of anyone marked. Your people have to deface or remove the mark. And after this is all over, if you are interested in any kind of trade or cooperation with Sandpoint, reach out to us. After the attack it won't be easy, but in time we could work out something. Think about it."
Camlo rifles around in his pack a bit, and at the bottom, in with the crumbs and debris, comes out with the medallion.
"This one?"
"Oh hell man! At least we know where it is."
Conna nods gravely to Illes. "Once Mokmurian falls it will be my duty to help the giants left behind. The brand they wear is a sign of slavery, not strength. It shall be done as you say.
"Your offer of friendship to my people is kind, especially in the light of how you have been wronged. I, for one, would welcome further trade and alliances - the coming winter will be hard now that we have neglected our lands for the lure of plunder. You are both wise and noble - Mokmurian will learn to his cost that he cannot overcome foes such as you."
"Okay- I think it's time. Conna- good luck to you. I hope we meet again under better circumstances. One last thing before we go... Taking the tunnels to the south, how far are we from Momurian's lair? 15 minutes walk? More or less?"
"Camlo- you have a knack for sneaking your way out of range before I have a chance to do my thing. Take this now." The bard unfurls a scroll and softly sings its magic to the halfling sneak.
Camlo grins, "Thanks!"
"Thanks for your help, Conna. we will try to put it to good use."
"Camlo, I also have a gift for you, but it must wait until battle is imminent."
"Awright," says Enga, "I know the southern passages. It goes back the way we came, past the tannery and through the guardroom. Then its just the troll brothers. Let's go!"
The group head back, past the carnage in the giant dining hall and past Enga's cave. The passage divides. They can smell the distinctive reek of tanning hides. "It's a bunch of ogres running the tannery down here, and the guardroom is the other way. Wanna rub out the ogres, then do the giants next?" she says eagerly.
"We could sneak past?"
"I like the way you think, Enga," Alwyn grins at the kobold. "However, while I'm always up for killing ogres, we might want to be more mission-focused right now. Who - or what - is in the guardroom?"
"How about we kill the ogres on our way back out? It'll be a victory treat."
Enga huffs, "Well, if you say so. There's some giants in the guardroom. Maybe - they might be out patrolling or something."
Sefayll hangs back so more stealthly members can investigate the guardroom without her noise giving them away.
Camlo moves quietly off towards the guardroom, rapier and dagger in hand.