"Well, that looks like a great timesaver, hey? Shall we?" Jim wipes his rapier clean on one of the fallen elves' clothing, then sheathes it before striding through the portal.
Corliss helps to gather loot before joining Jim. "Hey Gom! You gomin' along?" he asks the mushroid man.
Corliss helps to gather loot before joining Jim. "Hey Gom! You gomin' along?" he asks the mushroid man.
Gom goms affirmatively, waiting for the others to pass through before it follows.
Dingus just shrugs, pulls his spiderweb/weird material shawl about his shoulders, places the remainder of the loot in his shoulder sack, and follows the others.
Well Jim always leads us somewhere... interesting.
Jim does indeed lead the crew to interesting places and situations. Kaul and Gom follow everyone through the portal and into a round chamber of white marble some 50 feet in diameter. The portal on this side is bigger and appears to be a permanent freestanding arch of black stone inlaid with silvery Elven script and a green crystal as its keystone. It is raised about five feet above the floor as are separate platforms on either side of the portal dais and a larger platform on the opposite end of the room. Delicate columns are evenly spaced around the room.
Three elves, one on each platform have drawn longbows pointed toward the newcomers. These elves however, seem comfortable in the bright light that streams from clerestory windows around the dome above and have dark eyes and hair. Their foreheads are not scarred by the strange sigil either.
One shouts something at the crew in Elven.
"Ahoy!" Corliss calls back to the elf. Giving what he hopes is his most disarming smile, the Besmaran raises his hands and adds, "Take us to yer Kaereshiel!"
The arrow points are lowered and a few words pass between the elves before one asks in the common tongue, "Who are you and what business do you have with Kaerishiel?"
"Apparently, some o' yer kin came to grief 'neath a tower not far from the town o' Riddleport," Corliss replies. "We were bid by one who called 'imself Caldion to bring 'is ring an' a message here. A traitor named Inexora an' a few others--Allevrah an' Aesha amongst 'em--captured 'im an' turned 'im into somethin' akin to Gom here. We're after Aesha ourselves fer crimes against our own people; mayhaps we can join forces or ye can tell us what ye knows 'bout Aesha in return for our efforts here, aye?"
Jim nods. "They did far worse to poor Caldion, warped his shape and shattered his mind. It was only bright light that brought him back to himself for a few minutes...just long enough to tell us who to talk to and what to bring them."
Gom shuffles through the crew and down the stairs to hold forth the ring, adding a sad 'Gom' when Corliss mentions its name. The elves put up their bows and come forward to inspect the ring. A female ranger accepts the ring from Gom. "It is heavy news that you bring. Caldion took this ring when he left to pursue the retreating corrupted ones when we retook Celwynvian from them. He has been missing several years and I cannot imagine his suffering as their captive. Caldion is no more then?"
"It is a great relief and a debt we owe you for the return of this ring. So long as it was missing, this Aiudara was compromised," she gestures to the portal. "Be welcome. I am Leiliara. I will take you to Kaerishiel."
Dingus stands in the back of the group near the portal. He keeps looking at it and non-chalantly throws a small pebble into it doing everything he can to keep from putting his hand in it. Somehow he still gets the gist of the conversation.
"Good! Can't wait! Will he have snacks"?
The Taldan looks like he's trying to suppress a grin at Dingus' question. They probably wouldn't appreciate smiles at the death of one o' their own. "Aye. His mind was going even as we spoke. No way for elf or man to live." He sighs. "Thank you for the welcome, and our apologies for the smell. Some of the things we fought tended to burst when killed, and it's little chance we've had to clean up after the fight."
"I thought that was just your little friend," Leiliara whispers to Jim. She addresses everyone, "Perhaps you would like to refresh yourselves before reporting to Kaerishiel. We have restored the Academy of the Arts here and there is a bathing and meditation chamber that you are welcome to use. And I think we can provide you with some food as well."
"That would be most welcome, ma'am."
The crew is led down a corridor to a smaller round room with a 20-foot long warm pool of water in the center of the room and stepped stone benches to either side. There are towels hanging from the far wall and woven mats on the benches. In a short while, another elven ranger shows up with a tray of flat breads, hearty soup, and roasted nuts. It's simple fare, but quite satisfying.
Additionally, the crew finds their clothes mended and cleaned to a nearly new condition and neatly folded upon the benches by the time they finish bathing. Minor magics seem to have been integrated into the room.
Cleaned and with a full belly, Corliss looks very contented. To Jim he asks, "These elven folk seem nice enough. Think it'd be OK to ask 'em a few questions about Lady Heidmarch's obsession--Thassilon--after we ask about Red Aesha?"
Jim grins as he dons his newly-cleaned clothing and runs a hand through his hair to neaten it. At Corliss' question he turns serious. "Well, mate, we're in uncharted waters now, and I mean that near-literally. Yon magic gate put us somewhere--Celwynvian, I believe they call the place--and I can't say as I've ever heard of it. We're here by their sufferance, so I'd rather we stay with only what they need to know 'fore we have a way home."
Once the crew have had plenty of time to bathe, dress in clean clothes and eat, Leiliara reappears to take them to Kaerishiel. Gom remains sitting in apparent meditation on a mat and doesn't follow as the group takes their leave.
The cold winter air once again surrounds them upon exiting the building. Despite the renovated condition of the building they just exited, the crew finds that much of the city of Celwynvian remains in ruins. Some effort has been made to start restoring the long abandoned settlement, but many structures remain gutted and dark among the dormant deciduous trees and forlorn evergreens that have overtaken the once proud city.
An ancient street of tilted and cracked pavers arcs to a major avenue which leads to an intersection where stands an abandoned smithy. Turning on to the smaller lane, the crew pass what appears to be a schoolyard where some elven children play games of agility with sticks and acorns while others attend an elderly elf in robes who lectures in their native tongue.
Immediately past the school, the street branched to circumnavigate a four-story round tower that appears to be a residential structure. Leiliara continues straight through the entrance, up to the second floor, and past a pair of guards to a spartan, but harmoniously outfitted chamber where a tall elf warrior in ornate armor gazes out a great picture window upon the reclaimed city.
He turns as the group enters and gestures for the newcomers to take a seat. "I am Kaerishiel, warden of Celwynvian. Leiliara has told me of you and your surprising entrance through our Aiudara. She says that you bear word of Caldion and the fallen elves that took him captive."
Jim sits down. "Thanks for the hospitality. Aye, we met him--or what was left of him, after the...." He ponders for a moment, trying to remember. "Fleshwarper. That was the word he used. After they were through with him. As for how we came to be there, me and my mates were exploring an ancient watchtower of your people's, in the Velashu Uplands. It's a bit of a tale as to why, so let's leave it at that for now 'less you're curious. We encountered some strange elves there, pale of skin, marked with purple symbols here." He points to his forehead. "Well, they and their creatures attacked us, we defended ourselves, and after the fight we found Caldion chained to a wall along with his fungus creature." The Taldan shudders. "Feck, what they did to him, like he was a tree of flesh and not wood...sorry. The lights we carried brought him back to himself for a bit. Told us his name, said he was a shin-something of the Mierani Forest. He asked us to go to Crying Leaf and tell you that the shadows were under the tower there and they'd done this to him, and to recover his ring from Inexora and return it to Crying Leaf. There was something else...." Jim thinks a little longer. "That was it! Allevrah and Aesha were corrupted, he said, and that the Council needed to be warned. Something about a Spire, and allgo-something, Inexora and her fleshwarper pet Zov? Zol? 'Fraid he wasn't on a straight course by that time, and he was hard to follow."
The Taldan shakes his head. "We couldn't leave him like that. I hope we did the right thing by him when we sent him to the Boneyard; it was quickly and cleanly done, at least.
"After that we continued down into the tower, where we fought more of the pale elves and a strange creature--half pale elf and half great spider, marked the same way as the others. None of them survived the fight. In the spider-elf's lair we found the ring, which Caldion's fungus creature used to open the way here.
"The rest you know. And that's our tale, sir."
The elves exchange anguished looks at the news. Kaerishiel sits heavily on a low table. "Yes, it was the merciful thing that you did for Caldion. There is nothing that could be done to save him." He pauses as if to gather his thoughts.
"To understand what all this means, I must tell you something of the Shin'Rakorath, the order Caldion and I served. It translates to "Lantern Bearers" in the human tongue. It is an ancient order formed shortly after our people returned to this world after the catastrophe of Earthfall and found those of us who had remained and survived by descending deep underground had turned to dark powers. It strikes me as something of a bitter irony today to tell you that the secret purpose of the "Lantern Bearers" was to hide this shameful secret; to contain and eradicate the fallen ones."
"By perpetuating secrets and hatred rather than pursuing the light of truth and redemption, we bore no light, but rather some of our own turned away from the light. That was Allevrah, who became that which she hated and then turned that hatred back against her own nearly delivering a second apocalypse on this world. Thankfully, outsiders such as yourselves acted when our own leaders would not and stopped Allevrah before all was lost."
"The Shin'Rakorath no longer keep secrets though many of our kin have found it difficult to change." He glances at Corliss. "I was told that you had some history with Aesha. In the spirit of an open exchange of information, would you please tell us more?"
Corliss nods. "As ye've probably guessed from the holy symbol emblazoned on me buckler, I serve Besmara, the Pirate Queen. Long story short, your traitor, called Red Aesha down in the far south, has committed such atrocities that even the relatively amoral folk of the Shackles--and me goddess--want Aesha gone, and want her to pay for her past indescretions. I joined this crew more recently, but me mates witnessed firsthand some of her dark work, callin' up the dead from the ocean's depths to do her wicked biddin'. My goddess wants her evil stopped once an' fer all. Our crew's been quested with that task."
"I have heard that Aesha now calls herself "The Storm Queen". Perhaps this is in challenge to your goddess. You have not met her in person then? I had hoped you could tell me something more."
"Aesha, as she is now known, was raised among our kin at the Mordant Spire. She came from a highly regarded caste known as the Spire Defenders, arcane warriors that guard their archaeologists as they travel abroad to make sure dangerous artifacts remain lost for all time."
He chuckles. "Our Spire kin have not embraced the same sunlight principals regarding secrets as we have so details are hard to come by, but she and her partner Meliandra broke from the Spire at some point and I have heard rumors that they were associated with Allevrah. The nature of the relationship is unclear, but as you can imagine, it does not bode well."
"She disappeared from Elven society for several years, apparently she spent some time in the South, but returned to the Steaming Sea very recently to establish a base on Chakikoth Island. She has grown in power quickly through raiding the coast south of here. We have not seen her as a great threat so far, at least nothing of more concern than the raiders of Riddleport or the Ulfen, but as I said, her power seems to be growing swiftly."
Jim listens intently to the elf, nodding slowly. "That answers something that's been in the back of my mind. See, the atrocities Corliss spoke of? Aesha used something called the Stone of Solesh, a weapon made by--ah, what were they called? Aboleths. With it, she can control weather, call down lightning, and raise the sea's dead to do her bidding. She and Meliandra likely learned of it while at this Mordant Spire place, hey? Instead of doing what they'd been trained to do with such relics, the two decided to use it for themselves, I'm guessing.
"That's why my mates and I were exploring the watchtower, by the by. The thought was that the aboleth's ancient enemies--elves, serpentfolk, and the like--might have something to counter an aboleth weapon. A long shot, but we'll surely need some way to take the Stone off the table when we cross swords with her."
Kaerishiel and Leiliara exchange a look of horror equal to the look they shared at the news of Caldion. "That certainly adds a sense of urgency to dealing with Aesha," Kaerishiel says. "The aboleths as you call them, Algollthu in their own tongue and the name we use, are a dire threat. It was they who brought down the Earthfall and the Age of Darkness. They are ancient primordial and powerful beings that consider themselves equal to the gods."
"The fallen elves may swear fealty to the Demons of the Abyss, but I have a suspicion that they were first corrupted by the Algollthu. Certainly their fleshwarping bears the marks of the strange sciences employed by the Algollthu to create their twisted servitor races and the sigils that they mark themselves with as much as the runes of the Azlanti, I suspect come from the arcane glyphs developed by the Algollthu. They are master manipulators."
"I think your ideas are not far from the truth, Jim. Aesha likely uncovered something through her association with Allevrah, who most certainly studied Alogollthu lore as she sought to recreate the Earthfall Glyphs. I have not heard of the Stone of Solesh, but I would bet it was among the stones that rained down upon Golarion during the Earthfall that either managed to retain some of the deadly Algoltlthu magics despite Acavna's efforts or was later vested by them."
"Have you seen one of these stones? Can you describe them to us"?
"I've never seen one in person, no. I don't think that they would look much different from any other rock, maybe one could detect traces of rare star metals in them. I don't think our eyes would detect anything special about them, but they might radiate great and powerful auras in the magical spectrum. The Starstone in Absalom is a meteorite from the heart of the immense stone that the Alghollthu called down on this planet. Others might emanate strange dweomers or extraplanar essences."
The Taldan scratches his chin at Kaerishiel's question. "Truth to tell, beyond getting back to our ship I'm not sure yet. We've learned more than I expected but less than I'd hoped. Perhaps a scouting mission to her base, since you've told us where it is, though I'd also welcome a chance to speak of the Stone with the Spire elves. We met one in Magnimar, a fellow named Sephriel, but he was looking to return home--it's unlikely we'd see him again."
He starts to continue, then stops short. "Wait a feckin' minute--sorry for the language, sir. Where did you say Aesha had a base? Chakikoth Island? I've heard that name before, and not long ago. It wasn't from Sephriel, no. It was--ah, that's it! Some of Dingus' friends introduced us to a couple of Pathfinders...yes, I know. And they said something about how long ago one of the Runelords had their capital city there. Do you think she's rooting about in the ruins of Thassilon for more ancient weapons?"
Kaerishiel looks impressed, which is not an expression commonly seen on an elf. "No offense intended, but I am frankly surprised anyone of your short-lived kind would know that much about Thassilon. I suppose there has been a great deal more interest in the Runelords of late, particularly among the Pathfinder Society. Chakikoth was part of Edasseril, the Kingdom of Envy, but the capitol was not far from here on Peridot Island. The city remains within a crystal bubble that none have been able to pierce."
"Again you continue to impress me, Jim. It may indeed be that she seeks dangerous artifacts in the ruins on Chakikoth Island. In fact, her apparent obsession with your Pirate Queen may indeed indicate that some cursed artifacts from the Kingdom of Envy have already come into her possession."
"Yes, we should confer with the Spire elves, but I am afraid that you would not be welcomed even after your encounter with Ambassador Sephriel. Even should he be so moved to host you, the Amaranthine Council would never allow outsiders to visit the Spire."
"I would recommend that you keep your distance from Chakikoth for the moment. Just north of it lies Halgrim, the southernmost port of the Linnorm Kings ruled by White Estrid. She is a canny king and I am certain that she keeps a close eye on her new neighbor. Seek her aid, If we can convince the Mordant Spire of Aesha's power and you can bring to bear White Estrid's ships, we could crush Aesha's fleet and seriously curtail her threat."
Kaul listens nonchalantly, allowing his hatchet to take the lion's share of interest during the parley.
Lopper's axe-head bobs in affirmation at key junctures, and its baleful eye swivels at the prospect of journeying to the Land of the Linnorm Kings.
The scarred thug pays heed;
"Hur. Seems yer plan 'as Lopps approval... Tho' any o' them Ulfen try claiming me axe with any o' their honour an' lineage pish, will get split crown to jewels fir their troubles. Hur-hur-hur..."
Dingus looks up with a smile at the mention of his friends. "I'll do what I can to help... Plus I've never been to where the Lionheart Kings live. Should I buy a fur coat for warmth"?
"I can go back to preparin' a slew o' endure elements spells to keep us warm," Corliss tells Dingus and the others. To the sorcerer alone he adds, "Unless this be one o' yer 'fashion statements'...."
"I would advise dressing warmly. Where is your ship? I assume you docked in Riddleport."
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"Aye, that's where she's berthed. Unless someone changed their mind after we paid for the letter."
"Celwynvian is a day's journey from Crying Leaf and it is a 3-day horse ride to Riddleport from there. There will be horses that you may borrow in Crying Leaf. Leiliara will accompany you and you may leave as soon as you are ready. If you like you may sleep first and leave in the morning."
Leiliara shows the crew to a suite of rooms on the lower floor of the residential tower where they can rest and in the morning brings hearty porridge for breakfast.
"We can depart as soon as you are ready. It is best that we look after Gom here at Celwynvian. He appears to have been a gnome companion of Caldion, but it will be difficult to determine who he was before. His condition makes him susceptible to infestations of malignant fungus and oozes so we will do our best to ensure he is in a safe and clean environment for the remainder of his days."
"Thank you for taking care of him. He was a great ally to us underground, but I'm not sure the sailing life is right for him."
After departing Celwynvian, Leiliara guides the crew through the still winter forest. The path wends around the immense conifer tree trunks that rise like bark covered walls along the root-strewn path between the wood debris and mossy hummocks. Aside from the occasional bird song, no animals are heard or seen though at one point a large reptilian claw print is spotted in some slush. Leiliara notes that a couple forest drakes prowl the forest still, but there are no dire threats since the dragon, Razorhorn, was slain.
As that day and what little warmth offered by the sun ebbs, Leiliara motions to halt and listens to the bird calls a moment. She responds in kind and a trio of Elf scouts emerge from the forest and offer a greeting in their language. Leiliara motions the non-elves to follow and in a short time, the party enters a town among the trees. "Welcome to Crying Leaf," Leiliara says. "We will spend the night here and continue on horseback tomorrow."
"'Horseback'?" Corliss echoes, a bit nervously. "I'm assumin' that term means 'on the back o' a horse.' I ain't sure I've ever ridden one o' them beasties afore. Guess this old dog's gotta learn a new trick...."
To one of the elf scouts, the tentative sea priest adds, "Now, I knows goblins ain't the brightest o' creatures, but...there ain't any truth to their fears and claims that horses only were put on this earth to squash smaller things, is there?"
The scout gives Corliss a confused look until another translates. The first elf tries to respond in broken Taldane. "Not only reason for horse, but squashing goblins a good reason."
The crew are invited to dine with the ruler of the town, Eviana Nirgassan. She is a skilled sorcerer and in consultation with Corliss and Dingus is able to identify the shimmering spindle as a relic of ancient Azlant called an Ioun Stone. The semiprecious stones were imbued with magical energies and this one, when attuned to a person, can allow them to live without breathing.
After the dinner, the crew is led from the long hall to a small low structure with a common room, simple bathroom, and a room with eight meditation mats. The mats are not the most comfortable surface for sleeping, but they are better than nothing and in the morning, an elf leads the party to the stables where Leiliara waits with five robust horses. "Velashu bred for endurance, " she explains. "They should get us to Riddleport in less than three days. You can ride, yes?" She asks the crew with a peculiar look at Corliss.
"Perhaps if ye give me a few pointers, I'll be able to stay in the saddle," the sea priest mutters. "Nice horsy?" he says, approaching one of the great land-dinghies.
Leiliara sighs. "Greeting the horse was good. Mount with confidence. The horse will share your unease so relax. Foot in the stirrup and stand up. Hold the reins loosely, sit up straight and eyes looking where you wish to go."
Dingus dresses in his favorite riding outfit... (Deep Purple Velvet Knickers with a diagonal checked yellow and black vest, and a floppy black hat with a purple and yellow feather) and uses his anchoring rod to deftly mount the horse provided. He is not an accomplished rider, but hopes his natural dexterity, and the fact the horse should view his outfit as an obvious expert will serve him well.
"Excuse me. But what is this magnificent mounts name"?
Corliss nods, trying to look confident (or at least semi-competent) before trying to follow Leiliara's advice. He mounts the great beast and stares out longingly for the sea...which fortunately happens to be where Riddleport is situated.
"Excuse me. But what is this magnificent mounts name"?
"That is Sordal. You certainly dress confidently, Dingus. If everyone is ready-" Leiliara looks around take make sure everyone is mounted adequately. "Let us ride."
"Indeed. Let us ride!"
Kaul too pensively mounts up and gingerly spurs his horse on;
Leiliara leads at a walk to allow the group to get used to riding. The path is narrow, but well worn, weaving through the trees over the cold hard forest floor. By late afternoon, the trees fade away and the wide open plains and low rocky hills of the Velashu Highlands reappear. Near a junction with a Varisian wagon trail, the elf scout calls a stop to camp for the night.