Oso Garra's page

The grey outside is complimented by the flame cast light inside. Wetness from the days of rain hangs in the entry of the tavern, but thankfully abates with the help of the fire within. The bar keep nods as you enter and then continues to wipe the worn wooden counter. Three stools stand empty. A stairway rises to the left as you walk in, the rest of the open area is full of six medium sized tables. Only one is full - surrounded by a trio playing cards and drinking. A lone old man is asleep at one of the other tables. A woman walks from behind the bar with two large mugs in hand. She is on her way to trio who cheer her approach.

Smiling
"I am glad for your haste. It is needed."

Without another word Oso turns and leads you from the area. After a series of halls and turns, which you can see as you steal a glance behind you are hidden by illusory walls, you emerge into a recognizable passage. You are clearly near the main road that leads through the city, toward the corridor. After a few moments what must be your escorts arrive. Tapping their weapons in unison, the guards halt. Motioning forward, Oso points toward the corridor. You can see that although repairs have finished, a few supply carts are still being moved. Here and there you recognize familiar faces from the repair squad you worked with.

"The guards will accompany you as far as the mines. They are relieving the guards stationed at the corridor's entry into the mines. Before the change of guard be sure to speak with those being relieved. They are likely to have insights on where elementals have been emerging from."

With a nod from Oso, the guards appear ready to depart. The elder seems to patiently await any further inquires you might have, but seems understanding that you might wish to depart quickly.

Feel free to role play any further exchange, make requests, or otherwise prepare. Once you all are set just let me know and we'll do the arrival scene.

"Though the vent has been repaired and remained sealed, it seems the elementals have found a way into the obsidian mines. We've yet to locate where they are coming from and could use as many searching as we can."

Nodding
"Indeed. Perhaps by the time you encounter her again you all will have become more powerful. Once I have a full briefing from everyone I have another situation that you all may be able to help with. You keep the remaining artifacts, but do let me know if you think of other supplies that you could use do let me know."

Smiling hopefully as Tamayra speaks, Oso looks toward the others present.

"Do the rest of you agree with that assessment?"

As everyone shares what they've discovered within the vent one of the elders, one familiar to all but Aak, enters. He listens to hear what each of you has to say before offering what he can.

"This is upsetting news. From the sounds of it even with the collapse in the vent sealed, we can expect further excursions. Do you all think you would have been able overcome their leader?"

After time to gather supplies and a nights rest, you find yourself heading back down the corridor. As you near the collapsed area you can see workers have cleared much of the debris and have begun to seal up the gap in the corridor wall. A hole remains for you to enter the vent, but the pile of stone blocks near by stand ready to block the exit. Oso stands near the supplies that have been requested, a trio of lanterns sit near him.

"I hope to see all of you again soon. May the hopes of your people light your way. May your blades be swift and your aim true." With a nod guards flank the remaining entrance and workers ready large stones to place behind you.

The vent is cylindrical in shape (30 ft circumference). Slopping down and away from the corridor there seems to be very little debris within. Though a bit of light is shed from the corridor, you're sure once sealed the vent is likely to be completely dark.

"You leave as soon as you're ready. If there are supplies you wish to procure make haste and let me know what they are. My guards will insure that they are delivered to the corridor. I can cover costs within reason."

You may request non magical supplies up to 1000 gp in total cost.

"I wish we knew. The corridor must be protected. If the vent isn't occupied all you'll need to do is get far enough from the obsidian to use the rod. If any other elementals are within they must be dealt with."

Oso nods, "Yes. What I am asking is purely voluntary. With so little time available we must act quickly and decisively, if possible. Carefully retrieving a satchel slung over his back, Oso retrieves several items that have been carefully wrapped in thick cloth. Though you would all indeed be sealed within the vent, I can offer you the help of these relics.

He carefully lays the cloth on the ground, unwrapping the items and resting them gently on the fine material. The three items include a wooden rod with five rings around its tip, a small metallic canteen, and a stone bowl. Oso lifts each item in sequence as he describes them. Each of these items will help you survive and hopefully return to the dome. Though they will not work right away, as you move further from the corridor the magic of each item will no longer be hampered by the obsidian. Each of you should wear one of the these rings. When the time comes, break this rod and anyone wearing a ring will return to the elder's hall. This canteen will always have enough water for the individual holding it to quench their thirst and live for the day. Whether dirt or stone is placed in this bowl, it will create a meal for four three times each day. It will also duplicate any small mundane item that is put within three times per day. Wrapping the items and returning them the satchel, Oso turns to look at each of you. Now you must decide. Will you go?"

At the corridor entrance stands Oso; he appears worried, but a slight weight seems lifted as he sees all of you alive and well.
"It appears the situation in the corridor is more complicated than we'd imagined. I'm afraid I must ask if each of you is willing to take on an unimaginable task. With a wave of his hand the surrounding guards leave. Though you can see them in the distance keeping anyone from approaching closer, it is clear Oso only wishes each of you to hear his question.

The collapse must be sealed immediately. Without the corridor we have no way of retrieving obsidian. All the exploratory guard have returned so they can guard the corridor once the collapse has been sealed. But we must make sure nothing else emerges from the vent. He takes a deep breath before continuing at a whisper. Will you enter the vent before it is sealed?"

Oso nods, "It is good to be prepared for what is ahead. Continuing quietly, just above a whisper. A mere week ago a group of miners making an exploratory dig encountered a tunnel of sorts; formed naturally, our best scholars believe it was created by the flow of the now dormant volcano. The Makers tells us that there must be a rift somewhere within the tunnel because hours after the tunnel was discovered creatures of fire and melting rock could be seen moving within. It wasn't much longer before they emerged. Once they knew something other than rock lay beyond the tunnel, they began emerging in numbers - passing through the very rock."

Oso pauses, to await any further questions. After any questions, he continues.

"Unless there are other urgent concerns, the council guard will show the four of you out, individually, like you arrived. They will guide you within sight of the corridor entrance, where you will all gather with the repair squad."

The Makers is how casters are referred to beneath the dome. This name comes from their primary duty, making, maintaining, and sustaining the protective obsidian stone.

Through the carved tunnels you walk. For most of you these are the very same passages you walked during your youth. For one, you walk the tunnels with slight apprehension, your instructions were clear - but way is new. Regardless of the familiarity, soon you cannot help but know that something is different. Only a select few are invited into the central passages that surround the dome. Columns stand as they do periodically throughout the city, but here they are larger.

These columns have stood as long as the city itself. They were built even before the dome rose, defiant into the merciless desert above. Escorts greet each of you as you near the innermost buildings. Each takes a different path, some winding through buildings, others heading into upper levels. Doors, stairs, halls, and alleys. It is clear the elders meant to disorient you. Likewise, the pace is deliberate. All of you arrive at the same time, a central corridor lies ahead. The escorts gesture silently as the large doors ahead slowly open.

The large room has a simple stone table in the center, surrounded by sturdy wooden stools - a luxury that few ever see let alone sit upon. Tapestries line the walls, just below the railing the lines the upper level. Nearly all represent one of the houses of the dome. Accept for two. One, displays the ancestral crystal - symbolic of your forebearers who live on through the gearforged. The other, newer than the rest, shows a humanoid silhouette - embroidered with a small gear. One upon its head and one upon its heart - the symbionts.

Just beyond the railings you can make out figures in the shadow, observing. It must be the council of elders. A slight gleaming in the torch light tells you that even the gearforged is in attendance. At the table sits a newly elected elder, he motions for you to join him at the table.

“It is good to see each of you here. As you may know, I am Oso. I have, as my first task as the newest elder, summoned each of you here because you represent the best of your houseses. I leave it to each of you to decide whether or not it is prudent to reveal your house affiliations or not. In time, the trust you build in the field will take precedent over whatever faith you hold in the old ways.”

A slight murmur can be heard from above. Oso smiles as he continues.

“Your first task is simple. You must make your way to the corridor, where a repair squad awaits you. Your job is to guard them as they conduct urgent repairs within the corridor. Word of this must not leave this room. The corridor is in great danger. Attacks have increased and all but the perimeter guard have been summoned to protect the mines. So it is left to the four of you to insure that our lifeline stay operational. There is little time, but if you have questions speak them quickly. But before you do, I would suggest introducing yourselves. Though we here Oso gestures to those above, know each of you, you may not know one another.”

I've left some details here open as I'd like to leave each of you some latitude in how your house is defined and if you decide to reveal your house. Simply put the houses represent the families that survived through centuries. Most are associated with specific talents or areas of one of the three lost cities. When resources were scarce, the houses often competed with one another to increase their chances at survival. Though cooperation has since long been established as the unspoken law of he city, the council of elders still honors the old ways. Unless of course infighting endangers the city.