Waterday, Patchwall 12, 595 CY
Early Afternnoon
The Tomb of Icosiol
Dramatis Personae:
Cimmerii Acanthus of Bronzewood Lodge, female half-drow ranger
Fin of Greyhawk City, male human rogue
Jethias Tolemir of the Duchy of Urnst, male human evoker
Reinhart Silverfox of Greyhawk City, male human paladin of Heironeous
Verben Ranzoff of the Plain of Greyhawk, male human cleric of Pelor
Tassilo Vinesse (Reinhart's cohort), male human cleric of Heironeous
This post written with help from Emily
The Rising Path
The door opens, revealing a windswept cavern with a path of seven columns, each taller than the next, leading to a small platform on the far end of the room before another pair of large doors. The room has no visible floor, as the columns rise from a pit filled with glowing blue fog. Lightning and swirling winds dance & howl along the chamber's ceiling & walls, assaulting the party's ears with a tumultuous roar.
Fearing that the wind, and their heavy armor, may keep them from being able to jump from one column to another, the party decides to send Verben over as a scout, via airwalk. The cleric ties a rope around his waist, steps out into the air, and begins making his way across the room. Suddenly, a pair of air elementals come from the darkness below, striking at the cleric! Reinhart airwalks & Fin flies to intercept the elementals, while Cim, Jethias, & Tassilo support their allies with arrows and spells, but not before one of the elementals slams into Verben, knocking him unconscious, but leaving him hanging in the air due to the airwalk spell.
As the paladin and the rogue engage the air elementals, Cim casts jump on herself, and with a running leap crosses to the first column. She then casts wind wall, making Verben's rope flutter up through the air, enabling the young half-drow to catch it in her hand. Cim reels Verben close to her and pours a cure potion down his throat, bringing the Pelorian back from the brink of death. With their most powerful healer back in the game, the party is able to destroy the air elementals.
The party then makes their way to the far doors, where Jethias holds up the round disk and utters the words again. Much to the party's dismay, nothing happens. He mage then tries every other combination of the words he can think of, but the doors still do not open. Finally suspecting that the doors are a diversion similar to the false gatehouse, Jethias begins to study each of the columns in turn, finding a round indentation the same size as the disk on the widest one. When he places the disk in the hole, the entire column begins rising up to the ceiling. Flying up, Jethias notices an illusory wall in the ceiling, directly in the column's path. Using a dagger, Jethias pries at the disk until it comes loose, letting the column retreat. He again puts the disk in the hole, and this time the adventurers crowd onto the top of the column as it rises.
Waterday, Patchwall 12, 595 CY
Early Afternnoon
The Tomb of Icosiol
Icosiol's Mausoleum
The column carries Cimmerii, Fin, Jethias, Reinhart, Verben, & Tassilo to a medium-sized chamber with a 60' high ceiling. Several elongated metal lanterns, glowing with the colors of the rainbow, light the chamber. Floating in the air at the far end of the room, 10' off the floor, is a white marble sarcophagus. An image of a sleeping Wind Duke, a winged helm at his feet & 2 swords resting on his chest, is carved into the bottom of the sarcophagus.
The room's carved walls depict a great funeral procession, winding up in a spiral that shows mourning Wind Dukes, air elementals, djinni, wind warriors, & other servants of Law attending their fallen general. After the initial spiral, the loftier sections depict the general's ascension into a primal vortex of wind, lightning, & thunder. Frog-like humanoids, tentacled demons, & many-eyed abominations are trampled beneath the general's feet as he rises into a golden doorway at the fresco's end.
As the party approaches the sarcophagus, a winged, horned demon seemingly emerges from thin air. The creature's red skin is covered with thousands of eyes. The beast announces itself as Augerric, & attacks the party for violating Icosiol's tomb.
Grey beams of light begin shooting from the demon's many eyes as it advances with its vicious longsword. The beams sicken those who are stricken. Augerric also attempts to paralyze the party with his gaze.
Jethias separates the demon from the party with a wall of ice, but the beast dimension doors past the wall. The Steelfire band finds itself their toughest fight since the final round of the Champion's Games, but eventually prevail over the dread demon.
After healing up, the party inspects the sarcophagus, finding no way to open it. However, they find that the object's top is carved with a similar image as the bottom, only in this one, the Wind Duke's hands are empty & protrude from the top. Flying up, Jethias places the Seal of Law in the carving's hands, & the sarcophagus slowly lowers to the floor of the chamber. Seconds later, the top of the sarcophagus fades away, leaving the Seal suspended above the open container.
Within the sarcophagus, the party sees among the dust & fragments of bone four objects: a ring, a longsword, a short sword, & what seems to be a broken piece of a metal rod.
Hands shaking, Jethias reaches down and lifts the metal piece.
"This, my friends, can be nothing other than a fragment of the Rod of Law.," he says with a sense of wonder.
As the party members touch the items, they suddenly feel a momentary rush of anger & jealousy, which quickly gives way toa feeling of peace & welcome.
"What was that?" asks Fin.
"Icosiol," replies Cim. It seems he has granted us his blessing. "Odd," she says, gazing at the runes in the chamber. "I can read this stuff now."
"It must be Zosiel's circlet," says Jethias, nodding to the diadem found in the Whispering Cairn.
Fin reaches in his pack & removes the box holding the talisman of the sphere taken from Zosiel's tomb. "I get the feeling this is more powerful, too."
The party then examines the ring & mithral swords. Jethias determines the ring to be something called a ring of the Wind Dukes, which allows the wearer to transform into a bolt of lightning, and claims it for himself. The longsword is a sword of Aaqa, harnassing the power of the wind, while the shortsword is a lightning sword harnassing the power of lighting. The party determines that when used as a pair & clanged together, the swords will harness the power of thunder, creating a sonic boom. Fin takes the short sword while Tassilo takes the longsword. The Steelfire band then decides to hole up in the chamber & rest.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Morning
The Tomb of Icosiol
Return to the River of Blood
Using fly & airwalk spells, Cimmerii, Fin, Jethias, Reinhart, Verben, & Tassilo make their to the top of the pit where the River of Blood falls. There they are ambushed by six xorns, which they easily dispatch. Fin then notices a discoloered wall nearby, & searching it, discovers a short set of steps leading to an unusual room.
The Passage of Honor
The party investigates the room, finding it to be 15' wide by 25' long. The air is quite cold, moving about them in faint whispers, and sheets of red ice cover the floor. The ice sheets continue ahead through an archway leading into a larger room. Three statues of Wind Duke nobles flank the party on each side. The statues all hold their hands cupped before them, & intricate carvings of strange buildings & towers rest on cushions of air above their hands. The central statue to their right, which holds no such carving, stands before a stone door.
Suddenly, a pair of iron portcullises drop down, blocking the entrance behind the party & the archway ahead. The statue before the door then transforms into a strange human-like, mechanoid creature, which Jethias identifies as a kolyarut inevitable. The creature proves tough, but the party eventually slays it.
Behind the door the inevitable was guarding, the group finds an empty chamber, some 15' square. Jethias theorizes that it may have been intended as a minor tomb, but for some was never occupied. the party decides to move north through the archway.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Late morning
The Tomb of Icosiol
The Hall of Ice
Cim, Verben, Fin, Jethias, Reinhart, & Tassilo move through the northern archway into a long hall, 15' wide. The walls & floor are encrusted in red ice, and Cim can make out a set of double doors at the far end of the hall, as well as one on the right near the end. Two large humanoid statues of the red ice occupy the hall, their frozen surfaces covered in smoking white runes. As the party approaches, the statues come to life & attack.
"Ice golems!" yells Jethias.
The mage uses a wall of ice to imprison one of the golems, while the rest of the party engages the other. All appears to be working quite well, until a section of the floor explodes as two strange amorphous creatures emerge from a hole leading to the River of Blood. The cratures look to made of blood, and the party can see vile skeletal faces twisting withing their masses.
Uh, anyone know what these things are?" asks Cim.
"Not sure, but I'm pretty sure they're undead creatures known as blood amnotes," replies Verben.
"Well, then do something!" screams Cim as one of the beasts lashes out with a bloody pseudopod.
Verben channels the divine power of Pelor, completely destroying the one of the creatures, leaving naught but a bloody mist hanging in the air.
"How's that?" he asks.
"Nice," replies Cim.
Suddenly, Jethias cries out. The others turn to see Moreto standing above the mage with his bloody greatsword.
"Oathbreaker!" cries Reinhart, as he deals the final blow to one of the ice golems and moves to assist Jethias. At that moment, the trapped ice golem breaks through the ice wall.
Cim, Fin, & Verben engage the remaining blood amniote and ice golem while Reinhart moves in close to Moreto & Tassilo moves to heal the wizard. Reinhart finds the ghoul a crafty opponent, however, as Moreto knocks the paladin's sword from his hands several times. Eventually, however, the ghoul lord is broght down, as are the remaining blood amniote & golem.
"I guess we should know better than to make deals with the undead," says Verben.
Checking Moreto's gear, Reinhart decides to claim his magical greatsword, discovering that it's imbued with alchemical silver.
"The sword of Amon Kyre has served me well," says the paladin, hefting his longsword, "but I think, with the proper enchantments, this blade will prove far more effective against the minions of Kyuss & the Ebon Triad."
"I can help you with that, " replies Tassilo, "but I fear enchanting your shield to flit about you as Auric's is still beyond my power."
"No matter, my friend. I'm sure we'll find a way."
Also among the ghoul lord's possessions, Cimerii finds a cloak of the bat, while Jethias finds five rare books on prophecy & magical theory. Scanning the books, the mage finds a number of prophecies related to the Age of Worms.
"It looks like Moreto wasn't telling us everything," says the wizard. "These books seem to hold a number of prophecies relating to the Age of Worms. One involves the 'revelation of the dead king's sinister legacy,' while another speaks of a 'Fane of Scales' arriving on Oerth amid a 'storm of wind and fire.'
"What's all that mean?" asks Fin.
"Not sure. All these are mentioned as signs that the Age of Worms draws nigh. Listen to this: 'And there was given the next sign, Miska's Bane, Law-bound, Chaos-shattered, partially revealed.'"
"The Rod of Seven Parts," says Tassilo. What else does it say?"
The wizard reads, "And on the eve of the Age of Writhing Doom, a hero of the pit shall use his fame to gift his city to the dead."
"Sounds like we stopped that one," replies Cim, "what with killing the ulgurstasta and all."
"Or perhaps just delayed it," cautions Verben.
Jethias suddenly turns a bit pale. "This one, it seems, is particularly relevant: 'And lo, the dead dragon stirs, its eyes blazing like fire, its roar a trumptsong heralding the New Age.'"
"$h!t," says Cim. "It's real, isn't it?"
"I fear so," answers Jethias.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Early afternoon
The Tomb of Icosiol
Remains of the Tomb
After a brief debate, the group opts to finish exploring the tomb. They return to the Wind Duke's Antechamber (msg 93, p 5), where, upon attempting to remove the gems from the statue's eyes, they are attacked by a pair of relief golems, which they quickly destroy. After taking the two pale blue topazes from the statue, the group moves on.
The Courtesan's Tomb
Entering the unexplored room north of where the elder black pudding was slain, the group finds a small, well-appointed room with a delicately arched ceiling. The walls are painted with garden scenes of two Wind Duke lovers. In the center of the room sits a large urn with gold decorations & a dark red glaze. Chairs sit in each corner & against the back wall sit six small boxes of some black substance bound with corroded metal.
The group examines the boxes, deciding to leave the urn undisturbed. Within, they find a wand of eagle's splendor, 3 tablets carved with Vaati love poems, a set of silk gowns which crumble to dust upon being touched (though the tiny gems they are set with survive), and a matching paltinum necklace, ring, & earrings. The group decides to leave the poems and moves on.
Return to the Hall of Poison Winds
With one door left to explore in the tomb, Fin finds that he did not disarm all the traps as previously thought. The unexplored door in this room leads to a long hall supported by 8 pillars, with another set of doors at the end. Fin discovers this entire room to be trapped, as the pillars collapse upon one's approach. Disarming the traps, he finds the doors at the far end are false. The tomb explored in its entirety, the group decides to leave and head back to Diamond Lake.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Mid-afternoon
Diamond Lake & environs
Return of the Six
After three days in the Tomb of Icosiol, Cimmerii, Fin, Jethias, Reinhart, Verben, & Tassilo finally exit the Whispering Cairn. There they find Verin (Reinhart's groom), Osric, Iselda (Reinhart's followers & Fin's parents), and a couple other people camped nearby. The party is greeted & Reinhart is reunited with his warhorse, Molly, while Skie is reunited with her wolf, Skie.
Verin introduces the two strangers to the rest of the party. One is a large, matronly woman named Ethyl, a former cook at the now-destroyed Emporium; while the other is a bald, middle-aged man named Yohan Lockwood, a hunter sent from Bronzewood Lodge. Verin explains that the two have been keeping them fed during their vigil, and that Lockwood has also skinned Ilthane's corpse & sent the hide to the local blacksmith, Manlin Osgood, for curing. He also mentions that the head has been sent to a local taxidermist & should be ready in a few days.
Over a light lunch of venison, the party relates their tale, while Verin and the others tell them of happenings in Diamond Lake. They learn that Valkus Dunn (high priest of Heironeous at the Garrison) is still in a coma, but slowly recovering; Alustan is seeing to his destroyed home & arrangements for his slain manservant, Harvor; Cim's mother, Cartissima, is in town (she sent Lockwood to the Whispering Cairn, in fact), seeing to Venelle's arrangements & salvaging what remains of her destroyed shop; most of the freaks & other employees of the Emporium have left for Greyhawk, though Madame Zalamandra remains in town; Garrison Commander Tolliver Trask, aided by many of Reinhart's followers, is overseeing recovery operations, & has sent a message for aid the Greyhawk; Governor-Mayor Lanod Neff remains aloof & unconcerned for any but himself; and though most of the dead have been recovered & buried, a memorial service, arranged by the Cult of the Green Lady, is scheduled to be held at sundown.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Late afternoon
Diamond Lake
Reunions and Preparations
Fin, Cimmerii, Reinhart, Verben, Jethias, and Tassilo return to Diamond Lake with Verin, Osric, Iselda, Ethyl, Lockwood, Skie, and Molly.
There, Reinhart & Tassilo check in on Valkus Dun and meet with Captain Trask, and the Heironeans Velias Childramun and Melinde. Reinhart also donates a good sum of gold to the Chapel of Heironeous to help with recovery efforts. Verin takes Molly and the other horses to be stabled at the Garrison.
Lockwood leads Cim, with Skie in tow, to the remains of Venelle's where she reunites with Cartissima, her mother.
Verben, Fin, Osric, Iselda, & Ethyl check out the town square, where most of the damage took place. Verben meets with Jieren Wierus, the Cuthbertine high priest, and donates several gold ords to aid with recovery efforts.
Jethias meets with Allustan, who tells the young mage that he's had a chance to examine the package of notes from Eligos (see Patchwall 11), and that he wishes to meet with the entire group later that night to share his findings & hear of the party's explorations of Icosiol's tomb. He tells Jethias to meet him at the Spinning Giant after the memorial service.
Jethias & Cim then meet up with Verben & Fin, & all decide to go to the Able Carter Coaching house & to clean up & change before the service. Reinhart & Tassilo do the same at the Garrison.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Sundown
Diamond Lake
Remembering the Departed
As night falls on Diamond Lake, Cimmerii, Fin, Jethias, Reinhart, Verben, & Tassilo make their way to the Diamond Lake Boneyard. A huge crowd gathers at the Boneyard's highest point, where several green-cloaked Jasian priests stand, including the enchanting Amariss, high priestess of the Cult of the Green Lady. Torches flicker in the cool autumn breeze blowing off the lake. Hundreds of Diamond Lakers of all stripes assemble--miner, merchants, soldiers, and craftsmen alike. Nearly all of the townspeople show up--even such irreputables as Balabar Smenk. The only noticable absences are Governer-Mayor Neff and his lackeys.
Amariss speaks relatively briefly, consoling the crowd.
"Be assured that your loved ones," she says, "though departed, now rest contently, and reap great rewards in the afterlife. Weep not for them, but honor them and remember them for the joy that they brought to you in this life."
After speaking for a few more minutes, Amariss calls those who wish to remember their friends, and several Diamond Lakers, one-by-one, come forward to eulogize their loved ones. Zalamandra lamets those of the Emporium who died, while Cim & her mother relate their memories of Venelle. Alustan and Jethias do the same for Harvor. After about two hours, most have had their say, and the crowd slowly begins to disperse.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Night
Diamond Lake Boneyard
After the Service
As the crowd begins to thin, Cartissima, Cimmerii's mother, invites her daughter to come with her to visit the grave of Cartissima's uncle, who is buried at his family homestead about a mile from town. Cim joins her, as do Verben and Fin's mother, Iselda. They tell Jethias, Reinhart, Fin, & Tassilo they'll be back in time to meet with Allustan, then depart.
Reinhart, Fin, Jethias, & Tassilo, while conversing & receiving congratulations from the many mourners, are approached by Amariss, the high priestess of the Cult of the Green Lady.
Though only perhaps in her mid-twenties, Amariss evokes an aura of gravitas of someone much older. Standing about Fin's height (5', 6"), the priestess is dressed in a lovely evening dress of black and grey that accentuates her curves, with long black gloves. A jeweled dagger hangs from her hip. She wears a fine hooded cloak of green, with a clasp studded with red gems depicting the holy symbol of Wee Jas (a flaming ruby skull), goddess of death and magic. Her lips are a rich scarlet, and her eyes are a deep emerald green. A cascade of raven hair falls in thick ringlets about her shoulders, and her pale skin glows softly in the light of gibbous Luna and crescent Celene. The smell of rich perfume and grave flowers lingers in the air about her.
"Jethias," she says in a firm, yet pleasant voice. "Walk with me."
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Night
Outskirts of Diamond Lake
All in the Family
Cartissima leads Cimmerii, Verben, & Iselda to an abandoned farmstead about 10 minutes outside Diamond Lake. Cimmerii is quite surprised to see it's the Land farmstead, which she first saw over three months ago (Reaping 14).
"Ummm, we're related to these people?" Cim asks, as they walk to a small grove of deklo trees, where lie five headstones.
The headstones read:
Anders Land: 531-564 CY
Bemissa Land: 534-576 CY
Coldaren Land: 550-576 CY
Gertia Land: 563-576 CY
Alastor Land: 552-565 CY
"Yes," replies Cartissima. "That's odd."
"What?" asks Verben.
"It looks like these graves were disturbed, recently, perhaps several weeks ago. And Alastor has a freshly-carved date of death on his stone!"
"Ummm, I think I can explain that, Mom."
Cim then relates the tale of how the graves were robbed by Kullen, the skeletons animated by Filge, & how those remains were recovered (along with Alastor's in the Whispering Cairn) by Cim, Reinhart, Fin, Romero, Remus, & Jethias, & then reburied by Romero (who must have altered the headstone) & Fin. Not surprisingly, she leaves out the part about later having a romantic liason with Filge.
"You never said we had relatives out here, Mom."
Cartissima then explains to Cim how her mother, a local Diamond lake girl named Eleanor Land, had a falling out with her brother, Anders, when she fell in love with one Sarcion Acanthus, a druid of Bronzewood Lodge. Anders particlarly blamed Cartissima's father for drawing his sister into the Old Faith and away from the worship of Saint Cuthbert.
"The last time we saw the family was in 564, at Ander's funeral. After that, there was so much bad blood, we didn't feel the need to associate. Alastor disappeared in 565, but everyone else figured he ran away. The rest of the family died from the Red Death in 576, but you & I were in Ulek at that time. No one else visited the farmstead for years after that, for fear of plague."
"But why wait so long to visit," asks Cim.
"I don't know," answers Cartissima. "I barely knew them in the first place, so I guess it wasn't so important. But then, after all that talk at the service about remembering people, I guess I figured it was about time I paid my repects."
The four gaze silently at the headstones for a few minutes, before Iselda speaks up.
"You know, my maiden name is Land, and my father is said to have originally been from these parts. It's possible we may be related, and Fin as well."
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Night
Diamond Lake Boneyard
A Lovely Night for a Funeral
The following written by Dan, Jethias's player
Jethias glances at his comrades, as if to make sure he is indeed the one the beautiful woman has beckoned, then takes a hesitant step forward.
“Lovely night for a funeral,” he says. “Not that…No! Not that any night’s good for a funeral, but if you were going to have one, a night like this would be good I suppose. You would know since you it’s your business and all.”
He pauses, then blanches, realizing that last remark came off a tad insulting.
“Not that there’s anything wrong with the business of the church; on the contrary, you perform a vital duty and…”
He trails off as he catches a gleam in the priestess’s eye. He steals a glance back at his companions who are grinning at him like fools, and goes scarlet to the ears. He walks on parallel with Amariss, staring at his shoes.
The following written by Darren, Reinhart's player
Reinhart watches the two walk away and laughs softly to himself and turns to Fin. "Luckily," the paladin says, "their is magic to make oneself more charming. Too bad he didn't use it before she showed up."
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Night
Diamond Lake Boneyard
A Walk with Amariss
The high priestess leads Jethias through the Boneyard, away from the flickering torches and din of the crowd. They walk some distance from the freshly-dug graves, past several older headstones and nameless markers, pulling their cloaks tight to protect against the cool breeze blowing off the lake. Along the way, she straightens grave offerings that have been left before some of the stones by loved ones.
"Over one thousand years ago," she begins, "a great war began, betwixt two great empires beyond the western mountains. The Baklunish Empire to the north, and the Suel Imperium to the south. At the forefront of this war were the arcanists of the two nations. The Baklunish specialized in the use of elemental magick and conjuration, employing the services of djinn, marids, and other denizens of the elemental planes, while the Suel Mages of Power focused chiefly on the use of incredibly destructive magicks."
"The War raged for over sixty years, with neither side gaining much ground, the two being so evenly matched. Finally, the Suel Mages of Power pooled their resources to call down the Invoked Devastation upon the hated Bakluni, a magick so terrible and complete in its destruction that none survived to give witness to its true form. What is known is that entire cities and innumerable people were purged from the face of the Oerth, leaving little of the once-great civilization that stretched from the Dramidj Ocean to the Sulhaut Mountains."
"But this was not to be the end of the destruction, for some of the most powerful arcanists and priests of the Baklunish Empire survived the Devastation. In retaliation, this cadre assembled at the standing stones of Tovag Baragu, using their own magicks, aye, even their very life-forces, to fuel the ancient artifact. This resulted in the heavens opening above the fertile Suel basin, and a Rain of Colorless Fire falling upon the Imperium, burning all beings and things within to ash, leaving naught but a Sea of Dust. It is said that it was at this moment that the Ruby Sorceress took on the Mantle of Death, to assure the survivors that the dead were being safely escorted to the Afterlife."
"The Suel peoples began fleeing the War some forty years after it began, following in the wake of the Oeridians, who began their journey to the Flanaess twenty years before. The Great Migrations ended with Slerotin, last Sueloise Mage of Power, who used his powers to create a passage through the Crystalmists, allowing twelve noble Suel houses to escape the Rain of Colorless Fire. During the Migrations, many leaders arose, leading their peoples across treacherous lands inhabited by hostile enemies. One of these leaders was a Jasian priestess called simply 'the Green Lady.' The Green Lady was most noted for using her magicks to hide her charges from the gaze of the Whispered One when crossing through his empire. It is believed that such was her purpose, for it was not until that her people were far from Vecna's grasp that she succumbed to the Taker's embrace, here, on the shores of Diamond Lake."
"Now, 'What does this have to do with me,' you ask? Very little. . . . and very much."
"After the Green Lady's tomb was finished, few of her followers remained here. Most could not bear to be reminded of their loss, and so moved on to other lands, though most got no farther than Urnst." From the corner of your eye, you see Amariss turn her head toward you.
"You are from Urnst," from her tone, Jethias recognizes this as a statement, not a question.
"The Green Lady had kin among those who journeyed with her. It is said that some of them settled in Urnst, bonding their blood to that of the Maure. Wee Jas is a powerful goddess, far more powerful than many realize. She rules over not only matters mortal and arcane, but also those of Law, and the heart. It is said that She keeps Her true power hidden, in order to discourage its theft by powers covetous and fearful. Occasionally, the Witch Goddess is said to bless a promising newborn with a single droplet of this great power. These children invaribably grow to become powerful magi or devoted priests in Her church. The Suel Mages of Power are said to have been blessed so, as was the Green Lady."
"I see such power in you, Jethias--but much rashness as well. Power without discipline is wasteful in the eyes of the Stern Lady. You would do well to harness your emotions and not let them rule you, for to do so would squander the blessing that has been bestowed upon you. Ahh, look," she says, stopping.
Jethias looks up to see that he and Amariss seem to have walked the entire perimeter of the Boneyard, as he can see Fin and Reinhart about a dozen yards ahead, not far from where he left them. The young mage then shifts his glance to the headstone directly before him, and recognizes it as Romero's, his Jasian companion who was slain by Hextorians beneath Dourstone Mine months before (see Reaping 20).
"It seems our walk is finished, young mage. I would wish you luck in your journeys, but Fortune is a fickle mistress, and thus unsuited for our kind." Amariss bows her head ever so slightly. "Thank you for walking with me, Jethias. And please---tell the paladin that I wish to speak with him as well."
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Night
Diamond Lake Boneyard
Contemplation
The following written by Dan
Jethias bows to the priestess, then turns to Romero’s grave as she slides away from him, the silks of her robes slinking in the cool night air. For once in his life, Jethias feels reverent. He places a hand on the cool stone of the grave and looks skyward, deep in thought. He had long known of the history of the Tolemirs, their descent from Suel blood, mixed with the might and majesty (and perhaps madness) of the Maures. What he did not know was that this Green Lady, whose temple had lain right under his nose for so many years, had such a deep and personal connection to him.
Jethias had never been a religious man. He acknowledged Boccob as the supreme master of knowledge and magic in the Great Wheel but as Boccob cares little for veneration or congregations, Jethias seldom if ever engaged in any kind of religious practice. But here, on the shores of filthy Diamond Lake, in the last place he would ever thought to find it, was something more. He had, of course, a healthy respect for Wee Jas and her priesthood, she being one of the great deities to survive the fall of the Imperium. But the ramblings and musings of the religious, no matter who the god might be, had never interested in him, and indeed, incited a fair amount of scorn in him. Reinhart had earned his respect solely out of his indomitable courage and unflagging strength, but Jethias still thought of him as a myopic fanatic. But now, perhaps, he had an inkling of what drove the Heironean.
The mage strolls back to Reinhart, Fin, & Tassilo, meeting their expectant faces with dispassion.
“Amariss wishes to speak with you, Sir Reinhart,” he said formally, then continued on his way, leaving the two men where they loitered.
Jethias had a great deal of thinking to do. He would never do something so baseborn as convert publicly to another religion, but tonight, in his chambers, he would offer a silent prayer to Wee Jas, in thanks for helping his ancestors escape out of ruin and to thrive again. And, he decided, if the goddess ever deigned to speak to him, he would listen.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Night
Diamond Lake Boneyard
Reinhart's Turn
After Jethias walks away, Reinhart looks about nervously, swallows, then approaches Amariss. The two then follow a similar circut about the Boneyard.
A half hour later
Verben, Cimmerii, and Iselda (Fin's mother), having bid farewell to Cim's mother, Cartissima, return to their companions at the Diamond Lake Boneyard. Only a handful of mourners remain, most gathered outside the low walls of the boneyard, conversing and comforting one another while the Cult of the Green Lady tends to various funerary rites. Among the stragglers are Jethias, Allustan, Fin, Osric (Fin's father, who awaits his wife), and a number of Reinhart's followers.
As Verben, Cimmerii, and Iselda approach, they are greeted by the others, who inform them that they're waiting on Reinhart.
"Ahh. There he is," motions Allustan. The others turn to seen Reinhart slowly walking among the gravestones several yards inside the cemetery, the Lady Amariss at his side. The paladin and Jasian priestess come to halt before a cluster of graves, continuing their conversation.
"Well," begins Allustan, "please meet me at the Spinning Giant as soon as he's finished. We have much to speak of." With that, Allustan departs down the dusty road toward the tavern.
The companions bid farewell to the wizard and turn their eyes back toward Reinhart, deep in conversation with the Jasian priestess. A combination of torch and moonlight dimly illuminate the pair.
A few minutes later, the group sees the priestess lay her hand gently upon the paladin's shoulder. Reinhart nods, and the woman gracefully turns away. The paladin watches Amariss walk back toward the other cultists, then turns toward the Boneyard's exit, where he spies everyone looking his way. The paladin hails his companions, and walks in their direction. As he rejoins the group, they notice a hint of rich perfume and grave flowers in the air about him.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Night
Diamond Lake
The Blood of the Land
Jethias, Fin, Verben, Cimmerii, Tassilo, Osric, Iselda, look intently at Reinhart, fresh from his talk with Amariss, approaches.
“So, what did she say?” asks Cim.
“Uhhh, not much–she just wanted to thank us for all our help and wish us luck in our future endeavors,” replies the paladin.
“I’m sure she did,” grins Cimmerii.
As Reinhart begins to retort, Jethias turns to the half-elf. “So, where did your mother take you?” he asks.
“Oh. We went to the Land farmstead.”
“Outside of town?” asks Reinhart. “Where your ‘friend’ had the skeletons of that family dug up?”
“In his defense, Filge didn’t know Kullen was going to rob those graves,” snaps Cim.
“Which I suppose makes it okay, then,” Reinhart cynically replies.
“Nevermind that,” interrupts Jethias. “Why did she take you to the Land farmstead?”
Cim glares angrily at Reinhart, then turns back to the mage.
“It seems Anders Land, Alastor’s father, is also Mom’s uncle.”
“So you and that ghost from the Whispering Cairn are related?” asks Fin.
“Yeah. And that’s not all, Fin; your mom’s maiden name was also ‘Land’, which means you might be related to us as well.”
“Really?” asks the young rogue.
“It’s true, dear,” says Iselda.
“The Blood of the Land runs thick in the land!” a ragged voice cries.
The group turns to see an elderly woman approaching, bracing her withered frame with a gnarled staff. She has crazed eyes, long scraggly hair, and a hooked nose. Several charms dangle from her clothing, and she carries a large bag over her shoulder.
“Yes, yes, it’s true. The Blood runs thick in these parts, and often appears where least expected!”
“Who are you?” asks Tassilo.
“They call me Old Agnes, dearie.”
“Ah, I’ve heard of you,” says Cim.
“Yes, yes,” Agnes replies. “‘The crazy old witch-woman that lives outside of town,’ they say. But no more of that. It’s you I’m looking for,” she points a bony digit at Reinhart.
“Me?”
“Yes, dearie. ‘The lightning bolt that fell the dragon, circled by five bright stars.’ That’s th’ vision I had, dearie, and it fits you.”
“Vision?”
“Yes, yes. Vision. I’m sent to aid you in all ways, dearie.”
“Sent? By who?” asks the paladin.
“By the Invincible Light of Celestia, dearie. My potions, my herbs, my wisdom, are yours, dearie.”
“‘The Invincible’. . . ,” repeats Reinhart, wondering if his god is having fun at his expense.
“Just humor her, Reinhart,” Jethias whispers. “I think she’s harmless. Likely, she’s just lonely and needs to feel some sense of belonging.”
“Right,” says Reinhart. “Osric, Iselda–if you should be so kind as to take Agnes with you–find her a meal, and a warm place to sleep for the night.” He turns to Agnes. “I’ll meet with you in the morning, milady, then we can discuss this further.”
“Why, thank you, dearie,” says the old woman. The paladin hands Osric some coins, then he and his wife depart with Agnes.
“Well, now,” says Jethias. "Shall we make our way to the Spinning Giant? Allustan awaits us there.
The six concur, then make their way to the tavern.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Night
Diamond Lake, the Spinning Giant
Reintown
Cimmerii, Fin, Jethias, Reinhart, Verben, and Tassilo reach the Spinning Giant, a two-story tavern favored by the local Garrison. Depicted on the building's front is a fresco of the tavern's namesake, a dancing imbecilic hill giantess, with the door between her ankles.
"Interesting design," says Verben.
"Flailing Felanore," says Tassilo. "She was captured by the Garrison in 555 and handed over to the tavern owner, who kept her as a mascot.
"Kept?" asks Verben. "Was she ganted her freedom after renouncing evil?"
"Nay," replies the Heironean. "The Red Death took her in 576."
"Poor thing," says Cim, as the group enters
The mood in the smoke-filled tavern is rather upbeat, considering the memorial service earlier in the evening. Though a few patrons are drowning their sorrows in drink, most have their eyes on the stage, where a most peculiar show takes place. What appears to be a halfling dressed in faux armor (complete with a helm crafted from a discarded cooking pot) & wielding a wooden sword faces off a man in a black dragon costume. A minstral with dark hair cut in the style of a page stands nearby, holding a lute and announcing a new composition.
"This doesn't seem like the kind of town a halfing would find pleasing," says Verben.
"There are a few here," says Fin, "but that's not one of them."
As the group looks closer, they notice that the halfing is actually a small human.
"That's Maximillian," says Fin. "He was born that way--he worked in the Emporium."
"And so our tale begins!" the bard announces. The minstral then strikes a chord and begins singing, as the performers on stage begin to "battle."
Reinharrrrt...! The man called Reinharrrrrt...!
"What in the Nine Hells is this s~#@?" asks Cim.
"It appears to be some kind of tribute," says Jethias.
The bard continues as the Steelfire band watches from the door.
Well, he took up his shield and he took up his sword
He found that black dragon and he gave her what for
Our love for Reinhart ain't hard to explain
He slew the black dragon, the one called Ilthane
Sir Reinhart came from the Free City
He followed in the dragon's wake
He gazed upon us with pity
And vowed to save Diamond lake
He gathered his bonny companions
A wizard, a rogue, a half-drow
Verben, and brave young Tassilo
He swore, "This must be done now!"
Well, he took up his shield and he took up his sword
He found that black dragon and he gave her what for
He's a brave paladin, just doin' his part
The slayer of dragons, the man called Reinhart
"Kord's balls!" winces Cimmerii.
"Oh, it's not that bad," says Verben."
"Says the guy who was remembered for his name, not his heritage," growls Cim.
"Well, perhaps you'd be better remembered if you donated some gold to the Church of St. Cuthbert," retorts Verben.
He slew the lizard king Shukak
He survived the Whispering Cairn
He felled Three Faces of Evil
His shield was mighty as Daern's
He found his way to the Free City
Slew Zyzxog, the eater of brains
Defeated great Auric and Khellek
To win the Champion's Games
Well, he took up his shield and he took up his sword
He found that black dragon and he gave her what for
Our love for Reinhart ain't hard to explain
He slew the black dragon, the one called Ilthane
The entire tavern errupts in applause as the song ends, and Maximillian stands trimumphant over the defeated "dragon."
Turning to Reinhart, Cim says, "I suppose you'll want a f!$+in' statue now?"
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Night
Diamond Lake, the Spinning Giant
The Last Supper
Cimmerii, Fin, Jethias, Reinhart, Verben, and Tassilo are directed to a private room in the Spinning Giant where Allustan awaits. Over dinner, the group recounts the tale of their exploration of Icosiol’s Tomb and the recovery of a piece of the Rod of Seven Parts. Allustan then informs the group that he’s looked over Eligos’s notes, and that there’s little more he can help them with.
“However,” says Allustan, “as you know from Eligos’s note, he recommended that I take you to our former master, as his expertise in such matters far surpasses ours. Unfortunately, given the current circumstances of Diamond Lake, I am unable to take you there.” The wizard pulls a pair of scrolls, one of which is sealed, from his robe and hands them to Jethias. “I have sent word ahead to Magepoint, so your arrival will be expected. The sealed scroll is a letter of introduction, while the other contains directions.” The wizard reaches under the table and hands Jethias a familiar package. “You’ll also need to show him Eligos’s notes. Your horses will be saddled and waiting for you at the Garrison at first light. Your mule, too.”
“I’d nearly forgotten about the mule,” says Reinhart (see Reaping 17).
“Ummm. Just who is your former master?” asks Verben.
“Tenser,” replies Allustan.
“The archmage Tenser?” asks Verben.
“He is sometimes called that, yes.”
“Impressive.”
“Well,” finishes Allustan. “If you’ll excuse me–the hour grows late, and I must be off.”
“Where have you been staying, Master?” asks Jethias.
“For now, at the governer-mayor’s house.”
“Your brother? But I thought you couldn’t stand him?”
“It’s only for a little while. Well. It has been good knowing all of you, and seeing you become the seasoned ‘dragon-slayers’ you are. May the gods smile on your future endeavors.”
The group bids an emotional farewell to the mage, shaking hands, though Cim throws him a bit off guard with a teary-eyed embrace. Finally, Allustan turns to Jethias.
“Thank you, Master–it has been an honor to serve as your apprentice.”
“No, thank you, Jethias. You have blossomed into a formidable mage, as well as a fine young man. You have brought great pride to my house. Farewell, my friend.”
“Farewell, Allustan.”
The group returns to their chairs upon their mentor’s departure.
“This may be the last good meal we’ll have for awhile, so we’d best take advantage of it,” says Reinhart.
"Or the last one, period," Fin cynically replies.
Earthday, Patchwall 13, 595 CY
Night
Diamond Lake, the Spinning Giant
New Recruits
After Allustan departs, Cim, Reinhart, Fin, Verben, Jethias, & Tassilo learn that a long line of people await outside the private room's door, wishing to thank them for their service to Diamond Lake. They're ushered in, a few at a time, to speak with the patient heroes. Among the first to enter are Maximillian, the small human, and the bard who performed "The Ballad of Reinhart." Maximillian ambles forward, extending a tiny hand.
"Hiya there. I'm Maximillian, but all my friends call me 'Max.' This here's Robin Elan Goodfellow, bard Extraordinare!"
Max then showers a great deal of praise on Reinhart, telling the paladin that he's bound for great things.
"One day, buddy, a guy like you, he's gonna have his own castle. Why, there are rulers all over the Flanaess who'd grant a fief to a young stalwart like yourself in a heartbeat. And when that happens," he says with a wink," you're gonna need a court jester--and a minstral!"
"Let me guess," sighs Cim. "You're offering your services now?"
"Damn skippy! And we won't take no for an answer! We're a great team--I keep 'em laughing, & Robin--when he's not being too enthusiastic--keeps 'em dancing and tapping their feet!"
"What do you mean by 'too enthusiastic'?" asks Reinhart.
"Show 'im, kid."
With that, Robin brandishes his lute and strikes a powerful chord.
'HEIRONEOUS, F#*K YEAH!
Coming again to save the motherf*#king day. . .
"Okay, okay--I see what you mean," Reinhart interrupts frantically. "Tell you what," he groans. "Meet me at the Garrison at first light, where we can discuss it further."
The pair agree and bid farewell to the group. Next to enter the room is a battle-scarred warrior who introduces himself as Harn, a former captain in Nyrond's army during the Greyhawk Wars (582-584). Harn tells them that after retiring from the army in 593, he recruited some of his fellow soldiers and went into business for himself, hiring his band out as security to merchant caravans along the Urnst Trail. However, after Ilthane's rampage, Harn and his band remained in Diamond Lake to help clean up the carnage, where they were inspired by the deeds of Reinhart and his companions as related to him by the paladin's followers. Harn offers his sword to Reinhart, telling the paladin that he and his men, a force standing about 20 strong, wish to be part of something greater. Reinhart accepts Harn's offer and directs him come to the Garrison at first light.
After everyone in the Spinning Giant has had a chance to thank the party, the group retires for the night.
Freeday, Patchwall 14, 595 CY
Daybreak
Diamond Lake Garrisont
[u]Exodus[/u]
That morning, Cimmerii, Fin, Jethias, Reinhart, Verben, & Tassilo gather at the Garrison. Also assembled are Reinhart's followers, numbering some three dozen:
Eliza, laundress
Ethyll, cook
Flinch, aide-de-camp
Gerda, server
Harn, captain
Iselda Nodwick, warrior (Fin's mother)
Kayin, blacksmith
Maximillian, jester
Nogas, warrior
Old Agnes, herbalist
Osric, warrior (Fin's father)
Peter, squire
Robin Elan Goodfellow, minstral
Stalagov, herald
Verin, groom
Yohan Lockwood, hunter
And 20 warriors under Harn's command, now calling themselves the Silverfox Dragoons. In addition, a rotund, tonsured man introduces himself as Tucker, a traveling Heironean priest who came to Diamond Lake with Harn's men. Reinhart takes him on as well.
As only the Steelfire Band and Peter have mounts, Reinhart declares that to avoid delay, he and his adventuring companions will ride on ahead to magepoint, while Peter and the others (along with the unnamed mule) follow at their leisure.
[u]Danger on the Road[/u]
That afternoon, the party finds itself amushed as four bone devils and two barbed devils ambush them, the later two unleashing order's wrath & unholy blight upon the party, soon killing all of the horses save Reinhart's celestial mount, Molly. Skie, Cim's wolf, wisely remains out of range.
"Bruno!" Jethias yells, mourning his steed. "Curse you, fiends!"
"Curse you, mortal," replies one of the barbed devils, "the Rod shall soon be in the hands of Imaxian of Baator!"
"Thief! You actually mean it shall be in the hands of our master, Visciannix," says the other barbed devil.
"I doubt our master would wish his name thrown about so freely, Lyrisilak," replies Imaxian.
"Nevermind--they're bound for death as it is!"
The party soon rallies and dispatches their foes. The group spends the next hour or so dragging the horses from the road and preparing to bury them, at Cim & Jethias's insistance. Soon Peter and Reinhart's other followers arrive. The group decides to have Verin, Harn, and the others finish the work of burying the horses while the Steelfire band moves on, not wishing to endanger any of Reinhart's followers should more devils comes seeking the piece of the Rod of Seven parts they carry.
"Tenser will know what to do," says Jethias, "and he may also have some information on this Visciannix."
"Let's hope so," says Verben.
The group walks until the sun begins sinking below the Cairn Hills, then makes camp for the night.
Starday, Patchwall 15, 595 CY
About 2:00 am
The road to Magepoint
Snuffing the Flame
During Jethias's watch, the party finds themselves ambushed in their camp by a flying assailant--Raknian's henchman, Captain Okoral!
Cim, Fin, Reinhart, Verben, & Tassilo--all unarmored and unprepared--rush from their tents upon hearing Jethias's cries as the villian attacks the mage with his twin shortswords. Just as they think they have Okoral surrounded, the Steelfire band notices something about Okoral is not quite right.
"Ehlonna's t@!*! He's become a Kyuss spawn!" cries Cim.
Then something unexpected happens--something seems to explode from Okoral's body, showering the entire party with hundreds of tiny, green, slimey Kyuss worms! While the group struggles to scrape the worms off before they can begin burrowing, Okoral moves in for the kill, plunging his blades deep into Verben, again and again, leaving a bloodied corpse where once stood the doughty priest of Pelor.
Despite the loss of their best healer, the party rallies, and is able to destroy the foul creature.
Tassilo informs the group that he will be able to revive Verben, but not until daybreak, when he'll be able to prepare the proper spells.
"The bastard Raknian must have sent him after us," says Jethias. "If I were a gambling individual, I'd say he was the one who murdered Eligos."
"At least our friends have been partially avenged," says Cim. "If we only knew where to find Raknian. . . ."
"What happened to Okoral?" asks Fin. "I've never seen a Kyuss spawn explode before."
"It must be a new type," says Jethias.
"How many types are there?" asks Reinhart.
"Who knows?" replies the mage. "I'm barely familiar with the conventional kind, much less anything else."
"Either way," says Cim, "I expect we'll be seeing many more. I'll take next watch."
Shortly thereafter, the party returns to bed.
Starday, Patchwall 15, 595 CY
About 9:00 am
The road to Magepoint
Let's Light Another Candle
Tassilo raises Verben, then the party continues on to Magepoint.
Moonday, Patchwall 17, 595 CY
The road to Magepoint
A Night Down Undre
The party reaches the village of Undre, and overnights there.