Plans secured for weeks, many of them with newly purchased items or enchanted ones, the group held itself tight. It had been too long since they worked together “in formation” as the paladin Dassadar referred to the group and somehow felt very comfortable. He had selected six volunteer journeyman soldiers carefully, knowing going into a new environment would present unique challenges for them. Yet none of them had connections so if they were lost in battle it would not cost him politically.
Galdahad
flew down for the last time, it was always hard to say goodbye to
people she knew here, both humanoid and avian alike, yet each time
she traveled she learned more. She knew she wasn't ready for her
birthright challenge, thus she continued on, preparing for her
destiny.
Arun
had long since prepared, having a bit more experience in arid lands
than the others, yet this was the legendary Phastian Desert, part of
the original Empire that ruled the land, secrets to be discovered and
potentially more evil to be vanquished. His colleague, his
brother-in-arms, of sorts, waited to be summoned out, to do good
works in service to his colleague and companion.
The
Tenderfoot (Halfling) rogue, like Arun had prepared for coming here
but by speaking to her contacts, learning about the pyramid traps and
the denizens inside. She had long hoped to get a chance to explore
the ruins and other locales as much as she wanted to see an old
friend. She knew her own kind were there in smaller numbers, and she
had heard terrible rumors of dark servitude to undead lords.
Lastly,
the psion Hervandos sat in quiet meditation, sometimes he wondered
why he even went on with this group, but knowing he had nowhere else
to go and the group sometimes did provide entertainment was
justification enough. Knowledge or enlightenment the aim when he was
younger, now it just seemed to be finding contentment of any sort,
even if ever so briefly.
They
waited just a few minutes longer until the prearranged time, as they
saw the effect, the obelisk starts to glow its mystical colours, then
they stepped thru. As they come out they find themselves immediately
wet, in a public fountain, and alone as their old comrade is nowhere
to be seen. Arun uses simple magiks to dry themselves off, then they
realize the predicament they are in, stranded in a town, without a
guide nor any apparent caster able to help send them home.
They
are not exactly alone, as their mini spectacle was enough to cause
the local folk, Phastian humans, to stop and watch them for a moment
or two. The groups beseech for help, but their words fail as they
share no tongue. Using his spells, Arun quickly learns enough of
their language to communicate. They have arrived in the town of
Gortauncho, south offers the Sea of Stones in the Phastian Desert.
This Fountain, is the local equivalent of an obelisk, the center of
clerical magic. While not immediately familiar, some of the townsfolk
recognize the description of the group's wayward colleague, the
cleric Arlel. Eventually they find a citizen who reveals where she
stays. They hire a guide, and start to learn about the town.
Fesselin
is propositioned by a well-dressed tenderfoot, but she turns him
down. Hervandos is warned in mind-speak that they are here illegally
but categorically confirms they have paid entry fees: he doesn't know
if his bluff works but the questioning ends. Galdahad speaks to
several avian comrades, they tell her about the wind routes to the
sea but know nothing about her land friend.
Proceeding
to Arlels house, there is no response to their knocking, so the group
heads to the law enforcement. Situated nearly out of town, going
towards the largest stone object and building, as they approach they
realize it is beneath a huge statue of a winged lion, a sphinx, more
than 300 ft at the base with doors to underground caverns of some
kind.
The
local forces recognize Dassadar's insignia, and show respect to the
paladin and his colleagues. They wear badges of faith to a Goddess of
Light, they swear by Zalia, that the group believes is the same as
the goddess Quanna in the North. The soldiers reveal little more
than what the team has already discerned, at least as it relates to
their missing comrade...they knew the young woman by reputation only,
she had few acquaintances, caused no trouble, no one for them to be
concerned with. When discussing their next options, they decide their
next step should be to examine her home, and the desert folk give
them permission to enter her home but not to take anything.
As
they speak with the authorities, Galdahad notices one of the men
particularly enamored by her, she begins a conversation with him. A
little embarrassed, he reveals a fascination, her skin colour is like
nothing he had seen before. Even for the Sea folk to the North of
them, her pale skin is so much whiter than any of her comrades,
Galdahad admits she is not human but a Phaetox, then opens her flame
wings. The soldiers of law, kneel in bewilderment...they had not
known of her kind before. She is a little shocked, she thought
everyone had heard of Phaetox, at least in the North they had.
Heading
back to Arlel's house, the halfling determines the lock, opens it and
the door...right away three shades suddenly appear, the finder rolls
back taking shelter behind the Phaetox, as Arun summons three
celestial archons, heavenly balls of light to intercede. A quick
battle forces the shades to retreat into the walls. Seconds later,
Arun is hit by a powerful shock, immediately releasing his summoned
servants...he realizes this small town has a formidable protection a
ward of some sort around it, most likely the huge sphinx statue is
the center. Perhaps Arlel's decision to make a home here makes sense.
He also wonders what would happen if he released his main ally, what
could happen?
They
enter and carefully investigate er residence, casting of detect magic
reveals the feather stylus has a slight evocation. The papyrus has no
markings. A small stylized stone obelisk carved with personalized
engravings, the paladin wants to hold on to it, but the others remind
him of their vow not to remove anything. Eventually the paladin
submits, putting it back. Meanwhile the psionicist tells them he
sensed a powerful evil presence for seconds, something far evil than
he's ever felt before, who was apparently watching everyone; nobody
is quite sure what that means. They are unsure if they have gained
any insight as to where their former companion might be.
Night
seems to take the party quickly, and they retreat to the lodging and
equipment acquired by the paladin's soldiers, a small bevy of local
cuisine and equipment as well as services of a tattooist, who can
provide a Mark of Phastian Language Skills (OOG +5 to Phastian
Language plus INT bonus +10 non-roll bonus for calm speaking
scenarios.)
Arun
wants to learn about the town's fountain obelisk, and spends most of
the night in a library within the sphinx. Galdahad spends much of the
time drinking, sharing stories learning lore of the Sea, and of
rumours of what is hidden beneath the pyramids. The halfling watches
the room carefully, sipping her mull, and tries to gauge the
people...they are being watched but only generally. Hervandos,
returns to their room, slipping into quiet meditation. The paladin
also goes back to the shared room, to spend some time with his
soldiers, sharing an ale and ensuring their morale is high.
Eventually they all slip out first some drinks and camaraderie.
The
next day the Phaetox takes to the sky to look for any signs, and one
interesting aspect is of a simple hut with some petitioners or
students outside of it. Wanting to learn, she spends the day in
contemplation. Arun, continues his intense study of the fountains and
its connections to obelisks and the various local faiths. Fesselin
takes a careful watching spot, hoping to see if their action last
night raised some suspicions, enough so someone takes any action.
Dassadar wanting to have a better understanding, starts to walk,
south, and eventually finds the edge, they are on a spire,
essentially a cliff island, perhaps a mile or more high. He sees far
away many pyramids, as well as other spires. They could spend years
looking for their former comrade, but she had promised them a great
opportunity to vanquish evil.
At
the end of the day, an old man comes out, and gives each of the
petitioners the object, they are looking for, then finally looks at
Galadahad and says, “You were looking for the cleric Arlel, then we
we need to talk.”
Active
Characters (GP = Game Points)
35
G.P Dassadar Aasimar / 8th level
31
G.P. Fesselin Halfling Finder / 8th level
28
G.P. Galdahad Phaetox / 7th level
28
G.P. Hervandos Psionic / 7th level
26
G.P. Cassie human sorceror / 7th level
23
G.P. Arun / Wizard / 7th level
Token
Tally
Adrian
10 W, 3 B
Karen
22 W + 3 B
Serena
15 W, 2 B
Senthil
13 W, 2 B
Curnette
12W, 0 B
Rob
5 W, + 3 B
