|
Day 8 in ancient
Netheril
Dear Master Zorthaster
We've defeated a phaerimm and the evil arcanist Dubricus and are still
alive to record the tale! I hope this condition lasts through the
Flame Tongue Wars, for that is next on our unexpected visit to ancient
Netheril.
Following a brief respite to gather supplies, Gilomide returned to
lead us to the vaults below the barracks. Peraus was clearly concentrating
on determining the location of the gate in relation to landmarks that
he knows in our present. When we arrived in the vault, we found a
cavern lit by a green glow from huge rune stones. In the center of
the vault was a cage bearing a big lock and an hourglass. Gilomide
unlocked the cage and we poured the valley soil into the hourglass.
Green lights converged on the center of the cage and a portal opened
before us. Stepping through the portal, we experienced a rushing sensation
through a warping tunnel. Upon arriving and getting our bearings,
we could discern, with a little effort, a slight shimmer in the air
marking the portal. This gate will remain for a ten-day, fueled by
the soil of this site and heavy magic.
We had only just arrived when we were confronted by a strange apparition.
A swirl of wind, sticks and leaves formed into a creature in front
of Primula. It introduced itself as the Green Warden of this area.
It admitted to trying and failing to chase off the trolls in the valley.
It told us that all the elves of the temple had been killed and eaten.
It went on to advise us that once in the temple we would find refuge
and rapid healing in the great vault of the singing waters. The Green
Warden also told us of a small guard post or lookout nearby. It swirled
up the valley wall and indicated the location in a fissure in the
cliff. Shane climbed the cliff to find the broken body of a dead elf
along with his gear. Some of these things were magical and we quickly
put them into service. The Green Warden revealed that Primula's grandfather
used to be the high priest here in this temple.
The temple was a beautiful, artistic work, carved into a wide, deep
vein of white quartz that seemed to cascade down the side of the cliff.
Oskar grumbled something about it being a fine way to weaken good
stone, but I thought it marvelous. We skulked into the vale and snuck
in through the unguarded doors of the temple. From a cavern to the
right we could hear the voices of orcs. Ahead, Shane was able to discern
threats to a young and innocent captive. With a bare minimum of preparation
time, we barged into the room ahead.
We were in for a very large surprise. The young captive was a gold
dragon, bound with chains and magic and held to the floor. Dubricus
was torturing the poor creature, shocking it and causing it pain.
Its head was covered with canvas and chains and magic. Two orc guards
were surprised by our entry, but were clearly tough and dangerous.
I hasted Shane and cast an improved invisibility
on Xan for the battle. Oskar slammed into the pair of guards, allowing
Shane and Xan to attack the Wizard and clearing the way for Primula
to run to the dragon's side. She worked on getting the chains and
canvass off the creature's head while Xan's arrows and Shane's fists
and feet smacked Dubricus to the ground. I tried frantically (and
unsuccessfully) to find a key to unlock the manacles binding the dragon.
Meanwhile, Kerith and Peraus were holding off the orcs from the cavern
on the right. They had heard the sounds of battle and come to support
Dubricus. Also coming in to help was a phaerimm. It was invisible
of course, but announced its presence by launching deadly spells of
cold and lightning. Fortunately I was out of the line of fire or I
would be dead today. I tried to stay out of the way and bounce a pair
of flaming spheres into the mouth of the passage where I
guessed the phaerimm was hiding. The phaerimm died under the combined
assault of our group and we got enough limbs of the dragon freed so
that he could break the other chains that held him bound.
He was enraged, but clearly intelligent and quick thinking. When a
band of orcs started to open a door to assault us from the rear, he
moved with lightning speed, wedging the door open and breathing a
huge gout of fire down the passage. No orc could survive that blast.
It was a furious battle on many fronts, but we prevailed thanks to
surprise (which we rarely seem to have on our side), luck, and the
skill of my companions. Following the battle we learned that the dragon,
Gorgolund, was a friend of Primula's grandfather. He had come to try
to help the elves, only to be trapped by Dubricus and the Phaerimm.
The dragon was very grateful for the rescue and told us that should
we wish to contact him in the future we should press a certain stone
in the Serpent's Bridge to reveal a hidden space. He checks for messages
there every so often. Gorgolund mistook Primula for someone a generation
older, but seemed to recognize the relationship with her grandfather.
He also recognized something familiar about Peraus. Master Wands signaled
us to keep quiet about our travels in time so we steered the conversation
away from lineages and back toward the pressing events of today.
The temple was beautiful throughout and we explored it thoroughly.
We found the Vault of Singing Waters and rested there. I made the
mistake of incautiously opening the spell book of Dubricus. An explosive
rune was triggered by my oversight and nearly killed me. Fortunately,
no one else was nearby and Primula was able to heal me. The book was
a total loss however. We did find a few other nice treasures for our
trouble and a bit of gold too. We need to rush back to Conifera, but
it is nice, for this moment, to sit in this lovely valley, write,
and be at peace, even if it is only measured in hours.
Yours Truly,
Cedar
|