Session 30

The Search for Morlack

Chapter 1: The Gates of Urik

The grand stone gates of the City of Lions loomed before the group, their imposing presence adorned with countless inscriptions. Just beyond, a massive rock slab, equally adorned with text, awaited. In front of this monolith, individuals who could decipher the writing, nobles and merchants by their bearing, stood engrossed in Hamanu's Code.

As the adventurers arrived in Urik, the true mission commenced in earnest: the pursuit of Morlak and his enigmatic knowledge, the elusive key to evading the oppressive Dragon's Levy. This quest marked the beginning of their endeavors within the formidable city of Urik.

Chapter 2: Potter's Square

Amid their explorations of Potter's Square in the northwest corner of Urik, the adventurers were drawn to a captivating sight. Here, on a towering stone wall, a life-sized carving narrated a haunting story. It depicted a formidable Urikite, intricately etched into the stone, commanding a fearsome lion to assail a cowering and helpless slave. What made the scene even more intriguing were the embellishments contributed by countless passersby over time.

The soldier figure, exuding an aura of malevolence, now sported a vibrant yellow cape, a beaded necklace, and a leather skirt, while the slave was adorned with tattered rags. It seemed that those who traversed this place felt a compelling need to imbue these stone representations with a touch of humanity. The scene served as a stark reminder of Urik's harsh reality, where cruelty lurked at every corner.

As the group contemplated this chilling display, they decided to take action. Placing the clay lips, given to them by Ninsunuu, on the slave's mouth, they awaited a contact.

Chapter 3: Prove Your Allegiances

In a dimly lit chamber, their contact conveyed grave concern about a low-level operative's loyalty. Tasked with uncovering the truth behind his allegiances, they sensed the urgency of this mission. In the shadows of Urik, secrets and betrayals threatened the Veiled Alliance, and the fate of the cause hung in the balance.

As they shadowed the man through the bustling streets of Urik, every step resonated with the gravity of their mission. They meticulously observed his clandestine meetings and methodically interrogated his associates. Despite their relentless scrutiny, the man appeared untarnished, leaving them with a confident sense of his loyalty to the Veiled Alliance.

Chapter 4: Thania's Faction

In the labyrinthine shadows of Urik's clandestine underworld, the group had managed to establish contact with a splinter faction of the Veiled Alliance. Their initial encounters had been marked by veiled conversations with enigmatic handlers, their faces hidden beneath hoods and cloaks.

Eventually, the secret dance of trust had led them to a pivotal moment. In a dimly lit chamber, concealed from the prying eyes of Urik's templars, they had come face to face with Thania. She had carried an air of authority, her eyes betraying both a steely resolve and the weight of unspoken burdens. Thania was the leader of a cell within the Urikite Veiled Alliance, a group that had broken away from the main organization due to profound disagreements regarding strategies and tactics.

As they engaged in conversation with Thania, the tension in the room had become palpable. The flickering candlelight had cast eerie shadows on the walls, and every word exchanged had carried the weight of secrets, loyalty, and dissent. Her voice had been measured, her gestures deliberate. The consequences of their defiance had been grave, and Thania's unwavering determination had been etched into every line on her face.

In a clandestine meeting with the adventurers, Thania, the leader of the fractured Urikite Veiled Alliance, had expressed her deep concern about the organization's plight in the absence of Morlak. With visible frustration, she had confided that despite her best efforts, Morlak remained elusive. Suspicion had loomed heavily over the enigmatic group known as the Broken Builders, rumored to have ties to the Royal Astronomer Babantylos. Thania had believed they might be connected to Morlak's disappearance. Her voice had trembled with a mixture of fear and determination as she had implored the adventurers to investigate this ominous connection and help uncover the truth behind the missing leader.

Chapter 5: Royal Astronomer

As they ventured to the Celestial Succor wine shop, the air had been thick with anticipation. The open-air rooftop had amplified the ambiance, providing a perfect backdrop for their clandestine meeting. The celestial canopy above, adorned with its myriad of stars and moons, had added an otherworldly touch to the evening. A soft breeze had carried the sweet scent of exotic wines, and the soothing melodies of a skilled flutist had filled the air, mingling with the hum of hushed conversations.

Amidst the serene surroundings, their gaze had locked onto Babantylos, the Royal Astronomer, seated at a corner table. He had worn an air of wisdom and mystique, and his eyes, sharp as the finest obsidian, had seemed to pierce the very veil of the cosmos. The weight of intrigue and the gravity of their quest had borne down upon them as they approached, for this man may hold the key to unraveling the enigma that surrounds Morlak's disappearance.

The group had persuaded him to talk through cajoling and exotic performances.

As Babantylos had continued to sip his wine, the dimly lit ambiance of the Celestial Succor wine shop had become a cocoon of secrets and uncertainty. His eyes, glazed with alcohol, had reflected a turbulent inner turmoil. It had taken a few cups, but gradually, a bond of trust had formed between them and the troubled scholar. In this moment of vulnerability, he had shared the weight that had been haunting him.

Leaning in, his voice barely above a whisper, Babantylos had confided in them. He had revealed that he had granted access to several rooms in the basements of the Royal Observatory to individuals associated with the enigmatic Broken Builders. He had admitted to growing suspicion and fear regarding their activities, which he had suspected may be linked to the disappearance of Morlak. The lines of worry had etched deeper into his face as he had spoken, and his words had been tinged with anxiety.

With desperation in his eyes, Babantylos had implored their aid in investigating these unsettling occurrences. He had been willing to provide them with an obsidian talisman shaped like Hamanu, a key of sorts that could bypass the magical guardians protecting the basement rooms. However, he had cautioned that they would still need to navigate past the vigilant sentries stationed there.

At this point, Babantylos had been far too inebriated to contemplate any further action. His weary eyes had seemed to beg for respite from the burden of knowledge he had shared, and he had leaned back, resigning himself to sleep at the wine shop, leaving them with a cryptic and perilous task ahead.

Chapter 6: Avoid the Sentries

The group clutched their magical key tightly, an obsidian resemblance of King Hamanu, a talisman that held the power to grant them access beyond the silent, imposing guardians of the Royal Observatory. With trepidation, they ventured inside, well aware that their fate now rested on their own abilities as they sought to infiltrate the Royal Observatory, perched atop the central hill of the Three Sisters.

Their entry had been masterful, successfully bypassing the vigilant sentinels on the ground floor. However, as they delved deeper into the chambers and subterranean passages beneath the observatory, stealth had betrayed them, alerting guards to their presence. Their pursuit of the befuddled Morlack and a cryptic book with an encoded cipher had come at the price of their secrecy.

Their escape had been a desperate, chaotic affair. Fleeing the observatory, they found themselves confronted by a massive door, standing resolute, and a bridge spanning a dry moat that blocked their path.

Chapter 7: Gargoyle Ambush

As they stealthily made their way towards one of the formidable bridges spanning the gaping, 20-foot dry moat, a foreboding tension hung in the air. Their path led them to a looming, enigmatic door, its lock a challenge to their dexterity. Step by step, they ventured, hearts pounding, across the bridge, their senses alert to the slightest whisper of danger. A flap of wings stirred the stillness above, an ominous prelude to the chaos that was about to erupt.

In the blink of an eye, the tranquility was shattered. A chilling, grating scream, reminiscent of talons scraping against glass, pierced the air, heralding the onslaught. Four obsidian gargoyles, accompanied by two glass-steel gargoyles and two ominous black death gargoyles, launched a relentless assault. With swift, predatory grace, the black death gargoyles swept in, their talons sinking into some of the group, before callously dropping them into the unforgiving depths of the dry moat, a twenty-foot descent. The other gargoyles, with malevolent intent, raked their foes with razor-sharp claws as they whizzed by.

Amidst the chaos, Fazanna invoked a haste upon herself, a frantic blur dashing in and out of the chaotic melee. Morhen's deadly arrows found their marks, punctuating the onslaught, while Zyel, her steps unsteady but her determination unwavering, unleashed a whirlwind of brute force upon their assailants. Shiv, a relentless juggernaut, stood defiantly in the midst of the fray, his weapon an unyielding extension of his fury. Meanwhile, Shiv's brother, Shank, belched forth a concealing cloud of ash, veiling their foes in obscurity as he channeled his rage against the attacking gargoyles. Throughout the tumult, Hamra harnessed his magic to aid his companions, weaving spells of fire to both empower and hinder.

The relentless battle raged on, each swing of a weapon, each burst of magic, every heartbeat bringing them closer to victory or defeat. In the end, with their very survival teetering on the edge, the group mustered their last reserves of strength and determination. The great door was battered down, and the gargoyles fell one by one, their shattered forms testament to the group's indomitable will, their escape narrowly secured, but secured nonetheless.

Chapter 8: Back to the Alliance

Having successfully made contact with the Veiled Alliance, they received the news of Morlak's rescue, an achievement for which they were profoundly thankful. Yet, their gratitude was tinged with despair upon witnessing the frail condition of their long-lost leader. As Thania, Leoricius, and other members engaged in fervent debate, the inherent divisions within the Urikite Veiled Alliance became apparent, their differing opinions on the best course of action a reflection of the organization's fragmented state.

After exhaustive deliberation, the Veiled Alliance reached a somber consensus: Morlak's shattered mental faculties would not be swiftly mended. Instead, preparations were made for his long-term care. Acknowledging the debt of gratitude they owed to the adventurers, the Urikite Veiled Alliance pooled their collective knowledge and offered a glimmer of hope—a potential lead to further their mission.

Morlak, prior to his involvement with the Veiled Alliance, had a history of sharing information with Hamanu, the powerful ruler of Urik. During a period of his life, Morlak conducted research on an enigmatic secret ritual or artifact, the exact nature of which remained shrouded in ambiguity. The Veiled Alliance suspects that Morlak pursued this research on behalf of Hamanu. Morlak was notably reticent about this work, occasionally alluding to its perilous nature with cryptic statements like "there are but few of us left alive" and "this secret is death." The result of their efforts was entrusted to a formidable druid named Telhami, located approximately a day's journey to the northeast, on the border of Urik's claimed territory. Morlak once revealed that "the Lion believes it safe; Telhami would never risk what we dared." Those seeking to communicate with Telhami must visit Quarite, a small village nestled within her protected lands, inhabited by devotees of elemental worship.

Chapter 9: Water Hunters

As they departed Urik, a small marker was provided to facilitate re-entry at a later time. Their journey led them through the cultivated fields surrounding Urik, a well-patrolled region guarded by diligent Urikite patrols, ensuring their passage remained secure. Upon leaving the patrolled territories behind, they ventured into the harsh and desolate wastes, bound for the village of Quarite.

In the arid expanse north of Urik, an unexpected encounter awaited them. A group of elves, distinguishable by their azure attire and jewelry, emerged amid the shifting sands. While the winds carried grains of sand across the low dunes, these vigilant elves noticed the travelers' arrival and assumed defensive positions, prepared for a confrontation. Positioned around a substantial sand dune, their cloaks and hair billowing in the relentless wind, they stood armed and ready.

With the exchange of hostilities, the group found themselves under a relentless barrage of thrown chatkcha, and Shank was swiftly engulfed by an enigmatic sand mound. The elven leader, a woman of unwavering determination, hurled curses in her native tongue and fired arrows at the adventurers. As the skirmish unfolded, Morhen attempted to seek refuge behind a stone and lay prone but was ultimately swallowed by the treacherous, shifting sand dune. In the end, the elven assailants were swiftly vanquished, and their leader fled into the vast desert, eluding her pursuers with a combination of her expertise and intimate knowledge of the terrain.

Chapter 10: Quarite

Upon their arrival in the quaint village of Quarite, a disconcerting atmosphere greeted them. The air resonated with the heart-wrenching cries of children emanating from the midst of stucco structures. As they ventured further into the village, a grim scene unfolded before their eyes. The ground was littered with lifeless forms, including a handful clad in the uniform of Urik's military, and a greater number belonging to the local populace. These bodies were somberly piled together in the village's heart.

Amid this tragedy, a group of individuals, their expressions reflecting a mix of apprehension and sorrow, cautiously emerged to confront the newcomers. They held their weapons with a sense of desolation, their readiness somewhat diminished in the face of the mournful spectacle.

After calming the villagers and ensuring they meant them no harm they learned some valuable information.

Telhami, a formidable druid, was once the guardian of the lands near Quarite, but her demise nearly a year ago left a void. Her apprentice, Akashia, stepped into her role, proving to be a diligent protector, collaborating with the villagers to pay homage to the elements. A recent arrival in the village, a Urikite named Talion Templar Hunzuu, demanded the surrender of both Telhami and Akashia, resulting in a tense standoff when the villagers refused. Shortly thereafter, a contingent of Urikite soldiers and Templars, accompanied by a fearsome Athasian lion, brutally invaded the village, conducting a relentless search, and killing anyone who resisted.

In the face of this violence, Akashia, the spiritual leader and guardian of Quarite's lands, eventually surrendered herself to the Urikites, who transported her northwestward toward a heavily fortified Urikite outpost. To help the adventurers pursue this dangerous convoy and rescue Akashia, one of the villagers offered to guide them, explaining that the wagon was relatively slow and needed to navigate challenging terrain, presenting an opportunity to catch up. The disappearance of both Telhami and Akashia would undoubtedly inflict great hardship on the village and its people.

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