Session 54
Ashes to Ashes I
Ashes to Ashes I
Hunting for information about the Broken Builders' plans along the trade road between Altaruk and Balic, the group heard of mysterious disappearances and terrible elemental beasts. These rumors led them to an area in the mountains between North and South Ledopolus. Locals reported seeing a cloud of ash and smoke rising from one of the mountain peaks, visible from the town and persisting for over a week. Although the visibility of the event had been reduced to a few miles outside the temple location, it was still obvious that something had gone awry in this once sacred place. It seemed likely that the Broken Builders had defiled another elemental temple. Investigating further, they followed the smoke and found an entrance to the temple carved into the mountainside, resembling the gaping mouth of an ancient beast. The eyes of the beast, once blazing with fire, were now dark, obsidian stones; the mouth, which once exhaled a breath of cool, fresh air, now seeped with hot, black smoke.
Stepping into the carved maw, the group entered a small circular chamber with rough-hewn rock walls adorned with intricate carvings. About three-quarters of the floor was covered by an inscribed stone circle divided in half, surrounded by a five-foot dirt floor littered with broken stone seats, fractured urns, and several damaged statues. An ornate stone door set in the far wall appeared to be the only exit. Sooty, black smoke rose from the etched stone circle, accompanied by palpable waves of heat. The group carefully avoided the circle, investigating it from a distance. They deciphered the glyphs on the wall as prayers common to elemental worship, primarily dedicated to the forces of air and fire. These prayers described harmonious natural scenes where these elements were prominent, such as the sky or a volcano.
Shank approached the ornate door at the far end of the chamber, its intricate carvings almost mesmerizing under the flickering light. His hand hovered over the simple pull latch, eyes narrowing in brief inspection. Ignoring the growing sense of dread from his companions, he gripped the latch firmly. As he began to pull, the air filled with a chorus of urgent "no"s from the rest of the group.
But it was too late. A loud, ominous click echoed through the chamber, followed by the grinding sound of stone on stone. The floor beneath them shuddered violently before collapsing entirely. The group screamed as they were engulfed in a cloud of dust and smoke, plummeting 30 feet into the darkness below. They landed hard in a hidden chamber, the impact leaving them momentarily breathless and disoriented, the oppressive silence only broken by their groans of pain.
The stone floor opened beneath them, releasing a wave of blistering heat as they tumbled 30 feet into the chamber below. They landed in a nearly circular hall dominated by a bubbling pool of magma, which illuminated the entire chamber from below, casting an ominous glow. Irregular columns of obsidian jutted out of the floor, and a thick layer of fine ash coated the area. As they landed, the ash was thrown into the air, quickly filling the hall with a choking cloud that obscured everything beyond a few feet.
The magma pool occasionally erupted in bubbles, sending hot magma splashing dangerously close to those nearby. Shank, making his way forward, was greeted by a hulking salt golem. The creature's bludgeoning appendages made him weak, but Shank quickly recognized the threat and, with a fierce determination, went all out on the elemental creature, ultimately dropping it.
Meanwhile, Khthag heard a voice in his head pleading to be freed, promising vital information in return. Morhen called upon the winds to clear the area of smoke, revealing a soot-covered defiler and five cinder zombies. Khthag psionically blessed some of the group, and after a short but brutal battle, all their enemies were defeated. The chamber fell silent, save for the occasional pop and sizzle of the magma pool.
Leaving the Hall of Fire, the group moved through a short passage with walls scoured smooth by untold years of rushing winds. The air remained still, choked by thick smoke that filled the small circular room the passage led to. Through the smoke, they heard the slow, labored breathing of some great beast. Shiv called on the wind to clear the air, revealing a large humanoid creature suspended from the ceiling—a giant with the head of an earth drake. Its feet dangled a few feet off the floor, and its arms were pulled back and encased in obsidian that stretched to the ceiling and walls, almost as if it had grown like a living creature.
The giant’s chest rose and fell slowly, clearly struggling to breathe due to the smoke-filled room and its restraints. It weakly raised its head to look at them and rasped out what must have been a greeting. After freeing the creature, they learned his name was Krokiitchi, and he came from near the ruins of Waverly, on an island in the Sea of Silt. He was lured to the temple with the promise of a great reward in exchange for arcane knowledge, but the Broken Builders betrayed him, drawing out his life force to defile the temple of fire and air. Krokiitchi revealed that the Broken Builders planned to awaken a primordial on the Isle of Ash, known by many names: Gom-ul-Dur, the Barren Cinder, Sands Ablaze, Ash-Weeper, Smokeblood, and the Fire Below.
Krokiitchi shared secret knowledge that could "jump-start" the primordial’s awakening, which could also be used to accelerate arcane and psionic transformations. He willingly taught them the techniques required to harness the power of another temple like this. The next temple the cultists planned to corrupt was on a mountainous island in the middle of the Estuary of the Forked Tongue, past Balic. If the group could get there before the Broken Builders finished, they could use the energy themselves.
Agreeing to this plan, they left the beast giant to destroy the temple and returned to Altaruk to share this vital information with Mahlanda and the Veiled Alliance.
Now that the Veiled Alliance knew the Broken Builders' plans, it was time for action. The group was tasked with securing the temple and preventing the cultists from siphoning its energy for nefarious purposes. The temple was located on a mountainous island in the Estuary of the Forked Tongue, a main tributary of the Sea of Silt. They needed to stop in Balic to secure transport. While in Balic, they were asked to use their connections to secure additional ships to transport the Veiled Alliance across the Sea of Silt. The Alliance opened their vaults, providing a wealth of ceramics, fine cloth, and unrefined iron for trade. This was to secure transport to the other temple and to bribe Balican port officials to look the other way as the Alliance gathered its forces. To cross the great Silt Sea and stop the twisted minions of Gom-ul-Dur, they would need a small, probably well-armed, fleet.
In bustling Balic, trade thrives at the docks, where the constant loading and unloading of merchant wares create a vibrant scene. Ships of different designs, bearing the insignias of various houses, line the docks as crews labor tirelessly to prepare for their next voyages. Amidst this activity, Fazanna struggles to arrange transport, initially encountering difficulties before finally securing passage for a mere five gold pieces.
Seeking assistance from House Tomblador, the adventurers encounter Farrazer, a grizzled and irritable old man overseeing damaged ships. Despite the chaos around him, Farrazer is focused on repairing his fleet, which was recently attacked by giants. Uninterested in the adventurers' tales, he begrudgingly accepts their offer to help with the repairs and promptly puts them to work. In exchange for their assistance, he provides them with access to better equipment, cautioning them to return it intact or face consequences from the praetorian.
In their quest to contact House Wavir, the adventurers are directed to a nondescript tent controlled by the house. Inside, they meet Gemba, the Dockmaster, whose no-nonsense demeanor suggests a preference for trust and honor. Shank's insight reveals Gemba's values, making bluffing or intimidation futile. Despite initial pricing, they negotiate a ship from Gemba for 1500 GP.
Following Federoth's instructions, they discreetly drop a ceramic piece in a cracked urn near the docks to contact Kinteros in Balic. Waiting by the open-air exchange, they are surprised by a soft female voice behind them, revealing knowledge of Federoth's disappearance outside Altaruk. Despite initial reluctance, they convince Kinteros to assist, securing additional equipment for 1000 GP.
Upon reaching the docks of House Reese, they encounter a burly mul adorned in a sleeveless Balican tunic, his arms marked with tribal scars and a shard of obsidian piercing his ear. Initially hostile, he mentions being preoccupied with Sand Crawlahs. Recognizing the ear ring as belonging to Sortar's army, they leverage it to intimidate Graddoth into cooperation. Impressed by their audacity, Graddoth directs them to Captain Davn, suggesting she could offer assistance with their "problem." Graddoth also offered to help with 'additional support."
After being directed to the tavern, they find Captain Davn enjoying a drink with Two-Bit Grisk. Upon introduction, she greets them warmly, amused by their arrival. Impressed by their association with Graddoth, she quickly warms up to them, appreciating their boldness. They negotiate for the help of her crew for 1000 GP, which she agrees to. With a final gulp of her drink, Captain Davn boasts about the prowess of her crew compared to Two-Bit Grisk's, emphasizing their superiority in sailing skills.
Excited to see them again, Two-Bit Grisk greets them warmly, acknowledging their legendary adventures. He suggests a friendly wager, confident in his bet that they won't make it back from their journey into the Sea of Silt. Offering 50 gp with 10:1 odds, he gives them a wink and wishes them luck as they accept the bet.