Session 27 - Crossroads

33/05/5-10

The party discussed the creature and it potentially being a demon. Shiek worried it might be coming from a portal at the bottom of the tunnel and Valeyo said they should inform the authorities. They considered that the "Dark Swamp", could be a location on the Abyss rather than one on this plane. Otto shared his visions of the Ruby and speculated that the fire near his helmet could be related to the Fire Giants. He knew there was a Fire Giant settlement near Dragomir, but didn't know about Stendolin.

Looking closer at the hole, the beast the party fought was not a natural burrower, rather it dug down through the soil and fell into a preexisting tunnel. The question remained of how it got into the sinkhole to begin with. Near the edge of the crater, Shiek found some dark looking water gathered on a concave rock. It seemed that when this creature was brought here a lot of water came with it, making the hole. Shiek posited that it may have seeped into the ground and reached the river, which could be worrisome. Valeyo said that they don't possess the spells to purify a large body of water as that is very powerful and rare magic. Valeyo was more interested in whatever spell brought the demon here, as the only spell he knew powerful enough to move a creature and its surroundings was the legendary Gate spell or the ancient draconic ritual at Vasilikos.

Regardless, they collected some of the water for future use and headed back to the farmer. The farmer didn't believe them that they had slain a demon, but was soon convinced and so he fetched a reward for the party. He brought out a Potion of Healing and 5 gp. As an extra he asked them to stay for dinner and the party did so, if only to ensure that there are no more noises coming from the sinkhole.

After dinner, they group headed into town towards the Roundhouse. Surprisingly, there were a large number of people moving, indicating something was going on. In front of the Roundhouse, were a few saddled horses, emblazoned with emblem of the King's Guard. Milivoj remarked that this could be bad for Vincent. He immediately recognized the pedigree of the horses - some of his father's own. Valeyo asked how many King's Guard there are, to which Milijov said about 50.

In the tavern was a very busy atmosphere. Towards one end of the tavern were 3 Boyar (2 humans and a half-orc) drinking. Bearing the insignia of the Knyazshtit was a bright orange tiefling woman, who was constantly scanning the room, immediately clocking the party. Valeyo asked Milivoj if he recognized her, to which he responded that he might, if he introduced himself. With that the group approached her, only to be blocked by the half-orc Boyar, who said they are not taking visitors. Milivoj asked him why he is raising his hand to a noble knight, which took the Boyar aback. The tiefling spoke up, saying she didn't recognize him. Milivoj said that she is riding one of his father's horses and introduced himself. She asked how she could help and he asked if they could have a seat. Otto and Shiek decided to move away to the bar, and the others took a seat. They introduced themselves to her and she did the same in turn - King's Guard Marta Grabow.

Valeyo recognized her as the one responsible for the clean-up in the forest at Krainasto. She was taken aback, by their knowledge and Valeyo explained that they were the ones who dealt with the demons. She was surprised that they knew about the incursion. Valeyo asked why she was there, as the presence of a King's Guard usually spells trouble. She explained that she received signs of demonic activity here, to which the party mentioned that they had just killed one an hour ago. They gave her a rundown of what the demon looked like and what it had said about the Dark Swamp. She mentioned that this had been the 3rd demonic incident this month. Sapphira asked where the 3rd one was, which turned out to be between Stendolin and Dragomir, but the King's Guard couldn't say more.

Conversation turned to the hole the beast had dug into and Valeyo called out to Shiek to explain what he had seen down the hole. The King's Guard asked if the party planned on heading down the hole, but Shiek explained that they wouldn't risk it. Milivoj said that if he had 300ft of rope, they would go down, which caused Valeyo to wince. Valeyo said that his main worry was not going down, but climbing back out. Marta in turn explained that she is worried about the water making it to the Nedenfor, a large cavern ruled by the clan of Fire Giants, the one that lives north of Dragomir. It is a territory that Dragomir tries to avoid and if this tunnel goes there, then they are obligate to inform them. Shiek asked her if she had faced Demon's before, which she confirmed. She also shared that the demons west of Dragomir, left some liquid behind, as well. Shiek was open to going down, if they were to be well supplied and compensated and if everyone agreed.

Valeyo asked how trespassing on Fire Giant territory ends up with anything other than their death. Marta explained that word would be sent to the Giants that an exploratory party has been sent and once they reach the Nedenfor, they will be escorted out to Dragomir, through the cavern. She said that they should think about this, but she will have to send a party down there anyway. Valeyo asked how long she would be in town and she explained that they would have to scout the sinkhole out tomorrow, so they can find her there, after they decide.

On the way to Vincent's the party had a huge discussion about where they should head next. Sapphira and Cassini had interest in going to north to Skalenvru, where Sapphira was to meet the Baron of the Deep and Cassini would collect the book on Arvandor. Valeyo, Shiek and Otto were more interested in going south as that is where Thalia, the ICM and Otto's helmet could be found, as well as the missing fire giant girl. Sapphira admitted that she is not in a great hurry to meet the Baron and Cassini hoped that their new relationship with the university would mean that someone else could be sent to collect the book from Skalenvru. As for whether to go down the tunnel and potentially into Fire Giant territory, Valeyo was strongly opposed. In his eyes the party stood to gain little from it and risk a lot, having to abandon their cart and mounts and traverse the underdark, which would be both dangerous and slow. Shiek seemed to be in agreement and the party soon decided to take a boat downstream towards Dragomir.

As the party entered Vincent house, a saucepan flew past their heads and hit the wall next to them. The short man began shouting about them bringing a monster in his house. He seemed out of his mind and Valeyo tried to explain that they meant to warn him, but the attack distracted them. Vincent however, was having none of it. Valeyo headed up to the tower to get Nikoletta and Eletheria and explain what was going on. As they came down, Vincent was shouting that all dragons are monsters. They eat and enslave people, all of them are evil. Milivoj remembered from school that, Giant history was part of the curriculum in Dragomir, which is very dracophobic. It is often all people have to go off. The party spent some time explaining that dragons are not all he had heard of. The two of them got into an argument about Giants vs Dragons, but ultimately, he shook Nikoletta's hand, though very reluctantly.

Valeyo asked if everyone here is taught that dragons are bad and Milivoj explained that most of the history that commons folk learn, comes from the giants, but Ysomir taught him better. Ysomir said that less privileged people only get that story, but he tried to teach Milivoj better. Valeyo shared a story about a giant killing people back in his homeland, before being slain by some heroes. They brought Vincent around and Valeyo explained that they would be leaving for Dragomir soon and he might want to come with them. Vincent said that he would hire guards here, but the party questioned if those guards could protect him effectively. He did mention his grandfather's house in Stendolin where he could stay. He did worry about his telescope, but said he could build another. Cassini also suggested he could stay at the university in Dragomir. Vincent thought about it, but said he would need to sleep on it.

Before that, however he asked if Cassini would be willing to use his lenses on the telescope. He agreed and the party headed up to the observatory, except Valeyo who went to the square tower to rest. In the observatory, the party prepared for the experiment, and potentially, ghosts appearing again. Cassini looked at the moon through the telescope, a much more powerful one that any he had used before. As soon as he gazed through it, he heard a voice in his mind utter: "You are back. I see you again. You must save me. You must save Arvandor.". To everyone else, Cassini appeared perfectly motionless, unblinking. He kept perfectly still for almost a minute, before the others took notice of it and Shiek went to shake him. Cassini however was immovable, as if frozen in space. Otto and Shiek tried shoving him, but failed and even Milivoj was powerless before it.

From Cassini's perspective, he went to turn away from the telescope and speak to the others, only to find them motionless. Not knowing what to do, he looked through the telescope once more, asking "Who is Arvandor.". A response came quickly "The lost prince of the moon. Had my life stolen by my sister. I am trapped, I need your help.". Cassini asked how he could help him and was told of an Orrery, similar to the first one he had found, but he didn't know exactly where. That is where he must go. Cassini asked the voice if he was stopping everything, which the voice confirmed. It elaborated, saying that there are 4 lenses and Cassini needs to take them to the Orrery to free him. Arvandor thanked him saying this is the first time he had spoken with anyone in ages. Suddenly time resumed with Cassini being tackled to the floor by Shiek, Milivoj and Otto.

Cassini picked himself up from the floor and explained what he had seen and heard. Shiek said that he had heard of Sehanine, but not Arvandor. Shiek asked where Cassini had found the lenses and he reminded him of the temple in the north. Shiek was worried about Cassini being frozen and told him to be careful with the lenses next time. After the discussion, the party headed to bed.

34/05/5-10

The party had an uninterrupted rest and woke up to find Vincent filled a large box with papers and leather-bound tomes, tools and equipment. He appeared to have not slept and admitted that the party had made a good point about him not staying here, so he was going to head to his family in Stendolin. Valeyo asked if he is leaving anything related to his research here. He said that he wouldn't leave anything related to Sky Stone. Shiek and Otto headed to the farm to meet with the King's Guard and let her know they would not be taking her up on her offer, while the others went to the docks.

At the farm, Shiek saw the Boyar investigating the sinkhole. Marta was behind them, speaking into a Sending Stone. Shiek managed to catch the last part of her conversation hearing her say "This too also looks like it's from the home of the Glistener.". Seeing them, she put the stone away and went to greet them. Shiek told her that they would not be investigating the cavern. She asked them to keep an eye out for demons all the same and send word to the guards if they see anything.

The others were walking west towards the river, where the houses were significantly nicer, decorated with flowerpots and connected to communal gardens. Heading over a large stone bridge, the group was infront of a large building referred to as "The Barge House". There they were greeted by a middle aged dwarf. The party explained that they need space for 12 people, 3 horses and a cart. The dwarf said it would be a bit of a squeeze, but they could fit. Valeyo asked if any attendants will be coming and the man said that there will be the pilot and 2 attendants. Milivoj asked how they bring the barges back. The man explained that some are teleported back, the ones owned by the Conclaive, but most are dragged back by horses. Milivoj then asked if the 2 attendants are needed, to which the man said no. From there they negotiated taking the barge with just the pilot, Blazh and Sbignev would take the roles of attendants.

With that the party negotiated payment and loaded themselves up on the boat, to head to Dragomir.