Dalan's TTs

[Dalan]

Session #2: "A Visit with the Emperor"

Written By: Liriel
DM: Dalan
IC Date: 4-5-734
RL Date: 10-28-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel

Location:
Coopersville Forge, Tuth

Short Version:
Gibreel Takes Liriel to visit Torin.

Long Version:
Liriel finishes up writing in her journal about the ending of her strange journey and her sudden return outside Coops. Gibreel returns to his room with dinner, having sent his reports to both Aremius Colleran and Torin, thought Torin's was supplemented with a request for an audience. After assuring her that he intends for her to go along if they are granted an audience, they finish dinner over pleasant conversation.

Shortly after dinner is done, an apprentice appears with a summons to visit the emperor later that evening. Gibreel quickly sends him to secure more appropriate clothes for Liriel, much to her relief. They take the time to clean up and present themselves at the palace at the appropriate time and after the appropriate precautions are taken, they are shown into a room where the emperor awaits them.

After greeting them, they all sit and Torin tells Gibreel that he passed the information in the report along to Zebe, explaining to Liriel who Zebe is. They discuss the report, Torin asking questions to elicit information from Liriel about how she got to Coops and where the others might be as. Explaining what little she knows, she mentions again the 'lie' behind the war, turning the conversation toward that for a short while.

The conversation changes course yet again when Torin questions Gibreel about the Sythians at a place called Braunhouse, but returns quickly to finding Lasa, Torin explaining that he thinks that the arch must somehow be brought to the Empress. Liriel expresses her doubts about bringing the archway anywhere, given that they couldn't teleport with the Dragon Orb. It's finally settled that they'll try to scry the others from the party, carefully.

Learning that Liriel knows nothing of the Prophecy concerning the arch, Torin promises her a copy to study, hoping that the prophecy in conjunction with her dream and the prophecies from the reading may provide more pieces to the puzzle. As the conversation winds down, Torin indicates that he may have more questions for Liriel later, then asks to speak privately with Gibreel. Liriel leaves the room, remaining in the hallway.

Torin asks Gibreel privately whether or not Liriel's story can be trusted and his opinion of Liriel herself. Gibreel explains that she would refuse to answer if she felt the need to hide something rather than tell something she knows not to be true. He also adds that he can't say whether the story itself is accurate, just that she believes it to be. Torin acknowledges his words, adding for Gibreel to keep a sharp eye on the Sythians, that he has a feeling that something is up. Gibreel goes into the hallway, leaving Liriel to go back in to speak with the Emperor.

Torin thanks her for her help in retrieving the pieces and putting the arch together, offering her a reward for her service. Liriel's request is granted to the best of his ability, along with a promise that should she ever need his help, she has only to send him a message. Liriel rejoins Gibreel in the hall as the two prepare to depart the palace.

Session length: 4 hours
XP: tbd
Treasure: A vial, a copy of the arch prophecy, and a promise from Torin
Casualties: None

[Dalan]

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Session #3: "The Remainder of the Evening"

Written By: Liriel
DM: Dalan
IC Date: 4-5-734
RL Date: 11-01-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel

Location:
Coopersville Forge, Tuth

Short Version:
Gibreel spends the remainder of the evening scrying, the latter part with Liriel, searching for her companions of the previous few days.

Long Version:
While Gibreel works with the High Mages, scrying the Sythians and formulating a plan to slow them down, Liriel writes in her journal of their meeting with Torin. Gibreel comes back after several hours, giving Liriel the news that they've found.

He explains that there are close to 15,000 Sythian troops in Ruch, only a couple of days from Rattletown, whre all previous scrying had shown them near a place called Braunhause. Showing her his report to the high mages, he explains where things are on the map and details the plans he presented to harry the Sythians until General Zebe's forces can get there to meet them.

They discuss how this will affect Gibreel's plans and his offer to her, eventually deciding that it makes even more sense for Liriel to take the amulet out of harm's way. Gibreel also explains that finding the stone-giant shaman's would be much easier, given that where he plans to go is much closer to where they live.

Gibreel offers to help her try to find Lasa, given that she seems to be the key to the Peace Arch and hopefully stopping the war. They move across the hall to a room that's obviously been prepared for scrying. Liriel examines the room as Gibreel prepares the mirror, curious about the odd series of ribbons and posts arrayed about the room, intersecting all over.

Once the spell is complete, Liriel dodges the ribbons to join Gibreel in front of the mirror, trying several times to locate Lasa and her belongings, unsuccessfully. Finally they decide to try the others that Liriel travelled with on their strange adventure.

After a successful, but quick and decidedly embarassing attempt to locate Adrianna, Gibreel sends a message off to have her located and they concentrate on Kental. When they first locate him, he's near a large Sythian encampment, apparently trying to sneak in. They watch, alarmed, as he manages to sneak in successfully, but the spell fades just as he's apparently stealing some official papers.

Gibreel renews the spell and Liriel refocuses it as they watch Kental's next actions. He uses the papers to get him past a man guarding a gate and slip through a town of some sort, the spell fading again as he knocks on a door that's opened by a very large orc.

Gibreel renews the spell for a final time and they refocus it quickly, only to see him finish talking to the orcs and head for another building, running through the hallways and killing at least three female mages who try to stop him. Throwing open doors, he finally locates his daughter and carries her out into the night, with her protesting as he does so. He covers her mouth to still her protests as a patrol passes, but she bites his hand just before they get out of sight, screaming that she's being kidnapped. Their last sight as the vision in the mirror fades a final time is the guards yanking the child from Kental's arms and knocking him unconscious.

After a short discussion, Gibreel and Liriel decide that rushing in won't help any, given the number of guards around Kental. Puzzling over the girl's reaction, Liriel voices her doubt to Gibreel, who offers one possible explanation. Realizing that they both need sleep, Gibreel urges Liriel to bed in his room, heading off for the room he's commandeered for the night to sleep himself.


Session length: 2.25 hours
XP: tbd
Treasure: information about the Sythian's movements and information about the whereabouts of Adrianna and Kental.
Casualties: None

[Dalan]

(Approving this TT for the IC date of 4/5/734.  Sorry, I should have posted this first.)

Session #1: "The Search for Balance"

Written By: Gibreel Deeowen
PCDM: Scionist
IC Date: 4-4-734
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel

Location:
Coopersville Forge, Tuth

Short Version:
Liriel arrives in Coopersville Forge--and meets with Gibreel Deeowen at the Imperial Mage Headquarters.

Long Version:
Liriel arrives in Coopersville Forge, somewhat confused and quite without the knowledge of her wereabouts after her strange encounter and apparent magical transportation. Informed of her location by a somewhat jumpy guard, she peacebinds her weapons at the gate as ordered--shortly after the guard explains how it is done to the woman who normally spends her time in Edilar. Getting direction quickly she heads on her way towards the Imperial Mage Guildhall. After working her way through a few guards, she convinces the IMG of what her mission is and is admitted inside the inner hall to see Gibreel. The pair speak of Liriel's mission, reviewing what happened--something dependent heavily upon the notes Liriel wisely took during her travels. After catching up Gibreel invites Liriel to use his room, but suggests they shop since he does not keep much food around. Going to a local shop Gibreel enjoys, Liriel and the goblin buy more than a few are items including some Ice Berries. Gibreel surprises the Halfling owner by knowing a great deal about the berries, and strikes a deal. Gibreel will deliver the already rare berries to the Halfling, that have become more rare with the war and the two will share the profits. After completing his shopping Gibreel and Liriel return to the Imperial Mage Guild and talk as Gibreel works on reports to send concerning her recent events. The pair also talk of two others, Damian and Sillibys, and prepare messages to send them concerning Liriel's return.

Session length: 4.5 hours

XP: 45/lvl/hour

Treasure: Buisness Deal

Casualties: None

[Dalan]

Session #4: "Adventures in Tameria, Part I"

Written By: Liriel
DM: Dalan
IC Date: 4-6-734
RL Date: 11-08-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel

Location:
Coopersville Forge, Tuth

Short Version:
After a short discussion and a near-ruckus at the IMG headquarters, Gibreel and Liriel head off to Tameria to see about hiring some Dwarves.

Long Version:
Gibreel and Liriel head for the office of Cassandra Noval at the IMG, Gibreel intending to leave a message that they are heading to Khardfee and that he may be gone for a day or two. Entering her office, they're surprised to find an old man, apparently one of the novice instructors, there instead.

Gibreel leaves a message for Cassandra, then exits the room, heading straight for the guard as he explains to Liriel that he thinks that was Cassandra in disguise, but that he has to be sure.

They return to the office, only to find that the man is gone, the door is locked, and there's a note on it saying that he'll return in 10 minutes. They wait nearly 15, during which Gibreel is nearly ready to call the guards out and search for an intruder, before the *real* old man tells him that the note on the door is a type of communication scroll and all he has to do is read it outloud, then speak his message and it will be relayed to Cassandra.

Cassandra finally shows up and the matter is resolved, but Liriel realizes to her excitement that this new scroll she can read, and could actually use without having a mage to whom to dictate her messages.

Gibreel transports himself and Liriel to a hilltop near Tameria in Khardfee where they find the rain pouring down in sheets. Gibreel explained to Liriel that the town was beset by both Durloch and by goblin slavers, so he might well best stay out of sight a bit until it's known who he actually is, since their hatred of goblins is well-known but his role in defeating Durloch has earned him the respect of the town.

They slip into the town and into the tavern. Liriel approaches the bartender, ordering two small mugs of Bozonian Beer for her and Gibreel. The bartender spots Gibreel's goblin features as he serves the pair, bristling and telling them to finish their beer and leave. Liriel keeps her voice low and introduces herself and Gibreel while Gibreel pulls off his gloves and pulls back his sleeves, revealing unique bracers of truesilver and black dragon scales, commissioned for him by the Dwarven King himself.

As recognition dawns in the bartender's face, his demeanor changes and he tells them they are welcome for as long as they wish and that the beer's on the house.


Session length: 2.5 hours
XP: 210/hour/lvl for Liriel 280/hour/lvl for Gib.
Treasure: More useful information (that there's a new type of board scroll that doesn't require read magic to use)
Casualties: None

[Dalan]

Session #5: "Adventures in Tameria, Part II"

Written By: Liriel
DM: Dalan
IC Date: 4-6-734
RL Date: 11-13-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel
NPC's: Hendel (Mayor of Tameria), Taffin (Tavern Barkeep)

Location:
Tameria, Khardfee

Short Version:
Learning of the manpower shortage in the town, Gibreel proposes an exchange with the mayor, who agrees if Gibreel will retrieve some history books from a cavern in a gorge. Gibreel goes to check it out, only to find himself trying to rescue a hill giant and to be fried by what is, apparently, a beholder.

Long Version:
((picking up from the IC thread Tameria: Warm Welcomes))

Using the mental link provided by Gibreel's spell, Liriel translates the odd shouts that Gibreel hears and repeats, recognizing the language as some form of giant. Protecting himself with various spells, he finally finds that there's an illusionary floor to the cavern and the giant is somewhere below.

Using a light stone, Gibreel manages to finally see the hill giant and ascertains that it's trapped below. With Liriel telling him what to say and translating what the giant says, Gibreel talks to the, asking if it's trapped. Gibreel decides to help him escape, hoping the giant will be friendly if he does so -- the giant agrees to be friends using the rough translation.

Gibreel tries to climb down into the pit, only to be hit by an apparent surge of magical energy which threatens to interrupt all ofthe spells that he's using. His own protective magics manage to avert that particular disaster and he continues his climb down to the giant. Stopping just short of him, Gibreel casts a fly spell, touching the giant. He floats quickly back out of range, then tells the giant to 'think up'.

The giant floats up, scared and flailing about but soon reaches the top of the pit and grabs the edge to climb out. As the giant begins to stand, Gibreel notices a shape floating toward the two of them. He moves backward, putting the giant between himself and the shape. He tries to move toward the exit, warning the giant of danger behind as he does so.

Suddenly Gibreel screams in pain through the mind link as a large ball of fire encompasses the giant and the edges leak past to sear his own skin. Liriel, shocked at the strength of the yell pushes back from the table in the safety of the tavern, looking around trying to figure out what to do when Gibreel tells her he may not make it back.

Barely escaping a second fireball, Gibreel manages to use his magics to teleport himself to the tavern, landing on one of the tables near Liriel, drawing her attention with a weak cry for help through the mind link.

She turns, shocked at his appearance and moves to quickly pick him up to carry him to a safer place.

((session end, continued on IC thread Tameria: Special Delivery))


Session length: 3.25 hours
XP: around 250/lvl/hour
Treasure: none
Casualties: The hill giant that Gibreel tried to rescue.

[Dalan]

Session #6: "Behold the .. Beholder"

Written By: Liriel
DM: Dalan
IC Date: 4-7-734
RL Date: 11-15-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel
NPC's: Durin Steelsmith (Hendel's uncle)

Location:
Tameria, Khardfee

Short Version:
After Gibreel spends the night in the cocoon to recover from the damage done by the Beholder, Gibreel and Liriel spend the day getting more information on the beholder and the Dwarven books.

Long Version:

After waking and studying his spells, Gibreel prepares the mirror for his spell, focusing first on the outside of the cavern, looking for any sign from the beholder concerning the message Gibreel sent to him the prior evening. The only change in the exterior is the body of the hill giant in the bottom of the canyon, most of the meat stripped from its bones.

Hoping that this wasn't the sign that the beholder sent them, Gibreel moves the scry to explore the cavern. Liri loses interest in the mirror, being unable to see anything other than darkness. Gibreel continues until the spell fades, seeing an underground lake and an island just before the spell ends.

He debates using the second spell he has prepared, but Liriel suggests finding someone to help him look for the books instead. Deciding to do that instead, they return to the taciturn mayor, dealing with his nasty mood and finally eliciting directions to his uncle's who is familiar with the books.

Heading to the forge, they talk with the smith, finding him much more friendly than his nephew. After a short discussion, Durin agrees to accompany them to the barkeep's house to help them search magically for the missing tomes. Gibreel collects food and drink for the three of them while Liriel explains the process to the dwarf, reassuring him that nothing bad will happen to him by controlling the magics.

Once Gibreel returns and Durin understands what's needed, Gibreel begins to set up the magics and Liriel calms the dwarf further by distracting him with some beer and questions about his forge. She gets him talking about his work and he seems to settle down, though he remains slightly nervous.

Durin pleads a slip of the tongue when Liriel asks him about his claim of melding gems just as Gibreel announces that the mirror is ready. Bracing himself, he approaches the mirror and Liriel moves behind him, watching. Speaking words in ancient Dwarven, the mirror shows them all a picture of a tome with strange runes in it.

As Durin slowly backs away from the book, a beholder comes into focus in the mirror, causing the dwarf to jump back in surprise, though he manages somehow to maintain the focus of the mirror. As Durin cries out and throws his hands up to protect himself, Gibreel uses the mirror to send a quick message through to the beholder offering to negotiate and Liriel steps up behind Durin, catching him and reassuring him it's just an image in the mirror.

Closer study of the beholder reveals that its main eye is milky white as if it were blinded by an old injury, though the eyestalks appear to be fully functioning. It appears to be snacking on the giant's hand.

((continued on IC thread: Tameria: Special Delivery))


Session length: 3 hours
XP: average 250/lvl/hour
Treasure: none
Casualties: none
_________________
Liriel

[Dalan]

Session #7: "Negotiations"

Written By: Liriel
DM: Dalan
IC Date: 4-8-734, late night
RL Date: 11-22-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel
NPC's: Durin, MasterSmith (Hendel's uncle), the Beholder

Location:
Tameria, Khardfee

((Picking up from the end of IC thread - Tameria: Special Delivery))
Short Version:

Gibreel teleports himself and Liriel just inside the entrance to the beholder's cavern and they recover the history books and return them to Durin.

Long Version:

After sending Liriel to Durin with the plans to prevent flooding, Gibreel transports himself to Coopersville Forge and retrieves two of his small automatons. After he returns, they pass a bit of time on frivilous pursuits, then Gibreel sets up a dream message to the creature.

Going into a deep trance, he waits to send his message, giving details on a desired meeting while Liriel sits watch until he resumes a normal sleep. Checking the next evening for a response, Gibreel finds that the beholder has left a message indicating that he is willing to negotiate. Gibreel returns to Liriel and they discuss matters, finally settling on transporting inside the entrance and setting a light on as soon as they arrive, thus overcoming Liriel's problems with both the height of the cliff and the darkness inside.

After a short rest, Gibreel scries the area to find the beholder waiting on them. Liriel prepares for trouble, as Gibreel sets in place the spell which will allow them to speak directly to the other's mind. Once all is ready, Gibreel transports them both to the cavern as agreed earlier.

The light reveals the creature, who immediately demands additional concessions in return for the books. A short conversation reveals that the beholder was once in Durloch's service and now holds the contents of the dragon's library for his own. When asked about the possibility of future meetings, He also reveals that he has a "vendetta against others of my kind, as well as certain Deep Magi and Blue Sky Dwellers known as Sythians. With these magics, I can perhaps get revenge on some of those who... scarred me. In the process, I will learn more magics, and have more to trade."

The exchange goes smoothly, with Liriel and Gibreel leaving a magical dagger and several spells and a promise to provide the additional spell which the beholder demanded. They take with them the dwarven history tomes and an agreement for Gibreel and the Beholder to speak in the future.

Liriel and Gibreel return to town, making Durin's home their first stop. Presenting him with the books, they settle in for a meal as the dwarf begins reading stories from them, much to Liriel's delight. He also promises them each a copy of the books. Reading long into the night, he recounts an ancient story of orcish and goblin betrayal of the dwarves.

Following the end of that story, the three trade a bit of information about some ancient tales that each has heard, Gibreel from ancient goblin texts and Liriel from tales told her by they fey.

Finally Durin promises to have the dwarven craftsmen available the next day, surprising them with the news that he wishes to go himself. Eagerly anticipating pleasant company on the journey, the three part ways to get some sleep.

Session length: 3 hours
XP: tbd
Treasure: the dwarven histories (returned to Durin)
Casualties: none

[Dalan]

Session #8: "Visiting Friends"

Written By: Liriel
DM: Dalan
IC Date: 4-9-734
RL Date: 11-29-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel
NPC's: Balindi, Leffin, Darli

Location:
Magmaville, Edilar

((Picking up from the end of IC thread - Magmaville: Family))
Short Version:

Gibreel and Liriel visit Magmaville, getting agreement from Darli's teacher for her to accompany them to the hordelands.

Long Version:

After their meeting with Darli, the three return to the SCE and Darli heads to her room to do her homework. Gibreel and Liriel head back to the classroom to meet with Leffin to discuss the possibility of Darli going with them to the hordelands.

Leffin grills them about the arrangements and the safety of the children as well as their motives for taking Darli. The pair answer all of her questions, reassuring her that she'll be well cared for and that they'll bring her back to visit often. Finally she agrees, filling Gibreel in on Darli's progress in her studies and what she needs to learn next.

The pair depart, giving Darli the good news before they go to visit Sillibys to fill him in on what's been happening.

Session length: 1.5 hours
XP: tbd
Treasure: none
Casualties: none

[Dalan]

Session #9: "The Journey Begins"

Written By: Liriel
DM: Dalan
IC Date: 4-15-734 - 5-10-734
RL Date: 12-06-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel, Gallorn
NPC's: Dwarven craftsmen (including Durin), Minka, Alisia, Darli

Location:
Magmaville, Edilar

((Picking up from the end of IC thread - Hordelands: Far Away Home))
Short Version: The party sets out, the members getting to know each other as they travel. Gallorn and Liriel gradually become more at ease with each other.

Long Version:

The caravan sets out from Edilar, travelling toward the hordelands. Gallorn and Liriel begin talking some, at Gibreel's behest.

One evening as they get set to depart, one of the dwarves suddenly refuses to venture out of his tent. Durin comes over to explain the situation to Gibreel, noting that the young dwarf, Kerrin, is his great-nephew. Apparently Kerrin fears that they'll approach the edge of Thardferr away from the mountains and float up and away. Gibreel speaks with him at length, eventually convincing him that an reversed 'fly' enchantment will ensure that he doesn't float off.

While Gibreel is occupied with Kerrin, the girls occupy themselves with an Elemessym, Liriel watching them. Gallorn approaches them and asks them to teach him. They proceed to do so, with Gallorn having only slightly more success than Gibreel did when Liriel tried to explain the game to him.

As they prepare to set out, Gallorn approaches Gibreel excitedly, stating that the Elemessym is "an incredible working model for alternative multi-dimensional thinking." He adds that he doesn't think it was developed as a game at all, but as a teaching tool and that he intends to use it as such. Despite Gibreel's lack of enthusiasm at such an idea, he continues planning, joining the girls in the game each break period.

Before long, four weeks have passed with relatively few problems other than the incessant heat. The party gets to know each other and travel becomes routine. Travel has been slowed by their transition into the sands of the Hordeland Desert and they have come a total of 90 miles. As they reach the fourth week ...



Session length: 2 hours
XP: tbd
Treasure: none
Casualties: none

[Dalan]

Session #10: "Sand in an Hourglass"

Written By: Gallorn
DM: Dalan
IC Date: 6-5-734
RL Date: 12-13-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel, Gallorn
NPC's: Dwarven craftsmen (including Durin), Minka, Alisia, Darli

Location:
Magmaville, Edilar

Short Version: The caravan is set upon by a vicious sandstorm.

Long Version: As sunset approaches, there is plenty of activity within the camp as everyone prepares to get under way. However, while things are still being packed up, a dark cloud approaches the group steadily. Gibreel is the first to spot it and brings it to the attention of Liriel and Gallorn. As they all turn their eyes towards the cloud, it continues its movement toward them. Wary of being caught unawares in a storm--or worse, in a sandstorm--Gibreel decides that the caravan shouldn't begin to move just yet and instead suggests tying the camels down and bringing everyone into a tight circle with the main tent being laid out to cover them all.

Liriel is quick to make sure the girls are safe, after attending to the camels. She situates the girls beside one of the kneeling camels and lays out one of the smaller tents around them. Meanwhile, Gallorn and Gibreel move supplies around to act as anchors for the large tent. As the storm approaches, the wind picks up and finally the two mages join Liriel inside the smaller tent.

The storm breaks on the camp, accompanied by fierce winds and a deluge of what sounds like rain but is later determined to be sand. Gibreel conjures an Unseen Servant to aid with keeping the tent flaps secure and others are tasked with keeping the camels calm. That helps momentarily but soon after the storm hits them fully, the roar of the wind nearly deafening, and the camels are in a near frenzied state. Gallorn summons a fog bank into the midst of the storm, hoping to somehow affect the weather pattern, but this provides bare moments of protection before the storm crashes down upon them once again.

Gibreel follows suit with the same spell and the combination of the two spells is possibly what provided even that small interruption, but it wasn't enough. In a last attempt, Gibreel incants once more, calling to him some prepared supplies from another location; heavy blacksmithing equiptment arrives and is disributed to aid in anchoring the main tent flaps. Meanwhile, everyone stays low and wraps themselves in their cloaks. As the storm reaches a crescendo, the camels finally lose their composure and two of them lurch up, unsecuring lines attached to them and sand flies everywhere. Inside the protection of the small tent there is still a modicum of protection, but a tearing sound alerts everyone to the possibility that if the flaps aren't resecured, the whole tent will rip.

Gibreels Unseen Servant helps and Liriel adds her considerable strength to the task, providing Gibreel enough time to cast another spell, though she suffers a small sting from the sand being hurled at dangerous speed. The goblin summons creatures to help hold down the main tent. A bunch of odd colored Dwarves appear before Gibreel, looking to him to direct who they are supposed to fight. When he directs them to hold down the tent flaps, they look at him uncomprehendingly. Liriel translates the command into dwarven and she is summarily ignored, though the other dwarves in the caravan hear the command and begin to secure the flaps on their own, gallantly risking their lives as the forces of nature threaten to overwhelm everyone.

Gibreel restates the translated instructions and still the summond desert dwarves do not act, as they apparently to not speak the common dwarven dialect. Gibreel then plans to head outside to see if the storm will soon abate but Gallorn and Liriel object on the grounds of safety and Gibreel seems to relent, though he and Gallorn start to discuss a way to protect themselves from the storm should they have to venture out into it.

Fortunately the point becomes moot as the storm finally begins to abate, the winds steadily dying down. The damage estimate is slight as only three camels disappeared into the storm and some incidental supplies that can easily be obtained. One of the dwarves comments that he wasn't afraid of the wind or the sand because some spell of Gibreel's would keep him on the ground. He was also surprised that the goblin hadn't cast that spell on everyone. Gallorn looks strangely at the dwarf a moment but doesn't comment.

Another dwarf peers into the distance as the sun begins to rise and notices a plain entirely covered with what appears to be snow. Gibreel and the others are somewhat incredulous to discover snow in the midst of a desert, but as it is still in the distance, a closer inspection will have to wait. The three young girls are still somewhat shaken up by the events. Liriel and Gallorn do their best to console and calm them and Gibreel decides that another day of rest is in order. The caravan resumes the semblance of order and everyone begins to make camp once again.



Session length: 4 hours
XP: tbd
Treasure: none
Casualties: 3 camels and some supplies

[Dalan]

Session #11: "Ancient Signs"

Written By: Liriel
DM: Dalan
IC Date: 6-6-734
RL Date: 01-02-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Liriel
NPC's: Dwarven craftsmen (including Durin), Minka, Alisia, Darli, Gallorn

Location:
The Hordelands

Short Version: As the party recovers from the sandstorm, Gibreel gets supplies and together everyone moves on through the salt flats.

Long Version:
The sun rises and the party quickly gathers their remaining supplies and repairs the tents while Gibreel goes off to search for supplies. Gallorn's scouting turns up two of the missing camels and they are led back to the group. As the sun sets and the temperatures cool, Gibreel returns with more supplies.

As they set off across the desert again, Gibreel and Liriel walk together, conversing. They decide to head for the 'snowy' area, only to find that it's the result of salt mixed in with the sand. The presence of fish skeletons suggests that this was once an inland salt sea or lake. Gibreel makes notes, marking the location for later exploration if they need salt.

Once there, they also discover an old trail/road. Liriel examines it closely, revealing the similarity between the construction here and the construction at the old tunel complex in the Terror Vale. Pointing out the similarities to Gibreel, Liriel suggests that whoever built the tunnel complex and this road were likely working under the instructions of those known as the Ancients.

The ancient road disappears shortly under the sand and they continue on, following its direction, Liriel providing more of the background that she knows to Gibreel. She keeps her voice low so that the others cannot overhear.

Sometime after full darkness, they discover a pitch-black stone obelisk on their path. They approach cautiously, studying it with a small light. The part above the sand is approximately 18 feet high and each side contains a clear globe of some sort of very hard crystal about the size of a man's spread hand. Runes are carved into the side. Neither Gibreel nor Durin recognize the runes, though Gibreel notices a similarity to ancient Goblin runes. Once he points this out, Liriel studies them more carefully and realizes that they are like the Ancient magical writings in the old tunnel complex.

Gibreel uses a spell to read the runes, but can't understand the language. He reads it out loud and Liriel is able to translate it for him. "This is the .. travel marker of Varkash? Traveler stare into .. the eye and place your hands upon it and you may travel .. to your destination." The rest of the writings appear to be some sort of ancient spell.

Gibreel makes notes, copying what of the runes can be seen before the party moves on, following the same direction.


Session length: 2.5 hours
XP: tbd
Treasure: information
Casualties: none