Four Fates Under the Southern Sun, 3.5, Session 25

Start: 11 pm, Foreautumn 22, 401 GA

The party does battle with the deepling spawn, handily vanquishing them. During the fight, they determine their hides are vulnerable to piercing attacks, and Emilia makes good use of her cold magic. They appear to be entirely immune to acid, and have entangling spittle which they use liberally.

The spawning pool was warm, indicating a source of heat below this chamber.

Near the end of the fight, a skeletal frost giant approached them. It waited patiently for the fight to conclude before breaching their thoughts with its jarring telepathic message. How polite!

It transmitted: GREETINGS, GUESTS. LORD VONEMOT REQUESTS AN AUDIENCE. ACCOMPANY ME.

After a short delay, it politely repeated itself, in case the message was unclear. When the party agreed to accompany the creature, it went on to say: TOP LEVEL, HE WAITS. COUNCIL OF SEVEN GRANTS YOU COUNCIL.

Perplexed by this, they assented nevertheless, following the lead of the skeletal giant.

It led them past a translucent barrier into what appeared to be a well-shaped city carved into the stone of the place. Below the bridge allowing entry lied a luminescent sigil.

Several forms peeked out from the buildings, all which bore striking red eyes, alight with malice. Emilia identified them as Revenants of Syr-Liandria, a unique form of undead attributed rarely to champions of her cause.

The party spoke with one of the revenants, who seemed overjoyed to meet an outsider, frenetic in his social approach.

He urged them to help their cause, and frantically answered any of the questions they had. He described the original difference between those of Eeg-sha-nûl originating in religious differences. The Fortisskari believe necromancy, and the act of raising undead lies outside their goddess' cycle, so is heretical to practice. Those of Eeg-sha-nûl believe their goddess grants them necromancy, and even has a variety of undead relating to her, so certainly she must condone it. It seems the conclusion of their contest led the giants and associated undead here, to their prison.

Ending the conversation somewhat abruptly, the party decided to go right to the council's chambers.

There, they are met with six of the seven of this council of seven.

A giant named Vonemót spoke with them. He appeared to be the voice of the council.

He was cordial, polite, yet grave and severe. He seemed to speak honestly, but left telling ommisions in his speech.

Vonemót appeared to be willing to swear an oath not to conquer past the boundries of the former giantish kingdom. Additionally, he will swear an oath to assist the archons in their struggles. He implied the curse and wights are not their doing, and will be brought to heel under their boot.

He admitted his primary goal is to wipe out the Fortisskari elves and Fortisskar.

The Fortisskari are known as isolationist and piratical. They periodically raid outlying settlements, except the Viszudar, due to an old peace which came about when the Viszudar surrendered the Circlet of Living Ice, the very relic you seek to obtain, many years ago to them.

During this exchange, Alasdair's aura sight noticed an uneasy, tenuous aura from the ruined throne of the 'seventh' councilman, as if a presence lingered there, unseen.

The party decided to talk about it in privacy, amongst themselves. Vonemót cordially invited them to stay as long as they chose to deliberate in the Sanctum of Moonlight.

This sanctum appeared to be a shrine to Syr-Liandria.

Alasdair contacted Malthuzar via Jucika's sending rods.

Ultimately, Malthuzar deferred to Alasdair's judgement, but he thought the giant alliance is worth exploring IF (and only if) they are guaranteed to ally with him and not harm the Viszudar. He seemed to lack context for this situation and was somewhat hesitant to provide an answer.

They realized the furthest reach of the giantish empire was the former beachhead on Sandhole Isle. Likely, all which would remain of whatever they once held there would be dust.

They returned to Vonemót and agreed to assist him, despite mutually agreeing not to side with the giants amongst themselves. Vonemót seemed pleased and granted them a boon. He told them to retrieve the Circlet of Living Ice, which was housed in the 'deepest part of this place, hidden in the hoard of the deepling queen.'

The party returned to the Sanctum of Moonlight for a rest.




XP: 1,500
End: 5 am, Foreautumn 23, 401 GA