S3- Legends of a Dwarven Kingdom

S3- Legends of a Dwarven Kingdom

[Brother Amsel Ur (Bill), his bodyguard Ferris D’Gerum (Ray), guide/physician Hawkin Godling (Julian), Hepekarian scholar Moc’alm (Jen)]

Coranan: High Priest Jorom Borskin had suggested they journey to Shiran regarding the staff they found in the crypt near Rouhardy. Thus, they booked passage with a caravan for the 5-day journey northeast toward Shiran, short of the shoreline of Lake Benath.  Ferris as caravan guard, Hawkin as healer, and Amsel as… baggage with a prayer book. The caravan stopped in Esuron to pickup pottery and textiles for future sale nearer the lake. They passed the smaller village of Hibut that offered a female-only religious sect. Telen offered trade in potty and stone, along with excellent Telen wine to cleanse their pallet. Ferris and Hawkin were reluctant to leave the province capital known for its hedonism (Vegas sin city) and luxurious goods (perfumes and colorful dyes). Another trade-stop in Peden quenched their thirst with Vidic white & red wines.

Shiran: One of Tharda’s smaller city capitals, it was also an economic and cultural center. As the trio walked the street enroute to the Church of Save K’nor, they were quickly introduced to its “jester” aspects of its street performers. They were not prepared for the “Halls of Satire and Wit” when they reached the temple. Hawkin rejected entry into the order when he learned of its celibacy requirement. With mention of the Hepekarian staff, they were escorted into a study where they found a dark-skinned man posed over a large book, pondering its words as he stroked his chin. He rose at the intrusion, displaying a proud stance, “I am Moc’alm of Hepekaria. And you are?” Amsel was caught with his jaw open as he inquired, “Is Hepekaria a desert land to explain your burned skin?” Moc’alm looked down his nose at the puny man, and even at Hawkin with an air of despair as he soaked in the strength of Ferris with sympathy for having to accompany such childish looking men.

Hawkin stood still as if a deer caught in the open before he revealed the staff, “We were told you might know of this staff we found in a crypt near the southwest end of the Rayesha Mountains of Tharda.” Moc’alm took the staff, “Impressive, good weight and balance, ancient Korlic script. So, pray tell, you plundered an ancient Hepekarian crypt. What else did you steal?” Amsel was quick to answer, “We didn’t plunder. This is all we took from the lich that attacked us.” Hawkins added, “The crypt was filled with murals depicting sailing ships attacked by Kraken and other sea beasts.” Ferris affirmed their words, “We were drawn to the crypt per deaths above ground. We only wished to vanquish the foul lich that murdered innocent men.”

Moc’alm reached for a book nearby to consult, “I’ve heard of an expedition centuries ago that journeyed to your lands in search of an ancient Dwarven Kingdom.” His fingers ran along the lines of text, “Here is a dwarven reference to the expedition, ‘We welcomed them on our roads along the spine of the Rayesha Mountains.’ I suppose you found the resting place of one of the leaders as it is our custom to bury our dead either above or below ground. But preferably above, on a high peak near the treeline. Like the dwarves, my people have a great love of stonework and prefer burial above ground. Perhaps the leader of the royal expedition died before reaching the mountains and thus before encountering the dwarfs.”

Brother Amsel had a scholarly background himself with the church libraries and knew a little of the dwarven legends. “I’ve read tale of dwarven roads and stone carvings high up in the mountains.” Moc’alm laughed at his innocence, “To read is one thing. To journey there… are you prepared to encounter gorgoons? I think your kind calls them orc.” Hawkin spoke up, “While I have not ventured that high, I have heard of bandits there.” Hawkin consulted the map of Tharda hung on the wall, “You say your custom is to bury high. Here are two prominent high peak elevations: Echephon closer to the west-end side while Anegil rises near the middle.”

Moc’alm took interest in the topic, “Perhaps I could join you in your quest to find the lost Dwarven Kingdom.” Amsel was caught by surprise, “We have a quest? To the mountains? Why would we want to find a lost Dwarven Kingdom? And you just said there are gorgoons and bandits there!” Ferris was already studying the map with a tactical eye, “Too long to backtrack to Rouhardy to begin ascent of the mountain. We could save time sailing into Lake Benath and take the Pech river to Hikun, short of the Geldym Falls. Then trek across the land toward your Echephon peak.” Mor’alm turned back to his desk before looking back at Hawkin, “Did you want your staff back? We have much packing and planning to do. How many weeks do you expect for this journey?”

They spent the next couple of days gathering gear and checking with the harbormaster for a ship sailing in their direction. On the 2^nd day, Hawkin was bumped into by a teenage boy running through the street. His fading “Sorry” was drowned by the handful of people giving chase, “Stop that young man! Thief!” Hawkin thought little of it till he found a small satchel in his coat pocket. Thief? He dared not reveal it in the streets else he accused of being an accomplice. He waited till he joined his friends to look: 2 jeweled rings and a silver necklace. He quickly closed the bag as Amsel whispered, “Ill-gotten gains. Careful you not meet your gifter else he point the finger at you to proclaim his innocence.”

On the 3^rd day they climbed the ramp onto the Maiden’s Kiss (a cargo ship loaded with textile bound for the Pech river). The merchant ship stopped in Stimos at the mouth of the river to sell their ware, before plowing against the Pech current. It was a week journey from Shiran to Hikun. Enough time for Amsel to gain his sea-legs and settle his weak stomach emptied over the railing those first few days.

Hikun: They arrived mid-noon. The first order of business: find a guide. As Amsel offered prayer service to Peoni followers, Ferris used his streetwise to seek out a tavern. [Influence] A few tankards of ale convinced Harqarat of Cysaldin to offer his service, “The mountains you say? Now that I’m unemployed as a miner, I have the time. You have the coin? Guide only; I’m not your bodyguard if we encounter bandits or anything.”

Come morning, Ferris introduced the big man to the others. It was obvious Harqarat was only interested in pay, not friendship. They each carried a backpack of gear and supplies as they trekked on foot northward, stopping every hour to rest and readjust their load. Harqarat pointed out the silver and ore mines as “landmarks to guide your return.” Amsel was already getting winded when they finally reached the foothills and the slow climb into the mountains with need of rope. Finally, they paused on a small plateau and looked east toward Lake Benath already starting to turn dark from the shadows cast by sunset. “We’ll camp here.”

As they gathered around the campfire, Harqarat asked, “What exactly are you looking for in these mountains? Are you expecting a gold mine left by the dwarves?” There was a pregnant pause as the others were unsure what Ferris had told the man. Amsel spoke up, “Hopefully we can find dwarven roads that might lead to the fabled Dwarven City upon the spine of the mountains.” Harqarat puzzled, “You risk encounters with monsters for such a fairy tale? A friend of mine spoke of this mountain and the giant he encountered. And lived to talk about it. Thank the gods he had long legs and strong lungs to keep up his run.” They set watch order: every snap and crackle of the fire twitched the guard on watch.

Morning: Within hours of climbing slopes and heavy breathing, they finally came upon an old dwarven stone road. Harqarat held out his hand, “This as far as I go. The road is your new guide.” Amsel looked forlornly at the big man’s departure and the thought of danger ahead. He felt his chest to make sure his Peoni clasp was still there as he shifted his backpack for the long journey ahead. They hiked for hours till the road sloped slightly downhill then narrowed to a path with sheer cliffs left (downward) and right (rising up). They tied off with ropes in case anyone slipped. Moc’alm puzzled at the terrain, “This doesn’t seem right.” Yet they were set on the path ahead with Hawkin in the lead, tied to Moc’alm then Ferris with Amsel taking up the rear. Close at hand if Ferris needed to help him; at the end where only Ferris was threatened if the brother fell.

Providence that Moc’alm tripped but gained his balance. With the group paused, he heard the faint rumble and tinkle of pebbles falling from above. He looked up and saw larger rocks in trail, “RUN! MOVE your arses!” His companions told how the large boulder ricocheted off an overhang; Amsel knew it to be Peoni’s saving hand deflecting the crushing threat. [Fatigue 2] Climbing and running had taken a toll on the weakling brother, “Can’t we stop here to rest?” But Ferris cautioned to get out of the cliffs and threat of more landslides. Soon they were able to untie themselves.

They continued onward and upward for another hour before they reached a plateau filled with trees. The dwarven path weaved around large boulders. As they rounded a bend, they came upon an old campsite littered with five broken bodies that still lay in their sleeping blankets. “Ambushed in their sleep!” Hawkin knelt beside one body and confirmed, “We’re at a high enough altitude and cold to slow their decay, but I’d guess they’ve been dead for a few days. Not blades of a bandit but more claws of an animal.” Hawkin checked the camp supplies and found jerky and bread to supplement their own supplies. He was ready to press on when Amsel interrupted, “We need to bury them. At least make a cairn to rest their souls to not come back as spirits.” Was that his true purpose or hope of needed rest? Yet there was no rest as gathering stone was laborious. Before leaving the camp, Hawkin put the bag of stolen jewels in the pocket of one of the dead. Mor’alm asked, “Do you plan to return this way to retrieve it? Worried about bandits ahead?” Hawkin did not answer but simply began walking.

If fatigue wasn’t already a factor, the boulders became larger and closer together requiring them to climb over a few. Amsel began to fall behind. Ferris prodded him onward, “Keep up, we’ll rest soon enough. Quiet! I hear something!” The low volume cawing reminded Ferris of bandit signals. He readied his shield and blade but soon realized it sounded more like a chorus of baby animals. “Wait here while I check it out.” In Amsel’s mind wait meant rest which put him at ease.

Ferris rounded a couple of boulders where he saw a cave ahead. Movement. He positioned himself for a better view without getting closer. And that’s how he saw the baby owl heads… attached to bear bodies! While his mind contemplated the reward for such a find (owlbear cubs trainable and worth a fortune), the hair on his arms warned of the motherly threat out there. He slowly retreated to scurry back to the others. And that’s when he heard the grunting of his pursuer. “RUN! It’s a mother Owlbear with cubs to protect!”

Hawkin and Moc’alm took off running. Amsel lay upon his boulder and realized he couldn’t outrun a turtle let alone an owlbear. He lay flat hoping to hide, not realizing Ferris honored his task to protect the Peoni brother with his life. Ferris turned to face the Owlbear that had launched itself from a boulder straight at him. [Critical parry] His shield deflected the claws but the weight of the beast still knocked him backwards. Ferris scooped up dirt and threw it into the eyes of his attacker. But not before the beast slashed his left leg to the bone (0 HP, serious wound). Ferris fought off faint as he lay prone while the Owlbear pawed at its eyes trying to regain sight.

Amsel realized the beast blinded (but not for how long; 3 rounds): he began moving toward the cave Ferris mentioned while trying to mimic the scared cry of a baby owlbear. Hopes to draw the mother away from his friend and protector. At least Hawkin and Moc’alm had paused in their exit to look back for their allies. They too recognized the beast blinded and chose to return to drag their companion to safety. At least Moc’alm didn’t trip as he reached the warrior, “Lean on me and let’s get out of here.” At range, per his trip/fall, Hawkin threw rocks trying to distract the beast and possibly draw it away from the others. When the duo got closer, he aided Moc’alm lugging Ferris away. Yet Ferris protested, “Attack it while it’s blinded. We can still save brother Amsel.”

But by now the beast had clear vision of a human in its path. It swatted at the long quarterstaff thrust in its face. Fatigued and nowhere to run, Amsel stood his ground and tried to make himself bigger as an equal threat. Isn’t that what you are supposed to do before you curl up and fake death if not already dead? The owlbear bit his quarterstaff in half, leaving Amsel defenseless. Moc’alm saw everything unfolding and tried to use Ferris’ shield to redirect sunlight to blind the beast. Damn the gods for an overcast sky!

[Luck] Amsel noticed the dark patch between two large boulders. [Hard Athletic 04 even fatigued] He dove for the small opening and crawled inside, just out of reach of the clawing owlbear. For almost 15 minutes the beast clawed ferociously but couldn’t gain entrance. It soon gave up and returned to its babies, still crying for food and comfort. Amsel waited another hour (recuperation from some fatigue) before crawling out and off to find his friends. An hour that helped dry his pissed pants. Amsel knelt beside Ferris and lay his hands on the shattered leg. [Tirrala’s Cure] Prayers to Peoni stabilized the injury. At least Ferris could hobble on his own as he offered, “We best keep moving to get out of its hunting grounds.”

TO BE CONTINUED: