Session 101 - Venturing on the mountains of Stones

General Summary

The Journey from Orthali to the Kadian Encampment

We departed from Orthali, heading north along the original plan to journey northward. Along the way, we encountered a Kadian encampment that blocked our passage northward toward the Black Keep. During this time, we it was revealed that Friedrich was once a priest of Kord, who had since converted.  

Eastward Through the Mountains

Unable to proceed north, we turned east into the mountain paths. There, we solved a bridge-related problem and encountered a tribe of Stpne Giant. Max Atlas underwent a shamanic initiation ritual, facing five trials. At the end of the ceremony, he encountered a mysterious figure, possibly the goddess Diancastra (or perhaps a servant of hers, and possibly even his mother). This figure gave Max five life quests to fulfill.   As part of the ritual, Max offered a personal item, and in return, we received a selection of potions. We also arranged for the giants to transport us northward, closer to the Black Passageway via their mountain paths.  

Encounter with the Dwarves of Dora-Nil

We met the dwarves of Dornil, who are reestablishing the dwarven kingdom in northeastern Nova Terra. We shared strategic information with them and requested passage through their tunnels to a location nearer to the Black Keep. The dwarves agreed and escorted us through their passages. Not after scaring the wits out of them, for angrying Remus (It appears, that eating bats, can cause people to be shitbat crazy).  

A Night Outside the Black-passage way

We emerged from the dwarven tunnels by night, half a day's journey from the Black Keep. That night, we heard strange noises and witnessed a battle between humans and trolls. Investigating the scene, we found four survivors trapped under rubble, alongside three fallen comrades, and the burning corpse of a Troll. We managed to save the four survivors.   They revealed themselves as loyalists to Duchy of Saurd, which has since fallen and is now vassal of Regnum Borealis. They informed us that Duchy of Veruladiren currently controls the Black Keep, and that the Keep serves as a gateway to the northern lands for the Kadians forces, moving to the south in their quest of finishing the Kadian Invasion.