IV. a. An Untouched World

General Summary

Aresday, 5308, Midsky 2

Deep beneath the Kingswood forest, miles outside of Gravenholm, you survived the frustration of the Labryinth of Yis'tilah'ste. Beyond it lies the ancient and all-but-forgotten city of Yis'tilah'ste, seemingly untouched in thousands of years. The gates of Yis'tilah'ste, a lost ancient treasure trove, have opened before you. In this desolate, empty city, you find yourselves surrounded by three and four-story buildings, immense and seemingly carved from the stone itself.

You discovered these buildings and alcoves to be temples, shrines, and statues to the gods of Vetharyan. Using what little tracking was available to you, you followed the tracks of Ilyria & Kaelen until they disappeared at an alter of Vethara, where it appeared they had slept at least once. Assuming that meant the area held little danger, you began exploring.

Ash sought out Nyxari and left a grand offering of the 1000's of years old ancient wine she had procured from one of the warehouses. Max sought out Minos, with Dreamhawk and Tort in tow. Max left his tithe of 2 platinum, while Dreamhawk followed it up with 2 gold pieces. Tort meanwhile, placed 1 gold at the atler of Minos then began walking around the district, playing the bagpipes. Whether his playing was divinely inspired will never be known, but nonetheless, Torts music was beautiful, even if hauntingly eerie in this empty space. Boran sought out Thuramir and left 10 gold as an offering.

With some effort, you were able to pick up what you assumed to be Ilyria and Kaelen's tracks again. This brought you through a massive site, one covered in what you found to be thousands of names. With some investigation, it was learned that this was a memorial to those lost to the Near-End War. With a sense of unease from this place, you guys quickly moved on.

Soon, you found yourselves in a street lined with shoppes, all appearing to be ready to open for business, though none ever came for them. Until your arrival, that is. Unable to resist the temptation of shopping, most of you paid for your items, choosing to leave behind your monies and leaving the stores intact, minus your mostly purchased goods.

Each of you were able to obtain a Haversack of Holding for your newly procured goods. Dreamhawk found 5 arrows with some special properties. Ash and Tort hit the jewelers shop, though they were only interested in the gems themselves and none of the baubles under glass. Ash traded a shortsword for the some diamonds while Tort found nothing of interest. Dreamhawk took a fist full of random gems and shoved them into a small pouch, sure they'll fetch a some silver, no matter what they are. Max purchased some rubies. Ash after much debate, used the detect magic scroll to quickly look through all of the shops to locate any magical items. At the apothocary, you are surprised to find it still very well stocked with potions, poultices, and salves.

With your newly purchased goods procured, you continue on, once more picking up the trail Ilyria and Kaelen left. It was easy for you to see how they were being followed. Tired from the day and ready for a proper bed, you spend some time locating a local tavern and in. You have your dinner in the silent tavern and during the night, it is like the grave. Even your own breathing become heavy in your ears as you drift off to sleep.

Boran took the first watch and noticed lights bobbing in the distance that eventually went out. He was sure to point the area out to Dreamhawk as he took second watch and Boran took his rest. Several hours later, the movement of lights in the distance, exactly where Boran had pointed out, began again.

With your morning starting in tense conditions, you decide as a group to wait for them to follow the same trail you had been... right to you. You laid a cleverly layered ambush, going so far as Max choosing to pose as a shop mannequin, and waited for your pray to arrive.

You are finding that you may have underestimated your opponents, after previous encounters with Black Hand members. Or perhaps Ilyria and Kaelen were more dangerous to the Black Hand than you knew? Perhaps it is all irrelevant. Regardless, you have taken down one of the enemy, while another appears to be teatering on the edges of life and death. One other is significanlty injured, but two of them lie unwounded.

How quick can you think on your feet? Will it be enough to save you, this time? Who can say?