Session 49: The Howling of Storms Report

General Summary

As the air itself coalesced into the forms of massive direwolves that began to bound down the stairs leaping into the air and soaring thru it as if on wings the expedition would surge forward desperate to clear the first hallways of the crater temple and ascend the stairs to not find themselves trapped in a swirling vortex of squirrels that spun overhead. Malakar leapt thru shadow emerging on the first landing where he collided with two of the wind wolves, tho they appeared as nothing but wisps of air, his spear stuck true and their fangs crushed armor and bone just the same. Daereth rushed forward thru shadow to join him on the landing relieving pressure upon the warrior as Aria moved quickly thru the causeway to ascend the stairs. Zaelith and Talindra would be caught in the hallway as they moved up with Isenara, Bahzel and Aelorna being engulfed in a vortex of squirrels. The screeching of the hapless mammals would make the ears bleed of their victims, Bahzel would slash with his spear and try to disrupt the winds slaying many squirrels in the attempt while Aelornas voice would ring out over the din to inspire her comrades. Isenara would move to Zaelith and Talindras aid her whip having less effect then she would hope on the wind swept creatures she would instead harness the grim sandglass that dangled from the handle of her whip striking them with the magic of the void.  

As Talindras magic would mend the first wounds suffered the Wolves would turn jaws viciously snapping upon her, pulling her to the ground and shaking till her vision blurred and she lost consciousness. As Zaeliths blade flared with magic to drive them back from the bleeding Talindra they would turn upon him, knocking him the ground in turn. Above Malakar and Daereth working together defeated the first wolf but the second drug Malakar from his feat tho he kept his wits about him. Arias magic crackled overhead pushing the wolves back and dispersing more of the squirrel fueled tornado. Bahzel would disrupt the last of the magical air elemental which tormented the creatures as they soon began to fall from the sky, dazed and scampering away in terror. Aelorna would push into the hallway as her soothing melodies moved to mend Talindras many bite wounds. Isenara would shift away from the wolves as their targets grew fewer, her whip lashing out to banish another. As Daereth and Malakar finished their last foe they would descend the stairs to relieve the pressure on the wounded Talindra and Zaelith, banishing the final wolf. With a groan Talindra would gain her feet, "You think your patron is going to be as glad to see you?" Aria would frown wondering why showing up for a summons was proving so difficult.  

With the most immediate threat clear they advanced to the spire at the peak of the crater, here a great tower stood with a winding stair well lead up the spire reaching 100ft into the sky. Round and round they ascended until Aria emerged upon a great causeway suspended unnaturally from the spire and looming over the crater below. Resting at the end upon a magical emblem of power was a great wind wolf slumbering. As Aria made her way out onto the causeway one eye would open then the next, sitting up slowly the wolf would arch its head and howl into the sky, the winds surging around them and lightning crackling where no storm had been. As Aria neared she would call out, "Great Spirit, is it you who summoned me!? Are you the Howling of Storms?!" The great would wolf would give a yowling response on the wind, to which Aria would seem confused, with a sigh the massive wolf would begin to change shape, the air swirling about the beast with a flurry of activity, and then where a wolf once stood, a massive Storm Titan would loom, his chest broad and muscular, lightning moved just beneath the skin where blood should be, "Perhaps this is better....Favored of the storm, I am indeed the one from whom your power flows."  

Aria would smile thru the comment holding back her first response, something that would be common thru the following exchange. "You have done something not seen since the age of Wonder, the creation of a new realm." Aria would bow, at the perceived compliment. "And yet it does not benefit me, your patron, this must be corrected." Aria would seem confused, "You sent me to help and I ensured balanced was maintained....I do not know how it could be of benefit?" The Titan would frown slightly, "It could be mine....but...I am unsure Smoke is really something I would enjoy." Malakar behind them would frown at this and Aria would shift a bit uncomfortably, "Many of the Wind Spirits still there struggle the same and are noting as creatures of the plane are beginning to take form." The Howling of Storms would nod along, "I suspect Flame would enjoy it more...that is fine, perhaps instead you should just make another...this time with our other neighbor water." Aria would blink at the request, "I do not know if such a thing would be possible again nor how to even find the.." Her patron would interrupt her waving a hand with a great gust of wind following his motion, "Nonsense, we sit upon the stronger Wind Ley Line in the world and all around us there are torrents of power and mayhem, simply did what you did before and create for me a Nexus that I may claim." Aria would frown and lightly protest, "While that may be true, We are far from here and to find such a primal energy source to do it again will be beyond our current resources." The howling of storms would sigh heavily, "Very well, I shall send my Zephyr wolves to locate it....must I do everything?" he would growl a bit, Aria again choking back her opinion. "Patron...if you can find a suitable primal energy source, we can attempt to do the same, in the mean time, we will explore the realm of Smoke more fully for you." The howling of storms would clap his hands the sound of thunder rolling forth, "Wonderful, I shall speed you on your way then." Another movement of his hand and the winds would sweep them from the causeway in a terrifying movement they would soar and float down to the camp at the base of the temple.  

Two days travel back to the ship, the party would discuss with concern what it would mean to elevate a spirit to such a realm, but the tacit acknowledgement that what has been created could not be undone now. They would arrive in the port city of Anorain to find the reputation of Luthias as a playwright still well intact. His crimes it seemed had not been widespread. Moving inland to Tirion Anor they would take up residency in the Speakers Palace, who, tho they were early, invited them to stay with great joy. Here they secured permission to explore Imeara the great tombs of the Elven people from the age of Wonder and spent a week studying the Sol Variar cult until the festival of summer was upon them.