Session 17: secrets of Hollow Hill Report

General Summary

A chime rang throughout the vast underground complex, its clear sound echoing through numerous empty chambers until a faint remnant reached the great hall at the center of the ancient lair.   Vezzir’s eyes fluttered open and it took a while for the old elf to realize the significance of the alarm. Hollow Hill had been breached. His numerous enemies had found their way into one of his most important and secretive strongholds.   Hollow Hill was where the professor performed his sacred experiments, where one of his most trusted followers worked tirelessly to bring about their ascension, and his own apotheosis.   Vezzir focused for a moment and willed life back into his dead body. As the dark energy reanimated his corpse, he pushed himself up from his throne. He was alone in his throne room. His living followers had left him to see to their duties, and while his undead minions stood nearby, waiting for orders, they were mindless and thus useless in this instance.   A quick gesture with his left hand formed an arcane symbol in the air and he whispered a command to Rayl.
“I have awoken, attend me”.   Rayl’s response was equally short.
“On my way”.   Vezzir found himself too restless to sit back down while he waited. Instead, he began pacing through the great hall. The walls were decorated with carved dragonheads in which magical flames burned, faintly illuminating the large chamber. The ring of pillars that supported the overhead dome were also carved in a draconic motif; they resembled trees with dragons of all sorts coiled around them. The dome itself was decorated with a crude painting of the holy symbol of Arcarost, the Dragonlord, one of the new gods that presided over the world of Irminsul.   Vezzir had dedicated his life to Arcarost. Up until the moment of his death he had served the Dragonlord through acts most would find evil and monstrous. He had given his life for the greatness of the god, and he had been rewarded. His soul had been returned to his decaying body with renewed vigor, power and the knowledge of how to become a true vessel for the divine might of Arcarost.   Vezzir could not help but grin at the thought of the vengeance he would enact on the city of Keralon, and the knights that dwelled there. One day, he would find out the name of the knight that had killed him. He would find him, and he would rend him apart with his claws and fangs.   The rest of the city would either join his church or die. He would lead the mortal races away from their frailty. He would help them ascend to the power of the ancients and the world would unite under his rule, and under the faith of Arcarost.   Already reveling in his future victory, Vezzir was unaware of the great wooden door being pushed open. A young man in bright red armor hurriedly made his way into the throne room, only to be confronted with an empty throne.   Rayl knew his lord could be impatient at times, and so he had made his way here as fast as possible. Unlike his master, he could not see in the dark, and the shadowy illumination of the lanterns was far from sufficient for him to see the entire room. Rayl sank to one knee in front of the throne and bowed his head.
“You summoned me my lord. What are your commands?”   Vezzir was pulled from his daydream by Rayl’s words, and the annoyance of the interruption was almost enough for him to send a wave of pain to the kneeling knight. He stopped himself before finishing the spell and stepped into the light so Rayl could see him.
“Rise my friend. Did you hear the alarm just now?”   “I did, my lord. Hollow Hill has fallen.”   “Yes. Any recommendations on our response?”   “I can send a war-party to reclaim he site.”   Anger ignited within Vezzir. The faint orange embers that burned in the eye sockets of his exposed skull flared up into bright red flames.
“A war party? You would send another handful of warriors and failed experiments to challenge the knights that have no-doubt descended on the tomb. Tell me, how did that work out for us the last time?”   Rayl avoided his master’s gaze. The past few weeks had seen several foiled plans. His servants had suffered losses against the knights of Keralon. The Circles were getting more and more involved with their operation.
“This time I will lead them personally. We will not fail.”   “No. Hollow Hill is lost to us. Even if you kill the knights that are there now, more will come. The professor is no-doubt already dead.”   “Then what can I do to redeem myself to you, my lord?”   “We must sever all ties with Hollow Hill and enact revenge on those responsible. Gather your riders. Fly out at once and don’t return until both the hill and the nearby town of Ravensfield are but a memory. Burn it all to ash.”