Session 30 - DUCK Tape

Leaving behind Thana's Shrine, the group begins to travel down the statue-lined road to Mal Korvian. Teagan notes that there are runes carved into the road and, although the nuances of the ancience magic isn't apparent to him, they seem to be responsible for the road's relatively good condition. Perhaps, when fully active, this magic helped repair the roads the moment they were damaged. The afternoon passes uneventfully and Yenush is able to stop a leak before it happens, using nearly the last of this "Duct Tape". He imagines the shocked horror Ironborn will have when he witnesses what has become of his technology. The others note a pocket of miasma approaching and the MWDs surge.

From the miasma, a structure emerges. Stone pillars have long since toppled, destroying a portion of the stone base upon which they once stood. As the miasma swirls, the stone pillars stand tall once more forming a circular ring. Moonlight drifts down from above onto a single drow figure, hunched over a forge… though far from traditional. Runes flicker and glow as a fire – black in hue – blazes within its stone encasement. The smith withdraws his stone-covered right arm from the forge. In his hand, he holds a sheet of obsidian. Gibberish falls from his lips as he begins to bend and mold the obsidian with his hands… forming a gauntlet.   When the runes go dark, the forge quiets, and the drow ceases… a figure of obsidian steps forth from the shadow. The Drow offers the gauntlet, and the figure of armored obsidian draws it over their scarred and bleeding hand. As the wasteland returns, the ruins of the forge are covered in rusted metal, obsidian shards... and a half forged obsidian gauntlet.

Yenush picks up the half-formed obsidian and inspects it. Generally, yes, obsidian is fragile, but sharp – well suited for knifes or arrowtips. However, there is something different about this obsidian (It's MAGIC), though Yenush can't quite sort what specifically is different or how it became that way. However, given the sharpness of obsidian when it fractures... it is likely that any obsidian armor piece (such as a gauntly), should it break internally, would pierce and hold the wearer's flesh. Do you want an obsidian gauntlet, Teagan?

On the next shift, Yelkin manages to catch a potential break before it happens. Aiaoue works on another carving and Sayah is able to note that approach of another pocket of miasma.

As the miasma thickens and surges, you begin to hear and feel the earth shake and rumble. Two carriages approach, each pulled by a pair of earthen elementals. Where their path is uneven, the earth bends to the whim of the elementals as they barrel forward. As the carriages get closer, you can clearly see that they scream wealth and luxury. Each carriage is a pristine white, with arcane runes that flare and flicker. Gold and silver trim is embellished with swirls, bones, and skull motifs.   Amidst the filigree, you notice a repeating symbol: a jackal skull clutching a scroll in its mouth. And through the window as the carriages careen past, you catch a glimpse of individuals with purple-tinted skin, pointed ears, and dressed in white and light gray robes.

During the afternoon, Yenush looks over the MWDs and, despite feeling really good about his inspection, his arm feels otherwise. He's once again wrenched incredibly close to the arc of electricity. A voice booms from the arm:

Careful, they say knowledge is a double-edged sword. Woe to they who think they know more than the Law.

Quickly inspecting his arm, Yenush finds another piece of that weird orange metal. There's also very faint claw marks through the tenets of Nacheevi etched onto the arm. Thinking on the most recent and prior time the arm had acted up, Yenush notes that the triggers are... inconsistent. Aiaoue works with a mortar and pestle after some weaving. It is tradition to say "OOOOOOO" as one makes paste. Later, Aiaoue presents Yenush with a piece of weaving with some kind of bird on one side and a sticky paste on the other. Duck Tape. Yenush is very grateful.

On the evening shift, Teagan and Milo enter a pocket of miasma. Under a star-filled sky, a set of 5 Drow are locked in a heated argument with 5 Airborne. The Airborne seem enraged that they have upheld their end of a contract, but the Drow refuse not to. The Drow, in turn, claim that it's out of their hands. The materials defined in the contract have been claimed by Mal Vrammyr. If they have an issue with it... they can go talk to Mal Vrammyr. As Teagan and Milo approach, the Airborne are pleased to see a Gravesinger, but the Drow seem to seek the input (and aid) of Milo, a Drow noble.

The Drow seem resistant to upholding their end of the deal, claiming that they don't have the resources anymore, despite attempts to persuade them to find something. As the tensions continue to boil and rise, Teagan proposes throwing someone under the bus. Hey, they're all dead already anyway, so why not? Teagan offers to have Prince Valtaris cover everything. The Drow experience whiplash at the mention of a Gravesinger being friends and associates with a Prince. The Airborne are not convinced and almost immediately suspicious. If Mal Vrammyr caused their current contract to be so easily violated, why would this Prince be any better? When additional pleads for compromise fail, Teagan and Milo turn to leave before Teagan makes an executive decision. With a few notes of a song, the five Drow fall fast asleep. The Airborne give a nod and move into town... to retrieve their goods.

The next shift passes uneventfully. Teagan manages to notice the pocket of miasma, but not quick enough to alert Yelkin. The group enters the miasma without the surge to protect them.

The miasma thickens and surges over you, revealing a moonlit sky covered in thousands of stars. Ahead and off the side of the road, the flat stone lands form a slight hill. At the base, you see a cavern opening. Multiple figures with grayish skin and pointed ears stand outside, locked in a heated discussion. As they gesture, you can see stone-like patterns along their forearms.   After some debate, two of the figures – looking triumphant – move to the edge of the cavern. In unison, the duo begins to speak an unfamiliar incantation. The earth rumbles and shakes in mild protest before acquiescing to the demands. Soon, the base of two large statues takes shape, one on each side of the entrance. The other figures join, beginning to carve the details of armor to one and robes to the other.

At the shift change, Yenush grabs Yelkin's arm. There is a shard of obsidian wedged into his forearm. Yelkin seems as shocked as Yenush. He's feeling tired, but otherwise, the obsidian doesn't seem to be impacting him... no pain, no limitation on movement (at least any more than he already had). Yenush notes that perhaps Yelkin should have Cadence (or Milo) take a look at that. On his shift, Yenush is able to mitigate a surge of arcane energy that would have certainly drained someone of some of their magic.

Two shifts pass by without even, but as night falls, a pocket of miasma approached. The road is perfectly pristine, lined by statues (robed and armored). And then a lone Drow steps out into the road from behind the statue. Hail, Gravesinger! The lone Drow claims that their Earth elemental had gone feral and run off. Could they hitch a ride? Alarm bells go off as everything about the scenario seems suspicious. When asked about loyalties, Milo attempts to claim "lost royalty" heritage, but then settles on claiming loyalty to Prince Valtaris. Oh, that scheming little Prince?

As Earth Elementals and additional Drow rise from the earth nearby, the lone Drow deals two strikes to Milo before casting darkness and leaving. Milo is then taken down by a more armored figure. Everyone who leaves Vendetta finds themselves completely consumed by darkness, though Aiaoue is able to navigate out of it and communicate the number of enemies through a series of squawks. A Dispel Magic from Quill removes the darkness and Yenush is suddenly aware of the dude 10 feet away so he fires. Jeff is taken down by a critical hit from an earth elemental and a Lightning Bolt. By the time Arkyn makes it out of Vendetta, he gets a shatter off and gets Milo back up as Teagan moves to pursue one of the squishy looking mages who just cast lightning bolt. 

Teagan is joined by a friend with an obsidian blade and then quickly consumed by darkness. Yenush critically hits and severely damages the Drow near him. Aiaoue charges into the darkness, attacks and grabs the squishy mage, flies up, and then drops the mage. Teagan feels he is no longer flanked. The elementals continue their assault. By a miracle, Jeff survives. The Drow now filled with at least 4 bullets, takes Milo down again and attempts to restrain Yenush with a crossbow shot. Quill does gos of damage to an earth elemental as Sayah carves into the wounded drow. As the wounded mage goes invisible, Arkyn calls upon Zephyr's Feather to still hit the them. The other mage gets a nice Lightning Bolt on a few people (and kills one of his own). Teagan continues his 1-v-1 in the darkness. BET YOU WEREN'T EXPECTING THIS FROM A GRAVESINGER.

Jeff rallies to the fight and manages to kneecap and earth elemental. The wounded mage is slain. As Milo gets a Starry Wisp off, the second mage is revealed. Jeff runs to join Teagans 1-v-1 battle with the original lone Drow. As the mage and the find Drow are dealt with, the Earth Elementals stop. They seem to have no more commands to follow. As Teagan stands over the lone Drow, they grin, laugh, and when asked who sent them, they respond: "Prince Nalahiti." Valtaris has said that name... the individual currently in possession of the Book of the Dead. Taking stock of everything, Sayah appears to have a piece of obsidian now lodged into her shoulder. Like Yelkin's, it doesn't seem to be causing her harm or pain at the moment.

Arrival in Mal Korvian

  The following morning, a pocket of miasma approached. As the scene played out, Yenush and Arkyn felt a wave of fear settle over them. Aiaoue seemed unaffected.
 

From beyond the veil of the miasma, you hear labored breathing and heavy, quick footfalls. You see a human man scramble past, half-tripping in his haste. His forearms are caked in dirt and his clothing covered in dust. In his arms, he clutches jewelry and gems that, although covered in dirt, glint and twinkle in the light. As he runs, he mutters. “No, no, no, they’re coming.”   In the direction from whence he came, you see an opened, desecrated grave. A half-rotted limb left unceremoniously draped over the side of the opened grave. Beyond the gravestone you see the silhouette of a dark, armored figure. With purpose, it begins to pursue, paying you little mind.   In the distance, you hear pleading, screaming, and then the final gurgle of someone choking on blood.

As Aiaoue notes the fear radiating off the other members of her watch, she sings a little tune.

As the end of the evening shift approached, the miasma began to thin and slow. As the hallucination of the past take holds, a massive city – embedded in the walls of a massive chasm – comes to life. Earth elementals barrel past, hauling carriages and descending further into the city. Many of the Drow take note of the group, looking with curiosity, but Milo notes that a few seem to look with a more scrutinizing gaze. As those individuals begin to weave through the crowd towards the group, Yenush quickly clocks them. Teagan notes that Valtaris said that his people would find them... so perhaps one of them is? Shortly after, a single Drow emerged in front of the group. The others in the crowd stop. The man begged Teagan to bless his mother's grave. He fears it has been disturbed. It is near the Temple of Malachor! There is deception, but also desperation in his voice as he speaks. When he is able to draw closer, he removes his glove to reveal the symbol of Mal Mavkazan. 

The group is led down to the lowest level of the city, where the sunlight no longer reaches. The man does lead them to a grave. Teagan offers some words to restore the grave and beseeching Tamasvi for the appropriate vengeance. Yenush watches the surroundings like a hawk, especially after the man runs off with little more than a nod to Teagan. Aiaoue peruses the graves. It seems to be a mostly religious gravesite with most acknowledging the "Gates of the Death Scribe." As Teagan resolves to wait (putting his trust in Valtaris), he is approached by a smiling Drow man with an obsidian pauldron and obsidian gauntlets. Gravesinger, what a delight! Welcome to Mal Korvian. Who are you? Ah, I am Baron Eligos Von Ursul. Yenush remains alert as the Baron gets close. He leans down and whispers to Teagan, I believe we have a mutual friend. Discretely, he removes his obsidian finger and removes his glove, revealing the symbol of Mal Mavkazan.

Eligos notes that he'd certainly get in trouble if he didn't extend an invitation to visit the Mal Mavkazan Estates... especially after the Prince's recent donations. As the Baron begins to move, Teagan gives a thumbs up to the rest of the group. This is the GUY. The Baron leads the group up through 1 level of the city to a beautiful courtyard with stone archways and elementals – including an obsidian elemental – on display. Eligos leads them through the winding halls of the Mal Mavkazan Estate. Wealth pours from every pore of this place. After 10 minutes of walking through the estate, the Baron leads the group down a portrait covered hallway. At the far end, stone doors are flanked by Valtaris' personal guard. The doors open as two guards emerge, hauling a limp body. Blood spills to the floor, leaving a trail down the hallway as the two guards drag the figure away, paying the group no mind. By the garments on the woman, a noble... by the blood and choking noises... she may not have a tongue. Milo notes that Eligos, who has yet to drop his smile, seems briefly annoyed before his grin returns.

A trail of blood leads into the office beyond the doors. Eligos sits in a chair near archways overlooking the city of Mal Korvian. Standing near the desk is Prince Valtaris. He glances up, smiles, and waves a hand. The blood on the floor vanishes. Milo and Yenush note that the blood on Valtaris' hands also vanishes.

Welcome to Mal Korvian. Come, there is much to discuss. And the doors close.