Session 76 - Ancient Pathways

23/08/300

The party decide settle down to rest but Ruric, enticed by mystery, heads up to the Cosmolabe. He discovers a device too complicated to be fully operated by one person but makes progress in some fundamental understandings. He activates the device that projects a model of what dwarven arcane scholars refer to as 'The Inner Planes. The Cosmolabe represents the prime plane and two illusionary spheres, gently and symmetrically, float away until they barely overlap and towards until they almost merge. This is surrounded by a cloud that represents the ethereal plane and a large ring with two 'gateways' in it. Ruric spends some time and finds that there is old information, presumably from Syndrid, stored and finds a map of the world with some information on large groups of beings (in particular he finds worshipers of Asmodea in the Sand Sea region and horses spread across the northern element of the continent.

24/08/300

Some hours later Elnorin awakes from his trance and joins Ruric. Ruric explains the device and Elnorin is able to guide one of the other 'axis'. Immediately Elnorin's thoughts differentiate the Land Which Was and The Land Which Will Be. They also identified a number of persistent 'cosmic events' including the portal beneath the mountain and one in the southern desert (which was growing steadily). They also saw several, regular points and a network of ley lines across the world. From a point of reference Ruric was able to see the points they were transported by Kartash and his death/resurrection.  

Heskan and Braith joined them a few hours later. At this point they were able to deduce more. They were able to see the flow of life (or souls) and the incursion of Asmodea from the day before. A great lance of red lights that projected out and later retreated. They also saw growing influence, likely caused by harmony generated by Asmodea's actions, that seemingly grew as the Cyclopean Tyrant's influence increased.

Ruric was able to use the device to extrapolate the Conjunction and they saw bridges of rainbow light connect the gateways to the material planes as they were almost completely overlapping. 

They managed to view outside the elemental plane, which formed a ring around the inner planes. They saw several drifting clouds in an astral sea. They identified one as the Hells of Asmodea. They could see the alignment of the gates with the Hells at the point of Conjunction and they could see the effect of Typhon's parasitic relationship at the gate of the afterlife. Armed with frightening knowledge the group set off.

As they headed in the direction given by Pylia they eventually found a path of stone pillars. These seemed to lead to an entrance towards the underground cavern (now sealed) where the archway was and to the outside. The pillars were carved with symbols of trees. One side had them wilting gradually and the other growing. The group decided that this was likely an ancient path of worship. As they passed through the mountain passage they found that where the pillars ended a cavern continued the motifs, with intricate carvings on knotwork and trees down either side. An couple of hours after setting off they emerged into the summer light. They saw, ahead and below them, the Moot. It was situated next to a large, open-air temple with the same stone pillars they had just seen extending down in a colonnade to a large ring of them. This ring contained two, smaller rings and the opposite side continued the colonnade to a small, man-made hill that was scarred with lightning.

Once outside Elnorin summoned an animal to deliver word of their progress to Verthicha. The group walked besides the stone temple and headed towards the Moot. As they approached they noticed the moot was surrounded by several smaller groups of houses. Each aligned with the direction of one of the other tribes but, in addition to the five other groupings was a lone house, not far west of the Darini tribe. Nearby buildings stirred and watched the party arrive. 

They were greeted by Amergin White-Knees, Be Chuille Blackstaff, Taliesin, Bodhmall and Cathbad Crowsinger. Amergin greeted them and announced them as the Venicone (the Kindred Hounds), officially accepting the Northlands tribe as part of the Vannin. Discussion wasn't long but the group parted ways with a promise of teaching and food being available during their stay. They mentioned that Eamonn of Sheskin had supplies he needed and they were directed to Declan, son of Bodhmall. Ruric takes his leave to go and sleep but not before Taliesin brings him some food. Declan is the local herbalist and, seemingly, the heart of a 'web of friends' that keep in contact following them leaving their tutelage with the Brigantes. He lets them know that the situation to the south is dire but that there have been fights here after dark that seem to involve the Regni delegates. During this they spy someone watching them from not far off. Declan suggests they meet a friend, Be Chuille Blackstaff, after festivities in the evening. 

The group head back to their new hall to speak, Elnorin heads into the woods where earlier he had spotted 'The Ancient' (a giant, old oak tree). He asks it several questions but, most importantly, finds that there are fiends in the area.