Session 39 - Found and Lost

Day 15

Within the walls of Codruta's safehouse the party discuss further plans. Amidir Min'ath states that he disagrees with the trip as it is something the Queen of Ravens worshipers are opposed to and he leaves to visit the Queen of Ravens once more to elaborate on his plans.

Braith, Elnorin and Heskan go to the temple in Duskhaven to retrieve the last silver soul cage. The trip is a short one with Braith scouting the quarters of the deceased Ashok. After a quick look around she was certain there was nothing there in the well appointed rooms. Elnorin's spell told them there was something so the group went in together. Much to Braith's confusion the room appeared different, turned over. Suspecting foul play Braith kept a look out for an intruder. Heskan and Elnorin searched through the rooms. Found the cage, 500 GP of gems and some notes. They would later destroy components for necromantic and fiendish rituals. Elnorin used another spell to detect magic, finding runes round the door to the room that seemingly expired as someone went by them. No one fell prey to the memory modification spell again and the group went down to the wharf. There Amdir awaited them stating that he had his own activities he wished to accomplished and that he disagreed with their journey.

The rest of the day was spent speaking with Syndrid, whose model grew as he worked on it, and Arinet. They also built the ether effigies, including ones for themselves. The days activities done, they rested. Heskan also urged Namhias out of the town for safety. The drake deceived his master, knowing that he wanted to help him.

Day 16

In the early hours the morning the group made their way to the Maelstrom of Echoes. Namhias joins them, unwilling to let Heskan go without him. The group approached the Maelstrom and began to experience the problems. Armed with their effigies, they began to battle with the Maelstrom All but Braith eventually attuned, using their preparation to master the ether. Braith collapsed, her spirit being torn from her body. The timely intervention of Elnorin and Heskan kept her together. At the last moment she mastered the ether. The group then proceeded through the Maelstrom and down into the pit...

Darkness engulfed them. 

They emerged on what looked like the Plain of Whispering Stones. They were immediately set upon by predators. Two ghosts and a banshee. Braith was possessed and began attacking Elnorin whilst Heskan engaged the others. The banshee died swiftly but a possessed Braith rendered Elnorin unconscious. Heskan drove the ghost out of Braith and she swiftly dispatched the intruder.

Arinet summoned her spirit guide and asked it to take her to Bankanir. They found him preyed upon by two banshees. The first scream rendered Heskan and Namhias unconscious. Elnorin righted this as the battle continued. The second continued to consume Bankanir's essence but was distrated by Elnorin's bow shots. The second then wailed, dropping the ranger and the druid to the ground. Heskan saved the day and the party won the battle. Arinet placed Bankanir's spirit within the soul cage and tied his ether to it. She asked her spirit guide to take them to the gates.

Upon reaching the gates there was a short discussion. Ultimately the group decided to go all together and Arinet led the way. On the other side they found a floating, rocky island. A humanoid figure, seemingly carved from granite with a red light glowing from fissures across his surface. Once human, Bas had become something else. Ignoring them initially, when they began muttering he spoke with them. The guardian of the gates told them the master was ahead in his cave. Bas told them they could not leave and that negotiations happened with the master. Along the winding stone path they journeyed. 

They master of the underworld, steward until the throne was claimed by someone, was the shade of Typhon. The mad elder God thought he sensed betrayal but Heskan spoke with the fallen deity. It was decided that in exchange for Ashkeeper and 3 tasks by Heskan (providing they did not break his oaths) that would elevate Typhon to the throne of the underworld when the conjunction occurred. Typhon wanted Heskan to unlock the power of the Mysterious shield, gain the driftwood staff and gain the spear Gungnir. Typhon opened a gate and the party stepped through.

Meanwhile Ruric had crossed the great stone bridge. In Somnum, the city of sleep, where mountain dwarves go when they die, Ruric discovered his ancestry was that of house Flavia. He spoke with his father and grandfather before choosing to leave the city and join his family on the Aetyn plateau, the idellic fields where the hill dwarves passed to. Here he ate at his wife's table and was happy for a few days. Then came the knock at the door. Outside stood Heskan, Elnorin and Braith. They told him of what happened and what they had discovered in the short time since his death. Ruric expressed that he was torn over whether to leave or not but when he heard that to leave the group would have to fight Bas, he readied himself to leave immediately. Ruric stood from the table and, grabbing his hammer, wrote a note for his wife. With that done they headed out toward the portal.

The group travelled back to the gates. Here they faced down Bas. Braith left a permanent scar on his helm but their best efforts proved fruitless against the master of the gate. He attacked with his own bindings and caused chains to rise. In the end Arinet passed Bankanir's essence to Elnorin. Elnorin trapped Ruric in his cage and pushed Braith through the gate with him. Namhias broke the chains binding him, dragging an unconscious Heskan through the gate. Braith was healed but Arinet never came through. Elnorin and Braith argued. She wanted Bankanir to be passed back through the portal, to be with his love in the afterlife. Elnorin wanted to respect her sacrifice and take him back. Elnorin won the discussion, Heskan was healed and as they walked away they felt the ground rise and they were taken on the reverse spiral they had descended with.

Back in the safehouse ether and astral essence was placed with bodies. Ruric Ironfoot and Bankanir were alive once more.