Venturing Forth into a New World

22nd Strassa, 1517, to 6th Veltom, 1517

Sean Shamshara, Vyktor Wyvernjack, Valteri Tomser, and Boris Hillmens stand by as Obsidiman after Obsidiman emerge from the Liferock of Kaer Ungada. The humming is deep and sonorous, and soon becomes singing, as eleven members of the Ungada Tribe finally walk within the Kaer. The last to emerge is ornately dressed, unlike the simple clothes of the others.

The tune is in a language foreign, but it has a melody that is moving and carries with it the memories of mountains, the motion of rushing water, and the freedom of blowing wind. The giant men proceed down the tunnel towards the Hall of Elders, their song echoing across the Kaer. The heroes follow, and others begin to join the process, including Elder Meshra, Elder Terrox, Elder Vashram, and Ygdrask, the last sending a guard to get Sheyloon.

Ygdrask confronts the four heroes about this new development. Sean explains what has happened, specifically how removing Magnik's cylinder seemed to release the Obsidimen from their imprisonment. Ygdrask asks for the cylinder, and Boris hands it over. The older Wizard studies it and then pockets it, telling the group that they clearly should not have it back.

Two hours pass and the Obsidimen reach the empty market. Here they gather, still singing, and encircle the ornately dressed one. They raise their hands while the one in the center stands still, suddenly silent. The group fills Sheyloon in on what has happened when she arrives, particularly with the magic plug and how Ygdrask has taken it. She jokes that he is likely very knowledgeable about plugs. Half-an-hour passes, when the ten Obsidimen drop their hands in unison and stop singing themselves, but, without missing a beat, the middle one starts up again. He then walks out of the circle and heads to the Pool of Shemara. The others silently fall in behind him.

They walk more quickly now, with a sense of lonesome urgency. When they reach the Pool, the Obsidiman in the leads keeps walking, submerging himself completely, halting his song only a moment before his mouth is underwater. The other 10 take positions along the shoreline, feet just in the water.

Silence.

Two of the Obsidimen begin making intricate hand gestures, Threadweaving. The chill of the cavern warms and the air becomes foggy, a mist rolling off the water's surface. As the mist spreads up the tunnel into the rest of the Kaer, the water level in the Pool begins to drop. Minutes pass. Then half-an-hour. Finally, after an hour, the water level has lowered enough to see the ornate Obsidiman, sitting still, slumped. Soon, the water is all gone, and the eight who did not participate in the final ritual begin singing a sad, mournful tune. They descend into the empty lake bed, gather their dead brother, and head back up the tunnel.

No one moves to stop them.

One of the remaining two Obsidiman turns to face the other residents of the kaer and steps forward. He speaks in a deep voice, "Who will leave by the Orichalcum Doors and risk the dangers without?" He speaks of the enormous Orichalcum Doors of Kaer Ungada, which formerly stood mostly submerged within the Pool of Shemara.

As Sean steps forward to offer his services, Elder Terrox speaks towards the Obsidiman. "Now wait one minute! Who do you think you are? You just appear out of nowhere and get rid of our most powerful ward and then declare it's time to leave? A lot has happened, and we need to discuss this!"

Elder Meshra replies, "Calm down, Terrox, the Liferock is open, and there's a lot to discuss, but we need to keep level heads.

The Obsdiiman speaks slowly in response to that, "Apologies. Let us discuss this." The two of them then begin to lead the group back to the Hall of Elders, with everyone following. They refuse to talk with Sean when he asks what is happening, stating that it can wait until they reach the Hall. Seeing that he is not really needed, Ghehennis Jakreen asks if he can return to hunting undead.

The other Obsidimen are far ahead and pass around the Hall on their way to the Liferock. 

The two Obsidimen, the Elders, and the rest file into the a larger chamber in the first floor with a round table. Two large stones that sat along the wall are moved to the table to accommodate the Rock-Men, one moved by Boris with absolutely no help at all despite really, really trying from Sean. The other Obsidiman moves his own rock.

"I am Shartielkohntoroh, for short, Elder of the Ungada Kaer as appointed from the Obsidiman Tribe Ungadalienthereentalik'shalmerizad, and Elementalist of the 6th Circle, and I have been in the Dreaming since I sealed the Kaer and set the Elemental Astral Clock from the Book of Tomorrow. We have been discussing within the Dreaming for forty-eight years, six months, and three days. There was a sense from the other Liferocks that things were safe enough outside the Kaer, but when we made our decision ten years ago, we found ourselves trapped. We have been attempting to leave since then. I ask again, who will venture outside.

Elder Meshra puts forth her cousin's name, as well as his comrades, while Elder Terrox argues for caution as undead are still wandering around the Kaer. They cannot risk moving people out while everyone is potentially infected, particularly with Maggot Masks. Elder Shartielkohntoroh notes that things are likely not as bad as Elder Terrox fears anymore.

Sean updates the whole group on everything that has transpired in the last few days. Shartiel agrees with the assessment that Magnik's cylinder was likely syphoning the power away from the Liferock and served to imprison them. Valteri suggest that they take the cylinder to the surface to keep it as far away from the Liferock as possible. Asking to see it, Shartiel takes it from Ygdrask, crushing it in his hand and declaring that he cannot allow such a threat to his Liferock to remain. The crystal on the end pops out, and Boris scoops it up.

Sean inquires about the ornately dressed Obsidiman who died. He was named Benjarinatakliensharinackfinzarinkal'intra. Along with this, Shartiel explains the next steps, that there are Blood Charms connected to the Orichalcum Doors that will allow their users to pass the traps beyond and also allow any of them to communicate with others if they are in physical contact with the Doors.

While all this discussion takes place, a guard comes in and briefly talks with Elder Meshra and then Sheyloon. They have him present what he just witnessed to the rest of the group.

"Well, uh, alright, ma'am. Well, see, we were fightin' a ghoul when, all of a sudden, it just fell over and caught fire. On our way back, I met up with another patrol that had the same thing happen to them, except it was one of them maggoty things."

Shartiel explains that this makes sense. The ritual to remove the Pool of Shemara turned it into a mist that spreads throughout the Kaer. This mist still has the magical properties harmful to Horrors and their constructs. It will only last a few days, but that should be enough time to cleanse the kaer. As well, the poison that is responsible for the sickness in Kaer Ungada should soon be gone. The Liferock is partially submerged in the stream that goes through the kaer in order to purify it.

Soon a vote is held on whether they should send a party out. Elder Meshra wakes the elderly Elder Vashram, who was only "resting his eyes". He votes first, abstaining, with Elder Meshra voting yes. Terrox votes no, leaving them at an impasse. Shartiel reminds them that he is also an Elder and votes yes. Terrox asks for just two weeks to make sure everything is actually good. Sheyloon points out that it would take time to prepare an adventuring party anyway.

Over the next two weeks, the heroes meditate and train, advancing their Talents and even attaining Circle 2. Kergnon Hurlgak is busy, training Valteri to Circle 2, whose training consists of helping fix the Light Quartz, and also forging Boris's Troll Ax. Life in Kaer Ungada begins to return to normal. Omaron and Valteri get into a bit of haggling for new armor and a new shield, with Valteri ending up with the better part of the deal. Guards are posted at the Pool of Shemara to keep residents away and watch in case anything should attempt to breach the Doors.

When the two weeks have passed, the four Elders gather with the Stalwart Stones at the Pool's edge, along with the other Obsidiman who helped Shartiel drain the Pool.

Elder Meshra speaks to the crowd, but mostly to the four departing heroes. "This is a momentous occasion. Certainly there is much that should be said, but, cousin, be safe." She then presents him with a jewel-encrusted scroll case. Inside is a Kaer Ungada Map of Barsaive, which shows the Area Surrounding Kaer Ungada. She also reminds the group of all the potential dangers outside, from Horrors to Theran slavers, Throal and their governance, and how they provided the Book of Tomorrow. Dangerous creatures and bandits may be roaming around as well. To avoid notice by slavers, Sean gives back the feathered boa he had been known to wear to Elder Meshra, who thanks him for finally returning it. Her final warning is to tell no one of the kaer.

"Are we ready?" asks Shartiel.

The two Obisidiman begin humming as they descend into the empty Pool, approaching the Orichalcum Doors. The reach the base, and the enormous doors dwarf even the two giant rock-men. Shartiel stands just in front of the left door while the other stands in front of the right. They weave threads over their door, passing their hands over the surface as they do. Soon a mechanical "chink...chink....chink" sounds throughout the chamber as gears in the doors begin to spin. Golden bars inset into the doors pass left and right, each bar above another moving in sequence. "Chink...chink...chink." And then large bolts, embedded in the ceiling and floor, retract into the doors with a loud "THUNK". Shartiel reaches forward and touches a section of the door in front of him before they both turn and slowly head back up.

Shartiel shows the group he is holding six small gold and silver discs, each about the size of a Troll's fingernail. The second Obsidiman holds each person's hands while Shartiel cuts their palms with a dagger and squeezes blood onto a disc. He then does the same himself when Sheyloon says, "I want one, too." They are warned that the magic of these discs will only last thirty days, after which the damage can heal. Until then, they will allow them to see through the traps beyond. He informs them that an Obsidiman Illusionist led the group that installed the traps, but he died within the Dreaming, and Shartiel only had vague recollections of what the traps are. No one asks anything about them.

"We will lock the Doors behind you. When you return, call for us. We will use the Doors to determine if things are safe."

Sheyloon approaches the group before they leave. "Well, I do believe you are no longer Stalwart Stones. Think on this. Any good group needs a Name." Valteri suggests the Rolling Stones. Everyone wishes them luck, except Ygdrask who grumbles something about the destroyed notebook.

The group descends into the drained Pool. The Obsidimen pull the doors open wide enough for two to walk through at a time. Torches are lit, and the group heads into a tunnel. The Doors slam shut behind, the bolts slamming in place into the floor and ceiling, and the "chink...chink...chink" descends from top to bottom as the bars slide into place. They are locked out, but they are outside.

Sean reaches back and touches the Door, asking Shartiel if he can hear him. Shartiel responds, "Yes, and may the Passions protect you." Everyone could hear Shartiel in their minds.

Legend Points Awards:

• First to Leave the Kaer in Hundreds of Years - 1000
• Total: 1000