Delving the Frostfell (Naomi)
From Toosigma
| Title | Delving the Frostfell |
|---|---|
| Author | Philip Mann - Naomi |
| Campaign | Convergent Threads |
| Session | Delving the Frostfell |
| Posted | |
| Game Date |
We neared the coast in the north and were still deep inside of the concealing clouds. I think the whole crew felt safe for the time being, but that security was quickly shattered when catapult shot crashed into the elemental ring support of the Lady of Storms. Chaos erupted as men and timbers scattered and the ship lurched heavily. As another shot streaked through the sky toward the other support, I saw it just in time to direct an ablative Wall of Force in its path. A split second later, I caught a glimpse of another ship above us and flew into the clouds after it. Through my climb I could just barely discern the warforged crewing it, but by the time I cleared the clouds, the ship was gone and I had nothing left to pursue.
The Lady of Storms set down gently on the packed snow to avoid any further danger as I caught up and told the others of my discovery. With the minions of the Lord of Blades closing on us if not already ahead, we had little time to waste. Syria assured us that the crew would be safe under the cover of the ship while affecting repairs, so we wasted no time hurrying across the stark landscape toward our unknown destination.
We came upon a towering edifice ahead, right where Kahlin directed us. A massive structure with towering walls, giant-sized walls with the matching mote and portcullis-guarded gates. There also were the giants atop the walls that we hoped to be able to approach, but there was a flowing mass of some green liquid to deal with first. Fortunately, all of us had some method of being able to clear the walls so we were spared the time required to get through the gates and the interceding giants.
On our way over, I sensed that the literal army between us and the central tower was not evil and bore us no hatred within them. As they clearly seemed to want to destroy us as a method of preventing our unwelcome presence, there had to be some overwhelming influence over them and, as I turned my detection toward the tower, that the force affecting them must lay somewhere inside of that imposing edifice. So, we avoided conflict as much as possible, using invisibility spells and trying to evade what seemed to be a colony of giants in the tower. We saw women and children, and even the elderly inside; all seemed to be as a village or settlement going about what must be a normal life for them. Once our presence became known to them, however, even the children turned to challenge us. These people were clearly prisoners in their own home, and we would free them.
Finally, we reached the top and found an icy sphere floating there. It emanated a pulsating aura of strong evil, but a method to deactivate or destroy it evaded us. I blocked the stairway with my abilities several times to prevent the giants from forcing us to combat them, but we were running out of time as Hero and Maerin expended power after power to no avail against the sphere. Finally, as the giants penetrated my final barrier, Hero summoned the power that was needed to destroy the sphere and the giants were released from its influence.
We were inside, facing a very confused group of giants, but time did not allow proper explanations right away. Instead, I told them of the threat that the other ship posed and many rushed off to mount a defense. Fortunately, the giants were now collected enough that a force of warforged much larger than our small troupe was very easily repelled. I was immediately relieved in that I realized they could easily have dispatched us if they believed we were hostile. I was also grateful that Hero did nothing to arouse their suspicions as his own agenda is murky even to those who ought to know him well.
We had all been wounded and the now friendly giants tended us with amazing skill. When they used their powers on me without encountering the failure that Maerin had in the past, I had to know how they knew. When I asked, the one attending me seemed perplexed and questioned how they couldn't know. She said it was clear to her that I was what they used to call a Quori Hunter. I was dumbfounded. If, combining with what I knew from the research Thea and I have been doing, and the idea that the isolation of this outpost has actually been maintained for so long, then my time on Eberron my well be measured in a span such as Luca spoke...
We were on our way shortly, following what information the giants could provide about the artifact the were guarding. None of them had seen it, but it was a sword brought all the way to the opposite side of Eberron from Xen'drik. I could not understand how it fit as part of Shalel en Tanath, but I had never been one to question such a thing until it was close enough to examine. Instead, I focused on simply locating and retrieving the artifact before the Lord of Blades finally sends enough forces to overcome the guardians of this place. May Fate be with them and keep them...
There were a few challenges in our way, but I soon found myself face to face with another dragon who sought to disrupt my path. It seems that dragons are marking the major milestones along my journey through the path Fate has determined for me and in this chapter of my life, and this one was more ferocious and difficult than those who came before. He caused Hero substantial harm and I charged him to draw his ire, hopefully to keep him from harming the others any further.
When he turned his focus to me, I knew right away that this was a more experienced foe than those that have come before. He did not use just his speed or breath, he used everything he had and he brought it all to bear on me. I took several hits, but those would have been the end of either of my companions. Instead of running, I redoubled my efforts to bring him down. I leapt upon his back and proceeded to attack him from the advantaged position. He did not surrender and go quietly, rather he continued to fight until the last.
In spite of these encounters, none of which have ended completely well, I am yet unable to wash the feeling from my heart that there has to be another way. Dragons are, as a people, far older and wiser than I, so I cannot help but think that those who have fallen under my sword were somehow aberrant. As I know that some on their island kingdom are watching us very closely, I imagine I will be challenged one day on the necessity of killing those that I have. I asked Kal'ryu about this during our last passage from Xen'drik and he dismissed my inquiry saying only, “I suppose you will find out little one, won't you?” Mayhap, since he does not flee from my side, the encounter is not something as wholly reprehensible as I imagine it should be. I think only that an attack on one of my family, even a wayward member, would bring no favor from me.
Fate tries us all, and the true guardian of the artifact was meant for Maerin, for he shined when both Hero's power and my own abilities failed. Indeed, the lich that must have enslaved her kin with the sphere previously met, and her twisted nature stood for nothing that deserved such horrid preservation. Maerin's disdain of the undead cut through the mist and dispatched the abomination hiding there when all I tried seemed fruitless. Mayhap he has found his calling in a way that he had not tired before, by focusing righteous anger as he could not when lesser undead sought our destruction.
Maerin transported us back to the Lady of Storms, and we were again on our way back to Sharn. He was able to enjoy this time with Syria, which made me openly happy, and I did my best to help the crew where I could and simply stay out of the way when I could not. I do so love to travel, and I hope that Fate will grant me enough time to do so with Kayli at least once. Mayhap we could sign on with a ship as crew just to go where the winds take us. So long as it is with her, I do not imagine it would matter much where we went. She has seen much through my eyes, but I would so like for her to experience it for herself if just once.
As I thought on this during our final days into Sharn, I began to wonder and then to worry as I had not heard from her. It is true that our link can often take some time, but she has never delayed sending me a message if only to let me know she was thinking of me. The last day heading in was almost painfully slow...
