13th of Eleasis of the year 1492
On the morning of the 13th of Eleasis, the party resumed their journey toward the air portal after encountering a deadly ankheg scout. The insect-like creature had provided a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking below. Kliedd, drawing on his knowledge of subterranean creatures, explained that ankhegs rarely operate alone. Their colonies often consist of a queen and multiple nests, with scouts expanding their reach and relaying pheromone messages to the main hive. He warned that the presence of a scout indicated more nests nearby, and he speculated on the location of a larger colony. Angelica, visibly frustrated, muttered her displeasure, “I think we should avoid that nest. No shit,” while Kliedd suggested careful movement to avoid drawing further attention from the creatures.
The group paused to assess their condition, taking a brief moment to redistribute potions. Kliedd, still recovering from being grabbed by the ankheg in their last encounter, drank a greater healing potion along with several smaller ones. Rayek, though wounded, remained focused on the task ahead. Angelica grimly surveyed the group and quipped, “Should we be here? It’s not really a rock. It’s a boulder,” as they positioned themselves atop a rocky outcrop near the tunnel. Despite their caution, the environment itself seemed hostile. The mist rising from the river mingled with cold air funneled through the 400-foot cliffs surrounding them, making every step forward feel ominous. The party decided on a marching order to traverse the narrow canyon: Rayek led, followed by Seraphina, with ISAC and Angelica in the middle, and Ace and Kliedd remaining central for tactical coverage. Yllanys brought up the rear, his keen eyes scanning for threats.
As they moved carefully through the canyon, the party remained acutely aware of the ankhegs’ tremorsense. Kliedd reminded the group that even invisible movement would not evade the creatures’ sensory range, urging them to tread carefully. The freezing, rapidly moving river nearby was another challenge. Angelica, eyeing the current warily, likened it to a conveyor belt as the group debated whether crossing it might be safer than the treacherous cliffs. Ultimately, they opted to continue along the bank, wary of the dangers beneath and around them.
The tension was shattered when Ace noticed something peculiar about the opposite cliff face, pointing out a lighter, sandy section. “Something seems a little odd here,” he said, his tone cautious. Before the group could investigate further, five lightning bolts erupted from the cliff, targeting the front ranks. The sudden attack revealed the presence of enemies hidden behind an illusory wall. While most of the group dodged the strikes, several were left stunned and wounded. The party quickly realized they were entering a deadly ambush, their path forward now fraught with unseen dangers.
Air Cultists’ Ambush
The lightning strike forced the party into immediate action, their focus shifting from the path ahead to the unseen enemy concealed behind the illusionary wall. As the echoes of the magical attack faded, the group scrambled for cover and assessed their situation. Kliedd, relying on his sharp instincts, pointed out that the illusory wall not only concealed their attackers but also likely masked an entryway to the portal they sought. Angelica, recovering from the initial shock, gripped her weapon tightly and muttered, “Why does it always have to be lightning?”
Howling Hatred Priest
The party regrouped, each member taking a defensive position as they devised their strategy. Seraphina, her mind racing with possibilities, attempted to discern the magic behind the illusion. Ace, meanwhile, prepared for combat, drawing his weapon and readying himself for the inevitable confrontation. ISAC held the golden statue tightly, his connection to the strange artifact deepening with every passing moment. Kliedd, ever the scout, suggested probing the illusion, but the suggestion came too late. A group of air cultists emerged from their hiding place, led by a priest wielding a staff adorned with swirling symbols of elemental air.
Howling Hatred Hurricane
The cultists wasted no time unleashing their fury. Lightning bolts crackled through the air, targeting the group with deadly precision. The unarmed monks accompanying the priest struck swiftly and brutally, their fists and kicks almost too fast to follow. Rayek charged into the fray, summoning the ancestral spirits of his tribe to shield his allies. His battle cry rang out through the canyon, momentarily silencing the howling wind. Angelica fought with calculated precision; her divine training evident as she countered the cultists’ blows with swift, decisive strikes. Yllanys and Seraphina supported from the rear, hurling spells and blasts of arcane energy to weaken their foes.
Howling Hatred Hurricane Leader
Despite their collective might, the battle was grueling. The cultists’ agility and magical prowess kept the group on their toes. Seraphina unleashed a series of well-placed spells, including a fireball that flickered and warped unnaturally in her hands, a strange side effect of her magic. The fireball hit its mark, but the chaotic energy within seemed to ripple through the canyon, leaving a lingering unease. ISAC, meanwhile, drew the priest’s attention as he approached the portal, clutching the golden statue. The artifact glowed ominously, its power responding to the energy emanating from the portal.
Kliedd proved invaluable in the chaos, weaving through the melee and using his agility to land precision strikes against the cultists. His knowledge of the terrain allowed him to guide the party through the battle, ensuring no one was cornered or overwhelmed. Ace, ever the showman, used his bardic magic to bolster his companions, though his attempts to charm the enemy fell flat. “Tough crowd,” he quipped as he ducked under a lightning bolt.
As the battle raged, the priest began chanting in a language only a few in the group recognized. His voice rose above the din, calling out to Yan-C-Bin, the Prince of Elemental Air, to aid him. The group redoubled their efforts, knowing the stakes had risen. Angelica struck a devastating blow, forcing the priest to retreat, while Rayek’s ancestral guardian spirits overwhelmed the monks, driving them back. Seraphina shouted a warning as the portal’s energy fluctuated wildly, its glow pulsing brighter with every passing second.
ISAC, ignoring the chaos around him, raised the golden statue and stepped toward the portal. The artifact seemed to hum with power, resonating with the magic of the gateway. With a swift motion, he thrust the statue into the portal’s energy field. A brilliant flash of light filled the canyon as the portal’s glow intensified, then dimmed to a faint shimmer. The cultists faltered as their connection to their elemental master weakened. Taking advantage of the distraction, the party launched a coordinated attack, cutting down the remaining enemies.
The Portal Sealed and Aftermath
With the last of the cultists dispatched, the party turned their attention to the now-dim portal. The once-blazing energy field had been reduced to a faint shimmer, its power seemingly drained by the golden statue. ISAC stood at its center, staring into the non-Newtonian surface that now flickered weakly. The artifact, still clutched in his hands, hummed faintly before falling silent, its energy spent for the time being. Seraphina approached cautiously, her shimmering blue eyes scanning the portal for any lingering threats. “It’s deactivated, but not destroyed,” she remarked, her voice tinged with unease. “This isn’t sealed; it’s… asleep.”
Angelica leaned on her weapon, catching her breath as she surveyed the battlefield. The bodies of the monks and the priest lay scattered, their amulets bearing the air cult’s symbol catching the dim light. Kliedd rummaged through the remains, searching for anything of value or significance. His sharp eyes quickly found two superior healing potions on the priest, along with a finely crafted scimitar and an amulet that radiated faint magic. “We’ve got something here,” he announced, holding up the amulet. “Might be worth a look later.”
Ace, always eager to lighten the mood, joked as he wiped the blood from his blade. “I’d call that a shocking development,” he quipped, eliciting a groan from Angelica. “Next time, try saving the jokes for when we’re not fighting for our lives,” she retorted, though a faint smile betrayed her amusement. Yllanys, still glowing faintly from his magical exertions, muttered something indecipherable as he began cleaning his equipment.
The group took stock of their injuries. Rayek, bruised but standing tall, silently watched over the group as they gathered the spoils of their victory. Among the items, they found the priest’s amulet, the scimitar, and two unidentified potions. Seraphina, still wary of the portal’s latent power, examined the faintly glowing edges of the gateway. “This was no ordinary construction,” she said, running her fingers over its surface. “It’s an artificial portal, deliberately built, and not by amateurs. Whoever made this knew exactly what they were doing.”
As the party discussed their next steps, ISAC described the vision he had experienced when the portal’s energy interacted with the statue. He detailed a vast glass-like tube leading into a malevolent temple deep within the Elemental Plane of Air. His words painted a picture of an ancient and evil place, filled with storms and malice. The vision added weight to the party’s already heavy hearts, reminding them of the greater threat looming behind these cultist factions.
The group debated what to do with the portal. Kliedd suggested attempting to bury it with rocks or debris, but Seraphina dismissed the idea, explaining that the portal was unlikely to be physically destroyed by mundane means. “It’s dormant now, but we don’t know how long that will last,” she warned. “We’ve bought some time, but we haven’t ended the threat.”
Finally, with the immediate danger behind them, the party made camp within the illusion-shrouded alcove. The cliffs above and the portal’s deceptive wall provided some degree of safety, though the group took no chances, setting a rotating watch to guard against further ambushes. As night fell, the eerie glow of the deactivated portal cast long shadows across the canyon, a silent reminder of the battles fought and the greater challenges still to come.
A Map Unearthed and the Secrets of the Illusory Wall
As the group settled into their temporary camp, Kliedd’s relentless curiosity drove him to continue exploring the remains of the air cultists’ camp. While the others divided their time between tending to their wounds and preparing for rest, Kliedd returned to the charred remnants near the illusory wall and the table that had once been the cultists’ planning station. Among the scorched supplies, he unearthed a stone scroll case intricately carved with designs that hinted at its dwarven origin. Despite the fire’s destruction, the heavy stone construction had shielded its contents.
With practiced care, Kliedd pried open the case to reveal a tightly rolled piece of aged leather. The map inside, though delicate and faded, was remarkably intact. Its edges were frayed, and the ink had faded in places, but the unmistakable precision of dwarven cartography was clear. Intricate runes and markings adorned its surface, the characters bearing the hallmarks of an older dialect of Dwarvish that was at least 500 years old. Kliedd immediately recognized its age and significance, his sharp eyes drawn to the meticulous craftsmanship.
Old Dwarvish Map Untranslated
Old Dwarvish Map Translated
Kliedd brought the map to the group, where Angelica, Yllanys, and Ace joined him in trying to decipher the ancient text. Even for fluent Dwarvish speakers, the older dialect was challenging to read, its elegance and complexity requiring intense focus. Angelica traced her clawed fingers across the surface of the map, her golden eyes narrowing as she studied its details. “This isn’t just a map,” she said thoughtfully. “It’s a record. These symbols point to places of significance—strongholds, perhaps, or sites of ancient power.”
Yllanys leaned closer, his pale face illuminated by the faint shimmer of the portal. He pointed to a cluster of symbols. “These notations,” he said, tapping a particular area, “could reference dwarven strongholds. This one—‘Marndak-Hondur’—translates to ‘Mountain Sanctum.’ If I’m not mistaken, it aligns with where the Earth Cult is rumored to be based.”
Ace, with his flair for narrative, traced a route on the map. “These could be ancient trade routes,” he speculated. “Markers for veins of ore—gold or iron, maybe. This map might’ve been part of a greater collection used to navigate the Dessarin Valley centuries ago.”
Kliedd nodded, adding, “This could explain why the cultists had it. They might be using it to locate and exploit these old dwarven sites. If this ‘Mountain Sanctum’ is their stronghold, we have a clear target.”
Translations from the Map
- Durakh Tholranok – Durakh: “Hall of echoes.” Tholranok: “Hunting blade.” – Halls of the Hunting Axe
- Durunthak Korrun – Durunthak: “Stone refuge.” Korrun: “Hall of safety.”
- Frosthak Galdrin – Frostforge Shaft: “Shaft of Frost and Forge” (Frosthak = “Frost-Forge,” Galdrin = “Shaft”).
- Glimrak Drundor – Glimmerdeep Lode: “Deep Lode of Glimmer” (Glimrak = “Glimmer,” Drundor = “Deep Lode”).
- Khaz-Garun Thrak – Ironmaw Delve: “Iron Maw Delve” (Khaz-Garun = “Iron Maw,” Thrak = “Delve”).
- Morak Durmal – Morak: “Stone beacon.” Durmal: “Toll of faith.”
- Morndak Hrondur – Morndak: “Mountain sanctum.” Hrondur: “Hall of wisdom” or “eternal watch.”
- Thalrudon Marrak – Thalrudon: “Echoing stronghold.” Marrak: “Encircled by stone and stream.”
- Thulvaz Darrok – Deepvein Cradle: “Cradle of Deep Veins” (Thulvaz = “Deep Vein,” Darrok = “Cradle”).
- Zaruk Thrandum – Shadowspike Rift: “Rift of Shadowed Spikes” (Zaruk = “Shadow-Spike,” Thrandum = “Rift”)
The map’s importance grew as the group pieced together its meaning. The locations it marked seemed to align with known cultist activities, offering potential leads to other hidden sites of power. Yllanys and Angelica debated finer points of the text, their combined knowledge of dwarven lore shedding light on its subtleties. The discovery reignited the group’s resolve, providing both a clearer picture of the cult’s motives and a tangible lead in their fight against elemental forces.
The illusory wall, still intact, continued to intrigue the group. From the outside in the gully, it appeared as nothing more than a sheer, unbroken cliff face. However, from within the hidden alcove, it acted like a one-way mirror, allowing the party an unhindered view of the canyon beyond. Seraphina examined the shimmering edge of the illusion with a mix of curiosity and caution. “This is masterfully crafted magic,” she remarked. “It’s a perfect ambush spot. We were lucky to have noticed it when we did.”
Rayek tested the wall, reaching a hand through to confirm its illusory nature. “It’s deceptive, but it’s not infallible,” he said. “If anyone out there knows it’s here, they could just walk through like we did.”
As the group prepared for the night, they agreed to set a watch rotation, taking advantage of the wall’s protective properties to monitor the gully for potential threats. Despite their relative safety, the portal’s faint shimmer cast an eerie glow, its presence a silent reminder of the elemental forces at play. The group took turns studying the map, each finding new details to discuss. The combination of its age and its ties to both the cult and ancient dwarven history made it a rare and invaluable artifact.
The party took a long rest, using the eight hours to recover from their grueling battle. When they were finished, it was around 9 p.m., the cool night air settling over the gully. They discussed the possibility of flying out of the valley to avoid the treacherous ground routes, but the risks of aerial travel loomed large. The region was known to harbor nests of Giant Vultures, Manticores, and even Griffins, all of which could prove deadly in the darkness. They also recalled a chilling tale from one of their former companions, Fwoosh, who had once spotted a Roc with a wingspan of over 100 feet gliding silently through the night. The memory of such a colossal predator was enough to make the group think twice about taking to the skies.
By the end of their discussion, the group had solidified their next course of action. They would follow the clues provided by the ancient map, leading them to the Mountain Sanctum, which they strongly suspected to be the Earth Cult’s stronghold. With their plan set, they began preparing to leave. The illusory wall, the deactivated portal, and the remnants of the air cultists’ camp would remain behind, silent and eerie reminders of their encounter. Under the cloak of night, the party gathered their resolve and readied themselves for the journey ahead.
And this is where the session ended.
Maps
Gully with Illusion
Gully without Illusion
