Session 16: The Dreams Dragons Bring Part 4

Scene 4: Facing the Mountain

The group returns to Valberg to make preparations to climb the mountain. The King happily provides them with supplies. Cynics might say that he was happy to do so as few ever return from the trip and Morn represents a threat to his Throne. The more generous might point to his request that the group search for news of the fate of his son who sought to find out why the Gods were angry with their people and has not returned.

As they head out Morn has a somewhat pointed conversation with the Queen. While not revealing what he learned from the Faces in the Rock he manages to muster his normal level of subtlety, like a brick to the face. If he does manage to return then it may be to a violent reception if the Queen has anything to do with it.

Wintertop is a huge mountain in a range of behemoths. The climb is steep and arduous and many dangers lie ahead. However, they have come as well prepared as they possibly can be and make good progress. Artemis and Morn prepare the group against the harsh weather and Chiniko brings his sorcery to bear to save them from an icy fall. Despite their prowess however the going is still dangerous. Narrow icy paths wind up the mountain side and blizzards and strong winds tear at their clothes threatening to fling them from the mountain.

Azhanti, as Voice of the Stormlord decides it is time to do something about the weather. Finding a promontory of rock he steps out to the very edge, the Mantle of the Stormlord flowing behind him. He reaches out into the storms above to calm the weather and ease their passage.

*cut scene*

In the Inner Sanctum of the Temple of the Stormlords at the very top of the mountain sits the Orb of Storms, an artifact of the ancient world. Here stands Irina, Tiefling High Priestess and Mistress of the Orb. With it she commands the weather surrounding the mountain. Now a new force has appeared to challenge her dominion. As she stands over the Orb lightning arcs from her hands to and from the artifact. “Show me this interloper” she demands and an image of Azhanti appears before her. “Let us be done with him” and she bends her will to drive him from the mountain. Azhanti fights back and letting out a primal growl he breaks the storms force sending the priestess hurtling back to smash against the wall.

With the winds eased the group makes better progress. Soon they are within sight of the Monastery of the Long Night, where those who would be chosen seek entry. A narrow and painfully thin bridge of ice stretches across a deep chasm. Assamber steps forward and slits the throat of one of their pack Yaks. As its warm blood steams on the frozen ground snarling steeds of shadow and lightning take form in the air. Mounting up the group make easy work of the narrow bridge and are welcomed into the Monastery as true Chosen.

Within is a strange and different world. Here they learn is where those who are chosen are brought. There are many caverns and tunnels burrowed into the rock and hundreds of people labor to grow food and provide for the needs of their Gods who dwell above. Some small numbers of the chosen are granted even greater honor, to serve the Gods directly in the Holy City. Two chances are given. First a contest runs for those who seek such a position, and those who demonstrate strength of arms, magic or wits are taken above to serve the Gods directly. The contest continues each day with victors chosen at the end of each month. The current competition is not due to finish for another two weeks and the group has no desire to wait, especially as new arrivals receive the marking tattoos of the Gods above.

They take option two, to face The Pit. Within a well protected and isolated chamber sits a shaft deep into the mountain. Many chambers and tunnels wind through the mountains roots and these are home to all sorts of unpleasant and dangerous monsters. Those who seek entry to the Holy City must enter The Pit and face whatever comes. Loaded into a rickety cage the group is winched down into the dark. Torches are dangled on chains to provide illumination and above a great gong is rung. The locals gather at the edge of The Pit to watch the spectacle.

The thud of heavy feet announces the arrival seeking its next meal, a massive hulking Cyclops armed with a tree trunk for a club. It rushes to the attack but Morn quickly intercepts it. As the battle rages more creatures begin to spill from the narrower passages and openings, horrible mutated creatures which prove capable of stunning their opponents and which deal great damage to the insensate. Unfortunately they prove less than hardy and are quickly dispatched. Meanwhile Morn has held the Cyclops at the gate which proves utterly incapable of breaching his defences (I don’t think I had rolled higher than an 11 all night).

As the beasts fall the crowd goes wild and the group are winched back up to thunderous cheering. Ursis, leader of the Monastery comes to congratulate them personally and after much celebrating the group are prepared to travel to the Holy City. They are escorted into the Shrine of the Stormlords, anointed with oils and the left alone. Only the favoured are permitted to see what happens next. As they wait letters of blue fire begin to form on the floor. It is a teleportation circle and, with some trepidation, the group step forward.

A flash of light and the group finds themselves standing on a raised platform reaching out over the very edge of the mountain. Above them the thunder storm rages and before them the Holy City burns. In the sky above vulture headed demons twist and writhe while the plaza before them is filled with great masses of rotting dead and undead. Seeing their arrival a host of Tiefling and Human zombies shamble towards the group threatening to push them off the mountain while in the central plaza three undead tiefling warlocks prepare to unleash hell against them.

*fade to black*