Re: AAR (6H) - The Breach of Iron Head 2020-9-13 (23:00 GMT)
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2020 5:16 pm
The Adventures of Sandrin
Chapter 15 - The Breach of Iron Head
I was in a foul mood, storming my way through the Grand Bazzar. The Sun Heralds informed me that I had to prove myself further to join them. As if Captaining the maiden voyage of the Arngeir wasn’t enough! They’re still telling (lesser versions of) the epic tale of how we reached the citadel in the sky surrounded by horrorspawn.
I ran into Icarus, almost literally. He was also in a rush to another appointment, having just left A’horangi with the news that he was unable to join her on her trip to the Cloister of Silence. I thought getting out of Throal might be good for my peace of mind, so I offered to take his place. A few minutes later, A’horangi, Elisen, LaShana, Lazulin, and I are all heading North along the trade road.
Stir Crazy
When we arrive a few days later, the guards are reluctant to face Zenghu in order to announce our arrival. Not out of propriety, but out of fear of her wrath.
Her husband Feug Strappa went missing 2 weeks ago. He was rambling and accused her of stealing what is his. She knows what this means, she doesn’t have false hopes. However, she convinced Bannick (a dwarf) to stay behind… by chaining him into a room.
Bannick has several geometric shapes scarred into his arms where he could reach. Talking to him proves counter-productive.
Zenghu shows us a closet full of clibming gear and maps. Feug was trying to burn one of the maps when they last fought. I look over the charred map and determine that Feug wound his path through the mountains, reaching each peak along the way. Apparently he loved climbing, perhaps he was seeking peace.
We stay the night. At dinner, some folks mocking our mission, and others lamenting the fate of Bannick. A’horangi politely informs them where they can put their opinions, and that we leave at dawn.
The next morning, Driggs and some of the militia are fully armored and ready to go. Driggs says they don’t put aside what certain members do for everyone else. They are referring to their leader, Bannick. They’d like to accompany us and ensure our safe arrival.
Rocky Progress
We follow the map for a few days. Seeing an opportunity to impress the Heralds back in Throal, I mingle with the militia along the way. If the worst should befall Driggs, I’ll be able to take over in his stead easily enough. I also discover that Lazulin is seeking patronage with the Sun Heralds as well.
We climb up onto a plateau. We hear the rumbling of something burrowing through the rock below, and a Rockworm pokes it’s head up and approaches us. A’horangi spots another one much closer in a small stream. 2 more (total of 4) emerge across the river.
Lazulin and A’horangi are nearly killed by the ambush. I’m briefly surrounded by three of them, dance out of the way, and I’m knocked out underneath one of their huge forms.
When I wake up, Eilsen and Lashanna have killed some and scared off the others. Apparently the militia shot arrows over the cliff to help with a distraction.
The troop’s morale shakes after seeing how close we came to death. We encourage them to stay with us for a while longer, thanking them for saving us. We spend a few days recovering and climbing farther up the cliffs.
Horror Valley
We come to a valley covered in snow. There’s a glacial lake, with a glacier standing about 20 feet above the surface. The blowing snow lightens for a moment, showing an opening of a shrine beyond the lake. We spot movement on the other side of the valley. Lashanna goes to scout it out, finding 4 people carrying a palanquin which is emitting a slight glow. “People” is a generous term, as they were made up of different Namegiver parts.
Without warning, crystal shards sprout from Driggs, incapacitating him. A large horde of Gnashers bursts forth from the shrine and drops down the cliff towards us.
The militia tries to grab Driggs and run. I coordinate with Lazulin to take command, and sets the militia against the Gnashers. LaShana flies closer to shoot inside the palanquin at a Crystal Entity within. Her Absorb Blow charm prevents Death Spikes from knocking her out of the sky. The militia moves to block the Gnashers. The amalgam creatures put down the palanquin, and rush the others. Eilsen and A’horengi charge to meet them.
LaShana informs us of a previous encounter with a Crystal Entity, it’s the source of the crystals burst out of people. With this information, I Inspire the party and Distract the Crystal Entity, specifically encouraging Eilsen to charge. Eilsen wastes no time charging the Entity delivering a mighty strike. LaShanna shoots the Entity to finish it off.
Meanwhile, the militia move across the valley to block the approach of the oncoming Gnashers. They form a shield wall instead of applying their bows again. Lazulin’s spear shines bright in the valley, inspiring all of us to stay the course.
A’horangi is surrounded by three of the creatures, and knocked down briefly. This doesn’t prevent her from counterattacking them when they try to capitalize on her position. I move to assist, giving her the breathing room to get back on her feet, and end up killing a monster in the process.
We then rush over to encourage and reinforce the militia for several minutes, grinding the Gnashers against the glacier. The silence after combat is interrupted by a rumbling from the mountainside. This encourages us to leave quickly. Driggs regain consciousness, and is barely well enough to walk. We smash the Entity to bits and inspect the amalgam bodies. We find parts of several Namegivers, including some of Feug. We head back to the Cloister of Silence.
Five Days later we return to the Cloister. Bannik is feeling much better. Zenghu smiles when she sees us, though A’horangi informes her of Feug’s demise.
Much to my surprise, Bannik is a member of the Sun Heralds, and offers to induct Lazulin and myself into their order after our performance with the militia.
Serendipity is my favorite of the muses.
Chapter 15 - The Breach of Iron Head
I was in a foul mood, storming my way through the Grand Bazzar. The Sun Heralds informed me that I had to prove myself further to join them. As if Captaining the maiden voyage of the Arngeir wasn’t enough! They’re still telling (lesser versions of) the epic tale of how we reached the citadel in the sky surrounded by horrorspawn.
I ran into Icarus, almost literally. He was also in a rush to another appointment, having just left A’horangi with the news that he was unable to join her on her trip to the Cloister of Silence. I thought getting out of Throal might be good for my peace of mind, so I offered to take his place. A few minutes later, A’horangi, Elisen, LaShana, Lazulin, and I are all heading North along the trade road.
Stir Crazy
When we arrive a few days later, the guards are reluctant to face Zenghu in order to announce our arrival. Not out of propriety, but out of fear of her wrath.
Her husband Feug Strappa went missing 2 weeks ago. He was rambling and accused her of stealing what is his. She knows what this means, she doesn’t have false hopes. However, she convinced Bannick (a dwarf) to stay behind… by chaining him into a room.
Bannick has several geometric shapes scarred into his arms where he could reach. Talking to him proves counter-productive.
Zenghu shows us a closet full of clibming gear and maps. Feug was trying to burn one of the maps when they last fought. I look over the charred map and determine that Feug wound his path through the mountains, reaching each peak along the way. Apparently he loved climbing, perhaps he was seeking peace.
We stay the night. At dinner, some folks mocking our mission, and others lamenting the fate of Bannick. A’horangi politely informs them where they can put their opinions, and that we leave at dawn.
The next morning, Driggs and some of the militia are fully armored and ready to go. Driggs says they don’t put aside what certain members do for everyone else. They are referring to their leader, Bannick. They’d like to accompany us and ensure our safe arrival.
Rocky Progress
We follow the map for a few days. Seeing an opportunity to impress the Heralds back in Throal, I mingle with the militia along the way. If the worst should befall Driggs, I’ll be able to take over in his stead easily enough. I also discover that Lazulin is seeking patronage with the Sun Heralds as well.
We climb up onto a plateau. We hear the rumbling of something burrowing through the rock below, and a Rockworm pokes it’s head up and approaches us. A’horangi spots another one much closer in a small stream. 2 more (total of 4) emerge across the river.
Lazulin and A’horangi are nearly killed by the ambush. I’m briefly surrounded by three of them, dance out of the way, and I’m knocked out underneath one of their huge forms.
When I wake up, Eilsen and Lashanna have killed some and scared off the others. Apparently the militia shot arrows over the cliff to help with a distraction.
The troop’s morale shakes after seeing how close we came to death. We encourage them to stay with us for a while longer, thanking them for saving us. We spend a few days recovering and climbing farther up the cliffs.
Horror Valley
We come to a valley covered in snow. There’s a glacial lake, with a glacier standing about 20 feet above the surface. The blowing snow lightens for a moment, showing an opening of a shrine beyond the lake. We spot movement on the other side of the valley. Lashanna goes to scout it out, finding 4 people carrying a palanquin which is emitting a slight glow. “People” is a generous term, as they were made up of different Namegiver parts.
Without warning, crystal shards sprout from Driggs, incapacitating him. A large horde of Gnashers bursts forth from the shrine and drops down the cliff towards us.
The militia tries to grab Driggs and run. I coordinate with Lazulin to take command, and sets the militia against the Gnashers. LaShana flies closer to shoot inside the palanquin at a Crystal Entity within. Her Absorb Blow charm prevents Death Spikes from knocking her out of the sky. The militia moves to block the Gnashers. The amalgam creatures put down the palanquin, and rush the others. Eilsen and A’horengi charge to meet them.
LaShana informs us of a previous encounter with a Crystal Entity, it’s the source of the crystals burst out of people. With this information, I Inspire the party and Distract the Crystal Entity, specifically encouraging Eilsen to charge. Eilsen wastes no time charging the Entity delivering a mighty strike. LaShanna shoots the Entity to finish it off.
Meanwhile, the militia move across the valley to block the approach of the oncoming Gnashers. They form a shield wall instead of applying their bows again. Lazulin’s spear shines bright in the valley, inspiring all of us to stay the course.
A’horangi is surrounded by three of the creatures, and knocked down briefly. This doesn’t prevent her from counterattacking them when they try to capitalize on her position. I move to assist, giving her the breathing room to get back on her feet, and end up killing a monster in the process.
We then rush over to encourage and reinforce the militia for several minutes, grinding the Gnashers against the glacier. The silence after combat is interrupted by a rumbling from the mountainside. This encourages us to leave quickly. Driggs regain consciousness, and is barely well enough to walk. We smash the Entity to bits and inspect the amalgam bodies. We find parts of several Namegivers, including some of Feug. We head back to the Cloister of Silence.
Five Days later we return to the Cloister. Bannik is feeling much better. Zenghu smiles when she sees us, though A’horangi informes her of Feug’s demise.
Much to my surprise, Bannik is a member of the Sun Heralds, and offers to induct Lazulin and myself into their order after our performance with the militia.
Serendipity is my favorite of the muses.