Session 78: Calamis, Ithronel 16

Nura notices Elenion’s Sapphire buckler. Scale used to make the buckler came from a Sapphire dragon named Paldret. Shield was crafted by one of the dwarves that originally occupied the keep that is now the West Wing. An expedition had been sent to Mount Olympus because the Zafrine in the mines surrounding the keep had run out, and they went to mount Olympus to get more. Paldret, who lived near Mount Olympus at the time, attacked this expedition of dwarves. During the scuffle, Paldret lost one scale, most of the dwarves in the expedition were killed, but the few survivors ran away with the scale that was used to make the buckler. Nura tells Elenion she knew Paldret from a while ago, that he’s not very social with humanoids, but close with metallic dragons. He dislikes the dwarves that went to Mount Olympus, because he sees them as power hungry and selfish. He’s devout to Zafros the God of Magic. Probably lives around the Echoing Heights. Elenion scries on Paldret. She sees him sleeping, has some scars that seem healed, but breathing and otherwise looks well.

As the group is planning their next steps, Elenion notices that Hazel is being scried on and tries to “discreetly” let them know.

Hazel dispels it, after telling “them” it’s rude to spy without asking.

Group discusses how to contact Nidhogg, Hazel considers trying to send a message (via sending). The message doesn’t go through, and Hazel is reassured they never met Nidhogg.

They contacted the druids, and learned that the druids do not have “parts of Nidhogg”, and they have fought her brethren, but not Nidhogg directly.

Hazel then messaged Gralkas Yorkul (sigh) to ask if they have seen Nidhogg lately and for ideas on how to contact her. Gralkas tells Hazel that a batallion of the Bahamut Brigade was sent to Aethea during Zachronos to assist with security. Hazel asks for more information and learns that Garth is the one going into “Zachronos” and will be done later today. He doesn’t know more details about the ritual.

The group heads back to the keep early in the morning, using Zannan’s very fast teleportation spell with the Amber Orb.

Zannan and Hazel go to the Temple of Yemoja to check on the progress of the cure for corruption. They speak to High Priestess Enndolynn, who advises them that Arin, an alchemist dwarf, is working tirelessly on the cure, but hasn’t any finished potions yet. Hazel looks at notes of the alchemist, looks like he just needs more time to produce a viable product that will be effective.

Brandybuck and Zannan write letters to Nephira and Zannan’s family respectively, in case things go wrong with Nidhogg’s battle. Elenion speaks to Halaema about the upcoming battle and about how gods interact with their followers. Communications are not consistent across gods. Halaema is very emotional about letting Elenion go into what she believes is certain death. Elenion leaves Halaema with a fancy cloak, which Halaema will keep safe for when Elenion comes back.

Zannan mentions he could teleport if there was an object from a place. Elenion suggests Garth’s music box. The group discusses routes for getting to Aethea. Elenion communes with Selune and learns that Nidhogg does plan to come back to Aethea (though not immediately – something in the range of weeks rather than days). She also learns about a deep hatred from Nidhogg towards Bahamut, and taking off branches from trees (literally, as in Yigdrasiil; as well as figuratively, as in killing other dragons). Also learns that Nidhogg is underground often and that Skywrite may not be as effective as they hoped. Nidhogg also may still have alliances that may hurt the group’s chances.

Brandybuck goes to take a bath, to attempt to talk to Yemoja. Didn’t hear back from her and got pulled out of the water by a female human who wasn’t judgmental, but slightly concerned about his mental state. Learns about a sense of dread about Lake Avaranthia potentially being corrupted again.

Group decides to go to Multruvia to fly Boyd to the Glass Islands and attempt to collect a sample material from the Island, to return to Multruvia in 2 days. 

Group sees wraiths, skeletons, zombies and some rather large skeletons walking around Multruvia, outside of the city guard building. Boyd flies past these creatures, seemingly undetected.

The group returns to the keep to work on other things. Later in the day, Elenion sends a message to Garth and finally hears back. He sounds different, with a deeper voice, but also as if he’s having a hard time grasping whether Elenion is real or maybe a dream? He explains that Zachronos hasn’t been done in a long time, and that he is now the protector of Aethea. He also says he needs to talk to her and hints at the music box he gave her.

Discussion between the group about killing Nidhogg to make kinky boots.

The group teleports into a shop with the sounds of whirling of machines and mechanisms clicking, and a lot of clockwork objects around. There are shelves with lots of metal pieces and tools. The group is greeted by a dragonborn (Kaleth) who seems suspicious of the group, and questioning how they got there. After mocking Elenion for claiming Garth is her boyfriend, Kaleth earned Hazel’s shade. Garth gave them a codeword to tell him, so he let them go.

They take in the city of Aethea, which in this section seems to be mostly made from different metals. There is a populace composed almost exclusively of dragonborn and dragons. There is some fire damage to portions of the city, with some people working on repairs.

Gralkas eventually catches up to them to take them to take them to Garth. They see a building in the distance, made of a metal that is unique, dark silvery blue.

They arrive at a building made of metals of multiple colours, and meet a very aged Garth in his human morph.