Ch 4, Part 4: Ambush

The heroes lick their wounds while they ponder the audacity of the cinderland barbarians brutal attack on them. While they rest they simmer with rage and plan a bloody vengeance on the Sun Clan. Only Watson argues to stay their hands not convinced that they deserve such a vicious counter attack.

In time Watson’s arguments start to hold sway and the heroes reluctantly  entertain the idea of offering them one last chance (though almost all of them hope the chance is not taken and they get to kill them all)

During their discussions, Gritt notices a two invisible eyes watching them and assumes it is the Shaman watching them. They openly discuss the queen and midnight’s tears, hoping it might draw a reasoned response from the Shaonti.

And that it does. The shaman approaches them, with dinosaurs in tow to offer some information on the midnight’s tears. He offers to meet one hero to discuss the ancient relic and the threat it poses.

Mandraiv volunteers, he meets the shaman and the the Ridge of the Golden Eagle where he learns much about the history of Kazavon and the Midnight’s Tears (which is essentially the teeth of an ancient immortal blue dragon)

He also undergoes a special ritual where he communes with the spirit of Zelara. She sings a cryptic song as clue to aid the heroes…

Zellara’s Song

Fate of steel—Serithtial

Her cage for years sustained

Four enthralled in lost Scarwall;

Undead to keep her chained.

A spirit first, red war his thirst

Still stands at post of old;

A second foe, infernal soul

Waits high in tower cold.

In kennel’s grime third bides his time

Then vents his killing breath.

And on a stone ’mid ash and bone,

The final dreams of death.

The spirits worn and battletorn

And locked in their damnation,

The chained one’s hold at last grows old

And ushers in salvation.

Yet hope remains amid the chains

When blade’s stone cage has crumbled,

Friends to dread and the death of the dead,

Keys to Kazavon humbled.

Trinia recalls one line in the verse a place named Scarwall, that is located in the Hold of Belkzen

The heroes are also in frequent communication via sending with the Shadowcount Sol and after learning that he has been detained (with a dog in tow … as he puts it) They agree to journey to Kaer Maga to meet him. There is also the case of the corpse of Slyvanna which is in need of raising and Kaer Maga is the closet city that will have the necessary diamond gem needed for the spell.

On their journey to Kaer Maga they are ambushed by more Red Mantis Assassins, and also the fabled Cinderlander. The ambush is savage, and the cinderlander shots many of the heroes down with great skill.

Cinderlander

 

Leader of Assasins

 

A desperate battle is fought and the heroes somehow finds the tenacity and reserve to slay their attackers.

Encounter	Grit	Helious	Mandraiv	Sparrowhawk	Sol	Watson
Pre-session	90,606	85,006	94,456	84,856	88,956	85,506
Level	9	9	9	9	9	9
Journal			2600
Altruism: No Revenge						900
rp: learning about quest	900	900	900	900	900	900
Ambush!	10400	10400	10400	10400	10400	10400
Chief Tea Maker	450			450
Total	102,356	96,306	108,356	96,606	100,256	97,706