Journal - Conquering Fire

The Highest Temple

We knew that we would have to face Sostrol next, the last of the Sarn, but also now a Lord of Fire. Sostrol was the strongest of the Sarn, and to fight him in a place of fire would test us dearly. First we had to reach his realm, and Falcor told me of a temple in the highest place to the southeast of the island, where any world could be accessed with the right mastery over elements. We thought that such an approach would be better than trying to force our way through either the humans where the Sarn ascended from, or the frontline of battle between Air and Fire. We also ruled out Kelditch's temple as it was too difficult to reach.

So Falcor used the tapestry and the burning brazier once more to move us across the islands. We arrived in what we knew was the vicinity of the temple he had spoken of, but we could not be that accurate just using the tapestry. As we traveled, though, I sensed that dweomer was used in an attempt to divert our path to another place. Somehow we were both able to resist, though, and arrived in a snowy landscape as expected. We were enveloped in cloud so thick that we could not see very far, so it was impossible to get our bearings. Falcor hadn't realised that our travel had been contested in some way, so I spend a moment warning him that using the tapestry might not be a safe way to travel in the future.

Without any landmarks visible, we made the assumption that the direction of the wind was coming from the forge to the northwest, so we put the wind to our left and walked what we hoped was northeast, trying to get a sense of whether the land was rising. Fifteen minutes later, having not learned much about the landscape, Falcor warned that he had a sense that we might be being watched. We knew that there were guardians here, and expected to be intercepted at some point, but there was also a chance that the dark elves had followed us.

Another fifteen minutes pass and Falcor catches a glimpse of one of the Guardians at the edge of his vision. Behind us, suddenly, Yeti like creatures burst from snow and are confronting dark elves. Others seem to be running towards the fight, including two ahead of us... are they charging us or the dark elves? Thankfully they are charging the foe, and Falcor runs with them. A shaman appears next to me, bows slightly and says "my lady" in high Elvra before turning his attention to the fight. Falcor conjures magic missiles, sending them into a long sword wielding elf (the others have daggers).

I ask if it is ok to join it, and he seemed to think it was his duty to defend me. I said it would entertain me, and he asked if I wished for them to withdraw. Decline and move towards fight, drawing swords. Falcor engaged with swords, cutting the one he had already hurt down with a single blow. Fireball erupts behind us, washing over me but hurting the Guardian beside me, although he was able to dive into the snow to mitigate some of it. Unconscious, perhaps? Dark elf engulfed and bursts into flames, dropping. I change from fighting to helping the Guardian, healing a little of the damage.

Fire rains down behind me as I move to engage another elf. It kills the one I just tried to help. Shaman is badly burned, though, and whimpering in pain. I engage one swordsman, landing a couple of good blows, and Falcor summons a lightning bolt to strike at the mage just on the edge of my vision, catching another in the bolt as he did so. The force of the bolt rips holes in them and they both drop. I land another blow and finish my foe. Falcor's armour deflected a dagger blow, and he struck at the foe twice, forcing him to the ground with the power of his blow, dead.

Guardians falling, and elves turn on us as we close, but blow scrapes off my armour. Falcor hit, but poison didn't affect him. I cut one of them down with multiple blows. Falcor finishes his opponent, leaving one that I engaged. I struck him twice as the Guardian shaman started chanting over one of the fallen. Falcor helps another fallen Guardian, healing his wounds and drawing out the poison so that he fully recovers. I finally strike the last foe down. Shaman finishes chanting over another fallen and they stretch and stand.

Falcor would help another, but they are fallen. He spoke to the shaman, seeking guidance to the temple and also commenting on how detached we gods are. Found spheres on dead mage - deep fiery red shot through with yellow, and green shot through with black marbling that was moving constantly. Also a dagger that contains dweomer, although blade is plain - handle has organic elements woven through it. A sealed glass vial with a viscous, deep green liquid. Unmarked metal flask, stoppered but containing something.

Igsol - lord of fire, the link with the red shot globe was clear to the shaman.