Epic - Twenty-Four Years Later

Escape From Kondii

We appeared in Kondii, standing on Shang-Ti's symbol, but there was a troop of Kharash, about a score, riding through the valley. As we looked around we could see that there were lots more Kharash encamped around the Kondii, although thankfully none seemed interested in the cave for the moment. It was no longer winter, with no snow visible, so time had passed although we had no idea how much at this point. A voice in the cave challenged Garuk, who had arrived first, calling out "thief"! The creature didn't seem impressed to see us, and demanded to know what we had stolen. Before we could respond, though, a Githyanki appeared having followed us through.

Magic missiles streaked at Garuk, so it was clear that we were being targeted, then he charged at us, striking me as I ran him through. He died quickly, but I had taken a nasty wound, and another one appeared to engage us. I struck him twice before Garuk finished him off. Fulgar meanwhile had made his way up above the cave, and was peering over the side, confused as to why we hadn't followed him - sometimes he was just too fast to follow! The creature that had been skulking around seemed impressed but wary and we left him to join Fulgar, thankfully unseen by the Kharash.

We had to head north to Cron, especially as time had passed since we entered the pathways between worlds. It was the only place we were likely to find answers and not be met with hostility, anyway. We walked for the rest of the day, following the mountains and staying away from the road, but strangely saw no wildlife and only a few Kharash riders. We stopped to rest overnight, as well as giving Fulgar and I a chance to train properly after all the disruption. We were undisturbed and Fulgar called Shang-Ti's blessing upon us in the morning before we set off once more. We traveled for half a day before we caught sight of some fortifications ahead that I didn't recognise. They were no makeshift barricade, either, being stonework and well constructed... had years passed?!

We avoided going near the place, skirting farther west as we neared the Karuk Way. As we crossed over (the mountains weren't quite as imposing this far north), we met a dwarf who called himself "Rodin the Bold" who it seemed had been hunting rabbits. He spoke in an old tongue, strangely, but one that Fulgar and I knew. He seemed friendly and willing to talk of the land and some of its history. We realised that it had been twenty-four years since we entered the Kondii! The Githyanki had won the fight here, with Kharash supporting them (known just as the Law Keepers now). It explained the strange tongue, and any talk of the Gods was considered ancient history. We had protected my people against one threat, but failed utterly against another!

We had no choice but to continue, hoping to find someone friendly at Cron, and traveled until the end of the day, training and then resting in the mist tent. We were very close to the Karuk Way now and picked our route carefully to keep to cover. It wasn't long before Fulgar warned that horses were close, but then we heard sounds of a fight. We approached carefully to find archers engaging Kharash riders, and winning by the look of it. Half a dozen managed to ride off, with the others killed without being able to respond. We surprised one of the archers, who looked worried but relieved that we were not one of the foe. He asked us to wait and said he would send someone to us rather than have us follow them, and we agreed to his terms.

About an hour later a rider approached on a white horse. They wore jumbled, homemade armour, but carried a nice looking longbow and also a shortbow. We were a little cautious about introducing ourselves, but they seemed quite receptive of anyone that was opposed to the "Law Keepers". Fulgar wanted to talk to their leader about the Gods, noting that they seemed to believe the Gods had left them years ago. He agreed to take us, but said that Garuk would likely not be welcome given his resemblance to the Githyanki.

He took us through caves that passed under the Karuk Way and then continued north of Batuhan (as it used to be called anyway). We climbed up to a mesa in the mountains then descended back towards the river. When we were in the low ground we were blindfolded and taken through another cave, staying underground for about half an hour it seemed. When we were allowed to see again we were on the other side of the river with some open ground ahead of us. We would have to sprint across as fast as we could to minimise the risk of being seen. Thankfully we were not challenged, and the we headed back up a mesa.

After some time our guide took Garuk away to climb higher, asking us to wait but leaving his horse with us. He returned without incident, leaving Garuk at the highest point with a great view to meditate. He took us on the final leg of our journey where we found a canyon settlement very similar to Marun that I hadn't known existed, but was clearly ancient. There were a lot of people here - surprisingly so. Fulgar at once noticed that effigies of the Gods were common in the architecture, although not cared for as well as we would have expected in our time.

New Minnerwe

We were taken to their chief's building and waited in a well appointed room. After a short wait we met Makhansu, the leader of these people. He seemed to welcome anyone that could fight against their foes and bring back resources useful to them, and was particularly interested in Fulgar's Way and its link to Shang-Ti's truth. He also admired my armour and weapons, something that seemed highly valued by the people here. Fulgar agreed to an exhibition fight to show his knowledge of the Way with one of their fighters, which he lost although I suspect he was being polite - even though his opponent was clearly a good fighter.

We spent some time learning the ways of these people and joining them on raiding parties, proving our worth to them in the process. Even Garuk was accepted after the initial suspicion had worn off, although he was still made fun of by some of the children. Fulgar's shapeshifting also drew attention, although they were more impressed by this than fearful. We also did what we could to teach them of the Gods, and many battlefields were dedicated to Huang-Ti and Shang-Ti. Sometimes the Gods did seem to favour us in battle, so we knew that they were still with us no matter how much time had passed. I also made a point of giving the Runestone to Fulgar; he was the very embodiment of Shang-Ti's Way and it did have healing powers when used correctly, and as my people no longer seemed to exist, at least here, it was right that it should be his.

After several weeks some interesting news reached us of a captured Githzerai on a ship heading towards the city, so we set off with some guides to find out more. We had to travel overnight, but reached it the next day in time to intervene if it was possible. It was a large, three-masted galleon but had few sails set so it was moving quite slowly up the river. We were really not sure whether we could attack something on the water effectively, and we had a heated and lengthy discussion about whether it was possible or worth it. In the end what tipped us towards trying it was that we caught a glimpse of a white tiger in a cage... could it be Khat?!

Fulgar blessed us with Shang-Ti's protection and our guides used their archery skills to kill the pilot, leaving the vessel unguided. Garuk summoned a fog to shield us from archers as we approached, although sadly one of our guides was killed by a stray shot through the fog. Garuk used his powers to levitate, holding me up, and then Fulgar ran across the water pulling us behind him. Truly we were blessed by the Gods! A warning horn sounded as we reached the ship and started to climb. Fulgar reached the top easily and snarled angrily at those on deck, smashing one off the back of the boat with a stunning blow. There wasn't much space, though, as the defenders pressed onto the stern so we were struggling to join him.

Fulgar killed two more before I managed to force my way onto the deck, and we were all taking damage from arrow fire or sword blows. Garuk took too many blows and fell into the water, unconscious, and Fulgar quickly dived in after him, dragging his head above the water behind the ship where the archers couldn't target them. I killed two of my attackers, obviously becoming the target now, while Fulgar used Shang-Ti's runestone to heal Garuk's wounds. He was completely refreshed and woke with a start, grabbing hold of the ship before it could pull away.

They both began the climb to join me again, and Garuk conjured a hypnotic pattern around the archers farther up the deck as he reached the top. I was having no real trouble killing the fighters, but the archers were taking a toll and I had been badly hurt. Garuk conjured some kind of cloud onto deck next, still targeting the archer. I killed two more of the defenders and some of the archers lost their nerve, jumping into the water terrified. I ran up to the remaining archers before I realised that they were not really in control of themselves, instead just staring into space.

We waited a few minutes, unopposed now, for the dweomer to disperse, making sure that the rest of the sailors that had been mesmerised fled when they came around. Fulgar eating their captain's arm in front of their faces probably helped to convince them that this was the best course of action. We then freed Khat, for it was indeed her, and Grimbol (the Githzerai). They quickly summarised some of the history for us; they had fought a war twelve years ago but had been defeated, and Cron was now in a secret place away from the river, the city having been lost in the war. The Githyanki ruled with the Kharash as law bringers, as we had already discovered, and the old calendar and worship of the Gods had been lost.

We steered the ship into the bank, deliberately grounding it, and salvaged what we could whilst keeping watch for other river traffic. What we could not carry we tried to stash some distance from the river for others to collect, although when we saw that another ship was approaching we left anything remaining and set fire to the vessel to deny it to the foe. We returned quite laden, with the help of our released friends, to the settlement of Minnerwe and were given permission to admit the newcomers for an audience with Makhansu.

The total haul (I note it here in case any of it became important as we learned more of this new world) was:

7 scrolls (Garuk)
Two golden metal jugs - they would refill with wine over the course of a day, bound to be popular at feasts
An Ioun Stone of Wisdom (Fulgar)
Four earthernware pots of keoghtoms (we shared)
A phial of fizzing white liquid - Super Heroism (Batu)
A potion of Speed (Batu)
A phial of thick purple liquid - Neutralise Poison (Garuk)
Effigies of the old Gods in silvery precious metal - the whole pantheon in an ivory case (Fulgar arranged for these to be set beside the effigies of stone, and for the mason to work on them)
Golden metal braces with metalwork and plates to fit the hands, which would allow the wearer to climb as if a skilled climber (equivalent level rogue)
A bag of climbing equipment - silk rope 25', pitons, hammer

Two pouches of gems (about twenty stones in total)
A tiara in silvery metal - not magical
A chunky golden necklace with gems - not magical
Two bracelets - not magical
Four horns with silver ends patterned - not magical

There were also the following of note, left with the stash of useful materials: Five brocage tapestries
Two large gold-bound mirrors

Champions of Death

We spent some weeks at New Minnerwe as Fulgar trained with them in the Way, and I learned something of their riding skills and how to sustain a fast pace for longer. Khat, who stayed in tigress form, and Grimbolt were also welcomed as we vouched for them and were trusted. In all it was fairly uneventful, even with the routine of raiding the Kharash, at least until Abuakhan came to visit. He bowed and touched the doorway as he entered, which was the custom here, before announcing that his scouts had seen strange riders encroaching on their territory. Their description was just that they were "like the Kharash but worse", all armoured in black and numbered about a dozen. I was keen to understand this new potential threat, but Fulgar was reluctant to put us at risk without good reason.

We decided to position ourselves on a point of high ground that would likely intercept their path but was defensible and hard for cavalry to reach, and just observe what they were up to. A young scout, Moncoyn, took us to a likely position on the Mesa with a steep side that the cavalry could not traverse. He had a bird of prey with him, which was interesting, and we positioned ourselves near the edge but amongst rocks so as not to be silhouetted. The riders came into view eventually, and not far from where we were waiting. They were particularly evil looking - with skull flails, blood red swords, various other nasty spiked weapons, spiked helms, and strange shadowy torsos from which it was difficult to make out a true form.

They stopped as we watched and one stood up in their saddle to make a strange haunting call, like a wolf in pain, that sent a shudder through Fulgar. To him it was as if one of the pack was badly wounded and needed help, and it was having a primal effect on him that he was struggling to control. He said quietly to me that he had to go immediately and slunk away from the edge, intending to distance himself as quickly and safely as possible. As he moved back, though, he saw a figure clad in black with skulls adorning his clothes stood behind us, but could also see through him! He barked a warning to us and then sprinted deeper into the mesa, seeking safety.

The horsemen wheeled towards us, alerted by the noise or their agent it wasn't clear, but as Fulgar was running we had little choice but to follow him. As usual he was faster, but as he pulled ahead he was confronted by undead wolves! He instinctively leapt at one, slashing at it and connecting well. It turned to dust and was gone in a moment, but Fulgar still had time to realise that these were former pack-mates brought back from death to hunt him! I was at the rear and the see-through figure that had been joined by another two caught up quickly so I had to turn and fight. I was shocked to find that I also recognised the shades - my own family were sent from the dead to haunt me, or worse... as I held back from attacking at the revelation one struck me and the pain shook me out of my reverie.

Garuk was closer to Fulgar and moved around to help him, conjuring a yellow orb that he threw at one of Fulgar's attackers, blinding it. Fulgar stood tall and opened his chest, roaring at the attackers in Hengeyokai; it certainly made an impression on one of them as it cowered back. He tried to attack the blinded one, but its erratic movements meant his attacks missed the mark. I started fighting back against my former kin, striking one twice at which it simply disappeared. Garuk swung a cleaving blow at the rear of an undead wolf and began to cut right through it before it too crumbled and was gone. Fulgar struck again, and another crumbled under his assault. That just left the cowering wolf on their flank, and Fulgar roared at it again to intimidate it further; it backed off, clearly unwilling to fight, and then it too crumbled to dust.

Fulgar didn't feel safe, though, and immediately continued his sprint towards what he hoped was safety. As he entered a fissure in the mesa top, though, he was faced by more foes from the realms of Death, and also a weird barrier that prevented the Minnerwe guards farther below him from seeing any of what was going on. Garuk was coming back to aid me, unaware of this new threat, and again circled around to attack from their rear. He struck one well, and I followed up from the front to cause that one to disappear too, leaving just one that I had deliberately left as they had been the closest relative in life. I tried pleading with him to stop, asking if he had his mind and whether he recognised me, but all I got in response was "you must die"!

One of the foes facing Fulgar looked like the riders we had seen - a dark shadow within armour that was slightly terrifying. It raised a crystal prism and chanted, clearly invoking some dark magic, but thankfully it didn't seem to have the effect he wanted so he drew a blade that promptly burst into flames instead. Fulgar ignored the other foes, focusing on this greater threat instead, and his claws flashed as he landed blow after blow... but he wasn't sure that the blows were having any effect on it! The wraith pointed at the floor, saying "Come!" and yet another undead warrior appeared as if rising from the ground. This new foe attacked at once and Fulgar was struck. He continued fighting against all odds, and did seem to land one good hit on their leader at least.

Meanwhile I paid the price for trying to reason with a shade that had no life in it - I was struck and suddenly found myself paralysed! Garuk was thankfully able to strike the shade twice before it could do anything more to me, and it disappeared like the others. Garuk realised that I couldn't move and picked me up, which was most undignified, before moving off after Fulgar. We had no idea at that point how much danger he was in, but we soon found out as we descended towards him. We saw him surrounded and fighting, deflecting one blow but struck by another. Garuk helpfully carried me towards the combat despite my being defenceless and unable to help, but at least puts me down with some care.

As Garuk ran forward to help, Fulgar managed to finish off the wraith - some of his punches were finally having an effect. As he landed the "killing" blow, the wraith's form became solid and it was a Batuhan noble in full battle dress. As he collapsed to the ground, though, he rapidly decayed into nothing but a skeleton. The other foes stood no chance with their leader gone; Fulgar smashed into one that disappeared instantly, then Garuk struck another and Fulgar finished it off. The last one turned to flee, but Garuk struck it down from behind and that disappeared too.

Fulgar sank to his knees, panting heavily but also looking distraught. Garuk kicked the glowing prism out of the skeletal hand that still gripped it, but then noticed that there were tears on Fulgar's face. He went to offer support, but Fulgar growled angrily at him as he drew near. He spat out an accusation that Garuk had used his "filthy dweomer" on Fulgar's pack and demanding that he never do it again, or they would be "done". Garuk hastily backed away to leave him to his grief. Fulgar sat and stared, drained for a minute. Garuk instead came back to examine me, applying a healing ointment that worked on what few wounds I had, but did not seem able to free me.

Fulgar then noticed that the strange shimmering barrier had disappeared, although the guards had moved away when the scout had run through earlier in terror. He turned his attention on us for the first time, and grabbed the skeleton intending to drag it over; he had to leave it, though, as it started to fall apart. Garuk noticed him moving over and called out to him, saying that I was paralysed. Fulgar had no skill that could help me, though, saying: "perhaps the people in Minnerwe can help?" Garuk nodded and carried me as he followed Fulgar towards the valley.

Before they could get much farther, though, another shimmering barrier appeared. This one was silver, and it filled the canyon ahead of them from wall to wall.

A figure wreathed in flame appeared stepping out of the portal. It simply said "lead me to them" and an image of Khat and Grimbolt flashed into Garuk's head, compelling him to do as commanded.

Fulgar says to Garuk "I don't know what that is, but I'm not fighting it, we must go!" Garuk says "I must go to town to find Khat and Grimbolt, he has told me." Charmed.

Fulgar struck him lightly saying "Idiot! Go now!" He responded that he was going, to the town to find Khat and Grimbolt.

Figure hold out flaming sword and shield saying "Show me" as portal disappears. Garuk obeys and Fulgar stopped, looking back in confusion.

I suddenly find myself able to move, spasm slightly and fall to ground. Command in my mind to kill the "troublesome dog" so look at Fulgar.

Confused so slow to get to feet, looking around as Fulgar shouts "get away - Garuk has lost his mind".

Realise what is happening. Say to Fulgar "he wants you to die" but wink... not sure Fulgar would understand that though!

Fulgar keeping distance but staying with us. Thing changes command, saying "Come" and pointing at Fulgar.

Fulgar invokes power of Shang-Ti as four skeletons briefly appear in front of Fulgar but instantly shatter. Flaming dude looked shocked and disappeared.

Bright blue orb in centre of each skeleton expanded inside each skeleton and then exploded as a shaft of light came down upon them.

Fulgar energised by Shang-Ti's blessing and says "Friends, Shang-Ti is with us! Do you feel it!"

So happy that Shang-Ti was able to knock sense into Garuk in a way that he couldn't.

We are hunted! Garuk aware that he had been charmed. Fulgar heads to town to check on them. I start stripping armour from foe - a trophy from Fulgar that honours me. Garuk finds prism on floor.

Garuk touched prism but the power shocked him and he let go immediately and left it.

Fulgar finds sentries dead with necks cut. Shouting "to arms!" and looking for someone.

Fulgar finds Khat walking towards him with undead thing keeping pace.

Fulgar shouted "Batu, I need you, enemy in sight!"

I turn and sprint as Fulgar engages, slashing at face of undead thing. It drew dagger from pommel of sword and attacked. Swampy dank smell from it, greenish tinge to this foe.

Fulgar hit by sword blow and collapsed immediately. Garuk stops running and pulls out something from pouch.

Khat intercepts me - must be ensorcelled - attacks and bites/claws as I shrug her off and continue to undead creature.

Garuk tries dweomer, but just out of range. I land a hit on undead thing, which seems to have an effect. Worried about Fulgar, though.

Manage to dodge Khat, who is still trying to hit me, activate halberd to attack faster.

I strike two massive blows and thing collapses on floor, decaying quickly, and Khat collapsed as well.

Garuk smeared Keotoghms on Fulgar's wound, healing some of it. He coughs and splutters, coming back to life. Garuk quickly backs off.

Garuk starts stroking Khat, but no response. Fulgar offers me healing, but urge to think of himself and he uses runestone to heal some wounds. Worried that he is not worthy - there are none more worthy! I dab twice with keoghtoms.

Fulgar wonders whether runestone could help Khat - discussion (argument?) between Garuk and Fulgar on how to use it, but he eventually places it on her head and invokes Shang-Ti again.

Instant reaction as Khat leaps to feet and recognition in her face. Joy and we meet in a nuzzle, but others notice that undead creature is coming back to life!

I get stabbed in side! Fulgar shouts a warning just a little too late and attacks, landing good blows. Khat also attacks, slashing it. Fulgar hit back and collapses again.

I was stabbed deeply, nasty wound. Khat bit it back, and Garuk flanked to strike and it finally went down.

I poured distilled solution over its head and it worked - disintegrated!

Garuk went back to Fulgar, using ointment and it worked again, bringing Fulgar back.

The Hagral (bad guys) have taken Grimbolt. Has an amulet with three circles centred on sides of a triangle.

Discuss for a while, but Fulgar wants nothing to do with it and walks away. Garuk lifts it away with sword and picks it up with no ill effects. Stars on rear with line recognised by Khat - a place not far from Cron. Takes it.

Fulgar finds remains of friend killed by Khat - fears death is in the village and we need to leave.

How did they find us? If not the items of power then what?

We should head to old Cron but keep new Cron behind us so that we have somewhere to withdraw to if needed.

I put on the ceremonial armour from the kill, now feeling much more impressive... but also slower.

Khat will not go back into the village, knowing what she had done there, so go back to edge of mesa.

Fulgar climbs down, and Khat changes to half and half to do the same. Garuk offers to levitate me with his mind again. When he uses mind, a voice in their head says "there you are!" and undead warrior appears below us.

Garuk moves back up and deposits me on the edge. Thing starts chanting as Fulgar lets go and falls gently towards the ground.

Fulgar struck by lightning conjured by the thing.

Khat climbs down and strikes at him with claws as Fulgar joins her, landing a blow of his own.

Garuk tries to cause the thing irritation, but doesn't seem to affect it. Khat slashes it again, but it does dodge Fulgar's attacks.