Efferendil

Leaving Fontainver (Again)

We were ushered into a small room within a monastery, and met with a man dressed only in a plain brown robe. Tak fell to his knees in front of him, so I took a knee as well, but Silanna stood and watched. People were bringing in food and water around us, but the man was focused on Tak, sitting with him and asking which path he had followed. Tak spoke of our journey, which took some time, and Tak's master seemed particularly interested in the monk that looked after the tomb of Hintzu in the mountains, that Tak trained under. He also noted that we would free the water from the dam on the Cloof, and issued some instructions to ensure people were safe when the waters reached Fontainver, leaving us to eat as he did so. The real surprise, though, was that it appeared Tak had made many journeys on his quest, but had always come back to Fontainver. This time was different because I had gone with him, and he had got further than before. The master explained that when Brightbane didn't flow, neither did time, so the flow of time across the world was sporadic, unpredictable, and could even go backwards if the Brightbane flowed in the wrong direction.

We spent some time training and resting before restarting our journey. The waters of the Cloof did indeed return, so we were both resting at Fontainver and destroying the dam at the same time. The farmers were happy, at least, because they were able to expand a little and use the soil closer to the fortress. We also learned that Tak and Silanna had lost some of their memories from when they were younger, possibly because they had traveled through time many times. It sounded like we should avoid doing so too much if we wanted to keep our sense of identity!

Once we believed we were ready, we set off at first light towards the Efferendil (again). It was a couple of days before we reached the forest, and on the second day Silanna saw smoke from the trees up ahead. As soon as she saw the forest was in danger, she urged us to hurry, and I let her carry me for the sake of getting there faster. We could definitely see humanoids moving within the trees as we got closer, seemingly moving away from us... scouts keeping an eye on us, perhaps? We ran straight into the treeline, but it wasn't long before we encountered a Drow ambush. Tak was hit by an arrow, as figures emerged from behind trees ahead and to one side. Silanna was stabbed, so she dropped me and drew swords to fight, cutting a gash into one of them. Tak joined the melee, striking one, and I finished them off but was stabbed from behind. I turned and slashed my attacker, as Silanna's cloak to deflect an arrow. Tak sprinted off to engage the archer, ending up in melee with two foes. Silanna was stabbed again, and I finished off my attacker so that I could move to help her. She didn't need it, though, as she cut down the foe despite bleeding from multiple wounds. Tak knocked one foe out with a punch, abandoning his weapons temporarily. We were unopposed now, so I launched flechettes into the last foe, which struck true, and then Silanna was able to reach Tak's side and strike down the last Drow.

Tak was concerned about the state of their weapons, which did smell a bit funny, so he applied a healing ointment to all of us to draw out any poison. We conducted a quick search, but there was not much of interest on the bodies, so we hurried on towards the fire. It was about thirty minutes at best pace before we reached an area that was charred and still smoldering, with flames visible in the trees ahead of us. It absolutely stank of smoke all around, and it was obviously a large fire. I was more worried about the spiders up ahead, though! They were huge, and looked very hot - their spines glowing in the smoke... did they start the fire? I prepared for combat by cooling my weapon until it was ice cold.

The spiders rushed right at us, trying to bite with their mandibles; they were red hot as well, but we managed to fend off their initial attack. It felt like forever as we dodged and blocked, unable to get close enough to land a blow whilst keeping ourselves safe, but Silanna eventually skidded underneath one and opened it up with her swords, and I skewered another with my chilled weapon - both died and their bodies combusted, but Silanna was bitten on the shoulder and caught fire! Tak managed to find a weak spot and finish off his opponent as Silanna rolled on the ground to put the fire out. Bits of her equipment were falling off, though, so we had to spend a minute gathering some of the bits that had fallen (mostly arrows).

We headed south towards the river to skirt around the fire, then continued on and reached the edge of the glade with the massive tree just as the gloom of evening was upon us. The forest was quite dense here, but Silanna was relieved that there wasn't any sign of fire in the vicinity. We kept going as it grew increasingly dark and saw the central clearing up ahead. There were orcs there, though - they seemed to have just arrived, coming from the river along a stream that now ran into a central pool. One shouted something rude and they started charging to attack us. Silanna carried me forward then set me down to loose arrows, killing one of them. I engaged the front line as Silanna kills another from behind me, although I was surrounded and took some heavy blows. I trusted the others to take advantage of the situation, though, and a moment later they all collapsed to the ground asleep! Silanna had used dweomer on them, but warned that it was only temporary. The remaining orcs turned and ran, so we focused on disarming the sleeping ones, and Silanna screamed at them whilst waving her swords threateningly when they woke, 'encouraging' them to leave.

Tak took a moment to commune with the water, so I touched the rock that the pool was formed from and remembered my ancestors. Silanna explored the tree, but there was nothing different about it since the last time she was here alone - none of the images she had seem moving in her vision some days ago were visible. I asked Tak if he would mind helping with my wounds, which he gladly did, although he splashed water all over my head as he did so (can't be too ungrateful though). We started to drag the bodies and weapons out of the glade, wanting to 'purify' it for Silanna to commune with, and then as it got too dark to do even that we rested. Silanna stayed inside the tree, and I rested in the roots outside with Tak watching. Night passed fairly uneventfully, but Tak did see forest animals come to drink. He apparently spoke to them, which was new, although they were just excited about the return of water to the forest, drinking from the pool. He did learn that the fires had gone out; it seemed the spiders we killed were the source and once they were gone the fire didn't spread that far. Also, the orcs had made camps on the south bank of the river, having arrived in ships, presumably from upriver.

Restoring the Glade

The rest of us were stirring by this point, and Tak asked us to stay calm and not scare off the animals. Something else was about, to, though, as their ears pricked up and they sprinted away. They warned Tak that there were "things" approaching. We carried on the task of clearing weapons and sweeping the glade for any other impurities, but again received a warning of intruders coming - apparently the birds had spoken to Tak about it! We readied ourselves for a fight, and didn't have to wait long.

A small horde of orcs and larger (some ten feet tall) ugly creatures approached from the south, on both sides of the stream that flowed there. There was also what looked like a demon flying above the trees from the west. Tak and I both shouted warnings, and I loosed a bolt, striking the nearest orc. Silanna followed up from behind me, finishing it off, and then put down another one with a second arrow. Tak also targeted the orcs, killing three in quick order! Tak was on the other side of the pool from me, and he dived into the water to swam rapidly across, leaping out to join me. We continued to target the orcs, and their courage quickly failed - they turned and ran. That meant we could focus on the other flank for now.

Streaks of light shot from the demon into Silanna, and she staggered in pain. Tak raised his hand and shouted "Power" in Gnomish, pointing at the demon, and there was an intensely bright flash in the sky. When the light faded there was nothing left; the demon was gone! We engaged the giant creatures next, but struggled to hit them with our first volley. Silanna started to move towards their side of the pool, and Tak shouted at her to get back, wanted to use our ranged advantage for as long as possible. I fired flechettes into one of the giants, and Tak hit the same target with arrows, eventually putting it down. There were plenty more advancing, though.

One of them started to tip rocks into the stream - trying to dam it. Silanna and I hit a couple more, and one fell. Silanna being charged by one, but puts an arrow into him. Tak hits another. Some have managed to bridge the water. I sent one to sleep, but Tak nearly hit me with an arrow! He hit one soon afterwards, though.

They're now bridging the stream and closing, although I managed to put one more bolt into one of them. Silanna killed one near the tree, but we were being rushed by the rest. Tak legs it and jumps into the pool! I strike the one that closed with me, whilst dodging his spear, but now was facing them all alone!

Tak springs back out of water, and rushes my opponent from the side - looks angrier! Silanna chants something and multiple images of herself appear. I manage to kill one. Now completely surrounded, but manage to fire a cloud of shredded oak leaf to cause them irritation.

Tak hits one, but hit by two in return. Silanna kills two orcs (they had got brave since the big guys joined the fight). I manage to finish one off. It was a mad melee and there were Silannas everywhere, but I killed a big one and so did Tak and the rest started to flee. Tak was enraged about the desecration and draining of life from the glade, but we managed to talk him down.

Clear one of the dams but then notice a rider coming at pace. Male elf looking above until he notices us. Asks Silanna about the demon, but when he learns it's gone he relaxes a little and sheathes swords. Farion - knows Gnomish as well as Elven, and recognised the Ironcloaks. Tak kneels knowing something of his history - stuff of myth and legend.

Helps us to remove the dam. It is important to restore and protect the tree. The pool itself is a gate, but there is a blockage somewhere. More elves join as we are working to clear the glade until there are about twenty here. They also agree to send a messenger to Fontainver to warn them of the ships on the Cloof.

Interested in Tak's bow, but decide it's not for them (couldn't use on a horse), but offer to replace Silanna's because it's a bit basic. They are seeking to reopen the natural gates. Bathomet fights for half folk, not good or ill but fights for them. Lich King Mercantire Carass rules over LockLastar.

Rest before we explore underwater. Tak explores first, seeing lots of holes and bubbles but not an obvious way through. We all get in the water, after I drink potion of free action, and then I create a bubble to put on my head so that I can breathe.

Gather around a rock and lift it free, then descend further and find a hole with bubbles that starts violent but then sucks downwards and starts to whirl around. Enter the hole and start to spin but eventually get spat out the other side into darkness. Now gently rotating, but pressure significant.

Debate find the path use and everyone reticent so I just quaff it eventually and do get a sense of a direction to go in. Carried by Tak onwards, but about an hour later Silanna had to quaff some more water breathing potion. There is a rocky floor below. After the hour Tak notices walls to the sides, but notices a current acting against us so moves up a bit to avoid it. Thirty minutes or so later, Tak notices difference in colour of rocks and it seems to make an opening up ahead. Strong current so try to rope up - some faff as drift apart in the current but eventually get together and connected to continue.

Tak swims through "entrance" and find more Sahauagin on the other side. I launch flechettes at middle one but they start to close - many more than I thought! About a dozen. Magic missiles fly into me from below. Silanna quaffs a potion, granting free action, but that somehow cancels the water breathing so she has to hold her breath.

Tak engages one and kills it. I was sent asleep. Tak killed another. Silanna drinks another potion, but has no effect. Tak notices I was drifting off and gave me a good tug to wake up. Silanna tried another potion and thankfully that worked so she was able to breath again.

Tak distracted by coloured lights. I grab weapon and stab at one in front of me, landing a hit. I'm taking a lot of damage, though, and Silanna was swimming down whilst fighting. Tak paralysed one and killed another. Silanna gets electrified. I desperately try to heal myself, as does Tak, but then he is blinded. Really suffering, and just can't get any advantage. Finally manage to land a strike, but it wasn't enough. Silanna did kill one, though, running it through with her long sword. Tak landed some blind shots and killed one. I got one with my next attack, giving me some breathing space.

Tak came to me and asked for a target - blind - pointed him down and he slashed in that direction, killing one! I land a blow at my level, and Silanna started to hurt the magic user. She is hurt, though, and so is Tak. He lands a wild swing on the one below me. Silanna finally killed the shaman. I kill the last one on my level. They start to flee, althogh Silanna killed one as it turned.

Have to "ride" Tak to direct him as blind. Eventually reach a stone door. Similar serpent symbology and bridge to the dead above, plus the eye symbol. Six sconces have glowing blue/green gems. Silanna goes ahead with no reaction, but then reacts as I approach. Massive shockwave pushes us both back painfully, straight into Tak. End up with head in between Tak's legs, deafened. He grabbed me but Silanna hit into us both and grabbed me.

Tak and Silanna manage to stablise the tumble, so we are no longer moving. Finally gets his hand on my throat and then realises it's me and relaxes a bit. Reorientates me and can communicate. Deaf so a bit of a faff, but understand that Tak suggests approaching from above and using ring on symbol. Thankfully able to heal me, as I was in a lot of pain.

Slowly get hearing back as we approach, and orientate ourselves at the top above the symbol. As Tak's hand passes triangle it projects forward, as ring passes the centre of the eye there is a bright blue light from the centre of the eye and light from the door below. Silanna drained - opened the wrong door! Have to close it and open the other, then enter from the side and Silanna above us as we go.

Tak senses that water more aereated, and current subsides as we enter. Faint light up ahead, but Silanna thought she saw something, so get magic torch out to get some light. There is a floor so go down to it and jog forward, leading Tak with Silanna just behind. At far end there is a door with a gnarly old serpent/fish guy guarding it, huge - nine feet just above coils. Hackles up (red), patterned green and brown skin that look beautiful.

Try to warn Tak of thing ahead, Silanna draws swords. It circles around on Silanna's side but disappears into the darkness. Pause and Tak speaks a strange tongue into the water. After a few minutes walk forward cautiously until the door ahead is illuminated.

Single door version of the right hand side of the door before, still with six points of light, serpents either side and above but none on the door and no bridge above. In the middle of the door is the eye symbol. Approach carefully, with Tak front and centre and try touching circle, but nothing happens.

Snake thing appears and screams in my face, making me jump backwards, but otherwise doesn't attack. Silanna goes for sword again, and moves around slightly to be closer to me. Tak moves hand to right lower triangle and gems on that side glow brighter. I get his attention and tell him, and he punches the door in anger, causing a dent and the whole door moves backwards, and all gems stop glowing. Current now carries it slowly backwards. Serpent sticks its head in front of me, stopping me from moving towards the opening.

Silanna shoved Tak through the door and tried to grab me, but didn't get a purchase. Still blocked by creature. Suddenly unable to move. Forced to drink potion to travel to border ethereal, which at least lets me walk through walls. Does mean I cannot communicate, but I can see what's happening back with the others.

I walk through the wall , seeing the heat of the others on the other plane. Serpent confused and starts searching frantically for me, and Silanna was eventually able to swim through a gap into the next room. Makes contact with Tak and starts leading him forward. I follow, although unable to join them physically.

Continue for thirty minutes or so before Silanna notices there might be a surface up ahead. Swims up and surfaces so is able to talk to Tak again. Explains what I had done, and Tak was cautious about leaving too quickly without me. Decide to wait underwater to see if I appeared, but rope up in case something happens.

Continue swimming, as the rock is rising towards the surface. See heat signatures up ahead... lizardmen?