Fontainver

Escape from Yarlug

So many of my people had died in the mines of Yarlug. We were driven hard and with no concern for our safety. Hungry, exhausted and weak from constant chiselling, I had fallen like the others. That’s when something odd happened; instead of crashing to my death in moments, I managed to slow my fall – control it, even! That was not all, I had felt that I was flooded with energy, my bruises clearing and cuts binding, quickly forming scabs before disappearing altogether. I realised that I had a power – something my mind controlled. At the bottom of the shaft I had landed in, I found bodies... well, skeletons – some very old and some more recent, but all decayed. The lighting strung across the seam above barely reached the bottom of the pit here, but amongst the dead something caught my eye. It was warm in the dark, not like the Brightbane they had us mining, which was cold in the stone, no, this was warm.

I tripped as I moved quickly, drawn to the tiny glow, and the clatter rang out, echoing up the shaft. I had waited, holding my breath... the Devils would look for me now – nothing got out of the mines alive. I desperately looked around, scrabbling through the bones to try to arm myself. I would not die without a fight, I was an Ironcloak! I found weapons and some bits of armour, some of surprising quality and easily repaired. My hand finally rested on a long-extinguished torch, and I hastened to search for something to light it with. I found a small box, just as a screech from above announced that I was missed. A second came from the top of the shaft; they knew this place.

There was hope, though, it was a tinderbox! I thumbed what seemed like a flint and struck its sharp edge against the flat two-inch strip of cold steel. Sparks flew, illuminating my immediate surroundings and momentarily blinding me. In that instant I saw the small warm item; it was, even now, imprinted on my mind. Lying amongst the many skeletons at the bottom of the pit was the body of a dwarf or gnome who had once been an important figure. Whilst his armour was ancient and broken, it was clearly once of quality. Nothing much was left of his clothes except for a robe which seemed untouched by age. It was what was on one of the fingers of the skeleton’s outstretched hand that captivated me. I still saw its warmth even though the sparks had died. Another screech focused my mind on the task at hand.

Striking again and again, I managed to ignite a piece of age-dried cloth. It gave enough light to pull together more combustibles and wrap them around the metal shaft of a mace. I quickly gathered other items, assessing quality, size and durability. Astounded by how many lay dead here, I found what I needed. I replaced my ripped and torn boots and my stained clothes with things that had lasted the years even at the bottom of this cold, dark place. Then it struck me: there was no water here. Yarlug had many underground streams which permeated all the rock – indeed it was the water erosion had revealed Brightbane. There was not a drop here, though. Things had begun to disintegrate but not rotted, no, not even mildewed - there was not even mould... nothing grew here.

Something told me to take the ring; surely a glowing ring should not fall into the hands of the Devils above. They would see its warmth, as I had, so I must hide it. Quickly I stole it from its long-dead owner and popped it in the pocket of his cloak, that I draped over my shoulders. Then it struck! Claws ripped at me from above, trying to lift me. The screech was unbearably loud and piercing. Somehow, though, the cloak denied its grip, and I did not feeling the stabbing pain those talons could have inflicted. Indeed, even its sharp-ended, poison-tipped tail failed to penetrate the magical weave. Wingless it floated above me, bemused, hissing and screeching. I smashed it with a staff, knocking it to the floor. It was confused, not used to such resistance. I did not give it time to collect itself, striking again and again, pouring all my anger and misery into the smashing blows. Finally, I plunged a blade into the nape of its long, green-black neck. Its eyes bulged in pain and shock, piercing the dark with a pale orange light before it collapsed, taking up home with its fellow dead.

There would be more, I knew. I desperately looked around for a way of escaping. I could not go up – certainly not unnoticed. Using the light of my make-shift torch and scrabbling across the skeletons, bodies I found it. There was a small fissure in the dry rock that opened to the torch light. I crawled through, pushing the torch forward as I went, staff between my knees. After what felt like hours of a slow ascent, I emerged into a larger chamber. My torch was spluttering and my back breaking, my knees scuffed and bruised. The room, clearly an old entrance to Yarlug, was again littered with skeletons. They had fallen when the devils came and here, I realised, could be the remains of my family.

I knew this way to the surface, and was glad to be able to pass without looking too closely at my surroundings. I had to get out into the light and away from these devil-held mines. Eyes shut for the most part, I edged along the walls, turning and twisting my way up. Another screech echoed through the caverns below – they had discovered what had happened in the pit. Every instinct told me to run, but I controlled myself – to fall here might spell the end. Yarlug was full of hidden traps and pits, so I had to be careful. I finally climbed a shaft that few knew was more than a source of light. As I began, I felt – for the first time – the dampness associated with the porous rocks of gnome hall. The dampness increased until water dripped down the dark grey surface up which I climbed. Forcing my legs straight and pushing my back to the opposite wall, I paused, breathing heavily from the exertion. A few years ago, before they came, I could have climbed this in less than an hour. Now, I was weak. I cupped my hands beneath a tiny stream of water and let them fill slowly, drinking before the liquid of life overflowed, leaving my grasp.

My head at last emerged into a pale darkness, the fresh air breathing new life into me. I was free! The stars were so bright above, bringing back a memory of old. I shook my head and took another deep, calming breath before hauling myself out onto the rock-strewn, uneven grassland of what was once Amorsland. I recalled stories of a great castle to the north that may have weathered the storm brought about by the ‘surfacers’. My legs were wobbly as I set off, tired from pushing against the wall they were not ready to lift and stride. I heard and felt the rage of hundreds of evil voices fill the complex beneath me, reverberating against the stone making the rocks over which I walked tremble in fear. I picked up my pace, willing my legs to get into a more natural stride. It was cold on the surface. There were puddles and patches of dark mud which I instinctively avoided.

Dawn confirmed I had been heading in the right direction. Pale orange the sun rose to my right. I must have been walking for most of the night. The terrain had not changed much from that I remembered as a child; however, there were low mounds of earth raised near one another in clumps of five or six and covered with purple-red heather. In other parts the earth was torn and rent, filled with water or churned up into some muddy gloop. Foul odours rose from some parts, making me gag or feel dizzy. Nothing now lived here, and I dared not drink from the puddles. My mind drove me forward, overcoming all need for food, sleep or water.

Eventually I saw the partial ruins. It had withstood Ragnorak – Fontainver lived. The river was drained, and the bridge thrown down, so I could easily walk across its ruin. The many breaches in the walls were patched up, but I knew it could not withstand a determined assault for long. The temple which once shone out high on the keep was no more. The wharves were broken and thrown into the tumultuous sea. The once-proud race of sea elves that made this their home were long dead. But still, I was drawn here… was this the salvation I had sought? Would there be any there willing to help free my people?

Fontainver Attacked

As I climbed over the lip of the far river bank, horns sounded from the walls above me, and I could see figures running to line what was left of the battlements. I looked back and saw three of the devil creatures on the far bank - had they followed me?! Turning back, I was startled to see a massive eagle screaming towards me with a humanoid figure in its talons. I had no chance to get away, but thankfully it only intended to drop the figure off on the ground in front of me. He was human in appearance, but had a strange golden hue to his skin, bald and hairless... completely hairless actually, without even any eyebrows. His facial appearance was quite delicate, although he seemed to be screaming with excitement as he flew through the air, calming down only when his feet were on the ground. His eyes were... weird. Did they blink like a snake, or was that my imagination? He was simply dressed, with a fine kimono that had neutral colours with some elements of blue. He wore a backpack, as if expecting to journey, and carried a large fine bow, with the hilts of some other weapons stowed behind his back just visible.

He shouted, in Common, for me to run and stepped between me and the threat. I was resigned to having to fight, but I didn't need any encouragement to try and get away, so I sprinted forwards. I was not quite halfway to the gates when the first devil appeared on our side of the river bed. The guy that had told be to run managed to fend away its lashing tail, but got raked by its claws. I couldn't just abandon him... so I turned and fired a flechette from my wrist, causing the devil to scream in pain. Another one appeared a little farther back, so I pulled out my crossbow and put a bolt into it. The bald guy killed the first creature with a blade (he had pulled two blades from behind his back, although they were quite short for a human), and then turned to run.

I ran too, although he soon overtook me with his longer stride, and then devil creatures appeared between and behind us - we would have to fight! The bald upsider wanted me to run along the walls, away from the gate, which seemed strange. He used his weapons to turn away one clawed hand, but was scraped again by another. The cloak shifted again to protect me from one attack, but the other claws drew blood; I was able to bash it in return, doing significant damage, but was raked again. The lizard man killed his foe with one of his blades, so it seemed he could handle himself in a fight. I did the same, landing a crushing blow on my opponent's head. They both disappeared when defeated, leaving nothing behind.

We tried to get away again, hoping that the battle that had started between giant eagles and devils would distract the foe, but one close to us charged us down and caught me, lifting me up as it dug its claws in painfully. It started to lift up into the air, but the golden guy stabbed his blades into it from behind and hauled it down again. I forced my way out of its claws, using my mind to minimise the damage as best I could, but still badly hurt. The guy, who had seemed quite calm before, was stabbing into the devil from behind in a frenzy, almost falling forwards when it disappeared in its death throes.

Talk with Tak about the threat - evil has acted to impose order first, but we needed to act. Stone once protected but now imprisoned, which is why we moved away from the fortress.

Forest hacked down but then withered and died. Running out of water! No sign of it anywhere, which is why the trees had withered. It had taken a few days to reach the forest, which was longer than expected. Suddenly see a forest appear a few hundred yards in front of us - weird as we should have seen them much sooner! Definitely an unnatural transition.

Movement in the trees ahead. Keep moving forward, but then glowing forms emerge from the ground ahead of us. Saying "who goes there?" in one voice together. Hemrandir says none may pass, the death of all is upon us. Tak drops to floor, saying that we seek allies. Interested in Tak speaking of water and life.

Tak speaks in a language I don't understand, but he says they are guardians of forest. Disappear once he promises to restore life to the forest. Speaks of ancestors, but they are gone to me. Shocked and stops - must resolve this - takes me to boulder in riverbed, inscribe names of parents in rock and see water welling up, but cannot endure. Feel vibrations within the rock, though, and feel like there is a spiritual connection for the first time.

Very big impact, but have to make camp when it gets dark. I tinker with armour but then find a sheltered spot near a tree and settle down with Tak watching over. Awake to see he is wary - had been sprinkling salt water and not welcome. I start to put armour on, but feel that something is out of place and warn Tak. Confused by salt water not bringing life.

Meet an elf called Silanna, with a dragon called Cassandra. Knows where the water is, but must go during the night. Guarded by dark elves (Drow). Tak knows story of them. Does not know parents, so speak of Tak's guidance to me. Go to the place where she is most comfortable (no others) and try to find ancestors.

Travel west but suddenly turn south. Running out of water again, now that Silanna has also exhausted water. The forest is changing, though, being thicker and leads to a massive tree (legends of Hemrandir's tree know by Tak). Feel the change, and call a stop - a change here.

Tak says a prayer but figure emerges from tree, some kind of warrior figure, not living but perhaps an elf. Black with long necklace, but otherwise just says "no" and tries to attack Silanna, but swings back out of the way. Silanna struck, although not badly, but Tak prays at tree, sprinkling water and hears loud crack and flesh falls from foe's body.

I jump off back, but land badly and have to stand up again. Silanna hit and frozen. I sent a flechlette into foe. I move forward, with Tak, to try and defend Silanna, but gets struck badly. Dragon appears! Only one and a half foot long but gets stuck into the enemy. I manage to land a hit, but it wasn't enough.

Tak struck it with a powerful blow, followed by an arrow from Silanna. Its chest exploded and a slight shockwave surrounded the tree, then a wind blew from the tree towards us, and a sound suggested a change in the wood on the other side. The body was decaying as Tak started to move it away from the tree.

There is a circle here, and the others start honouring the spirits of the trees and the ancestors at each tree in the circle. I drag the decaying body away, outside the circle. Tak absorbed by power of the tree, binding him within the branches of the tree, but Silanna manages to step back and see what is happening. I am beyond it, though.

Silanna steps forward and embraces the tree, and Tak was immediately released. She was told "protector what can I do for you"? She was uncertain but we heard the tree. We must release the water. They saw an image of the centre of the tree, and an image of demogorgon containing the water in a dam - that must be released for life to endure.

Inside tree - Oggs to follow - imagery that will be important.

Continue along Cloof bed to west. Line of swampy creatures coming towards us, so nowhere to go. Try to create a distraction, but most not impressed. Hide in a tree, waiting for the line to reach us. Don't look like they belong here. Silanna kills one with bow as we ambush another, but cannot land a blow.

Tak lands a blow that stunned the one nearest us, allowing us to escape, but Silanna was engaged so couldn't just leave. I moved forward, but turned to try and help, as Silanna was hurt badly. I launch a grenade at the foe, sending two to sleep and Silanna ran to my side.

Get closed down by two more, though, so I strike one of them. Silanna finished it with an arrow at point blank range. Tak badly hurt, but pauses and some of his wounds knit over a minute or so. Others close on us, and Tak bats aside a blow. Cloak protects me.

Silanna kills another with bow, and I manage to kill the one attacking Tak. In turn he steps in and stabs one attacking me, killing it with one blow to the heart. Silanna badly hurt, but Tak parries another blow. Silanna kills another with an arrow, even though one went wildly off target.

The last two break and run, so we flee and then quickly slow to just get away. I am carried by Silanna to move more quickly. Keep going, and I use the power of rock to heal some of her wounds, until dusk. Rest and others go to collect water from the dam.

Flood plain behind it, and deep dam that stops water flowing. Patrols pace the dam, drow (cold to sight), infrequently. Easy for them to get in and out without challenge, but the dam is more difficult to destroy. Others go in darkness to fetch water.

Ring causes dissent - eventually pass it to Tak to hold to avoid chaos of party and let it lie until we understand more.

Tak insists on crossing via the water, so we leave him to it and agree to meet on the south side near the dam (trying to stop them leaving to get help). He swims well, but a massive fish intercepts him, nudging him at first but then biting him and dragging him under the water. Manages to kill it, but hurt.

Mud warriors emerge from patches on the riverbed as we crossed. Silanna loosed arrows and killed one, as I prepared my weapon with elemental fire for the fight. Silanna stabbed but put an arrow into it, and I struck one twice, killing that.

Silanna falls! Small dragon rips back of neck out, killing the injured one, but there are still two. I hurredly help her, bringing her back to consciousness. She pushes body off her and looses an arrow, killing one. The last one turned and ran, sinking back into the mud.

Approach the dam from the south, and Tak hailed the nearest Drow - dark skinned and glowing white eyes. Seems to be confused by his insistence that the dam must be gone. Takes him for a simpleton. You might get wet... Eventually looses an arrow as he starts to walk forward, but moves body out of the way.

Silanna reacts immediately, slamming arrow into his neck. Topples into water (getting wet) dead. Tak moves back, badly hurt by an arrow from the second Drow that appears. I send a flechette into it as Tak shouted to let them come to us.

Silanna loosed a few arrows, sending the next one over the edge to the riverbed below. Tak sent arrows off into the darkness. Must be another target. Silanna clipped by arrows a couple of times. I move forward to edge of dam, which brings the next target into vision for me.

My bolt doesn't find its mark, but one of Silanna's did, killing another one. According to Tak there was another just out of sight. Sure enough it moved forward, and Tak put an arrow into it. Silanna found her mark too, killing that one.

The others chase down the fleeing Drow, although I was able to help heal some of Tak's wounds before he got too far away. I try to fish a body out of the water. Tak catches him and strikes with his fingers, and the Drow collapsed, paralysed.

Tak disarmed him and Silanna carried him back to the bank. Not cooperative, but tied up I investigate the outside of the dam, seeing there are metal gates that could release the water. Silanna looks in a tower and there is a mechanism to open the gates.

I try inspecting the dam to see if there are any weaknesses, but mud creatures emerge as I get near the centre. We prepared for this, though! I grab a rope and Silanna hauled me up out of their reach; they sank back into the mud behind me.

Takes a day and a half to construct a mechanism to exploit a flaw on far side. Silanna pulls chain, starts leaking, and then hauls again and eventually gives way catastrophically. Run as the dam starts collapsing, but accelerates rapidly. Eventually caught as we were about 90 yards from the end. My mind saves me again, and Silanna used dweomer from a scroll to fly. I try to walk up the falling, flowing water for a few moments before she picks me up and carries me to the other side with Tak waiting.

Set the prisoner free, who runs off south. Walk along the path to the south, with Silanna's dragon scouting ahead. Rest for the night but Tak awakens us - Drow party pass by on path, and as expected return later at pace. After they have passed we follow, and I allow Silanna to carry me so that we can match their pace.

The forest begins to thin after a while and they fire a flaming arrow into the air, and a trumpet blast answers. Wargs come bounding up to greet them. Start to track us. Move back but once they catch the scent they outpace us. Set an ambush, and I send a flechette into the first one. They bound forward quickly towards me, but Silanna hit with her second arrow, killing the one I had struck.

Tak put an arrow into another one. Becomes a furball with everyone in melee. I land one blow, and Tak finished it off. Seems to be excited by the kill, which is unusual. I finish the other one off, and the Drow hadn't reached us yet.

I run forward and fire a sleep capsule at them, sending one to sleep. Arrows fly back, and Tak deflects one, but one grazed me. Have to run forward or we would be peppered with arrows, and others join me. Tak landed a glancing blow. He was stabbed in return, though. I was grazed by swords as Tak landed another blow and I gutted it with a final blow.

Three on floor unconscious, so need to move quickly. But they wake up and shoot me in the back! Use mind to heal the wound, but the others are starting to wake as well and Silanna hit twice. She returns fire, killing one, but we are both wounded again. She kills another in return.

Heal some of Silanna's wounds as we move away from the track into the forest. After half a mile or so we move to edge of treeline and dragon takes a look out. Rolling plains, but a stone tower visible near where the track would have left the trees.

Decide to look for an ancient monestary so head back west, passing the tower. Drow on top and by door, but seriously tough looking black figure walking up the track towards the forest. Back track quickly. Rest in the forest before striking south onto the plains under cover of darkness. Hard going, and can still see tower after the night.

Try to rest during the day, although a drizzle of rain and a grey sky so a miserable journey. Sometime in the night Tak warns us that there is something ahead. Try to be stealthy, and I feel vibrations. See them checking the ground as if listening for vibrations. Try throwing stones and loosing arrows, but eventually one finds Silanna so we are forced into combat.

Tak kills two defending Silanna, but a bunch of them reach her. She kills two, though. The few that are left run. We felt almost guilty for having to kill them, but we were trying to avoid them. Continue travel south, and rain abates slightly. Ground sloping down and no mountains in sight, so turn west.

Rest again, and collect more water. Rain eases the next day and continue. Reach a road crossing north/south. Not ancient, but well made and in use. Cross and continue. Terrain starts to change from peatland to grass plains, which is slightly easier going. Rest for the night, and Tak sees some lights in the far distance in the night. He also hears something moving to our north past us.

Undisturbed though, and carry on in the morning. Land starts to fall away, and reveals a vast plain with a river wihtin it, but mountains in the distance. Move down into the valley, and see a road up ahead with black blobs on it.

Flying creatures come over the ridge and lift us up in their talons, painfully. I managed to get a magic missile into one beforehand. Strike the one that lifted me, but still being carried up. Silanna gets dragon to help her (Cassandra), and imbibing a potion she turned into a hard to see gas, starting to drift in the air.

I kill the one that grabbed me and fall, but my mind slows me and I land safely. Tak looks like he has passed out, so am I the only target? Sure enough get lifted up, so strike my attacker well... but not quite enough. Gassy Silanna gets Cassandra to root in Tak's backpack, found the ring and put it on Tak's finger, which revives him instantly! He grabs a wing and forces it to descend, slowly colliding with ground so that Tak is free.

I am grabbed and pass out with the pain. Tak fighting with Cassandra, one claw grabs him. Cassandra stings his attacker, and it collapses. Tak ran and leapt into the air to try to bring down the one with me in its claws. It drops me in pain, but then Cassandra stung it and it fell heavily to the floor, Tak with it.

Others flee, so we are safe. Tak revived me with one of his blessings, but no sign of Silanna. Follow Cassandra to a spot, but nothing there. Wait for nearly an hour and she appeared out of nowhere! Miraculous. Offered healing ointment, though, which was welcome.

Follow ridge north, with Cassandra occassionally looking over the ridge to see what's there. A huge basin that looks boggy so move north looking for a way around. At some point Silanna says that Cassandra has got very excited and has found a short person but is full of joy.

Turns out Cassandra was excited because it has some gems. Very short, called "Calinn" and there are others of his kind. Vorsaykorai was where the crater now is, so we're about 100 years too late. There are still monks and gnomes in the mountains, though. Spoke my language - as does Silanna! Suspicious of my heritage, though.

Able to barter for food and water, using Silanna's gems. Rest for the night, seeing a line of forest to the north, and start to turn west and begin coming back around towards the mountains. The dawn light was bathing them in a red light, which was ominous. Are those there stuck in the past, as Tak said they might be, and need bringing into the light?

Move away farther from the edge, as the day is clear, trying to avoid the flying things. Start to climb the rocky foothills, so harder going. Aiming for highest mesa, but camp in the mountains. Woken in the night by an attack with crossbow bolts striking Tak and I. He runs off, scrambling over the rocks expertly.

Tak runs to one of the crossbow users - like dwarves but with glowing white orbs for eyes. Apparently four coming towards us, but I see two. Send a flechette into the nearest. Tak's opponent draws axes, but doesn't get to use them as Tak buries a blade in his head.

Silanna puts arrow into the head of two of our opponents, killing them instantly. Warns of one behind me, trying to ram it back, just puts it off enough for its blow to miss me. I am struck badly, but Silanna kills one with an arrow, and I kill another with my weapon, infused with lightning. Silanna finished last one off. Looted some interesting items, including a magazine loading crossbow and a couple of phials of blue liquid.

Travel slowly through the rest of the night to get away from the site of battle. As the dawn light starts we see a path with cut stone steps. Wary of what might use it, so seek a place to rest and watch for a while. Nothing seen so follow it up.

Stairs allow for all sizes. Eventually feel a tremor and rocks start falling from the cliff above to our right. Start running, and just manage to dodge a boulder half my size. Run until out of shadow of cliffs, Silanna scooping me up towards the end, although still rocks rolling down the slopes either side.

Silanna warns that Cassandra sees dog-headed things approaching along the steps. Puts me down, and Tak stops to greet whatever they are. They want to herd us back for "her" to eat us. Tak knocked down - they are physically trying to push us down now.

I heal Tak, who had been injured before, dropping crossbow and take my weapon out ready to fight. Silanna killed two with arrows - wanted to kill us now because we were dangerous. Tak stabbed one to death. Last one surrenders when given the chance. Told to stay if it wanted to live. Start moving past it. I ask to stop at a sudden twist - notice that it has been created and not a natural part of the rock here.

Closer examination reveals a slight crack of a door. I blast the surface clean, revealing it fully. Tak was able to unlock the mechanism. It was trapped, but we were ready and a pit opened in front of the door when it swung open. We had moved to the side, but it seemed like a long way down!

Tak climbs into doorway with Silanna holding him on rope just in case. Sees some runes within the corridor.

The …/ … up its … host In those dark years we … the most. And on Vorsay the challenge came. Losing all to … evil reign.

… champions our cause, … men, elves and dwarves, In battle against this …. foe All lost, … is our woe.

Through the mountains of metal and stone The host …, … flesh from bone …. land was first to suffer Broken, it was torn ....

An … seized, The …not …, Comes …/… with fire And turns … into a …/….

Denied the Bridge of …., The host turn to the marsh … … victory at …/…/… Forces Evil’s retreat to begin.

Tak secures rope inside then climbs back out and secures end of rope outside. Close the door just before more gnolls arrive. Metallic banging on the door. Light torches (including my red/purple one) and move down the corridor.

Reach a relief archway that comes to a point at the top where an eagle's talon sticks down. Tak honours air spirits, and I use a gem to bring the sound of the wind to the place. Progress slowly down the stairs, clockwise descent. Find a door, which Tak unlocks and in doing so makes safe.

I walk through but am immediately confronted by the white-eyed dwarves on the other side! Luckily first bolt went over head and hit one of the other dwarves, my cloak saved me from one blow but hurt by another. I killed the one his mate injured, stepping into the space to allow others to come forward.

Tak parries an attack and Silanna pushes into the room, energising her body with lightning and striking one, sending arcs across his body. I target it, stabbing and killing it - teamwork! Silanna flanks and kills one with an arrow. Tak killed one. Others start to run, sounding a horn as they go into the darkness. Retrieve torches.