Chronicle - Fangor Rodrus

Minas Morgul

Minas Morgul was clearly visible, as it was ablaze! Gnolls and other creatures could be seen below us making their way from North to South, although they seemed to be unguided, but the towering flames were visible for many miles and acted as a beacon for their journey. A vast black army surrounded Minas Morgul on the plains below the mountain range, although they did not seem to be mounting a co-ordinated assault.

It was getting colder, and night was approaching, so we selected a reasonably sized ledge to make camp and rest. We were able to rest without being disturbed until the early morning, when Melai alerted us to a score of armoured figures climbing towards us. We quickly prepared to leave early, but as we rose above the ledge we could see that the figures were actually dwarves carrying equipment up the mountain. We set down on the ledge again, and I was made visible. We reasoned that I could converse most successfully with dwarves, so I should act as a spokesperson.

In hindsight, I might have been better received had I not been wearing Tuar Chan's armour! I conversed with their leader, or at least their spokesperson, for some time without them disclosing much about their intentions. They were very wary and moved to surround me, and I finally got a name from the dwarf - Durandar. Melai then revealed herself, giving them a new target for their crossbows, but they at least recognised her name. They were confused as to why we were near Minas Morgul. There were, apparently, some of Orodruin's folk with their number. They were hunting gnolls, who were easier to isolate and kill since the loss of their leader. They also confirmed that they had contact with the gnomes, and there were some in Morgul, but they did not meet with the Norse men that traded with the dwarves.

The portal in Minas Morgul mainly aligned with Limbo, but was unstable. They also gave us some good news; the burning of the Minas was an illusion designed to disuade the enemy from attacking and in reality the Minas was safe. We explained that we were set on reaching Minas Maedus to make contact with the dwarves there, but Durandar warned that we might be too late and find only enemy forces there. We agreed to part and once again set off under the safety of invisibility.

It took us fully three days to make our way around the vast army sitting in siege around Minas Morgul. The many foes were, thankfully, not focussed on us and were relatively easy to avoid contact with. The peaks of Morgul were twisted rock, as if the mountain itself had been spun by a mighty hand. Volcanic smoke and flame surrounded the peaks, making progress difficult for the foe. Some of the enemy forces were trying to ascend the spirals, but were being defeated; according to Lanzi there were spirits pushing them to their deaths. There was a lot of dweomer around, and it was centred on a large black tower; the whole place felt very strange, and there was a bright red burning orb at the top of the tower. When we had to stop to rest, our sleep was fitful and the spirits of the many battles fought here haunted us in the night.

Continuing our journey, we could see troops marching from the Forgotten Lands, but these did not seem to be headed for Fangor Rodrus, instead paralleling the mountains and our own route. After a couple more days travel we came across an ongoing battle between some dwarves and some trolls, with the dwarves holding a narrow promontory whilst the trolls climbed up a sheer cliff some three hundred foot high to do battle with them.

There were about a score of trolls in all, and only a few dwarves, but the defensive position was strong and they were holding their own. The real threat, though, was from two score ogres assembling siege engines to fire at the position; there was nothing the dwarves could do whilst engaged by the trolls. As we approached the dwarves at the back of the position let off a volley of crossbow bolts, clearing part of the wall for the others to tip burning oil over the edge, giving them some respite. The platform looked like a hand coming out of the rock, so they could only catch a few trolls this way. The trolls, for their part, were trying to let down rope ladders to allow a quicker assault.

As we came within extreme range, Melai and Hintzu began loosing arrows at the trolls, two were killed and they took another with them as they fell. The dwarves hacked another apart as it reached the edge of the platform, and the arrows from our pair of archers killed another half a dozen or so before we were close enough for Lanzi and I to be of any help. Half a dozen more were felled by arrows as I used my crown for the first time, sending a lightning bolt into the ogres to disrupt their work. A few more trolls fell dead with arrows in them before Lanzi finished his chanting, but the effect was worth the wait. He befuddled them into being exceptionally clumsy, which in a normal fight might have given us a small advantage, but as they were trying to climb a sheer cliff the effect was for them all to miss their handholds or footing and fall to their death. Melai send a fireball into the pile of broken bodies at the foot of the cliff to be sure that none of the trolls would be back to fight again.

With the immediate threat dealt with, Lanzi turned his attention to the ogres, sending two fireballs into their midst and setting fire to the engines they were working on. Assessing that there was no real threat remaining, Lanzi banked the carpet hard around to take us onto the dwarven platform, almost throwing me off! I was glad to find my footing on the smooth stone when we landed, and set about healing the wounds of those dwarves that had suffered most. As I did so we were greeted well by Drumskar, son of Grobdur and brother of Hasfast, who thanked us for our aid. He told us that the dwarves of Maedus still held out, but were sorely taxed. Their cause had been aided by the clash of Demogorgon and Orcus' forces, as this had prevented the full weight of the enemy being directed against them. We accepted his offer to take us to Hasfast.

He lead us into the mountain and the passage opened up into a wider corridor with beautifully pillared masonry lining the way. Other dwarves stood as Drumskar approached, and there were many of them; this was the most heavily populated of the dwarven halls we had seen. We passed through half a dozen or so of rooms that were similarly populated before entering a stairwell that took us down into a watery cavern. Eudora (Melai's new familiar) enjoyed splashing around in the pool as Drumskar pushed a socket in the wall. Shutters opened around the ceiling to let light into the room, and this was reflected off metal veins and gems in the wall to illuminate the whole room. We were offered food and ale as we were to wait here for Hasfast.

Drumskar returned with others bringing the meal for us, and we ate heartily after our long journey down the mountains. We all stood, though, as another dwarf entered wearing a three-pointed yellow-gemmed crown; this was Hasfast. Slightly stockier than his brother, he too bore the signs of battle, and he asked forgiveness for the lack of ceremony as he had just come from combat. He had heard that we had come from Perion and that we had helped his brother in the fight outside. Lanzi introduced Hintzu, me and himself, and Melai was already known to him. Quickly we brought him up to speed on what we knew, including the fate of Tuar Chan and the power of Rantor. Hasfast sought news of Perion, which we gave, and we also told him of our encounter with the dwarves of Ishtur.

Hasfast then had his brother clear the room of other dwarves, although Drumskar himself remained. Apparently there was some lingering distrust between the two clans, as Drumskar was unwilling to trust the dwarves of Ishtur due to help not having been forthcoming in the past. We explained our need to find the gnomes, and Hasfast told us of a path that led north to the gates of the gnomish kingdom, but warned that many enemies lay between us and them. He also warned that they were flighty and would not be seen unless they wanted to be, and that an ancient evil from before the first age also lay in our path. It was clear that, compared to other Minas we had entered, Maedus fared well and we would carry the news to Perion when we returned to him. We also learned from Hasfast that Unglak had died in the second age.

Kingdom of the Gnomes

Hasfast guided us through the realm of Maedus to the great door that led to that of the gnomes. The door was cracked open, and it was clear that nobody had passed this way for some time. Beyond was a corridor leading in darkness to another, smaller door. We made use of our own light sources as usual, which made us clear targets as usual. Melai took the lead and opened the door, beyond which was a large, decorated room. Opposite us was a carving of Frey drawing a bow aimed at us as we entered. To our right was Loki with his arm around a Ninja, with his head turned as if talking to him whilst the Ninja looked out into the room. To our left Odin was looking up to the roof and pointing into the far left corner, where Thor was flying across the ceiling wielding his hammer. Opposite him, also on the roof, was Hel with a black and white face, hands outstretched and standing on the neck of an undead dragon and behind her were ranks of various undead warriors. Spreading out over the entire roof was a huge tree canopy, and on the floor was a lotus flower almost thirty feet in diameter. Around the lotus was the oriental pantheon, arranged to align with the Norse Gods above, as we had seen in Minas Tiris. In the room were three tombs, one opposite and one to either side as we entered. Each had a dwarf-like figure carved on top. The imagery in the room was 6th Age. More worryingly, though, as we entered we saw that there was a purple shimmering gateway under the figure of Hel. Behind us was an image of Fenris unchained, jumping at Frey on the opposite wall.

We heard a voice in our minds saying "flee, fools, flee!" As the last word faded the purple gate shimmered to reveal black, red and green devils stepping into the room, taking off and diving into combat as they did so. More could be seen following them. Just to add to our woes, the tombs started to open as well. We avoided the initial attacks, and I called on Odin to banish the other worldly devils; with a crack of thunder most of the devils were sent instantly back to their own plane. Unfortunately the noise deafened Hintzu and Lanzi. Lanzi blinked to the portal and attempted to seal it, but without success. Simultaneously, Melai raised a wall of ice that killed all but one of the remaining creatures, but also trapped Lanzi in with the creature!

Hintzu, seeing Lanzi in danger, ran up to the wall and punched straight through it, sending shards of ice through his body but reaching Lanzi just as two more devils appeared. A fireball exploded amongst us, injuring Melai and me; there were more skeletons emerging from the tombs and I moved to intercept them, seeing as I did so an invisible devil in the far corner. Hintzu fought wildly to defend Lanzi from attack, while Melai ran towards the new threat. Lanzi blocked the portal with a wall of force in an attempt to stop more devils from joining us. Hintzu killed one of the devils, and I destroyed the latest undead threat. Melai now found herself surrounded by three devils, all attacking her, but she was fighting back just as ferociously.

Hintzu saw the new threat and charged to Melai's aid, killing two of the devils with a blur of attacks from behind. The largest beast was still standing, though and I uttered a prayer to Odin to aid us. Melai used a blast of cold from her crown to attack the creature, but it seemed to have no effect. Hintzu had more luck with his blade, finishing it off with a strong blow to its neck. Lanzi ran to my side and created his mirror images to protect himself from further attack.

The devils from the gateway blinked to the side of Hintzu and Melai, perhaps to defend the larger creature, and Melai instantly slayed one! Her sword did not seem to connect with it, so she probably used dweomer. Turning then to assist Hintzu, they killed the other one with co-ordinated attacks. I charge into combat with the last devil, knocking it down with my momentum. It seemed that they were able to regenerate, which is why there seemed to be so many, so we started to burn the bodies. Melai and Hintzu searched the room, finding a hidden door under the image of Frey. One of the devils came back to life as we were setting it on fire, but Lanzi reacted quickly and pummeled it with magic missiles. It did not get up again. The gate that had so concerned us was identified as an illusion by Lanzi, which is why his dweomer had not affected it.

Melai took a closer look at the nearest tomb, determining that the carving on top was of a gnome and not a dwarf as we had originally thought. As she was studying it she heard a faint voice saying "help us." Between Melai and me we were able to shift the top of the tomb to the floor, and now the voice could be heard by us all. Despite the voice, and suspecting a trap, we decided that it would be more prudent to follow the guidance of the Gods, moving to the secret door beneath Frey. The passage beyond was small, probably designed for gnomes, and led down steeply. Warm air rose from below, and a trap had been set for the unwary. Hintzu went first so that he could disable the trap, warning that the floor could be unstable for a sizable section, but that it should hold us individually.

Lanzi drank a little of a potion and shrank to gnome sized! I changed my cloak to enable me to climb on the ceiling and walls if necessary. As we descended it began to get uncomfortably warm. There was an arch at the end of the passageway with a red glow visible beyond. I asked Odin to shield us from the heat as we emerged into a medium sized room with arches on every side. The red glow was coming from the arch opposite us, although the passage beyond rose to block our view of what might be causing it. There was another lotus on the floor, which I will not here describe for reasons that I will cover later. The lotus orientation suggested that we should proceed to our right, which we did.

It was still very warm, although Odin protected us, and Hintzu disabled another trap before we reached an arch at the bottom of the new passage. Beyond was a room of similar size to the last, also with arches on every side. There was writing on the floor in a script that we were unfamiliar (gnomish?), but fortunately Eudora was able to interpret it for Melai.

High, resting, hiding from the spinning world

Remote, secluded, in a timeless lock

Where only Mother Nature,

The bird to nest, the chick beloved,

Displays, four seasons in one day

Revolves around the secret of Blaven’s pool.

I lay, to peep, into this loch

On a peppered starlit night,

For I saw the stars in a wishing well

Nae pen nor quill to write.

A shooting star within a wishing well,

Fly high, within the ground

For fairy tales and wishes cast

In twinkling stardust found

And as I watched, I saw the moon,

He filled the glass, the water round,

A giant's round and shining face

A power without a sound.

Magnified, Magnificent, Manifest,

I could see the furrows: age, time, space,

With eyes which frown while watching earth

With lips to show a sad grimace.

And suddenly the water rippled

Mirrored glass to quake

As dragon flies with velvet wings

Under the moonlight did awake,

To skip and dance, to skate on ice

The moonbeams marble pillars of the night,

Dressed in bright colours, with flowing wings,

Nature's pure delight.

A tear ran from my eye that night

`Twas a shame somewhere so pure

Did need to hide on a mountain side

From a world without a cure.

It was clear that there were more dragons that we had anticipated; not just the elemental dragons, but positive and negative ones as well. This at least explained Rantor's presence, and also gave us hope that there was a radiant dragon that might help to battle him. However it was also clear from the oriental references that the influence of Malor/Iki-Moko was felt here.

We continued through a couple more rooms, turning each time in the direction that might lead us towards our Gods, but the route wound in unexpected directions. I began to suspect that we were being misled, and as the thought entered my head my surroundings began to blur and shift slightly. The illustrations and carvings that we had been using as a guide disappeared to leave bare walls - it was a trap! I immediately warned the others, and quickly we all agreed to retrace our steps to see what was real and what was not. The only decoration that was real was in the first room we had entered, and the carving of the poem was also real. So we stood, once again, in the warm room with the red glow, this time determined to carry straight on.

Passing through the archway we emerged onto one end of a stone bridge stretching across a lava flow beneath. A door was set into the wall of the cavern on the far side. Now wary of being deceived, I warned that the bridge might not be as it seemed. I was right to be cautious, as the centre of the bridge was illusory and we would have fallen into the lava had we tried to cross normally. I called on Odin again to protect us from the heat once more, and his power enabled us to actually walk across the lava without harm!

Melai and Hintzu went first, crossing to the end of the bridge against the far wall of the cavern. As they reached it, salamanders emerged from the lava to surround them. Without pause they attacked with claws and tails, and Hintzu retaliated with the bow he had readied. The arrows bounced off the scales of the salamanders, and he was forced to switch to his Lajatang. Lanzi engulfed some of them in a storm of ice, but as it hit the lava it turned into a great cloud of steam, making it hard to see exactly what was going on. Melai cut one down with Agan, and Lanzi switched to magic missiles, advancing as he did so. I followed, staying by his side to defend him. Hintzu cut down two in quick succession just before Melai killed her second.

Lanzi sprang across the gap, landing roughly on the other side of the bridge. Unable to follow him, I swang down onto the lava below. Now I could see that Melai and Hintzu stood alone once more, having beaten off the attack. I ran over to join them, getting there as Hintzu leapt up to examine the door. Melai pushed me up before following as Hintzu opened the door. It opened into the corner of a medium-sized room with exits in each corner. There was an inscription on the floor, again in gnomish.

Torn between

love and how she wants to live

weighs the sunflower seeds

in her warm and living hands

waiting, wanting, choice withheld

sees that still and silent hall

deathly hush and pillared dark,

deeper darkness stretching out

echoed eaves where shadows hang

curl and linger, throng and mass

purposes that haunt the hall;

shades who flit the columned aisles

bereft of names.

She's weeping.

The seeds are chill, counting them

on her pale palm, clad in white,

she paces through hollow halls,

uncertainty echoing

each footfall on marble call.

Can she live in this half place,

between the worlds, life and death

she who is life, up above

whose steps are flowers in life's realm

up on the green living Earth?

In spacious fields, orchard groves

vines and fruits swelled by the sun,

she loves the work, done in joy,

tending planted terraces

choosing to tame fertile earth

with hedge and plough, next year's hope,

plant and gather, pluck and grow

sunlight on skin, cool air, rain

the twining green, songs of birds

her mother's hearth, bright and clear.

She yearns for it.

But loves him.

This is his realm, his domain

these chill veined floors, pillared halls,

dark river's tides, shores of death,

this dark his dark, these shades his

his charge, his work, what he chose

(though drawn by lot long ago)

his world, his cares, these drear dank

and shadowed halls, these walled ways

this underworld, death below.

Between these streams all folk pass

across the Styx, life to death

through Hades' realm, then plunge in

through Lethe, to a new life,

forgetting self, to choose chance.

The lingerers must learn here

not to cling on, to let go

and start again naked once more.

He cannot leave, she asked him

telling the names of earth's joys

beads on a string, her best hopes.

He wept salt tears, shook his head

sunlight hurts him, but his face

is light to her, touched by love.

Still on his throne his face set

he will not speak will be fair

her own free choice but his eyes

plead loneliness and matched love.

Seeing him there her heart moves

to stay and build life with him

life in death's halls, together.

Slowly with use come to care

for shades of grey for his sake,

not best of all, but worth it.

Her heart pounds at time to choose

the green world or her heart's lord.

She eats three seeds, starts to choke,

her mouth filled with death and dust

his warm dark eyes, concerned now

his kind hand held out to her

to take the throne by his side

she tries to smile, swallows.

Then from afar, drawing near

a new sound, splashing of oars,

Charon is come, out of time

the dark boat crosses Styx stream

no freight of souls, not this trip

a goddess, sure of herself.

Under the throne, Cerberus

growls very low, hackles rise.

Athena shoes snap on marble

angry and proud, her daughter

belonging to earth, must not stay

in this dark hole, no matter what.

She marches in, ready for war

glowing with light, life and health

no weapons shown, save being here.

No glance she gives the throne room

she walks straight in swift and sure

stands to defy the dark king

and his pale bride on one throne.

Presents demands: "Return my daughter now."

Straight on to threats without pause,

"Or the world dies,"

in jealous pride, "All laid waste

withers and falls, if she stays,

end to all life, and all hope."

She pales, her choice to leave the world, not slay it.

Vainly she pleads, Athena smiles

a tight lipped smile of a wise widow;

"Fool of a girl shall all starve

and the world die for your sake?

In the sunshine I missed you.

I know your heart, what you wish

you are my kin, must come back

who could choose gloom and half-death

when poppies bloom in gold corn?"

Cerberus growls, three heads raise

lips peal from three sets of teeth.

Hades stirs on his dark throne

"By the laws of all worlds

she is my wife by free choice

she has eaten of death's food

and so must stay, relent now

you have your world and we ours,

she is my queen, no prisoner

you may see her in sunlight

as she chooses to go forth."

A pale gold stream her hair falls

as her head turns, her lips part

he grins at her and she laughs.

Laughter's echoes light the hall

shades draw closer sensing hope

the air seems warm, their hands touch.

Athena sneers; "How touching,

you offer her a few crumbs

of my hard work, as your gift.

Not good enough, dead man's god.

I want her back."

"But Mother,"

she says at last, "I ate them,

my lord's right, I want to stay

by my own choice, and live here.

Let the world be, I love him."

"What do you know of love's taste

the honeyed wine of true joy,

you're a child still, I know best.

You ate three seeds, spit them out,

and we leave now, the boat waits."

She reaches out one swift hand

to snatch the girl off the throne

and a dog's jaws snap and close

on Athena’s arm, red blood flows,

but falls not far, the shades rush

shroud her in dark, lap the blood

take solid shapes, memory

stirs in their eyes as eyes form.

Athena recoils, has fed them,

now they are there and will speak

in thin bat-voices, longing.

"Chrysothemis was my name,

I saw such death, such blood fell,

my father slew my sister

then my mother struck him down

my brother and my sister

killed her and both fell then.

Revenge? For what? We're all dead,

and I as well, it's no good,

hear me Great Queen, walk your path

as she walks hers, let her go."

"I was a queen, my lord fell

my son slain, city burned

and then a slave, bore more sons,

sorrow and pain, they died too

now I am here, my name lost.

What will you then, to cause harm?

Children are grief, let her go."

"A warrior I, in North lands,

lived past my time, saw all die

he vanquished me, let me live

to bear his son, whom he killed.

I give up grief, even my name,

let her be free, let her go."

"Lady, I died a king's death,

wed to the plough, my folk thrive,

a noble end, on I go,

passing through here heard your words

consider us suffering

up on the Earth, we weak men

a sacrifice you might make:

put by this grief, let her go."

"Ah life is sweet, blood is life,

now I am dead, blood is sweet.

I think I was a mariner

sailed far away many seas.

Take up your joy where it falls

and do not bind what goes by,

she made her choice, let her go."

The chorus rises: "Let her go"

Cerberus' snarls scarcely heard

above the clamour, the dead,

the whirling shades reaching out

for life, for blood, for memory

for breath to speak one last word

swirl, and are gone to darkness,

off to Lethe, off to life.

Athena steps back, blood all dried.

Hades sets a gentle hand

upon his dog's right head

Cerberus slumps by the throne.

The lady, in the calm,

holds her mother's gaze and says

"I have eaten, I will stay."

"Then nothing lives. I don't care

to sacrifice my one child,

if you are here, they'll join you

all folk be shades whirling through

born just to die in glorious war."

"Mother, you're mad."

"I mean it.

My grief is great without you."

Hades' slow voice. "A compromise.

Half her time here, half above."

"Then half the time war will flow sould to me"

"Is that enough?" he asks straight.

The Girl shakes her head

slow tears fall, then draws breath

Athena, smiling to herself,

is startled when the girl speaks.

"My father taught, long ago

that with our power comes a trust

to use it for people's need

the good of folk and not harm

and though they don't understand

to harm them not by our whim.

They are our kin, and our charge

and we, as they, are bound by fate.

This is your whim, let me go."

Uncertain now the first time

she bites her lip, not all mad,

on that dark throne the two shapes

slip hand in hand and wait words.

At last she speaks: "One third, then!

One third down here, this dark hell

condemned to this, my poor child,

the rest with me, the green world

stops still and waits without you."

Hades then bows, and his queen

stands tall and straight and steps down

setting the day she comes back

a cool exchange, they touch not.

Their eyes speak what words can't say.

The boatman rows, looking back,

Athena serene with a smug smile

she knows her own and hoards it,

and the set-faced queen of hell

the world she loves turned to pain.

The growing world green and fair

until summer when she leaves

and all scorches without her.

She picks sad flowers in green fields

her mother asks now and then

in plaintive tones without thought

why she works now so very quiet

when before songs were joyful

dismisses all her answers.

The Lady counts the days

till she can leave the tilled earth

beauty she loves, trees and streams

sunshine that falls on branches

borne down by weight of red fruit

to walk among dark dread halls

where her heart lies with her lord.

And when she comes, time is short

for Athena’s spite never stops

the growing things bake and droop

and hunger comes up above

their days of joy far too brief

all measured time, a high price,

time ticks by the pillared halls.

They meet and part, meet and part

in joy and love, together.

And while she walks, sorrowing

flowers at her feet, through fair fields

she sighs and stops, her face falls

this is not home, no longer

her mother's spite poisoned all,

the flow of life, and love's flow.

Far down below in dark halls

a dog howls from three throats

his master's lap weighed with heads

the king of death strokes six ears

waits like stone for her return.

Lanzi used the gem of seeing to inspect the room, as this would see through any illusions. He could make out a large, humanoid shape standing within the walls - one on each side. The one nearest me stepped fully out of the wall, trying to grab me in a crushing embrace. Although it hurt, I was able to slip out before being fully crushed; I swang wildly at it as I did so, but failed to connect with any force. It attacked me again, slamming its fists into me, as Lanzi tried some dweomer on it that failed. Melai and Hintzu, meanwhile, were engaged with another of the things, and between them were able to smash it into bits of rubble. The other two ran from the other side of the room, slamming into Melai and me respectively - I was taking a battering! We both lay stunned on the floor, our heads ringing and gasping for breath. Melai disappeared as she lay there, but we did not know whether it was a defensive act or something worse.

Lanzi kept casting, although we had not seen any effect as yet. Hintzu, on the other hand, was having a great effect with his Lajatang, destroying another of the rock creatures. A cloud of gas appeared around one of their heads, although whether it was Lanzi or Melai that caused it I do not know; either way it appeared to have little or no effect on the thing. Lanzi sent a ray of dweomer at one of the creatures, but again with no effect, and he lost one of his images to an attack as he did so. Hintzu ran to aid us, hacking at the nearest foe. Lanzi let off some magic missiles, but frustratingly they also failed. Hintzu then seemed to go beserk, hacking so quickly at them both that we could hardly see him! In a matter of seconds, both creatures fell and a rubble-strewn floor was all that remained of them.

I spent some time healing wounds, as we had all suffered to some extent in the battle, and Lanzi used his dweomer to protect Hintzu by hardening his skin. We decided to press on into the opposite corner of the room, following a passage that narrowed after a short distance. The workmanship of the passages was not as good as that of the rooms we were finding. The temperature was still hot and uncomfortable, and we continued for some time in discomfort before reaching a stone door. Hintzu opened it to reveal a small room; within were four male, human fighters that had hardly any flesh on their bodies. They were all armoured, and were similar in dress to Dulan and others we had met, but their faces were blackened skulls with glowing eyes, as if reflecting a fire that we couldn't see. They all carried two-handed swords and shields, as well as other weapons tucked in their belts.

Lanzi managed to hit them with fire, but his attack was returned in kind as fire exploded amongst us as well. Melai healed some of Lanzi's wounds, as he had suffered badly from the fire. I called on Odin to banish the foul creatures, but his power was not enough to turn them away. Lanzi tried to raise a wall of fire, but his dweomer failed. Hintzu was down on the floor, although I did not see why! The one closest held a wretched symbol of death in front of my face, stepping on Hintzu to do so, but Odin protected me and I was unaffected by its negative energy.

Despite not wanting to use our artifacts too much, I decided to use my crown against them, sending a ball of radiance into their midst. One of the creatures was destroyed, but the others kept coming. Hintzu started to stir, and was bashed with a shield by one of the undead for his efforts. I was suddenly filled with dread, wanting nothing but to get away from the creatures. I forced my way back down the corridor towards Lanzi. Hintzu was fighting back now, despite being prone, and killed the creature pinning him down. Lanzi let off some magic missiles, which killed another, but was then entangled with me as I fought my way past him to continue my flight. I got gassed as I continued past him, but it did not affect me. Hintzu, now on his feet, fought and killed the last of the foes, which fortunately restored my mind to normal, allowing me to stop and return a little ashamed.

As I returned with the main light source, a plain room with exits to either side was revealed beyond the end of the passage. Hintzu moved forward to listen for any signs of other foes, while I called for Lanzi to wait so that I could heal some of his wounds. Lanzi called on his mirror images for protection as Hintzu checked both doors. There were stairs up to our left and stairs down to our right, and once we were ready we decided that we would head downwards.

Before we moved on, however, we started to discuss how our artifacts might influence the reaction of the gnomes if we were to meet them. We were concerned that to wear them openly might make the gnomes suspicious of our intentions, perhaps making them think that we wanted to take items of power from them. We agreed to remove artifacts or hide them as best we could; Hintzu turned his rings around and stowed his hand in his robes, but after some persuasion reluctantly removed them. I took off the crown I was wearing and replaced it with my helmet. Lanzi removed his crown, staff and claw without protest, which was a pleasing development. All of Lastar's artifacts were now no longer prominent. What was harder for me was that the others insisted that I did not have Odin's eye openly showing, worried that Bavarik's links to Lastar might make the gnomes react badly to Odin's symbology. I reluctantly obliged, hoping that more undead foes would soon force a reversal.

Having prepared ourselves, we climbed down the stairs to a door below. I placed a wyvern watch guard behind us to protect our rear as we advanced, while Melai guided Hintzu in the dark at the front of the party. He waited until we were close before opening the door, revealing a large room, well carved out of rock with traces of black and metal shot through. The ceiling was flat and unremarkable, but to our right we could see a bull mastiff with two heads carved into the wall. Above the door we entered through was a carving of a once muscular man but old enough to have started to lose his tone; he wore a long, light blue, toga and a gold medallion of the sun was shown around his neck. His wizened face and beard were just below his outstretched arm, pointing at the centre of the room. He sat on a pedestal, and we noticed that the light blue of his robe was flaking with age. To our left was a woman holding a teardrop shield, inverted, and carrying a spear. She wore a helmet in a Greek style and was looking towards us with an enquiring expression. Opposite and above us was a semi-naked man in a winged helmet carrying a staff with a serpent wound around it, and wearing winged boots. Below this figure was the scene of a battle, with Orcus and his troops marching from our right towards Maedus on our left. A dwarf stood at the foot of the fortres with dwarves around him retreating back into the mountains; he bore a symbol that looked to mark him as Hasfast, a dwarf of the House of Rodrus. There were no obvious exits from the room.

Of more immediate concern were the four large skeletal snakes with fanged human skulls coiled near the centre of the room. Lanzi immediately started muttering and moaning, calling on some dweomer, but with no visible effect. Hintzu also did not hesitate, charging towards them with weapon ready. As he reached them a blue ball of fire exploded in the room, filling it, but there was no sensation of heat and it soon died out. Hintzu sliced at one of the creatures, but another one suffered the most, being splintered apart from invisible blows. As the thing died, Melai appeared with Agan in hand, and together they quickly destroyed the rest of the creatures. By the time I had made my way into the room behind Lanzi, all I saw were scattered bones.

As Lanzi moved into the centre of the room more blue flames exploded, forcing Lanzi and Hintzu to roll to the sides. The flames were as much purple as blue. Hintzu pointed out that the Minas wall was false, containing holes that the snake creatures could emerge from. Lanzi checked the room for illusions or hidden exits, but could find nothing untoward. With nothing further to do, we returned the way we had come; I dismissed the Wyvern Watch and we climbed the stairs from the last room, reaching another door that Hintzu checked and unlocked.

Beyond was another large room with similar ornamentation to the last, but we were emerging from the wall with the Minas scene on it. As we looked more closely, some other subtle differences became clear; the old man was in a thoughtful pose instead of pointing, and the lady to our right had her shield down and did not seem as threatening. Again, though, there were no obvious exits. Over a dozen snake-like creatures writhed on the floor, occasionally revealing hints of Gnomic runes beneath their bodies. To our horror we realised that they had once been humans, and the creatures were in various stages of the transformation.

Melai immediately forged ahead into the room, heading to our right, and Hintzu mirrored her move to the left. I called on Odin to slow the reactions of the creatures so that we could press our advantage of surprise. Suddenly the room filled with gas, causing Melai and me to collapse unconscious. The creatures advanced on Hintzu and Lanzi, who was now a little exposed. The creatures that Melai had engaged attempting to attack her while she lay prone, but could not seem to pierce her armour. Lanzi used his dweomer to send a black cloud into the advancing foes, killing four of them as it made contact. Eudora hovered over Melai's form, breathing at one of the creatures attacking her, causing it to reel back in confusion. A fireball exploded amongst the enemy, doing some damage but not felling any. Hintzu was fighting hard, moving quickly to avoid being overwhelmed, and being saved from harm due to the stoneskin protection Lanzi had given him.

Hintzu killed one, relieving the pressure a little, and Lanzi was able to finish the spell he was uttering. Black tentacles sprouted from the walls, snatching at the snake creatures and distracting one long enough for Hintzu to deliver a killing blow. Two more of the creatures were held back by the tentacles. My body was suffering from attacks that I could not counter, and even Melai was beginning to suffer. The room was filled with dweomer-conjured fog, making it hard for anyone to see what else was happening in the room. Hintzu finished the attack he had started, and managed to kill one despite his vision being impaired. Lanzi called more gas into the room, and called for a withdrawal to re-group. Hintzu's lethal dance continued as another one fell to his blows, but he then backed off towards the corridor, hoping to link up with the rest of us. He encountered one of the things that had been hurting me, killing it quickly, but not seeing my body in the fog.

Melai suddenly awakened, fully healthy, so she must have been healed by someone or something, but I was faring much worse - the injuries I had sustained were too much for me and had I been consciousness I would have passed out from the bleeding. Hintzu, meanwhile, was being pursued by more of the creatures, and killed another whilst fighting a retreat. Lanzi called even more fog into being, but this time it hurt the enemy. Hintzu took advantage of their surprise at the new pain, cutting one down as it reared up. If they had not been reinforced there could only be about four left alive. Lanzi warned Melai and Hintzu to back into the corridor and avoid the room lest they suffer ill effects from his dweomer as well. As they watched the opening, one more creature reached them but almost immediately expired from the effects of Lanzi's spell.

They waited there a while, as the dweomer that had been expended slowly dissipated. Eventually the room cleared and they saw that all the creatures were dead, and so was I. Lanzi called on his most powerful dweomer to bring me back temporarily so that I could call on Odin's aid to provide more permanent healing. Only now could we look at the inscription on the floor of the room.

Trembling hands did torchlight bear

Casting swaying shadows of despair

Dampness filled the stifling air

Suffocating without remorse

Muffled sounds of footsteps tapping

Upon the dusty floor a rapid stepping

Verily no cheerful jaunting

Merely vexed by evil haunting

Looming darkness ever daunting

Forward he must press

Trading the evil he cannot see

For the evil he knows to be

Invisible is the malignant force

Powerful sound of depravity's voice

Shouts and screams that fill his head

Failed steps of tomorrows living dead

Like a blind man in an crowded room

Cautiously he walks amidst the gloom

Braille touch in search of light

Thick and dark is moralities plight

Left and right the turns entangle

Up and down a shifting angle

Circling round and round

Towards the end

It follows and it traces

Shadows hiding many faces

Its prey in darkness embraces

Fading torchlight erases

All remaining hope

We spent a moment reflecting on this text, and I took the time to heal Lanzi's wounds. At first look we thought that it was a warning about lost souls being perverted to evil, but when read more literally it could be read as a guide to finding our way forward. If this was the case, we realised that we would have to go back to the room with the tombs in order to follow the directions. With no other way to go anyway, we all agreed to try it. We made our way back, finding everything as we had left it. The depiction of Iki Moko only wore one ring, suggesting that this room was 7th or 5th Age. Melai asked us to wait, then withdrew into herself, ignoring all around her. After a short pause she started to speak in echoes of voices that were not hers. It was eerie, but a conversation could be followed, then a pause and another conversation. After this she came back to us with a slight gasp, looking around as if to check that she were back with us. She explained that she had heard psychic echoes from the room, and explained what she had seen to match the words we had half heard:

“Reshgarin, I know that you have seen what we are capable of.” An oriental voice creeps out of the darkness.

“Of course.” Comes the blunt reply in earthy tone.

“You know my real name?” The voice is low, conspiratorial.

“Of course.” Another blunt response emanates from the shadows where a half-lit figure can just be determined. Sitting in the shadow, dressed in dark glossed armour is a dwarf-like figure – of the same height but leaner and clean shaven. He sits underneath a vast carving of Odin which can be discerned in the gloaming.

“I cannot comprehend your indecision.” Opposite the dwarfish figure an oriental man can be seen in the darkness, dressed in a black kimono, walking forward as if coming out of the wall where a carving of Loki remains.

“There is no lack of decision, sama, I merely bide my time.” The shadows are briefly dispelled by the red glow of a long pipe, the other end of which is inserted into smug lips.

“There is no time, Reshgarin!” The oriental man is clearly tense – frustrated by the apparent indolence.

“On the contrary, we have time to spare.” The voice is measured.

“You know what is coming?” A rhetorical question perhaps…

“Yes…Is it something you fear?” The voice is teasing and malevolent.

“Of course not; we will be the new Gods!” Piqued, the oriental moves towards the pipe glow.

“Ahhh. Then what is your hurry?” The dwarf-like figure stands as the man approaches, removing the pipe from his lips and resting a hand on a hammer tucked into a wide belt.

“The time has come; you reap what you sew.” The oriental stops - seemingly surprised by the change in dynamics of the conversation.

“Then we will be left unscathed.” The confidence is palpable.

“What? You have sowed more than any.” Surprise gives way to indignant shock.

“Not for our own sake, sama. Oh no…Look to your own treasury and that of others.” The rejoinder is calculated to cause confusion.

“The others you speak of regret the use of your discoveries.”

“And you, my Lord? Do you have regrets?” The confidence remains.

“This is not why I am here! You know what is required.”

“I know what you require. As I have said to your minions, I will make up my mind in due course. I will not be threatened. Do not forget, sama, there are many others who would become our friends. Not for the first time are we presented such choices.”

“You have made some poor decisions in the past; I hope this will not be the same – for your sake.”

“If you threaten me, I will ensure that our nations align ourselves against you. I cannot believe that would smooth the path to divinity – unless you supplant Hades.” The stunted man moves into the light, revealing a heavy boned, wizened face, combed back, long black hair, topped with a circlet of gold. His midnight-blue, glossed brigandine armour contains a strong, lean build. The wide band of leather that encircles his trim waist provides storage for pouches and weapons – hammers and a short sword. Across his back a Halbered is slung and by his side a light crossbow.

“You wish to test me Reshgarin? I look forward to it. To be this outspoken, I hope you have an ally – perhaps one of the Great Demons or have you disturbed another Devil? Think again about my offer. Make no mistake, you refuse me and I’ll crush you all.”

“I think you should remove your projection from my home; our negotiations are at an end.”

The same dwarfish figure enters a well-hewn room with a wonderful painting of a semi-naked male human flying through the air holding a long staff and wearing a winged helmet and winged boots.

“Baradule! Where are we with the Dwarves?”

“My Lord they remain suspicious; even I find it hard to believe…” replies a slightly smaller younger figure, of the same stature but without armour; instead, he wears a long mottled green cloak over a yellow tunic. He too is clean shaven and wears a silver circlet over his braided black hair.

“That is why you have not been given Ga’oun, despite my advancing years. Think my son! We need them as much as those stubborn troglodytes need us!”

“Father this is unlike the time before the great peace, when the dwarves were strong enough to rout that Demon’s minions.”

“No, they are fewer that is true but they fight well and could tip the balance in our favour; do not forget the bonds that Kular placed upon them.”

“I do not, but the dwarves may – they are fickle; besides, there are more attractive offers.” Baradule paces towards the older figure wrestling with his emotions.

“Yes but what strings are attached and how long would it be before we are stabbed in the back?” Rubbing his chin Reshgarin looks anxious, “No…keep trying the dwarves – remind them of Kular’s word!” he says before leaving as abruptly as he entered.

Baradule turns back into his room, “Fool! Fucking fool! How can we hope to survive this onslaught? Does he not know what is happening?”

“Calm yourself brother, we will have him soon enough.” Another figure emerges from behind a cupboard in the corner of the room. Dressed in deep purple leather armour over which a black cloak is half worn, tied at the neck by a gold chain from which a jet pendant hangs. His face is leaner than the others with quick eyes and a wispy, thin moustache.

“Are you prepared? It must be swift and beyond suspicion. When will you do it?” The questions are greeted with nods and a widening smile.

“Tomorrow night.”

“Ahh yes - all hallows, the night of Dionysus’ revelry; no-one will know whether he is dead or drunk!” a smile breaks across Baradule’s otherwise serious face, mirroring his brother’s.

“Have you made the pact with the creature from the Abyss?”

“Yes, though my father’s words trouble me.” The seriousness returns, “Will we be double crossed?”

“We have little to lose; they are capable of taking Ga’oun even if we had a thousand dwarfs by our side. No, this way is much better – they leave us alone and we show them the ancient paths they look for.” He puts a hand on his elder brother’s shoulder. “You mustn’t worry; tomorrow night you will be lord of Ga’oun.”

“What of Ishtur? I would not think that they would allow the Demon in without a care.”

“Brother, you worry too much. I have taken care of the path through Ishtur; we will be unopposed.”

“You have? When were you there? With whom did you meet?” The anxiety passes from father to son…

“Do not fret, brother, I have taken care of everything.”

It was clear that the Gnomes we sought were very similar to the dwarves, but clean shaven. Resgarin had negotiated with Iki Moko, but did not accept his offer, being suspicious of humans and expecting betrayal. This was good news, but we would have to be careful in our own dealings with them. What was more worrying was that another gnome had made a secret deal with Hel's dark forces behind the back of the King. The King was seeking an alliance with the dwarves, but without much success. Ga'oun and Ishtur were both realms of the Gnomes, and the Prince of Ga'oun was making a deal to become King. Ga'oun was the gnomish land under Fangor Rodrus.

With this information, Lanzi decided that it was worth the risk to send a message to Perion using the palantir. He worked shielded from view in an attempt to hide our own location. He was successful in establishing a connection but, as was so often the case, there were echoes of other messages in his head, which are recorded as follows:

Lanzi is in a room lit only by a glowing orb placed in the centre and perched on top of a pedestal. Pacing the mosaic floor, near the orb, is a woman dressed in a long black satin gown, tied at the waist with a purple girdle. The dress is low cut, revealing much of her ample white breasts. Her neck is long and rises to a smooth, elegant jaw line. Around her neck is a black satin choker with an image of Hel at the front, fashioned from platinum and jet. Her hair is tied up in a French plait on top of which is a beautifully ornate platinum tiara studded with black sapphires. Her face is pale but stunningly beautiful – full lips, painted black, large round eyes as deep as wells, sculptured eyebrows and a straight, strong nose which compliments her high cheek bones.

“I have persuaded better than you Mercantire; your faith will not last once you have seen what I can offer you.”

“Never!” the cry echoes from deep within the darkness of a hole at the end of the room and rises into a scream of pain.

“You only need open your eyes to me - look at me! I can give you all that your heart secretly desires.”

“No!”

“She waits for you, fighting for you. I can bring her to your side. Imagine the life you could have together. No-one would look down on you then.”

“You can offer nothing!” The shout echoes and dies in the pervading darkness.

“He is strong my son; this will take longer than I imagined.”

A disembodied voice replies from the heart of darkness opposite the hole, “I have them within my grasp. We need to keep the pretence going. You need to enact Hel’s desire and make him your champion.”

“I know that! It is taking longer than I had imagined, that is all. Now, how many have arrived?”

“All but two. We expect a visit from the Ring Bearer soon; we know that he travels with many artefacts. Should I take them?”

“No! We are not ready yet. Your ruse must endure until he is ready.”

“Then, with respect mother, hurry!”

“My Lady, the ruse has succeeded; those on the Prime who believe in the Father are desperate for signs from Asgard. We have rallied the most dangerous of the youngest and will soon crush them.” The room is grey and unremarkable lit only by a purple glow emanating from a palantir. The glow improves her beauty (if that were possible), bringing warmth to her otherwise pale cheeks and a lustre to her deep dark eyes.

“Why are you concerned then, child?” a motherly voice replies from within the orb.

“I am failing to turn the one named Mercantire” concern spreads across her face, giving her a seemingly compassionate expression.

“Why waste your time? Why not kill him?” the tone is flat and unremarkable.

“Ahh. His power is immense – we need to harness his soul.” She stares, imagining the power she could wield…

“It has been a while since those on the Prime sought my counsel in such matters.”

“This appears beyond my powers. I thought a short spell in your dominion would change his mind.” The tone is supplicant, almost pleading.

“And for this, I receive the souls that I desire?” a sudden interest.

“Yes my Queen.”

“Then deliver him to my gate!”

“Lady Inwe, I bring news from Ishtur.” A drow stands bolt upright under an arched entrance into a large room, carved from basalt and lit by braziers. He wears the dark mystical armour of a drow warrior, riding boots and a black cape; his hair is long, shining dark purple and well kept in a pony tail. He carries swords and a bow and holds a scroll case.

“Go ahead Reanwar, I am listening” The drow opens the scrollcase, removes the parchment and begins to read.

“Lady Inwe, we are troubled by the recent attempts, made by your people, to cross our home. We ask that you refrain from allowing your forces to enter our kingdom and honour the treaty of Morun. In return, we will not give permission for the demons’ forces to travel north. We would rather remain neutral in these wars. Please do not take this as a sign of weakness – we will protect our homes! It is signed Garakor – Sternbrow in their tongue – their King.”

“How many have they killed?” Inwe asks in a disinterested way.

“We have lost three score and ten over the last two days, and have only managed to travel a few hundred yards into their labyrinth, killing just a handful.”

“Withdraw my warriors; they are not well suited to such a task, I have others that they will grow to fear!”

“My lady I have other news.” He sounds nervous.

“Go on Reanwar, let it be better for your sake.” The tone of her voice does not change but the threat is real enough.

“Eolire has accomplished the first part of his mission; they remain at your mercy. He asks, respectfully, when your leader will be ready to command the victory.”

“Ahhh. Tell him that it will be soon now; tell him that the bitch is looking for her mate and I intend to offer her the same fate – it is, after all, their destiny to be together.”

After the visions had passed, Lanzi's view changed to Caladhon, looking across the open area at which we first met Perion. His back was visible, looking out over the fortress and beyond. But he did not turn; instead a whispered voice was heard: "who is there, who is in the orb?" Lanzi made out that he was a friend, thinking on his feet, and the mystery voice warned that Perion might have misled them, but that he could not talk now. He stopped talking and Perion turned, apparently noticing Lanzi for the first time. Lanzi warned him of a threat from below, possibly travelling through Ishtur, and that we were deep within the mountains. Lanzi also told him that Eolire was a traitor that was masquerading as one of his trusted Lieutenants. Although this was not much information, we trusted in Perion to do what was necessary.

Lanzi decided that it did not make sense for him to carry two palantirs, so one was secreted in Hintzu's pack (the one from Tiris) where there were no artifacts that might make use of it without us knowing. We also took a few moments to interpret the verse that we were now going to use as directions. It was clear now that we would have to travel through several different planes in order to reach Ishtur; including the planes of steam, vacuum and dust. We would first need to find the torch that marked the start of the path.

We made our way through the only path left to us - down into the open tomb where a faint voice could be heard crying "help us". There were steps leading down that led to a passageway, veering to the left as we progressed. After a short distance we reached an archway on our left with a torch next to it. There was gnomish script underneath that gave us a numeric code. Matching the code to the script we were using as directions, a clear message was revealed - "turn right"! In preparation for whatever might lay ahead, I called on Odin to ward us from evil and Lanzi protected himself with mirror images.

Hintzu took the torch from the wall and as he did so a click could be heard from the wall to our right. The torch gave off a green light that revealed a swirling grey shadowy gate where before we could only see an unbroken wall. Taking the verse as a guide, Lanzi moved us to the demi-plane of shadows. The swirling gateway became a door once the transition was completed, and we all passed through it. There was a strange sensation of being sucked along as I passed over the threshold, and we were drawn into the plane of shadows proper. Both Lanzi and I hid our light sources, leaving only the green torch carried by Hintzu to guide us. Hintzu took the lead, feeling an unnatural fear overcome him but being drawn on by the torch's pull regardless. A score of undead creatures surrounded us, clawing towards us, but unable to approach due to the protection of Odin. I quickly reassured the party - especially Hintzu - and urged them not to attack. A high-pitched scream was heard coming from the right of our path, and although I did not feel any ill effects, there was apparently an attack on the minds of those that were sensitive to such things. I called on Odin to banish the creatures from our presence and, unusually, I heard the voice of Odin speaking to me; needless to say the foul creatures fled in terror from his power.

We continued to follow the torch through the pitch dark. After some time, at the limits of the torchlight, a very large fiery creature approached us. It seemed as though the blackness surrounding it was somehow darker than black, if such a thing were possible. It appeared to be waiting for us. There was certainly some dweomer aimed at us, but before we came close enough to engage in combat it dropped dead. Melai had killed it with a thought before the rest of us could even prepare for combat, and once again we were in awe of her power.

After this encounter we were unmolested and soon reached a shimmering portal that we believed would take us to the plane of steam. I gave us all the ability to breath water and Lanzi protected our equipment from water damage. We then stepped through into another plane. It was foggy and wet, so the precautions we had taken were paying off. We thought our way forward, following Hintzu and the torch at a steady pace. Spirits soon gathered around us, and we heard voices discussing us and our purpose as we travelled - they knew that it was a way to reach the realm of the gnomes. After a few minutes the chattering spirits suddenly departed and then other, more aggresive, spirits approached warning us to turn back. When we ignored their warning they started to swoop in to attack us, forming quasit shapes to make their attack before fading back into the fog. They seemed unable to touch me, but Lanzi lost three of his images to separate attacks and Hintzu was only protected by his stoneskin dweomer. Melai transformed into a water elemental in order to face them on equal terms.

Hintzu started slashing at the misty forms, hitting several, but he was not sure whether his blows were having any effect. Lanzi shielded himself with more dweomer, anticipating more attacks. Melai tried reasoning with them, using her affinity with the element to convince them that we were just passing through and meant no harm to them. They withdrew, although Melai warned us not to take any more aggressive action whilst we were still on this plane. After a while we approached a black portal and Hintzu heard the following words in his head:

Follow the light to Odin

The lines are written, a tempo and pace

Anticipating that the next plane would be vacuum, we all held our breath. We had the assistance of dweomer, though, and as long as we were not opposed we would be able to traverse the next plane without having to breathe. Thankfully we found the plane of vacuum to be completely devoid of life or essence and just about reached the next portal before we were struggling to hold our breath. However, when we hurried through the portal we found ourselves on the plane of dust, and it was the worst plane yet! Not only could we not breath, due to lack of air, we also started to disassemble in the whirling dust that ate at our skin every second that we were exposed. Melai, thankfully, had an emergency plan in case we got into difficulty; she created a bubble of air that also shielded us from the effects of the dust. We were unable to move, but we were safe.

We quickly worked out a plan to reach the next portal, conscious that we might have limited time in which to do so and still have the guidance of the torch. I started by healing some of Melai's wounds. Hintzu drank a draft of potion that turned him into a gaseous form, and then was bottled and carried by Lanzi. The familiars were reduced in size by another potion, and then bottled in some water (which they were easily able to breathe in). Then I was given the torch, wand (that had given us sanctuary) and potion of extra healing before Lanzi and Melai became wraith-like, leaving me as the only exposed solid form left. Just before they did so, I was given some protection from the plane of dust, but they could not say how much or how long it would last.

The torch guided me as I jogged forwards through the abrasive dust, although Lanzi's dweomer protected me initially. As soon as I started to feel the ill effects, I used Melai's wand to create another bubble and took a deep breath of air. Then I continued forwards, this time feeling my body slowly drifting apart in the whirling cloud. I could not hurry, because the poem had warned that the pace was important, so I just had to bear it until I reached the next portal. Eventually I did see the inviting swirl of a purple gate and gratefully stepped through into a dark but much more hospitable place. I had suffered some damage from the last plane, and my equipment was not all intact - my mace had fallen from my belt at some point and been scattered into dust!

The pull of the torch was unrelenting, and I could not pause for long to take stock. There was a blue light in the distance and I was guided towards it. There were haunting, lich-like forms around me that, after a few minutes, moved to attack. I once again called on Odin to protect me and banish the creatures, and once again his power drove them back. Reassured, I continued the quick pace towards the light, but after a few minutes more I jogged into an invisible barrier, which hurt. The barrier felt solid but was flawless and could not be seen. I freed Hintzu so that he could assist me, and then started a ceremony to call on Odin's wisdom.

By the time I had finished, the mages' dweomer had worn off and they were no longer in wraith forms. We suspected, rightly as it turned out, that there was a maze of barriers between us and the light, and I had petitioned Odin to guide me to the vicinity of the light, showing me the true path. I was wise to do so, as the path we followed was winding and full of distractions. First we heard screaming, but continued unperturbed, and then passed over vast pits of bodies all calling for our help. It was like floating above Hel itself, and we would surely have joined them if we had strayed from the path and been lost. It took us about an hour, as far as we could tell in this dark place, to navigate the maze, and the light still seemed to be far off in the distance. My wounds were much better, though, as Lanzi's ancestral armour had healed most of the damage! It truely was wonderous to wear, if a little strange in appearance.

We were again faced with an invisible barrier, but this had a top surface that we could feel, although it extended below us with no apparent bottom. I handed the torch to Hintzu again, and he searched for any signs of traps or devices using just his sense of touch. He felt some symbols on the surface, and Lanzi was able to supply some vellum for us to take a rubbing:

When crystals silence Mistress Moon

Strings of stars merge soulless fragments

Seizing dust upon wondrous yarns

Textures weave with florid tunes

Silk renews to blossoms spreading

When crystals silence Mistress Moon

Wrapping life and essence of grace

Smothering darkness in warm embrace

Birds extend celestial glows

Reflecting night sky's tapestries

When crystals silence Mistress Moon

Bronze feathers swirl and burn

Ki’rin hooves point to shore’s water

Sprinkling faith on lachrymose tunes

Planar creatures swift in death

When crystals silence Mistress Moon

Hintzu heard words in his head as we read the poem aloud, and he repeated them for us: "A direction can be found in parts without spirit." This clue suggested that we should turn left, and we did so quickly, mindful of the pace that we had set so far. Hintzu traced the edge of the barrier with his hand as we moved on, making sure that we did not stray from the path. After a while he called us to stop, having reached and edge. We followed the edge round to the right and suddenly found that the blue light we had thought to be some distance away was right in front of us. We walked into the light, again feeling the slight tug as we did so, then clattered into each other as we emerged into a thirty foot square room; our journey through the planes seemed to have ended for now.

The room itself was quite a wonder; it was if we were standing in a blue tube that resembled the trunk of the great tree Yggdrasil, and we could see its branches above our heads. After a few moments the blue light subsided and we could see that there were archways on each wall and passages leading down beyond them. Then the last of the light faded and all was dark. Hintzu found himself fully healed by some blessing and then the torch disappeared from his hand. I took out the gem of light I carried, illuminating the room once more. There were four braziers, obviously not alight, spaced around the area we stood in and standing on gold pedestals. Circles covered the floor we stood on, and inside them was the symbol of an open book. Gnomish script labelled each of the arches as Earth, Air, Fire and Water, and above each door was a dragon's head that matched the element, and they all appeared to be old dragons.

I returned Melai's wand and readied my rod of striking, which was now my only weapon. Based on the poetry we had read in Hel, we decided that we should follow the path of Earth, and started to descend the steps. The steps were covered in thick dust, and it was clear that nobody had passed this way in some time. The ceiling was studded with large gems, but we restrained Lanzi from attempting to pry them out. At the foot of the stairs were a pair of carved Gnomish figures that looked very lifelike. They were dressed as warriors, and stood below a representation of the night sky. Between the figures was a door with a depiction of a rounded Gnome face and a hand help out beneath it holding a large diamond. We were surrounded by the sound of chimes, but could not see a source for the sound.

We immediately suspected that the diamond was a trap for the greedy, and then Hintzu had an idea that "seizing dust upon wondrous yarns" might be a clue to clear the dust from the floor. He used one of his rings to blow the dust back before us, revealing a basalt floor again studded with gems. Just in front of the door, though, was a carving of Lastar stood next to Balem and another dwarf, all looking at a forge that was being used to make a crown. Orodruin and Ishtur were there, with the ring of fire, and this represented the forging of the crown of light. We knew then that we had reached Ishtur. Hintzu looked closely at the carving and saw that the faces of the figures could be depressed, and he pushed them down in order: Balem, Orodruin, Ishtur and Lastar... but nothing happened. Together we pressed them all down together, and this time the door before us swung open to reveal another room.

The room was warm and light, with the radiance coming from a hemisphere in the centre of the floor. As we looked closer, we could see that the floor was not really solid, but was a web stretching across the room and the hemisphere was actually an orb in the centre, although only the top half was radiant. The walls were carved as if we were in a spring meadow, and the ceiling resembled a pale blue sky with precious stones reflecting the light down into the room. Below us was so dark in contrast to the light around us that we could not see whether there was a bottom to the shaft or any detail of what might be down there.

Melai carefully stepped out onto the web, which sagged slightly under her weight but stablised with her balanced on top. Dew drops fell from the web into the darkness below us. She indicated that we were to stay in the doorway and then slowly made her way to the orb in the centre. The orb was hot as well as bright, but she used her mental powers to absorb its energy as she spun the orb, plunging us into darkness but illuminating the scene below. Another room seemed to come to life, with yet more carved plants in vivid colours as if in spring bloom. The residual light left at our level transformed what had been a spring scene to one of autumn. The floor of the chamber was about thirty foot below us, and it looked like a green meadow of healthy grass.

Melai returned to us at the edge, and then let herself fall slowly through a gap in the web until her feet found the grass below - and it did indeed feel like grass. Hintzu dropped through and easily made his way down the wall, grasping at the carved branches as he did so, arriving safely beside Melai. Lanzi used his dweomer to fall slowly down beside them, and I changed into the cloak of Arachnida to climb easily down the wall, albeit more slowly, like Hintzu. The ceiling above us, which we knew was a web, now looked like the night sky, with the droplets of dew shining as if they were stars. Where the droplets of dew had fallen with our movements, flowers now sprang up from the meadow. Surely it took incredible dweomer to sustain such a thing! I changed my cloak back again as the others investigated some stairs that wound their way down in a spiral from the centre of the room.

We pressed on down the stairs, and soon emerged in another cylindrical room, again about halfway up the side. There was a small platform at an opening that we could stand on and look into the room together. There didn't seem to be much to see, though, as the room was all in darkness. We could feel a faint draft from below, and the air smelt fresh. The floor below seemed to be moving as if waves were passing across its surface, but it also appeared to be made of stone. Flashes of silver light could be seen above us, streaking into the form of a constellation in a bird shape, then there was a flash of bright light that caught us by surprise, embedding the image of a phoenix onto our eyes before fading again. The stars fell as droplets of molten light, disappearing into the waves below. The cycle then started again, but this time with a different constellation. After a while we began to see a pattern, and it was clear that we would have to act when the right constellation was visible.

Melai used her knowledge to guide us, choosing a constellation that appeared above Ishtur, and we all jumped when it was formed. We passed through the liquid floor, and plunged into icy water. We were unharmed, and standing in a waist-deep pool of cold water, about forty foot square. In the centre of each wall, water was flowing into the chamber from open hatches. Ice was floating on the surface in places, so the water was freezing. Above us was dark, but the water level was slowly rising and we would have to stop the flow if we were not to drown.

Melai simply walked on the surface of the water, approaching the hatch nearest to her, seeing a horseshoe symbol on the hatch as she pulled it closed with some effort. I jogged through the water to another hatch, but would need my cloak to climb up to manipulate it. Hintzu climbed up to another hatch with his usual ease, but struggled to move the stiff lid, shouting to Melai to help. Lanzi flew up above the water and kept a supervisory eye on us all. Melai quickly crossed the water to Hintzu and together they were able to close the second hatch. Eudora was playing in the water, evidently enjoying herself, and Melai jogged across to the third hatch, closing that one too. I had reached the last hatch, but found it too stiff to move. Lanzi tried some dweomer on it, but to no effect. Melai enhanced Lanzi's strength and we all worked on it together, but still it would not move. Lanzi retrieved the magic carpet, unshrinking it so that we had a platform to work from above the water, which was still rising.

I called on Odin to give me enhanced strength, feeling my muscles flowing with holy power. But, even with new found strength, the hatch stubbornly refused to move! Hintzu tried roping the carpet to it, but that had no effect. Lanzi tried greasing the hinges with dweomer, but again it appeared to have no effect. Melai created an orb of air for us to continue to work in, as the water was beginning to interfere with our work. I was the strongest, thanks to Odin's blessing, and so Melai lent me a pair of gloves that enhanced my strength even further. Finally, with an immense heave, I was able to drag the hatch down and close off the water. I returned the gloves to Melai, now exhausted by my efforts, and lay on the carpet. Below us the water began to drain away into a hole that had appeared in the centre of the room. The top of a ladder could be seen just inside the hole.

Once the water had gone, Lanzi lowered us to the floor and packed away the carpet again. We started to climb down the ladder, which went on for some time before emerging into a room with no visible exits. Above us, again, we could see the carved canopy of a tree; we had just emerged at one side of the room. There was a pedestal to one side with a bowl on, similar to others we had seen by portals. There were battles depicted on the walls. One showed a battle before Minas Maedus, with the gnomes and dwarves fighting together against Orcus' forces and driving them back. Opposite that was depicted a winged demon similar to a Balrog; in front of the demon a gnome stood holding a gem that was firing a black beam into the heart of the creature, causing it to reel back in pain. A pitched battle was going on in the background, but this was clearly the pivotal moment. On the wall opposite the pedestal was a medley of images: an image of Melai's ship at sea, an Efreet city, Ki'rin fighting Yenoghu on the plane of air and Dracor Augusta fighting Orcus. The images were beautifully decorated and inlaid with precious gems.

Braziers were lit around the centre of the room, and it was clear that this was another portal room. As the last person stepped into the room the ladder retracted and the entry disappeared. Melai looked closely at her image on the wall, seeing that she was shown with Agan which meant that the image was 6th Age. The other images were all from positive, radiant ages. The bowl on the pedestal was platinum with three red gems inside it. We suspected another puzzle to solve and started to clear dust from the floor, working on different sections each to save time. At this point, though, I paid the price for calling on Odin's strength earlier and collapsed unconscious to the floor. Meanwhile, Melai used conjured water to clear a large section of the floor, revealing five carved stars with recesses that the gems could be fitted into.

Hintzu came to my aid, putting me in a comfortable position. Fortunately I had warned him of the effects I expected and he knew that there was no cause for alarm. Lanzi used the gem of seeing to scrutinise the room. The elements depicted on each of the walls were actually doors, and the gems were trapped, so it was good that we had not touched them. We decided that, with me unconscious and with others injured or tired, it was a good time to rest. It was one of the safest places we could find ourselves in, with no evidence that others had passed this way since Lastar's time. We rested fully and restored ourselves to battle strength in readiness for any ordeal ahead before pressing on.

Being guided by the images of positive ages, I depressed the second and fourth stars on the floor when we were ready to continue; the door behing the earth image opened when I did so. Stairs were revealed beyond and we descended down a narrow passage. The passage opened out as we continued and the air smelt fresher. We could hear voices from ahead, but they sounded jovial and relaxed; the language was gnomish. Suspecting that we were about to make contact with the gnomes we took precautions; Melai took the lead with Eudora around her neck, Hintzu hid his rings from view, and the rest of us made sure that Lastar's artifacts were hidden as much as possible, as well as putting up our weapons.

Note: Cerberus, when constrained, guards the underworld to stop souls getting out, so acts in the reverse manner to Fenris.