Ankhelos

The Myste-Hass Calender

10/01/2023

Six months has passed in the town of Myste-Hass. The Tower of Dariss is under renovation. The city is busy again, people flocking into Myste-Hass. Tonnes of new businesses have been established, and the Market Place is thriving.

The Helvettian Garrison has been reestablished, alongside a new defensible position in Briudor. They establish it as a new settlement. A trade route, with businesses and new homes are set up all along Myloch's Way.

Bear leaves the council, and Andro is disgraced and removed. As such, The Arena is reopened, and the silent stalkers become a feature which people actually go to see.

In the time that has passed, Corym experiments with the Genai Stones in the basement of the Temple of Dariss. He casts a bunch of spells which are then sucked from his body, and then washed back into him with an explosion that knocks him unconscious. The stones are pulped.

Rasvyn does some private research on the ring of souls he procured from Ravaran's order. He discovers that another device was used to get the souls into the rings.

The group reminiscences on their day trip to Ulungar, relaying the news of Jovinis's death, finding that the warg had killed the horses, visiting the mural of Ankhelus again, and retrieving the bags of holding.

Reinholt buys Yusuf, a new horse.

Maolmhuire lays on a lovely buffet at the Temple of Garr.

At the Temple of Garr, Maolmhuire challenges his apprentice Finrick for casting healing spells on those that look ill, just in case they don't go to Garr. Finrick is in his late thirties, but he has seen some years. Harbinger gives Finrick a warning, if he betrays them, no quarter will be given.

Della is the new commander of the Helvettian Garrison.

Maolmhuire requires the skull of a dwarf scholar called Sartine. She may know the location of Ankhelus's realm, she may also have the answer of how to stop the souls going to him.

Her tomb is at a juncture between the shadowfell and this realm. An individual, Brin Gorrat, may be able to give advice.

Reinholt sends a messages to Bern, who says she is worried. Things are bad, and there are creature which wait outside her house at night. She says that there is a feign on the hill, and we should meet there in three hours.

Maolmhuire lines up the acolytes, giving them strict instructions - to avoid deaths in the temple and keep the far room locked. Maolmhuire has a raven called Grief.

Maolmhuire has a new cart, but its an old florists cart and yellow. He leaves it to be repainted.

They head out on Reinholt's magic carpet, but Maolmhuire makes himself look like Reinholt because he doesn't want to be seen on the carpet.

A town crier is calling business and news in the Market Place, he says something about excavation as the group moves past. Gartok turns into a dire bear and runs out, almost hit by the militia.

On the north side of the cliffs, there is a burnt out cart. There are also a bunch of worn coffins - empty and left to the elements.

The group arrives at the feign, a stone circle of six pillars and an altar. They trek back to Bern's Hut, looking for tracks and untoward things. There are dulled scratches on the door.

Rasvyn opens the door and goes in. It is orderly, but crowded. The fire is not lit. On the upper balcony, there is a single bed for a short person and a large bed next to it. Then, there is a bed downstairs as well.

One of the jars on the shelf has three assorted eyeballs in it.

Bern emerges from behind a stone. She looks older.

When the moon is full, on several nights, a large black creature with horns sweeping back from its head, demonic in nature, sent by someone. It appears and tries to get in.

Bern says you cant kill Ankhelus. You can only banish him for a period of time. He can be defeated though. The problem is that the old ones are out. They have domains, and can be worshipped and gain power from it. They crave the seats of those above, some more than others. They don't get on. They were here first, but unseated by the six prime deities.

Ankhelus would have held domain of the realm of the dead. But, he is not a god, and he doesn't care for the affairs of living, beside the power they give from worship and each death. Creatures of limited intellect are of no use to Ankhelus.

Bern says she would trust nothing that you hear of the gods right now. She's enjoying slowly dripping out choice information.

One of these individuals has a domain of deceit and deception, to get you to do things in the name of your god. There are two, long ranging and planned out deceptions - Amaris. The second is more careful with his title.

They are doing what Fate did, sitting between you and the gate, intercepting you prayers. The gates were opened and they slipped out. One is just a formless abomination, that just swells and consumes. One is concerned with corruption and disease. There is one of wrath. Gilas and Zisar are others.

Bern tells us that Tempress came and changed the world, removing the order that was set up by these entities. The world was run by scaled folk then. Goliaths were prevalent, but slaves. Then, Tempress was cast down.

The creatures crave the more powerful souls.

He is flesh, but he will hide behind his minions.

Maolmhuire mentions Satine, and Bern refers to her as a funny child. He says that she knew how to stop the souls. But, first we must understand how she creates a true connection with Garr.

Sartine was a few hundred years dead.

Bern seems keen to bring Sartine's skull here. Although, she does not know how to go between the realms.

She knows where the dwarven hold is, but it is guarded by Mother. She is all about what you want, but not how you want it.

The hold is a mine for precious metals and materials which would have built Bruidor. It's cut into a valley of the mountains, near where a shrine to Fate was established. There are two stone pillars which indicate the grand entrance.

Maolmhuire mentions the Tome of Stamatan. It is sacrificial magic.

The hold is not far from Buridor, to the west of the city. Bern says that we must do something to avoid being seen by Mother. She sees a long way. She can't see into Bern's stones.

Bern has a keepsake from the area in her hut. She doesn't know of any reason magical transportation wouldn't work.

There is ten days until the full moon. She hides away in the wilds when it visits, it stalks the wilderness.

Bern wants Tabby dead.

Reinholt messages Ravaran, asking if he could help. He says he could avoid her gaze. He then appears. He says that at one time, they were in corporation with Mother. He suggests he could send someone needy to distract Mother.

Her home is a mere four miles from Bruidor.

Mother is afraid of her home, the Divine Plane. She does not want to return there.

The group plan to travel to the hold as fast as possible, via teleportation. Then keep a watch for Mother. If her scry is spotted, then Rasvyn will cast a anti-detection spell. They procure a twig that Bern ahs kept form that area.

Reinholt asks Bern to look after his horse, Yusuf. The group then move an hour back towards the burnt out cart. Then, Dramos teleports the group and Altibo to a tree in the valley, slightly below the mine.

The group arrives. Bruidor is in sight, and they are on the side of the mountain. There are a lot of booted prints, of different sizes and different directions on the hillside.

The group heads north half a mile, then west for a mile. There are fresh footprints, heading towards and away from the hold. They are booted and human. There are cart tracks and groups of people.

The stone pillars come into view, carved with dwarven geometric designs. The arch is large enough for a giant to fit inside. Everything is quiet. A bird flies off.

Gartok casts pass without a trace, but they do require light when they head into the darkness. The ground slopes down, and they travel downward on a straight corridor for forty minutes.

The first sound is a hubbub of voices, like a crowd of individuals talking. They are speaking elvish and common. Dramos and Gremlin sneak forward, down to where the corridor opens widely into a huge, naturally-formed cavern. The ceiling is about one-hundred foot up with a myriad of buildings, with lights strewn between the streets. It's well illuminated. There are dark-skinned and pale-skinned elves. It's a town, Brantlguran. There are ogres.

Those hanging around the first building are wearing the robes of a learned wizard. They are clustered around a number of locations.

Hootie listens - hearing about some humans doing a job for Gendar, others needing more food and general conversations.

Hootie does a sweep, where there are lots of decaying buildings. In the central area though, there are newer buildings and a more established town. There are goliaths, grey-skinned dwarves, halflings, dwarves and tonnes of races. In the central section, there is a golden minotaur with arms outstretched and a glowing circle etched onto the ground.

The party decides to just introduce themselves as travellers from Myste-Hass and Bruidor. Harbinger covers Altibo's wings with a blanket.

One of the robed figures spies the group, and waves. He is very welcoming. He is a representative of the Narusian Corporation. The organise of Naruse is a bunch of learned individuals looking to further the benefits of all races.

There are only a few rules - avoid violence, no unnecessary violence, no cheating fellow trade, 10% of profits go to the Naruse, be civilised, good people.

It is a city, but without the strife of the outside. He recommends the Rising Moon in the centre of town. Stay clear of the minotaur statues, that is for use of the order.

Dramos asks about joining the Narusian Organisation. They said that they haven't observed us yet, and another conversation will be needed at a later date.

26/01/2023

Altibo says he will stamp three times if he sees an evil doer.

There is a four story, large arena type building. The back wall is illuminated by a green glow. There are support struts to support the ceiling and pillars.

The people are of mixed wealth, all moderate.

Reinholt bribes some street sleepers for details about who is really in charge of the city. He discovers there is conflict between the bigger houses. The duergar have quite a push, which creates bad feeling because its a dwarven settlement. The Naruse are supposedly in charge.

The duergar are bringing stuff up from the lower levels for selling. The giants are just pushing their weight around - a family of them who have come in from the mountains.

There is a shop area, with canopied tables.

There are a number of armoured individuals walking around, but no one appears to be wearing a uniform.

The group explores a small circular trading post, surrounded by tents, and filled with a bric-a-brac of items.

Kohrmon, the shopkeeper will do trades and purchases. He is particularly interested in swords that can kill plants, because dangerous, dark weeds inhabit the tunnel on the left-hand side of the chamber.

Kohrmon will take deposits on items, which must then be collected within a month.

If you go to the extremes of the cavern, there are a tonnes of abandoned properties which are yet to be occupied.

Kohrmon also advises not going further than the arena or the palace, where the giants who think they are in charge live. There is a couple there.

The group buys a large number of items.

Mal casts identify on the matt black shield that interests Harbinger, and tells her to buy it in order to remove it from the access of other people.

The man has acquired all the items from those that have gone below, bought back stuff and died below. All his rings sell out immediately.

The man is very concerned about the Ring of Souls which Rasvyn is wearing. Lots of people around here are refugees from the north and would be willing to take retribution freely on anyone related to those rings.

There are twenty people who are in charge, then there are those which actually rule, but they have a community which has opened its arms to all communities.

Firir Chald, a priest true to Dariss is running the Arena, training people to protect people against the undead. The dead are buried past the arena, and they come back sometimes.

Maolmhuire asks about Brin Gorrat. Kohrmon claims he has never heard of Sartine or the spire of Ankhelus.

Goldor is head of the mining operations for the deurgar. Dver-Hotz over the other side of the settlement.

Rasvyn and Maolmhuire find a book on a trade stand that has maps of how the settlement used to look, and what's on the lower levels.

Rasvyn also picks up a book on how to create rations and one on the migratory pattern of the black bears with a small section of map north of Bruidor.

The group heads to the Rising Moon, a building that was of dwarven origin and then extended upward. A dwarf, Ordig, with a short-cropped beard greets Dramos.

Things wander out of the side tunnels and occupy the buildings on the outskirts of town.

The group takes "The Bunk" which is the entire top floor and eight beds, in bunk bed format, booking it out for a couple of nights. Ordig advises the steak, steak of the night.

There was a group in there last night, but he claims that they set off after finding a mithril vein.

Ordig has been here for four years, but in the past seven months things have become busier after those from the north started taking refuge here. A war in the north kicked off, praying on spell casters. The Neruse managed to make a deal with him, Ravaran, to keep him out.

The deurgar are coming in and speaking about money, debts and arrangements. Apparently the barman owes 300gp, he claims they have a share in the building.

Others are talking about finding a locked room lower down where they store something valuable, but they can't get in.

Someone else was talking about a soul getting ripped right out.

Maolmhuire heads upstairs and wraps up the Matt-Black Shield, leaving it in the corner.

Gilsin is a spell component salesman, left of the Rising Moon, about twenty doors down where there is a sign with a sack on it.

Corym and Harbinger leave to head to the component shop, leaving the others at the bar. Gilsin, the shop owner, is a tiefling - white, thin, with dark horns, one of which is cropped. The man provides everything asked at relatively cheap prices.

Reinholt checks the room carefully before bed.

Harbinger stables Altibo near the door of the nearby stable, not locking the gate just in case.

Rasvyn attempts to scry on the magic circle near the minotaur statues, but it fails. There is clearly a magical protection over this central area.

Rasvyn uses private sanctum on the room for the night.

Harbinger asks Maolmhuire about the shield. He says little, only noting that it should be destroyed.

In the night, Reinholt makes a sneaky attempt to identify the shield. Grief sees him, and the cleric diverts.

After a full night of rest, the group breakfast and discuss their plan. Maolmhuire indicates that Sartine was a follower of the true scriptures of Garr. She understood the difference between the body and the soul, the part needed by Garr and the corpse. She knew how souls were transferred over, and how dangerous it could be if someone intervened in the bridge between life and death. She perfected a spell, a methodology or something that would stop anyone from being brought back.

Dramos believes Ankhelus that he is some kind of demon.

The device she created has not been finished, the name roughly translates to "manor".

Corym casts augury and gets the response - "A place of death, a mile long and wide. The dead don't sleep, the living can't hide. Deep below the mountaintop, past Dver-Kadrik."

Brin Gorat was a lower level which had a calamity causing many deaths. After that, it became a holy place where the dead were taken in remembrance and ritual.

Dramos picks up a rock from outside the Rising Moon.

Maolmhuire picks up the Matt-Black shield. He hears a voice who wants to get as far away as possible. Maolmhuire says that he is going to set him free. He asks Maolmhuire to hold him. Then, he wraps the shield again and leaves.

The group procure Altibo and head on towards Dver-Kadrik. As they move towards the zone, they see someone running towards the zone. Dramos uses his cloak to catch up with man very quickly, but the human seems very furtive. Harbinger pursues on Altibo, panicked to see Dramos move off like that. Apparently this human is running messages for Samuel, who runs messages at the arena.

The party heads on, but a dark-elf, Flyrrhh, bedecked in robes comes out towards the group. He has foreseen the groups coming. He says he cannot let them pass, because they are not strong enough.

A violent undeath begins in Kdarick. It will give you an end that is not fit for any. He claims that the group does not have the strength and will to face what's there, even though they admit to defeating Morthel.

He doesn't listen to reason, smashing into Gartok, then backing up towards Dver-Kadrik.

23/02/2023

The group tries to push forward, then a line of electrical energy bursts towards Flyrrhh. A woman, Gisen, comes into view, enforcing some rules. There are two other individuals, both of which spell casters. She apologises to the group. But, they also indicate that Flyrrhh will need to spend a week in to stockade.

Some punishments include death. Taking a life leads to death.

When Ankehlos is mentioned, the woman is very intrigued in what the group knows. They have one of the Silent Stalkers. Harbinger tells them that there are others who know about the issue in Myste-Hass.

Reinholt breaks the chain for the burial ground.

The air is mossy, with a weird green mist. There are tonnes of graves and mausoleums, many in the past twenty years. There are bones scattered around. There is quite a variety of quality. Maolmhuire is collecting the scattered bones. He places them in sacks and puts them in canvas sacks on Altibo's back.

Harbinger tells Altibo to keep an eye on Dramos.

In the mist, Maolmhuire catches a glimpse of a large number of undead briefly. But, whilst pressing on, a massive bone creature attacks. Harbinger and Altibo finish the creatures, as Corym rakes the lands with dawn. When he dies, the other spirits evaporate.

Dramos sees some words scrolled on the back of the cave, where the tunnel narrows and the mist thins. "Brothers take heed, the crawling god lies in the shadows behind. She cares not what rights we chant to apease (spelt wrong on purpose) her bottomless hunger, or tortures we enact in her name." The text is in common and has been here for some time.

The cavern beyond is naturally formed and pitch black. It splits into two passages about sixty feet into the tunnel. A stone pillar splits the passage.

A streak of blood is sprayed up the left-hand wall. There are relatively new, humanoid tracks that head right. The left tunnel looks untraversed.

Hootie scouts the left passage. Here the walls are covered in a phosphorescent fungi. There are several caverns and additional exits. There is a jelly-like substances on the floors though.

To the right, there is a long corridor into a large cavern with crystalline formations in the walls. Rasvyn investigates the crystals, it begins to glow vibrantly and the wizard disappears. Gartok follows and also disappears.

There are footprints going towards both exits in this room, but none that go towards the crystals other than Rasvyn and Gartok's footprints.

Corym follows.

The first two emerge in a large cavern with another set of crystals on the wall. There are two exits which have light coming from, but the rest is dark. The goliath can hear someone one speaking in giant, talking about moving something.

Corym emerges into a smaller cavern where he can hear running water.

Reinholt sends a message to Rasvyn, who informs them that Gartok is with them, but not Corym.

Corym turns left and follows his route. He finds a chamber filled with a grey jelly-like material, surrounding gestating eggs. In another chamber he sees a waterfall and large body of water.

Reinholt sends a message to Corym asking where he is. He says that his location is unknown. He's near a large waterfall that is quite noisy. He says he's alone. He says there is no immediate danger, but he is lost.

Gartok seems to be directly ahead, even though the passage splits into two. Gremlin scouts left. The cavern opens out, one lit, one massive. There is a corpse of a monstrous creature here as well, cyclopes with a chest.

To the right, there is a chamber filled with jelly and eggs. Little worms are in the jelly.

Harbinger uses her locate creature spell to find Rasvyn.

Rasvyn casts comprehend language to help understand the giants. They set off towards the cyclopses, using druid craft to mark which way they've been with little flowers.

It turns out there are multiple chambers with jelly-like, gestation pods.

Continuing, they emerge into the dead-worm chamber. Here four massive cyclopes appear. Rasvyn and Gartok also arrive in this chamber, from an another passage.

The creatures makes Harbinger vulnerable to thunder and lightening damage, then combat begins.

23/03/2023

Then another one of the creatures looks at Harbinger effecting her with something else. Gartok runs at one of the creatures, but they move away and group up. One of the creatures begins to fly, calling a tornado of air.

The chamber is filled with lavae and a ginormous insectoid creatures. Reinhold banishes one of the cyclopse. Dramos thunder steps with Maolmhuire to the back of the chamber. Rasvyn separates the creature from the cleric, but its keeps pursuing, chasing down anyone it gets near. After Rasvyn kills a number creatures that Gartok has wailed upon, Dramos kills the insectoid.

The group then get in position and tactically drop their banished creatures to reveal the cyclopses. Harbinger decapitates one instantly. The other one is killed by Gartok.

These creatures had a massive chest filled with grey-skinned, scaled humanoids that have been chopped up for meat. They have flatter snouts than lizardfolk with sunken eyes.

The largest creature has a symbol cut into his chest, an old scar. The symbol is reminiscent of Alaie iconography, but with crude markings that could be perceived as lighting bolts or even legs like the insect-type creature. There are also a few rolls of parchment, bound with rough leather cord, tucked away in his clothing. They are scrolls, religious texts, detailing how lesser and more stupid races don;t understand the gods. They indicate that the crawling god is an angel of Mother or Alaie.

Beneath the body parts in the chest is a large, black-iron key.

Harbinger notes how Maolmhuire was using his black shield, but he says he didn't want a better item to get destroyed in a fight. Harbinger is utterly convinced.

Maolmhuire denotes an arrow on the ground to indicate the way the group came out. Then, Gartok druid crafts a unusual flowers as an indicator.

The group send their three familiars - Gremlin, Grief and Hootie along different paths. Two of the paths head around to the same chamber. There are a set of massive double doors. Two basalt gargoyles watch over the chamber. THere are two metal, king-like statues.

Sartine is marked on the door. Her tomb is at a junction between our realm and a shadow realm.

18/04/2023

The one king-like statue looks at though it may be dwarven, or duergar. There are burning torches which look normal, as if they have been lit recently.

The group uses mage hand to carry the key over.

Light doesn't seem to illuminate the doors. There is scrawled writing on the doors, and Sartine marked in common above. Moving closer hurts Gartok and Harbinger. The door reads - "To breach the door will lead to disaster."

The statues then come alive and begin attacking the group. Meanwhile, Rasvyn hears a weird whispering which stuns him.

Then, a ooze leaps onto Dramos, tearing him to the ground and trying to eat him.

The mage hand can't turn the key in the door, but Gartok finds it easy when he uses his hands. The two animated carvings then head straight for Gartok. After a bit of a fight, they are taken down, as are the two gargoyles which fly from the other side.

Harbinger runs across the battlefield and falls in a pool, which leads to an intense conversation with Altibo when she is saved.

The group move down the corridor, past the open doors. Shadows cling to the walls along this passage, leading to a set of doors painted in the darkest black the adventurers have ever seen. Beyond is a square room, there is a number of obelisks with a pit blocking the way to another exit.

One of the obelisk has 'destiny' inscribed on it. The other has 'stark' written on it. Hootie flies towards the one obelisk, but electricity arcs out and zaps the owl.

Dramos tries to walk between them, towards the pit and gets blasted heavily by lightening. The obelisk on the right says 'Fate'. The obelisk on the left says 'Emptiness'.

Gartok runs back down to the main door and takes the key, which causes the doors to close behind the groups.

Maolmhuire summons an unseen servant, who he equips with a mirror and sends over to the obelisk to look in the gap. There is something inside - some sort of rod or handle.

Maolmhuire claims that the artefact that he is seeking can be used by Garr worshippers and Fate worshippers.

Grief flies towards the 'stark' and 'emptiness' column. Nothing happens, so Maolmhuire approaches and nothing occurs. He reaches in and pulls the 'stark' rod. When he tries to move around the one he gets hit by lightening. In the end, Harbinger is forced to use the 'destiny' lever. The group can then traverse between the pillars.

Altibo and the magic carpet ferry the group across the fifty-foot deep hole. But, the group decide they would like a long rest and fly back over the put. Meanwhile, Corym decides to scout out the place. He becomes ethereal, moves into the darkness of one room and disappears. All of a sudden, he appears before a number of creatures which end the spell effects on him, making him visible.

The huge creature says, this way is closed to the living. It belongs to a new benefactor and you will join him. The death knight lays into Corym, whilst the ghouls watch impassively. The priest screams out.

Dramos hears the screams. Everyone panics and runs to find Corym. They open the door to the room where Corym is, but Reinholt can't see the ethereal form of Corym. So, Reinholt closes the door again and fights to keep it closed as undead swarm around Harbinger.

04/05/2023

Gartok moves to take over the door, bursting it open. The death knight asks "Is it you? Let's test your metal?", then releases a burst of thunder before shifting back for the ghouls to move in.

Other wraiths swarm in, attacking Rasvyn.

Rasvyn casts a spell that effects the entire group accidentally, a radiant light of sickening.

The creature trues to banish Gartok to Ankhelos's plane. He is pleased, saying we are doing Ankhelos's work.

The knight claims that he has no wish to kill Gartok, but one of them has to go to Ankhelos. He says that Ankhelos is wrong about us, only Gartok is a true warrior.

The group take out all the ghouls, ghosts and spirits. But, eventually the knight closes the door on the group.

Harbinger says, "We are coming for you master and we will kill him." The knight says its not his master and he is compelled to act this way.

Right as Gartok kills him, the man says praise Dariss. Corym takes his head and Harbinger takes the symbol of Dariss hung around his neck. His armour is not magical, but his greatsword is made from black steel and magical - a falmetongue greatsword.

Detect magic determines that the door at one end of the room is magical and the amulet of Dariss, alongside the sword previously identified.

The group settle to rest. About an hour into the second watch, the slightest tremor is felt throughout the ground and chamber.

Whilst Maolmhuire sleeps, he dreams sporadically of questing for the dead dragon on the mountain. Then, he dreams of messing with dead bodies. Suddenly, he is in a dark land with silent stalkers all around. Ahead is a dark tower on the horizon. The cleric can feel someone close behind him, he doesn't know who.

He wakes in the market square, relieved someone isn't watching over his shoulder.

Reinhold casts speak with dead on the skull from the deceased deathknight.

"What was you real name?"

"Baltir Druin".

Besides Dariss, who is your masters."

"Ankhelos."

Were you a paladin for Dariss?

"Yes."

"Where is the tomb of Sartine?"

"You are in it. Ankhelos only sent me to intercept you."

"Where exactly is the skull of Sartine?"

"Beyond that door."

Dramos opens the door, looking beyond into the short corridor. A small room has a charred man silhouetted onto the wall. To the left, there is a larger room with an alter and a massive brazier. In the midst of the flame is a blackened skull.

There is a circle on the cloth of the later, a symbol to Garr. Harbinger detects the sense of some hidden undead near the brazier.

Maolmhuire praises Garr and Sartine. He thrusts his hand into the fire. It is cold and he takes the skull.

The skull chuckles as Maolmhuire holds him.

27/06/2023

THe skull says that he feels the presence of Garr hot on Maolmhuire. The skull wants to stop the corruption. Sartine claims that souls aren't tools to be had, or powers to be harnessed. Souls should go straight to Garr. Souls that are dead should be eternally so.

Ankhelos is a foul twisted, ageless creature, older than this world. It bleeds. It should go to Garr,not just banishment this time, but true death.

In Ankhelos's preview, souls are power. They are forces to charge him. He can discharge them to do his willing.

Souls with Garr aren't truly gone. They are in flux. Sartine claims that those souls should be offered to Garr.

Ankhelos is addicted to his source of power. He did not construct it. It's an orb designed to capture every soul. It's in a segment of the shadow fell, divided from the main fell.

Sartine seeks purity.

This skull has straying thoughts, thinking of the orb. He wishes he was strong enough when he had the chance. It is the most alluring, seductive challenge to your will. If there is an element of corruption that can be exploited, it will.

There is an invisible room off one side of the chamber. It leads into a corridor, then the floor bottoms out. Reinholt gets Gremlin to carry a lighted ball bearing to the pit and kick it in. The ball bearing disappears.

Sartine says that the invisible wall wasn't there before, it was a small room with a temporary transportation device. The veil is thin. It is Sartine's portal, but corrupted. It goes to a place where Sartine was doing research.

The group forcefully remove the skull form Maolmhuire in suspicion. Rasvyn puts the skull into his bag of holding, but then the group remove it, worried about the creature that attacked Corym.

Dramos reaches into the fire and takes some necrotic damage from the flames.

Maolmhuire steps into the pit, he appears in a room. Its twenty feet by twenty feet, and stairs are ahead. Reinholt follows, then Harbinger. Gremlin scouts ahead.

There are four bright, burning braziers, in the centre is an obelisk that is thirty foot high, sucking the light towards it. Shadows are cast by the columns in the corners of this room. They look like long slender shadow figures. The pillars is where the opening is made. Maolmhuire is the conduit and needs to touch the pillar.

When Dramos steps through the initial wall, he passes a ball bearing back and it appears with Gartok. The portal is a two-way opening.

On the other side, we will emerge near the tower.

Sartine says that she thought the orb would let her accelerate the process, bring more souls to Garr. But, as she used it, she became blind and failed Garr. She wanted the weak, the sick, the willing to go to Garr.

The closer she got to the orb, the more she wanted to fill it.

A creature speaks in primordial. It is nible, with a bald head, humanoid, wielding with a large curved weapon, with red flesh. "Welcome, you have been expected." Maolmhuire responds, "I am Maolmhuire, saint of Garr, who addresses me?" The creature asks, "Are you so loyal to your dead god, that you would not consider aligning yourself with another."

Gartok casts long strider on Harbinger and himself. Flame elementals emerge everywhere, then the creatures make themselves seen.

The creature on top of the obelisk appears to be begging not to act in the way she is, but is forced by the other creature. She blows a horn and it casts a wave of thunder, but she also plays a paralysing tune that frightens listeners into paralysis.

Rasvyn attempts to remove spell effects on the woman, but nothing appears to be controlling her. She even begs for death when Maolmhuire attacks her.

The big red guy shouts out, directing the woman to take out the spell casters.

There is a popping sound, then the creatures disappear, plane shifting out of sight.

Exploration of the room reveals no writing.

Reinholt casts a hero feast, and the group take an hour to rest and consume the food, including Altibo.

When Maolmhuire touches the pillar, it slides down into the ground, revealing a hole filled with inky blackness. He hears - "yes" - from Sartine, then another voice. Suddenly, darkness bursts from the hole engulfing everyone.

Grey stretches on all side, on the other side of a chasm, past long, jaggedly pointed walls is an eight-hundred foot tower, one-hundred foot wide. Silent stalkers surround the tower, flying around. We are less than a mile away from the bridge. There are tents, people waiting outside the gates. We all feel an overwhelming urge to look at the top of the tower.

20/07/2023

High in the sky there is a storm, with rolling clouds and lightening. There is no sound though, instead dozens of Silent Stalkers leaves the air silent. The trees are leafless.

For a moment, Maolmhuire sees only darkness. The voice of his lord comes clearly to the priest.

Words fill his head, the voice of his lord cut off by another at certain points - "You are close, disciple, follower, I feel you. Closer. Closer. The correct order of things will be restored. You are the only one. Maolmhuire come closer."

[[Dramos] goes to a near tree, and goes to snap away the bark. It feels alive.

Habringer prises a piece of ground from where they arrived to offer Dramos something to easily transport them back.

There is a wall with guard towers. The bridge goes up onto the gate house, the chasm behind.

A flash of darkness veins the air, then two reptilian arms burst out. A draconic, translucent face bursts through taking extreme prejudice against Maolmhuire, but showering the rest with narcrotic attacks and energy as well.

The group continue on across the plain, down towards the tents and rough buildings. There is a central path through the make-shift settlement. They are armoured fully in plate. Three of them move towards us.

There is something familiar about the lead individual to Harbinger. It is the male Harbinger of Fate. He is chatting on about destiny. He says he admires Harbinger, that she has grown, close to ascending to her true name. He wants to join us. He has no memory of his end. He wishes to assail the fortress. The battle group consists of entirely paladins. There are forty paladins, worshippers of different gods. One is called Gosen. Dracon Thuul is amongst the group.

He says there is a man, above all of them, his lord, who wants to speak with the adventurers - Lord Cross.

There is a scuplture about ten foot high, old in design. There are shards of purple metal, twisted like hands, bent out on one side and forming a sphere otherwise. Rasvyn discerns that something was removed from it. Maolmhuire sees a vision that the orb was once trapped in the cradle. It makes s ymbol of Garr.

The Harbinger of Fate has no recollection of how long they've been there, but he thinks its been a few weeks. He says he speaks with Fate every night, and hears his voice in return.

He leads the group into a large wooden building.

The bridge is rough, natural-looking stone, arching out over the chasm tenuously. There are guardians looking down from the ramparts.

Corym has seen the bridge before, in a dream-like vision of King Myloch. The king was fighting with his warriors, with a huge shadowy form on teh other side. The bridge gave way.

Inside, is a large table, hastily assembled. How was this camp even constructed? The lead figure is tall, with long hair and undeniably handsome. Ardnath Cross claims that they all have loved ones they wish to return to. They wish to destroy the one who is blasphemous to all the gods. They cannot get past the walls without the sigils.

Ankehols has trusted souls he has snatched that man his gate houses, take his sigil and breach his tower. Kallash (they have never seen), Xenthro (dracolith version of the red dragon), Varuun (a rakshashar), Magrathor (is a tall, black demon with horns that bend backward).

Dracun Tull spent a long time searching for relics of interest, that is his last memory. He secretly says that there is a problem with the Fatists.

They do not knw of Garr as a proper god. Garr has passed, hence their terrible situation. They want the seat filled.

Ardanath Cross says he follows love. He wants to convene, pray and fight.

Maolmhuire secretly speaks to Sartine, who says there was once a holy temple which was ripped apart by the rift. The shrine remained with all of its power. It was folly to remove the orb from here.

Maolmhuire prays to Garr.

Ravaran appears about twenty foot away from Maolmhuire. He says that he is incredibly powerful, but admires the entire groups effort. He has helped however he can because it will help everyone to see the removal of Ankhelos. He is behind the entire group. He claims Maolmhuire is praying to nothing at the moment. Ravaran calls Maolmhuire naughty, and says he is amazed the Garr has a place for him, but there is a spot for Maolmhuire at the top of the pyramid.

When Ravaran disappears, a voice says "Your faith feeds me. Walk across the bridge and join me. I won't offer again. If you refuse this offer, I will rip your soul from your body and use it as I will."

On the table is a sketch of what the paladins believe to be the layout of the land, with a dragon and question mark on the right most tower.

The paladins head out, supplicating themselves around the monument where the orb once was. They pray, many to the twelve avatars, but also the primary gods. A flow of energy flies up towards the tower as they pray.

At the end of Corym's prayer, a creature emerges in smoke - Ansomir. It is a muscular, blue creature with outstretched wings and pale white eyes. He greets the group, claiming to be at Corym's service. The creature asks for an item of its choice in payment. When he sees it, it will take it.

Ardanath Cross wants to plan, then begin the assault tomorrow. Marolmhuire tells us that the prayers are not going to who they think it is.

Reinholt tells Dracon Tuul the truth of his death, trying to convince him, but at the last moment he turns back.

Harbinger rushes inside as the others make off towards the bridge, calling to the other Harbinger, talking of the school. He looks to the Harbinger, calling her Elise. Harbinger refers to him as Haren and manages to convince him to follow Maolmhuire on his new path.

The bridge is roughly hewn, thirty-foot across, the barricades rough. Directly across is the base of the tower, five steps up and a doorway of blackened wood and iron. The wind comes from beneath the bridge. The air pulls at the group.

On the opposite of the bridge, is a single figure matching the group. It is indistinct. A shadow opening up - Skaeon.

A wall of arcane energy shields the centre of the bridge, but Skaeon passes through unfazed. He raises a bunch of ghosts. He is beaten relentlessly, but then swipes in Haren and tries to lift him through the wall of force. As he does, Harbinger hits him with an almighty attack. The smoke dissipates, leaving Haren on the other side of the barrier in pain.

15/08/2023

The hound chases in the direction of the gate, towards Haren, though it was targeted on Skaeon and the entity appeared to dissipate.

Whilst the adventurers are exploring how the barrier works, a very painful experience for Gartok.

Haren walks ahead to see three narrow paths leading to three different doors at the base of the tower.

Harbinger tries to call him back, but he says "don't worry, this is my purpose".

Corym casts dawn on the wall, then eight Silent Stalkers descend on the group, forcing them to back off. None of the Silent Stalkers attack Harbinger, but they attack Maolmhuire, Corym and Gartok.

The group returns to the camp to take a short rest. Rasvyn uses his scrying ball to spy on Haren. He's moving up a spiral staircase, a tight stone space. He flattens himself against a wall on a landing, peering into an archway. He moves into a large room with a curved wall behind him, suits of armour attack him.

The group tries to convince paladins to join the fight. Harbinger even cleanses Dracon Tull's mind, but it doesn't seem to help.

However, when Corym's planar allie enters, it become apparent that he is a demon. Gartok has already identified this, but Ardanath Cross and Harbinger sees.

A fight kicks off, and Ankhelos seems to get off on it. It appears that the creature is actually a servant of Ankhelos.

Maolmhuire kills the creature with the cracking of his magical bell of Garr. The creature is cremated where he stands and pulled back to Garr's realm.

Whilst taking a short rest, Gartok, Maolmhuire and Harbinger forget the fight on the bridge ever happened.

Reinholt notes down the events so far and the entire group signs it to justify that we were all testament to what has occurred, and potentially forgotten.

On the walls, there are human-sized armoured figures. However, they are too hunched to be normal humans. They are equipped with crossbows.

Hootie explores, spotting a body face down on the floor near the furthest tower. The helmet has been completely caved in. The door is splintered. There are small windows, but no movement is spotted inside. Hootie lands and sees a small room, furnished with an open door beyond. The corridor is lit. A feline individual, dressed in robes, lives here.

The group heads beyond the wall, making towards the Rakshasha's tower. The body outside is lightly furred, scored with necrotic and radiant damage. It's head is nearly caved in.

There is shattered wood all inside on the floor, with stairs winding upward to the left.

Rasvyn steps into the tower.

26/09/2023

Rasvyn takes the spiral staircase going up the outside of the tower. They are warn and old. A door appears, narrower than normal - wooden, iron-banded with a ring handle. There are stairs continuing up. The temperature seems lower near the door, but not magical. There is light coming from inside. It looks like torchlight inside.

Rasvyn opens the door, a waft of cold air drifts out. Everything inside is coated with ice.

Gremlin flies through, going completely round the circle area and flying past two doors. There are slippy plains of ice on the floor.

They continue upward until the staircase stops at a door. Wind can be heard behind it. This door opens out to the spiked battlements. There is movement out there. Several minotaurs are out there. There are other figures which Rasvyn can't see.

There is a slippage on the stairs which knocks a whole bunch of people down the stairs, but Dramos stops the tumble. It makes enough noise though that someone comes down from above.

Reinholt descends down to the cold door again. The group files in. Reinholt casts greater restoration on Rasvyn, and then he gets the strangest sense that the group has walked along this corridor recently, even though the memory is faint.

Harbinger asks Rasvyn to mark the wall, but as he goes to draw the symbol, he sees that the wall is already marked. We have been here before. Everyone loses a spell slot, but they cannot remember losing them.

Reinholt realises that the rod of resurrection is gone, along with a number of rations.

The group presses on, into another cold large room. There are yetis, dead, a large insectoid in here. Rasvyn remembers fighting these creatures already. There are a number of dead on the ground here.

Reinholt feels the connection to Dariss still, but its weak.

Dramos casts fireball, but the full effect of the spell is reduced. Maolmhuire puts up a barrier, which is incredibly effective since Gartok is petrified into ice.

The lead insect is carrying the rod of resurrection, but Rasvyn steals it from him.

Eventually, the insect creature is killed and Corym destroys several waves of undead yetis with his divine power.

Dramos determines that the insect is demonic in nature. The cold persists even with the death of the yetis and insect.

The group drink tonnes of healing potions, then move on. The door leads to a long room with two pillars that are ten foot height. Steps lead up at the far end of the room.

A voice is heard - "No further caution is required, come meet me in the room above."

There is a general sense of foreboding that sets the group at unease as they pass the columns.

There cat creature is there, Varuun, along with the fiendish dog, Taag. The dog has red fur, and a crystaline physique. The creature says that he has been kept here against his will. He wants a trade, to provide the sigil. All the creature wants is a simple item, an amulet that Ankhelos has taken and keeps either in his tower or on his person. It is gold with the symbol of a paw on it.

There are other creatures like this creature in the main tower, but they are not as powerful.

He claims that we have fought the creatures three times. It is part of the enchantment that Ankhelos has used upon the paladins.

Magnamar is a demonic entity of extreme power who feeds Ankhelos. Magnamar would be aware if the Rakshasa leaves his tower. The cat creature is not a good person, but he has no desire to stay.

His fur is dark with pale yellow streaks in it, with feline faces with dark eyes with a yellow slit in both and white facial hair.

Varuun will be vulnerable when he gives us the sigil. It is a chain with a single golden ring. He makes his deal with Gartok. The necklace allows up to ten people to enter the tower. They must be a maximum of 20ft apart. Magnamar feels the sigils. If they ever get too close to the other sigils then he will be summoned. They do not need a command word or attunement, but Ankhelos will sense us coming.

Once the sigil is used to pass the barrier, that is it. The sigils are distinct, so Varuun will be known.

There is a room of weeping sorrow, where long dead voices call out. Ankhelos does not go there. It is a safe space. Get there as soon as possible and rest. The voices are sad, try to ignore them.

There are three main walkways into the tower. The bridge crossing the chasm. There is one on the parapet above the towers. There is another around the opposite side of the tower which Varuun recommends we avoid.

If you enter from the parapet, there are nine floors before the home of Ankhelos. The room of sorrows is the second floor from the parapet, third floor from the lower level. Not all the floors are full. But, he has many allies who are not operating of their own free will.

The racksasha could raise an alarm further along the wall to call away the minotaurs, but it would put him at risk. He'll do it if it speeds our group along to aid him.

The feline creature does not know how long he's been here. Ankhelos messes with peoples perceptions of time and their minds.

Varuun determines there is something special about Dramos. He has the scent of the void upon you, but he's also more human than you would appear.

Varuun is very keen when Dramos suggests striking an accord which might involve learning more about Dramos's childhood.

Dramos pets Taag on Varuun's consent. The dog has a crystaline fur. Its eyes burn with an orange fire. The dog does not like Dramos.

We ask to be given five minutes to climb the stairs up to the top of the tower. Then Varuun will raise the alarm.

The sigil is a simple band, like a large ring. It is plain, but emanates magic. There are shouting voices and footsteps moving away. Harbinger calls Altibo to fly to the top of the tower.

Three armoured figures made of fire, five minotaurs, two demon-looking figures and six ogres are seen.

The group heads to the barrier, moving through and hurries towards the tower. There is an almighty figures a corpulent figure drops onto the bridge ahead. Ankhelos looks at us.

19/10/2023

"Why," says Ankhelos.

He wields a weapon which looks like a spine of another creature with a flaming head atop the staff.

Harbinger and Reinholt challenge him, but he claims that it's everyone's Fate to for him to reap their souls.

Amaris is his brother, and he always produces. He influences, populates, copulates. Ankhelos senses his seed upon us.

Corym calls out to Dariss, there is a crack of bright light rejuvenating us, throwing back the shadows and the Silent Stalkers.

A black beam bursts from Ankhelos, decaying Corym. Then, just as Maolmhuire runs around the fiend, necrotic energy encompasses everyone else making them vulnerable to his necrotic energy.

He blasts the symbol of Dariss off Reinholt's shield.

Ankhelos casts time stop. Zombies erupt from the ground around the far end of the bridge. A cyclopse skeleton emerges in front of Harbinger. Then, he grips Altibo by the neck and turns him into nightmare.

After laying into the party, he flies away.

Harbinger tries to kill Altibo, but he goes etheral and disappears, asking Harbinger why she's turned on him.

Maolmhuire asks Sartine why Ankhelos was so concerned by the skull's presence. He says that he is a conduit to Garr. The skull says everything within the tower must be killed, because they workshop the false god - the betrayer.

The group reaches the archway at the tower, flying Hootie beyond. She emerges into a large circular chamber. There is a pit with several alters and a dias with chairs, stairs going up and down. There are two semi-translucent hounds, along with two minotaurs. In an alcove, there is a cowled female figure with a snake tale - waiting. Hootie is then killed.

The group steps through. The hounds multiply and attack. The minotaur try to push Gartok into the pit, but Rasvyn plays him at his own game, using telekinesis to throw one down the pit.

The woman reveals herself. She is a gorgan, turning Reinholt and Rasvyn to stone. Harbinger decapitates the gorgon, whilst Corym and Gartok kill the hounds and minotaurs.

23/11/2023

In this room, there is a crack in the flagstones that opens into some kind of cave below - unusual because the party is very high in the tower.

Whilst the group argue about carrying Rasvyn and Reinholt in stone, Maolmhuire sneaks ahead and sees a cat-like creature.

The creature challenges Maolmhuire who is disguised as a racksasha. He says that if someone dies here, it is permanent.

Another racksasha emerges, and then another. They inspect the priest of Garr. Maolmhuire identifies himself as Lemeer.

Meanwhile, Dramos strips Rasvyn's bag of holding, putting his belongings into a sack for Harbinger to carry. They leave his tent and decayed purple worm bits, then put him in the bag of holding.

Above the racksasha's sit down to have a conversation. They each carry two short blades. There are a number of potion bottles and books on the shelves in this room.

Gartok pretends to be a rat, but he gets stabbed by one of the cats - Kashutan. As soon as he turns back to being a goliath, he is charmed.

The cats say that being on the winning side is the only way to freedom. Being trapped by Ankhelos means that they don't have to return to their home plane.

They encourage Maolmhuire to go, to take his friend and continue on.

Maolmhuire tries to convince them to turn against Ankhelos. Then Sartine blurts out -"Aboniations! You should kill them. Send their souls to Garr."

The creature touches Maolmhuire's face, giving him a parting gift. He scratches Maolmhuire's cheek. He does the same to Gartok, breaking the charm.

They are both cursed, so they can no longer gain the benefits of a rest.

They then dominate Gartok who batters the shit out of Maolmhuire.

Maolmhuire tells Sartine now is the time, the skull is super excited as Maolmhuire feels compelled to pull the skull over his own face. His body withers, huge robes wreathes him and a massive scythe appears in his hand.

Maolmhuire sends a shower of sparks down to alert the group below, who run up to find chaos. Dramos animates Reinholt's statue to move him up the stairs. Dramos then casts a fareball, breaking Gartok Beartooth's domination.

Two of the racksasha runs of, leaving behind another who offers a deal.

Maolmhuire then sends a mental shout that I am an avatar of Garr, and I will not be stopped. Gartok kills the stranded cat. Then, Harbigner and Gartok Beartooth destroy the remaining enemies, despite some of them begging.

Maolmhuire heads upstairs, shrinking down, leaving Sartine in his hands.

REinholt finds himself looking into a large circular chamber. There is a black circle in the centre and purple columns. Voices echoes around the chamber. He walks to the centre. The voices are singing of a time when Garr was all powerful, when he was not afraid to walk amongst the living and take them.

Maolmhuire sees Reinholt in the centre of the chamber, no longer petrified.

Rasvyn awakes in complete darkness. He creates a source of light and it illuminates nothing. He's floating. He calls out and hears a croaky voice.

"Call out to me and I'll find you," it says. "I can help you. You'll die in here."

"Where is here?" Rasvyn asks.

The creature finds him. A hand wraps around his leg. Rasvyn attacks him.

"I won't forget that," it says, just as Rasvyn is birthed by Dramos spilling the contents.

Harbinger takes three potions and runs up stairs with Gartok. Corym wanders slower, taking a few books and other objects.

On the level above, Maolmhuire encourages everyone to pray. Sartine encourages no caution, reckless hatred, because the adventurers are so close.

Dramos questions Sartine, who says he wants to empower Maolmhuire in order to allow himself to be free.

Garr's voice is heard. Everything is lit up, the walls filled with jar after jar, going on for infinity. Some of the jars are filled with sand, the rest are empty.

"So, much is lost. There is little left. He must receive my embrace. But, Sartine, you traitor, you refuse to pass."

"Don't listen. I can empower. I can not do this on my own, it must be through Garr's blessing."

Garr claims Ankhleos must fall. If he is banished, he will return. When he does, I will harvest. He does not have complete dominion, he still fears me. You can recover your power here, but I can offer you this but once. You can recover here. Ankhelos has enchantments on this place, he has made three Genai Stones which have been created as weird stones. Be caustious. Test the waters.

"Fate is much changed, a multi-faced monstrosity. He has taken our avatars. I feel his hand here. He has manipulated the situation. I feel his hand at play. But, I am much weakened.

"The second my power is restored, I will take you Sartine, regardless of your desires.

"Do this for me and you will be greatly rewarded.

"Stay away from the focal point. It will drain you. It empowers Ankhelos. It is greatly dangerous.

"He hungers for the same thing as I hunger. He needs those souls. He will not wait until his time though. He will take the souls of the living and not rest until there are none left."

Garr says that Ankhelos will be weaker if we stop the souls getting to him.

"Your names are already spoken amongst us. My brother knows that you are experts in pissing people off.

Maolmhuire and Gartok are bless to remove their curses.

Then, Garr must leave.

Reinholt identifies the potions Harbinger picked up - Elixir of Health, Oil of Etheralness, and Oil of Sharpness.

Dramos speaks with Garr about what happens when he dies.

He tells him that he is not a tiefling. Your father is a despicable creature who disguised himself as the king of Anglan and bedded the queen. The king had you thrown out because you were born a monster. There are those that would use you to gain power. He says that Arianna is an enemy, a servant who would see these things brought into play. Amoris is like Ankhelos and would seek the fall of Imogen.

Harbinger says that they will do whatever necessary to destroy Sartine if she tries to take power.

Reinholt casts a divination spell asking about Ankhelos's weakness. Dariss replies that Ankhelos has been planning this in torment for hundreds of years. He is more prepared than we ever will be. His preparation is his weakness.

Oil of Slipperiness is applied to Gartok Beartooth. Gartok casts longstrider on Harbinger and himself.

Harbinger applies the oil of sharpness to Bloodfang.

Reinholt, Corym and Maolmhuire are all deathwarded.

Harbinger tries to reach out to Altibo, but gets not responses.

Gremlin flies up to a large room, the top of the steps. There is a demonic-looking figure, tightly drawn skin with burning eyes here. He is undead.

The group head up. "There is no need for violence. My master, my lord, has sent us to parlay. My master is prepared to make significant offers towards you. My lord has commanded me to give you anyone back. A number of souls in return."

He tries to trade souls. He says he does not have the will to have a price.

There is a mote of crackling fire to the side. Maolmhuire uses a gust to blow the fire.

Corym casts detect magic and only see us and the fire. It has blue and green elements at the base of the flame. It gives off a conjuration element. It is a Genai Stone.

Reinholt throws a copper piece around the room,

Maolmhuire uses toll the dead on the creature and his skin is blown off, he crumples to the floor.

It's been 10 minutes.

Rasvyn summons his third eye.

Sartine says the layout has changed here. The flame is new. It then forces Maolmhuire into the small room. As soon as he crosses the threshold, he disappears.

Maolmhuire finds himself in a large space, wind flowing past him. There is a huge orc which makes the hair on his arms stand up. Statues stand around the perimeter. Hundreds of Silent Stalkers swarm, arcs of energy absorbing the souls brought forth, sucked into the orb.

Ankhelos squats on the throne.

30/11/2023

Elsewhere, seven large chairs look at the circles on teh floor. Five are occupied. The sixth is slumped, weakened, his life draining away. Maolmhuire stands on the top of the tower, black orb ahead of him reflecting. Ankhelos squats on the other side, looking deep into the black orb. Beams of energy shoot, zap and snap all around.

The tower is so high, Maolmhuire can't see the land at all. Hordes of Silent Stalkers come.

Moalmhuire calls out - I am here to save you. DO not be afraid, I forgive you. I am nearer now to Garr than ever. I am his son and you are my brother.

Back in the other room, Reinholt heads into the fire chamber. The flames have died out.

Dramos lights a torch, but shadows begin to seep from the walls. One extends a blackened hand towards Dramos and Gartok, reducing their strength.

Ankhelos calls out to Sartine. Then, says he will take Maolmhuire. The cleric moves towards the orb, he takes a load of damage to his mind. Something tries to force its way into his conciousness. He hears screams of hundreds of thousands of dad souls within.

Ankhelos calls skeleton arms that burst from the grounds, restraining Maolmhuire. He casts unseen servant which removes the green and red Genai Stones from Maolmhuire's bag.

When the shadows are defeated on the level below, the flame reignites and allows a few people through. Rasvyn outs a bubble of force around the magical orb at the centre.

Corym has to remove strength drain from Gartok, but Dramos remained weakened.

Maolmhuire assumes the form of Sartine.

Dramos arrivesthrough the portal and releases Bonzo from the Iron Flask.

Ankhelos summons a death knight with a helmet that has three skulls on the mask. There are also two winged skulls with green glowing eyes. They half the party unconcious and the others frightened.

Corym pushes a Genai Stone into the orb with a mage hand, there is a pulse of energy and the circle grows a foot larger.

Reinholt calls for a divine intervention. Dariss extends his arm to aid, but a white hand stops him.

Bonzo's body disintegrates into a large glob of white light and is sucked into the orb.

Harbinger is knocked unconscious by Ankhelos. Altibo arrives.

Maolmhuire sends energy into a blue magical stone, cracking it. His spiritual weapon shatters the stone. The tower begins to shake.

In our minds, we hear "do you not see, you have barely touched me and you barely cling to life. I offered you lenancy and position and you scorn me. Then, I will just take you."

He extends his sceptre, dragging energy from the orb and reaching out towards us...