Session 74: Devastation

5pm Uktar/November 6

General Summary

Before moving on deeper into the tunnel complex Ivellious heard the same voice whisper to him, "The Tomb of Floating Stones must not be disturbed." Reflexively almost Vel moved to the door leading deeper into the tunnel complex and opened it. When he walked through the threshold in a small square chamber he saw the same individual with the platinum gilded mask. There he sat with the warpick in a rough stone throne that appeared to be constructed from the walls of the now natural stone chamber. In shock of Vel's impulsive decision, Eldred quickly followed. Vel glanced away for only a moment and when he looked back to the stone throne it was completely gone.
Moving through the room, the chamber beyond opened up into an enormous cavern with a twenty-foot ceiling has been carved out of the rock here. A lighted lantern rests on the floor near the center of the room. An odd array of stone monoliths — some upright standing stones, and others arranged in three-stone arches — stand around the chamber. Six low stone slabs are set against the walls around the perimeter of the room. Each holds humanoid bones, dressed in scraps of tattered cloth and rusted iron. Toward the back of the chamber the party could heard chanting. Upon investigation Eldred saw a single pale individual, bald and wearing robes.

Combat quickly as the remaining party members entered. The individual chanting, Larrakh was the one orchestrating the corruption amongst the Believers and managed to narrowly escape. Moving on the flee Red Larch with the three members of the Believers whom were in question.

Upon leaving the Tomb of Floating Stones and coming to the surface, you saw that the town was in repair. Although many people were injured in the sinkhole, people were recuperating in tents set up around the town square. Bolivar, tending to people who were injured during the incident, noticed a very particular individual whom had been keeping a rather close eye on the party.
Amongst the injured was a tall pale tiefling. His shoulder length hair is black and tied into a short ponytail, running between two grey horns that curl back. His facial features are sharp and chiseled, shaping a face that would be considered very handsome and approachable. He is dressed very sharply: A white button up shirt that is rolled up to the elbows, a tan buttoned up vest, black leather pants, brown boots, and brown long leather duster/robe. He wears a brown leather satchel that hangs over his left hip, which holds a worn leather book full of pages of short hand writing and sketches. A coin purse also hangs from his front off of his belt.
That evening the party reconvened at the Swinging Sword. After discussing the events that took place with Kaylessa and eventually questioned Brother Bondon who had regained consciousness from his capture. Brother Bondon discussed how this was the potentially the works of the Cult of Black Earth after the group had shown him a symbol they had seen in the Tomb below. The surface headquarters for the Black Earth Cult was to the east at the Sacred Stone Monastery. The stronghold of reclusive Sacred Stone Monks guards access to the unholy vaults of the Temple of Black Earth below.

During their discussion Willow noticed a familiar figure enter the tavern, the halfling youngster whom they had spared just hours ago. He is face was very trouble and Willow noticed tears streaming down his eye as he met her glance. When she approached, making her way through the crowded bar the unspeakable happened. She saw on the ground before the young individual a stone that was glowing brighter and bright with several runes on it.
Bright light flashed and silence overcame the tavern.

The Swinging Sword had turned to a pile of ash and rubble in a matter of seconds. One by one the party slowing recovered only to witness firsthand the wake of destruction. Kaylessa managed to be among the survivors but the level of severity set-in heavily on the party.
Too weak to pursue their foes, there was little the Ragtags could do at this moment. The party decided to set up camp outside of town when they had come upon a familiar individual, Vargo the Fearless. Zephyr, the one to recognize him, shared with the party how he had come to know Vargo and discovered that he could lead them to the Sacred Stone Monastery.
Early the next morning they set out to the east, learning from Vargo more details about the Sacred Stone Monks. Along the way the party witnessed firsthand another unnatural disaster; a massive tornado of first and earth completely destroy a stronghold to the north. This confirmed Vargo's hypothesis that the respective cults were working together. The root of this activity lies deep within the Sumber Hills where the Ancient Dwarven Stronghold of Tyar-Besil has been converted into four different Temples, one for each of the respective elements.

Some some uncertain means of knowing, Vargo informed you that each of the temples contains an access point into the Fane of the Eye, which seems to be the driving force behind this strange gathering of Cults. Upon witnessing this catastrophic destruction of a stronghold, Vargo departed the group to see if any of his men stationed in the destroyed stronghold remained alive.
A trail leads into an ever-narrowing defile between bluffs of wind-sculpted sandstone. Eventually the walls draw in so closely that you can reach out and touch either side, but then the narrow space opens into a hidden canyon in the heart of the hills. A sprawling monastery with dark, narrow windows and red tile rooftops stands in the middle of this natural amphitheater, ringed by sandstone cliffs all around.

Ahead, a weathered flight of stone steps leads up to the closed monastery doors. The plain doors are made of heavy timber with iron studs and dusty footpath circles the building.

Tomb of Floating Stones

Report Date

12 Nov 2020