Summary 55

We resumed in Kars with a variety of general and house-keeping issues. You discovered that you were being followed by what you took to be the secret police. Lukas, in particular, took exception. He later paid for this and was 'mugged' in the street, losing all his money, and forced to jig whilst whistling 'Disky'. You saw a number of hangings of 'enemy within' taking place.

Summoned to a council meeting, the Tsarovna announced that she was leaving Kars through a secret postern (now explaining why the Chaos forces were attacking the tower, which housed the exit), and you were to guard her. Down in the depths, the postern appeared to be a dead end, carved with a doorway. This carving was etched in writing, with the symbols of a key and bell in the centre. These latter were also surrounded by letters. Jakob was stumped (a common theme this session, but the Tsarovna explained that one was Arcane Language - Ancient Druid and the other Arcane Language - Ancient Elf. To open the magical gate, a key was needed. The Prince's brother provided this, although for a moment you thought he might refuse. The wall disappeared, opening into a cavern.

You saw many moving lights in the cavern, which turned out to be some sort of insect emitting a light. You had to climb down onto the floor (some 50'), as the mechanism that should have worked was broken. You then carefully advanced, fairly certain that something was watching you. Normal questions about every underground complex being dwarfen were discussed. Meanwhile, you came upon a small building, about 6' high. It was made of stone, with a metal roof. There was a rough stone pillar at each corner and a bloody stone at the front - you took this to be a rough altar. Written in the elven script on these were wardings stating that this was a holy shrine. Lukas decided to investigate and crossed the plane of the markers. A 3' high doorway gave entrance to the single room. A marble block, carved with images of a military campaign being carried out by women with two-handed swords, was the only feature. On this was a small gold casket. When opened, a large tooth was inside. Very tempted, Lukas eventually decided that he would not commit sacrilege and left. Wolf became very suspicious of him, and increasingly manic.

This investigation was broken by a bout of "yipping". You were assailed by these 'yips' that you took to be a language of some kind. After a short while, as you talked amongst yourselves, and Wolf mimicked the 'yips', a voice spoke to you in Old Worlder. It asked whether you were the "Ones". You said, "No". Things were about to turn ugly, since you were on holy ground, when Katerina began 'yipping' in turn. The advancing creatures, which turned out to be some sort of dog-men, stopped. It later transpired that she told them that she was the One, and that you lot were dumb apes that didn't know any better. Though none of you knew what apes were. You were invited to their stronghold, and you went. On the way, you passed two carvings of a tree surrounded by the Arcane Language - Ancient Druid script, and which Katerina again translated. The fort was a very odd building, facing a rise of rock across a cavern. It was made of a strange material, the nearest that you could come up with being a fossilised material. Flat-topped, the fort had stairs and steps, giving access to large rooms. It stank. These creatures had a problem, and expected your help.

They were being attacked by Chaos forces, linked to those above ground. They had managed to hold out because of their fort and the wedge of rock that was proving difficult to scale, but the creatures knew they were doomed. You initially decided to trick them and run away. However, this plan eventually turned into one to help the creatures. Wolf was concerned that the plan was suicide, not unreasonable given the 200 beastmen etc in the cavern, presumably preparing to attack. Still, his 'hard man' image was rather shown up by Lukas' determination not to desert any creature that you had offered to help. However, you had surprise, a large number of small access tunnels, excellent skirmisher allies - and an unknown quantity. In actuality, the beastmen were pretty de-motivated after having been beaten back twice. The surprise attack, coupled with Katerina's pretty awesome Ice Magic almost immediately routed them. They left around 50 dead, and presumably had wounded too. As heroes, you were guided to what was described to you as an underground Highway, heading east - and hopefully avoiding the Chaos invaders.

There were a few 'lamps' in the wall, but light was provided mostly by worms that emitted light, kept in mesh lanterns and nailed at periods to the wall. Lukas broke one of the few lamps trying to steal it. Each lantern had a dwarf rune upon it, signifying Forge and the number '3'.

You have travelled for about 6 hours. In this time you found what appears to be a shrine to Grimnir and a monument to a dwarf, dressed in the 'ringlet beard' style you have seen before. You were surprised by a group of hobgoblins, slaying all but one. This one escaped, presumably to warn someone or something. We paused at this point.

Bob has a promissory note for 375 Imperial Kislevan Marks, to be paid in Paltora.

 

There are a number of social level modifiers that need to be worked out:

(All cumulative)

Khedrun gains a permanent +2 % to his FEL score for an impressive piece of intimidation

 

Experience (including carried over)
Jakob  30
Wolf  50
Thomas  70
Rebekah  110
Khadrum  80
Lukas  85

Lee, Gabriel, Julius and myself each owe £2 for the session, to be collected next session.