Summary 61
We re-start after a summer hiatus. This is something of a catch-up summary, covering three sessions. Experience below is that either carried over or earned for the last session.
The mysterious elf minstrel suggested that you’d find something useful in the ruins of Antilabe. The archaeologists were unhelpful, and more than simply because the usual Jakob-Thomas double act of superiority on the ancient history of these lands. Your first night foray ended up in attack by a demonic 'thing', but your second was more useful. Wolf basically annihilated the men and their hobgoblin mercenaries, a few fleeing on horses you failed to guard. A number of things were discovered:
A building with a 'model' of the town, showing what was once an impressive community.
A ‘terracotta army’ of an elf-human army, including two mounted dragons and a single great creature.
The archaeologists were Slaaneshi cultists, with the usual accoutrements. Their deity seemed to be a large toad with larger genitalia. A demon that they served (or vice versa) wore a crown that you took. Both Jakob and Thomas tentatively tried it, and it seems to be the crown of the (elf?) ruler of Antilabe and holds a vsevolod spirit. You did nothing more with it, but Thomas is carrying it.
Continuing downriver, you were 'invited' to visit Prince Kothornous by a group of pink-furred beastmen. They promised you safe passage. You agreed to go, and the elf pronce conformed to your stereotypical expectations. He advised you that he was bored, and wished for diversion. You told him stories, sang and dance. He found it all very parochial and enjoyed it. However, he still thought that he ought to kill you, until you suggested that it might be more fun not to. He concurred, suggesting that what he described as a 'herdstone' was being brought up river. Sinking that might seriously affect the invasion. He also told you something of the north, explaining how it was part of an elven empire. He also knew of Ahti, the creature behind the invasion what he described as a "champion from beyond". The city you are heading to he called Kopisphorai. He also told you that Thomas, Becks and Jakob have all been infected by Nurgle’s corruption.
You continued. The current session involved a revolt by your long-suffering crew, stymied by one of their number, Anders. For some reason, he informed you. A fierce fight took place, and Wolf was nearly slain. Only Lukas’ healing powers saved him, but he lost an arm. Sadly, we lost Bob and Drai here.
Continuing, you eventually met the convoy coming upriver. The herdstone was a great slab of rock carved with four skulls looking in each N-S-E-W direction. It was on a raft, bouyed by boats tied to it. Hundreds (if not thousands) of beastmen were on each bank pulling it along with 'ropes'. You determined to try and sink it, discussing many plans. Why, I’ll never know! Firstly, as you headed towards it and a patrol boat approached you hailing you (for news of the south), Lukas decided to give them the finger and thus gave you away. Then, Anders trying to run the boat on his own completely blew it. You ended up fighting your way past the two boats and on to the platform. Not only had the chaos forces not being expecting anyone to be so foolish, but the two boats after disgorging their beastmen to attack you, both mysteriously retreated. That didn’t stop Anders shooting at one, and paying the penalty! Hacking the boats free and wrecking the raft, the herdstone suddenly plunged into the river and disappeared. Both Wolf and Becks were lucky to make the ship, whilst Thomas was left on a broken piece of the raft. Pandemonium broke out on the bank, and scuffles started. A separate group of what appeared to be humans were attacking off to one side. You carried on, followed by three boats (and a fourth that had been buoying the raft) that had been patrolling. However, these boats eventually passed you and did not attack. The occupants looked human, and were dressed in tunics, linen armour and cloaks, mostly blue or trimmed in blue. Some wore crested helmets.
You continued downriver, ever fearful of further pursuit and yet sorely tired and wounded. Along both banks is a trampled desolation of carrion, shit and periodic piles of skulls. You reached the place we stopped the session. The river splits into three, the main moving into a large docks and lake with channels to further docks. This is a very impressive piece of engineering, effectively taking a 100’ wide river into a 30-40’ wide one. Stopping at a docks, you searched around. You found three things of note:
A large, destroyed statue of what appeared to be an elf in a toga.
This was at the base of a manufactured canal in which the river flowed at a downward descent (falling about 1 in every 8).
A lot of mangled equipment of uncertain origin and use.
The question thus became to go down the 'canal', and accept that you wouldn’t be likely to come back this way. The beastmen had, as their dragmarks and pollution were all too visible. Or to attempt passage through the docks or try the eastern branch as the only other possible routes. Lukas and Anders decided to walk along the ground following what rapidly became a descending valley along the canal route. They came to a precipice, showing that you were actually on an escarpment. Half a mile below is a vast plain. The '‘hills' you had seen for some time now turn out to be mountains in the distance. Waterfalls cascade into what seems to be mostly a marsh. However, there are remains of a city below at the base of the scarp. There are also some large 'chimneys' as you saw at Sisimithrae. Off in one part of the city is some hearth smoke. There is also some sort of obelisk in the marsh. The river flows northwards into the mountains, through flat land across which is a great scar of what you take to be the route of the herdstone.
We ended here, as you are about to descend.
Experience
(including carried over)
Jakob 90
Wolf 45
Thomas 170
Rebekah 55
Anders 100
Lukas 45