Summary 64

As a metagame issue, Rich recognised that each elven House follows one of the seven sins, and that Nedylene’s is jealousy which is why she wants everyone else’s stuff.

At the party, Jakob talked to Zupe (a western term) Zaxtemes through Pallises as translator. He referred to the traditional ways, and that General Alciabades (the other Hill Man) was a heretic since he was a mercenary to the elves (rather than their servant).

Beks contemplated trying to entice the other Narn sisters into the same trap since their stuff would be equally valuable, but no-one else was interested. Raelka Narn created problems when she went looking for her sister. You managed to hide Korella (though she promised that you’d pay dearly for sticking her into a crate). As the last person to see Korella, Sisyraba was taken away. Everyone else decided to flee, with the dress. Sisyraba managed to escape when the proverbial hit the fan (and a trussed up Raelka was found), but was eventually caught by two pursuers. She was beaten in combat, but some noise from the ruins led her victors to flee. She was later found by Nedylene’s people, who returned her to the group - not that this seems to have diminished her hatred for all things elven.

Nedylene was pleased with the dress and jewellery, and proposed a formal contract of alliance with your employer/ overlord, the Tsar-Khan-Queen. Jakob, Thomas and Rebekha all signed on her behalf and on their own. (At this point, you noted that Beks appears to have a title).

You have come to the conclusion from your findings that "Rhani Shanaar" (Al Rhani Amn Khana) is central to your finding the Khan. Nedylene explained that Rhani Shanaar is a shadowy figure, worshipped by the Sisters of the Bloodied Sword Whose Wind Carries the Screams of the World. These are the feared Witch Elves. Jakob (and later Beks) found this funny, since it implies that Sisyraba’s beliefs are based in Khornate (or Khainite) mythology. Nedylene can show you where these Sisters are based, and believes that there are not-so-secret (but less used) entry points into their temple complex. The temple is built within the ruins of the old ‘Palace of the Protector’ (Imperial Palace, if you prefer). This is easily located its by six large 'chimney' structures. It is built on a promontory that overlooks the sea. There are a large number of cliff dwellings in the cliffs, one of which is policed by the Sisters. This might well offer access underneath and/ or into the Palace. There might be further clues or you could kidnap someone to interrogate further. Otherwise, you’d need to think of some other way to steal into the actual temple. Nedylene takes you there, but does not enter herself. There is a religious Circus (including chariot racing) at which much of the city will attend in two days time; this seems a perfect time.

Steps lead up the cliff and you arrive at an impressive village, where buildings are set into a cave within the cliff. A fire is seen in one. You surprise the three guards very easily. Wearing chainmail bikinis is rather cold, and two are wearing cloaks and the third is wearing thermal underwear; all are more interested in keeping warm by the fire than actually being on lookout. An unpleasant situation occurs. Sisyraba wants to kill the three Sisters because they are witch elves; Beks wants to question them (Anders thought this was the whole point) and then tie them up, as all three are very young indeed, two of them being 13-14 year old humans conscripted into the Order. One is even crying. (You never actually asked what humans are doing in the cult, never mind why it has to conscript members). Beks wins the argument only by threatening to do unto Sisyraba what she wishes to do to these children (or Cultists of Khorne, subject to your interpretation). It turns out that only these three will be here for the next three days (the duration of the games). They conform that most of the Sisters are at the games (including most of/ all the priestesses). You forget to search them, having to return later for a key that one carries. You also see a harpy flying by.

You select a passage leading inside the cliffs. Stairs also lead up to the top (and the Palace and temple) and to other cliff dwellings. Nedylene implied that these dwellings have been ‘visited’ by the elves regularly and mostly cleared (looted). This is confirmed by the room complexes you find (quite a lot too) and which have been thoroughly cleared. However, you find a large number of stelae, all of which contain containing images of Sisters. These were hidden behind a brick wall and portray what appear to be humans in dendra armour given their physiology, and not elves. (Humans tend to be fleshier than elves.)

A couple of minor combats, get you to a set of ithilmar doors (though you don’t realise what they are). On touching them something odd happens to that individual, who become motionless, and are pulled clear by other PCs. Eventually Thomas plucks up the courage to stay in contact for more than 5 seconds. He only has a hazy recollection of what happens, but the doors open. We left the game as you saw into a 40’ square room with four statues. Two are of what you are starting to believe to be representations of an earlier (less evil) incarnation of this female military Order. A human female wears full dendra armour and carries a spear, an elf female wears a dendra breastplate and carries a two-handed sword, but is otherwise naked. The other two statues you recognise as Epamin Shanaar, one if 'citizen-farmer' mode and the other as soldier. Their eyes are jewels.

Experience (including carried over)
Igor 50
Sisyraba 150
Rebekah 100
Brasaces 80
Jakob 80
Pallisses 30
Thomas 65
Anders 90