Dramatis Personae:
Ayrkin (Andrew), Alexios (Jola), J'nan (Shelly), Jayden (Paul H), Thufark (Paul V), G'dzang (David), Rook (Chris), Mort (NPC), D'lum (NPC)
The party rested and refreshed themselves while a messenger was sent to the Dwarves of the Final Blood. Returning, the messenger informed the party that they would receive an audience a day hence.
Escorted by a dwarf dressed in a dusty robe, they were taken down a very narrow stair that required those above 4' tall to bend over. At the end was a very large room—still only 4' tall—with a half dozen dwarves of extreme age wearing foxed robes embroidered with silver thread sitting on stone chairs.
After handing over the philosopher's stone, the speaker for the Dwarves of the Final Blood, Orrin, gave them a hexagonal key and directions to the “Cavern of All Potentials”. This cavern was said to be located to the south west of Tellura on a spire called the Cliff of the Moon 100' up the face. Inside a cave is a gate that must be unlocked with the key. Past the gate is the Bridge of Sighs that can only be passed by completing the Game of Breath.
The Game of Breath consists of a game board, four crystal statuettes of a fish, griffin, wyvern and elf that must be placed on squares containing a shield, fishhook, saw and a flame in such a way that all statuettes are extinguished except for the elf.
Once in the cavern, the Orrery must be spun and D'lum's blood poured upon it. Doing so will close the breach preventing Perimal from continuing down the chain of creation but not destroying him. Some of the party—notably Rook and Alexios—intend to pass over to Perimal's demesne through the fractured passages of the cavern to attempt to destroy rather than merely forestall him. Others—such as Ayrkin—expressed no such willingness. It was decided that the decision could be deferred until later with those wishing to go doing so with the Orrery operated by those remaining behind.
The party made final preparations to leave. Vials of D'lum's blood were taken to guard against the possibility of her loss. The Austere Warriors indicated that others of their brethren could meet the party to the north of the city where the smuggler tunnels known to Ayrkin would debouche. This party would have magic steeds that could carry the party with great swiftness. Ayrkin asked Mort if Mordiggien could provide any aid and Mort agreed to contact Mordiggien to ask that ghouls be raised near Tellura to help.
Arriving at the far end of the smuggler tunnel, they found the promised warriors with huge bone carapaced steeds on which the party mounted double. They were warned not to touch the reins under any circumstances.
The steeds took off at the speed of the wind with the ground blurring before them. In very little time, they arrived at the plains which were covered with lights as thick as stars suggesting an encamped army.
The party did its best to avoid the army of Minh troops but was detected by a dozen ox-sized creatures with lance armed riders. The ox-sized creatures resembled flesh and glass greyhound-like amalgams with the riders similarly transmorgified Minh troops.
Ayrkin cast fly. Thufark and Alexios decided to try to clothesline them with a metal cable. Gdzang cast a levitate on herself and a Tuley's on Thufark.
Ayrkin launched himself into air. J'nan decided to grab the reins (directly against the austere warriors instructions) causing the steed to swerve drastically to the side. J'nan's leg was shattered in the ensuing debacle but Jayden escaped unscathed. Jayden cast a prayer.
Mort shot her arbalest striking one of the steeds causing it to plow into the earth and hurling one of the riders through the air. She followed up by striking down one rider with a single swipe of her glowing blade. Rook does likewise cutting off the leg of the steeds.
The clothesline tactic worked successfully but D'lum was not successful at leaping off and was tossed off the steed at 20 MPH.
Ayrkin cast a tether on one of the riders attempting to pull it into the air.
Alexios swung at one of the riders and inadvertently hit himself. Lenial is struck by a lance and slain. Gdzang cast cone of cold damaging a mount and rider. Thufark—defending D'lum—slipped and accidentally broke D'lum's arm. Ayrkin swooped down to do a strafing pass on one of the riders, misjudged, and slammed into the side of one of the mounts.
Eventually the party succeeds at defeating their opponents.
Meeting ends.
