We begin the session on the deck of the Speedwell in the
company of Simez Rothgazzi, seemingly as a blessing from Thor to answer his
prayers. He is inroute to a ship moot whereby he hoped to recruit heroes but as
fate would decree, we have arrived as said heroes. Simez and most of his crew
are all dragonkin.
He needs our help in requesting permission from the
Bloodless Queen to open the Tomb of the Minotaur Prince Koraz Velesson on
Karn’Lothra to retrieve the Ancient Book of Vael Turog, a book containing
secrets to traveling the void. We also learn that Simez has insulted the Queen
in the past and Captain Gullnipper would take there and to Barsella, but he has
come with a tribute that he hopes will appease the Lich Queen- whose name is
actually Ilnora and the Key of Veles. The Book of Vael Turog, Simez warns, is
full of dangerous forgotten lore.
A few days later we arrived at the ship moot, marked by a
lonely rock, were we were able sell our equipment surplus and learn a few
things about Karn’Lothra and the Lich Queen Ilnora. It is a volcanic island of
tombs, mausoleums, and crypts numerous beyond counting. It contains jungle, a
harbor and a walled city of the dead, the City Unforgotten, slaves, as well as
a race of living dead called the Darakhul. We were furthermore encouraged to
conduct our business in the day-light hours.
A few days later we arrive early in the day at the bleak
isle of the dead, Karn’Lothra. Obvious is the smoke wafting lazily out of the
volcano but what was most alarming was the corpse of a dead titan washed
ashore. Standing around the body were several clerics gyrating and
gesticulating whilst chanting in unison. We were to expect the ghost-prince
Deland to come for us after our arrival.
Taking in the docks we see eerily silent, unforgiving ships
with black sails in port as well as slave workers who do not make eye contact,
respond to conversation, but panic at any direct questioning causing them to
run toward the Castle. Religious symbols, past and new decorate what is the
most common theme of the island- the tombs.
As the sun –sets a figure floats toward the ship, a tattooed
ghost that speaks maddeningly with arrogance, skepticism, and his dying love
for Ilnora. He introduces himself as Prince Deland and hears our quest. After
taking inventory of our tribute (sans the hunting dogs) Deland congratulates us
and will beg for permission for our boon. (Ps. She likes mammalian blood and
anything related to the culture of Ankeshel.
 |
| Queen Ilnora |
The citadel Luminoth was undergoing a remodeling and comes
across as strangely modern and guarded by inept barnacle-armored zombies. In
the castle everything appears tall and grandiose, filled with treasures and
urns of fallen cities. The throne room however was filled with gold statuary
but dwarfs the company of Queen Ilnora’s court. Ilnora stood seven feet tall
with a head of silver hair and cold blue skin. She opens the dialogue with a
greeting and the reception of the tribute asking Elisa about each creature.
Delighted with the tribute she admits the minotaur prince is
of no consequence to her and is in a relatively new tomb- 800 years gold and
that the mad price will be more than happy to perform any task for his Queen.
A few hours later we see the vastness of the Queens power.
It is here we learn that often times tombs and mausoleums appear with our
warning to this island; and that the cleric seen earlier are in fact trying to
raise the titan for Queen Ilnora to expand into the seal.
Finally we come to the Minotaur Prince Koraz Velesson’s tomb
and a red door marked with black curved horns. Upon touching the Key of Veles
to the door opening it immediately as we were being followed by what seemed to
be a wight stalking us. We close the door behind us, noting how much time was
left before daybreak, whereby everyone save for Orathian fell into a 30’ deep
pit. We were then set upon by two vampiric mists.
After dispatching them and after climbing out of the pit we
come to a circular chamber at the end of a long hall. The chamber is dusty and
filled with thousands of insect shells as well as a tripod with a black sphere,
that floated up when we arrived; and a 3’ chest filled with the Book of Vael
Turog and unknown riches. However we were set on by shadows causing us to use
our protection form undead scroll.
We begin next session in the chamber of the tomb of Minotaur
Prince Koraz Velesson surrounded by shadows with definitely one wight and the
island of undead waiting outside.
