Chapter 17: Deep Reflections

[Jeff]

Chapter 17

Deep Reflections

Zol, the 3rd of Vult 998 YK

In the cavern known by some as the Traveler's Shortcut—a slow-changing manifest zone tied at any given time to one of the other planes of existence—you stand in the ruined shell of an old keep, its original occupation is unknown. Currently it is Kythri, the Churning Chaos, Limbo, the plane where nothing remains the same, that overlaps Eberron and holds sway thoroughly if not absolutely.

You stand in a chamber where a strange fountain where fire flows like water; at its top, a single bright flame points upward like a massive candle. The walls around you are of gray stone, but many of them are shattered. To the southwest, if cardinal directions mean anything here, a huge gap in the keep's wall looks across open space to another cavern wall. A short distance below the drop-off, an ice-bridge flows like a gravity-defying icicle gradually upward to the mouth of a cave.

There is also a huge piece of stone colored with the blue-green or teal shades of an azurite or apatite. It is shaped like a rectangular prism, and it is partially embedded in the wall here as though it were mortared here long ago. It also looks eroded and weathered, or maybe gnawed upon?

None of you feel rested—and even Adamant is physically weary, if not tired—and the clean water from the Dragonfly's hold has done little to make you feel refreshed after so much fire and magic. But you are alive, and so close to leaving this place at last. There is but one task remaining to you, and it lies ahead in the so-called Cave of Possibility.

As you all file into this area behind Shorak, he is the first to notice that the xorn you encountered a few times before is here. Standing still at first to one corner, it looked like another crenelation of strange stone. But its eyes open and it begins to move slightly, revealing itself to all. It murmurs weirdly in its language.

Belarin understands, though, thanks to Streko's Tongues spell. "Thanking you, gem-givers. Glad this xorn is that you are not chewed or flattened entirely. You have brought freedom to me. Fire-brute is gone now?"

[Ken]

"Yes," says Belarin. "The first fire-brute that you fought is dead, but he had a friend, another fire-brute. She fled. If she returns, she will face the dragon's anger. Thank you for your help." He looks around and then at the bridge.

"We need to get down to the bridge of ice and enter that cave. Can you help lower us down?"

[Brian]

Hearing Belarin speak with the xorn, Melethos waits for the warlock to give them the go ahead to proceed.

[Jeff]

The xorn looks down at the ice-bridge, then half rotates and regards it with another of its three eyes. Then it says to Belarin, "Yes. No. Not being good with freezing water. You are soft flesh and need rope, do you? Give this xorn very long rope if you need it. I will be going around, and can throw rope to pull across."


The silk and trollgut rope used earlier can have been retrieved; merely cutting the trollgut rope allows it to grow back to its full length a short time later.

[Ken]

At first, Belarin is puzzled by the xorn's reference to "going around," but then he remembers how it moved effortlessly across the ceiling of the needle chamber.

He says to his companions, "The xorn is very grateful to us for his freedom. I've asked if he can help us move onto or across the bridge. I think he's offering to cross to the other side of the cavern, and throw a rope over to us here, and he'll pull us across. We just need to give him a long rope!"

[Dave W.]

“I dont have rope, I can cast a spell from this ring that could let one of us move along the walls like a spider. I keep forgetting about it.”

[Dave B.]

"Here." Shorak says as he hands the silk and trollgut ropes to Belarin. "I remembered to retrieve these when we returned to the keep."

"I wouldn't mind being the beneficiary of that spell, Adamant, at some point. But, I don't think we'll require it for this." Shorak replies to the warforged's offer.


Just saving time. As Jeff said, we could have easily retrieved the ropes earlier.

[Elvis]

Thul maintains his vigil while they wait for the xorn-thing to help them across.

[Brian]

Wary of what Shorak told them, Melethos keeps watch on the cave entrance, hoping to catch sight of the figure the half-drow had spotted earlier.

[Ken]

Belarin takes the rope from Shorak and says to the xorn, "We accept your offer, and thank for it. Yes, once you get to the other side, toss one end of the rope and one of us will catch it." He hands to the rope to the xorn.

[Jeff]

The xorn takes the rope and moves it body around even as it rotates around, winding it quickly into one great coil. Then it appears to swallow the rope!

But its mouth remains still; you don't think there's any chewing. And then the xorn just seems to stride downward into the stony floor...

And now you must wait.

[Joe]

Streko will keep an eye (or two) and ears on the area behind them. "I am weary of what might be behind us. A Sulatar who wishes to kill Adamant (and perhaps the rest of us while she's at it), a badly injured female djinn who no doubt blames us for the death of her consort, and an assortment of mephits, slaadi and the Host knows what else? The sooner we get started, the better, although I doubt it will be any safer."
____________________________________________

Streko will do as he's told, but continue to look and listen behind them for anyone who gets too close.

[Dave W.]

Adamant stands at the rear and places a metal hand on Strekos shoulder. “We do tend to find ourselves with a surplus of opponents dont we? You and i will stand rear-guard... regardless of who and what sets themselves against us, there could not be better company.” His eye gems glow warmly.

[Darren]

Kal watches his friends negotiate with the xorn. It is ideal for any commander when he has a good team who can take care of things without needing to be told what to do. We simply nods in satisfaction. Captain Brack, we are going into the Cave at the dragon's request. Demand might be more like it. In any event, we may not return. Sem is on his way back to you. Please ask him and Kurra to continue working on freeing Histra. If it seems like we're gone too long, sail on without us. I'm sorry to put you and the Dragonfly in so much danger.

[Jeff]

Brack is silent for a moment in Kal's head. Aye. No. Just hurry up, all right? Your passage for this voyage has been largely paid now, and I doubt very much the gnome will wish to proceed without his expedition. I sure have no interest in your quest of choice....

You stand waiting for about five minutes before you finally see the xorn reappear. It it "walking" sideways along the outer wall of the cave from western edge of your view to right in front of you across the way. At first it looks like it might be spider-climbing, like the spell, but its three feet appear to be swimming smoothly within the stone, and that is what holds it upright.

When it comes to a stop above and to the right of the cave entrance at the top of the ice-bridge, it disgorges (along with some pebbly sand) the coiled rope. Then it lets it fall, and begins to swing it around, half-coiled, and throw the rest of its length. It takes a few tries, but eventually the green, trollgut half of the rope falls just inside the lip of the broken wall of the keep.

The xorn just stands there jutting from the cave wall, holding the rope. Presumably strong or at least rooted enough that it expects you to attempt the cross while holding on. The bridge looks slippery, but if you were to fall, there would at least be the xorn....

[Ken]

Belarin picks up the rope and offers it to one of the stronger members of the group - Adamant, Melethos, or Thul - to act as support. "Hold onto this end, please."

And then, using the now-taut rope as physical and mental support, he begins to make his way across toward the xorn.

[Dave W.]

Adamant takes the rope, "I will cross last." He wraps it around himself to belay.

[Brian]

“Good,” Melethos says, and grabs the rope. “I will cross first and protect the approach.”

He makes his way across to the mouth of the cave.

[Darren]

Kal places a hand on Belarin's shoulder. "Let Melethos go first. I know you are eager to get this over with and retrieve Histra, but don't be rash." When Belarin steps back, Kal motions for Melethos to take the lead. "Then you can go Belarin. Streko will follow, then myself, Thul, and finally Adamant followed by Shorak. I believe he will have the easiest time crossing without the benefit of Adamant anchoring the rope."

[Jeff]

Melethos is forced to drop down from the ledge ten feet to the slick floor of the ice-bridge, but with the rope pulled mostly taut in both directions, he's able to maintain balance well enough. The bridge sure would be difficult to manage without this help—and the xorn is clearly quite strong and up to this task. Melethos thinks even Adamant's weight should be manageable.

The bridge itself looks like a gigantic icicle that froze while flowing partially upwards against gravity.

When he reaches the cave mouth just beneath the xorn, he feels a slight chill emanating from the dark cave somehow colder than the air around the ice-bridge itself.

Even as he stands there to ready himself for the next person to cross, he hears very faint footfalls upon the ground further in. The small sounds echo, distorted. But he's positive there's someone inside the cave already...

[Joe]

"Someone, please keep an eye behind us, in case any of our previous foes decide to take advantage of our split in strength and location."

Streko then waits for Belarin to make his way across and will follow behind once he is clear to do so.

[Dave B.]

Shorak will stand ready to assist Adamant with his end of the rope. He looks around them as well, making sure nobody is trying to sneak up on them.

When Adamant is ready to cross, Shorak will tie off the rope to one of the outcropping of rocks to help keep it taut while Adamant crosses and then follow himself.

[Dave W.]

“Shorak, when its my turn to cross, i can cast the Spider Climb on you. You could then cross as easy as walking across a floor... if you like.”

[Brian]

"I hear footsteps coming from the cave," Melethos tells the others as he helps them cross the ice bridge. "Someone is in there."

[Elvis]

Thul follows Denieth across the bridge.

Once on the other side, he unslings his axe and takes up position several steps inside the cave mouth.

[Jeff]

Streko, Thul, and Shorak have remained watchful for any activity behind them, or a lurking attacker. But it is quiet.

Belarin, Streko, Kal, and Thul cross without incident. Their boots scuff and slip somewhat on the ice, but the rope and both the xorn's and Adamant's arms keep it firm enough to pull themselves up the slick bridge. As each person reaches the other side, Melethos grows uncomfortable with the exposed and vulnerable cluster of his allies in one place—and each of you feels the chill emanating from the cave.

Thul, taking a few steps further, notes that the floor of the passage is iced over, as though some of what created the bridge flowed further in. It will be slow going, if there is much to walk.

When Adamant crosses, Shorak at the back can help only so much—the warforged's weight is considerable—but still the xorn manages to keep pulling him upward with obvious effort. Finally, Shorak climbs down and starts across...

But when he's only gone a few steps and Shorak stops on instinct, distracted by a sight below that the others have overlooked.

Flushed against the base of that side of the column of stone that is the keep's island fifty feet below the ice-bridge, and wrapped in gloom that might be magical...is a Sulatar canoe. Large enough to seat a war band...or river-cave expedition. But it's mostly empty. A few bundles of supplies maybe. Shorak does see one drow in the boat right now, though. Lying bundled in cloth, possibly dead, possibly just sleeping. Maybe wounded. Face up, male, but no distinct detail beyond that. Eyes closed? Hard to say from here.

The PC placement isn't precise on the map, just representative of who's already crossed.

[Darren]

Reaching the far side, Kal looks at the xorn and nods his thanks. Then, turning back, he sees Shorak hesitate. "Quickly, Shorak. We all enter this cave together. I do not want us getting separated." An idea seems to spark in Kal's mind, and he looks down at the rope. "Perhaps we should connect ourselves before we go in? We don't know what this place will be like and we know there is a distortion of reality. I don't want us getting split up." He looks to Melethos and Thul, hoping for their opinions.

[Ken]

Belarin crosses over and says, "Thank you," to the xorn. "Enjoy your freedom." In a whisper, he continues to no one in particular, "Histra, you're next."

He turns to face the cave and, once again, uses his fey-granted gifts to see arcane auras.

______________________

Belarin invokes his Eldritch Sight and will keep it going as long as he can.

[Dave W.]

"Reargaurd or vanguard, where do you want me?" Adamant asks as the group finishes crossing.

[Brian]

Aug 27, 2019 11:15:40 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"Reargaurd or vanguard, where do you want me?" Adamant asks as the group finishes crossing.

Aug 27, 2019 10:18:13 GMT -4 Darren said:

Reaching the far side, Kal looks at the xorn and nods his thanks. Then, turning back, he sees Shorak hesitate. "Quickly, Shorak. We all enter this cave together. I do not want us getting separated." An idea seems to spark in Kal's mind, and he looks down at the rope. "Perhaps we should connect ourselves before we go in? We don't know what this place will be like and we know there is a distortion of reality. I don't want us getting split up." He looks to Melethos and Thul, hoping for their opinions.

"Rearguard, Adamant. And rope could help," Melethos says to Kal. "Except if we do end up fighting. Being bound to one another hinders mobility." He pauses. "I do not feel it will be necessary." He turns to Thul. "Captain?"