We begin to lose ground on the pursuing ships due to a head wind
We reach a bend and at the captains suggestion jump ship. He will continue on and lead the ships away. As we prepare to jump we see a dark rider standing up on the hills.
On the lead ship we see the Malik and 2 Efreet (fire Genies. We are not seen.
We are on outskirts of Hills of Anar; river folk of creeping marshes stay well clear of these hills.
On our way to Blade to find the professors friend who can tell us about the Rakasha’s
We need to go about 90 miles as the crow flies
The heat is bad and it will take us 5 days.
The first night we see a large billow of smoke coming from the hills.
Emerson goes to investigate and hears a strange dialect.
6 giants (4 hill, 2 fire) sitting around giant campfire.
On my watch Alathor hears movement in the darkness within 50 ft.
A fire giant marking stones with strange ruins heading sort of our wayWe hide; about an hour and a half later giant wanders into our camp. He spenda an hour marking rocks with tar like substance.
The professor thinks that there are a mix of protection runes and ones related to teleportation and comunication
We are unable to wipe them or scrape them off. I light one but it doesn’t burn away and i can’t put it out. We decide to continue on and skirt the other giants
Travel most of the day and come upon a Giant’s fortress. We hear working and sounds of village working (all giants). We also hear the screaming of women.
We decide to make camp and come back at nightWe are awoken when 3 hill giants wander into our camp.
We defeat them; they appear to have been hevily branded. Looks like they weren’t willing.
We hear a horn and the beating of drums. I climb up and see that there is a green pyre at each of the corners of their 5 sided keep.
We sneak up and see a procession of humanoids riding nightmarish, undead horses. Wearing cloaks reminiscent of cult members we met on the way to the Grey Witches tower.
Alathor wild shapes into a dspider to take a look inside.
Sees 8 giants, at least 2 fire giants and another strange giant, larger than he others, with grey skin, branded. has an odd shaped green glowing gem in his forehead. He is in charge. 3 of the men approach him.
Woman in an almost etherel dress, chained to a large stake covered in black tar. She has been beaten.
The professor uses invisibility and magic to understand them.
Sallara of Vie. Vie is an enigmatic island off the burning coast. land believed to exist in multiple plains at once.
The cultists want the fort, and the giants want the island of Vie.
Lead Giant “With the completion of this ritual our people will return to their homeland and the cultists will have a gateway to Banu Sasan”
Banu Sasan was once a major Necropolis that was a stronghold of the Necrotyre.
When you have completed the ritual and the princess is sacrificed we will leave this place to you. Runes set and ritual is prepared.
As we discuss what to do, the hills rumble and all the runes burst into green flames.
The professor uses a flight scroll and we send Grog in with his card of teleportation with the idea of grabbing the princess and teleporting to a nearby hilltop where the rest of us will meet him.
Grog is captured and tries to talk his way out. Finds out the lead giant’s name is Bol.
He convinces them he has a barbarian army. He manages to grab the girl and teleport to the hilltop. He has a few hours before we get there.
Grog has the thanks of her and her homeland.
Boldren has been seeking a return to the island for many many years.
The time away from Vie has corrupted his soul and body.
She will journey with us to Blade.
We all are enamoured by her; Azaroth collapses in pain. His bloodline does not react well with Celestial.
Banu Sassan sand into the sands in this area which also caused the marshes. The Death Tyrant Nyzeeran ruled here.
She recognises the map and the writing is the language of the Necrotyr. It appears to be a map to a cave, many annotatiins in margins list key components needed to pass through cave. Leads to one of the other 7 major Necropolisis. Seems to refer to the Fire Caves.
She senses a dark lineage in Azaroth. He continues to feel judged and guilty. Line of Xaxon in him.
If we find ourselves in the North East we would be welcome on her island. Venus Dathal.
If we ever travel to her island the Jewel of Vie will be ours.
We make it to blade, it is green with Oasis, aquaducts.
Val Tanen was once deeply connected to her home land. There are ruins and deep beneath there is a gateway to one of her cities. Created by the Adrossi.
She heads to find passage home.
We find room at The Last Oasis. Fatima offers us rooms, baths and other pleasure.
We ask around at the docks and Captain Haseem did arrive several days ago and he and his crew was murdered. His heart was removed. They were murdered at the Last Oasis.
Azaroth notices we are being followed by an assassin.
Azaroth begins following him. We start making it seem as if we are headed to the Lake of Lunette. Then heading east.
Lord Nazeen killed by Magic Blade of Ashan by a truly good hearted peasant.
Azaroth confronts the assassin.
We leave town. As we camp we are attacked by the assassin and defeat her.
