Author Archives: Alexis

So Many Lost (Dwarven) Cities

Posted on by
9

At some point when the group is all together after Zyrithack has been enslaved in the black blade. The group is talking about what happened. Alexis speaks.

“Zyrithack mentioned Thun-Bül-Dor. Given the twisted path Zyrithack took to get to this location at this time, it could be anywhere. Given how close the legendary dwarven city of Dura-Intun was, maybe Thun-Bül-Dor is just as close. We know there are Dwarves under the Twins, and that the dwarves used to control the top of the Twins as well. There are Dwarves under Mount Sutheron, and perhaps they used to control its peak as well. Perhaps Mount Sutheron was Thun-Bül-Dor. Or the fabled Nadden-Tor. Maybe every major mountain used to hold a dwarven city. Maybe there are old dwarven cities abutting Middlebar fort. That could be a major boon for the rebels if that was true.” Alexis thinks on this for a moment.

“Maybe Mount Lanos has a dwarven city. Maybe Thun-Bül-Dor. Maybe Mount Kobos. Maybe even Nadden-Tor!” Alexis gets a far-off look and a smile starts creeping up his face. “Or… Mount Avernus…!” Alexis looks more serious “No. That doesn’t seem right.”

“I need to get a map of all the major mountains. They could all have dwarven cities!”

Baalrex… No Good Dead Goes Unpunished

Posted on by
4

Later in the evening after the group has seen Baalrex for the second time and Alexis has the silver coin. The group is in their shared room.

“I’ve been wondering why Baalrex has taken an interest in us. Many interesting things happen in the Collegium, so I thought less about it there. But his showing up here has me wondering about what drew him to us specifically.” Alexis looks thoughtful.

“Given how he exerts a mechanistic, rigid effect on the world, I wonder if our defeat of the Abyssal Lords’ champion earned us an audience with his lordship.”

“Or perhaps something to do with Telosh’s Pit? This doesn’t seem likely, but I can’t rule it out.”

“Perhaps someone has acted as an unwanted intermediary on our behalf and suggested to Baalrex that he solicit us for ‘business’.”

Alexis alternates between studying Baalrex’s silver coin and looking at his companions.

Strange Findings Below: Anti-Hood Graffiti in an Ancient Script

Posted on by
Reply

Honored Undersecretariat, Custodian of Hood’s Wisdom,

While I regret deeply that my companions and I had to leave our fair city in haste, I wanted to send you a message both to let you know of our departure, and also to let you know of some unusual markings in the sewer. The message we found was “Death to the God of Death”, which was perhaps only a little out-of-the-usual, but the fact that it was both in an ancient script and also written relatively recently piqued my interest and thought your interest might be piqued as well. Below I have included the specific script as best as I could transcribe it and also a map to the location in the sewers. Unfortunately, the only path I know of get to that location is through a sewer-cover close to our shared “acquaintance”, The Spider. For this reason I have also included the location in the city of the sewer-cover close to the Spider as well as a map from the sewer entrance to the area in the sewer used by the Spider. You are welcome to visit the Spider, or avoid her, as you see fit, but I wanted to provide as much information as you might find useful.

With the blessings of the gods we shall meet soon, and hopefully in our fine city.

May our shared vigilance hold strong against the shadows cast by the Dark Hand. With the highest respect,
XX

The Reality Under The Copper Hills Fort

Posted on by
12

The Crimson Calling is sailing on the Gilded Zephyr, having been smuggled from Sutheron and heading to Llanos port. Alexis kneels down next to Ethelred, who is continually studying the documents from the Collegium, holds the red jasper around his neck, and chants something while his other hand forms precise forms and seems to get a little blue.

For the next many hours Alexis sits next to Ethelred, thinking. Occasionally one of the Calling will ask him for something, or about something, and he will respond and then go back to his focused thoughts. For some portion of his reverie he writes or draws in his book.

The next morning at breakfast clears his throat to get the group’s attention while he idly walks a copper coin across his knuckles. “Yesterday I studied the ritual room with the demon under the Copper Hills Fort. As we had suspected it was human magics calling upon demon magics. Nothing about the magics was anything I’ve ever encountered before. Not the sorcery on the sword, not the summoning. But I could clearly make out two intertwined magics: one demonic, and other was of Avv.”

Next Shadow Blade Moves

Posted on by
5

While the Crimson Calling is aboard the Gilded Zephyr, Alexis approaches Rask.

“Having slipped free of the Shadow Blades, what is their next move? How long will they wait in Sutheron? How will they try to pick up our trail? Obviously, we didn’t know the resources they have in Sutheron that they might be able to call upon, but let’s assume the resources are minimal when it comes to tracking us; I want to know what the Blades will do on their own.”

More Shadow Blades?

Posted on by
1

Early in the group’s training on the edge of the Llanos river, Alexis approaches Ca’armine.

“How is your rest and re-orientation so far?”

…

Alexis listens with genuine interest. After some discussion and follow-up Alexis brings up another topic. “In Sutheron I neglected asking if anyone is hunting you like the Shadow Blades hunting Rask.”

Alexis awaits Ca’armine’s reply.

Sally. Too Soon?

Posted on by
4

The day after Alexis talked with/to Ethelred about Lady Alba, Alexis approaches Gustav after his morning “ritual”.

“Gus. I’ve been thinking that we haven’t really talked about the first Sally. You conducted a great ceremony on the mountain, and I’m sure she was touched.”

“And it seems like you might still be grieving her loss. For such a strong love for Sally, you have always strongly rejected any suggestions to get a new mule to love.”

“And you still seem very unhappy with Sally” Alexis nods towards Sally in a near tree, “who has proven loyal and seems to just want you to love and accept her.”

“Do you need some time for grieving before we go? I need you unburdened while we seek out Bandesing’s operations.”

Alexis awaits Gustav’s response.

Alba Left Behind

Posted on by
6

Early in their stay along the Llanos river Alexis sits down next to Ethelred on the same log. Alexis starts talking when Ethelred looks up from his reading materials at him.

“Poor girl. I hope she doesn’t get herself killed before we get back. A lot of potential in our little miss of house Veronia.

“She’d sure like a message.” Alexis says, clearly intent on not going out of his way to make this happen.

A Week In The Grasslands

Posted on by
9

After the group has been dropped off by Hap, spent a day investigating the items they have, and enjoying being in the grasslands each of them starts delving into their own studies.

Over the next week, the weather seems to stay cold where the group is, even as spring seems to be taking hold around them. Frost greets the group on their gear and around the camp.

As well, during this week, backpacks and other buckles seem to be open when they were left closed. Perhaps this coincides with the occasional dreams of twisted creatures begging to be released when nothing seems to shackle them, struggling to open doors that finally open to rooms full of seemingly worthless treasure, or attempting to read books that contain text that seems to form never-ending and circular writings.

Missive to the Collegium Regarding Murder Confession From the Spider

Posted on by
Reply

The Esteemed Nardor Threpp,

Along with Marela, I wanted to send along a detailed description of the confession of The Spider when we encountered her earlier today. She explained to us that Thelindra committed the actual murder, even though The Spider was the intermediary in the situation. Bandesingh sent The Spider and The Snake to Sutheron to prevent the Collegium from learning too much about the crown and hammer, as well as stealing it for their own purposes.

In some unsettling news, it appears that some force brought back The Snake from the other side of The Gate. He as a horrifying sight, spewing creeping shadows from his gaping mouth.

His being was held together with umbramancy, necromancy, and chronomancy.

Yours
Alexis Laelius; Adept of the Collegium