(S22) In the Midst of Death

The party found themselves amidst a well-organized operation. Shifts changed with military precision, and the imposing tower before them stood barricaded and silent. Arya, ever observant, managed to lip-read a conversation between three of the leaders: Rega Swarn, Niri, and Aleneve. The discussion centered on the party’s legitimacy, with the Doryu connection raising some suspicion. Aleneve, however, offered a more charitable view, suggesting that one Doruy shouldn’t bear the sins of another, especially one potentially swayed by Ularan. They decided to await word from Naralis Analor before making any firm decisions.

Siax, noting the professional setup, observed the efficient routines. Pine, ever eager to prove his worth, offered to submit to a zone of truth, but the leader politely declined, stating they were awaiting confirmation from their own sources. Idris attempted to engage a scout in conversation, only to witness the unfortunate soul receive a stern reprimand from Niri. Eventually, the awaited message arrived: the party was indeed who they claimed to be. Naralis Analor, the leader of this operation, possessed the means to summon reinforcements and was preparing to head to Ularan. A short rest followed, during which Idris accompanied Niri to feed a chimera. The encounter took a turn when the beast pounced, only to be halted by a well-placed command. The group then turned their attention to identifying some unusual feathers. Arya discovered her feather could transform her into a boat, while Pine’s gilded feather became a magnificent fan, capable of generating powerful gusts of wind – a useful tool for propelling ships or pushing back foes, perhaps for a full adventuring day. Effie and Siax, unfortunately, were unable to identify their feathers.

After a break, Naralis himself arrived. Siax, with his keen eye, noticed the mark of the Guided Path upon him – a token of regard, not of rank. Pine relayed the necessary information, and Siax further observed the symbol of the Guided Path, recognizing it as a sign of this group. Eager to expedite their departure, Pine offered his assistance, which Naralis readily accepted, seeking help with controlling a creature. The tower, it turned out, was teeming with undead, including a formidable frost giant. Thus, the party began a day’s travel to Ularan’s tower. Naralis informed them that Ularan himself was trapped within. As they journeyed, Siax and Naralis engaged in conversation. Naralis recounted his tale of being lost in the Dread Forest of Ugatha and his subsequent rescue by the Guild of the Guided Path, a group he had later returned the favor to, forging a deep bond. Siax then recalled that Naralis was also the name of a lesser elven deity associated with pain relief and death – a name linked to a death god, the watcher of souls, according to legends and sayings.

ventually they arrived at the Uthtower, an ancient structure spared by Merdelain’s fall, now a crucial base of operations for the Dead Hand. The elven necromancer described the tower: mostly submerged, with only one accessible level above the mere, leading to a ladder down into several chambers. Within, an Edolon guarded the center, able to possses a guardian statue if it spotted foes. He also revealed that there was an ancient enchantment that prevented fae entry and teleportation which Arya would circumvent by turning into a beast.

While Naralis named several individuals within the Dead Hand, including Unknown who had behind the attack of the Wayside Inn, Konda Les who was currently heading north to Emberlost and Viantha Crex who had been sent elsewhere. He couldn’t pinpoint any potential rebels within the order. He also explained the current situation, that Ularan, seeking to tip the scales against the Cult of Talos had delved deeper into the tower, encountering a powerful, hateful entity that had been imprisoned there for millenia. Instead of gaining power, Ularan found himself locked in a battle of wills, immobile and reachable only through the spirit realm for the past four months. The Cult of Talos had exploited this, weakening the Dead Hand significantly. Naralis, though outwardly stable, worried that something had gone wrong. He also mentioned a powerful creature of Ularan’s, currently absent, that could turn the tide if brought to him.

Eventually you could see the tower but a group of foes with skeletal figures dressed as wizards, flame-skulls, stitched-together golems, and a black plate clad warrior of exquisite beauty. The group realized they were standing on a fused skeletal platform made of hundreds of undead. Naralis then confronted the warrior - it was another lieutenant of the Dead Hand, a dark knight called Argon. The figure revealed that he had betrayed Ularan, believing him lost. He refused to let them pass and unsheathed his weapons. Naralis looked emotionally crushed and hesitated to act but Pine, sensing Naralis's hesitation, questioned the champion's allegiance, reminding him of past betrayals and Ularan's own words about autonomy. He questioned whether to try and free Argon or bypass him, weighing the risks. Naralis, acknowledging the truth in Pine's words, revealed that Argon's sword signaled their presence. He cast a spell on himself, declaring Argon an enemy, and urged the party to break through to Ularan.The two fought Naralis eventually teleporting Argon away. The group ran, taking fire from the flame-skulls and while some of them were grappled by the monstrous skeletal platform, a well placed attack by Idris caused it to start breaking apart allowing the party to run to the tower, go down the trapdoor and seal it behind them.

Inside, they found cult remnants and a necromancer attempting to reach Ularan Mortus. Choosing the northern route, they encountered ghasts, then zombies. Idris and Siax engaged in a competition of kills until a bone devil appeared. Idris introduced himself, and the devil replied that he had heard of him in a menacing way. The devil disappeared shortly after. The group continued carefully, avoiding the south where a grinding noise could be heard. However as they entered a chamber they were confronted by a mundane skeleton sitting at a desk. But it was soon evident that this was no simple necromantic puppet but a vessel for Jergal, the truest of Death Gods.

Ah, I have been wanting to speak to you all. For beginnings and ends; two sides of the same coin, and I wish to discuss the nature of your actions."

- Jergal

The discussion centered on the party’s legitimacy, with the Doryu connection raising some suspicion. Aleneve, however, offered a more charitable view, suggesting that one Doruy shouldn’t bear the sins of another, especially one potentially swayed by Ularan. They decided to await word from Naralis Analor before making any firm decisions.

A short rest followed, during which Idris accompanied Niri to feed a chimera. The encounter took a turn when the beast pounced, only to be halted by a well-placed command.

The group then turned their attention to identifying some unusual feathers. Arya discovered her feather could transform her into a boat, while Pine’s gilded feather became a magnificent fan, capable of generating powerful gusts of wind – a useful tool for propelling ships or pushing back foes, perhaps for a full adventuring day. Effie and Siax, unfortunately, were unable to identify their feathers.

Thus, the party began a day’s travel to Ularan’s tower. Naralis informed them that Ularan himself was trapped within. As they journeyed, Siax and Naralis engaged in conversation. Naralis recounted his tale of being lost in the Dread Forest of Ugatha and his subsequent rescue by the Guild of the Guided Path, a group he had later returned the favor to, forging a deep bond. Siax then recalled that Naralis was also the name of a lesser elven deity associated with pain relief and death – a name linked to a death god, the watcher of souls, according to legends and sayings.

(S22) In the Midst of Death

Recap of puke seession