17 - Ascending Past the Pale Steps of Men

by lichbrush

## Cast

Greg Hansen - Dungeon Master

The Broken - Edwin Blackbeard

Dcode - Tadz

Leova - Darien

Sean Linnane - Aaron

## Recap

### Prelude

Four travellers look across the dreadful hills. The sight of their goal pulls hard across the degraded land that soon shall have their feet. What little Tadz and Edwin shared in figure they accounted for in soul. Both dreaming of the riches the mountain would hold. While their crossing palms did shimmer, the Madman, sat upon his beloved companion, whispered and called to his hump laden friend. While in the darkened back of the groups death marked rest Aaron stood, wearing the signs of his former world, awaiting the starlight that would either condemn them, or bring his history to life.

### Day 1

The party pass, two by two, through the rich settled land of the keeps periphery. They had begun on their journey eastward, past the calling sight of the thicket, into the ravaged lands of Gnoll and Spider, little knowing of the glory they would achieve. The Dwarf bore eyes of gold touched diamond, desperate to fight for the rocks in his heart; and so at first opportunity the party did ready, as an ogre moved into their path. They all descended behind the nearest bush, watching silently the ogre tear and pull at the earth beneath his feet. Seconds passed before again he rises, his shoulder now topped with a dying creature, throax snapped, and ooze all pouring, as the ogre leaves the party behind.

Not a moment more could be called to attention, as the twilight gave way to stars. The people of this group did shake and shiver, before the next morning rose its black mast.

### Day 2

Only a seconds step from the camps parting dust and their enemies were upon them. Catching eyes at the same moment the party was drawn into combat with a Gnoll patrol. Five heaving, dog faced warriors, baring spears, shields, and bows. As their war bark emitted spit upon the ground Aaron blackened saliva too did drop, down onto his chest as he called fourth the great dragon into the sky, swooping down with poised teeth into the Gnolls heavy shield. Through grease, and smoke, and arrow the battle went it's bloodstained course with not but a single missile finding its way to fur covered flesh. The dogs moved with unstoppable grace, spear over shoulder, breaking party lines. They ripped and tore, and spilled the life of this party upon the land. Both warriors were overcome where they stood, battered and barely alive. Yet as the wizards retreated, as the Gnolls stood victorious, a single flash of energy remained. Edwin burst upward from the ground where he had fallen, mouth now wet with potions, as he pulled his ally to his feet. Such was the fury of his resurrection that nearly all the Gnolls fled at its mere sound. What few remained fell with ease at the paladin's feet. And so the party came together again.

They has survived, scarred but alive. Onward they went. They reached the mountains base as the night was coming upon them and again they set up for the cold ahead. Unlike before however, this night promised no rest, as out of the last inches of the golden hills its sanguine grasp reached again. Four spiders leapt upon the camp site, fangs running purple fluid of choking touch and death. But their mornings adventures had prepared them, they were this time not such easy prey. The party annihilated the spiders as they attacked. Magic turned them to fire and ice, as the swords broke to pieces all that was left. And when the parasites were broken they passed to sleep and dreamt of the task ahead.

Yet as so doing, between the watches the necessity demands, Aaron spotted by the highest peak carved hole breathing fire and ash upon the mountain side, dancing the one, two, clatter of an anvils smack, as again and again the fire rose then fell to nothing. Much debate was held between the party as what this meant or signified. But as time passed they agreed upon their ignorance and fell at last to long rest.

### Day 3

The third day was marred by drying throats, the barrel that had kept them had emptied, and not but to its refilling could they dedicate their day. Hours passed as they lumbered, parched throats drowning their excitement, until at last the camel found their target, ensuring their true purpose could begin.

### Day 4

They arose early and began their upward march. A mountain pass lay waiting for them as they ascended towards the dark. But as they stepped a strange music brought them to trance, only did they step and never dance. It was lost to Darien but only through chance. As the clacker, crack, hitting, of all that fitting, sent the group shoes splitting, into a unmoving conscious stance. Darien pulled fire with little of a plan, in Aarons face he stuck it hoping to wake the man. Aarons blinked and he was free from the fixation, but his friends did not prove so lucky. Aaron grabbed Tadz shaking hoping she'd awaken from the song that was making, our party sit still, Still the Dwarf stood baking, under the sun that was aching, as Tadz snapped open, free from the charm. She drew from her hands, two candle stands, and wax for making them free. In Ed's ears did she press, and rewarded for her best, the dwarf's eyes did flutter. As the party was free.

Onwards they went, still hearing the charm, but not forced to stillness as they were before. Climbing, and climbing, and climbing to the clouds that called from the sky and the past. As the day was ending they found the source of last nights fire, a dwarven marked ruin of a cave. Though interest fell upon them Aaron pleaded with the party, for he had work at the summit, in the light of the stars. Through smoke and ash they wandered, up until the very peak they walked. Until Aaron was ready to begin his vision, bloodstained with a chalice on fire, sat upon the vortex he'd drawn, he looked into the sky, and was greeted by the image of our father. Tearing, leaping, flying into the abyss, giving the only gift that Aaron had been taught to respect. And as he saw this image he knew the truth of his past. Smiling he rose, and the camp again erected its mast.

### Day 5

It began with sullied hopes. Tadz and Edwin, sickened by the absence of gold marched back down the mountain to the caves mouth that they had passed, intent on looting what they could. A mile fell behind them as they moved through the roaring light and jagged rocks. Finally they discovered the source of the fire; a furnace topped with blinking gems and tools surely blooming an arcane blessing. Leaping upon his opportunity Edwin stole a hammer from the furnace top, but no sooner did he lift his treasure did the room quiver, as emerging from what counted for darkness a giant had arrived, bearing chains and a single question. "Who are you, and why do you posses my hammer?" Edwin, after returning his treasure conversed with the man, learning of his ancient history, and mastery of steel. The conversation remained incomprehensible to most who were present. But after all was said, the party retreated with gifts of treasure, back into the daylight to begin their journey home.