Session 97 "Preparing For War"

Campaign Session 97: Preparing For War

As the others were dealing with the challenges at the Academy in Mytros, Rensig slept, and as he slept he dreamt of a painful memory of betrayal by his former manager, and in the dream an offer to make sure neither he, nor anyone could be cheated like that again. As his former bandmates tried to convince him, suddenly it was another entity offering him a deal, a deal he did not take, waking from the dream in Rhys’ arms to find Muffy drawing the teleportation circle.

Meanwhile, Bucky in an effort to find out more about The Dragonlords tracked down the residency of one Taran Neurdagon, ancestor of The Dragonlord Adonis Neurdragon, however she was unable to gain access to the estate and so returned to meet her friends at The Academy.

With Bob’s help, Bucky learned that Dorn’s aged condition could be undone with a powerful spell known as Greater Restoration, but only if it was cast before 24 hours had past from the point from which he was aged. Likewise, the madness brought on by The Dream sent by Lutheria was able to be cured with Lesser Restoration, which Queen Vallus cast on Rhys, Muffy, and Dorn. With all of you gathered, Ezree said she was going to stay behind, go with Kyrah to check on the others, and with that Muffy teleported The Lucky Seven back north to The Citadel of Light.

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The halls of the Citadel had never been more bustling: Purple Dragon Knights, The Verdant Guard from the famed Elven City of Syngorne, Soldiers from cities all along the cost including the Shield of Ucerin of Amn, mercenaries such as The Silent Rain, and Paladins with The Order of The Gauntlet, Clerics, Monks, and War Mages, and yet many more in The Hamlar Woods outside of The Citadel.

After Rhys dismissed the precautionary wards to keep certain entities at bay that surrounded the Citadel’s teleportation circle, wards that kept Gram, Rensig, Bip, and Begbee trapped, you all descended towards the main hall. Throughout the halls people gave you space and looked upon you with reverence. When you entered the great hall, all eyes were on you. Mornmaster Gladwell who had been talking with Tydra Q’ Helvor of the Council of Five of Amn quickly came to great you. After speaking of Bob and Bucky’s suspicion that greater restoration could cure Dorn’s aged condition, one of the many powerful clerics assembled was able to do just that. Wondering about his own curse from The Witch of the Coos, Gram asked another cleric, a water genasi named Yun to attempt to cast the same spell on him. It seemed to have moderate success and the effects reminded Bob of an ancient curse, The Curse of the Harpy, that he had encountered centuries ago. Such a curse took 3 consecutive castings of the same spell over 3 days. Knowing that he would need more help, Gram asked for a cleric who would be willing to come along with them and Yun stepped up and was quickly granted honorary status as a member of The Lucky Seven.

While this was happening, a newly de-aged Dorn sought out Diane who was excited to see him after their date over a month earlier, the last thing Dorn had done before beginning his trip south. Dorn however felt they needed to end things, but it did not end very well.

With war eminent there wasn’t much time for Dorn to process this as Tonya lead the group to a meeting in The Professor’s office. There you saw some familiar faces: Seeker Assume, Onthar Frume, Commander Ravenguard of Baldur’s Gate who you had met at the meeting with The Lord’s Alliance, Vjara Safahr who had been at the meeting in an advisory role to Laeral Silverhand and who The Professor explained was The Headmaster of Blackstaff Academy, and an elf of The Verdant Guard of Syngorne who kept silent, but keenly observed everything that occurred during the meeting.

Discussing the challenges, the rebuilt tower of the Devils and the enormous war machines surrounding the city, two primary options were brought up. Sneaking into the city, clearing out the debris at the destroyed teleportation circle in the Alabaster Lyceum in Athkatmon in order to create a means to move a great many forces behind enemy lines, and going to The Portal to the Plane of Elemental Earth to meet with The Grandmaster of Stone and request the help of The Stone Guard in the coming confrontation. Something Seeker Assume believed only The Lucky Seven would have any success at.

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With time being of the essence and the tower rebuilt you decided that The Stone Guard, potentially the greatest warriors on the continent would be too valuable an asset to pass up. With the aid of a carpet of flying on loan from Balistar, you flew throughout the day and night, on into the next day, finally arriving at the portal which was housed within in a flying mountain as the sky was darkening, more than 24 hours of flying without a break. The Stone Guard who you recognized the tattoos of based on your meeting with the Earth Genasi living amongst the Troglodytes, brought you before The Grand Master of Stone, a cloud giant woman who Rhys decided to pretend to kill Grin in front of. Not being much concerned with Rhys’ ruse, she said the only way The Stone Guard could lend their aid would be if another member of The Stone Guard requested it. To that end she offered to grant a member of your party membership, but that could only be earned in unarmed combat. Gram stepped up and was quickly bested by his Stone Genasi opponent. She has now offered your group one other, and final chance to have one of your members join The Stone Guard.