Gems of the Silver Marches Updates #4
Okay, going to try this with LJ Cuts...
When we last left our intrepid heroes, they were in the Astral Plane, following the silver cord of the errant Mith Barak the Clanless, King of Iltkazar. Some time after their near-encounter with the Githyanki, the silver cord of the King Mith Barak led to a mountain floating in the Astral Plane. Approaching the mountain, the PCs could see that it was a dwarven community. The gate guards informed them this was the dwarven city of Kazahd's Breath and that they were welcome within the community, as long as they kept their kobold under control. The PCs were then directed to several fine inns and taverns that catered to guests. Though sleeping, drinking and eating are truly not necessary on the Astral Plane, travelers to the silver void often still do so. The PCs decided to split up and gather information, while Nox decided to go exploring.
The characters discovered that while the inhabitants did not know of a dwarf named Mith Barak, the trail they were following likely belonged to someone the dwarves of Kazahd's Breath called Barakith the Traveler - an individual who was very much intertwined with this community's history. It seems that 1500 years ago, this mountain was still a part of the Prime Material Plane. The community of Kazad's Breath had been under the attacks and depridations of a Devil Dragon and sent out a call for help. Not long after, a human calling himself Barakith the Traveler arrived and battled with the Devil Dragon. Barakith managed to defeat the Devil Dragon, but the powerful magics used back and forth in the battle had wrenched the mountain from the Prime Material Plane and flung the entire community into the Astral Plane. Decades later, Barakith the Traveler managed to find where Kadahd's Breath had ended up and willingly indentured himself to the dwarven community as penance for what his actions had done. Barakith indentured himself for over 100 years to the dwarven community, and even after he left, he promised to return in 75 years and work with the dwarves for another 25. Barakith has continued to do so, returning to the community again and again as the centuries passed. In fact, Barakith had left the community not more than 15 years previous, promising once again to return after another 75 years.
Meanwhile, Nox's explorations had taken him into the King's Palace, into areas off-limits typically for travelers. As movement in the Astral Plane is based on mental ability rather than physical, the little kobold wizard/alienist was having quite fun outpacing and evading the guards. Nox led the growing contingent of guards around the city in a merry high-speed chase. It was only when the dwarves began locking down portions of the city in order to trap the kobold that he thought it might be prudent to get back to the tavern his companions were gathered at. Zipping back into the tavern and under the table his companions were at, Nox's hide was saved by the quick thinking of his companions, who managed to magically convince the arriving guards that this was all a simple misunderstanding. After this, the group decided they should best be on their way before anything else happens.
Continuing their travels in the Astral Plane, the group eventually came upon a color pool - a portal - to the Outlands, a neutrally-aligned plane considered by many to be the hub of the Outer Planes - the planes of belief, gods, and the afterlife. Travelling through the pool, they found themselves just inside the forest realm of Obad-Hai, a deity of nature. With a little help from a Treant, the group managed to make their way into the Outlands proper.
Now in the Outlands proper, Nox reflected on what he knew of the Outer Planes and then fell into a gibbering mass as he realized just how close they were to the Realm of Ilsensine - Lord of the Mind-Flayers. With a little help, the kobold managed to compose himself enough to travel and work with Gaelreith to try and find a nearby portal to Sigil, the City of Doors. From there, Gaelreith reasoned, they should be able to find out more about King Mith Barak or Barakith the Traveler. Gaelreith and Nox reasoned that the nearby gate-town of Plague-Mort should have a portal to the city of Sigil, but they would have to be careful. Plague-Mort was located close to the Abyss and took on a number of the Abyss's "endearing qualities", such as the strong rule and prey upon the weak. The group reasoned if they presented themselves as Individuals Not To Mess With, they shouldn't encounter too much trouble. Here, for once, Gaelreith's, Onyx's and Imish's appearance would be an asset instead of a hindrence. With that, the party strutted into town, made themselves known as badasses and managed to find a portal to Sigil with only a little trouble.
To Be Continued...
When we last left our intrepid heroes, they were in the Astral Plane, following the silver cord of the errant Mith Barak the Clanless, King of Iltkazar. Some time after their near-encounter with the Githyanki, the silver cord of the King Mith Barak led to a mountain floating in the Astral Plane. Approaching the mountain, the PCs could see that it was a dwarven community. The gate guards informed them this was the dwarven city of Kazahd's Breath and that they were welcome within the community, as long as they kept their kobold under control. The PCs were then directed to several fine inns and taverns that catered to guests. Though sleeping, drinking and eating are truly not necessary on the Astral Plane, travelers to the silver void often still do so. The PCs decided to split up and gather information, while Nox decided to go exploring.
The characters discovered that while the inhabitants did not know of a dwarf named Mith Barak, the trail they were following likely belonged to someone the dwarves of Kazahd's Breath called Barakith the Traveler - an individual who was very much intertwined with this community's history. It seems that 1500 years ago, this mountain was still a part of the Prime Material Plane. The community of Kazad's Breath had been under the attacks and depridations of a Devil Dragon and sent out a call for help. Not long after, a human calling himself Barakith the Traveler arrived and battled with the Devil Dragon. Barakith managed to defeat the Devil Dragon, but the powerful magics used back and forth in the battle had wrenched the mountain from the Prime Material Plane and flung the entire community into the Astral Plane. Decades later, Barakith the Traveler managed to find where Kadahd's Breath had ended up and willingly indentured himself to the dwarven community as penance for what his actions had done. Barakith indentured himself for over 100 years to the dwarven community, and even after he left, he promised to return in 75 years and work with the dwarves for another 25. Barakith has continued to do so, returning to the community again and again as the centuries passed. In fact, Barakith had left the community not more than 15 years previous, promising once again to return after another 75 years.
Meanwhile, Nox's explorations had taken him into the King's Palace, into areas off-limits typically for travelers. As movement in the Astral Plane is based on mental ability rather than physical, the little kobold wizard/alienist was having quite fun outpacing and evading the guards. Nox led the growing contingent of guards around the city in a merry high-speed chase. It was only when the dwarves began locking down portions of the city in order to trap the kobold that he thought it might be prudent to get back to the tavern his companions were gathered at. Zipping back into the tavern and under the table his companions were at, Nox's hide was saved by the quick thinking of his companions, who managed to magically convince the arriving guards that this was all a simple misunderstanding. After this, the group decided they should best be on their way before anything else happens.
Continuing their travels in the Astral Plane, the group eventually came upon a color pool - a portal - to the Outlands, a neutrally-aligned plane considered by many to be the hub of the Outer Planes - the planes of belief, gods, and the afterlife. Travelling through the pool, they found themselves just inside the forest realm of Obad-Hai, a deity of nature. With a little help from a Treant, the group managed to make their way into the Outlands proper.
Now in the Outlands proper, Nox reflected on what he knew of the Outer Planes and then fell into a gibbering mass as he realized just how close they were to the Realm of Ilsensine - Lord of the Mind-Flayers. With a little help, the kobold managed to compose himself enough to travel and work with Gaelreith to try and find a nearby portal to Sigil, the City of Doors. From there, Gaelreith reasoned, they should be able to find out more about King Mith Barak or Barakith the Traveler. Gaelreith and Nox reasoned that the nearby gate-town of Plague-Mort should have a portal to the city of Sigil, but they would have to be careful. Plague-Mort was located close to the Abyss and took on a number of the Abyss's "endearing qualities", such as the strong rule and prey upon the weak. The group reasoned if they presented themselves as Individuals Not To Mess With, they shouldn't encounter too much trouble. Here, for once, Gaelreith's, Onyx's and Imish's appearance would be an asset instead of a hindrence. With that, the party strutted into town, made themselves known as badasses and managed to find a portal to Sigil with only a little trouble.
To Be Continued...