Sapphire:Sessions:20170506
The cries of a wounded beast recede from the sealed entrance.
The interior consists mostly of large rooms and corridors, shaped rather than hewn. Behind one locked door are wooden racks holding large crystals. Chalker describes to Branamin the symbols carved into the racks, and Branamin identifies them as spells of concealment and avoidance. It is likely the power source of the Aversion spell on the mountain.
Chalker opens a secret door into a semicircular room. The room is dusty but ventilated. Broken and rotted weapons are scattered about. Ahn-Lee opens a chest marked with alchemical symbols; Branamin removes three 6" glass containers two-thirds full of liquid.
Again the group feels they're being watched. Chalker points out some thin, slimy worms emerging from holes in the wall; Branamin tosses a Sunbolt and fries some of them.
A steep ramp leads down into a very large chamber, at least 150' long with a 25' ceiling. Five manticores scream from their cages (12 of these cages in all, 7 empty). A number of peryton occupy a pen, and several bat-winged bears are in other cages. There is some kind of table heaped with fresh sod; inside the dirt Chalker sees what must be a thousand of the thin worms slithering down into the floor and toward the cages.
Branamin feels something try to merge with him; he shakes it off. Ahn-Lee methodically kills the manticores and bat-bears. Branamin casts Stench in front of the occupied manticore cages. A pentagram begins to glow in the floor, a translucent figure standing at a podium at its northeast point. Chalker resists a mental attack.
Invoking Yasseph's holy name, Shawna raises her sword and strikes the pentagram, which ceases to glow. The figure casts a spell at Shawna with no effect. Worms rise from the floor into a 3' tall, vaguely humanoid form, which vomits a cloud of gas at Branamin. Branamin shouts "Dragon worms!" and sets them afire.
Shawna cries "Begone!" and slashes the figure, whose expression registers shock as part of its essence is torn away. It sinks into the floor and vanishes. Worms reach some of the cages and are trying to open them; Branamin Glues those cages.
One of the manticores (M3) flings itself at its cage door and pops it open. Another manticore (M1) comes flying through an opening that leads outside. Chalker fast-draws his sword and slashes its wing, and the beast slams into the floor and skids. Shawna finishes it off.
M3 leaps at Branamin and tries to sting him with its scorpion tail. Another manticore (M2), visibly injured, follows M1 through the opening; Chalker strikes its wing and Shawna kills it. Branamin creates an Illusion of himself grasping M3's tail; M3 repeatedly stings the illusion, soon poisoning itself to death.
The group kills the rest of the creatures. Branamin describes the dragon worm as 30' and 4' in diameter with a breath attack.
Chalker remotely opens a door to a spiral stairway leading down. There is a Watchdog spell on the stairway. Branamin lowers a torch down the center of the spiral. There comes the sense of two watchers, one pleased, the other creepy/hostile.
Branamin studies a podium, feeling a presence beside him. A telepathic message urges him to let it talk. Branamin creates a simulacrum of himself that can detect lies. The presence says, "That is a quite ingenious thing." "Who are you?" "It's hard to remember... Stonemover! ... My body is worm food. ... I'm tired. I can't hold it much longer... Died at the wizard's center of power..." The simulacrum bursts apart.
Further below are traps outside the door to a storage area, 180'x135'. Branamin shapes the earth so the door cannot close. There are rows of shelves 20' high. To the south is an exit to the mountainside wide enough to accomodate a large wagon. Most objects, especially those closest to the door, are deteriorated. Ahn-Lee and Chalker collect several pounds of gold and silver.
Shawna identifies Ibian symbology; the Ibians were a human empire; "one of the big players at the end of the last age." Branamin examines some books of history written in Common and Ibian. Chalker takes two of the history books.
Shawna goes upstairs. She can smell outside air. The room contains over 1000 upright open caskets, a perfectly preserved body in each one. All are well-dressed; most appear to be artisans and craftsman, some are nobility. It seems they are under a suspended animation spell. Yet another stairway leads up to a barracks where 300 soldiers lie on bunks. The armory door is locked.
A woman with short red hair approaches on unsteady feet. Chalker detects two auras: Sgt Angie Moreau, a decent woman, disciplined but susceptible; the other Caddassa, a powerful female mage, damaged by combat/conflict, exposed to demons, a "not-good" person who enjoys killing others. She claims that someone has an unholy grip on her body. Chalker says the name "Stonemover" and she goes pale. She claims they were attacked a millenia [sic] ago and took refuge in the mountain.
Branamin calls out, "Stonemover, show yourself!" The shimmering figure of a tired, bare-headed dwarf wielding a maul appears. Branamin gives the dwarf energy; he straightens and appears more substantial. Chalker brings out the tiny golden hammer, and the dwarf says, "You have my hammer... I'm better now, but may I mind-touch one of you?" Branamin volunteers. Stonemover relates that Calas Stormweaver is the leader of a cabal from the previous age. Stormweaver knows powerful spells that have been lost to the rest of the world. He and his cabal sought to subjugate all of Erethel. His four strongest minions are Lassum (who appeared in the pentagram), Ixel [or Ixa], Lorestra, and Caddassa. Stormweaver was royalty and the most powerful mage of the realm. They follow Gauder, Jarooth, and Phor. Their main national rivals were Skultatra (now part of Ordin) and Osano (near Helm's Deep).
Stormweaver appears in human form. He has a false aura with two other auras underneath. Chalker claims, "When I talk to Asseraah, I call him 'father'." Chalker starts to invoke Santash but is interrupted when Stormweaver casts a spell at Stonemover. Branamin in cat form claws Stormweaver then tumbles to the floor. Chalker activates the tiny hammer. Shawna casts Paralyze on Ixel.
Shawna touches her blade to Caddassa/Angie's throat. Branamin bites at Stormweaver's neck and grapples him with his claws. Chalker swings the hammer at Ixel, who explodes. Stormweaver flees downward through the floor. Caddassa leaves Angie's body and flees. Lassum starts to flee and is paralyzed by Shawna. Branamin realizes that it was Stormweaver who bound Cray Stonemover.
Shawna asks Sgt Moreau if she is loyal to Stormweaver; "Not anymore," Angie responds. She goes into the armory to equip herself for battle.
Shawna suggests that Chalker finish invoking Santash.