Wiki of The Dungeoneering Crew

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
Session 11, Halaan and the Riddle!

Coins End 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Session 11 – 2023-11-02

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

==== Summary ====


==== Detail ====

After a little discussion about maybe identifying some items and then resting here, Mzolo and those that arrived with him were glancing to the woods with a worried look on their faces. Mzolo pointed at some of the dead bodies around them and then pointed to the woods. The party took that as an indicator that they needed to go now, so they did. They followed Mzolo and the rest of the Belsona south and west, out of the area. They eventually made their way to a river that was very broad. There they found catamarans or large rafts with pontoons on either side. They loaded up on those and pushed off with large poles and used the poles to make their way across the river to a village.  The village was primitive with lots of evidence of construction going on. Some of the buildings appeared to be very old but some appeared to have been recently fixed with new wood, new chinking, and new hide. There were people about but not nearly as many as in Ishau.

It was getting to be early evening. Mzolo led the party to the Ziggurat and inside. From the water, the path there was mostly a steady climb, up hill. Neither Elenor nor Pyreece had a vast knowledge of the religion associated with the god revered here but did recognize him as Zeenoa, the grand incinerator, god of the element of fire. That seemed a little odd for it didn't seem to fit the area unless you took into account, the Peaks of Flame which they were bascially at the foot of. They entered a chamber where they saw a man that appeared to be the chieftain, even though he didn't look very old. Mzolo approached him and bowed. Then he turned and pointed out the group that had entered with him. The chieftain got very excited and jumped up and ran over to great them. He and Mzolo had a conversation in their language first. He seemed most taken with those that appeared more scholarly, Elenor, and Pyreece.

Ubuntu was the chieftains name. He offered them food and light meal around some short tables where they had to sit on the floor to be comfortable. They brought out 6 more healing gourds. Elenor and Oglesby each took one. Pyreece took four of them as she was still quite injured, having only been able to heal a little since the battle with the Hachita. They ate quite a bit and enjoyed women dancing. As it grew later and darkness came, Ubuntu asked, 'Rest…or….Halaan?". They chose to rest first. Elenor approached him though and showed him the ring they had found and asked if he knew what it was. He mistook that as her offering him a gift and took it. She had a time of it trying to explain that she wasn't giving it to him but wanted to know he if new what it was. He reluctantly returned the ring before identifying it as a ring. She gave up on him identifying it. This seemed to make everyone a little uneasy. Tying to get out of this saving face, she offered him some short swords and a heavy crossbow. They didn't have any crossbow bolts. 

Ubuntu's eyes really lit up at the sight of these weapons. He took one of the swords and started swinging it about but was obviously not comfortable with how to wield it. Mzolo took it from him and they passed it around. Those gathered there seemed vey impressed with it. Brandy took one of her arrows and broke it down to size to be a bolt and showed them how to load and shoot it. They were very impressed with that. Mzolo led them out to an area on the west side of the village where they could rest. They rested for the night. Elenor identified two items before they rested. She identified the ring and the boots. The ring was a ring of fire resistance and the boots were boots of stealth. The ring made the wearer totally immune to the effects of normal fire, flaming oil, bon fires, etc… Large and hot fires, molten lava, hellhound breath or wall of fire spells will cause 10 points of damage each round if the wearer was directly in the conflagration. Hot fires such as dragons breath, pyro-hydra breath, fire balls, flame strike, and fire storm were saved against with a plus 4 bonus die roll and all damage dice would be calculated at -2 per dice, but never go below 1 point. A very hot fire is one that has a maximum initial exposure of up to 24 points of damage. The boots gave a 15% increase to the wearers ability to hide in shadows and a 20% increase to the wearers ability to move silently. They decided that the boots should be given to Oglesby and the ring should go to Pyreece.  

They rested and saw that the Belsona had provided some people to protect them or maybe they were guards to keep a watch on them. The true intent remained to be seen but a good sign was that they were allowed to keep their weapons. They rested and awoke the next morning feeling well rested. The effects from the blood sucking by the stirges wore off. They woke to the smell of good food. Ubuntu was there along with a few of his associates. He greeted them and they ate a good breakfast. After eating, Ubuntu asked, "Halaan?". The party nodded and motioned for him to lead on. He took them beyond the ziggurat to a building encircled with water. There was a raft there that they used to get everyone across to the building. There was a stone door covered with vines to give it the appearance of disuse. They opened the door and entered saying "Halaan!".

The room they entered had a large stone statue standing on the east side of the room. It appeared as a nine foot tall bipedal creature. There were odd runes carved on the statues chest. A circle was etched on the floor with arcane runes evident around the edges. Ubuntu and his people moved up and bowed down before it offering up some sort of chant to it. They looked at it expectantly but nothing happened. Across the room was a door. Ubuntu called out for Halaan. A moment later, the door opened and out popped a monkish looking figure. He resembled more a person they would have met in Calimport than one of the natives. He was in tattered robes and replied something to Ubuntu in their language. They carried on a brief conversation before he spotted the party Ubuntu had brought with him. Ubuntu appeared to explain their presence to Halaan. 

Halaan introduced himself and Oglesby introduced the group explaining that they had been looking for him. He told them that he'd hoped that someone was looking for him. He told them he'd been there for six months now. He told them that Ubuntu has been friendly enough but that he was his prisoner. Ubuntu, not understanding what was being said, seemed pleased as though he'd brought together good friends that had been apart for a long time. He and his peers moved to the side of the room to let this meeting play out. Halaan said, "They really don't understand common, you can pretty much say what you want.". He followed up asking why they were here and who'd sent them. 

Oglesby explained the situation about the coin of power and that a witch named Daresh had forced Arowain to make it for her. He further explained that the coin was still almost molten hot when she took it. It burned into her hand. It was said that now it was a part of her. Though possessing a coin like this would drain and kill the person holding it over a short period of time, in Daresh's case, bonding with it would likely give her unnatrually long life. He explained that Arowain had told them that he, Halaan, could make another coin to oppose her. They had come to find him and ask him to help do just that. Veoden was the person who had told them to find him. 

Halaan was distressed to learn of Arowain's fate. They had been good friends. The story was shocking to him. They gave him a few moments to come to grips with the news. He knew Geolain. He'd lost touch with Arowain for a while. He asked about Daresh and about the fashioning of the Coin of Power. Brandy added, "Yeah, she shot this black shit out and killed him.". They explain how Daresh had kept Arowain captive, chained to a stone in the fireplace, while he was forced to make this coin. He wasn't quite finished when she took it. Halaan explained that a Coin of Power is a tremendous weapon. He said, "Typically a magic item of that power consumes the bearer, but, in your story you said it burned itself into her hand?". They answered, "Yes!". He said, "There is a process where it's possible that the coin unified with her flesh as opposed to being an item she possessed. In this case, it actually becomes a part of her. The process of killing it's host is no more. She will just gain all of the benefits and slowly go mad with the power she gains from it. I'm not sure how she can be stopped.". Audra asked, "How about removing the hand?". He answered, "I don't really know. I guess it's possible. However, there is the small matter at hand!". 

Halaan told them that though they had been nice to them and treated them nicely, he was a prisoner of the Belsona and they were liley as well. They will likely not let them leave unless they solve the riddle. He walked over to the stone statue and told them about the riddle of the statue. He said, "There is a prophecy…Well, let me back up a little bit. The village of Belsona was once very powerful for a tribal village of primitives. Pretty advanced for its time. They were very civilized, they lived peacefully, sort of one with their natural surroundings. The Hachita came along and they were basically a cannibalistic tribe which resulted in a period of war. The Hachita were much more in number. There were others like the lizard folk tribes near here who would attack.  Over time, their numbers had dwindled. Their hope has always been this thing. They call it their guardian. The prophecy stated that a man would come from the outside world and would solve the riddle of the guardian and the guardian would come to life and serve the Belsona and defeat their foes. The riddle was contained within these runes. I believe I have at least fashioned a sort of text of what that riddle is. I am afraid though, that I do not know the answer. Perhaps if we can figure out the answer and rouse the guardian, they would probably be happy to see us leave as they would have their protector.". Oglesby asked, "So what does this text say?". Halaan said, "It may not be perfect. The runes are very primitive but I've spent a great deal of time. Come.". 

Halaan took them to his back room and pulled out a scroll and laid it on a table and said, "It goes something like this!". 

It is sought by all, but realized by few, 
Viable to the blind, reliant in truth, 
Often twisted, often missed, 
Fair when kept, with disinterest

Thus began to discussion on what the answer might be. While they discussed it, Ubuntu and his people were out in the main room holding hands and chanted in this really low tone. They seemed to be either praying to the guardian or praying for their success in figuring out the riddle. They eventually left the temple top let Halaan and the others work. The party came up with some possible words which might be the answer to the riddle. Audra asked the next obvious question, "What do we do with this answer. Do we say it or do we move some runes around to somehow answer it. Also, what happens when it activates, will it see us as the enemy of the Belsona and attack us?". Answers to the riddle that were suggested were "love", "salt", "light, or "happiness". Halan didn't think happiness was it but decided to try it. The went back out to the statue, held up his hands to the statue and said, "Uta…Uta…". Nothing seemed to happen. Justice was the next offered up as a possible word. Halaan looked like he was in deep thought and decided that Justice might just fit. He turned to the stone statue and said, "Belocka Da…". That is when the head on the statue moved. Halaan stepped back. The statue took a step toward him. Pyreece ran to the door and shouted for Ubuntu to come back in. As Halaan backed up, the statue kept moving toward him. He finally uttered a word that they couldn't make out and the statue stopped.

Halaan tested it again and uttered Belocka and it started moving again. He uttered the stop word and it stopped again. Pyreece suggested just walking him out the door. Halaan moved further away and uttered the word Belocka and the statue started moving again. It stopped at one point and seemed to be looking over the rest of the party. After a moment, he began moving toward Halaan again. Halaan led him up the stairs and out of the Ziggurat and into the light of day. Ubuntu and his merry men were on the far shore. Halaan continued across the water to the other shore. People were pouring out to see what the commotion was about. Ubuntu and Mzolo and others were cheering the arrival. When the stone statue made it to the dry land, Halaan uttered the stop word. The stone golem stopped. He told Ubuntu the command word and he tried it and it worked for him. He looked at a tree standing nearby and said, "Zedoh!". The stone golem slammed the tree shattering it. The crowd and Ubuntu were really going crazy now!

Ubuntu had a very exited conversation with Halaan where after about an hour or so of back and forth discussion, they learned that this was a legendary guardian that will answer to anyone to some degree. It's primary directive is to protect the Belsona. It would only leave the city if accompanied by a villager. The idea was that the Belsona tribe had been mostly peaceful but the tribe had been reduced in numbers by lizard folk, the hachitta, and wildlife in the area. The stone golem was their great hope. Ubuntu had told Halaan that since he had awaken the guardian, he was free to leave and that they would help him get past the hachita and out of their territory. Pyreece aked Halaan if he was done here. She said, "You came here for a reason, are you done?". Halaan answered, "Everyone I came here with is dead. My expedition was wiped out by the hachita. When these guys came along, at first we thought they were more hachita and there was fighting there but they finished of what was left of my expedition and held me captive. Over time, I kind of learned who they were and that they weren't the warring savages that their neighbors were. I leaned enough of their language that I could communicate with them and also learned their stories. They are largely people of peace who had been constantly attacked and so their numbers had dwindled. They see everyone that comes around as more aggressors that they need to fight off.". Brandy said, "Well, they've got what they've needed now to stop that.". Halaan said, "Yes, this is what they have needed for many many years. Hopefully they won't be foolish enough to forget the word again.". 

Elenor returned Halaan's journal that they had found and he was thrilled to have that back. He went back to pack up and they made their way out. As they left, the people of the village cheered them. They saw where the tribe was really very small. They only saw about 50 men, maybe 45 women, and about 30 children. Maybe with the protection the guardian offers, they'd eventually regrow their numbers. Elenor identified a couple of items a night identifying everything by the time they got back. The flask was a potion of heroism, gives the imbiber a temporary increase in levels by 3 as well as the new level's hit points, combat ability, and saves, if he has fewer than 10 levels of experience. The halberd was not magical. The staff sling was a staff sling +1. The sling was a sling +1. The shield with the dragon scale was a shield of fire resistance. The dwarven ax was not magical. Audra took the shield of fire resistance. Elenor took the staff sling +1. Oglesby took the sling  +1. The flask of heroism went to Kipp.  

It took about three days to get back. They did not run into the tracks of Olengata. They made it back to the council house in Ishau. They found Dengo and Omoyala their and they asked them about their adventures. The party explained what had happened. Dengo and Omayala seemed pleased to know that the guardian had been activated. They were friendly with the Belsona. The Hyperion was ready and able to sail again and could return them to Calimport. Some of the sailors stayed behind to crew that ship. Halaan was ready to return so they boarded the ship and headed back. At this point, the gods announced that they had completed the first book of the campaign called, "The Root of All Evil". For that, they received 500 experience points.

As they arrived in Calimport, they were aware that they might run into problems with the Sentinel's of the True Way. They kept an eye out as they moved through the city to Geolain's home. They arrived at his home and were greeted by Joah who seemed to be more alert as if on guard. He kept peering past them, as if looking to see who else might be looking, as he hurried them inside and closed the door. He told them that the residence was being watched by the Sentinel's of the True Way. He asked if they'd noticed if anyone saw them coming in. They let him know that they weren't being all that vigilant. He greeted Halaan, at first not recognizing him but then remembering him. He was pleased to see him. He ushered everyone into the main room. The room was very nice, even sporting a piano. 

Geolain greeted them and seemed excited to see everyone. He especially was pleased to see Halaan with the party. Halaan told him that this group known as the Screeching Monkees, had found him and returned him safely. He told everyone the entire story of his time there, his time fleeing the Hachita, his capture by the Belsona, and then his time their trying to solve the riddle. Geolain was shocked at all that he heard and finally had to ask, what made him go to the jungle. There was more discussion, laughing, and drinking. Geolain tried to catch everyone up on the issues with the Sentinel's of the True Way. There had been an uptick in the activities of the group. Apparently the Screeching Monkees had made quite the impression with them. Fortuntely, they don't know the group's name. They have murder charges against the group and wanted posters out with their likenesses and descriptions. It was quite the story until a day or so passed and something else came along to surpass it. 

The Sentinals have been more active, scouring the town. He reitterated tat they are well hidden among the people. You can't know from one person to the next who may or may not be loyal to that group. He didn't think their were a huge number but there were enough that they should be careful to limit their trios out and through town. He suggested that they might disguise themselves if they left the security of his home. Geolain and Halaan began discussing the situation with the coin of power. Halaan said he thought he could do what needed to me done but would need access to his library for research and he would need access to a forge. Geolain thought he could handle that but it would take some time. 

There is a two day period where the party is not needed as Halaan has to do some studying and set up the forge. Geolain is fine with the party staying with him. He told them they are welcome to go out into the town but they must be carful not to lead anyone back to his home. If you are discovered, do not return. He is adamant that they should be disguised in some way as to not look like the party they seek. He told them that the Sentinels already hate him, he doesn't care about his reputation with them but if he were to get pegged as having harbored fugitives, then I will be in a great deal of trouble. Pyreece mentioned that the others that were at the scene of the incident were guilty as  well as they incident occurred in the commission of a crime that they had committed. Geolain pointed out that it was not being framed that way. It is being told that the party broke into their house and killed her. The rest of the circumstances were being concealed. Halaan went to rest before starting on his tasks. He told the rest that they were welcome to stay here. They discussed using Joah to handle some of their business. Oglesby said he would just hang out in here until they were ready to leave own. Elenor and Pyreece had clothing to disguise themselves with. They hung around for a couple of days and stayed out of sight. 

They gathered again and Halaan, looking a little bleary-eyed at them said, "Alright, I've confirmed a few things. I think I have acquired most of the ingredients I need to for crafting the coin, except for three. I need a diamond touched by death, a pint of devils blood spilled by a coward, and blue dragons breath. In my research on the coin, he also learned of a likely location for at least the first ingredient, the diamond touched by death. Some 50 ears ago, there was a manor house owned by the Hyreed family in the desert west of Calimport. It burned o the ground during a lightening storm, though I read conflicting accounts that it was actually burned. The last of the Hyreed family to receive a proper burial was buried with a large diamond. The size of a pigeons egg if the legends were true. It would be in the crypts beneath the manor. And though the house was long gone, and the desert tends to consume things quickly, I'm sure the crypts remain. We must have that diamond.

If we must have that diamond, then we shall. Do we return here top figure out what we need next? He told hem that would be best. He would keep searching for clues for where to acquire the other two ingredients. Meanwhile, Geolain said he remembered something about that story.  He thought he might be able to fashion a map for them to use to find it. The house was not far off of some of the caravan routes that go out through the desert to go to the sword coast and northward. The Hyreed family was quite wealthy though he was not sure anyone eer knew why. They weren't really tradesmen so he wasn't relly sure where their money came from. The estate was said to be quite expansive. He didn't think it was that far out of town, maybe 20 miles. They were considered to be locals. Joah sold the gem encrusted pen, the assorted gems, silks, and precious stones. Geolain bought everything from them to save them from going out to sell it. They used that money to pick up a bag of holding and still was able to distribute 21 gold each. 
Thet were looking up the price of s bag of holding when the recording stopped. 

They ended here. 

Start the recording!