Session IX - Summit Hall

 After spending the night on the keelboat docked close to Bargewright Inn, the company of heroes head upriver towards the water cult's hideout. Trash is hard at work attempting to craft a sturdy armor out of the Ankheg exoskeleton while other party members are rowing the ship. Amidst a fairly uneventful journey, they did get attacked by a large amphibious creature who was attempting to make a lunch out of one of the horse. While Elthas manages to get a good look at the monster, he lacks the knowledge to identify it while, having a good knowledge of the Dessarin river's aquatic ecosystem, Halvarth couldn't get a good look at it. 

At the end of the second day, Despite Halvarth's best effort at convincing the party to head full speed into the riverbank, Elthas manages to spot a quiet and somewhat concealed location to anchor the keelboat. As they were preparing for a long rest, humanoid flying around the ship are spotted.

To their great surprise, some members of the Aaracokra party they had allied with end up landing on deck. Dilic, Rarac and Oukirr are pleased to report they have found the monastery mentioned previously and reveal its location. They also warn of another keep on the riverside just north of their current location. Despite this news, our heroes decide to push on with the initial plan before making hasty decisions. 

After a little less than a day on horseback, they arrive in Summit Hall. An old but healthy and friendly looking knight welcomes them on the doorstep of this small stronghold consisting of a stone hall, a tower, stables and storage building enclosed within protective walls. 

Ushien Stormbanner, proudly harboring the sign of the Order of the Gauntlet is very curious to hear our heroes' story, along with half a dozen knights and Sister Garael, whom the party identify as a Harpers ally.

Ushien seems somewhat surprised to hear of the presence of elemental cults. She admits having been busy trying to establish a stronger political influence for the order in the region and been mostly preoccupied with adjacent village leaders. Having had some knights take the road between Summit Hall and Beliard many times, she unfortunately has little to offer in the mystery of the missing delegation although Obrebelle manages to point out where the ambush occured on a map. Ushien is delighted to hear a first hand account and to see part of the dwarven books collection find their way to her hall. 

After a warm meal, the heroes are shown to their quarters where they are welcomed to spend as much time as they required to recoup. Sister Garael jumps on the occasion to consult with them privately. Having had access to the hall's library for some time now, she reveals some historical information uncovered in this process: 

-500 DR  The Besilmers kingdom is founded by dwarven king Torhild Flametongue. He builds a great underground city named Tyar-Besil but remains very close to the surface. Accounts are unclear as to why the dwarves abandoned the place, centuries later, but there are mentions of trolls and giants attacking the city. There are also mentions of weapons that were left behind which the dwarves considered cursed.

+893 DR  Knights of the Silver Horn establish strongholds on top the fours access to Tyar-Besil. The society fears something underneath and aims at keeping a permanent watch over the abandoned dwarven city.

+1012 DR The knights order is wiped by an orc horde descending from the north and the keeps stand empty thereafter. They come to be known as the Haunted Keeps by the local populace. 

+1148 DR Mentions of a young dwarven archeologist spending time in Summit Hall claiming to be investigating the ruins in an attempt to write exhaustive historical accounts of these events. 

In recent times, the keeps have been claimed by various societies and given names. 

  • The Feathergale Spire is (or was) occupied by noble griffon riders from the coast.
  • The Sacred Stone Monastery is home to an order of monks who keep to themselves.
  • The Riverguard Keep is likely hosts to river bandits, corroborated by our heroes' story
  • The Scarlett Moon Hall has been a gathering ground for druids in the region, as rumors say.
Although the heroes are intent on investigating the Sacred Stone Monastery in an attempt to find Bruldenthar, Sister Garael insists that the books he was carrying are key to everything and, sadly, are far more valuable than the historian's life who is likely already dead, or worst... 

Wasting no time, the company leaves in the morning heading back to the keelboat which they use to cross the river and hide to the best of their ability, leaving their horses in Summit Hall. Using caution, they take a long detour in order to avoid the Riverguard Keep and wind up on the doorstep of the Sacred Stone Monastery.

It is calm and quiet out. Only the faint noise of martial arts practice coming from within the building disturbs the silence. Elthas magically ties himself to a squirrel and gets a good look of the building without being seen. 

Following Sister Garael's suggestion, the party attempt a subterfuge to infiltrate the order. 

Only a few steps inside the monastery reveals Minotaurs seemingly in league with the monks. The party is led through corridors and various rooms before being brought in front of a man named Qarbo who's wearing very similar garbs as Larrakh was. 

Reading the man's surface thoughts, Tico can direct Halvarth into telling him what he wants to hear.

During this conversation, Qarbo reveals the old management was reckless and has been dealt with accordingly. The order is no longer employing mercenaries for any kind of work and only ones worthy of the immutable powers at play may take part in the order's divine purpose.

When he finally agrees to recruit the heroes, intent on guiding them towards the righteous path, he tells them they are to start with a period of self-denial and reflection and must forgo all their worldly possession to get in tune with the eternal earth and fully appreciate its might and godly presence. 

Having none of that, Tico uses a suggestion enchantment to have him agree to their internment, forgoing the usual protocols. Although he sounds confused, Qarbo does indicate the heroes are now free to roam about the monastery. 

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