Session XXVII & XXVIII - yan-c-bin part II

After resting for a few hours, Khelben's magic vendors finally make their way to our hero's location who are eager to spend whatever gold they could get their hands on in preparation for the challenges ahead. 

Wasting no time, the company teleports back to the air temple using a scroll of teleportation. Wanting to leave no respite to their enemy, they head straight down to the Howling Caves where they know the air elemental prince is waiting for them. 

Making their way through the caves, Trash notices a group of howling hatred initiates on the other side of a crevasse. He carefully makes his way over, weapon at the ready but, to his surprise, the cultists are paying him no attention, being completely entranced in the winds that are weeping through this area. 

Moving past this group, at the intersection of four tunnels, the winds turned into a mighty gale that makes a constant howl. Two braziers burning with green flames reveal severed silk ropes, darkly sodden with blood, sitting at the base of three gore spattered columns. Tied to two other columns are two women, each with the symbol of the howling hatred cut in their forehead. The weakened and gagged prisonners are motioning frantically. Lifting the lantern of revealing sheds light on two Barlguras, mounting guard. 

The demonic beasts are easily dispatched and prisonners untied, one of whom reveals to be Anabelle, late Bero's widow. Tico's spell having previously most likely revealed the remains of another person. The other prisonner is named Deseyna Majarra, one of Bruldenthar's travel companion on his way south from Mirabar. Although she seems pleased to see him, the sentiment does not appear reciprocal as the dwarven historian presses the group to stay focused on the task at hand. 

Halvarth's griffon is tasked with bringing the ladies to safety while the party continues. They take the eastern facing tunnel where a powerful wind roars, causing bits of debris to ricochet off the walls. Walking slowly against the violent gusts, the cavern opens up in the middle of which, spikes of stones jut upwards, between them a churning thundercloud thrashes with lightning. 

Yan-C-Bin stands tall here and, after a brief acknowledgement, the fight erupts. 

Air myrmidon's are keeping Trash and Kella busy while the Prince of Evil Air teleports towards Halvarth, Tico and Elthas. The elf's potion of protection buys just enough time for the party to take strategic positions. Yan-C-Bin is not pulling his punches and seems determined to annihilate our heroes. 

Windharrow, the mage they are now facing for the third time, manages to teleport behind the lines and takes Bruldenthar hostage. Taking a calculated risk, the party disregards his threats and Elthas let's his arrows fly in his direction. After cutting the dwarf's throat, the mage retreats further back.

On the brink of death, Tico gets polymorphed into a Tyrannosaurus while Elthas, Kella and Trash are throwing Windvane around, taking stabs at Yan-C-Bin before Trash finally lands the final blow.

In the midst of a giant cloud of dust and debris, the half-orc rushes back towards Bruldenthar to bring him back to life. While the party is busy making sure the dwarf survives, Halvarth notices Aerisi, curled in a ball, naked and hurt exactly where Yan-C-Bin fell. 

Trash and Kella step forward as she yells and drags herself back towards the air portal. 

After tying her arms and legs, questioning her yields little to no useful information. It appears she completely lost her mind as she keeps ordering them to let her go, so she can be reunited with her prince and lover. She even seems to being convinced that she's avariel royalty, although the flagrant lack of wings suggests otherwise. 

After debating quickly, she is deemed too unstable and dangerous to release and the party gives in to Kella's supplication of being her executioner. 

Without losing much more time, the party makes sure the Anabelle and Deseyna are safely teleported back to Waterdeep before retreating to a magnificient mansion created by Halvarth's magical abilities. His companions are more than pleased at finding a richly decorated and luxurious haven where an immense amount of thoughts have been given to the comfort of his residents.

Well rested and pressed for time, the party continues their exploration of Tyar-Besil. They realize the cog room is actually some sort of water control, they briefly fight a stone golem who is identified as one of Tyar-Besil's original defender by no other than Orcsplitter, and finally discover the tombs of the fortress' architect and his son where they gather many riches and useful magical items. 

Still no sign of Imix, although the temperature in the fire temple has significantly risen, the lava burning red and hot.

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