Hamroth and the Paths of the Dead

cy 4863 - Feb 14th - 21st

Leandra slowly takes control of the city as the reconstruction continues apace. Refugees return from the outlying areas around the city of Van Myrid – people displaced by the siege and the threat of the Dark Queen. Madrina, a young sorceress, is close to the prospective queen of Myrid and her help and support add strength to her growing power. But that power is nothing if the imperial army led by general Gorak Stern does not arrive…currently they are six days away.

The worst possible news is received from Stelvor’s spies have seen the second Elenorian army mobilise and are presently in the Gundrik Forest just south of the city. G-Lest uses reflecting pool to confirm the information.

Streng heads for the great Library where he finds Casar Goldhammer who is in the process of rebuilding and reconstruction. He is taken into a rope trick and shows the mage the Key of Zalun. Casar is astonished; "This is the key to the Gates of Limbo – created by Hoqar it allows passage to and from the plane."

Streng thanks him for the knowledge and – impossibly – leaves the extra dimensional space without using the door. Casar is – for the second time that day – astonished.

Back to the throne room and Streng is in the middle of the debate about the oncoming army of Elenorians. They come up with a plan to stop the Elenorians and travel across the city to speak to Hamroth. The Glaennyn lord is happy to help but warns them of the consequences of his involvement; "The Dark Queen will up the stakes if I get involved."

But Leandra will not be dissuaded. So Veng’ Stross, a grey orc sword cultist, Scalpel, a Shinjiak Martial Artist, Badal Chaining, a Kal priest of Jarik, Madrina, Leandra and Streng climb onto Hamroth’s back and fly the short distance to their fate.

A few hundred yards from the edge of the Gundrik Forest it becomes clear that the army are building siege towers and weapons of war. Veng’ Stross uses his spirit sense to locate a great swordsman – in fact the Elenorian general, Kelldrik Shadowfall, walks out alone to meet them. With Hamroth towering behind them Leandra and her friends parley with the elf.

Kelldrik is confident, arrogant and brash – he offers them surrender but – with Madrina’s insistence – Leandra is having none of it. "I will not yield the city to the likes of you!"

"So be it," sneers the Elenorian, "then you will all perish this day!"

Hamroth moves them back a mile and they watch as thirty thousand troops walk out towards them. Leandra is scared but is reassured by her companions. When the first salvo of arrows is loosed there is a sharp intake of breath but Hamroth’s incredible shield deflects each one. Streng, however, senses through his great ring that there is sorcery gathering, he believes that the initial attack is a ruse, a feint before the real combat.

Suddenly ten Elenorian swordsmen are amongst the party led by their leader Kelldrik Shadowfall. Scalpel and Veng’ Stross fall immediately but Streng offers better resistance. Having fought the Dark Queen it is clear to the grandmaster of thieves that Kelldrik has been taught by Illyanth…but he is not in her class. Still, Streng realises that ten expert swordsmen will soon wipe out the party and doubles his efforts to slay the leader.

Hamroth is also aware of the danger and the short fight ends when the Glaennyn takes away the ground from under their feet. As Elenorians and party fall and scream into blackness only Streng and Kelldrik exchange blows. Hamroth catches his companions, leaving the Elenorians to plummet, and rises to the surface as if nothing had happened. Leandra and her companions cling on for their lives as Hamroth stands erect before the confused army of Elenorians.

Streng alone senses the awesome attack from the mouth of the Glaennyn. Not so much a breath attack it is more a sonic blast that strips the flesh from the exposed Elenorians. They watch – in utter horror – as every single Elenorian on the field is slain. Streng himself feels the terrible pull of the dead; his mind senses a path, a walkway that leads down to darkness. Every Elenorian – along with his two fallen companions – move down that path.

"You can see it because of the Key," Hamroth says into Streng’s stunned mind, "If you are quick you can reach them." The Glaennyn puts a mental picture into the thief’s mind and Streng slips easily onto the path. He calls to the two souls; Veng’ Stross and Scalpel and the two friends, along with some Elenorians close enough to hear the call, turn and head back. Once the two fallen ones reach Streng he looks for a way out – a doorway presents itself and he steps back into his own dimension.

Leandra gasps and Veng’ Stross and Scalpel exhale then draw breath greedily.

"Very well done!" Hamroth says to Streng. "That should take care of the Elenorians."

Veng spirit senses the forest. He realises the Elenorians have not been defeated – they have been routed. Hundreds of thousands scurry south, preferring the Olshay Range to the Glaennyn before them.

Six days later sees the welcome arrival of Gorak Stern and his Imperial army. The general is an honest, stoical and decent man who charms all who come into contact with him. Immediately Leandra holds a banquet in his honour and the topic on everybody's lips is how to promote Leandra as queen. Another arrival is the Bretonian Arch Priest of Malakar called Vanyar. He and the general know each other and barely-concealed hatred drips from each man. Gorak Stern ensures that the arch priest of Malakar gains no hold in the city and promises Leandra as much help as she requires...for as long as she requires.

Vanyar tries to interrogate the two men brought back from the dead; Veng' Stross and Scalpel and whilst he does that Madrina uses ESP to eavesdrop into the arch priest's mind. She sees his evil thoughts clearly. The agent of Malakar is unhappy that one of the universe's most fundamental laws has been sidestepped. His thoughts betray his nature - Madrina realises that this priest will stop at nothing to eradicate her companions.

As the banquet continues Vanyar returns to the temple with G-Lest but the party continues in high spirits...