Session 16 part three!  The impeccably dressed man's jaw moved up and down for bit, then sputtered" Of course." and began grabbing other devices whilst muttering about "controlling violent tendencies" among his "staff" while giving a peculiar gaze at the runegraver as if scanning for a recollection of how or why he was to help this "patient".  As this was happening new combat began with the ant like bipedal men blasting shots from some kind of laser type weaponry at the beleaguered PC's.  The rest of the group sans the bard who was still in shock witnessing the "birth" of this new thing met the threat head on and the runegraver moved to the south door to block line of sight from the newfound help.  "What's that?" the man who presumably was the doctor exclaimed as blasts and the sound of steel meeting steel was exchanged.  The runegraver said "Just call them off, help us, there's been a misunderstanding."  As the runegraver entered the room he noted a beautiful but immobile woman slumped in an extravagant chair alongside and iron automaton that seemed to be one word from the doctor away from launching a horrific assault upon the runegraver.  The PC's fought and bled more as the bard closed his gaping mouth and the door and in a befuddled state of mind hobbled back to the PC's as the ant creatures went down.  The ice warlock pocketed the gun, hoping for a spare part to make his work in the future as they began to approach the "doctor's door" cautiously.

What happened next was a long palaver betwixt the PC's and the doctor.  The paladin at his sword's urging to want to slay the demon Regulus brokered a deal with the doctor to provide transport to Phobos in the future.  None of the PC's even touched the opulent dinner laid out.  All noticed the doctor's wife not moving despite her beauty.  As the doctor rambled on about spacial trajectories and biological mysteries he then switched conversational matters to dealing with the mind.  A pallor of unease filled the PC's as it became clear the doctor was operating on various sentient beings with the goal of getting his wife's mind back as she suffered from some sort of infirmity that robbed her of her mental faculties.  Unsure of how long the doctor was under the sway of the runegraver's command, the PC's quickly hashed out terms of help and apologies for disturbing him and and his work.  After an amenable solution was reached, the PC's backed out and then quickly began to exit to the main operational area.  The doctor called out as they were leaving, "You should see my newest acquisitions! They are quite docile when they have rehabilitation built in.  I'll let you meet them as I repair the regrettable damage to my door."  Dread filled the PC's as they saw two misshapen things lurch out towards them as the doctor hummed a merry tune oblivious to the fact that his "violent tendencies repressor" on his "patients and staff" wore off once he was no longer attentive to them.  At once, an addled and insane mi-go and elder thing alongside the bloodied chief of staff at the doctor's manor lashed out at all who came near; only the white skinned albino with blood red eyes and spiky teeth and protrusions yet still able to garble communicative speech attacked the PC's.  Recognizing the danger of the the things from beyond, the PC's only engaged with them to strike and run for the exit if possible.  It wasn't.  The chief of staff could teleport and as they reached the exit bloodied and dazed and near the end of their existence, the barbarian made a leaping grapple to tackle the chief of staff here and bent his arm at an impossible angle and as the bones cracked he wrenched free a ring which sent the creature into a frenzy as they ran down the now unwelcome hallway back to where the bard left the snowglobe. "Take me with you" a young voice pleaded as a small figure ripping out "rehabilitation sensors" out of it's head yelled, "I can help".  In the chaos the PC's grabbed the youngish thing and ran.  Havoc reigned behind them as an insane mi-go and elder thing thrashed about towards either doctoral staff or PC, indiscriminate against who was the recipient of their wrath.  One by one each PC grabbed the snowglobe as they vanished from this plane of madness.  Huffing and anxious, they rose to a calm bluish white chamber that now exhibited some red, their drops of blood. 

Under the twin moons of Selene and Phobos they traversed back to Helios.  Must get healed.  Must be ready for the frost giants.  In what, two or three days?  And now with a chattering patient named Balthus from who knows where?  At least this one wasn't violent and in his chattering the PC's discerned he knew the chemical makeup of beneficial potions.  This little one could be an asset they reasoned.  However darker thoughts were at the forefront.  The tribute was demanded.  Would they all be ready?  One can find out...  when I write up about Session 17!

We played today.  First time gaming under social distancing but thankfully in person.  That one was a shorter session which I hope to write up soon.  Keep at it Hyperborian gamers!  Session 17 coming in the future!

Last edited by MrManowar (8/01/2020 10:41 pm)

Session 17 part two, "What will it be?" the scarcely clad feminine form oblivious to the cold asked the PC's.  Due to their existing pact, they had no choice but to acqueise and realize their burden had grown larger.  The PC's begged for more time regarding the Von Kilyanovar promise emphatically stating they needed their allies to do what the Lady required.  The Lady then nodded and a somber mood settled.  The Lady of Chains then began to summon and given an ensorcelled form to a stairway that bypassed the difficult terrain that would need to be traversed but gave the PC's a stern warning that she would be exacting tribute due based on what was agreed to.  In higher altitudes yet, the PC's in bitter breath hiked the ethereal yet solidified stairs and path that magic provided leaving the Lady behind as they drew ever closer to finding their captured comrades.  With the wind howling and snow blowing but not affecting their travel they enjoyed a pocket universe tunnel of their own observing the harsh Hyperborian winter but not having to experience it for a while.  As the staircase descended they made haste to cover for lost time.  It felt like they were on a runway descent speedily closing in on unsuspecting targets!  At once with a blast of air and a flurry of snow cascading away from their landing bellows of surprise burst forth from the few frost giants carrying their comrades as an unknown threat just materialized at once!

Battle was joined with the frost giant magic user retreating back and the frost giant female dropping the bodies of their allies as if they were carcasses of a fresh kill.  Weaponry and spell soon began to punctuate the frigid air as explosive violence on either side found its mark.  Younger looking yeti soon joined the female as they cascaded into combat with the PC's as cold steel and pointed bitter arrows pierced through while the frost giant mage was concentrating on something more dastardly.  Ice mounds and shelves split aside at once as a large creature with gaping jaws, many legs or appendages and a well heated chest region burst forth from the icy ground and whirled about wildly.  The bard, ice lord, barbarian and paladin began to concentrate attacks at the newcomer with the aim of forcing the lone frost giant to be in the same region as this newfound nightmare.  The plan succeeded as the PC's outlived attacks and forced the frost giant into the attention of this violent creature that was young but yet of the size of the frost giant.  The ice-lord gazed up and understanding dawned... "Remorhaz..." he whispered and then shouted for the PC's to get the giant in between the writhing and hungry beast and themselves so they could run.  A few well placed blows followed to leave the frost giant to deal with the newcomer and judging by the grisly and frightening sounds well behind them, the frost giant lost that battle.  The paladin kept up a run that affected his body, tearing his constitution to the limit all to assail and launch an attack at the frost giant magic user who was making his way to a larger albeit crudely built settlement that obviously wasn't meant for human Hyperborian habitation.  The missile struck and with surprise the frost giant mage dropped the comatose bodies of the necromancer and ranger and promptly disappeared as the first drops of his blood hit the ground.

Snow began to swirl faster, the PC's caught their respective breaths, and clambered closer to their fallen comrades as these strange structures loomed up before them.  Behind them lay the remorhaz who surely must have slain the frost giant.  Looking in all directions and only taking cautious steps, the PC's then began to edge closer to their comrades as the wintry flakes settled around them.  No noise, no smell, no seeming threat, just themselves and bodies gradually getting covered in snow; what would happen next?

That's what we find out in Session 18, the next session being played soon in social distancing!  It's on, Hyperborian winter continuing!

That's a great update! Thanks for sharing.

Session 19 part one!  Weeks have gone by as the PC's trudged along the tendril of the Spiral Mountain array doggedly heading northward to the ultimate peak so many miles in the distance.  As cold and weariness and food loss began to seep in they began to wonder why?  What was this all about?  A necromancer?  Is it worth it to continue on for that so-called ally?  It's fleshly automaton resolutely paved a trail amidst the swirling flakes and drifts as shifts in elevation could be identified as "Up" or "Down" in a barrage of white flakes and buffeting winds.  Rations began to dwindle.  Hope of finding their ally was bereft.  Time to double up and return to Helios.  No sign of frost giants or other adversarial foe.  Winter was winning.  Regrettably, they headed back but in the swirling snowfall, even direction was given over to whimsy and hopeful thinking.  Soon yowls and yips and other animal cries pierced even the wind blowing.  Hurriedly running, sliding and falling down the PC's rushed to a valley area to be ambushed suddenly by hyena men and a savage tribe of barbaric folk who had seemingly used deer, elk and other large animals as their face masks hideously melting the bone into their flesh to appear as some kind of horrible crazed bipedal weapon wielding foe intent on blood!  Melee ensued as a larger foe garbed in the remains of a bear growled orders as the onslaught began with PC's taking wounds from the sudden assault!  Now that they had their bearings and blood was in the air, pitched battle was joined with the ice lord's spell holding three in place and the bard using the tried/true trick of a frost worm illusion striking fear in the hearts of others.  The paladin, ranger and barbarian and runegraver each began carving out flesh for flesh as the wounds spread.  In pitched contest they fought; the PC's sending the foes to the frozen ground when other cries split the air.  Hunting tundra cats?  Cougars?  Mountainous lions?  Unsure of anything, the PC's noticed that the hyena men gave way to this new sound and ran off into the snowy depths not wanting to face this new foe.  The PC's left of and kept heading south (everything's south from the great summit!)  The melee ended in a dispersion in light of the new howls on the wind.

Over the next days, to stave of the threat of starvation they slew a stag in a strange chance of luck of the few baleful hours of daylight they had when the reddish sun dared show itself in the storm.  Even the two moons were timid in the harsh climes.  Leaving the entrails and some meat behind the PC's sought to mislead the great cats and make great haste back to Helios.  Alas, the trek was tough for two of them and the automaton had to carry them and those with sturdier constitution continued the forced march/run until exhaustion set in.  Rest revealed tracks.  The cats were getting closer.  So began a chase of the cats herding them ever closer to a larger ravine to spring upon the PC's to savage them.  Kicking up powder and utilizing the snowstorm to disguise their maneuvers, the cats (larger than panthers and shaggy and white of fur) ravaged limb as bite and claw tore into PC flesh.  Spells then lit up the air as the PC's slowed them or displayed a color prism blinding all but one as the darkening clouds and heavier snowfall indicated a terrible storm was unleashing its might on this forsaken section of Hyperboria.  One of the PC's fell unconscious and others bleeding quite heavily from the fight as they slew three of the great beasts.  In the swirl of the wind and darkening skies as long night settled yet again to thwart daylight's few hours the PC's saw a massive opening in the tundra cliff base of a peak.  A cave?  Shelter?  Running as best they could in the engulfing snow they made their way to entrance with weapons in hand in case more of the predatory cats were in pursuit, they entered the cave.  Falling and sliding down they went into a shelter of sorts.  The runegraver fell and slid the whole way down sliding across a great plaque that had runes of very old Norse written on them.  In the cave, they no longer felt the bite of the wind.  The cold was lessened, and the snow was an observable hazard.  They needed rest, melting snow and ice for water and eating more of the stag meat they harvested, they began to make out the large runes.  It said "Cairn of Sigurd..."  they couldn't make out the last word.  Only then they realized the "cairn" was no natural cave.  It was clearly a feat of architecture that showed this abode or cairn was something much larger than some human sized cairn or cave.  The blackness of the hewn out room extended far back and small animal bones littered the enclosure; like creatures that in the past huddled to die hear rather than face the ravages of winter.  The PC's began to keep watch, dole out rations of food and rest; unsure of what was worse... the cavern or the weather.

End part one!

Session 20 part one!  After the storm had abated, the PC's had decided to go back to the Repository of Illysaes, as they knew they were close by.  The ice lord wanted to purchase a tome and the others were easily persuaded as shelter would be had and in that timeless zone, hunger would not be a factor.  Making their way there the coin they found granted them access.  Whilst the ice lord studied his tome, the paladin continued his read of Dionysius' Daemonicon and the runegraver looked up remedies for the ill effects of the "Mead-saki" his alcoholic beverage that induced a berserker like state upon those who quaffed said drink.  Also the tools they found in the past belonging to a being called "Baba Yaga" were investigated.  In a pocket plane where time had no meaning they reconvened with the spirit of Illysaes, saw the snake people again who shunned them vociferously.  The female bard taunted them with jibes and such and was still unwilling to leave the repository as a kind of prolonged life was there.  After the paladin developed a sense of urgency about Helios they departed.  After all time flowed differently here.  Upon leaving, the snowdrifts were higher, the dead of the winter was at hand.  With a sinking feeling of dread, potentially a year or more had passed in the outside world while they lingered.  What had changed?  Uncertainty grew, as well as the fact that while in the repository they did not need to eat, but now they did.  Game was scarce in the frozen wastes.  Descending the mountainous terrain, in the cold nightscape, they heard voices.  One clearly reasoned, the other sounded like the ravings of a madman.  Soon the paladin found a kindred follower of Apollo as a cleric was of that order (a friend from out of state joined for a one shot session!).  The babblings of the shamanic weird one were of a heathen that the cleric hoped to evangelize to the light of Apollo.  After exchanging pleasantries, soon the ground began to shake with perceptible tremors.  The barbarian went on to scout ahead.  The shaman with many trinkets and stories of stupendous forms of undead began warding the snow with colored sand while spitting forth wildly fantastic stories about a red star gem that passed into Hyperboria from beyond the Black Gulfs of the outer darkness.  Bemused at first, the PC's carried along with the frantic erratic one, especially since the cleric was able through his divine magic to create food for them all.  Soon, the little man, one Torgerson Thall, held aloft a staff that had many bird skulls, from wren, to sparrow, to crow, to even larger skulls uttered a slurry of words that produced a great gust of wind that cleared out a snowdrift that revealed an ancient temple ruin with a path leading inside.

Gazing at the weather beaten statues that while humanoid in shape were clearly weather eroded, the PC's cautiously ventured closer.  A massive statue of granite depicting a proud barbaric man in a pose meant to convey defiance against enemies greeted their view.  The shaman muttered more about the red star light while making vague references to Apollo kept slinking forward faster.  The bard wrapped the statue in ropes while the remaining PC's hastened to catch up to the energized shaman.  The runegraver in his caution summoned the ghostly warrior while the barbarian split from the group to track what left its mark in the snow as well as what was causing the tremors in the ground. 

Soon, as corridors in the temple were rounded, a tall statue of a demonic looking creature with a massive ruby gem in its eye was in view.  Other well armored statues were about.  All was silent.  The ground was an icy landscape and movement was treacherous as they were well slowed.  The shaman with poorly concealed glee crept closer to the statue, intent on carving out the gem.  Seeing no hostility, nor action for that matter, only noting great stone slabs over rectangular box like structures, the PC's were content to let the shaman act.  After minutes of precision picking with awl and spike and careful hammer taps, Torgerson pried out his prize, a great ruby the size of a human head.  "I have it!" he yelped in triumph, only to have the statue come to life and promptly grab him by his head and torso and smash his head and torso to a bloody smear on the icy ground below sending the gem skittering off the ground to another corridor.  Soon, the rest of the statues animated to life and attacked the PC's!

The bard's rope entangled statue was turned into a giant peg as he stone shaped the granite assailant to a harmless thing.  The animated suits of armor blazed with electric blue and white light as they battered and punched the PC's.  The cleric and ice lord unleashed spells as the ranger fired off arrow after arrow as it dawned on the PC's only magical weapons harmed these guardians.  The paladin drew into combat with the leering statue missing an eye as combat raged on.  The ice lord and ranger were badly wounded but eventually they felled the suits of armor.  The paladin felled the large statue with a ferocious blow that would have sundered anything!  After the combat, they noted no dint of metal or anything touched the armor from their weaponry, however the electric bluish-white striations left the bodily form leaving behind four pristine suits of magical armor.  The PC's were elated at the discovery, but dread did set in as the tremors in the ground didn't stop after that.  Holing up in the temple, relying on the cleric's magically conjured food, the PC's still felt like prey to a predator they couldn't see and didn't know.  The runegraver retrieved the massive gem as conversation ensued about what do with such massive wealth.  In the meantime, other PC's tried to lift the stone slabs but to no avail.  With extraordinary feats of strength on display the bard somehow lifted and hoisted the stone slabs aside revealing platinum weatlh!  However, what good would riches bring in these wastes?  What would the wan light of the few hours of brightened day bring?  They had to get back to Helios...

End part one!

Last edited by MrManowar (6/06/2021 12:06 am)

Thanks for the kind words Rob! I've been amiss about updating this, so here goes from my notes and memory: Session 20 pt. 2.

Leaving the temple and tromping through the piling snowdrifts, the PC's made their way down the treacherous descent.  Winds howled, flakes swirled and stung as one foot trod in front of the other in a weary procession down.  Daylight only showed its presence in perhaps an hour as a cruel taunt as night was engulfing the PC's in snow, cold, shadows and death.  Espying a cave that perhaps shelter could be sought, the PC's then warily entered in as a roof and some stone walls could provide shelter from the bitter wind's bite and provide respite from the snow.  As they began to shake off flakes and built up ice crusts around hastily wound scarves, a series of icy crustaceans as well as spidery forms bearing hideous human faces distorted into grimaces and curled back lips hurriedly descended and assaulted them!  A battle scrum ensued with the PC's being able to slay those fell creatures and then being able to descend into a kind of sleep where no dreams dared enter into due to utter fatigue.

Waking into darkness, the trek downslope continued.  This time, as it seemed lights could be seen on the far horizon, pace was quickened.  The hammering/thumping sound earlier was still heard and somewhat closer.  After traversing another almost mile, a mammoth bearing a frost giant came into view along with another frost giant!  Since the white environment provided no such hiding place, they met to melee.  Talk was eschewed as brutality and death was on the minds of the giants.  Some quickly spoken spellcasting on the part of the ice lord was able to hold both giants as to the paladin and cleric's mind it seemed Apollo was smiling on the encounter.  The mammoth ran like an unruly creature whom the bard showing off his dextrous acrobatics was able to leap from from the mammoth to the upper torso of a held frost giant.  Administering some "coup de grace" later, the giants were felled by the ranger, barbarian and runegraver.  They exulted in what seemed to be an easy victory due to some fortuitous spell casting.

As they drew ever closer to the welcoming sight of lights in the demoralizing darkness, a sound of clittering and clacking drew their attention.  At once, a demon of inky blackness bearing a multitude of limbs and distended jawline and contortions of movement that seemed a wicked amalgamation of various creatures materialized to face the PC's as forms high above on various precipices that resembled the spawn of Ymir they had seen much earlier materialized along with a frost giant running at them from a distance!  Combat ensued between the demonic denizen and the PC's with the ranger and paladin landing stunning blows whilst the ice lord and bard fought it's side tentacles!  The runegraver and cleric and barbarian attacked best they could as all were battered and bruised and noted the spawn striking and sending down a large portion of snowy mounds down at them!  Avalanche!  A tremendous test of constitution was required to outrun this icy force as several went under the snowy depths as well as the frost giant.  The PC's that rode the crest marked the location of fallen comrades and pulled them out, and then slew the demonic creature that still assailed them despite the environmental changes.  At long last wearied and bedraggled, the PC's entered into Helios.  Another shock awaited them.  Somehow, in the time they left plus the time they spent in the Repository revealed a whole year had passed them by.  Looking up at the sky and the moons showing, it was clear; Nightfall was almost here.  Woe upon woe awaited them.  What would the next day bring?

End Session 20, I'm way behind on these writeups and I apologize for the shortness of this one.  I have two more sessions to go before we start up session 23 next month.
 

Thanks Ghul!  I appreciate it!

Player notes: the player of the necromancer dropped out of the game as a regular member, and another player joined playing a cleric.  As such, the session updates recently and going forward will feature the necromancer in a significantly diminished role while the cleric features more prominently now.  The necromancer is kind of like a henchman or NPC.  He will hang around Helios in case the player of said character wishes to rejoin the group at a later date.

Session 21 part one!
After the harrowing escape from the avalanche, the PC’s rest and recuperate in Helios.  The cleric beseeches Apollo’s aid and cures Brother Antonius of the debilitating ailment he was suffering from and he is able to help effectively lead the town again as its de facto authority figure.  The bard learned the mysterious fiery creature he had captured escaped its cage and eluded any would be captors but still appears around the town.  Thankfully not starting minor fires or aggressive conflagrations!  The runegraver made use of his eclectic tools to forge a number of rings and drinking horns from the otherworldly elemental rock found in the past.  The paladin and necromancer had a private conversation whereas the necromancer informed him of some things as well as exclaiming his own desire to work on “subjects” in the privacy of his own laboratory.  The paladin agreed to keep the conversation confidential as the necromancer moved his abode to the outskirts of town suspiciously close to the forlorn cemetery.  Darkness droned on in its monotonous gloom day or night with no discernible light except the baleful cold exuded from Phobos and Selene.  The ice lord’s paramour and engineer was able to get the mysterious ray gun he found a long time ago functional.  The ranger and barbarian took stock of the town’s defenses and fortified and assisted the local militia as best they could in these days.

Not a moment too soon either!  In two large sections of tall walls loping muscled forms of ugly slavering jawed ogres bearing large tree trunks as battering rams assaulted the defensive structures and the baying of wolves filled the air alongside the worried cries and shouts from the townsfolk!  The sound of crunching wood was heard as massive holes erupted from the rams and diseased, gaunt and feral wolves ran through widely into the town!  The PC’s scrambled to meet the oncoming force as other ogres bearing large crossbows with arrows that resembled wicked spears moved into the town once access was gained by their foul brethren with the battering rams.  The bard sent a color spray that immediately blinded and rendered ineffective one of the crossbow touting ogres.  The barbarian and paladin moved to engage the ogres with the rams whilst the ice lord launched an ice dart spell at the other crossbow armed menace.  The ranger began shooting down the disease ridden wolves running amok in the city as the local militia also moved to slay the fell beasts.  After taking a bruising hit from the battering ram, the barbarian’s mighty thews flexed as he hacked into the ogre with the paladin’s precise strike finished it off.  The ice lord danced around blows as he maneuvered in to further strike at the invader ogre.  The cleric aided townsfolk and slew one of the wolves.  Curiously, the flame creature of the bard’s appeared in the melee and horribly burned one of the ogres!  After the ogres were slain, the cleric removed disease from one of the wolves while the bard employed spellcasting to speak with the creature.  The PC’s learned that ogres and wolves were sent to spread disease and sickness amongst the residents of Helios at the bidding of Hrolf Axholm, the frost giant mage.  Incensed by this attack, the PC’s decided the course of action was to confront and defeat the mage who was a constant thorn in their side.  After some healing from wounds sustained and advising how to fix the defenses, the bard after feeding the wolf convinced it to lead them to where Hrolf was so the PC’s could deal with him.  In the ongoing darkness and snow, the PC’s left the town to hunt their enemy.

Session 22 part one!

After spending a little time recovering, the PC's quickly animated into a decisive force to bolster defenses and strategize for a potential frost giant assault upon Helios.  Also, they had banded together to exchange intellectual conversation regarding "garden(s)" and why the frost giants would be so interested in them.  After the bard had spent some time with the sage he'd befriended a while back, the two hit upon an enlightening discovery.  It turns out the pond was the site of a fallen comet that had struck the surface of Hyperborea there back when Helios was merely some settlements that were home to its founders that banded together to face the long winter years of the the thirteen year cycle quite a while ago.  Turns out this comet had smashed into the surface and burrowed out an angular path before coming to its final smouldering rest.  A husband and wife team lead by the wife whose name was Melil investigated the ruin left in the comet's wake.  Turns out based on Melil's last communicative advances to the others, her husband was dying and they had found something extraordinary in the depths of the earth.  It turns out the PC's weren't looking at some sort of botanical garden, but rather a mineral one.  Melil and her team never got back to surface and as the great ice and snow melted, water soon filled the crevice resulting in the massive pond/small lake that adorned the area.  Soon afterwards, freshwater fish were planted there as another food source for the settlement which had soon grown to a village.  Now in the summers, it was a swimming pond for the children as all thoughts of a mineral garden were set aside as a new generation or two adapted onward.  Armed with that knowledge, the PC's then went to survey the pond yet again.  Ice had swollen over as well as snowdrifts when they arrived.  Also, some polar bears encircled the pond with one taking swipes at the pond at times producing a thrashing fish as the large quadrupeds began to eat in these blackened skies of Nightfall as well as the fell cold and snow that accompanied the darkness.  The bard warily used his uncanny spell casting to speak with the creatures.  After learning that they were merely hungry and not antagonistic, the PC's brokered a deal with them.  One side involved the PC's making sure the bears had provision to eat during the long wintry months and the bears would in turn guard the pool from interlopers apart from the PC's.  With said protections employed, the PC's began to devise a plan to get down to the frigid depths.  The bard produced an amulet that protected him from the elements and allowed him to adapt to any environmental situation.  A series of ropes were stretched out as one swam down to the stairway espied previously and then when attached to the rope, another would pull it back to the surface to swim down with the final PC leaving the rope intact as an efficient way to leave while the bears loped about discouraging intrusion.  One by one, the PC's made the descent into the inky waters as light dimmed.  When they at last hit the stairwell, they marveled at the angled tunnel that led to it which bespoke of the comet coming to rest in its last trajectory.  They were surprised at the mucous membrane they had to force themselves through that mysteriously kept the water at bay despite the pressure and the depths.  Some entered a relatively dry cave complex, others slipped and slid through the membrane as they hastily brought light sources about wondering about the legend of Melil and the mineral garden beneath these depths!

Session 22 part two coming later.

Session 23!

After the traumatic events of Melil’s Grove, the PC’s waited and recuperated as time moved on night by night monitored by the twin moons. The paladin spent time with Brother Antonius as he came to grips with the horrid effects of the ghastly aging process as they began to devise a strategy to possibly reverse the advanced years brought on unnaturally. The rumored day of assault from the giants came and passed with no warfare on the darkened horizon. Soon distant small lights emerged from a differing part of the mountainous region. It was a small forlorn troupe of bedraggled barbarians of a tribe that the PC’s made an alliance with. The leader was a young man named Ilorn Mac Doern and once wine, heat from the flames and healing administered to the new arrivals; he hesitantly divulged how they obtained the wounds and fallen comrades. His sister Ilara, who was the one who the PC’s met in the frigid tendril of the Spiral Mountain Array by the ice people was captured by a frost giant who was aided by a demonic entity. He implored the PC’s to rescue her since she spoke highly of the PC’s as she orated the need to fight back from the frost giant threat. With the paladin remaining behind in case the town needed an additional defender to help lead the militaristic force, the PC’s set out in what they thought was yet another cold somber morning.

Wrapped in furs and fully armed to rescue their ally, the PC’s followed Ilorn as he led them over hard snow packed terrain in the frigid still air. After some interminable hours passed, fresh larger tracks broke up the initial remains of the frontiersmen party’s footprints and bloodstains on the frozen ground. The ranger and barbarian were able to discern the new prints as the PC’s formulated a plan to destroy the ice trolls who had made them. Traversing off the trail they were following, the PC’s cautiously maneuvered the hard packed snow following the lead of the ranger and barbarian. Torchlight was snuffed to hide their positions as the baleful moonlight shone with an eerie lambent glow. Feral grunting was heard as their quarry was sniffing the air as if in anticipation of tangible flesh was laid out for consumption. Springing past stunted conifers and drifts, the melee ensued after the cleric and ice lord slowed the lumbering trolls. Blade bit flesh as the barbarian and bard struck. Hammer bludgeoned bone as the runegraver and cleric struck another foul troll. The ice lord readied another spell as the ranger loosed arrows into the creatures. Howling in rage and frustration at their slowed pace, the trolls countered back with massive club like weapons with dirty rusted ferrous metallic spikes against the PC’s. Due to the strategic contrivances of the PC’s they were able to wear down and slay the predatory ice trolls and the cleric healed them of the wounds and potential sickness of the disease laden spikes. When the battle was over, the subdued gloomy calm of frigidity settled over the region once more. A quick investigation followed revealing carcasses of what was probably the trolls’ last meal. The partially frozen mess of gore and bone and shattered bits did not reveal much about whether the remains were man or beast. Also, some silver bullion was found nearby under a bent twisted tree. Using spellcraft, the PC’s were able to magically locate the bullion as they resumed their journey under the guidance of Ilorn to find and rescue his sister from the hated frost giant.

Because of the cold environs and their ignorance of day or night in this long period of endless night it was decided that they all should take up a resting place after the battle.  A watch was set up as the runegraver drew first watch.  He was thinking of the comet's mysterious metals when a strange hut with long strident chicken-like legs came sauntering towards their encampment without a sound.  Soon an aged lady with many trinkets and other oddities departed it using a strange broomlike object smiled at him and began to converse.  Soon others of the PC's were awakened at this fell nighttime palaver as the lady soon revealed herself as none other than Baba Yaga!  She foretold ominous destinies for the PC's and instructed the runegraver of the inner workings of her tool set however they all couldn't shake the impetus of a darkened cruel capricious mind.  The runegraver soon felt that anything crafted from these wondrous things all had the possibility of being accursed due to her nature.  She divulged that she indeed knew of their origins to this realm of Hyperborea and although parts of their future was clouded, their past certainly was not.  She cackled with glee at their befuddled stares and queries only offering mysterious answers.  The conversation was like one with long forgotten friends only the friends never forgave or forgot as each answer and conversational piece was riddled with potential ill consequences.  After the long conversation was over Baba Yaga gave them a few warnings and a few bits of advice, however to them it seemed like a prize with lethal hooks and torturous tidbits that were meant to harm as well as inform.  The PC's then took an uneasy sleep as they still had a rescue mission to attend to.

The higher up the PC’s trudged, the windier it got. Soon the howls of the wind muted the sounds of their passing as less care was given to quiet clinking mail or crunching boots on the hard snow pack. The drifts began to build up as progress was grinding slower following the trail. A ravine of sorts split the forbidding rocks of the mountain with icy blasts tempestuously assaulting those who drew near the darkened path. At last forced to trek side by side in the cleft due to the swirling snow and buffeting winds, the PC’s eyesight was dimming as the cold was getting worse on mucous membranes. Without warning the winds seemingly came alive forming into vague humanlike muscled upper torsos tapering down into what looked like tornados blasting bits of snow and chunks of ice hurtling through the air! The PC’s were facing the winds themselves! Ice propelled ballistics tumultuously battered the PC’s as only their magically enhanced possessions could harm these beings. The runegraver summoned his spectral warrior to aid the combat as magical fire grew along the bard’s blade. The ice lord and ranger struck as the cleric stood back with Ilorn to survey this newfound threat. The barbarian’s ring allowed him to teleport short distances which was advantageous in combat. All were pierced by icicle spears by the malevolent elemental beings. With more magical attacks employed and lethal attacks the PC’s were able to defeat the elemental winds, sending them off as gusts of wind making an inchoate noise as if voice was given to express their impotence at slaying these intruders in their domain. Blood froze on faces and bodies as wounds were tended to and shelter sought. They did not rest long as they wanted to find Ilara before some ghastly fate befell her.

After the conflict with the winds in the ravine, the trail they followed sharply ascended back up the mountain and not even the winds and drifting snow could completely conceal the tread of giant boots. Convinced their ally was near and that the giant had come this way, they shouldered onwards and upwards. Despite the poor light of the moons, a gaping aperture was seen in the cliff face above. Looking like it was violently torn out of the mountainside by a spiteful colossal creature, the tracks led into that orifice in the rock. A reddish glow feebly shone penetrating from the otherwise darkened entry. Scouting ahead and slowly moving, indeed something was here. A heat source was also detected.

The PC’s descended into the cave and once past the drifts of snow, it was noticeably warmer and the glow was redder, a crimson pallor casting over the entire cave. It also grew wider and higher as the only way forth circled round and round and further down. This opened to a room completely bathed in myriad hues of red as a frost giant with sword drawn faced the PC’s! To the far side of the room chained to a crude altar of uncut stone was Ilara and a near to her was a hideous demonic looking porcine creature with large tusks and spittle frothing at its mouth! The cleric tried to turn the hellish thing but did not succeed. The barbarian yelled in fury and sent his meteoric strikes that his weapon conjured up into the giant! The bard moved to free Ilara from the chains as the ice lord magically froze the giant in place. Its murderous eyes glared as the PC’s mercilessly cut it down as Ilara grabbed her weaponry to aid in the combat. The boar like visage and hulking corpulent form burst into attacks expelling foul spell like emanations at the PC’s. The battle raged on as the PC’s leveled all attacks and spells at the demonic creature harrying it into eventual defeat despite being ravaged by its forceful strikes. Once it was slain, it uttered forth a rumbling growl before falling to the stony floor. With Ilara safe and hale, the PC’s were about to leave the forsaken cavern and it’s despicable altar when a sickening snapping sound was heard followed by an expletive filled tirade as the head of the creature jerked upward as if possessed by another malevolent force. Once again the PC’s had attracted the attention of Regulus whose angry monologue promised vengeance for disrupting the ritual of one of his minions involving the woman and punctuated every threat with belittling commentary on each PC and vile invective. However, he was not

there in the room with the PC’s, so they left behind speaking corpse and began their return to Helios. They saw some creature on their return that looked like an icy automaton stalking the slopes and decided to skirt around it to avoid the fight as they felt it best to get back to the safety of the town and its walls. Pushing on battling the cold, they showed their sturdy constitution as they put sleep and warm meal as something to look forward to in the future. Ilara was grateful to see her brother again and learn of what happened to the others of their adventuring sortie against the frost giants. Once back at the town, the attack still had not happened. Something must have caught Harald’s attention to divert him from assailing Helios. But what? The PC’s chose to rest and inform the paladin what had happened and then plot their next course of action.

End Session 23!

Session 24 Part Two!

Rushing into melee, the paladin swung his mighty sword into carapace of the beast gouging it deeply. The barbarian swiveled to the side to flank and laid into it with ferocity. The ranger and runegraver stayed back slightly to send arrows and a magically returning axe into it. As the creature began to shake with rage at the affront, the ice lord’s dweomercraft was able to slow it significantly and now its movements resembled a swaying drunkard languishing in sluggish attacks. However, it still had plenty of biting to do as the massive head hurtled towards the PC’s piercing deep into armor, flesh and bone. One was swept up in its maw and spat out to plummet to the snowy ice packs in a cringe inducing sound of flesh smacking frozen landscape. As the battle played out the remaining reindeer fled into darkness away from mortal threat. At last, slowed and agonized, the great worm of Ymir fell beneath the many faceted attacks the PC’s leveled at it. Exhilarated with victory, the PC’s congratulated each other and then they began to notice a new “constellation” slowly coalesce into a gigantic humanoid form. Hoary and grim, the thing in the sky could only be Ymir himself come to gaze upon the slain worm bearing his namesake. The dour visage soon broke into a wicked mirth as the giant reached and grabbed the corpse of the great worm and began to carry it back to his cold environs whilst chuckling at the PC’s. Unsure what to make of this, the PC’s went back into alert as healing draughts were consumed.

The PC’s then decided to investigate the slowly fading remnant of the borealis that was seen from afar. The bluish-white glow was definitely smaller in size but seemed to intensify the closer they trekked to its source. The bleak landscape was lit well enough that the PC’s had no trouble traversing closer to it. They then saw a series of strange standing stones partially covered with snow as well as seeing forms engaged in some kind of ritualistic dance around a glowing blue-white stone in the snow. Ghastly chants and tenebrous songs drifted in the frigid air. The PC’s crept closer cautiously only to hear a shrill feminine voice touched with madness yell “I see you and know where you all are? Have you come to play with us? I’ll make you do whatever I want you to do!”

The voice was not one resembling a Kimmerian or Kimmeri-Kelt, Old Norse accent or other the PC's had encountered.  Gazing at the appearance of the female with clear windburned and frostbitten face they ascertained she was certainly not used to this bitter cold and the dried blood from cuts confirmed that.  However as she spoke she appeared to tap her wrist, tap at some kind of metallic object and speak to some strange protrusion that wrapped from her ear with a long bit that culminated close to her mouth.  She spoke of other worlds while her enraptured audience began a hostile movement towards the PC's.  The ranger quickly fired off of shot at her as well as the ice lord expending magical energies to hold her only to have the illusory version of her vanish as her real self appeared close by.  Soon the humanoids advanced!  All had the bluish-white hue and behaved as if there was a singular mind controlling them to menacingly attack!  The unnerving chanting continued as the assailants struck at the PC's.  Also, through furious tapping, the leader appeared to summon up some kind of ice/frost demon to battle the PC's.  As the melee went on, she continued to hurl epithets and expletives at them in an attempt to goad them into doing something rash.  Onset at all sides, the PC's tried to break out of the fight to get to her as they quickly discerned she was controlling those who were now engaged with them.  The barbarian summoned a mighty meteor from his sword and managed to strike her as the ranger nailed a lucky shot destroying her wrist implement.  The runegraver and paladin began dealing with the possessed creatures of bluish-white as the ice lord timed his attacks and spellcasting to deal with the demonic ice creature that was summoned.  As the battle raged on and bodies fell, the PC's did a quick dance of healing when possible with potions they acquired in Helios and struck down the foes one by one.  Soon, all the female had was her strange flat like object which she seemed to be furiously punching commands into.  The paladin launched into the demonic one as the ice lord turned to face the female who was the source of all their woe.  The others divided their attacks as their own health was fading.  Soon a decisive blow was launched to the female "summoner" and before the metallic tablet like object was able to crash to the ground, a mighty feat of dexterity was shown to save it from shattering on the frosty turf.  As the paladin dispatched the demonic icy creature by slaying its corporeal form and sending it back to whatever hellish region in came from, the other beings controlled by the device (seemingly) dropped to the ground as lifeless corpses.  The light from the strange stone faded fast, but the PC's recovered the stone and wanted to take it back to Helios for further investigation.  Upon touching the translucent side of the metallic flat squarish object, it lit up and had a bluish-white screen with strange words like "UserName" and "Password".  The PC's didn't know what to make of it and took it with them only knowing that it allowed the frightening woman to have puppeteer like qualities over other beings. 

They knew an assault on Helios was coming and were quick to get back to town to heal up as well as inform their comrades the bard and cleric of what had transpired.  The foreboding sense only grew more palpable as nothing is worse than waiting for a doom one knows is coming but doesn't know when...

End Session 24!  I've got some catching up to do.  More session notes coming soon.