Rise of the Runelords Recap # 101 [RPG]

[12 Pharast 4708 continued]

 

Although just animals, 

rocs are incredibly dangerous

In Sandpoint, the Heroes of Varisia prepare to execute their plan to fund their expedition to Xin-Shalast by raiding the dragon Longtooth’s treasure horde near Jorgenfist.  Ava casts her teleportation spell and . . . nothing happens!  She realizes that knowing its rough location, without a description, isn’t sufficient for the spell to work.  Undeterred, the adventurers decide to teleport to the “Deathweb Cave” that served as their temporary hideout for many days during their previous adventure in Jorgenfist.  But due to limitations of magic, Ava can’t teleport everyone, and so Kang volunteers to leave his aberrant, tumor-like “familiar” in Brodert Quink’s custody again.  The group find Brodert at Veznutt Parooh’s map shop.  In order to avoid the suspicion caused on her earlier visit to Sandpoint, Morgiana uses her hat of disguise to take the form of an elderly gnome and is introduced by Jinkatsyu as an old friend named “Jinkles Blubbington.”  But Veznutt knows Jinkatsyu is lying, and is vexed by the deception.  In order to make it up to him, the group promise Veznutt that, on the morrow, they’ll take him to Jorgenfist so he can map the area.  He’s delighted by the opportunity.

With everything ready, Ava tries her spell again, and this time the group arrive in the Deathweb Cave.  It clearly hasn’t been occupied since they left it.  With the aid of Kang’s magical flying elixirs, the adventures reach the top of the cliff and begin scouting for the location of Longtooth’s cave.  A pair of rocs, nesting high up in a spire of the fortress, notice what looks like small flying prey and swoop to attack.  The adventurers respond with a vicious array of attacks.  But the violence has been for nought: Longtooth’s cave was emptied by the stone giants soon after they heard of his death in Sandpoint, and only a few scattered coins remain.  Although disappointed, the adventurers decide to try to make the most of their time in Jorgenfist and fly into the catacombs beneath the fortress and into the Therassic Library.  There,  with the help of Erik and the clockwork librarian, Kang confirms that Xin-Shalast is said to sit atop Mhar Massif, a legendary peak (“The Ceiling of the World”) found at the headwaters of the sacred River Avah—a river which most scholars believe to have been destroyed during the great cataclysm known as Earthfall.  Disturbingly, Mhar Massif is also said to serve as the bridge to strange realms beyond Golarion, with the entire area infused with dangerous eldritch magic.

[13 Pharast 4708]

 

The adventurers teleport back to Sandpoint.  Veznutt is asked about the River Avah, but the skilled cartographer exclaims that he’s never heard of it.  The adventurers fulfil their promise and teleport the gnome to Jorgenfist, and he instantly begins exploring every nook and cranny.  Veznutt announces his plan to stay in the region for several weeks.

 

[14 Pharast 4708]

 

The adventurers assemble in the common room of the White Deer to discuss what to do next.  Although they know the rough location of the Vekkers’ cabin, Ava doesn’t have enough detail to teleport the group directly there.  Kang suggests the next best option would be teleporting to a predominantly orc city nearby called Urglin.  He’s able to describe a temple to Rovagug there in sufficient detail, and says it would only be a couple of days on foot from Urglin to the banks of the Kazaron.

 

[15 Pharast 4708]

When a gorthek charges, 

few things will stand in its way!

 

The adventurers make final preparations for what could be a long absence from Sandpoint.  Kang says farewell to his familiar and Jinkatsyu unsuccessfully tries to stifle the rumours of his womanizing.  A final stop at The Feathered Serpent results in Vorvashali Voon successfully using guilt to persuade Kang to purchase an expensive version of a bag of holding.  Finally, everything is ready and Ava casts the teleportation spell for Urglin.

And the group arrive in the midst of a brutal civil war!  Arrows, crossbow bolts, and fire spells rain down all around the adventurers as they find themselves occupying a key chokepoint between the two sides.  Everyone scrambles for safety, and Ava manages to use a short-range teleportation spell to help her allies escape.  They regroup in a seemingly-abandoned section of the city and then head for the closest exit to the west.  But despite the fighting in the interior, the gates haven’t been left unguarded—a pair of orcs riding massive mounts that seem to be some sort of primeval mix of bison and rhinoceros charge the group.  Kang tries to talk, but the orcs are far more interested in bloodshed than words.  Morgiana distinguishes herself by skilfully disarming the riders of their lances, and the experienced adventurers prevail and rush out the western gates before more defenders can arrive.

But outside the city, the barren wasteland known as the Cinderlands stretch for miles in every direction.  Have they escaped the frying pan and into the fire?

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Director's Commentary

I have no idea where the sudden idea to go after Longtooth's hoard came from--my guess would be someone looking over old recaps or reading previous chapters of the AP.  Given that it had been a while in-game since Longtooth was slain in Sandpoint at the beginning of Chapter 4 (and that survivors of the raid would have reported the dragon's death), I thought it inevitable that the hoard would have already been looted.  A classic snooze and lose situation.

I like situations where the players have to plan their own route with lots of different possibilities.  Urglin was an interesting surprise, and I had to think on my feet (furiously Googling the city in the middle of the session!).  I thought the idea of arriving n the middle of an orc civil war would be exciting and improvised the rest.