Roland and the others return to Caer Cyflen with survivors in tow, and immediately reported to Lord Carran, their superior at the Council. When they told him the outpost had been completely sacked, and by Soraks no less, he immediately moved them to the head of the agenda to report to the full Council.
Unfortunately the Council did not believe their reports of Soraks – despite another patrol reporting a similar encounter with Soraks while attempting to recover a magical gem. They were completely dimissive of the “wild fancies of novice adventurers” and cited the complete lack of physical evidence. The only believer was Beric Sunblaze, a paladin of Einar (God of Duty and Justice) from an order specifically dedicated to protecting against the return of the Soraks. Needless to say, the rest of the Council did not credit Beric’s belief as convincing. As the most junior deputies and most recent to report contact with the Soraks, Roland was tasked with obtaining physical evidence for the Council. Starting with ruins near where the other patrol had been attacked.On the way they stopped back in at the Outpost in Caer Lem, now being rebuilt and reclaimed. Tessa wanted a closer look at a few artifacts they had seen in their hasty escape. And if there were Sorak remnants still in the area, that would be one more chance to obtain evidence for the Council. Unfortunately, they discovered that there was more than one type of Sorak. They had already fought what they termed “warriors” and “skirmishers”. Now they met what were apparently “assassins”. As they were keeping watch over Tessa, a dark, sleek Sorak appeared out of nowhere and brutally stabbed Kat!As usual Falcon reacted near instantly, running the Sorak through before it made another move! Unfortunately, “assassin” Soraks apparently dissolve on death – leaving them still with no physical evidence. Even more unfortunately, Kat was in very bad shape.It took some serious effort from Roland to bring her back from death’s door, and they both needed time to recover before they could continue.When they reached their ultimate destination, Kat scouted ahead. She reported what appeared to be a large excavation operation with a number of seemingly human workers.Unfortunately, the workers attacked immediately when they went down to question them, and included priests of some sort in their number. The only clue they had as to their identity was a symbolic “A” branded on each worker’s wrist. Tessa quietly informed them that the symbol was that of “Arivad”, a former god of Inquisitors who had been corrupted by Sorr-Tarr, the dark god of the Soraks. Roland did his best to lay them to rest. Who knows how much they had known or how willing they had been? Then they headed into the cave.When they reached the main chamber, they were spellbound. An ancient Manacalon arcane library – seemingly suspended in time and space. Books and debris floating in the air. Odd platforms and walkways going every direction. Tess was overjoyed. So much that could be learned here. So much knowledge thought lost…. But they did not have the time to properly explore. They had to continue searching for whatever the workers outside had been trying to reach. They had to solve a number of arcane puzzles to open the doorway past the library, but that was practically heaven for Tess. So they just let her have her moment. When Kat scouted ahead past the doorway, she found a group of several different varieties of Sorak examining some kind of circular dais. Including a variant they had never seen before – an Albino white Sorak. She did not like to contemplate what new capabilities this type might show. But they had to get their evidence, and they had to find out what had the Soraks so interested.Once they engaged the Sorak, they discovered that the albino was a Sorcerer! It immediately took to the air and shielded itself from arrows and bolts. Fortunately, it was *not* able to shield itself from a Holy Smite empowered javelin…They were quick to take the head of a Sorak this time. They would not return empty handed! While the others attended to that grizzly task and watched for reinforcements, Tessa investigated the raised altar the Soraks had been studying.When she examined it, she found a small circlet/crown hidden inside. She began to hear barely audible voices whispering in her head. She lost awareness of everything but the crown. It was calling to her. It needed her. She needed it. And there was so much it could tell her… Before the others even realized it was happening she had taken the crown and placed it on her head!Nobody else thought this was at *all* a good idea. Roland was extremely concerned that they had no idea what the crown was or what it might do to her. But Tessa would not remove it, claiming that they “needed” it and that they should trust her. They didn’t like the situation at all, but hoped that the arcanists back in Caer Cyflen could shed some light and deal with things better. So they set off to return, bringing the Council’s “evidence” with them.
3 responses to “Solasta: Go for the Head”
atcDave
Fascinating world! The varieties of Soraks is interesting and well shown.
I like this team too, Tess and her passion for knowledge is fun.
yeah, there’s just no figuring with those filters. I remember my one buddy saying the filters don’t actually know sex or violence are, it’s just ones and zeros. Someone had to write a program to try and figure it out. But we’ve both seen it fail in different ways. It makes me laugh the things you can’t *say*. But the AI might show anyway.
Leave a Reply