The small craft cut through the sky for over ten hours straight. The sun set behind the western mountains, illuminating a massive wall of thundercloud ahead of them. A storm raged over their destination. Apparently grimaced and took the air-skiff down into the darkening clouds. Lightning snapped and thunder roared as the party was pelted with rain riding in the back of the open-air skiff. It had become dark. Wind buffeted the air-skiff, causing it to careen, dip, and buck. Apparently struggled with the controls.
Apparently worried she might not see the- whatever it was the Heart of Ubtao was supposed to be. To her amazement she saw light ahead. It was dim indirect light filtering out of a doorway and through two openings in the top of a ball of stone nearly seventy feet in diameter, hovering in mid air over the dark jungle two thousand feet below. The monolith was oblong and shaped like a heart. A bare tree and a small cylindrical structure emerged from the top like aorta and venticle. Small roots hung to the side like veins. Red tinted rainwater poured off the monolith like blood.
"Is- is that it?" asked Apparently.
"I guess so." said Zeynap, "I'll admit, I thought it would be bigger!"
Apparently had a bad feeling about this. She concentrated on her surroundings and opened her senses. She felt the presence of her hated enemy - the power of Skion - the undying force. She informed the others and they prepared themselves for battle.
As she got close she could see a humanoid figure in the backlit window, only it wasn't a window it was a doorway. A stairway led from the doorway to the flattened top of the rock near the tree. The humanoid figure invited Apparently to land there.
Apparently set the air-skiff down on top of the heart-shaped rock. The humanoid figure wore a heavy dark cloak as protection against the driving rain and winds. The figure beckoned the party to come down the stairs to escape the weather. It called out in Atlantean, "Quickly! Come inside and be comfortable! Would you like some tea?"
Argent closed his eyes and concentrated on his surroundings. He could smell the animating force of the undying emanating from the figure. He gripped his axe. Zeynap laid his hand across the dragonid's arm, "Be careful. Bramble thinks its some kind of lich!"
The party hesitated. Apparently said, "No tea, thank you."
The cloaked figure sensed their hesitation. "Come now, you have nothing to fear." She removed the hood of her cloak, revealing a female face. Her skin looked as if it were made of polished alabaster. Her eyes were amber. Small deer-like antlers sprouted from her forehead. Her long hair was made of thick green ivy. She was an elioud, an immortal being from the other-dimensional realm of Aeon.
"Greetings, my name is Valindra Shadowmantle."
CHAPTER 18, "THE HEART OF UBTAO"
THE EXPEDITION
- Bramble Wolf - a theran barbarian wise-man (Wildhunt Shifter Druid) searching for the legendary origin of his tribe.
- Apparently Jones - a blue-skinned demijin caravan guide and animal trainer (Air Genasi Ranger) from Akasa, the land of sky mountains. Having failed to find work in Port Nyanzaru as an animal handler, she has joined the expedition to the interior as a scout.
- Chak'sa - Apparently's honker (parasaurolophus) companion.
- Xoc-Wik - a b'alam warrior (Tabaxi Fighter) from the jungles of Bres, searching for those responsible for the destruction of his tribe.
- Zeynap Shiravadakar - a Eusebean smuggler (Human Warlock) bearing the spirit of a celestial unicorn.
- Argent Truth-Sayer - a golden azi knight errant of Bahamut (Dragonborn Paladin) in the service of Bahamut, sent on a holy mission to join the expedition to destroy the Soul Monger.
NPCs
- Eku - a mysterious shape-changing wise-woman from Chult, hired as a guide.
- Tony and Vinnie - rough and tumble dinosaur wranglers who wished to learn from Apparently, possibly from 19th century Boston on Earth.
- Artus Cimber - an explorer on a quest to reunite with his lost love.
- Dragonbait - a saurial from another dimension, friend and traveling companion of Artus Cimber.
A Courteous Host
The elioud led the party down some stairs cut into the outside of the Heart and through an entrance. All but Bramble followed her through the entrance. The theran druid hesitantly shook his head and remained outside in the driving rain.
Inside was one large hollow chamber about sixty feet in diameter. There was a pool of water in the center. Rain poured down through a chimney in the ceiling - the hollow interior of the petrified tree above. Three glowing crystals emitted wan yellow light.
Along the wall was arranged some book cases filled with large books, a desk, and some crates. On the opposite wall was a cage large enough to hold a hippopotamus. The cage was currently occupied by six humanoid zombies. The zombies reacted violently to the entrance of the newcomers.
There was no place to sleep. Two heavy tapestries covered sections of the opposite wall.
"This place STINKS of decaying flesh!" snarled Argent. He stared directly at Valindra, "You reek of it!"
The androgynous being touched her sternum, "Oh, many apologizes! I must cloak myself in the aura of the undying. It is a magical spell I must cast daily so that I do not cause undue stimulation among my research subjects," she indicated the zombies, "I may dismiss the aura if you would feel more comfortable."
"That is unnecessary," replied Xoc-Wik.
Apparently coughed gently and stared vacantly at a wall.
Argent sniffed in disgust and made his way counter-clockwise around the chamber while Vilandra moved to a work table on the opposite side. He paused to inspect the books. They were old texts on history, culture, and geography.
With a flick of her wrist Valindra caused an alchemical flask filled with water to come to a boil. She crushed a handfull of dry leaves and sprinkled into the boiling water. She levitated the concoction across the room to Zeynap, "I believe this is what you humans call 'tea'. I hope it meets your approval." Zeynap took the hot beaker of leaf water and quickly passed it from hand to hand to avoid burning himself.
"NO MAGIC!" blurted Argent.
"Pardon?" responded Valindra.
The dragon-man reiterated, "No! Spells!"
The porcelain-skinned creature hesitated, its golden eyes were blank, "Very well, if it will make you feel more comfortable."
Unbeknownst to everyone in the room, Bramble had transformed himself into a spider and had made his way slowly into the chamber. He crawled along the wall searching for secret doors and hidden chambers. He explored the void behind the tapestry on the right and found it empty save for a magical teleportation circle drawn on the floor.
Zeynap and Xoc-Wik engaged Vilandra in conversation. Vilandra was forthcoming with information regarding her purpose in the Heart - she was searching for the Soulmonger! She explained that she represented a group of wizards who sought to collect and sequester devices of great power so that they could be safely studied. She had determined that the Soulmonger was the source of the mysterious outbreaks of undying and that it was located in a place caled Omu. However, she did not yet know where Omu was located. She had sent several groups of her personal agents in search of Omu and the Soulmonger. If they found it, they would bring it to her so that she could study it properly.
While she waits she studies the creatures reanimated by the Soulmonger. She hires locals to capture the reanimated dead. She offered a substantial award for each animated zombie, skeleton, or ghoul brought to her for study.
During their conversation, Valindra made an off-hand reference to Syndra Silvane. Xoc-Wik asked what she knew about the mysterious masked patron. Valindra said that Syndra represented a group called 'the Erelim'. The Erelim opposed Valindra's quest to find the Soulmonger. The Erelim wanted only to destroy the device. Valindra wanted to study it.
Xoc-Wik asked why Syndra wore the silver mask. He asked if she too was an Elioud. Valindra replied that while Syndra wore the mask because her body was dying. She had lived far beyond her natural lifespan and the Soulmonger was draining her life away and would eventually kill her. She made the case that Syndra's motivation for destroying the Soulmonger was selfish while her own goal would lead to a better understanding of the forces at work.
Valindra then asked if Syndra had hired them to find the Soulmonger. Xoc-Wik gave a dismissive non-reply. Valindra seemed unconvinced.
Argent made his way around the room while Zeynap and Xoc-Wik distracted their host. He peeked behind the tapestry to the left and was started to see the decaying remains of two four-armed white-furred simians known as Girallons! He almost choked as he jumped back.
"Be careful!" interjected Valindra, "Do not disturb those! They are dormant for the moment!"
"What are those for!?" demanded Argent.
"I have managed to pacify them and can now control them. Their strength proves useful. My magic can move naught but trifles."
Argent stalked back around the room always remaining on the far side from Vilandra.
Vilandra apologized for the lack of accomodations but offered to share her chamber with the party while they waited for the storm to subside. She had no food to share but they could at least rest on the floor - as long as they didn't mind if she continued her research.
Argent bared his teeth, "I'll sleep in the wind and rain." He stalked out of the hollow chamber and climbed the stairs to the top of the Heart. There he met Bramble who had resumed his humanoid form. The pair compared notes about what they found and shared their suspicions. They could not bring themselves to trust the elioud wizard. They wrapped themselves in their tarps and huddled against the petrified tree. There they spent a restless night in the wind and driving rain two thousand feet above the ground.
Xoc-Wik, Apparently, and Zeynap likewise found little rest on the stone floor of Valindra's chamber. Valindra spent the night working at her alchemical table, cutting bits of flesh off the zombies, and writing notes in her books.
Zeynap had the last watch. Valindra finished her work and approached him, "The winds have subsided."
"We'll be leaving at dawn," said Zeynap, standing to better converse with his host.
"Zeynap, I can always use additional agents in my search for the Soulmonger. If you find it, will you bring it to me?"
Zeynap demurred. He spoke vaguely about checking with the others.
"I see. Now listen closely," she moved uncomfortably close to Zeynap, she reached out with her long slender fingers of porcelain and held his face gently by the chin, Her amber eyes began to glow. "You will do everything in your power to prevent the Soulmonger from being destroyed and deliver it intact and functional to me in the Heart of Ubtao. You will not tell anyone else about this. This will be our little secret. You will not allow anyone to interfere with the duties of my agents. You will know them by their red robes."
Zeynap stood silently for a moment. He stared deeply into her luminous amber eyes. "I understand."
"Excellent." Valindra smiled revealing black teeth.
Zeynap sat back down. He was unsure of what just happened.
Day 29 - Base Camp
The party established a base camp in the open grasslands beneath the Heart of Ubtao. They collected what firewood they could and leaned the overturned Atlantean air-skiff against a boulder to provide shelter to their fire. They spent the day as a group foraging the surrounding countryside for food. During their foray they managed to spot a bipedal saurian predator about a hundred yards out. The saurian stood about ten feet tall. It raised its head to sniff the wind and caught the scent of the foraging party. The predator moved quickly towards their position. The party did their best to hide themselves behind boulders in the tall grass. Neither Zeynap nor Argent could hide themselves, however, and the hunter targeted the former. Zeynap retreated while sending magical bolts of rainbow glitter at the beast and Xoc-Wik loosed several arrows from his bow. The beast was quickly defeated.
Day 30
Clear day, no wind, nothing to report.
Day 31 - Batiri Ambush
Rain showers persisted throughout the day. The wind picked up in the evening and had become a gale by dark. The overturned air-skiff rocked back and forth as the high winds buffeted against the tarpaulin and lines holding it down. The tall grass swayed and shuddered.
It was late and night and Xoc-Wik was on watch. He could hear nothing over the winds and was taking the time to groom his fur. The sound of heavy thuds and cries of pain alerted him to danger!
Ten diminutive humanoids wearing carved wooden masks and with skin the color of lemons had crept stealthily into the camp and had attacked each member of the party in their sleep. They had been ambushed by a hunting party of batiri!
Thankfully everyone had survived the initial assault and were now awake and ready for battle! Bramble rolled on the ground and sprang to his feet. He called upon the spirits of the forest to summon forth and direct the high winds that surrounded them. The winds formed a twisting wall of air that snaked through the party. The tornado-like wall of wind blew all of the small batiri away into the dark.
Xoc-Wik drew forth his bow and loosed several arrows at the leader. The attack killed him instantly.
The party dismembered the remaining bodies and scattered the parts to prevent reanimation from the Death Curse and resumed their rest.
Day 32
Rain in the morning. Clear and calm evening. Heavy winds at night. Nothing to report.
Day 33
Rainy and calm, nothing to report.
Day 34 - Centipedes
After a rainy day of foraging the party returned to their camp to find it crawling with centipedes. Zeynap blasted the swarms with celestial magic while Argent chopped into them with his axe. The centipedes were quickly dispersed.
Day 35 - Honker Herd
Xoc-Wik was once again caught off guard while on watch when he looked up from his late night reverie to notice that a herd of honkers had moved into the camp. The honkers were simply grazing and posed no threat so he shrugged and went back to his work. One honker licked Zeynap's sleeping face. Zeynap slapped the Honker away and grumbled, "I said no, Chak'sa!"
Day 36
Rain all day. Heavy wind during the day. Nothing to report.
Day 37 - Reunion
After ten days of waiting the party finally saw a group of travelers in the distance. Artus, Dragonbait, Eku, Tony, and Vinnie were accompanied by the macetail and the honker Chak'sa. As the other group approached, thick purplish black clouds began to form and descend on the field. From one cloud emerged four four-armed undying girallons. From another emerged a large bipedal reptile with a long horizontal tail and a massive tooth-filled head. Its mouth was filled with half-eated humanoid zombies- and it was charging towards them!
Inside was one large hollow chamber about sixty feet in diameter. There was a pool of water in the center. Rain poured down through a chimney in the ceiling - the hollow interior of the petrified tree above. Three glowing crystals emitted wan yellow light.
Along the wall was arranged some book cases filled with large books, a desk, and some crates. On the opposite wall was a cage large enough to hold a hippopotamus. The cage was currently occupied by six humanoid zombies. The zombies reacted violently to the entrance of the newcomers.
There was no place to sleep. Two heavy tapestries covered sections of the opposite wall.
"This place STINKS of decaying flesh!" snarled Argent. He stared directly at Valindra, "You reek of it!"
The androgynous being touched her sternum, "Oh, many apologizes! I must cloak myself in the aura of the undying. It is a magical spell I must cast daily so that I do not cause undue stimulation among my research subjects," she indicated the zombies, "I may dismiss the aura if you would feel more comfortable."
"That is unnecessary," replied Xoc-Wik.
Apparently coughed gently and stared vacantly at a wall.
Argent sniffed in disgust and made his way counter-clockwise around the chamber while Vilandra moved to a work table on the opposite side. He paused to inspect the books. They were old texts on history, culture, and geography.
With a flick of her wrist Valindra caused an alchemical flask filled with water to come to a boil. She crushed a handfull of dry leaves and sprinkled into the boiling water. She levitated the concoction across the room to Zeynap, "I believe this is what you humans call 'tea'. I hope it meets your approval." Zeynap took the hot beaker of leaf water and quickly passed it from hand to hand to avoid burning himself.
"NO MAGIC!" blurted Argent.
"Pardon?" responded Valindra.
The dragon-man reiterated, "No! Spells!"
The porcelain-skinned creature hesitated, its golden eyes were blank, "Very well, if it will make you feel more comfortable."
Unbeknownst to everyone in the room, Bramble had transformed himself into a spider and had made his way slowly into the chamber. He crawled along the wall searching for secret doors and hidden chambers. He explored the void behind the tapestry on the right and found it empty save for a magical teleportation circle drawn on the floor.
Zeynap and Xoc-Wik engaged Vilandra in conversation. Vilandra was forthcoming with information regarding her purpose in the Heart - she was searching for the Soulmonger! She explained that she represented a group of wizards who sought to collect and sequester devices of great power so that they could be safely studied. She had determined that the Soulmonger was the source of the mysterious outbreaks of undying and that it was located in a place caled Omu. However, she did not yet know where Omu was located. She had sent several groups of her personal agents in search of Omu and the Soulmonger. If they found it, they would bring it to her so that she could study it properly.
While she waits she studies the creatures reanimated by the Soulmonger. She hires locals to capture the reanimated dead. She offered a substantial award for each animated zombie, skeleton, or ghoul brought to her for study.
During their conversation, Valindra made an off-hand reference to Syndra Silvane. Xoc-Wik asked what she knew about the mysterious masked patron. Valindra said that Syndra represented a group called 'the Erelim'. The Erelim opposed Valindra's quest to find the Soulmonger. The Erelim wanted only to destroy the device. Valindra wanted to study it.
Xoc-Wik asked why Syndra wore the silver mask. He asked if she too was an Elioud. Valindra replied that while Syndra wore the mask because her body was dying. She had lived far beyond her natural lifespan and the Soulmonger was draining her life away and would eventually kill her. She made the case that Syndra's motivation for destroying the Soulmonger was selfish while her own goal would lead to a better understanding of the forces at work.
Valindra then asked if Syndra had hired them to find the Soulmonger. Xoc-Wik gave a dismissive non-reply. Valindra seemed unconvinced.
Argent made his way around the room while Zeynap and Xoc-Wik distracted their host. He peeked behind the tapestry to the left and was started to see the decaying remains of two four-armed white-furred simians known as Girallons! He almost choked as he jumped back.
"Be careful!" interjected Valindra, "Do not disturb those! They are dormant for the moment!"
"What are those for!?" demanded Argent.
"I have managed to pacify them and can now control them. Their strength proves useful. My magic can move naught but trifles."
Argent stalked back around the room always remaining on the far side from Vilandra.
Vilandra apologized for the lack of accomodations but offered to share her chamber with the party while they waited for the storm to subside. She had no food to share but they could at least rest on the floor - as long as they didn't mind if she continued her research.
Argent bared his teeth, "I'll sleep in the wind and rain." He stalked out of the hollow chamber and climbed the stairs to the top of the Heart. There he met Bramble who had resumed his humanoid form. The pair compared notes about what they found and shared their suspicions. They could not bring themselves to trust the elioud wizard. They wrapped themselves in their tarps and huddled against the petrified tree. There they spent a restless night in the wind and driving rain two thousand feet above the ground.
Xoc-Wik, Apparently, and Zeynap likewise found little rest on the stone floor of Valindra's chamber. Valindra spent the night working at her alchemical table, cutting bits of flesh off the zombies, and writing notes in her books.
Zeynap had the last watch. Valindra finished her work and approached him, "The winds have subsided."
"We'll be leaving at dawn," said Zeynap, standing to better converse with his host.
"Zeynap, I can always use additional agents in my search for the Soulmonger. If you find it, will you bring it to me?"
Zeynap demurred. He spoke vaguely about checking with the others.
"I see. Now listen closely," she moved uncomfortably close to Zeynap, she reached out with her long slender fingers of porcelain and held his face gently by the chin, Her amber eyes began to glow. "You will do everything in your power to prevent the Soulmonger from being destroyed and deliver it intact and functional to me in the Heart of Ubtao. You will not tell anyone else about this. This will be our little secret. You will not allow anyone to interfere with the duties of my agents. You will know them by their red robes."
Zeynap stood silently for a moment. He stared deeply into her luminous amber eyes. "I understand."
"Excellent." Valindra smiled revealing black teeth.
Zeynap sat back down. He was unsure of what just happened.
Day 29 - Base Camp
The party established a base camp in the open grasslands beneath the Heart of Ubtao. They collected what firewood they could and leaned the overturned Atlantean air-skiff against a boulder to provide shelter to their fire. They spent the day as a group foraging the surrounding countryside for food. During their foray they managed to spot a bipedal saurian predator about a hundred yards out. The saurian stood about ten feet tall. It raised its head to sniff the wind and caught the scent of the foraging party. The predator moved quickly towards their position. The party did their best to hide themselves behind boulders in the tall grass. Neither Zeynap nor Argent could hide themselves, however, and the hunter targeted the former. Zeynap retreated while sending magical bolts of rainbow glitter at the beast and Xoc-Wik loosed several arrows from his bow. The beast was quickly defeated.
Day 30
Clear day, no wind, nothing to report.
Day 31 - Batiri Ambush
Rain showers persisted throughout the day. The wind picked up in the evening and had become a gale by dark. The overturned air-skiff rocked back and forth as the high winds buffeted against the tarpaulin and lines holding it down. The tall grass swayed and shuddered.
Ten diminutive humanoids wearing carved wooden masks and with skin the color of lemons had crept stealthily into the camp and had attacked each member of the party in their sleep. They had been ambushed by a hunting party of batiri!
Thankfully everyone had survived the initial assault and were now awake and ready for battle! Bramble rolled on the ground and sprang to his feet. He called upon the spirits of the forest to summon forth and direct the high winds that surrounded them. The winds formed a twisting wall of air that snaked through the party. The tornado-like wall of wind blew all of the small batiri away into the dark.
Xoc-Wik drew forth his bow and loosed several arrows at the leader. The attack killed him instantly.
The party dismembered the remaining bodies and scattered the parts to prevent reanimation from the Death Curse and resumed their rest.
Day 32
Rain in the morning. Clear and calm evening. Heavy winds at night. Nothing to report.
Day 33
Rainy and calm, nothing to report.
Day 34 - Centipedes
After a rainy day of foraging the party returned to their camp to find it crawling with centipedes. Zeynap blasted the swarms with celestial magic while Argent chopped into them with his axe. The centipedes were quickly dispersed.
Day 35 - Honker Herd
Xoc-Wik was once again caught off guard while on watch when he looked up from his late night reverie to notice that a herd of honkers had moved into the camp. The honkers were simply grazing and posed no threat so he shrugged and went back to his work. One honker licked Zeynap's sleeping face. Zeynap slapped the Honker away and grumbled, "I said no, Chak'sa!"
Day 36
Rain all day. Heavy wind during the day. Nothing to report.
Day 37 - Reunion
After ten days of waiting the party finally saw a group of travelers in the distance. Artus, Dragonbait, Eku, Tony, and Vinnie were accompanied by the macetail and the honker Chak'sa. As the other group approached, thick purplish black clouds began to form and descend on the field. From one cloud emerged four four-armed undying girallons. From another emerged a large bipedal reptile with a long horizontal tail and a massive tooth-filled head. Its mouth was filled with half-eated humanoid zombies- and it was charging towards them!
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