Left alone in the annex of the Crimson Keep’s dungeon, FCG descended into the cell blocks below, searching for the Kryn operative, Danbol Zex. As they neared the entrance to the first block, a large bronze mechanical sphere rolled past their field of view, just beyond the end of the hall. They waited a moment and cautiously entered the first cell block. As they were investigating the nearby cells, Endrin attempted to walk down an adjacent hallway and found himself knocked back on his arse from a faintly visible electrical barrier, barring the passage. As FCG helped Endrin up, the mechanical guardian of the dungeon rolled around the corner behind them. The heavily plated sphere took pause, assessing the party, and Conan with, feigned confidence, ordered it to report. The construct responded by revealing a multitude of bladed arms and unleashing a torrent of shrapnel at the party.
Fearful, Triple J recalled an experience in which he felt a very similar flight response, of which he reminded Conan. The power of story inspired the fighter, and in a moment of out of body spiritual aptitude, Conan managed to teleport the entire party to safety behind him. The construct whirled around, unleashing another barrage of metal scraps, and combat ensued. Eris saw to Endrin’s grievous wounds while Conan did what he does best. Brett even aided in the encounter, bestowing Eris with the gift of draconic breath. Despite taking heavy damage up front, the party made quick work of the mechanical guardian, pummeling it with blade and magic.
Bloodied and frantic, the party scoured the rest of the cell block for Danbol Zex. Noticing a familiar marking above one passageway, the party descended further into an adjacent block. Brett identified Zex, Triple J picked the lock, and FCG made a break for it, sparing little time for pleasantries. The bard also concealed Zex with an invisibility spell as the party headed back up to the dungeon’s entry chamber. They arrived to the sounds of plated footfalls quickly coming to greet them. Three Righteous Brand soldiers soon rounded the corner and were immediately met with a pulse wave from Endrin, knocking them back. Conan resisted the murderous voice in his head and swung non-lethally, aside Eris, at the soldiers. Triple J subdued one of the soldiers with the sleep spell while Brett froze the other two in place. FCG seized the opportunity and darted up the stairs past the soldiers, one of whom gave them a sly wink before toppling over of his own accord.
Nervously, FCG just… walked… out… of the Crimson Keep, unabated by the multitude of soldiers manning the keep and adjoining ramparts. Weaving through the Red Run district, FCG made their way to and beyond the southern gate of Bladegarden and out into another icy, damp, Horisal night in the Marrow Valley. FCG trekked east off the road for a while before making camp on the side of a snow covered hill. Zex and Triple J took first watch. The young bard, very curious about the culture of his elven half, peppered Zex with questions about Xhorhas. Zex indulged Triple J with tales of Kryn religion and history. As conversation flowed freely between the two, Triple J asked Zex if he’d ever met a drow named Xavier Emberstone, Triple J’s father. Zex’s eyes grew wide with disbelief, and he told Triple J that Xavier Emberstone was regarded as the hero of the battle for the Ashguard Garrison, claiming that Xavier Emberstone slew 100 soldiers single handedly, among other tall tales. Now eager and full of excitement, Triple J tried his best to rest.
The party continued east towards the Ashkeeper Peaks the next morning. Early in the day, Triple J heard the shouts of men on the wind, and Endrin flew up to take a look. The wizard saw that a small Righteous Brand scouting party had caught their trail in the snow and was pursuing. Thinking quickly, Triple J hastily scrawled a note, name dropping Captain Lightfoot and Commander Morrow, instructing the scouting party to cease their pursuit, and left the note propped up on a rock in the center of their trail. FCG proceeded on, unhindered.
That night, Brett and Triple J took first watch. Triple J convinced Brett to partake in a séance with him for the duration. Taking heavily to his red bull mixture, Brett volunteered to stay up and keep the others company during watch. As Endrin came to, Brett expressed his unease regarding the pagan symbology required to complete Triple J’s ritual. Endrin chuckled at first, but as the conversation between drow and gnome continued, Endrin slowly realized that maybe none of them knew each other as well as they ought to. Eris took next watch with Brett, who was still going strong on the power of his foul drink. Eris expressed her desire for peace, and as part of that, asked for Brett’s side of the story on Xhoras. Brett told her about the barren wastes scarred by the Calamity, but also of the budding civilization allowed to flourish under the Luxon’s light. Talk of this Luxon deity sparked a conversation on religion and theology in Exandria, and whether or not a culture could really claim to be benevolent and inclusive while shunning all other forms of religion. As the sun rose, the party roused, Conan lingering in slumber a tad longer than most, and the group prepared to continue their journey to the Ashguard Garrison.
