Kingdom of the blind:Thalweg Journal

Session 1

Dardek, Grymm, Jacobsen and 1 more. (DL, AM, NC, NM)

Session 2

Grymm and Larry (AM, CS)

Ever the practical ones, Grymm and Larry work to try and secure supplies and directions from the brothers of Gorm in order to get their caravan back on the road (and out of this weird temple). Larry tries to avoid becoming involved in an inter-factional war and instead revives a classic trick to swindle the brothers of four pounds of corn and some dried meat. The pair leave the rest of the party to finish the bizarre initiation rituals and descend further into the temple contemplating the reasons why the brothers of Gorm weren't willing to retrieve a cursed sword from the tomb of a fallen general themselves.

An encounter with some (possibly drunk) pixies with very short attention spans provides no further wisdom on the issue. Upon stumbling on a statue of a naked child with a sack of jewels Grymm suggest that they pull the wand that the statue clutches (Grymm chose to stand back, having already damaged a monument already and not willing to risk the ire of the owners). His hunch proves correct and the statue slides back to reveal a hidden passage.

The pair skulk into what looks like a place of worship (or a classroom) complete with astronomically accurate glow-in-the-dark stars and interrupt a sermon (or lecture). The silver masked rainbow robed acolytes quickly draw wands but their action is staved off by the Master. He engages in a discussion with them and offers them the chance to join the Order of Umisiris if they are willing to wage war on the brothers and the warrior maidens (??). The pair decline politely and try to hide their surprise when he casually suggests that they retrieve a sword for him (no mention of the curse this time). Larry thanks him with a hug in what he assumes must be the custom and pockets the Master's wand.

As quickly as he had taken the wand, Larry is eager to dispose of it and hides it under a loose stair, he shudders at what the rainbow priests may do once they catch up with them. The move deeper into the temple and step into a shirt corridor. The door closes behind them. A panel on the wall features 8 levers with strange runic design.

Session 3

Dardek and Larry (DL, CS)

Dardek and Larry continue on from where they left off in the 'lazy susan' room quickly discovering how it functions. Before preceding ahead they double back so that Larry can retrieve the wand he hid under the stairs. Before they can continue on their journey they encounter a group of three dark cloaked figures with demon masks, the people swing censers and chant in a strange language urging the intruders to "BEGONE". Larry attempts to make peace with them but is overcome by the narcotics in the smoke. In a strange turn of events the pair find themselves lying on the ground in the corner of the room, Larry naked and a gaping hole blasted in the wall. After regaining their composure and clothing, the pair head through the hole in the wall and find themselves in a wardrobe. Donning some very fancy rainbow robes and masks they enter the boudoir and determine that the guard wolf will only lick them. After some debate they steal a chest (with one key), set fire to the room and set off with the wolf in tow. As they reach the penultimate room to their escape they encounter two brothers of GORM. They engage the pair and are able to slay one with a barrage of acid and hot lead, and drive the other off. A hastily fashioned winch allows them to lift the chest out, but not before the brother who fled returns with two companions. A pitched battle ensues in the temple entry with one of the brothers falling victim to a classic pit trap and another succumbing to a gout of acid from the wand and Larry's savage axe-work. They other is taken down by some savvy grappling (wrestling?) and a clumsy but brutal axe to the chest.

The pair escape the temple and free the stone that held the door, sealing it for... well who knows how long...