Emerging triumphantly from the shadowy depths of King Torrhild Plain Tongue’s tomb, the party held the legendary axe Orc Splitter aloft, its blade gleaming with ancient power. With the thrill of their recent victory still coursing through their veins, they gathered to strategize their next move. Should they return to Yartar via the ethereal Wind Walk to send word about a man locked away in a closet, or press on with their objectives? After some deliberation, the adventurers opted for the Wind Walk, but not without weighing the merits of restocking spell components or seeking new magical treasures to aid their quest.
The conversation shifted to their armaments, especially in light of their harrowing encounters with elementals that had rendered their conventional weapons nearly useless. Xeiros passionately argued for the necessity of magical weaponry, igniting Zonga’s desire for a magic dagger or scimitar to overcome their resilient foes. Eager to display his impressive collection, Bitey boasted about his magical daggers and generously gifted Zonga a Vicious Dagger, which Zonga accepted with heartfelt thanks.
As they debated their next destination, memories of their confrontations with the air cult surfaced, particularly the enigmatic winged elf leader, Ariesi. Bitey, ever ready for a challenge, expressed his eagerness to confront the foes at the Air Temple, though concerns about potential hostages loomed, echoing their past skirmishes with the fire cult. Ultimately, the majority rallied to the decision to head to the Air Temple, planning to transform into clouds through Wind Walk just outside the tomb.
Stepping into the world beyond, they encountered a delegation of elves led by the moon elf Ariana Riverlost, a member of the Harpers. She inquired about the axe, revealing their intention to return it to dwarven scholars for safekeeping. With Isaac casting Zone of Truth, the elves’ genuine motives were laid bare, igniting a heated debate over the rightful ownership of Orc Splitter. Ariana contended that it belonged to dwarven society as a whole, not just a single heir. The Harpers proposed a tantalizing trade: Orc Splitter in exchange for two exceedingly rare magical items.
Feeling a deep connection to the axe through a dwarven song resonating in his mind, Isaac made the fateful decision to surrender Orc Splitter to Ariana. The Harpers pledged to expedite the acquisition of the promised items, while Xeiros prepared to recast Wind Walk after a much-needed rest. The party settled in for the night, with Zonga loading his Ring of Spell Storing with invaluable spells for the challenges ahead.
After their restorative slumber, the Harpers returned bearing gifts: a Staff of Power for Isaac and a Staff of Fire for Xeiros. Valerian seized the moment to request their help in rescuing the man trapped in a closet, and they readily agreed. However, the revelation that the man was discontented about not receiving Orc Splitter cast a shadow over their decision. With new magical items in hand, the party confirmed their resolve to return to the Air Temple, donning wind cult cloaks for added disguise.
Descending into the ominous worm skeleton tunnel, Valerian employed Locate Creature to sense a connection to Ariesi, guiding the group toward their quarry. They braved fierce winds and a gruesome field of corpses before stumbling upon a storming chasm that demanded careful navigation. Valerian teleported across a perilous gap, while Bitey took a daring leap, sustaining damage in the process. Suddenly, combat erupted as specters emerged from the shadows, and the party fought valiantly, unleashing their spells and abilities to obliterate the undead adversaries.
In the aftermath of the battle, they scoured the area, uncovering remnants of a prior struggle and the haunting echoes of a fiendish song. Maintaining their guise as wind cultists, Valerian received a telepathic message urging them to hasten to meet Ariesi. As they delved deeper, they encountered illusions and treacherous hazards, including yellow mold and a casket bearing the name of Godwin the Wormbane, a legendary dragon slayer. Within, they discovered a magical Dragon Slayer short sword, which Isaac claimed for future endeavors.
Continuing their descent, they were ambushed by a fearsome Black Pudding, igniting yet another fierce battle. The group’s synergy shone brightly as they combined their strengths, with Zonga and Xeiros delivering devastating blows to the monstrous foe. The excitement of adventure surged through them, propelling them deeper into the heart of danger and intrigue.