January 18th, 2025
Mare, Itinerantur 18th, 1194
We treestride™ to the Ice Cave, formerly known as Unreasonable. The ruined town is being rebuilt by the Inevitable Order (Nissa), which makes sense since they have been here for a while now—there are a lot of people out here too. Much of the cave itself has been excavated; it’s easier to travel through and much of the ice has been chipped away to reveal more stone features.
We meet with Tharivol, tell him why we are here, and ask if there is anything here that we should know about. He takes is to the calendar room. The calendar is no longer blank, like we had last heard. It shows a new split, and splits are rare. This one has multiple paths, unlike a normal prophecy. It appeared yesterday, the same day that the baby exploded. He can figure out two paths—the creation of a new god and the destruction of a world. We fill him in on the situation with Tolm.
Sigmund and Ralzer spend time trying to decipher the “god path” on the calendar. They find reference to an entity known as The Gatekeeper throughout the path, across several eras. This Gatekeeper is what attains godhood. There is also something about two existing deities gaining power; darkness and light? This is power that already existed, but is redistributed to them.
Using tectonic communion, Ishtar finds evidence of another larger structure, in which he goes in search of as an elemental. He finds several connected chambers that have symbols of crescent moons within them. We use creative methods to transport ourselves there. The symbols look like the ones in the main chamber and there is a wrap-around hallway with many unique statues in alcoves. Each statue is covered in ice, so we can’t see their features very well. Ishtar, however, is able to melt it pretty quickly. Each statue is dressed very differently from each other; some are in armor, some in robes, some in normal clothing.
Sigmund recognizes one person as a priest from the Church of Flames (Sharra) from around 1200 years ago. He was known as Sharra’s Hand Unrestrained, and was said to be able to wield his god’s devastating power without harm to his person.
Ralzer recognizes the Surgeon of Continuance, a famous healer from around the year 700. He was treating a plague and there are rumors of him being able to reverse aging.
The stone on the statues is remarkably good, better than the stone around it, and has incredible detail. According to the surrounding stone, the statues were brought here, not all at once, over a long period of time. Then the ice came at some point and everyone left.
We got back to the calendar room and brief Tharivol. This area could be the fabled Stone Mountain; a fairy tale prision, which may be wardened by Nissa. If true, then the statues could be people that were deemed too powerful and they would willing let themselves be interred, knowing that they were dangerous.
Ishtar tries scrying on the baby, but it doesn’t work.
We discuss our Tolm plans. We need a list of concessions from him before we agree to help. What is he going to do with this power? What are his motives? We need a security council check on his actions.
We word of recall to Silverdale, then wind walk to Ironwald Downs.