Fellowship of the Dice

The mysterious continent of Xen'drik is a massive landmass that exists south of the continent of Khorvaire, beyond Shargon's Teeth and Thunder Sea. It has recently begun to be explored by agents of the Four Nations in hopes of making profit from the relics found there amongst other natural resources.

Hidden within the wild and untamed land are the desolate ruins of the ancient Giant Civilization. After battling the Quori the Giant Civilization was destroyed by the Dragon population of Argonnessen when they attempted to use their highly advanced devices to put down a elven slave revolt.

Aerenal Elves trace their origins to Xen'drik in the long forgotten past.

Xen'drik is now a continent mostly inhabited by drow, and degenerate Giants. It is a wild and untamed place with fabulous eldritch machines along with unimaginable treasures. It is still largely unexplored.

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An Hour After Midnight, Far the 13th of Aryth, Rowing Through the Harbor

After a busy day, and a busy night of capturing criminals and investigating missing persons the group finds themselves after midnight in a rowboat heading toward the Giantspan piling known as the Crow. The Shard of Pride has directed them toward it along with the interrogation of Natalya. Within the massive stone structure chambers were found, and its time to explore them, but the warning that the criminal gang known as the Bilge Rats has gotten there first has not gone unheeded.

So with stealth the group silent rows out toward their goal.

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The group secures a boat, instead of stealing it the group just rents one from the dozens of fishermen that line the shore. It costs a few gold, but better than tainting the name of the Grey Company over a row boat. It is strong and sturdy and will support the group as a whole. So you pile in and start out into the harbor.

The row out isn't difficult, not too much, but it does take some effort. Nearly thirty minutes later, with Fletcher at the oars, the group is nearing the Crow. Sitting low in the boat, silently waiting for Fletcher to reach the Crow the group looks up at the massive structure. The Crow is a massive stone monument that rises from the waters of Stormreach's harbor. It was once a support for the Griantspan, but with that monument's collapse, the Crow is nothing more than an immense freestanding piling. As with every one of the Giantspan's columns, the Crow is intricately carved and embossed with ancient statuary and bas-reliefs featuring the motif of a specific animal or monster-in this case, hundreds of crow like gargoyles and carvings and decorations. Like all of the surviving pilings, the Crow is 200 feet wide along its midsection (widening to over 250 feet at the upper section where the piling once supported the Giantspan above). The Crow extends 220 feet above sea level, and extends another so feet underwater to the harbor floor.

So far you haven't set off any alerts, Natalya warned her "friends" among the Bilge Rats might be present keeping watch for they have laid claim to this recently.

A tall lancet arch at water level leads into a chamber at sea level within the side of the Crow. Inside is what was once a small, stepped terrace, now filled with sea water to the level of its top step. Three rowboats are tied off to heavy stones placed on this step. Above, the ceiling rises almost all the way up to the top of the monument -- an opening leads off this shaft to the west near the ceiling. At the west end of this room lies a small alcove where floor shows the stain of countless campfire -- the back wall of this alcove has broken through, revealing a passageway beyond.

Helion whispers, "Wow! And I thought we were climbing this thing on the outside. I need a moment to call Shakti, guys."

"This is quite the impressive structure." Oloven's face shows a great deal of amazement as he says it. "I look forward to seeing the inside."

As the boat enters the alcove, Fletcher looks for a vacant stone to use as a mooring point. "There, that will do. Helion, tie us off would you..." When their small craft is anchored, Fletcher exits as quietly as possible while musing out loud, "I'm not opposed to climbing, but an open door will do just fine."

The rowboat eases into the alcove and clanks against the stone jetty. Helion ties it off and you slip out of the boat one by one onto dry land. Looking about you can see a tall shaft that rises up up up over your head, a climbers dream, but perhaps your nightmare. Fletcher whispers about an open door and luckily there is a broken open secret door that leads into the heart of the Crow.

Oloven, last to escape the row boat in his heavy armor notices bat guano about the chamber, evidence that the flying creatures have used this chamber. Fletcher pauses long enough for everyone to get ready, then he moves west into the chamber.

Rubble from the collapse wall has been pushed out into the chamber. Traces of recent habitation - bits of trash and rubbish and the odd piece of clothing or equipment - are scattered here and there, though the room now appears to be unused.

Werz takes a quick survay of the chamber and by the look of it estimates perhaps there was once as many as fifteen inhabitants that called this room home at one time.

To the south of the entry hall is a small chamber, the door open to it reveals the whole of the room from where you stand. A foul odor and suspicious stains on the floor of the room reveal that the chamber was used as a privy within the last few weeks. Huddled in one corner are the rotten remains of a small dog.

To the north a set of stone stairs winds up into the darkness.

Fletcher scolds himself for not stowing any torches in his pack. "I fear I am not as prepared as I should be, I have no light source." Looking to the others, "Does anyone have a torch or ability to make elemental light?"

Oloven quietly removes his shield from his back, strapping it to his left arm. His right hand begins to glow for a moment then it goes away. A few seconds later his shield erupts with light. Oloven then walks around the room, grazing the wall with his right hand, looking for any historical markings.

Werz dislodges from the boat silently and leads the way towards the door. Having learned never to trust anyone or anything he examines the open door wondering if it trapped in any way shape or form.

"Hold on a moment while I bring Shakti here." Helion concentrates and mumbles a few sentences. Soon the big raptor materializes right by his side.

"I can see in the dark just fine." Werz remarks waiting for one of the magic men to produce flames so that he can lead the group further in.