Forty-seventh session - 3 December 2004 - Respite (with Shopping)

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In attendance:

With the battle against the Grimlocks and their Slaad leader over, the party settles down to plan their next action. While Roderick is able to raise Kesi from the dead, he needs diamonds to cast the spell. Meanwhile, nobody is sure how to get Bigby fixed.

Roderick cast some heal spells on the others, then casts a Sending spell to contact Sorgul. In the allotted time, he explains Bigby's condition and asks for advice. Sorgul responds that he will research the matter and contact Roderick in an hour.

After an hour, Sorgul scrys Roderick with Edric's Mirror and casts a Message spell to allow two-way communication. He explains that there is a Dwarven wizardess in Clangdun named Gunnas who runs a magic shop in the inner city. She is well skilled in the transmutation of stone to flesh and has the ability to restore Bigby. However, she will likely require extensive payment. The only other alternative that Sorgul considers viable is an acquaintance in Rota. However, his skill is not as great as Gunnas' and despite her deeply dwarven capitalist streak, Sorgul feels she is the better alternative.

In the time remaining for the Message spell, the two clerics begin a philosophical discussion about the nature of man's role in the gods' plans. Roderick introduces Ursa to Sorgul, and the two have a substantive discussion about the fate of the Babylonian gods. It turns out that Sorgul has been to the world those gods chose as their home. However, what was once a lush paradise was stolen by the Godslayer and turned into an alien realm with poisonous air. Or at least it was when Sorgul was forced to flee, leaving Lord Ozzie behind to battle the Godslayer. The gods believe that battle ended with both combatants destroyed, but without any evidence, Sorgul still has his doubts.

Roderick devises a plan to carry Bigby to Clangdun using his newly-acquired Wind Walk spell. However, as he cannot prepare that spell until the next morning, the party relocates to the base of the spiral stairs to rest for the night. During the night, the Skum that inhabit the icy river keep periodic watch on the party.

The next morning, August 19th, Roderick prays for his spells. As he cannot bring the entire party with him to Clangdun, Pavo and Dru opt to stay behind. Roderick then casts a Status spell on Pavo, Dru, and the statue of Bigby, followed by an Endure Elements (Cold) on those who will be traveling with him. Finally, he casts Wind Walk and Find the Path and heads to Clangdun.

The spell allows the group (including the 500 pound Bigby) to ascend the spiral stairs with ease. Pavo and Dru, however, have to do it the hard way. Once outside, the fliers wave their goodbyes and head over the mountain toward the dwarven city. Once in the air, Aramil studies the land and can see the scars of two distinct earthquakes - one that slashes across the ridge of the old city, and another, smaller one, that seems focused on the mines they just left.

The flight over the mountain takes less than a half hour, and since the spell lasts all day, the group decides to return to the old city to retrieve the mundane Frost Giant treasure that they hid earlier. However, first, they rent a room at the inn, exchange some gems for diamonds, and Roderick casts a Raise Dead spell on Kesi.

Later that day, for 100 gold pieces, Roderick buys a day pass to get into the inner city to see Gunnas. As soon as Roderick introduces himself, Gunnas asks him about his soul gem. She asks where it was found and expresses her surprise that she should see not one - but two such rare objects in the course of a week. She further explains that one such gem was sold recently to a wizard of her acquaintance in Farflen. This revelation shocks Roderick, who asks is she can find out more about the seller. She agrees to find out what she can for a modest fee of 100 gold pieces.

The Stone to Flesh spell will cost Roderick 2,000 gold pieces. He sells her a magical Warhammer for 4,000 gold pieces - and asks for the change in diamonds. She agrees and instructs Roderick to bring Bigby the next day and they will complete the transaction. She also gives him complimentary day passes for the rest of the party.

The next day, August 20th, the party enters the inner city to meet Gunnas. She has some of her guards bring Bigby's statue into her shop. She explains that the transmutation from stone back to flesh is extremely difficult and that Bigby may not survive the ordeal. Roderick suggests that he can cast some protective spells to lessen the danger.

Gunnas' first spell is one that Roderick does not recognize. She then allows Roderick and Ursa time to cast their protective spells before casting the main transmutation. The spell is successful and Bigby springs to life, still shouting out a caution about the Slaad!

After some additional business is conducted with Gunnas, the party returns to the human village outside. At the end of the day, Roderick casts a Word of Recall to rejoin Pavo and Dru and camps with them for the night.

On August 21st, Roderick brings Pavo and Dru back to Clangdun with another Wind Walk spell. Meanwhile, Bigby goes through the items retrieved from the Grimlocks and casts his Identify spells to determine what they are.

XP awarded: 825 for Aramil, Bigby, Kesi, and Roderick; 1,000 for Ursa.