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In attendance:

Following the path to Einerk's tomb, the party sprints through the 400-year-dead crumbling ruins of the dwarven city of Kalin. The party notes that the halls have been marred by devastation - both natural and unnatural. The magical path takes them around the edge of the massive internal “lake” to a set of steep stairs going up into the mountain wall.

A faint presence is felt by some of the party members as they move through the city, and a weak voice appears to ask, “Who?”

Up the narrow stairs to Einerk's tomb, the group finds a small landing that has been damaged by fire and magma. A set of wooden double doors have been charred through so that a normal person could easily step through without opening them. However, standing directly in front of the door is a dwarven guard. At first, he appears exactly as one would expect a dwarven guard to look. However, after a few seconds, it becomes clear that he is insubstantial and ghost-like.

After a brief discussion with this “guard”, the party learns that his name is Belfkil and they realize he has been standing at his post for 400 years and will NOT be letting them pass. When combat erupts, Roderick draws Narhalm's mace and uses it to disrupt the guard.

Beyond Belfkil's door is a labyrinth of crypts and tombs that extend back and down. There are several levels varying in prestige from lowly worker to major dignitary and several of these tombs have apparently been looted and/or damaged by magma.

Roderick's magical path leads the party on a winding path through the chambers, down two levels directly to a smashed tomb set against a wall. At first, it appears that they have found their destination, but the writing on the tomb has the name, “Nolum” and the wall behind the tomb has an archway set into the stone. After a quick inspection, the party realizes that this archway was once an open passage, which was sealed over at some point (probably with a Wall of Stone spell or equivalent).

While they study the chambers, a voice appears once again in their heads and asks, “Where?”.

In the hopes that the inner chamber still has breathable air, Roderick casts a Wall of Stone to seal the outer chamber. Then, Bigby casts a Disintegrate spell to open the back wall. In a gush, 400-year old (but still breathable) air flows from the inner chamber to the outer.

Unfortunately, two functioning Stone Golems also remain from the old days and the first tells them (in Dwarven) that “unescorted visitors are not allowed past this point.” The party has no option but to destroy these guardians - and, after a long and difficult battle, they are successful.

Once the combat is over, Roderick sees that his magical path leads past the ornate crypt of Queen Morif and points to a smaller one along the wall. While it is small, it is ornate, and its top has a relief of a dwarven warrior, with hands outstretched in a stance to hold a Dwarven Waraxe.

Aramil takes Einerk's axe and places it in the stone hands. When this is done, the ghost of Einerk appears and tells the party about his quest to find the “dark crystals”. He encourages the party to unseal his tomb - where they find a Drow teleport chain, along with a couple dozen dead spiders.

Einerk reveals that the third crystal (Silt) is held by the dwarves of Blanan, but the fourth crystal (Smoke) is held by the Drow deep in their underworld city. The teleport chain will take the party directly to the temple where the crystal is (or at least where it was 400 years ago).

It is known, however, that in about six months, the drow will be observing a major religious ceremony. During this ceremony, the chamber where the crystal resides will be lightly guarded. Thus, Einerk insists that the party must not use the chain until “the dancer flies across the face of the first full moon of spring”.

Of course, the second crystal (Magma) belongs to Qo'acyin - who even now is waking up after a long sleep. After Einerk's story is complete, the party decides it is safe enough to rest here for the night to prepare for their confrontation with Qo'acyin. Deep in the dark of the Long Deep, though, a voice rumbles to life in their minds and cries, “Arise, my soldiers!”

XP awarded: 2,000 for Bigby and Aramil; 2,750 for Kesi, Roderick, Pavo, and Ursa. Kesi and Roderick make 12th level.

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