A dwarven wedding!

Pharast 12, 4713

While the Cooper sisters and their allies were negotiating with the Dark Lady, Thorne was also busy gather information by talking to some of Red Larch's denizens. Over the course of a few weeks, he discovers pieces of a puzzle about the dwarven kingdom of Besilmer, and he heads to the Allsfaith Shrine to consult their extensive library and do further research. After looking at several old and musty tomes, Thorne assembles a clear picture of an important dwarven temple built by the dwarves of Belsimer to celebrate nature.

Carved out of a mountain, the place known as the Shrine of the Tender Oath served as a contemplative temple where every dwarven deity could be worshipped, but where specially dedicated to rest, healing, meditation, and prayer. Nestled between two cascading waterfalls that flowed through the northeast Sumber Hills and from there into the Dessarin River, the area was known as the Vale of Dancing Waters. The fall of Tyar-Besil, the last dwarven city of Besilmer, severed the last link between the Shrine and those who built it, but the building and its dwarven monks endured for centuries, pursuing their contemplative ways. To this day, it is rumored that dwarven monks continue to worship in this otherwise secluded temple. More importantly, several texts mention that the Shrine of the Tender Oath may be connected through a system of tunnels to Tyar-Besil itself.

Consulting old maps, Thorne is fairly certain he has ascertained the location of the Shrine of the Tender Oath. A set of runes on two large stones will indicate the presence of a staircase others will miss. Armed with these directions, Thorne awaits the return of his sisters.


Pharast 15, 4713

The Coopers return from their encounter with the Dark Lady, and while Daryle, Dhukhean and Ruddy retire for the night, Thorne approaches Darelle, his favorite sister. He lays out the information he discovered in front of her, and asks if she'd be willing to go explore with him to see if there is indeed a link between the Shrine of the Tender Oath and Tyar-Besil. Thorne tells her he'd like to present these findings to Dhukhean after they are certain it is in fact true, so as not to go on a wild goose chase. Darelle has misgivings, but she senses that Thorne will go without her, so she agrees to accompany him. Thorne tells her that Naga and Earl will also be coming with them on what he expects to be a short quest. That very night, they head out on the cloud.


Pharast 16, 4713

Favorable winds propulse the cloud to a spot Thorne has identified as the most likely path to lead the party to the stone markers. They begin trekking through the snow, and after about an hour the rogue finds a faint dwarven rune on a stone by the path, with another one three feet away. As he looks, a staircase emerge from the side of the cliff next to the path.

The Coopers follow the staircase for over a thousand steps before it levels off. The path continues, but Darelle spots a small line in the snow indicating a trip wire. She follows the line and sees that the entire cliff face has been rigged to fall. The Coopers avoid the trap, and continue on. After another fifteen minutes of climbing, they reach a large flat area leading to three steps. All of them are awed by the magnificent dwarven stonework surrounded by large cascades of frozen water covered in ice. Two large statues of Moradin flank the entryway, which is guarded by two dwarves wearing ceremonial full plates and wielding halberds.

Inquiries with the dwarves indicate that this is indeed the Shrine of Tender Oaths, but the dwarves are confused as to why the Coopers are here. They finally ask if the Coopers are planning to attend the wedding. Thorne replies in the affirmative, so the priestess is sent for. She arrives a few instants later, and introduces herself as Ingrard, head of the Shrine. She thanks the Coopers for arriving, and tells them the ceremony is about to start.

In the main chamber the party comes upon six dwarves, three to a side and separated by a small fountain, all of them wearing armor and armed with heavy weapons. The priestess herself stands in front of a bride and groom, who seem very much happy. The rest of the dwarves seem very unhappy to be here.

As the wedding ceremony proceeds, the Coopers can feel the tension in the room is about to boil over, but soon the bride and groom are pronounced man and wife. The wedding feast follows, with tensions so high a knife could cut it. The Coopers talk with the monks, and discover that the wedding party arrived three days ago unexpectedly. There isn't enough food in the pantry to feed everyone, and the monks are upset at this lack of decorum. The Coopers use this occasion to explore this area of the Shrine but do not find a secret passage heading down.

Ingrard joins the Coopers at their table. Thorne discusses with her the recent happenings in the Dessarin Valley and the presence of the four cults. She is astonished that cultists seek to acquire dwarven blood, but it does not surprise her as the monks and herself have seen strange happenings around the Shrine. Darelle tells her they met with a drow in the last week, and there might be a connection there with the old Tyar-Besil. Thorne asks her why the two dwarven families are angry at each other. Ingrard tells them there was a betrayal many generations ago, and dwarves enjoy keeping grudges alive. The two lovebirds were able to overlook their differences, but their families can't seem to let it go. Thorne asks the priestess if they can explore the rest of the temple, and she readily grants the Coopers permission to explore the rest of the Shrine.

In the Hall of Vows, where the ceremony took place earlier, Darelle notices that the lifelike relief contains a very real great axe. She removes it from the wall. Walking up a set of stairs, they find themselves in a small temple, with dim rays of light from the falling sun illuminating a small stone altar. The Coopers examine the room and discover a secret door, but it appears impossible to open. Darelle figures out that placing the great axe triggers the opening, and Thorne is the first one down the staircase that has been revealed. The presence of dust indicates that no one has used this secret passage in eons.

The noise made by the opening of the secret door alerted one of the dwarf parties, however, and the Coopers find themselves violently confronted by the groom's family, who look very eager to explore this passage. As a battle erupts, the dwarves cause some trouble for the Coopers, but the sounds of people confronting each other also draws in the other family, and it immediately turns into a free for all. Naga lands several massive blows, while Earl finds himself disabled. He takes shelter in the secret passage before Darelle removes the great axe from the altar, a gesture that doesn't go unnoticed by the dwarves.

After much difficulty, the Coopers emerge triumphant from the battle, just as Ingrard and her monk guards arrive. Thorne wisely decides to keep their discovery of a staircase down to Tyar-Besil a secret for now, but he relates their encounter with the dwarves. The newlyweds shed a few tears over the death of their kinsmen, but quickly get over it.

Now that they know how to get down to the old dwarven city, the Coopers bid goodbye to the dwarven monks but promise to return visit soon and bring further news from the outside. They head head back to Red Larch to inform Dhukhean and the rest of the party of their discovery.

The Dark Lady

Pharast 5, 4713

Since the defeat of the Burning Man, the region has been buffered by a blizzard that has dumped over five feet of snow and brought along freezing temperatures. People have been staying indoors, and only the occasional desperate soul has braved the weather to seek a bit of solace and company at the Swinging Sword Inn, leaving the Coopers, their associates, and proprietor Kayless Irkell as the only residents.

The last remnants of the storm moved on during the night, and the village of Red Larch slowly emerges back to life. The Long Road is cleared by sturdy teams of draft horses and heavy metal plows, while everywhere else businesses and residences dig themselves out. The Coopers spend most of their morning helping out. Midmorning, the first southern wagon pulls in the village with a load of much needed food and news from Varisia and beyond.

At noon time, Maegla Tarnlar enters the Swinging Sword Inn and sits at Dhukhean's table. The local contact for the Lord's Alliance, Maegla tells the dwarf she has received information she thought he should know. Down south, about 110 miles from Red Larch, atop a barren hill overlooking the Long Road less than a day’s travel north-east of Amphail and about a hundred and ten miles south of Red Larch stands ruined Rundreth Manor. This large stone mansion, now roofless and overgrown, is home to a mysterious and terrifying figure known far and wide as the Dark Lady. Locals warn everyone to stay well away from the ruins, but Maegla tells Dhukhean that over the last two weeks spies have observed three different delegations of cultists visit the Dark Lady, who is in fact a shadow dragon who often takes the appearance of a female drow. It is believed that representatives from the Black Earth, the Eternal Flame, and the Howling Hatred came to seek the Dark Lady's support. None of the cultists emerged from Rundreth Manor, but the Lord's Alliance is worried that she may decide to throw her support to one of the cults. The leaders of the Lord's Alliance have asked their contacts throughout the Dessarin Valley and beyond to find volunteers to attempt to make contact with the Dark Lady and discover, if possible, her intentions.

Dhukhean asks if his friends may join the conversation, and Maeglar agrees. Following a summary of the conversation, Daryle expresses concern that if one of the three cults ally themselves with the Dark Lady, this would make their lives extremely difficult. However, attempting to make contact with the dragon could prove deadly. Dhukhean states that the Dark Lady might in fact be quite opposed to another dragon in the Dessarin Valley, especially a Red. As an incentive in recognition that this is a dangerous mission, Maegla offers each participant 5,000 crowns if they are able to ascertain the Dark Lady's objective. The Coopers accept the mission, and after finishing their meal they pack up their gear and they head out south through the snow.


Pharast 10, 4713

After four hard days of travel on the road, the Coopers arrive near Rundreth Manor. The rangers notice neither tracks, nor any signs of life in the area surrounding the hill. Getting closer, they see a ruined large mansion. Dhukhean easily determine that the structure was blown up from the inside. Only the two wings of the mansion remain intact. The remaining walls of the central building still stand three stories tall, but large sections have collapsed outward, and no signs of a roof remain. Dark trees grow within the perimeter of the building. All of the windows have been shattered, and sections of the roof on the wings have sagged. The entire structure is in a state of advanced disrepair. Snow piles in large drifts, burying some of the ground floor under a thick blanket.

As they get closer, Daryle notices a dark shimmering atop the south wall. Taking a closer look, she sees that the darkness evolves into five dark eyes standing on the top of the ruined wall. The eyes follow them along as the party moves. Dhukhean senses a terrible evil upon this area. The Coopers decide to engage the eyes, and quickly defeat them, only to be ambushed by strange dark creatures that emerge from the trees. Darelle identify them as the Dark Young, and as they shift from tree to tree, the Coopers find themselves flanked. Naga and Ruddy land a few good hits, while Dhukhean suffers the brunt of their assault. He treats them back to their own medicine, however, and soon both Dark Young are dead. Dhukhean senses evil again, but now only the latent evil of a building too long occupied by evil forces.

Proceeding with caution, they enter the north wing of the mansion, in what used to be a kitchen. Snow has drifted inside the house, and broken dishes still litter the few cabinets barely hanging on the wall. In the northwest corner is a staircase going down to the cellar. The Coopers head down. In the cellar they find several bottles of Whiterose Abbey wine, vintage 4591. Behind a large wooden shelf Ruddy discovers a secret staircase that leads down. They carefully follow the steps as they descend over three hundred feet, only to emerge in a large cave. The ceiling lost in the darkness above.

Near the edge of the cavern stands a female drow. Her eyes betray a fantastic intelligence. She welcomes them to her lair, and asks why they would so rudely violate her peace. Knowing they are dealing with a very cunning dragon, Naga proposes an exchange of information. The Dark Lady agrees, and during their exchange the Coopers learn that each cult is led by a prophet who wields a powerful weapon that was found in the ruins of an ancient drow shrine located under Tyar-Besil, one of the dwarven strongholds of the ancient kingdom of Besilmer. Each prophet seeks to unleash the strengths of an Elemental Prince. The four elemental princes, which are known as the Princes of the Apocalypse, are themselves devoted to freeing the Elder Elemental Eye and bringing chaos to Golarion. She also tells them she has no interest in joining any of the cults, and has violently dealt with their delegations.

The Coopers, for their part, relate their dealings with the various cults, and reveal the existence of devastation orbs, which peeks the Dark Lady's interest. Daryle also tells her of the untold powers of the Emerald Spire, in faraway Fort Inevitable. Finally, they reveal the presence of an ancient red dragon working with the Eternal Flame. The Dark Lady thanks them for their information by telling Dhukhean that the various cults are collecting dwarven blood to open the gate allowing their Prince to come through. And with that, she bids them goodbye and tells them to never return to Rundreth Manor.

After putting a safe distance between themselves and Rundreth Manor, Darelle activates her cloud and the Coopers head back to Red Larch. During the night, Dhukhean awakens with a start. A large evil presence brushes against the cloud, flying fast towards the north. The Dark Lady is on the move ...