Temple of the Twelve
Questions in Qabarat
They returned to Absalom, where the ship was quarantined for a week and they reported in to Chiskisk. He provided a partial understanding of what they had found and how they could find out more. This involved them travelling to Castrovel, to the university of Qabarat and the research of Halkueem Zan. Once the quarantine period was over, they set off, arriving at Qabarat in less than a week. Once there they went to see Professor Muhali, at her office. It was besieged by journalists, chasing up the latest controversy caused be Ailabiens 21:2. They resolved it, thanks to Rickard coming up with a face-saving form of apology and Kala selling it to all involved diplomatically.In the Footsteps of Halukeem Zan
His reputation restored, Dr Ailabiens gave them a copy of his notes on Zan.HALKUEEM ZAN’S NOTES
Collectively, Halkueem Zan’s records provide a fragmented course that the PCs can follow from the coastal outpost of Turhalu Point on the continent of Ukulam inland to the “accursed pyramid city of Loskialua,” which Zan claimed to have discovered. These records— both text and audio logs—contain several key warnings and landmarks described in Zan’s judgmental verbiage. Wildlife: “Castrovel crawls with vermin and beasts of all kinds. Thunder-bellied behemoths clear paths through the jungle while bellowing madly. More vexing, though, are what we’ve come to call sting bats—some hellish cross of monkey, bat, and scorpion that travel in troops and harass us regularly. I fought one off as it attacked a porter and shot another as it fled, and from then on they targeted me. It’s as though they can sense strength, yet resent it.”
The Rune Obelisk: “A dramatic spire barely rising above the tree line was the first of our great landmarks. Each side of it was once engraved with untold wisdom, but only the sheltered runes near the base have survived the ages. The plants here grow thicker, as if feeding upon some gifts left by the ancient elves—sacrifices of flesh and blood, no doubt.”
The Plague Warden: “This massive stone figure is a reclining elven form covered in weathered boils. I suspect it is an effigy that served ritual purposes, such as absorbing the illness of some great king so he might live forever.”
The Forsaken City: “The city in the foothills is a forest of small pyramids overgrown with vines. As with the funerary monuments of lost Osirion, it might be this was not a place of the living but a realm of the dead. Initial excavations uncovered multiple stone tiers of fine architecture—displaying skill truly more advanced than the builders’ primitive contemporaries.”
The Stairs to Eternity: “From the Forsaken City rises a staggering, weathered staircase carved into the mountain beyond, evoking mystical contemplation in all who would climb it. Beyond stands a great temple whose haunted guardians feasted upon my comrades, forcing us to flee the savage sentinels.”
Collectively, Halkueem Zan’s records provide a fragmented course that the PCs can follow from the coastal outpost of Turhalu Point on the continent of Ukulam inland to the “accursed pyramid city of Loskialua,” which Zan claimed to have discovered. These records— both text and audio logs—contain several key warnings and landmarks described in Zan’s judgmental verbiage. Wildlife: “Castrovel crawls with vermin and beasts of all kinds. Thunder-bellied behemoths clear paths through the jungle while bellowing madly. More vexing, though, are what we’ve come to call sting bats—some hellish cross of monkey, bat, and scorpion that travel in troops and harass us regularly. I fought one off as it attacked a porter and shot another as it fled, and from then on they targeted me. It’s as though they can sense strength, yet resent it.”
The Rune Obelisk: “A dramatic spire barely rising above the tree line was the first of our great landmarks. Each side of it was once engraved with untold wisdom, but only the sheltered runes near the base have survived the ages. The plants here grow thicker, as if feeding upon some gifts left by the ancient elves—sacrifices of flesh and blood, no doubt.”
The Plague Warden: “This massive stone figure is a reclining elven form covered in weathered boils. I suspect it is an effigy that served ritual purposes, such as absorbing the illness of some great king so he might live forever.”
The Forsaken City: “The city in the foothills is a forest of small pyramids overgrown with vines. As with the funerary monuments of lost Osirion, it might be this was not a place of the living but a realm of the dead. Initial excavations uncovered multiple stone tiers of fine architecture—displaying skill truly more advanced than the builders’ primitive contemporaries.”
The Stairs to Eternity: “From the Forsaken City rises a staggering, weathered staircase carved into the mountain beyond, evoking mystical contemplation in all who would climb it. Beyond stands a great temple whose haunted guardians feasted upon my comrades, forcing us to flee the savage sentinels.”
Meanwhile, Dr Muhali expressed her concern at the disappearance of her colleague, Dr Solstarni and asked the party to investigate while she called the police. The party agreed and entered S
olstarnis office with the key
provided. Wadaz went to the receptionist and discovered that three
Lashuntas came into the stairwell in port authority uniforms two days
ago, when the absence of the doctor was noted. Rickard checked out her
computer, finding that she had a research break coming up (possibly
fake) and that she had a correspondence with Eyrub Paqual (possibly a
fake name) regarding Ukalam and its inhabitants. They also found
a printout of an invitation to The Five Arches from Eyrub. At this
point the police arrived and the party shared what they had found.At The Five Arches (a cafe, with dubious food), Kala was approached by a Lashunta who had information to share. Before he could do so, Wadaz drew attention to herself and he fled, alarmed as she was armed.
They went to the port authority and discovered that a group of fifteen people matching their description had passed through the aiudara (elf gate) to Turhala Point about two days ago. The party equipped and set off after them.
The Ukulam Expedition
They started by being driven over grassland and dropped off. After two arduous days of walking, they saw the edge of the jungle and a herd of Yaruks. Adding a day to their journey, they avoided the Yaruks and got lost instead. Finding their way back on course, they continued.They came across a stone bridge that lead to an obelisk thirty feet square. As they approached, they came under attack from a troop of Kaukarikis, who were upset their home was being invaded. Defeating the monkey-like creatures, they came under attack from a Vracinea, which they swiftly despatched. They managed to read the runes on the obelisk:
“Loskialua, monastery of star song, embassy of the spheres, and Temple of the Twelve.” Fragmentary notes also include mentions of paying respect, messengers from beyond, an academy, and “interpreters of the beacon.”
After three mare days, they someone crying out. On investigating, Kala found a spore infested Lashunta, close to death. As she checked the Lashunta, with the rest of the party hanging back, a Ksarik broke cover and attacked. Kala was sorely pressed until the party managed to overcome the plant. As she moved back to the Lashunta, it became clear that the Ksarik had been protecting its young as they burst from its body, to be burnt by Rickard.