Chapter #1210
+
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ THE ADVENTURERS +
+ +
+ Epic VI +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Many of the locations, non-player characters, spells, and other +
+ terms used in these stories are the property of Wizards of the Coast +
+ which has in no way endorsed or authorized their use. Any such +
+ property contained within these stories are not representative of +
+ Wizards of the Coast in any fashion. +
+ The player characters depicted in these stories are copyright +
+ 1991-2026 by Thomas A. Miller. Any resemblance to any persons +
+ or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental. +
+ Copying and/or distribution of these stories is permissible under +
+ the sole condition that no money is made in the process. In that +
+ case, I hope you enjoy them! +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ +
+ Kronos 22nd level lich wizard +
+ +
+ Belphanior 18th/18th/18th level elven fighter/wizard/thief +
+ +
+ Hope 16th level female human wizard +
+ Poulos 8th level human warrior +
+ Irina 14th/7th level female human priestess/warrior +
+ Otto 12th/14th level dwarven fighter/thief +
+ Paige 13th level human female warrior +
+ Razor Charlie 12th level human fighter +
+ Skektek 14th level human wizard +
+ Ys 14th level reptilian fighter +
+ +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Date: 4/9/587 C.Y. (Common Year) +
+ Time: morning +
+ Place: the Pits of Azak-Kil, within the Abbor-Alz hills +
+ Climate: hot and dry, with a clear sky +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ "You don't acquire that kind of wealth...by being like the rest +
+ of us." +
+ - from _John Carter_ (2012) +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MCCX. The Repurposing of Azak-Kil
Less than a week after the defeat of the lich high priest Gunguti and
his legions of undead dwarven miners, the huge circular mine known as the
Pits of Azak-Kil is bustling with new activity. Each of its multiple
levels, from the outer rim all the way down to the bottom center, now has
both foot and wheeled traffic, as hundreds of dwarven miners are hard at
work removing ore and transporting it out of the mine using carts. A new
ramp of stone, created in a hurry using magic, leads up from the massive
pit's bottom to its rim, crossing all the horizontal levels and enabling
loads of heavy ore to more easily be moved from place to place.
Belphanior: (hovering in the sky over the site) It's been many decades
since the miners of Azak-Kil were flesh and blood, rather than animated
corpses.
Kronos: (airborne with Belphanior, he surveys all of the work going on
below) Engaging the aid of the dwarves of Clan Highforge, in Irongate,
was nothing short of genius.
Belphanior: Well, this plan benefits everyone. Those mountain dwarves
originally established this mine more than seventy years ago. Their
foresight and hard work got things moving, and they thrived until the
undead problems began. It was likely that they would have laid a new
claim here, if or when they heard that the undead were cleared out. By
approaching them ahead of that and being proactive and cooperative, we
gain labor and experience to continue mining operations, in return for
a portion of the riches within since we dealt with the undead problem.
And between the original owners of the mine and the group who liberated
it, no other party would dare lay a claim on the place. (he spreads
his hands) So...everyone wins.
Neither of the wizards mentioned the rushed, highly-focused efforts
of the Bright Alliance in the days immediately after the defeat of the
undead. All other efforts underway in the Bright Lands had briefly been
paused while the mighty group of archmagi - using as much magic and as
many golems as they could muster - removed as much ore as possible and
transported it from the mines directly into the deep vaults of their new
fortress. Much of this crude metal had already been excavated by the
undead and left piled within subterranean chambers, while a few sizable
veins of precious metal had been freshly tapped and plundered. The magi
left enough still in the mines to alleviate any future suspicions...but
still, the Bright Alliance's coffers now swelled with massive infusions
of ingots and ore, ranging from gold and silver to iron to the much rarer
mithril and adamantite. They had agreed that they didn't need to possess
it _all_, as long as they had a sizable amount (and the promise of more
to come, via the agreement with the dwarves of Clan Highforge).
Belphanior: It was fortunate that Dexitheseus had contacts in the Free
City of Irongate.
Kronos: And particularly well-informed contacts at that. Otherwise it
would be much more difficult for them to get these riches from here to
there.
The lich was referencing a secret teleportation portal deep beneath
Irongate. One of these had already been in place to connect the city
with its covert trading partner Mitrik, in Veluna; a second, temporary
such portal had been created (and, with Pallin's assistance, much more
quickly than would have otherwise been possible) to enable movement of
people and goods between Irongate and Azak-Kil. This portal was affixed
deep within the mine, out of sight of any save those who belonged in the
shafts and chambers. Between the overall mining operation (which used
large numbers of highly-skilled and -motivated labor) and the portal,
it was possible for the dwarves of Irongate to unearth large amounts of
ore and move it to their faraway home to be refined later. The entire
effort was almost entirely hidden from view, as the bulk of it happened
underground. As well, the surface activity was not visible from the air
or the surrounding hills, since it was currently cloaked by a massive
illusion woven by Alindyar. None of this would be indefinite, nor was
it meant to be; the aim was to find, excavate, and move as much raw ore
as possible in a short span of time. This effort would net both parties
(the dwarves of Irongate and the Bright Alliance) a great deal of wealth
in the very near future. While the Bright Alliance would use their share
to support and grow their burgeoning land, the mountain dwarves needed
the valuable ore to help them deal with the various threats they (and
Irongate) faced from both the Scarlet Brotherhood and the remnants of
the Great Kingdom.
Belphanior: ...and the Bright Alliance gains yet another potential ally
in Irongate.
Kronos: (nods) It is interesting...that we can share wealth beyond what
we need to build alliances for the future.
Belphanior: Agreed. Twenty years ago, I wouldn't have even considered
this; instead, I'd have amassed as much gold as I could and then let
it sit in hidden dungeons and gather dust and mildew.
Kronos: Not only do we have more ore - precious metals and other types -
than we could ever need, we will soon be able to forge and create new
magical items in the central section of the fortress. And a greater
resource than even that will soon follow...wizards, trained by us and
thus potentially loyal to us.
Belphanior: Speaking of magic items, what happened to that egg-shaped
blue stone that topped the dwarf-priest's staff?
Kronos: For now, it has been secreted in a small, secure pocket plane
that was created in collaboration with Alindyar. There, in that place,
the stone's powers cannot influence or harm anyone - the living or the
dead, friends or foes. I will need to study it for a time before we
destroy it. Aside from whatever clerical spells it granted the bearer,
the ellipsoid has some power over undead - which, as with the Book of
the Dead, we may be able to use when the time comes to face the legions
within the Necropolis of Unaagh and the ruins of Darkbridge Temple.
Belphanior: (nods) Makes sense. We all just need to remember that we
agreed to keep the most dangerous artifacts under high security, such
that no single one of our number can fall victim to their power.
The elf did not add on what he was really thinking (namely, "or take
and use them for their own") and if the lich was thinking along the same
lines, he gave no indication. The procedures and measures for dealing
with the most powerful and dangerous of the group's items were not yet
finalized, but they soon would be.
Kronos: I suppose we should get down there and ensure that the counting
of the Bright Alliance's percentage of the ore proceeds accurately.
Belphanior: Indeed we should, except I already took care of it. Otto
and the others are down there representing our interests. It's a good
break from the normal routine for my team, and will also result in more
of our faces known to the Irongate contingent.
Kronos: Ah, excellent.
With that, the two archmagi continued to float in the sky above the
massive mining-pit...a site which only a week ago had been inhabited by
a thousand undead led by a lich-priest bearing an evil artifact from
another world. Times here had changed, just as they had in many other
areas in and around the desert now known as the Bright Lands...and there
were surely more changes yet to come!
next: some serious discussions
map: http://www.peldor.com/world/atlas/Bright-Desert_1203.jpg
www: http://www.peldor.com/download.html
homepage: http://www.peldor.com/
email: tmiller@peldor.com
released: 5/22/2026
notes: And that's it for my Azak-Kil story arc. It spanned seven
episodes (1204-1210) and dealt with yet another of the potential hot
spots in the area. I'll say again that, while it could have been cool
to see an army of the dead marching south - an army basically awakened
by the meddling of Belphanior and Kronos - I didn't want to delay all
the other story arcs I have planned, which is what would have happened.
But bear in mind that there are still two even larger concentrations of
undead beneath the sands of the desert...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++