StalkerofShadows/GatesDiary

Session synopsis for Gates Across Worlds

Session 1
The citizens of Yugash waited in nervous anticipation for their leaders to open the Great Seal. A conference was called among the Tripartite and the Favored of Autochthon. An exploratory team was formed from a group of Alchemicals of varying motivations.

The engineers connected the last of the conduits to the gate, and the great machine was activated. Unexpectedly, it drew such power that the entire city blacked out. The citizens panicked, but Solace calmed their minds. Hours later, the gate finished its task and opened a portal to Creation.

The Alchemicals hesitantly sent a few non-sentient drones through the gate. They returned unharmed, reporting the environmental could support life. Next the heroes sent through their own familiars. Finally, they entered the gate along with a few human "volunteers." They appeared in Creation during the night-time. Almost all of the experiences were new to them: plants, animals, soil, stars. Even the spiritual world of Creation was strange. They prepared the far side of the gate by creating the Maker's Forge and building a wooden stockade.

The next day, their familiars reported a small human settlement to the west. A member of the party captured one of the inhabitants, and the Alchemicals proceeded to interrogate the old woman. Although they couldn't understand her language, a direct connection to her mind showed many things. Of particular interest was the fact that the village had a god of some sort. Thinking quickly, Many Faces took the appearance of the god and went into town, accompanied by Harbringer of Fifty Banes in human form. After drawing out the inhabitants for worship, Harbringer used his knockout gas to incapacitate the natives and they were carried to Yugash for observation.

Session 2
Having found little of use in the primitive village, the party requested a device capable of finding Magical Materials from the Tripartite. They received a prototype, which of yet had bugs to be worked out. Many Faces and Liquidator set off to investigate another town reported to be at the edge of some mountains. Using their various abilities, they found the village contained approximately 100 people. Of note, there was a temple with statues of five gods, a general store, and a mansion. Liquidator acquired some bits of jade from the general store and Many Faces appropriated a map and a book from the temple.

The map showed little of interest in the area. One city lay far to the west, and another far to the southwest. What was interesting was a large area was marked as a "sea." The book was unreadable, but the Alchemicals stated a translation attempt. The party started off towards the sea, but after many days (and realizing the distance), they decided to raid the nearby town instead. Voice of Wisdom continued to make progress on his Magical Material locator, indicating a sizable amount south of the town.

Session 3
Much planning (and bickering) went into the raid of the town. In the end, it was decided that Dark Walker (with his invisiblility ability) should go into the town and kidnap anyone important looking. Arriving at night, he did not find much of interest in the town in general. Entering the mansion, he found a man on the second floor writing some letters. Although he tripped and almost ruined the surprise, the soulsteel managed to subdue the man without undue attention. Returning to the party's camp, he unfortunately found he had done a little bit too much damage to the man, who would be unconcious for quite awhile.

However, he also noticed two large, immaterial spirits had followed him from the town. While attempting to point this out, the spirits materialized and attacked. Both Voice of Wisdom and Dark Walker were somewhat badly wounded due to the spirits surprising the party. The spirits were quite odd, swirling clouds with dozens of arms ending in swords and axes. The offending spirits were squashed to bits, and their remains sent to Yugash for analysis.

Despite this setback, the party attacked the town. Harbringer entered the town and used his knockout gas to subdue the population. Other members of the party apprehended fleeing citizens. The unconcious humans were locked in the temple for the moment. Thoroughly examining the town, they found a suit of jade armor in the mansion and a cart of jade ore in the town. Not understanding the local geology, Solace and Voice of Wisdom interrogated a few miners on as how and where to obtain the jade. Although they were unsuccessful, Many Faces managed to coax some information from the captives. Later, the man they had kidnapped from the mansion had awakened. The insectoid soulsteel spent the night speaking to the man, completing his knowledge of the local language.

The next day, drones were sent to Yugash to report the find. The new slaves of Yugash were sent to the jade mine in shifts. Although language barriers remained, the concept of "work or die" was impressed upon the humans. They quickly gathered the loose ore awaiting shipment and started to mine for more. After the miners indicated their hunger, the Alchemicals released the women of the town to prepare food for the workers.

After asking their captive where the ore was smelted, the party set off to cross the mountains. During this time, Voice of Wisdom deciphered how to set the scanner for soulsteel, but found none in the area. While the party was distracted, a sudden whirlwind appeared and swept away their captive. Thinking quickly, Solace threw her soulsteel gyroscopic chakram, eviscerating the fugitive.

Recent courier drones from Yugash indicated more Alchemicals are to enter Creation to assist in the invasion. A as of yet unnamed jade Alchemical will take over as chief of mining operations. Overly Righteous Blossom is to take over defense of the trans-dimensional gate.

Session 4
The trek into the mountains was turning into another long, boring hike. Rocks, rocks and more rocks, with weeks of marching till Harborhead. Of note, Interrogating Light of Knowledge noticed a small orichalum and a small soulsteel deposit far to the south. At a fork in the trail, Liquidator's familiar noticed an odd abundance of non-magical metals on the surface down the less-used branch of the trail. A few hours later, the party reached a strange region of a valley where the trees were made of metal! Venturing farther, they found some small animals made of metal. Unlike the clockworks of Autochthonia, these animals were scuplted from metal and bled metal-like fluids. The circle pondered if this was what Creation properly looked like, and if it might be the last bastion of the properly-sculpted world.

Near the end of the valley, they came upon a giant statue of rock and gemstone. Solace rudely awakened the statue, who informed them he is an earth elmental named Groxx. The party was surprised to learn that Groxx not only speaks the recently deciphered Low Realm, but also speaks an oddly-accented Autochthonian! Groxx was quite talkative and friendly, though a bit on the slow-witted side. Unfortunately, he had no magical materials. However, he did indicate on the map where some could be found and spoke of a wonderous place called "Yu-Shan" where they may be found in abundance! Deciding that Groxx had nothing of value other than information, the circle decided not to try and slay the elemental.

Solace offered Groxx an essence capacitor for his domain, but he refused the offer. Stating that he was happy at the grotto, he stated he would only move for a better domain or a manse in Yu-Shan. Although the circle did not know what a "manse" meant, they knew Yu-Shan was beyond their reach. Groxx, assuming the Alchemicals to be fellow earth spirits, offered to teach them how to travel to Yu-Shan. Although Groxx was able to by himself, the party was unable to learn the spirit's charm.

The circle told Groxx of Autochthonia, and Groxx was highly interested in a realm of metals. Using the majority of his energies, Groxx gated the circle back to the dimensional gate. He was then invited into the Realm of Brass and Shadow as a guest. After entering, Groxx quickly appeared to sicken. Stating he was happier back home, Groxx volunteered to wait outside of the gate. While in the comfort of Yugash, the circle took the opportunity to install new charms and speak with their superiors.

After once again exiting the gate, the party found an uproar at Fort Adamant, as the far side of the gate was now known. Several patrols had been reported missing. When the circle attempted to reach the bodies, large wood spiders blocked their way. Although the spiders were looking for a fight, Interrogating Light of Knowledge drove them off with a display of his anima and The Maker's Basic Defense Array.

Session 5

After ordering the Yugash troops not to needlessly destroy the forest, or even wander into the forest, the party portals back to Grox's Grotto. He cheerfully waves them off down the trail. After examining their options, the party decides to investigate a supposed orichalum deposit to the southwest.

The journey is uneventful, although Interrogating Light cannot get a good fix on the orichalum deposit. In the area, they find the mountains end and a new jungle begins. A town is also located at the edge of the mountains. Harbriger and Dark Walker investigate the town, and find the inhabitants to be quite polite (to Harbringer in human form at least). They search for Magical Materials, but find none. A few temples to small gods are about, but no major temples. When asked, the citizens reply nervously that they, of course, are members of the Immaculate Faith, although they also pay homage to the small gods of the town. Several merchants offer Harbringer goods, but he finds no Magical Materials. He does find, however, food can be bought in abundance. After a short discussion with the village chief, he is invited to worship. Harbringer follows the townsfolk to a tunnel, and inside is a huge cave with a 30 foot tall statue or orichalum! There appears to be no other way out of the tunnel, yet somehow the statue was placed inside. After a fairly typical prayer session, the chief bid Harbringer adieu and returned to town.

After returning to the party, Harbringer discussed his experience. It was interesting to note that the townsfolk were quite scared of the Dragon-Blooded, and one even suggested that they would fight the Dragon-Blooded if there was any hope of victory. Some plans for stealing the statue were discussed, but nobody could think of a way to remove it from the cave.

Oddly enough, Interrogating Light's detector indicated a quantity of soulsteel to the south that night. After treking through a few miles of jungle, the party encountered a vast swamp. Also oddly enough, there were many humanoid-shaped spirits about that expressed absolutely no interest in the Alchemicals. Many Faces received the thankless task of scouting ahead, and he proceeded in warstrider form. After sloshing through a mile of swamp, he found a masonry fort. Although the gate was barred, he managed to open it with little difficulty. Upon entering with little tact or stealth, three warriors approached him. Two were fairly typical human warriors and one was a woman dressed in soulsteel armor. She seemed to think he was some sort of mechanical messenger with a malfunction in his personality drive. During a short conversation, she claimed to be "She Who Hides in the Shadow of the Mountain" and to work for the "Mask of Winters." Catching her by surprise with his amazing speed, he managed to force her into combat. Although for the most part holding his own, Many Faces was slowly being worn down. Just when he was about to fall, the rest of the party appeared and crushed the human warriors.

A search of the tower revealed little of structural interest. An inventory of items consisted of soulsteel heavy plate, a soulsteel daiklaive, and a black gem that mysteriously sparkled with essence.

Session 6

A probe of the prisoner's brain revealed that the "Mask of Winters" was a massive being covered in soulsteel, leading an army armed with soulsteel. However, he appeared to know little else. With the brain of the prisoner being horribly damaged from interrogation, Solace ordered him executed. A few letters from the "Mask of Winters" were found, requesting information on local spirits and Realm presence. An onyx chalice growing out of the floor was found in the Abyssal's quarters. Interrogating Light tried many things to activate the chalice, but nothing worked.

In the meantime, Solace decided to bond with the soulsteel daiklave and essence stone to determine any properties of either. After bonding with them, she noticed that she could see and interact with dematerialized ghosts, although she was unsure if it was a property of the sword or the stone. Deciding the tower was not a safe place to stay, the party journeyed back to the trail.

After discussion, the party decided to re-investigate the cave with the orichalum statue. Interrogating light discovered the back wall of the cave was acutally a cave-in, and sent his familiar and golems digging. Dark Walker phased through the wall and scouted the interior. During this time, Solace tried enfusing the statue with essence. After doing this, golden mirrors inside the next chamber illuminated it.

The party entered the next chamber, using the debris unearthed to block the main entrance to the cave. Inside, they found a small mausoleum, some strange crystals, one small passageway and a large cave-in. Dark Walker noticed two little gods talking to each other, but they ignored the party. Harbringer forced open the door to the mausoleum, and found a perfectly preserved body holding an orichalum grand goremaul and wearing orichalum armor. When he drug the corpse out of the mausoleum, it disintegrated into dust. Solace took the grand goremaul for her own use, being both orichalum and strong enough to weild it. At this time, the one spirit disappeared and the other looked extremely worried.

The little god told Dark Walker that he was Golden Halls, god of the gold mine. He explained that the corpse was that of his former master, Brilliant Sunshine, and that the spirit might not appreciate the intrusion. Ignoring the warning, the party inquired as to what lay behind the cave-in. During this time, Liquidator explored the side passage. It led to a small platform above a room of molten magma! The remains of an intricate forge, with a few orichalum / red jade tools remained. Liquidator took the tools and returned to the party. The Alchemicals were uninterested in mundane gold until Golden Halls informed them that it could be transformed into orichalum! Suddenly very interested, the party decided to excavate the mine and retrieve some gold with which to experiment.

Golden Halls agreed to teach them the ways of creating orichalum for worship from future miners. The party agreed and Golden Halls kept his word. The gold was first melted in the magma room. Then molten gold was placed in a geomantic carving in the floor. Finally, sunlight focused through golden mirrors on the ceiling were focused on the gold. Golden Halls informed them the process would take one full day of sunlight. Solace then noticed some of the crystals on the floor glowing. Golden Halls informed her that it was probably an old message. Activating the crystal with essence caused a hologram to appear. In the message, a golden warrior stood in front of a huge battlefield, in which tremendous essence weapons were being used. He asked Brilliant Sunshine to flee the forge and meet him far to the east. Then the message ended in a recorded essence explosion.

This was very interesting. It appeared that this world once had a high level of technology, which may still be found. Dawn arose during the exploration, and the villagers were trying to re-excavate the cave. The Alchemicals broke out and confronted the villagers. Solace lit the statue of the Unconquered Sun with essence and declared that the Alchemicals were divine warriors, sent to rid the world of the Dragon-Blooded. The villagers were quite impressed, some even volunteering to aid the Alchemicals.

Session 7

The circle received a summons to return to Kadar and report their activities. While on the way back, their familiars reported a group of soldiers camping about a day's journey ahead on the trail. Liquidator volunteered to enter the campsite. Uncharacteristically, he did not conceal himself perfectly and was noticed by a guard. After fleeing and then returning a while later, he found, among other things, a gorilla-like creature guarding a tent. After determining that most of the soldiers were mortal, Liquidator decided to report back.

The next day, the circle concealed themselves in the forest, other than Harbringer and Many Faces whom could disguise themselves as mortals. The soldiers were not impressed with the pair. At this point, Solace decided to get the drop on the soldiers and quickly cut down several. Many Faces leapt high into the air, shapechanged into a large transport, and crushed several others. Solace was then faced with a Fire Aspect who was quite capable of dodging her every attack. After a long fight, she used her Time-Interrupt Device to land a solid blow with her grand goremaul and end the fight. Meanwhile the party traded weapons fire with three other Terrestrials. A sorcerer summoned a blast of fire than inflicted minor damage to the circle. The earth aspect fought a long battle, absorbing many blows until felled by numerous wounds. The sorcerer was killed outright when Many Faces shapechanged into a fly and entered the sorcerer's ear, only to shift back into his true form. The last Terrestrial attempted to flee but was halted by ranged weaponry.

The surviving concious Terrestrial was allowed to heal his Earth brother and then incapacitated with knockout gas. The circle sorted their spoils of war and traveled on northward.

Session 8
In order to expedite the return of the circle, Yugash sent three hover-transports to retrieve them. Making record time, the circle quickly arrived at the portal. They were then interviewed by the Sodalites in short order. The Sodalites were unsure in how to proceed due to the conflicting reports of Creation. Unhesitatingly Loyal Weapon pushed for a military campaign against the Dragon-Blooded. Solace was not sure this would result in the acquisition of any materials, and instead supported an exploratory campaign in search of hearthstones. The compromised reached was that Solace's circle will search for hearthstones, and/or geomancers, if possible, while Unhesitatingly Loyal Weapon prepares an attack force.

Several other Alchemicals of Yugash met with circle members individually to forward their own ideas. The circle was left with many things to consider during their refit in the vats.

End of Chapter 1