Elemix and the Vorn Problem

Elemix had not heard from Vorn now for two weeks. Silence. No sending spells, no dreams, absolutely nothing. His communications with Magus Marie Peredhain or with Brennic had no further information. To them he had simply ‘gone adventuring’ and was not wanting to contact. Elemix knew the truth, but could not convey it.

His choices were limited:

He could A) bring in an outsider like Alix or Marie or even Revan in theory to help, but that would put both him and Vorn in deep trouble.

He could B) follow Morgan’s advice and learn more about the magic hollow deep near the legendary Forge of Azenkuul. For that the Great Library could be of help, with his father or even better his cousin researching by proxy for him. He could reach out to Dr. Bruin to tap his knowledge or even journey to Markhelm colonies himself to meet with the Runeskalds, though Bruin may be more apt to help. Then of course pick the right combination of two options he had, go get Vorn, come back via Azenkuul (whether he finds the right lore, or physically gets the combinations himself through adventure, it will mean a mean fight to get out).

He could C) ask if Emmeline’s druid people could help – doubtful he thought, but who knows with the Otherworld. Maybe summon him?

He could D) ask if there are trading fleets going there. Catch one on the way back after finding Vorn.

He could E) ask if the Temple could help, but being a powerful spell it would mean a huge, huge endeavor – if at all possible.

He could F) just take a chance, go there, get him and figure out the rest later.

Elemix decided option B was the best approach. He used sending to get word quickly to his cousin in Thalassa, asking them to research Azenkuul and the forge as well as any rumored teleportation circle and defenses of the area. At the same time he reached out via sending to Dr Bruin and requested the same thing. He also sent formal letters with more details, with haste (spending more coin to ensure they arrived as soon as possible), but knew they would take longer than his sending to arrive.

He stressed urgency in the matter and insisted they learn what they could as fast as possible, but did not disclose the fact that Vorn had been imprisoned and was awaiting rescue. Instead he said simply that increased dangers in the area as of late may have been coming from or had something to do with Azenkuul and anything he could learn about it as soon as possible would help.

His cousin Brigitte replied that she’d take a look at it. Two weeks later, a courier would arrive with a reply…

“Dearest Cousin,

May Aarith keep and protect you, granting you the knowledge you seek and the wisdom to use it with charity. There are extensive maps of Azenkuul both rumored and actual from before its fall and from adventurers afterwards. Given the urgent tone of your message, my husband and I began a search of the Library’s archives and reports of the Academy about what is known on your particular request. Key facts are that Azenkuul was ancient when humans first arrived in what we call the Periphery today. They mined diamonds, iron, gold, and silver especially. At their height they dominated the entire Derrien river valley – as seen by dwarven ruins scattered all around that area.

Attached is a general map of Azenkuul before the fall. It is the best one we could get. Please note that any hidden areas are not included. Also note this was before the fall, meaning that it is completely inaccurate. Reports from further adventurers over the last few centuries indicate a complete jumble of shifted faults, flattened chambers, tumbled rooms, and utter devastation. By the time recorded adventurers arrived some three centuries later, it was found to be mostly looted and filled with monsters foul. Since then, each expedition has found less monsters and even less things of note. However, rumors still persist of hidden chambers. Whether monsters exist still in the depths is unknown, but none have been seen in the area for twenty-five years, but they may still be so in the rarely explored depths.

The Forge itself is well documented part of the depths, at least before the fall. It is thought is be the heart of Azenkuul and the instrument of its destruction, being kindled by a cohort of Eterian sorcerers in an invoked devastation that erupted the Forge and brought down the roof of the mountain, raining fire upon the surrounding lands and killing most everyone inside. With that said, we can prepare the best map we can based on accounts in the Library to lead to it. The Forge is when Azenkuul dwarves created their greatest works of dwarven craft. It was said to breath like a dragon’s fire. No adventurer we are aware of has recorded getting to the Forge; however, there are records of Eterian expeditions right after the fall and in the following century that may have. Those records, if they exist, are lost or mouldering in the ruins of the Imperial Archives, last visited by Arcadia Dahl scores of years ago. She is still alive, but very ancient. It is highly unlikely she would be aware of such details in any event.

Concerning a teleportation circle, there are records of some broken floors of a ring-like nature. Some are now ceilings or walls today. We found some of what look like redacted entries in copies of some Eterian and Dwarven texts; however, the originals are in the restricted part of the Library. We have not asked for access; however, we do know that we do not have the right rank to see them. We can press further on this if you wish, but I’ve seen this before on references to dart arts and constrained magical arts. We need a person of Archmagi, Emertii, Patriarch, or perhaps the Major or Grand Librarian to access. What I could find indicated the Dwarves had an internal teleportation system that would allow goods to move from level to level. It was part of the wonders of the mountain, but one or two circles led outside. The details, if they exist, are either lost, in Eteria, or buried in the Secret Collection.

We will work on the map. This will take awhile. We hope to get it to you by courier by the end of the year or early next year at the latest. Else we can send you what we have, but it is highly suspect and very subjective.

Your cousin,

Brigitte”