4/6 session recap and xp awards

Pelema stepped through the teleport circle into Oriv, and found the party. She said that Jiyoomenath was returned, though he seemed tired from his journey. He had told her to relay his orders, that the party was to continue to find the artifacts, and to then bring them and the wheel to him. He withdrew all other minions to the safety of Pelema's secret stronghold. He also send Pelema to retrieve Calathinius from the party's care.

Rockaneeshoo balked at this, asking how they could trust it was Jiyoomenath and not an imposter? Why hadn't he used the sigils to issue his orders? Pelema said that he seemed concerned that his enemies had figured out a way to listen in on the sigil communications. Rockaneeshoo initially refused to give up Calathinius, but Pelema said that since she had been given a direct order, she didn't intend to disobey it. She seemed prepared to stay around as long as it took to get Calathinius.

Enli asked Ibenaikad if Pelema was really who she seemed to be, and could she be trusted. The answer was yes. Rhin was brought into the conversation, and he suggested that they merely ask Calathinius if he would consent to going back with her. Everyone seemed to be in agreement with this plan, so they unearthed Calathinius from under the temple, and woke him from his stasis. He agreed to go back with Pelema.

Pelema also gave some basic information about the remaining four artifacts. Sky Singer was last reported to be in the keeping of Cloud and Storm giants in a flying castle or city. It's location was not known, however. The Habergeon of Conquering Might (aka devil armor) was supposedly a gift from the devil armies to their orc minions back during the war. Those orcs inhabit the deserts and dry hills of the far east. The Heart of Fire was reportedly thrown into a volcano to destroy it's evil, but those legends seem too simplistic. Even if they were true, there are several volcanoes that it could have been thrown into. The Ring of Infinite Images that they had aquired turned out to be one of many (but not infinite) copies, and not the real thing. The real one is probably somewhere in the Heartlands, the human kingdom in the center of the continent. Sir Dominic (the lycanthrope) has been there acting as a negotiator for a border dispute, and eventually he will be imbedded far enough into the kingdom to provide more information on the whereabouts of the ring.

Rhin and Urgmob decided to scout while the others made magic items. Rhin cast wind walk on both of them, but Rhin took the teleport circle to the far desert, and Urgmob headed north to search for sky castles.

Urgmob's adventure lasted a day, and as the sun started to set, he flew south again. He had somehow lost his way, however, and landed in the woods about a day east of Oriv. He camped and trekked his way back, however, with the help of his magical dog, Tybalt.

Rhin found what appeared to be a small band of orcs in the desert, and tracks that led towards the south. Following the tracks a few hundred miles south, Rhin came across a stone fortress and city amidst a dry rocky area. He used Word of Recall to return to Oriv.

Since the others were still making items, only Rhin, Urgmob, and Davinov ventured forth to deal with the band of desert orcs. They found what appeared to be a group of 3 orcs around a campfire in the early morning, out in the desert. They flew down, and the orc didn't seem too terribly upset. He motioned for them to come closer, and with Davinov translating, told them to put their gear over next to the fire. The orc smiled as he said this. The request was repeated again, and the party started to shuffle a bit. Then suddenly the illusion dropped, and the party was surrounded by about 10 orcs and a huge sand elemental.

Rhin made as if he was going to touch the orc who had spoken, and was immediately attacked by three spell casters from the back of the orc group, as well as by at least three nearby orc warriors. Rhin touched his target, paralyzing him. The elemental grappled Urgmob and pinned him easily. Davinov stepped up to engage the orcs, and Rhin was again subjected to a round of incoming spells, including Flesh to Stone, Slay Living, and Blindness. Realizing that the party was somewhat outnumbered and outgunned, Rhin touched his two companions and used Word of Recall to escape. They regrouped and decided to come up with a different plan.

At the end, Enli prayed to Ibenaikad, asking who the closest person was that could direct them to the flying castle and the storm giants....

Everyone gets 1000xp for general roleplaying. I think Enli and Rock spent some xp on items, but that has not been factored in. Without any item expenditures, the totals are :
Urgmob : 15,710 (15th)
Rhin : 105,010 (15th)
Rockaneeshoo : 136,986 (17th)
Enli : 138,615 (17th)
Minebeard : 104,957 (14th)