Journal of Arcadius

The Sunken City

We arrived at the ruined city, which proved to be half above water and half below. After some discussion of the best route, we went underwater and began our search. The place was desolate, empty, and very very old. From the markings and strange tablets we found, we think it may be as much as fifteen to twenty thousand years old. It inspires awe.

Our search went with surprising speed. We found a building with a closed door, and within, an Aboleth! We were immediately suspicious, for it seemed far too easy. We attacked the foul thing, then began to suspect it was merely some kind of clone or double. In any case, it escaped by magic. Pursuing below, we went deep beneath the earth, though still in water. There after much searching, we found a being in the form of a Sea Elf. We suspected who it might truly be. Thinking what was to come, I prayed for divine sacrifice for the coming battle, accepting the harm I would take. Indeed battle soon commenced.

The thing changed shape into a black dragon! Bael'thas shot it to great effect with his arrows, but it then cast some psionic spell or power of no immediate apparent effect. Oh how we were to learn otherwise! I charged the thing, and calling upon Lord Pelor, dealth the Aboleth-Dragon a mighty blow, I felt more power course through me in that strike than perhaps any I have ever dealt! Alas! The thing lived, and as our foes seem always to do, disappeared with magic.

O' Pelor, O' my friends, forgive me for my rashness! The psionic power cast by the evil one was such that the damage of my attack was taken to equal degree by two of my companions! Ramona and Keniroh were instantly slain, turned to bloody fragments in a moment! Aia'a, the cursed irony!

We searched far and wide through the city for the Aboleth, finding an ancient temple of Pelor and a magic circle of teleportation. Passing through that we found what was apparently the one-time city of the Aboleth, not their current stronghold, but one from the time of the first war against them. It was very deep under water, perhaps a thousand feet or more. We searched for a long time, but found no sign of it. It may well have fled by some other means to join its kin, or simply into the open ocean. Either way, it had escaped us!

We returned to the ancient city, and there at the temple of Pelor, I found a sword, untarnished by the long ages under the sea, with holy markings and a powerful aura of magic. It was embedded in the wall, and I prayed to Lord Pelor for guidance. My vision and heart told me that this item was not meant to be a decoration, but to be used in the cause of Lord Pelor once more! I carved the sword from its housing, and brought it forth with prayers of respect. It glows in my hands, and those of my friends who follow Lord Pelor, but not the others.

We also collected great wealth from the lair of the Aboleth. The full accounting of it shall hopefully be told soon.

Upon our return to the surface, and the ship, we found Sztuczka standing on the deck, but no sign of Thorsen! Truly, fate can surprise! Sztuczka explained that Thorsen was going to betray us, and she dealt with him. How good it is to see her again! I look forward to hearing the story of how she came to find us.

On the return trip, I prayed for the souls of those inadvertently slain my my attack, and made atonement.

In Stonekeep, we were able to resurrect Keniroh, but not Ramona. Her soul did not come back, no doubt blocked by her cruel goddess. However, there is hope that she is now free, somewhere among the planes. I pray that it is so.

*A*