Having redressed the ignoble retreat from the lair of Mr. Monocle by breaking in and murdering that evil bastard, the group is riding high though uncertain of their course now that Malchor Mentat the Magnificent is driving the wagon. He seems to be on an arc that emphasizes the removal of grave threats in the name of improving the world for everyone. To that end, the group recalls an encounter from several years back. Near the site of the monocular massacre there was a cave being used by the Cult of the Dragon to house a dracolich. They battled the beast and destroyed its material body. Ona subsequent visit they discovered a series of caves and tunnels in the mountainside. Therein the floating arcane eye discovered a drow mage and his minions...

Following the defeat of the most recent Orcusian attempt to terrorize the world, the group rests at the Immersea complex of Kormier. They bask in the glow of an accomplished mission and drain an extra cup to the memory of the Gal, whose noble sacrifice made it possible to forestall the end of life. Good job Gal. Soanyway – whaddya want to dother about next?

Various ideas are sifted and sorted, including a return to the city of the dead in the jungles just to get in there and root around for any spare coins – but that idea is mostly met with indifference...

After taking a month or so to prepare, the group launches their bid to end the threat of Akruel. A teleportation jaunt brings them to the vicinity and the group camps near the edge of the jungle. Despite the dangerous terrain and homicidal fauna, the group is comfortable in their portable spaces. Over the next few days they move southward and keep an eye out for the ‘boiling cloud of hate’ that dominates the sky over the Sepulchre of the Dead. Once they locate the general area, the Magnificent Malchor takes to the skies with the eagle eyes to take a closer look.

Information is gathered and plans are laid, discarded, unearthed and replanted, burnt down and eventually reconstituted. In the struggle between sneaking and frontal assault, the frontal assault gains the upper hand.

Flying thr...

Pondering a bit more, the group can’t decide whether to investigate the portal to wherever, to investigate the strange machines in the xorn-filled tunnels beneath or to try and crash the flying fortress to remove it as a danger. They start by crashing as many of the smaller islands as possible – excavating or destroying any green gems they find. This leaves a small handful aloft, as well as the castle complex. The debris plummet into the forest blow. Fore!

It is decided that investigating the strange machines may give further clues, so that path is taken. The first machine is guarded by a xorn, but it is swiftly slain. The machine appears to be used to create and send messages in different languages...

A good sleep and the idea to interrogate the corpses returns. The father is absolutely tight-lipped, saying only that he will not speak with assassins. Further inquiries yield nothing. In that case, it is off to survey the courtyard. Malchor spawns a flying head and goes to investigate the well shaft. Flying past the two black puddings lurking behind the crumbling wall, he goes about exploring everything that he can – finding xorn moving through passages, strange crystalline formations and odd machines.
A plundered treasure chamber and more xorn are all that can be found, so he returns to the party. They fire up the puddings and launch into a whirlwind tour of the remaining portions of the castle left unexplored...