Part 8. Flame Disciples Ring.
Deep within the walls of New Tunaria I once again located Cenrennhir, and showed him what I had found.
Cerennhir Aelindel exclaimed loudly: "By the gods! You've found Cor Gollor ed'Lhach! Though... it no longer radiates the power it once possessed, does it?"
After asking him not to draw attention to our meeting, I asked if he could help me restore its former enchantment.
Cerennhir smiled, "As a matter of fact, I can. If you remember, I told you that your retrieval of the Codex Bragallich Tel'llach would be relevant to the task of discovering the fate of Arendahr and Isilwen."
I waited for him to continue, "I have reason to believe that Arendahr himself used Codex Bragallich Tel'llach to empower this ring."
I asked "Can you discern the sort of enchantment he placed on the ring now that you possess the Codex once more?"
Cerennhir responded he could and I passed him the ring.
The Renda’dal began examining the ring, and asked me to move away whilst he did his enchantments, in case something went awry. I agreed, although I felt he was being overly dramatic.
After a short wait he came over, "There, it is done; however, the ring does not appear to possess the empowerment it once held."
"So you were only partly successful?" I asked, trying to hide my annoyance.
“Yes, unfortunately. I'm sorry I cannot assist you further. It appears that Arendahr sought additional help from another source to further empower the ring.”
In tried to find out who, but Cerennhir continued his ramblings by saying "It seems that Arendahr sought to add additional dynamism through some sort of divine source. Other than that, I don't know what else to tell you.”
"I guess I'll have to find this unknown source." I muttered under my breath.
Unbeknownst to Cerennhir I already had idea where this once great fiery ring could be empowered. Even though it meant returning to a place I did not have fond memories of. Lavastorm, the ashen wasteland dominated with volcanic activity, and religious zealots of Solusek Ro.
I set out to lavastorm early the next day, I would have to travel by ship for this part of my journey, as there were no active Ulterean Spires of teleportation, and no druid rings either. So this part of the expedition would be done the slow way. I chartered a ship from Freeport to Lavastorm.
After many days of journeying, the great volcano and island of Lavastorm came into view. Once I landed I would make my way through this barren and ashen wasteland to the temple of Solusek Ro, the god of fire. If I can persuade one of the less devout priests to assist me, then it would be more efficient than coercing someone who is strong of faith.
We made land fall at the docks, and I summoned a veil of invisibility and began the long trek to the temple high up on the slopes of the volcano, over narrow rocky bridges, where fiery death flowed beneath, past lizards and stranger creatures that made there home in this desolate, lifeless land.
The sootfoot goblins that made their home on the slopes of the great volcano were easily avoided, there seemed more interested in mining precious ore than stopping anyone progress further. Nevertheless I gave them a wide birth in case my invisibility faulted whilst I was near them.
Many hours had passed and I finally came upon the Temple of Solusek Ro, the entrance way surrounded by a moat of bubbling Lava, with a few large stepping stones protruding from the molten lake before me. I used these stones and nimbly made my way to the steps of the temple, past the oblivious guards and into the underground temple.
I searched for sometime through the hallways and rooms of this stiflingly heat of the temple to the fire god. Eventually I dared to speak to a lone the priest, on a platform in the centre of the temple.
I hailed the robed priest, but instead of calling the guards he replied, seemingly unconcerned by my presence. He introduced himself as Maelius Irenaeus and asked, "Have you come to purge your transgressions in the cleansing fires of Solusek Ro's great temple?"
Feeling brash, I stepped boldly forward and showed him the ring in the palm of my hand and said, "Actually, I was wondering if you could take a look at this ring and restore the divine enchantment it once held."
With Maelius Irenaeus’ curiosity piqued he spoke again "a curious trinket indeed. Already, I can see a base level of dynamism coursing through the band. Although... if you look carefully at these markings you can see that this band was once blessed by the Burning Prince!"
"Can you place Solusek Ro's blessing upon this ring?" I asked the priest.
Maelius replied, "Solusek Ro's blessing is not merely handed out to just anyone. A measure of worthiness must be demonstrated before such an invaluable gift is given out."
I nodded in agreement and asked how can I prove my worthiness to Solusek Ro?
"A demonstration of how passionate you are to receive his blessing should suffice. If you are able to stand up to Solusek Ro's great champion, Pyroklastanar, and defeat him, I will personally bless the ring in the name of the Burning Prince."
"I will defeat Solusek's Champion and prove my worthiness!"
Maelius Irenaeus says to you, "Very well. Let the challenge begin!"
The conjured champion was a lava construct with fiery magic at its disposal; the battle was short, brutal and inelegant. After the battle was over I picked myself off the stone floor, covered in smouldering rubble. Soot filled the air and my lungs burned from the heat. My robes were badly damaged and burned, but I was worse, bloody and burnt I picked myself up and stood defiantly in front of Maelius.
Maelius Irenaeus seemed impressed at my survival "Where others have faltered, you have prospered. Defeating Pyroklastanar is no easy undertaking. I congratulate you."
Trying to regain some modicum of composure I thanked him and asked if he would bless the ring now?
"Indeed, as you have certainly proved your worthiness. Please give me the ring."
I passed forth the ring, and the priest took it into his palm closing his fingers around it. Energy crackled around his clenched fist as he uttered his blessing.
"May Solusek Ro, son of Fennin Ro, master of the sun, arbiter of all magic bless this ring. May it burn always with the power of a thousands suns. In your name, we pray for your continual guidance and wisdom!"
His prayers finished he passed the ring back to me, which now visibly radiated power.
I thanked the Maelius, and he in turn bid me good day.
Clutching the warm trinket I moved away and uttered a spell recalling. Arcane energy whirled about me as I traced my path home, to neriak once more, and located some magical healing potions before slipping into a deep slumber.
The next day came, my injuries tended too, I decided to make the trip to Maj’dul, in order to report my findings to the astronomer Jaestin Chaldean.
I soon found the sorcerer astronomer in the tower of the moon again, pouring over maps that displayed the layout and position of stars in the night sky. I was curious as to what he was doing, but did not wish to get sidetracked. I will come back another time to inquire about that I decided.
I hailed him to get his attention.
Jaestin recalled my name immediately and inquired how the search to find the fate of Arendahr and Isilwen?"
Not having the heart to tell him I had no interest in the two estranged lovers I said
"I have found Cor Gollor ed'Lhach!"
Jaestin Chaldean responded "Amazing. Simply amazing! Despite it being like a needle in a haystack... filled with iksars, dragons and who knows what else, you have managed to find Arendahr's ring. You do know what this means, right?"
I looked at him quizzically.
Jaestin Chaldean says to you, "Isilwen's ring must also exist! You must find it! Cor Per'Edhel ed'Hegel, the ring of frost is out there somewhere. Go now, and find it! Return to me when you do and we can try to learn more about the rings."
I left the over excited astronomer to go back to his work, as I had more work ahead of me too.