======Forty-seventh session - 3 December 2004 - Respite (with Shopping)======

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In attendance:

| Chris | [[Roderick]] | Cleric/11 |
| Dave  | [[Aramil]]   | Ranger/11 |
| Jim   | [[Bigby]]    | Wizard/11 |
| Ken   | [[Ursa]]     | Cleric/5, Monk/5 |
| Val   | [[Kesi]]     | Monk/11 |

With the battle against the Grimlocks and their Slaad leader over, the party
settles down to plan their next action.  While [[Roderick]] is able to raise [[Kesi]]
from the dead, he needs diamonds to cast the spell.  Meanwhile, nobody is sure
how to get [[Bigby]] fixed.

[[Roderick]] cast some heal spells on the others, then casts a Sending spell to
contact Sorgul.  In the allotted time, he explains [[Bigby]]'s condition and asks for
advice.  Sorgul responds that he will research the matter and contact [[Roderick]]
in an hour.

After an hour, Sorgul scrys [[Roderick]] with Edric's Mirror and casts a Message
spell to allow two-way communication.  He explains that there is a Dwarven
wizardess in Clangdun named Gunnas who runs a magic shop in the inner city.  She
is well skilled in the transmutation of stone to flesh and has the ability to
restore [[Bigby]].  However, she will likely require extensive payment.  The only
other alternative that Sorgul considers viable is an acquaintance in Rota.
However, his skill is not as great as Gunnas' and despite her deeply dwarven
capitalist streak, Sorgul feels she is the better alternative.

In the time remaining for the Message spell, the two clerics begin a
philosophical discussion about the nature of man's role in the gods' plans.
[[Roderick]] introduces [[Ursa]] to Sorgul, and the two have a substantive discussion
about the fate of the Babylonian gods.  It turns out that Sorgul has been to the
world those gods chose as their home.  However, what was once a lush paradise
was stolen by the Godslayer and turned into an alien realm with poisonous air.
Or at least it was when Sorgul was forced to flee, leaving Lord Ozzie behind to
battle the Godslayer.  The gods believe that battle ended with both combatants
destroyed, but without any evidence, Sorgul still has his doubts.

[[Roderick]] devises a plan to carry [[Bigby]] to Clangdun using his newly-acquired Wind
Walk spell.  However, as he cannot prepare that spell until the next morning,
the party relocates to the base of the spiral stairs to rest for the night.
During the night, the Skum that inhabit the icy river keep periodic watch on the
party.

The next morning, August 19th, [[Roderick]] prays for his spells.  As he cannot
bring the entire party with him to Clangdun, [[Pavo]] and Dru opt to stay behind.
[[Roderick]] then casts a Status spell on [[Pavo]], Dru, and the statue of [[Bigby]],
followed by an Endure Elements (Cold) on those who will be traveling with him.
Finally, he casts Wind Walk and Find the Path and heads to Clangdun.

The spell allows the group (including the 500 pound [[Bigby]]) to ascend the spiral
stairs with ease.  [[Pavo]] and Dru, however, have to do it the hard way.  Once
outside, the fliers wave their goodbyes and head over the mountain toward the
dwarven city.  Once in the air, [[Aramil]] studies the land and can see the scars of
two distinct earthquakes - one that slashes across the ridge of the old city,
and another, smaller one, that seems focused on the mines they just left.

The flight over the mountain takes less than a half hour, and since the spell
lasts all day, the group decides to return to the old city to retrieve the
mundane Frost Giant treasure that they hid earlier.  However, first, they rent a
room at the inn, exchange some gems for diamonds, and [[Roderick]] casts a Raise
Dead spell on [[Kesi]].

Later that day, for 100 gold pieces, [[Roderick]] buys a day pass to get into the
inner city to see Gunnas.  As soon as [[Roderick]] introduces himself, Gunnas asks
him about his soul gem.  She asks where it was found and expresses her surprise
that she should see not one - but two such rare objects in the course of a week.
She further explains that one such gem was sold recently to a wizard of her
acquaintance in Farflen.  This revelation shocks [[Roderick]], who asks is she can
find out more about the seller.  She agrees to find out what she can for a
modest fee of 100 gold pieces.

The Stone to Flesh spell will cost [[Roderick]] 2,000 gold pieces.  He sells her a
magical Warhammer for 4,000 gold pieces - and asks for the change in diamonds.
She agrees and instructs [[Roderick]] to bring [[Bigby]] the next day and they will
complete the transaction.  She also gives him complimentary day passes for the
rest of the party.

The next day, August 20th, the party enters the inner city to meet Gunnas.  She
has some of her guards bring [[Bigby]]'s statue into her shop.  She explains that
the transmutation from stone back to flesh is extremely difficult and that [[Bigby]]
may not survive the ordeal.  [[Roderick]] suggests that he can cast some protective
spells to lessen the danger.

Gunnas' first spell is one that [[Roderick]] does not recognize.  She then allows
[[Roderick]] and [[Ursa]] time to cast their protective spells before casting the main
transmutation.  The spell is successful and [[Bigby]] springs to life, still
shouting out a caution about the Slaad!

After some additional business is conducted with Gunnas, the party returns
to the human village outside.  At the end of the day, [[Roderick]] casts a Word
of Recall to rejoin [[Pavo]] and Dru and camps with them for the night.

On August 21st, [[Roderick]] brings [[Pavo]] and Dru back to Clangdun with another Wind
Walk spell.  Meanwhile, [[Bigby]] goes through the items retrieved from the
Grimlocks and casts his Identify spells to determine what they are.

XP awarded: 825 for [[Aramil]], [[Bigby]], [[Kesi]], and [[Roderick]]; 1,000 for [[Ursa]].