Session Fifty-Seven: Sudden Crisis

Note: For those unfamiliar with Dark Sun, psionics are called the Will for wild talents and the Way for trained psionicists.

After making sure all of the former slaves were comfortable, the group decided to keep watch. Back with the tari, the former slaves had generally worked at night, so they were not very tired. Most of them decided to keep watch with one member of the group.

Day 27, Week 2, Fortuary, Friend's Vengeance, 190th King's Age, Sun Descending

Long before the sun rose, the Lord of Arms woke Shade by screaming into his head. The Lord of Arms screamed for Shade too awaken. Shade asked what was wrong and the Lord of Arms replied that the gem that they were closest to was being moved south, toward Tyr.
Shade groaned and rose. He woke the rest of the group, except for Alaxander who was keeping watch, and told them what the Lord of Arms had told him. They were upset and did not want to abandon the slaves. The Lord of Arms said that the Ogre Doom kills more slaves everyday than live in the village. In addition, the gem was now in someone's possession who could track the group.
The group discussed the problem, but ultimately decided to go get the gem. Vashti created as much water as she could and poured it into the small natural cistern the group had discovered days earlier. Then, Kalino, with Vashti serving as translator, gave the slaves some advice for hit and run raids. He stressed not to openly attack the village, as they would lose.
Vashti used the way to see far into the distance and Julius used the way to link the minds of Vashti and Alaxander. Alaxander was then able to use the way to open a large dimension door to move the party fifty miles closer to the gemstone.
The Lord of Arms could then sense the direction of the next gemstone in more detail. Vashti used the way to look around in the range and direction the Lord of Arms indicated. Using the mind link trick again, the group was able to use the way and move even closer to the gemstone.
The group emerged into a ruin, open to the sky. They could all see that it was once a fortress of some kind. Shade, on the other hand recognized it immediately. He had been to the ruin before, at least his consciousness had been.
He had had a vision, where he was an ogre named Izig and was defending the fortress with a female ogre named Yazir. He saw the failure of the defense and the abandonment of the fortress. He told the group about his vision and that he was sure this was the same fortress.
The group traversed the ruins, guided by the Lord of Arms. The group entered a large, mostly intact building in the ruins, although it was open to the sky. There were six skeletons inside and they quickly attacked the group. Vashti was quick to raise her vial of holy water and command them to flee. Four of the skeletons crumbled to dust and the rest of the group made quick work of the remaining two.

Moving deeper into the ruins, the group saw a large horde of skeletons waiting for them. Some of the skeletons were archers. The majority of the skeletons were wielding bone shortswords, however.
Julius charged forward, which triggered a trap and teleported six, five foot long vipers around himself. He then used the way to make himself impervious to physical attack.
Vashti was quick to call out to her elemental lords and turn a few of the skeletons to dust. The rest of the group ran forward and formed a battle-line. This tactic prevented the skeletons from getting behind them and allowed them to support each other.
Jessel arrived through a dimension door during the fight. He turned some of the skeletons to dust and then used his stone maul to smash some of the undead warriors.
The fight was tough, but the group held a constant advantage and eliminated their foes. Once the last of their adversaries had fallen, they heard clapping. Alaxander was the first to see Abu watching them. He was not alone, he had four other individuals with him.
Abu was pleasant and asked them for their gem. They politely refused and Abu said he knew they would. They began asking many questions, many of which Abu responded that he could not answer.

Jessel asked Abu if he would assist them, if his magical ties to Kalak was gone. Abu told them he would love to assist them, but he doubted he would be able to if the magical tie too his master was broken. The group was confused by his answer, but trusted that he was telling the truth.
Abu grabbed his head in pain and apologized to the group. He looked to one of his minions and said that time was up. 
At the same moment, while holding the smooth stone, Jessel said, "I wish you were free of whatever is compelling you."
Abu stopped talking and looked at the group in surprise. Everyone watched as Abu's skin began turning gray and dark cracks formed in his skin. He smiled.
Abu spoke, "I did not think that even you were that good. Thank you, my friends. Thank you."
Then Abu's body crumbled to dust and  everything he was wearing fell to the ground.

Join us in two weeks for another exciting episode of Adventures Under the Dark Sun. 
2nd edition AD&D Dark Sun Cast of Player Characters 
Julius: Human male psychokinetic. 22 years old. Played by Dave. Speaks Balican, Tyrian, and Giant. Alaxander: Human male psychokinetic. 18 years old. Played by Ben. Speaks Balican, Tyrian, and Elf. Vashti: Human female clairsentient/water cleric. 20 years old. Played by my wife. Speaks Nibnese, Gith, Tyrian, Balican, and Urikite. 
Shade: Half-Elf male ranger/thief, 18 years old. Played by Chad. Speaks Balican, Elf and Tyrian. Kalino: Human male fighter/preserver. 20 years old. Party NPC. Speaks Rammin, Tyrian, and Balican.
Special Guest Star: Jessel: Half-Giant male earth cleric. 30 years old. Played by Nate. Speaks Giant and Tyrian.