Session 15 - The Ebon Aspect and Treasure Split

The door from the maze was smashed to flinders as a hulking figure menaced the shrine to Vecna. The temperature dropped, and goose bumps formed as the creature padded forward.
Feldnar cast a web spell through the main entrance and into the hallway to slow the unseen creature.
The Ebon Aspect ripped free of the webs and moved down a side passageway and thereby entered the shrine to Vecna via the side door. The adventurers felt an arctic blast as the creature squeezed through the door, and save the rasping breath whatever it was was completely invisible!
The fighters ran to meet the unseen beast. The creature broke its invisibility as it summoned a large spectral morning star, a spiritual weapon of dark power which immediately attacked Aarth. THe creature itself was 11 ft. tall, dark blue, 6 armed, though only 3 of which had claws, the other 3 ended in stumps. It's hairless fanged mouth and black dead eyes stared hatefully at the group. The creatures appearance startled and shook the heroes.
A savage fight ensued, Lath having been cornered fought to near death. Feldnar cast a scorching ray from a scroll to little effect. Stigand's acid aura also seemed to do little to the creature.
Worse yet, the Aspect did cold damage to those that injured it, and non-magical weapons had little effect on the beast. When it was finally destroyed it left a strange mark on the slayers, Aarths, hand. It also left behind a fist sized reflective black faceted stone.
The Ebon Aspect had destroyed the lift, though Melinde and Constance were at the top of the shaft with ropes to help haul the group out. After the group got out of the mine there was a scene with the head of the Militia, the head of the Heironean temple, the Mayor, Sheriff and Fellow Mine Operator Balabar Smenk. The group was lauded as heroes, and given the contents of the cult’s lair to cart off over the next few weeks. The mine owner Ragnolin Dourstone had disappeared days ago along with his bodyguard. Aarth tries to accuse Smenk of colluding with the Cult of the Ebon Triad. Smenk admits as much, explaining that is why he had Sheriff Cubbin talk the party of adventurers into destroying the cult. Smenk told how the cultists killed his head of operations to coerce him into supplying them and Dourstone. He cast Dourstone as a criminal.
The group buried Mouse and Mendax and had a small ceremony. The Mine Shack starts to be referred to as 'Mouse's House'.
The druid Terra hears of your groups accomplishments. Feldnar and her make some time together. She starts working on a small garden at Mouse's House.
The entire group talks at length with Allustan, who has been busy with rubbings taken from the Whispering Cairn. Allustan spoke at length about the origins of Vecna, and the distict possibility the cultists temple under Dourstone's Mine may have been a base used by Vecna or his followers while he was a mortal centuries ago. He also took a look at the black gem stone which was left behind after the death of the Ebon Aspect. He says it is a stone created by great extra-planar magics but not magical by itself. Stones like this are known as ‘Touchstones’ and can be used as a replacement for pearls in the spell identify and a replacement for other gemstones used in casting spells. It will diminished by successive castings until it is a lump of black rock. Allustan also spoke to Feldnar about his ‘Magical Thesis’ It is an arcane accomplishment which demonstrates the pupils budding mastery of magic.
Dulok Blitzhame, the leader of the triad of Drawven traders from Greysmere Covenant has a long drinking and tale telling session with Bornir and Moregrim. He tells them of his concerns about Ragnolin Dourstone's dissapearance. He is very interested in Dourstone's mine, since the drarves of Greysmere prize the mines iron ore which produces iron of a singular reddish hue.
Ellival Moonshadow treat Lath and Aarth to a lavish meal as they regale him with tales of the groups deeds against the Ebon Triad.
Ardgaal seeks the guidance of Amariss and Isolde at the Shrine of the Green Lady. He brings with him the dozen bottled green worms to show them.
Stigand chats with Terra the druidess and she invites him to seek out the company of other nature worshippers and woodsmen outside Diamond Lake at the Bronzewood lodge.
Azrael busily sets to using his merchant background to sell the treasure the group has recovered. Having the fewest friends in Diamond Lake he insures the group is not robbed by the criminals and low life thugs of Diamond Lake.