The Temple Steppes were overrun with powerful Sturmbeorn, corruption causing them to become even more massive and aggressive than before. Packs of them wandered all over the place, and between these foreigners and the undead, Malia and I were engaged in combat more often than not. Everything seemed to be twisted by the Alchemist's passing, though perhaps something deeper was at work here; Malia had said this was coming for some time.
Not long after we left the pass into this part of the Steppes, we encountered a phase beast. It was easy enough to defeat, largely because it kept trying to get away. Once it fell, a portal opened before us, and after a few minutes discussion, we decided to enter the portal.
We found ourselves upon an island that had a crumbling stone pier reaching out into a vast body of water. When we approached it, more worn stones rose up out of the water; the further we walked, the more stones appeared, though sometimes they changed direction on us. Malia decided that this place was a puzzle, a maze of some sort, and took the lead.
After a bit of trial and error, we found ourselves on a second island. There was a large, crumbling fountain on it, and there was some sort of gem that had fallen out of it. It radiated with power, so we took it with us before making our way back to the stone pier. Within a few minutes, Malia had figured out a path to a third island, though it was all just disorienting to me.
Here we found a few statues, one of which had another of the strange gems cupped in it's hands. It was easy enough to remove, and we carefully wrapped it in cloth before putting it in our packs. Even through the fabric, the energy was strong and confusing. Before giving me much time to contemplate it, Malia was off again, blazing trails to the fourth island.
This island was largely empty, so we stopped for a rest and partook of some of the rations the Estherian woman we helped gave us. While the maze was giving me a headache, Malia was quite delighted with it, and wished she had thought of something like this herself; it was a stark reminder that my companion was once one of the devils that haunted the mines of Torchlight. Clearly, she was still something of a sadist.
Once we were finished, the rather giddy Malia lead us along several dizzying paths to a fifth island. Here we found a smaller statue clutching a gem similar to the other we had found, and after a bit of forceful negotiations, we had the second stone. And then she was off again, exploring the maze with rapt fascination and dizzying decisions.
Upon the fifth island, we found a group of lost Sturmbeorn, whom immediately attacked us; they were not much of a challenge, as they had likely been in this strange realm for some time. They barely managed to put up anything one could call a fight. Without even stopping to catch our breath, Malia went right off for the next stone pier, and I was forced to continue following her madness.
After another dizzying round of trial and error, we found ourselves upon what appeared to be the last isle. There were three statues arranged in a semi-circle, all with their hands cupped in such a manner that they could hold one gem perfectly. We set the three gems into place, and there was a blinding flash of light; when we regained our sight, we found an elaborate golden chest amid the statues. It was filled with gold coins, and a pair of Ember specks that were quite useful; as soon as we opened it, a portal appeared.
Taking our chances, we stepped through the portal.
This was an awesome bit of storytelling my bardic friend. I thak you for your time and send you a cup of mead made from the darkest most flavorful honey in the realm. Now only if your friend was with me....I hate mazes.
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