“So, Miss Harrell, would know anything about this archwizard, or the magical artifacts that these creatures are referring to?” Kazri wonders out loud.

"Mn. It certainly would make sense, as the deities of the realm do -- to varying degrees, according to Brother Vixixx -- are a touch restricted in their activities upon the material plane. What with the other various powers that be to ever contend with and divide any efforts and dominating the lands beyond just the teachings of their supplicants." Rhogar waves a hand dismissively in the air, then spared the Nothics one last look and a thankful bow before following after the others.

"Either way, we'll need to find a way past the ward through this supposed ritual of there's. And though they've been helpful, I doubt those fellows recall the intricate nature of such thing to any credible degree. But we'll doubtless come across some records while exploring the city proper. We'll just have to be mindful of these hands, the drow, and whatever else might yet prowl the city proper." He affirms.

"No, I know very little myself." Vellynne answers Kazri.  "Professor Skant, the orb, knows much more about the Netherese and the Empire of Netheril.  Feel free to ask him, he will be more than happy to share his vast knowledge with you." she rolls her uncovered eye as she clearly shares your poor opinion of the professor orb.  

You begin your way down the passage that leads to your destination. This tunnel of ice cuts through the glacier for almost a mile before ending at the great ice cavern that contains Ythryn.

The tunnel opens into a vast grotto enclosed by gleaming ice. Consigned to this frozen sepulcher is a fantastic city sculpted by ancient magic and illuminated in a haunting way by green and purple lights that shed no warmth. The city is slightly tilted, its spires leaning away from you as though recoiling from your presence.

You stand atop a causeway of frost-covered ice that stretches toward the city like the dead, frozen tongue of some hideous behemoth out of whose mouth you’ve just stepped. Because the city is magically lit, you can see almost all of it from your vantage point on the ice bridge.

A naturally formed causeway of solid ice leads to the city. As you approach the end of the causeway green and purple lights cast an otherworldly glow upon the frost draping the silent city. Clawing spires, broken domes, and steeples leaning at odd angles surround a huge citadel.

At the foot of the causeway, a giant statue lies prone and motionless, its surfaces gleaming with rime.

The statue at the end of the causeway is 21 feet tall. It looks like this but is a lifeless stone statue. 

Y2 - Several crooked spires branch off the enclave’s perimeter wall, with bridges leading to their entrances.

You can indicate from the marked points on the map where you want to go.

With a heavy sigh in response to Vellynne's retort. "Ok Professor. What do we have here? Perhaps a recapitulation of what this Ythryn is could help us make informed decisions before going in blind." Says Kazri without looking at the orb, but staring the the ancient citadel.

Chill gazed over the city, studying it's features and noting locations that may seem more important that others.  He especially tries to see if anything moves or if all appears unmoving.

Perception 17

"I do not like that grotesque statue over there, if possible, we should avoid getting closer to it. It could be enchanted. says Krom as Chill scans the area and Kazri asks the Professor for more information.

"Oh. My. Goodness.... So this was -- is Ythrn." As if in a trance, Rhogar strode out ahead of the group by only a couple feet, and looked about the cavern with his mouth agape more often than not. "I've... We've... Yes. Y-yes, uh, good point, Lady Kazri. Perhaps a recounting of where the equivalency of a library in the city would be in order from the professor. But what is this about a sta--oh my me!" The dragonborn takes an involuntary step, finally noting the statue towards the end.

"That uh... hmn.... well mentioned, Master Krom. Best we find not out the hardway if this supposed statue is similar in kind to that golem's head we found. Though of course, less inclined to be informative given its rather brutish design." He says, before then looking again out to the city. "Though it would be just our luck if there are more of its ilk yet roaming about or standing active vigil in the city proper."

"Ah, in need of my help again eh?  

The Empire of Netheril arose more than five thousand years ago. Those who follow the Dalereckoning calendar would place the date of Netheril’s birth at −3859 DR.

The Netherese legacy began with the discovery of the Nether Scrolls. These long, golden scrolls taught Netherese arcanists how to wield magic beyond their wildest fantasies. It took centuries, but the Netherese who mastered the power of the Nether Scrolls became a ruling class, living on great flying cities or taking refuge in remote, subterranean lairs.

Despite their great power, the Netherese faced a growing threat. Under the heart of their empire lived spellcasting aberrations called phaerimm. Using their ability to drain magic, the phaerimm began to unravel the Weave, without which Netheril would collapse into ruin. In −339 DR, four years after the fall of Ythryn, the empire’s most powerful arcanist, Karsus, attempted to neutralize the phaerimm threat by casting a spell of unparalleled power that would enable him to replace Mystryl as the god of magic, giving him absolute control over the Weave. Mystryl countered Karsus at a key moment during the casting of the spell, a feat she could accomplish only by sacrificing herself and tearing the Weave. Karsus was slain instantly, and for a time thereafter, most of the creatures of the world were either without magic or simply unable to control it.

Without great magic to keep them aloft, the remaining flying cities of Netheril crashed to the ground, and many arcanists who survived were driven mad. Once magic came back into use, Netherese arcanists could no longer cast their mightiest spells as they had before, forcing them to resort to traditional wizardry. Four hundred years after Karsus cast his spell, the Netherese empire was no more—crushed by its enemies and undone by its own hubris."

Vellynne does, after some consideration while you walk the mile long passage speak up. "I have been thinking and I believe the mythallar is what you seek.  It is a device that will allow us to access to vast amounts of raw magic that you can use to end the endless winter.  As I told you when I first requested your help, this city holds magical items of vast power that you may be able to use to end the endless wimter that has fallen on this region."

Chill looks over the city.  He sees nothing moving. The city is so alien it is hard to tell what is interesting and what is normal. To west is what appears to be an arboretum, a placw where trees appear to be growing.

"Professor, you mentioned that the creatures warned us that 'One must perform a ritual in order to enter the central spire'? You also mentioned about an archwizard. Are you able to 'enlighten' us on that as well?" Kazri ask the Professor while keeping an eye on the statue. She approaches Rhogar. "Mr. Nimbatuul, do you mean to say that we may have to fight those things in the citadel?"

"The city, even if lost and forgotten by many, still has defenses and guardians, Kazri, I doubt that they will allow to roam freely. We will have to fight our way through." Says the dwarf before continuing "Finding the library should allow us to locate the mythallar and possibly a safe spot that we may use later should be our priority."

"Alas, I do not know anything specific about this city, or what wizard, or archwizard would have ruled it." The orb answered Kazri. "This Iriolarthas would have been one who mastered the power of the Nether Scrolls and part of the ruling class.  This would be his great flying city.  If he is nothing more than a skull it would likely mean he was a lich and is now a demilich."

(OOC: I thought I posted before, but looking through tabs, I'm realizing I never actually hit the button... DOH!)

With Krom doing well enough in answering Kazri, Rhogar can but grin weakly and gesture over to the dwarf in a show of agreement to the first point. But as he's about to add to the second, he finds himself pausing and half-heartedly glaring at the Orb, silently blaming it for his own brief hesitance to speak. But as the professor's words truly began to register, Rhogar's eyes went wide for a moment, and then narrowed as he looked away. "Hmn... Either or will certainly complicate things to say the least." He half-mutters to himself.

"But be that still as it may-" He continues aloud. "We should hopefully not run into him any time soon, or expect to for that matter, considering we weren't immediately assailed with other vicious magics or illusory warnings for coming even this close to the city. Though then again, perhaps he feels self secured enough not to worry about hopeless visitors, so long as they do not try to reach the Mythallar. Which speaking of, I suspect--" He points towards the central tower. "Will likely be there and beyond our reach until we figure out this ritual. But enough of this gabbing, hmming, and hawing. I say we cut through that section(Y5) over there and head straight for what looks to be an Arbotorium, provided we see no buildings that 'scream' library along the way. Agreed?"

"Then with any luck, we might yet find an ally, if not simply a helpful soul in another dryad bound to this place. Though-" He holds up a finger in a halting gesture. "We should take special care, I remind, to be wary of any more attempts at beguilement from such a creature.

Chill continued gazing over the city.

"Any place is a good place to start.  We need to figure out what this ritual is. We'll never know unless we start looking around.  Any direction works for me."

Chill is ready to follow the others.

"I agree, we have to start exploring from somewhere, let's head towards that groove." Nods Krom as he prepares to follow the others. "Be on your guard my friends, we do not know what we may encounter."     

"Very well then. Oli and I will take point." Says Kazri signaling to Oli they are moving out.

(@DM is Oli still a Young Snowy Owlbear? I think he's going to be a little more active in combat from now on.)

Quote from Wolfy911 >>

(@DM is Oli still a Young Snowy Owlbear? I think he's going to be a little more active in combat from now on.)

 Currently, yes

Rhogar lays out an initial plan.  With the whole city before you and no real information on where to start any direction at this point works.  As you make your way into the city you get a better look at it.  You see that most of the city’s buildings are swathed in ice and ruined by time. It is likely that many of its districts were pulverized when Ythryn plunged from the sky, and the rest have fallen into disrepair in the centuries since.

As you pick your way through the city you come across a building that is different from the others and catches your attention.

A portcullis sits askew in the 40-foot-wide, 30-foot-tall archway that serves as the only entrance to this square building.  You have not seen other portcullis, and such a feature would indicate it was there to protect something. To either keep people out, or keep people in.

Do you explore or continue?

Krom points at the peculiar building with the portcullis "It may be worth to explore that building, it could still hold valuable information." The dwarf adjusts the grip on his weapons, "Let's proceed with caution."     

"I agree Krom.  This building is different from the others.  And as there seems to be a lot of damage to this city any building that can still be entered is worth exploring."

@DM - are there any other buildings as we go along that could also be entered?  I mean besides those marked on the map.

"Mn. I don't see why not! A bit of exploring is sort of the name of the game at the moment anyhow." Rhogar said before letting out a chuckle. "And who knows, maybe our drow friends thought to it still defensible enough to make a sort of home base out of it." The dragonborn concludes, and would readily take point or just about do so in approaching the building if none are opposed to the idea. Though once the group are closer to the portcullis, he'd take a moment to study its surface for any signs of runes or the like that might suggest more magical reinforcement having at least originally imbued the bars.

-Investigation: 9. (or +6 if able to skip right to Arcana skill check)