Session 7, VP1

With Sol's Bed shaking beneath them, Naivara and Bergie began to run back down the mountainside, only stopping when they realized that Gunnar wasn't with them. Gunnar watched as a large domed form rose from the ashen "lake" and surged towards him. With a roar, a massive Hippowdon, its shell leaking soot instead of sand, leapt into the air and crashed down in front of him. Clearly it had been awoken during the massive Sandstorm move Skeldr had used. Gunnar waved and said "Hello!" to the Pokemon. With a sigh, Naivara and Bergie turned back, not willing to leave their friend alone.

They crested the caldera just in time to see the Hippowdon grab Gunnar by the leg and slam him into the ground repeatedly. It threw him forcefully away, and he rolled to a stop at their feet. Working together, the party made quick work of the furious creature with a succession of Critical Hits. Rhonda finished the battle by getting her horn beneath the Hippowdon, and launching it over the caldera. Unconscious, the Hippowdon bounced down the mountainside. Hoping to move on before anything else crazy appeared, the party descended to the base of the volcano, back into Sindri's Kiln. They decided to travel North, towards Forgerun.

Along their trek, they encountered several Pokemon hiding beneath the ash covering the fields, playing games of tag. After managing to peacefully engage with a few of them, the party was them attacked by the remaining Pokemon. Gunnar and Mary had difficulty facing off against a Drifloon, as their attacks proved ineffective. The party managed to fend off their assailants, and continued onwards until they reached the shores of Iokul Lake.

As night was approaching, the party decided to take camp along the water's edge, where the peaceful waves lulled them to sleep. In the morning, Gunnar and Bergie swam around in the lake some, and Bergie attempted to lure in a Totodile using bits of bread thrown into the lake. Bergie was having a small measure of success, but the Totodile eventually returned to the depths, either full or too leery to stick around. Stompy discovered that he quite enjoyed standing in shallow water, and the flames on his ankles created a sort of natural hot springs that the party enjoyed.

Gunnar tried to teach Skeldr how to swim, but Skeldr was much too wary of the water to give it a try. After drying off, the party continued Northwards for a few more hours, before reaching the small town of Forgerun.

Populated by squat thatch-roofed buildings, the town had a welcoming air. As the party approached, they could smell wood smoke, with hints of cinnamon, and heard the ringing of hammers on metal. Shortly after entering the town, a kind townsfolk offered them a kebab of roast vegetables, which they enjoyed as they explored the town.

Seeing a very tall building somewhere to the East edge of town, they decided to investigate, discovering it to be a temple devoted to Baldur. Bergie got some candles off of a nearby merchant, free of charge, and the party entered into the temple. The ceiling and main wall were decorated with murals depicting Baldur, with the shapes of his signature Pokemon around him. Behind his head, large moth-like wings could be seen forming a corona around him. One of his hands held what appeared to be a living lantern of sorts, glowing with spectral fire. Above and behind him, the Sun was depicted, with two massive wings coming out of it.

After the trio lit candles in respect of Baldur, Gunnar read some of the story and lore of Baldur written in Runic on the sidewalls, as Naivara examined the Runes she was familiar with from fortunretelling. Bergie and Stompy sat quietly off to the side, where Bergie began having a conversation with his patron God. As he retold the adventures he had experienced so far on his journey, he felt his spirits lighten a bit.

The party then left the temple to find a blacksmith. Wandering around the northern edge of town, they followed the loudest metallic beats they could hear. This led them to a young man putting the finishing touches on a metal pauldron. After finishing his work, he introduced himself to the party as Brunick, and invited them inside to join him for dinner. Over the meal, they discussed a bit of the party's travels, and Bergie commissioned a shield from Brunick. Feeling emboldened by the town's hospitality, Bergie decided to show his mystic flames to Brunick.

Brunick was surprised, but not shocked, and mentioned that he had heard his grandparents tell tales of such events when he was a child. He further explained that his grandparents had hailed from Harbinger Valley, and that, perhaps, the residents there may know a bit more. Naivara began making it quite clear that she was interested in Brunick, but he was oblivious to her flirtations. Before they left, Brunick explained that he was the Fire type Gym Leader in Vanachrom, and would love to challenge them to a battle the next day. The party readily agreed, before heading to the Pokemon Center to recover and switch their parties. Once prepared, they bedded down at the local inn.

In the middle of the night, Gunnar paid his thanks to their gracious host. As dawn washed over the town, Gunnar visited the Southern edge of Forgerun, where there was a bit more farmland. He hired a local blacksmith there to craft horseshoes for Mary, before returning to the courtyard in the center of the town. There he found a small wooden board with paper postings asking for hired help. Naivara and Bergie left the inn, and found Gunnar in front of the board. Suddenly, Brunick appeared behind them, wearing a large fire-themed mantle. With a flourish, he led them to a small stage-like arena on the Western edge of town. Brunick explained the rules of the Gym Battle to the party, and engaged all three of them in combat at once.

Each of our heroes fought against two of his Pokemon, and though some of them were difficult to overcome, in the end the party prevailed. In recognition of their victory, Brunick gave them the Torchbearer Rune, as well as a gift of the TM for Sunny Day. Naivara continued her attempts to flirt with Brunick, but was unsuccessful. Before seeing the party off and returning to his forge, Brunick delivered the commissioned shield to Bergie. He mentioned that he hoped to see the party visit again when the annual Fire Festival is held, and bid them farewell.

The party decided to stick around in town for at least a few more days, giving them time to respond to the help wanted signs. A dark stormcloud is brewing overhead, and looks to break sometime soon.