Although we would have to wait until the next full moon we decided to go back to the area today to see if we can find the spot. Around the frozen lake/swamp we search in a unsuccessful attempt to figure out the path to Xin Shalast. Breathing was difficult and it was clearly draining away our strength. Luckily for us rope trick provided relief from the thin air. After spending the day and part of the evening trying to figure out how to find the way we decided to leave.

Trask attempted a teleport but found that it failed. A quick test with dimension door pointed out that there was something blocking teleport out of the area, the same thing likely would prevent teleport back into the area. Since wind walk was gone we decided to each use our own method to get down the mountain. I glanced over to kane and just said “you coming?”. I later found out that the others were still deciding on the best course of action. After the rest of them caught up with us several miles down river we had discovered that Nolan and Rigal were missing. We made it back to the frozen lake again and discovered the two of them trying to get warm and greatly affected by the thin air. Trask created a rope trick and we waited until morning to try once again to get out with a full range of spells. Even with wind walk we looped around a couple of times. We decided that we would all watch and follow Takkad out so that we make sure we are all together. We found a good place nearby for a teleport spot outside the crazy confusion area.

Now that we have scouted the area we have decided to come back the day before the full moon. Most of us have decided to get magic items to help with the breathing. The ioun stones were very expensive and I now feel very poor. Luckily Takkad was kind enough to buy me the focus for “sign of Wrath”, a loan. With time I was able to learn a number of new 6^th level spells. Given the lack of funds I had to skip over spells that require the purchase of expensive focus to cast or require expensive materials. Although I could not pass up the spell true seeing even though I cannot afford the 250gp for the spell material. Instead I created 5 scrolls of Blood Money and have to hope that Takkad and Kane are willing to heal the damage and restore the lost point of health. I have determines that I can use Blood Money once for materials less than 500gp without affecting combat abilities. Given the Karzoug’s fondness for transmutation I have made a point to make sure to learn stone to flesh. Trask should still have the scroll so this will make it so that two of us have the ability just in case. The domineering weapons will protect us from 3 attempts to harm us with transmutation so this should just be a backup plan.

With all of the previous scouting the teleport back to the spot just down river of the lake was easy.  >From there we once again Wind walked back to the lake early in the day so that we would have plenty of time before moon rise. Takkad chose to sustain from food for days before moonrise to ensure that at least one person was in the proper state of mind. Turns out that he was able to see the path outlines by the moon light where as the rest of us could not. We found out later that true seeing would have also shown the path. Our new half naked friend was somehow getting information about us from her fey cousins down in the swamp. I clearly don’t understand these fey folk but she guided us down the path until the path narrows into an obvious trap point. Off in the distance we could see what looked to be fire light coming from a cave. Arcane eye showed that the cave was occupied by a group of giants and further checking of the other side showed another group of giants. It looks as if this is a great spot to throw/drop large rock onto anyone that dared to pass. Moving on down the road I found Xin Shalast. The glow of the fires in the city indicated that there are numerous creatures in the city. I could not tell if there are hundreds or thousands in the city. It could also be that they have every burning torch’s so it looked heavily occupied. About this time the arcane eye ended so I was not able to get into the city.

Rigal and Nolan had decided to not purchase magic items to help with the thin air so Trask took them back to the city so that each of them could purchase a necklace of adaptation.  This should have been a quick trip but Trask used up all of his available spell slots trying to successfully teleport to the city and back so they had to stay in the city over night. I don’t want to wait until morning we should be pushing forward but here we are waiting for there return. I have invisibility plus dimension door/teleport that I could use today so maybe I should scout ahead, find out some information. I could be back before the other return. But Karzoug may actually know that we are here so we should keep together.