At the insurrectionists' headquarters, the party spends some time questioning Jude Blackstone further. After some debate, they decide to once again investigate the so-called Whorl Engine beyond the Typhon Mountains, which could hold the key to discovering the true Plan of Pas and saving the inhabitants of the dying Whorl. Armed with the map torn from Roondar's diary, they have their path laid before them--provided that they can decipher the hieroglyphs on the lower half of the map.
After procuring supplies and provisions from the insurrectionists, the party embarks on their journey west. Exploring the razed halfling town of Old Tyndale, they attempt to recall their time here or anything associated with their quest. Upon serious reflection, Roondar recalls that he spent much time discussing the local folklore both with the village elders and some of the younger halflings who perhaps did not take the old timers' taboos as seriously. He remembers that the halflings spoke of a "fallen goddess," known to them as the Medusa, who long ago made her lair on the far side of Nessus, within the Valley of Petrified Soldiers. This valley was considered quite dangerous by the halflings, and not even the bravest had ventured there in living memory.
Memories also return to Carric, who remembers the name Cora Brushgather, a young halfling woman with whom he spent some time while the party had been staying in Old Tyndale weeks ago. He can't recall details, but this loss fills him with a desire to seek revenge on those who destroyed the village.
After another few hours on the road, the party reaches the abandoned city of Nessus: an ancient metropolis that seems to have been destroyed by some tremendous cataclysm in the distant past. The party makes camp among the ruins, where the utter stillness of the dead city around them makes for an oppressive overnight.
The next morning Carric dextrously clambers up one of the taller ruins left standing and spies a valley to the north, nestled against the edge of the Typhon Mountains. After telling the party what he has seen, they break camp and proceed north through the city.
Inside the valley the party discovers the promised petrified soldiers: dozens of humanoids wearing chainmail and brandishing weapons, all with twisted visages as if they had seen something quite terrifying. As the party inspects them further, Carric hears the sounds of an animal nearby. He alerts the rest of the party, and Roondar spots the creature. It is quite large and rushes the party immediately, attacking Maul, who has turned twice her normal size.
Up close, Maul notices that the scent of this creature is quite foul, but is able to shake off any ill effects, and batters the creature with a statue in spectacular fashion, causing the petrified soldier to shatter on contact.
The battle rages on...
