There and back again... or how I learned to go backwards.

 Journal excerpt from The Legend of Saramago and the Sixth Mage Guild:  

 The last few weeks have been, eventful to say the least. Without much time for this journal hopefully I can remember some of the 'other' details.

We anchored the jammer by the bottom entrance fired some shot down the hall, and exited. I exploded fire near four guards and we found another 'ancient' door. The code from the previous door did not work.

It should be noted that a decision was made to return to 3.5x for good at this point.

No codes worked, time was short, knock didn't work. We beat the two doors down in about 10 minutes with no guards showing up from above yet. Gaining entrance to the room the details are a bit fuzzy but suffice to say that a large pedestal held a 'egg'. Dessicated and shapeless humanoids lie about the chamber one with a sword in perfect condition piercing its last victim still, a spear, ancient holy symbol, and a ring. We returned to our ship and returned to Demiset and reluctantly returned it to her. She gave us a smaller Dragonfly ship as a reward. This artifact of the ancients is very interesting. I discerned from its magic that its based in destruction, a identify does not provide enough information perhaps later...
Back in Aryunm, we sell our old helm, set up a stall in the 'black market' for poisons, potions, scrolls, rare item acquisition. The ranger heads out to recon for a week while the priest and I head to Riverwatch to research more on the ancients or the religion based on the symbol. Seems they may have revered one God over others.
Making some money and hearing that the 'Warlord of Matara' is a possible pirate who may have stumbled onto a ancient site from the south. We have a location on the map and we are currently en route through the 'planets core' to reach the destination on the far side of the habitable world.

Recon Ranger-man gets the goods

 Journal excerpt from The Legend of Saramago and the Sixth Mage Guild: 

While exploring the third island and their large C cut out of the jungle, we are boarded by eladrian who's leader, a woman, wants to aid us in our quest to discover about the Auraels, the ancient race that apparently departed our 'sphere' thousands of years before The Cataclysm. She wants us to go back to Matara and explore the ruins under the city and 'protect' any ancient technology. I assure you I shall! She allowed us to borrow a Hammerhead spelljammer  to get us in and out faster than just about any ship there. Because if the 'warlord' is there it will get ugly fast.

Setting a course that would take us below the plane of commerce we set out on our three day journey below the islands of the world. Red dragons come close but stay away even when trying to stir up conversation. Arriving about two miles below the ancient complex and below a encampment of the 'warlords' troops we send the ranger out on the skid to check it out. About 30 total, some fortifications visible. We go and collect rocks for the siege guns and load them all. The scaffolding that they have mounted to the cliffs seems a likely target to reduce reinforcements and allow us to enter the complex. Shot destroys some sections of scaffolding and two enemy skids come, I take out one with a lightning bolt and the other never comes within range while throwing alchemist fires. Note to self, make ice fire for negating fire on ships from combat. Bringing the ship in to dock near the bottom two tunnels that are exposed.

Where ye be, dragon?

Journal excerpt from The Legend of Saramago and the Sixth Mage Guild: 

With the logistics at Bryce's Field continuing a pace with masons, artists, carpenters, and other laborers we set off to investigate the small chain of 4 islands with rumors of a red dragon. We of course think this is our old 'friend' and would really like to either continue our earlier conversation or entertain new ideas for fresh 'conversation'.

First island has a strange quality. We landed and camped overnight only to awake to find our boat covered in plant growth. Marked for later food production business.
Second island is small, has habitation with gliders that are defensive. Huge C cut into the jungle. Moved on.

The 8 Fold Path to ...

Journal excerpt from The Legend of Saramago and the Sixth Mage Guild:

Using the scroll of Rope Trick we had hidden in the bathroom. All the guards went on alert looking for us. I made the ranger Invisible and he ran around to find the lay of the ancient place. Took out a few guards and moved to the 'launch bay', bribed a few guards to join us, found our stuff and stole off with a airship/launch/living room  back to Bryce's Field and our ancient temple.
The journey home I was forced to pilot the ship.
The site is now fully excavated and the pieces of the dome numbered for replacing. Hired masons, cranes, supplies, prostitutes, and a fresco artist to recreate the Cataclysm on the inside of the dome. I went to to find the black market for rituals and made a few thousand gold in two weeks, and I am now known officially as the guy in the 'black rags, he gets things done' guy. Most magic is handled exclusively by the Mage guilds for their profits alone. So naturally I need to foster the black market because I cannot officially ever be a member of a guild. hehe
Had my ear to the Rumor seeking and found out that our mutual 'friend' the warlord guy on Matara with the big airships and a ancient secret base that he knows nothing about its true history, has taken over the whole of Matara but is still accepting trade and hasn't replaced anything just ownership and moved on. Must learn more about this person...a red dragon has supposedly been seen on a small three chain of islands nearby...and rumors of any ancient sites were forthcoming from the void.
Found a supplier of airsled engines and had a special sled designed and have made two magic items to assist in their use for the 'ranger', a device for Featherfall and Darkvision once a day.
Think I will goad the priest into perfoming services at the temple and bill it off as a ancient temple to help offset the 'renovations' and and create a pillgrimage spot! (note in the margins) YES!!!

On a side note there are many 'sites' that are on the 'deadside' of the world. Nothing grows there, nothing is said to live. You have to bring it all with you. Now that we have a ship maybe we could make a test flight.