Session 20 Recap

The final room of the fortress was obviously built for one purpose, ritual work. And Fangren, the gnoll leader, was busy at ritual work when the adventurers arrived. Elemental Chaos energy was streaming in from the pillars to form a blob above the central dias, where the gnolls were adding ingredients to the cauldron. A dozen twisted, mutant people encircled the ritual area, chanting in disharmony. Two elemental beasts lay at the foot of the dias.

The ritualists switched gears quickly though and shifted their attention to the intruders. A few of the heroes cleared a path into the room. The gnolls were quick too though & rained their destructive forces on their remaining foes bunched up in the doorway. But these heroes weren’t going to let a little AoE damage, ongoing damage & dazing deter them. They pulled themselves out of the doorway and shared the pain.

Kava and Peleus did their duty and pinned down the tougher opponents. Some of the ritualists went down quickly. Many of them got off some descent attacks first though. The gnolls in particular ignored physical armor. They attacked the heroes with elemental energies, and the beasts had a hideous psychic laugh. Both sides took a beating, but the heroes outlasted them. In a last ditch effort, one of the beasts let loose a massive psychic blast in the middle of everyone, which did more harm than good for their side. Fangren fell to the ground clawing at his own head before dying.

Rathos had little trouble with the ritual work that followed. The existing portal was closed, and a new one to the Astral Sea opened. Amyria was released from the sword in a flash of light. The elven woman had unearthly beauty. She wore mithril chainmail. In her left hand was a large, leather bound tome. In her right hand, an exquisite silver longsword with a star ruby pommel and golden runes.

The heroes brought her up to speed on recent events, and everyone departed for the Marsh Forest. The elves there welcomed Amyria and her escorts with refreshments and many questions. (Non-elves are rarely allowed in this forest.) She indulged them briefly, then departed through the megalith portal to Overlook (activating the portal herself). She took her leave of the heroes at this point. “I must pray and meditate on things for a time. I am still unclear on what’s happening.”

The party milled about Overlook for a few weeks. Things were not settling down here. The Orcs to the west were no longer a threat. Yet, the city was seemingly preparing for war. Gates and walls were being bolstered. The militia had expanded, and they were training daily. Clan troops and merchant guards were growing. It seems political unrest has driven this more than any external threat. Various power groups are using the “threat of war” as an excuse to flex their muscles and establish a stronger presence. Most of the workers seem unconcerned about their tasks, but “authorities” have commanded these things be done.

Many of these new troops aren’t soldiers or guards at all. The Lost Ones are making a killing hiring out muscle. Mercenaries and adventuring companies are likewise in high demand. Rathos has recruited a few guards to station at the Happy Beggar and the Temple of Erathis. Reed has invested some money in the hostel. Finding suitable guards has been difficult though considering the available applicants. So far, he has 20 people that appear to be dependable & trustworthy, though not cheap.

The religious community has been busy as well. Ancestor Durkik, high priest of the Stone Anvil, has ordered the old temple of Moradin in Nine Bells restored. Nine Bells is a very old & poor district with numerous churches in disrepair. The caretaker of the Temple of Erathis in Nine Bells, Lavinya, has asked the heroes to investigate the disappearance of a colleague. Haelyn is an elderly priestess who runs the shrine of Erathis (nicer part of town, more membership). She disappeared a couple days ago, and someone calling himself Grovald has claimed stewardship of the shrine. Several clergy of other temples have been behaving strangely too.

After beating Grovald into submission & killing most of his thugs, the party questioned him in private. Grovald was hired to stop Haelyn’s nosing around. A general “Zithiruun” paid Grovald to kill Haelyn and find out who she’s been talking to. He met the general once… of elven build with a leather battle harness and an occasional stammer… other characteristics were hidden by a hooded cloak. Grovald goes to confession at the Temple of Moradin in Nine Bells. Sometimes the priest hearing his sins gives him orders, payment and notes from the general.

The adventurer’s locate Haelyn’s body buried near the shrine. They exhume her body & have her resurrected with Lavinya’s help. Haelyn confirms that various clergy around town are behaving strangely. Haelyn & Lavinya are very grateful for the heroes’ help.