SESSION 18B: MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

March 22nd, 2008
The 7th Day of Kadal in the 790th Year of the Seyrunian Dynasty

Their carriage came to a clattering, jolting halt on Brandywine Street before the abandoned lot.

Tee led the way into the ruined shed, taking a few moments to verify the hidden signs she had left. “They haven’t been disturbed,” she said. “No one’s come this way.”

At the bottom of the ladder she found the doors of the antechamber still locked. She slid the key into the lock, turned it, and then stepped back – clearing the way for Agnarr and Tor.

The doors swung wide to reveal utter putrescence: The pinkish flesh of the lair seemed to be dying, literally rotting away from the walls. Pus and blood dripped from gaping, ulcerous wounds.

“Oh no…” Tee murmured, already suspecting that they were too late.

They headed down the main hall. Agnarr took the time to sprint down the side passage leading to the sewer entrance. It had been smashed open from the outside. He knelt down: The pulpy, dying flesh had clearly been trampled by many feet, but he wasn’t sure how many had passed this way… or whether they were still in the complex.

The rest of the group proceeded down the main hall. When they reached the room where the idol had rested, Tee’s worst fears were confirmed: The door had been smashed open with a battering ram which lay nearby. The idol had been ripped out of the floor. It was gone.

“Dammit,” Tee cursed, tears welling in her eyes. “I should have just taken it. Why didn’t I just take it?” (more…)

SESSION 18A: KEY TO THE PAST

March 22nd, 2008
The 7th Day of Kadal in the 790th Year of the Seyrunian Dynasty

When they arrived back in the tiny shack at the center of the junk-filled vacant lot, Tee took several moments to subtly rearrange the room – prepping the entrance so that she would, hopefully, be able to detect whether or not someone used it.

“We seem to have gotten covered in blood again,” Tor said. “This is becoming a habit.”

“Well, except for Ranthir,” Tee pointed out. “He stayed clear of it.”

After a quick discussion, it was agreed that the gore-spattered wouldn’t have much luck getting into the Nobles’ Quarter (standards tending to be a little higher there). Plus, if Ranthir went he would be too far away from Shilukar’s lair – the spell of alarm he had placed upon the lower entrance would be unable to alert him.

Ranthir was, however, able to use a little magical prestidigitation to clean Dominic’s clothes and Tee always carried a spare set in her bag. So it was decided that Agnarr, Elestra, Tor, and Ranthir would return to the Ghostly Minstrel while Tee and Dominic would return to Castle Shard and break the bad news. (more…)

SESSION 17D: SHILUKAR’S SECRETS

March 9th, 2008
The 7th Day of Kadal in the 790th Year of the Seyrunian Dynasty

Once they were satisfied that they had explored the entire complex, the group turned its attention to a more thorough search in the hope of turning up the antidote for Lord Abbercombe.

Unfortunately, the antidote was not to be found. But scattered throughout the laboratory, the warren of the spider-things, and Shilukar’s bedchamber they found a large number of notes and other papers. Many of these were written in strange characters resembling those they had found upon the obsidian statues within Ghul’s Labyrinth, and these required Ranthir’s arcane arts to decipher.

In addition to the works described in full below, they also discovered The Book of Lesser Chaos, which described in detail a technomantic art known as “chaositech”.

(more…)

SESSION 17C: SHILUKAR’S NEW FRIENDS

March 9th, 2008
The 7th Day of Kadal in the 790th Year of the Seyrunian Dynasty

Shilukar stumbled back several steps, fumbling at his belt. As Tor advanced upon him, he whipped out a wand and waved it in his direction.

Tor’s mind was suddenly flooded with a sense of contentment and ease… and an absolute certainty that Shilukar was one of his closest and dearest friends.

Shilukar gave Tor a smile that was something closer to a leer, “There’s no need for us to fight, is there?”

Tor shook his head.

Agnarr, meanwhile, was making mincemeat out of the spider-things. The doorway had become spattered with gore and, in fact, the surviving creatures had turned and fled back into their cells – better to continue their vile imprisonment than to face that whirling flurry of death.

Ranthir, however, could see that something was wrong with Tor. “Agnarr! We need you!”

Agnarr turned and raced down the side corridor. Shilukar was fumbling his key into the lock of another door as the barbarian approached. Tor turned to face his friend, “Agnarr! No! He doesn’t mean any harm! He’s my friend!”

Agnarr wasn’t to be dissuaded, but even as he pushed past Tor, Shilukar waved his wand again… and Agnarr was charmed.

“Shilukar! My friend! I’m glad we found you! We need a cure that you carry!”

Shilukar grimaced as he turned the key in the lock. “What cure?”

Agnarr frowned. “But Lord Zavere told us you had it!”

Shilukar opened his mouth to respond, but was distracted as Elestra, Ranthir, and Dominic arrived. Ranthir’s hand lashed out, delivering a powerful enchantment that befogged Shilukar’s mind. The elf stumbled back, grasping his head. Instinctively he lashed out with the wand, attempting to charm Ranthir.

The attempt failed, but Ranthir – recognizing the enchantment – put a stupid smile on his face. “Shilukar? Why are we fighting?”

The bluff worked. But Ranthir’s entire distraction had not only befuddled Shilukar, but served its larger purpose: Elestra had slipped between Shilukar and the door.

“Amplifico Offundo!” (more…)

SESSION 17B: THE COMING OF SHILUKAR

March 9th, 2008
The 7th Day of Kadal in the 790th Year of the Seyrunian Dynasty

From around the corner (and out of sight) a fair voice cried out: “Fall back to me, Servant of Ravvan!”

But even as the command was given, Agnarr surged forward. His blade ripped brutally through the brute’s throat, trailing a gout of blood. The brute gave a gurgling cry, stumbled back, and fell.

The unseen voice muttered a bitter curse and then gave an arcane cry. Before any of them had a chance to react, a small dart of flame shot around the corner. Striking the wall it burst into a massive explosion.

The arcane flames passed quickly, leaving in their wake scorched flesh and smoldering garments. Ignoring these wounds, they rushed forward. Agnarr rounded the corner just in time to see a young and handsome elf hovering in the air and completing the incantation for a second time.

The others dived for cover as the second explosion roared around them, but Agnarr simply ignored the flames, charging forward and slamming his greatsword into the arcanist.

The elf spun away, blood gushing down his side. “You fools! You don’t know who you’re meddling with!”

Tee smirked. “I’m guessing we’re meddling with Shilukar, right?”

Shilukar cursed and waved his hand, disappearing instantly from sight.

Tee instantly whipped up her dragon pistol, firing blindly at where Shilukar had been. Unfortunately, the elf had already ducked away. “Agnarr!” she cried. “Hit the floor!”

Agnarr swung his blade high and cut down into the pulpy flesh. And from the wound a spray of blood burst forth, coating the walls and floor… and Shilukar.

Tor leapt between Agnarr’s legs, rolled to his feet, and swung away. But Tor’s blade met only air, as Shilukar – hurling epitaphs behind him – ran for the door at the end of the hall.

Tor moved to pursue, but was stopped by a cry from Ranthir: “Look out!” (more…)