Session 13: Butcher's Block Report

General Summary

At last, the party is able to collect the Butcher Tree reagents that Sixfinger required, and is able to finally leave The Myrk. Their journey back was simple on the back of Torrig's Quetzl, though it is distasteful of Ronn. Back in Nasswood, they were discovered approaching by a band of Firewatch, whom they traded with some and exchanged news.   While waiting for Stobrand Greatbelly to repair his ship so they could depart for Tol-dumz, Torrig received a message. A mystic guardian of the swamp, aided by Fae messengers, has sensed and summoned the bearers of the Sheer Orb. The party followed the messenger to a hidden pyramid in a sacred valley, whereupon tests, challenges, and riddles were imparted on the party. Their success granted them the knowledge of their doom in Treland. The Tarrasque granted to the fiendish invaders by Kayrus-Ebus would come and consume all. The Ogroid army and their patrons would destroy all life here and uncover the secret powers of The Wrights. The parties best hope was to awaken a secret weapon left here by that ancient race, powered by four of the orbs, which was strong enough to fight the beast.   The remaining Orbs on Treland that the Sphinx desire the party seek out are three-fold, though there are more. That of Earth lay buried beneath the mountain the Humans call Glitterpeak. There it sits beneath a lofty mass of Orcichalcum, slowly regenerating the resource and nesting itself within. That of Water is hidden among the Coldeyes Orcs, who conceal it in the shroud of The Myrk. That of Fire sit among the most prrized possession of the King of The North-Western Houses, Myrbyrgyl the Storm Giant. The Sphynx informs the party to return to her Pyramid when the Orbs are in their possession.   Back in Tol-dumz the party turns in their quest, and are rewarded with both items and information. Sixfinger. Their friend reveals to them his deception, he needed not for them to collect these reagants. Rather, he belongs to a secret society of mystic guardians, trademark, When he knew the party carried the Sheer Orb, he sent them to be tested and weighed by the Sphynx. Their mission is grave, and the enemies new weapon has been sensed by those in the know. They themselves will need new weapons, which he has crafted for them. A bow, a staff, a sword, and a ring; Powered by the spirits of Fae who once belonged to his order, but slipped their corporeal bodies to be used as instruments to keep the balance. These weapons have their own personality and drives, and will seek to work their own musings through the wielder, but are nonetheless mighty tools.   The party, darkened by their fate, decides to prepare for the coming journey by stocking on supplies, being so newly wealthy. After gathering everything they will need for the journey and a kingly dinner tonight, they make their way back to the workshop, but something is amiss. Inside the torches have guttered out, and Sixfinger's plants have died. Upstairs, the room to his door is painted in blood, the shape of a hand. Within, Sixfinger was kneeling in a corner, praying over a candle, draped in the black and starry robes of Ronn's pursuers. His eyes and heart had been gouged out, and when his body was disturbed, it erupted into a horrible beast. A tall skeleton with massive, three fingered hands threatens the party nearly unto death, Ronn recognizes the beast as a Boneclaw, something not unlike a Lich though bound to a malicous master who enacted the transition. Upon felling the monster, the group was ambushed by Guardian Ostrin, and twelve Dwarves in plate. He frames the party for the murder of Sixfinger, revealing in the act just the faintest smearing of blood on his guantleted hand, and takes custody of them for a public execution. The party though bound easily escapes their imprisonment, though Ronn was unconcious and left behind. The session ends as Krook, Sesos, Torrig, and Dyrkk plan to free him.