Session 432 – The Collaborator’s Secrets
General Summary
24nd of Morgat (Winter) 728TR
The story so far
A group of heroes battle the evils haunting the beleaguered Kingdom of Kanday.
Sir Odin, a former Erkan of the Order of the Checkered Shield, has been raised to knighthood.
Remy, a former master thief and gambler, has won and lost fortunes.
Abaddon has traveled the wilderness, wielding a weapon of the gods, perfecting his impressive martial skills.
Edelina, a scholarly priestess of the god of Knowledge Save K’Nor, joins them on their adventures.
This is the continuation of (Session 430 - Demolishing the Thieves Guild).
The heroes have uncovered and destroyed a band of thieves, bandits, and shipwreckers based in the port village of Sarkum. During the investigation, it was discovered that one of the merchants, Gorin of Leba, had collaborated with the evil Kingdom of Rethem when they invaded the isolated settlement decades ago during Ezar's War. Rather than reveal his crimes, which would likely result in the traitor's death, the heroes decide to use this information to their advantage.
Location: Sarkum Village, in the Kingdom of Kanday.
Part 1 – The Collaborator
The heroes have been hunting this malicious cleric of Ilvir for some time and believe he is planning to travel to the Deadwood Reef to find the long-lost lair of the slain demigod Obsidapor. This is part of the Xantosa's plans to resurrect the Ivashu demigod.
The heroes later learn that one of the fishing boats was stolen 3 days ago. After a few days, the weather improves, and the party hires a boat to start their pursuit.
Part 2 - Giant Vermin
Remy pilots the craft west past Henkely Island, into the Emaba Strait, then cautiously north into the dangerous Deadwood Reef. The boat passes by submerged and sunken petrified tree trunks, and occasionally, the party spots the rocky seafloor not far below.
They discover a shipwreck, the remains of a small vessel wedged between three petrified tree trunks. Delicate webs link the wreckage and stone trees; several objects encased in webs could be the remains of dead humans.
The party warily approaches and investigates. Some of the web bags burst, and a swarm of Deadwood Blights emerges. The vicious insects surround the heroes, attempting to suck their blood. However, this is not the most significant threat; one of the tree trunks moves, and it is a Deadwood Goliath. This enormous insect, resembling a gigantic daddy-long-legs spider, squirts a cloud of venom over the party, which saps their concentration and, worse, causes some of the heroes to hallucinate and become completely Confused. Edelina and Odin begin fighting, and it does not go well for the party healer. Edelina is no match for Odin, and she is nearly killed. Only the quick action from Remy, grabbing her and flying up above the melee, saves her from being cut in twain; unfortuately, the blight swarm follows.
The muddled Odin now attacks Abaddon, who recovers from a brief moment of mental haze, using primal magic to grow huge, resembling a tree, and moves into the water and behind the giant insect out of the mad knight's reach. Edelina recovers her sanity and heals herself while Remy blasts the swarm, eventually dispersing it. Odin overcomes his confusion as well and helps cut down the enormous arachnid.
The wreck yields treasures, including an enchanted gem, which will aid Edelina in her magical healing.
Part 3 - The Island
In the centre of the reef is a small rock-covered islet, more a rocky crag, only 40 feet long. The rocks appear to be partially covering a cave entrance, and there is evidence of a camp, several days old, but no missing fishing boat; however, tracks and marks on the shore suggest it was recently here.
Abruptly, a large, bestial Ivashu emerges from the dark cave, resembling a giant crayfish with thick, long legs and its armored hide covered in spines. The spines shoot out and embed in the hero's flesh, and everyone but Odin is Paralyzed. Odin attacks the creature, keeping it occupied, dodging a poisonous stinger and barbed pincers while waiting for his friends to recover. Although hurt, he distracts it enough for Abaddon to regain the use of his body and join the melee.
Meanwhile, Remy, while paralyzed, studies the creature and notes that, despite its insect-like appearance, it is warm-blooded, as evidenced by the heat emanating from its articulated joints. He thinks cold attacks will be especially effective. Fortunately, with a heroic effort, he also regains control of his actions and blasts the creature with a cold blast, inflicting severe damage. Odin swaps weapons, drawing his enchanted mace, Frostguard, which chills bones and finishes off the brute with a mighty armor-cracking bash.
After a brief moment's rest, the heroes enter the long-lost lair of Obsidapor.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Gorin of Leba, old traitor
Related Content
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Player Characters
Odin - Human - L14 Ranger
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetype - Shadowdancer, Investigator, and Fighter.
Abaddon - Elf - L14 Monk
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetypes - Druid and Familiar Master.
Remy - Human - L14 Aerokineticist (with Metal second gate)
Background - Acrobat.
Archetypes - Wizard, Acrobat, and Thief.
NPC Companion
Edelina - Human - L14 Holy Sage Sorcerer
Background - Astrologer.
Archetypes - Psychic and Time Mage.
