Session 10: Chaos and Return Report

Xeyesh, Rhomod, and Arelastod were pushed into the village, which was damaged from obvious conflict. A great heap of corpses, Aemar and Duyor alike, moldered on the near edge of the village. Scores of those miserable many-legged creatures tore the meat with glee, nibbling it to pulp with pincers then upturned to their remarkably olundi-like faces. Not far from this horrific scene are a number of surviving Demhaz townspeople- one looks toward the oncoming party with wide eyes, exclaiming “How have you survived? I thought I’d never see your sort again!” It was the leader of this village, Ebrihin, and he rushed over to speak with the party. He asked if they had received his runner, which they had not, which meant the Duyor must have slaughtered said runner. The village was attacked, but they managed to withstand the assault. Shortly after, however, these beasts arrived to devour the dead along with the ancient dead of the village, plucked right out of the dirt like roots. He wanted them gone, and asked if the party had any ideas or knowledge on the matters. Xeyesh walked off to investigate the beasts more closely while the others waited somewhat patiently.

In this moment of silence, Ebrihin turned to Arelastod, and remarked with great amusement upon his surprise that such a lowly creature survived these past days! He half-teasing and half-mocking asked if Arelastod had learned anything, to which Arelastod responded that he could fight now. Amazing, Ebrihin replied, stepping forward and giving Arelastod a push- let it be seen then! Arelastod refused. Xeyesh then came over to explain his observations and plans- namely that these beasts were carrion eaters and thus quite harmless, which pleased Ebrihin little. In a moment of rage against Xeyesh’s pedantic, bumbling nature, Ebrihin struck him across the face to silence him. Xeyesh was in no position to physically resist, but he was clever. He dabbed his fingers in the blood running down his cheeks, and speaking in the Eshanic tongue managed to entice the Eyti beasts to his will- turning them against Ebrihin with sudden fury. The beasts overwhelmed him with their murderous pincers and destroyed him completely. Rhomod was stunned and Arelastod was sick to his stomach.

Meanwhile, the Viod stirred in subtle ways with the arrival of this newcomer in linen clothing. Yaza and Othyrus both spoke with Thelastor, yet on directly diametric subjects. The former spoke about their plans if this newcomer was hostile. Thelastor wanted to make no hasty actions until it was certain there was indeed a credible threat. He was clever, however, and bid that the woman stay on his bed- equal parts as charity and another part to spy on her. If she moved or never went to sleep, he would know. In the meantime, preparing the Viiryne and other items for swift movement if necessary would be ideal. Yaza agreed and kept close watch upon the courtyard. Othyrus stepped in shortly afterward, and spoke with Thelastor about how the viod might expand its power into the surrounding countryside. If this was to be, when shall it be? Moreover, their enemies were shattered thick around and closing inward. Action was required to survive. Thelastor explained that help was coming, to which Othyrus retorted that it would come too slowly! Understood, but they would hold course. Othyrus departed unsatisfied.

After speaking with Thelastor, Othyrus went to meet with his guest. She was waiting patiently in the lower tower- fiddling about with nearby items to pass the time. Together they toured around the Viod, on the one part was legitimate information and the other part to mask their actions as benign. When others were asleep and the watch turned away, they plunged into the dark depths of the pillar city below. Vayas was astounded by the sheer amount of Vojunic power present, a grin drew across her lips at the potential which swirled around them- then they saw the beasts, those waxy feasted creatures of purple wandering about in their shadowy domain. She was amazed by their incomplete- malleable nature. They were perfect for the task, if they could be sufficiently gathered for the cause. Othyrus explained that the eldest among them, and closest to master, amed Rhokun, dwelled in a chamber in the depths- he remembered most of the way. Vayas bid he take her there, and they departed further without anyone the wiser.

Back in the Demhaz village, the surviving people were dismayed and disgusted by Ebrihin’s demise and hid themselves among the ruined houses. The trio searched for the survivors to take count of them- finding some 20 persons still alive. Rhomod came upon on terrified family whose young daughter was chanting aloud prayers to the Eshan- Rhomod asked for what purpose, and the girl cried that they would suffer for what they brought upon the village. What did she mean, Rhomod asked? The girl now called upon Eshanic power, assaulting Rhomod first, then turning heavily upon Xeyesh, wounding him with Eshanic power. Before long, however, Rhomod subdued here, but immediately there was a great sound of crashing and snapping through the forest. The girl exclaimed that Kastayos was here to destroy them. Rhomod, Xeyesh, and Arelastod took what little time remained to escape. Xeyesh enticed a group of some 10 Eyti with food, blood, and promises for more, taming them. The trio mounted these beasts quite uncomfortably and scattered southward back to the Viod while the great Eshanic form of Kastayos burst through the forest.

In the shaded corridors of the Odyrzid pillar city, Othyrus and Vayas reached the inner chamber which Rhokun named home. Othyrus called out, saying that the messanger returned with the greatest of the Vozukri, just as promised. Rhokun cried out that Othyrus was a deceiver, and an enemy- one who made the race grow weaker rather than stronger! He was told this by the WAY (being Xeyesh). Othyrus explained that he was indeed a friend, and that he would guide the race toward Heaven. His companion would prove it true. At this, Vayas stepped forward and placed her hands upon Rhokun’s leg, and gushed forth great Eshanic power. The result was terrible and unexpected. A flash of heat and light rushed through the thick Vojunic smoke- knocking Othyrus to the ground, the air was poxxed with patches of blinding light and deep darkness in a continued pattern, ceiling to floor. Rhokun arose from his throne with a howling roar. White flames burst from his body, as in the bodies of his surrounding people. Madness overtook them, and the depths collapsed into wild chaos.

Above, the other party members were stirred awake but the hideous shrieks and shaking of the very ground, nearly tossed from their beds. Thelastor, Yaza, and Othyrus leapt to their weapons, gathered up Balborast (Thelastor’s servant) and rushed into the basement. They gathered Viiryne bars for themselves and moved into the pillar city, attracting great gusts of Vojunic energy upon them which was immediately diffused into the bars. The marched down the long stairway, touching boots upon the mud. It was then they witnessed the terrible fate imposed upon the Vojunic beasts, writhing in pain with white flames bursting from the bodies. All were consumed with horror.

While the other members of the party were beginning their descent into the madness below, Rhomod, Xeyesh, and Arelastod arrived at the Viod with their Eyti companions. The whole area was sodden with Vojunic power, such that it leaked up from the ground in swirling plumes. None were to be found save the lone conscript watchman, who was locked in terror at his post- muttering that the others had gone under but had not returned. They hestitated a moment, unsure of what miserable things were down there. Arelastod suggested that they refrain from going down at all. Xeyesh and Rhomod won out, however, and gathered together their Eyti companions and some additional weaponry before charging into the gloom- exhausted as they were now. Around this time they discovered Qetukris in the Viod as well and compelled him to come along.