Session Preface:
Light dances across the purple stone walls of the Storm Giant keep far below the Trackless Sea as magical torchlight refracts against pools of water throughout the chamber. As the purple glow of the teleportation circle fades, two storm giant guards before you turn on their heels. Their massive spears the size of trees clank against the wet stone. Water splashes against you as the guard's faces pale in astonishment and they immediately lower their gaze.
With a wave of his massive hand, the Storm Giant among you dispels the magic affecting him, returning to his full stature. Taller than either guard, the behemoth of a giant stands straight, his shoulders rolled back, and his head raised nobly. After a pause, King Hekaton speaks, his low and powerful voice echoing like rolling organ pipes against the resonant walls.
"Stand aside, sons of Stronmaus, for your king has returned and this day we shall make a reckoning against our foes. Stand aside, for I shall speak to my court and present to them the great treachery of the Lord's Alliance. Go, make haste in preparing the others, for we strike to bring justice against those who brought about the wicked and cruel end to the life of your queen and my love. Stand aside, so I may return to my daughter on the throne and guide her through these turbulent times."
At this command, the guards obey, granting the King space as he steps decisively towards the spiral staircase across from you. He turns, nodding to each giant in turn, and recalling your presence for the first time, commands "Small folk, walk with me. Explain your purpose and place here. I wish to know how you found me, how you have come into possession of a conch shell of Maelstrom, and what you know of the events which have passed since my attack. Come, share with me your journey so I may speak to my court with all the necessary insight before we make our plans for war."
Session Summary:
Before approaching the court, the party takes the opportunity to inform King Hekaton of the recent upheavals which have occured since his abduction. Though skeptical of their claims insinuating his daughter's involvement in Queen Neri's death and his own capture, he takes the adventurers at their word, especially after learning of their visit to the Oracle. Emmyth then polymorphs the king into a raccoon, allowing him to be teleported to Serissa's room, where she is still being held. The King and his daughter share a brief reunion where she confirms the adventurer's account of events.
Hekaton then returns to his court to a myriad of shocked and intrigued reactions. Mirran's voice falters as she apologizes and attempts to explain to her father, while Nym watches on with her ever cold disinterest. Uthor slams his fist in surprise, but it is Iymrith who then shocks the rest of the court by snatching the Korolnor Scepter and teleports away, the Wyrmskull Throne disappearing along with her.
With this sudden revelation as to the advisor's betrayal, the storm giants set about to divining with their gods to learn of her whereabouts and intentions. During this time, the party able to finally rest while Hawk attempts to learn to play the hulking crab organ he first heard upon arriving in Maelstrom and the adventurers discuss matters further with Serissa to learn more about the court and Iymrith's time among the court.
The following morning, the party along with King Hekaton, Imperator Uthor, and four strike team members begin the journey to Imyrith's lair, an old ruined amphitheater of what is only known as the Nameless City far to the eastern edge of the Sword Coast in the desert. After traveling to the surface by whale, the party takes flight on the back of massive rocs. The journey is swift, but allows the party to overlook the Sword Coast they have traversed and worked to defend and replay the memories their journey has brought them along the way.
Upon arrival, a dark cauldron of black clouds and rolling thunder from a dry desert storm greets the party even miles from beyond their destination. As they grow closer, ballista fire rains down on the team, forcing a swift approach to the amiptheater swarmed with gargoyles. Imyrith stands in the center of the stage, awaiting her foes. The battle hastily ensues with giants throwing boulders and lightning bolts towards the flying stone nuances and the party focussing their efforts on Iymrith. Before the adventurers can begin their full assault, the once advisor transforms into a massive, ancient blue dragon - the same creature responsible for the death of Harshnag months ago in the Eye of the All-Father. As she takes on her true form, Iymrith descends into the cold desert sand, challenging the party to descend further into her lair.
While several giants remain on the surface to ward off the dozens of remaining gargoyles, the party along with King Hekaton and Uthor descend below. The team is caught off guard by a band of yuan-ti mystics chanting in abyssal, prophesying the defeat of Iymrith. It is during this moment the dragon reveals herself within a massive sand dune, catching the party in her devestating lightning breath.
A treacherous encounter ensues as Iymrith attempts to destroy the storm giants she so despises while also facing giant-sized adventurers, their size increased by the potent potions provided to them by the court. When Thaust nearly collapses from battle, Emmyth transforms him into a tyrannosaurus rex, allowing him to continue fighting. Thaust uses his new form to decimate the yuan-ti mystics in fear of their chanting serving a darker purpose. Hekaton and Uthor take the full force of the dragon's rage, her claws and tail shredding both storm giants to the point of exhaustion and near-death. Finally, a massive fireball from the giant-sized Emmyth manages to catch Iymrith by surprise, burning her to the point of falling. Transforming back into his regular, though still giant form, Thaust extends a healing prayer over the two fallen storm giants, ensuring their eventual recovery.
Now, with the betrayer of the court revealed, her justice served, and her lair discovered, the party turns to find the still missing scepter and throne as well as other secrets long buried in the sands of the Nameless City.
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