Session 424 – Duel to the Death

The Story So Far

Ash - An expert in the occult and a skilled monster hunter. Ash uses his talents and budding alchemical expertise to battle what people fear most for a price.

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Ryobi - A monk of the embattled Order of the Warriors of Mameka. Ryobi is given an important mission: retrieve the holy blades containing the souls of his brother knights, which were lost in the recent Rethemi civil war.

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They are joined by Vinzent, a bard with a morbid demeanor and a haunted past.

This is the continuation of Session 421 – Exorcism in the Sands.

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1^st to 5^th of Navek 728TR (Winter)

After a botched mission, the heroes become outlaws, wanted for mass murder, robbery, and blasphemy. They have fled the Kingdom of Rethem on a secret mission for the Agrikan Primate of Harn.

Now, in the distant Hepekerian desert continent, they have removed a hex placed on the mother of the holy weaponsmith, the Mamekan, Thiri aqah Sisloss. Now feeling much better, the revered matriarch wants revenge. The curse was placed on Thiri by her former close friend, Fima aqah Cobaliss, who is now a bitter enemy and rival.

The heroes are joined by Thiri’s nephew, the Numec warrior Zharlac, an experienced desert warrior and guide, as they travel to the holy site of Pyateq to confront the evil Fima.

Part 1 – Quarrel of Bitter Rivals

Thiri leads the heroes into the holy village of Pyateq, located in a rough highland valley. Outsiders are rarely allowed entry, so Thiri trains them in proper protocol and instructs them to wear white and refrain from talking, eating, drinking, or touching weapons. The settlement is a learning and holy center for the mysterious Taugari cult, a spiritual artisan class. The sounds of weapon forging and chanting emerge from the various caves, and armed warriors watch the heroes with some suspicion.

Out of one of the caves used for lodging, Fima Aqah Cobaliss emerges with four skilled warriors. Immediately, she and Thiri begin bickering. After what seems an eternity of accusations, threats, and rehashing old wrongs in the hot sun, Thiri makes a challenge. She wants an Iishiayr, which roughly translates to the Clash of Fists —a fight to the death.

After the challenge is accepted, the heroes return to the nearby trading settlement of Asagez to go over details. A Clash of Fists takes place in Ulaia, the nearby Earthmaster site considered neutral ground by the Numec people.

Each fist consisted of one noncombatant (in this case, Thiri and Fima) and four warriors who fight to the death among Ulaia's sand-bleached pillars. The survivors live, and the losing noncombatant must walk into a cave containing a wall of darkness. Anyone who enters is never seen again. This ritual combat is witnessed by dozens of Numec leaders, holy men, and warriors. It is a great disgrace to flee or refuse to enter the cave of darkness, and cowards are immediately slain. The heroes and Zharlac agree to fight for Thiri.

Part 2 – Ulaia

The heroes and Thiri proceed to the mysterious Earthmaster site. En route, they are set upon by Magma Scorpions, possibly summoned by their devious enemies, but these giant vermin are quickly dispatched before they can do any harm.

Soon, Ulaia comes into sight, a complex of ancient stone buildings set in a valley. At the center is a complex of pillars, most of which stretch 30 feet in height. Near the hills are a series of half a dozen caves, one of which ominously has an opening that is nothing more than a black wall. This is the wall that the loser of the contest steps through to oblivion.

Part 3 – Clash of the Fists

The heroes and Fima’s champions move and hide among and atop the pillars. Ash and Ryobi climb and hide atop pillars, flanking Zharlac and Vinzent, who wait in a plaza. Two of the enemy wait at the other end of the Plaza.

At noon, one of the watchers in the hills sounds an ancient gong. As the toll reverberates through the valley, the fight for survival is on. The two enemy charges forward and flank poor Zharlack. As Ash prepared to come to his companion's aid, a snake, the animal companion of one of the warriors, slithers up the pillar and catches him by surprise. The snake wraps around him and starts constricting. Ryobi comes to Zharlack’s aid, hidden in shadows, sneaks forward, and catches one of the warriors by surprise, injuring him badly. Then the two remaining stealthy enemies emerge from the shadows and attack, one focusing on Vinzent, keeping him distracted while the other drives his scimitar into Zharlack’s back. The desert warrior falls to the ground, unconscious and gravely injured.

Ryobi finishes off his combatant and fights for his life against two dangerous enemies. Ash helps, lobbing down explosive bombs when he can, but the annoying giant snake is an unwelcome distraction. Vinzent does not panic; his Mirror Images distract the enemy while Ryobi drives his holy sword through the heart of one of his foes. Ash kills the snake and jumps down, joining the melee.

Vinzent’s frustrated opponent gives up and attacks Ryobi, allowing the bard in the nick of time to use his healing magic to save Zharlac’s life. Although their remaining foes fight with great skill, Ash and Ryobi triumph. All the enemies are killed.

Part 4 – Walk into Darkness

Thiri and Fima glare at each other with undisguised hatred. But with some dignity, Fima walks into the darkness and disappears, never to be seen again. The feud has ended.

The grateful Thiri and her clan reward the heroes generously. Thiri reestablished contact with her son, the divine weaponsmith, the Mamakan, and Ryobi is given an enchanted bracer, which will aid in his assassinations. Ash, his favourite starknife Krull, is reforged and enchanted further, and Vinzent is gifted a magical flute.

Now that their business in the Hepekerian continent is complete, the heroes continue their travels. Next stop, the Kajerian islands

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Thiri aqah Sislosss, mother of the Mamekan.

Created Content

Nothing this week.

Related Reports

Nothing this week.

Player Characters

Ryobi - Human - L12 Monk

Background - Temple Guard.

Archetypes - Barbarian/Fighter.

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Ash - Human - L12 Thaumaturge

Background - Weaponcrafter.

Archetypes - Alchemist.

NPC Companion

Vinzent - Human - L12 Bard

Background - Cursed.

Archetypes - Blessed/Disciple of Thalia.

Next Session

Session 424 – Duel to the Death.