Session 425 – The Giants Grotto

15^th 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 active gambler, has won and lost fortunes.

Abaddon has traveled the wilderness, 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 422 - The Fallen Warlord.

Part 1 – Bones of a Giant

As the year concludes, the heroes spend the winter in the isolated Eryna Manor.

Sir Odin, Eryna’s bailiff, received a visit from Garit of Derlinge, the miller. A large chunk of ice has floated down Eryna Stream, jamming the water mill mechanism. This is not unusual; it happens all the time during winter and early spring, but what is strange is that this chunk contains very old, partially fossilized bones of a giant.

The heroes examine the bones, which include a one-foot-wide skull and another, likely a half-thigh bone. The scholarly Edelina believes these are from some Pradeyalkri, one of numerous types of giants and monsters driven from the far northern lands of Ivinia by the god Sarajin millennia ago. Curious, the heroes investigate.

Part 2 – Eryna Stream

The party follows the small Eryna Stream up to its source, only a few miles up Mordaven Hill. Icy chunks float down on occasion, although these do not appear to contain bones. The cold water also holds threats. Three Cromullochs, insect-like predators very similar to an enormous centipede, burst out of the stream. These Ivashu have a bluish white coloration and appear unaffected by the cold. Even so, they are quickly dispatched.

Eryna steam terminates in an ice-covered pond, with a frozen small waterfall leading into the hill. It is late in the day, so the party spots a nearby cave and plans to camp out for the night. As they approach, they hear growling, the sound of some monster they can’t identify. Deciding to check it out, Odin sneaks in but is spotted by the cave dwellers. After a soul-curdling screech, an 8-foot-tall brute charges forward. An Arthynnod, or the Horned Bear. This bizarre, bear-like creature has a rugged, leathery, bone-like plate for armor, large claws, a beak-like feature reminiscent of an owl, and massive antlers. A green warty dog accompanies it. These are more Ivashu creations, made by the mad creator god Ilvir.

Odin is seized, squeezed, and gnawed on by the Arthynnod and suffers painful wounds, but manages to slip free. Fortunately, his friends rush to his aid. While Abbadon deals with the troll-like dog Remy, Odin dispatches the ferocious Arthynnod. While the party makes camp and rests for the night, Odin skins the great beast, and its antlers will look good in Eyna's manor's hall.

Part 3 – The Icy River

The next morning, the party returns to the source of Eryna Stream. As before, it has frozen over, and a thick layer of ice covers its bone-chilling water. The party moves in aware that each step may crack the slippery ice. Moving under the ice in the freezing water are yet more Ivashu, the Baethyr or snake-like Mind Lashers. These cunning opponents project dangerous mental bolts which cause intense pain and scramble the victim's mind. Worse, a thick layer of ice protects the Ivashu, and if the heroes attempt to move over it or break it, they may end up plunging into the freezing water. Not worried, Abaddon climbs along the walls and explodes the ice with a Ki Blast while Remy tears it up with a shower of Metal Shards. With the icy shell protecting them, Odin can now shoot Baethyr from the cave entrance. Eventually, the dangerous Ivashu are dispatched, and although their toxic spittle has stung Abaddon’s and Remy’s flesh, both heroes resisted the worst of the mental bolts.

Edelina, who is preparing research papers on Ivashu, has been taking notes. However, Odin remarks that a suspiciously high number of these rare, magical creatures are in the area.

Part 4 – An Obvious Trap

The heroes have smashed a hole in the icy passage and decide to find another route into the underground caverns. A series of cave entrances located 30 feet up the hill appears to be a likely entrance point. Remy takes Flight and does a quick scout, spotting a series of passageways and a small cave with a suspiciously new-looking metal chest. “Has to be a Mimic,” he mutters and helps the rest of the party up.

The chest is certainly dubious, and when Remy attempts to investigate, his hands get stuck. “I knew it, it is a Mimic,” he shouts as a large, fanged mouth appears and a disgusting tongue wraps around him. Odin and Abaddon rush to his aid, and Odin’s weapons pound the monster, but then adhere to it. Nevertheless, the Mimic, also known as Llewedarrig, is soon slaughtered, becoming a sticky, gooey mess. More Ivashu remains for Edelina to study.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Garit of Derlinge - Eryna's miller.

Related Content

Nothing this week.

Created Content

Nothing this week.

Player Characters

Odin - Human - L13 Ranger

Background - Martial Disciple.

Archetype - Shadowdancer, Investigator, and Fighter.

Abaddon - Elf - L13 Monk

Background - Martial Disciple.

Archetypes - Druid and Familiar Master.

Remy - Human - L13 Aerokineticist (with Metal second gate)

Background - Acrobat.

Archetypes - Acrobat and Thief.

NPC Companion

Edelina - Human - L13 Holy Sage Sorcerer

Background - Astrologer.

Archetypes - Psychic and Time Mage.

Next Session

Session 427 – Fate of the Crab God.