Session 444 - Blood at the Quarry

26^thof Kelen (Spring) 729TR

The story so far

A group of heroes battles 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.

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This is the continuation of Session 443 - Spies.

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The heroes have uncovered a spy ring among the stoneworkers at Obsini stone quarry. These workers, now slain, were the Company of the Copper Hook warriors in disguise led by a priest of the evil god of fire and war Agrik. What are their plans, and how does it relate to the mad priest of Ilvir Xantosa and his intention to revive the slain crab titan Obsidapor, which is likely to happen in about five days?

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Location: Sarkum Barony in the Kingdom of Kanday.

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Part 1 – Attack from the Sky

As the heroes begin examining the bodies of the slain spies, unaware that they are being watched. A sinister force summons an aerial predator to deal with them.

From above, the heroes hear a terrifying screech. A huge wyvern like Ivashu, an Eunlann, also known as a Razorwing or False Dragon, dives in, attacking the heroes. It slashes at Remy with its bone spikes, wings, and bites, and inflicts several deep cuts onto Edelina as she tries to cast supportive spells. However, once the shock of the Ivashu’s initial rampage passes, it is quickly slain.

Part 2 - The Vile Plot

The party returns to the miner’s camp with one of the bodies. The Quarrymaster is shocked when the corpse is dumped in front of him, and Odin explains that they were spies and, even worse, Agrik worshipers. The Quarrymaster sends a workman to wake the local bailiff. Odin, as a knight of the realm, wants to search the dead man’s belongings. At first, the Quarrymaster resists, citing guild privileges, but quickly agrees when Odin suggests he join the search.

The investigators uncover numerous hidden Agrikian holy symbols and some weapons treated with copper. This specific technique is used only by the Copper Hook. The leader's tent contains a secret shrine to Agrik and several Agrikian holy books. One item is an octagonal copper plate, which Edelina describes as part of a ritual for summoning. Alarmingly, it is designed to summon the spirit of a very powerful Demon and embed it into a body. This demon, Ashlagya, also known as the Bloodsport, is one of the eight demonic sons of the god Agrik. However, such a powerful spirit will require an equally powerful body for the ritual to succeed.

Remy figures out the Agrikian’s plan. When Xantosa tries to resurrect the slain crab titan Obsidapor, they aim to use it as a vessel for their god's son. They were probably hoping the Ashlagya-Obsidapor monster would cause massive destruction in the peaceful Kingdom of Kanday.

Early the next morning, after the bailiff and his men arrive and conclude their investigation, the Quarrymaster takes the heroes to the quarry. After some searching, they find eight well-hidden mystical symbols carved into the stone. These will help with the summoning ritual, guiding the Ashlagya's evil spirit. They are defaced and destroyed.

Part 3 – Alithani

With any interference from Agrikian sources likely dealt with now, the heroes decide their next move to stop the deranged priest Xantosa’s plans to raise the slain crab titan Obsidapor. Unable to locate him or his henchmen, the party considers what to do if Obsidapor is resurrected. Abaddon’s ancestral spear was the weapon that had previously been used to kill him, but it is incomplete. So, Abaddon chooses to meditate at Alithani, a holy elven grove on an island off the coast, for guidance. Luckily, the weather is favorable, and the heroes hire a fishing boat, which arrives at noon.

Abaddon enters a trance and consults with nature. His spirit wanders, and he perceives strange sights and sensations. This process takes a full day. The mysterious forces of nature reveal to him a marshland filled with bleached bones and a ruined structure. He recognizes this gloomy place; it is Tesien Bog, near the northern frontier of Kanday. Unfortunately, it will take days to travel there and back, so the party decides to return to Sarkum and make plans.

Part 4 – Meeting with the Earl

At Sarkum, the heroes discover that Ivashu has been seen in large groups, causing problems for the local villages. Packs of strange, hooked-footed creatures have been spotted in the western hills. Vlasters are blocking the Hebon Road and wading through the Korri bog Aklashs have been seen. The Earl has called his knights and sent them out to deal with this threat. Although tempted to join the fight, the heroes believe this is a distraction and decide to meet with the Earl directly.

Earl Rand Milika is horrified when he learns of the mad priest's plans to resurrect Obsidapor, an event that would bring widespread destruction and chaos. The heroes believe this will happen in several days at the Obsini Quarry, the site where legend says Obsidapor was slain. Obsidapor’s red blood gave the granite its distinctive crimson hue, and parts of the Ivashu demigod will be needed for the resurrection ritual. They agree on a plan; the Earl will provide guards for the quarry, while the heroes will hide nearby and scout out the villain. Any attempt by the mad priest to begin his resurrection could still be disrupted.

Part 5 – Blood at the Quarry

On the day the ritual is expected to take place, Remy, Invisible, flying high, spots movement: a number of monsters are converging on the quarry. A pack of eye-eating Vlasters, two large Skaigeth, also known as Hooked Hounds, with bladed hooks for feet, and a huge Matheric, a bizarre, tree-like Ivashu with six tentacled limbs, are approaching. The guards at the quarry, although fighting valiantly, are quickly being overwhelmed. The heroes rush to their aid. The Ivashu are especially dangerous, much stronger than specimens of the same type that the heroes have fought before. Still, the heroes manage to defeat them, but sadly, only one guard is saved.

Remy, as a precaution, casts Detect Invisibility and is shocked at what it reveals. A two-headed incorporeal snake-like Nadrydd, also known as the soul eater, is spying on them from the Ethereal Plane. Xantosa is aware of the heroes' plans and has cleverly worked around them. The quarry isn't the only place with a large amount of granite stained with Obsidapor’s blood. The nearby, under-construction, Korri Cathedral has an abundance of this unique stone.

Suddenly, the earth rumbles, rocks burst apart, and the resurrection ceremony begins. Shards of rock fly out of the quarry heading south, followed by a choking stream of blood-colored flakes. Remy and Odin both hold pieces of Obsidapor that have been petrified over the ages. The crab titan’s stone eye shoots out of Odin’s backpack and joins the stone trail south, but luckily, Remy catches Obsidapor’s tongue before it disappears.

The heroes see red dust and smoke rising from the nearby Cathedral, less than a league away. It was demolished in the earthquake, and worse, something enormous is emerging from the wreckage. Realizing they've been deceived, the heroes hasten toward the ruined cathedral.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Earl Ranald Milaka.

Related Content

Various Ivashu including Vlasta - the Eater of Eyes, Skaigeth - The Hooked Hound and Aklash - The Choking Wind.

Created Content

Nothing this week.

Player Characters

Odin - Human - L17 Ranger

Background - Martial Disciple.

Archetype - Shadowdancer, Investigator, and Fighter.

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Abaddon - Elf - L17Monk

Background - Martial Disciple.

Archetypes - Druid and Familiar Master.

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Remy - Human - L17Aerokineticist (with Metal second gate)

Background - Acrobat.

Archetypes - Wizard, Acrobat, and Thief.

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NPC Companion

Edelina - Human - L17Holy Sage Sorcerer

Background - Astrologer.

Archetypes - Psychic and Time Mage.

Next Session

Session 445 - A Great Betrayal.