Session 445 - A Great Betrayal
General Summary
3thof Nolus (Summer) 729TR
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 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.
This is the continuation of Session 444 - Blood at the Quarry.
The mad priest of Ilvir Xantosa and his sly henchman, the troll Shageiros, are moving forward with their twisted plan to resurrect the slain crab-titan Obsidapor. The heroes believed that this ritual would take place at the Obasini Stone Quarry, the location where Obsidapor was killed and his blood stained the granite. Sadly, the devious duo has a spy, a Nadrydd known as the Soul Eater, who prowls the ethereal plane and keeps Xantosa updated on the party’s activities. Instead of using the quarry to revive Obsidapor, Xantosa opts for the nearby under-construction Korri Cathedral, a massive structure built with a huge amount of the blood-stained stone.
Just minutes ago, the region was struck by an earthquake, and the crab titan Obsidapor's stone-like body formed. The Korri Cathedral was destroyed in its wake. In the distance, the heroes see the smoking ruins of the cathedral, and something large is moving. Realizing their mistake, the heroes race toward the ruin.
Part 1 – The Aklash on the Road
The heroes follow the reddish flakes of rock shards as they fly toward the ruined cathedral. Xantosa has summoned more Ivashu to harass the party. On the road, a large, bloated Aklash has emerged from the swamp, killed some unfortunate peasant, and several others are fleeing in terror. The heroes attack, but Xantosa’s Nadrydd, spying from the Ethereal Plane, decides to manifest. It ambushes the surprised characters and, being partially in two planes of existence, is resistant to most damage. It is frustratingly hard to injure.
Abaddon attacks the Aklash, easily dodging its blasts of foul, poisonous breath and driving his magical spear deep into the Ivashu’s greasy flesh. Even better, the sparks from his spear hurt the brute badly, being attracted to its water-filled brain located deep in its blubbery belly. But it heals these wounds at an alarming rate. Abaddon shifts tactics, casting the Fear spell. The Aklash shivers in fear, but the Nadrydd, a creature that feeds on fear, proves especially vulnerable. It escapes the fight, giving the entire party a chance to focus on and kill the Aklash. When the Nydredd gathers the courage to return, the heroes are well-prepared and quickly destroy it.
Part 2 – The Betrayal
The heroes arrive at the ruined cathedral, where blood-stained flakes of dust and rock shards still fly through the air. Bodies of priests and worshippers are scattered everywhere. The imposing resurrected crab titan Obsidapor stands immobile like a horrifying, massive statue. It is a lifeless shell.
As Xantosa finishes his ritual, Shagerious the troll lights a flame and sets himself ablaze. Flames engulf his body, his rubbery flesh sizzling and quickly turning to ash. He screams in pain as the heroes see an amorphous, hazy shape approach from the east, the soul sent by the god IIlvir is about to enter and bring life to Obsidapor's body. But that’s not the only soul; Shagerious's departing spirit escapes his burned corpse and also enters Obsidapor's inert form. Suddenly, Obsidapore awakens, letting out a monstrous scream of fury and confusion as the two souls fight for control.
Part 3 - Obsidapor Rises
Odin jumps between shadows and appears behind Xantosa, delivering a surprise attack, but the wiry priest counters with a blast of poison. Abaddon joins Odin, but Obsidapor, roused from his daze, randomly charges after Remy, landing a massive hit that severely injures the air bender, but then he enters another state of confusion.
The battle on the roof continues fiercely, and eventually the mad priest is injured and retreats toward Obsidapor, ordering it to attack the heroes, seemingly unaware he has no real control. With a jolt, the titan's eyes focus, and it once again is able to control its body. Seeing the priest, a surge of hatred and resentment that Shageiros felt for Xantosa, his former master, rises within him. Obsidapor reaches out with his massive claws, grasps the priest, crushing him, and bites the bewildered fool's head off. Thus ends the story of the mad priest Xantosa, but his insane creation remains.
The crab titan is still confused, but it is deadly. Its massive claws and lethal bite cause chaos. Luckily, the two souls keep fighting, momentarily paralyzing it and giving the heroes a chance to land serious hits. Obsidapor is currently vulnerable and far from full strength.
As injuries begin to mount, the creature shifts its focus from internal conflict to self-preservation. Waving its arms, it summons a huge blast of seawater, a mini-tsunami that forces the heroes back, giving the monster a chance to escape and recover. It moves swiftly toward the nearby Korri Bog. Odin, recovering from the water blast, Shadow Jumps onto the ruined cathedral roof and fires his most powerful magical arrow. Unfortunately, the God Rending Arrow narrowly misses as Obsidapor enters the swamp, sinks into the muck, and vanishes. It will cause chaos as it makes its way back to the sea, and once healed, will its two souls reach a truce or merge? What will be its plans?
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Only a few peasants and villains.
Related Content
Nadrydd - The Harvester of Souls
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Player Characters
Odin - Human - L17 Ranger
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetype - Shadowdancer, Investigator, and Fighter.
Abaddon - Elf - L17Monk
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetypes - Druid and Familiar Master.
Remy - Human - L17Aerokineticist (with Metal second gate)
Background - Acrobat.
Archetypes - Wizard, Acrobat, and Thief.
NPC Companion
Edelina - Human - L17Holy Sage Sorcerer
Background - Astrologer.
Archetypes - Psychic and Time Mage.
Next Session
Session 445
Remy
Abaddon
Odin
NPC Companion
Edelina Sprunstone
Edelina, a scholarly priestess of the Church of Save K'Nor, travels the world seeking subjects to study. She has researched psionics, religions, and astrology. Her current research subjects include mythic history, the monstrous Ivashu in their strange forms, and the Pradeyalkri, giants and monsters driven from Ivinia by the god Sarajin.
Obsidipor - The Fallen
One of Ilvir's largest and most dangerous creations. The Crab Titan of Storms.
Manaclir, the Adaenum, the Great Grey God and Master of Wind and Wave, was jealous, claiming that Obsidipor stole his crown. The demigods fought a long and epic battle. The land beneath them was wasted and sank below the sea. Obsidipor was slain and torn apart, and his red blood stained the hill, creating the distinctive Red Granite of Obsini quarry.
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