Session 447 – The Devouring Bog

10^thof 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.

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This is the continuation of Session 445 - A Great Betrayal.

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The Barony of Sarkum has been struck by a massive earthquake, and the great Crab-Titan Obsidapor has been resurrected. Although this enormous Ivashu has caused chaos, it was weakened and insane, with two souls fighting for control over its body; it is only a matter of time before it regains its strength.

The heroes need help dealing with this huge threat. Earl Ranald Milaka offers his full support, as several of his manors have been heavily damaged by the earthquake, and some along the coast have been flooded. He instructs the Aleathian Guild of Arcane Lore to supply the heroes with Bottled Lightning Bombs, as the monster appears to be vulnerable to electricity. However, the heroes need more.

Abaddon wields the spear, according to legend, which was used by the demigod of storms Manaclir to slay Obsidaor for the first time thousands of years ago. This spear has housing for three gemstones; one is missing. For the spear to operate at full strength, the last missing gemstone needs to be found. Abaddon has received a vision: the last gem is located in the ruins of a dismal swamp, the infamous Tesien Moor, also known as the devouring bog. These ruins are part of the much-feared Tesien Earthmaster Site.

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Location: Ternu Heath and Tesien Moor, in the North of Kingdom of Kanday.

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Part 1 – Tentacles

The heroes enter the fetid Tesien Moor, navigating through dry patches as much as possible. Soon, they are struck by a truly revolting smell, then a mass of slime-covered tentacle bursts from a stagnant pool and strikes. Odin and Edelina are particularly affected, experiencing intense nausea and vomiting. The monstrosity seems emboldened by the heroes' illness, but the party quickly realizes that the tentacles are soft and easily hacked away. The grotesque mass is swiftly sliced into small pieces and destroyed.

Part 2 – Tomys the Hermit

The heroes move up a small hill to get a better view and see a spry older man walking toward them. Odin, who served with the Checkered Shield in the region, immediately recognizes him. It is the hermit Tomys of Elyat. Tomys is somewhat of a legend, having offered guidance to travelers on the Ternu Heath and Tesien Moor for a great many years. He is always well-informed and highly perceptive; ignoring his advice often leads to disaster.

Tomys is in a good mood and immediately recognizes Odin as a former Checkered Shield Erkan (special operative) and Abaddon as an Elf. When told of Abaddon’s vision, he knows the location and directs the heroes, but offers a warning. “Beware the bane of masons," he says, “The phantom of Kelari haunts the ruins.”

He tells the heroes a legend about how the dwarves of Kiraz sent expeditions to study the architecture of the Earthmaster ruins at Tesien. They hated the site and never returned after one of their group, Kelari, went missing. Tomys accepts some food and joins the party for the night at camp.

Part 3 - The Ruins

The next day, following the hermit's directions, the party avoids potential hazards and soon locates the ruined structure on the west side of Lake Kelar. It is covered with a light, scattered layer of green webs.

Remy flies over the ruin and, aside from the mysterious webbing, finds nothing threatening. The party cautiously approaches, and the well-hidden occupants launch their ambush. Half a dozen strange spiders emerge from the muck; these are the size of a large dog and made entirely of wood. They are alive, not constructs, and dash quickly across the green webs. The party finds itself in a tense battle; Remy summons shards of sharp metal, which saw through them. One emerges from the party's flank, catching Edelina by surprise; fortunately, she quickly escapes and, in an uncharacteristic display of anger, hurls an enormous ball of holy fire that scorches the Timberwebs and purges most of the green webbing. She also accidentally catches Odin in the blast, singeing some of his clothing. Afterwards, she is extremely apologetic.

Eventually, the Timberwebs are eradicated.

Part 4 – The Ghost

The party searches through the rubble and discovers a hidden panel. Remy detects no mechanical traps, but the entire area glows brightly under Detect Magic, mostly because of psionic energy due to the proximity to Earthmaster structures.

Sliding the panel open reveals a stairwell leading down and a horrific Ghost of Kelari the Dwarf glaring at him. The dreadful spectral undead causes Remy to panic as it passes its hand into his chest and quickly begins sapping his life force. The heroes spring into action. Edelina imbues the heroes with the glowing holy light of her god, Save K’Nor, which seeps into the ghost's incorporeal form, causing some damage. However, the real harm was inflicted by Abaddon, who utilized the consecrated handwraps he had been given by the peaceful priests and exorcists of the goddess Peoni. The specter has no defense against these and is soon vanquished. But like any ghost, probably not forever.

Now that the ghost is taken care of, for the moment, the heroes head down the dark, foreboding stairwell.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Earl Ranald Milaka - Earl of Sarkum and King's Father.

Tomys of Elyat - Mysterious Hermit.

Related Content

Earthmaster Sites - Updated.

Created Content

Tomys of Elyat - The Hermit of the Tesien Moor.

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 - L17 Aerokineticist (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 449 – A God’s Weapon.