Session 448 - The Tidal Reaver

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.

---

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.

---

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

This is the continuation of Session 446 – Religious Machinations.

12^th of Halane (Autumn) 729TR

Ryobi was exiled after committing robbery, murder, and blasphemy in his home kingdom of Rethem. Now, under the order of the new Apalankh, the Agrikian Primate of Harn, Ryobi has been pardoned for his many crimes and recalled; his exile is over. However, the warrior monk has good reason to suspect a trap and will act accordingly. Nevertheless, the trio begins their long journey home.

The first leg of their voyage to the Island Principality of Goris faces severe problems, and the vessel, the Black Sprite, becomes haunted. Before the voyage ends, over half the crew are dead. One crew member had a cursed book, which the heroes burned, believing it would remove the curse. As a result, the evil was released into the world. Despite this, the heroes choose to stay in Goris while Ash spends weeks forging a set of magical rings and other trinkets.

Location: Principality of Goris

Part 1- The Tidal Reaver

Tasindis, art by Perchance

Jasmiya was his apprentice for only a few weeks, an attractive young woman who seemed to have a natural talent for manipulating magic. She was significantly older than a typical apprentice, but Tasindis was clearly captivated by her charms. He left his staff unattended in the laboratory one day, and shortly afterward, both she and his staff were gone. A fellow guildsman cast the Pinpoint spell, revealing that Jasmiya and the staff were on a small island off Goris’s northwestern coast.

Part 2 – Elemental Chaos

The heroes are dropped off on the islet and start exploring. The only features are two ruined buildings and a pond.

The nearest structure was likely an abandoned shelter up on a small ridge. Hiding among the remains of the rafters, a bird waits. In reality, it is a powerful elemental with storm-like properties. The bird swoops at the heroes, generating a shower of sparks with its wings as it strikes. After several passes, the annoyed Ryobi manages to grab it, but it's difficult to handle. However, with some of its mobility taken away, the party soon destroys this feathered storm.

As Ryobi and Ash make their way towards the second ruin, Vinzent passes by the pond and notices movement. Two large scorpions, with blue streaks, emerge. The temperature suddenly drops. These seem to be part elemental as well; their stingers produce venom that can freeze the blood of any unlucky victim. Ash and Ryobi come to Vinzent’s aid, and soon the arachnids are defeated. Ash skillfully harvests their venom.

Part 3 – The Cavern

The heroes are stumped; there is no sign of the staff or Jasmiya. They try to call out to her, but get no response. A thorough search of the island reveals some evidence that the rubble beneath one of the towers has recently been moved. After hours of digging, the heroes uncover a stairwell leading downwards and begin exploring.

Underground is a series of natural passages connecting a vast network of humid caverns. The terrain is rugged and scattered with old bones, some of them human. Suddenly, two enormous insect-like creatures appear. They resemble giant slaters, with one rearing up and releasing a green, acrid gas from its soft underside, which burns flesh and irritates the eyes. The monsters charge forward, catching the heroes off guard, and their tough outer shells prove more than capable of withstanding conventional weapons.

Ash’s Alchemist Fire damages them, and he takes several strong bites in return, only saved by Vinzent’s magical healing. Ryobi’s Grease snares one, causing it to slip and exposing its vulnerable underbelly, an advantage he quickly exploits. The insectoids are eventually eliminated; however, most of Ash’s alchemical potions are consumed.

Part 4 – Yasmiya

The caverns start to warm as the party finds an underground pool with several thermal vents, which create bubbles and heat. A small island is situated in the center of the cave, and on it stands a white and blue staff, the Tidal Reaver. Luckily, the water is only 3 to 4 feet deep, so the party wades in.

Then, from a side passage, an attractive dark-haired woman appears, wearing a blue robe and a seashell necklace. She walks on water but keeps her distance. The heroes converse and find her to be quite friendly and pleasant, but she stubbornly refuses to give up the staff. She claims she has a natural connection to its water magic.

Discerning an impasse, Ash approaches, and she quickly moves to defend herself. Suddenly, she begins growing to an immense size and becomes considerably uglier. Her skin turns blue and thickens, becoming more muscular. With a gesture, a cloud of water sprays over the heroes, and the water appears sticky, making them vulnerable to her Electrical attacks. Then she summons a lance of lightning and blasts Ash; fortunately, he dodges. She is immensely strong and hits hard with her large, electricity-charged spear; however, Ash recognizes her weakness to weapons that damage her spiritual essence. He covers his weapons with traces of holy relics, and they tear through the monster. Ryobi also fights effectively, empowering his holy sword with the divine fire of his god Agrik. Although an impressive opponent, the heroes have the tools to quickly and efficiently defeat and kill her.

Part 5 – A Performance to Remember

The heroes recover the staff and a small collection of valuable trinkets from a nearby cave. They then return to the City of Golis and Tasindis Ostrom. The water mage is overjoyed and pays the heroes generously as promised. Vinzent composes a song about the battle with the grotesque Water Ogre, including a vivid description of Yasmiya’s true form. His performance is so intense that Tasindis turns pale and rushes out of the room to vomit. His relationship with Yasmiya must have been more personal than he admitted!

To be continued.

Created Content

Nothing this week.

Related Reports

Nothing this week.

Player Characters

Ryobi - Human - L15 Monk

Background - Temple Guard.

Archetypes - Barbarian/Fighter.

Ash - Human - L15 Thaumaturge

Background - Weaponcrafter.

Archetypes - Alchemist/Vestige Hunter.

NPC Companion

Vinzent - Human - L15 Bard

Background - Cursed.

Archetypes - Blessed/Disciple of Thalia.

Next Session

Session 452 - Prison break.