Session 454 – The Belt of the Storm God

16^th of Agrazhar (Summer) 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 453 – Unwelcome Stowaway.

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The mighty Crab-Titan Obsidapor has risen from the dead. This enormous Ivashu has wrecked chaos and was blamed for recent earthquakes, tsunamis, and the destruction of Korri Cathedral and several coastal settlements. The heroes intend to eliminate this threat.

Obsidapor has also been attacking the Adaenum tribes on the nearby Anfla Island. The heroes have returned to the island to investigate.

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Location: The Kandian Colony of Fort Xuaka on Anfla Island.

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Part 1 – The Spawn of Obsidapor

The heroes arrive at Fort Xuaka and are briefed on current events by Sir Tyson Silar, the constable of the fort, and Adaenum Olna, (chief and shaman) Kurok. They learn that Obsidapor has been destroying coastal tribal villages, with hundreds dead. There seems to be no clear pattern, but Kurok describes how the titan appears to enjoy obliterating holy shrines of the demigod Manaclir, who, according to legends, originally slayed him thousands of years ago.

The nearby Adaenum village of Machal was devastated just this morning, and Kurok takes the heroes to investigate. The bodies of slaughtered tribesmen are scattered about, with huts and boats smashed. The rock shrine to the tribal gods has been desecrated. As the party surveys the destruction, they hear the sound of hundreds of tiny feet moving. Swarms of orange, deformed crab-like creatures emerge from under the wreckage—hundreds of miniature Obsidapors.

These small creatures cause chaos; however, Odin skillfully maneuvers his shield to deflect their mass attacks, and Abaddon is too quick for them. Edelina gets swarmed, bitten, and bloody after taking hundreds of tiny bites and claw strikes. Enraged, she calls upon her most powerful divine magic and blasts them with a Sunburst, incinerating many of the tiny Ivashu. Inspired, Abaddon finishes them off with a series of Ki Blasts and a Cone of Cold.

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Location: The Alhond, the Adaenum holy site on Enyala Island.

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Part 2 – The Wilding Place

Kurok explains that these swarms follow in Obsidapor's wake, moving through the wreckage and devouring the dead. He suggests that the heroes consult the High Guide, or Holna. The High Guide is the spiritual leader of the coastal Adaenum Tribes, based on Enyala Island near the Alhond or Wilding place. The next day, Kurok takes them to an island by boat.

Odin remembers that Alhond is sacred ground and has been warned before that visiting is a death sentence for outsiders. Luckily, Kurok guides them to a bay and tells them they must survive a purifying ordeal. They stand on the rocks, enduring hours of cold water and the changing tide. They survive, cold and shivering, but are now considered honorary Adaenum.

The High Guide, ot the Holna, greets them enthusiastically in his enormous hut, which is flanked by large crude statues of local wildlife built on a tall rocky outcrop overlooking the sea. The Holna is very worried, as many of his fellow tribesmen have been killed and villages destroyed by this enormous monster. He spends the day sharing all the legends and lore about Obsidapor and Manaclir that he knows. These stories are captivating, but the heroes believe two are noteworthy.

One story is about how Manaclir built a large bonfire and burned an offering. Obsidapor was attracted to its smell, and Manaclir managed to ambush and kill it. What the offering was, Holna does not know, but he will communicate with the spirits to find out.

The second story features Manaclir, who, in mortal form, fought with an enchanted spear (now wielded by Abaddon) and wore a belt that gave him the strength of a giant. The belt was buried with the god's physical remains in the holy cave of Gaileach Au Cathei, which is on a hill overlooking Fort Xuaka. Given the dire circumstances, the High Guide is happy for the heroes to claim the belt.

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Location: The Kandian Colony of Fort Xuaka on Anfla Island.

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Part 3 – The Witch's Cauldron

The next day, back at Fort Xuaka, the party investigates Gaileach Au Cathei, known locally as the Witch's Cauldron. The cave entrance is surrounded by a ring of stones, most of which bear crude carvings depicting the tribal pantheon of gods. The small cave is damp, dark, and narrow, featuring a deep shaft that leads to another cave.

Abaddon casts Stone Tell and learns a lot from the stones. No one has entered the cave in a long time, except that “dangerous spirits” have very recently done so. However, the stone's understanding of time is very ambiguous. Still, four shadowy figures appear, but are easily pushed back and destroyed. The heroes' enchanted weapons quickly deal with them.

Part 4 – The Belt of a Storm God

The party makes their way down the shaft and enters a large, stalactite-filled cave. In one corner, there's a pile of semicircular stones, roughly shaped into a pyramid over a stone slab. As the heroes investigate, they discover that one of the stalactites is not what it appears to be. It moves, and long, sticky tendrils burst from its sides, wrapping around Edelina, weakening her, and pulling her toward the monster's huge maw filled with sharp, rocky teeth.

Abaddon casts Freedom of Movement on the party healer, allowing her to escape quickly. Odin and Abaddon engage in melee combat; however, Abaddon becomes trapped in the Roper’s sticky grasp. Unfazed, he casts another spell and is engulfed in a Fire Shield, and the tendrils turn to ash. Frustrated and unwilling to bite Abaddon, the Roper directs his fury at Odin, who skillfully deflects the worst with his shield. The Roper is soon hacked to pieces.

The heroes carefully removed the circular stones and the slab, uncovering a giant's grave. The bones belong to a sturdy 7-foot-tall human. Although much of the grave goods and clothing have decayed or fallen apart, a solid leather belt with metal rivets remains in pristine condition. Odin tries it on and quickly notices that his strength and athletic abilities have heroically increased.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Sir Tyson Silar - Constable of Fort Xuaka.

Kuroc - Adaenum Shaman and Chief.

The Holna - Adaenum Mystic.

Related Content

Fort Xuaka - Updated.

Created Content

Nothing this week.

Player Characters

Odin - Human - L19 Ranger

Background - Martial Disciple.

Archetype - Shadowdancer, Investigator, and Fighter.

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Abaddon - Elf - L19 Monk

Background - Martial Disciple.

Archetypes - Druid and Familiar Master.

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Remy - Human - L19 Aerokineticist (with Metal second gate)

Background - Acrobat.

Archetypes - Wizard, Acrobat, and Thief.

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NPC Companion

Edelina - Human - L19 Holy Sage Sorcerer

Background - Astrologer.

Archetypes - Psychic and Time Mage.

Next Session

Session 455 - Sinister Plots.