Session 456 - Nightmare In Wax

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.

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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.

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

This is the continuation of Session 452 - Prison Break).

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30^th of Savor (Autumn) 729TR

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Ryobi and friends were exiled after committing robbery, murder, and blasphemy in the 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, ending his exile. However, the warrior monk has good reason to suspect a trap and will act accordingly. Nevertheless, the trio begins their long journey home.

The adventurers have arrived in the port City of Cabra, part of the Kingdom of Palithane, and while they wait for their next vessel, they look for work.

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Location: City of Cabra in the Kingdom of Palithane

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Part 1 – A destroyed Cult

One of the city’s aldermen, Halfgolt, is searching for skilled monster hunters. A few months ago, the city guard dismantled a Cult of Morgath worshipers led by the chandler Rubia Gnash, who operated out of his workshop. This small cult initially sacrificed animals but eventually started murdering the destitute, believing no one would miss them. The cultists and priests were caught during a ceremony and burned at the stake. During their quick trial, it became clear that Rubia was involved in many evil deeds, including mixing human remains into his candles.

One of Rubia’s most heinous acts was creating a grotesque, waxy horror. It was described as a foul, waxy mass containing bones and organs from sacrifices. This horror escaped into the sewer, and the city guards sent to find it have not returned. The heroes have been hired to locate and destroy this creature.

Part 2 – Itchy Moments

After some preparation, the trio enters the sewer and focuses on the section under the Chandler's workshop. First, they are swarmed by a swarm of disgusting red ticks. These blood-sucking fiends are eventually dispersed.

Directly beneath the cultist candle shop, the party discovers a hidden cellar used as a storeroom. It contains barrels of wax, oils, and raw materials for candle making, as well as cages filled with animals and human body parts preserved in wax. Unfortunately, the animated corpses of three guards, all covered in hot wax, shamble forward and attack the heroes. The gulmorvin are slow but deadly; however, they disintegrate upon destruction, leaving only a bubbling smear of wax on the floor.

The heroes search the storeroom and find some well-hidden papers, records of many of Rubia's evil deeds. This includes a list of townsfolk who have attended the cult’s black masses, some of whom are not listed among the people burned at the stake. Ryobi decides to assassinate anyone who escaped capture.

Part 3 – The Waxen Effigy

The storeroom opens into a series of rough-cut caverns, with tree roots hanging from the ceiling intermittently. At the back, the heroes spot movement: two more wax-covered zombie-like creatures. As Ash rushes to attack, another horror emerges, a vaguely humanoid blob of boiling wax. Ash is struck by a large globule of molten wax and ends up badly scalded; fortunately, Vinzent comes to the rescue with Healing. Ash responds by using his knowledge of the occult, smearing herbs and the gizzard of a frost drake onto his starknife. Now, when he strikes the horror’s wax, it partially solidifies and breaks apart. Ash continues fighting while Vinzent supplies healing, and the Wax Effigy is soon destroyed; the demonic spirit animating the wax evaporates.

The remaining wax-covered zombies are also quickly taken care of. Ryobi’s tactic of tripping the clumsy, slow-moving brutes is especially effective. As they try to get up, they are swiftly eliminated.

Part 4 – The Man In A Casket

The heroes continue exploring when they hear a muffled knocking and a faint cry for help. Looking at the wall, they see a faint outline of a secret door; unfortunately, the opening mechanism is on the inside. This poses no problem; Ryobi, showing impressive strength, easily forces it open.

Beyond is a small hollow just large enough to hold a stone casket. However, roots have grown over the lid, keeping it shut. Someone is inside the casket, but he's trapped.

“Please help,” a man cries, “I’m trapped, the lid won’t open.” When asked, he replies, “I am Rubia Gnash, the candle maker. You will be well rewarded; just name your price.” The heroes recall that the head of the Morgathic Cult, Rubia Gnash, was captured and burned at the stake two months ago. He must be an Amorvin, gifted 13-lives of undeath, and after his body perished at the stake, it has reformed in his sanctum, in this casket. Ignoring the pleas for help, Vinzent tries to paint holy symbols of the goddess Halea on the casket; however, these evaporate on contact and anger its occupant. But soon, threats turn back to begging for help as Ash and Ryobi secure the casket shut with rope and start filling the chamber with dirt and stones, sealing it. With the secret door returned to its place and well secured, no one will ever know of the vile undead trapped inside. A fitting punishment for his crimes.

The party emerges back onto the surface and is generously rewarded by Alderman Halfgolt.

To be continued.

Created Content

Nothing this week.

Related Reports

Nothing this week.

Player Characters

Ryobi - Human - L16 Monk

Background - Temple Guard.

Archetypes - Barbarian/Fighter.

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Ash - Human - L16 Thaumaturge

Background - Weaponcrafter.

Archetypes - Alchemist/Vestige Hunter.

NPC Companion

Vinzent - Human - L16 Bard

Background - Cursed.

Archetypes - Blessed/Disciple of Thalia.

Next Session

Session 458 – The Complete Works of Shakespore.