Session III: Gimme Shelter Report

General Summary

After shopping for magic items, the party returns to the tavern. Only to find WANTED posters of them everywhere. Recognizing the threat, they grab Malika and run, barely escaping the first wave of guards. They split up in order to keep the guards from overwhelming them.
After a brutal fight, Magni is taken down by the Elemental Myrmidons, being captured by the Efreeti General hunting them down. Malika is also captured in the process, leaving Lanius and Neli to fend for themselves. As they're surrounded by Genasi guards and Elementals, all hope seemed lost.
However, losing isn't in Lanius' dictionary, noticing a cooling mechanism in the street, he rewires it to explode. The explosion kills the guards who had captured Malika, and cause a huge ruckus. Using the explosion as a distraction, Neli, Lanius, and Malika continue their escape into the city.
Magni awoke to find himself being dragged by the Efreeti General himself. Desperate to escape, he racked his brain for any form of escape. Fortune smiled upon him, as an explosion raged in the distance, causing the Efreeti to leave Magni with a pair of Genasi guards so he could personally investigate. Drawing his blade, Magni killed on guard in brutal fashion, causing the other to retreat. Barely stable, and on the run, Magni retreated ahead.
To keep up the momentum, Lanius used the Fireball scroll they bought from a strange purple gnome to cause even more of a ruckus. Using the Fire Plane's natural amplification to flame, he caused an enormous, but nonlethal, explosion across the city. The guards all rushed to investigate and help anyone caught in it. The three of them slipped past the Efreeti and managed to push further into the city.
As Magni limped throughout the city, he was stopped by a mysterious elf. He promised to help his group escape if he just trusted him. With few options, Magni accepted the stranger's help. The stranger let off a subtle smoke symbol, keying the party onto Magni's location. The party reunited, and the stranger led them all inside a restaurant to talk business.
The stranger was a strange fellow, appropriately enough. He seemed interested in helping the party and protecting Malika, yet all the words he spoke were laced with venom and spite. He constantly lied, about his name, race, and occupation. He claimed to be a leader of an evil organization called the "Deck of Cards", with over 5,000 loyal members. He requested the party give him supplies he needed for his projects (ranging from smoke-bombs from Lanius to Magni's horns) in exchange for smuggling the party out of the city. The party agreed, and he led them to his secret hideout.
Now the party is hiding out in the mysterious stranger's hideout. While currently safe, the mystery of the stranger, and the question if they can trust him is still in the air. He has a strange fascination with Malika, is it admiration or something much darker?

Rewards Granted

~~Magic Items~~
+1 Dagger (The Weapon was not in the last report, so it's included here)

Missions/Quests Completed

The party hasn't made any progress in escaping the Elemental Planes, but has found a better spot of respite then they previously had.

Character(s) interacted with

Malika respects the opinion of the party much above her own
Malika trusts the party with her life, following plans she might instinctively not believe in
The stranger seems to dislike Magni greatly, citing his race as the source of his aggression. Yet he seems fascinated with his horns and skill in combat
The stranger hates Neli, calling her ugly and insulting her lineage. Yet he also seems to have a deep respect for the pirating life.
The stranger doesn't care for Lanius, dismissive of his achievements. Yet he knows many of his inventions and wants his help for his own projects.

Created Content

-The Deck of Cards
-Elpida/Sea Wizard Nick/Idris

Notes

Marcus is still dead