Khemia Occulta X: The Return of Riven Telestandis

The battle continued with Theophilus dazed, Teleptyon, Asbjørn, and Kegho suffering from paralysis. Alexandru Croitoru–lurking in the shadows–nocked another arrow and Ükhilflin sunk her teeth deeper into the nape of a prone ghoul. The ghoul looming over Teleptyon went to strike and Alex loosed his arrow, exploding it. The movement drew the attention of the remaining ghouls and they began closing on Alex. As a ghoul charged him with frightening speed, he heard an unexpected twang of bowstring and whistling sound before an arrow lodged itself in the charging ghoul’s knee. He traced the sound with his keen Oameni hearing and caught sight of a familiar green cloak in the distance, but did not have time to dwell on it as a second ghoul lunged at him. He dodged and struck back but his footing was off and the well-aimed blow had no force behind it. The first ghoul attacked again, and Alex was unable to dodge its strike. He too succumbed to paralysis. Theo recovered from his daze and prayed to Maya and Lamos to bring himself back from the brink of death. The Palesian Scout fired again, but the sound attracted attention and she too was struck and paralyzed. Ükhilflin killed her pinned ghoul and looked up to see Alex being dragged away by the ghoul that had paralyzed him. She set off in pursuit, but missed. Theo saw the Palesian Scout being dragged away and feared he was still befuddled, but set out in pursuit and brained the ghoul dragging the young woman. Ükhilflin tried again to stop the ghoul from dragging off Alex but failed. Before Theo could look under the hood of their mysterious Palesian benefactress's hood, Theo spotted the Oameni being dragged and chased them down. Suddenly outnumbered, the ghoul attempted to flee. Ükhilflin attacked but was unable to finish the ghoul and it escaped. Theo could tell that the Oameni yet lived, but was unable to rouse him.

Theo and Ükhilflin began dragging their companions back to the relative safety of the camp. While retrieving the Palesian, he recognized her as Riven Telstandis, their former companion.

Teleptyon roused first, and was discomfited at the sudden presence of Riven. She and Alex regained their mobility around the same time and went out to retrieve their arrows. Riven then helped Theo to gather wood and they caught up awkwardly.

Riven told of having followed the party from a distance and seeing the chaos they had left in their wake. She mentioned that the people Shagora had been massacred after La Ccompagnia had moved on. Theo and Alex could only stammer that Amma had stayed behind to help guard the town and Elissa had traveled on with the party. Riven mentioned that after seeing what the party left in their wake she had intended to stay ahead of them, but they seemed to be in trouble and so she intervened with the ghouls.

The rest of the party gained use of their limbs again and repaired their camp before taking a much needed rest. Theo began healing the injured and used a scroll of Lamos’ Blessing on Asbjorn who was the worst off. Asbjorn’s still resented the Ouranic Church’s incursion into Rhenish lands but he was beginning to appreciate the power that had attracted his kinsmen. Theo blessed the food and prayed over those still injured, greatly improving their chances of survival before heading back to the Arafi Caravanserai where Talal had stowed their camel and goods.

Riven payed the gold entry fee for most of the party and they immediately headed to the hamam to wash the dust of the Tomb of the Djeti off and relax. The attendants offered special cleaning to the party for five silver per person. Asbjorn asked for a double helping and Kegho joined him, laughing riotously. Tele and Alex each follow in, Tele received his services for free thanks to his bitchin’ scars. Alex saw Theo demure, understanding what special services meant and Riven decline because she did not. Alex gave an attendant an extra five silver and pointed to Riven, who was carried off by an attendant.

Relaxed, the party sat on cushions and drank tea while listening to the idle gossip of the caravaneers:

• A group of very effective pirates, were decimating trade routes on the Central Sea. Some fools were claiming that the pirates were women.
• The gnolls of the Senu Desert were being particularly aggressive and unnaturally strong sand storms were scouring the land routes. It was whispered that some fools had disturbed the Tomb of the Djeti and had awoken something dangerous.

They spent the rest of the day perusing the shops. Asbjorn sought out a tailor and had one of the Djeti robes fitted and adorned to be as attention-grabbing as possible. Alex selected a cloak in a dark color made of a light and quiet material.