Session 8 - Otyughs and Burning Books

Following the group’s revelation of the Hawkmask’s true identities word quickly spread and by the end of the day the Jubal’s Hawkmasks and mercenaries were in a pitched battle with the Pashas’ legion and city guard. Smoke rose from Jubal’s compound in Diamond Heights and word soon spread that Jubal was killed as wagons with the bodies of defeated Hawkmasks were wheeled to mass graves. Following these events, the group was approached by a member of a grateful Mage’s Guild who shared potentially calamitous events in the city, affecting both the Pasha and Vestra had the nature of the Hawkmasks not been revealed so quickly. He gave the group a small mirror, replacing the scrying device that had been destroyed during their earlier capture and imprisonment.
Deciding to move forward with their plan to steal and destroy “The Book” the heroes made a reconnaissance of the sewer route to the palace grounds. As they entered the chamber below the Palace barns a filthy Otyugh emerged from piles of filth that littered the chamber. The beast proved to be a fearsome foe, battering the party before their combined attacks, topped off with massive magical and physical hammer attacks from Garrak felled the creature.
Beaten, sickened and filthy the group rested and restocked to finalize their plans to steal the book, destroy it and make their way to the ship promised by Vestra. They were approached by Big Cal and Old Getty who requested to join the crew as cook and navigator respectively. Hands also paid the group a visit, sharing that his inquiries into the seemingly resurrected Titus Saranto had so far been fruitless.
In the dark of night, 4 days before the Festivus celebration they again made their way through the sewers and put their plan in place to steal the book. The party stationed at intervals to cover their retreat and prepare of any contingencies, Mythdanor was sent into the shrine of Waukeen to stealthily take the book and replace it with a blank replica. The rogue snuck into the shrine and finally located a scribe who was painstakingly transcribing a copy of the book. Startled by Mythdanor, who had no explanation for his presence, the old man shouted for the guards who burst forth from their quarters. They chased the Rogue into a trap where heavy stones fell from the ceiling and knocked him unconscious.
While Roggo continued to guard the sewer entrance, Akir and Garrak, realizing something was wrong observed the guards Sargeant and member of the Pasha’s personal guard entering the shrine to deal with their prisoner. The two crept in after them and after a heated battle slew all but one of the guards, who surrendered. Healing Mythdanor, they took the book and the copy that was in-progress and made a hasty escape back to Cheapside.
The next morning the group met with Vestra who was already grateful for their handling of the Hawkmasks and appeared deeply moved as they shared that they had retrieved the book. It was agreed that the book would be destroyed around noon on Festivus eve in the Pasha’s square, just as the tides were starting to go out. Vestra reaffirmed that the ship would be ready and committed to manufacturing a disturbance that would draw off some of the normally large legion presence in the square, though she was adamant that the Good Folk could not directly battle the Pasha’s forces. They must not be associated with the destruction of The Book or they would face the same fate as the Hawkmasks.
The group made their way to the Pasha’s square and took the podium set up for the airing of grievances. In the distance smoke could be seen from the Diamond Heights area and a number of Legion troops trotted off in that direction. Garrak’s voice boomed out, magically enhanced his words swept over everyone in the square and beyond. Holding The Book and copy high he proclaimed that it would burn and the slaves would be free. With that, a holy fire erupted from his fingers, and the charred pages flew into the air, scattering across the stunned crowd.
The onlookers, many of who were slaves or former slaves, took but a moment to understand what this meant as shouts of The Book’s destruction echoed across the square. Some among those in the crowd exclaimed that the attackers on the temple of Bane had burned the book as pandemonium continued to build.
The Imperial forces still in the area, and even outside the square also heard and saw the shocking event and began to react.
The heroes turned and hastily made their way from the stage as the pursuit began.
It seemed today would be their last day in Manshaka, whether their departure would be via the waiting ship or on a cart of the dead is still to be seen….