Episode Sixty-four - The Thessalhydra
General Summary
As the heroes all approached the manor of Sir Ursas, a calm breeze rushed across the waning snow. The sound of the town coming to life invited a safety behind them but as a blacksmith's hammer was struck, a chill shot up their spines. They all get the sensation that they were being watched as suddenly a voice called out from behind them.
"Arion!" It called, "I made a new deal."
Arion recognized the voice, it was none other then the voice of Duryodhana-Kali. As the group turned to see who'd spoken, they saw nothing but a large oak tree trunk nearby, then they heard the voice call out again.
"My torture has ended with Agrik's replacement but my hatred for you yet grows. Through a deal from those at war, I am now released. Fear me!" He screamed as they all saw a hulking mass of body, boils, and muscle step out from behind the tree.
Aldrich immediately recognized the Nine Lives Stealer in the demon's hand as Varis found the Hezrou demon in the Tome of Foes.
The demon questioned, "your past has comeback to haunt you Arion, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Given a stern look, the demon offered, "I made a deal with the new Agrik and now you will suffer."
"You came out lesser," Arion retorted.
"I am more powerful now then you could ever be."
"I doubt that."
"Well, I don't have to kill you all, just one will suit. If I win a duel, I'll leave the rest of you alone."
After an exchange about a duel, and despite the fact that the demon wanted to face one of the other members, Arion stepped forth for a fight as Aldrich offered his knowledge of the sword and Varis declared the demon to be a mighty foe.
The demon made the charge declaring, "Hell Rend will cleave your soul!"
His sword struck Arion's shield but under the demons might the shield battered him. The next strike clattered off his armor and the final was parried by Arion's own blade. Arion then took the initiative and swiftly slashed the demon four times with the speed of four men. Then the demon slung Hell Rend at Arion and he caught the mighty blade with his own in a might clash. Spun around the demon domineered and ran his blade down Arion's torso from his left shoulder down to his right side. Set to strike again, Arion drove his blade forth and caught Hell Rend as Varis could be heard afield encouraging the onlookers to leave.
As Arion's following strike was caught, the demon delclared, "I will please Bel and my master! I will take my position in hell!"
With another clatter of blades he screamed, "Neveh was right, you threaten the gods and but Ilsensine won't have your heads, I will!"
Their blades crashed into one another again as the demon saw his opening, it pulled back and then drove its blade forward, running it off Arion's left side. As the ringing wrought by Arion's armor shrieking died in everyone's ears, Arion responded with a dive and two massive blows to the beast.
As desperation and panic set in it cried, "Damn you all to hell!"
Then the demon spun away and struck Thorm thrice as Arion cleaved into his back. Angered as his friend was struck, Aldrich charged in and unleased a holy blow.
"I damn you all to be judged by the hells!" He wailed as Thorum dropped his pike and stuck the beast with his sword.
Then, as Varis fired his weapon and ballista over the demon, Arion spun around Aldrich and kneeled into a strike on the demon's flank. As his sword drug across the beast, its insides spilled forth and it fell onto the grass.
"Arion.. Arion, well fought." The demon gagged. "The gods fear the Champions of Destiny and I just wanted to kill one of you to prove myself.. but very well, finish the quest we started you self-righteous im..."
As the demon struggled to finish its final word Arion laughed, "hurry up and die."
As the beast exhaled, it died and its blade fell forth. It was decided that Hell Rend would fall into the possession of Thorum and then that the body of the demon needed burning. As Varis fixed Arion's armor with a contraption, Thorum took up the task and set into town.
The party then met with Sir Ursis in his gazebo and he told them he was trying to fight back the hordes of the Hell and keep them from invading. He told them that he wanted to hire them to retieve the missing components of the Infernal Machine of Lum the Mad and the agreed that he'd have to let them use the machine after. They told him they wanted to speak with his rival, that he called a common thief, and then they set out. They discussed Ursis and his intent and potential employer on the way over to Lynx's manor.
At her manor, Aldrich sensed that Lynx was an undead fiend, though she was clearly a fiend being a tiefling. The party spoke with her for some time and she mentioned only wanting to keep the missing components away from Sir Ursas. She offered little else without a commitment. With a distrust formed, the party then set out for the blacksmith in hopes of doing some shopping.
At the shop the owner, Horst, asked Varis to give him a week to build what he noticed was pieces of a firearm. He also warned Varis that should Varis complete the weapon would likely anger the gods. Aldrich learned that there was a fighting ring in the evenings and vowed to Horst to come back for some fun.
The party then walked though the open area between the town and the watch as they discussed their options. Then they went into the Broken Compass and bought dwarven armor and a Wand of Magic Missile. Afterward they spoke with Felevel the Green, the town elder, but learned nothing. Then spoke with the wizard Dresden Tormaq and told him the situation as it stood. Finally they ate at the inn before heading to the fight club.
Horst informed them that the first rule of his club of fighting was that one does not speak of his club of fighting. Inside, Calaeriel and Aldrich fought each other. They both skillfully battered one another but with a slip up, Calaeriel fell into a punch and got knocked down by Aldrich, who was declared the winner.
Back at the bar, they regaled the bar with their exchange of blow, though left out where and why the fight started as the roused the entire bar to the excitement of the town. After a fun night, and come the morning of the 30th, they set out to speak with Sir Ursas and accept his quest.
After telling them he was a paladin of Lathander, Sir Usis sent the party into the past to the Temple of Moloch. In the wood beyond, Arion posited carefully that the clock tower had similar components to what they are looking for and they there was likely a local connection. As he spoke and they walked deeper into the forest by the edge of town, Varis took out his notebook and tinkered on it to make a visual effect that was text and though it he informed the party that he was sure that Ursas lied about serving Lathander. Then, out from behind a tree, something less then a demon appeared. Stood before them they greeted a young Ctenmiir who thought they were Eilvenkin. They creeped him out and he headed on, as they all spoke of recognizing him. Arion had not, but as they walked they cleared up his identity and then stumbled onto an old temple.
Beneath the ruins they ventured and found a cavern with an underground lake as well as a hydra likely modified by the supposed master of the temple, Thessalar. At first fleeing the Thessalhydra, they returned to search the sarcophagi. After they found a letter that suggested a key was at the bottom of the body of water, they realized that a group of lizardfolk were approaching to see them done in.
Rewards Granted
975xp
Missions/Quests Completed
Quest of Fate Continued, Subquest Forging Fate Continued, Sidequest Infernal Machine Rebuild Continued
Character(s) interacted with
Sir Ursas and Lynx Creatlach
Notes
Notable Party Damage:
- Aldrich has a horrible burn scar on the left side of his neck in front of the ear from a azure fire elemental summoned by Seldra Tylmarande.
Noted Effects: Horrible Scar. You are disfigured to the extent that the wound can't be easily concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar. - Arion came from Arda with a scar that won't seem to heal.
Noted Effects: Minor Scar (Head). The scar doesn't have any adverse effect. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar. - Calaeriel is prestine.
Noted Effects: None - Varis has a bite mark from a warped Plaguechanged monster on his left shoulder.
Noted Effects: None
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