Session 11 - Through the Threshold
General Summary
Xenobia walked down the opulent halls of the palace, a persistent urge compelling her to move forward. Her companions, except for Theresa, followed closely, their concern for Xenobia's well-being evident. The group found themselves standing before a grand door, guarded by eight soldiers. Xenobia felt a magnetic pull towards it and warned the guards stationed there. However, the lead guard declared that if Xenobia entered the room, she would be rendered useless to King Minos, thus making it their duty to prevent her from proceeding. Without hesitation, the guards moved to restrain her, but Xenobia fought back fiercely, determined to push forward.
Lenora questioned the guards about what lay behind the imposing doors. The guard explained that it was the entrance to the The Labyrinth, a vast and intricate maze. Pyro, ever eager to negotiate and find a friendly solution, urged the guards to allow them entry. Lenora attempted to reason with them, but their resolve remained unyielding. Undeterred, Pyro approached the door, hoping to uncover a way to gain access.
Meanwhile, Theresa, realizing that the rest of the party was missing, embarked on a search to find them. Before long, she heard commotion echoing through the palace and stealthily made her way towards the source. As she arrived at the scene, she witnessed Xenobia being overwhelmed by the guards, their numbers closing in on her. Using her command over bees and invoking the symbol of the bull, Theresa created a protective aura around Xenobia, shielding her from harm. Simultaneously, Abraxas employed his magical abilities to attempt to push open the door, but it remained firmly shut, blocked by a sturdy beam. Ischyrós, newly arrived at the palace grounds after Dirke told him where his companions had gone, joined the fray, attempting to assist Xenobia, but found himself hindered by the protective aura surrounding her.
Amidst the chaos, a single guard caught sight of Lenora picking up a spear and demanded that she drop it. Lenora, her voice dripping with menace, demanded the guard to open the door, but he stubbornly refused. Noticing Pyro's proximity to the door, the guard struck him with the end of his spear. Pyro let out a cry of pain but remained undeterred. Xenobia, witnessing Pyro being attacked, flew into a blind rage, fiercely attempting to drag her attackers along with her. As she rushed into the melee, her protective aura faltered. She gored one soldier and kicked another, but the rest were able to tether her and begin dragging her away.
Abraxas made an attempt to influence the mind of the guard blocking the door with his magic, but his efforts proved ineffective. Ischyros lent his strength to Xenobia's cause, but the other guards remained resolute. Theresa, not one to stand idly by, seized a guard and dragged him towards the group, her determination unwavering. Xenobia, fueled by her rage, broke free from the remaining guards, her gaze fixed on the guard obstructing the door. Despite the guard's attempt to strike Pyro once again, he missed as Pyro began stretching and contorting his body, transforming into a horse-like creature. Xenobia, standing before the door, easily cast the beam aside, granting them access to the labyrinth. The party rushed through the entrance, with Theresa dragging the helpless guard along. The gate closed behind them, and the sound of it being barred could be heard on the other side of the massive door.
Inside the labyrinth, Lenora conjured a guiding light, illuminating their surroundings. They found themselves in a hallway chamber adorned with paintings depicting a somber funeral procession. The guard who had been dragged along began to whimper and despair, lamenting his chosen profession and yearning for home. The party attempted to console him, but he remained resolute in his belief that he would meet his end within the labyrinth. Pyro, ever the optimist, reassured the guard, insisting that everything would be okay.
Excited that they had finally made it into the labyrinth, Pyro saw an opportunity to honor each member of the party. He turned to Theresa, placing a spoon in her hand, symbolizing her unwavering support. Next, he approached Lenora, proclaiming her as the cleverest of them all and offering her his cherished lead lozenge. Abraxas received polished sticks and stones, a gesture symbolizing his kindness. Ischyros was entrusted with a rainbow scale, signifying his ability to see value in all things. Turning to Xenobia, Pyro handed her a lock of his own hair, acknowledging her uniqueness. Realizing he had inadvertently neglected the guard, who now revealed that his name was Pandion, Pyro handed him a small stone he had collected, offering a token of inclusion. Lastly, Pyro proudly displayed a picture he had drawn on papyrus, depicting their team, a symbol of their unity and camaraderie.
Lenora cast the light upon the stone given to the guard, activating it and illuminating their path forward. The doors to the labyrinth at the end of the gently sloping entry hall swung open, revealing a path strewn with unearthed stones. Lenora examined the stones carefully, searching for hidden meaning, while Ischyros attempted to dig into the exposed earth, hoping for clues. The guard scoffed disdainfully at their efforts, mocking their perceived futility.
Pyro's attention was drawn to a wall adorned with gourds growing from it. As he approached, he noticed a green substance dripping from the ceiling and seeping through cracks in the floor. The liquid emitted a sizzling sound and had damaged most of the fruit. Undeterred, Pyro carefully selected the most edible-looking green gourd. Xenobia followed suit, deftly avoiding contact with the hazardous liquid. They proceeded further into the labyrinth, where they encountered an area covered in yellow substance. Curiosity getting the better of them, Pyro, Theresa, and Xenobia moved closer, only to be enveloped by choking yellow spores. Xenobia appeared immune to their effects, but Pyro collapsed, and Theresa showed signs of being affected.
Faced with Pyro's seemingly lifeless form, Abraxas employed his magic to stabilize him, while Theresa used her healing abilities to restore him to consciousness. Though shaken and sickened, Pyro's determination remained unbroken as he spotted another pile of gourds in an adjoining hallway. He cautiously picked up a yellow one. Their exploration continued, leading them to an area where a brown substance covered the ground. Upon contact, the substance froze Pyro's eyes shut. Once again, Pyro succumbed to its effects, and Xenobia, rushing to his aid, suffered her fair share of harm. Pyro warned the others to avoid the brown growth, as it posed a significant danger. Recognizing the need for caution, the party decided to rest within the first room they had entered.
Theresa scraped the ground in the place where flagstones had been pried loose, and moved the dirt to the entry chamber to create a slightly more comfortable bed for everyone to sleep on. Having seen to the sleeping arrangements, she healed what remaining wounds she could. The pessimistic Pandion continued to scoff at their preparations, asserting that they were ill-prepared for the challenges ahead. As the party settled down for the night, they could hear the guards outside the door commenting on how often they witnessed victims of the Labyrinth camping just on the other side of the door their first night inside, only to disappear for good later. The light dimmed, and with it, the hopes of our determined party.
Rewards Granted
- A green gourd and a yellow gourd
Missions/Quests Completed
- The party forced their way into the Labyrinth
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