Session 26 -Dionyditus Takes Ormos

General Summary

While his companions went to Ormos, Abraxas embarked on a mission to consecrate a new temple, a sacred union of Dionysus and Aphrodite. Two of the female devotees of Dionysus climbed a hill, and performed sacred acts. But with each ritual and incantation, his thoughts inevitably turned towards his friends and their mission for Polydoros. As he continued the consecration, a radiant aura enveloped him and his consorts, and lifted them in the air. His steps seemed guided by unseen forces as he journeyed from the hills to Ormos. After arriving near the gates, he saw that soldiers still manned the towers. But he met more Maenads who had come from the cemetary to the north of the port city, which they again reoccupied. He sent his dove to search for his companions, and Olive discovered them in a group of fishing huts outside the city.
Meanwhile, the rest of the party actively searched for Abraxas, driven by the hope of finding a solution to cure Ischyrós and Candid of their curses. They gathered at the home of Grandfather Linus, the elderly blind man whose family had departed for the Bacchanal. It was there that they discussed potential remedies, and Candid revealed that Polydoros had rejected Candid after learning of the curse.
Fate intervened as Abraxas, glowing with an otherworldly light, stumbled upon his friends just outside the gates of Ormos. They wasted no time in exchanging stories, sharing tales of Grandfather Linus's predicament, the possible curse cure, and Polydoros's rejection of Candid.
After much storytelling, the reunited party decided to create a distraction to aid Polydoros. Abraxas went back out to his followers, and discovered that some of the women who arrived from the cemetary were Linus' kin. He began gathering women from the hills and graveyard to join in converting Ormos to the worship of Dionysus. With his commanding voice, he led the women toward the city walls, while Pyro joined in, singing a song that the crowd enthusiastically echoed, each verse becoming progressively more debaucherous. As the throng swelled, Abraxas repeatedly emphasized the message of making love, not war. He commanded the women to dance seductively, armed with flutes, drums, and amphoras of wine, and together they approached the city walls.
Initially, the guards resisted, some loosing errant arrows. However, under the intoxicating spell of Abraxas's voice and the pervasive aura of sexual desire, many guards abandoned their posts to join the Bacchanal. Avoiding the chaos that had befallen the seaside town, Abraxas skillfully convinced all the guards to relinquish their duties and partake in the emerging revelry.
Theresa, growing ever more uncomfortable with the Bacchanal, embarked on a mission of her own, heading towards the graveyard to locate Grandfather Linus's family. Her determination bore fruit as she skillfully tracked them down and informed them of their grandfather's plight. Through persuasion and heartfelt pleas, she successfully convinced the family to return for their beloved elder, and several of them agreed to do so later. She returned to Linus' hut, but met some surviving neighbors there. The neighbors informed her that Polydoros people had landed in Ormos and killed many local residents in the streets.
Candid, still recovering from exhaustion, remained behind, but got caught up in debauchery with the maenads as well. As Abraxas slowed down to ensure the success of his distraction, Pyro and Xenobia surged forward toward the south gate to gain access to the Erymanthian Woods. Ischyros, equally fatigued, remained perched on Xenobia's back. As they approached the gate, they noticed it was still guarded.
Pyro led the maenads and his two friends through Ormos, and made his way to the east gate. There, he attempted to persuade the guards to join the Bacchanal, but his efforts paled in comparison to Abraxas's skill. Although some guards were swayed and left their posts, many remained unmoved by Pyro's antics. Determined, Pyro transformed into a horse, and Xenobia and Pyro charged toward the gate. Ischyros, with the last of his strength, launched a volley from his sling, striking and fatally wounding a guard.
Xenobia tossed Ischyros toward Pyro, their teamwork shining through even in their exhaustion. The throw was not perfect, but Ischyros, driven by sheer determination, managed to leap onto Pyro's back like a bull dancer mounting a bull. Xenobia then slammed against the gate with all her might, forcing it open. Pyro kicked another guard, sending him plummeting to his demise with Ischyros atop him. With one final push, Xenobia and the others made it through the gate, and the remaining guards fled in defeat. After some time, Candid and Abraxas followed them out as well.

Missions/Quests Completed

• Party and Maenands breach Ormos city defenses
• Most of the party traverses the city and continues to the Erymanthian Woods

Report Date

16 Jan 2024

Primary Location

Ormos