Session 6 - Bargains, Laments and Ecstatic Dances

General Summary

Nostauron is immense, ten times again as large as the city of Ormos (or perhaps larger still). Many ships in port are unloading their wares and hauling them to a large building, which appears to be the only way in. The party disembarks, but not before everyone holds their breath while Xenobia carefully walks the gangplank as it sags under her immense weight. Without not so much as a splash, she makes it to land, and half the party rejoices as they no longer have to endure the treacherous sea. Once on land, the party discusses what to do next.
Theresa speaks up first, suggesting everyone split up and explore the city. Pyro, feeling insecure, tells the team that this is the farthest away from home he's ever been. A sympathetic Ischyrós invites Pyro to accompany him in exploring the port. Theresa, the loner, heads off toward the city, but only after suggesting the party meet back at the ship at sunset. Xenobia, always curious, stays by the ship to inquire about Talos, but not before Pyro gives her his centaur carving, exclaiming that she was very nice to him. [Abraxas and Lenora head off to an undisclosed location.]
With Pyro in tow, Ischyros starts looking for the Eleth - the ship in which he sailed to Ormos on. He quickly finds it and uses his gracious nature to inquire why his erstwhile companions left so quickly. The sailors on the Eleth claimed they were warned of the imminent danger at Ormos and left quickly. After some talk of trade and the political climate of Ormos, the sailors invite the two onboard for food and libations. Pyro is happy about being fed and plied with wine and remains relatively quiet. Ischyros, relying on the tales he heard while sailing to Nostauron, inquires further about the crew's comings and goings. The sailors, suspicious, are quick to change the subject and continue to drink. Ischyros begins to slur his words and starts talking about Pyro’s master. Pyro describes his master as kind. The sailors appear to look uneasy. The now-drunken Ischyros wishes to have a slave like Pyro. Pyro begins singing a song about his master, which moves the sailors to tears. They confess that they kidnapped Spyridon, and the good-hearted Pyro thanks them and rejoices in finally learning something of his master's fate. This deepens the sorrow of the sailors as they reveal that Spyridon has been taken to the The Labyrinth.
Meanwhile, Theresa heads to the large building, following the parade of merchants carrying their wares. She approaches the customs house guards who demand payment for entry. Theresa, always cautious, inquires if there is another way into the city or a way around. The guards ignore her, and she then offers a jar of honey. The guards greedily take the jar and let her pass. She heads into town to look for temples. She first comes to a temple with a woman holding two snakes. A bald priest in purple robes greets her in a friendly manner. They discuss how the Goddess Astarte and her priests may be of assistance. Theresa thanks the priest, bows, and genuflects towards the statue. The next temple she finds has a huge irregular boulder; She stares intently at it. Then she inquires within to find out to whom the temple is dedicated, guardians at the top of a long stair say admittance is for members only. She nods and leaves. Lastly, she finds a potter, looking for two clay jars, as the guards took her last one. She offers a ribbon that allows someone to breathe underwater in exchange. The suspicious potter demands proof, and she offers them the ribbon to test. They get a huge water container, and one ties the ribbon to their head. They dunk their head underwater, and a bubble forms. They can breathe underwater and happily trade the jars.
The sun starts setting, and Theresa heads back to the port. 

Xenobia waits around the ship; the sailors unload their cargo and head toward the large building. Following them, she asks about the bronze statue. She learns its name is Talos and inquires how it works. She is told that it is a raw form of life. The sailors enter the building, but Xenobia seems to be blocking the way. The guards ask if she is carrying goods into the city. She says no, and they ask her to step aside. As she waits, people begin to approach her and ask questions. She lets them know where she is from, and some gawkers ask for mementos. Xenobia asks for trade; one offers a white stone that glows in the moonlight. She accepts and offers her helmet. Others ask for her hair in exchange for a rainbow-colored fish scale and a small gold pebble. An Old Lady approaches Xenobia and explains that she shouldn’t be giving away her hair as people can attempt to control her with magic. Xenobia states that they are no match for her, and asks for examples of magic they can cast. The old lady states that horse hair can be made into a whip that opens portals. Xenobia inquires about getting wine and is told to get it from the merchants on the ship she arrived with. The soldiers also explain that the King of Nostauron wants to meet her so she can pledge her service. She departs to the ship to procure her wine.
Everyone meets back at the ship at sunset. Pyro excitedly tells Theresa that they know where master Spyridon is. When Pyro reveals he is in a labyrinth, Theresa seems discouraged, stating that no one emerges. The optimistic Pyro states that the people who put him in must have left at some point, so there is a way out. Ischyros, still wobbly, goes into more detail about the information he gathered from sailors. Theresa talks about the temples and inquires the group regarding Astarte. Pyro only knows she is a goddess from the east. Xenobia shows Pyro all the cool things she traded for; he then offers her a slag of lead in exchange for the rainbow fish scale. She agrees—the party talks about where they will rest for the night. Pyro reveals he secured lodging with the sailors who kidnapped Spyridon. The board is free, but Xenobia must brave the dreaded gangplank again. She and the party get aboard with little trouble. Xenobia seems to have mastered boarding a ship.
That night the party drinks with the sailors. Xenobia offers Pyro wine, and Pyro is overjoyed with the day’s events. He begins dancing and drinking. Ischyros gets even drunker, and he, the sailors, and Xenobia join Pyro’s dance. Pyro is impressed by Xenobia’s elegant movements as the dance reaches a fever pitch and the ship begins to pitch and roll. Theresa, the only one not drunk, falls overboard. Xenobia falls overboard too. They throw Theresa a rope, but once she hears Pyro’s singing, she makes a beeline for the shore. Xenobia, too big to use the rope, also swims to shore. Deterred, they decide to sleep on the dock next to the ship. Meanwhile, Pyro is subdued and tied to the mast of the ship. All is quiet except for Talos, the bronze giant, who seems to be heading toward Theresa and Xenobia. They watch it come towards them undeterred. The sailors start yelling for them to come on board. Theresa immediately gets on board, but Xenobia hesitates. She debates facing down the bronze giant or walking the gangplank before coming to her senses and boarding the ship. Everyone settles down for the night and rests.


The following day, the party discusses going into the city. Theresa suggests going to the temple. Xenobia states that the king wants to meet her but is suspicious of this human ritual. Pyro tells her that being a servant is cool. Pyro and Ischyros are warm to the idea of meeting the King. Either way, Theresa reveals that payment will be required to enter. They discuss possible payments; Pyro suggests his lead slag. Ischyros agrees. Xenobia suggests her gold pebble, but the prudent Ischyros suggest starting with the lead. The party approaches the guards. Pyro hands them the lead ball, and the soldier palms it and lets the party through. Xenobia tries to give them her lead slag too, but Ischyros states that the one slag is sufficient payment for everyone. The party heads towards the temple of Astarte, and Theresa leads the way. Once they arrive, Ischyros notices that the priests’ garments are dyed purple - like the fabric he carries. He talks with the priest about barter, as the priests suggest they can help the party. Ischyros, not quick to decide, tells the priest that he will consider the offer. Theresa provides an offering to Astarte of olive oil from her newly-fashioned alchemy jug. She pours the oil into Xenobia’s wineskin. The curious Pyro thinks it’s wine and asks to try some. Theresa obliges as he sips and is grossed out by both the bouquet and the oiliness of the wine. Noting that this is the second time that Theresa has had very poor wine, he lectures her on her bad taste. The party then resolves to go to the palace.

Rewards Granted

• two jars (exchanged for a cap of waterbreathing) - Theresa
• a gold nugget, a rainbow fish scale, and stone that glows in the moonlight - traded by Xenobia for her helmet and her hair

Report Date

28 Mar 2023