Session 7 - Temples, Palaces and Villas

General Summary

While waiting outside the Temple of Astarte, the bulk of the party meets up with Abraxas and Lenora. They tell their companions that they were at the Gymnasion, where they were guided by Xeno, Lenora’s companion from the Eleth. After passing through customs using Abraxas’s makeup as payment, they headed towards the establishment, located just outside the palace walls. Prior to entering, a cyclops asked the three by what right they sought entrance. Xeno, who had visited the establishment once before had little to say, but Lenora's impressive yarn about her home in the Underworld did the trick. Once inside, Xeno wanted to observe the young men and women practicing their bull-jumping skills, but he also indicated that many intellectuals gathered there.
After entering, Lenora and Xeno began watching the bull jumpers while Abraxas discussed the current state of politics and heroes with a group of intellectuals. They inquire about Talos, learning that he was made to guard Nostauron by Hephaistos himself. They discussed the cult of Dionysus and the weakening power of Kadmos. They could not fathom why a man of his heroic stature would give up the throne and place a weaker person on it. They compared him to *Minos - the king of Nostauron, whose strength was reflected in the prosperity of his lands and the blessing of the gods - a gift they thought Kadmos lacked. After returning from the Gymnasion, they found a inn to put them up. Lenora goes to the graveyard to commune with the underworld and reflect on her revelation in the temple. But in the morning, they find that Xeno apparently sneaked off while Abraxas and Lenora slept.
The following day Abraxas and Lenora headed to the temple of Astarte (perhaps another form of Aphrodite) - Abraxas' divine mistress. There, speaking to Melas , the priest, Abraxas discovered that the Labyrinth is tied to his goddess and fate. Abraxas concludes he may enter its heart to find what he was looking for. He and Lenora are invited to partake in a cleansing ritual. Abraxas agrees, but Lenora declines as she watches him slowly enter a pool. Lenora and the priest talk; he states she has an occult funnel around her, which causes bad things to happen to her partners.
That previous day, after having paid their initial visit to the selfsame temple, the others traveled to the palace to meet the king. Xenobia presents herself before the guard. The soldiers state they will give her a message to the king, and she will be called in the next few days. Having hit a roadblock, Theresa and Ischyrós decide to find lodging, though Theresa ultimately decides to find lodging with some beekeepers outside the city. Xenobia and Pyro choose to find a drink at a place with a large wine cellar. Pyro uses his song, and Xenobia uses her presence to attract crowds securing food, wine, and lodging for themselves at a winemaker’s home.
The following day Xenobia and Pyro start walking around town. Xenobia states she feels strange and starts walking toward the palace. Pyro, fearful, follows Xenobia. His fear grows as Xenobia says she cannot control herself, and Pyro sees her approach the armed guards at the ready. Pryo yells "fire!" when Xenobia walks past the guards. They travel down several passages until the centauride heads towards a building room guarded by a small army. Scared out of his mind, Pyro jumps up and slaps Xenobia across her face. The guards begin approaching as Xenobia comes to her senses. Pyro climbs on her back, and the two dash through the palace, looking for a way out. They manage to escape, but fearful, they look for Theresa, who may have some insight into resolving the issue.
When they find Theresa, outside the temple of Astarte, she says there may be a charm that protects them against such things. Pyro also insists that Theresa perform tests on Xenobia. They search for a charm at temples on the outskirts of town. They find a priest who claims they can make such a charm, but for a price. Being light on wealth, the group wonders where Ischyros had got off to, as he might be the only one to carry valuable trade goods. Unable to locate him, they return to the temple to see what they can acquire with the means at their disposal.
The priests invite the three newcomers to purify themselves in the sacred water at the temple. Pyro states he would rather have wine. The priest explains that the water is better than wine, and Xenobia and Pryo cannonball into the pool. Theresa also joins but enters in a more dignified way. Lenora still debates if she should get into the pool. With no sign from her gods, she waits. After the purification, most of the party decided to go to the Labyrinth. Lenora is still on the fence; they choose to leave in a week. In the meantime, Theresa searches for a charm to protect Xenobia from magical influence from one of the smaller temples in the city.
During the week of rest, Pyro wears out his welcome at the winemaker’s house. Xenobia, Pyro’s self-proclaimed "second in command", will not leave his side. They decide to go to the beekeepers where Theresa is staying. Before they make it, they are approached by a man requesting a secret meeting the next day. Pyro agrees with the stipulation of food and wine. They depart, and Pyro tells the rest of the team about the private meeting. To keep the secret safe, Theresa locks Pyro and Xenobia in a room with plenty of wine. They sing her praises, and Pyro becomes impressed with her wine-making ability. In a drunken state, Pyro hears a voice he recognizes as Zagreus, who somehow escaped his fate. Zagreus warns of the cult coming to Nostauron.
The next day the party goes with Pyro to meet the mysterious stranger. It is revealed that the stranger is Polydoros, the son of Kadmos in exile. He requests the party's help in regaining his throne, and promises to reward them greatly. Pyro warns Polydoros that the road to the capital is a river of blood, and the cult of Dionysus is coming to the shores of Nostauron. Pyro politely declines the offer, stating he will go into the Labyrinth to seek his master. Surprised, Polydoros withdrawals his request seeing no hope in Pyro’s return. Pyro promises to return and to aid Polydoros after he finds his master.

Rewards Granted

• Bathing in the sacred waters of the Temple of Astarte (except Lenora and Ischyros)

Report Date

11 Apr 2023

Primary Location

Nostauron