Session 9 - A Cock and Bull Story
General Summary
Lenora, a contemplative individual, found herself intrigued by the enigmatic purification ritual and the intricate labyrinth of Nostauron. Eager to grasp a deeper understanding of the social dynamics within the city, she made her way to the Gymnasion. As she observed the agile bull jumpers in action, a stranger approached her with a generous offer of wine. Tentatively, Lenora accepted, her mind haunted by a previous harrowing experience in Ormos.
Soon after consuming the wine, Lenora began to feel unwell. Disoriented, she stumbled towards a nearby woman, unsure if it was the wine or some other unearthly connection causing her distress. However, before she could make sense of it all, darkness enveloped her like the underworld itself.
Some time later, Lenora regained consciousness in the abyss. Sensing a presence nearby, she reached out and discovered it was Xenobia, a fellow companion. Both bewildered, they struggled to piece together the events that had unfolded. Xenobia had no recollection beyond leaving the winemaker's abode, while Lenora recounted her blackout at the Gymnasion. Illuminating their surroundings with a makeshift light, they searched for an escape route, only to find themselves confronted with a thirty-foot ascent to the top. Running their hands along the walls, they stumbled upon a crack, but their combined efforts proved insufficient to pry it open.
Their captors, whoever they were, were seemingly not intent on starving the pair to death. At one point, a rope with bundle attached, was lowered down into the pit. The bundle contained bread, cheese, grapes, and a jug of wine. None of the food smelled suspicious, and the two were both hungry, and ate. Neither experienced any ill effects, but after the rope was lowered again, Xenobia yanked on it, hoping to turn the tables on their captors by capturing one of them and holding him for increased leverage. The plan worked only too well, and the person lowering the rope came tumbling down into the pit. Xenobia and Lenora managed to avoid the falling body, which upon landing, oozed out a pool of blood and stopped moving. As they struggled to search the body, they found that it belonged to a curly-headed boy of no more than 14, with a wooden religious symbol around his neck. After calling up to their captors, they learned from one bearing a woman's voice that the dead boy was an acolyte serving in the shrine of of the cave Under Mount Naos - a refuge where Zeus himself hid from his murderous father Kronos. The voice belonged to Althea - the head seeress of the shrine. At length, Althea told them that by shedding the boy's blood, they had defiled the shrine, though she did not hold it against them as they did it inadvertently. She also told them that they had been brought to this place for their own protection, to secrete them from people who wished them harm (like those who held Xenobia's hair).
As much time passed and they engaged in conversation, the crack unexpectedly began to widen. seizing the opportunity, Xenobia and Lenora ventured through a sloping passageway that led them to a newfound opening. Emerging from the depths, they found themselves outside the cave entrance, bathed in the ethereal glow of the starry night. However, their relief was short-lived as they heard a commotion below. Looking down, they witnessed their comrades standing thirty feet beneath them. Charging towards them was a *bronze bull, its hollow head ablaze with fire.
Reacting swiftly, Pyro dashed into the safety of the woods, while Abraxas sought refuge in the branches of a nearby tree. Tragically, Ischyrós, unable to evade the bull's path, was trampled upon and tumbled to the ground.
Thrown into disarray and caught off guard, the group found themselves facing imminent danger. Xenobia braced herself as the bull charged towards her, ready to fend off the attack. In a moment of desperation, Theresa urged Xenobia to leap over the bull, her chants reverberating through the air. Meanwhile, Pyro began singing a hymn dedicated to Zeus, capturing the bull's attention. Its gaze shifted, drawn towards the melodious voice. Ischyros, having regained his footing, sought refuge in a nearby tree. Ignoring Theresa's incantations, the bull continued its relentless assault. It attempted to swipe at Theresa but tripped. Theresa attempted to vault over the bull but also stumbled, succumbing to the searing heat radiating from the creature. Struggling with her injuries, she remained resolute, chanting ceaselessly, her eyes locked onto the charging bull.
Abraxas, eager to contribute, devised a plan. He created a floating red cape, hoping to divert the bull's attention away from his companions. However, Pyro's captivating song proves to be far more alluring to the bull, and it charges by the illusionary cape without hesitation. Ischyros and Pyro reunited briefly before Pyro, engrossed in his song, darted off through the forest., the fiery bull charging after him.
In the midst of the chaotic encounter with the raging bull, Lenora's quick thinking proved to be a pivotal moment for the team. As she watched the flames dance within the bull's hollow head, she instinctively realized that water might hold the key to subduing the inferno. Determined to find a source of salvation, Lenora swiftly scanned her surroundings, her senses honed in on the urgent need. With unwavering determination, she navigated through the darkness, stumbling but resolute. And then, like a beacon of hope, she discovered a nearby stream, a lifeline in the face of danger. Urging Xenobia to join her, Lenora retrieved the precious water, knowing that it could be their only chance to douse the flames and turn the tide of the battle.
Finally, the bull closed in on Pyro. Through a combination of luck and fate, Pyro managed to evade the deadly horns, skillfully maneuvering around the bull and persisting in his flight. Abraxas abandoned his previous tactic, conjuring a piercing whistle that only the bull could hear. However, the bull seemed impervious to the sound, yet strangely responsive to Theresa's chants, as Ischyros continued to assail it with well-aimed slingshots that nevertheless made nary a dent in its tough bronze hide. Lenora and Xenobia, having procured water, rushed to assist.
Upon their reunion, Pyro greeted Xenobia just as the bull made another aggressive lunge towards him. Influenced by Theresa's relentless chanting, the bull seemed incapable of making contact with Pyro. Its attention diverted, the bull charged in the direction of the whistle's sound. Ischyros, armed with his sling, continued his assault, pelting the beast with precise aim.
As the whistle ceased, the bull scanned its surroundings, searching for its next target. Xenobia prepared herself for a counterattack. The enraged bull charged at her, and expelled a cloud of fire from its hollow head that engulfed both her and Lenora. Both remained standing, andXenobia skillfully countered, kicking the creature in its brazen head, and knocking it off balance, causing it to tumble to the ground. In a desperate attempt, Lenora doused the bull's head with water, resulting in a fascinating transformation. The water evaporated into steam, while icicles formed around the bull's eyes, courtesy of Theresa's unyielding chants. Not one to be outdone, Pyro, with great exuberance, emptied his bladder onto the bull's head. Ischyros continued to pelt the bull with projectiles, while Abraxas conjured the melancholic toll of sorrowful bells, further tormenting the now agonized bull. Finally, with a gesture and a few uttered words, Abraxas created an auditory manifestation of mournful bells surrounding the bull, causing it to writhe in pain before succumbing to its demise. The flames within the bull extinguished, leaving it lifeless upon the ground. Abraxas triumphantly proclaimed to the team, "That's how you do it."
With the threat neutralized, the scattered party regrouped around the fallen bull, engaging in discussion about the preceding events. They carefully examined the creature, discovering a symbol etched onto its hoof. The symbol matched the wooden one around the head of the slain acolyte - a Myrian symbol of divine life, Abraxas explained. Ischyros proposed disassembling parts of the bull, prompting Xenobia to employ her blacksmithing tools to remove the tail. Abraxas, seizing a peculiar interest, attempted to claim the bull's genitals, ultimately requesting Xenobia's assistance. Finally, the weary adventurers set up camp at a safe distance from the battlefield, preparing for a night's rest.
Upon awakening the following morning, the group was startled by the sound of Talos traversing the nearby woods. Evidently undisturbed by their presence, Talos eventually moved away, though the companions later discovered that the giant had apparently removed what was left of the bull's carcass. Determined to restore their well-being and cleanse themselves of any lingering malevolent influences, the party made their way to the temple of Aphrodite-Astarte within the city. As they arrived, Melas - the bald priest greeted them with evident concern. Though it seemed shorter to them, group has been gone for a quarter of a month, and the priest had nearly given up hope of seeing them again. He also tells them of two children that had been flown to Nostauron by a golden-wooled ram, who then flew off to the East. Describing their recent encounters, the adventurers were surprised to learn that the bulls were originally made as execution or torture devices, but apparently, someone had animated them, and now several brazen bulls had escaped, and some had accosted the city. Thinking back on what she thought Althea said, Lenora agreed to a ritual bath, which it seems would not stop her from returning home. Xenobia and Lenora, seeking purification, immersed themselves in the sacred waters of the temple, seeking solace and healing.
Rewards Granted
- A bronze bull's tail and genitals
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