Zalkoré
24 Uktar, The Year of Twelve Warnings (1494 DR)
Day 42 of 79
Nangalore, Jungles of Chult
The adventurers braved the many floral dangers of Nangalore, the Garden of Lost Dreams, in search of the black orchid said to only grow there. But their search for the rare plant proves fatal for two of the party's members.
Bolte, Atwix, and Alice were able to revive Nip'hto who had succumbed to a cloud of pollen and rendered him unconscious.
The group, eager to find the black orchid and leave the deadly albeit exotic garden, continued to explore the garden. The group avoided entering the garden's central building after Bolte noticed the danger of opening the building's eastern iron doors. So they decided to explore the garden's northeastern-most building, one that had an intact bell-shaped dome. They entered through a set of bronze doors.
The single, large chamber inside the dome was obviously a royal apartment—or was, centuries ago. Now the bright, floral murals were dim and gray, bits of colored glass were heaped beneath a cracked mosaic, enameled wooden tables were split and tilting, and every bit of cloth was frayed and streaked.
At the center of the room, a long divan stood atop a circular dais. Reclining on the divan was a woman dressed in a flowing robe made from parrot feathers in stunning colors. Despite the heat, her arms, head, and face were covered in feathery veils. Next to her, a pair of black orchids grew out of large clay pots.
She addressed the party in a voice tinged with odd inflections. “Strangers have come to Nangalore, my love," she said to no one in particular. "What boon do our subjects beseech?”
Bolte spoke to her and said they had come for the black orchids.
The woman introduced herself as Zalkoré, queen of Omu. She said she was now living in exile after being betrayed by her people and her consort, General Thiru-taya. She added that her lover and she now live together in Nangalore.
The group saw Zalkoré speak to someone nearby who wasn't there. Bolte asked if she was speaking to Thiru-taya. She said yes.
The party told Zalkoré that Princess Mwaxanare and her brother Na were living in Kir-Sabal. Zalkoré said she had heard of it. Zalkoré added perhaps someday the princess would ascend the throne. But not while she was still queen. Clearly, she believed that she was still queen of Omu while simultaneously seemingly remembering and understanding that she was exiled in Nangalore. During the conversation, Zalkoré made contradictory statements about herself and her past without any apparent cognitive dissonance.
It was obvious Zalkoré had gone mad.
Bolte asked if they may have the black orchid. He told her about the ritual Asharra was going to perform and how the black orchids were the key ingredients to the ritual.
Zalkoré offered to give the group the two black orchids. Zalkoré said she would not part with the plants unless they offered her something of equal beauty. As payment, she demanded a gemstone, a piece of jewelry, or an art object of considerable value.
She also offered to have Bolte stay with her as a concubine in exchange. He declined her offer.
The group presented her with the only items of monetary value they had but Zalkoré kept insisting the items were not worth enough.
Bolte grew tired of Zalkoré's demands. He finally insisted that she showed her face. Although Zalkoré replied that she no longer desired to show her face to anyone but her beloved Thiru-taya, she acquiesced to Bolte's demand as he kept pressing her to do so.
In anger, she bared her face to the group.
To their horror, they soon discovered Zalkoré was a medusa, a deadly creature of legend.
When the battle was over, only Bolte and Atwix had escaped Zalkoré's deadly attacks. Bolte had delivered the killing blow even as Atwix lay on the ground dying. Fortunately, Atwix didn't die.
However, both Alice and Nip'hto had been turned to stone by Zalkoré's deadly gaze.
Bolte and Atwix knew they couldn't do anything to save their two friends. They dragged their friends' petrified bodies into the large chamber. Perhaps Asharra would know of a way to save Alice and Nip'hto.
Bolte and Atwix decided to rest before leaving Nangalore with the black orchids they came for and paid dearly to acquire.
Session played on December 30, 2020
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