Session 129 - Just A Few Bags of Sand
General Summary
15th Peonu (Second Month of Spring) 721TRThe story so far
Jolanta and her trusty bodyguard Blaine are agents of the mysterious Order of the White Hand, hunting down unscrupulous mages and covering up magical mishaps.
However more recently Jolanta has spent her time studying and running errands for the Mages of the Guild of Arcane Lore.
Continuation of the Session 127 - The Wasps Nest.
Location - City of Cherafir in the Kingdom of Melderyn.
Part 1 - The Mistress of the Beacon
Viran Gladryne informs Jolanta that the Karejian Merchant vessel the Kirin has arrived with a package for her. The Merchant Tarli A'Hanra has 10 bags of sand gathered from all over western Lythia for glass experimentation. Would Jolanta be so kind to collect them for her?
Part 2 - The Kirin
Jolanta and Blaine make their way to the Alienage, Cherafir's restricted harbor for foreign vessels. Traveling through the cosmopolitan docks, they note people of many races and creeds. One successfully picks Joalanta's pockets of much of her silver.
In the ship's hull, Tarli soon finds the bags of sand and prepares to hand them over. However, someone wants him dead. Three foreign men with white skulls painted onto their faces attack from the shadows. Jolanta and Blaine come to his defense and save his life, killing one of the would-be assassins and capturing the other two. Tarli recognizes these as Falánian Knife Cultists, assassins from his distant homeland.
After interrogation, with the ship's captain's help, they learn that they arrived weeks ago waiting at the docks for the arrival of the Kirin. There are still two knife cultists and their leader, a female Falánian Demon-Binder in the Alienage at large, staying at the Broken Oar Inn. The Ship's Captain wants to make the assassins disappear; however, Jolanta believes as the murder attempt transpired while docked, the men have to be handed over to the local authorities. But first, Tarli A'Hanra asks Jolanta to quickly find the assassins still at large and learn who has put the contract on to him. His bodyguard joins Jolanta in the investigation.
Part 3 - Brawl at the Broken Oar
After delivering the bags of sand to Viran Gladryne, the Heroes make their way to the Broken Oar Inn to further their investigation. The Broken Oar is a seedy establishment known for its cheap drinks. Blaine is a frequent patron, well known in these parts; he is heartily welcomed by his fellow guests.
The party makes their way upstairs to the Inn's guest rooms in search of their quarry. Ambush! The team is set upon by two more of the Knife Cultists, who severely wound Blaine. The group dispatches the villains quickly, but appearing in the team's rear, even before having a moment to bind their wounds, they are set upon by the cultist's leader, the female Demon-Binder.
The fearsome woman holds a small wooden insect cage, containing a seething bed of scorpions. The cultist leader upends the cage, flinging three scorpions onto the floor. Uttering a vile incantation and slashing her arm, the cultist leader's wound spatters blood upon the floor which shimmers giving rise to three dark spirits. The shades hover a moment then disappear into the scorpions. The scorpions transform into vile cat-sized abominations, who attack with terrifying speed. The vicious scorpions sting the wounded Blaine and Tarli's bodyguard. Poisoned they both succumb. Alone Jolanta perseveres, she disintegrates the venomous insects and wounds the cultist leader. The now injured Demon-Binder chooses retreat over valor, fortunately for Jolanta who had exhausted the last of her magical reserves. With the battle over, for now, Jolanta sees to binding her companion’s injuries. Sadly Tarli's bodyguard succumbs to the scorpion's toxin. Thankfully Jolanta's ministrations return Blaine to health; although he will; “Need a few more drinks to fully recover.”
Part 4 - The White Hand In Action
On examination of the Demon-Binder's body, the Hand operatives uncover a clay tablet, with a skull on one side and a strange script on the other. The White Hand uses their arcane arts to reveal the message. The words are a contract between the Knife Cult and Tarli A'Hanra's brother. Tarli reveals his brother has always coveted his wife for her beauty and wants Tarli out of the way.
Jolanta has made an ally; Tarli A'Hanra thanks Jolanta and rewards her generously for saving his life. He also agrees that during his travels, he will seek out and procure any rare and exotic materials Jolanta may require for magical studies.
NPC Interactions
Viran Ceredig Yerwold.
Viran Gladryne Dulye.
Tarli A'Hanra.
Challenges Overcome
Defeated 5 Knife Cultists and one Demon-Binder.
Saved Tarli A'Hanra life.
Rewards
3 small pearls and some Lashu (rhubarb) powder.
Created Content
Related Reports
Primary Chantry of the Guild of Arcane Lore - updated.
Player Character Status
Jolanta - Human - Level 4 Evoker - gained a level.
Jolanta
NPC Companions
Blaine
Jolanta's loyal and often drunk bodyguard.
BLAINE!!!! watch out!