Session 168 - The Fanatic

General Summary

11^th and 12^th of Nuzyael (First Month of Spring) 724TR

The story so far

The heroes have recovered the merchant Antin Alveri family signet ring and his dead brother's remains. On the way back from their mission, they find fungi-ravaged human skeletons, then are ambushed by strange starfish-like Ivashu. Who did this, and was it murder? Investigating it, they find tracks of an ogre or troll-like creature, which strangely disappear, and those of a human, which they follow.

This is the continuation of Session 167 - Crab Meat.

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Location - Turmale Hills, west of Sarkum in the Kingdom of Kanday.

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Part 1 - The Mad Bear

Odin follows the tracks and hears the movement of something big, followed by a terrifying roar. A Bear emerges from behind an embankment. This bear has strange scars or burn marks over his head and upper body. It charges with berserk fury but is peppered with arrows as it closes. It attempts to maul Abaddon, but he nimbly dodges, and then the enraged beast is surrounded by the heroes and cut down.

Examining the dead bear, the heroes think that some form of the flesh-eating fungal disease caused its injuries, not fire. They are similar to those they found on the human bones yesterday.

Part 2 - What Claw?

The tracks lead towards the ruined Termal Manor. They arrive an hour before nightfall and find a couple of intact hovels and a ruined keep not far off. Three angry men are waiting for them; one man has suffered the same flesh-dissolving injuries the party observed on the bear over one side of his face, another has claw marks along his chest, and the last and most unfortunate is missing an eye.

Vlasta, art by Attacus

When Ger, Dob, and Duckett are assured that the party is no threat, they are more than happy to tell their story. This morning, the priest of Ilvir arrived at their encampment. He was rude, impatient, and unpleasant. He demanded to know, "Where is the claw." The men had no idea what he was talking about. The priest waved his hands, and suddenly what they describe as small demon chickens appeared. As the priest got angrier and the demon chickens got closer. After Duckett attempted to hit one, it leaped onto him, ripping out his eye and devouring it. The priest gestured, and suddenly a strange flesh-eating fungus appeared on another. The three men begged mercy and convinced the priest they did not know of any claw; they had only been here for a couple of years. Satisfied, the priest called off his creatures and headed towards the ruined keep.

Convinced the heroes are willing to deal with this dangerous priest, the men offer the heroes bottles of wine from among the goods they seem to have collected from the sea. Searching around the men's camp, Odin finds the tracks of a large mysterious troll-like creature.

Campaign

Games of the Gods

Protagonists

Remy

Abaddon

Odin

Report Date

22 Aug 2021

Part 3 - A Dangerous Priest of Ilvir

Xantosa, art by Artbreeder

The party approaches the ruined keep, passing a 20ft high ridge. From above, a man steps into view, the mysterious priest of Ilvir (the heroes, who will later learn, is named Xantosa). "Who are you, and why are you following me?" he demands. The heroes, initially noncommittal, offer to help him in his quest. However, Xantosa does not trust them and is enraged. "Fools, you will not have the Claw of Obsidipor."

Shageiros, art by Kory Lynn Hubbell

He gestures, and two Scurgath or Dragon Birds materialize. Abaddon shoots Xantosa, and an arrow scores a perfect hit angering him further. The Scurgath swoop in and engulfed Abaddon and Odin's heads. The evil priest mutters something in Ivashi. An ochre-colored troll appears out of a yellow mist and stands by his side. Invoking again, he points at Remy, and multicolored fungi appear over his body and very nearly overwhelm him with flesh-eating decay. Remy retreats behind cover and relies on his magical healing ability to recover some of his strength.

Scurgah by Attacus

The party is in serious trouble, so Remy takes decisive action. He surrenders. Xantosa looks down at the party with contempt, muttering, "Weak fools," after a few insults, he leaves the party to the mercy of his pets. Eventually, Abaddon rips the Scurgath from his face, kills it, and then disposes of the one smothering Odin.

Part 4 - The Ruin

Nukaz, by Attacus

At the ruin, the heroes see no sign of Xantosa; however, his footprints and those of his troll are everywhere. They sneak in and suddenly encounter two ugly dog-like Ivashu, Nukaz, or the Marrow Feeder. One leaps onto Odin, knocking him to the ground, then bites him with its poisonous fangs. Odin is seriously hurt, but the Ivashu are killed.

Exploring further, Remy hears a faint giggling sound. Suddenly two small bizarre gargoyle-like creatures appear. Their babbling muddles the minds of the heroes, and a hectic battle ensues. The Umbathri appears, causes chaos, and then disappears and seems impervious to the heroes' weapons. Eventually, one is hit by Remy's magical enhanced staff, instantly killing it, and the other flees with a friendly wave. The party retreats and rest up for the night in the woods.

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The next day the heroes reenter the ruin, finding a partially flooded tower. Lurking in the water is Miuruca, an intelligent crocodile-like Ivashu, which attempts an ambush attack, leaping out of the water. Luckily Odin dodges. Out of the water, the Miuruca is vulnerable and is easily dispatched. Examining the tower they find that much of the stonework on the floor has recently been moved. They wait for a low tide and uncover a stone slab. Pushing it aside, they find a bed of hardened clay with the impression of a 4ft long claw-shaped object. The claw is missing. It appears Xantosa has found his claw.

Part 5 - An Appreciative Merchant

Antin, art by Artbreeder

The heroes finding nothing more of importance, decide to return to Sarkum and give Antin Alveri his family's signet ring and the remains of his dead brother. The grateful Antin rewards the party as agreed, with a bonus of some magical potions.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Looters Ger, Dob, and Duckett.

Xantosa - Evil Priest of Ilvir and his Troll companion Shageiros.

Antin Alveri - the merchant.

Challenges Overcome

Defeated 1 Brown Bear.

Defeated 2 Scurgath.

Convinced Xantosa to show mercy.

Defeated 2 Nukaz.

Defeated 1 Miuruca.

Completed the mission for Antin Alveri.

Rewards

Wand of Detect Magic.

3 x Potions of Speed.

Related Reports

Ivashu.

Ilvir.

Scurgath - the Dragon Bird.

Nukaz - the Marrow Feeder.

Miuruca - the Swamp Walker.

Player Character Status

Odin - Human - Level 2 Ranger - Gained level now L3 Gloom Stalker.

Abaddon - Elf - Level 2 Monk - Gained level now L3 Openhand Monk.

Remy - Half-Elf - Level 2 Bladesinger - Gained level L3.