Session 192 - The Pilgrim's Trail

General Summary

10^th to 20^th of Nuzyael (First Month of Spring) 724TR

The 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.

Jolanta has recently traveled to the mysterious Ilmen Marshes and restored her Staff of Cryptan Seaweave to its full magical potential and learned the location of an old enemy, the undead, dwarf killing warlock, Rantucci, who escaped her clutches months ago.

This is the continuation of Session 190 - Smelly Things and Session 169 - Digging up the Roots.

Location - City of Tashal in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

Part 1 - Chamor's Egg

According to Jolanta's Ilme friends, the undead warlock Rantucci recently visited a curious location, a floating crystalline egg. Jolanta has learned that this is Chamor's Egg. A mysterious Earthmasters artifact located along the Kabloqu Trail, near Misyn, one of the routes commonly used by Ilvirian Pilgrims.

Unfortunately, none of the loremasters at the Vault of Kelapyn-Anuz know much about this mysterious object. Still, they would be grateful if the studious Jolanta could find time to investigate it.

Yrech Sturil, Highpriest, Art by Attacus

Jolanta asks advice from Yrech Sturil, the high priest of the Church of the Yellow Hand. He is accommodating, giving her helpful information on the travel routes, areas of interest, and hazards.

She also learns the small settlements in the Misyn planes are in chaos as the various Ilvirian organizations are clashing over the policy of supplying Ivashu to the gladiatorial arena. He also mentions that Chamor's Egg occasionally flashes with light and may have been responsible for the wreaking of the Sentinel. This ship sunk several years ago in Lake Benath. Much treasure was lost; however, one item that stands out, the Jade Surgath Figurine, was never recovered. The church would have a reward if it were to be found.

Otho Natteres, a Priest of Larani and member of the Order of the Spear of Shattered Sorrow, volunteers to help Jolanta. He has battled Rantucci before and would very much like to see this undead monstrosity destroyed.

Location - Ilvir's Trail within the Kingdom of Kaldor.

Part 2 - Kath and the Bear

The heroes start traveling north and west, passing through the dangerous Kath barbarian territories. They find corpses on the trail, an Ilvirian pilgrim, and two guards. "Work of Kath savages," Otho mutters; he hates these barbarians with a passion. As the party prepares to bury the dead, they find a trail of blood and follow it.

They find a curious sight. An injured man is tied to a tree and drenched in honey. A hungry bear makes its appearance approaching him with much curiosity. Attempts to scare the bear away only anger it, and Blaine is forced to kill it. As Jolanta suspects, Kath barbarians lurk nearby, and they are furious about having their entertainment spoiled. They snipe at the characters with their deadly obsidian arrows, but after several are dispatched, the rest flee, disappearing into the forest.

The man tied to the tree is Iggor Staven, an Ilviran pilgrim. He is thankful for the timely rescue and offers to pay the heroes to escort him to Misyn. He seems rather callous, looting the dead guards from the ambush site and giving the coin he paid to them to Jolanta.

Location - Stairs of Grief near Misyn.

Part 3 - Stairs of Grief

The heroes soon work out why the Kath dealt with Iggor cruelly. He proves to be a highly annoying character, nosily, rude, and constantly pestering Blaine and Jolanta.

As they travel through a narrow mountain pass, they run into over a dozen orcs. They are fleeing something, running at full speed towards the heroes but are more than happy to strike at them on their way. Jolanta creates a Cloud of Daggers that hacks many of them into pieces as they run past, while the cowardly Iggor cowers under a blanket. Blaine makes short work of the remaining orcs but clumsily slips 20-ft down a ravine while chasing them.

It soon becomes apparent what the Orcs are running from, an Aklash. This enormous humanoid mass of blubber breaths on Blaine with its toxic, sickening breath. To make matters worse, the Aklash spots the floating blades with its weak eyes and awkwardly attempts to evade them, loses his balance, and slides down the ravine, joining Blaine. Fearing for his life, Blaine makes his escape, and the Aklash wanders off in the other direction, searching for more orcs to kill.

To be continued.