Session 233 - Evil Calls Evil
General Summary
13th and 14th Morgat (Third month of Winter) 724TR
The story so far
The heroes have recovered the infamous Word of Tekhos, a scroll believed to rip the soul from a person when their name is written on it. Justice has been delivered to the thief, a renegade necromancer.
Now the heroes have to find a way to destroy this evil artifact. They plan to speak with an exorcist; however, in the aftermath of the battle, the law has arrived.
This is the continuation of Session 232 - Frozen Battle.
Location - Fishing Village of Bidezz in the Shiran Province of the Thardic Republic.
Part 1 - The Law Arrives
After killing the renegade necromancer and her bodyguard, the heroes start looting their riverboat. Not long after, a squad of legionnaires arrives, directed to the battle site by concerned locals. After observing the smoldering pier and numerous dead bodies, Lieutenant Barki of the Shiran Legion is initially hostile. He demands that heroes surrender their weapons and accompany them.
Avon takes the lead, declaring that he is a senior member of the Red Guard tracking down a highly dangerous criminal. One that kidnapped and assaulted a Senator. Worse the victim, Senator Brayzel Dethale is from one of the prominent landholder families and the uncle of the provincial Magistrate, Senator Serenima Dethale. Avon's confident manner overwhelms the lieutenant, and he is not willing to be on the wrong side of the powerful Dethale Clan. He escorts the heroes to the local tavern until the district's Legar arrives. After which, they are briefly interviewed and sent on their way. All is in order.
Part 2 - Village Troubles
The party leaves the fishing village and makes their way to the City of Shiran, passing through several villages. At a small settlement with a glorious marble fountain, the characters feel uneasy, something is amiss, and they feel a growing pervasive evil, as do many townsfolk by their reactions. The evil artifact (the Word of Tekhos), in Avon's possession, has called local spirits to deal with the heroes.
Acheron's Divine Sense detects undead spiritual entities nearby, floating about, and worse, more evil emerging from the fountain. Ghosts materialize and possess a wealthy warrior. Acheron Turns several of the undead, but the possessed warrior attacks the party while several more ghosts harass the heroes.
Then Wraiths emerged from a hidden burial site under the fountain. The possessed warrior is very dangerous, and his confused bodyguards join the melee, on his side. The heroes eventually subdue the warrior, allowing his men to drag him away. The evil spirits are weakened in sunlight and ultimately driven off or destroyed.
The characters quickly leave the settlement.
Location - City of Shiran in the Thardic Republic.
Part 3 - The Exorcist
Part 4 - Ambush on the Road
The short journey is not without peril. Horrifying monstrous forms seemly emerge from deep within the earth to assault the party. One creature filled with anger attacks with harpoon-like limbs, while a dozen smaller twisted things with massively oversized mouths bite into the party. Two latch onto Avon and start draining his lifeforce. Fortunately, however, they are destroyed by a particularly impressive Corrosive Blast from Jolanta. These rage-filled demons are quickly turned back and destroyed.
Location - Bilar Hill in the Shiran Province of the Thardic Republic.
Part 5 - Purging the Evil
The party arrives at Bilar Hill and makes its way into the ruins. The characters then prepare for the worst. Blaine and Jolanta climb up to the ruins' highest point, affording a good view of the soundings, while Avon and Acheron hide amongst the rubble. Brother Theobald starts the exorcism, supported by Brother Goldier. It is a grueling process. Less than an hour in, the woods become quiet, then emerging from the trees, undead appear. A collection of Gulmorvin, Unfree Undead, Zombies, Skeletons, and Ghouls lead by a humanoid vulture-like demon.
The sanctified ground slows the evil swarm. Some struggle to enter, but such is their desire to kill the priests and stop the exorcism that they eventually erupted through. The Heroes attempt to fight them off. The evil is relentless, while the exorcists continue their harrowing ordeal, waving holy candles and focusing their prayers. The first wave of undead is dispatched. However, the heroes are sure the longer this goes on, the more dangerous undead are likely to be attracted. And if the priests don't hurry up, it will soon be night.
Nevertheless, Brother Theobald is up to the task. He succeeds after two exhausting hours (DM's Note: and a really good skill check). The evil initially resists but is slowly and patiently drawn into a Dream Box and safely contained. The now powerless scroll is burned.
Part 6 - To Rest at Last
Acheron, as promised, grants his request. He drives his silver sword through Ivanoss's heart, instantly killing him. The priests pray over his body, and he is finally put to rest.
NPC Interactions
Lieutenant Barki and the Shiran district Legar.
Brother Goldier.
brother Theobald.
Ivanoss Dethale.
Challenges Overcome
Destroyed various Undead and Sorrowsworn.
Destroyed the Word of Tekhos.
Rewards
Nothing major.
Created Content
Nothing.
Related Reports
Shrine of Peoni - Saint Teron’s Shrine.
Player Character Status
Acheron- Human - Level 6 Devotion Paladin, Level 4 Hexblade, and Level 3 Divine Soul.
Jolanta - Human- Level 13 Evoker.
Avon- Half-Elf - Level 13 Thief.
Avon
Jolanta
Acheron
NPC Companions
Moneypenny
Avon's able assistant
Blaine
Jolanta's loyal and often drunk bodyguard.
Shield of Belsirasin
The Shield of Belsirasin is a congregation of the Church of Peoni that specializes in treating illnesses of the mind and soul. This includes dealing with curses, ghosts, evil spirits, undead, fiendish and demonic agents of the dark churches.
Dream Box
A small wooden box painted is with Peonian symbols used to capture and contain demons or ethereal monsters.
Comments