Session 262 - Fiery Celebrations
General Summary
9th of Azura (First Month of Autumn) 725TR
The story so far
Through nefarious means, the Heroes have learned that Senator Harlen Orde, a zealous worshiper of the evil fire god Agrik is having an affair with the Albalny Sunis, the sadistic high Priestess of the local Temple of Agrik.
Avon is ambitious and desires the privilege, power, and wealth that come with being named Senator. Can Avon exploit this dangerous piece of gossip to aid his goal?
This is the continuation of Session 261 - Bloody Marble.
Location - The City of Coranan in the Thardic Republic.
Part 1 - The Plan
Avon considers his options. Can he manipulate Senator Harlen Orde into giving him his vote for his upcoming attempt to be named Senator? He schemes to pay a surprise visit to the Senator with Jolanta and Acheron magically disguised as Agrikian Priestess of the Order of the Eight Demons. Here he plans to be making a courtesy visit warning him that he is suspected of being a secret supporter of the rival Agrikian Order of Hepra the Mace. Avon will attempt to cowl or sway him to his side.
He times his visit impeccably. The local Temple of Agrik, the Bastion of Silent Screams, has services for the laity on the 8th of the month. After the service, Senator Harlen has a dalliance with the high Priestess and returns to his modest townhouse early in the morning. Avon gives him enough to get to fall asleep and knocks loudly on his door with the false priestesses in hand.
Part 2- Visting the Senator
Avon assures the Senator he is on his side and puts together a persuasive argument to try to pry out the Senator's plans without giving away her no idea what they are. When the topic of Avon's desire to become a Senator, "Don't concern yourself, there will be numerous Senatorial positions opening up shortly for worthy candidates," the Senator says. "We will ensure the operation goes silent." Avon thinks the Senator is planning an assassination but needs more evidence.
Not making any more progress, Avon looks over the Senator's residence and leaves with the quip, "A Senator of your status should have a better place to live; this dwelling is not befitting a man of your station." Ignoring the insult, the Senator smirks, "I believe there will be a glut of good residences on the market shortly."
Part 3 - Something Smells
The party moves into the backstreets. Acheron changes appearance using the Mask of Many Faces while Avon moves into the shadows, observing the Senator's townhouse.
A young woman emerges; however, the party deduces she is a decoy. Later, a Gladiator in the employ of the Senator leaves the townhouse and makes a weaving trip through the city. He periodically checks for anyone following him; however, Avon and Acheron are too stealthy and escape notice. The Gladiator heads into a nearby alley and a deserted building. The small courtyard nearby immediately catches Acheron's interest.
The courtyard has a newly carved marble statue, covered with a curtain and guard by three Order of the Checkered Shield men of arms. Acheron recalls that on the 10th of the month, tomorrow, the church of Larani has an unveiling ceremony planned. The statue of Saint Lanas, the Builder, will be officially presented to the Coranan's Larani worshipers. Many of the city's clergy and faithful, probably in the hundreds, will be present. Acheron has a bad feeling about this; what evil schemes are the Senator and the Eight Demons planning?
Part 4 - Battling in the Sewer
The party breaks into the deserted building and finds it empty, except for a trapdoor leading to the city's sewers. They enter sporting a slight leading to a side chamber guard by two rough-looking men, mercenaries. The characters nonchalantly approach the men and fool them for a second until they ask for the "Password." They are quickly killed; however, they set off an alarm first. The fight is on. Inside adjacent chambers are five more killers, three Cohorts of Gashang Knights, and a priestess of Agrik holding two terrified slaves captive. The mercenaries attack. However, once the heroes demonstrate dangerous martial and magical talents, the Priestess sacrifices the two slaves in bursts of Balefire. They are incinerated and demonically possessed Living Soot Elementals arise from their ashes. And to make matters worse, one of the mercenaries calls for help, and a Fire Wizard and more skilled guards arrive shortly after.
The Mercenaries, Cohorts, Knights, and Guards battle bravely and appear to gain the upper hand while the party deals with the Living Soot Elementals. They are destroyed, but the battle balance has tilted in favor of the Agrikian. Jolanta attempts to unleash a devastating Maximized magical attack, only to have her magic Counterspelled by the Fire Wizard. A short magical dual comes to an abrupt end when one of the Cohorts Knights smashes Jolanta to the ground, breaking her concentration on her active protective magic. Things look bleak, so Avon, using his Use Magical Device abilities, unleashes the contents of a powerful evil scroll taken from the corpse of a powerful priest of Morgath. The incantation, Flesh Rend, rips exposed body parts in a deadly bloody explosion, killing several remaining mercenaries and badly injuring the Priestess and last Cohort Knight. Acheron charges in to aid Jolanta while the swift Avon kills the Wizard before he can do further harm. With Jolanta saved, Acheron strikes down the evil Priestess of Agrik with a mighty Divine Smite.
Part 5 - A Most Devious Plan
With the villains killed, the party spends a few moments investigating. They find barrels of flammable oil and highly combustible materials in a side chamber. This is directly under the wooden buildings surrounding the courtyard where the statue of Saint Lanas will be unveiled to hundreds of Laranian faithful tomorrow.
The characters have prevented a massacre, and Avon has gained the opportunity to make his political career.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Senator Harlen Orde and his staff.
Challenges Overcome
Destroyed 2 x Living Soot
Killed the 9 x Expert Mercanries, 3 x Cohorts of Gashang Knights, 1 x Fire Wizard, and 1 x Priestess of the 8 Demons.
Rewards
Nothing This week.
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Related Reports
Senators of the Thardic Republic.
Order of the Cohorts of Gashang.
Temple of Agrik - Bastion of Silent Screams.
Player Character Status
Acheron - Human - L7 Devotion Paladin, L4 Hexblade, and L8 Divine Soul.
Jolanta - Human - L19 Evoker.
Avon - Half-Elf - L19 Thief.
Next Session
Avon
Jolanta
Acheron
NPC Companions
Moneypenny
Avon's able assistant
Blaine
Jolanta's loyal and often drunk bodyguard.
Order of the Eight Demons
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