Session 09
General Summary
After pumping Xavier for info, he was summarily executed. It was time to report to Sister
Valerius. Being somewhat economical with the truth, she was informed about the kruthik tunnels
leading into Hadrian's tomb and the presence of bandits/cultists therein. She authorised further
investigation.
While in the city, heard some relevant news. There are concerns about a bandit gang who operate
north east of Londinium, near a frontier settlement named Hommlet. While there's always been
the odd random bandit attack, lately things are becoming more organised. There's also rumours
that they are actively seeking alliances with humanoid tribes. To that end, the Primitives were
despatched to investigate an area of badlands (a couple of days north of Londinium) where gnolls
live but are overdue reporting in.
8th January, time to return to the tomb once more. All seemed quiet and undisturbed. Headed
directly for the door Xavier was seen fiddling with. It was locked but there were signs of the lock
being tampered. From beyond came the sound of flowing, splashing water. Shinobi expertly
picked the lock and Argus swung the door open, giving a pop and a rush of stale air. This room
contained five fountains. The floor was very dusty. Another door could be glimpsed in the far
corner.
Nex Pervenio tiptoed carefully into the room, following in Argus' tracks where possible. As he
approached the largest, central fountain he noticed the water motion increase. He backed off and it
calmed again. Mika dipped his fingers in the nearest fountain. He was somewhat alarmed when a
bizarre translucent worm bit him! More of these worms emerged from other fountains and moved
to attack. But these arcane guardians were no match for a well-oiled gladiator squad and were
swiftly vanquished. As the last one died, the fountains eerily stilled, their surfaces becoming like
mirrors.
Attention moved to the onward door. This looked sealed and untouched for ages. With some
assistance and several attempts later, Shinobi picked the lock. Again Argus swung the door open.
Torchlight revealed a huge chamber. Tiered seating ran around the walls - this was some kind of
gladiatorial arena. A large statue dominated the centre of the arena floor. Text on the plinth read
"Hadrian, greatest emperor of them all, greatest gladiator of them all". Five sarcophagi could be
seen in a distant corner.
Nex Pervenio moved cautiously into the arena. The statue burst into light, illuminating the whole
room. Shinobi leapt up onto the statue plinth and then began fiddling with it, wondering if it
concealed any secrets, such as the chaotic relic Xavier had raved about. At this point the whole
room became supernaturally pitch black and the temperature dropped significantly. A
commanding voice demanded "how dare you enter my domain". The darkness disappeared and
Nex Pervenio were suddenly aware of five figures in a box overlooking the arena. It was Hadrian
and his gladiator team, still working together in undeath. The room was freezing cold and icy
patches formed on the ground.
Battle was joined, two of the undead gladiators, looking ghoulish and skeletal, rushing across the
arena floor. The other three, including Hadrian, seemed more ethereal and floated down and
forward. One turned invisible and vanished. Dash found himself immobilised by ghoulish claws
and fought for his life. Valun was harried ineffectively by the skeletal one. Meanwhile Shinobi,
Mika and Argus were finding that simply getting close to Hadrian was difficult and dangerous as
he was able to manouvre them about the place, generally onto areas of ice. All the while, a spirit
gladiator was hurling necrotic bolts from afar.
Things weren't going well for Nex Pervenio, who were not used to being restrained, immobilised
and flung around the place, disrupting their usual tactical movements. Valun was doing an allstar
job of keeping people healed. A pivotal moment was a switch of focus onto the ghoulish gladiator,
taking him out of the fight and freeing up Dash. Further attacks pounded into Hadrian who was
taking a beating despite his insubstantial nature. Yet valuable resources were running low. The
battle was finely balanced.
Report Date
10 Apr 2024
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