Session 09
General Summary
The whole building shook with violent tremors causing Lareth�s base to visibly crumble � time
was clearly of the essence. Nex Pervenio decided their best course of action was to free the slaves
and prisoners. Not for altruistic reasons, but because they might be able to provide information or
assistance. It would also reduce the chance of being attacked from the rear when they reached the
portal room.
First visited was the workshop. A group of azers were trapped behind bars. They were clearly
terrified of the imminent threat of the building collapsing and were pleading for release with a
fierce-looking tiefling who was having none of it. A couple of arrows from Dash got his attention
as the other gladiators charged forward with the azers cheering them on. The tiefling unleashed a
blast of chilling death magic and retreated from his oncoming foes. With a snap of his fingers,
four skulls levitated, burst into flames and began launching fireballs. Soon the tiefling was
swarmed by Argus, Mika and Shinobi. With his death, the skulls dropped to the floor, lifeless once
more.
The azers were very grateful to be released. They weren�t prepared to stay and fight elsewhere in
Lareth�s base, they were too scared of it collapsing. Before they fled, they gave Valun a special
ritual scroll that could be used to contact them in the future so they could repay the life-debt they
now owed.
As the azers dashed for freedom, the gladiators ignored the shaking of the building and headed to
the jail area. Chains and manacles lined the room, with three prisoners restrained at the far end. A
torture rack was being used as an impromptu card table by a couple of cult jailers who seemed
oblivious to the tremors. As with the workmaster, a hail of arrows from Dash announced the
gladiators� entrance. Once again, hidden dangers soon became apparent, as lengths of chains
animated and lashed anyone within their considerable reach, Valun suffering particularly. Focus
fire took out the jailers and there was a hope that might stop the chains but alas they continued to
attack, though not for long against the disciplined gladiators.
Attention turned to the three prisoners. They were in no fit state to help in a fight but should be
able to drag themselves to a safer area of the city. All three were extremely grateful to be rescued
and each promised a future favour, when they had sufficiently recovered from their ordeal to be of
assistance.
The first prisoner was a dwarf, Durin of Forgehome. He was in Maelbrathyr en route to ErelheiCinlu where he had business with House Eilservs. As a mining expert he�d been intrigued by the
source of all the tremors and had been captured by the cult while investigating.
The next prisoner was a drow, Mizzrim of House Shi�quos. She�d been sent to Maelbrathyr by
her superior in search of rare knowledge so had been exploring this oldest district of Maelbrathyr
when she ran into the cultists.
The last prisoner was extremely odd � wrapped in bandages somewhat similar to a mummy but
not undead. Riya recalled something about a group of Vecna-worshippers known as the
Incunabulum. They seek out secrets to add to their collection in their city of Glimmer in the
Shadowdark. This creature said its name was Harka and it had been sniffing out secrets. It next
planned to travel to Erelhei-Cinlu and spoke to Mizzrim about research opportunities there.
The dwarf, drow and incunabulum headed for safety, strongly suggesting the gladiators do
likewise. But Nex Pervenio had unfinished business, Lareth was near after all! They headed for
the portal room. They realised it was no ordinary portal, this was an Abyssal Gate like they�d
seen in the ruins of the Temple of Elemental Evil. A host of fire elementals stood guard, while a
tiefling stood next to the portal. Visible through the portal, in the Abyss, was Lareth.
Vital information was gleaned from their conversation. The Abyssal Gate is unstable and
collapsing, causing the violent tremors all around it. It�s no longer possible to travel through the
Gate, but clearly it was still possible to communicate. Lareth said it had proved a valuable
experiment with lessons learned. He told his lackey to report to someone called Nalva Dhaunel
with news that the plans for a Londinium gate were well in hand. Riya recalled that Nalva
Dhaunel is a drow, the leader of House Tormtor � this house was disgraced and exiled from
Erelhei-Cinlu for their worship of Tharizdun.
It seemed Lareth was still frustratingly out of reach and would remain safe even if his base here
collapsed. But Nex Pervenio could still slay all his minions and disrupt some of his plans. Perhaps
they could even meet with Nalva Dhaunel, masquerading as this tiefling, if future circumstances
permitted. Weapons at the ready it was time to charge!
Report Date
10 Apr 2024
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