41 - The Blood of the Eighth

General Summary

The party exits the caverns of Orceena's mother and her tribe, careful to avoid combat. They recognized the tribe was likely too much for them to handle at this time, empowered by the fiendish water. As they traveled westward, Celder, Finn and Kayin decided to hunt for elks, taking down a herd with little effort. Returning to the carriage, they heard furious roars in the distance - they bring along Edalweiss to investigate. They find themselves at a decrepit stone altar housing three cyclopes, all yelling furiously at a tabaxi standing in the center. Kayin does his best to calm the situation but conversation falls short; a hard-hitting scuffle ends with the three giants thoroughly eliminated.
The tabaxi, capable of holding his own in combat, introduces himself as River. He says he hails from the Tok'Saari Plains, seeking to vanquish the dragons of evil across San'Grenon. For this reason he takes curious interest in Celder's blue dragon infant, at which a blue gemstone in his quarterstaff glows brightly at its presence. Celder convinces River that he is training the wyrmling for good. The party extends an invitation to River to travel westward, back towards Solis.
Edalweiss arrives at the atheneum to meet with Farrum, the gnome wizard formerly allied with Pyrrne. He tells her to meet him outside the city, with less prying eyes. Within the forest, he imparts his knowledge on the inner workings on "Pyrrne", or Emyralis, and her goals. Emyralis wishes to access the power of the Eternals, the ancient deities that departed from San'Grenon. Governess Harenial, the Paragon of the eternal Amarasi, was the primary target of the Solis invasion, with the cerberus as a secondary prize. The attack upon Perritown was to steal the restorative talents of the Paragon of the eternal Safiri, which rested with Gillamoor and the crystalline flower. Farrum believes that Emyralis has purposely allied herself with Kymos, the Paragon of the eternal Bloodbane, because of his talents to steal the arcane talents of others. Edalweiss confirms the locations and sigils of their bases in Lloklan, Ganz, and Syfaserine and promises to communicate again in two week's time.
As they retire for the night, Kayin finds that his new masked "friend" watches him through the twilight. In the morning, he presents to Kayin a condensed ball of black smoke, which forms infernal writs around his arm.
The Titan Corps present their findings to Governess Harendial, who offers to share the archives of her grandfather, Silas Aleum. His collection of scrolls and tomes bear information on the Eternals and their Paragons when he was alive. Edalweiss and Kayin take the opportunity to speak to the fiend-expert scholar Bartholomew, who revels in Kayin's newest development. He offers to reveal to Kayin the details of the infernal contract "so obviously placed" upon his person, should they wish to meet him at his residence in the eastern slums of Solis.
Celder, Finn, Drud, and River decide to spend their day hunting, fulfilling a query by local fishermen of dangerous waters within a nearby river. Upon investigation they are ambushed by a conclave of giant crabs hiding amongst the rocks. The battle is unexpectedly vicious, as both Finn and Drud fall unconscious in the conflict. With their combined efforts the crustraceans are defeated, and River and Celder work to stabilize a heavily injured Drud.
Edalweiss and Kayin arrive at a soot-covered house deep within the eastern corridors, hidden away from sight. Bartholemew welcomes them in and seats Kayin in the center of a ritualistic circle while Edalweiss supervises. The two take analgesic herbs to numb their senses as the ritual begins. Bartholomew traces a number of infernal and abyssal runes into the floor, of which only the former catch fire. He completes the circle in infernal and black smoke rises to occlude the walls and windows. The scholar slices deep cuts into Kayin's shoulder, stopping at the eighth. The temperature rises intensely as Kayin involuntarily rises to his feet, his eyes glowing white.
All of a sudden, Bartholomew bursts into flames. As his body cinders, from the conflagration rises a black smoke that coalesces before Kayin. It takes shape into a tall, shrouded form, masculine in guise yet entirely otherworldly. He calls for Alvis, at which an unusual voice speaks from Kayin's mouth towards his master. The voice of Alvis acknowledges his master in deep reverence, calling him Mephistopheles, Lord of the Eighth. The archdevil thanks Alvis for his work, but urges him to expedite the training.
Mephistopheles notices Edalweiss hiding in the corner and drifts towards her. He also provides her praise, as the Trials of the Titan Corps have hardened Kayin and strengthened him. He requests to Edalweiss to continue caring for his son, until a time where Mephistopheles will call him towards 'great things'. With a wave of his hand he banishes Edalweiss to an infinite maze of another realm.
The archdevil provides encouragement to Kayin as parting words. He says Kayin must continue to grow, continue to expand his mind towards all the world has to offer. When Kayin mentions his party's connection to an individual tied to the Fierna, Lady of the Fourth, Mephistopheles simply says to kill her - best not to leave loose ends, after all. In a rising plume of black smoke the Lord of the Eighth vanishes, and the darkened fog settles upon the ashen body of Bartholomew. Edalweiss is tosses through a swirling realm of black and white before waking up on the floor of Bartholomew's home.

Rewards Granted

Edalweiss:

• Sannish (Analgesic / Numbing herb)
• Teleportation sigils to Lloklan, Ganz, and Syfaserine
• Pearl of Power
• Club +1

Kayin:

• Headband of Intellect - The word 'YURTRUS' is emblazoned upon the front, bearing the name of an orcish deity.

Celder:

• Lots of crab meat

Finn:

• 270 gold (sold Sentinel Shield)

River:

• Bag of Tricks, Grey (One fuzzball / day)

Character(s) interacted with

River - A tabaxi monk hailing from the Tok'Saari Plains, wishing to vanquish dragons.
Alvis - A mysterious voice from within Kayin.
Mephistopheles - Lord of the Eighth, archdevil, supposed father to Kayin?
Recurring Characters:

Bartholomew, Governess Harendial, Sol, Farrum

Report Date

28 Mar 2020

Primary Location

Solis