The Bastards of Erebus - Session 6: Taking it to the Bastards, Part 2

Dramatis Personae

Alizander - Human (Varisian) sorcerer – works and performs at Cayden’s Blessing
Carlos Santiago - Half-orc (Alkenstarian) wizard – works at Rhialto’s Tonics and Talismans
Nagiphax - Cyclops-kin rogue – works at the Beer Golem Tavern
Slavé – Tiefling (appears human) rogue – detective in dottari employ
Tavo - Human cleric of Pharasma – employed as a mortician and coroner
Vaeden Corleone - Human rogue – former nobleman, often seen at Alfred’s Smithy

Oathday, 26 Rova, 4708 A.R.

The Returners continue their assault on the Bastards of Erebus’ hideout within the former Church of Erastil. They follow the fleeing tiefling thugs downstairs to an underground crypt, where they meet more Bastards reinforcements. The Returners defeat the tieflings in the crypt after a long battle in the tight quarters of the crypt, but are hampered on moving further into the underground complex by the sound of rabid dogs on the other side of the north door, and a pair of what appear to be large dog or wolf skeletons on the other side of the east door.

Meanwhile, Slavé drags one of the unconscious tieflings from the initial assault into one of the abandoned shops near the church. Slavé binds the tiefling and interrogates him once he wakens, using violence and intimidation to learn something of the so-called Bastards of Erebus. Slavé’s prisoner reveals that the group consists of only tieflings, all of whom work for one who calls himself Palaveen, who is described as goatish in appearance, with large branching horns, pointed ears, and the icon of Asmodeus – an inverted pentacle – branded on his brow. The prisoner says Palaveen pays the members to enter the city at night to steal and cause mayhem. If citizens get in the way (like the weaponsmith, or the patrons sleeping at Quintos’ tavern) then it is their own fault for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Slavé’s prisoner shows little remorse for his actions, and claims to know nothing of Palaveen’s motives, and cares only that he pays good coin. When pressed further, the prisoner reveals that several of the buildings in the area are connected through underground tunnels, and that Palaveen controls several wolf skeletons as guards and servants within the underground facility.

Soon Slavé notices the sound of digging outside the building. Several moments later a huge tiefling with massive, clawed hands roars out of the rubble just outside the building. Slavé slits the throat of his prisoner and rushes upstairs, while the other Returners, just returning above ground to regroup and consider their next move, rush in to face the clawed tiefling. A few tiefling rogues follow the digger from the hole and face down the party. One of the rogues and the clawed tiefling are taken down, and the other two jump back through the hole and into the underground complex in an effort to escape.

Treasure

· Studded leather armour (14) – from tiefling thugs and rogues

· Light mace (14) - from tiefling thugs and rogues

· Light crossbow (14) - from tiefling thugs and rogues

· Crossbow bolts (120) - from tiefling thugs and rogues

· Dagger (13) – from tiefling thugs and Ostengo

· Short sword (2) – from tiefling rogues

· Thieves’ tools (2) – from tiefling rogues

· Mithral shirt – from Ostengo

· Tanglefoot bag – from Ostengo

· Potion (unidentified) – from Ostengo

· Potion (unidentified) – Dravano the Digger

· Masterwork breastplate – Dravano the Digger

· 400 gp – from thugs, rogues, Ostengo, and Dravano

Experience Awards

· Tiefling thugs (9) 1220 xp

· Ostengo (tiefling sorcerer) 400 xp

· Dravano the Digger 400 xp

· Tiefling rogue 200 xp

· Total 2220 xp

· Per PC (6) 370 xp

Current XP Totals Per PC (after session 6)

· Alizander, Carlos, Slavé, Vaeden – 3815 xp each

· Nagiphax – 3295 xp

· Tavo – 3155 xp

· Croso, Orem – 2875 xp