The Sixfold Trial - Session 9: The Six Trials of Larazod

Dramatis Personae

Alizander Carmelizzia - Human (Varisian) sorcerer
Carlos Santiago - Half-orc (Alkenstarian) wizard
Nagiphax - Cyclops-kin rogue
Slavé – Tiefling (appears human) rogue

Tavo Dechirent - Human cleric of Pharasma
Vaeden Corleone - Human rogue

Moonday, 26 Neth, 4708 A.R.

The actors are paraded through the streets of Westcrown, from the Parego Spera to a barge on the eastern shore which ferries them across the River Adivian to the Parego Regicona, the fortress island that houses the nobles and elite of Wiscrani society.

The troupe is transported with much fanfare to the Nightshade Theatre, a colossal theatre dressed in Egorian black and red; Lord-Mayor Arvanxi’s most recent architectural paean in honour of excess and extravagance. At four o’clock sharp, Robahl Nonon welcomes the audience, Visbarontess Delour sings an aria introducing the Six Trials of Larazod, and the curtain rises.

The actors proceed through the seven acts of the play, enduring ever more dangerous and deadly trials as the show progresses. The plot and background of the play are as follows:

Larazod receives a vision from Asmodeus in which the dark god unveils a prominent Chelish magistrate—the sinister Paraduke Montigny Haanderthan – as a traitor to Cheliax, who has compacted with demonic powers and plans to bring the worship of Asmodeus to a sharp and brutal end. Burning with unholy justice and diabolical purpose, Larazod, along with his stalwart companions, sets out to expose the highly placed traitor Haanderthan. They are greatly overmatched, as Larazod is a minor scion of a piddling noble house whose influence lies tattered in the wake of Thrune's seizure of power in Cheliax. Undaunted, Larazod vows a smoldering blood oath to Asmodeus to see the traitor fall before Haanderthan's actions bring the dark glory of Cheliax low.

Larazod's actions swiftly bring him to the attention of the Paraduke, who has the young tiefling scooped up in the crushing grasp of the law and brought before his dark tribunal for questioning. There, a dire confrontation ensues wherein Larazod reveals his vision and heaps accusations upon Haanderthan in full view of a well-attended tribunal session. Outrage and scandal threaten to topple the order of things, and Larazod's enemies grow in number. Only one high-placed member of the tribunal takes his part—a beautiful daughter of House Sarini and rival of Haanderthan named Ilsandra. A sultry love affair between Ilsandra and Larazod develops as the pair seeks to topple the treacherous Haanderthan.

Haanderthan, using the awesome influence granted a man of his stature, forces Larazod to undergo six trials to prove the truth of his accusations, stating, "If Asmodeus truly granted you this vision, then his almighty black hand shall shield you from dismemberment and disembowelment in the trials we've planned. Surely your faith does not waver?" Larazod agrees to the trials, blasting the magistrate with unholy oaths to see his foolish plans undone.

The trials follow. Combat with foul beasts and grievous tortures leaves Larazod and his companions brutally maimed both in body and soul. At its climax, though, Larazod emerges unharmed and is vindicated as Asmodeus himself drags the nefarious magistrate to Hell.

The party survives the deadly play – suffering through torture and self-mutilation, immersion within an acid-filled statue of a vast serpent, and battle with demon-spawn and skeletal beasts – to the great amusement of Lord-Mayor Aberian Arvanxi and his fawning audience of nobles. Arvanxi thanks the troupe before their exit, and tells them to expect formal invitations to a party to celebrate the success of the once-banned play at his villa in the coming days. The troupe makes its way back to the Limehouse theatre in the Spera, arriving soon before nightfall. Thesing leaves early (clearly perturbed by the party’s popularity), and Delour makes her exit excusing her need for beauty rest. After several bottles of Robahl’s best vintage, Vaeden and Calseinica explore their budding relationship further. The other party members celebrate the success of the play well into the early morning hours, returning to the Adventurers’ Quarter only after the sun has risen over Westcrown once more.

Treasure

· Payment after completing the Six Trials of Larazod - 1500 gp per PC

Experience Awards

· Act II – Trial by Torture - 800 xp

· Act III – Trial by Pleasure - 1200 xp

· Act IV – Trial in the Belly of the Beast - 1200 xp

· Act V – The Birthing Trial (5 lemures) - 2000 xp

· Act VI – Trial by Combat and Love (2 troll skeletons) - 1600 xp

· Story Award (surviving the Six Trials of Larazod) - 4000 xp

· Total - 10,800 xp

· Per PC (6) - 1800 xp

· Fame Points (based on Popularity points garnered) - 3

Current XP Totals Per PC (after session 9)

· Alizander, Carlos, Slavé, Vaeden – 8455 xp each

· Nagiphax – 7935 xp

· Tavo – 7795 xp

· Croso, Orem – 2875 xp

· Total Current Fame Points - 8