The Twice-Damned Prince - Session 51: Skarx's Prison

Dramatis Personae

Alfaren “Alfred” Eredel – Elf transmuter

Alizander Carmelizzia - Human (Varisian) sorcerer

Boecca – Half-orc inquisitor of Erastil

Carlos Santiago - Half-orc (Alkenstarian) evoker

Slavé/Jancen – Tiefling (in guise as a human) rogue/assassin

Tavo Dechirent - Human cleric of Pharasma

Wealday, 4 Gozran, 4709 A.R.

The Returners press on with their assault against the Council thieves’ hideout. Boecca banishes an attacking imp, the bead of force-hurler, back to the pit of Hell, while Slavé and Tavo push on inside the bunker. Carlos lets the golem loose outside and hovers over the structure, waiting to take on any escapees. Another imp announces its presence by hurling a bead of force at Boecca, encasing him within an impervious sphere of force. He escapes the force sphere using a dimension door spell, appearing inside the bunker just in time to meet the the tiefling Council torturer Skarx Veskandi. Skarx, a monk of some skill, rains blows down on Boecca, but the resilient half-orc shrugs most of them off. The Returners numbers and superior abilities soon bring Skarx and her Council thieves down.

Skarx, ever the opportunist, is quick to surrender when it becomes clear that the battle is lost, and pleads for release, promising valuable information if the Returners let her out of the city. She balks under Boecca’s attentions, refusing to speak unless promised release. Frustrated, Slavé makes a snap decision and teleports with Skarx to a wooded copse outside the city. Thinking she will be set free, Skarx gives Slavé the information he is looking for: that Chammady Drovenge is holed up with Vuiper Ghivel, a cleric of Abadar and sole surviving member of a minor noble family that has been on the decline. Slavé slits Skarx’s throat and teleports back to the Council bunker.

Boecca confronts Slavé upon his return, decrying the rogue’s questionable behaviour and proclaiming him a threat to the Returners’ ultimate goals. Before the two are able to come to blows, the sounds of citizens in distress force the group back into action. Scouting a block north of the Council bunker, the party witnesses a group of six bearded devils mounted astride skeletal, flame-shrouded hellcats terrorizing three Wiscrani nobles. Acting quickly, Carlos flies into the citizens’ aid, grasping each of them and using a dimension door spell to whisk them away to safety before the devils and hellcats have a chance to react. The other Returners decide against taking on the devils with so few members present, and take the time to ensure the frightened citizens are safe before contemplating their next move – a visit to the Ghivel townhouse to confront Chammady Drovenge.

Treasure

· From the Council thieves:

o Potions of cure moderate wounds (3) (worth 450 gp total)

· From Skarx Veskandi:

o Belt of incredible dexterity +2 (worth 2000 gp)

o Bracers of armour +3 (worth 4500 gp)

o Ring of protection +1 (worth 1000 gp)

Experience

· Council thieves (4): 3200 xp

· Imps (2): 1200 xp

· Skarx Veskandi: 12,800 xp

· Total: 17,200 xp

· Per PC (4): 4300 xp

Fame/Popularity

· Fame Check bonus: +32

· Fame Points Remaining: 16

· Popularity Points (defeating Skarx Veskandi): 1

· Total Popularity Points: 13

Current XP Total per PC

· Carlos: 190,629 xp

· Slavé: 186,629 xp

· Tavo: 183,184 xp

· Boecca: 173,854 xp

· Alfred: 168,374 xp

Alizander: 150,000 xp

Mother of Flies - Session 37: The Counsel of Flies

Dramatis Personae

Alfaren “Alfred” Eredel – Elf transmuter

Alizander Carmelizzia - Human (Varisian) sorcerer

Boecca – Half-orc inquisitor of Erastil

Carlos Santiago - Half-orc (Alkenstarian) evoker

Slavé/Jancen – Tiefling (in guise as a human) rogue/assassin

Tavo Dechirent - Human cleric of Pharasma

Wealday, 20 Pharast, 4709 A.R.

Alizander leads the assault from the air, using the wand of quench to douse the bonfire burning near the leader’s camp, before heading quickly to the north towards the next closest fire. The large bearded man, who was conferring with a group of three tall, pale-skinned rag-shrouded folk, is momentarily surprised by the sudden dousing. He soon gains his composure and orders his men into action. The thieves and dark folk in the leader’s camp begin scanning the trees for signs of attack, and the Returners are only too happy to bring it to them. Dog’s Tongue is the first to issue forth, charging from the dark forest into the clearing, screaming obscenities as he slashes at a duo of dark creepers with his heavy scythe. The Returners make their moves in turn – Boecca firing his crossbow from the tree-cover; Slavé making his way to the east side of the leader’s camp under cover of the forest; Alfred and Carlos laying down spell artillery from the air; and Tavo issuing from the forest as if to take on the entire force of Council thieves by himself.

The dark creepers and dark stalkers seek to control the battlefield by shrouding it under a cover of magical darkness that they seem to be able to see through without hindrance. Tavo manages to dispel the blackness using the Morrowfall on several occasions, blinding the light-sensitive dark creepers and stalkers as a beneficial side effect. The bearded, axe-wielding leader attempts to circle around the battlefield, avoiding the magical darkness, Alfred’s choking cloudkill, and Carlos’ deadly wall of acid, in an effort to come up behind the attacking Returners. His efforts are, alas, futile, and the huge man, someone Slavé recognizes as a former member of the dottari, falls under the relentless efforts of the Returners.

In time, the group of dark creepers, dark stalkers, and Council thieves fall to the Returners. Alizander continues to douse bonfires throughout the besiegers’ camp, sowing discord and confusion and he makes his way around the massive trunk of the Maggot Tree. With each bonfire that goes out, strange birds and insect swarms issue form the tree to attack the besieging force. The other Returners deal with another group of Council thieves, ogres, warhounds and a hill giant before the Mother of Flies finally shows herself, issuing from the shrouded canopy of the Maggot Tree in a cloud of swarming wasps, flies, and worse.

With the Mother’s presence, the siege finally breaks, and the remaining thieves, ogres and hill giants flee the battlefield. The Mother of Flies approaches the Returners, dismissing the black clouds of insects as she gets closer. She is a hideous crone indeed. Her face is a grey mass of wrinkles, warts, and scars beneath a mop of coarse, bark-like hair. Her eyes are dark and sagging, but lack any indication of colouration – they’re flat black orbs. She leans heavily on a large gnarled staff and wears filthy rags and dozens of bone and stone fetishes. Perhaps worst of all is the layer of maggots and crawling flies that cover her. With every step, the flies take flight, only to land on her body again when she comes to a rest. The Mother of Flies cackles in unrestrained delight as she observes the Returners.

“My sweeties, yes what a gorgeous delicious bunch of darlings you are. So kind of you to help an old spinster; what would I have done without you, my lovelies? So pretty you are, covered in sweat and blood. Oh dear we shall have to wash you. Oh goodness, my flies seem to like you; don’t mind them.”

The Mother of Flies grandmotherly attitude continues for several minutes; the chaos of the surrounding clearing – Council thieves dying, strange birds and insects devouring their half-living remains, the Maggot Tree seeming to swell with life as the smoke clears – seems to exist in a different place somehow. The Returners are drawn in by the hideous crone’s incongruous nature. As they listen to the Mother of Flies, she begins to relate the story of her dealings with the Drovenge family. She tells the story of Sidonai Drovenge, the son of the patriarch of the family, Vassindio, came to her and her sisters (there were once three – the Mother, the Sister, and the Daughter of Flies) in 4686 AR, seeking an infernal heir. The Flies were only too happy to oblige, and procured a coin from the archdevil Mammon’s own treasury, instructing Sidonai to swallow it before bedding his wife. Little did Sidonai know that by accepting the gift, he was cuckolding himself – the coin in fact held the possessing spirit of Mammon himself, and the heir would not be Sidonai’s but Mammon’s own son, begat upon the world through a mortal coupling. When Sidonai’s son was born a fiendish freak 9 months later, Sidonai’s father Vassindio flew into a terrific rage. He ordered the deaths of all involved – midwives and house staff alike (the mother escaped this fate by dying herself from complications in birthing the infernal heir). While Vassindio tempered his rage when it came to his son (exiling Sidonai rather than executing him), and in the end could not bring it upon himself to destroy his fiendish grandson, whom he named Ecarrdian, the Flies did not escape his wrath.

Of the three hags, only the Mother of Flies was away when Vassindio’s forces stormed the Hagwood with a deadly combination of fire, assassins, and charmed giants and fey. The Mother learned of Vassindio’s rage and, nursing her own grudge against the Drovenges for the deaths of her sister and daughter, relocated deeper into the Hagwood and began the process of creating a new Maggot Tree. To gird herself against further Drovenge vengeance, she sought and found an unlikely ally among the dark fey of the Court of Ether hidden within the upper reaches of the Darklands. Her alliance secured, she set out on the slow process of slowly learning about her foe – Vassindio Drovenge, de facto leader of the Council of Thieves – and the many secrets of his criminal order.

Yet the Mother of Flies may have taken too long in plotting her revenge, for now things have changed in the Council of Thieves. Control has passed to the infernal heir, Ecarrdian, and his sister, Chammady. The Mother seethes with bitter anger towards both Vassindio and Ecarrdian – in many ways, he owes his very existence to her, after all! The Mother sees in the Returners her chance to visit vengeance upon the Drovenges, and relates her knowledge of the Council of Thieves secret guildhalls – one called Walcourt, in particular – and also says she has information that may drive a wedge between Ecarrdian and his strongest supporter – his sister Chammady.

The Mother tells the Returners that while the Council maintains numerous secret guildhalls throughout Westcrown, it is the one known as Walcourt that may house their greatest asset – control of the night. Walcourt is located at the eastern edge of the Rego Laina, in a former guild lodge once dedicated to the followers of the Founder Crucisal. Falling into ruin over the years since the god Aroden’s death, Walcourt was used briefly as an orphanage and then later as a flophouse – both secretly serving as fronts for the activities of the Council of Thieves and overseen by none other than Sidonai Drovenge. Most recently, she’s come to believe that Walcourt has been given over to serve as the lair of one of the Council’s most dangerous leaders – and one of the greatest allies of the Drovenge siblings – a mysterious figure known as the “Lord of Shadows.” According to the Mother’s research, this Lord of Shadows controls the movements and actions of the shadow beasts that plague Westcrown’s nights, and the fact that he’s been allied all this time with the Drovenges explains a lot as to how they and their treacherous allies could move about the city unseen and unmolested at night. An invasion of Walcourt could not only reveal much of the secrecy surrounding the Council of Thieves but also give the Returners the opportunity to lift the curse of shadows from Westcrown’s nights.

About the Drovenge siblings themselves, the Mother says that their greatest strength is their complete devotion to each other – between Chammady’s guile and Ecarrdian’s prowess in combat, the two are a formidable pair. Yet it may be possible to sow the seeds of anger between them.

Unbeknownst to Sidonai Drovenge, when he willingly swallowed the gold coin of Mammon gifted by the Flies, he entered into an infernal pact with the archdevil. The seal for that pact is Ecarrdian himself – the fruit of the pact’s execution. As a resul, Ecarrdian’s very existence is a link to his infernal pater familias, embodying his very traits of lust and greed. The infernal pact created a connection between Ecarrdian and his closest familial tie – not his father Sidonai, but his devoted sister, Chammady, the only family member to show him any love and affection during his painful childhood. Ecarrdian’s very existence is bonded with that of his sister. With each personal success and increase in power by Ecarrdian, Chammady’s soul has become entwined further and further with Mammon’s, such that if Ecarrdian truly comes to rule Westcrown, as seems to be his goal, Chammady’s soul will be eternally forfeit to the Infernal Court of Erebus, a plaything for Mammon’s every whim. Chammady’s loyalty to her brother is great, but the Mother of Flies suspects that not even her filial ties to her tiefling brother could overcome her desire to not succumb to such a fate – a fact that could very likely create an irreparable rift between the siblings.

“And then,” the Mother says, “things should get very interesting. We are, of course, speaking about a pact created in Hell, and as with all things originating in Hell, copies exist in triplicate. The pact between Ecarrdian and Mammon will exist in written form, signed and sealed.”

With that, the Mother of Flies bids the Returners farewell, promising them safe passage out of the Hagwood, but delivering a stern warning that they may not receive such a warm welcome if ever they return.

Treasure

· From the Council thieves and Stiglor

o Potions of cure moderate wounds (4) (worth 600 gp total)

o Coins and jewelry (worth 1600 gp)

o Breastplate +1 (worth 675 gp)

o +1 Cold iron battleaxes (2) (worth 4620 gp total)

o Masterwork composite longbow (+3 Str) (worth 350 gp)

o Cold iron arrows (20) (worth 1 gp total)

o Belt of mighty constitution +2 (worth 2000 gp)

o Key

o Papers and documents outlining Stiglor’s orders

· From Dark Creepers and Dark Stalkers

o Black smear poison (24 doses) (worth 4320 gp total, black market only)

o Masterwork short swords (4) (worth 620 gp total)

· From the Mother of Flies

o Potions of cure serious wounds (12) (worth 4500 gp total)

o Wand of restoration (14 charges) (worth 9940 gp)

o Wand of secret door detection (10 charges) (worth 75 gp)

o Scroll of resurrection (worth 6137 gp, 5 sp)

Experience Awards

· Council thieves (7) – 5,600 xp

· Dark creeper footpads (12) – 14,400 xp

· Dark stalker guildsmen (3) – 14,400 xp

· Stiglor – 6400 xp

· Warhounds (6) – 1200 xp

· Ogres (2) – 1600 xp

· Hill giant – 3200 xp

· Story award (breaking the siege) – 9600 xp

· Total – 56,400 xp

· Per PC (6) – 9,400 xp

· Fame Point (for breaking the siege and sending the Council army packing) - 1

Current XP Total per PC

· Carlos, Slavé – 90,835 xp

· Alfred – 88,280 xp

· Boecca – 88,260 xp

· Tavo – 84,190 xp

· Alizander – 82,850 xp

· Total Current Fame Points – 21

The Infernal Syndrome - Session 27: A Schism in the Council

Dramatis Personae

Alizander Carmelizzia - Human (Varisian) sorcerer
Boecca – Half-orc inquisitor of Erastil

Carlos Santiago - Half-orc (Alkenstarian) wizard

Slavé/Jancen – Tiefling (in guise as a human) rogue/assassin

Tavo Dechirent - Human cleric of Pharasma
Vaeden Corleone - Human rogue (and Damien Hellbent, cohort)

Wealday, 15 Calistril, 4709 A.R.

With Aberten and the Council thieves defeated, the Returners take a few minutes to speak with the former majordomo of Aberian’s Folly, Crosael Rasdovain. Crosael takes a defensive posture, unsure of how the group will ultimately deal with her and unwilling to place too much trust in Jancen, despite her knowledge of his tiefling heritage. She examines the forged contract provided by Jancen and Alizander and believes it to be real, but suggests it is little good to her now, as the escaped thieves will surely inform the Council of Thieves of her treachery. She expresses little desire in accompanying the party, but does provide the following information:

· As the Returners have already gathered, the Council of Thieves is alive and well – rumours that it long ago disbanded are false.

· There’s a schism building in the Council between the traditionalists and a new group that wants to have more direct control over the fortunes and citizens of Westcrown.

· The schism is led by the grandson and granddaughter of one of the Council’s oldest and most respected leaders, Vassindio Drovenge, patriarch of arguably the most powerful house in Westcrown.

· Vassindio’s granddaughter, Chammady, is a beautiful but dangerous assassin and accomplished swordfighter.

· Vassindio’s grandson, Eccardian, is the more dangerous sibling, a charismatic and brilliant charmer who is also, much to the Drovenge shame, at the very least a tiefling – some whisper that he is actually a half-fiend, and others that he is the son of the archdevil Mammon himself.

· The Drovenges and their followers have entered the endgame – they’re making various power plays now throughout Westcrown to seize control of the Council and, soon thereafter, will attempt the same of Westcrown’s government. It is rumoured that the Council usurpers have allied with a vampire named Ilnerik.

· There exists a handful of powerful enemies whom the Drovenge siblings particularly want to see murdered – these include most of the loyalist leaders of the Council of Thieves, the semi-legendary swamp hag known as the Mother of Flies said to know the secret (and weakness) of Eccardian’s bloodline, and the Returners themselves.

· The Drovenge siblings hope to make peaceful contact with Liebdaga the Twin and, in exchange for freeing him, hope to recruit his aid in taking control of Westcrown. Even if the thieves currently in the Nessian Spiral – led by Avahzi Serafian, an elf diabolist and worshipper of Mammon – are defeated, as long as Liebdaga remains alive or in Westcrown, the danger of such an alliance being forged remains.

· Before the Drovenges’ agents can contact Liebdaga, they are struggling to master the deadly dungeon that imprisons him in order to reach him. This is the Nessian Spiral below the ruins of Aberian’s Folly. Research has indicated that successful navigation of the Nessian Spiral would be made vastly easier for the one who manages to gather three important items – 1) a copy of the contract used to imprison the pit fiend Liebdaga; 2) a Stygian Keyrod used to manipulate and control the machinery that maintains the devil’s prison; and 3) Liebdaga’s devil talisman. The Stygian Keyrod and Liebdaga’s talisman have so far eluded discovery, but reports from Avahzi indicate that her divinations suggest that they are hidden somewhere in the Nessian Spiral.

Crosael leaves the ruins, indicating to Jancen that she must lay low for a time and that she may contact him again in the future. Armed with Crosael’s knowledge, the Returners venture into the Nessian Spiral. Tavo leads the assault with the two shadows under his control. Within the first few chambers in the dungeon they encounter Avahzi and her squad of Council thieves. A long battle ensues between the Returners and the cold-eyed elven cleric of Mammon. Alizander and Carlos bombard the thieves with spells, while Vaeden, his cohort Hellbent, and Boecca wade through the melee. Tavo directs his controlled shadows to attack the Council thieves in addition to providing much-needed healing to injured allies, while Jancen ventures to explore another section of the dungeon, disturbing a pair of hideous, skinless three-headed dog-beasts. While pursuing Avahzi, Vaeden becomes separated from the rest of the group via a well-placed wall of stone spell cast by the elven diabolist. Facing two Council thieves and Avahzi herself, separated from his friends and comrades, Vaeden weighs his options for survival.

Treasure

· From Aberian’s Folly Ruins

o Silverware, crystal, art objects, etc. (worth 6000 gp)

o +1 axiomatic mithral longsword (worth 10,000 gp)

Experience Awards

· Council thieves (3) – 2400 xp

· Cerberi (2) – 4800 xp

· Total – 7200 xp

· Per PC (6) – 1200 xp

· Cohort (Hellbent) – 857 xp

Current XP Total per PC

· Alizander, Carlos, Slavé, Vaeden – 42,735 xp each

· Boecca – 39,980 xp

· Tavo – 38,990 xp

· Nagiphax – 31,657 xp

· Damien Hellbent (cohort) – 20,360

· Total Current Fame Points – 15

What Lies in Dust - Session 16: The Hellcaller's Cup

Dramatis Personae

Alizander Carmelizzia - Human (Varisian) sorcerer
Carlos Santiago - Half-orc (Alkenstarian) wizard
Slavé/Jancen – Tiefling (in guise as a human) rogue

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

Fireday, 14 Kuthona, 4708 A.R.

The party successfully opens the Wave Door portal and accesses the cache of Pathfinder items in the extradimensional space beyond. Among the items retrieved is a handwritten note penned by the missing (and presumed dead) Loremaster Liriam:

“To Whomever Finds This –

It is, of course, my fervent hope that the reader of this missive is a friend of the Pathfinders. In the days before the madness and riots, before Cheliax tore itself apart, there were signs that the end was coming. Among those was Delvehaven’s desertion by one of her own. I now believe that Ilnerik stole half of the Aohl – the Totemrix – and judging by the growing power and magical potential of the Morrowfall, I fear that Ilnerik has unwittingly exposed himself to magic fell and vile. The power building in the Morrowfall is frightening, and we’ve secured it deep below Delvehaven in a vault called the Amber Arca. If my theory is correct and the Totemrix is a Vyriavaxian relic, then Ilnerik is being exposed to shadowy magic of a great evil. If he hasn’t become a vampire by this time, I fear he soon will. I’ve managed to secure a few tools here should that be the case, and hope to come back later to stash some more in the event of his return, but things grow increasingly dangerous in Westcrown, and I fear that none of us will live to see the end of the year.”

Starday, 15 Kuthona, 4708 A.R.

The party continues investigating the clues found in the Chelish Crux. Slavé reports to his new post at the Order of the Scourge headquarters in the northern ruins of the Parego Dospera. Speaking with Pontia Runario, he learns that the Sisters of Eiseth mentioned in the list of deceased Pathfinders maintains a small base of operations several blocks from the Order’s new headquarters. The Sisters of Eiseth were a once-powerful organization of monastic assassins devoted to the worship of Eiseth, the first erinyes, that has lessened in influence and prestige in the century following Aroden’s death. Still, the cagey folk of the Dospera give the Massacre House, as the Sisters’ base is known, a wide berth, and the group’s reputation for discreetly removing and disposing unwanted individuals is still justly deserved. Slavé takes two Hellknight recruits to scout out Massacre House and receives a less-than-warm reception from the resident Sisters. Slavé does manage to get a good sense of the building’s defenses, however, before being turned away by the Sisters.

Meanwhile, Alizander decides to pay a visit to the Devildrome, the small bloodsport arena just north of the wall separating the northern ruins from the rest of the Parego Dospera, and rumoured to contain the petrified remains of the deceased Pathfinder Aiger Ghaelfin. Alizander speaks to the Devildrome’s owner, Rance Lucca, last surviving member of the fallen Lucca noble family. Rance is a flamboyant and colourful character who recognizes Alizander as the star performer of the Six Trials of Larazod. He takes an immediate liking to the gregarious sorcerer, and through the course of conversation Alizander learns that Rance does indeed possess the bust of Venture-Captain Ghaelfin. Rance agrees to donate the bust to the Returners on one condition – they agree to participate in the Hellcaller’s Cup two days hence. Alizander readily agrees and spends the rest of the afternoon watching the events at the arena. He learns that events in the Devildrome typically involve combats between creatures summoned by dueling conjurers. Rance informs Alizander that in special cases, like the Hellcaller’s Cup, a team that lacks a conjurer may select a champion to face the opponent’s summoned creatures instead. Combatants are permitted to aid their chosen champion (or summoned creatures) via magic and tactical advice once the contest begins. Alizander returns to the safehouse before dark and informs the rest of the Returners of the upcoming contest, and of his intention to enter the fight as the group’s champion.

Moonday, 17 Kuthona, 4708 A.R.

A chill mist arises from the River Adivian on the morning of the Hellcaller’s Cup and lingers until the late morning sun coaxes it away. Spirits at the Devildrome are anything but damp, however, and by noon the arena is full of Wiscrani eager to get a glimpse of the players of the Six Trials of Larazod. Even several of the city’s elite have come out to see the event, including Chammady Drovenge, granddaughter (and only surviving heir, unless rumours of a disfigured and disgraced sibling are to be believed) of Vassindio Drovenge, patriarch of the most powerful noble house in Westcrown. Chammady sits in a private box within the stands, and acknowledges Alizander as he steps onto the field.

Mantrithor Thrax postures on the other side of the arena – his burly figure and intimidating costume of leather straps and heavy buckles suggests a seasoned gladiator more than a crafty wizard. Once the crowd has been worked up into a fevered pitch, Rance Lucca finally makes his introductions, announcing the champion of the Hellcaller’s Cup – Mantrithor Thrax – here to defend his title against the famed Sixfold Players of Larazod!

As the bell sounds, Mantrithor begins summoning hosts of lemure devils from with his protective cage on the north edge of the arena. The lemures attack Alizander relentlessly, tearing at the sorcerer with jagged, claw-like appendages. Alizander manoeuvres amongst the lemures, blasting them with waves of electrical energy, gradually wearing down their numbers. From the cage at the south end of the arena, Vaeden calls out to Alizander, telling him to dip here, pivot there, and strike with precision. Carlos and Tavo assist with spells and tactical advice where they can. Slavé wends his way through the crowd, trading a few choice words with Chammady Drovenge before getting close enough to Mantrithor Thrax that the conjurer can hear him. Slavé begins taunting the wizard, attempting to draw him out of his protective cage and distract him from controlling the lemures. Thrax banters with Slavé and manages to shrug off the rogue’s taunts for a time, but the persistent Slavé finally manages to get into the brash conjurer’s head. Mantrithor snaps and attacks the party directly, using a dimensional warping spell to appear within the arena itself. Mantrithor tries to suffocate Carlos and Tavo – still outside of the arena in the southern enclosure – with a noxious stinking cloud spell. He attempts to dispatch Slavé and Alizander with acid arrows and wild swings of his mithral staff. The crowd cheers wildly, brought to near frenzy at the prospect of a battle between living opponents.

Alas, a failed attempt to blast Alizander in the face goes awry; although his spell fizzles out before hitting the sorcerer, to Mantrithor’s mind, it appears as if Alizander takes an acid arrow full in the face without suffering so much as a scratch. Seemingly struck dumb, Mantrithor submits to Alizander atop the wooden dais in the centre of the arena, ending the Hellcaller’s Cup to raucous applause.

Rance Lucca, overjoyed at the outcome of the event (and secretly pleased that someone was able to dethrone Mantrithor Thrax without killing him), awards the Returners the Hellcaller’s Cup, a golden goblet depicting fighting devils. He departs with the bust of Venture-Captain Aiger Ghaelfin and thanks the party for staying Thrax’s death.

Treasure:

· From the Wave Door:

o False identity papers marking the bearers as Chelish nobility (6 sets, each worth 300 gp, provide +2 bonus to Bluff checks against the dottari, Hellknights, nobles, and other Chelish authorities)

o Potions of gaseous form (4)

o Potions of cure moderate wounds (6)

o Potions of lesser restoration (6)

o Wand of restoration

o Key ring

o Scroll of clairaudience/clairvoyance

o Scrolls of dispel magic (3)

o Scrolls of erase (3)

o Scroll of sunburst

o Scroll of true seeing

o Note from Loremaster Liriam

· From the Hellcaller’s Cup:

o Hellcaller’s Cup (worth 1000 gp)

o 2500 gp (winnings from bets)

o Bust of Venture-Captain Aiger Ghaelfin

Experience Awards

· Story Award (investigating the clues from the Chelish Crux) – 1800 xp

· Mantrithor Thrax – 3200 xp

· Total – 5000 xp

· Per PC (5) – 1000 xp each

· Fame Points – 2 (1 for winning the Hellcaller’s Cup, 1 for not killing Thrax)

Current XP Total per PC

· Alizander, Carlos, Slavé, Vaeden – 17,495 xp each

· Tavo – 16,840 xp

· Nagiphax – 9135 xp

· Croso, Orem – 8200 xp

Total Current Fame Points – 12

The Sixfold Trial - Session 10: The Cornucopia

Dramatis Personae

Alizander Carmelizzia - Human (Varisian) sorcerer
Carlos Santiago - Half-orc (Alkenstarian) wizard
Nagiphax - Cyclops-kin rogue/barbarian
Slavé – Tiefling (disguised as a human named Jencen) rogue

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

Wealday, 28 Neth, 4708 A.R.

Janiven and Arael provide the group with several healing and restorative potions, unsure of what they might face if they are successful in gaining entry into the Asmodean Knot while at the Lord-Mayor’s party.

Alizander, Carlos, Nagiphax, Slavé (as Jencen), Tavo, Vaeden, and the rest of the main players in The Six Trials of Larazod arrive at the Lord-Mayor’s party in full costume, and are ushered into the monstrous villa’s main hall, where they are introduced to the Wiscrani elite. The party – called The Cornucopia – unfolds in a series of six decadent courses, featuring ever-more exotic dishes and increasingly intoxicating wines and spirits. The group trades gossip with several of Westcrown’s most decorated citizens, including members of the nobility (the shrewd Eirtein Oberigo, the lush Sascar Tilernos, and the beautiful but dangerous-looking Chammady Drovenge), General Vourne (the Commander of the Gemcrown Fleet, based out of Egorian), Crosael Rasdovain (the Lord-Mayor’s most knowledgeable majordomo) and the Lord-Mayor Aberian Arvanxi himself. From these individuals the party learns several important pieces of information, including:

· that the rumours of the Lord-Mayor’s villa being powered by an imprisoned pit fiend in the dungeons below the manor (the so-called Nessian Spiral) are purportedly true, and that the pit fiend was a gift from House Thrune to the first Lord-Mayor (of the Thrune-era) 70 years ago;

· that the Lord-Mayor is concerned by the minor glitches and troubles he has been experiencing with the powered lights, running hot water, and fireplaces in his villa of late;

· that the wine and narcotics being served at the party are especially potent and that if they wish to remain sensible by the party’s end they should pace themselves and eat with caution;

· that Crosael is concerned about one of the newer hires – a servant by the name of Sian who’s been missing for two days now along with a valuable bust of Asmodeus;

· that the Asmodean Knot is said to be a pocket dimension that is accessible from a special mirror hidden somewhere in the house, and that it is likely guarded by devils and shadowy undead; and

· that Sascar believes the stories that Aberian Arvanxi has a sick, deformed son locked in the attic.

As the 40 or so patrons of the Cornucopia partake of the final course and reach a state of orgiastic, inebriated oblivion, the Returners head surreptitiously upstairs and begin looking for the entrance to the Asmodean Knot (Vaeden ensures that Calseinica, his costar in The Six Trials of Larazod, is safely asleep in her room before heading out). It doesn’t take them long to find the special mirror located in a secret room in the attic. Merely touching the metallic surface of the mirrors whisks the party-members into a long, corridor paneled in an unusual, polished grey wood – the entrance to the Asmodean Knot. At their feet in the hallway is the corpse of what appears to be an elven man wearing old, tattered wizarding robes. Alizander picks up the dead elf's backpack and begins rooting through it for clues and information.

Treasure

· Potions of Cure Serious Wounds (6) – from Janiven and Arael

· Potions of Lesser Restoration (6) – from Janiven and Arael

· Backpack (unidentified, moderate conjuration) – from dead elf

· Pearl (unidentified, strong transmutation) – from dead elf

· Scrolls (5 – unidentified, all radiate necromancy) – from dead elf

· Wand (unidentified, moderate conjuration) – from dead elf

· Tattered parchment (non-magical, not yet examined) – from dead elf

Experience Awards

· Learning Gossip (Lord-Mayor Aberian Arvanxi) – 800 xp

· Learning Gossip (Crosael Simiin Radovain) – 800 xp

· Learning Gossip (General Vourne) – 800 xp

· Learning Gossip (Eirtein Oberigo) – 800 xp

· Learning Gossip (Sascar Tilernos) – 800 xp

· Finding entrance to the Asmodean Knot – 3400 xp

· Total – 7400 xp

· Per PC (6) – 1200 xp

Current XP Totals Per PC (after session 9)

· Alizander, Carlos, Slavé, Vaeden – 9655 xp each

· Nagiphax – 9135 xp

· Tavo – 9000 xp

· Croso, Orem – 2875 xp

· Total Current Fame Points - 8