(A1:S3) "The Sinister Secret of Zanal"

General Summary

The party arrives at the small town of Zanal, and already they notice something is off. The townsfolk are walking around in a daze, showing little emotion or thought into their actions. They seem to be tranced by something. The party tries to interact with them, but they fail to get any response other than emotionless and robotic sentences. The only person who doesn't seem to be entranced, is a polite man of indeterminate race who introduces himself as "Mayor Zakirov". He is sitting in the tavern, and scoffs at the thought of any strange goings on in his town. The party find him rather pleasant but shady, especially when he offers them a room in his manor down the street. The mayor does not seem to shy away from conversation, and is happy to answer any questions they have.   Aeos, sensing potent evil in this town, decides to investigate the basement level of the Tavern. He asks Theresa to cause a distraction. She spills her drink on the mayor, causing him to flare up with anger and storm out of the bar, Zinjor in tow. Aeos proceeds down into the basement, and Rolsus goes outside to talk to The Wanderer. In the basement, there are two beds made of solid ice. From the foot of each bed, in the stone there is a strip of thick ice. It leads to a wall, and with some prodding seems to be hollow. Aeos quickly makes his way back upstairs, bluffing the entranced barmaid by saying he was just looking for the bathroom.   As Mayor Zakirov brings Zinjor to the manor, Zinjor's crystal begins to flare up with a heat never felt before. He rushes up to his room, and takes it out in secret. It calls to him, telling him to explore the manor. Back at the tavern, Aeos, Theresa and Rolsus meet in a room in the tavern. They realize Zinjor has disappeared, and just as they are about to go find him, Aeos and Theresa fall asleep. The mayor magically appears, his orange-tinned skin looking evil in the candlelight. He tells Rolsus that they are close, and that things have been set into motion that he has no control over. Rolsus tries to stab him but unfortunately the mayor blocks it with his hand. Then he disappears and the two party members wake up.   Zinjor walked out of his room to find cloaked figures beckoning for him to follow. They led him down to the basement, where the entity in his crystal longs to be complete. Zinjor disappears into the basement just as the other three party members make it to the front door of the manor. The cultists attack the intruders, eventually succumbing to the heroes. They explode into shadows, revealing a dark energy instead of a mortal form. The party members rush down to the basement to find Zinjor walking in a trance towards a pedestal in the middle of the room. Atop, sits a darker version of the crystal that Zinjor has. As he approaches, his own crystal in hand, both start pulsing in sync. Zinjor grabs the crystal and combines it with his own, feeling the power surge through him. The mayor appears and congratulates the party for defeating his cultists. He says that they have done him a service and it will help him if they take the crystal. Zinjor says that he'll take it, while the other party members implore him not too. The crystal calls to Zinjor again, telling him to use it while casting a spell. Zinjor casts fear through the crystal, morphing his shadow into an oily dark beast which looms a few feet above the Mayor. The mayor smiles, and disappears as the party pull Zinjor out of his trance and away from the town.   The next few days are fairly quiet. Zinjor broods quietly, as the wagon continues on its journey. Aeos utilizes his Parlay ability on the second night, meeting with Mayor Zakirov and gaining nothing of note. The wagon enters the city of Enoch, where "The Heroes Reward" parade is in full swing. The town guard marches the slaves and captured rebels down the main street, while Enoch's citizens stand at the side, cheering and throwing rocks. The party watches, horrified at the display. An older male prisoner, emaciated and crying out in pain collapses. The guards rush and nail him to a large cross, which they then give to the other rebels to hold high above them. An onlooker lets the party know that this display quells future rebellions against The Dogs of War.    The party retires to the tavern. But before they are able to go up to their room, a younger man in fine clothes finishes his drink and approaches Zinjor. The booze smell is potent, as he places a hand on Zinjor's shoulder. The aristocrat's sleeve raises, and Zinjor spots the dog tattoo on his wrist. He looks at Zinjor, anger fuming behind his eyes in his drunken stupor, as he says "We know what you and your friends have done. We don't forget very easily" and he walks out.

Rewards Granted

Hellfire crystal shard acquired by Zinjor.

Missions/Quests Completed

Zinjor received another piece of his crystal, however the party knows it exists now. The party is 2 days away from the City of Stonewatch.

Character(s) interacted with

Mayor Zakirov