Session 16: Unicorn Hunting Report

General Summary

The party, having just interrogated a strange man clad in rags, considered what to do next. The man, Alekon(?), was clearly mad; his thoughts focused only on the unicorn he was "hunting" and of what such a creature could earn him when offered as tribute to Ronas the indomitable, who apparently was operating just outside of Leviathalas proper at a small ruin called Hunters Crossing.   After Alekon stormed into the woods seeking his prey, the party decided to follow him further into the woods with the help of pass without a trace. After stalking the man through the woods to a small clearing, it became clear that he was intending to chop down or deface a tree marked by the unicorn in an attempt to lure it out of hiding.   El was able to cast a spell to ensnare the man up by his ankles temporarily, as we discussed what should be done next. While talking, we noticed rows and rows of birds landing on the nearby trees, just watching us silently. The whole clearing fell silent, when an avatar of Nylea appeared before us in a radiant form. It was a unicorn. They expressed Nylea's distaste for us and demanded we enter Hunters Crossing and destroy Rhonas and free the animals it was keeping as prisoners and to return to it at the Spring Nexus for a reward after rhe deed was done. After leaving a mysterious impression on the party, it vanished, and suddenly the forest returned to life as the birds flew off.   From here, the party decided to make their way towards Hunters Crossing to see for themselves this "Ronas" and to find out just how indomitable he really is.   Once the ruins of Hunter's Crossing were in view, the party scoped out their options for entering the ruins as they noticed the din of combat coming from inside. Zephyra used her familiar Merlin to get a lay of the land, which revealed an improvised fitting pit of sorts, complete with caged wild animals and several sparring creatures of various ability. It appeared that Ronas was running some sort of combat trial, but for what purpose is still unknown.   The party agreed that their best approach is to play the role of a champion fighter and an entourage coming to challenge the other participants. While Fabian, Sealah, and Zephyra entered through the main gate, Elisandra climbed the scaffolding of the side of the ruins to get a elevated view point for if things got messy - which they soon did.   Zephyra entered the combat ring and dispatched her first foe with ease. Ronas indicated that the champions were expected to continue working through the other fighters until none were left alive. However, this didn't sit right with the party - spilling blood for this forgotten god.   So, as he often does, Fabian goaded Ronas into a more personal encounter, challenging him to fight us himself. Zephyra used her sword to splash blood across the ring and demanded that the other fighters give up and go home, or die like the others. This seemed to sway several of the weaker wannabe champions of Ronas, but the rest of the crowd took us up on our offer to fight, Ronas included.   Combat erupts across Hunter's Crossing as swords clash, arrows fly, and spells are cast. The party has been able to hold their own so far, but how much luck do they have left?