Session 9: The return to the great Hatchery, and "I dream of Balic"

General Summary

~Recounted from Osiris’ memories

~Osiris' dream~

We find ourselves in Balic, some months ago. This is the Desert Crab, a seedy hole-in–the-wall bar and canteen. A Kreen Veiled Alliance Wizard named Cha Cha sat at one of the tables, waiting for her contacts. She had spotted them immediately when they walked in. They were three very conspicuous, though apparently capable individuals. They were Elric Monterhausen, an eloquent half-giant, Che Che, an asexual bodybuilder Mul, and Lily, an attractive human with an oversized birthmark over one eye. Though Cha Cha was almost sure these were the Raamite wizards, she had to wait for the signal as some confirmation.

As if the half-Giant knew what Cha Cha was thinking, he blew smoke signals from his pipe, spelling out “Veiled Alliance Wizards.” The other patrons were of course illiterate, so they didn’t notice anything, but Cha Cha nevertheless criticized Elric for his indiscretion. The two argued back and forth for some time. They then discussed how the three wizards were here to assassinate “Osiris,” a dangerous man who had been killing Veiled Alliance wizards in Raam. After this tiresome discussion, and much eye rolling from all parties concerned, the four wizards went to the Veiled Alliance headquarters in the slums.

All four wizards decided to visit the Balic Psionic Academy to seek out and hopefully kill Osiris (with discretion). At the academy, they met a Kreen who wouldn’t let them see Nova, Osiris’ apprentice. However he informed them that Osiris could probably be found at the docks checking shipments for House Rees. At the docks, Cha Cha spotted Osiris’ scribe Nosay’Yu pacing around with a clipboard, checking the cargo manifests. Elric decided interrogating or kidnapping Nosay’Yu would be a good way to get to Osiris. He approached Nosay’Yu as himself and asked to see the cargo containing spell components for the Veiled Alliance.

Nosay’Yu led the four wizards into the cargo hold of a ship and gestured at several large chests containing the cargo of spell components, cinnabar, and other contraband. Sensing an opportunity, Che Che, the Mul, clocked Nosay’Yu in the face. Nosay’Yu’s dancer reflexes kicked in, and he flung a handful of the cinnabar powder into Che Che’s face, getting the Mul high. The wizards seized all the spell components, and the contraband, and carried Nosay’Yu back to the Veiled Alliance headquarters. They were in the process of interrogating Nosay’Yu when Osiris suddenly lifted the roof off the building. The wizards all looked up in disbelief and then their worries were over as they were crushed. Only Elric Monterhausen barely clung to life under the broken columns and rafters. Elric the Cripple was sent back to Raam to report to the Veiled Alliance that it was not Osiris of House Rees who was killing Veiled Alliance wizards in Raam. And thus we return to the present.

We awoke feeling slightly rested after our daring escape from the Kambo estate. Our crodlu mounts carried us to Dolahan’s Kreen settlement. Upon our arrival, we informed him we were successful in our mission to retrieve the red rock, the Heart of Raniss. He was immensely pleased.

For some reason T’Chai bragged about his “conquest” of Koreecha, the elderly Kreen woman. Dolahan was outraged.

“You defiled the Great Mother,” cursed Dolahan.

T’Chai proudly claimed that he had given her the ultimate pleasure. Actually, I imagine he didn’t, because otherwise she most certainly would have killed him. That’s why I have never had a Kreen; my survival instincts are too keen.

Akassia seemed surprised that Dolahan felt such affection for Koreecha. He explained that he has known her since she was a hatchling.

“She’s the greatest Thri-kreen I have ever met,” said Dolahan

We mentioned the Dwarven woman with the strange mask, but Dolahan said nothing. Akassia then informed him that we had killed Alkurt Kambo and Sharn the Half-Giant. “Well, at least one snake is dead. Alkurt was a Mansabarian, a member of the secret police. And Sharn was most dangerous as well,” Dolahan said, apparently relieved. “Well, let’s have the stone.”

Nuuta clutched the Heart of Raniss, the red stone. On behalf of her mother Haaka, she proposed an alliance between Dolahan and the Night Runner tribe. Dolahan agreed that an alliance would be beneficial for all parties concerned. He extended his hand before him expectantly, waiting for the Heart. For some reason Nuuta still held onto the Heart and she asked him what he planned to do with it. Dolahan once again restated his plans to present the Heart to Koreecha to help her live again. Nuuta then suggested that perhaps her own mother Hakka needed the Heart instead. Dolahan then said he could present the heart to her mother in another 26 years.

This went on for some time. Nuuta still was not handing over the Heart. The rest of us were rolling our eyes, and Dolahan was losing patience. He looked at her with an icy stare. It was only with some significant coaxing from the rest of us that Nuuta finally dropped the Heart into Dolahan’s outstretched hand. He then agreed to an alliance between his forces and the Night Runner tribe. Nuuta had good news to tell her mother, but Dolahan said he wants no further dealings with Nuuta or anyone in her family as foolish like her. “Abalech Re, the Queen, is not one that someone kills easily,” said Dolahan. To ensure our united strength, he proposed we go to see the Veiled Alliance Wizards in Raam. Of course I was none to happy to hear this considering the aggression they showed me back in Balic. But then again, people can make mistakes, and necessity makes for some strange allies.

Dolahan asked for help investigating the disappearance of several Kreen. They apparently ventured into a cave and returned extremely aggressive or went insane. We agreed to help him investigate the cave in exchange for any loot found during the Breakshore massacre. Dolahan sighed, shrugged, and then presented us a pair of golden bracelets, each worth 1000 ceramics. He also gave T’Chai an 8-segmented glass centipede bracelet. Though glass, it appeared almost alive, and it bit into T’Chai’s chitin. Apparently it is an enchanted creature that removes toxins from the body.

Several of the Kreen escorted us to the mouth of the cave. There were many mushrooms growing within and without the cave, and there were Kreen and other tracks leading into the cave opening. Akassia identified these as the prints of Mastyrials, giant scorpions. One of our escorts spoke in Dolahan’s voice and explained that a Kreen had died from chitin rot and had to be put down. Chitin rot is very contagious. He advised us not to touch any water because it was probably all infected.

We used torches to see the way as we headed down a steep path deeper into the cave. Leading us in the darkness, T’Chai stumbled over some loose rocks and twisted his ankle. Embarrassingly, I also slipped. We all slipped in the darkness, except for the clumsiest one, Akassia. Go figure. Fortunately, Akassia was there to heal our wounds. I guess Gar was too busy examining the fungi seeing if it had any medicinal properties.

At a fork in the road, we heard the sounds of Mastyrials, but the echoes bouncing around the chamber and the constant humming made it difficult to determine which path would lead us to them. Akassia then sent her walking cat to scout ahead down the right path. It returned, very afraid. We then knew which path would lead us to them.

We left our torches by the cave opening so as not to alert any enemies. T’Chai still led the way, sneaking as we moved forward toward the constant humming and the Mastyrial’s chamber. We emerged on a ledge slightly above them and heard them clicking in the darkness. I sensed Akassia trying to use her druidic magic to shape the terrain and ensnare them in burning grass, but I imagine she failed because she couldn’t really see what she is doing. I don’t blame her. I couldn’t see shit either.