Session 412 – A Word Given
General Summary
3nd of Larane (Summer) 728TR
The story so far
A group of heroes battle the evils haunting the beleaguered Kingdom of Kanday.
Sir Odin, a former Erkan of the Order of the Checkered Shield, has been raised to knighthood.
Remy, a former master thief and active gambler, has won and lost fortunes.
Abaddon has traveled the wilderness, perfecting his impressive martial skills.
Edelina, a scholarly priestess of the god of Knowledge Save K’Nor, joins them on their adventures.
This is the continuation of Session 411 – A Rusty Wound.
The heroes have saved the life of Belxidor, a tree man attacked by some demonic creature in a magically hidden grove. They discovered that the cuprite was a demon-summoning Priest of Agrik (Order of the Fuming Gate) lurking in a nearby ruined temple. This evil cleric clashed with the party previously and escaped their clutches.
The heroes attempt to chase down the villain. Odin has a personal reason to kill this priest: he murdered a fellow knight of the Order of the Checkered Shield years ago, and the avenging warrior has not forgotten nor forgiven. Refer to the events in Session 165 - Auspicious Beginnings.
Part 1 – Chase
The heroes follow the fleeing priest's escape north across the Mimean Forest. He moved swiftly, but the heroes started to close the gap. In desperation, he summons some minor demons to slow them down. The Ahni-Laumak’ii, also known as Agrik’s footsoldiers, are robust winged demonic warriors with long sharp horns and cloven feet. The berzerk demons are destroyed and disintegrate to dust as they return to Balgashang. But the heroes must rest and patch their wounds, and the villain almost escapes.
The chase continues; the heroes avoid a war band of Gozdya cannibals and cross over into the Thardic Republic. The evil priest is heading for the town of Moleryn. The party encounters a patrol from the Ramala Legion hunting the Gozdya, and the deceptive Odin convinces them that the party are bounty hunters. The legionnaires are easily fooled as they have more pressing matters.
As he approaches civilization, the priest becomes overconfident and takes a moment to rest. The heroes redouble their efforts and catch up with him.
Part 2 – The Price of Honor
He offers information on what he and his order plan to do to Belxidor the Trent in return for him being released unharmed. Odin struggles with this; he dearly wants to know what the Order of the Fuming Gate is planning but wants this man dead. After his attempts to use various loopholes to dupe the shrewd priest fail, Odin finally gives his word. He will set the cunning priest free and unharmed if he keeps to his side of the bargain.
The priest tells the party that he wants to use the Trent Belxidor as a vessel. He was planning to summon one of Agrik's demonic sons, Agril'sshlagya, and have that demon possess Belxidor. However, the ritual failed, as Trent's body proved too fragile and would not survive the divine possession from such a powerful entity.
Having obtained this important information, the priest does not appear surprised when Odin thrusts his sword through his chest. As he dies, he says, "So much for the much-lauded honor of the warriors of Larani. I see we are not so different." The honorable Edelina is shocked that Odin broke his word, which makes her displeasure very evident.
Part 3 – A Well-Earned Reward
Litigant Mylene warmly greets the heroes and generously pays them for completing their mission. Remy is wary of her reputation; having a 90% win rate in her cases is highly suspicious. He wonders how she can achieve such success; however, she pays well, so he lets it slide.
Part 4 – Confession Time
Serolan (High Priest) Toril Elcheris a devout and stern man; any penance he chooses will be harsh, but Obasaran (Mistress of Secular Affairs) Helara Ablaso appears more flexible. The atonement she usually prescribes involves a few simple prayers and aways a donation to the church. And better yet, Odin has saved her life from a gang of foreign thieves guild assassins (refer Session 387 - On the Trail of a Murderer). Odin's instincts are correct; he pays a moderate tithe and must recite some prayers each night until the next holy service.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Mylene of Sarin - Aleath's most successful Litigant.
Obasaran Helara Ablaso - Priestess of Larani.
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Player Characters
Odin - Human - L11 Ranger
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetype - Investigator and Fighter.
Abaddon - Elf - L11 Monk
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetypes - Druid and Familiar Master.
Remy - Human - L11 Aerokineticist (with Metal as a second gate)
Background - Acrobat.
Archetypes - Acrobat and Thief.
NPC Companion
Edelina - Human - L11 Holy Sage Sorcerer
Background - Astrologer.
Archetypes - Psychic and Time Mage.
