Session 400 - Studying the Cyclops
General Summary
17th of Nolus 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 Checked 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 398 - Ancient Crypt.
Edelina, as a priestess of Save K'Nor is devoted to acquiring knowledge. Her latest research project is studying the bizarre monstrous Ivashu. Many of these strange creatures have appeared in Kanday over the last few years, summoned by the insane Ilvirian priest Xantosa.
She has learned that a rare variety of Ivashu has been spotted in the woods bordering the Tesien Moor by prospectors from the Miners guild. The Oculus, or Hânic Cyclops, are generally placid but were aggravated by the miners and drove them off. The miners have hired hunters to remove these pests. Edelina plans to study them first.
Location - Northern part of the Dunir Barony in the Kingdom of Kanday.
Part 1 – The Study is Interrupted
After encountering a pair of cockatrices who have turned some poor woodsmen to stone, the Party travels north and soon spots the three large giraffe-like quadrupeds around a small pond. Examining them from a distance using her telescope, the excited Edelina confirms they are indeed Oculus. She then spends several hours observing and taking notes of the strange creatures, watching them feed on plants, small birds, and animals with their long prehensile tongue, which they appear to mesmerize with their large single eye.
Suddenly, the heroes hear movement. Something big is stalking them. A Skaigeth , or hooked hound, appears from behind some trees. The lean, muscular, four-legged Ivashu with the head of a snapping turtle and legs tipped with a bony appendage similar to a scythe leap forward, nearly impaling Abaddon. The Ivashu is fast and dangerous but is dispatched, and its soul returns to Araka-Kalai, where the creator god Ilvir will reincarnate it into a new body. The heroes decide to follow its trail. Where has it come from?
Part 2 - A Sinkhole
The Skaigeth's tracks lead to a large sinkhole. The heroes stealthily approach and spot a campsite with a man, probably a prospector from the Miners Guild, digging up what looks like purple shards of stone. More disturbingly, a huge creature patrols the sinkhole. The creature is a tall Ivashu, a Neumra, also called Ilvir's Chime. This green tubular with four sturdy legs is known to blast its opponents with a devastating high-pitched scream. The heroes attempt to sneak up on the creature, but it senses them and attacks. It is a worthy foe, and as the battle proceeds, the prospector appears oblivious, just continuing to dig. The Neumra ruptures a few eardrums but is eventually slain. While Edelina studies the creature's corpse with her typical academic interest, Abbadon and Remy question the prospector.
Miner Hudd of Cragell is a little confused. He barely acknowledges the Neumra and seems obsessed with mining and digging up rock-like scales. Remy steals one, and he suspects they are the parts of the Ivashu demigod Obsidipor whose remains are scattered all over Kanday. These are being collected by the insane Ilvirian priest Xantosa and his aid, the Troll Shageiros. Shageiros, in previous encounters, has demonstrated an ability to Charm. Detect Magic confirms Miner Hudd is under magical influence; he vaguely remembers a large yellow creature with glowing eyes but returns to his work.
The heroes decide to leave. This is fortunate; mere minutes after they depart, Shageiros arrives at the camp. After learning who is interfering with his plans, the cunning Troll starts tracking the heroes.
Part 3 – Shageiros
Shageiros rapidly heals his injuries and causes grievous lacerations onto Abbadon and Remy, but Edelina, as always, provides magical healing. Eventually, the tide changes, the heroes score some lucky hits, and Shageiro's fast healing is not keeping up with his wounds. As Abaddon prepares to cast a fire spell on the cunning Troll, he disappears in a cloud of yellow mist. "Coward," Abaddon mutters in disgust.
Part 4 – Study Time
With all the threats dispatched, Edelina continues her studies on the Oculus. She decides to get closer to the bizarre creatures. Trying her best to asppear non-threatening, she approaches. The placid creatures show little interest in her, and she makes detailed notes on their appearance, smell, prehensile tongue, and their leaf-like camouflage coverings.
Satisfied, notebook in hand, she leaves. Meanwhile, the heroes have spotted a pair of hunters and half a dozen hounds. Watching from afar, the heroes decide not to intervene. Fortunately, there is no bloodshed, and the hounds drive off the Oculus.
Shortly after Edelina starts her latest Labor of Reverence, she writes up her notes, including an illustration.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Nobody this week.
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Related Reports
Player Characters
Odin - Human - L8 Ranger
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetype - Investigator and Fighter.
Abaddon - Elf - L8 Monk
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetypes - Druid.
Remy - Human - L8 Aerokineticist (with Metal second gate)
Background - Acrobat.
Archetypes - Acrobat and Thief.
NPC Companion
Edelina - Human - L8 Holy Sage Sorcerer
Background - Astrologer.
Archetypes - Psychic and Time Mage.
