Session 60: Loss in the Desert Report

General Summary

Ants and Hyenas

The party squared off against the rapidly approaching gnolls, large numbers of them began tearing towards the camp, madness and blood fuelled rage in their eyes.    Their leader tore towards Ludovic as did several of his troops, causing significant damage to the gladiator who hastily retreated.    Valikos retreated into a tent, no furious rage coming to him.    Hallaster ran forwards confident in his abilities and began to slaughter gnolls with impunity.    Blaize fired shot after shot from the back, dealing significant damage to the lead gnoll before he could even deal much damage.    Around the party the gnolls tore into the Thri Kreen, killing many of them in the process.    The party were able to, however, rapid in their response, killing the terrifying, flail wielding gnoll with speed. Oddly his body and weapons did not remain, but disintegrated into nothing before their eyes.    With their leader dead, the remaining gnolls retreated, and the Thri Kreen offered their thanks.    That evening their leader, Zarrekk of the Zarrar, offered them respite and hospitality, including a strange acrid and intoxicating substance which Blaize and Vail consumed in excess. The alcohol did not seem to have any impact on the ant-like creatures.    Zarrekk also informed the group that they should keep their eyes peeled for a powerful individual who often had helped them in the past out of difficult situations, a dark skinned woman with pointed ears.    The following morning, reeling from their hangovers, the group set out, along with the entire camp which had been packed up at high speed before they awoke.    Zarrekk agreed that they would travel with the party for a few days, and, at some point, would very much consider heading to the West, towards Castle Sunder. 

The Retrievers come to Collect

The party then continued on their way, making good time through the craggy outcroppings and rugged landscape.    At times, Blaize heard an odd clicking noise coming from nearby, but could never place it.    The party therefore continued and found themselves at a deep ravine with a wide bridge marked with the symbology of the Rush, indicating they could not be far from Veritasi territory.    Vail led the way across the bridge, happy that there was nothing to fear, however as he did there was a clicking and cracking of metal which came from beneath the bridge as a large, metallic spider emerged, limbs clicking and cracking, fine wrought metal joints and gears whirring as it regarded the group.    Everyone sprang into action, Blaize firing off shots wile and Vail repeatedly slashing at the creature with his great sword. The creature, however, was focused on one target only, Hallaster, who initially joined the fray only to retreat soon after as the monstrous construct attempted to paralyse him. As he backed away, with Rukk alongside, another of these creatures emerged from beneath the bridge, however, this one showed no interest in Hal, instead focused on Rukk.    Vail and Ludovic were still in combat with creature at the other end of the bridge, and this second creature immediately began wearing down Rukk, who did manage to avoid the paralyzing effects though but was badly hurt.    Hal attempted to slow the creature down, however, was unable to do sufficient damage to even distract it as its bladed limb came down once more, knocking Rukk unconscious. It then scooped him up in its metal limbs, turned to Hal and fired a paralyzing shot, which did its job, before retreating back under the bridge, Rukk in its arms.    The other creature pushed passed Vail and Ludovic pressing down towards Hal. Paralyzed as he was, it scooped him up and was prepared to flee with him.    Ludovic pursued the creature holding Hal while Blaize fired bullet after bullet at it, dealing it significant damage but not quite enough.    Vail meanwhile smashed a hole in the bridge trying to free Rukk, and succeeded in grabbing the spider-like creature out, however, as he did, the creature seemed to activate another effect, a purple field appearing around it before it, and Rukk vanished without trace.    The other creature seemed to be preparing to do similar, as Blaize spotted a sand dune that seemed to be accelerating towards the group at speed. More bullets were fired and blows struck, and, just as the creature was preparing to disappear with Hal like it's ally, Ludovic grabbed Hal and tossed him back, away from the creature and Vail came charging forward, driving his greatsword into the creature's metallic underbelly, spraying himself down with a horrible, noxious, tarry substance as he did.    Simultaneously a huge explosion of sand and dirt erupted in front of them as a great brown dragon emerged from the sand, smashing into what was left of the spider and cleaving it further in twain. 

A New Acquaintance

Stepping out from behind the explosion came a dark skinned, pointy-eared elf.    She introduced herself as Venrie and, after the party mentioned Genkas seemed to trust them to an extent.    Her dragon also introduced himself as Kelyne, the Dune Rider. After brief introductions she suggested everyone come with her and Kelyne back to her home, there they could speak properly.    Everyone climbed onto the dragon's back, save Blaize and Uallach who were catered for in its mouth, and the beast began to swim through the sand, everyone holding on for grim death as it went.    It felt like hours, but may in fact have only been minutes, before the group of them emerged beside an immense dragon's skull, far larger than that of Kelyne, and Venrie asked them all to get off, welcoming them to her home and stating that they had much to speak about.