Session 057 - New Identities, New Companions
General Summary
7 to 14 of Kelen (3) (Spring) 721TR
The story so far
Acheron is investigating a missing member of his organization, the Argent Order and wants to recover his Silver Sword. He has learned that it may well be hidden in the mansion of the dead Senator Baloth Nemirina, the former leader of an Assassins Cult in the City of Coranan.
Avon, a member of the Elite Red Guard also needs to return to the City of Coranan, to complete his intelligence-gathering mission.
Meanwhile, Sabretooth wants to investigate the City of Golotha's temple dedicated to his creator, the god Ilvir. He fears something may be amiss.
Location - City of Golotha in the Kingdom of Rethem
Part 1 - The Glory of Ilvir
The talkative Priest Bariup takes Sabretooth into his confidence and tells him that there is a conspiracy among most of the Temple Priests. They give the impression that they work with the Church of Agrik to study captured Ivashu's and evaluate their suitability to fight in the Arena. In reality, they organize escapes, and if that not possible, manipulate gladiatorial fights in favor of the Ivashu. High Priest Iztack is considered too close to the Agrikian Church and not aware of the scheming behind his back.
A recently captured Ivashu is due to arrive in a few days, and Sabretooth is offered an opportunity to assist in the rescue. The party joins Bariup at a nearby village to carry out an inspection. In a cage is a Nukaz - the Marrow Feeder guarded by Hunters who are negotiating with representatives from the Arena. The Nukaz is a cat-like Ivashu predator, a little smaller than a wolf, very fast, with a poisonous bite and ability to climb and jump long distances. They generally avoid Humans, operate in small packs hunting game in the deep forest, feasting on their preys bones for its marrow.
As Sabretooth approaches, he feels a strange telepathic bond with the Ivashu start to develop. He instructs it to pretend to be sick and then play dead. With the assistance of Bariup, he convinces the hunters that this dying animal is of little value except as a pelt and purchases it for a small sum. Sabretooth has a new companion.
Part 2 - The Second Test
Acheron makes some final preparations before leaving the city. He asks the Fisherman Korigen who helped him last week, to keep a watch on the doings of the Dark Churches, and he and Avon contribute enough funds for him to make some repairs made to his old fishing boat.
Prove yourself worthy. Do not fail again.
Appearing around him are eight summoning circles. Emerging from each are small demonic creatures, seven Vii, and one larger demonic fiend covered in spines. They swarm Acheron, and the Demon catapults flaming spikes from his tail, but Acheron has learned much since the previous time he failed this test (refer Session 52), and this time he passes, just managing to dispatch all the demons.
Mendiz flys in and is pleased with his disciple and grants him a new magical power, then Acheron returns to the real world.
The party leaves Golotha, heading east to the City of Coranan, in the Thardic Republic. To avoid likely war zones, they make their way through the snake and bandit infested Laxley forest.
