Sessions 49 and 50: Into the Desert

After recruiting so many of the rebel forces, we had some time while we arranged for their transport back to Ptolus. We also received information from our other active forward teams.
 
Rolls and his team had found more information on the tomb in the desert. Apparently, the last guardian Rasmisen, had died, and there was a greater danger of the release of the creatures of the tomb.
 
Also in the desert, to the north, there was news of a missing archeologist.
 
We also learned of increased activity, and strange movements within the Necropolis of Ptolus. We needed to send additional scouts to collect more information.
 
News from Higara was not good, as Wagner had consolidated his occupation of the area.
 
After setting the recruits on their way, we arranged for transport to an area in the southern desert region to begin our search for the tomb. We met Roll and his team, who confirmed the information that the inhabitants of the tomb needed to be stopped. They had found an exact location of the tomb, but had acquired some maps of the area to search.
 
Taking the junior officers and a week of days with us, we set out into the desert to explore the region indicated on the maps.
 
Unfortunately, as we made our way towards the area, we encountered a sudden sandstorm, our senses baffled and confused. The next thing we knew, we were prisoners, with all of our items removed from our persons. We were taken to a vast city in the middle of the desert by our captors, and were informed that we had trespassed on the lands of the Emperor Kerek Dal, and were sentenced to fight on the Fields of Transgression as punishment.
 
Some of us were able to recall some stories of Kerek Dal, but he was a sorcerer who had lived 300-400 years ago, and was rumored to have his empire of Raju buried under the sands of the desert long ago.
 
We discovered that the cells we were in suppressed magic. Deprived of our equipment and most of our magical power, we waited to see what was in store for us next.
 
After a short time, we were brought out to an arena for our first fight. We were offered a choice of mundane weapons, as well as a sample of exotic weapons, unique to the region. As we went through our choices, many used weapons they were accustomed to, while some of us chose the exotics to try. I chose a serrated buckled, providing some additional protection, as well as attack.
 
Fortunately, once upon the Fields of Transgression, our magic was no longer suppressed, and I was able to summon my pact weapon. Bait and Grace were more limited, as they were not provided with appropriate spell coasting foci, but at least they gained access to some of their spells.
 
Our first combat found us facing a group of warriors who seemed to be invested with powers of undeath, while not truly being such. We also found that the arena and crowd enabled some new maneuvers to gain advantages against our opponents, although they could do the same. After a difficult battle, the magical suppression returned, and we were brought back to our cell.
 
During our recovery, we noted that the neighboring cell had a single individual. Commander struck up a conversation with her, finding her to be Veala Asu, the last of her group. She had been here for a while, her group accused of harboring a magic user. She also had a strange tattoo on her shoulder, which seemed to match some characteristics of the map we had of the region. She said that this tattoo had been applied by a seer of her people, and was told that she would play a role in toppling the rulers of Raju.
 
After this conversation with Vaela, our junior officers were returned to their cell, having completed their own battle in the arena. With the junior officers were two others, who turned out to be two other lost juniors of the Scales. A skeletal being, Meat, and a gnoll, Giggles, had joined with our other juniors. Some of our group recalled these officers, although I did not have specific memories of them. Their group was intact, but it seemed that the group composed of our days was not as fortunate in their time in the arena.
 
We were given more time to recover, and the next day, we were once again brought to the Fields of Transgression. We were feeling more comfortable with the exotic weapon we had used last time, and has a better idea of what to expect. As the portcullis was raised, we saw that we now we facing a group of insect-like humanoids. Grace and I were more aggressive this time with magical control of our enemies, and the battle was simpler, although many of the enemies did target me, as they recognized that I was the source of much of their incapacity. Bait called lightning down on many of the enemy, taking a seat on some steps, appearing to play to the crowd with his nonchalance.
 
While the crowd celebrated our victory, the Emperor did not seem as pleased, declaring that we would immediately fight again. Another gate opened, unfortunately very close to the seated Bait, and we were once again pressed into combat. The Enperor’s Doom Tiger entered the arena, mauling Bait before he could escape. The monstrous creature managed to damage us more with strange movement abilities and a breath weapon, but we were able to prevail.
 
Upon defeating the beast, we were sent back to our cell once again. After a brief respite and healing, we saw the junior officers return, much worse off after their battle today, but all still alive. Veala was among them now, and made the point that there did not seem to be an end to this until we all were dead on the sands of the arena, revealing that she had somehow acquired a key of our cells. At this, we resolved to escape.
 
After leaving the cells, Grace was able to locate the stores of our equipment. It felt reassuring to be reunited with our usual gear. I was able to find a cache of magical versions of the exotic weapons we had used in the arena. I claimed the serrated buckler for continued use. Points was able to guide us around, and located a stable of camels to facilitate our flight. Once on the camels, we fled. A group of the Emperor’s Templars joined the chase as we sped across the desert. Riding a maximum speed, some of our group ran afoul of terrain and traps, but we all eventually were able to make distance from our pursuers, reaching The ruins and perhaps some measure of safety to catch our breath.