The Age of Worms / The Champion's Belt pt. 13 / Von the 16th, 3593 CE / 7-3-22

General Summary

In the hidden Shrine of Caius beneath the Free City Arena in Kedesh, Not by Choice and their new companion Nataliya the drow have just defeated the evil cleric Bozal, a madman intent on using a profane text called the Apostolic Scrolls to empower a monstrous undead engine called an ulgurstasta. His plan had been to turn the Champion's Games into an orgy of blood and death as a sacrifice to his dark god. With Bozal dead, the party must now figure out their next steps. The lair of the ulgurstasta is just down the hallway, though it seems to be protected by some kind of magical barrier. Meanwhile, the Apostolic Scrolls sit on a pedestal just within reach, if not for the field of temporal stasis placed around them. The party decides the Apostolic Scrolls are the easier problem to deal with in the short term, and use magic to dispel the field. However, when the scrolls are placed within the extra-dimensional space of a bag of holding, they not only cease to empower the ulgurstasta but also the magical barrier trapping it. The terrifying creature, appearing as a gargantuan undead grub, is free to attack, but Nataliya first attempts to bargain with it in necril. However it appears the conversation does not go well, as soon a fight is engaged. The creature proves to be a deadly opponent, spewing acid and thrashing about countless tentacles. It appears all is lost for Hush as the monster grabs the hapless Adventurer in its jaws and prepares to swallow him. But a prodigious use of fire magic from Lulu and Nari, as well as a devastating slash from Nataliya's war razor, finally destroy the undead horror. Unfortunately, as its body unravels, it releases the remainder of its deadly acid in a flood that overwhelms the already wounded Lulu. On the brink of death, she is saved by the quick-thinking Nataliya, who restores the oracle with a magic scroll. With the ulgurstasta destroyed, it seems the day is won, but there is contention about what the party should do next, with Hush desiring revenge on Loris Raknian for his hand in their troubles, and Lulu advising they tread carefully while the Champion's Games are in progress. Nataliya proposes that someone who can come and go from the Coenoby through secretive means, she place bets on the party to increase their winnings. As Not by Choice further investigates Bozal's lair, they make more startling discoveries, starting with the corpse of the missing courtesan, Lahaka, whom their manager Efraym Smallcask had entreated them to find. Lahaka is now a mostly mindless zombie, and though Nari is horrified at the reminder of an undead former companion, the party decides to take her with them back to the Coenoby. They also discover Bozal's treasure chest, but Nataliya is twice almost sucked into the magical trap that protects it, and decides its too dangerous to try and open for the moment, deciding instead to take it with her. Further strange and disturbing discoveries include an urn that appears to be used for summoning behind a magical one-way curtain. A secret staircase leads up the Loris Raknian's palace through the wine cellar, but the party once again decides it's too soon to attack the Arena Master directly. Back on the Coenoby level, they explain about the ghoul warren to Nataliya before depositing Lahaka in one of the abandoned structures of the Titan's House. With weariness overtaking them, Not by Choice decides it may soon be time to call it a night.

Rewards Granted

smokeless lenses, one way curtain

Character(s) interacted with

Lulu Victry, Nari Ashida, Hush, River, Nataliya Cantri, Idra Brisby, Jozu, an ulgurstasta, Lahaka (zombie)

Report Date

24 Jul 2022