Session 37
General Summary
The Undead Captain and her Hydra Companion
After making final preparations in Varoona – discussing new information with Lady Villanthra, confirming the plan to lure the Hydra and Madame Hai Rong out with the High Lord, and gathering some last minute supplies from Chaos Reigns – the Deep End gathered there allies and, heavily drugged, were snuck out of the city and underneath the Chaos field. As the Chaos Field fell and the sounds of combat began, the Hydra and its supporting small fleet of ghost ships appeared. As promised, Dr. Valdove teleported the party to the deck, wished them luck, and departed back to the relative safety of the city.
Rani and Volo quickly advanced on Madame Hai Rong with Denarya providing support. Ghilani had a lovely close encounter with the Hydra that seemed to focus in on him for the first few rounds until he managed to take cover behind the wall of the Captain's Quarters. The Widow was the Hydra's next target. Body arcing with electricity, the Hydra's maws ripped into his unconscious body, seeming invigorated as it did so. Between Volo, Rani, Erebus, and Denarya, Madame Hai Rong fell with a sickening wail and the Depth's Daughter sunk beneath the waves.
With water walking, the Deep End faced on the Hydra. Widow allowed Ambarra to take tangible form, wielding her weapon herself against the Hydra. Ghilani, no longer having the luxury of cover, incapacitated the Hydra and the combined efforts of the rest of the party and allies were enough to remove all of its heads. As it fell, the Hydra began to collapse, crunch, and fold in on itself until a black swirling vortex formed. Everyone managed to brace against the rolling waves, resisting the pull towards the epicenter. Ghilani and Moira, however, fell and began sliding towards it. Moira, inches from it, was grabbed by Volo. When the vortex dissipated... a silver hydra charm remained.
The Pirate Lord's face appeared above the Bay:
Teleporting with Denarya to the Temple, the Deep End arrived to a seen of carnage. Priestesses and hooded figures lay dead on the floor. The High Priestess lay in the pool of water in the center of the Temple, breathing shallowly. Standing over her was the mechanical body of Olivantha, a large black smoky figure looming over her - eyes bright violet. In the doorway, a vaguely familiar masked figure - although this mask is slightly different than the last – turned, clutching an oddly wrapped item (perhaps a sword), and took off out of the Temple and into the city.
As Olivantha turns, her motions seemingly in sync with the looming shadowy figure, her dark black seemingly bottomless eyes fix on Rani.
Although hesitant to fire on her own daughter, Olivantha seemed to be nothing more than a puppet to the shadow that called itself the "Ascendant King". Responding to Rani's taunts, it remembers attacking the city of Varoona... it remembers its title... but it doesn't remember its name. Taunting it, Rani kept its attention and prevented it from moving its puppet away. Widow slowly ticked away at her back. Newt found a weak point in her armor and exploited it. Ghilani tried real hard to grab her and although that didn't work, the counterspell sure as hell did. Moira - all too familiar with the black eyes, black veins, and shadowy figure - booped her real good with the baguette while keeping everyone up and stable from a distance.
As Rani delivered the final blow, Olivantha's body slumped to the floor. Her black veins slowly dissipated as the shadowy mass merged with the shadow looming over her. For the briefest moment, it seemed to take more concrete form... a tall, broad male figure with glowing purple eyes. Atop its head sits a crown of what appear to be 6 horns. Releasing a roar of rage, it struck thrice at Rani - hitting once - before it too dissipated.
With tears streaming down her face, a mother cradled her broken and dead daughter in her arms. Black eyes faded to a brilliant, now dulling blue. The gaping hole in her abdomen even more apparent with no shadowy strands to fill it. Olivantha has been dead for some time...
Outside, the sound of combat lessens as the Pirate Lord begins his retreat. It seems he got what he wanted... no use sticking around. Toodles.
With water walking, the Deep End faced on the Hydra. Widow allowed Ambarra to take tangible form, wielding her weapon herself against the Hydra. Ghilani, no longer having the luxury of cover, incapacitated the Hydra and the combined efforts of the rest of the party and allies were enough to remove all of its heads. As it fell, the Hydra began to collapse, crunch, and fold in on itself until a black swirling vortex formed. Everyone managed to brace against the rolling waves, resisting the pull towards the epicenter. Ghilani and Moira, however, fell and began sliding towards it. Moira, inches from it, was grabbed by Volo. When the vortex dissipated... a silver hydra charm remained.
The Pirate Lord's face appeared above the Bay:
"Well, well, well... Aren't you all some top-tier spoilsports! Ugh, I guess thanks where thanks are due! Now I don't have to take care of that later.Although the tugging sensation faded from the Hydra... Newt noticed another, fainter sensation from the city... from the Temple.
A Broken Daughter
Teleporting with Denarya to the Temple, the Deep End arrived to a seen of carnage. Priestesses and hooded figures lay dead on the floor. The High Priestess lay in the pool of water in the center of the Temple, breathing shallowly. Standing over her was the mechanical body of Olivantha, a large black smoky figure looming over her - eyes bright violet. In the doorway, a vaguely familiar masked figure - although this mask is slightly different than the last – turned, clutching an oddly wrapped item (perhaps a sword), and took off out of the Temple and into the city.
As Olivantha turns, her motions seemingly in sync with the looming shadowy figure, her dark black seemingly bottomless eyes fix on Rani.
"Why am I so surprised... you always danced out of things, Soyolmaa. Like a pesky rat I can't seem to kill. I should have overseen your execution myself."
Although hesitant to fire on her own daughter, Olivantha seemed to be nothing more than a puppet to the shadow that called itself the "Ascendant King". Responding to Rani's taunts, it remembers attacking the city of Varoona... it remembers its title... but it doesn't remember its name. Taunting it, Rani kept its attention and prevented it from moving its puppet away. Widow slowly ticked away at her back. Newt found a weak point in her armor and exploited it. Ghilani tried real hard to grab her and although that didn't work, the counterspell sure as hell did. Moira - all too familiar with the black eyes, black veins, and shadowy figure - booped her real good with the baguette while keeping everyone up and stable from a distance.
As Rani delivered the final blow, Olivantha's body slumped to the floor. Her black veins slowly dissipated as the shadowy mass merged with the shadow looming over her. For the briefest moment, it seemed to take more concrete form... a tall, broad male figure with glowing purple eyes. Atop its head sits a crown of what appear to be 6 horns. Releasing a roar of rage, it struck thrice at Rani - hitting once - before it too dissipated.
With tears streaming down her face, a mother cradled her broken and dead daughter in her arms. Black eyes faded to a brilliant, now dulling blue. The gaping hole in her abdomen even more apparent with no shadowy strands to fill it. Olivantha has been dead for some time...
Outside, the sound of combat lessens as the Pirate Lord begins his retreat. It seems he got what he wanted... no use sticking around. Toodles.
Rewards Granted
As the Hydra fell, it left behind a small silver charm.
Missions/Quests Completed
With the defeat of the Hydra, Madame Hai Rong, and Olivantha and the retreat of the Pirate Lord and his Floating Tit, the siege of Varoona slowly comes to a close... only the sound of the lapping tides echoing amidst the now seemingly odd silence.
Report Date
07 Apr 2022
Primary Location
Comments