Session Report 85

General Summary

The Muskrats resumed their journey deeper into the catacombs beneath the Temple of Waukeen in an attempt to stop the work of the corruption devil. Along the way they discovered numerous members of the Temple in cells. Among them were Shade. It was quite a shocker to discover their missing party member in such a convenient location. Unfortunately, Shade was unconscious and the other prisoners had little information about him. As for the other prisoners there were some notable individuals. The most important among them was Holycoin Buzam Rimmel, the leader of Wulkan's Temple of Waukeen. Holycoin Rimmel explained that the Temple was a sanctuary when the devils attacked until Counter Saval Nasso fell for a trick by the devils and allowed them to breach the protective barrier. From there the Temple was overrun and most of the clergy were eventually killed. Holycoin Rimmel told the Muskrats that they had devised a plan to work with the Resistance and the Blades of Purity. When the Blades of Purity attacked Wulkan, the Resistance would free the remaining clergy and use the Temple as a safe haven for those still remaining in Wulkan. If the clergy could reestablish the barrier, everyone within would be protected for at least twenty-four hours. 
During the conversation with Rimmel, the Muskrats grew suspicious that he was not being forthcoming about everything he knew. When pressed, Holycoin Rimmel revealed that as a young man he joined the Order of the Black Coin, a secret society that valued greed, had ties to Mammon, and regularly made deals with devils. He did this to gain economic prominence to facilitate acceptance into the Church of Waukeen. Holycoin Rimmel grew up without a copper piece to his name and told the Muskrats that this was his only choice to achieve his dreams. During his time in the Order he made a deal with a small time devil that he would trade the souls of his first three born children in exchange for wealth. As a shroud businessman, Holycoin Rimmel knew that to get the best of his bargain he must swear himself to a life of abstinence. He has never strayed from his vow. He told the Muskrats that he feared that the attack on Wulkan may have to do with his failure to uphold his end of the bargain with the devil. The Muskrats seemed to gloss over that fact, and Tazmeth became focused on the fact that Holycoin Rimmel made a deal with a devil to join a church. Quite a turn of events. 
After the sharing of dark secrets, Holycoin Rimmel saw an opportunity for a business relationship with the Muskrats and attempted to sway them to invest with the Church of Waukeen in several novel investment structures. Recognizing that there were several more important events to attend to, the Muskrats brushed these offers away. However, Itzal was greatly intrigued by the offers and seemed willing to engage. The Muskrats continued through the catacombs and discovered an ancient chapel filled with devils. Barbed, bone, and horned devils all lurked within. But within the center of a swirling mass of magical energy emitting from a magical circle, the corruption devil stood. An incredibly overweight devil, barely held aloft his by puny wings. Long retractable claws that reached nearly fifteen feet away worked their way back and forth from his swelled hands. Rows of sharp pointed teeth filled his maw. Black and green decay grew across many of them. The Muskrats were in for a devastating time. 
At the outset of the battle, Itzal banished one of the bone devils to the nether world. Dami charged in, as she always does, and began to hack away at the other bone devil present. The bone devil was not one to be a punching bag, especially after Dami joked about killing his brother. The bone devil retaliated by landing strikes his stinger that left Dami reeling in pain. Cambio laid down supporting fire and Tazmeth ran in utilizing his hit and run tactics. All seemed to be going well. Then the corruption devil came for them all. He unleashed curses that started to rock the minds of each of the Muskrats and inflicted horrible psychic damage upon each. Itzal attempted to approach the corruption devil but found that the devil exuded a corrupting power that seemed to weaken his ability to overcome the curse. Slowly the ethereal chains that grasped every creature's soul in Wulkan slowly pulled the souls of each closer. Some souls were pulled all the way in and newly born barbed devils emerged from the magical circle ready to join the fray. The Muskrats began to disperse as the battle took an odd turn with it disintegrating into numerous small battles. Dami and Cambio were engaged with numerous barbed devils. The corruption devil corrupted Dami and turned him to his side. Many a Muskrat have wondered if Dami is actually a double agent. Dami turned and charged at Cambio. Cambio escaped by teleporting away, only to find himself staring down six barbed devils. He immediately encased himself in ice and perhaps even muttered a call to help to Malar. The situation was truly dire. 
Meanwhile, Itzal and Tazmeth were slowing being backed up by barbed devils and the corruption devil. Tazmeth narrowly survived death thanks to Itzal, who placed a death ward upon the young monk. Without it, the claws of the corruption devil would have ripped Tazmeth to shreds. As they slowly fell back the corruption devil clouded the mind of Itzal who felt a regression in his mental capabilities. A truly debilitating attack upon the wizard. As the two readied themselves for an onslaught by the devils, they heard screaming behind them and realized that Dami had succumb to her curse and was attempting to kill Counter Saval Nasso, who was barely standing. Cambio, perhaps saving the battle, tricked the minds of many of the barbed devils into battling a chort who had been pulled through the magical circle. This distraction gave Cambio a momentary breather and an opportunity to save his allies. But could he?

Report Date

08 Apr 2023