Session Report 92

General Summary

Exhausted from their meandering journey around the Caldera, the Muskrats collapsed into the comport of the magnificent mansion for a well-deserved rest. Meanwhile, ever curious Itzal turned to the archives for more information on the strange goings on in the city. His research revealed little – largely reiterating information that Arbeyach had provided on the Oubliette. However, he was able to glean that only incredibly powerful individuals were able to secret objects or persons away in the Oubliette; that the Oubliette’s anti-magic black iron was unique; and that said anti-magical properties did not seem to affect Tezmozul. Finally, he learned that none had ever escaped the Oubliette and that Tezmozul took great pride in his unblemished record as warden of the Oubliette and so had never gone beyond the walls of the Oubliette.
Likewise, the Muskrats finally presented Tazmeth with the letter they had received from Master Linel, Linel’s simple wax seal still unbroken. Tazmeth retreated to read the letter alone before deciding whether he should share its contents with his friends. After a tense few minutes, Tazmeth returned. He revealed to his friends that Linel believed that he had failed in protecting Zeya. Prophetically, he implored Tazmeth not to blame Zeya for her part in Linel’s death. With his passing, he named Tazmeth the Master of Harbinger’s Terrace – and so tasked Tazmeth with rebuilding the order they shared.
The letter also revealed the circumstances of Tazmeth’s birth. Long had members of the Muskrats heard whispers of the child who had been secreted away from the Achiavelli. The Wizard in the Bastards Court had emphasized that there might be more truth to the tales of an heir to the First Kingdom as the Achivelli had placed a taboo on the mere invocation of the First Kingdom’s true name. Later, the party heard stories of an infant that had been raised at the court of King Gustav in Halvoy. These rumors were further confirmed by a near forgotten request from Cornelius Vanderwallen that the party search for such an heir. And lo! This child had been with them throughout their travels!
Tazmeth was born to a family long hunted by the Achivelli. His grandfather and parents were discovered by the Achivelli just after Tazmeth’s birth. They fled with the newborn Tazmeth, hiding him in Halvoy with instructions that the child be sent to Master Linel for protection and instruction. He was the heir to the First Kingdom, the prophesized doom bringer, the Enlightened. Master Linel never learned what befell Tasuel and Cadina, Tazmeth’s blood parents, but revealed that a secret library in the jungles of Tortoi might hold the answers that Tazmeth sought.
Struggling to process these earthshattering truths, the Muskrats discussed their aims. Now aware that Kilakas and his ilk were sequestered off in the Wrath-Spike, Tazmeth and Cambio urged the party to travel towards the Wrath-Spike to confront them. Dami agreed. However, ever-wise Tazmeth suggested that perhaps the party return to the Living Armory to arm up prior to any conflict, given how powerful Mizanoros seemed to be in the Caldera. Tazmeth was convincing, and the party took to the ever shifting streets, seeking the Living Armory.
After much stumbling, some swearing, and certain dead-ends (we’re never listening to Dami’s directions again!), the Muskrats finally arrived at the Living Armory. The Armory was abuzz. The Muskrats could hear Vistara banging about and yelling at Lyllis. Just as Cambio was to knock on the door, Lyllis burst out, informing the Muskrats that the Armory had been the target of a raid! Anathema? It didn’t seem so. Lyllis recalled a single man, with a glowing arm and face, whose arm melted through all it touched – even the fire impervious black iron. The man tore through the Armory in search of something, bellowing “WHERE IS IT!!” Lyllis did not know what the man sought, but since the Armory had been decimated, there would be several days delay in finishing up Itzal’s shield or producing any other magical items. The party offered to investigate the Armory but Lyllis would not allow them to do so. In lieu of such search, the party poked around the exterior of the Armory, revealing that the mysterious figure had not entered by force, and instead walked through the front door. There was a smoldering dent where their right hand had grasped the doorhandle. Based on these observations, the Muskrats concluded that it was their nemesis, Tritameas, and Itzal divined that his curse had advanced – the arm he had taken was now capable of consuming any magic, from illusion to item to artifact. The more magic it consumed, the more powerful it became. Chastened by their interaction with the silken-fingered Mayathangi, the Muskrats all nervously tightened their grasp on their weapons.
Without access to equipment, the Muskrats determined not to risk an attack on the Wrath-Spike and, instead, determined they would seek additional information on Kilakas, Mizanoros, and the arena. They took to the swirling streets again, with Cambio leading . . . and they became incredibly lost. Fortuitously, they stumbled upon a nabussa information-broker, who had a surprising level of information on the goings on at the Wrath-Spike. The party paid handsomely for a month of information, and the nabussa, by the name of Tharvos, revealed that Kilakas had arrived at the Spike most suddenly and not through any of the usual portals. Mizanoros’ demeanor towards his guests had changed as well, they seemed to be treated more as captives than as valued allies. Further, the Abishai revealed that Kilakas and his entourage would be forced to be present at the feast celebrating the winner of the Nine Trials. Further, the Abishai enlightened the party as to the process for entering into the Trials – they would need a sponsor (typically a lord of stature). He noted that disagreement between Mizanoros and Arbeyach made Arbeyach a poor choice of sponsor. Rather, he suggested either Mayathangi (who was actively seeking to sponsor a group) or Nihanas, the Lord of Needles.
Tazmeth had long been interested in securing an audience with Nihanas and so he led the party to Nihanas’ halls. The party convinced a stately “humanoid spider” named JamJam to grant them said audience and the Muskrats entered Nihanas’ hall. Jam Jam led them single file through winding corridors to a demonic tattoo parlor, where Nihanas held court. Nihanas agreed to sponsor the Muskrats in the Nine Trials. In exchange, he would grant Tazmeth the boon of a single tattoo. Although Nihanas was a master, he could not predict the form or power of this tattoo, but he knew it would grant Tazmeth more power than any tattoo Nihanas had yet granted. Nihanas revealed his origin, a creation of Mephistopheles, and revealed they were now enemies, aligning him with Dami. His survival was only possible through the trapped halls created over the course of a decade by Vistara. The party briefly spoke with Jam Jam in his chambers who emphasized that travel in the city would be easier were the party to concentrate on their desire to arrive at a certain locale. The Muskrats left for the arena.
While the horrors of Magmarath Caldera were many, they paled in comparison to the horror of bureaucracy. There were hundreds of demons and devils milling about, queuing, and filling out unintelligible forms. Overwhelmed for a moment, Dami was able to find their imp server from the night before, who explained the rules of the arena and the administrative process for entry.
The parties were pulled aside to complete a series of forms detailing their names, ages, next of kin, and desired funerary procedures. As they completed the forms, they learned that they were the first group Nihanas had sponsored in countless years, suspicious! Further, they learned that the former champions were a party comprised of the pit fiend who flogged Itzal many years ago in Wulkan as well as the erinyes who had escaped after needling the party throughout the Wulkan Sewers. As the Muskrats walked away, they overheard a fiend mention that there was a last minute entrant, who had put up sufficient consideration to be entered without a sponsor – Anathema.
The table was set. With foes from their past before them, the party set to preparing for the challenges.

Report Date

19 Jun 2023