KWN.4.6 Iron Spikes

Session Preface

"You're too late!"
The coarse words hang heavy in the stale air.
"The first transforations are complete. Yeenoghu's army grows stronger through my blood. And I grow stronger through their carnage. You intrude, thinking yourself heroes, but you're just kindling to the abyssal flame that will witness this world reduced to ash. You will not stop us."
In the large, cavernous chamber before you stands three iron spike altars, drenched in blood and the grinning maw symbol of Yeenoghu. At each, the hulking forms of transfigured gnolls use their extending, brutish arms to shove themselves free of the spike piercing through their chest. Through the gaping cavity in their abdomen, you watch ribs snap back into place, veins and sinew wind around their organs, and skin and matted fur sew itself back together. The gnolls stand feet taller than their the counterparts faced before, their huge, clawed hands clasping tight around weapons found scattered on the cavern floor.
Behind them, the three blood-soaked iron spikes radiate a dark, crimson energy which coalesces into a beam flowing from the iron spike to a central totem. The totem itself glows bright red in the low light, as if overflowing with power. A fourth beam of magical energy eminates from it, coiling in the air, wrapping itself around Barmon's massive lycan bear form. In response to the energy, his veins glow from beneath the thick fur, as if his blood were burning within. His muscles tense and his eyes widen with insatiable bloodlust.
Their mouths moving in perfect unison, the were-gnolls and Barmon begin to chant in an unsettling mixture of gnoll and abyssal.
"The first gift is hunger. The second gift is death. The third gift is fear."
Their chants repeats, reverberating off of the walls, surrounding you. As the chant cresendos in volume, they move to strike.

Session Summary

Examining the chamber, Pax realizes that the magic forces, or gifts of Yeenoghu, are chaneling hemocraft through the altars, providing power and protection to Barmon. Aethuriel then recognizes that because they are altars, desecrating them may be the best way to weaken the lycan. As the battle ensues, Pax finds himself the primary target of his fellow Blood Hunter's assault while Tristain uses the divine powers entrusted to him by Tyr to shatter the seal of the first altar, removing Barmon's protective wards.
Using his hemocraft to distract Barmon, Pax opens a window for Aethuriel to paralyze the lycan, offering an opportunity for the Knights to defeat Barmon before he can do any further harm. When he falls unconscious, however, the second of the altars shatters and the physical form of the werebear rises into the air, its lifeless eyes an inky black and its limbs moving as if controlled by puppet strings.
Looking to Pax, a menacing, demented voice speaks from the Abyss.

Demon Hunter! Send the bitch you serve a message for me. She cannot hope to win against the legions of the Abyss across two fronts. She will kneel before me. And I will savor ripping the flesh from her bones. Just. like. before.

The battle rages on against the possessed, undead remains of Barmon and his trio of were-gnolls. As Tristain wards of dozens of attacks by the were-bear, his companions fend off the minions before bringing down the lycan, this time for good. As the connection between the Matieral Plane and Abyss fades, the voice speaks once more.

"Even now, her frontlines falter in Avernus. She will kneel."

Eventually, the chambers are still, but not before the fight takes a heavy toll on each of them. Pax and Tristain both rest and recooperate while Aethuriel explores the chamber, finding a pair of chests containing gems and a handful of magic items. Upon recovering, Pax also discovers a smaller cavern where Barmon had detailed his research. Pax learns that Barmon had found a way to tap into Yeenoghu's means of growing stronger bloodlust, and then in turn used his own blood and hemocraft to provide Yeenoghu an army of enhanced gnolls. Disgusting, Pax destroys all records of the research.
Before long, Vosh'ri finds his way to the party, noting that he witnessed a wild exodus of gnolls and he came to make sure they were safe, assuming they had been victorious. The four take their leave of the cursed dwarven mines and make camp for the night.
That evening, the companions share a heartfelt conversation. As Pax reflects on the abomination Barmon had become, the Knights ask him about the Blood Hunters, his order, and his mission. Pax explains that the Blood Hunters, regardless of order, are similar in that they are different from everyone else in the same way. He calls it a difficult path, one most don't choose, and that each has a complicated relationship with. How each of them have a darkness within, but seeing Barmon was the closest he'd ever been to someone letting it take over.
Pax determines the best course of action is to take Barmon's medallion and equipment and bury it where the other Lycan first brought the matter to their attention. Pax notes that he isn't particularly keen on another meeting with this individul. He explains that even though Barmon chose to defile himself in such a way, he owes it to the respect for the lycan order. That he would want them to do the same for him. That it would mean more that a fellow hunter had taken care of the problem personally. He first suggests that he go alone, but both Knights stand with him, reminding him that they are a team and are in all of this together.
Aethuriel and Tristain ask a bit more about the history of the order, learning from Pax that there is an official story of the true, full history being lost to time, but that the Order of Profane Souls, his order, originates from some deal made with some infernal power. This reminds Pax of the comments made by the demonic presence, and he recalls details regarding Avernus - it is the first layer of the Nine Hells, where some of the most gruesome fighting of the Blood War takes place. He can only assume that somehow Yeenoghu's machinations and warnings are pitted against whatever infernal force Pax's powers are tied to, but he doesn't have more to go off of.
When asked about how he joined the order, Pax describes that the Hunter's Bane, the rite of transformation that makes a Blood Hunter, is undergone at a young age, and that while it wasn't a decision made against his will per se, it also was not a decision made with a wealth of alternatives available. In response, Tristain reminds Pax that he is no longer, "an orphan or an outcast." and asks, "Why not become something else?" Pax notes that this exact sentiment is perhaps what led Barmon down his path.
Hearing this, Aethuriel shares that, similar to Pax, he did not have much of a choice in becoming a member of his order. He takes off his gauntlet, revealing a series of spiraling elvish scritps so small as to be nearly unreadible. He explains that while his youth wasn't as difficult in the same ways as that of Pax, he can empathize with the blood hunter's journey.
"Thank you for accepting me," Pax says, in response. "It's been a long time since I've had anyone I could trust."

"We're in this together. We may not always be thankful for where we are, but similar to what you said, we are Knights until the end of our days." Tristain shares, "The gods brought us together. Certainly they did so for a purpose."

Pax responds simply by reminding his companions that they continue to be pawns in the god's machinations. Tristain does not disagree, but the companions continue to reflect upon recent events before resting for the evening.
The next morning, the party travel eastward once more back to their previous camp where Pax carves his order's sigil into a nearby tree and digs a hidden burial site for the medallion, Barmon's armor, and his great-axe, marked with lycan iconography. When he has finished, the party travel northward towards Olostin's Hold.
The last two days in the High Forest pass rather pleasantly. The forest seems more at ease, the air lighter and more jovial. The party too find themselves in higher spirits, bonded by the threats faced and trust built over the course of their recent journies. The days of travel are filled with stories of adventure and discovery.
Along the way, Pax's thoughts are interupted by the voice of an elderly man, exclaiming,

From Tordhar: Definitely not great. Sounds like lich, maybe infernal. Know guy who knows more. Where will you be in two tenday? Reply. 25 words.

Pax responds with gratitude and answers with 'Neverwinter,' before continuing in conversation with Tristain, who tells of a Hill Giant denizen flooded by wild magic.
Back in Olostin's Hold, the party are greeted with a hero's welcome and free drinks at the Flaming Flagon. A roarous cheer breaks out when Pax buys shots for the patrons. Felevel the Green pesters Aethuriel with questions about their journies in the High Forest, while Aedelvana expresses sincere gratitude to Tristain for their work in protecting the forest and making Olostin's Hold that much safer from the gnolls who had claimed so many of their friends. She offers a spell scroll as a means of returning the favor.
As the festivities die down, the party finds welcome rest in a warm bed after many days away from the comforts of civilization. The next morning, they set out back for Everlund to report their accomplishments to the Harpers and make their way to Neverwinter to pursue the next contract on Tristain's list.

Session Overview

Date Played:
August 8, 2022
Party:

• Aethuriel
• Pax
• Tristain

Time Passed:
Elient 11, 1493 PM - Elient 15, 1493 AM
NPCs:

• Barmon
• Vosh'ri
• Felevel the Green
• Aedelvana

Loot:

• 21 gems (5 worth 100gp, 6 worth 50gp, 10 worth 25gp
• Potion of Radiant Resistance
• Orb of Time
• Oil of Slipperiness
• Level 5 Fireball Scroll
• corrupted Gem of Brightness
• Barmon's Medallion, Armor, and Axe (left behind)