Session 40 - Salisgrad Shakedown
General Summary
The Wavestone, battered and limping after its perilous voyage, docked at the cursed port of Salisgrad under the ominous shadow of a darkened lighthouse rumored to resist all attempts to relight it. Captain Mira Valen informed the passengers that repairs would take two days, during which they could remain aboard or make alternate arrangements. First Mate Kalos ventured into the city to secure transport and supplies.
As evening fell Kalos returned with grim news. The Iron Guardsmen would escort the passengers to the Infernal Customs House for inspection. The ominous contingent included four Iron Guardsmen, two Blessed Angels, and a towering Runetech Sentry. The lead inspector Captain Voryn Thal wasted no time asserting his authority warning passengers that any resistance would be met with immediate force.
The inspection was tense, with the guards using a rune-etched orb to detect magical items and latent energy. A nervous merchant was exposed as an agent of the Ebon Triad marked with their glowing triangle sigil. His cries for mercy were silenced as a Blessed Angel dragged him skyward in fiery chains. This display of power set the tone for the remainder of the inspection.
The group was ushered into arcane carriages, their magical hum blending with the clatter of cobblestones as they passed landmarks of Salisgrad - including the Laughing Goblin Inn, and the towering Great Ziggurat. Protective obelisks etched with runes marked intersections silently scrying all who passed.
The carriages arrived at the Infernal Customs House, a foreboding structure of black stone etched with glowing infernal runes. Inside the group was separated and taken to a quieter wing to meet Bishop, a half-elf officer of the Black Gauntlet who demanded answers about their association with the Ebon Triad and their presence in Tymon. His questions, particularly for Dunner, were probing and accusatory, yet the party managed to convince him of their intent to combat the Ebon Triad. Bishop allowed them passage but left a chilling warning with Dunner - only the head of Loris Raknian or another high-ranking member of the Ebon Triad would absolve him of his debt to Prince Eli Voronov.
Escorted deeper into the Customs House, the group entered the Infernal Gateway Chamber where a portal to Tymon was being prepared. The portal, a swirling mass of flame and infernal power, pulsed as the party stepped through flames curling around them as they were pulled into the searing vortex.
The journey through the portal was harrowing. What began as a controlled magical transit devolved into chaos as the flames grew searing and volatile. A Spellcraft check revealed tampering with the spell. Despite the party’s efforts, they arrived in an abandoned Temple of Gorum worse for wear, singed and shaken.
Before the party could begin to explore the temple, they were greeted by an old adversary - Arnyx the bearded devil mercenary and infernal champion bound by contract, who emerged with three Bearded Devils. His taunting words quickly turned to violence as the devils attacked.
The combat was intense with the devils leveraging their infernal glaives and Arnyx proving to be a formidable opponent. Through teamwork and strategy the heroes defeated the devils forcing Arnyx to flee with a vow of vengeance. The battle left the party bloodied but triumphant.
Leaving the temple, the party ventured onto a nearby road encountering a merchant breaking down his roadside shop. Tymon was only half an hour’s walk but the heroes decided to rest and set up camp for the night.
During the night, Cal was startled by a hovering humanoid figure radiating powerful magic. His attempt to cast a spell was resisted and the figure vanished into the night leaving the party uneasy.
The next morning the party prepared to continue their journey to Tymon, the encounter with the enigmatic figure lingering in their thoughts. With the Ebon Triad still at large and Arnyx’s threat looming, their path was fraught with danger but their determination remained unbroken.
Rewards Granted
Bearded Devils
- Each of the three Bearded Devils carried an Infernal Crystal valued at 1000 gp (3000 gp total).
XP
- Each character earned 2,300 XP for this session.
Character(s) interacted with
- Bishop - Senior officer of the Black Gauntlets in Salisgrad.
Notes
Where is coach Ekalim Smallcask?
Cal Volsung
Dunner Greatblade
Vaz'non
Alfie Bud
Report Date
04 Jan 2025
Primary Location
Secondary Location
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