Session 28 - Out of the Fire and into Hot Water

General Summary

Amidst the chaos of the fiery pits and the serpent's attack, Candid found himself caught in a battle for survival. Calling out for aid, he swung his axe at the serpent’s body. His initial attempt to fend off the creature was met with a mesmerizing gaze that left him momentarily helpless, allowing the serpent to coil around him, and drag him down into a cave beneath the rocks. Pyro, quick to react, transformed into a giant spider and rushed to Candid's aid, while Xenobia positioned herself at the cave entrance, and attempted to provide cover with her bow, but inadvertently struck Candid. As the situation grew dire, Ischyrós advanced and reached for his sling to assist Candid, despite his weakened state. At the same time, Theresa, armed with a mirror and chanting incantations, unleashed a burst of light that momentarily enveloped Candid, causing the serpent to let him go. Theresa rushed to Candid's side. However, a slip in her haste resulted in Theresa injuring herself, but undeterred, she began healing Candid's wounds.
Even as Candid regained consciousness, he still felt the lingering effects of the serpent's gaze. Ischyros, though fatigued, prepared to aid in the battle, but his sling missed its mark, striking Xenobia instead. Meanwhile, Pyro, now in spider form, crawled into the cave and engaged the serpent in combat, landing a decisive bite. Xenobia, rallying the party, struck the serpent twice with her spear, urging Candid to shake off his daze. Candid seemed unmoved, and the serpent retaliated, ensnaring Xenobia in its coils.
Now, the serpent redirected its aggression towards Xenobia, tightening its coils around her once more. Pyro continued to attack, but the serpent's retaliatory bite harmed the spider. In a desperate bid to free Xenobia, Theresa once again summoned her radiant light, compelling the serpent to release its grip. Xenobia, unconscious, fell to the ground. As the battle raged on, Pyro attempted to distract the serpent, leading it deeper into the cave, while Theresa attended to Xenobia's injuries.
Meanwhile, Abraxas fell victim to the serpent's fiery breath, sustaining burns all over his body, while Ischyros climbed down, and together with the spider, attempted to rescue Candid from the depths of the hole. Theresa, recognizing the urgency of the situation, urged the party to retreat, tending to Abraxas's wounds as Pyro dragged Candid to safety. She then summoned her bee swarm, which caused the serpent to retreat into a side tunnel. Despite their injuries and exhaustion, Xenobia refused to leave Ischyros behind, using her spear to help him ascend from the hole. But movement in one of the side tunnels made the party fear that another serpent might be approaching.
Candid was finally dragged out of the hole by Pyro in spider form. He regained his mental clarity. Seeing the spider, he moved away. However, he found himself drawn to a piece of armor in the hole and impulsively jumped back in, risking further danger. Ischyros managed to get out of the hole with the help of Xenobia, and Candid was the last to leave holding a piece of armor. The party fled into the setting sun, seeking refuge for the night.
The party settled into an uneasy rest, taking turns keeping watch. As Xenobia roused Candid from his slumber, she detected distant voices. Attempting to stifle any noise, Xenobia's efforts were thwarted by Candid's sudden awakening, prompting a response from the approaching soldiers. Three figures emerged from the darkness, identified as soldiers of Sisyphus, questioning the party's presence. As the subsequent parlay revealed, they were there looking for the old hermit the party encountered the previous day. In a bold and ill-advised move, Candid proclaimed their heroism and said they recently drove off a firebreathing serpent, while Xenobia revealed their plan to capture a boar from the forest.
The situation quickly escalated as Theresa, sensing imminent danger, intervened with her magic, incapacitating one soldier. Amidst the chaos, Pyro hurled insults and joined the chase, while Candid grappled a second, and Xenobia ran down the third. Theresa's sudden change in demeanor left the party bewildered, prompting discussions about their predicament.
Acknowledging the gravity of their actions, Theresa chastised the party for their lack of discretion, while Pyro reminded them of the warnings they had received. Attempting to salvage the situation, the party offered to lead the soldiers to the old man they sought, but tensions remained high as threats were exchanged.
Ultimately, the party managed to negotiate a temporary truce, convincing the conscious soldier to delay their pursuit while the party made their escape. Fleeing into the night, led by Candid, they navigated the challenging terrain, eventually finding refuge in a coastal grotto where they could rest, albeit uncomfortably.
As dawn approached, the party found themselves at a crossroads, confronted with the daunting reality of their situation and the looming threat of pursuit. With their next steps uncertain, they must now decide their course of action, knowing that they are likely to be pursued by Sisyphus's soldiers.

Report Date

13 Feb 2024