Of Men and Machines Session 17

General Summary

Just a Moment Please

The party required rest. The cost of working their way through the Cult of Baal had been enough that they would not be able to continue much further in their current state. They headed back to storage area with the crates and collected themselves for about an hour. They discussed how to proceed given the revelation that apparently at least some of the crates were loaded with Warforged expecting to be taken to other locations.
After their rest, Keck and Tim the Not-so-Tiny cracked open one of the smaller crates that was on its side. They held their weapons at the ready, just in case another Warforged decided to emerge. To their relief, they pulled out a few useful trinkets, the best of which a potion of healing. They now began to wrestle with the dilemma of what to do about the crates containing the Warforged. Keck reported seeing lava up ahead past the fire beetles that they could possibly dump the crates in. Keck and Tim attempted to lift one, but they estimated that it weighed about 300 pounds. This would be a difficult task at best, but they assessed it needed to be done.
It took the two of them with Eshshann the Pocket "supervising" considerable effort to make the move. Meanwhile, Fel'Shu had taken the demon dog back to the Kobolds for care and feeding. The small pack leader, Koss, accepted the creature. Fel'Shu was able to negotiate for access to a cart to help transport the crates, as well as for assistance should it be needed. A pair of Kobolds accompanied the monk with the makeshift carts back to the party, just as the rest had made it about half way to the lava.

The Encounter

Entering the lava chamber they saw him: the killer. He was at the other end of a peninsula jutting out into the lava, ancient machinery whirring and humming above them engaged in some ancient manufacturing dance. The killer, who they've come to know as either The Black Rook or Reckoner, kneeled before two other figures: a withered, ancient looking man missing a hand, and a raven-haired elf woman. After their apparent conversation, the two disappeared into a portal of swirling black and purple energy leaving the party with Reckoner. He stood, and called out to the party.
Keck demanded answers, and Reckoner obliged him somewhat. The party learned that Reckoner had watched over his people for thousands of years and had gone by many names and been many things. Now, he hoped, that he could bring his brothers out of the shadows and restore them to their former glory.
The party prepared to attack, and Reckoner responded in kind as he approached. A meter-long blade extended from his arm which swung violently at Tim the Not-so-Tiny. Keck joined the fray, followed by Malark and Eshshann.
Reckoner knew that this would be a quick fight if allowed to continue this way. He called out to his brothers, and several Warforged burst out of the crates littered near the party. They attacked and drew the attention of Fel'Shu and Damakos.

"To me, my brothers!" - Reckoner

The party did their best to fend off the additional combatants. Fel'Shu and Damakos handled the left flank while Eshshann and Malark took the rear. The party was besieged on all sides and Tim and Keck were forced to take the brunt of the beating. Fel'Shu called to his new allies, the Kobolds. But none showed.
The battle went on and on with Warforged falling to the skillfull blows of the adventurers. Finally, a well-placed firebolt from Eshshann ripped a hole in Reckoner. He dropped to his knees. His eyes sputtered back and forth from red to white, before finally going out.

"I've... seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the coast of Bastrar. I watched seraphim glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those... moments will be lost... in time... like... tears... in the rain. Time... to die." - Reckoner

At the last minute a pack of Kobolds came running into the cave. They charged forth towards the remaining Warforged. Rocks were launched, spears were chucked. The final constructs went down with a clatter. The party emerged victorious and the Kobolds retreated back to where they came.

The Plot Thickens

While most of the party tried to figure out what to do with the remaining crates, Eshshann took the moment of hard-earned peace to investigate the desk that Reckoner had been kneeling before. He found a chest containing several treasures which would get divided between the party. More importantly, however, he found four hand-written letters. Two were addressed the Black Rook while the others appeared to be recently written and unsent. One of them was addressed to someone known as the Black Knight, while the second was addressed to one White Queen. Also mentioned in the correspondence were the names The Black King and the White Rook.
Having uncovered potential leads and members of a much larger conspiracy, the party must now decide what to do now that the terror of Castleport has been defeated.

Rewards Granted

• 700xp per party member for defeating Reckoner
• Bag of Holding for Eshshann
• Headband of Intellect for Eshshann the Pocket
• Spell Scroll of Warding Bond
• A minor acid
• An Adder's stomach
• A bag of 1000 ball bearings
• A Stone of Good Luck for Keck
• Studded Leather +1 for Keck
• Winged Boots for Damakos
• Goggles of Night for Fel'Shu
• Dagger +1 for Tim the Not-so-Tiny
• Four pieces of correspondence between Reckoner and others

Character(s) interacted with

• Koss

Report Date

10 Nov 2023

Primary Location

Sanguine Abyss

Related Characters

• Damakos
• Eshshann the Pocket
• Fel'Shu
• Keck
• Malark
• Reckoner
• Tim the Not-so-Tiny