Session 123 - A Troll in Trouble
General Summary
15th Navek (Second Month of Winter) 722TRThe story so far
The Heroes have returned to the City of Coranan and plan to stay over winter.
Sabretooth lodges at the Ilvirian Hostel, assisting the pilgrims and worshipers of Ilvir as he can. He knows the strange menagerie of characters that occupy the Hostel and the hidden underground shrine to the god Ilvir.
The continuation of Session 121 - Salty Entanglements.
Location - City of Coranan in the Thardic Republic.
Part 1 - The Missing Troll
The Heroes assemble and follow Kwayn into the secret entrance to the hidden shrine to Ilvir. This underground chamber has a golden colored statue of a snake devouring its tail. Kwayn blesses the Heroes on their journey and warns them that a blind priest created a magical guardian to protect the shrine. This stone statue of a Miuruca, an aquatic crocodile-like Ivashu, will prevent anyone from passing through. It will ask them questions of Ilvirian Lore. They must answer correctly or find a way to avoid it; otherwise, they must battle it.
Part 2 - The Temple Guardian
The Heroes make their way through a secret door into a series of rough passages to an underground stream. From it, a stone statue of a crocodilian form emerges. The Guardian opens jaws, and a voice of a quirky older man's voice emerges and asks some basic questions regarding Ilvirian doctrine. Acheron knows the answer to a question regarding the Ilvir's views of the god Agrik; however, Sabretooth fails to correctly answer more general questions regarding the concept of Ilvirian duality and reincarnation. The Guardian looked as though it is about to attack. Acheron suggests Sabretooth speak to it in Ivashi. He does so, and the Guardian is immediately placated and becomes immobile, allowing the Heroes to pass.
Part 3 - Bilious Zombie
The waterway opens up to a passage and what appears to be an excavation site. This looks like a passage is being dug by Troll claws. It must be Urgath's work area.
On the ground nearby is a green fluid, which is likely trolls blood. Following the bloody trail, the Heroes find a side passage leading to one of the cities sewers. Entering the sewer, the Heroes notice a patch of darkness and a disturbing chill. Acheron senses this is the Shadow of Bukrai, a field of life-sapping darkness that fuels the necromantic magic of the Church of Morgath. An undead creature, a zombie-like horror covered in enormous pustules, is lurking nearby.
The Heroes prepare and protect themselves with arcane magic as the creature attacks. Its shadow weakens the Heroes, and it attacks viciously; however, the Nachzehrer cannot cause significant damage before it is destroyed. To make sure of it, the Heroes burn the remains.
Part 4 - An Ill Wind
Sabretooth is caught by surprise and is severely injured as his skin starts to shrivel on contact with the vile air. His Ivashu companion Chamelo is not so lucky, he is instantly desiccated, and his body collapses into dust. The distraught Sabretooth enters a bloodthirsty rage striking at the wind swearing revenge. The wind has little physical form, and Acheron is also struck and cursed with some form of rotting malady. Fighting this insubstantial evil was difficult. However, the Heroes eventually extinguish the Rotting Winds.
A side passage leads into more darkness, and Acheron sense more undead beyond. Two skinless Zombies run-in, with rusty blades jutting out of their bodies. The Risen Reavers rapid strikes causing some havoc, but they are hacked to pieces as large Animated Hand leaps from the shadows and attempts to strangle Sabretooth. This appears to be a Troll sized green hand, and it is burned to ashes. Sabretooth is very concerned as to the fate of his friend.
Part 5 - The Wall
The blood trail leads to a sturdy stone wall. Avon is sure they are in a cavern directly under the cities Pamesani Arena and spots a well-concealed secret doorway protected by a magical rune. Acheron identifies this as powerful death magic. Unable to come up with an option to disable it, Sabretooth opens the door. His body is again assaulted by corruption; nevertheless, he is made of sterner stuff and withstands the intense Necrotic damage.
The door opens to a large, very dark underground cave and cistern. As far the Heroes can see are dead bodies, standing and packed together. The dead occasionally twitch and look in the direction of the Heroes but do not otherwise react. Many of the corpses are very old, and more than a few show signs of crude attempts to repair damage accumulated by time and decay. Avon spots a light source and investigates. Sneaking onwards, he sees a large cage containing an incapacitated, barely alive Troll. Green Troll blood is everywhere, and three Priests of Morgath are cutting into him with large knives. It looks like they are doing an autopsy on the Troll while he is still alive.
What will the Heroes do?
To be continued...
NPC Interactions
Challenges Overcome
Failed the Guardian's Questions of Ilvirian Lore but found an alternative solution.
Defeated 1 Nachzehrer.
Defeated 2 Rotting Winds.
Defeated 2 Risen Reavers and 1 Animated Troll Hand.
Sabretooth withstood a Death Rune.
Related Reports
Ilvirian Hostel - updated.
Children of Ilvir - updated.
Bukrai - D&D 5E Notes - updated.
Player Character Status
Acheron - Human - Level 6 Paladin and Level 4 Warlock Disciple of Mendiz - Gained Warlock level.
Sabretooth - Unique Ivashu - Level 6 Ivashu Lord Barbarian, Level 3 Monk, and Druid level 1, gained Barbarian level.
Avon - Half-Elf - Level 10 Thief, gained Thief level.
Avon
Acheron
Sabretooth
NPC Companions
Chameleo
Sabretooth's Ivashu Companion.
Moneypenny
Avon's able assistant
MIA - Urgath the Troll.
Children of Ilvir
A Cult of Ilvir worshipers and freedom fighters.
Ohhh gods say it ain't so! Chameleo has perished! Oh gods the inhumanity....