Session 216 - The Earth Witch's Minions
General Summary
30th Agrazhar (Third Month of Summer) 724TR
The story so far
The heroes have voyaged to the Earl of Sarkum's Colony on the Island of Anfla, where they have made enemies the mysterious Earth Witch and repaired the magical seals keeping her entrapped.
The characters are now resting at Fort Xuaka preparing to return to the mainland; unfortunately, the settlement has been attacked by savage Adaenum Barbarians.
This is the continuation of Session 215 - Spear of a God.
Location - Fort Xuaka on Anfla Island.
Part 1 - The Ruins
Fort Xuaka is under attack by warriors of the coastal Adaenum Barbarians. However, the heroes suspect this is a distraction, and cultists plan to release the vile Earth Witch from her magical imprisonment. They race to the nearby ruins as the minor deity's prison is hidden in the caverns below.
Five Adaenum warriors, led by a particularly tough fanatic, are loitering around the ruins. They spot the characters and pounce as they approach. Abaddon stuns the fanatic, and Remy disengages, entering the ruins noticing the trap door to the caverns below is open. He dives in. Meanwhile, the remaining characters battle with the remaining warriors.
Part 2 - The Prison
Remy sneaks into the underground chambers unnoticed, finding two guards talking. Using the darkness as cover, he casts a defensive spell, Blink. His verbal mutterings alert the guards who approach, torches in hand, to reveal his location. Unfortunately, his Blink spell fails, and he has to dodge the various attacks. He Misty Steps behind the guards, further into the complex, and then spots more foes. Two more barbarians are guarding a young woman. The Sherene or tribal mystic, wearing a distinctive bone necklace, spots him. She has excellent vision in the darkness. They are clearing debris blocking the chamber to the Earth Witch's prison. He hits them with exploding cards attracting their attention. Hopefully, his Blink spell will work this time, allowing him to escape. Nope, it fails again, and the guards viciously attack. He is forced to conjure a cloud of Sickening Radiance that forces the Sherene and her guards to move away from their excavations.
Meanwhile, Abaddon and Odin kill all but one of the barbarians upstairs, so Abaddon charges down into caverns to help Remy. This is none too soon. He engages two of the most formidable warriors while Remy's Blink finally works (the only round in the entire fight), and he disappears. The Sherene is close by and badly wounded, so Abaddon delivers a skillful wack to the head, knocking her out. Two of the mystic's guards grab her unconscious body and move her to a location where they think it is safe. Unfortunately for her, Remy reappears from his Blink next to them and creates a Thunder Clap. This weak spell barely bruises the guards but kills the helpless priestess. The remaining warriors enter into a berserk rage.
In the ruins above, Odin kills the last guard and goes downstairs to help his friends. Although Remy and Abaddon are worse for wear, the remaining crazed warriors are slain.
Part 3 - Possession is Nine-tenths of the Law
The heroes start looting the dead, and Remy shows much interest in the bone necklace the priestess was wearing. It reeks of strong magic, so he tries it on. Suddenly the malicious will of the Earth Witch overwhelms him. "I have you now," he hears as he falls to a powerful charm.
Abaddon notes Remy begins to act strangely and starts watching him closely. The party returns to Fort Xuaka, which has repelled the barbarian attack and restored order. At the Inn, Remy sulkily broods then retires to his room. The following day he is gone.
Odin finds the window in his room ajar, most odd. The party decides to return to the ruins, where he began acting strangely. They sneak in to find he is trying to clear the rubble into the Earth Witch's prison. He shows no hesitation and mercilessly unleashes his most powerful magic injuring Odin and Abaddon. He is a tough opponent, although the adventurers still of sound mind eventually knock him out. Abaddon notices Remy caressing the bone necklace during the fight and removes it. Remy awakens with an only hazy recall of the last day's events but free from any malign influence. The party smashes the necklace into tiny pieces.
At Fort Xuaka, Odin speaks with the constable, Sir Tyson Silar, who agrees that the passage to the caverns under the ruins needs to be sealed. He hires the masons working at the nearby quarry to seal the entrance (under Odin's watchful eye).
Hopefully, this will end the threat of the Earth Witch forever.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Constable of Fort Xuaka, Sir Tyson Silar.
Challenges Overcome
Killed 10 x fanatical Adaenum warriors and the Sherene (a priestess of tribal god Manaclir possessed by the Earth Witch).
Rewards
Nothing this week.
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Related Reports
Player Character Status
Odin - Human - Level 5 Gloom Stalker and Level 2 Fighter - Gained Fighter Level.
Abaddon - Elf - Level 7 Open-hand Monk - gained Monk Level.
Remy - Half-Elf - Level 7 Bladesinger - Gained Wizard Level.
Remy
Abaddon
Odin
State of Affairs, Anfla Island, 724TR
The situation with the Coastal Adaenum Barbarians is still tense. The failed raid on Fort Xauka has thrown a wedge into the Earl of Sarkum's plans to incorporate the Island into his estates peacefully. Only the Constable's release of the captured and wounded barbarians, as a goodwill gesture, prevented any immediate reprisals.
Unfortunately, the death of the Sherene has exasperated the situation further, with many of the locals believing she is a martyr, killed by the evil invaders and witches. They, of course, had no idea she was acting under a compulsion. They have hardened their resolve and become more militant. Expect an escalation in violence over the coming year.
The inland tribes are much more receptive to the Earl's overtures. They have welcomed any gifts and the foreigner's expertise in farming technology.
Comments