Session 410 – A Simple Thievery Job
General Summary
The Story So Far
Ash - An expert in the occult and a skilled monster hunter. Ash uses his talents and budding alchemical expertise to battle what people fear most for a price.
Ryobi - A monk of the embattled Order of the Warriors of Mameka. Ryobi is given an important mission: retrieve the holy blades containing the souls of his brother knights, which were lost in the recent Rethemi civil war.
They are joined by Vinzent, a bard with a morbid demeanor and a haunted past.
This is the continuation of Session 407 – Pirates.
20th to 30th Nolus (Summer) 728TR
Location - The port of Port Isynen in the Isynen Autarchy in distant Hepekeria.
A business rival, Zaraklisk ’aq Hirmo, has an exclusive contract with a supplier of rare sponges. Severan wants the heroes to sneak into Zaraklisk's villa, check his business records, and learn where and from whom he gets his sponges. Severan will then make an offer, undercut Zaraklisk, and make a tidy profit.
Zaraklisk employs half a dozen guards. A year ago, three large crates were delivered to his villa; it is rumored the crates contained “special” sentries. Further investigation reveals these are Matharic, also known as Ilvir’s Lash's. These strange creatures are described as tree trunks with six tentacled arms, three sturdy legs, and three sets of eyes on stalks. These rare Ivashu make excellent guards as they are highly trainable, and the position of their eyes gives them around vision.
After some discreet investigation, the heroes learn that Zaraklisk will be attending a ceremony at the city's Halean church and is not expected to return until early in the morning.
Part 1 – A Prison
Vinzent uses magic to disguise the party's appearance, making them look like dirty local peasants. Then they scout the Villa, noting guards, but they spot an unguarded, locked side door. What surprises them is that along the same wall are barred windows, and inside are cells containing prisoners, one of which is an Ivinian warrior and another a grimy-looking scoundrel.
Ash attempts to pick up the sturdy, high-quality lock, but his pick snaps, warning the inside guards. Luckily, the heroes escape, although Vinzent is spotted, but he puts on a convincing act that he is only a drunk who has wandered by.
Part 2 – Break In Attempt One
An hour later, the heroes return and climb up another section of the walls, finding a window they can sneak through. Initially, things go well, and they are undetected until one of the bizarre Matharic wanderers by. The six armed guard attacks, and the heroes cannot eliminate it before a servant wanders by and raises the alarm. Another Matharic rushes in, followed by three human guards. The party fights courageously but is outmatched, and with the sound of reinforcements, they decide to run. They escape, but on the way out, Ash throws his remaining set of thieves' tools through the window into the cells with the prisoners. They later learn that the prisoner escaped the next night.
Part 3 – A New Plan
A week after the failed raid, Ash and Vinzent visit every lowlife tavern and market, searching for the escaped prisoners. Luck is on their side; they spot the scoundrel. After revealing who he is, the rogue Exan is happy to talk. He was imprisoned by Zaraklisk ’aq Hirmo after stealing from one of his businesses. Ash convinces him and his crew to rob Zakarlik's villa. The party will sneak in from one side, and Exan and his crew will creep in from the other. Any guards will be confused, giving both teams a chance of success.
Part 4 – A Better Outcome
Later at night, the party arrived at the villa and, using information provided by Exan, roughly understand where the merchant business records would be secured. Ash climbs up the wall to the second level and observes through a window the merchant Zaraklisk working at a desk and a woman resting on a bed. Ash repositions himself, just at the wrong time, and his head bobs up as Zaraklisk turns around. The merchant spots Ash. After a quick curse, and without hesitating, Ash leaps through the window and puts a knife to the throat of the surprised merchant. The merchant quickly surrenders.
The rest of the party sneaks in, and after the merchant and his wife are bound, Ryobi manages to compel two more guards into surrendering; however, the alarm is raised. At this point, Exan and his crew of thieves start their robbery effort, causing more chaos among the remaining guards and staff.
A locked room across the hallway is an office, and taking the keys from the merchant, the heroes open it; inside is one final guard, which cannot be reasoned with, a large and strong monstrous Matharic. The heroes fight this monstrosity, but this time, they are well-prepared and aware of the Ivashu’s strengths and weaknesses. Their tactics work well; what should have been a challenging fight proves routine, and the inhuman guard is quickly killed.
The party quickly combs through the office, finding the business records and stealing everything in sight to make their intentions less obvious.
They make their escape. The next day Severan and Vinzent examine the documents, learning that Zaraklisk's source of sponges is from the Arti Acki tribe in the eastern portion of the nearby Kingdom of Kolora. There is also an intriguing mention of “Continuing to make tribute to the Insidious Phenomenon. It keeps the savages in line.”
The heroes decide to visit this tribe.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Various merchants and slaves.
Severan of Tanzek - A Tierzeri Merchant with a dubious reputation.
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Related Reports
Nothing this week.
Player Characters
Ryobi - Human - L10 Monk
Background - Temple Guard.
Archetypes - Barbarian/Fighter.
Ash - Human - L10 Thaumaturge
Background - Weaponcrafter.
Archetypes - Alchemist.
NPC Companion
Vinzent - Human - L10 Bard
Background - Cursed.
Archetypes - Blessed/Disciple of Thalia.
Next Session
NPC Companion
Vinzent
He is a skilled minstrel who is infamous for his depressing performances and bad luck.
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