Session 7
General Summary
Nex Pervenio pounced upon the unsuspecting paladin sentries. Dash unleashed a hail of arrows out of the darkness while the others piled forward. The paladins stood up from behind their cover and returned fire with longbows. More paladins emerged from hitherto unspotted clefts and rallied to aid their comrades. These Knights of the Sun were true Albioners and fought bravely and with discipline. Argus and Mika bore the brunt of the attacks and relied heavily on Valun to keep them standing on the front line. The paladins had no comparable healing and were steadily defeated one by one, but fought fiercely to the very end. Nex Pervenio were careful not to land any killing blows, knocking out their victims, as requested by Calastryx.
After getting their breath back they searched the paladin camp. They found bedrolls and all manner of supplies and rations, it seems the paladins were here on an extended mission. The hapless paladins were trussed up and hauled unceremoniously across the vast cavern back towards the dragon lair. As before, grimlocks stood guard in many cave mouths as Calastryx emerged on a ledge above his visitors. He thanked Nex Pervenio for their efforts.
Grimlock attendants came forth and tied the paladins to wooden poles. They were then brought around for questioning. Despite their dire predicament, they showed great composure and dignity. They were unapologetic about having slain “evil” drow, “demon tainted” spiders and “unnatural scientific experiments” at the farm. They equally viewed the dragon and grimlocks as evil foes, unworthy of mercy.
The paladins had been sent into the Underdark at the command of Cardinal O’ Connor. He had uncovered knowledge that Calastryx possessed valuable documents relating to the last known whereabouts of the Crystal of Ebon Flame. After having these documents described to him, the dragon flew into an unexpected rage. It emerged they had been stolen from him, his treasure hoard desecrated, a few months ago by a drow vampire. With careful questioning, Nex Pervenio were able to ascertain this was the same drow vampire they had fought and slain in the Erelhei-Cinlu necropolis, and the very same documents they had recovered from that vampire. What a curious coincidence. When this was explained to Calastryx he looked totally dumbdounded, no mean feat for a three-headed dragon!
The stolen documents were returned to Calastryx, his treasure hoard made whole once more, and he now owed a debt of gratitude to Nex Pervenio. It was requested he assist with seeking out information regarding the Forest Monarchs, which both Mika and Dash have an interest in. Calastryx was also reminded about the carrion crawler infestation. He had special plans.
The mighty dragon flew over to the spider farm and slew the huge carrion crawler. All the carrion crawler eggs and hatchlings were collected by grimlock minions and carried back to the dragon caves. Five of the paladins were executed by being eaten alive by the carrion crawlers and one was sacrificed to Asmodeus by Valun. The dragon then torched the carrion crawlers with its fiery breath to eradicate them. Thus ended the tales of Sir Oswald, Sir Aelfast, Sir Hedrig, Sir Hunwald, Sir Eadbald and Sir Oswy who would be sorely missed in the shires of Albion.
After all that excitement, the trip back to Erelhei-Cinlu was incredibly quiet and peaceful. Nex Pervenio reported to Kharis. She was dismayed to hear of the farm’s destruction, but relieved the truce with the dragon remained and even now strengthened. Kharis was also informed of the treachery of the ropers and the involvement of House Xaniqos, which concerned her. It would be left to House Godeep to decide how to respond.
Kharis had some good news, progress had been made arranging a gladiator exhibition match. This would hopefully raise their profile sufficiently they might begin to gain acceptance from the drow gladiators. With their cover story intact, it may then be time to get involved with the Cult of Elemental Evil.
The next few days were spent relaxing in Erelhei-Cinlu. The gladiators wandered the streets, getting to know their way around the place and taking in the sights and experiences, so different from their surface homes.
A couple of days after arriving back in the city, it was a night of the new moon, on the surface at least. Shinobi continued his observance of secretly offering a murderous sacrifice to Zehir. His victim on this occasion was a slave belonging to House Vae, taken from the Ghetto of Chattels. As House Vae seemed to be planning to enslave yuan-ti from Zehir’s city of Anathema, this seemed highly appropriate.
An evening was spent in a tavern called the Hunter’s Rest in the company of Durin the dwarf. Pleasantries were exchanged and he spoke about how his work in the Necropolis was progressing. One thing he mentioned was grimlocks seen skulking about the place. They didn’t seem to cause any trouble but were a rare sight.
On 18 December, the night before they were due to participate in their exhibition match, a visitor called at the Hook Inn, attracting looks from the regulars. It was a grimlock, who brought a message from Calastryx. As requested, he had unearthed some information regarding the Forest Monarchs, specifically an area permeated by the essence of the Blood Oak. This location could be reached beneath the Ghetto of the Dead, below the area of Durin’s renovation projects. They were warned to beware of dangerous undead and necrotic effects.
Meanwhile, in a cavern not far from Erelhei-Cinlu, Calastryx gazed at the latest addition to his treasure horde – a fist-sized, black, flame-shaped object – and pondered on the myriad possibilities offered by this potent artefact…
After getting their breath back they searched the paladin camp. They found bedrolls and all manner of supplies and rations, it seems the paladins were here on an extended mission. The hapless paladins were trussed up and hauled unceremoniously across the vast cavern back towards the dragon lair. As before, grimlocks stood guard in many cave mouths as Calastryx emerged on a ledge above his visitors. He thanked Nex Pervenio for their efforts.
Grimlock attendants came forth and tied the paladins to wooden poles. They were then brought around for questioning. Despite their dire predicament, they showed great composure and dignity. They were unapologetic about having slain “evil” drow, “demon tainted” spiders and “unnatural scientific experiments” at the farm. They equally viewed the dragon and grimlocks as evil foes, unworthy of mercy.
The paladins had been sent into the Underdark at the command of Cardinal O’ Connor. He had uncovered knowledge that Calastryx possessed valuable documents relating to the last known whereabouts of the Crystal of Ebon Flame. After having these documents described to him, the dragon flew into an unexpected rage. It emerged they had been stolen from him, his treasure hoard desecrated, a few months ago by a drow vampire. With careful questioning, Nex Pervenio were able to ascertain this was the same drow vampire they had fought and slain in the Erelhei-Cinlu necropolis, and the very same documents they had recovered from that vampire. What a curious coincidence. When this was explained to Calastryx he looked totally dumbdounded, no mean feat for a three-headed dragon!
The stolen documents were returned to Calastryx, his treasure hoard made whole once more, and he now owed a debt of gratitude to Nex Pervenio. It was requested he assist with seeking out information regarding the Forest Monarchs, which both Mika and Dash have an interest in. Calastryx was also reminded about the carrion crawler infestation. He had special plans.
The mighty dragon flew over to the spider farm and slew the huge carrion crawler. All the carrion crawler eggs and hatchlings were collected by grimlock minions and carried back to the dragon caves. Five of the paladins were executed by being eaten alive by the carrion crawlers and one was sacrificed to Asmodeus by Valun. The dragon then torched the carrion crawlers with its fiery breath to eradicate them. Thus ended the tales of Sir Oswald, Sir Aelfast, Sir Hedrig, Sir Hunwald, Sir Eadbald and Sir Oswy who would be sorely missed in the shires of Albion.
After all that excitement, the trip back to Erelhei-Cinlu was incredibly quiet and peaceful. Nex Pervenio reported to Kharis. She was dismayed to hear of the farm’s destruction, but relieved the truce with the dragon remained and even now strengthened. Kharis was also informed of the treachery of the ropers and the involvement of House Xaniqos, which concerned her. It would be left to House Godeep to decide how to respond.
Kharis had some good news, progress had been made arranging a gladiator exhibition match. This would hopefully raise their profile sufficiently they might begin to gain acceptance from the drow gladiators. With their cover story intact, it may then be time to get involved with the Cult of Elemental Evil.
The next few days were spent relaxing in Erelhei-Cinlu. The gladiators wandered the streets, getting to know their way around the place and taking in the sights and experiences, so different from their surface homes.
A couple of days after arriving back in the city, it was a night of the new moon, on the surface at least. Shinobi continued his observance of secretly offering a murderous sacrifice to Zehir. His victim on this occasion was a slave belonging to House Vae, taken from the Ghetto of Chattels. As House Vae seemed to be planning to enslave yuan-ti from Zehir’s city of Anathema, this seemed highly appropriate.
An evening was spent in a tavern called the Hunter’s Rest in the company of Durin the dwarf. Pleasantries were exchanged and he spoke about how his work in the Necropolis was progressing. One thing he mentioned was grimlocks seen skulking about the place. They didn’t seem to cause any trouble but were a rare sight.
On 18 December, the night before they were due to participate in their exhibition match, a visitor called at the Hook Inn, attracting looks from the regulars. It was a grimlock, who brought a message from Calastryx. As requested, he had unearthed some information regarding the Forest Monarchs, specifically an area permeated by the essence of the Blood Oak. This location could be reached beneath the Ghetto of the Dead, below the area of Durin’s renovation projects. They were warned to beware of dangerous undead and necrotic effects.
Meanwhile, in a cavern not far from Erelhei-Cinlu, Calastryx gazed at the latest addition to his treasure horde – a fist-sized, black, flame-shaped object – and pondered on the myriad possibilities offered by this potent artefact…
Report Date
23 May 2025
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