Session 37: City of Scoundrels
General Summary
The Vandals return to Magepoint and decide to head to the local Library-Temple to research what they had learned through the visions. With all of this knowledge now on hand they return to Manzorian and bring him up to speed on their adventure into Kuluth-Mar. Speaking to Mazorian the party learns that Agath, Celeste, and Eligos, as well as himself have made some headway on Balakarde. Mostly that Balakarde began to research about the Ebon Triad, that the cult was not just a cult of three dark gods, but also a front for the Cult of Kyuss. Further searching revealed that every mention of the Ebon Triad highlighted one name Alhaster. Balakarde believes all the leaders came from this very town located in the Bandit Kingdom of Redhand. Manzorian then hands our Vandals a note penned by Balakarde himself. A to do list that states to speak to Lashonna an Elf who helped capture the original heretics 20 years ago, to speak with Rhosk who wrote the history of Alhaster, Balakarde hopes that he had more to say that he did not write down, and to seek out the original hideout or shrine for the Ebon Triad as it may still be in town. With all of this the Vandals set their eyes on Alhaster. But before they leave the group decides to take a week of downtime to unwind, relax, and prepare for the journey ahead.
After the week of downtime our Vandals gather back at Manzorian's study where another painting sits. Fedi is able to open a portal that takes our Vandals to the eastern gates of Alhaster in the Northern Bandit Lands. Here they are met by guards who demand an entry tax of 1 gp. When Fedi asks if they could make change for platinum they change their minds and let the Vandals know its now 1pp to enter the city. With the rest of the Vandals already making their payment of 1 gp the guards cut Fedi a deal for 2 gp instead. Now with all of our Vandals in the town they discover the town is preparing for a celebration. Prince Zeech is preparing to host a ball in celebration of twenty years on the throne. While the citizens will celebrate with a parade and street performances. The Vandals however make their way the Mistwall Manor in hopes of meeting Lashonna. However the guard informs the Vandals that the next available appointment is in four months. Knowing that is to long of a wait our Vandals try to sweet talk the guard. The guard informs the Vandals that if they wish to speak to Lady Lashonna earlier then that to try and secure invitations to the ball as she will be in attendance.
Not knowing how to secure invitations quite yet our Vandals decide to investigate the next thing on the to do list. Namely tracking down the Veris priest Rhorsk. Networking reveals that the Church of Blessed Deliverance has been condemned by the Order and Ineffable Wisdom of Almighty Prince Zeech... entry prohibited! Our Vandals attempt to sneak into the church but are quickly met by a Blessed Angel that Fedi recognizes as a Erinyes, who demands that the Vandals leave or face arrest. Not wanting to get on the bad side of the local law quite yet. Our Vandals leave, only to attempt to sneak in by the sewers instead. They are able to succeed. Once inside they find themselves face to face with an emaciated ghoul who is quite violent, however once Kal turns it into a bunny and has Breen capture it. The Vandals manage to question the creature who has almost lost his mind. In doing so they learn the following the Ebon Triad was set on their path by a mysterious contact known to them as Mother Maggot. This mysterious figure gave the cultists the worm eaten undead they used to cause so much trouble, and apparently promised more support. Rhorsk never found out what Mother Maggot's true goals in Alhaster were but he did discover that the heretics met Mother Maggot in a subterranean room under a house in the southeast section of the city. He manages to tell our Vandals the exact location. With that the Vandals kill Rhosk freeing his soul from his undead body.
With a new lead our Vandals decide to follow it. Here they find the building is actually a hostel that is manned by a venerable old woman who cares for the sick within. Our Vandals manage to convince her that Kal is sick and she allows them to come in so Kal can be cured by Prince Zeech for only he can cure what everyone is afflicted by. The group realizes the disease is actually a form of scurvy. Not completely uncommon given the town sits almost at the tree line of the continent and has little trade or export of fresh citrus fruit. The Vandals manage to slip away however once they find a hidden trap door in the back of the hostel. As they climb down they find themselves in a chamber with a rope golem, that is quite hostile. Our Vandals handily destroy it. As they make their way east they find themselves looking into a deep pit, and climbing down it they find themselves face to face with the Overgod of the Ebon Triad. It proves to be quite difficult to kill, and after a few close calls our Vandals manage to defeat the great titan. Exploring the room they find a hidden door and beyond a treasure fit for a king. Now they must try to secure invitations to the Ball. For only then they will be able to speak to Lashona about Balakarde.
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