15 - Follow the Flesh
General Summary
14th, The Melting, 2083 EC
The Kren'Sar continued towards Arethusa. When passing Fort Razer a detachment of Wyvern riders intercepted the ship. The Captain, Nidran Boz, landed on the deck and welcomed the crew to Akinlor. He was to be their escort to the city of Arethusa. He also warned that the ship would need to be inspected after docking and any banned substances, materials or undead would be confiscated or destroyed.
The crew gathered any outlawed items in a crate, along with Skelechef. Shokizu caught a mouse for a snack, and found it had an exposed brain, which was peculiar, but no one else cared. Pitho made Judge a disguise to look like an Orc. It was very convincing.
15th, The Melting, 2083 EC
The Kren'Sar arrived at Arethusa at dawn. (who's dawn?)
ARETHUSA
Founded 2320 years ago. Before the Blink. Before the Enclave of the North.
The Fel'Gesperen built the massive walled city as their bastion against the rest of Tezca. Although there are many ancient cities and castles in Akinlor, none stand as tall, or solidly, as Arethusa. It is the city that stands against time. The infinite city. Ouroboros.
The outskirts are barren and empty. The Arethusan highway snakes its way from the south to the great city gates, a yawning portal that leads to a bustling city within.
The three walls of Arethusa are the city's dominating feature. Passing through the city gates you pass through the Wall of Man. You will walk through markets, farms, industry, homes. The buildings are short and square. Their sturdiness a reflection of the city itself. The terrain here is flat and sprawling. Both the wealthy and rich occupy the space within the Wall of Man, and the city within this wall spreads for miles.
At the heart of the Wall of Man you will find the Wall of Gods. Within these walls you shall find Temples, Schools, Museums and Theatres. This is where people learn, worship, entertain and train. The Arethusans are a hardened people. Fighting pits are as common as universities. Martial prowess enjoys the same prestige as academic here. None may have permanent residence with the Wall of Gods, although temporary accommodation is permitted.
Deeper within the city still, you will reach the Wall of Names. The true name of this wall is almost lost - the name now only known by a privileged few of the Akinlorian aristocracy. Within the Wall of Names you will find military garrisons, airship docks and the gargantuan Castle Arethusa. Very few are permitted access within these walls without a military escort.
The castle itself is the oldest part of the city. Expanded countless times, the heart of the castle lies so deep within that it has become lost to time. Only the exterior shell of the fortress is still occupied - and this exterior shell is still large enough to house thousands of people. The tiny fraction of Castle Arethusa that is still used is larger than nearly any other castle.
A handful of years ago, a noble from Far'Fel named Uisstu Avrethi married Pedrin Kurst Akinlor, the Arethusan prince. Shortly after Pedrin's father, the steward of Akinlor, died. After becoming Steward, Pedrin declared him and Lady Avrethi King and Queen in defiance to the rule of Tezca under Dessert Jewel. This challenge of authority has gone un-answered by the armies of The Keys.
Shortly after Pedrin became king a great plague of sorts befell the city. Plants wither and die inexplicably. Fruit and vegetables rot prematurely. Nightmares plague those who live within the Wall of Names. Some say this is a curse - that Pedrin is not worthy to be king perhaps. Or even that Pedrin killed his own father for the thrown.
In any case, this plague has not slowed the machinations of the King and Queen. Plans are forged deep within the fortress. Soldiers bristle with anticipation. The city stirs. Something is about to happen.
After arriving at the city, the Kren'Sar was searched. The crew's stash of prohibited goods was confiscated and Skelechef was destroyed. Multiple vials of pixie drop, gems and jewelry and a strange pyramid shaped item were taken by the guards.
Many plants had died throughout the city and lots of food was turning prematurely rotten.
The crew were shown their new ship, Fang and Mitch became an Admiral.
The crew met with Lord Pedrin Khurst Akinlor and Lady Avrethi Akinlor. Pedrin congratulated the crew and told them that he had important work for them in the future, when the Wandering Star was closer to Lirimidium.
The crew learned that something had come threw the Portal Nexus, killed the guards posted there, and disappeared in to the depths of Castle Arethusa. Mitch convinced Pedrin that the crew of the Kren'Sar were not responsible for revealing the portal's location.
After speaking with Lady Avrethi, her true form as a Yuan-Ti revealed, the crew decided to find and kill Sehssahtish. Shokizu has a personal vendetta to settle and Lady Avrethi is concerned that her daughter is plotting against her.
The crew descended in to the depths of the castle, at first escorted by a servent named Rootvarat. He told the crew that the Diabolist Romain Algernon had already followed this path looking for whatever came through the Nexus Portal. Romain hasn't returned yet. Judge told Rootvarat that 'Judgement is coming for Romain'. The crew also kind of tried to recruit this guy and he said that he might meet them when they return.
Deeper in the castle, the crew came across a room frozen in time. A Yuan-Ti was sitting the throat of a human. The pair, and the objects in the room, kept blinking in and out of existance. Shokizu killed the Yuan-Ti.
Deeper still was a room dominated by a fountain of blood. There were six depictions here of Yuan-Ti killing humans - slitting a throat, suffocation, poisoning, a spear to the heart, a venomous bite and being pushed from a balcony. The fountain was demonic magic.
After progressing through a door of flesh, the crew saw a glimpse of a strange figure in the darkness. The continued forward to a room of spikes and chains where they were ambushed...
Report Date
16 Aug 2024
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