Session 25 - "No Flesh for the Wicked, Ruins of Gauntlight - Part 12"

General Summary

Wealday, 5th of Desnus, 4721 AR

Gauntlight Keep

Level 3 - Library

Restricted Section

10.51a

Within this restricted section, the books and shelves is disarray, some smashed and strewn about. A much starker contrast to the order and care shown in the main library. The double doors to the north are made of stone and decorated in a feminine shape and chiseled with a tableau of empty graves. Giving threat are two more ghoul cultists as well as four additional ghouls.
Tristan rushes into the room and directly confronts one of the cultists, slicing into it with his smoking sword, but he fails to demoralize the creature. It responds in turn by raking its claws through his shield, just catching him. The fighter manages to shrug off its debilitating effects and knocks the ghoul off-balance. Its follow-up strike misses and in turn it pulls a piece of flesh from a familiar necklace and consumes it, an act that appears to reinvigorate it. The first ghoul makes its way towards the door and leaps out at Ehrn, missing wildly. Ehrn begins to rage as she rips into her foe with the ghost-touched glaive, nearly rending limb from limb. She then shoves the monster back into the room with her following close behind it. The second Canker cultist steps towards the double doors to the north and takes a defensive stance. Kalitos tumbles into the room, coming up behind the ghoul. Taking advantage of the position, he quickly cuts the beast down. The third ghoul rushes the magus and scratches him with its claws. Kaliff follows his brother in and lashes out with an electric arc at two of the ghouls. A third ghoul scurries towards Kalitos as well and slashes him. Zor'ahn engages the new threat and his shadow instantly eviscerates it. The fourth ghoul lumbers to the ranger, but is ineffective. The second cultist begins calling for the High Priestess to come to his aid.
Tristan enflames his sword and scorches his cultist. In turn it slashes back and he feels his muscles lock up in paralyses. Almost causally it eats another piece of flesh. Ehrn rushes to her husband's aid and nearly impales the offender. The other cultist pushes open one of the double doors revealing a long hallway continuing north. He pleads once again for the priest. He tries to get past Zor'ahn, but is unable to continue. Instead it rips his claws into his body, freezing him in place. Kalitos casts shielded arm and it takes on a stony appearance, which he uses to intercepts its attacks. Kaliff fires a phase bolt at the second cultist, flinging it into the wall to crumble on the ground. With a thought, Zor'ahn heals himself and Kalitos, but is unable to fight off his paralysis. The same offending ghoul slashes the ranger again before ripping flesh off one of his fallen brethren.
Tristan's body returns control to him and he strides towards the ghoul engaged with Kalitos. With a roar, he cleaves the monster to the floor. Ehrn suddenly charges across the room, but is unable to engage with her glaive. However, she quickly attends to Zor'ahn's wounds. The remaining cultist steps towards Ehrn but is unable to score a hit. Kalitos quickly positions himself behind the remaining ghoul, running it through with his sparkblade. Kaliff fires another phase bolt at the remaining Canker cultist. Zor'ahn heals Tristan and finally shakes off his own paralysis.
Tristan rushes the cultist and rips into him with his smoking sword. Ehrn rips her glaive through his body and it glances off the wall behind him. The cultist crumples to the floor. In the vast room beyond that looks like part of the library is in much the same shape. The form of another ghoul of feminine shape is visible, behind her which stands a hulking 15 ft. figure that is clothed in rotted robes. The priestess makes a welcoming gesture to Kaliff, beckoning him within. Kalitos puts himself in front of his brother and refocuses his spellstrike. Kalitos removes a scroll from his pouch and prepares himself. Zor'ahn moves to the stone door, waves, and then closes the door.
Tristan gathers with Zor'ahn and readies himself. The door to the south opens and a Canker cultist rushes Kaliff, missing wildly. Another charges Kalitos and is equally ineffective. Ehrn steps one a scores a hit with her glaive against the first one. Kalitos explodes a spellstrike against his attacker, and Kaliff steps back and arcs electricity between them. Zor'ahn repositions himself as his shadow slashes about the air.
Tristan plunges his sword into the second cultist, nearly ending him. The first rips into the ranger with his claws, but this time he is able to fight off its effects. Tristan's foe moves back and engages Zor'ahn before eating some flesh. Ehrn rips out with her glaive and disembowels the first cultist. Kalitos moves to flank and lands in his arcane stance. Kaliff fires a familiar bolt of energy. Zor'ahn quickly heals himself, but is unable to land a blow, either physical or mental.
Tristan just barely catches the cultist with his smoking sword, but it is still enough to cut it down. He turns to face the double doors. Ehrn takes point and readies herself as well. The Raiboren brothers take up positions. Zor'ahn moves as shadows flow over him, healing him.
The Exterminators quickly begin discussing tactics. Zor'ahn examines the iconography on the doors and he spies elements that are attributed to Nhimbaloth: open graves, a nine-eyed woman with ghostly tendrils wrapping her body.

Temple of the Canker 10.54a Decided on a plan, the double doors are flung open. Nothing immediately occurs, so Kaliff calls out in Aklo, "We wish to parlay!" The priestess replies in Taldane, "Good! I have been waiting for you. Come, let us parlay!" The party cautiously move forward into the area.
To room appears like a converted chapel, but the glass displays cases broken open betray its original purpose.

The high priestess looks past them into the restricted room and says, "I see you brought some bodies for me." Kaliff responds, "For the Canker." She smiles, "Yes, for the Canker." Zor'ahn and Tristan begin to engage her in conversation. Kaliff turns his attention to the hulking figure and realizes that she is in the process of making a flesh golem, though it does not appear to yet have the needed animating spark. Tristan offers the option of surrender since her and her ilk are outnumbered. However, the priestess replies that she is not yet finished her masterpiece and that those they have already killed will only rise again and again. Kaliff flatly responds that she wants to use the party for raw materials. She gestures with a finger and the two Canker cultists leap into action.
"Your flesh will be the most delicious," she replies to Tristan and a ray of dark energy shoots from the staff towards Tristan. His light is extinguished, but he is unharmed. The first cultist moves at Ehrn and slashes him. Kaliff steps forward and slashes the second cultist before snapping a magic shield in place. Ehrn attempts to launch an attack against the first but is unsuccessful. The second goes for Kalitos and wounds him slightly. Zor'ahn moves to flank and encourages Tristan to take the priestess. He launches a powerful strike against the first cultist. Tristan moves takes the priestess head-on. Kaliff arcs out electricity and hits both cultists.
The high priestess looks admiringly at Tristan. She reaches out and touches the fighter. He feels his lifeforce leech from his body. Her face contorts in ecstasy as she recharges her shield. The first cultist moves and slashes Ehrn. Kalitos attempts to a land a blow on the second cultist, but is unable to and changes his stance instead. Ehrn continues pressing her attack as the second cultist slashes Kalitos. Zor'ahn flanks with Ehrn while healing her and striking out at their foe, ending its unlife. Tristan rakes through the priestess shield with his sword. Kaliff apologizes to Kalitos as the shield of his brother's back suddenly flies to orbit Tristan.
The priestess begins to cast a spell, but Tristan's quick actions disrupt her with his sword. Kalitos is still unable to take the offense to the remaining cultist. Ehrn charges forward leading with her glaive, demoralizing her in the process. The cultist paralyses Kalitos and moves on Kaliff, but misses. Zor'ahn takes advantage of the cultist's new position and launches a mighty attack against him. Kalitos slams a phase bolt into the cultist.
The high priestess raises her staff. Tristan slashes her, but she still casts the spell and he finds himself slightly enfeebled. Olli snakes out with her tail, tripping the cultist prone. Ehrn continues to charge the priestess, slicing with her glaive as she goes. The cultist stands and eats some flesh before slashing the dark ranger, which fails to paralyze him. Zor'ahn ends him in response. He moves towards the priestess but misses with his attack. Tristan powers an attack through the priestess' defenses, demoralizing her again. Kaliff fires a phase bolt but misses this time.
The priestess whispers under her breath, "For the Canker." Tristan feels his protective amulet start to grow warm as a wave of void energy bursts from her, catching nearly the entire party. Kalitos is released from his paralysis. Ehrn slashes with her glaive. Zor'ahn heals himself and Kaliff before his shadow lashes out at her, nearly ending her. Tristan's arcs his smoking sword through the air, bringing the high bitch down for good.

Report Date

24 Nov 2024

Primary Location

Gauntlight Keep

Related Characters

• Ehrn Ricard
• Kaliff Raiboren
• Kalitos Raiboren
• Tristan Ricard
• Zor'ahn the Dark Ranger

Constellations