Session 44

Current Date – 2466ASE Gedrus, Rakator, Emergence 2^nd (Sept 24, 2022)

Day 148-154

The group made preparations and left the sanctuary of Jaubala to investigate the status of Drogan's Skeletal Legion. The journey was a surprisingly pleasant 6 day hike through the back country of Traeconia.

When the group arrived at the former pirate haven, they found that the city had been almost completely cannibalized and turned into 3 ships and a giant wall of stone, bone and wood. They also witnessed an assault of demonic forces against the shipyard which Drogan's Legion was able to rebuff.

After the wave of demons and undead retreated from the assault, the group saw their opportunity to approach and engage in parley. At first they were met with high levels of defense, but, eventually a creature emerged that called itself Kalis, High Priest of Crovain and Commander of the Legion. He attempted to recruit the group but would not introduce the group to Drogan. Eventually, General Drogan arrived on his own and engaged the group directly, especially after Amber mentioned Johannes and showed the amulet given to her by Drogan's Brother, Commander Rask.

After some deliberation, Drogan realized that this group would resist direct recruitment, but, knew they could be of use as mercenaries to distract the demonic hordes. It was agreed that regardless of whatever animosity the group and Crovain had between each other, that Orcus and the Exile were an “Enemy of my Enemy” situation and both sides agreed to a mutual truce. Drogan also revealed some information that his orders are to march on Re-Tha's Crown against the Exile. He also once attempted to march on DLR, but, was at a large disadvantage due to him being underwater. Drogan's “payment” for hiring the PCs was to leave behind all the valuables in the city when they leave which the PC's can have. This of course requires that they survive and distract Orcus's horde long enough for them to build their final ships and leave the mainland behind.

Day 155

The group set out toward the location in the Araksyl Wood to the East where Drogan's spies told him that Orcus had made a portal. It just so happened to be in the location of an ancient village known as Brigandbough, a site tainted by evil.

During their journey through the forest, they were assaulted by shadows and shadow demons. Both creatures which are remnants of both the undead and demons which do not pass on to their appropriate afterlives and remain to haunt the prime. This made sense given the intense battles occurring nearby. The group dealt with the shadowy menace with some loss of resources and continued on, but, knew that more such creatures still haunted the forest around them.

Day 156

As the group was waking up from a night in the woods, they were approached by a bodak surrounded by zombies. This bodak was carrying what appeared to be a battle standard and it was using it to spread kyuss worms which were looking for ancient corpses of dead smugglers and pirates to raise for the next wave against Drogan's Legion. Qo decided to act as a distraction while the others fled. They thought better of taking on the brunt of an army of the damned, especially when they had the ability to throw around infernal worms. Qo was able to destroy some of the mass, but, the horde continued to grow and assemble so a retreat was called. Luckily the horde did not seem directly interested in the group and they were able to escape.

Day 157

While making their way around to the north side of the village in order to come at the location from a more advantageous angle, they were approached by a young elvish woman and an older human man who were asking for help and running from a group of ghasts. A quick investigation and use of divine sense revealed these two humanoids to actually be demons in disguise. The ghasts attacked the group in mass and the demons used their infernal power to keep the ghasts active. Eventually, though, the group was successful in the encounter, and prevented the demons from retreating.

Day 158-159

The group finally made their way to Brigandbough where they found that nearly the entire village had been swallowed into an abyssal pit. In the center of the crater was a large fleshy sack surrounded by 5 cultists and protected by a Glabrezu demon. The demon saw the group approach and a grand battle was about to begin...

REWARDS

No rewards found

COMBAT SUMMARY

Numerous Shadows

3 Shadow Demons

Numerous Zombies

1 Bodak

7 Ghasts

2 Maurezhi Demons

PERSONAL SIDE STORY PROGRESS

Church of Light (Temple Level 1)

Guild of Ecstasy (Establishment Level 1)

Hospital Expansion (Tower Level 2)

Amber's Followers – 34

Concordance – 90

Piety level 1 (3pts)

Xorta's Lyre – 4 strings of 10 repaired

No Madness