Session 17

Let the Games Begin!

Chapter 1: Out in the streets(PBP)

Rexar and Morhen head to a local tavern and Rexar uses his thieves' cant to make contact with a trio of dwarves. While Morhen stays inside, Rexar meets two of them outside in the streets. He learns, through the cost of some of his silver coin, that the local thieves' guild has nothing to do with the recent increase in crime. In fact, it is more likely that recently freed Tyrian slaves coming to the city might have more to do with the spike in petty crime.

Chapter 2: House Rees

Safi, Fazanna and Zyel meet with Federoth of House Rees. They speak with him while overlooking the crodlu stables.They learned that House Rees is concerned with the increase in crime and that they caught one thief but learned nothing of value. They also discovered that in one of their lost caravans they lost a vintage of fermented kank honey.

While taking refreshment, after their meeting, Safi speaks with Mirrus, a House Rees slave. Mirrus promises to lead them to a slave tribe that may be connected to the caravan raids or have information about them if they escort him and his family there.

Chapter 3: House Wavir

After discussing their findings the group heads to House Wavir. Passing underneath a wooden trellis with dangling vines they enter the large compound. They are greeted in the waiting room by Issha, a petite and attractive half-elf. After explaining they come as representatives of Mahlanda she sends them in immediately, much to the anger of those already waiting.

Their meeting is again with Polonious and Kleinla. They begin by discussing the increase in crime and the caravan raids without learning much other than House Wavir lost a rare Drajian dye and a lockbox full of coin. But when they question the pair about the attack on Praetor Verzonious Morhen spots out the sweat beading on Kleinla's bald pate. Pressing her she ends up confessing to arranging the attack, much to the chagrin of Polonious. The group agrees not to turn her in.

Chapter 4: Tawa at the Four Bits

At the Four Bits Inn the group met with Tawa in a private room but this time the guards would not leave. It was clear that she was not free to speak her mind as their friend. She was cold and communicated that her house was angry with mahlanda and the progression of things in the city. She did, however, manage to communicate subtly that she may be more free at night. The group left, planning to return that night.

Chapter 5: Return at night

Hoping to speak with Tawa under more congenial circumstances, they come back at night when she is alone in her room. They attempt contact through various antics; throwing rocks at her shutters, Safi becoming a lizard that gets chased by a baazreg, then hidden in a scarf, to a faux drunk flirtatious interlude between Fazanna and Morhen. Finally Safi shapechanges into a bug and makes his way through the cracks in the shutters and startles Tawa awake.

He learns that she is in a tough predicament with her house and wants to help but first needs their help. She makes three suggestions. The first is to enter the gladiatorial games and purposely lose. She will encourage her house to bet on them and they can tell Wavir to bet against them to make up for the lost lock box coins.

Secondly she encourages them to return tomorrow and confront her with information regarding House Tomblador's participation on the caravan raid. She even gives the name of the guard who led the attack, Vorash, to bolster their threat.

Lastly, to improve her standing, get Mahlanda to put a temporary hold on the buying and selling of slaves in Altaruk. This will raise her in the eyes of her house as a negotiator and she can better help the party and the Veiled Alliance.

Chapter 6: Meeting the Praetor

Requesting a meeting with the Praetor they are guided into a lush private garden. He explains that he hasn't much time and is curt with them. They learn that he will make his decision in two days time and to not hold out hope that he will approve Mahlanda. Safi leaks that there is a spike in crime which he takes note of and further explains that in order for him to approve, Mahlanda must have the approval of two of the three main houses and the third may be neutral at worst.

Chapter 7: The Games!

Five of the six members enter the gladiatorial games against Altaruk's Bloodsand Champions. At first, with Safi's summons, it appears that it will be too easy a fight and they might struggle to lose as they quickly bring down the half-giant, petal. Zyel plays her role and takes damage from beating down on Tok and getting hurt by his twin Tik's psychic feedback.
Fazanna, Magnamus and Rexar manage to next take down the halfling Crusher but then things begin to turn. Zyel is downed before the thri-kreen brothers leap over to Safi and drop him. Fazanna drops next to Korgil the Raver and the remainder of the group are getting worried that they might not be able to take out three of the champions and make the loss look convincing.

Shortly after Magnamus is downed Rexar is able to drop Tok with a well placed arrow but then he is quickly dispatched by Tik and Korgil. The crowd roars with its approval of the spectacle and though they lost they are still honored. They also successfully executed Tawa's plan.

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