Session 75

Journey to Raam

Chapter 1: Vitrified Sand

As they continued along the well-worn path, the familiar sand beneath their feet gave way to something unsettling. The road ahead gleamed unnaturally, reflecting the sun in sharp, blinding flashes. What had once been sand had transformed into a vast field of glittering glass, stretching across the landscape like a brittle, fragile carpet. Heat rose from the surface, distorting the horizon. With each step, the wind carried the faint sound of cracking and shifting, as if the ground might shatter beneath them.

Safi, using his knowledge of nature, quickly realized this was no natural occurrence—some intense source of heat had created the glass. He conjured two giant striders to carry them across, but their legs were quickly cut to ribbons. Shank attempted to wade through, managing about ten feet while cutting his feet but avoiding major damage. Finally, Karnos used his mystic nomad abilities to teleport the group across, successfully bypassing the deadly terrain.

Chapter 2: Risky Business

As they walked, the solid ground unexpectedly gave way, collapsing beneath them and dragging them into the darkness below. They tumbled into a massive underground cavern, their fall cushioned by something soft and warm. Dusting themselves off, they realized they had landed on Ankheg eggs, each as large as a small barrel and scattered in clusters around the cavern. Faint tremors in the earth signaled the approach of something massive—the parents were coming. Though the eggs were valuable, gathering them would take time, and danger was closing in.

Shank attempted to use his strength to carry a heavy egg but failed. Fazanna tried to stealthily take one but made too much noise. Safi, using his knowledge of nature, picked out the best eggs to grab. Gidwei deftly freed an egg with his sleight of hand, while Anvar strained to listen for the Ankheg but failed to detect it in time. Suddenly, one burst from the side of the cavern, spewing noxious gas at the group. Shiv, filled with rage, grappled the creature and pulled it away from the others, using his action surge to land a powerful blow with his hammer.

Another Ankheg appeared and attacked Fazanna, but she skillfully avoided its strikes with her beloved performer ability. Karnos, using his understanding of nature, selected appropriate eggs to snatch, while Cursy fled to safety. Safi, distracted by the gas, failed to identify more eggs, and a third Ankheg emerged, unleashing its poisonous breath. Shiv released the first Ankheg and grabbed a heavy egg, deflecting its attempted bite. Anvar spotted a suitable egg before Karnos used his mystic nomad ability to teleport them all out of danger. In the end, the group successfully secured three eggs.

Chapter 3: Fateful Encounter

As they traveled along the dusty road, the sun hung high in the sky, casting shimmering heat waves across the arid landscape. The air was thick with the scent of sun-baked earth and distant spices. Suddenly, a lavish tent caught their attention, a vibrant splash of color amidst the muted browns and golds of the desert.

The large, opulent tent was made of richly dyed fabrics rippling in the breeze, adorned with intricate patterns and golden tassels that glittered in the sunlight. Its entrance, draped in deep crimson and royal blue, stood out in stark contrast to the surrounding desolation. Around the tent, several low tables were piled high with exotic goods—shimmering silks, intricate pottery, and baskets of colorful, sweet-smelling fruits.

A soft melody floated through the air, harmonizing with the rustling fabric, while shadowy attendants moved gracefully in and out of the entrance, suggesting a world of luxury and indulgence inside. As they approached, a sudden warmth enveloped their minds, and a gentle, enticing whisper beckoned them forward: "Welcome, travelers. You are invited to enter and partake in the treasures within." The invitation resonated deeply, both alluring and unsettling, as if the air itself pulsed with hidden power.

Fazanna used her wand of Arcane Eye to peer inside but found her magic blocked by the solid tent. Safi summoned two azers, but they vanished upon touching the tent door. Karnos attempted to use his psionic ability to see inside, but he, too, encountered an invisible barrier.

Chapter 4: An Offer

Shank stepped forward and opened the tent flap, and as he did, the group was drawn inside. Crossing the threshold, they entered a world of extravagant opulence. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, their deep and vibrant colors illuminated by the flickering light. The scent of incense filled the air, mingling with the aroma of exotic spices. In the center of the spacious tent, an imposing Kaisharga reclined on an ornate throne made of dark, polished wood, its surface carved with swirling patterns that seemed to writhe in the dim light.

Flanking the Kaisharga were two robed figures with elongated necks disappearing into the shadows of their hoods, exuding silent authority. Across the room, two others stood in religious vestments, their hands hovering above a scrying pool filled with shimmering liquid, reflecting fleeting visions of distant lands and arcane secrets. Around the chamber stood six armored guardians in gleaming metal plate, their visors reflecting the torchlight, their presence alert and dangerous.

The Kaisharga’s eyes burned with an emerald glow as it raised a skeletal hand, beckoning them closer. "Come, friends," it rasped, its voice a haunting melody filled with both promise and peril. "You have come at an opportune time. Let us converse and see what deals can be struck in the shadow of this grand canopy." Its emerald gaze locked onto them, and a sly smile revealed sharp, jagged teeth. "Ah, the broken crown you carry," it crooned, voice smooth but tinged with menace. "Such artifacts hold great power, and I am not one to let such treasures slip away unclaimed."

The Kaisharga then outlined three tempting yet ominous offers: the Amulet of the Veil’s Embrace, a magical item that granted protection; the Favor of the Kaisharga, a one-time pact for aid in exchange for the crown pieces; and the Boon of Shadowed Paths, a blessing to avoid dangerous consequences. Its anticipation was palpable as it warned them to consider carefully, hinting at dire consequences if they left without making a deal.

After deliberating, the group voted and refused all of the Kaisharga’s offers.

Chapter 5: The Price for Refusal

Karnos acted swiftly, casting Intellect Fortress, but the Kaisharga countered it with a dismissive wave. He then used his Master Tactician ability, granting Shiv an opening. The Kaisharga, smiling darkly, cast Time Stop, but Fazanna reacted immediately, attempting to counter it. In a cruel twist, the Kaisharga counterspelled her attempt and then, with a gleeful grin, stole the crown pieces and three powerful magic items from the group. His sinister smile lingered as he commanded his warriors to kill them before vanishing, teleporting away with the dray clerics and wizards.

As time resumed, chaos erupted. Gidewei called upon his power to turn the undead, managing to repel one warrior, but fear gripped him from another. A warrior lunged at Fazanna, swinging three times, but missed thanks to her Cloak of Displacement. Anvar, also stricken with fear, used his wand to cast Haste on Shank. Another warrior closed in on Shiv, slashing viciously into him. Shiv retaliated but missed, and the warrior struck him twice more, the blows laced with both slashing and necrotic damage. Fazanna, shaken and frightened, activated her Bladesong but missed her enemy twice. Another warrior lashed out at her, but she quickly cast Shield, protecting herself as the warrior shifted its attack to Anvar, landing two strikes, one a devastating critical hit.

Shank, also frightened, lashed out four times at a warrior, hitting once before using his agility to dodge incoming blows. One of the undead warriors turned by Gidewei fled to the corner of the tent. Safi conjured goraks, surrounding the warriors in a wild flurry of claws and bites. Meanwhile, Shiv, undaunted by fear, flew into a rage, drawing an attack from a warrior before hurling a javelin and striking another.

Safi used his performer’s grace to cause a warrior’s attack to miss, though another struck him. The goraks attacked, landing a few successful hits, while Cursy cowered at Shank’s feet. Shank, emboldened by the haste spell, struck down a wounded warrior, then moved swiftly to engage another, landing a blow. The warrior retaliated, striking him with two vicious sword hits.

Karnos, with a cry of "pew pew," unleashed his blasting crystal, damaging the warriors before using Master Tactician again to grant Shiv advantage. The warrior struck Shank once more, but Shank shielded himself before the warrior landed a critical blow. Safi, wildshaping into a hatori, bit down on a warrior, thrashing with his tail, but the warrior retaliated fiercely, grappling the hatori in its jaws. Shiv, still gripped by fear, unleashed a powerful critical strike, tripping and killing a warrior. Another warrior closed in on Safi, delivering a critical hit that forced him out of his wildshape, but missed its follow-up attacks.

Gidewei attempted to strike a warrior twice but missed, only to face two retaliatory blows. Anvar dodged, while Cursy ran back to the safety of Shank’s legs. The goraks, though mostly frightened, managed to land a few bites and claw attacks. Fazanna, trembling with fear, failed with her Lightning Lure spell and a dart attack. Shank, finding an opening, cast Burning Hands before turning invisible. The warriors continued their relentless assault, one landing a sword blow before Karnos commanded Gidewei, Fazanna, and Shiv to attack with his psionic ability, Urgent Violence. Gidewei struck with his rapier, channeling divine smite, while Fazanna missed her Firebolt. Shiv hurled his javelin, landing another hit.

The battle raged on as a warrior landed two more sword strikes. Anvar used Vitality Boost to heal himself, dodging and retreating. Safi, still fighting, endured three more sword strikes. Shiv, summoning his courage, activated the lightning ability of his javelin with the command word "Shiv," killing two more warriors in a flash of power. Fazanna, still frightened, missed with her attacks, while Gidewei struck again with divine smite. As the last warrior attempted to strike, it missed, and Fazanna landed the final blow.

As the last warrior fell, the entire tent, along with everything inside, dissipated into the air, leaving only a lingering sense of dread in its wake.

Chapter 6: Arrival in Raam

After a grueling and exhausting journey, the group finally reached the gates of Raam. The city's chaos was palpable, but a fragile semblance of order allowed them to pass through the gates unscathed. Weary and worn, they pushed forward through the tumultuous streets and found refuge at the nearest inn, the weight of their travels still heavy on their shoulders. Inside, they were met with a brief but welcome respite, a moment of peace amidst the city's unrest.

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