GoCorral

This session was attended by Will, Trajan, Avery, Ben, and Jamie. Skype was used for voice and video chat while Roll20 was used as a virtual tabletop. Will intended to introduce a new PC during this session but the golden opportunity never showed up. Unfortunately he sat as a silent observer waiting for the perfect entrance that just never occurred.

Bolt Slip

Jingo began pulling himself up out of the hole in the ground. Eathirilu roughly said, “Don’t move.”
“What are you going to do? Kill me?” Jingo extricated himself. Eathirilu considered shoving the halfling back into the ground but realized he couldn’t as the hole closed behind Jingo as he left it.
Amalius said, “We were considering that. The Dahak gave us a mission to divide Nomingburg. Killing you, Nomingburg’s uniting force, seemed the easiest solution. Unless you can give us a reasonable alternative we may do just that.”
“I see,” said Jingo. He looked around at the party’s determined faces. “You’d really kill an old man like me?”
“We do what is necessary for Cimmeria.”
Eathirilu noticed that Jingo’s hand was inching towards a pouch on his belt. Jingo pulled out a crossbow bolt from the pouch. The druid shouted, “He’s got a bolt!” and cast flame strike. Jingo dodged out of the way but the rest of the room was scorched. The protective spells placed upon the party absorbed most of the friendly fire damage. Jingo sneered at Eathirilu and drove the crossbow bolt into his own thigh. The halfling instantly collapsed dead.
“He killed himself?” said Amalius. “He must have a game plan for returning to life. Let’s take a look around.”

The party spread out through Jingo’s Palace, looking for any clues of how Jingo might return. They searched his body and that of Elijas as well, taking all their magical items. Amalius also took this opportunity to place any valuable art objects he found into his portable hole.

The Black Blade Marches

The party’s search was interrupted by a sending that Hektor received from one of the wizards working for the Alliance, “Attacked by sahuagin. Their leader wields Kharad-Khor, the sword of Kruk-Ma-Kali. Help requested immediately. Leader is big. Has slain all challengers. Unnaturally good battle tactics.”

Hektor informed the rest of the party and they prepared to rush to the aid of the Alliance! Hektor teleported the group to the plaza outside of the Bradel Fields Courthouse.

The party teleported directly into the middle of a pitched battle. The metal statue of Zeus defeating Typhon still dominated the plaza center, but a scene of chaos surrounded it. A thin layer of sea water covered everything and the streets to the north and west were clearly flooded. Outside the courthouse to the southeast a battle raged between sahuagin invaders and the conscripted goblin army fighting for the Alliance. Small numbers of human and dwarf troops supported the goblin soldiers with Arendil, leader of the Alliance, directing everything from the courthouse steps.

Standing on the outskirts of the waterlogged tiles that surrounded the statue of Zeus and Typhon, just fifty feet west of the party, was an immense sahuagin. Over thirteen feet tall and bristling with muscles. His arms were thicker than the average oak tree trunk. He wore a suit of armor made from sharkskin with large pink seashells covering the joints. The Brute wore a massive belt around his waist and in his right hand, the blade of Kruk-Ma-Kali, Kharad-Khor, the Bloodthirster. Close by lay the stripped bodies of Astyanax and Kig Yupington, killed by the black sword. The Brute’s blue-green face darkened as he saw the party teleport in.

Eathirilu’s foresight warned him of impending danger and he immediately wildshaped into a tyrannosaurus after the teleport landed. Danar turned his eyes to a group of nearby sahuagin. He shouted to the party, “I’ll keep those guys out of the fight! You deal with big and slimy over there!”

Tagenadi and Eathirilu jumped into combat together. Tagenadi incited Eathirilu to charge at the Brute with his war master’s charge technique. They collided with the sahuagin, stunning the wits out of him. Hektor summoned a leonal to aid the fight.

Amalius teleported to the steps of the courthouse on the other side of the battlefield. He appeared in front of Arendil, the same man who had thrown him out of the Alliance. Amalius said, “How can I help?”
Arendil wrinkled his nose in disgust and shock before composing a more neutral expression. “Check on the southwestern barracks. The Ring Gate is there letting in reinforcements from Jipangu.”
“Got it.” Amalius immediately teleported away.

The battle against the Brute continued as Tagenadi slammed the huge sahuagin with his white raven hammer. Just as the Brute recovered the wind was knocked out of him once more. Eathirilu bit into the Brute, dealing a good chunk of damage. Hektor completed his summoning of a leonal, cast true strike, and flew in close to the Brute.

Just as the Brute recovered from Tagenadi’s devastating blow, Hektor hit him with another spell, irresistible dance. Without any magical protections, the spell forced the Brute to begin dancing instead of fighting back. Eathirilu and Tagenadi ripped into the Brute in his continually exposed state. Soon they realized, no matter how much damage they inflicted the Brute would not fall. Multiple grievous injuries covered his body. The sahuagin could only dance as Hektor spell commanded while expressions of rage and fury played across his face.

Amalius found the Ring Gate in perfect condition. Junai directed the arrival of Alliance troops from Jipangu. Satisfied that everything was in good order, Amalius returned to the fight against the Brute. He touched the Brute’s mind and detected two distinct entities within, the native sahuagin flinging himself against the prison of Hektor’s enchantment and Kruk-Ma-Kali, King of the Hobgoblins, patiently waiting for the spell’s duration to lapse. Amalius telepathically taunted his opponent, “You chose a poor vessel for yourself, Kruk. An unwieldy cudgel.”

Kruk gave no response.

Amalius followed his taunt up by opening a portal to the negative energy plane underneath the Brute and Tagenadi. A dark miasmatic pillar blasted out of the ground. This energy invigorated Tagenadi, giving him additional fighting strength, but not so for the Brute. The sword, Kharad-Khor, absorbed half of the miasma while the other half stripped away a healthy portion of the Brute’s life energy. Amalius followed the first pillar up with three more as Tagenadi and Eathirilu continued to physically assault their opponent. Eathirilu’s death ward protected him from any residual black energy that touched him.

When Hektor’s spell wore off the Brute was momentarily free to act on his own. Kruk-Ma-Kali spent his brief moment of freedom to psionically attack his foes, but the heroes minds were accustomed to such intrusions and the hobgoblin’s attempt was thwarted. Tagenadi was ready when Hektor’s spell wore off. He planted his feet just so, raised his kusari-gama above his head, and brought it down to strike the Brute once more with the stunning force of the white raven hammer technique. Tyrannosaurus Eathirilu took the Brute in his jaws and began grinding his teeth together further mulching the mighty sahuagin’s devastated body. Tagenadi knocked Kharad-Khor out of the Brute’s hands. Hektor snatched the sword up using telekinesis magic.

As was his habit, Hektor had sealed his thoughts from intrusion that morning with a mind blank spell. Even this formidable wall did not stop Kruk-Ma-Kali when in close proximity. Psionic energy pulled at Hektor, threatening to take his consciousness into the sword. Fortunately Hektor had fine mental defenses besides his mind blank. Kruk-Ma-Kali could not penetrate Hektor’s thoughts and the accomplished wizard dropped the sword into his portable hole, cutting the Hobgoblin King off from the world.

The Brute continued to struggle against Eathirilu’s grasp, but his weakened state brought about by Amalius’s magic ruined all hope of escape. The titanic rage that had sustained him ran its course and he collapsed under his wounds. The Brute was defeated without landing a single blow against the party.

Danar’s battle had gone in his favor as well. Soon the sahuagin leaders called for a retreat. They went backwards into the sea.

Arendil the Unmovable

An emergency Alliance Council meeting was called. Tagenadi and Amalius were invited to attend despite their exile, along with Eathirilu and Danar. Hektor was already on the Council and thus obviously included. Also in attendance were Arendil, leader of the Alliance and representative from Jipangu; Titandra, blind seer and representative from Restnor’s Point; Björn, eccentric psion and representative from Dalleer; Erick, Torin’s old friend and representative of the Dwarves; and Junai, survivor of Phoenix and general of the Alliance.

Arendil began, “The city and the Alliance are saved in no small part due to your actions. I thank you, the city of Bradel Fields thanks you, and the Alliance as a whole thanks you.
“However this does not dismiss the concerns we have about your group’s actions.” Turning to Hektor, Arendil said, “I see the rumors were true. You have been traveling with and aiding these exiles?”
“Yes. I’ve seen their power and skill. We have the same goals. It would be foolish not to work with them.”
“The Council has a different stance on the issue. You are young and do not remember the First Alliance.” Arendil pointed at Amalius, “The same Alliance that his grandfather created only to betray and destroy. The attacks on Dalleer and Greshen Dale only confirmed our concerns. Amalius cannot be trusted. We cannot lift his exile.”
The Björn said, “Oh there’s no hard feelings about that. I’d been saying to myself for awhile, ‘I need a new palace. I should just burn this one down and start fresh.’ A visit from our friends was just the kick in the pants I needed.” The Björn winked at Amalius.
Arendil tightened his lips before speaking, “Be that as it may the destruction of the Red Orb drove Greshen Dale straight into the arms of the Xorians. Given Amalius’s own past we can’t even be sure that he isn’t still working for the Xorians whether knowingly or not.”
Amalius pointedly glared at Arendil, “When did I say I wanted to come back? Huddled here, waiting for the storm that’s coming? I’m out there trying to stop the dragovinians. What have you done?”
“Your methods are inexcusable. Increasing our chances against the dragovinians, but at what cost? You would throw away our humanity the smallest advantage!” Arendil stood while shouting and gestured at Tagenadi. “I will not take the Alliance down that path. The people of Cimmeria will not stand for it either.”
Eathirilu spoke, “Don’t you see what’s coming? I have seen it in my dreams every night. Every inch of land will be burned. Ash will blot out the sun and nothing will grow in the soil. The world will be consumed and all that will remain will be dragovinian horrors, feeding on each other after we are gone. Only our group can defeat dragovinians. We have the strength that is needed.”
Arendil responded, “You are not the only ones who have stood toe to toe with the dragovinians. Astyanax, Kig, Junai, and Gradorian all fought in the Battle of Phoenix against the dragovinian generals. We still have veterans who participated in the fight against the dragovinian infantry units. I think the Alliance has just as much experience fighting dragovinians as you do.”
Eathirilu continued, “What of Blendegad? What happens when he spreads his wings over Bradel Fields and the other cities of the Alliance? How will you fight that?”
“Blendegad is bound by the same rules as the other gods. He will not enter the battlefield unless the Olympians do so first and the Olympians are on our side with few exceptions. We have nothing to fear from him.”
“You really think he’ll follow what the Olympians say? First chance he gets, he’ll fly into this city and burn it to the ground!”
“Blendegad has shown every indication that he follows the same rules as the Olympians. In the two year siege prior to the Battle of Phoenix he only participated directly in events after one of the gods had done so first. He will not risk a conflict that would rival the Titanomachy when he is so outnumbered.”
The meeting paused as Arendil collected himself. He folded his hands on the table in front of him and continued, “I am reluctant to discuss strategic matters in front of Amalius and Tagenadi and those who travel with them. As much as I would like to trust you, your allegiances and motives will always be suspect.”
Amalius said, “I am a master of minds. I have looked into my own mind and it is clear of Xorian influence.”
“Be that as it may, you have been wrong before. You both remain a threat to the Alliance and what it stands for. Until the Council is convinced otherwise, your exile remains.”
“And what of my family? Surely they can’t be a threat to you?”
“There is no reliable assurance you could give me that they are not acting as your agents or that they do not have the capability to act as such. Their exile remains. Perhaps if you refrained from hampering the Alliance’s efforts for say… three years, I could be convinced to lift their exile. But I don’t see that happening at this rate.”
Amalius pushed himself away from the table and left the room. Eathirilu moved to say something, but held it in and left behind Amalius along with Tagenadi and Danar.
Arendil turned to Hektor, “Do you intend to continue traveling with these people?”
“I do. As I said, it would be foolish to squander their strength. I can direct them towards constructive ends.”
“I certainly hope so. My concerns still stand. If you travel with Amalius he may glean information on Alliance troop positions and other secrets and pass it on to Xorians, all without either of you knowing it.”
“Even through the walls we have set around our minds?”
“Anything is possible.” Arendil sighed, “If you choose to travel with Amalius and Tagenadi then you can no longer represent Aractrash in the Alliance Council.”
“You can’t strip me of that position! Only the King of Aractrash can!”
“Yes, as I understand it he never gave you the position in the first place. Aractrash is only now formally extending the olive branch to join the Alliance. King Staynard may wish to appoint a different ambassador and I will be sure to let him know who the Council would consider appropriate.”
Hektor stood, “I will discuss this with the King.”
“Do what you think is right.” Arendil paused before continuing, “One more thing, Hektor. The Druid’s Prophecy that could return Zeus to life. Pluto is plotting to take it for himself and Tagenadi is his pawn. We may still require your cooperation in recovering the final pieces of the prophecy. The guard placed around the Rock of Prometheus was… formidable. Your group might be the only way for the Alliance to reclaim the prophecy pieces. We will be sending you information on these pieces as we receive them. It would be best if you made no mention of them to Tagenadi.”
“I understand.”
Hektor said his goodbyes to the Alliance Council members and made his exit. He met the others outside. Hektor took Tagenadi and Eathirilu back to Lakatia. Danar and Amalius took a detour back to Jingo’s Palace in Nomingburg. They wrote in blood on the walls, “Victory goes to the strongest,” hoping that this would spark a war between the assassins guilds and divide the city. Amalius grabbed some art and they went to Lakatia.

Others of Kind

Back at Lakatia the group had a moment of “What next?” Two battles against fearsome foes in one day and they still chugged on. Hektor peeked in his portable hole and said, “Why don’t we talk to Kruk-Ma-Kali? See what he knows?” Everyone else agreed. Tagenadi was put forward as the one to pull the sword out. His undead mind could not be manipulated in the same ways as the others. Kruk would not be able to control him.
Tagenadi pulled the sword out and Amalius said, “Hello Kruk, remember us?”
“All too well… And were you not protected from my influence I would have you kneeling before me as the kings of the Conclave kneeled long ago.”
“We’ve got some questions for you Kruk. Will you answer them?”
“I might or I might not.”
Amalius glanced at the rest of the party before speaking again, “Why the Brute?”
“I’m the brains and he was the muscle. Doesn’t matter who I take over because I’m in control. Might as well be the biggest, baddest one of them all.”
“And why attack Bradel Fields?”
“To get to my people in the east! Those sahuagin had no idea how to fight on land or what supplies to bring so we just raided them from Bradel Fields. Would’ve been in and out in no time.”
At this point the party connected a few dots. Torin had received a prophecy from Athena (Xorian Wars 39/Alliance 28) which stated
“When the black blade marches
Pay it no heed
For I control it
Of intervention there will be no need

Instead turn your heads
To others of kind
For with them the horse marches
And he plays his own side

And with the horse comes
The long lost return
To the one made of bones
And the family he spurned”
The black blade was Kharad-Khor! And Athena had told them to “pay it no heed.” They’d somehow messed up Athena’s plan by intervening! But what about the “others of kind?” The group asked Kruk-Ma-Kali about that.
“You mean you don’t know? Whoever you hired for military intelligence, they aren’t doing their job.”

Kruk told them that after he’d been taken from the party by Terroc (Xorian Wars 23/Alliance 15), he’d been given to the sahuagin. The shark men and the other underwater races had been planning an attack in Poseidon’s name on Xorian-controlled Phoenix. Kruk had other goals in mind, wishing to return east to the lands of his people, the hobgoblins. Kruk forced the sahuagin to break off from Poseidon’s main force to raid Bradel Fields for supplies. The main attack proceeded at the same time upon Phoenix.

Tabling the discussion with Kruk for another time he was thrust back into Hektor’s portable hole. The party made minimal preparations and teleported to the south of Phoenix across the Curving Stream. The city had clearly been flooded and attacked by ballistic weapons, but the Xorian flag still flew and people in red and black still patrolled the damaged battlements. Poseidon’s army was nowhere to be seen.

There was a request made by my players for me to reveal the Brute’s background and skills. I’d pumped this encounter up before the session and nothing came of it due to their perfect stun lock.