Session 52 (9/13/13)

*The Suckers and the Sucked*

Verne, Martenin 22nd, 838 ID  

Soon after the close victory in Castle Floivin, Doorjamb and Captain Lesper take off together to some unknown destination, leaving the rest of the PCs to 'clean up' the mess. They do so, looting the useful arms and armor off the githyanki forces, and then searching the rest of the first floor for survivors. They discover the newly appointed Treasurer of Floivin, one Coven, stuffed in the bottom of a desk in the Castellan's Office, who is escorted out by Mistlethroe; and the Regent herself placed in some sort of necromantic stasis and set aside in one of the ornamental suits of armor in the Regent's Meeting chamber/study. She is grateful for the rescue, though rather peeved that the invasion took place to begin with, and implores the party to seek out any other survivors. They find dozens of corpses of both castle staff and petitioners in the front foyer to the castle, which answers that question. Determined to leave the charnel house, the Regent and the PCs step outside, the body of Ginkwrench in tow, and they meet up with Hoary, Banghorn, and Schnoo, who appears to have been frizzle fried, losing much of his hair and personality in the process.

The burgundy robed wizard informs them that while he wasn't able to put an end to the githyankis' dragon battle platform, he did in the riders and managed to use a taxing spell to permanently transform the creature into a large red lake fish, which will make some angler happy in the upcoming seasons. The Regent and Hoary order that some soldiers comb over the upper levels of the castle to ensure there are no more survivors or enemies, and then the group begins to debate whether or not to pursue immediate retaliation into the Astral Plane. Mistlethroe, the resident 'expert', advises against it, since the Fell Queen will be aware of any force moving in on the mercane trade vessels, there aren't enough local wizards who can 'plane shift' an army directly onto the Fell Queen's stronghold, and training them all to 'fall' through the Astral might prove disastrous. Instead, it is ultimately decided that Schnoo and Mistlethroe will moor the Flabbergast Manor onto its lakeside Prime Material location indefinitely, so as not to invite further knowledge of their location to hostile forces. Hoary posthumously promotes Ginkwrench to Captain, and also promotes Banghorn to that rank, and Gruulsh to that of Lieutenant. Before rejoicing, the PCs head to the Cathedral of Blades to deal with the gnome barbarian's remains...

When they arrive, several of the PCs notice a large, golden-furred bat suspended from one of the statues atop the Cathedral. Gruulsh begins to scale the church, and the others argue about what to do, when Conniff blows out the front doors and tells them to leave it be, stop climbing the sacred place, and come inside. He takes specific notice to Lord Ballyhoo, whom he orders into his office. Meanwhile several acolytes come to take Ginkwrench's (looted) remains. Neddyn, flashing his wasp symbol of Radhol Thidhe around in the open, is confronted by a rigid female acolyte who tells him to put it away. A snoring, cloaked figure sits in the back pew of the church, and Mudgol and Gruulsh take an interest, to discover a golden haired gnome who has 'squatted' here for some time now. In Conniff's office, he accosts Ballyhoo for his recent actions with a female acolyte which resulted in her pregnancy (purportedly the bard's child!). The minstrel agrees to pay some cash to take care of the inevitable offspring, though he insists upon seeing the poor woman, which the bishop will simply not allow. Tired of the chaos of his party, Baro decides to head out for a drink at the Fiery Rat. Ballyhoo nabs Neddyn and heads for the Seven Flood Inn.

Before the rest of the PCs leave, Conniff informs the golden gnome, Aylward, that perhaps these men have the 'cause' he's been looking for, and that he and his bat should be gone and make some use of themselves. The gnome reluctantly agrees to speak with them, and he follows them out to the Armory Square. After arriving at the Fiery Rat, Baro has a heart to heart with Odd Jon and Flake, before the three decide to get drunk to the memory of Ginkwrench. In the midst of this desobering, a band of polite, black-clad halfling minstrels enters the Rat, and requests permission to perform: Machli and His 'Pies, so they are called. They are skilled and diverse musicians, able to handle requests and immediately pick up business for the Rat, since everyone wants to know who the band is. After some mingling in between songs, the halflings up and leave, believing that they've made the right impression on Odd Jon and will be invited back to perform. Baro stays a bit later before heading back to the barracks at Armory Square.

Meanwhile, Ballyhoo drags Neddyn to the Seven Floods Inn, where the bard is met with great fanfare, and the cripple given preferential treatment for his company. The two are bathed and then fed royally, and a crowd begins to gather once Ballyhoo performs. As usual, a flock of females surrounds the handsome bard, and one persistent woman name Skara makes several 'offers' at Neddyn, who rightfully seems frightened by her outrageous accent and unwelcome amorous advances. Despite Ballyhoo's encouragement, the gnome spurns the woman, but not before she makes off with the bard's platinum. Seeing that the gnome is possibly depressed, and hideously garbed, Ballyhoo snags him once more and drags him over to Swyft the Tailor, who is currently closed, but makes an exception when he sees that it is the noted bard at the door. Swyft is determined to take the raunchy, crippled priest and perform a great transformation....Ballyhoo leaves him off overnight in the capable clothier's hands.

After checking out their vault's safety under the burned Royal Leathers, Mudgol and Gruulsh arrive at the Armory Square with the gnome paladin and his bat, the latter of which perches directly on top of the barracks. Mudgol is almost saddened to find no practical jokes awaiting him. In fact, it turns out that the last two privates who were quartered in Mudgol and Baro's bunks died earlier that day against the githyanki's dragon. Sad times indeed. Some curious soldiers gather outside, and one, a Pvt. Enraz decides he wants to join the PCs unit, so as to procure a dire bat mount for himself (not exactly 'aware' of the truth, dealing with the half-orc diviner). He is told by Gruulsh that he must pass a sparring challenge with her to get into their unit, and it's agreed the two will meet the following morning and duel. The PCs go to their bunk to sleep, Lightwing and Aylward actually sharing a bed together...and then, a drunken Baro lurches in, seeing the ridiculous sight of a giant bat, bugbear and half-orc in his bunk, he lets loose a thunderstone in drunken rage! The stone explodes, causing Lightwing to freak out and smash through the roof!

The commotion attracts angry comments from neighboring barracks, and a shirtless Commander Hoary comes to discipline the PCs, ordering them to repair the whole the next day. But Baro has already fallen into deep sleep...Gruulsh wakes up later to do her rounds in the city, and Ballyhoo makes one more 'stop' at the Cathedral of Blades to learn that his 'sweetheart' has been stashed at a convent in Nobbish, but most of the party has finally drifted off to dreamland.

Essel, Martenin 23rd, 838 ID 

In the morning, after taking his breakfast, Ballyhoo is shocked to discover a divine vision of fashion having arrived at the Seven Floods, showing him up! And it is none other than the cripple Neddyn, whose rose fashioned garments eclipse any in the city. And then the gnome hands Lord Ballyhoo the bill for these tailoring services, and shock ensues. Desperate to get the money he needs, he heads out to join up with the rest of the party. Gruulsh has knocked out Pvt. Enraz and several other soldiers, and along with Mudgol, Lightwing and Aylward, they are repairing the roof to the barracks. Once united, the party goes on a tour of the Keep to sell the stash they got from the githyanki, after putting a few choice items into the party treasure. They reward Aylward with a few complementary gifts, and then sell a huge pile of enchanted and masterwork weapons and armor to Dronn and Teven, who pay them handsomely. They then proceed to pick up a few scrolls and items they can afford, and divide the remainder of the loot amongst themselves, leaving Doorjamb's share with Hoary. Mudgol, unable to find another charity scrying mirror, commissions Dronn Bellowbroth to construct a new one, which should take about a week.

Next, the PCs meet with the newly minted Captain Banghorn, who is once again in charge of their missions, and they begin to discuss resettling their headquarters and vault, since the Royal Leathers is obviously not going to be of much use...

PCs: Aylward, Ballyhoo, Baro, Gruulsh, Mudgol, Neddyn 

NPCs

Machli (halfling male): Plucking at a lovely mandolin of ash and ivory, this smug and portly middle-aged halfling seems to smile with his amber-flecked eyes moreso than his jaw. Adorned in fine-fitting black-dyed leather armor, his rings are aglitter with silver and jewels, as is the hilt of the short sword strapped to his left leg. Machli is a wandering minstrel who travels with eight other musicians he refers to as his 'Pies, and they have recently set their sights on entertaining in Floivin Keep. Machli meets with Odd Jon, Flake and Baro at the Fiery Rat, where they offer their first performance. The evoker and dwarves are taken in with how tight and uniform their performance is, and their ability to draw customers and 'mingle' among them in between numbers.

Pvt. Enraz (human male): An 'ambitious', moustached young soldier in his early 20s, Enraz seems taken in with Aylward's bat mount after the gnome brings it to armory square. He speaks with Mudgol about joining the unit, but then faces a sparring challenge from Gruulsh. Although he tries to get out of the match with the bugbear and face Mudgol instead, he nonetheless shows up for the fight and is dispatched fairly quickly by the monk, though not so quickly as several others unfortunate enough to be chosen for 'training'.

Skara (human female): A swarthy, plump woman with curly black hair and glimmering, dark eyes, she is a prostitute who services the wealthy crowd at the Seven Floods Inn. She speaks with a strange accent that falls somewhere between Jersey and Philly, TWO PLACES THAT DO NOT EXIST IN THIS WORLD, and seems to take a liking to Neddyn Starkweather, if only because the cripple is dining in the presence of the ever popular Lord Ballyhoo.

Online/Tabletop Session 51 (8/23/13)

*Consequences*

Varony, Martenin 21st, 838 ID  

The heroes manage to pull themselves out of the Mothergorge in Badash, and then they make a brief trek across the Fyreklaw Barrens until they find a defensible outcropping of stone and cactus where they can make rest. Watchful eyes remain directed at Badash, wary of being tracked since the orcs had begun to 'purge' the pits of their slave town.

Verne, Martenin 22nd, 838 ID 

Lord Ballyhoo is shaken awake by Lt. Banghorn, who informs him there is an emergency in the city that might require his services. As the bard and cripple emerge from the Seven Floods Inn, Ballyhoo is shocked to see fire raining down from the sky, as a massive red wyrm threatens the Western half of Floivin Keep. They rush off to a temporary operation center where Commander Hoary is trying to put together a defense plan against this new, unexpected threat. Several members of the Arkana Arkiva are present, including the dean (Schnoo) and chancellor (Mistlethroe), who quickly put 2 and 2 together once they make out the invasion force that has captured Castle Floivin, murdered most of the servants and house guards, and who are now holding Regent Velvedine and an unknown number of other public officials captive inside... Hoary asks that the wizards recall the other PCs to send a team in to deal with the threat, while the scant Eidolorn soldiers deal with the dragon.

Thus, Mistlethroe uses scrying and teleport spells to snatch up the unwary Mudgol, as well as Doorjamb, the latter of whom is none too plussed to be pulled off the scent of his own prey. Captain Lesper comes along also. Meanwhile, Schnoo has recovered the rest of the party from the Fyreklaw Barrens, popping in as they broke fast and prepared to move off. The PCs are eventually all gathered at the operations center, where Mistlethroe begins to accost and accuse Mudgol of attracting the githyanki of Takesh're to Floivin Keep! According to the gnome, something on their quest to free the other Arkana Arkiva staff happened where the general location of the Flabbergast Manor's Prime Material location was revealed to the Fell Queen and her minions, who are raging angry at Mistlethroe and Mudgol. So they brought one of their dragon transports to the proper location, and plane shifted to the Prime to exact payback! Mistlethroe believes they found this information out from githzerai refugees who Mudgol and Rumpridge might have prompted to seek safety at Flabbergast...

At any rate, the githyanki have arrived and take over Castle Floivin to provoke their targets to action, and sure enough, it happens. Schnoo takes to the air for a spell duel against the red dragon, supported by all the artillery the Last Eidolorn can muster, and the PCs are ordered into the Castle to retrieve the Regent and eliminate the intruders. Mistlethroe blows through his clerical spells to heal up those PCs that are injured from their recent travails, and the group crosses ground quickly to the side and back of the castle, where Hoary claims there is at least one secret rear entrance disguised as one of the first floor narrow window/murder holes. Doorjamb is placed in command, and orders Ginkwrench and Gruulsh off the walls as they attempt to scale to the top of the Castle (possibly earning the attention of the genocidal dragon circling above). They finally find the secret entrance, and use the bugbear to stealthily scout ahead, while the rest of the party (which includes Mistlethroe and Odd Jon) trails behind. Gruulsh scales to the top of the corner tower but believes it is heading the PCs away from where they want to be.

Eventually, while on the second floor and clueless of much of the Castle (having only been in the Mopp's Welcome foyer and Bartlebuck Hall for their celebratory feast), Mudgol decides to use clairvoyance to find the enemy, setting it down on the first level Bartlebuck Hall where he thinks the astral invaders might have set up their defense. Sure enough, he spies a githyanki champion in there with a flashy, double bladed weapon spouting two forms of energy...along with a squad of mercenary warriors and gish witches, not to mention what appears to be a mind flayer! But then his spell is put out! The PCs now know where to plot their offensive, and so move down to the first floor where they enter a massive pantry area. Gruulsh listens at the doors, but unfortunately a lot of them have been locked by either the staff or the githyanki. So she begins to break them down, triggering a fireball attack from a gish witch awaiting in the Castle kitchens! She quickly dimension doors away in the next round, and the PCs come up with an idea to teleport Mudgol and one squad into the central Hall while the others attack through another door.

So the battle is joined, but once Mudgol and his squad port into the Bartlebuck Hall, they realize they are surrounded by a lot of opponent's the half-orc hadn't yet seen with his spell...including a hulking undead form and a score of aberrations (gricks) that have been molded into combat pets by the Fell Queen's legions. He realizes he has made a mistake, and after a round of combat begins, he uses another teleport spell to get them back out. Unknowing, Gruulsh breaks down the door into the central Hall, and with only Odd Jon and Baro for support, he jumps in, out of the direct path of the mind flayer, who seems to be observing and waiting for a chance opportunity to do something nasty. The monk is pinned down and fights desperately to survive against several casters, grick and other githyanki that assault him. Meanwhile, the githyanki captain and many of his forces have busted into the kitchen where they confront the rest of the group. Spells fly, and a grueling, detailed combat commences...most of the opponents seem less powerful than the PCs, but they have the numbers to compensate, and while Ballyhoo has hasted most of the party, so too have the gith witches hasted a number of the githyanki shock troops and their leader!

Gruulsh is inevitably brought down by a concentrated attack involving a hold spell, a wave of grick attacks and a githyanki assassin who appears in the fight, but she hasn't died and her wounds bind up naturally. In the main melee, Ginkwrench the barbarian engages the githyanki champion...it doesn't end well, as the gnome is obliterated by the massive damage from a series of lightning-speed attacks via the champions double-weapon. Once losing his temporary Constitution, our arm wrestling barbarian is embraced by oblivion, which enrages his companion to fight on harder. Neddyn remains busy healing where he can, while the three mage combo begins to slaughter the opposition, and Doorjamb hacks his way through any comers. Baro does manage to destroy the githyanki champion by penetrating his Spell Resistance, and at that point the mind flayer disappears, while having done nothing at all...!? The battle presses on, and much harm is delivered, but the PCs and their friends eventually wipe the floor with the remainder of the gith invaders. They suspect that several of the githyanki might have escaped out into the Keep, but the immediate threat in the Castle has been ended. They quickly loot the bodies of the enemy mercenaries, gather up Ginkwrench's belongings and set out to find what became of any hostages...

PCs: Ballyhoo, Baro, Doorjamb, Ginkwrench, Gruulsh, Mudgol, Neddyn

Online Session 50 (7/13/13)

Here is the link to the transcript of AIM online session 50.

PC: Doorjamb

Session 50 (7/26/13)

'The Fall of the Righteous Prick'

Varony, Martenin 21st, 838 ID

After the PCs carefully pick their way back out of the prison complex into the Mothergorge, they attempt to head back North where they might climb out to safety. Unfortunately, despite the orcs' enmity towards sunlight, Badash is still quite a busy town in the daylight hours, and there's a high likelihood of being spotted by the local guards and possibly the Gray sorcerers. While they decide upon a course of action, constantly looking behind them to see if Syriux is hot on their heels, they come across a gathering of gutter bums who are cheering on a pair of thugs fighting for money and pride. One thug takes out another with a slate knife hurled into the melee by a bystander, and then Ginkwrench goes in to challenge the victor, easily dispatching him. At the arrival of the PCs, Neddyn and Lhuno, the rest of the crowd disperses. It is decided ultimately that Mudgol will teleport himself, Ballyhoo, Demeskos and Lhuno to Floivin Keep with the corpses of the two other incinerated victims from the cells, while the remainder of the group (Baro, Ginkwrench, Gruulsh, Neddyn and Ymurf) will wait for Mudgol to return with more teleport spells.

Unfortunately, the plan goes awry...Ginkwrench, pridefully and antagonistically sitting in an open area in the middle of the Gorge, is come upon by Syriux, who with a few short words initiates another mortal feud! Baro, Gruulsh, and Ymurf join the gnome in dishing out whatever pain they can, but nothing seems effective against the Score's new enforcer. At one point a spell from Baro has some effect, but they are unable yet to discern what that effect was, and fear it might have actually bolstered Syriux's combat capabilities! With few options left to them, the PCs must flee after taking a lot of damage from the ex-slave's mighty fists, so they make their way back towards the prison complex where they initially had tracked the Score...but not before Baro cries out in Orcish to alert the natives to the presence of the infamous slave. Once inside, they set out to trace their steps back to where they first encountered Syriux. In doing so, they come across another patrol of Slaughtertree mercenaries and sorcerers...

Meanwhile, after transporting instantly to Royal Leathers at Floivin Keep, Ballyhoo takes Demeskos and Lhuno to the Cathedral of Blades in case they need any treatment, and also to let Lt. Banghorn know of his nephew Rumpridge's sad fate. Mudgol remains behind to do some scrying, first failing to detect Syriux and then succeeding in finding the tracker Luorn Stride, who appears next to an impossibly thin elf, standing on a very familiar city street and smoking his pipe. The half-orc panics, and rushes to a window so he can get a sight on if he's being watched. He is met by a hail of arrows, one of which is explosive and sets his face on fire! While Luorn presses his assault, Mudgol also hears the back door to the shop being turned, and fears he is about to be flanked by the mysterious elf Scroundel. Seeing no other choice, the half-orc uses his last teleport spell, not to return to Badash where his companions wait in the Gorge, but to the safe distance of Tarndrim across the Well...prompting exclamations of 'oooh shit' from the DM and other players.

Ballyhoo has better luck, though a male acolyte more or less pleads with the bard not to go near any of the female clergy at the Cathedral. Lhuno finds the 'heathen place of worship' most remarkable, being of the Lhazon race and religion. Banghorn is quite upset at the loss of his nephew, but he finds renewed vigor and determines to take himself off the 'disabled list' immediately, reporting with Ballyhoo over to Commander Hoary before the two go out and get raging drunk. They gather up Lhuno and Demeskos and head over, and then relate the progress of their adventure down south in Sothos Karr. Demeskos reveals more of why he had been kidnapped by the Score to work his magics upon the unstoppable Syriux should he become harmed, but once again, his failure to comply wound up in his imprisonment. Hoary beseeches Ballyhoo to sign up for the Last Eidolorn, but the bard politely refuses. Leaving behind Lhuno and Demeskos for further questioning and shelter, Ballyhoo and Banghorn head out into the Keep, unable at first to agree where they should go for a drink...

But down in Badash, the only drinking is blood! The clash against the orc patrol proves lethal, even if they are without their abyssal scorpion pets, the warriors and sorcerers unleash a savage exchange of spells and axe blows with our heroes. Black tentacles, acid arrows and scorching rays come flying, while Baro uses his vortex of teeth to break their resolve, and Neddyn tries to silence the enemy sorcerers. One wounded mercenary and one sorcerer both manage to escape up into the Slaughtertree Hold complex above the caverns, but not before Ymurf Gnarlbottom is slain by the grappling damage of black tentacles while he burns with acid. A sad loss, and yet the PCs quickly grab up his useful gear and attempt to pursue the fleeting orcs. They come to a wooden lift which is drawn up into the Hold, and debate whether or not to head up and continue the fight, or explore and double back around.

Mudgol has made it safely to Tarndim, where he meets with Hagel Ossted the farmer. For some reason unbeknownst to all, a slip in the conversation turns into the strange diviner concocting some lie about Gruulsh having been killed in Sothos Karr...which upsets Ossted and his daughters greatly. He plans to attend a memorial dinner with the family and then is offered a place to hole up for the night. In the meantime, though, he is treated to drinks by Blake Bauerkroft, the mayor, who assures the half-orc that there will be no further assassination attempts at the Steady Oar (referring to Doorjamb's temporary death just prior). The half-orc politely accepts all the freebies lavished upon one of his heroic status, while down South his companions struggle for their VERY LIVES! Unbelievable! Inconceivable! Irresponsible! Mudgol.

Back at Floivin Keep, Ballyhoo briefly returns to Royal Leathers to gather up the corpses Mudgol had transported, but when he arrives he finds a gathering of neighbors and soldiers trying to put out some fires...too late, of course, because the PCs' headquarters has been burned to its foundation! The corpses are burned even further than before, and the bard even detects that Mudgol's borrowed mirror, which was so difficult to procure from a local noblewoman, has been shattered in the blaze! The Score has obviously sabotaged their base of operations, though it doesn't seem that the subterranean vault down in the sewers has been affected...yet. Shocked and appalled, and thinking Mudgol might possibly have met his end, the bard and Banghorn head out to that drink...now with an added impetus.

In Badash, the PCs decide it best NOT to try tampering with the full might of Slaughtertree Hold in their reduced state, and so the four survivors trek back out into the Gorge, hoping to make it to one of the outer tunnels and climb to safety beyond the guards' reach...all the while asking, 'why have we been forsaken!?' Out somewhere in the Gorge, they think they can hear the commotion of Syriux fighting against a large amount of opponents...

PCs: Ballyhoo, Baro, Ginkwrench, Gruulsh, Mudgol, Neddyn

Rest in Peace...Royal Leathers.

Online Session 49 (7/12/13)

Here is the link to the transcript of AIM online session 49.

PC: Doorjamb

Session 49 (6/27/13)

Varony, Martenin 21st, 838 ID

The PCs enter the cavern complex beneath Slaughtertree Hold, moving cautiously since they expect the place to be heavily defended. Before long they have already attracted the attention of a group of orc guards at a nearby guard post, set up behind a low barrier, and battle commences...but unlike the humanoid tribes of Floivin Province, the orc mercenaries, including several of the 'Gray' sorcerers, prove incredibly difficult to kill, employing deadly magics and savage attacks. After Mudgol flings an evard's black tentacles to block off the back exit to the orcs' post, in which the PCs can hear more guards mustering, one of the sorcerers flings the same spell at the main body of the party, grappling everyone other than Rumpridge and Gruulsh! The battle becomes very nasty then, with the pair trying to fight through the warriors while the sorcerers continue to unleash nasty magics, like an acid arrow that burns Rumpridge.
 

Eventually, Mudgol gets his senses and is able to teleport himself, Ballyhoo and Ymurf to a free zone and enter the fray, but not before one of the sorcerers dispels his own tentacles and allows a pair of massive, fiendish scorpions and more orc mercenaries to join the melee. Rumpridge soon falls unconscious to the acid damage, while Baro remains strung up in tentacles, so the fight is still rather lopsided until Ginkwrench and Ymurf begin cutting enemies down, and Mudgol metes out several fireball attacks to wound the enemies. Ballyhoo manages a successful lesser geas on one of the orc warriors, who turns around to attack his own companions, but the battle gets edgy as Ginkwrench is beaten to a point at which he might die when his barbarian rage diminishes! After a second evard's black tentacles from an orc sorcerer, the outcome does not look good, but the group eventually pulls through after Ymurf Gnarlbottom deals massive damage to one of the giant scorpions, and the PCs are able to surround and take down the other.

After rifling the bodies and grabbing some of their masterwork gear, the PCs move on further to explore the cavern complex, though anyone else inside is likely to have heard the scuffle. Rumpridge moves silently ahead, searching for traps as he traverses the sharp, hewn walls of the orc complex. He sneaks up on a pitiful orc cook in a kitchen area, slays him almost instantly, and dumps him into the meat and root vegetable stew he was preparing. Ginkwrench disgustingly then CONSUMES the stew, and the PCs swipe a handful of finer cutlery, bowls and plates that are present. Then they move off to a curtained off area where they find some hastily abandoned beds, chests, dressers and a wardrobe. Baro claims some of the sheets off one bed in his magical haversack, so that they may be later used to potentially scry one of the Score (assuming it belonged to them). The PCs then backtrack to a previously unexplored corridor, where they find a horrific torture device (somewhere between an iron maiden and a straight up fleshpress), and a bag of masterwork torture implements which Sgt. Baro also loots.

Beyond the torture room, they come across an electrified grated door which damages both Ginkwrench and Rumpridge before the rogue is able to disable and unlock it. Inside, there are six cramped little cells, which Mudgol recognized from his daring teleport rescue of Lt. Banghorn, and three are full of charred remains. One is a human male they can't identify, another a woman with good cheekbones who has been basically incinerated, and lastly they find a stocky, gnarled and muscular man who is still breathing! After picking the lock and casting some restorative magic, they are only able to get some grunts out of the survivor, so Mudgol uses his pneumonic enhancer to drill the man mentally for information, while of course insulting him in the process. He claims to be called Demeskos, an engineer who was brought in to work on something for the Score, but refused, and was thus imprisoned until he would presumably relent. He didn't. The PCs then travel back south through the corridors to a three-way split, and choose a route that takes them to what seems like a war room or staging area...

...where a bare-chested, scarred, rigid and incredibly muscular man with gray hair awaits them. At the sight of the lone antagonist, Demeskos warns the characters to flee. "Syriux! Run for your lives!" However, as they have the numbers and don't want to walk away without taking a crack at the Score, Rumpridge and Ginkwrench close in to test the man's 'mettle'. "Go no further", growls the man in a metallic tone, and then he proceeds to instantly squash the skull of Pvt. Rumpridge, killing him! Ballyhoo howls for revenge, and the gnome barbarian begins to rage! Seeing that Rumpridge's magic rapier had no effect, and that a vortex of teeth cast by Baro was entirely useless against the brute, the PCs decide to cut and run, tending to their wounds and losses. Ballyhoo's haste spell helps even the most infirm escape the slow-moving Syriux, but not before he breathes a cloud of gas on the fleeting party, affecting Ymurf only. The party races for the entrance of the prison hideout...but is this over?!

PCs: Ballyhoo, Baro, Ginkwrench, Gruulsh, Mudgol, Rumpridge

NPCs

Demeskos (human male): A muscular, gnarled, stocky man discovered in the Score's prison hideout in Badash, beneath Slaughtertree Hold. He can barely speak and has been nearly incinerated by one of the 'purge' traps that had been set off. Has only a few greasy strands of long hair remaining on his head, and still covered in a lot of burn damage, though the PCs have used magic to restore his health as much as possible. Claims he is an 'engineer' who was recruited by the Score to work on one of their number...but he refused, and was thrown into prison. Knows nothing about Aslak or the other prisoners that were burnt alive.

Syriux (human male?): A tall man of incredible physique, he stands roughly 6'4" with long graying hair and a number of scars chiseled into a serious expression beneath gray eyes. He wears shoddy chain mail pants and a pair of weapons across his back (a broadsword and axe), but seems to ignore them when he fights using his bare hands. Speaks with a metallic twang to his voice, and thus far seems impervious to every harm sent against him by the PCs...Syriux is known to be one of the Score's latest recruits.

Online Session 48 (6/11/13)

Here is the link to the transcript of AIM online session 48.

PC: Doorjamb

NPCs

Shellas (human male): A young acolyte and scribe stationed at the Cathedral of Blades. Wears his robes tidily and has a generally friendly disposition. Assigned to heal Doorjamb after his revival. Has brown hair cut into a short bowl, and tall green eyes.