Last Session 33>> into this session 34 ((recap))
Picking up from last session then, at the very top of it, the party were left in a very dire situation from the session we had previously…. where death for two of them seemed very likely… at this moment.
After breaking open the barrel of rotten mulch on the floor near his feet, Aleric somehow is splashed by it, and breathes in the rising vapour, instantly falling ill, retching and violently vomiting over in one corner of the room, whist Crodas with a stronger stomach for things which are foul, is able to resist being overwhelmed by the stench and avoids the liquid entirely.
Quickly, he grabs another barrel as time was not a commodity right now, and as he done so, a small creature, what looked to be an abnormally large rat, peaked out from behind the remaining barrel and fled across the room, turning with every few steps that it took, slowly, into human form.
The man now fully formed, claimed he had been following the party for some time, as they looked interesting, and could maybe help with a few answers to his questions, but the time for this was not now to talk about it, as some of the party were in need of help.
He immediately rushes to a non perplexed Crodas, and attempts to help with the barrels, but is sadly unable to help after transforming from such a weaker creature, his muscles are not quite recovered and in shape enough to raise the second barrel alone.
Crodas then takes his barrel and swiftly moves to the ring of fire, where he tosses the barrel with such force that it lands and breaks into several shards, in turn it releases the contents, and it seeps out into one of the fire gushing fissures nearby, filling it up with the goop that was is inside… essentially causing a clogging effect for the fire vent, preventing it from spewing out any more deadly flames.
We then move to the first of the downed characters, Scarlett, who takes severe burning damage, and still passes a death save, managing to stage a fight against death itself… meanwhile, the Dark Stalkers return to their set positions, as the rest of the party help… including Blaise, who bravely dashes through the fire in an attempt to save her adopted sister.
Francis jumps into action, and tries to drag by the foot, one of the fire resistant Imps, he drags it to the flame ring, but lacks the strength to throw it into the flames right now.
Baxter then also joins him and summons forth a spirit of the woodlands, the Oak Sage – who instantly buffs his HP, and the HP for the allies around him.
Aleric remains at the back of the room, now keeled over and holding his stomach, whilst Crodas, grabs hold of the imp from Francis, and tosses it directly into the roiling flames, and it instantly blocks a second flame vent… The plan they had hatched, seemed to be working.
A few rounds pass by, with Scarlett and Ophi, slipping slowly into deaths domain, with a desperate Blaise stood over them, trying to save them both, but failing to be any help… Suddenly, Ophi takes her final breath, and slips away quietly.
At this point, fear and despair kicks in, and the party remaining begin to flee, however not set on retreat just yet, Baxter decides to brave the flames, and tries to heal up Scarlett, which he manages to do using his sage spirit.
In the meantime, Crodas grabs hold of the remaining imp bodies, and blocks more of the fire, clambers over the bodies to Ophi, and grabs her lifeless form, and soon is making a fast retreat back over the bridge of imp bodies.
Baxter heads over the bridge, removes the burning from Scarlett, and scoops her up, utters some strange language to cast a spell, and then uses a strange form of mystical portal magic, which allows him to escape with Scarlett.
Blaise on the other hand, stays behind, and buys the party some time to escape the tower, at which point she gains the attention of the Dark Stalkers, and that’s the last we see of her, her fate unknown… Sadly, on the way out, Scarlett expires as she hangs over the shoulder of Baxter unconscious, he feels her breathing slow, and stop fully, as they ascend the tower steps… The sounds of combat fading slowly into nothingness.
There’s a slight pause when the party get to the top of the stairs, out of breath and their hearts feeling all heavy, wracked with pain of losing two party members, but, their minds set on returning them to life, hurriedly, they head to the way point, and warp into the Rogue Encampment.
Once there, the party who are able, along with some aid of the other sisters there, perform the rituals they need to do, to return Ophi and Scarlett back to life… However, their return is not the best they can do, and Ophi and Scarlett both return weakened.
So… collectively, the party agree to remain in the camp, and get a much needed rest, before deciding what they are going to do next…. Blaise at this point, has still NOT returned to the rogue encampment, and Baxter is the last person to see her alive.
Act One: Episode 33 – Death Comes Knocking
