Session 3 into session 4
When last we met – Ophi’s Bodyguards had just finished their much needed extended rest inside of Atma’s Tavern – who very graciously reduced the room costs for the party, and kept them all well fed and looked after whilst staying under her roof.
The heat of the day had begun to dwindle by now, as we rapidly approached the late section of the afternoon… We need to bare in mind that this is still only the first day in Lut Gholein for them, and the party have already achieved a great deal here, cementing good first impressions with many city folk with their actions…. in such a short time.
Deckard Cain had since moved from the Tavern, back over to the local market area, as was his preferred location in the city…. that, and the small, but well stocked library, owned by the mysterious Vizjerei Mage, known as DROGNAN.
The party gathered together in the market place, and per his request formed a compact circle around Deckard Cain.
Once they were assembled, he performed a ritual of empowering on all who were present, using the secrets of the Horadric texts, inscribed into the pages of one of the ancient tomes which the party had recovered from Radament, after defeating him down in the city sewers.
As the ritual finished, the party began to instantly feel the power of the Ancient Nephalem wash over their bodies, invigorating them… allowing them to reach even greater heights than they previously could.
Once done in the market, the party spoke to Deckard, and he informed them that there was another item of power, stolen by Radament, a scroll of great importance, and he asked them if they would venture once more into the sewers to retrieve it, because it just had to be hidden there somewhere in all that slime and blood, and other undesirable fouler things.
The party agreed to the task, and headed back into the sewer, to where they cut down the evil Radament, and sure enough they found a muck covered chest off to one side of the ritual area, and inside it was the Horadric Scroll.
Quickly, they gathered up the scroll, and wasted no time in returning to Cain – In a desperate bid to exit the sewer levels, before the stench of the putrid under-city had a chance to take hold on them yet again.
Back on the surface, the party headed to the Tavern a third time, and handed the scroll to Cain, who quickly read it and found the location and indeed the very existence of an ancient Horadric item, known as the Horadric Cube.
Whilst it’s name made it sound very mundane, the cube itself actually held great mystical power, and when used correctly, it could transmute certain types of items.
During their conversation, Cain explained to the party that the scroll gave him the location of the cube… the locals named the place “The Dry Hills”, and inside of this, was an old dusty tomb called “The Halls of the Dead”
It was here that they would find the resting place of Kings and Queens of ages past, and the Horadric guardians of the cube itself, that would have buried with it, to keep it safe from tomb robbers, and other threats should they ever arise.
The party were in awe, and instantly devised plans to get information on how to get to the Dry Hills, but came up with a few select ways to gain information.
Morie – drew upon her contacts within the local palace guards, that were in the Tavern enjoying some nice downtime… Ophi did try to help Morie with gaining some information, but their attempts to charm or intimidate the guards, fell flat, and they learned nothing.
Meanwhile, Scarlett decided she had had enough of the arguing going on, and left the Tavern, seeking other paths to learn what they needed, but instead of going to a place more suitable like a Library, which is known for keeping books and more importantly, maps… she decided to try and break into the Royal Palace, in a bid to talk with Prince Jerhyn…. This action of course, was doomed to fail miserably.
After a while of getting nowhere, Zrin pays the guards in gold, and in exchange gains a roughly drawn out map, which held directions to the Dry Hills.
With the map in hand, and their reputation only slightly damaged, the party head to GREIZ, and hire a Steel Fang Mercenary, who will accompany on their quest… and once ready, they promptly say goodbye for now to Lut Gholein…. and leave the city gates.
Once outside the gates to the city, following the map given, and a clearly defined path, the party head along the road, which twists and turns around the rocky outlying wastes, until Scarlett with her keen eyes, spot a small group of enemies, lauding over their latest target.
The guards body laid strewn on the floor, covered in blood and sand, claw marks adorning his body all over, his insides leaking onto the floor around him.
Seeing this Scarlett raises her bow and knocks an arrow, with a second one in hand, and as she does this, the small group of SABER CATS turn to face her and dart towards the party…. Blood-thirst driven, and ready for their next victim.
The battle ensues shortly after, but it’s not too difficult for the party and they manage to dispatch the SABER CATS without taking too much damage in return.
Once the battle was over, the party took a moment and looked around, they managed to find a few items of use, some gold which is always a good find, no matter the size of the draw, and a potion of antidote, which could be useful later on.
Pocketing all their findings, the party stood for a moment to gather their thoughts, while they decided on their next move.
And so – it’s here where we pick up today’s session.