Chapter 14: Session 06

In the early morning, the PCs begin readying themselves for the many pressing matter to be attended. Belovius and Skullsneer still hold Val's ward, Uvorr. Three of the five Necropoli remain unvisited. And an odd light flitters about the southern horizon. Rin and Slip both discern within the lights many sand skiffs fashioned of bone, crafted as if in parody of the Seldir ships. They glide around the desert sands in seemingly random paths.

And then suddenly, Rin sense a dark spiritual force flash through in one moment only to disappear in the next. Owl hesitates to name what it sensed, but confirms that it is a potent Darkroad force... greater than Skullsneer.

The PCs redouble their efforts to get ready and leave for the day. They note that Sylvarsyr and his Taerani guard are not up and about, and the contingent of Bronze Bull Mercenary Soldiers is missing. Arius has left for work, and Zenzyk Threefingers gets an early start to resupply some basic carpentry materials for the house.

When the PCs are just about ready, there is a knock on the door. What began innocently enough ends in tragedy, when an explosive force of magic sunders the door and sends the majordomo (who had gone to answer the knock) hurtling through the air, only to impact against the far wall of the inner compound and fall in a crumpled heap. A large creature of shimmering eldritch force stampedes into the courtyard, attacking any who are near. A few seconds into the melee, the true source of the problem is seen floating in the sky watching the scene -- Tol'Orsiss Sarai, the pale haired Usho archmage, has come back to finish what he'd started. The magus uses his potent dweomercraft to divide the party, neutralizing them each in turn so that he can engage in a one on one battle with Soreiss. Obviously, their last encounter was a bit personal.

The battle rages: Mitu flails around in impotent fury; an injured Val takes opportunity shots; Rin's mobility is stymied as he finds himself trapped in a force barrier; Lugh is knocked about, but takes opportunity shots when he can; Slip eats a vicious attack and falls quite early on; and Soreiss takes to the sky, being pressed and countered time and again. The Eldritch Servitor is defeateed in time, but at great cost -- perhaps even too late. Half the party is knocked about, unconscious or removed from the fighting. Tol'Orsiss Sarai is toying with Soreiss, until a clever idea (and bit of luck) dispels the Archmage's flight. Prepared with a contigency for everything, Tol'Orsiss' explosive retreat is activated -- blasting Mitu into tatters and pushing Soreiss back.

The battle ended, Tol'Orsiss Sarai repulsed once more, the PCs assess the damage. Mitu is dying, though skillful tending of his wounds gives him some stability as his own natural regeneration saves him. Val is seriously wounded, and Slip must be roused from deep unconsciousness. The Boat-house's majordomo is quite dead, his neck broken on impact. Within a minute or two, Arius arrives with Sylvarsyr, the Taerani, and a small contingent of Larka Cityguard in response to the action heard at the house. Zenzyk returns a short time later...

...And is thrust into a rage. Resigning his post, he snaps the head from his broom and handles the remainder like a sword. He inquires into the identity of the attacker, and swears that he will teach this mage what it means to attack the innocent. Lugh is the first to realize that the old swordmaster intends to slaughter the the Archmage's friends and family back in Mehbt. Lugh immediately attempts to dissuade the old man, and with some time and success, convinces him to remain and not betray his own ideals so callously. Furthermore, he convinces the old swordmaster that perhaps he should realize that there are others who wish to see Tol'Orsiss Sarai brought to task, and some of them (ahem, Mitu) could use training from a Dorrivaire School master.

The family of the majordomo is distraut, and start deciding if they wish to leave the city to return to family east of the desert. Soreiss and Slip send a message to Tol'Uddi Dunn back in Tal'Megarin regaring Tol'Orsiss Sarai. And Mitu, Val, and Rin -- all upset, still -- ask for passage to the Necropolis of Woed while the other matters in Larka City are handled.

Woed's Necropolis is sprawl of greenhouses and small huts, with a walled monastery on the west side of the highest hill. In the center of the community is an old statue, large and weather worn, ostensibly depicting the god Woed. However, unlike with Darun's and Nekarnus', there is no sense of Presense here... just cold stone. Emptiness. Having expected to sense some aspect of the god here, Mitu slumps in frustration and hears a familiar voice.

"The one you know as Nekarnus was wrong," Death says, walking up to them.

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[Jolt Code: B2,C2,CB1,R5,S1]