Chapter 14: Session 08

(Note: Entry was greatly aided by Rob's record, gaining him an XP for Rin)

After some final preparations at the Boathouse in Larka, the party leaves for the Necropolis of Skael, hoping to discover who this "old friend" is that Lord Death mentioned. A few names came to mind, but there was only one way to find out.

Arriving at Skael's Necropolis, they quickly discover that this Necropolis is also a very powerful Water Node that seems to have been lifted right out of a giant lake. The pary secures passage to the Node with a Ferryman operating a skiff on the shore. For a Pilgrim's Token each, the party is ferried across.

Slip finds that his Elemental powers are greatly enhanced while in the presence of the Node and he decides to show off his attunement with water by walking on the water and also accelerating the skiff across the lake. The Ferryman expresses his pleasure at this newfound capability of his craft, but then seems to deflate a bit when he's told that it was Slip who gave it the extra "push."

Initially, the structure of the Necropolis appeared to be some type of crystalline structure, but, as the boat came closer, it turned out the walls were somehow crafted from liquid water. Entering the Temple, the party is surrounded by other travelers as well as the Acolytes of the Temple. Slip revels in the augmentation of his powers, while the rest of the party ambles around the complex.

Shortly after arriving, Lugh, Soriess and Mitu discover that there is, in fact, an old friend here waiting for them. Zhebaht, the last Pradari (and a hero of the first prophecy, reformed and uncursed after the party's first visit to the Cradle of Life), introduces himself to the newer party members and catches up on current events. Topics of interest were Lord Muros, Cabot, Antilles, Corwin, Sandstone Keep, and the Scar, among other things.

Once the group feels they sufficiently exhausted all the topics at hand (and after Zhebaht does the fishman dance), they decide to travel to their final destination on their pilgrimage, the Necropolis of Para and Korma.

Here the party is met by a very disturbing sight. Amidst the large clock towers representing light and darkness, a horde of Darkroad minions is spotted attacking a beleagured group of the Order of Oryon. Quickly, the party springsinto action. Mitu boosts the endurance of the party using his True Healer gifts and Soriess enacts a translocation spell to bring them right into the fray.

For some reason, in the overwhelming presence of the Darkroad, Rin finds that he has unlocked the Shamanistic "Ghost Cutter" ability, making his weapons lethal to spirits, which does not bode well for the ethereal darkroad entities.

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[Jolt Code: 3B, 2C, 2CB, 5R, 2S]