Chapter 14: Session 09

The Necropolis of Para and Korma is under seige by minions of the Dark Road, wave after wave of otherwordly nightmares being kept at bay only barely, but three members of the Order of Oryon. Two are immediately familar, Thelius and Cadmon, and the third, the apparent leader, is soon recognized as Grand General Menotarus, commander of the Blade of Oryon. They are pressed back nearly to the closed gates of the Necropolis' sanctum when the party, much needed aid, arrives via a gateway.

Rather quickly, Rin notices a point of substantial spiritual power high up, on or above one of the clock towers. He learns that it is a dark shaman, a Koba in fact, that has been summoning these minions to assault the Order here. The Koba stands at the cusp between the spirit realms, the real world, and the Darkroad itself, calling in a new wave of attackers even as the last was struck down. Rin gets a good look at the Koba, and his description fits a figure familiar to Lugh alone... that Koba is Zulok, the Ratdog.

While the battle rages below, Rin attacks Zulok with some desperation. The Koba responds mockingly, and instead of worrying about Rin, focuses instead on his spirit totem, the owl suddenly visible near Rin. Zulok assaults Owl, bathing him in an umbra of dark energy -- Rin can feel his own spirit powers being stripped away from him. In a desperate move, Rin slashes at Zulok with Lucky Day (his enchanted sword) -- and the sword lives up to it's name. Impossibly, the sword manages to clip Zulok, even though partially transdimensional, cutting a thin line across his furry flesh. Zulok, true to his often cowardly nature, screams up at the sky (high up above can be seen the tiniest of black specks, presumably Anjoule...) and retreats. The summoned minions remain.

With Rin's sudden stroke of luck, and Zulok's surprised retreat, the battle is soon over. Menotarus thanks the party, and confirms that Thelius, Cadmon, and Hovirith will be travelling to Larka City within the week to offer assistance with Sandstone Keep. However, he decides that those three should instead remain with the party until after the Sandstone Keep expedition is completed.

At noon, the gate to the inner sanctum opens. Mitu and Soreiss complete their pilgrimage here, while some of the others perform the rites, knowing they will have to backtrack and make a proper offering to Nekarnus. Slip and Hovirith bond over water magic, spending some time practicing at Sh'kaels Necropolis. Lugh scrawls down many sad stories on the walls of Para and Korma's sanctum (it's ok, they do that here), before the next night is through.

The following day, Lugh, guarded by Mitu, returns to Nekarnus' sanctum and makes an offering. Meanwhile, the others head part of the way down the Violet Path, hoping to find the bound demon ogre. Instead of a body, they find a message in Dematic, etched into the hillside stone. Translated, it reads, "I have been shown another way". However, true to his word, he left his spirit imbued bonds of cold iron. Rin asks owl about them, and is informed that they are powered by anicent ancestor spirits, and the objects must be brought together for thier resonance to remain.

Their time on the Violet Path, the Hills of Necropoli, and the Cities of the Dead Gods has come to an end. Relieved, they return to Larka City where they are met by Tol'Uddi Dunn and Antilles, who has returned with Uvorr -- injured, traumatized and without skin. Mitu and Valkar tend to the young one, and with Mitu's healing, knit his physical wounds. However, he is a long way from healing -- enough so that Valkar realizes that he must stay with Uvorr for a time, helping him and giving him a chance to heal.

Sylvarsyr, his Taerani guard, and Zenzyk also returned with Tol'Uddi Dunn (it would seem they are establishing some ties to the Shadesmen)... however, Zenzyk becomes visibly upset when he sees his brother Hovirith and storms away.

The Bronze Bulls have made their changes at the Boat House as well. Lorin and Ruln have been set up as the commanders in charge of the Larkan operation, where it seems a cluster of a halfscore green recruits have been sent for training. Krosbye and Soreiss kick back and watch the show, even as Slip and Lugh join in for some much needed Hand to Hand practice. Mitu attempts to help, but grows frustrated -- only made worse by Zenzyk's outburst.

However, they all are at what passes for Home. Certainly, many loose ends remain -- Sandstone Keep looms in the immediate future; Zal-Ruthara's Sanctuary and the tower of the Azuruth the Violet Mage remain unfound; Veldir Kedrith (Soreiss' "brother" and other half" remains at large, working with the Arcane Council; Slip is a wanted man; Lugh must learn more of the Druidim from the few who remember that order; and both Muros and Adder have a war that must be won. Perhaps above all, both Oryon and Bhaen could return at any moment... and no one really knows which one will be worse.

[End of Chapter 14]
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[Jolt Code: 1B, 6C, 2CB, 3S]