Chapter 15: Session 13

Early morning in Larka City, those sensitive to it feel the sudden presence of a massive force of corruption enter the city... and then leave just as suddenly.

Investigation reveals that the body is that of Elitheri Guide, one of the Waywinders. Her spirit is confused, and unsure of what has happened. Her last recollection was of being trapped inside Cube, and Vernir had told the party the woman had gone missing a long while ago.

As many folks investigate Elitheri's death, Mitu is at the Boat House when Sable arrives. The immortal luma says he is calling in a favor, and needs the party's help in a big brawl against Anjoule, ratdog, and several folks serving the darkroad. Most of the Waywinders have been beaten senseless, and most of Nightclan is busy on another front of the battle. Sable claims that he and Khoruff will handle Anjoule, if the party can handle other secondary objectives.

Sable and Mitu round up the party, but it is decided that they should pick up Adder for this one. (they also try and snag Antilles, but they discover he is quite busy trying to break someone out of an Arcane Council prison in Tal'Ushorin.) Adder is found rafting his way across the bay between the Dreadlands of Naganni and Southern Kesh. He is briefed quickly, and the fight is joined.

The battlefield is littered with corpses. On the field, Monique, S'qarb, Blackrobe, and a handful of Waywinders are fighting against half a dozen well trained servants of the dark road -- men who have chosen corruption for power. One such man is recognized immediately: Darville, once a Sellsword captain in the city of Flatrock. Also in the battle are a handful of grey skinned kuzani who at first look seem undead... but it turns out they are Nuzin of the Duron Clan manipulated into fighting on Anjoule's side. Anjoule is fighting Khoruff (who is wielding Thohlemmakkhan), and the big Gallus is taking a defensive tactic against the more mobile Nightmaster. There is no sign of Zulok, the Ratdog.

As they arrive, the party scatters into groups -- concentrating on picking off the people willingly serving the darkroad. Blackrobe informs them that holding the several small forts scattered on the field are crucial, and should be destroyed when the lesser fights are handled. These forts hold entrances to the tunnels of the Nuzin, and more Nuzin reinforcements are already on the way. Everyone agrees it is wise to not kill hundreds of Nuzin who may not even know what the hell is going on.

Sable, Khoruff, even Adder, all assault Anjoule -- who with his mastery over space seems a wily foe. However, Sable uses the power of his Ring, Thohlemmrhyz, to bind Anjoule within a dimensional doorway which, oddly enough, he cannot seem to escape (because it links to Shadow, they figure). Khoruff uses the opportunity to deliver a finishing blow to Sable, but Antilles warps space enough that Sable, too, takes the attack. The big Luma falls, (im)mortally wounded, and Khoruff hits Antilles one last time before the Nightmaster collapses, then disappears. In his place is a widening black void that they determine resonates with the power of the Dark God Beluss. Thohlemmakkhan seals the void, even as Arius and Slip start arranging the bodies on the battlefield to be given some measure of a funeral.

As Sable lay dying, he makes some jokes and says he hopes to be set adrift while his body is aflame. That is the funeral he wants. Without pause, Blackrobe and Khoruff disappear with Sable.

Adder and Lugh recite the canticle of Life over many of the fallen. Only two of the Nuzin survived (missing limbs) and only two of the waywinders -- Vernir, and a dark skinned human woman named Taru Guide, who has obvious southern saelish ancestry. S'qarb is around somewhere...

The waywinders talk amongst themselves, still somewhat shaken with the realization that this is essentially the death of their Order. Others interrogate the Nuzin, and discover that they have not only been duped, but they are incredibly stubborn as well. Upon learning Mitu is a healer, they apologize for mistaking him for one of the corrupted -- as a hairless Bo, he was easily mistaken for an Ogren. Lugh attempts an overture of friendship, hoping to arrange a meeting between his clan and the clan of the Nuzin, but the forgotten ones seem reluctant and guarded. Eventially, they are left to go their way.

The party teleports back to larka city, accompanied by Adder and the Waywinders. S'quarb was left behind.