Session 2 - Galvin's Treachery (Usiris, Syndi)

Thus as she prayed, her prayer to Void heard
Along the Divine Gate's height it was passed
Burning with wrath, behind the dragon hung
His void and furor amassed

SESSION INSPIRATION AWARDS: Usiris, Syndi

Following the undead attack, the party gathered their wits and decided on their next course of action.  Guy wished to explore further in the dungeon, but the party decided to return to the Turst Fields to report their battle with the undead fiends.  Guy was displeased.

After returning to the camp, the party took a long rest.  The following morning, Guy stated his intentions to go back to the ruined temple, which the group voted against.  What followed was a tense standoff between Daang and Guy, nearly resulting in blows.  In the end, Guy threw his dagger down disgustedly and stormed off.  The group pondered what this meant.

On their way back to town, the group began to form a plan: using illusionary magic, they would surprise Galvin, the High Priest of Pelor.  While at this temple, they would confront him with the spectre of now-slain Celesta.

"Hey Galvin, what's shakin'?"

The plan took shape.  Some of the group snuck off to get better vantage points.  Others caused a distraction, while Aemeyt and Syndi (in illusory disguise as Celesta and Elwym respectively) went to the temple.  The acolytes near the temple entrance shrieked in fear at the sight of the undead Celesta, which roused Galvin.

Hold Person didn't seem to work!

After accusing Galvin, Aemeyt (as undead Celesta) distracted him while Herbson cast Hold Person on the High Priest.  It worked!  Or so they thought ...

While the group closed on the paralyzed Galvin, Usiris noticed a small twitch from the cleric of Pelor.  No sooner had he noticed, than Galvin attacked!  Usiris waited to engage until he had proof that Galvin was indeed a foe ... proof that would follow mere seconds later when Galvin's form melted away to reveal a massive fiend who assaulted the heroes!

"He said this would be easy.  The damn dragon lied again!  Fine, I'll do this myself!"

The group attacked the creature with fervor.  In short order, the monster turned to run as the tables were decidedly turned against it.  Retreating into the temple after using its innate ability to cast darkness, it summoned help from the depths of the Abyss.

Their screeching cry freezes opponents in place.

Two winged demons ripped through a portal and immediately beset the party.  Although the demons were fearsome, the group quickly killed one and forced the other to retreat.  Eventually, the monster masquerading as Galvin was destroyed by Daang, but not before turning on the acolytes cowering in the temple and killing several.  As the demon died, it screamed aloud, "ORCUS WILL HAVE THIS WORLD!" and dematerialized upon death.

Usiris used his radiant healing magic, a boon from his celestial patron Abriell, to revive one of the fallen acolytes.  Guy led a smaller team deeper into the temple and located the High Priest's quarters.  After a quick Dispel, the group entered the room and located a large trunk, which housed the liquifying remains of the original Galvin.  They also discovered a small, magical mirror that seemed to be a communication device.  While Syndi was holding it, it grew warm and started vibrate; when she held it up and disguised herself as Galvin, another dragonborn came into view through the mirror.  

This dragonborn mentioned finding some items of Krak's and delivering them to Kymal at the 'usual dropoff.'  Syndi couldn't shake the feeling that she knew this dragonborn, but there was something unsettling about him.  The memory eluded her and after successfully deceiving the other dragonborn, stowed the mirror in a safe space inside Herbson's extra-dimensional secret compartment.  Usiris grew concerned at the mention of his long-time paladin friend; Grandfather Krak was apprehended by this dragonborn or his allies!  The dragonborn suggested finding some items of Krak's to help 'break him' and that the little kobold would not last much longer.

"Find something personal.  Something we can use to break him ... "

Aemeyt used his clerical powers to speak with the deceased Galvin and learned a few things: something called a 'void dragon' was involved, Galvin was killed by the demon, amongst other clues.  With the true Galvin found, the demon threat ended, and peace restored, the group made their way back to Khor's tower, where they were greeted by Bartleby, the majordomo.

"Ah, Captain Ixta ... someone was looking for you."

Bartleby informed Ixta that her first mate, a kobold named Betty, had dropped by to inform her that her airship was fully repaired and awaiting her orders.  He also pointed the group in the direction of Khor Oreheart, master of the tower and Usiris' mentor.  

Usiris regaled Khor with the story of what had happened so far, and eventually got to the part where Krak may be in trouble.  They searched the little kobold's room, and found nothing except a small diary that contained heartwarming messages about Usiris and Khor.  Usiris surmised that this type of information is what the villains were searching for.  The group made plans to set out for Kymal at earliest light aboard the Black Manta, Captain Ixta's newly repaired ship.

The Black Manta.  First Mate Better ensures the she's ready to fly!

While some of the group prepared for a rest, others ventured into the night to wrap up any pressing business in the Turst Fields.  Guy approached his business partner Garth Underston; Garth fled at the sight of Guy because he had apparently squandered the profits of his mug-selling venture on a magic pig; it would have been the mascot of his tavern, The Pig & Whistle.  Guy threatened the barkeep and together they came to an agreement; 10% ownership of the tavern, which would be renamed Captain Guy's Port for All Storms, and a 100% cut of all the profits from a new round of signed mugs.

"But it was a magic pig!"

Herbie decided to upgrade some equipment and sought out a guard named Stephen who owned a magical crossbow.  Though the initial trade offer of a poorly-made orc dart was refused by Stephen and the counter-offer of the arcanomechanical armor from Herbie was likewise rebuffed, there seemed to be a bit of interest from the guard.  Herbie was well-known for selling many trinkets and wares, and perhaps a deal could be struck.

The group bedded down for the night with plans to fly to Kymal in the morning to rescue Grandfather Krak and continue to unravel the mystery around the undead plague.  Was it connected to this 'void dragon?'  Only time will tell ...