Session 3 - Versus the Powerlord! (Herbie, Daltonya)

And her paladin, the Celestial Dragon revered
And through the ranks assenting murmurs reign
The paladin to rev'rence, but ransom took
For the Darkfury; he with haughty mein

SESSION INSPIRATION AWARDS: Herbie, Daltonya

The session kicked off following the revelation of High Priest Galvin's death, and his replacement at the hands of some unidentified fiend.  The party discovered clues leading them to believe that Usiris' old mentor, a kindly kobold Paladin named Grandfather Krak, had been kidnapped by some mercenary group named 'the Powerlords.'

Usiris' mentor needs help!

The crew set out for Kymal, where the mysterious dragonborn Syndi vaguely recognized instructed them to leave personal possessions that will help him break the kobold at a drop point.  "He won't last much longer," the mysterious dragonborn said.  The party had already searched Krak's room, discovering a diary amongst his personal effects, and had planned to make the drop in the city.

Kymal's streets are as rough as its reputation.

Using Ixta's personal airship, The Black Manta, the group made their way to Kymal.  Located in the heart of Tal'dorei, Kymal is a seedy, corrupt town that thrives on gambling and oppression.  The crew split into multiple parties, and each of the groups made their way into the city through various means; bribery, intimidation, and skullduggery.

After making their way inside, the groups stayed split up; some investigated a local fountain in full disguise, some headed straight for the seediest local gaming hub named the Rusty Slot, and still others drank.  Herbie and Guy tracked down a Thieves Guild contact, after Herbie discovered why the fountain was no longer operational (a box with a curious platinum orb had been shoved in the fountain water return pipe).  Ixta's crew spread to the four winds with orders to carouse and discover information on the area ... covertly.  Sorta.

As the groups converged on the gaming establishment, the Rusty Slot, they found it to be an oasis for the well-to-do members of the city, as well as a haven for adventurers.  The place was packed with soldiers of fortune and explorers, mingling with the upper crust of the city.  Clearly, this was an exciting place to be!  Could it house the way to the crypts below Kymal, where the dropoff was?

The Rusty Slot, despite its crude name, is an opulent gambling house.

Usiris and Daang nearly got grifted by a sleazy bartender named Chad, who was looking to make a quick gold coin based on 'information' on how to get into the crypts below Kymal. Usiris had pity on him and taught him the error of his ways.

"Hey bro, you looking for a way into the crypts bro?"

Daltonya was recognized by a half-orc bouncer named 'Big Rob.'  Big Rob harbored dreams of being an adventurer himself, but never could pull himself away from the Rusty Slot.  He asked for Daltonya's autograph for his nephew, Little Rob.  Daltonya and Rob hit it off immediately, with Rob providing key intelligence on the comings and goings of several shady characters.  Rob even offered to cover the doorway while Daltonya went below.

"Oh shit, are you Daltonya?!"

Aemeyt and Syndi, still in disguise, sat at a nearby table after being recognized immediately at the door.  The head waiter approached them after some time and inquired about why they were at the gambling house.  They weren't expected, after all.

"Good evening, Father ... "

Aemeyt and Syndi managed to bluff the waiter into letting them into the lower chambers, which turned out to be an entrance for the crypt!  Aemeyt quickly charmed the waiter into showing them the way and leaving; signaling to the rest of the group, they all made their way downstairs into the crypt with no issues.  Rob guarded the doorway as a favor for Daltonya.

The crew all squeezed into an elevator that went down several floors.  They'd learned above that the crypts were a place where adventurers flocked, to earn gold and grow as heroes.  The group went past multiple levels, hearing screams and yells occasionally as they passed floor after floor.

Eventually, they arrived at the bottom floor, where they discovered a zombie operating the elevator winch with an equally zombified donkey providing the horsepower.  They made their way through a series of winding passages lit by magical torches and eventually found the room where Krak was held.  He was guarded by six thugs; they were quickly dispatched.

The jail cell was actually quite nicely appointed.

The group rescued Krak, but immediately grew suspicious.  Krak was in excellent health and his 'cell' was actually quite comfy.  Didn't the mysterious dragonborn say that he 'wouldn't last long?'  While Usiris reunited with Grandfather, the group searched the cell.  They found letters, written in Draconic.  They demanded to know what the letters said, and Krak grew embarrassed.  After some negotiation, Usiris started to read the letters aloud ...

"My dear Usiris ... "

The letters turned out to be farewells to Usiris, just in case he didn't survive this ordeal.

Once Krak got his equipment on and readied himself, the group ventured further into the crypts.  They reasoned that they couldn't go back through the casino, since it would alert any remaining conspirators topside, so they followed the sounds of rushing water deeper in the lair, hoping to identify an underground river by which they could escape.

After prowling around, they eventually came to a dimly lit door.  Guy ventured ahead to see who was about and overheard this exchange:

 Powerlord: “When is that ship getting here, Wulkax?”

 Darkfury: “MY NAME IS DARKFURY, MINOTAUR!”

 Powerlord: “That name is stupid.”

 Powerwife: “Darling, please let’s not make the dragonborn angry.  Darkfury, when can we expect the ship and our payment?”

Darkfury: “Soon.  I assume the kobold is unspoiled?”

Powerwife: “Of course, we’re professionals.  He’s unharmed and well-fed.”

Powerlord: “Whatever did you need him for anyways?  He seems harmless.”

Darkfury: “The dragon will decide.  Do not question him.”

Powerlord: “You speak often of this dragon, is it your master?”

Powerwife: “Darling, wait … I hear something …”

After hearing this, Guy decided to be bold and strode into the chamber.  This angered the minotaur, who promptly lost control and began attacking.  The Powerwife became alarmed at the minotaur's anger and sought to calm him, but to no avail.  She pleaded with the group to spare her husband.

"Do not kill him, please!"

The minotaur attacked ferociously, seemingly turning on anyone that damaged him.  The Powerlord was able to cover huge distances and inflict grievous damage.  The battle turned to one of survival!  Every attempt to calm the huge beast failed; his armor seemed to glow and react to attempts to charm him!  Eventually, the Powerwife landed a blow on him, and minotaur wheeled about, looking to slay his own wife!

The rampaging Powerlord!

Just as the situation was about to turn grim, Herbie succeeded in Polymorphing the Powerlord into a calf.  Exhausted, the group wonders what to do next ...

The PowerCalf.