Session 25 2013-12-23

1800XP each making 72988XP Total for each Party Member - Level 10 (next level 105,000)

1 Hero Point awarded to the Hand of Kali for convincing roleplay when controlling the Terraken as it was being destroyed.

Split Party

Kul'theras picks up the new bow he had made and heads to The Salty Shag for a drink.

Magni and Landra discover that Tharin had been to the Restitution looking for Wyrick, but is now gone. A crewman tells them that Wyrick left before Tharin came, then Tharin left, after which the goblin Munt was taken by guards. the Hand of Kali and Magni adjourn to the The Salty Shag.

Landra and Magni both agree that the best course of action is to comply with Sever's demands to give up the Terraken, and Kul'theras agrees. Landra wants to find Tharin ASAP. There is some disagreement as Tharin could be anywhere, and as they have a democratic majority vote already they decide to go see the magistrate.

The others find Tharin berating a clerk demanding to know Munt's crime, having since discovered his absense. The clerk advises that Munt is not being charged with anything but merely held for questioning.

Tharin and Kul'theras argue about whether Tharin was right about releasing Wyrick, Tharin emphasising that he was right about the character of the pirate, and Kul'theras the repurcussions of making him a vigilante.

Tharin asks how much they were offered for the Terraken. He's not happy to hear that no offer of cash was made and resolves to bring it up when they talk to Sever. Magni cautions him, making sure to point out the "Declaring war" angle. They still hope for a Finder's Fee from the city. Magni again cautions Tharin to treat carefully as Sever got "prickly" when this was brought up earlier.

Ruffled Feathers

Sever warns them that they have pissed off the wrong people. He clarifies that it isn't that they are unwelcome in Madrill, and that the general populace likely still know them chiefly as The Heroes Of Eastedge but that there are many with power who did not take kindly to their mercenary approach regarding the handover of the Terraken. He advises that keeping their heads down and noses clean is an excellent idea, to allow ruffled feathers to be forgotten, given that these feathers belong to people with more in common with a Roc than a songbird.

Tharin asks about reward and Sever sighs. He advises that though some gratuity might have been forthcoming, those avenues have been clamped down tight for the present. He advises that he sympathises with their situation somewhat, having spent some time as a mercenary himself, and so has arranged with the bursar to provide a modest amount from his own personal funds.

The matter of Munt is also discussed, with Sever advising that though the goblin has not committed any crime, Madrill is generally has a poor track record with goblin residents. He offers a relatively small purse to take the creature away from the city, advising that if they do take responsibility for him they will be held accountable for his future actions. Tharin accepts eagerly, taking the purse.

Who Ya Gonna Call

They head to the Temple of Thor and ask Tristopher Caulken if he's sure he could destroy the Terraken. He advises that he is and agrees to help, though he'll need some time to prepare.

Manta Ray Meet-up

Magni uses the cloak of the Manta Ray to visit the Hand of Kali and update on the developments in Madrill. He tells her they're "fooked". Clarifies that they weren't "threatened" but it was made clear that the authorities would pursue the Terraken, and expect Chelaxian forces would also. He advises that they discussed coming out to dispose of it, with Tristopher Caulken handling the details. He also advises that the city itself did not reward them, and paraphrases Sever saying that they are no longer welcome in the city. There is a momentary flash of rage from the Hand of Kali before responding an instant later with a very even-toned "I see. And the decision?". Magni advises that the rest of The Hunted all agree to get rid of it. the Hand of Kali advises that she will be waiting and Magni heads back to Madrill.

The Salty Shag

The rest of the group have retired to The Salty Shag for a quiet drink. Munt gets bought Leg of Lamb by Tharin and devours it hungrily. They eventually think to look around for Brelt Reys who shows off his dance moves and new moustache in the armor they gave him, which he has taken to referring to as the Plate of Fabulousness. Magni is not receptive, Tharin is not either.

Setting Sail

Next morning Magni grabs a new sword which he dubs Calf-breaker, while Kul'theras grabs a new Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds. Tharin and Landra also make early morning visits to some specialist vendors.

Magni stops by the stables where Björn is being kept on his way back to the ship, and returns without Bloodseeker.

Thunderstruck

They find that Tristopher Caulken has taken up residence in a cabin at some time during the night, and is not wearing his usual vestments, instead having donned some pretty impressive battle armor.

On meeting the Hand of Kali and the Terraken, Tristopher Caulken beings his ritual.

"Oooh Thor. Oooh you are so big. So absolutely huge..."

This ritual goes on for 10 minutes or so, during which time stormclouds gather with unnatural speed. The Hunted arrange themselves on the deck or in the rigging in the stinging rain and screaming winds as lightning strikes begin to hit the Terraken with precision.

A Bigger Boat

Chelaxian marines turn up in a larger vessel, at full sail despite the storm, heading straight for the Terraken. Tristopher Caulken yells for The Hunted to hold them off while he finishes his work and they set to work doing so, Tharin making solid use of Black Tentacles and Fireball while Kul'theras and Landra pepper the decks with projectiles.

As the fifth lightning bolt strikes, the Hand of Kali sinks to her knees with a low groan. On the sixth she removes the amulet, grimacing at Tristopher Caulken and telling him that the shared pain is not at all pleasant. She grimly places it around her neck again, bringing the beast under her control and complying as the cleric yells to her telling her to bring it closer to the ship.

As the Chelaxian ship bears down on the Restitution, Tristopher Caulken looks from the Hand of Kali to the Terraken and mutters "This is Bullshit" as if to complain about a task which he also accepts must be done, then hustles up the prow, teetering sickeningly for a moment on his way up before regaining his footing and jumping off the ship onto the creature with a thud. One hand slaps against the shell of the creature and grips tight as he making a final incantation and both the cleric and monster suddenly disappear, as if shrinking down to a mote at incredible speed, the water displaced by the Terraken suddenly crashing down to fill the space.

Moments before the Chelaxian vessell comes crashing into the Restitution both the Hand of Kali and Magni leaping aboard (the latter under the effects of Enlarge Person thanks to Kul'theras), and quickly dispatching the remaining foes on deck before the whole group braces against impact. Two sailors on the Restitution are not successful in this and hit the water, their screams lost beneath the screaming storm and the sickening impact of ships timbers.

Session ends.

Fun fact for those who read these updates: Magni and the Hand of Kali both notice at this time that the Fireball Tharin threw did set the ship afire after all, unless the area below decks has burst into flame for some other reason.