Session #23: In the Eye of the Heroön (plus Durham's account)

Now almost two weeks hence, a number of the Survivors of the Tel were seen to depart their tavern-base at Cothon-Under-Star and make their way down into the harbor to Fahra's Hole-in-the-Wall to meet up with fellow-adventurer Durham, about halfway to his own tavern-base at the Kantor Kabljauhof. He had piqued their interest by suggesting a return to the Heroön of Dalan in the necropolis, and that he had some information relevant to such a delve.

Despite calling the meeting, Durham was late; but when he arrived, he did so accompanied by Hasan Abdul Munqidh and several other slaves of the Beni Munqidh. This Hasan explained to the gathered Survivors that his masters were long associated with the fleet-tradition of the city, and with the Guild of Shipwrights and Oarsmen, and so knew something of the mysteries of the cult of Dalan. Rounds of ale were passed around, and Hasan pointed out that "of course, it would be unwise to loot the shrine," as the Oarsmen still maintain the cult of Dalan, and would not look kindly on such rank banditry. But he was able to elucidate certain information to the party regarding the cult and the necropolis--in return, naturally, for promise from the group of some kind of compensation.

Undeterred from adventure, the party nevertheless set out from the Gate of Mourners to seek the necropolis in the Colossian Temenos in the valley on the southeast of the Tel al Safina. Undoubtedly they went to experience the place spiritually, and to liberate only unrelated treasures from the underworld:

• Avin (magic-user 4)
  accompanied by Vlana the Bard (magic-user 2)
• Sesel (fighting-man 4)
  accompanied by Barabajagal (wunderman)
  
• Ravna (magic-user 4)
  accompanied by Ix (Thri-Kreen 2)
• Durham (fighting-man 4)
  accompanied by Pako (renyu)

The party returned, somewhat worse for wear. Barabajagal looked pale, and blood crusted his tunic; others in the party too, bore signs of injury, and yet they went about with a new glint in their eyes, as if they had faced some real danger, and come through despite.

Amongst the party, Ix in particular seemed excited, chittering in her own tongue incomprehensibly to the rest of the party; when she had collected her initial share of the seemingly small haul of treasure, she departed quickly to rejoin her people; Torkol, another Survivor and patron at Cothon-Under-Star was able to tell his companions that she was chittering something about "blooding her sword" and the "halls of the warriors."

And because I want to showcase Joel's artwork for the recap, I am also reproducing his play report here (for which Durham receives 100 xp per level); Jacob's, from Sesel, will follow shortly:

The Flowing One

Durham's log, entry 9

In need of gold I had the idea of going back to Dalan's tomb. I heard tales that the Survivors of the Tel had explored the same area a time ago, so I invited them to the Kantor for a drink to hear my proposal.

I told the Survivors of my adventure into the tomb and the alter that we found needing some round object to act as a key, the eye of Dalan. My theory is that a treasure lies beyond, if we can acquire the key. The Survivors agreed. So I sent a message to a friend I made at the Coreguyi games; Amalla Umm al Munqidh.

She did not make an appearance herself but a representative did come with an entourage. They were part of the guild of oarsmen and shipwrights. I ordered them a round of the famous Hanseatic lager while we talked.

The representative tells me of the cult of Dalan, who currently holds the eye. Once upon a time they were the dominant force of the guild, however their number has dwindled down, currently making them a minor influence in the guild. It is know they have wealth but refuse to share with the rest of the house. With the promise of giving their house a gift, they advise that we not make our intentions know to the cult of Dalan and that even a round eye sized object may work as a key.

Our party left Cothan via the gate of mourners and followed the pallbearers' way. We found our way to the necropolis and entered. It took us a while to navigate for what we certain was the way to our destination seemed to be unfamiliar so we backtracked and began again eventually running into four small grey human-like creatures armed with swords. They did not appear to be hostile and offered their assistants for a share in our treasure. We agreed and pushed forward.

We then came upon an altar that was covered in a liquid bubble. We approached closer and poked it with a spear. The liquid shielding the altar began to move, developing a torso. We engaged in combat and as we did the grey creatures turned against us and attacked us as well.

We eventually were eventually victorious, however we did suffer injuries. The grey creatures turned out to be illusions and were actually some kind of creature resembling a mass of rope like tentacles. We gathered the altar's treasure and headed home, hoping to return for a greater prize.

Durham, self portrait

The Lucre

• 20 platinum, 800 gold, 4000 sp
• 230 gp from gems x5 (2@100, 3@10)
• four silver-and-gilt officers' maces, more ceremonial than effective, all with the head of a kyni-falcon, and bearing insignia of Dalan II. (2000 gp altogether)
• the dark silver head of a polearm, fashioned in the shape of a betranoban, its long beak and crest both able to be used as a piercing blade or as a boat-hook (500 gp)
• a large collection of ancient and foreign coinage, valued around 8600 gp, but would require the services of a money-changer at a fee of 10% of value, to change into legal tender
• an aspis-type shield, faced with bronze and painted with a platter-shaped crustacean (magic)
• a small metallic orb with an iris on one side, and a stud on the other
• an illuminated scroll in an ornate oar-like scrollcase, The Glorious Deeds of Qon al Nakimbri, covering said deeds and the barbarian warlord's loyal service to Dalan II., and his installation as the guard at the gates to the land of the dead
• a gold arrowhead, curious in that it doesn't have a socket to attach to a shaft; it registers on the "mystery" setting on Durhma's device

The Learning

• 18730 xp from treasure
• 540 xp from "flowing one" x1 (500 + hp)
• 1379 xp from tsu'uru x5 (250 + hp ea.)
• 200 xp to each character for exploring another lower level of the crypts

The Cut

• 4 pp, 626 gp, 800 sp to each player-character
  2 pp 313 gp, 400 sp to Vlana and Ix
  400 gp to Barabajagal
  this cut does not include the value of the coinage, that must be liquidated separately
• 5362 xp to each player-character
  2581 xp to Vlana and Ix
• the shield
• the orb
• the book
• the arrowhead

The Numismatic Nightmare

As to the collection of various coinage retrieved from the necropolis, as mentioned above, its liquidation into useable currency would involve a money-changer and a fee at 10% of its value. This value has already been figured into the xp awards, just not in cash. The exact division of this collection is left to the players to determine, though undoubtedly the hirelings associated with the adventure have some interest in its alienation.

The money-changer is noted, but perhaps there are other ways the players wish to use it? I leave it to the company to decide--or if they wish to divide it up equitably, and then deal with it individually, as each character sees fit? Just let me know

Write-ups, art, etc. provided to me to be published here will net an additional 100 xp per level for the corresponding player-character.