Session 11 – Saturday 27^th of January 2007 – “The Lotus Dragons Defeated?” 

Suraday the 15^th of Dirondal, as the main party discovers that the body of Rowyn has turned out to be that of a doppelganger, they also find out that Vanthus killed his parents and was even looking to do the same to Lavinia.  His letters to Rowyn described in graphic detail the glee with which he commended their souls to the hereafter, in the hull of a burning vessel.  Even after all this, he still states that he missed his time with his sister, as if there was some semblance of humanity left in him.

As T’ilquin and Darlos battled with another worg and its handlers, Zholo and the professor stumbled into a situation of their own.  Behind a secret passage and another room beyond, the two intrepid adventurers found themselves starring into a huge cavern.  Within this dimly lit area was a huge pool of murky water and standing there with her back turned to them was the woman in black, otherwise known as the whip girl.  Zholo’s most powerful nemesis, she who could disarm, trip, and drop him in a single round, was standing there looking intently into the water.

Building up his courage he stepped forward in a surprise attack and slashed at her neck clean through.  Accomplishing an epic feat, Zholo managed to do 22 points of damage to this woman, nearly slicing her head clean from her body.  He didn’t know at the time that this was not his nemesis at all, but a sacrifice placed in his path to anoint him into chaos.  It wasn’t until he saw the ancient sigils on the woman’s body that he began to realize he had walked into a trap.  About this time the resounding sound of clapping and laughter began to fill the cavern, and then a disembodied woman’s voice offered up congratulations.  While the professor attempted to find this voice’s whereabouts, Zholo listened carefully to her offer for them to join the Lotus Dragons.  After a non-committal response from Zholo, the two beat a retreat back to their compatriots, as did T’ilquin with Darlos over his shoulder.

By this time plans were being made to raise the group’s newly acquired wealth from this place and to return the portion belonging to Lavinia to her.  It was also at this time that Zholo discovered a sigil on his arm, which was not unlike those he found upon the woman he had slain.  Both the professor and Fujolo took time to investigate the marking only to determine it was potentially some form of evil curse.  This would need further investigation…

After ascending to the taxidermy shop above them with their loot the adventurers stuffed a hollowed out bear with their gains to remove it without notice.  While the rest of the party would pull the stuffed bear back to Lavinia’s, Zholo made haste to the ship and then to the largest temple he could find.  It was there that a priest of Shuraashaa informed the swashbuckler that this marking was Aboleth in nature, and part of some curse, though what curse he was uncertain.  Furthermore, he was informed that the curse was not yet activated and that the priest would need more time to investigate, but to be careful.

Lavinia was given the evidence telling of her brother’s treachery.  After composing herself, she gave the group a 1000 gp reward and asked that they carry on in their search for Vanthus, only now she wished him brought to justice.  Given the information at hand, this meant they would need to travel to the Kraken’s Cove!

After several days of rest and recuperation, the group chartered a ship to take them to within a few miles of the coast.  They also took the time to purchase supplies and gather any information they could on the area.  This cove was well noted for its protected approaches with subsurface rocks and reefs that would smash any vessels on their approach.  The cove was known to be used by the Crimson Pirates as a safe haven for smuggling operations of all kinds.  These were the same pirates who killed Zholo’s family, the same ones who were part of the original seven who made a packed with the Aboleth demigoddess, the same ones who the Lotus Dragons had been doing business.  Destiny, it would seem, was beginning to show its hand.

The following day they would find themselves on a ship sailing towards the south eastern coast, towards the cove.  By shortly after midday it would be time to enter the long boats for the final 3 mile row for the coast.  Though they had a rocky start with Prion going into the drink, their approach was almost flawless.  The closer they came, the more precarious were the dangers and it wasn’t until the last few hundred yards that the boat carrying the professor, Red Dan, Norman, Fujolo and Dylan hit the rocks.  Dylan and Red Dan took to the water without issue, though it would take a rescue attempt to save Norman and the professor, while Fujolo made use of his swimming potion.  Though they made it to shore, nearly half their supplies were lost, along with the second long boat.  That night, they would stand watch and rest for the following day’s march to the cove.