Session 4: AP Part 2

Having dealt, for now at least, with some of their issues our heroes are called to the meeting of the Rebellion. Akbar, their main contact, leads them to the location and fills them in on the situation. Many of their people are dead but the leaders have survived. They are meeting tonight to discuss what to do, go to ground and build their forces or to strike at the Cabal while they are weakened by the loss of Althea. Fingers are also being pointed over the recent losses, there is a Traitor in the ranks.

The group are led to the home of Nabonidus the Merchant, known among the Rebellion as The Purse. A score or so people are present including the Rebellions two other leaders. Marat Kesh, leader of a brutal band of murderers and friend of Morn and Antonius strategist, leader, Paladin of The Cult of the Eternal and Tiefling! Many discussions follow as our heroes try to determine what strength is left. Many of the men of the Rebellion are dead and its weapons are lost but its alliances, with the Kireshi witches and desert nomads remain strong. Three problems remain, the Golems, the Demons and the Traitor.

At this point Antonius announces his plan to find the Traitor and to match the sorcerous power of the Cabal. He has concluded a new alliance and he introduces their newest ally, Akaran Trak’Ar, leader of the most powerful Tiefling Noble Family in the City. (I really should have had the Imperial March to play here). Trak’Ar is the hated enemy of Artemis having kidnapped and raped his mother and Morn isn’t keen on him either given he is his former owner.

More discussion occurs and the news of the intervention of the Dragonborn sends fear running through the room. Antonius calls for advice from his leaders and from the group! It seems they are being accorded a fair amount of status. All agree that they cannot attack now. The group suggest that the Kireshi or desert nomads might slow the advance of the Dragonborn. They also claim to have a way to stop the Golems! This is perhaps more based on hope than evidence, they are going off the murals on the wall of the Giants Cradle which showed the building of an enormous golem like creature.

As the meeting breaks up Nabonidus asks them to stay a while, he has news which will be of interest to them. Trak’Ar has a price for aiding the Rebellion. He wants his wife back and he wants Artemis to bring her to him (she is his mother who he rescued from under Akaran’s nose). Also, when all this is over he wants the Grub dead.

While they discuss the situation Nabonidus’s daughter brings them drinks to quench their thirst. As she hands them round realisation dawns on several faces, she looks exactly like the second prisoner they rescued from the Cabals dungeon. Deciding she is a doppelganger of some sort they attack. Nabonidus leaps to the defence of his daughter and a chaotic melee results. The daughter reveals previously unknown powers of a desert witch and rains down fire and death on the group. Half naked Mamluk guards charge into the fray and Nabonidus keeps Morn pinned down. Artemis sends arrow after arrow into the witch and finally her disguise fails. She is no doppelganger but a demonic succubus, covered in filth and corrupting flame. The Guards flee but Nabonidus is unrelenting. More flames are kindled in the garden and Morn and Azhanti both go down. Things are looking grim but finally she is put to flight. Nabonidus recovers his wits and the group kidnap him back to the Tower where his daughter still lies catatonic. He is distraught at the prospect that he has betrayed the Rebellion but gladdened that his daughter has returned to him.

Night falls and the group plans their next trip. A journey into the desert to the Shrouded Oasis and then beyond, to the Mountains at the Edge of the World from which no-one has ever returned.