| Session Summaries: |
As the Newcomers continue their dissolution of the Hollowfaust Guilds and introduce themselves to the inhabitants of Scarn, Feng and Quarian remain wary and watchful. Others, however, embrace this as an opportunity. The newly appointed governor, the half-dragon Subira, is often spotted in the company of House Asuras agents and never without her dark elf lieutenants. As even larger "chariots" descend from the clouds and offload crate after crate of suppliers and materials, those Hollowfaust citizens living nearest the Third Gate are evicted from their homes. Shortly thereafter, construction begins on a wall around the Third Gate and a second, much larger structure, outside the city.
Five days after The Fall, an influx of refugees accompanied by a cloud of smoke is turned away from the First Gate, only to have a tent town spring up at the base of the Faust. Inside the city, riots over the evictions and mistreatment of Hollowfaustians rise up only to be brutally suppressed. Martial law is declared and construction of the wall continues. Many citizens, including Feng's mentor -- the local blacksmith -- cannot adequately deal with the change and commit suicide. Feng, however, notes that something is not quite right with the rope marks on his mentor's body and seeks out Quarian's help.
Finding Quarian at The Weary Pilgrim, the two depart for the blacksmith's shop. While en route, they stop in front of a street vendor peddling a variety of alchemical products - a human. Nearby, a half-ogre towers over the crowd, helping merchants with tasks of manual labor. Stopping to examine the alchemist's wares, the half-ogre begins to pass by and running down the street behind everyone comes Dalimyr, clutching a large, covered object. The front of his robes are stained crimson. He nearly falls into Feng, who'd turned at the sound of running. Pleading with Feng to not allow "them" to get their hands on the item, there is a fizzle as air is vaporized and a short wisp of smoke rises, the acrid stench of scorched flesh pulling at on-lookers' senses.
On Dalimyr's heels, the crowd parts and a patrol of three dark elves -- all Newcomers -- level weapons at the three. Ordering the group to stand down, Feng spots a sewer grate in the nearby alley. He immediately bolts for it, Quarian on his heels. The vendor, not wanting to stick around ducks into the alley with the two companions. The half-ogre, a little slower to react, watches the guns train on him for a moment, then rushes after.
Attempting to evade their pursuers, the four twist through the sewer tunnels searching for a way out. After finding their way to another dead end, the sound of footsteps come closer. Expecting a fight, the group is instead confronted with a member of the city's former secret police. Directing them how to get out of the city, he provides them with the name of a resistance leader, holed up in the Gascar Peaks, north of Hollowfaust. Not wanting to stick around, they all head for the hills.
The first day of travel goes by without incident -- a somewhat peaceful, but watchful, night. Their luck continues through midday, but the half-ogre, Lorgus, hears the sound of twigs snapping behind them. Taking up defensive positions, Lorgus and Feng spot a small pack of Quillwolves. The creatures growl and bristle their spines. As weapons are drawn, a flight of arrows comes first from the right, then the left. The human cleric, having displayed the ability to cast spells, is shot. He drops to the ground paralyzed. Several small lizardmen, armed with short bows, can be seen beyond the quillwolves.
After several minutes, the quillwolves are defeated, but the lizardmen have succeeded in paralyzing all four. They are dragged from their weapons to a clearing and bound. As the lizardmen ponder how to drag the four large humanoids, a fifth approaches from the woods. The Slitheren, a Stalker, barks orders to the lizardmen in their native tongue -- mentioning something about the "proper authorities" in the Common tongue. While their captors are distracted, Lorgus and Feng work their bonds. Lorgus breaks them immediately and charges at the Slitheren, attempting to bowl him over and get to his weapons. The Slitheren hastily draws a hand crossbow and fires, striking Lorgus with a poisoned dart and immediately paralyzing the barbarian.
Feng succeeds in breaking his own bonds and immediately ducks into the trees. The human shapeshifter changes forms to that of a man-bear, breaking his bonds and charging the Slitheren. The battle resumes as the four fight for their lives. Eventually, the lizardmen are defeated amid a tangle of vines and brush. Overwhelmed by Feng and Quarian's cheetah form, the Slitheren is struck a devastating blow. Instead of dying, however, the ratman simply disappears.
Recovering somewhat, the group licks their wounds and falls further back into the Peaks...
Written By: Thoth
10 October 2004
