With the decision made the Crimson Fists Shadow Walk to Stormreach where Lorric sets to converting the various loot they've collected into cash. With the swift talking Lorric at work the Fists are soon supplied with more coin then they've ever seen before.
On the next day Oz is bid a fond farewell by his comrades with 33,000 thousand gold in his pack and a near death dealing hangover from the previous nights celebration.
With so much gold burning a hole in their pockets the Fists decide to spend a few days relaxing in Stormreach and purchasing items that will help them with their extra-planar quests. Celedrus requests some gold to tide him over and is gifted with 6,000 although after he tries to buy a glass of wine with a 100 gold pieces it has to be explained to him how much that can buy in this new world.
They also bump into their old friend Galin, who on being quizzed about adventurers who might be prepared to join the company tells them of a Warforged called WIL who is looking for work and can be found at the 'Ship's Cat'. According to Galin Will was part of an expedition into the Menechtarun desert. When he lost contact with the expedition he fell into a passive state only recovering when he was uncovered by another expedition whom he accompanied back to Stormreach.
The Fists decide to talk to Wil. He turns out to be a cheery fellow with a laugh that could be counted as a Sonic weapon. Skilled in trap finding and magic and with the endurance native to his kind he seems just what they need. For his part Wil cares little for money, tending to give away his share of any loot. Of more concern to him is that the quests he go on are for the cause of good and are interesting. He deems the Fist's plans worthy of his attention and agrees to join up.
With a few days to relax the Fists set about their individual errands.
Ajax seeks out Kolos the minotaur to arrange a gladiatorial battle for him and one is arranged for a few days hence in the Far games. It is only after this that Ajax hears the rumour that the reason the Crimson Fists left Stormreach was that they had fled in fear of Malketh. It does occur to him that entering the games that Malekith controls could be considered a giant 'up yours' to him but, as with most things, this occurs to him too late.
Kapek visits the House Jorasco enclave to declare his new found status as one of the Dragonmarked. They eagerly question, examine and catalogue him.
Mirra and Wil research into Pazunia and Mabar at the Temple of the Sovereign Host. There they learn of the Blood War between the Demons and Devils and how Pazunia is the main battleground for this conflict. They also learn of a hub of trade there called 'Broken Reach'
Mirra also delivers the stories she has been writing to the local office of her paper. She picks up the latest news herself hearing tales of half-demon pirates, conflict between the Sahuagin possibly linked to undersea earthquakes, the incidences of the dead rising again and the re-birth of the 13th Dragonmark.
Lorric as well as consuming heroic amounts of alcohol visits the Church of the Silver Flame to inquire of the 'Gilded Man'. From them he learns that the 'Gilded Man' is not human but probably an Inevitable, a being of pure Law dedicated to maintaining the balance. He was captured by Feriax'soth several centuries ago.
Lorric is warned that the 'Gilded Man' will hate those who have died and returned, regarding them as an offence to the natural cycle of things. A description that applies to two of his party both Ajax and Celedrus having died and returned.
Also all the group invest in new magic items. Kapek and Ajax pay to have some their items improved, this involves handing them over for this process to be done. Ajax hands over his Beast Claws, a decision he will soon come to regret.
Far, 20th Barrakas 998 Y.K.
On Far morning the Fists receive a letter, it contains First Class tickets to the games where the final event will be a battle between Malixendria the Champion and Ajax, accompanying it is an note inviting them to 'The Death of Ajax of the Crimson Fists'. It is signed, naturally, by Malketh.
That evening the other Fists use the tickets and are soon seated next to Malketh himself. He is accompanied by a robed figure that they instantly recognize from the encounter when Malketh's forces attacked the Fists outside Stormreach. The spell-caster who cast the Teleportation Circle that brought Malketh's people there, which made him a formidable spell-caster indeed. However as they are introduced he leans forward and for a second his features shift becoming a woman, her features pulled tight by chains sunk into her flesh. It is Saeloth the Sorceress who the Fists freed from the Yellowtooth goblins, who attacked the village of Gullsnest and who recommended them for membership in the Deathgate guild. Malketh seems to have not noticed his companion's brief change and invites Lorric to sit next to him while the Fists wonder what game Saeloth is playing.
Malketh is, of course, here to bargain. He offers Lorric that when Ajax loses he won't call for his death if Ajax will serve as his slave for six months. Lorric feels he cannot make the decision for Ajax so makes a counter-offer. If Ajax wins Malketh will tell him where he can find his mother. If Malexendria wins Lorric will fight her in the arena. Malketh agrees with one proviso, the fight about to happen must end in the death of one of the combatants.
Down on the sands of the arena the two opponents walk out to the cheers of the crowd. It is clear that Malexendria is by far the favourite, despite Mirra's best efforts to get everyone to cheer for Ajax.
The Announcer introduces Malexendria and then declares Ajax is there to 'defend the honour of the Crimson Fists after they fled the city'. His opinion on this subject are interrupted as a remarkably well aimed tomato thrown by Kapek impacts with his chest.
The formalities over the fight begins. Ajax is without his Beast Claws as they are still being improved and so charges straight in with his Pincer Staff, delivering a flurry of blows that all miss his nimble opponent. Malexendria tumbles past him and with blinding speed and deadly accuracy backstabs him in the heart and kidneys. To her astonishment this seems to merely annoy the Shifter.
When another blizzard of attacks also all miss Ajax simply throws away the Pincer Staff and uses his natural claws, finally managing to land a hit. To both his and the crowds relief as so far this was proving a very one-sided competition. Although this is still one blow in return for the three more telling blows she lands.
Realizing he is losing badly Ajax decides its time for an all-or-nothing move. He backs off from his opponent, putting the breadth of the arena between them. Malexendria takes the opportunity to spread her wings and fly into the air and invoke a Horrid Wilting on Ajax. Now only alive thanks to the vitality granted him by his Shifted Form Ajax transforms into his Primeval Dire Tiger form (losing all his magical gear) and charges straight at the astonished Malexendria. With one mighty leap he collides with her and unleashes a series of terrible blows.
They hit the ground and a glow surrounds Malexendria as some item she possesses casts a Heal on her. She desperately strikes back but it isn't enough, Ajax's jaws clamp down on her and with fang and claw he tears into her.
Malexendria goes limp and Ajax rolls off her. He hopes she might still be saved but the intestines leaking from her indicate that she is dead. Ajax quickly transforms back into his humanoid form and exhausts his Healing Belt to heal himself enough that he won't just die when his Shifting wears off.
The crowd goes wild as Ajax is declared the winner. Lorric turns to speak to Malketh but he is already stalking to the exit, furious at the loss of his Champion.
Ajax rejoins his comrades and immediately offers his apologies to Lorric for the death of his half-sister. Lorric kindly forgives him. Unable to resist anymore Ajax heads out to bask in the adulation of his new fans. The other Fists decide that once again its time to leave Stormreach in a hurry.
Having done a lap of honour Ajax returns to his comrades with a huge grin on his face. Just then a boy approaches Lorric informing him that Malketh would like to speak to him and his friends.
Having done a lap of honour Ajax returns to his comrades with a huge grin on his face. Just then a boy approaches Lorric informing him that Malketh would like to speak to him and his friends.
The Fists are escorted to Malketh's inner chambers. Malketh receives them, offers them food and wine and, grudgingly, congratulates Ajax on his victory. Malketh quickly gets down to business and informs Lorric of his parents. His father was called VANTHUS and his mother LAVINIA. A pair of noted adventurers who had left Lorric with a friend who, in Malketh's carefully chosen words, 'they thought they could trust' before heading into the jungle.
They were said to have found ruins that served as a prison for a crazed mind called Dynroth. It was here the rest of their group had lost contact with them. When next they were heard of they were being help prisoner in Pazunia. Apparently Lavinia knew something of value to DEMOGORGON for she was moved to his realm,'THE GAPING MAW'. There she is said to held in a prison but a prison where the prisoners control half of it and the guards the other half.
Malketh also informs Lorric that his mother is an aasimar. Malketh makes gloating reference to the fact that in the Abyss 'her flesh is the sweetest.' Having gotten his petty revenge Malketh dismisses the group.
The second they step outside they are mobbed by fight fans who spot the new champion. Ajax leads his new fans off to the nearest pub and gives the group breathing room. The rest of the group head off to find a bard to quiz about Lorric's parents.
*Ajax comments
It is a horrible thing for Ajax to head off to the pub with a crowd of admiring fans who want to buy him all the drinks he can manage but that is a sacrifice he's prepared to make to free his comrades to persue their mission.
*Ajax comments
It is a horrible thing for Ajax to head off to the pub with a crowd of admiring fans who want to buy him all the drinks he can manage but that is a sacrifice he's prepared to make to free his comrades to persue their mission.
A search produces a bard who remembers them and even recognizes Lorric and informs him of his real name, Yeshmal. He tells some stories of Lavinia and Vanthus and informs Lorric of where his parents used to live.
Lorric mulls the information over a few dozen pints and decides he needs to purchase a scroll of Discern Location to locate his parents when the Fists are in Pazunia. However to make it work he will need some objects closely connected to them.
The night passes.
Sar 21st Barrakas 998 Y.K.
The next morning a tired Ajax rolls up to the 'Sea Cat' to meet up with the rest of the Fists. He requests a Remove Disease from Celedrus and is refused on the grounds Celedrus feels his god's gifts shouldn't be squandered on protecting Ajax from the consequences of his own over indulgence.
*Ajax comments
Ajax having discovered the concept of 'groupies' the night before.
*Ajax comments
Ajax having discovered the concept of 'groupies' the night before.
With everyone together they head to the address given them by the bard. As they approach the house old memories stir in Lorric's mind and memories long buried return to him.
The current owners of the house, Mark and Larissa Zemore, are more than a little surprised to be woken by such a strange group (including the new Champion) first thing in the morning but kindly invite them in for tea. Over the tea Lorric explains his need for something connected to his parents to enable him to find them. Mark mentions that when they first moved in twenty years ago he discovered a locket which his wife wears to this day. However it has great sentimental value to them as a reminder of the house that has been their home for twenty years. Lorric promises to return it if he can and offers them 500 GP.
Larissa obviously doesn't want to part with it but Mark realizes it can reunite Lorric with his parents and, with some sadness, hands it over. Lorric thanks them and reiterates his promise to return it. Ajax touched by the couples generosity to strangers presses one of the diamonds he keeps for emergencies into Mark's hand and suggest he uses it to create another piece for his wife.
The Fists then head to the bank in the hopes of being able to access the account of Lorric's parents. The manager is naturally reluctant to allow this but is persuaded to part with something of no real worth from their deposit box. The box is bought before Lorric and with a rush of fond childhood memories he instantly recognizes a pair of wooden swords his father and he used to play with. He takes the one his father used to use.
All that is left to do then is to purchase two scrolls of Discern Location.
With their business in Stormreach concluded the Fists are ready to return to the expedition. Celedrus decides not to return to the territory of the Drow and will wait for their return in Stormreach.
