Session 35

Heroes: Meghera, Zark, Vaako, Sai

The Heroes are in Plague-Mort, seeking a certain breed of razorvine that grows on the Gate to the Abyss. They soon discover that the gate seems to be looming larger than usual.

The bashers learn that they may not simply take the vine - they need a special permit from the Arch-Lector. By using magic to turn invisible, the Heroes manage to aquire the vine without having to wait.

While making their way back to the portal that brought them there, they see the signs that this is a town ready to blow. Not only there's shortage of food, ostensibly because of some poisoned imports; people are spreading rumors of the Arch-Lector's impending downfall, and some are actively plotting to replace him.

Before long, news of the Arch-Lector's death spreads through the burg like dragonfire. all of Plague-Mort burst into action, each party moving to wrest control for itself.

At the beginning, the Heroes seem to be only interested in leaving before the storm hits, but when they realise that all the portals to leave the town are closed and the town itself is about to slip into the portal to the Abyss, their attitude changes.

Meghera suddenly decides to ally herself with the tanaar'ri powers behind the Arch-Lector's death; she forms a covenant with Marquis Fearson, the cambion orchestrating the demise of the town. At his bidding, she roams the town to spread more fear and chaos. Vaako and Sai actively try to help the townsfolk abandon their evil ways, in order to save the town. They manage partial success, while killing a few demons they meet along the way. Zark tries to play both sides, not fully committed to one result or the other until the very end.

Eventually, the Heroes meet once again in the hall of the Arch-Lector, where a full-scale battle between the townsfolk and the local militia it taking place. As chaos and evil spread, the ground starts to crack, blood seeping through the wounds. Shadowy tendrils form across town, coming from the portal to the Abyss: Plague-Mort is crossing over! Witnessing all this unfold from his throne, Marquis Fearson laugh maniacally.

But the Heroes throw themselves at him with all they have, and by working all together they manage to defeat him. Still, it looks like it is too late for the town. Zark and Vaako leave the scene in advance, trying to make their way out of the town limits before it crosses over.

Meghera and Sai linger too long, and all seems lost for them, when they decide to summon Myerai, the Nic'Epona (see session 32). When the magical horse arrives, Meghera jumps on her back first, and Sai lets her go.

The githzerai bleaker runs for his life, eventually spotting his companions leaving in the distance, with the town changing into a demonic landscape all aroud him. Then he slows down, just walking, then stops.

Sai'gi'na looked around. He dropped his gear, took off his hood, and helmet, let it fall to the ground. Looking at the shapes of the other two disappearing in the distance, he crossed his wrists over his chest, tilted his head up and closed his eyes.