24 February 2023

Session #26 February 24, 2023: Regrouping at the docks the Faithful Few looked up to see the two gods standing facing each other, Mogis looked down at the city until his gaze fell over where the group was. He outstretched his arm and Mufassa felt a strong tug from his ax as if it were being pulled away, though he was able to hold onto it with some assistance from Stergas, There was then a pulse from the ax as Mogis conjured a new weapon and began charging towards Iroas. Mufassa holding the ax felt the pulse and felt a strong urge for bloodlust, for violence and slaughter. After gods began to fight the Faithful Few decided to recuperate some strength traveling to a local herbalist, the one that Garak had visited a few days earlier, in search of supplies. The owner was a little skittish throwing a vial of alchemist fire at the first person who opened the door, but he provided the group with two minor healing potions and some empty vials for Stergas to collect the demon blood. Stergas offered to bring him to view the demon remains thinking he would be interested, but he declined informing Stergas of an old colleague Dr. Zenon, who had a shop in Meletis who would be interested in that sort of thing. Leaving the shop the Faithful Few heard a deep yell coming from the sky and saw Iroas had begun gaining the upper hand against Mogis, repelling him off with his shield. Mogis stamped his hoof and blessed Mufassa and his minotaurs with the gift of rage. In response Iroas blessed the rest of the Faithful Few and the Akroan soldiers with the shield of faith spell. The Faithful Few then headed north to the wall to see what command structure was in place only to find there wasn’t one, just guards doing the best that they could. Garak took it upon himself to take the lead, rallying the guards forming a well armored shield around him fending off minotaurs. Eventually the battle began to subside Mogis gave out a deep roar of pain, Iroas had his spear embedded in Mogis’ shoulder, Iroas withdrew the spear and from the wound deep dark red blood flew soaking the lands below. The demons and harpies began to fly off leaving behind the minotaurs. The guards were beginning to surround minotaurs and capture them. Mogis retreated, having failed in destroying the city and killing his brother. Over the next several hours the Faithful Few went about the city helping where they could, Kalash performing rites to the dead, Markus tending to the wounded and fulfilled the vision he saw when looking into the Mirror of Fate back in Meletis. Finally everyone other than Markus and Kalash went back to the tavern to rest after a very long day, while the two clerics worked throughout the night. Overnight Mufassa was haunted by terrible dreams he dreamt of killing indiscriminately, both guards and minotaurs alike and just before swinging his ax against the other members of the Faithful Few awoke in a cold sweet. In the morning the Faithful Few were summoned by the Captain who had lost both his legs during the fighting. He wanted to know what the reason could have been that all the minotaurs had died overnight with no apparent reason. The Faithful Few then went to the Anvil of Purphoros guildhall to talk with the guild leader, Dalakos, about the Colossus’ return. He informed everyone that it should return on its own after 24 hours of no combat, and that once activated it wouldn’t be able to activate again for another year. From there the group went to do research at the Temple of Victory, though having difficulty entering at first the guards made an exception and allowed everyone in. Garak and Stergas began researching the history of Akros over the course of centuries. From the time of Archon’s ruling over mortals until the Meletis heroes Kynaios and Tiro rose up and overthrew them, to the siege of Akros over 40 years ago with the rise of Xenagos. Finding no records of a fight between Mogis and Iroas where blood was spilled. Garak did find one tattered scroll of a scholar theorizing about what could happen if the balance between the two gods was disrupted, stating that it could have disastrous consequences. Afterward everyone headed to the docks to find passage to Asphodel, finding the ship of a noble Alistor who was supposed to arrive at Akros a week ago but couldn’t make it, sending his ship instead. The ship was preparing to head back home, Captain Tim tested the group to ensure they weren’t worshipers of Erebros before allowing passage, telling everyone that they could leave first thing in the morning provided Markus could create enough food and water to make up for missing supplies. That night Mufassa had a dream where a deep voice spoke to him offering more power, but at a cost he would have to prove his devotion by killing everyone else. In game time 12/28/42 (noon) to 1/1/43 (first light).