The Lazarus Expedition: Episode 15

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==Synopsis==
The party journeys across the Cinder Sands and enters Heatstroke. Their holy trial for the scroll of ressurection begins.
==Recap==
=== Dealing with Freed Slaves===
We rejoin the party is in the plains with the slaves they have rescued. Drolvrazorz and Cypher are happy to acquire slaves, and get into an ethical debate with Cassian and Styrmir over if they can keep them and give them to Julia. They give the freed slaves the equipment from the fallen slavers and send them towards the woods to seek assistance from the elves. They are unsure if the elves will accept them, but decide it’s their best chance to survive. They will pass by the forest on their way back and assist the freed slaves if they still need help. Cassian tells an elven slave to ask for Violet, and gives her a 100gp jade to pay the elves for passage. Cypher warns the slaves that they may simply be re-indentured without the protection of the party to affirm their freedom. Cassian takes some gold rings for himself and all the paperwork on the wizard is given to the elven slave to bring with their group. Cypher tells the slaves if they wait for the party, she can get them work with Julia. Finally, Cassian gives them a roughly half cord of gold, 29gp, and they part ways. 
=== Journey Continues ===
Having exited the woods, the party takes a short rest before beginning to follow along the mountains to the south. They suddenly realize they may not have a chance to long rest before reaching Heatstroke, and if they want spells back they need a plan. They don’t expect to get a long rest in Heatstroke, but since Styrmir is the only one who’s burned much spells they decide to continue towards the ruined city. Cassian gives Styrmir the gold rings he took off the wizard’s corpse, joking that they are magical. 
The party is nearing the end goal for their expedition, Heatstroke is but a few days away. They think about how long they’ve been traveling, Styrmir and Cassian first shipwrecked over 5 months ago. 
They approach the Wagawash river, and follow down it looking for a way to cross. They start to think about the return journey once they have the scroll. They will need to return through Bellwind and Scalesvale to get help from Julia. That same day they cross the river and head into the plains, an area called The Strap. Next will come the Cinder Sands which encompass Heatstroke, and from here on out Ostagen no longer knows the optimal path. 
=== The Terrain Shifts ===
The grass begins to dry up and water once again becomes sparse, they need to be mindful they don’t run out. Cassian tells Styrmir he is just spoiled from being around water all the time on ships, but Styrmir chides back, “My landlubber friend, the sea is the driest place of them all. You can’t drink the seawater, it mocks you.” Drolvrazorz has never seen the ocean and does not understand why one cannot drink its water, both water and salt are good in his eyes.
As they walk, Styrmir notices a cave along the mountains with a water trickle, and Drolvrazorz sends his raven familiar inside for recon. The cave is dark and the party cannot see inside, so Maut creates a light stone to give to the raven. As the raven swoops down, Cypher sees it get blasted with magic misses and get dismissed. Cassian calls out, “Hey... we mean no harm we’re simply looking for water.” 
As the raven disappears, the light stone falls and reveals a small portion of the entrance. The cave looks natural, there’s no worked stone or tracks for mine-carts to be seen. Cassian, Styrmir, and Cypher move away from the entrance and hug the wall on either sides of the opening. Drolvrazorz has no fear and maintains a direct approach, while the rest of the NPC’s retreat. 
=== The Cave Dweller Hungers ===
A voice calls out from within the cave, “Who are you? Why would I give you my precious water?” Cassian explains their journey to Heatstroke, their wish to refill their water, and that they only sent the raven to check the cave for bears. He insists the party means no harm, and as a show of faith steps back into view of the entrance with his hands up. He asks for cave dweller’s name, and gives his own but the voice seems distrustful given the party’s weapons and armor. Cassian asks how he can build trust so that they may be allowed to take water, and is told the cave dweller wishes for, “One of your people. Just one of the small ones from the back.” This disturbs the party and Cassian refuses to give up one of his allies. Drolvrazorz, worshiper of the maw, asks the being in the hobgoblin language if they are hungry to which they reply, “Aren’t we all?” in the common tongue. Cassian asks if they could simply give an animal instead of an ally, but the cave dweller does not understand the difference. Cassian kicks some rations into the lighted up section of cave to no avail. 
The party moves to leave, but Drolvrazorz believes this being to be a disciple of the maw and by feeding her they will receive a boon. He is greatly upset by the party refusing to accept his belief, despite constantly pushing their anti-slavery beliefs on him. While they talk, Drolvrazorz whispers into the cave in hobgoblin, “What do you want? What are you hungry for?” The voice whispers something back. “What will you give us in return?” asks Drolvrazorz. After another response, Drolvrazorz stands up and walks toward Maut proclaiming, “We have to feed her or she’ll kill us.” Cassian and Ethan step between the hobgoblin and Maut while Cypher starts arguing with him in their native tongue. Drolvrazorz is distraught, and returns to the cave mouth where he proceeds to cut off his own pinky and throws it into the cave, hoping to earn forgiveness. Whatever was said next scares Drolvrazorz and he insists the party flee, which they happily agree to do. Drolvrazors claims the being was the manifestation of the maw on this earth and they have forsaken themselves by not feeding it. Cassian begins to believe he will need to slay the monstrous members of the party upon completion of their quest.
Cypher continues to argue with Drolvrazorz about what just transpired, loudly yelling at him. Drolvrazorz acknowledges that he has gone full “hobgoblin mode,” the direct opposite of his well behaved “human mode,” yet he simply responds that they do not understand. Cassian divulges his plan to eventually kill the monsters to Styrmir, who argues Cypher deserves to live and that Drolvrazorz hasn’t done enough to be condemned to death quite yet. The two agree on the codeword “coconut” if they ever need to attack the monsters. By the end of the 3rd day, they are beyond the shield-wall mountains and finally at the entrance to the Cinder Sands. 
=== Cinder Sands ===
The pyramid and the coast are both due east, but they cannot see anything yet. The party only has a day of water each left and are relying on Styrmir’s create water spells for the rest of the trek. Cassian has to modify his half-plate into a breastplate to avoid overheating. Styrmir has to remove his ring mail and attempts to carry it in a tarp between two people, but it slows them down almost a full day so they abandon it. Drolvrazorz sends his familiar to scout the skies on the 4th day in the desert, to no avail. On day 5 however, his raven spots a massive fog bank roughly 6 miles away in the direction they’re heading. On day 6 while traversing the fog, Styrmir is ambushed by a snake and bitten but not seriously injured. The next morning the fog has lifted and the party can see the great pyramid of Heatstroke.
=== Heatstroke ===
The pyramid is an enormous structure, dwarfing the ziggaraut in Abalar and putting King Arnold's keep to shame. Even though the world is still young the pyramid appears old, predating any history the party knows of. Wanting to respect the holy city where the gods first touched the world, they enter through the front gates whilst announcing their presence. Styrmir: “I speak now addressing the gods, to those of you still in the celestial plane, and those of you now walking this very earth. My name is Styrmir from the continent of Solum. I am here with my party representing the interest of the Stormtide kingdom, in a quest to bring holy magic, and return good King Arnold to the lands of the living. We enter the city with respect after a long journey and many hardships. We do not wish to steal, only wish to take what is necessary for our journey and to ensure the best outcome for the humanoid races that walk this land. If we do not have your blessing, please give us a sign.”
=== Party enters Heatstroke   ===
The walls still display painted signs and mosaics, inexplicable phallic graffiti can be seen, and Cool S’s are scratched into walls. Most of the city is not covered by sand, but not unnaturally so. The city feels alive, as if all the villagers simply are not present today but could return at any moment and continue their lives. They pass by a dried up well, and Cassian wishes upon a platinum coin he throws into a dried up fountain. Styrmir wants to look for more wells but Maut suggests they check out the pyramid.  
The front of the pyramid faces the sea, and there is a singular double wide door most of the way up the steps. Maut begins ascending on her own, and Cassian tries to stop her until Styrmir says to let her go. Ostagen, Mitz, and Ethan leave to scavenge for food while the rest of the party begins to ascend the pyramid behind Maut. The door is already open as they approach and there is a green carpet and paintings inside depicting a thriving community and a lush forest. Maut continues to walk into the temple, completely ignoring the lack of light. Styrmir lights some torches, and they follow after Maut. The party follows in the direction Maut went until they enter into a room where a Sphinx stands before them. The Sphinx knows of their journey and asks them if they are ready for their trial. They accept, and the Sphinx explains the rules of their test. 
There are 8 rooms with 8 clerics, one for each of the “8 great gods” (Greater Gods + Illumis) and they must get approval from at least 6 of them to receive the scroll. Each cleric has a trial for the party, but the party must all answer a question from the Sphinx before they may enter a new room.
=== Sphinx's Trial Begins ===
=== Sphinx Question #1: “For each of you, philosophically what makes one worthy of resurrection?” ===
Cypher: “Those who are destined to come back from the dead shall.”
Styrmir: “A combination of honesty, good will, and extraordinary ability to do good in the world.”
Cassian: “Someone who has done great things, for the world, and who was taken away before they could do many more.”
Drolvrazorz: “Divinity”
==== Party Enters Door of Martha ====
Within a small room they see Maut. She explains that they have completed her trial already by escorting her safely to Heatstroke. She is hesitant to pass the party however due to Drolvrazorz attempted murder of her. Despite this, she judges the party worthing and grants them her blessing.
=== Sphinx Question #2: “Why are you worthy to receive this scroll and use it?” ===
Cypher: “I cannot truly know, but Julia Farseer foretold it and I trust her…”
Styrmir: “By pushing forward through hardship and arriving here we have proven our worth…”
Cassian: “I am worthy because I paid the price tenfold to Voraci, seeing all my friends die…”
Drolvrazorz: “I am not.”
==== Party Enters Door of Voraci ====
In the room is an elven cleric and an ogre magi. They are told their test is to slay the creature and initiative begins. After a close fight, Cypher finishes off the beast. Styrmir was knocked unconscious by a Cone of Cold but has been stabilized. The cleric asks for Vasher, only to learn of his tragic passing. It was Lady Lazarus, who founded the expedition, that originally petitioned Voraci to delay reaping King Arnold’s soul. After she perished on the ship, the cleric was meant to find her disciple Vasher but alas Voraci beat her to it. The party passes their 2nd trial.
Before the 3rd question they return to Maut and have Styrmir healed so he can regain consciousness.
=== Sphinx Question #3: “What shall your group do with such unimaginable strength?” ===
Cypher: “I don’t intend to use it. I’m merely here to get it to the right person”
Styrmir: “We will fulfill our obligations and resurrect King Arnold.”
Cassian: “We will use it for good”
Drolvrazorz: “We will fulfill our destiny”Party approaches a new door, presumably Malkis, but turn away at the sight of potential traps. They must answer another question for a new door.
=== Sphinx Question #4: ”Player Name if you alone were to survive these trials and all others perish what would you do with the scroll?” ===
Cypher: “I would bring it back to Julia.”
Styrmir: “I was unsure of the quest at first, but now I would do anything to bring back King Arnold.”
Cassian: “I would bring it home to resurrect King Arnold and vanquish any in my way.”
Drolvrazorz: “I would bring it to Julia.” 
==== Party Enters Door of Astair ====
There is a note on the door instructing the party to arrange themselves in descending order of usefulness, with the most useful member at the front and the most useless and the back. After immense arguing and bickering the order is eventually set- Cassian/Styrmir/Cypher/Drolvrazorz. The party enter, and are all asked a question, “How would this scroll help your people?” The only response that amuses the cleric is Drolvrazorz, who says it cannot help his people. He deliberates and they are granted his approval.
==== Return to the Sphinx - 3/6 approvals acquired ====
==== - Session end- ====
Category:The Lazarus Expedition Episodes
Category:Episodes
Category:Save Or Die Episodes