A:8 Cult of the Frog

Starring: βέλος, Diantha val'Emman, Kweto Lucullus, Jayvin De-gaul, Vicente Eisner, and Mauritius
Guest Starring: Iskander val'Mehan, Akar Manzoor and Makram Faatir, Iron Soul Prisoner, Captain Vasko of the Legion of the Creeping Asp, Diviner Anthea Lambrou, Manilito, Rosario Vallejo, Alun Northstag
Challenge: Iron Soul prisoner, Slaad demon
Location: Grokha, Whon
Date Played: 13 Sept 2009

Mauritius' Creeping

Mauritius: It appears that members of my unit were in a bind and needed my help. I was apprehensive about leaving behind the rest of my party, most notably because it would leave my sister in their often incapable hands. None the less, family born in battle sometimes comes before family born in blood. Also, it will get me some leverage if I need their help in the future.

I had to break into a compound and recover some false artifacts. The guards were easy to pass by and the team and I made it in without much incident. Little blood was spilt (none by my hands) and we had an overall successful mission. Not being paid for this mission and knowing that I have to pad my pockets since I am no longer getting a stipend from the family, I took an object of value from the scene. Looking around, it appears that I wasn't the only one.

Who knows, perhaps I picked up a genuine article.

Prisoner Break

Mauritius: Like the party can demonstrate restraint. I hope they don't give Diantha a bad name due to their actions.

Grokha

Mauritius: It appears that only a few people in this town have seen my companions come through a few days ago. I'm rather impressed they kept such a low profile.

Whon

Mauritius: I finally caught up to my companions after a lengthy travel. I was told stories of an escaping monk and their efforts to restrain him. The druid appeared to do quite well in his attempts of restraint, but from the others stories I could easily tell frustration stepped in early in the battle.

While here we heard stories of Alun Northstag being taken by a group called the Cult of the Frog. Through some deduction, I came across a man called Manilito that may have had some connection to the cult. I talked to him myself to try and confirm the story. Luckily, it appeared that he was the person we needed to get into the cult.

With Jayvin's love of costumes and acting, I decided to play a story where he would be a prime candidate to join the frog cult. Things went well and Jayvin got an in into the cult.

Cult of the Frog AKA Randy: It's Frank, I have to swallow him

Mauritius: We followed the signals left by Jayvin and commandeered a gondola for our own transportation to go into the sewers after them.

The crossroads we entered came to an area that was surrounded by cultist that were chanting as their leader, Rosario Vallejo, was organizing everything. In the center of the crossroads, suspended above the water by four chains connected at the corners of the cross, was Alun. We began to slowly make our way toward the scene, though stealth was soon replaced by urgency as a huge toad like humanoid came from down the tunnel toward Alun.

We sprang into action, with Jayvin occupying the Rosario and Manilito, Kweto and myself maneuvering the boats to get under Alun to catch him as he was freed, and the rest of the part to deal with the cultist and free Alun from the chains.

The plan was going well, but the beast had a weapon that we should have prepared for; it's gullet. The creature quickly grabbed Jayvin with his tongue and shoved him down his throat. Not too soon afterward I was to follow. How many men could this infernal toad-man fit down it's throat!

We eventually hacked our way through the beast and it fell to the ground, defeated. Through further tracking we found broken egg clutches, meaning that there are more of these creatures down here. Upon finding that, we decided to leave the sewers as quickly as possible.

Alun Northstag

Alun Northstag: The design of the chalice is from the first Imperium. Judging by the symbols the original chalice was property of Damien the destroyer, an general renown for his brutality in defending the emperor's every command. It is said that he either died in battle with demons or he died of disease after a battle with a demon. When I travel to the wall I intend to visit his memorial there. Other symbols on this chalice indicate that drinking saltwater from it will block outside influences, a common belief still around today among the peasants. The symbols also suggest that drinking blood mixed with salt grants vision. What kind of vision, I cannot guess.

Mauritius: Alun was very grateful that we saved him and did not steal his possessions. He offered one of them to Diantha as a reward, a fact she kept secret from the rest of the group. I assume this is because she feels that most of the group wouldn't understand a nobles place and their right to claim such rewards.

Rewards

Slaad

3400gp

chain shirt - detected as faintly magical by Alun

wand

Gift from Alun Northstag

Crystal of Lifekeeping, lesser (+3 competence bonus on saving throws against energy drain attacks, inflict spells, death spells, and death effects.)

Available to purchase from Alun Northstag

+1 Buckler (1,600gp)

Cloak of Elemental Protection (1,600gp; Immediate action to gain resist 10 acid|cold|fire|electricity|sonic; MIC p87)