Session 13: The Face of Evil - Vecna

The party of adventurers left the caves of Erythnul behind. Their friends, Mendax and Mouse, were sewn into their blankets. They entered the main foyer of the temple and heard voices in the cathedral. A battle had just concluded and 5 figures were in heated discussion. The adventurers recognized Constance Grace, the ex-prostitute from the Midnight Salute whore house. After she recognized the adventuers, introductions went around: Melinde a female warrior of Heironeous; Ardgaal, an Inquisitor of Wee Jas; Azreal, a priest of some unknown deity; lastly, Purple Prose, the elf madam of ‘the Midnight Salute’ and prisoner.
It seemed Prose had sold out the whereabouts of Grace to the Vecnans…again. The trio had heard theat a woman named Grace was in search of reliable bodyguards, and Melinde had heard of the Halfling Paladin Imm’s pledge to protect her. She had determined to help the lady and try to sway her to a more righteous course. Upon arriving at the whorehouse they found Grace missing from her room, and a quartet of figures fleeing into the night. They persued and eventually tracked them here where they were set upon sacrificing Grace into the black pool.
The two bird-men and a human wizard were slain, and Prose surrendered.
Aarth eventually brokered a deal wherein Prose would reveal everything she knew about the cult, and in return she would accept exile to Celene. Aarth would arrange for her to travel as a prisoner with the next silver shipment sent by Ellival Moonmeadow.
Prose told how she had long paid homage to the god Vecna. In return she gained certain unsavory but useful allies. Eventually she was contacted by agents of a group known as ‘the Ebon Triad’ A heretical group who believed that the gods Erythnul/Hextor/Vecna would be transformed into an Overgod, an Ebon Aspect representing all evil.
Their agent Theldrick, a cleric of Hextor, told her of a secret laboratory buried somewhere beneath Diamond Lake. They were determined to find it, and with her help they were able to meet with and magically control Ragnolin Dourstone. Dourstone then turned his efforts to finding the lost laboratory somewhere beneath his mine. Last year he found it, and Theldrick and other member of the Triad moved into the complex.
Recently the worshippers in the complex had increased in numbers and zeal as they neared some ritual. The Faceless One was afraid the existence of the Triad would become known so set his agents against anyone who had recent contact with Dourstone. Dulok Blitzhame of the Greysmere Trading Concern was distracted and often sent to other towns to keep him away from his friend Ragnolin. Likewise Grace was abducted, to be pumped for information, and killed. Etc.
She even believed that Balabar Smenk, a rival mine owner, had been somehow convinced to help Dourstone get supplies to the burgeoning cult. Prose had heard rumors that his business manager had disappeared recently and may have something to do with current events. Smenk’s story is that he is ‘Away on business.’
When pressed for more Prose offered up a description of the Faceless One. She described him as a green robed figure who would never let anyone see his face or skin. A tall man, wearing an ornate leather mask with arcane symbols impressed into the leather. The only thing you can see are his black eyes, eyes that have no whites. She shudders at the memory.
With her telling complete Melinde escorted Grace and Prose outside. She would go and get the Militia.
Meanwhile the 6 adventurers plus Ardgaal and Azreal would continue to explore the complex. They next went into the lair of the Vecna worshippers. They found a dark maze, and as Lath and Aarth passed by the walls they sensed several secret doors. Finally they threaded their way to a door, and before they could open it, several bird-men attacked them from different directions. Crossbow bolts and flasks of alchemical fire were hurled before the bird-men fled into the dark. Often they would circle around and strike from another direction.
A running skirmish ensued. Then they attack would lessen, the adventurers would try to pull together again, and again they would be harried from several directions. Eventually 16 bird-men and 2 dire weasels would be killed, though at a tough price. The best tactic seemed to be 2-3 adventurers with ranged weapons sweeping through an area to clear it out. Their leaders proved difficult as one cast a Grease spell repeatedly, and the other was a tough rogue with a necklace from which it could hurl fireballs. After an eternity of sniping they were killed.
The group rested.