Bandaluthia Session 44

Bandaluthia Session 44

Dreizack and Tyler were worried. The party had not returned from the burglary, but a large taxi full of household paraphernalia had. The spoils were bizarre. Sensing something was remiss they got the rest of the Animals up and went to see Rubins Luka. He cast various divinations, to not avail. ‘They are off-world’, he announced.

On the other side of the world, Rätsel, Ellodee, Coolio, Jacob, Ti Ying and Shaniqua — and some red-necks — were being entertained by Barry, international performing artist. The spellbinding gig left the locals clamouring for more. Girls waited outside and Barry took the least-repulsive to a barn, to be pleasured. His manhood was gently caressed by her six-fingered hands, and she was likewise treated to a night of passion. Barry rolled in to the dormitory at 4.00am, and more than one of the Animals thought this might backfire.

The next morning the Animals were enjoying coffee and woffils (or something that sounded like that). Coolio, in particular, shoveled them down his neck like he had not eaten for a month. Then they were disturbed by a noise outside. An angry father, brothers and boyfriend had turned up to “sort” Barry for his indiscretion. Sensing that the time was right for enchantment, Elodee cast deep slumber. However, rather than sending the hillbillies to sleep she killed three outright, and put the rest in a coma. Time to leave, and the party did.

Heading north-east, swiftly, the party left town. The majestic redwoods soared above them and the unusual flora and fauna was striking for a group as unaccustomed as they were to the “great outdoors”. The peace and tranquility, however, was shattered. To the left Jacob noticed a commotion in the forest and a large group of ogres began to converge on the party. Weapons and spells were readied. The clash occurred, cone of cold hit the enemy. Jacob braced to receive a charge, and punctured an ogre with his twin-blades. Betsy’s bolts struck another. But, rather than fight, the ogres ran through. It seemed they were running away from something.

Another crash came through the trees. A hill giant this time, charging at the party, or so it seemed. Again, the party concentrated fire at this new advisory, and brought him down. After some discussion, the group decided to investigate what had caused the panic among such powerful monsters. Venturing some distance up the hillside they spied a mine entrance from some way off. Could this be where the monsters had fled from? Barry assumed gaseous form, and investigated the mine. Inside there was one room, then another. The recently-dead bodies of slaves were littered about the second chamber. A large skull-encrusted sarcophagus stood at one end, and there was a hole in it, within which Barry could see a large gem. Sensing his spell would be ending soon he returned to the party and relayed the information he had garnered. The Animals now returned en masse.

Entering the chamber the party were wary. They investigated the sarcophagus and Shaniqua reached in and took the gem. Then they began to prize-off the lid of the container. Standing back they heard a low groan. The Animals stood ready. A desiccated man’s hand appeared at the top of the box. Then another and a head appeared. ‘Water’ the man croaked with a rasp voice. After casting detect undead — there were none — Coolio handed the man a vial of holy water. He drank. ‘That was good’. The party waited. ‘What year is it?’

‘It is the year 446 after the cataclysm’ explained Elodee. The being had the appearance of a mummified skeleton, with the skin left on. Jacob and Coolio hesitated and listened to the horrific visage as he asked odd questions. Outside the ante-chamber, Tyler and Shaniqua hissed at them to run away from the foul being. Instead Jacob assisted the man down. He introduced himself as Quin-Taal. As he drank more from the holy water Coolio had given, Quin-Taal's voice became less dry. His skin, which appeared as almost ancient browned parchment started to show signs of hydration.

It transpired that Quin-Taal had been buried over five hundred years ago. He was also Grandson to the God of Nature, Silvanus and that he was immortal. Quin-Taal stated that he had taken a wife from a King, and the King had ordered Quin-Taal and his unfaithful Queen to be buried alive. Quin-Taal did have power then. He had several thousand followers who were all slain by the wrath driven King. Quin-Taal's sect like religion had been culled, and then out-lawed. The skulls of the followers were those to used to surround the sarcophagus. Quin-Taal suffered by watching his true love die in the coffin. Quin-Taal tried to escape, but his power had been taken as his followers were massacred. Quin-Taal slowly withered.

Quin-Taal had no hate for the King. He was humbled by half a millenia of incarceration. He hoped that if or when he got out, he would pursue the Seven Keys of Shar Shakiran. These would elevate him to a Godly status and he could then be accepted to the Heavens. With no power, he had no hope to procure such items which were bound to be immensely powerful and sought after. As Quin-Taal joined his liberators, he listened to their problems. They needed a solution. He asked his father, in prayer, for guidance and his prayer was answered. He offered the party a trade. If they found the Seven Keys for him, then he would transport them all back to Bandaluthia.

The deal was struck, the party agreed to help in any way they could. Quin-Taal held forth a leaf. His father had given them a leaf. Quin-Taal sat them all down, and they put the right hand upon the leaf, their left on to the shoulder of the person next to them, forming a circle. The forest began to spin and leaves flew away. Moments passed as the party whirled as if in a hurricane. They seemed to descend and the familiar vista of the garden of the Rising Sun began to materialise. It seemed, they had returned. The garden of the Rising Sun had never looked better.

The Animals took stock of their situation. Whilst Quin-Taal ate and drank his way to health once more, the Animals took some 'down time' and evaluated their currant affairs. Monterey was running well. Each Animal went about their business for a while...

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