Bandaluthia Session 49

Bandaluthia Session 49

There was a knock on the door.

Ti Ying opened it, brush in hand: Jo Arne and a man stood there. The latter stepped inside, uninvited. ‘Please come in’ said Ti Ying bowing, and Jo Arne followed.

The stranger began bluntly. ‘If any of you lie to me, I will kill you.’ He paused: ‘I am NemerZiel. You claim to have seen one of our number last night. This is false: they are all accounted for. Tell me about it. Leave nothing out or you die’. Jo Arne sat uncomfortably.

The party began to repeat the story of the night before. The man’s face, they could not remember. His tattoo, bearing the symbol of the NemerZiel, and his power in battle, they could. The Animals relayed how the man they had talked to killed Casino guards ruthlessly. The NemerZiel was convinced of the truth of the story, and left. Jo Arne followed some time later, after having had a stiff drink.

The turn of events intrigued the Animals. Why would a powerful creature pretend to be something else which was powerful? It seemed pointless. ‘Hello, how are we all this morning?’ Sinn walked in, in the guise of a dwarf. ‘Troubled’, replied Rätsel. ‘We’ve just had a visit from a NemerZiel, who wants information about our encounter with what we thought was one of their number last night.’ Sinn laughed: ‘NemerZiel, last night? Pretty good disguise, wasn’t it? Those fighters had some really good stuff you know.’ The realisation dawned that the dragon had tricked them once more.

‘So, the Keys. Where are you going next?’ asked Sinn. Ellodee answered: ‘We’re splitting up. We encountered another party, working for the Ravensley’s, on our visit to the Well. We need to pick up pace. Some of us are going to the Monastery shortly, which reminds me — you said you would give anyone who goes on a quest for the Keys a gift. Some have not received one yet.’

Sinn’s eyes flitted to the heavens. The gesture was ironic given his treasury. ‘All right, what do you want?’ The remaining Animals asked for various things: Orc received dragon hide armour; Negri a Ring of Necrosis; Betsy was imbued with powerful magic; Tyler's sword was enchanted. Last, came Dreizack: ‘I wish to be purged of my infernal bloodline’. Sinn’s jaw fell open, though he quickly regained himself. For the other Animals it took longer for the copper piece to drop, though when they realised what Dreizack had asked for they were dumfounded. ‘Very well’, said Sinn, and touched the Tiefling’s forehead. The half-devil felt a powerful pulse as Sinn touched him. Dreizack stepped backwards, and regained himself. Here he stood, human. ‘What about you’ said Sinn, looking at Rätsel. ‘No’, the latter replied curtly.

‘Anyway, the Monastery. Fancy a ride?’ Unaware of any other means to transport themselves Ellodee, Coolio, Shaniqua, Jacob, Orc and Rätsel accepted the offer of a lift. They travelled some distance out of Bandaluthia, and climbed on the back of the Ancient Red Dragon. Sinn lifted off, and they flew for the rest of the morning, until the mighty creature began to circle and descend.

The Monastery was as expected, except that the gardens around it were pristine, set as it was in a forest. On arrival the Animals were introduced to one of the senior nuns. After discussion they agreed to work for a fortnight, tending the ill and sick, in return for the Key. It seemed a small price to pay. After talking to some of the sick, and an evening meal, they took to their beds.

The next morning they awoke. Orc had slept fitfully, his dreams interrupted by images of the dead and soleless looking up from the flower beds. It was bizarre. After something to eat the Animals began tending to the sick, questioning them as they did. In the afternoon they began working in the vegetable plot, clearing weeds and such like. They noticed movement in the trees, and Jacob began to move to the edge of the forest. Others ran after him as Jacob seemed to lose himself. On the edge of the forest something moved. Jacob was dragged back and Rätsel sent a fireball into the woods, which earned him a telling-off from one of the nuns.

That night Orc slept badly again, as did Coolio. His dreams were similar but this time he saw the image of a powerful demon, with a wicked curved blade. The Animals spent this day cleaning the chapel, with the Mother Superior watching. After tea, as night fell, the Animals returned to their beds. That was, except Jacob. The Urban Ranger stole through the building, seeing what he could find out about the mystery that surrounded the nuns. In the Nunnery itself he encountered one nun who struck him on the head with a candle stick, then demanded he accompany her to see the Mother Superior. After gallantly punching her in the face, and knocking her out, he continued his search. Opening a door, he was faced with the Mother Superior. ‘Ah, we’ve been expecting you. Come in …’

Rätsel slept fitfully this time. In his dreams he saw the Demon Prince, Graz’zt. The Mother Superior and other senior nuns also appeared performing unspeakable acts and goading him. He awoke, sheets soaked in sweat. It was near dawn. Rätsel knew that Graz’zt was served by Succubi and other demons. He also knew Graz’zt’s inside leg measurement and favorite fruit. Things began to make sense. Today there would be bloodshed.

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