Session 20

Setting: Mount Inferno

NPCs: A Lot

With Siril Goldenwood grappled, Lo'Kag suplexes him into the river of lava, starting more fighting. The Shadow Assassins attack the Order of Valor, and help Siril out of the lava. Very badly burned, he squares off against Rhaine, who defeats him and takes away the Goldenwood heirloom Spear. Before the killing blow, Durzo tells him that he should be kept alive. Once the rest are defeated, Lo'Kag carries Siril through the cave system to the entrance. The others run on, now that Durzo is able to see the chaos out of Azoth's eyes.

Meanwhile, Azoth comes out of the cave at the base of the volcano, and sees a battle about to start. Swaying Breeze and Sharp Steel are leading the rest of the Monks from the Serenity Sanctum against a large group of Fire Lake Warriors. About a dozen members of Gale's Order of Valor are with them, including Gene Parmesan, and are led by Grisham. As the battle ensues, a rumble is felt before another giant Sand Worm attacks the Order. As the fight rages on, forces from the Gale Empire, led by Lizzy Quickfoot approach. There's a tense moment of uncertainty until they side with the Monks. After some time, the Orange Blossom Syndicate appear from a teleportation circle and attack the Empire. Sofia Mang shouts that she was betrayed by the Empress. Further along in the fighting, another teleportation circle appears as Lorali and Willyam lead a group of Mages and their Protectors from the Tower Eternal. They are able to even the battlefield and gain some ground back for the allies.

Durzo instructs Azoth to fly over to Swaying Breeze and inform him what is going on. He then dismisses him back to his plane, and re-summons him. However, Azoth drops the orb into the sands while doing so. Swift Breeze notices it and is desperately trying to find it in the mayhem. Durzo, along with Azoth and Altuna are the firsts out of the cave. Azoth flies over to find the Orb, Altuna joins in the battle, and Durzo desperately tries to stop the fighting.

Chanting can be heard from the ridge where the team first approached the cave. The Orcs of Urkodrol join the fight. Lo'Kag, Mykiela, and Rhaine reach the mouth of the cave next. Lo'Kag drops Siril to the ground and joins the battle. Mykiela runs out to cast Tongues on Durzo so he can communicate with everyone. Azoth finds the Orb and flies over to Durzo, catching the eye of someone in the Orange Blossom Syndicate. Sofia Mang makes her way to Azoth.

The ground rumbles, causing everyone to think another Sand Worm is coming, but instead, everyone nearby hears a voice in their head. "So close ..." Small pools of lava ooze out of the base of the volcano.

After some effort, Durzo is able to cause a stand still as he pleads with everyone. The Chieftain limps out of the cave and orders his warriors to stand down. The allies are able to capture Mang, and a temporary truce is started. The Chieftain invites the leaders and the Order into the cave to talk. Lorali, Lizzy, Swaying Breeze, and Kyle all head to the cave system. Distracted everything that just happened, Rhaine looks back into the cave and finds that Siril has escaped.