Ptepses, a dragon-blooded champion of Falayna, returned to Osirion after years of advocating for his goddess across Northern Garund. Bags, a wererat hobgoblin, had turned to banditry, establishing herself as the “Bags” of a nearby village. Dreg, a ratfolk grappling with the loss of his companion Dexter, formed a bond with his Eldamon. Thumper, An automaton bard, sought a path of asceticism, renouncing indulgences in favor of empathy. Torren, a gargoyle cleric, undertook the task of disposing of a dangerous lens from the Abomination Vaults, traveling with the remains of Saint Jafaki to spread his teachings. Barry, An ice golem wizard, transitioned from An unlicensed doctor to a theater performer, landing a role as Ptepses in a play, connecting him to the legends of the minotaur.
The heroes began experiencing haunting nightmares of Belcora, a ghostly figure trapped in a cavern known as “The Choke,” summoning them to the Scorpion Coast. Each received dire threats from her; Ptepses was warned of losing his life as she had taken his beloved’s, while Dreg faced the demise of his new companions. Compelled by the dreams, they sought The Choke, identified by Torren as a cave entrance along the Scorpion Coast, now controlled by Desert Giant Bandits who had enslaved local Kolos.
At a roadside stop, seemingly guided by their nightmares, the party planned their route to The Choke, deciding on a grueling march through the desert to avoid the draining effects of their dreams. As they approached the gorge leading to The Choke, they witnessed a band of Kolos being driven east by desert giants. Ptepses recalled that desert giants had low Will defenses and employed a scimitar blitz tactic. When Torren attempted to approach the giants peacefully, one giant recognized them and fled, prompting a chaotic confrontation. Thumper inspired courage in his allies while Barry conjured a Wall of Fire to block the fleeing giant. Ptepses charged into battle, goring a giant, while Dreg summoned his Eldamon, Who, to devastating effect. The giants, realizing the threat posed by the party, pressed their attack, but the heroes fought back fiercely, with Bags executing a critical strike and Thumper attempting to negotiate with one giant.
During the battle, the party learned that the giants were influenced by a prophetic figure known as The Slumbering King, who had warned them about the heroes. After subduing a giant, they chose to let her go to gather more information. The giant revealed that The Slumbering King had commanded the giants to capture Kolos for offerings at The Choke. The slumbering king also warned the giants about each member of the party, saying they would eventually kill the giants. The Kolos, initially hesitant, expressed a desire to aid the party in defeating The Slumbering King, revealing that some had infiltrated the giants’ ranks to rescue their kin. Through performances and discussions about faith, the party earned the Kolos’ trust, culminating in Barry’s impressive display of summoning toads. In gratitude, the Kolos led the heroes to a treasure cache containing valuable items to aid their quest.
With their newfound allies and resources, the party prepared to confront The Slumbering King as they advanced toward The Choke.
Threads to Watch:
- The implications of Belcora’s threats and her connection to the heroes’ past.
- The Slumbering King’s influence over the desert giants and his plans for the Kolos.
- The Kolos’ infiltration of the giants’ ranks and their potential role in the upcoming confrontation.