This was a LONG session. We started at 17:00 CET and ended after midnight seven hours later, and continued chatting until around 1:00.
In the afternoon, both Hendoras and Perithanos went to the temple of Poseidon to check things out.
Perithanos tried to catch Chrysis and talk to her about Phoebe. In a duel of wits he manages to convince Chrysis to come along and let him take Phoebe. The only concession he has to make is that Chrysis will not go as a prisoner but as an invited guest in full honor.
Hendoras tried to chat up an acolyte to discover the whereabouts of the statue, is led to Chrysis, but he fails to discover it – in fact he practically spills his plans for the island!
When the big ritual comes up – the one where the old beggar is going to be sacrificed – Chrysis wants the congregation to pray for a miracle to destroy any pirate and invader ships around the island. She cannot say that she knows about the Malas fleet, but she can still try to destroy it! At that Hendoras refuses and leaves. But it turns out that she did not prepare enough: Since she had not circled up enough believers for the ceremony she had to do it with a “right now, right here” +6 Ob. The result was catastrophic. The two then did opposing ritual tests linked to opposing faith tests, and Perithanos won by a big margin. The blood in the water basin turned red, the stone statue of Poseidon started crying tears of blood, a small earthquake started, and the golden statue of Poseidon tumbled to the marble ground from its hidden alcove, in full view of those assembled.
People started screaming, and at the same time a fight started outside. Outside, Hendoras met Alara, they talk for a bit, and then they notice the earthquake and they also hear the fighting: It’s the ambush Hendoras prepared with Rufus (see Session 4). Hendoras grabs Alara’s hand and draws his sword. Moments later Nikomedes enters the temple courtyard, sword in hand and fury in his eyes.
We used the Fight! rules for this one. Nikomedes started by wounding Hendoras, but as soon as Perithanos made sure that Chrysis and Phoebe were safe he returned. The son of his liege was in danger! Nikomedes was unable to defend himself against two opponents. He was soon overwhelmed and held in a lock.
Then Perithanos and Hendoras got into a duel of wits to determine his fate. In the end they agree to take him along as a prisoner. Rufus and Nikomedes walk to the harbor. Perithanos starts to follow Chrysis and Phoebe with a sense of dread, fails his speed test and arrives too late. Nikomedes’ second in command of the Myrmidon militia, Archonides, has raced down to the harbor and taken Chrysis and Phoebe prisoner. He thinks that Hendoras and Perithanos have bewitched the powerful on this island – Chrysis and Nikomedes – and he really wants to put an end to it. As he is confronted with a docile Nikomedes who remains silent and sullen, Archonides snaps. The two prisoners are brought and released, but in a fit of fury Archonides draws his swords and runs it through Phoebe. Perithanos tries to block it but fails. The two cross swords but it’s a tie. Both fall back and exchange insults.
The dying Phoebe is brough on to the ship. She keeps loosing blood and within the hour she dies. Stricken by grief, Perithanos and Chrysis build a pyre and cremate her. And with his prophecy fulfilled, Perithanos gets a Deeds point which he spends immediately to invoke a miracle – the anger of the gods! Ever since the great ritual in the temple, none of Perithanos’ prayers to Ares were answered. But with the help of Chrysis and the Deeds point he manages 11 successes and unleashes another earthquake that lets buildings crumble. The sea rises and big waves rush through the small alleys. Archonides is seen raging on a tower, but the tower starts toppling over and he falls into the churning waters, lost and never to be seen again…
I really enjoyed playing with the two of you and I’m glad I’ve spent those evenings with you on Skype! – Alex