let the games begin

At the Methuk estate waiting for information about Jenik, Forsythe and Kadath go to the home’s library. There, Forsythe learns more about juriskars, large dinosaur like creatures, and Kadath learns more about the area around Uxphon. Uxphon was originally an outpost for miners and explorers from Ciamum (2nd age).

Fix talks with Neberos about the city’s society and learns that the upper class keep their slaves on the estate at all times. However, those of lower class stay on the outskirts of the city when not serving. Neberos also shares about the Colosseum and the gruesome games that are held there. It is used as punishment for those who try to escape, however, willing slaves could possibly earn their freedom by winning, which rarely happens. The political structure is mostly Kirdek Zan with Jenik being most influential. Lord Methuk is not the least liked among the council, but not one of great influence either. Once Neberos is dismissed, he forges until Methuk returns with news that Jenik is in the city and staying with Lord Zan. He then intercepts a jar intended for Evangeline and delivers it himself.

Evangeline pulls out the cards and her book to record anything she sees. On the Ruin card, she does see a new unfamiliar shadow, then flips them over to look at the backs. When watching them face down, she notices interaction between them, trying to make some sort of image. Realizing that she was not getting anything else from the cards, she shoves them aside and pulls out the ink from Nihliesh and uses it to draw on a new page in the book. Eyes closed and allowing herself to fall into a meditative state.

Fix learned from Methuk of Lady Studani, a lady of the council that has more influence than himself and believed to also disagree with the current cast system within the city. Wanting all to be present to talk with her, Fix interrupts Evangeline. Once inside her room and looking at the new drawing, they both see her drawing, a building made of bone sitting on a foundation of full skeletons. Evangeline leans closer and allows her mind to drift into the picture (as she once did with a crystal ball) and soon it starts to come alive with color and movement. Fix notices her falling forward and pulls back, pulling her out of the trance.

Once Lady Studani arrives for dinner, the group comes to meet her and talk. They learn that she does not like that others are enslaved and has focused her attention on the tieflings of the city. She often travels and frees her slaves before returning to Uxphon. With a brief telepathic discussion, the group decide to bring her into their plans. Fix offers that they will aid her in taking over Zan’s position with the idea that she will free the slaves and work toward any orders she may receive from the Jagged Dream. She agrees and all is set into place.

The group then go to the Colosseum where Studani informed them of an incoming shipment of new slaves, and confirms that Zan and Jenik would both be present. Once inside, they prepare themselves for battle and notice that Juric, from Ephremon, is among the slaves to be claimed. They jump right into action and quickly dispatch the mage and a couple of the tower archers, then focus attention on Jenik and Zan.

Watch Episode 63