Slavelords Chapter Thirteen - Suderham in Flames
Out of the frying pan and into the flames - can the GGAC escape the destruction of the Isle of the Slaverlords?
The first order of business was to try and rearm. The GGAC had had their arms and armaments stripped again, but the isle was not bereft of material. Kalypso climbed a nearby tree for some scouting and saw the isle volcano had erupted and the ensuing destruction left a few paths of progress.
The group could head north, to Suderham; however, noxious fumes had invaded the city, negating any thought of recouping some of the powerful magical items held within.
However, to the east was a different story. The guard tower that overlooked the coast was still intact. So that was where the party set towards.
But all was not quiet along the watchtower. Three men of magma were assaulting the structure. Those loyal to the slavers held fast above, tossing stones and arrows to little affect: anything that touched the creatures melted instantaneously. One put their hands to the tower stone, which turned a wicked red. The gates would not last.
Seeing this as an opportunity, the GGAC scurried around the rear. Their cunning was rewarded with an empty guard up top, and Brisko used his strength to carry the troupe to the top. There they found provisions, bows, arrows, and a brief respite.
Rested and equipped, the company looked to the shore. There were broken boats and rafts, which they figured would be of great use in their escape.
As the group reached the sea, their hopes were quickly dashed. They had salvaged some hempen rope from the guard tower, but the wood was unusably infested with green slime. Any attempt to find seafaring lumber was met with disaster, and the group themselves began to become infected with the disgusting mossy goo. Abandoning the quickly formed plan, the group headed northwest, east of Suderham, trying their best to stay one step ahead of the advancing destruction.
It was there they encountered a flock of giant mountain goats, presumably raised by the slavelords for some nefarious purpose. Using the food salvaged from the guard tower, Orpheus was successful in bringing them to heel after Brisko ended their ill-fated charge with a towering roar. Thusly humbled, the goats allowed the party to mount them, giving them the ability to make haste towards the northern docks of the isle.
As the group passed the slums, chaos was the status quo. Slavers strung up by slaves that had been freed, impaled on stakes and burned alive. A man rushed from the favela waving down the adventuring company. Tenan almost let loose an arrow, but stayed his hand at the last minute - luckily so, for it was Randalson the Neat who bade them pause.
“Golden Goblets!” he cried, “We beg of your aid!”
The party stowed their goats and bade the man speak.
“The Dame, the Dame! She has started an uprising. When you ne’er returned she organized those who held the slaves in allyship. When the volcano erupted we made our move, the slaves are free and she marches with her army to the north. The Nine are there! She will not survive and will gladly give her life for theirs. Have you honor among you? Will you stand with your matron?”
Tenan roard as Orpheus pointed his blade. Kalypso grabbed the man to his goat and the group sped north, towards the docks and the Golden Woman.