In late February Paradoxides teleports Grettir, Wilf, Aderbarg and Kolgrim to the ruined city of Bysantos. Grettir has in mind to find the Temple of Ptah, but they know little about the city. So the main objective is reconaissance.
Not long into their exploration they find themselves caught in an orc ambush. A score of orcs surge out of the ruins at them. Their leader is notably formidable and carries a magic long knife of Imperial manufacture made in a substance they call Brightsteel. He wears a finely made scalemail hauberk of the same substance that seems remarkably light. The fighting is fierce but the orcs are routed. The party subsequently interrogate a prisoner. Its answers suggest a remarkable level of organisation, much of which seems to be inspired by imperial military practices. The orc speaks of being part of Tartak’s “cohort”; Grishnahk is the commander of his “legion”; alarmingly he thought there might be twenty legions in and around Bysantos. He speaks of a “Supreme Leader,” who sleeps upon a golden bier until it is time for him to awake once more. This last reminds Grettir and his companions of the Demon Prince asleep in Uskedir, that Osiris himself warned Grettir not to disturb. That night they are troubled by ghouls and some sort of draugr.
The following morning they continue their explorations, and find a man chained atop a pillar. He has a dagger on a loop around his wrist and there are dead ghouls lying all around. His name is Gunnar, from Anango and his back is broken. Grettir climbs up to release him and carries him down upon his shoulders. He is a large man. His tale is that he had been working with the crew of a Tyrosian wizard called Lecutus who lives in a white tower on the city walls. They had a falling out. He mentions that the wizard has seven Imperial golems at his command.
The party teleport back to Sequarl where Paradoxides offers to Forceheal Gunnar’s back. The wizard explains that there are risks and that if it goes badly he will never walk again. Gunnar replies that he is a devotee of Loki and that he is always willing to trust his luck. The spell is successful. Gunnar agrees to take service with Grettir. He says that he is really more of a rogue than a warrior and his favoured weapon is the longbow.
They return to Bysantos a few days later. This time they are joined by Jason while Wilf stays at home. Gunnar comes along as a guide. Grettir equips him and gives him a bow and some magic arrows. On arriving in Bysantos Gunnar shows them an entrance to some sort of temple and necropolis. There they fight many undead: ghouls, mummified temple guardians and a spectre. The loot is interesting and unusual. It includes several canopic jars with a variety of contents, including the essence of a “Good Person”, which is given to Rendip Rim.
G-13
OE Date: February 695
Characters: Grettir, Paradoxides, Wilf, Jason NPCs: Aderbarg, Kolgrim
Real World: Summer 2008; Where: Surbiton
See also Ubaron’s Diaries