Fury of the Wastewalker Journal - Session Fifteen (3-5)

The approaching shardstorm once again pushes the adventurers across the desert. This time, though, the storm leads the party to the Wastewalker himself. In a dry patch of desert just a short distance from Tyr, the final showdown begins with the Wastewalker yelling “ALL DEFILERS WILL DIE. COME AND MEET YOUR END!”

The Wastewalker is a larger ssuran with small pieces of obsidian shards embedded in his black scales. There are obsidian shards swirling around him, too, dealing damage to any foe. Accompanying the Wastewalker are four ssurans – two with clubs and two with spears. There are also two storm shards. Storm shards are masses of swirling chunks of obsidian.

The battle gets off to a difficult start for the adventurers. The storm shards unleash a series of lethal attacks against the weary heroes. Yuka is able to occupy two of the ssurans, but he takes a decent amount of damage in the process, eventually knocking him unconscious. Jarvix also gets knocked unconscious from multiple attacks. But gradually the heroes focus their fire on the Wastewalker, and he is injured badly.

Barcan remembers that the earth and water spirits told the group that the Wastewalker could be converted. So in between attacks, Barcan screams to the Wastewalker, pleading with him that not all arcanists are defilers. At one point Barcan yells “See the green plants below me? I do not destroy the life from the land!” But the embattled ssuran doesn’t heed Barcan’s message.

Knowing that their lives hang in the balance, Phye is able to heal several of the adventurers. Castri and Shikirr fight valiantly as well. Eventually, a mighty blast from Barcan’s staff drops the Wastewalker to the ground, unconscious. After killing the rest of his companions, the adventurers tie the Wastewalker up and splash water on his face to wake him.

Barcan explains to the captive that not all arcane spell-casters are defilers. An organization known as the Veiled Alliance is dedicated to protecting the world from the ravages of defiling magic. The Wastewalker hesitantly agrees there may be the possibility that not all arcane spell-casters defile the land. The party then tells the Wastewalker he can either be set free if he promises not to attack, or he can be killed. The Wastewalker, surprised to hear his life will be spared, agrees to a peaceful release.

The adventurers then continue on toward Tyr, their will nearly exhausted from the battle. As they travel the final distance, the kes’trekel again flies overhead. But this time the bird gently lands on Barcan’s arm. Perhaps a new alliance has been formed? Time will tell.

Approaching the city gates, a guard commands the beleaguered party to stop. The guard demands a payment to enter Tyr. The exhausted party, knowing they deserve a hero’s welcome, cannot believe the guard is ordering them to part with coin after all they have been through. Yuka steps forward, his hand resting on his weapon…

The End.