The Party started the session at Per-Bastet around 4 pm. On the way to Per-Bastet over the past 2 days, they had divided up the magic items and loot they had obtained.
As they entered Per-Baste, they noted that things were a bit off as they entered Per-Bastet. For one, the energy and excitement within the city before they left had diminished.
The streets, shops, and inns seemed less crowded, and the undead servants no longer smiled and appeared alert. Noble masters yelled at their undead servants to “carry” the load, “pick” up the pace, and “pay attention.”
As the Party walked into the Shivering Mirage, they were met by the head Matradee who expressed surprise that they were back. In a pleasant voice, he welcomed them. He noted that the Shivering Mirage had been nearing the point of releasing their rooms and taking their camels because the free lodging that Lady Farsight had provided (one week) had expired, and they were now 3-days overdue on the payment. Nevertheless, he bid the party welcome and ushered you in.
The Party barely made it two steps into the main courtyard when Hakaan al-Khareem Zmirr Nill Mo Chatooor (it’s French) approached and seemed gleeful that you had returned. He pleasantly asked if you had recovered the Grimalkin Eye, and the Party told him, and he kept nagging. Zithgar raised up and threatened him, and Hakaan, smiling like an “I-meant-no-harm-way,” begged off and slipped back into the crowd.
The Party took refreshments from the passing serving girls and found Lady Farsight in the courtyard, with serval nobleman and noblewoman.
She smiled warmly as Zithgar and the others approached, saying, “I am pleased to see you.
I thought perhaps you had left Per-Bastet as you have been gone for almost 10 days. It is good that you are back,” she went on, “There have been odd things happening since the night you left.”
In response to questions from the Party, she explained that there had been a terrible earthquake the very night she had last seen the Party.
Lady Farsight caught herself and interrupted her own answers to introduce the Party to La Reina Reniexer, a powerful noblewoman from Per-Bastet.
Zithgar humbly introduced himself to Lady Reniexer by dropping to one knee and kissing her extended hand. The Party then politely asked various questions of Lady Reniexer, learning that she has met The Queen Reborn only a few times.
Lady Farsight noted that if the Party had wished to at least see The Queen Reborn, they just missed their chance, for last week, “The Great Hunt” parade and commissioning ceremony had occurred at the Queen Reborn led both events. She explained that was the reason that she was still in Per-Bastet. In response to questions from the Party about the earthquake 10-days ago, Lady Reniexer reported that in the dark of night, the earthquake impacted all of Per-Bastet, but no explanation was ever found. She also reported that the River of Sand had been moving at a torrid pace, like a swollen and dangerous river after a lot of rain. She noted that it had been a long time since the River of Sand had been this torrent.
Belladonna asked why the undead were willing to be servants at all. The Lady Reneixer pleasantly explained that the Queen Reborn has provided a choice– that citizens of Per-Bastet do not have to pass to the “other side” when they die, and many do choose to stay in the material plane. She explained that the undead rest in the large pyramid in the center of town at night while their living masters sleep.
She explained that the undead stay with their family members as they serve. She points to a nobleman, “See him there; that is Master Shaggy Tonks. He runs a successful spice market in Per-Bastet that has been in his family for generations. His servant there is actually his great-grandfather, that continues to help the family run the spice market. You see, The Queen Reborn is giving families a chance for long-term happiness. And that is why the citizens of Per-Bastet love her so much; The Queen Reborn gives to them.”
In response to questions from Zithgar, Lady Reniexer had no idea if it was possible to enter The Great Hunt late, but she suggested that they seek out the High Priestess Nafrini, as she was in charge of organizing The Great Hunt.
At this time, as the Party was relaxing, they continued to notice that the undead servants appeared to be alert, watching their surroundings. While the Party was speculating about all this, Hjenna Mjelidi (pronounced Hyenna ME-lid-e) approached.
Belladonna lit up when Hjenna joined their circle and welcomed her warmly with a “girlfriend” hug. With anticipation in her voice, she asked the Party expressed surprise and delight that the Party was back, noting that they had been gone for over a week.
She if they had recovered the Grimalkin Eye. Aswan and Zithgar were very evasive in their answers and told her that the Grimalkin Eye was in “good hands,” and they promised her that she should not worry.
Hjenna was not convinced, so she appealed to Zephyr and Belladonna for confirmation, but no one told her the truth that Aswan had the eye.
While the Party was talking with Hjenna, Nassor E’Rabat causally approached after entering through the kitchens in the rear of the Shivering Mirage. He sinisterly smiled and nodded toward the Party and Hjenna.
Nassor asked the Party if they had found what he was looking for when they last met (note: he was looking for the Eye thief). The Party again was evasive, and he accepted that and excused himself.
Once he was gone, Hjenna asked the Party who he was, again receiving evasive answers. Growing frustrated that no one would give her a straight answer, she stormed out the front door.
Belladonna went after her, and at that very moment, another powerful earthquake rocked the city. The shocks were so powerful that many within the Shivering Mirage fell to the floor.
Suddenly, the undead servants turned on their masters and other patrons within the Shivering Mirage and attacked! All hell broke loose as over 20 zombies of various levels of power began attacking anything that breathed and moved.
Nobles and serving people scattered, including Hakaan al-Khareem Zmirr Nill Mo Chatooor. Zombies pounded on Hakaan as he fled, but eventually, he escaped.
Stephon Ellis, the young teenager who had traveled with the Party down from Nuria with Lady Farsight (he is headed to the Magaambombya University), ran into the courtyard and tried to assist with his cantrips.
Dozens of nobles and patrons were killed by the zombies. The Party jumped into the melee to defend themselves at the very least and, in the case of Zithgar, to protect Ladies Farsight and Reniexer.
During the fight, Belladonna, who had been trying to catch up with Hjenna to comfort her, was surrounded by zombies.
The zombies overpowered Belladonna and knocked her prone. Suddenly, Hjenna was running back onto the porch, shortsword flying expertly about, and she jumped into the fray to protect Belladonna, giving her time to fly up out of melee range. Hjenna yelled, “If we live, you must tell me who has the Grimalkin Eye!”
The fight continued, and many zombies were killed, but not before Karwl was knocked unconscious in a fountain. The zombies continued their push towards the Party, now the only living creatures in the courtyard, and the session ended.
