(An improvised Mini-Session, due to half of the players not being able to make it)
We turn back the clock about a week, as the Agate Seekers start their week of downtime after returning to Argentis. Volk Lesnoy, Dareth Lion'el Griffmane and Philomena Snapdragon already have started their respective training sessions or, in Dareth's case, his upgrade of Volk's weapon. Zora, however, notices a Pseudogriffon knocking at her door with its beak, holding a letter. Turns out Crackle, the Kenku bookie and referee in charge of The Silver Underground's fight pit, is inviting Zora and friends to a friendly exhibition match, where two titants face of against four rookie freelance-adventurers, and he's asking Zora to perhaps fight against the winners with her friends.
Zora, excitedly, immediately looks around for her companions and can only find Sooty, sulking in this pile of plushies just a bit after getting frustrated with some ancient spells the night before, as well as Mikhail, who was in the middle of packing for a little vacation. Both agree to come with Zora, but Mikhail politely declines to join in with the fighting.
Soon, the three friends make their way to the Silver Underground, meeting with Crackle, who is quite happy to see them. Sooty and Zora make some bets, and Crackle starts the fight. First, two large Minotaurs are let into the ring; one of which the party already fought against once. Tegarak Stonehorn, who is fighting with his brother Jarus. The audience cheers, but Mikhail noticed something off about the two. Then, the freelance adventurers are let in: A Halfling Bard, a Bearfolk Druid, a Half-Orc Fighter and a Human Paladin of Pelor, known as The Protectors. The fight is epic, but in the end, the Minotaurs are victorious...
...But then, this friendly exhibition match turns into a nightmare, as both Minotaurs snarl, dig their hands deep into their unconscious opponents' chests, rip out their hearts and eat them... only to shift their attention to the audience.
After first trying to do the same to poor Crackle, the Kenku was able to push back one of the two minotaur brothers, before Mikhail was able to gain their attention. It quickly becomes apparent that these two minotaurs have been afflicted by a madness-inducing disease. Thankfully, the party were able to knock them unconscious, before Yaiac Spotclaw, the Hyena-Vulture Feathren cleric if The Raven Queen, who oversees the healing of combatants, is able to join in. She quickly cures both minotaurs, while Mikhail cures Zora, who had been bitten and afflicted. Yaiyac then plans to resurrect the two combatants that were killed, with Crackle threatening the two, now sane, minotaurs that this will come out of their pay.
Even though it was whispered, Sooty, Mikhail and Zora were able to overhear that the two minotaurs worship the demon lord Baphomet, and that he knows that they consider this disease a blessing of sorts, but he told them multiple times that they're not allowed to fight in the pit when afflicted. Crackle's attention then switches towards the party, whom he thanks, and rewards with the price money and some magical items that were intended to be future fighting-pit prices. The party then makes their way home... with Mikhail now surer than ever that he needs this vacation that he was planning.
SESSION END