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Music by Kevin MacLeod.
Token art by Jimmy McClure.
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Ten years ago, the Ghoul Imperium of the Underworld and the vampires of Morgau marched into Krakova and conquered the kingdom entirely, establishing the Greater Duchy of Morgau and expanding the borders of the Blood Kingdom.
The undead occupation has been kept in check by resistance from the Court-in-Exile, as well as opportunistic reaver dwarves who sailed across the Nieder Straits.
But the hidden machinations of the ghouls swirl beneath the surface. Rumors abound of an even more sinister plot that threatens not just one kingdom, but the entire world of Midgard.
Empire of the Ghouls is designed by Richard Green, and published by Kobold Press. It takes place in Kobold Press’ fantasy world of Midgard.
Chapter 5: Into the Fuligin Realm
Episode 3: Pit of All Flesh p2
Active Party:
Alaric, level 10 dhampir Death Domain Cleric/Bard
Bahn, level 10 kobold Bard College of Whispers
Millie, level 10 human Way of the Kensei Monk
Snips, level 10 catfolk Swashbuckler Rogue/Fighter
Zaberi, level 10 human Battle Master Fighter/Wizard
Having bluffed, disguised, and paperwork’d their way into the outpost, the party finally enters the titular Pit of All Flesh arena, a large entertainment venue and holy site that seats dozens of Underworld denizens.
The party’s job is to find any derro members of the Cult of the Withered Hand. But as soon as they spot one, it’s snatched up by a large tentacle emerging from a smaller, central pit in the middle of the arena floor.
The arena floor is filled with dozens of humanoid slaves, prisoners, and desperate warriors as they survive or prove themselves against darakhul hunters, while avoiding the monstrous Lord of All Flesh who lurks in the deepest depths.
Spotting several of her former comrades, an impatient Millie pays the entrance fee, vaults along the wall, and lands in front of a darakhul, ready to fight.
Zaberi quickly chases after her, while Snips scopes out a sniping position in the stands. Battling is expected, but they’re told not to kill the darakhul, as they’re official citizens of the Imperium, and employed by the outpost.
Bahn casts greater invisibility on Alaric for some sneaky shenanigans, but makes sure to stay out of the arena floor. Instead he directs his retinue of humanoid prisoners into the stands to watch from afar, dropping in some Bardic Inspiration where he can.
While Snips, Zaberi, and Millie battle the darakhul and try to save some of the prisoners, an invisible Alaric casts inexorable summons to free the derro from his restraints, plopping him nearby.
Later, Alaric unleashes a devastating radiant spell over half the arena, bathing part of the stands, and the central pit, in searing light.
This causes a panic amongst the sunlight-hating undead. But even more startling, the Lord of All Flesh crawls out of the 20-fit pit and up onto the arena floor.
The huge, mutated otyugh is a sight to behold, covered in festering pustules and possessing a never-ending hunger.
Seeing the Lord emerge causes immediate panic amongst the gawkers, and they begin fleeing the stands (if they weren’t already).
Even the Darakhul, who have their hands full with Millie, turn and flee, along with their carrion beetle.
The insane derro moves to attack the Lord, and nearly dies as a result. Zaberi grabs him, but she becomes restrained by a tentacle, and is forced to yeet him across the arena.
Snips unleashes several powerful snipe attacks from the stands (having withstood his grounds when others tried to push him over before fleeing), while the disease and poison immune Millie turns her full attention to the putrefying monstrosity.
The combined might of the party takes down the Lord of All Flesh. They quickly scoop up the wounded derro, though Millie discovers that Alaric’s radiant blast killed many captive slaves in the deepest pit, including her best friend.
The party escapes to chaos and rioting in the streets of the outpost from the surviving slaves. The imperials have their hands full, but a pair of military Iron Ghouls stop the party, recognizing them for causing all this trouble.
This time Zaberi takes point, dealing a devastating combo of attacks. Millie uses her immobile rod to lock the barracks, while Alaric opens up a void with another high-level spell, spreading more chaos throughout the outpost.
As the party escapes, they finally get some info out of the derro warrior. Through broken Common, he recognizes the name Narosain, and confirms he’s part of the Withered Hand. He points them to a path that takes them to the cult’s hideout, and their leader, Orda.
Then, as if proving his insanity, he suddenly attacks the party, then kills himself with a violent stabbing.
With little else to go on, the party quickly escapes down the north tunnel, toward the derro cult.
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RogueWatson 