Session 9

Session 9 returned to action just before the Medusa ambush in Nangalor.  The party was forewarned by the previously petrified Ranger Haldor.  Nobody knows for sure how long Haldor was in that state but his rescue to Eku may have saved the party from his same fate.  

With eyes closed, the party fought the Medusa along with her Eblis care takers to the death.  Volo's guide:  As deadly as they are ravishing, the serpent-haired medusas suffer an immortal curse brought on by their vanity. They lurk in quiet exile among the tumbled ruins of their former lives, surrounded by the petrified remains of past admirers and would-be heroes.

Immortal Splendor. Men and women who desire eternal youth, beauty, and adoration might pray to malicious gods, beg dragons for ancient magic, or seek out powerful archmages to fulfill their wishes. Others make sacrifices to demon lords or archdevils, offering all in exchange for this gift, oblivious to the curse that accompanies it. Those who strike such bargains gain physical beauty, restored youth, immortality, and the adoration of all who behold them, granting them the influence and power they so desire. However, after years of the living like a demigod among mortals, the price for their vanity and hubris is exacted, and they are forever transformed into medusas. A medusa’s hair turns into a nest of venomous serpents, and all who gaze upon the medusa are petrified, becoming stone monuments to its corruption.

Medusa Lairs. Medusas live forever in seclusion, alienated from the world around them by their monstrous form and caprice. Their homes gradually fall into disrepair until they are little more than shadowy ruins covered with thorns and creepers, riddled with obstructions and hiding places. Foolhardy looters and adventurers who enter are often unaware of the medusa’s presence until the creature is among them.

A medusa is subject to its own curse. By looking vainly on its reflection, it turns to stone as surely as any living mortal. As a result, a medusa destroys or removes any mirrors or reflective surfaces in its lair. 

Onto Omu:  The party arrived to the dead city of Omu and immediately found graffiti at the gatehouse: 

"Fear the fangs of Ras Nsi!"
"Erik, I've gone in search of the nine shrines. V."
"The puzzle cubes are the key."
"Beware the frog monster!"
"Who is Unkh?"
"All hail the King of Feathers!"
"The snakes are not what they seem."
"Kubazan = bravery. Shagambi = wisdom. Moa = ?"

The Walled compound where the party found a guide of sorts Orvex:  

Smoke drifts lazily from a walled compound. The gate lies in splinters, and scorch marks deface the buildings. Near the center of the compound is a plaza littered with charred human corpses. One of the corpses is being torn apart by a pack of wild dogs.

Onto the first temple:  Kubazan

 Karn and Arlen worked as a team here.  Arlen unlocking the gate and freeing the group from having to face the Monster in the pool to retrieve the key.  Karn using his speed to jump and retrieve the first puzzle cube.

Stop at the Magic Academy:  The party faced its fears having failed the Intelligence check ending up in separate rooms.  Peter faced off against a Beholder, Arlen and Kasais faced a very large centipede, and Johfra and Haldor dealt with Ghosts.  After everyone finally arrived at the final room the party gained a scribed map of Omu (yet to use) and some crazy magic mix potions.