Age of Ashes A Pathfinder 2e Campaign
Cult of Cinders

Session 2025-09-06

Narrative Summary

After destroying the violet dragon pillar and looting the Cinderclaw mining operation, the party made their way by raft and jungle trek to locate the orange dragon pillar reported by Ifiok's hunting party. Two days of arduous jungle travel brought them through dense undergrowth, thick vines, and constant rain, with nights filled with the sounds of nocturnal predators. Upon reaching the coordinates where the orange pillar should have stood, the party found it already destroyed—the wooden structure reduced to splintered remains with magical acid residue still lingering in the air.

Standing amid the wreckage were Ifiok and her two companions, Korag and Jemba, bearing fresh wounds from recent combat. Around them lay the scattered remains of several biloko creatures, their crocodile-snouted forms torn apart by what had clearly been a fierce battle. Ifiok explained that her hunting party had tracked the pillar's corruption and encountered the creatures guarding it. The bilokos had fought well, but the half-orc hunters had prevailed, destroying the pillar in the process. Nadira provided healing for their injuries while the party exchanged information about the mining operation's destruction and the vrock demon's defeat.

When Theo suggested the half-orcs help contact the Ekujae, local tribes, and other allies to gather additional forces, Ifiok firmly declined. The trail of the kishi—the shapeshifting demon that had mauled her nephew—grew fresher, and the hunters' oath of vengeance drove them south toward the deeper swamplands. However, Theo pointed out that their paths seemed to align, and the half-orcs agreed to allow the party to join their hunt, transforming it into a combined effort.

The joint group used the party's raft to cross a river, with the half-orcs proving skilled navigators. They then pushed into the swampy terrain, with Ifiok pointing out fresh signs of the kishi's passage. The creature was moving with purpose, hunting, and the trail led them deeper into increasingly sodden ground. As evening approached and the group made camp, a solitary traveler appeared—a well-built dark-skinned man dragging a cloth sack behind him.

The encounter immediately raised suspicions. When asked about the sack's contents, the man claimed to be a simple hunter, but his body language—positioning himself to block view of the sack, scanning for escape routes—suggested something more sinister. Theo, noting the man's accent was foreign to the region, confronted him directly, accusing him of being a slave catcher rather than a legitimate hunter. The man's response was to reveal his true form: a kishi, a dangerous shapeshifter with the ability to charm with its voice. Its true form showed a handsome human face on the front and a snapping hyena jaw on the back of its head.

Combat erupted immediately. William was caught by the kishi's enchanting voice and fell under the charm effect, making him unable to attack or take hostile actions against Itoro (the kishi's name). Despite the charm, William used his body and defensive abilities to block grapple attempts directed at other party members, effectively saving his companions from being pinned and potentially killed.

Theo, Frazzle, and Nadira unleashed their combat abilities against the creature while Ifiok and her companions provided crucial support. Nadira attempted to dispel the charm on William but failed due to the high counteract DC (27). Theo took significant damage while attempting to overcome the creature's defenses, but pressed on. Frazzle fired his gun (after spending an action to unjam it from a risky reload attempt) but struggled with the creature's high AC. Renali, who had arrived with the group, fought fiercely alongside the half-orcs.

Throughout the battle, William's role as a defensive anchor proved invaluable. Using his newfound Defensive Swap feat (granted as a free feat by the DM to enable tactical positioning), William positioned himself to take hits meant for more vulnerable allies, effectively ending the charm's benefits when he was hit directly rather than the kishi. Ifiok's companions Korag and Jemba fought with the coordinated skill of seasoned warriors, and Frazzle used his Healing Spirits ability to maintain Ifiok's health as she fought.

The kishi was ultimately killed by Ifiok herself in a climactic moment. As the creature attempted one final desperate attack on the half-orc hunter, she brought her axe down in a devastating arc that cleaved deep into Itoro's chest. With a roar of "For my nephew!" she claimed the kill, finally achieving her long-pursued vengeance.

Upon opening the sack dragged by the kishi, the party discovered a celestial being—an angel named Chioma with brilliant red-orange fluorescent wings, clad in matching robes. The angel had been captured and tortured by the kishi, who planned to consume Chioma's celestial flesh for magical power. Chioma revealed that Sarenrae herself had commissioned the angel to gather intelligence on the Cinderclaws and aid those who would stand against them. The angel was notably a servant of Sarenrae, the same goddess Nadira follows, establishing an immediate bond of shared purpose.

After healing from Nadira and Frazzle, Chioma explained that the celestial realms were aware of the Cinderclaws' growing threat—their desecration of sacred sites, corruption of the natural order, and plans to awaken draconic evil. The group made camp and discussed strategy. Nadira recounted their earlier encounters: the battle at Citadel Altaerein against an aspect of Dahak himself, the discovery of the Cinderclaw mining operations and enslaved kobolds, and most importantly, the curse afflicting the Ekujae that prevents them from venturing far from their settlements without being struck blind.

The party established that one final dragon pillar remained—the red pillar in the southeast, guarded by actual dragon. With that pillar destroyed, the curse would be lifted and the Ekujae could mobilize to assist in the assault on the Fortress of Sorrow. Frazzle suggested that Chioma, with their celestial abilities, could fly to the Ekujae settlement to deliver news of the pillar's destruction and coordinate their forces for a combined assault. Chioma acknowledged that the journey would take roughly four days of flight each way, but the opportunity to free an entire people from the curse was compelling.

The session ended with the group resting at a defensible camp, having defeated the kishi and gained a celestial ally. Plans solidified for the final pillar assault and the coordinated attack on the Fortress of Sorrow with the Ekujae.

Session Notes

Key events:

  • Party located the orange dragon pillar destroyed by Ifiok's hunters
  • Party joined Ifiok's kishi hunt as a combined force
  • Encountered the kishi Itoro disguised as a human trader
  • Combat against the kishi with William charmed but still useful
  • Ifiok defeated the kishi, achieving her vengeance
  • Discovered and rescued the celestial angel Chioma from the kishi's sack
  • Established connection with Sarenrae's celestial agent
  • Planned final pillar assault and coordinated attack on Fortress of Sorrow

NPCs encountered:

  • Ifiok — Half-orc demon hunter; dealt the killing blow to the kishi; maintains the oath of vengeance fulfilled
  • Korag and Jemba — Ifiok's companions; skilled warriors who aided in kishi combat
  • Itoro the Kishi — Shapeshifting demon; killed by Ifiok; captured Chioma for intended consumption
  • Chioma — Celestial angel; servant of Sarenrae; rescued from kishi captivity; offers aid against Cinderclaws
  • Renali — Party's animal companion; aided in kishi combat; demonstrates interest in nature's corruption

Combat:

  • Encounter: Kishi (Itoro) in combat against party + Ifiok's hunters
  • Outcome: Party victory; kishi killed by Ifiok
  • Notable: William charmed by kishi's voice but still protected allies through grapple defense; Defensive Swap feat used tactically; Ifiok's companions proved valuable combat support

Party decisions:

  • Joined Ifiok's kishi hunt rather than insisting on additional recruitment
  • Confronted the kishi rather than attempting to parley or flee
  • Decided to work with Chioma to coordinate Ekujae forces for fortress assault
  • Planned to destroy the final red dragon pillar before attacking the fortress

Unresolved threads:

  • Final red dragon pillar remains; described as in ancient temple ruins with "very dangerous ground"
  • Fortress of Sorrow awaits; its defenses still unknown
  • One Cinderclaw (Hezle) remains at large from the mining operation
  • Ekujae's curse will only be lifted upon destruction of the final pillar
  • Timing of Chioma's journey to the Ekujae and return with reinforcements is uncertain
  • Unknown who or what guards the red pillar (earlier encounters suggested an actual dragon)

Rewards/loot:

  • None from kishi encounter; focus on story advancement

Rules/Technical notes:

  • Discussed charm mechanics in Pathfinder 2e; charmed condition doesn't provide direct control but influences attitudes and predisposes targets to view the source favorably
  • DM granted Defensive Swap as a free feat to enable better tactical positioning and defensive play
  • Discussed risky reload mechanics for guns and action economy
  • Highlighted the value of defensive and grapple-countering abilities even when a character is charmed and cannot attack

Party composition changes:

  • Gained temporary allies: Ifiok, Korag, Jemba (half-orc hunters)
  • Gained permanent ally: Chioma (celestial angel, servant of Sarenrae)
  • Expected future alliance: Ekujae elves (once curse is lifted)

Narrative note: The session marked a significant turn in the campaign where the scattered encounters began to interconnect and the Ekujae's role transformed from distant backdrop to active participants in the climactic assault on the Fortress of Sorrow.