Session 16: Harbingers of Holdenglade Report

General Summary

Whilst attempting to heist the Imperial Treasury of Holdenglade, the Masters of the Nine Elements are caught red handed by the guard of the vault: a young Bronze Dragon. With quick thinking and a silver tongue, Sly Tony persuades it to let them pass and steal King Orthrond's gold in return for its freedom; and being the naturally sly Kobold that he is, he succeeds - allowing the party to pocket around 15,000gp of Orthrond's own treasure. Using this money, Averel and Tony gallivant back down into the black market of Holdenglade, where they find a Faceless Guild vendor selling all sorts of siege weapons. Two hours and thousands of gold pieces later, the party now has access to ballistas, cannons, battering rams and 'The Big Mamba' - a 40ft trebuchet that can fire up to 900lbs of projectiles.   Meanwhile, Donevan, Heato and Rostliem make to the nearby forests to acquire some peace and quiet so Donevan can contact Ax for guidance on how to execute the siege, eventually gaining weapons in the form of returning handaxes as a result of Donevan promising to build a church to Ax once Holdenglade is theirs. Heato also tries to contact Alana, the Goddess of the Moons, but is put on hold due to obvious signs of being an 'Economy Class Tourist.' The following day, the party meet up atop the hills of Holdenglade, where the army and the siege weapons are assembled. Tony instructs the peasants on what to do and the party set out to make their final assault on the city.   Making it to the Outer Gate of Reaver's Keep, they cleave through waves of enemies to barge through the iron portcullis and into the courtyard, storming through any traps and soldiers that get in their way. On the great bridge to the main keep, suspended 600ft above water level, they are met with the handsome appearance of a rather large monkey, who almost immediately squishes Averel into a level of flatness that Tenser's Floating Disk would be proud of. Though after some quick healing from Donevan and Sly, Averel recovers as Heato pushes the ape down into the crashing waves below. Inside the keep, the party is rewarded by yet even more guards that swiftly meet their end, finally leading them to the upper floors of the fortress, where things become much quieter. From here, only the ghostly melody of an organ can be heard. Traversing through the hollow corridors, the Masters of the Nine Elements ultimately find themselves in the throne room; face to face with King Orthrond himself and his pair of rambunctious bodyguards: Stick and Stone.   The dynamic duo fight with all their moxie but Stick is quickly overpowered by the party, succumbing to a fatal Eldritch Blast from Averel. Distraught and vengeful, Stone consumes his fallen friend, becoming yet more powerful than ever before, and falls into a blind rage. Yet after surviving smite upon smite and literally being set on fire, Rostliem finally discovers his weakness: the power of insults. Lacing him with the most hideous strings of despicable remarks he can muster up, he unleashes the most abhorrent expressions of berating abuse upon the man, killing him instantly. Tony then approaches Orthrond and tells him that his time is up. The King is beheaded and the city falls under the party, now Harbingers of Holdenglade. Tony makes a speech that is broadcast citywide courtesy of Ablio Nickelbraid before the party is visited by one last guest. He introduces himself as Goron Roxise, an old friend of the late Kairon Phalia. He briefly explains that he is in danger; Elgen Isle is in danger. Something is brewing off the coast of Σu'ryxia that might just bring about the Fall of Avalǿn. And it's up to the Masters of the Nine Elements to save the damn world...