Wednesday Session 1: Shadows of Deception - Demons Lurk in the Town
General Summary
Shadows of Deception - Demons Lurk in the Town
Introduction
In the picturesque town of Lureumar, a group of six adventurers reunite after six years apart. Among them are Ash, a Moon Elf druid, Angst and Dermish, two tiefling pals with different paths, Elias, a cunning human rogue, Bael, a skilled human fighter, and Jo, a spirited dwarvish druid. As they gather at the cozy Wyvern's Egg Inn, they stumble upon news of the newly established Adventurers Guild, sparking their interest in new quests and challenges.Unveiling Dark Secrets
Amidst the revelry and anticipation for the upcoming New Year's festivities, the adventurers share their own personal tales. Elias reveals his harrowing journey to Rimstone Reach, accompanied by a debt collector and a tragic loss. Dermish recounts his encounter with a devil and an angel, speaking of a fateful decision that will determine his fate after death. Angst, known for his noble deeds as a volunteer patrol officer, unwittingly becomes a valuable source of information for Elias' clandestine activities.The Troubled Quartermaster
The atmosphere takes a somber turn as the group notices the Quarter Master, Alestair Thorn, sipping whisky—a rare sight for the typically stern and responsible man. Alestair, who has raised Angst since infancy, remains haunted by the events that banished him from Eldoria and thrust him into the service of Lureumar. As his early review approaches, he shares his disillusionment, always being promised freedom yet trapped in the small town.A Desperate Plea
A distraught woman enters the inn, searching for her son, Johnathan, a fellow recruit and friend of Angst. Johnathan has mysteriously gone missing after failing to appear for dinner. Alestair speculates that he might be with Captain Corrina Blackwood, the formidable leader of the guard. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the adventurers volunteer to embark on a quest to find Johnathan, unraveling a web of secrets and dangers lurking beneath the town's serene surface.Excitement and Trepidation
As the group prepares to venture into the unknown, shadows of deception cast doubt on their every step. They navigate through Lureumar's winding streets, encountering suspicious characters and unearthing hints of a malevolent presence. Each decision they make and every revelation they uncover leads them closer to the truth and the impending confrontation with the demons haunting the town.Conclusion
In a town teetering on the edge of darkness, our brave adventurers stand as the last line of defense. Will they find Johnathan and expose the sinister forces at play? Or will they become entangled in a web of deception, risking their lives for the sake of Lureumar's future? The battle against the shadows has just begun, and the fate of the town rests in their hands.
Training Grounds and Discontent
Captain Blackwood
The adventurers rush to the training grounds in search of Johnathan and Captain Corrina Blackwood. They find Corrina buried in paperwork, but Johnathan is nowhere to be seen. Corrina reveals that Johnathan and Private Winston Mark were together earlier. However, she drops a bombshell: the Quarter Master, Alestair Thorn, is being reassigned and the unit in Lureumar is being disbanded. It becomes clear that Corrina holds a personal grudge against Alestair, intentionally causing his discontent and dismantling his hard work.
A Race Against Time
With the impending departure of Alestair, the adventurers feel a sense of urgency to find Johnathan before it's too late. They split up to cover more ground, each heading to different locations in Lureumar. Jo goes to the city square, Dermish is steered away from old memories by Elias, Bael heads to the lake, Ash takes an unpredictable path leading her to the town statue, and Angst explores various places.
Elias's Drunken Encounter
Elias, in his intoxicated state, confronts a shady character, attempting to intimidate him for information. The man sees through Elias's bravado and demands payment. In a failed attempt to pickpocket him, Elias becomes the victim himself, losing his hard-earned money. However, the man reveals that he saw Johnathan and Private Mark near the town's edge.
Avelora, the Enigmatic Demon Faerie
Amidst the shadows and darkness at the town statue, Ash encounters Avelora, a mesmerizing creature—a half-demon, half-fey with six fingers on each hand and six horns adorning her head. Avelora hints at the possible involvement of demons in the disappearance of the youths. With a smile that stretches from ear to ear, she explains the chaotic and unpredictable nature of demons. Mistaking Bael for Alestair's adopted son, Avelora mentions that at one time Quarter Master pursued her and if they survive the upcoming ordel, to please tell him, hello.
Reunion and Revelation
In a moment of relief, Johnathan emerges, still in one peice but separated from Private Mark. He reveals that they were ambushed by cultists who summoned demons. One cultist, Rosalin, stands out—a commoner known for running a bakery and supporting her disabled husband. Despite her seemingly sweet nature, she appears to be the head of the cultists. The adventurers now face a critical task: rescuing Johnathan and uncovering the truth behind Rosalin's involvement in this dark plot.
As the shadows of deception deepen and demons stir within the town, our brave adventurers stand united, ready to face the unknown. Will they rescue Private Mark and unveil the cultists' sinister intentions? Or will they become entangled in a web of chaos, testing the limits of their resolve and courage? The fate of Private Mark hangs in the balance, and only through unwavering determination can the light pierce through the encroaching darkness.
Unveiling the Sinister Cult
The Cabin in the Woods
As our brave adventurers follow the trail, they come across the Quartermaster's fallen horse by the river. As they investigate the horse suddenly, a group of quasits, tiny demonic creatures, attacks. Though our heroes emerge victorious, both Angst and Dermish suffer injuries in the fierce battle.
Traces of a struggle lead our adventurers to a cabin in the woods, its windows boarded up tightly.
Elias's Stealthy Infiltration
Elias takes the lead, sneaking inside while Angst and Bael remain on guard. Inside, Elias encounters two grotesque, stubby demons known as Manes, startling him. Seeking a vantage point, Elias climbs up the wooden log fence with Angst's assistance.
Confronting the Horrors Within
Within the cabin, our heroes confront a horde of Manes, a cultist, and even Abyssal chickens. With swift action, they eliminate the cultist before she can raise the alarm. Ash, momentarily taken down by an Abyssal chicken, is revived by Jo's healing magic just in time.
Unveiling Gruesome Discoveries
Victorious yet cautious, our adventurers investigate the fallen enemies. Elias discovers a necklace adorned with a demonic holy sigil, representing Graz'zt, a demon prince of the abyss. Utilizing his disguise self ability, Elias assumes the appearance of the slain cultist, recognizing her as 6-finger Aggie from the slums. They also stumble upon Aggie's sister, 1-eyed Mary, amidst a gruesome scene of dismembered bodies.
Traps and Mysterious Liquids
Further exploration reveals a room with a trapped treasure chest, which shoots a poison dart, and inflicts damage upon Angst. A misstep leads him to fall into a hidden hole in the floor. Among the discovered items are mysterious bottles of unknown liquids with thick yellow viscous liquid each with a different kind of sprig inside.
Silencing the Watchful Eyes
In another room, Elias encounters two quasits seemingly uninterested in his disguise. Taking advantage of their distraction, our adventurers swiftly dispatch them before they can raise the alarm.
The Cultist's Fate
Elias skillfully dispatches the other sleeping cultist, slitting her throat. Continuing their investigation, our heroes reach the opposite side of the cabin, where they hear the faint sounds of someone in pain. They also find a window with a fragment of cloth, resembling Rosalyn's apron, adorned with a blue flower.
Revealing the Hidden Chamber
A secret door concealed behind a cupboard leads to a hidden area. Elias, still disguised, opens the door, inadvertently triggering a falling bell that alerts the entire complex. Fortunately, our adventurers have already cleared the area.
Rescuing Winston Mark
Within the hidden chamber, they discover Private Winston Mark, imprisoned and severely injured. Elias reveals his true identity, providing comfort and assuring him of their rescue mission. Signs of demonic summoning and blood sacrifices fill the room, shedding light on the cult's sinister activities.
A Desperate Escape
Our heroes do their best to patch up Winston's wounds, guiding him onto a horse outside. With Winston saved and the cabin fully explored, they embark on their journey back to town, determined to bring the culprits to justice and put an end to the shadows of deception that loom over Lureumar.
Saving Private Mark
The City Gates of Lurueamar
As our adventurers reach the city gates, they find Captain Corrina standing alongside the Quarter Master. Private Mark rushes to explain the events that unfolded, revealing the involvement of three cultists, including Rosalin. Their sinister activities involved summoning demons and praising Graz'zt, a powerful male demon prince with six fingers.
A Defining Moment
Captain Corrina makes a decision that surprises everyone. Recognizing the Quarter Master's loyalty and the sacrifice made by our heroes to save one of her men, she allows the Quarter Master to remain in Lureumar. A knowing nod of appreciation passes between the Quarter Master and Angst, acknowledging the bond forged through their shared ordeal.
Celebrations and a New Path
In the spirit of celebration, our adventurers gather at the tavern to revel in their success of finding Private Mark and thwarting the plan to displace the Quarter Master. In a surprising turn of events, they are invited to join the Guild Hall, a prestigious organization that promises new opportunities and adventures.
Unresolved Mysteries
Yet, amidst the joyous atmosphere, questions linger. Where is Rosalin, the cultist responsible for the chaos? Has she managed to evade capture, or will she face justice for her actions? Meanwhile, Elias faces the consequences of not being able to pay his debt collector the 15 gold pieces he owes, wondering what fate awaits him. What is the history between Quarter Master Thorn and Avelora? How do they know each other?
As the shadows of deception gradually disperse, our adventurers stand ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead, united by their bond and determined to unravel the remaining mysteries that haunt Lureumar.
Bael Ecra
Neutral Good Variant Human (Folk Hero)
Fighter 2
Fighter 2
14 / 14 HP
STR
16
16
DEX
11
11
CON
13
13
INT
6
6
WIS
10
10
CHA
11
11
Asharene Shadowthorn
Jothilda Oakenfoot
Neutral Good Hill Dwarf (Archaeologist)
Druid 2
Druid 2
24 / 24 HP
STR
14
14
DEX
12
12
CON
16
16
INT
13
13
WIS
17
17
CHA
10
10
Elias Hoccleve
Chaotic Good Variant Human (Criminal / Spy)
Rogue 2
Rogue 2
18 / 18 HP
STR
10
10
DEX
16
16
CON
12
12
INT
15
15
WIS
12
12
CHA
11
11
Angst Oblation
Neutral Good Tiefling (Soldier)
Paladin 1
Paladin 1
14 / 14 HP
STR
14
14
DEX
12
12
CON
14
14
INT
11
11
WIS
11
11
CHA
18
18
Dermish Rizzy
Report Date
01 Jun 2023
Primary Location
Related Characters
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