Session 16 - Sins of the Father

General Summary

After slaying one of the Flame Drakes, the group investigates the damage done by the ones who got away. Radolf slayed another with the help of Roger. Rollin was gravely injured while defending the wizards at The Old Light; and despite the best efforts of Ridner and Lamashtu, many of the fields and crops were burned to a crisp.
Farwin returns, as promised, with Fox in a sack for Wilvert. Fox and Wilvert become fast friends, and Farwin shows Arimanthos some of the horses he has acquired. Now that he has shown he can get horses, Nath, Drag, and Skara decide to build stables, giving 3k, 1k, and 1k respectively. Fenrir spends 5k to build a storehouse.
That night, a strange boy shows up at the gate and gives a message in an unsettling, deep voice.
"I come on behalf of my master, Lentus Castillo. Your father gives you another chance for the sake of your late mother, his beloved wife. He invites you to dine with him in three days time at Blackdown's Watch. His servants only came to scout your modest town. He sent children, and you murdered them."
After delivering the message, the young boy is torn to shreds from the inside out. Ebony identifies him as one of her cousins, and Arimanthos has him buried. Skara identifies that the boy was not possessed, but was instead used as a sort of magical puppet.
Zubarin calls a meeting at the Sandpoint Inn the next day, inviting all important players except Omarim, Sluk, and Giancarlo. A party is formed in secret to head to Blackdown's Watch as Omarim would never allow it. Roger, Radolf, Ebony, Terry, Myles, and Warner all volunteer to go with the group.
Fearing that Giancarlo would not allow The Phoenix to go on such a dangerous quest, the group decides to sneak out of the city. Drag beaks a window as a distraction to cover his escape. Radolf's group and Roger all scale the town's walls, while Arimanthos lies to the guard about checking on the now burnt crops to sneak out the rest.
During the first day of hiking, they find a trail left by what seems to be men working with Barbazu. On the second day, they come across the remains of a campfire. A man, wearing the millitary uniform of House Castillo lays in front of the fire. When Arimanthos approaches, he finds the man is dead, and he is jumped by a group of three Barbazu. Arimanthos has become skilled at fighting these demon spawn, and is able to take one down quickly. Skara casts a powerful spell, and burns one to dust. Wilvert, riding Fox, takes down the last one with bottled lightning.
On the third day, they reach Blackdown's Watch. Upon entering, a trap is sprung; a demonic symbol on the wall makes the group feel weak. As they begin to explore, they find that each room has an elemental theme. Wilvert lights a torch in the kitchens. Drag breathes onto the torch on the watchtower. Skara casts a water spell on the torch in the bathhouse. Wilvert throws a rock at the final torch. A hidden room is revealed, and the group enters.
A war map sits tossed aside, knocked off a table that seems to have been broken in a rage. A high back chair sits facing a fire with a unnatural crimson flame, Lentus stares into the fire. A few bodies are scattered on the floor, all wearing Castillo military uniform. The few men still standing all stay out of arms reach of the head inquisitor, as if they wish to shrink into the shadows. A group of well dressed servants stand catatonic. Arimanthos recognizes some of them as nobles from Castillo, Hardsorrow, and Croft.
"This is it, son. Last chance. He can give us power beyond our wildest dreams. I don't know why you would want this woman, but he whispers to me that he can give you Alice."
The young noblewoman steps forward, obviously under the control of an evil spell. When he is refused, Lentus snaps his fingers, and Alice begins to die. Enraged, Arimanthos attacks his father. When the rest of the group tries to help their friend, they are attacked by four elementals.
Warner falls to the ground, dead, from the combined strength of an Air Elemental and a Fire Elemental. Fenrir slays an Earth Elemental, while Drag fells a Water Elemental. After a hard fought duel, Arimanthos calls upon Iomedae and puts all his strength into a final strike.
"You should have put your faith in the light," Arimanthos yells, as he lands a killing blow on his father.

Report Date

22 Jun 2019

Primary Location

Blackdown's Watch

Secondary Location

Sandpoint