Investigating Zalesh

Structure

Exposition

With Draconia Defense Force Team 12 put together, their first assignment is to investigate the Zalesh region. The group set out on a schooner that traveled south on the Renovare Lake down the main canal, towards the capital of Zalesh. While on the boat, they met Captain Longtime and his first-mate Newt Newt. The group also became aware of Archades affliction and that he was slowly dying.

Rising Action

Upon arrival a week later, the group immediately split ways. Torvin Kharne, Rey'viri Lightfeather and Ahmay made their way to some armorers, W.A.N.D.A. and Althos Yuvanka met one of their longtime friends at a general store to purchase rope (while not realizing that Althos had rope in his bag the whole time...) while Maru Tinderhoof and Archades investigated the new bar that had been built in the lower-status districts. Demetrius made an ass of himself by trying to break into the Overlord's chambers.
Eventually the party reconvened at the bar with Archades and Maru. They learned that the bar was very popular, but that it was also the only spot that prominent figures in Zalesh culture/politics would frequent. After some shenanigans that caused a waitress to quit, they were also joined by Duaak, Leovold and Ganvorth. Frivolity ensued, but something felt off. Upon investigation, the group uncovered a secret staircase that went beneath the bar. Deciding to investigate, the main force descended into the darkness, while Archades and Demetrius stayed upstairs. 
The group was attacked by spiders upon their descent. The combat was humbling for them, as they realized that they were not immortal by any means. Even in the face of the danger that this passage/cellar could present, they pressed forward. The cellar gave way to a passage that led into the sewer system of Capsiza, a massive and sprawling expanse. They continued along whatever path they could find, maneuvering past hazards, pitfalls, shit, and a giant water scorpion that seemed to be hunting the party. After some winding stairs and confusing layouts, the group had to slide down an inclined slope that led them to another area deeper into the sewers. 
This deeper area was much more heavily filled with waste and other contaminants. The group also came across another alive person, but the man was quickly dispatched by a group of blood-sucking ticks. These ticks were swiftly dealt with in another room. The scorpion from before seemed to be leaving tracks, which the party followed, finding what appeared to be a storage room.

Climax

Inside this storage room, a black dragonborn stood. He was talking to the water scorpion, while feeding it dismembered body parts. Despite the fact that they were above the dragonborn, Maru descended from the higher platform and stealthily made his way to a surplus of crates that were in the room. He discovered that there were weapons in some of the crate, while others held drugs or other "medicine"-like contents. This gave the group the confidence they needed to take the man in.
They began to set themselves up, with their frontline fighters getting to the ground floor, while their ranged companions kept themselves safe above. This setup time also made their life easier, as the water scorpion left after satiating its appetite with the body parts, leaving the dragonborn by himself. 
The group sprung their ambush, attempting a peaceful resolution. Maru and Torvin began to speak to him, with the rest of the party joining in once cover had been blown. The dragonborn's name was Shias and he immediately responded with hostility and confusion that the party was down here with him. Despite the attempts to avoid bloodshed, Shias proved that he was not a fan of negotiations and weapons were drawn. 
The fight was quick, but scary for the group. Shias proved himself no slouch and was capable with a rapier. He was able to go toe-to-toe with Torvin in weapon combat. His fighting style was that of a duelist, as he singled out Torvin and even attempted to disarm him with his attacks. Both times he was able to strike Torvin were powerful, with one even piercing into his chest and causing Torvin to go unconscious. Despite this, the group prevailed, with Maru acting as a support and with Ahmay's powerful divine smite that struck with the wrath of a god.

Resolution

Shias was revealed to be a Sapphire dragonborn, a race thought to no longer be present in Draconia. To the party, they knew what this meant. He was a member of the dragons that were here to destroy them. Something that caught Torvin's attention, besides this fact, was that he smelt a familiar smell on a red neckband that Shias was wearing. It had no crest, so it could not have been from Torvin's clan, but the scent alone was enough to set him off. Torvin nearly killed him for information that he wanted, but he got it. 
"The Scout and The Ranger"
Those were the titles of the people that came to deal with Shias and why he had the weapon crates. He was subsequently beaten back into unconsciousness. 
Duaak somehow stumbled his way down the sewers, being sent down after Demetrius and Archades grew worried after the group did not return. When he saw the scene, he seemed very upset about the amount of paperwork he'd have to do, but he gathered the proper authorities. The group was then accosted and interviewed about what they saw and were told.

Components

Goals

The party's main mission was to investigate Zalesh for leads on the evil dragons situation, starting in Capsiza and making their way through the region until they find something to report.

Relations

Protagonists

Torvin Kharne, Maru Tinderhoof, Rey'viri Lightfeather, Althos Yuvanka, W.A.N.D.A., Ahmay Bellamy

Allies

Archades Brance
Demetrius Jones

Neutrals/Bystanders

Captain Longtime
Newt-Newt

Adversaries

Shias Riddle

Completion Date
09/11/2022 (Real Time), 07/24/3045 (EoD)

Plot type

Chapter

Parent Plot

Draconia in Danger

Subplots

• Briggs Disappearances

Related Characters

• Althos Yuvanka
• Maru Tinderhoof
• Rey'viri Lightfeather
• Torvin Kharne
• W.A.N.D.A.