The King of Helgabal
General Summary
The PCs ride the Vaati airship to Silk’s manor house, held under the persona of Lord Reed. Elminster and the Friendly Five are waiting inside. After the reunion, the archmage reveals that a former pupil named Balakarde traveled to an independent kingdom called Redhand, to seek the council of a sorceress named Lashonna, chief magical counselor to the tyrannical King Frostmantle, liege of Damara.
In the months leading up to his disappearance, Balakarde was completely obsessed with Kyuss. If he visited Lashonna, it had to be because he thought she could help him get to the bottom of the mystery. It’s probable that Lashonna remembers meeting Balakarde a decade ago, and might know more about his whereabouts. Fortunately, Elminster explains, the king is set to celebrate the twentieth year of his rule at a grand festival in a week’s time. Lashonna is sure to attend.
Silk reveals that they are a child of the last king and heir to the throne. Their uncle, King Frostmantle, holds little love for the lost heir, yet for some reason placed Silk on the invitation list for the private celebration within the palace.
The festive exterior of Damara hides a zealous populace. Everything there reflects the dour tastes of its lord, a Banite paladin who believes himself a just ruler but whose draconian policies and brutally efficient police force keep the citizens in line. It is nonetheless an intriguing place, a crossroads of the civilized world and wild country where adventurers rub shoulders with bandit kings, haughty hobgoblins, and crooked merchants. Lashonna is nowhere to be found, but all of the citizens expect her to attend the gala celebration.
The party does manage to find trouble, however. First, they best a band of local hobgoblin heroes, the Knights of Morov, in a tavern drinking contest. Then Bak attempts to break in to the Aerie, headquarters of the city’s elite guard, the Blessed Angels. The PCs also discover that Helgabal violently opposes the Ebon Triad. A public execution of accused Ebon Triad acolytes goes awry when Triple T rescues one of the would-be victims. Their actions reveal a plot to serve worm-infested wine at the king’s gala.
Other Information
Blessed Angels is not just a name.
A rabble-rousing paper called The Sinchaser Report seeks to defame and undermine King Frostmantle.
Lord Reed’s signature on the Inner Sea Trade Compact brought a wave of prosperity and diversity to the capitol.
Silk’s ally, Lord Jaffren, has fled the city to avoid political retribution from the king after Jaffren was seen with Lord Reed during the signing in Suzail.
Report Date
29 Dec 2021
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