Episode 1 - The Second Darkness Begins

General Summary

Valor Keep, Ustalav
Lady Ginona walked through the courtyard with Godric. She told him not to think of this as him leaving home, but rather as the next step in his training. If he was to become a Knight of Ozem one day, he must go out and discover the world. Put into practice what he has been taught. Learn why the lands were worth protecting.
Three people waited on the other side of the courtyard. Sir Rhistel, his wooden leg barely visible beneath his formal attire. The second was a man Godric had seen before – Master Baretto. He had been to Valor Keep in the past, and Godric suspected the man was friends of the paladins. The other was a looking kid (Shenron Stroheim). Sir Rhistel wished him luck and gave him a gift – a necklace, the symbol of Iomedae. The sword was actually made from the shard from the broken and reformed sword of Iomedae as per her sixth miraculous act (shattered by the Whispering Tyrant), which created the artifact Heart’s Edge. Master Baretto teleported them to the Bastion.
The forest to the south of Korvosa
Alythin, rode atop her tiger Theros. Walking beside them was Sakali, with Rool tucked away in his pocket. She told him that despite how scary things might look at the Bastion, he had nothing to fear. Renado, the man who ran the place, was a friend… of sorts. The meeting they were about to attend was a formality to discuss logging zones and some possible hunting expeditions. The Bastion supported the city by making purchases there, but they tried to be self-sufficient.
As they reached the front gate, they noticed a single man dressed in Hell Knight half-plate standing atop the tower beside the front gate. He gestured and the gate opened. Paralictor Renado Werensei stood in black formal military attire to greet them. He introduced himself to Sakali, and seemed amused by Rool.
Together, Renado and Alythin left for their meeting and instructed Sakali to stay away from the barracks and the Studium (school). Visitors were not permitted in those areas without supervision. But he was free to check out the other parts – The Grand Garden (Hortus Magni), the training ground (Arena), and the Hall (dining hall).
Sakali and Rool wandered, and eventually were drawn to the sound of people – the Arena.
The Arena, The Bastion
Alyuin Krisire sparred with a big man (Agonis) wearing chainmail and a big, oft-broken nose. A small asian man (Master Loong) stood beside Valarius as he drew his bow. Sakali entered to watch the training.
Commotion outside. Baretto, Godric, and Shen stood facing a man in black Hellknight Armor, and a helmet with the face of an eyeless demonic skull. No visible eyeholes at all. Dhanolis stared at them with a ball of green fire growing in his palm. Blue fire growing in Baretto’s. Godric in a combat stance. Shen looked panicked.
Renado and Alythin came running out to diffuse the situation. Renado announced that Godric was to be the newest member of the Bastion. Everyone was invited to the dinner tonight.
During dinner, Shen asks questions of the characters. Shen let them know that he was taking classes for Pathfinder Society, hoping to take his Conformation and earn his Wayfinder.
After dinner they went for a walk and ended up in the area. Dhanolis saw them and felt a lesson was in order. After combat, Dhanolis applauded, very impressed. Baretto found them and told Shen it’s time to go.
Cut to: Dinner, the Present
It has been a few months since Godric arrived at the Bastion. Sakali visits often, and everyone trains both physically at the Bastion, and spiritually at the temples across Korvosa.
One night during dinner, a face appears pressed against the glass. It’s Shen. He motions for them to join him outside, looking more frantic than usual.
Once there, he tells the group about his current, and first, mission for the Pathfinder Society. One of their valued artifacts had been stolen by a thief named Angard Deepspeaker. The Pathfinder Society received word that Angard surfaced in Korvosa. It appeared that the thief ran afoul of the Aspis Consortium in Korvosa and they kidnapped him, perhaps hoping to learn the location of the item. He’d been taken to one of their lockdown sweatshops.
Shen was dispatched with three others – Jarabee (Male Human Fighter), Pais (Female Half-Elf Wizard), Kirstalothan (Male Elf Cleric of Desna). He explains that the rest of his group had been arrested the night before, and as the town guard closed in on them, Pais told him to lay low and complete the mission. He’s now here alone, and he’s on the clock. He must locate the Aspis compound, get in, and free the thief before the Aspis Consortium breaks him and gets him to talk.
They travel to the World of Spice in Old Korvosa. The owner, Belieze Kilan, was a known associate of the Aspis Consortium. She delivered food to the Shop in the past so she knows where it is. After some awkward interrogations, she reveals that the compound is actually beneath the spice shop.
Aspis Compound, Old Korvosa
The group kicks down the compound door and raises hell, more or less. They come away from the situation with a few things:
A cell with two people – a man (Lasdo) and a woman (Thana). She was chatty, he was tired. The group freed them and they escaped. Paperwork outlined the Pathfinders being set up by corrupt officials to get them out of the way. Shen was referred to as “the useless one”. Torture chamber with Angard, a merchant, and a big grey orc with a tattoo sleeve on his left arm (Ghost Wolf Orc). They fought their way out, and escaped into the dusk.

Character(s) interacted with

Sir Rhistel and Lady Ginona (Knights of Iomedae) - Sir Rhistel was a Knight of Ozra until an orc attack left him without a leg. He, along with Lady Ginona, built Valor Keep and took in young Godric to guide him in the holy ways.
Master Baretto (Human Psychic) - Master Baretto, raspy voice and all, was an instructor for the Pathfinder Society who guided young apprentices in the ways of psychic magic. He still goes out on occasion to assist with Society missions but is essentially retired.
Alythin (Half-Elf Lunar Oracle and her tiger companion Theros) - Alythin and several others of the more druidic nature had taken it upon themselves to monitor the forest and animals surrounding Korvosa. They have their home within the forest, and try to keep the balance between Nature and Civilization.
Paralictor Renado Werensei (Human Hellknight, and Leader of the Bastion) - Renado believes in the credo of the Order of the Nail, that “Savagery must be quelled, in the land, home, and mind.” But he feels this can be done by making people stronger. Healthy, in mind and body. Able to defend themselves, and maintain order. He hoped that the Bastion would be a step in the right direction to keep Korvosa, and society, on the more straight and narrow without the very hard-line belief of his Hellknight brethren.
Dhanolis (Hellknight Signifer and Arcane Instructor at the Bastion) - Dhanolis respects Renado’s vision, but feels that the Bastion is a waste of resources. Still, he will try to guide those under his charge to a more ordered way of thinking. Does not think much of Master Baretto, or anyone for that matter.

Notes

The Aspis Consortium has powerful allies in Korvosa, judging by the paperwork found involving the framing of Pathfinder Society members. They have paid officials in their pockets, and even the Korvosan Guard may be compromised. Having broken into their compound and liberated a person of interest to them could make moving around Korvosa a bit more difficult.

Report Date

08 Apr 2019