Kingdom on the Brink - Session 26
General Summary
The party leaves the guildhall, Kragoir tells them he'll be in contact with them. The party long rests and Runsha gets up and gets breakfast, he reads some letters, once Ashara gets up she starts to bang on the doors, which Oneiro responds with by throwing his boot against the door and telling her to go away. Once the group gets their food the barmaid says that a package arrived for the group and lays it on the table. Ashara reads the note and finds it's directions to the meeting point, then she opens the box and sees it contains diamonds and quickly closes it, passing it to Hendred. Ashara informs the group they have a meeting with the guild leaders this evening, Runsha asks to be filled in on the time he wasn't with the group so they go to a back room and catch him up. The group decides to head to Bathazaar's Sanctum (mage academy), Oneiro and Ashara hope to find information on a Bathazaar Coil (from Salwor's journal). At the academy Runsha, Oneiro, and Ashara go to find someone to talk to about using the library while Hendred enjoys the view and Del Varis keeps an eye out. Runsha finds someone in charge and asks about finding information on a Bathazaar coil, introducing himself by his nobility, the elf says that there's a library that might contain such information that's normally off limits but given his nobility he and his companions could gain entrance. Everyone but Hendred decide to go to the Library (Oneiro puts his hood up), the group rounds some halls and the people become less and less prevalent, the elf stops in front of the doors to the library. The group asks some questions about Julian Bathazaar and the mages guild before she leaves, before entering Runsha notices a portrait of a blue dragonborn in mage robes beside the door with an inscription plate of "Julian Bathazaar." The group enters and spend an hour looking for potential candidates for their information, Hendred begins walking around the academy and enjoying the view. Runsha finds a book on Bathazaar's early years and his expedition into what would become Eastbrook, Ashara and Oneiro find several books on his inventions and studies, Del Varis finds a book titled "Bathazaar's bathing etiquette: the mischievous years" which was focused more on Bathazaar's close calls, screw ups, and embarrassing stories.
Before the group could get too far into their research the door opens and two people enter, Runsha stands up and moves toward them when the Blackguard readies his glaive to attack. Del Varis slowly closes the distance and Runsha casts wrathful smite on himself and moves up, the Blackguard casts a spell and moves up to strike Runsha (Runsha notices the Blackguard has bloodshot eyes, heavy breathing, some jittery motions), one attack lands and he unleashes a smite, the attack is especially potent as the energy takes on a red hue over the white radiant energy. Ashara moves up and pulls Runsha away and trades places with him, the Diviner sends Ashara into a maze, but he's foiled when Oneiro banishes him and Ashara returns, Oneiro proceeds to launch a volley into the Blackguard. Runsha hits the Blackguard with two smites and casts sanctuary on himself, the Blackguard is pissed at Runsha and attempts to strike him again but thanks to Ashara the Blackguard misses completely. Del Varis and Ashara flank the Black guard and land several strikes, hitting critically on a few occasions, and felling the Blackguard. The Diviner returns and Oneiro attempts to launch a chromatic orb but misses, Runsha moves closer and hits the Diviner with the full force of his breathe weapon and Ashara critically hits the Diviner and kills him. Hendred hears the commotion and tries to find a way into the library, the group quickly searches the bodies (finding some money and some red dust in a vial). Runsha goes to find Hendred, Ashara and Del Varis puts the bodies in the portable hole, and Oneiro starts to magically clean up the blood. Hendred finds Runsha and heals him then heads back to the library, the party goes over what just happened and Oneiro pulls out the vial to show the group. Hendred recognizes it as Quartz, she gets a body out of the portable hole and casts speak with dead on it, asking the following question:
1. Who sent you? "The voices did"
2. Why did you attack us? "The voices commanded it"
3. Where did you get the quartz? "From the supplies"
4. Are you associated with any guild? "Guild of magic"
5. Who is your boss? "Dorbis Quiethand"
With this information Runsha and Hendred go to find Dorbis Quiethand, Oneiro tries to put a book in the portable hole but it flies out so he proceeds to walk around the academy looking for something, Ashara goes to find Merith but is unsuccessful so she takes a seat, Del Varis attempts to take a book out of the library but it flies back to its spot (with him still holding on). Runsha finds a mage and tells him he has a meeting with Dorbis and needs to find him, the mage says that if he does have a meeting then he would know where to go, the back and forth continues with no progress and Runsha decides to intimidate the mage. This causes the mage to run away in fear yelling, Runsha and Hendred continue trying to find Dorbis, Del Varis attempts several times to get the book out of the library (Run really fast, punch the shelf, punch the book). Several guards find Runsha and Hendred, they get very aggressive with Runsha, insinuating he might be there to kill the interim guild master, showing an illusionary image of the confrontation between Runsha and the mage he scared. Runsha deceives them that he's there on behalf of his father lord Valeros, This causes the guards to back off some go to check Dorbis' schedule, Runsha and a steadily more agitated Hendred head back to Ashara. The guards come back and say that Runsha is nowhere on the scheduled meetings, and begin to get aggressive again, Ashara and Hendred are able to deescalate the situation. Runsha and Hendred begin to head out and the guards explain that with Erlathan's death they've been on edge, Ashara explains that they've been trying to see the body as they have a way to potentially look into that. This catches the guard by surprise, he mentions that the party was brought in by Allisa Ulanan and she's essentially Dorbis' right hand, she could of helped with that. The guard takes Ashara to Allisa and leaves, Ashara then asks why she took them to a unmonitored library where the party was attacked, Allisa is unsure what Ashara is talking about and apologizes for the incident (Ashara is unable to discern if Allisa is being geniune). Ashara walks out and meets back up with the party to plan their next move, before they leave they realize Del Varis isn't with them, they walk around the perimeter of the academy and see him trying to get a book out. They tap on the window and ask what he's doing, Del Varis gets Runsha to help and he puts the book in his armor, after a great struggle Runsha is able to get the book out of the confines of the library and Del Varis is satisfied and tells Runsha to let the book go.
The party heads to the mercenary camp, they are met by one of the mercenaries who they ask if their leader is around, the mercenary acknowledges and leads them to Krusk (A half-orc). They ask if she knows anything about some of her people attacking kobolds to the south of Strongfare, they describe some of the people they fought and how many there were, Krusk thinks for a moment and mentions that some people take free lance jobs (much to her anger). She explains she doesn't want her people to take side jobs outside official channels because it hurts their position on becoming a guild, what good is a guild of mercenaries if you can easily hire people outside the guild. Ashara asks what Krusk's goal is and she explains that she just wants a better way of doing things for her group, Ashara explains that Bernard Ursel is summoning representatives for a meeting concerning the matter of their very survival. Ashara asks if Krusk would be willing to attend, it would strengthen her position if she aided such a renowned individual, this peaks Krusk's interest and agrees. Ashara is content with this answer and the party heads outside, Krusk mentions she's always looking for skilled warriors and to keep her in mind if they ever need some work, Ashara and Hendred examine the camp to measure the potential of the mercenaries. Ashara begins to organize some that would listen in ways of basic tactics while Hendred teaches basic field care. Runsha asks why they're doing this and Ashara explains that they'll be needed in the coming days, she understands that Runsha has other goals, but she's only concerned with the undead. The group short rests and begins to head towards the meeting point for the guildmasters, they get there and all four guildmasters are there. Ashara, Hendred, and Runsha approach and Ashara takes out the portable hole and takes the bodies out and says they've brought more corpses to add to the "guilty party" involved in the vault theft. Runsha asks which one is Dorbis and a gnome steps forward, Hendred stops everyone and asks if she can cast zone of truth to insure everyone is being honest, after a brief back and forth everyone agrees, the zone takes affect. Runsha then asks why Dorbis sent these people to kill them, Dorbis responds that he didn't, which catches Runsha by surprise. Ashara pulls out the quartz and says they had it on them, Dorbis says he stopped all acquisition of the quartz when he took over given its nasty effects. Dorbis then asks where the incident took place and once he finds out he tells the party that the area was on the edge of a off limits section of the academy, the area had several quartz addicted mages, they've been trying to keep it under wraps to prevent panic. Hendred asks why she's been getting the runaround about seeing Erlathan's body, Dorbis sighs and says it's because that his body is in the off limits area of the academy. He asks the party for help in clearing out the area, Ashara says they'll help but they want the guilds to endorse the mercenaries (essentially guaranteeing their guild status). She explains this would be best for everyone, the leaders are apprehensive but eventually agree when she explains that Bernard is having a meeting in Aramore and has requested representatives. Dorbis says the mages can provide some supplies to help the party with the heightened mages.
Before the group could get too far into their research the door opens and two people enter, Runsha stands up and moves toward them when the Blackguard readies his glaive to attack. Del Varis slowly closes the distance and Runsha casts wrathful smite on himself and moves up, the Blackguard casts a spell and moves up to strike Runsha (Runsha notices the Blackguard has bloodshot eyes, heavy breathing, some jittery motions), one attack lands and he unleashes a smite, the attack is especially potent as the energy takes on a red hue over the white radiant energy. Ashara moves up and pulls Runsha away and trades places with him, the Diviner sends Ashara into a maze, but he's foiled when Oneiro banishes him and Ashara returns, Oneiro proceeds to launch a volley into the Blackguard. Runsha hits the Blackguard with two smites and casts sanctuary on himself, the Blackguard is pissed at Runsha and attempts to strike him again but thanks to Ashara the Blackguard misses completely. Del Varis and Ashara flank the Black guard and land several strikes, hitting critically on a few occasions, and felling the Blackguard. The Diviner returns and Oneiro attempts to launch a chromatic orb but misses, Runsha moves closer and hits the Diviner with the full force of his breathe weapon and Ashara critically hits the Diviner and kills him. Hendred hears the commotion and tries to find a way into the library, the group quickly searches the bodies (finding some money and some red dust in a vial). Runsha goes to find Hendred, Ashara and Del Varis puts the bodies in the portable hole, and Oneiro starts to magically clean up the blood. Hendred finds Runsha and heals him then heads back to the library, the party goes over what just happened and Oneiro pulls out the vial to show the group. Hendred recognizes it as Quartz, she gets a body out of the portable hole and casts speak with dead on it, asking the following question:
1. Who sent you? "The voices did"
2. Why did you attack us? "The voices commanded it"
3. Where did you get the quartz? "From the supplies"
4. Are you associated with any guild? "Guild of magic"
5. Who is your boss? "Dorbis Quiethand"
With this information Runsha and Hendred go to find Dorbis Quiethand, Oneiro tries to put a book in the portable hole but it flies out so he proceeds to walk around the academy looking for something, Ashara goes to find Merith but is unsuccessful so she takes a seat, Del Varis attempts to take a book out of the library but it flies back to its spot (with him still holding on). Runsha finds a mage and tells him he has a meeting with Dorbis and needs to find him, the mage says that if he does have a meeting then he would know where to go, the back and forth continues with no progress and Runsha decides to intimidate the mage. This causes the mage to run away in fear yelling, Runsha and Hendred continue trying to find Dorbis, Del Varis attempts several times to get the book out of the library (Run really fast, punch the shelf, punch the book). Several guards find Runsha and Hendred, they get very aggressive with Runsha, insinuating he might be there to kill the interim guild master, showing an illusionary image of the confrontation between Runsha and the mage he scared. Runsha deceives them that he's there on behalf of his father lord Valeros, This causes the guards to back off some go to check Dorbis' schedule, Runsha and a steadily more agitated Hendred head back to Ashara. The guards come back and say that Runsha is nowhere on the scheduled meetings, and begin to get aggressive again, Ashara and Hendred are able to deescalate the situation. Runsha and Hendred begin to head out and the guards explain that with Erlathan's death they've been on edge, Ashara explains that they've been trying to see the body as they have a way to potentially look into that. This catches the guard by surprise, he mentions that the party was brought in by Allisa Ulanan and she's essentially Dorbis' right hand, she could of helped with that. The guard takes Ashara to Allisa and leaves, Ashara then asks why she took them to a unmonitored library where the party was attacked, Allisa is unsure what Ashara is talking about and apologizes for the incident (Ashara is unable to discern if Allisa is being geniune). Ashara walks out and meets back up with the party to plan their next move, before they leave they realize Del Varis isn't with them, they walk around the perimeter of the academy and see him trying to get a book out. They tap on the window and ask what he's doing, Del Varis gets Runsha to help and he puts the book in his armor, after a great struggle Runsha is able to get the book out of the confines of the library and Del Varis is satisfied and tells Runsha to let the book go.
The party heads to the mercenary camp, they are met by one of the mercenaries who they ask if their leader is around, the mercenary acknowledges and leads them to Krusk (A half-orc). They ask if she knows anything about some of her people attacking kobolds to the south of Strongfare, they describe some of the people they fought and how many there were, Krusk thinks for a moment and mentions that some people take free lance jobs (much to her anger). She explains she doesn't want her people to take side jobs outside official channels because it hurts their position on becoming a guild, what good is a guild of mercenaries if you can easily hire people outside the guild. Ashara asks what Krusk's goal is and she explains that she just wants a better way of doing things for her group, Ashara explains that Bernard Ursel is summoning representatives for a meeting concerning the matter of their very survival. Ashara asks if Krusk would be willing to attend, it would strengthen her position if she aided such a renowned individual, this peaks Krusk's interest and agrees. Ashara is content with this answer and the party heads outside, Krusk mentions she's always looking for skilled warriors and to keep her in mind if they ever need some work, Ashara and Hendred examine the camp to measure the potential of the mercenaries. Ashara begins to organize some that would listen in ways of basic tactics while Hendred teaches basic field care. Runsha asks why they're doing this and Ashara explains that they'll be needed in the coming days, she understands that Runsha has other goals, but she's only concerned with the undead. The group short rests and begins to head towards the meeting point for the guildmasters, they get there and all four guildmasters are there. Ashara, Hendred, and Runsha approach and Ashara takes out the portable hole and takes the bodies out and says they've brought more corpses to add to the "guilty party" involved in the vault theft. Runsha asks which one is Dorbis and a gnome steps forward, Hendred stops everyone and asks if she can cast zone of truth to insure everyone is being honest, after a brief back and forth everyone agrees, the zone takes affect. Runsha then asks why Dorbis sent these people to kill them, Dorbis responds that he didn't, which catches Runsha by surprise. Ashara pulls out the quartz and says they had it on them, Dorbis says he stopped all acquisition of the quartz when he took over given its nasty effects. Dorbis then asks where the incident took place and once he finds out he tells the party that the area was on the edge of a off limits section of the academy, the area had several quartz addicted mages, they've been trying to keep it under wraps to prevent panic. Hendred asks why she's been getting the runaround about seeing Erlathan's body, Dorbis sighs and says it's because that his body is in the off limits area of the academy. He asks the party for help in clearing out the area, Ashara says they'll help but they want the guilds to endorse the mercenaries (essentially guaranteeing their guild status). She explains this would be best for everyone, the leaders are apprehensive but eventually agree when she explains that Bernard is having a meeting in Aramore and has requested representatives. Dorbis says the mages can provide some supplies to help the party with the heightened mages.
It is the evening of the 27th day of Kyzet 2517 AGF
Rewards Granted
700 GP
+2 quartz vial
Comments