Kingdom on the Brink - Session 31
General Summary
The party made it into Aramore, the party went looking for spell items in the city, buying scrolls and diamonds. The party notices a group listening to someone laying down their grievances, The individual is raising their voice and saying How Highsummit is interfering with the affairs of Eastbrook. They sent a Noble (Bridgeford) to enforce royal proclamations and have arrested Bernard Ursel, the hero of the province. The party stays and listens and the crowd is getting more and more riled up, as this continues a group of soldiers approach, the leader of the soldiers tells the crowds to disperse. The crowd refuses and the person speaking turns to the leader and rebukes them, the crowd and soldiers are starting to get more and more aggravated and the situation is looking bleaker. Before violence breaks out a goliath approaches with some guards and addresses both groups, eventually talking them both down......... for now. The groups disperse and the party go looking for the jail where Bernard is imprisoned, on the way they notice several different groups of soldiers (One wearing the crest of house Bridgeford, one wearing the Aramore coat of arms, another group that had a quickly made symbol, they also notice a group that isn't wearing Bridgeford crests but seems to be working for them). The group finds the jail and enter, Runsha approaches the desk and ask if they're holding someone by the name of Bernard, this immediately puts the guard on edge. The guard tells Runsha that doesn't concern him, Runsha brandishes his signet ring and asks again, the guard remains adamant, Runsha puts 5 gold on the table but the guard pushes it back and tells him he shouldn't dig any deeper into this situation. The party exits the jail and head to an abandon alley, where they discuss their next steps. Hendred and Del Varis decides to go to a order of the dragon temple to seek help and Runsha talks to one of the house Brideford soldiers and requests an audience with lord Bridgeford, the soldier says he'll deliver Runsha's request and will find him later. The largest group of Ashara, Gareth, Oneiro, and Tia decide to explore the city in the hopes of finding more information. As the group makes their way to an inn they realize that the group wearing the quickly made symbol is known as the Eastbrook coalition and believe its a group that supports Bernard.
Hendred and Del Varis make it to the church, on the outside there's a homeless looking man who everyone seems to be ignoring, he's talking about how the order is lying and how some of the dragons have died. Hendred stops and talks to the man, telling him she has had the same dreams and encourages him, this surprises the man as he hasn't been taken seriously before. Hendred continues on and talks about how she saw a vision of Sirlith, The wise being mortally wounded. She tells the man to convince the order he no longer believes these "silly" visions, so that he might be able to tell other, more receptive people about what has been revealed to him. The man throws his crudely drawn pamphlets into the trash and thanks Hendred, Hendred and Del Varis proceed into the temple, the doors has many dragon symbols on it and once inside they see light shining through the stained glass projecting the pictures of dragons onto the floor. Hendred approaches one of the clerics, they begin to greet Hendred and then look up and realize she is also a cleric and is welcomed to the temple, exclaiming they don't get very many visiting clerics. Hendred returns the welcome and asks how things have been in the city, the cleric responds that there's been some tension concerning Bralor politics but the order tries to keep focus on more divine matters. Hendred begins a soft debate saying that the issues of the kingdom effect the people and the people need their help if they are to be receptive to the divine, the cleric acknowledges the case Hendred made but seems to not heed Hendred's words. Hendred is offered a room, but not the rest of the party since the order has limited resources.
Ashara, Gareth, Oneiro, and Tia make it to a more rundown inn, everyone except for Oneiro go to the bar and order some food (Oneiro stays in the back and watches the room). Ashara begins to make conversation with the barkeep and mentions the tension in the city, the barkeep offers some superficial responses as he continues to clean some mugs. Ashara then mentions how it's a shame Bernard has been arrested, especially considering everything he's down with repelling the Orc incursion recently. The barkeep stops and leans in asking if it's true about the incursion, Ashara confirms and mentions that there was an even bigger invasion coming, as this is going on Oneiro notices a figure leave the table and join another group. Ashara and the barkeep continue talking and Ashara asks where they could find some friends of Bernard, the barkeep whispers that someone will probably find them and then goes back to working. Tia is confused by this exchange and Gareth proceeds to fill her in on the party's exploits, another person leaves the bar to talk to another group. Ashara, Gareth, Oneiro, and Tia meet back up and Oneiro says he believes the group has gotten someone's attention and they head to the temple Hendred and Del Varis went to.
In another part of the city Runsha is looking for more supplies when he is approached by a house Bridgeford soldier, the soldier tells Runsha that Lord Ricard Bridgeford will meet him at the theater and he'll take him there. Runsha follows the guard, realizing there's no way for him to tell the rest of the party. Runsha arrives at the theater and as he approaches Bridgeford he uses his divine sense to examine Ricard Bridgeford, not sensing anything out of the ordinary Runsha approaches and sees there are guards, as well as his childhood friend he has developed feelings for, Kysophe Davenwood. Runsha presents himself to Ricard, he then respectfully greets Kysophe, she goes through the motions and returns the greeting. Ricard welcomes Runsha Valeros and thanks him for all his reports, stating that house Valeros appears to be in good hands, he was worried for their future given previous generations. Runsha asks what will happen of Bernard and Ricard says that he will face his crimes against the kingdom, Runsha digs further (wanting to make Ricard think he is all in on whatever schemes are going on) and says that if Bernard gets a trial then that could be bad for the kingdom, Ricard says that there's no need to worry about that, it's all under control. Runsha, in an attempt to gain access to Bernard, says that Bernard believes him to be a friend and Runsha could talk to him to get more information. Ricard chuckles a bit and praises Runsha for his enthusiasm, that will serve him will in his career, but tells him it's all under control. Runsha makes a final request to speak with Kysophe alone, Ricard grants it and leaves the two alone, Runsha approaches Kysophe (grabbing her hand) and asks why she's being so cold. She says she enjoyed her time growing up with him, but when she was chosen for an assignment in Highsummit that it greatly altered her situation, this angers Runsha and he drops her hand saying little more then "so be it." He leaves the theater, not noticing anybody on his way out, and rides to the temple Hendred is at, sending a letter to Bronzecliff before arriving.
The group reconvenes at the temple and Runsha begins to vent his frustration with Bridgeford, but Hendred stops him and says we should take this somewhere more private and go to her room, Oneiro and Ashara remain in the temple courtyard. The group pieces together all the info they have pertaining to Bernard's arrest, Bridgeford, and the situation in the city. But they appear to be at a dead end, as Runsha is about to leave (potentially to do something Rash) Ashara enters the room and says they have a meeting to be at in an hour. The group heads back to the alley way they were in earlier and a guard approaches them, saying they're expected and leads them to a house. They enter and see the goliath who defused the situation in the forum earlier, Runsha explains that's Gathia Stormstalker, a provincial councilor of Eastbrook. Gathia welcomes the party and asks what they're doing in Aramore, Ashara approaches and hands her a letter signed by Bernard, Gathia looks at it and asks if they work with him. The party tells her of what they've done and she begins to laydown what's happened in the city: Bridgeford arrival and the edicts he enforced, Bernard's arrest, and the rising tension in Aramore. The party suggests breaking out Bernard, but Gathia doesn't believe that's the best course of action, she mentions there's other provincial councilors who'd support him but Bridgeford has hired muscle and allies that are applying pressure and forced one into hiding and another to inaction. She proposes the party start to undercut Bridgeford by going after his goon squad, some hired muscle from the Lagoon port shipping guild (a criminal front). Gathia says they were a thorn in her side in Lakeshore but it has since stopped, the party smirks and explains they did that (Kingdom on the Brink - Session 19). The party agrees to take out the hired muscle and they all leave for the night, Ashara stays behind and says they need to get the entire provincial council involved. Gathia explains that Mistee Talrance is a supporter but the pressure Brideford is applying has paralyzed her into inaction, Arden Walmund is also a very vocal supporter but that led to him being targeted so he's gone into hiding. Victor Menard is a true politician but wants to gain more influence and is currently fine with Bridgeford, but that could change if the balance shifts, and Zalkaen Highwind is little more then a political socialite, interested in parties and art more then political affairs. With this Ashara leaves and the party long rests.
The party meets up at the temple in the morning and head into the more rundown part of the city, where they find a barricade with two people on the ground and three on the roofs. They tell the party they can't pass and have to leave, the party approaches and asks why, the barricade guards repeat their warning and leave, they draw their swords. The Diviner on the roof let's off a fireball that hits Oneiro, Hendred, and Runsha, the group is able to resist it through various means. The two mountain archers take aim at Ashara and and Hans, heightening their damage through hunter's mark, they both land severe blows on each. Del Varis moves up and lands several strikes on the War priest, stunning him in between strikes, Ashara and Runsha moves up to engage the Champion in melee. Tia and Oneiro take advantage of the War Priests stunned condition and unload several arrows into him, Hendred sees how bad Hans got hit and heals him with a heightened cure wounds. The champion swings at Runsha, but hits armor every time, Ashara responds with several attacks from her flame tongue, Hans sends several eldritch blasts to the Diviner which knocks him off the house and then heads for cover. The diviner takes a health potion and takes cover in the house, the mountain archers unleash another volley on Hans and and Ashara, Ashara deflects some with her shield and Hans gets hit but reacts with a Hellish rebuke. Runsha focuses on the Champion, landing several warhammer strikes and knocks him back with his shield. Del Varis continues to focus on the War Priest, the War Priest casts a mass cure wounds which heals himself, the Champion, the Diviner, and an archer. Hans attempts to cast hold monster on one of the archers but is resisted, Tia and Oneiro continue their volleys and Oneiro banishes one of the archers. Hendred casts Sacred flame on the War Priest which kills him, The Champion dukes it out with Ashara and Runsha trading blows when the Diviner casts maze on Runsha to try and even the odds. The Mountain archer that's not banished misty steps over to the other building and gets an angle on Hans and fires another volley, the party focuses on the Diviner to try and break his concentration on Maze, eventually succeeding. The champion and one of the archers is quickly overwhelmed by Tia, Hendred, Ashara and Runsha. The party then splits their attention, the Diviner casts teleport on himself which Ashara attempted to stop but was too slow, The group focuses on the last archer who tries to do a covered retreat but is too slow and is felled. The party quickly searches the bodies for supplies and gold and get patched up and continue on.
The group finds themselves in a cramped alley way where they find more thugs in an open area, they move in to engage. Oneiro moves forward and fires some arrows and Hans cast Crown of Madness on one of the Champions, which the Champion doesn't resist. Tia, Del Varis, and Ashara move forward to close the distance but before the rest of the party could join them the Abjurer casts wall of force and splits the party in two, with one half in the open area and another trapped by buildings and the magical wall 50 feet high. The Evoker follows it up with a fireball, Runsha thinks quickly and bashes through a building and casts shield of faith on himself, the two Champions double move to close the distance with Ashara to try and down her before the rest of the party can come to her aid. Oneiro casts expeditious retreat on himself and uses his boots of spider climb to walk up the building and reach a vantage point he can use to engage, Tia continues to fire at the mages. Hans and uses Mind Spike since the wall of force would block his eldritch blasts and helps Ashara from the other side of the wall. The Abjurer is able to remove crown of madness from the Champion using dispel magic, Hendred casts Spiritual weapon to aid Ashara in melee since she can't move up, Runsha breaks through the rest of the building and is able to support Ashara against the champions. The Evoker is able to use a lightning bolt and hits Ashara, Runsha, and Tia though Runsha is able to block with his shield. The Champions focus their efforts against Runsha and land several damaging blows, Oneiro pulls out his wand of magic missiles and uses all 7 charges on the abjurer in an attempt to bring the wall down but the Abjurer casts shield and absorbs every blow. Hans tries to cast toll the dead but it's resisted and Hendred uses spiritual weapon to continue to attack the champions but is able to do little else, the Evoker casts cone of cold on Ashara and Runsha which leaves them in bad shape. Runsha uses the last of his lay on hands to heal Ashara before he goes down, The Champions lay into Runsha and knock him down unconscious but this provides enough of a distraction that Ashara makes a break for the mages. Tia and Oneiro fire arrows into the Abjurer, it's arcane ward absorbs most of the shots, on the final shot the Abjurer loses concentration and the wall of force comes down. Ashara focuses her Javelins on the Abjurer and hendred uses mass cure wounds to heal herself, Ashara, and Runsha. The Evoker lets loose another lightning bolt but the party is able to deflect most of it, Hans is able to summon enough energy to cast one more spell and is able to paraylyze one of the Champions. Tia and Oneiro bring down one of the champions and Runsha attacks the paralyzed one, smiting him twice and nearly killing him, The Abjurer is finally able to Banish Ashara and proceeds to retreat, the second champion gets finished off along with the evoker shortly there after. The party focuses on the Abjurer which proves to be difficult with his ability to cast shield, Hendred casts a guiding bolt which crits on the Abjurer and Oneiro and Tia are able to launch several more arrows which breaks the banishment on Ashara. The party has blood in their eyes as they rush the Abjurer and finally strike him down, Runsha proceeds to beat the corpse with his warhammer.
Hendred and Del Varis make it to the church, on the outside there's a homeless looking man who everyone seems to be ignoring, he's talking about how the order is lying and how some of the dragons have died. Hendred stops and talks to the man, telling him she has had the same dreams and encourages him, this surprises the man as he hasn't been taken seriously before. Hendred continues on and talks about how she saw a vision of Sirlith, The wise being mortally wounded. She tells the man to convince the order he no longer believes these "silly" visions, so that he might be able to tell other, more receptive people about what has been revealed to him. The man throws his crudely drawn pamphlets into the trash and thanks Hendred, Hendred and Del Varis proceed into the temple, the doors has many dragon symbols on it and once inside they see light shining through the stained glass projecting the pictures of dragons onto the floor. Hendred approaches one of the clerics, they begin to greet Hendred and then look up and realize she is also a cleric and is welcomed to the temple, exclaiming they don't get very many visiting clerics. Hendred returns the welcome and asks how things have been in the city, the cleric responds that there's been some tension concerning Bralor politics but the order tries to keep focus on more divine matters. Hendred begins a soft debate saying that the issues of the kingdom effect the people and the people need their help if they are to be receptive to the divine, the cleric acknowledges the case Hendred made but seems to not heed Hendred's words. Hendred is offered a room, but not the rest of the party since the order has limited resources.
Ashara, Gareth, Oneiro, and Tia make it to a more rundown inn, everyone except for Oneiro go to the bar and order some food (Oneiro stays in the back and watches the room). Ashara begins to make conversation with the barkeep and mentions the tension in the city, the barkeep offers some superficial responses as he continues to clean some mugs. Ashara then mentions how it's a shame Bernard has been arrested, especially considering everything he's down with repelling the Orc incursion recently. The barkeep stops and leans in asking if it's true about the incursion, Ashara confirms and mentions that there was an even bigger invasion coming, as this is going on Oneiro notices a figure leave the table and join another group. Ashara and the barkeep continue talking and Ashara asks where they could find some friends of Bernard, the barkeep whispers that someone will probably find them and then goes back to working. Tia is confused by this exchange and Gareth proceeds to fill her in on the party's exploits, another person leaves the bar to talk to another group. Ashara, Gareth, Oneiro, and Tia meet back up and Oneiro says he believes the group has gotten someone's attention and they head to the temple Hendred and Del Varis went to.
In another part of the city Runsha is looking for more supplies when he is approached by a house Bridgeford soldier, the soldier tells Runsha that Lord Ricard Bridgeford will meet him at the theater and he'll take him there. Runsha follows the guard, realizing there's no way for him to tell the rest of the party. Runsha arrives at the theater and as he approaches Bridgeford he uses his divine sense to examine Ricard Bridgeford, not sensing anything out of the ordinary Runsha approaches and sees there are guards, as well as his childhood friend he has developed feelings for, Kysophe Davenwood. Runsha presents himself to Ricard, he then respectfully greets Kysophe, she goes through the motions and returns the greeting. Ricard welcomes Runsha Valeros and thanks him for all his reports, stating that house Valeros appears to be in good hands, he was worried for their future given previous generations. Runsha asks what will happen of Bernard and Ricard says that he will face his crimes against the kingdom, Runsha digs further (wanting to make Ricard think he is all in on whatever schemes are going on) and says that if Bernard gets a trial then that could be bad for the kingdom, Ricard says that there's no need to worry about that, it's all under control. Runsha, in an attempt to gain access to Bernard, says that Bernard believes him to be a friend and Runsha could talk to him to get more information. Ricard chuckles a bit and praises Runsha for his enthusiasm, that will serve him will in his career, but tells him it's all under control. Runsha makes a final request to speak with Kysophe alone, Ricard grants it and leaves the two alone, Runsha approaches Kysophe (grabbing her hand) and asks why she's being so cold. She says she enjoyed her time growing up with him, but when she was chosen for an assignment in Highsummit that it greatly altered her situation, this angers Runsha and he drops her hand saying little more then "so be it." He leaves the theater, not noticing anybody on his way out, and rides to the temple Hendred is at, sending a letter to Bronzecliff before arriving.
The group reconvenes at the temple and Runsha begins to vent his frustration with Bridgeford, but Hendred stops him and says we should take this somewhere more private and go to her room, Oneiro and Ashara remain in the temple courtyard. The group pieces together all the info they have pertaining to Bernard's arrest, Bridgeford, and the situation in the city. But they appear to be at a dead end, as Runsha is about to leave (potentially to do something Rash) Ashara enters the room and says they have a meeting to be at in an hour. The group heads back to the alley way they were in earlier and a guard approaches them, saying they're expected and leads them to a house. They enter and see the goliath who defused the situation in the forum earlier, Runsha explains that's Gathia Stormstalker, a provincial councilor of Eastbrook. Gathia welcomes the party and asks what they're doing in Aramore, Ashara approaches and hands her a letter signed by Bernard, Gathia looks at it and asks if they work with him. The party tells her of what they've done and she begins to laydown what's happened in the city: Bridgeford arrival and the edicts he enforced, Bernard's arrest, and the rising tension in Aramore. The party suggests breaking out Bernard, but Gathia doesn't believe that's the best course of action, she mentions there's other provincial councilors who'd support him but Bridgeford has hired muscle and allies that are applying pressure and forced one into hiding and another to inaction. She proposes the party start to undercut Bridgeford by going after his goon squad, some hired muscle from the Lagoon port shipping guild (a criminal front). Gathia says they were a thorn in her side in Lakeshore but it has since stopped, the party smirks and explains they did that (Kingdom on the Brink - Session 19). The party agrees to take out the hired muscle and they all leave for the night, Ashara stays behind and says they need to get the entire provincial council involved. Gathia explains that Mistee Talrance is a supporter but the pressure Brideford is applying has paralyzed her into inaction, Arden Walmund is also a very vocal supporter but that led to him being targeted so he's gone into hiding. Victor Menard is a true politician but wants to gain more influence and is currently fine with Bridgeford, but that could change if the balance shifts, and Zalkaen Highwind is little more then a political socialite, interested in parties and art more then political affairs. With this Ashara leaves and the party long rests.
The party meets up at the temple in the morning and head into the more rundown part of the city, where they find a barricade with two people on the ground and three on the roofs. They tell the party they can't pass and have to leave, the party approaches and asks why, the barricade guards repeat their warning and leave, they draw their swords. The Diviner on the roof let's off a fireball that hits Oneiro, Hendred, and Runsha, the group is able to resist it through various means. The two mountain archers take aim at Ashara and and Hans, heightening their damage through hunter's mark, they both land severe blows on each. Del Varis moves up and lands several strikes on the War priest, stunning him in between strikes, Ashara and Runsha moves up to engage the Champion in melee. Tia and Oneiro take advantage of the War Priests stunned condition and unload several arrows into him, Hendred sees how bad Hans got hit and heals him with a heightened cure wounds. The champion swings at Runsha, but hits armor every time, Ashara responds with several attacks from her flame tongue, Hans sends several eldritch blasts to the Diviner which knocks him off the house and then heads for cover. The diviner takes a health potion and takes cover in the house, the mountain archers unleash another volley on Hans and and Ashara, Ashara deflects some with her shield and Hans gets hit but reacts with a Hellish rebuke. Runsha focuses on the Champion, landing several warhammer strikes and knocks him back with his shield. Del Varis continues to focus on the War Priest, the War Priest casts a mass cure wounds which heals himself, the Champion, the Diviner, and an archer. Hans attempts to cast hold monster on one of the archers but is resisted, Tia and Oneiro continue their volleys and Oneiro banishes one of the archers. Hendred casts Sacred flame on the War Priest which kills him, The Champion dukes it out with Ashara and Runsha trading blows when the Diviner casts maze on Runsha to try and even the odds. The Mountain archer that's not banished misty steps over to the other building and gets an angle on Hans and fires another volley, the party focuses on the Diviner to try and break his concentration on Maze, eventually succeeding. The champion and one of the archers is quickly overwhelmed by Tia, Hendred, Ashara and Runsha. The party then splits their attention, the Diviner casts teleport on himself which Ashara attempted to stop but was too slow, The group focuses on the last archer who tries to do a covered retreat but is too slow and is felled. The party quickly searches the bodies for supplies and gold and get patched up and continue on.
The group finds themselves in a cramped alley way where they find more thugs in an open area, they move in to engage. Oneiro moves forward and fires some arrows and Hans cast Crown of Madness on one of the Champions, which the Champion doesn't resist. Tia, Del Varis, and Ashara move forward to close the distance but before the rest of the party could join them the Abjurer casts wall of force and splits the party in two, with one half in the open area and another trapped by buildings and the magical wall 50 feet high. The Evoker follows it up with a fireball, Runsha thinks quickly and bashes through a building and casts shield of faith on himself, the two Champions double move to close the distance with Ashara to try and down her before the rest of the party can come to her aid. Oneiro casts expeditious retreat on himself and uses his boots of spider climb to walk up the building and reach a vantage point he can use to engage, Tia continues to fire at the mages. Hans and uses Mind Spike since the wall of force would block his eldritch blasts and helps Ashara from the other side of the wall. The Abjurer is able to remove crown of madness from the Champion using dispel magic, Hendred casts Spiritual weapon to aid Ashara in melee since she can't move up, Runsha breaks through the rest of the building and is able to support Ashara against the champions. The Evoker is able to use a lightning bolt and hits Ashara, Runsha, and Tia though Runsha is able to block with his shield. The Champions focus their efforts against Runsha and land several damaging blows, Oneiro pulls out his wand of magic missiles and uses all 7 charges on the abjurer in an attempt to bring the wall down but the Abjurer casts shield and absorbs every blow. Hans tries to cast toll the dead but it's resisted and Hendred uses spiritual weapon to continue to attack the champions but is able to do little else, the Evoker casts cone of cold on Ashara and Runsha which leaves them in bad shape. Runsha uses the last of his lay on hands to heal Ashara before he goes down, The Champions lay into Runsha and knock him down unconscious but this provides enough of a distraction that Ashara makes a break for the mages. Tia and Oneiro fire arrows into the Abjurer, it's arcane ward absorbs most of the shots, on the final shot the Abjurer loses concentration and the wall of force comes down. Ashara focuses her Javelins on the Abjurer and hendred uses mass cure wounds to heal herself, Ashara, and Runsha. The Evoker lets loose another lightning bolt but the party is able to deflect most of it, Hans is able to summon enough energy to cast one more spell and is able to paraylyze one of the Champions. Tia and Oneiro bring down one of the champions and Runsha attacks the paralyzed one, smiting him twice and nearly killing him, The Abjurer is finally able to Banish Ashara and proceeds to retreat, the second champion gets finished off along with the evoker shortly there after. The party focuses on the Abjurer which proves to be difficult with his ability to cast shield, Hendred casts a guiding bolt which crits on the Abjurer and Oneiro and Tia are able to launch several more arrows which breaks the banishment on Ashara. The party has blood in their eyes as they rush the Abjurer and finally strike him down, Runsha proceeds to beat the corpse with his warhammer.
It is late morning on the 2nd day of Rugos
Character(s) interacted with
Gathia Stormwalker.
Comments