Session 050 - Portents

General Summary

18^th to 20^th Peonu (2) (Spring) 721TR

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The story so far

New heroes have emerged.

Prologue 1 - Avon.

Azikain Gelber, art by Wizard of the Coast

Avon is a member of the Red Guard, the "elite" of the Thardic Republic's Legions. Having acquired his position through dubious means, he has proven an inferior soldier, not strong enough for the heavy armor, and performs poorly in parades. However, the Red Guard has used his other talents as an investigator, and he has risen the ranks.

He is summoned to meet with Azikain Gelber, the Commander of the Red Guard, and assigned a mission.

Travel to the Themeson District and determine if the Order of the Eight Demons and the Order of the Cohorts of Gashang are complying with the terms of the recently signed Treaty. The Senate Internal Affairs committee has received conflicting reports from both the Provincial Marshall and Magistrate. Learn who is telling the truth?

Prologue 2 - Sabretooth.

Sighted Isbevke

Sabretooth, an Ivashu and creation of the god Ilvir, has spent the last few months under the tutelage of the Senior Priest of the Children of the Blind Serpent, Sighted Isbevke. Isbevke telepathically contacted Sabretooth offering assistance and has taught Sabretooth the human language (Hârnic) and enough human customs to at least pass as one. When Sabretooth decided to leave, Isbevke had a request.

He asked was if he ever comes across any of the figurines or statuettes created by Sighted Farengen, another priest of his Order, that they be returned to this temple. These likely have magical properties.

Prologue 3 - Acheron.

Father Chavoshka, by Artbreeder

Acheron has spent the last three years training at the Abbey of St Andrada in Kanday with the Argent Order. He has learned much, including the secret martial arts style Tala Ma (The Way of the Silver Fist). The leader of this Order Father Chavoshka gives him his holy symbol, a Talisman of St. Lucidin, but apologizes that his Silver Sword is not immediately available.

He instructs Acheron to travel to Themeson investigate the disappearance of Brother Tien, another member of the Order. An augury has informed him that Tien is dead, after attempting to intercept a suspected Navean Priest. The Order would like his Silver Sword Glimmer recovered.

Part 1 - Bandits on the Road.

The heroes meet on the road (and in a brothel) on their way to Themeson. They know very little about each other's abilities but quickly have an opportunity to see each other in action after stumbling upon a man being accosted by five bandits. He pleads to the party for help. The bandits don't immediately attack but appear threatening.

Acheron attempts to sow confusion by planting his money pouch onto the leader. He then snatches it back, intending to accuse him of stealing it. However, as he "recovers" it, he notices a concealed Cohorts of Gashang pendant. These are not bandits, they are Cohorts in disguise, and once their identity is discovered, they attack.

The battle is even until Sabretooth takes a pounding, he flies into a rage and, in a bloody spectacle, eviscerates three of the Cohorts in quick succession with his claws. After a ferocious, intimidating howl, the two remaining Cohorts surrender.

Part 2 - Interrogations.

Borin Cyman

The party learns that the man they have saved is Borin Cyman. He is the sole survivor of his family who has just had the rights of his Tin Mine returned to him. However, the Miners Guild believe the Mine is haunted, and refuse to work it, so he had hired some guards to investigate. Unfortunately, they were just murdered by the Cohorts. He is willing to pay for the party to investigate his Mine.

Avon decides to interrogate the prisoners. Using his intimidation skills (and his torturer kit), he quickly learns that their prisoners were indeed sent to kill Borin and that the Mine is guarded. The Priestesses of the Order of the Eight Demons have set up traps in the Mine and want to regain control of it. They also inform him that an Eight Demon Priestess is expected to inspect the Mine a day or so.

Borin takes Sabretooth aside. Having seen him in combat, he identifies Sabretooth as a non-human and warns him that the Agrikian Order of the Octagonal Pit may try to capture him for the gladiatorial Pamesani Games.

The heroes agree to help Borin and travel to his Mine after executing the captives.

Campaign

The Uncivil War - Campaign Complete

Protagonists

Avon

Acheron

Sabretooth

Report Date

29 Sep 2019

Order of the Cohorts of Gashang

Cohorts of Gashang, art by Columbia Games

Order of the Eight Demons

Eight Demons, art by Columbia Games

Vlaster - the Eater of Eyes

Vlasta, art by Attacus

Order of the Lord of Chaos

Church of Morgath

CoA Morgath, art by Columbia Games

Clan Cyman Code of Arms

Clan Cyman, art by Attacus

Part 3 - The Mine Entrance.

The Mine entrance is guarded by two uniformed Cohort Soldiers. Acheron disguises himself as the "bandit" leader and successfully deceives them into thinking he has Sabretooth as a prisoner. Unfortunately, Avon's attempt to sneak up on them fails miserably, putting them on alert. With surprise lost, the party attack and quickly dispatch these guards.

Part 4 - Ghosts in the Mine.

The party enters the Mine, with Avon stealthily scouting ahead, finding and avoiding several traps. Further in they are attacked by Bat Swarms and encounter a pack of Vlaster's. Sabertooth attempts to communicate, but they are unfriendly, but not hostile. The party decides to leave them alone for the moment.

Avon accidentally disrupts a concealed summoning circle, and from it emerges a Fire Elemental. A quick battle ensues, and it is destroyed. Acheron, however, is set on fire and severely burnt. The party searches the rest of the Mine, finding no evidence of any Ghost, just traps set by the Order of the Eight Demons.

Part 5 - New Arrivals.

Undead

Avon, aware that an Eight Demon detachment may soon arrive, sneaks outside for a quick look. They have, and so has someone else.

Three Cohorts of Gashang and one Eight Demons Priestess appears paralyzed, held in place by spectral skeletal hands. A priest of Morgath is interrogating them. This man's entire right side of his body seems to be burnt to the bone, hideously scarred. He demands that the Priestess tell him, "Where is the Key?" and then magically rips the hearts out of the cohort guards.

Avon sneaks past him and shoots an arrow, completely catching him off guard, then Sabertooth and Acheron charge. The pummeling distracts him, and the Priestess breaks free from the Paralysis, who then strikes him with her mace enhanced with Balefire. Severely injured, he fights back with life-draining magic, nearly killing the Priestess, and then summons a ghostly hand that downs Acheron. Sabretooth and Avon attack again, the Priest's body then disintegrates into dust. He is an Amorvin a free-willed undead and it is expected will rise again.

Part 5 - Sephira.

Aperani Sephira, art by Attacus

Acheron is severely injured, and the Priestess, who identifies herself as Sephira, uses healing flames to return him to consciousness. As he awakes, he sees the attractive Priestess and immediately attempts to seduce her, with some degree of success. Sephira is impressed by this strong, handsome man and suggests that he should join the Cohorts of Gashang. Avon identifies himself as a member of the Red Guard, and she is grateful for their assistance and not at all concerned that her Orders plots to claim the Mine has been thwarted.

Sephire is planning to immediately report back to her temple at Gerdel Abbey, only a few hours away but the party feels they need time to rest, and Acheron uses his considerable charms to distract her, as well as to get information.

To be continued....

Characters interacted with

Senator Azikain Gelber - Commander of the Red Guard.

Father Chavoshka - Head of the Argent Order.

Sighted Isbevke - Senior member of the Children of the Blind Serpent.

Borin Cyman - Owner of a "Haunted Mine".

Sephira- Priestess of the Order of the Eight Demons.

Challenges Overcome

5 Cohorts of Gashang Warriors on the road disguised as bandits.

Saved Borin Cyman life.

2 Cohorts of Gashang Warriors guarding the Mine.

2 Traps.

2 Swarms of Bats.

5 Vlasters. The Eaters of Eyes were avoided.

1 Minor Fire Elemental.

Determined that Borin's Mine was not haunted.

1 Undead Priest of Morgath.

Saved Priestess Sephira life.

Created Content

Avon - New PC.

Acheron - New PC.

Sabretooth - New PC.

Father Chavoshka.

Sighted Isbevke.

Borin Cyman.

Undead Priest of Morgath.

Related Reports

Children of the Blind Serpent - updated.

The Red Guard.

The Argent Order.

Amorvin, free-willed undead.

Players Character Status

Avon- Level 2 Rogue - Gained Level.

Acheron- Level 1 Paladin and Level 1 Warlock Disciple of Mendiz - Gained Level.

Sabretooth- Level 1 Barbarian and Level 1 Monk - Gained Level.