Session 059 - The Company of Dead Men
General Summary
28th of Kelen (3) to 18th Nolus (4) (Summer) 721TR
The story so far
Avon is a member of the Elite Red Guard, who specializes in interrogation and intelligence gathering. He is often used to investigate potential threats to the Thardic Republic.
Location - City of Coranan in the Thardic Republic.
Part 1 - A New Gang in Town
A mercenary army, The Company of Dead Men, has moved into the City. This group is usually based in Kingdom of Rethem and closely connected to the Church of Morgath.
Given that Rethem is undergoing a Civil War, it is surprising that they have not found employment there. They are actively recruiting and have become the second largest military force in the City (with the Red Guard being the First).
Avon is ordered to investigating the Company of Dead Men and determine their intentions and if they are a threat to the Republic?
Avon and Acheron start discretely investigate the Company and learn the following;
- The Company has a recruiting office in a building next to the Church of Morgath. They are often seen guarding the temple Priests.
- They are actively recruiting infantry, archers, scouts, laborers, miners, and porters.
- They appear to be planning some expedition into the wilderness, purchasing wagons and provisions.
- The Company Quartermaster, a late-middle-aged man and is lightly guarded.
Part 2 - Deception and Infiltration
At the Apple Inn, known to harbor thieves and bandits, Acheron in disguise makes acquaintances with several shady characters. He convinces them that the Company of Dead Men Quartermaster is an easy mark and carries the companies wages. The thieves enthusiastically agree and plan an ambush. The party follows stealthily along behind.
Later on the streets, one of the thieves attempts to pickpocket the Quartermaster and is spotted. Before his guards can come to his aid, the five other thieves in the gang attack, quickly disabling them. The Quartermaster's hand crackles with deep purple magical energy, nearly draining all the life force from the thief on one touch. The Quartermaster is a Necromancer.
At the Companies Recruiting Office the injured guards are healed by the young-looking Morgathic Priestess Adela. This young woman is skilled in magical healing but any injury treated leaves an unsightly permanent scar. Adela has a morbid fascination with wounds and the dead. She is also never without her large unholy book.
Part 3 - Joining the Dead Men
Nevertheless, Sabertooth challenges the Sergeant to an arm wrestle, and to everyone's surprise, narrowly beats him. The players note some papers and maps lying about which look interesting but don't have a chance to get a good look.
Quartermaster Mauger gets the heroes to sign their names in blood in the Chronicle of the Dead Men and recite the Companies Oath.
I will be Loyal to the Company until Death and Beyond.
I will never Betray the Company until Death and Beyond.
I will Obey the Orders of my Superiors, until Death and Beyond.
Life, Death, Glory Forever.
Avon uses the alias James while Acheron uses Blake, and both are assigned to the infantry. Sabretooth, who can't write, makes an X and is assigned as a scout. They are given uniforms and join their fellow mercenaries. They are being paid well over that of a typical common soldier.
Outside the recruitment office, and throughout the poor district of the city, are Morgathic Street Preachers. They preach doom, destruction, and the downfall and overthrow of the ruling government structure.
Location - The Wilderness in the Kom District in the Thardic Republic.
Part 4 - Plottings
The mercenaries form into a traveling company make a long slow two week trip into the sparsely populated Kom Province, in the north-western frontier of the Republic.
During this time, Acheron seeks to gain the trust and goodwill of the Company. Meanwhile, Avon attempts to undermine Sergeant Argonery to get promoted into his position. He even goes as far as to discreetly cut the Sergeants saddle embarrassing him badly when he falls off his horse in the mud.
Avon
Acheron
Sabretooth
Red Guard
Company of Dead Men
The Map
Peripat of Wizardry (wall of ice)
Periapt of Wizardry (Wall of Ice)
Wondrous Item
Attunement:
Required.
Properties:
This gem has a non-rechargeable store of energy which you can use to create a Wall of Ice Spell as if you were a Wizard. Each invocation will use charges equal to the level the spell is cast at.
Charges:
30
Curse:
When invoked the user must make DC16 Constitution Saving Throw or be cursed with Vulnerability to Slashing Damage for a number of rounds equal to the number of charges used.
Legendary (this item requires attunement)
Appearance:
A Smoky Quartz Gem, cold to touch.
Weight: Inconsequential
Part 5 - Woodland Ambush
One day while guarding some wagons, the party is ambushed by half a dozen Night Lions. These usually solitarily beasts turn out to be conjured creatures as after they are killed, they evaporate into green smoke. Sabertooth is ordered to locate whoever summoned them finding some faint tracks in the woods, but the summoner evades him. The summoner had excellent woodland skills.
Part 6 - The Map
The expedition arrives at an old deserted burial vault and lightly fortify a camp. The vault, a crypt used by the Church of Morgath over 100 years ago, is opened, and the workers start removing the interned bodies. After an inspection by Priests of Morgath, the old corpses are loaded onto wagons, then taken to civilization.
Sergeant Argonery is occasionally observed referring to his mysterious map, and Avon decides to break into his tent and have a quick look. He sneaks in, finds it in a well-secured saddlebag, and makes a copy. The map has unclear map markers, although Sabretooth identities two crosses were referring to Qustup and Gedyf. These are dangerous Orc Strongholds.
Part 7 - The Broken Jar
On the ground by the Shattered Canopic Jar was a small Smoky Quartz gem. This contains a magical spell and a minor curse. Priests of Morgath arrive shortly after are well pleased with the heroes' efforts and indicate that they will receive a bonus.
To be continued.....
NPC Interactions
Azikain Gelber - Commander of the Red Guard.
Challenges Overcome
Gains some degree of trust of the Company of Dead Men, saved the Quartermaster and killed 6 Thieves.
Defeated 6 Summoned Night Lions.
Defeated 1 Bouda Demon.
Created Content
Periapt of Wizardry (Wall of Ice).
Related Reports
Players Character Status
Avon - Level 4 Thief.
Acheron - Level 2 Paladin and Level 2 Warlock Disciple of Mendiz.
Sabretooth - Level 3 Ivashu Lord and Level 1 Monk.
Comments