Session 076 - Massacre at the Alienage

General Summary

6^thof Morgat (Winter) 721TR

The story so far

While resting at an Inn for the night, the Heroes were attacked by Assassins. These "Fire Monks" were targeting Athena, sent by one of her sworn enemies, Ralgin Hamlin, in part responsible for the murder of the family. Ralgin, a Priest of the Order of Hepra the Mace, leads a recruiting party who has assembled a large army from the continent, located in two large warships, to fight on King Chafin's side in the ongoing Rethemi Civil War.

The assassins were defeated, with one captured. The Heroes learn the Ralgin, along with a squad of Order of the Red Shadows of Hepra Knights, are barracked in a warehouse in the Alienage, the City's foreign Quarter. Quazzy changes the memory of their captive, making him believe he is the sole survivor of his group and that they succeeded in killing Athena. He returns to the Alienage with this false information.

Athena wants revenge and intends to attack the warehouse tomorrow.

The continuation of Session 75 - Beyond the Black Door.

Location - City of Cherafir in the Kingdom of Melderyn.

Part 1 - The Cleanup Crew

The Heroes rest up at the Boar and Spike Inn for the remainder of the night in Quazzy's room (also where the dead bodies are stored). An hour before dawn, they hear the sounds of movement. A small group of armed men arrive; they see Yureb and attack. This is a cleanup crew of the Thieves Guild with a Knight of Order of the Red Shadows of Hepra. Their mission was to recover and conceal the dead bodies on a refuse wagon parked outside and confirm Athena's death. A short battle follows, and several thieves and the Red Shadow Knight are quickly slain.

After the death of the Knight, the Heroes negotiate a truce with the remaining Thieves. At a considerable price, they agree to remove the dead bodies and even distract some of the Mercenaries in the Alienage. Unfortunately, one of the Red Shadow Warriors escaped, likely warning his fellows of the deception.

Part 2 - The Forge of Eternity

Yebisi Netoshi, Art by Artbreeder

Before attacking the warehouse, Athena visits Yebisi Netoshi Master Weaponcrafter at the Forge of Eternity to negotiate a price for the reforging and enchantment of her ancestral Greatsword Retribution. The price is considerable even with a significant discount, and the time for the work will take many months.

She considers raising funds, with the most expensive option, the price of a small Keep, but she will receive a further discount if the side she fights on in the Rethemi Civil War wins.

Part 3 - Attack on the Warehouse

The Heroes make their way to the Alienage after gaining approval to enter from a couple of suspicious City Guards. Yureb reprises his old alter ego Baldrick and scouts out the warehouse, finding nothing suspicious. The party enters the nearby brothel and bribe the Madam to send her girls over to the nearby Warship to keep possible reinforcements busy.

Campaign

The Uncivil War - Campaign Complete

Protagonists

Quazzy

Athena

Yureb

Report Date

05 Apr 2020

Primary Location

City of Cherafir

Order of Hepra the Mace

Hepra the Mace, by Columbia Games

Order of the Red Shadows of Hepra

Red Shadow CoA, by Columbia Games by Columbia Games,

Ralgin Hamlin, Art by Artbreeder

Then they access the back alleyway and locate a concealed entrance. After disabling the warning trap, Yureb and Athena enter the warehouse into a small side room. They observe events for a while, but their presence is noted. A struggle starts, and the congested room prevents the enemy from surrounding the Heroes. Soon Sir Idmear Commander of the Red Shadow Knights and Ralgin Hamlin join the battle, but luck is not with them. Sir Idmear and his men are struck down, leaving only Ralgin Hamlin standing. He fights with spells and Balefire with moderate success, but it is not enough. He seems remarkably reconciled with the fact he will soon die, he even comments, moments before death, that he has foreseen this day. Athena strikes a mighty blow empowered by all her divinely inspired power and strikes him down.

Part 4 - Revelation from the Past

While Athena revels in the death of foe, Yureb begins looting. He finds in a locked chest with documentation and some money bags. Too soon, the Heroes become aware that a large force of Mercenaries is approaching and make their exit and skillfully, with magical assistance hide in the nearby brothel.

The documents recovered show the contracts with Mercenary Companies and Yureb note that some money is owing. Full payment of the mercenaries is expected once these troops arrive at the warzone or from looting. Some of the mercenary's leadership have been promised lands and titles.

The spirit of Ralgin Hamlin wants to talk to Quazzy. Ralgin, despite being brutally killed by Athena, appears to hold no animosity. He says he foresaw this years ago while performing a divination, and asks Quazzy to pass on a message.

A decade ago, his father, Baron Rarval Hamlen asked him to perform an augury. Which side of the likely upcoming Civil War should his family, Clan Hamlen, side with, the Crown or the always rebellious Earl of Tormau? The answer was unexpected; the voice from the blood and fire said it did not matter; your Clan will not survive the war, Clan Pallas will be your Doom.
Learning this, Baron Rarval undertook a scheme to murder all of Athena's family and steal their lands. Only Athena escaped to fight on. Ralgin's spirit regrets this outcome. He also says his predictions always come true, so he knew that his death would be only a matter of time.
To be continued.....

NPC Interactions

Yebisi Netoshi, Master Weaponcrafter.

Ralgin Hamlin, Priest of Agrik.

Challenges Overcome

Defeated - 1 Red Shadow knight, 1 Master Thief, and 4 Thieves.

Negotiated a price on the magical upgrade of Athena's Ancestral Greatsword, Retribution.

Killed - 1 Sasalan Firebender, 3 Thieves, 2 Guards, 3 Red Shadow Warriors, 3 Red Shadow Knights, 1 Red Shadow Champion, and 1 Hepra the Mace High Priest.