Session 103 - The Massacre at St. Bergains
General Summary
1st Halane (second Month of Autumn) 722TR
The story so far
Quazzy has learned that a Wizard named Wilcock Suddicke may have information regarding her mysterious past. He is at Priory of St. Bergain, an old Temple of Larani at Alata Manor, only a few hours travel away. The Heroes make their way there.
However, Athena and Lucia are Agrik worshiping Crimson Dancer Knights traveling incognito. If their identities were revealed, it would create difficulties as the worship of Agrik is illegal in the Kingdom of Melderyn.
The continuation of Session 102 - Wizards and Wonders.
Location - Alata Manor, Kingdom of Melderyn.
Part 1 - The Mouldy Block
The Heroes arrive at Alata Manor, a small village in a region famous for its Cheese. It has three notable features, a small village and a large field filled with cows, both overlooked by an old Temple to Larani, the Priory of St. Bergain. At the small local Inn, the Mouldy Block, the heroes ask around after Wilcock. The locals seem friendly, and they learn that Wilcock arrived a few days ago and has been spending long days at the Priory.
Part 2 - The Priory of St. Bergain
The Priory of St. Bergain is a two-story stone building that the Church of Larani uses to store excess temple trappings, statues, documents, and books they deem to be of marginal value. Many of the books are village birth records and older editions of standard holy texts. This is sacred ground, and Quazzy's fiendish familiar is unable to enter.
At the Priory, the Party is met by a kindly old priest, Chaplain Finlay. They are informed that Wilcock is indeed upstairs, and happily grants them permission to speak with him.
Athena engages in conversation with the Old Priest. As a devoted Agrik worshiper, she challenges some of the fundamental doctrines of the Larani beliefs, and this makes him decidedly uncomfortable and suspicious. However, he is unaware of her origin and religious beliefs, thinking that she may be a foreign heretic or just rude. Both Athena and Lucia can't help but show distaste when they see a large banner of the legend of Sir Fardir and the Spear of Shattered Sorrow.
Part 3 - Wilcock
He explains that a while back, he found an old book in the Wizards Guildhall library that was discolored by a bloodstain. When he touched it, he had a vision of a man being torn to shreds by ravens. Inquiring further, he found the man was a Wizard investigating strange repeating occurrences. This man had pieced together records showing in isolated villages every 30 to 40 years, mysterious Albino girls mysteriously appeared as a baby, and then they disappeared sometime in their late teens. This goes back many hundred years, and Wilcock's studies have filled in many gaps from the original research. Wilcock decided to study this strange phenomenon.
Wilcock reads Quazzy directly and sees many disturbing images. He has a glimpse of her defeating the Greater Gytevsha Krasula and saving thousands of lives as well as many more dark things. One has Quazzy standing in a stone chamber with a woman dressed in black with raven feathers. The woman touches Quazzy, and a partial transfer of souls takes place but is interrupted. A portion of the woman's soul is in Quazzy, which is the source of her magic powers. The woman is always with a man in a gold skull mask, but Wilcock has little information.
Wilcock thinks they may be able to divine more information; however, the discussion is interrupted.
The Inquisition has arrived.
Part 4 - The Inquisition
Yureb notes the arrival of a large squad of Lady of Paladin Knights and Soldiers led by a Priestess of the Order of the Spear of Shattered Sorrow. They immediately confront the Heroes.
They attempted to apprehend the Party, demanding that they surrender their weapons. Athena gets into an argument with the Priestess (the Inquisitor). The situation deteriorates, and Athena decides she has had enough. She casts a spell, which the Clerics immediately recognize as Agrikian divine magic. This a blasphemy in a Larani Temple. The battle is on - Paladins of Larani vs. a Paladin of Agrik.
The battle rages for some time. Quazzy blinds some of the Priests and a Paladin, severely reducing their abilities and coordination, but can not seem to get any of her more powerful magic to be effective. Athena notes that her balefire enhanced strikes and smites are also not as potent as usual. Yureb distracts some soldiers, drawing them away from the main battle and causing a little confusion in the process. He also notices when glancing through the window a figure lurking in the nearby woods observing the Temple as well as many suspicious ravens flying about.
Wilcock is distressed and unsure of what to do. He does not want to enter the combat on either side and decides to use defensive magic.
Eventually, the Heroes win, but they were badly pressed. The Soldiers, Knights, Paladins, Inquisitor, and the Old Chaplain fight valiantly, but all are killed except for one badly injured Soldier who Quazzy puts to Sleep.
Part 5 - False Memories and Escape
Examining the dead, the Heroes find a letter with the Seal of the Church of Larani on the Inquisitor. It reads...
High Priestess Milcentia Anlana
Milcentia, an informant, has told us that a Demon consorting Witch and Agrik worshipers are traveling to the Priory of St. Bergain and plan to defile it. Take a squad of Knights and Guard and investigate. You have full authorization to apprehend any suspects.by Columbia GamesIf the informant is correct, these are extremely dangerous individuals. Two women are Crimson Dancer Knights and devoted worshipers of Agrik. Another is a powerful Necromancer and Demon summoner who has committed human sacrifices. The last is a slimy sneak thief, who has some magic ability but only at apprentice skill. He is of lesser consequence.
Take no chances, take them alive for trial and questioning if possible, otherwise dispense justice at your discretion, if they resist.
Yours in the Lady’s name
Aravis Chorlon, Archbishop of Melderyn.
As Heroes and Wilcock leave, shrouded in Invisibility, Athena takes a few holy books she believes to be particularly blasphemous, the heads of the priests and warriors she killed, as well as the tapestry she noted on entry. The Party observes ravens looking through the Priory's windows. However, the Heroes appear to have evaded their notice.
To be continued...NPC Interactions
Wilcock - A Psionic Wizard.
Chaplain Finlay - Priest of Priory of St Bergain - killed.
High Priestess Milcentia Anlana and Paladins of Larani - mostly Killed.
Challenges
Located Wilcoke and learned much of the past.
Defeated 1 Priest, 3 Paladins, 5 Veterans, 1 Honor Bound Fighters, 1 Champion, and 1 Inquisitor of Larani.
Change the memory of the surviving Veteran and escape the Priory.
Rewards
Athena collects the heads of the enemies, some holy books, and a tapestry.
Created Content
Wilcock Suddicke - Wizard and Psionicist.
Order of the Spear of Shattered Sorrow.
Order of the Lady of Paladins.
Temple of Larani - Priory of St. Bergain.
The Legend of the Spear - the Tale of Sir Fardir and the Spear of Shattered Sorrow.
Related Reports
Sisterhood of the Crimson Dancer.
Players Character Status
Athena the Banshee - Level 17 Paladin of Vengeance - Gained Level.
Yureb - Level 17 Arcane Trickster - Gained Level.
Quazzy - Level 5 Necromancer and Level 12 Warlock Disciple of Desridaen - Gained warlock Level.
Quazzy
Athena
Yureb
NPC Companion
The Legend of Fardir of Tenil and the Spear of Shattered Sorrow
Around the third century TR, Sir Fardir Tenil was a famous near-mythical priest and knight who guarded the newly consecrated temple at Gythrun, in the Kingdom of Melderyn. Around this time, Eastern Hârn was assaulted by waves of Agrikian missionaries, and Fardir was at the forefront of the defense. Wielding the enchanted silver spear Protector, a weapon which could both heal and slay, he won victory after victory over Agrik’s forces.
With each combat, his love of battle grew; however, his mercy diminished. In Fardir’s final battle, the last Agrikan knight to face him shattered Protector with a mighty blow of his flaming mace. Fardir killed this great warrior, driving Protector's blade through the warrior's throat. However, he was overcome by horror. The man looked so much like him; he could have been his brother. He realized that it profits a man nothing to defeat an enemy if he becomes that enemy.
Realizing that he had caused great suffering, he told his companions he had sinned and entrusting Protector’s shaft into their safekeeping. He carried the spearhead away in silence, and neither Fardir nor the spearhead was ever seen again.
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