Session 126 - Chaos in the Streets

General Summary

28^th to 30^th Morgat (Last days of Winter) 722TR

The story so far

The Heroes spend the Winter in the City of Coranan. It is a quiet time except for the riots and murders.

The continuation of Session 124 - What Lies Beneath.

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Location - City of Coranan in the Thardic Republic.

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Down Time Activities

Acheron - Practices voices and accents then starts to learn basic lock picking.

Sabretooth - Continues his hobby of wood carving and helping out at the hidden Shrine of Ilvir. He receives a gift from Imitar, the salt sculptor, an expertly crafted two-headed centaur statue.

Avon - Continues his duties with the Red Guard. On the last day the Senate sits, he takes part in an elaborate parade and a highly coordinated marching display. Even though being out of practice, he does not misstep or embarrass himself or the guard.

Part 1 - The Riots and a Demigod

On the morning of the second to last day of the year, riots broke out in the city's Northern and Western districts. This provoked many violent confrontations between the mobs and the various city guards, particularly with the brutal Sons of Gashang. Acheron decides to intervene. He de-escalates a portion of the crowd preventing injuries to bystanders and rioters. When he sees some of the Sons of Gashang being particularly brutal, he knocks them unconscious. "well done," he hears a familiar voice from behind. Suddenly he has been transported away and appears on a ship at sea in the middle of a bloody conflict.

A Viking longship is attacking a small merchant vessel. Ivinian warriors are overwhelming the small crew. Three men fight on, all members of Acheron's Argent Order.

Acheron's Warlock Patron Mendiz stands beside him. The great winged crimson lion and constable of the goddess Larani's mighty fortress of Dolithor, tells him that the elder of the Order's warriors is Father Argos. Acheron recalls that Father Argos's, leader of the Order's Hârnic Chapter, disappeared without a trace over 40 years ago on a voyage to the City of Thay to meet with the Church leadership.

Andrada's Shield, art by Attacus

Mendiz tells Acheron, "In your last battle with the forces of Morgath, your abilities were severely diminished by influence of the Shadow of Bukrai. You will need to do something about that. That warrior wields the Shield of Saint Andrada, that will give you the protection you need."

Saint Andrada was the founder of the Hârnic Chapter of his Order ninety years ago and defeated the forces of Morgath many times during his career. His Shield, forged by the legendary Dwarven master weaponsmith Kirinza Hazadul, was reputed to protect the wielder from the worst of Morgath's dark magic and the unholy powers of the undead.

Viking Shield, art by Attacus

The battle at sea continues, and the Argent Order warriors are eventually overwhelmed and slain by the Viking raiders. One, clearly the leader, claims Saint Andrada's Shield as booty. Acheron carefully studies the bloody aftermath, noting the leader of the Ivinians, and at least half the men with him, wear round shields painted red with an oblique white cross.

Acheron fades back into the real world and immediately starts his investigations. At the Palace of Gules, Coranan's Heraldry Guild, he learns the shield's symbol is an early version of the Coat of Arms used by the Clan Sherwyn. The Sherwyns conquered a northern Jarinese petty kingdom around 60 years ago and have proven to be a significant, somewhat brutal power in the Kingdom of Orbaal. They named their newly captured lands Sherwyn, after themselves. Acheron also learns that the current Valhakar Venril Sherwyn is a particularly savage and unpredictable warrior. Clan Sherwyn is believed to be feuding with their close kin, Clan Serewyns of Marby. Acheron starts planning a trip north in spring.

Part 2 - Murder of a Senator

Azikain Gelber, art by Wizard of the Coast

Avon is summoned to the Commander of the Red Guard, Azikain Gelber's, office in the Citadel, Coranan's impressive fortress. Senator Farandin Aquil, a member of the Senate's Consolidationist faction, and his guard were assassinated the previous night. Avon is ordered to investigate and due to the victim's many political ties, the matter is highly sensitive; Avon is instructed to tread warily and report his findings directly to Commander Gelber himself.

The Heroes begin the investigation by examining Senator Farandin Aquil's body. The Senator's body has long shallow cuts and with the cause of death most likely due to strangulation by someone wearing large iron gauntlets. His Senatorial gold ring is missing as is a portion of his purple cape of office.

Next, the Characters move to the scene of the crime, a back alley off of Mindela Way. A careful examination of the area revealed there were likely five assailants. The Heroes speculate the Senator and his team were accosted on the street and then dragged into the alleyway to be murdered. Sabretooth finds some residue of a burnt plant with a distinct odor on the roof, which Avon recognizes as Fletharane, a hallucinogenic narcotic. The local drug den, the Blue Clover Tavern, is not far away. Acheron asks around before they leave, and one of the rioters and looters mentions he saw several dangerous-looking men loitering around that alleyway. He thinks they could have been gladiators and may have seen them fight in the Arena years ago. One was a big man who was fond of punching and grappling, and another wielded two scimitars. He could not recall their names or any other details.

The Blue Clover Tavern, gambling house, and drug den is run by the apprehensive Ketras Jurbosq. After some poorly veiled threats, he is very cooperative; he wants to be cleared of any involvement in the murder of a Senator. He recalls overhearing Senator Aquil's name being mentioned in one of the backroom booths by Lurick the Thief and another man. Ketras recalls the unknown man was; thin, had stringy hair, a weak chin, a high pitched voice, and the mannerisms of someone well to do. Not the tavern-keepers usual clientele. He knows Lurick operates on the streets near where the murder occurred. Ketras agrees to inform Avon if he sees Lurick again and supply him with highly potent narcotics. The Heroes think that Ketras is telling the truth but believe he is concealing something not related to the Senator's death, but decide not to inquire further and focus on the mission.

That night, the Party on a stakeout, prowl the streets where Lurick the Thief is said to rob poor tradesmen, but they encounter no sign of the villain.

Part 3 - Two Suspects

At the Citadel, Avon asks around members of the Red Guard if they know anyone who matches the suspect's appearance. Han Hylsok, the chamberlain of Senator Tuvoth Rylen, fits that description perfectly. Senator Tuvoth is an almost universally disliked character who gained his Senatorial seat by bribery, intimidation, and blackmail. He is believed to have connections with the thieves guild and is an open worshipper of the evil god Morgath. The Senator is a member of the Monarchist fraction of the Senate and is well known to hate the murdered Senator's younger brother, Senator Rodin Aquil, also a Monarchist.

Senator Rodin, art by Artbreeder

The party visit Senator Rodin, a devoted Larani worshiper, and he agrees to talk with him in his study. Although he and his elder brother fought often and had major political differences, he appears happy to cooperate. While talking, Avon notices something out of place in his bookcase. He finds hidden behind a book the murdered man's golden ring wrapped in a blood-stained portion of the Senator's purple cape. Senator Rodin declares his innocence. Avon examines the house and finds some suspicious marks on the window of the study. It looks like someone may have recently broken in. The investigators speculate that someone is trying to frame this man for the murder of his brother.

Part 4 - Capture of the Thief

The next day Avon receives a messenger from the Blue Clover Tavern. The thief Lurick makes an appearance. The Party arrives while he is still imbibing drugs and wait until the slightly dazed man staggers out of the drug den. He spots the Heroes and attempts to run but is captured and taken to the Citadel for interrogation. After a little torture, Avon learns that he was hired to plant the ring in Senator Rodin's study. He did not participate in the murders but did see the gang known as the Crimson Revers kill the Senator. This gang of former gladiators are staying at the Brass Kettle Tavern. As expected, he says he was employed by Han Hylsok, the chamberlain of Senator Tuvoth Rylen.

Part 5 - Brawl at the Brass Kettle

The Heroes later travel to the Brass Kettle, one of the city's most notorious taverns. The Kettle only remains in business due to its barely attired serving wenches and close proximity to the Pamesani Arena. Our Heroes confront the self-styled gang, 'the Crimson Reavers; a group of five intimidating former gladiators, who are drinking in the tavern. One is a giant of a man wearing iron-studded leather gauntlets; a second flaunts two scimitars; another taller man employs a spear; the fourth flourishes a crude broadsword; the final gang member, a thin woman, sporting two short swords.

Sabretooth makes his way over and tries to provoke a fight, eventually resorting to pouring a mug of ale on the head of one of them. They strike back and prove flamboyant and skilled warriors. Sabretooth takes a pounding, but eventually, three are cut down and two are knocked out and dragged back to the Citadel for questioning.

To be continued...

NPC Interactions

Mendiz - The Winged Lion and the Goddess Larani's Chamberlin and General.

Azikain Gelber, Commander of the Red Guard.

Ketras Jurbosq.

Lurick the Thief.

Senator Rodin Aquil.

Challenges Overcome

Captured and interrogated Lurick the Thief.

Uncovered an attempt to frame Senator Rodin Aquil.

Defeated the Gladiator gang, the Crimson Reavers, and captured two alive for interrogation.

Rewards

Nothing Yet.

Created Content

Saint Andrada

Related Reports

City of Coranan.

The Red Guard.

The Sons of Gashang.

Mendiz.

The Argent Order.

Senators of the Thardic Republic.

Great Families of the Thardic Republic - updated.

Blue Clover Tavern.

Player Character Status

Acheron - Human - L6 Paladin and L4 Warlock Disciple of Mendiz.

Sabretooth - Unique Ivashu - L6 Ivashu Lord Barbarian, L3 Monk, and L1 Druid.

Avon - Half-Elf - L10 Thief.

Campaign

The Uncivil War - Campaign Complete

Protagonists

Avon

Acheron

Sabretooth

Report Date

14 Feb 2021

Primary Location

City of Coranan

Related Characters

• Azikain Gelber
• Senator Tuvoth Rylen

NPC Companions

Moneypenny

Avon's able assistant

Moneypenny, art by Artbreeder

Ringo

Sabretooth's Ivashu Companion.

Ringo, art by Attacus

Red Guard

Red Guard, by Columbia Games

Clan Sherwyn

Caln Sherwyn, art by Columbia Games

Clan Aquil

Clan Aquil, art by Attacus

Clan Rylen

Clan Rylen, art by Atttacus