Session 152 - The Bloody Comet

General Summary

13^th to 15^th Larane (Second Month of Summer) 723TR

The story so far

The Kingdom of Rethem is engulfed in a bloody civil war with the heroes fighting on the rebels' side led by the Earl of Tormau. The Royal Army is on the march and what is expected to be the pivotal battle of the war is days away.

Three years ago, the Order of the Cohorts of Gashang knight Sir Scarow challenge Athena to a duel to the death (refer to Session 032 - Hidden Temple). Athena agreed; however, both combatants have been distracted by the ongoing conflict fighting on opposing sides. Soon they will meet.

The continuation of Session 151 - Webs and Dark Magic.

Location - Castle of Tormau in the Kingdom of Rethem.

Part 1 - Conspiracies

Baliela Shernath, art by Artbreeder

For the last few months, tensions within the Sisterhood of the Crimson Dancer have risen. Athena's many achievements have made her a popular and logical successor to Grandmistress Baliela Shernath. To make matters worse, Athena has been cultivating the Valkeries, a small, but growing, squad of sisters loyal to her. However, Grandmistress Baliela has survived many intrigues over the last twenty years, and many rivals have been eliminated or met with unfortunate accidents.

Within the Crimson Dancers and its associated Clerical Order, Athena's intelligence network has learned that the Grandmistress will not likely move against her until the current Civil War has been resolved or a decisive victory has been won. Both Athena and Grandmistress Baliela maintain a formal if a cold, working relationship. Nevertheless, the Grandmistress will not likely give up power without a fight.

Part 2 - War Council

Earl Denyl Lynnaeus

Word has arrived that the Royal Army is on the move, expected to arrive at Tormau within three days. The Earl of Tormau calls his war council to discuss battle plans. The council includes trusted lords, mercenary commanders, and the Earl's family, including his brother Vavryse, the father of young Saval, whom the Earl wishes placed on the throne. Saval and his sister Hesela have a superior claim to the crown than the reigning King Chafin III.

Before the meeting, Yureb checks the room for spies and scrying, finding nothing suspicious.

The Earl outlines his battle plans to deal with an army almost twice as large as his and equipped with more well-armed troops and cavalry.

As the Royal Army makes it is way West through the forests of Hohnamshire, they will be slowed and harassed by the Earl's Kuboran Barbarian allies attacking at the flanks and to supplies. As the enemy nears the boundary of Rylosin Forest, he will attempt to provoke the Royal Armies vanguard into a premature attack by sending the Baron of Quiso to lead the initial engagement. Outnumbered he will be forced to retreat, hopefully in good order, followed by the forward elements of the invaders. At the same time, the Kubora barbarians will attack the rear of the army dominated by the considerable forces of the Earl of Techen. He most likely will be held in place for a time while he deals with this threat. This will stretch out the Royal army out so that the Rebels can deal with its vanguard, center, and rear, each in turn, negating the King's numerical advantage.

If the defenders have success against the vanguard and middle, the rather timid Earl of Techen may choose not to engage or even come to terms.

The Earl of Tormau would also like to mount a hit-and-run attack on the enemy's left flank, targeting the leadership of the Order of the Cohorts of Gashang. If the Commander of the Cohorts, Sir Scarow, were to be killed, the morale and organization of this significant component of the Royal Army would be compromised. Even better, Sir Scarow wields the Bloody Comet, a holy mace that the Cohorts' bitter rivals, the Order of the Red Shadows of Hepra, believe rightfully belong to them. If this holy artifact can be secured, it may be possible to negotiate a truce with this potent military organization that guards the right flank of the Royal Army. Grandmistress Baliela recommends that Athena personally command the attack using an elite squad of Crimson Dancer knights and cavalry.

Part 3 - Revenge of the Assassins

The Heroes leave the castle making their way across Tormau Village, passing by the execution block. Fishermen, tradesmen, merchants, and mercenaries are everywhere; however, Yeureb notes a suspicious man drawing a crossbow from behind a dark cloak. Assassins attack.

by Columbia Games

Six assassins disguised as fishermen and commoners ambush at the heroes. Some of them are well versed in martial arts using the fighting style the heroes are very familiar with, Shé-Krí, the way of the Shadow Fist. This is used almost exclusively by the Church of Naveh. Lucia and Athena bear the brunt of the attack, and they seem intent on finding and killing Quazzy; however, she is too well disguised as a commoner. When they finally identify her, it is too late, one assassin is captured, and the rest are killed.

Back at the castle in the inquiry room, Quazzy interrogates the captive. Her warlock patron Desridaen has a particular hatred for the God Naveh and his followers, so she sadistically takes her time and ends his life in a bloody ritual. Desridaen is well pleased with her ingenuity. Quazzy learns that this assassination squad is from the hidden Temple of Naveh in the City of Golotha and a revenge attack for the heroes destroying the Temple in the City of Coranan almost three years ago (refer to Session 041 - Assaulting the Assassins Stronghold). This was also a bid for that Temple to gain prestige within the Church and possibly some approval from King Chafin.

Location - Forest of Hohnamshire in the Kingdom of Rethem.

Part 4 - The Bloody Comet

Athena selects thirty of the Sisterhoods' best warriors and coordinates her flank attack with the ongoing raids of the Kuboran barbarians. Fighting by her side will be her close friends among the Valkeries, including Vibeke, Helle, and Arlette. Yureb also convinces his old friend Kalin and fellow rogue to join in the assault as well.

Sir Scarow, art by various

The day before the expected final battle, Athena maneuvers her Crimson Dancers strike force into position. They burst out from the trees with Athena leading the attack, charging into the Cohorts flanks, straight toward her old foe Sir Scarow. Some of the Cohort's soldiers are nothing more than the poorly armed rabble that is quickly cut down; however, they have a large core of well-trained warriors and knights. They put up a spirited fight. Sir Scarow is devastating in his attacks, wielding his red-tipped mace with strength and precision. It lives up to its name, leaving a trail of blood and flame with each strike. Soon Athena is forced to retreat to receive healing from Arlette.

The party and Athena's Valkyries soon reduce the enemy to a small squad supporting Sir Scarow. However, they are badly injured, and many of the allied Kuboran Barbarians have fallen. Just as it looks as if Sir Scarow will press his counterattack and turn the tide, Quazzy Curses the dangerous warrior, fatally weakening him. He is momentarily confused, dropping his guard, allowing Yureb to find a gap in his armor and wound him with a well-placed sneak attack. Then Lucia strikes a mighty blow decapitating him. She grabs his head, boldly presents it for all to see, and the morale of the nearby enemy collapses, and they are quickly overwhelmed. The heroes claim the Bloody Comet from Sir Scarow's corpse and make their escape before the Royal Army can retaliate.

Mission successful.

To be continued.