Session 218 - Princes, Priests and Spies

General Summary

15^th Azura (First month of Autumn) 724TR

The story so far

The heroes have returned from the Island of Anfla, where Remy has taken control of a pirate ship and plans to offer it to the crown as a privateer.

They are now resting in the City of Aleath, planning their next money-making schemes. But first, they have to remove some magical disfigurements they acquired in their adventures.

This is the continuation of Session 216 - The Earth Witch's Minions.

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Location -City of Aleath in Kingdom of Kanday.

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Part 1 - Visit to the Church

Remy and Odin are suffering a strange curse. Their facial features have been somewhat twisted, made ugly by the wretched magic of the dreadful Earth Witch. So the characters visit the Temple of Larani to see if this infliction can be removed.

Elgar Biaza, art by Artbreeder

As it happens, Suloran Elgar, the temple's master of archives, has experience with such magic, having studied curses extensively and worked with the brothers of the Shield of Belsirasin. In solemn ritual, he efficiently removes the curse. He would usually ask for a donation or some minor service; however, the characters have been asked to speak with someone important. The Serolan Royal, Sir Boromis Tolfane, the household priest of King Andasin IV.

Remy also has a golden torc he looted from a body in a burial mound near Derula Manor months ago. Every attempt he has made to get rid of this item has failed; it keeps returning to him. Suloran Elgar believes as this artifact will remain attached to him, and it appears to have no other malicious influence (at least as far as Suloran Elgar can determine). From his understanding of curses, he believes that the torc will stay with him until it is either returned to its original resting place, taken to a specific location, or returned to its rightful owners.

The party believes they have uncovered the reason for this strange phenomenon. They repeatedly have run into a possible descendant of the corpse the torc was looted from, Sir Beroldus Himaldy, the Lord of Derula Manor. This seems more than a coincidence as his ancient family has ruled the land where the burial mound is located for many hundreds of years.

Part 2 - The Prince

Serolan Royal, art by Attacus

The party is escorted to the castle to meet with Serolan Royal, Sir Boromis Tolfane. Serolan Boromis is the father of the commander of the Order of the Checkered Shield, Sir Syman Tolfane, and is fully aware of Odin. However, this meeting is brief and a ruse. The characters are discreetly ushered into another chamber to clandestinely meet with someone much more important, Prince Anaflas Milaka.

Prince Analfas, art by Artbreeder

The Prince's father, Earl Ranald Milaka and the Knight Commander of the Checkered Shield have told him that Odin is a capable, reliable man that can be trusted. So he confides in the party. In addition to his duties as Sheriff of Perishire, he works with the Kingdom's border lords to provide security to the realm. He outlines to Odin his strategic concerns (see sidebar).

The Prince has an arrangement with the King that he will manage the border threats and has considerable latitude in his actions. Prince Analas has learned that Remy has control of a former pirate ship and intends to offer it to the Crown. The Prince accepts this offer. As part of a "conventional" smuggling operation, Remy will move people (spies) and intelligence in and out of the Kingdom of Rethem and resources for troublemakers (insurgents) during these illicit operations.

However, he has a more urgent concern. His agents have informed him that there may well be a spying operation in the city. This is likely based out of an old warehouse, used to store wool and hides, owned by someone called Mikali. He asks the party to investigate, find out what they are doing, and shut down any espionage activity.

Part 3 - Spies

The warehouse is located in the Village of Arsone, just out of the city walls. The Remy borrows a boat from another village, and the characters, disguised as fishermen, observe the warehouse from the docks. They learn there are probably 5 to 6 men inside, most suspiciously well-armed.

In the afternoon, they change their disguise, and Remy attempts to pass himself off as a merchant with Odin and Abaddon as guards and visit. Their attempt to meet with the warehouse owner ends disastrously, and the two guards at the door become suspicious. The party initiates a fight.

A chaotic battle among and over crates of wool and sheepskins follows. Their opponents are all able fighters and the warehouse owner, Mikali, is especially slippery. Eventually, except for the guards at the door, all the occupants are killed.

The heroes investigate the area, find a small office but no evidence of wrongdoing. But noting a suspicious area Remy finds a secret chamber. In it are bags of a black lozenge. These are identified as Potions of Right, a highly illegal and additive hallucinogenic drug. There is also a recently written letter.

My Dear Hari

Here is your latest supply, enjoy.

Mikali

P. S. I expect another report from your Mother soon.

The two captured guards claim to be unaware of the drugs and any criminal activities or anyone called Hari. They were only hired for security, or so they claim. Questioning further, they say that the boss (Mikali) often discretely meets with a man they thought was a member of the White Rose Company, part of the city guard.

Asking around, the characters learn that there is a sergeant in the White Rose Company called Hari Calmain, and he matches the description of the man the boss frequently encountered. Further investigations reveal a more disturbing fact. Hari's mother is a cook for Dorthea Cassen, daughter of the Earl of Heroth. This young lady is based in the city, and negotiations are underway to marry Dorthea to the King.

Part 4 - Planning

The characters again secretly meet with the Prince. He is concerned by these revelations and asks the party to pay sergeant Hari Calmain a visit. He lives in a rather large residence, much larger than a man of a sergeant's wage should be able to afford. However, Prince Analfas warns them, this man has the reputation of having a bad temper and being a very dangerous swordsman.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Suloran Elgar Biaza - the Temple of Larani's Master of Archives.

Serolan Royal Boromis Tolfane - Priest of the Royal Household.

Prince Anaflas Milaka - Brother of the King.

Challenges Overcome

Killed or captured 6 x Spies and uncovered some information.

Rewards

Nothing this week.

Created Content

Temple of Larani - The Sanctuary of Virtue.

Potion of Right - Stat Block.

Related Reports

Kingdom of Kanday.

Stimulants - Updated.

Player Character Status

Odin - Human - Level 5 Gloom Stalker and Level 3 Battlemaster.

Abaddon - Elf - Level 8 Open-hand Monk.

Remy - Half-Elf - Level 8 Bladesinger.

Campaign

Games of the Gods

Protagonists

Remy

Abaddon

Odin

Report Date

27 Feb 2022

Threats to the Kingdom

As represented by Prince Analfas.

The Kingdom of Rethem

The Kingdom of Rethem has poor unity and is still recovering from a brutal civil war. However the young King Kabe II Araku has fallen under the influence of Agrikian fanatics (especially the Order of the Red Shadows of Hepra and the Sisterhood of the Crimson Dancer. The Prince expects that when he comes of age in about six years' time war is inevitable. However, as the King's Lord Regent is weak, anything is possible.

The Thardic Republic

At the moment the most likely threat is the Thardic Republic. Marshal Kronas Elernin is on the verge of being name absolute ruler. And he hates Kanday with a passion and is a proven military commander with a large well-trained army. He will look for any opportunity to provoke a war.

The worst-case scenario is both Rethem and Tharda joining forces. The Prince's spies tell him that negotiations are underway.

Potion of Right

These thumb-sized black lozenges are produced from fanosel berries (a.k.a. Choke Berry). Once taken, it produces euphoria and delusions of grandeur which last several hours. It also reduces inhibitions. Afterwards, the user becomes depressed and irritable. It is highly addictive.
Benefits
The use makes Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom checks with a +d8 bonus. Melee attacks are made with a +d4 bonus, although AC is reduced by 1.
Duration
Onset is within 2d6+3 minutes and duration d6 +1 hrs.
After effects
The user gains 1 level of Exhaustion and must make a Wisdom saving throw DC 5 or suffer a permanent psychological effect.
Availability
Possession of fanosel berries or these lozenges is illegal in Kaldor, Melderyn, Chybisa, and Kanday. Punishment is typically a week in the stocks or forced labor or military service. Very few apothecaries have the knowledge to make them, and possession of a written recipe is often considered evidence of the worship of the evil god of assassins Naveh.
Shelf Life
At least 5 years.
Dosage
One lozenge dissolved in the mouth or in a glass of warm liquid. The lozenge will stain the mouth and tongue black.
Cost
Proscribed - 10sp
Weight:
1/4 oz

White Rose Company

Part of Aleath's City Guard.