Session 263 - A New Senator Arises

General Summary

12^th to the 20^th of Azura (First Month of Autumn) 725TR

The story so far

The Heroes have foiled a sinister plan to create an inferno, which would have burned down a good portion of the city along with hundreds of Larani worshipers. The conspirators are Senator Harlen Orde, a fanatical worshiper of the evil fire god Agrik and Albalny Sunis, the sadistic High Priestess of the local Temple of Agrik.

Avon is ambitious and desires the privilege, power, and wealth that come with being voted into the Republic's Senate. Can this devious rogue exploit this failed plot to his advantage?

This is the continuation of Session 262 - Fiery Celebrations.

Location - The City of Coranan in the Thardic Republic.

Part 1 - The Aftermath

The party inspects the flammable and explosive materials concealed under the streets in the sewers. If lit, this could cause a massive blaze, burning down a city block and killing hundreds of innocent people. Acheron rushes to the nearby Temple of Larani, returns with knights, priests, and men of arms, and then supervises the elimination of the threat to the city.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party decides to investigate Senator Harlen Orde further and acquire more evidence.

Unfortunately, before leaving the sewer, Moneypenny fails to notice a warrior in the employ of the evil Senator creeping past her. He warns Senator Harlen that his diabolical plot has been discovered.

Part 2- The Senator has a Guest

by Senator Harlen Orde, art by Artflow

Avon, obscured by Invisibility, sneaks into the Senator's townhouse, squeezing through a chimney, and finds that Senator Harlen Orde is entertaining a guest, his lover, the sadistic Viriahn (High Priestess) of the Order of the Eight Demons, Albalny Sunis.

by Albanly Sunis, art by Artbreeder

Viriahn Albalny is furious, dressing down Senator Harlen and accusing him of incompetency and failure. The chastised Senator is aware he will have to face the Senate for his actions, and likely serious charges will follow. She demands that her involvement in the plot be concealed. The damage to her reputation and the Order of the Eight Demons would be momentous.

The Priestess gives the Senator a Potion of Eloquence to enhance his persuasiveness when questioned. She says, "This will help you talk your way out of this mess."

After the evil cleric leaves the residence, Avon Invisibly follows closely behind, but on his way out, he picks the pockets of the Senator stealing the Potion. The fuming High Priestess returns to her Temple, the Bastion of Silent Screams.

As a senior Red Guard officer, Avon is well aware his duty would be to inform his Commander, the city's Warden, of this attempted mass murder and destruction of part of the city. He decides to play a more devious game; how can he exploit this affair to improve his position?

Part 3 - A Meeting of Minds

Avon follows the High Priestess up into the Temple, noting with professional interest the comprehensive array of torture equipment on display. He quickly passes the guards and sneaks into Albalny's office just before she slams the door shut.

Sitting on the other side of the desk, he appears out of nowhere, pouring glasses of expensive brandy. "I thought we should talk," he says. To her credit Viriahn Albalny, who was not expecting this, does not appear in the least startled or intimidated and, with the hint of a cruel smile, agrees.

Avon and the Viriahn begin scheming. She is intrigued by Avon's audacity and competence. Avon wants to become a Senator and tells her he will soon claim credit for saving the city. He is willing to use Senator Harlen as the "fall guy" and cover up her involvement, provided the Viriahn used her influence to support his cause. The intrigued and pragmatic Priestess agrees and enhances the plan by implicating one of her rivals in the Temple into the plot. And further to that, she informs Avon that the Senator will soon be dead, as she supplied him with poison (the Potion of Eloquence). Avon curses; he should not have stolen the Potion.

The meeting ends amicably with conspirators implementing their plans. Viriahn Albalny sets aside her thoughts of sending a temple assassin after Avon and the party.

Part 4 - Dirty Deeds

Azikain Gelber, art by Wizard of the Coast

Next, Avon rushes to brief his Commander, Warden Azikain Gelber, telling him of the plot, blaming Senator Harlen and exonerating Viriahn Albalny. Once again, Avon deceives his Commander.

The Warden gives Avon command of a Red Guard detachment to get the Senator and take him to an emergency meeting of the Senate's Internal Affairs Committee to explain himself. Avon knows he can't force the Senator to go but relies on his intimidation and persuasion skills.

Avon detachment finds the panicked Senator burning documents. He effortlessly convinces the scapegoat to meet with the Senate committee. As they depart, Avon slips the Potion of Eloquence (i.e., poison) back into the Senator's robes.

Meanwhile, Jolanta applies her analytical mind and examines the Senators' townhouse, and the partially burned documents, for evidence. She finds considerable, most damning being records of the purchase of the combustibles used in the plot and the hiring of a fire wizard from the Shostim Guild of Fire Magic in the Kingdom of Rethem.

Part 5 - A Senator Falls

As the Senator approaches the government building, Avon notices with satisfaction that Harlen discretely quaffs the Potion. He even goes as far as to create a distraction, so his fellow Red Guard escorts do not notice it.

When presenting to the Senatorial committee, Senator Harlen begins to stumble over his words and sweat profusely. He starts having trouble breathing, then clutching his chest, falling to the ground, dead. Avon proclaimed, "The Senator has died of a heart attack. Must have been his guilty conscious," and he convinces all present there is no need for an autopsy.

The Order of the Eight Demons quickly cremates the body in a rushed ceremony. With Jolanta's hard evidence, the case is closed, the senior leadership of the Order of the Eight Demons has escaped scrutiny, and Avon is proclaimed a Hero.

Part 6 - A Senator Rises

After years of planning, Avon feels confident in making his bid to join the Republic's Senate, riding the wave of fame and success. He bribes and negotiates with Senators with whom he has made prior arrangements and then faces an extraordinary meeting of the Senate. The Senate, which usually convenes in Winter, has been called early this year to deal with a serious leadership crisis. If the rumors are true Marshal Kronas Elernin is making his play to become the supreme ruler of the republic, a King or Emperor.

After making an impassioned and deceptively self-serving speech before the packed Senate Chamber, he is questioned vigorously by his detractors. He easily fends off accusations of corruption and interference in international politics, emerging with a stronger position. The Senate is in a generous mood, and there was only token opposition when the vote was made. Avon is swept into the Thardic Republic's Senate. He now has all the power and privilege that comes with that position.

Later, Viriahn Albalny congratulates Avon, inviting him to move into Senator Harlen's townhouse free of rent until he has the funds to purchase his own mansion. The Order of the Eight Demons has recently acquired the property cheaply from the dead Senator's estate.

To be continued.