Session 267 - The Icy Ambush

General Summary

7^th to 8^th of Halane (Second Month of Autumn) 725TR

The story so far

Acheron has learned that his secretive organization, the Argent Order, which is dedicated to destroying the forces of evil, is under attack. Agents have disappeared, and he has been instructed to warn his fellow knights that they are in danger.
One knight Brother Carrvil, who wields the silver sword Icebreaker, is exploring an old watchtower said to be displaying Navehan (i.e., assassin) artifacts. The heroes have arrived and begun investigating the tower.

This is the continuation of Session 266 - The Cursed Village.

Location - An isolated old imperial watchtower in the Coranan Province, in the Thardic Republic.

Part 1 - Old Watchtower

The characters, joined by the Argent Order Knight Tiranas, examine the old watchtower from a distance. It is built on a small hill, with red and black banners and skulls hanging from the battlements. However, it appears a little too obvious for a secretive cult of assassins who pride themselves on operating in the shadows. The suspicious Jolanta casts Locate Objects seeking the distinctive Navehan assassin skull-shaped masks. There are none nearby.

The cautious characters enter, and the building shows signs of recent occupation. Nothing appears suspicious until the heroes arrive on the third floor. Blood is everywhere, and the Argent Order Knight Carrvil lies dead. Jolanta's True Sight reveals a magical rune around the body. Probing deeper, she examines its complex arcane patterns. It is a summoning rune that can be set off remotely or when the body is moved. It's a trap!

To better understand what has gone on, she casts Ashen Memories and views the most significant event that happened when Carrvil's lantern was burning. The spell reveals Carrvil in combat with familiar foes, the corrupted undead former Argent Order Knight Halidon, and the sinister Necromancer Mauger, quartermaster to the sinister Company of Dead Men. Carrvil is slain, and Halidon claims his Silver Sword Icebreaker.

Part 2 - An Icy Ambush

Halidon, art by Artbreeder

Then Jolanta spots something else with her True Sight, a large floating invisible Arcane Eye. Someone, possibly nearby, is watching. A Dispel Magic eliminates it. Immediately someone sets off the magical trap, and suddenly the temperature drops. The demonic creatures are summoned, each crudely looking like emaciated apes covered in thick plates of icy armor. Their claws are made of also ice, and flesh-numbing frost swirls around them. To make matters worse, outside the tower, a larger, more dangerous foe approaches, a huge insectoid fiend radiating cold and armed with a giant spear of black ice.

The overwhelming cold generated by these outsiders saps the party's strength. Tiranas is badly injured, and Moneypenny has to scramble to escape being isolated and killed. The heroes prevail; one by one, the hardy devils are destroyed. Nonetheless, the tight confines of the tower limit Jolanta's most potent destructive magics, and Avon is nearly frozen to the bone.

Part 3 - Return of an Old Enemy

Quartermaster Mauger, art by Paizo

Unknown to the heroes, Quartermaster Mauger is behind the magical ambush watching the party actions until Jolanta dispels his Arcane Eye. He then makes his way towards the tower, using Dimension Door, to arrive on the second floor, under where the heroes have just dealt with the fiends.

As Acheron moves down the steps to the second floor, he is surprised by Mauger's Finger of Death. However, his enchanted shield minimized the Necrotic Damage, and he springs into action. Luckily the evil Necromancer had not had enough time to prepare his magical defenses or summon minions. Avon arrives shortly after and joins the battle; together, he and Acheron kill the Necromancer again. His body collapses into dust; nonetheless, Acheron knows this is a temporary victory. Mauger being an Amorvin or free-willed undead, will reform in a few days, likely with more power granted to him by the evil god of chaos, Morgath.

Part 4 - Return of an Old Friend

Examining the corpse of Carrvil, Acheron makes a decision. Using the Mantel of Everlasting Balm he acquired due to the intervention of his Divine Patron, the demigod Mendiz (refer to Session 244 - The Games of Demigods), he wraps Carrvil body. Slowly the ancient and powerful Earthmaster magic takes hold, Carrvil injuries heal, and he is returned to life. His soul decided to return to his body.

The revived Argent Order knight is filled with rightful vengeance. He wants to track down the unholy crypts or sanctums used by Maugar and Halidon, then sanctify them, thus preventing the undead monsters from reforming again after being destroyed.

To be continued.