Session 271 - The End of the Line

General Summary

18^th of Halane (Second Month of Autumn) 725TR

The story so far

The heroes continue their quest to destroy the Company of Dead Men. They have located what they believe are the crypts used by the evil mercenary's undead leadership to rejuvenate when their physical bodies are destroyed.

This is the continuation of Session 269 - Dead Men's Secrets.

Location - Old ruins in Laxley forest in the Kingdom of Rethem.

Part 1 - Boneclaws

The adventurers, accompanied by the Argent Order operatives Tiranas and Carrvil, enter the crypts, which open into claustrophobic underground chambers adorned with skeletons and mummified remains.

The characters hear shuffling sounds from behind two doors. Two enormous undead horrors wait, and they reach in, tearing at the characters with long extended bony limbs. One Boneclaw drags Jolanta into their chamber after she hits them with a Corrosive Blast. Jolanta escapes, backs off, and turns Invisible. However, a Corrupted Earth Elemental emerges from a ruined part of the chamber. Its Tremor Sense detects Jolanta and attacks the surprised wizard. Before it can do too much damage, Tiranas Stuns it, and eventually, all these atrocities are destroyed. Thinking the heroes need additional support, Jolanta summons a deluge of water using her Staff of Crytan Seaweave, and Avon forms it into a Water Elemental.

A large casket lies in a far camber, which is trapped with a powerful Death Rune, but this is discovered and disabled before it can do any harm. The casket's lid slides off to reveal a stairwell down into darkness. The necromantic life-draining energies of the Shadow of Bukrai are intense here. Any Magical Healing or powers that use Radiant Energy are suppressed.

Part 2- The Final Battle

Halidon, art by Artbreeder

The final chamber is circular, opening into eleven crypts, each filled with undead. Waiting for the heroes are their old enemies Halidon, the corrupted Argent Order knight, and the nefarious necromancer Mauger. After a mutual barrage of insults, the battle begins. Floating around Halidon are five stolen Argent Order Silver Swords, seemly under his control. They fly out and tear into the Water Elemental, destroying it. And out of the crypts, undead start emerging.

Quartermaster Mauger, art by Paizo

The lightning-fast Avon using his Thieves Tools, secures several of the caskets shut, trapping the undead horrors within. However, most emerge, although Acheron Turns most of the weaker ones. The remaining undead are powerful, blasting the heroes with shards of bones and soul-destroying screams. Jolanta Counterspells Mauger's dark invocations, much to his frustration. Yet, when the heroes think they have an advantage over Halidon, he sacrifices one of the floating Silver Swords to overcome any serious threats.

Jolanta's Sunbeams, Acheron's Divine Smites, and Avon's precision attacks take their toll on the undead. Eventually, they crumble to dust, and even the formidable Haligon falls. The heroes, although badly wounded, emerge ultimately victorious.

Part 3 - The Destruction of the Company of Dead Men

Carrvil sanctifies the crypts with an elaborate ceremony using holy water and power silver symbols. At midnight the characters watch with glee as the undead leadership of the Company of Dead Men attempts to reform. Their physical forms are wrecked by the silver holy symbols and are forever destroyed. The Company of Dead Men has lost its magical undead leadership. It is now nothing more than a conventional, if somewhat sinister, mercenary group.

This campaign has reached its conclusion, at least for the moment. The characters, except Blaine, will hopefully retire gracefully.

Epilogue

Acheron

Acheron learns that while the heroes were assaulting the Dead Men Crypts, the evil mercenaries, led by their leader Buraggar Harmoren launched a raid on the Argent Orders headquarters in Kostim. Acheron had forewarned them, and the attack was repulsed, their leader destroyed. Unfortunately, there were many losses, so Acheron returns to the Abbey of St Andrada to help train recruits. In his spare time, he seeks out his long-lost daughter.

Senator Avon

Avon devotes all his efforts to his political career and sponsors. Marshal Kronas, true to his word, supports his successful bid to become a Provincial Magistrate. Avon excels in underhanded corrupt practices becoming very rich.

Moneypenny

Avon sponsors Moneypenny and arranges several senior, well-paying government jobs. She is soon well off and may make her Senatorial bid in the coming years.

Jolanta

The former Innkeeper's daughter returns to Melderyn and purchases a Tavern franchise conveniently located near the Chantry of the Guild of Arcane Lore. Jolanta continues to support and act as a researcher for the Order of the White Hand.

Blaine

Blaine, aided but some of his old, somewhat shady friends, manages the Black Orc Down Tavern for Jolanta. However, he spends most of his time drinking, reminiscing on his adventuring days, and becomes an expert on Orc Lore.