Session 297 - Night of the Full Moon

General Summary

14^th to 15^th of Larane (Summer) 726TR

The Story So Far

Unfortunately, Rycon has been eliminated from the Royal Chelebin Tournament of Chivalry; however, there is much to do until the day of the Melee.

Foremost is learning the identity of the Werewolf brutally killing peasants.

This is the continuation of Session 295 - Tournament of Chivalry.

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Location - Castle of Olokand in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

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Part 1 – The Lion of Dolithor

Serolan Margon, art by Artbreeder

While Rycon watches a friend compete in the second round of the joust, he and his companions notice a dour-looking priest of Larani is intently watching him. Dryueh nonchalantly strolls through the crowd to be close enough to overhear the priest's conversations with his Order of the Lady of Paladins guards. The priest is none other than Serolan Margon Irin, the so-called Lion of Dolithor, infamous for his strict interpretation of scripture. This is the same priest who wants Rycon tried for heresy after he resigned from the Lady of Paladins in disgust during the genocidal Solora Crusade. The knights assure the priest they will deal with the heretic (i.e., Rycon) in the upcoming Melee. Valeria reads the aura of the priest. His calm demeanor is a facade; he is seething with anger. Rycon can't resist. He passes close to the priest, saying hello, and then proceeds to ignore him as he responds, antagonizing him further.

Part 2 – Them Apples

Haselun, art by Artflow

That evening at the Standing Bear Inn, the characters hear a frantic knock at the door of their room. Master Innkeeper Haselun is having what looks like another nervous breakdown and needs help. His halfwit Jarinese assistant Caelan of Marwydd, has misplaced Sir Polic's luggage containing the noble knight's favorite battle pendant. Caelan was sent out to pick apples from a nearby orchard, and Haleun begs the party to find him; it's very late. The party agrees to help, given the innkeeper is not charging them for accommodation.

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The orchard is not hard to find, and neither is Caelun, who is lying in a pool of blood. A gang of four strong-looking Ivinian warriors and a minstrel stands over him. When questioned, they claim Caelan is a criminal, murderer, and terrorist and is about to be dragged back to the Kingdom of Orbaal to face justice. Rycon knows they have no warrant and intervenes, so the brutal thugs attack.

Dryueh sneaks up, attacks their flank, and kills the first warrior. Rycon dispatches the second, and Valeria badly injures the third with a Vampiric Touch. Things seem to be going the hero's way until the minstrel points at Rycon and casts Hideous Laughter. With Rycon giggling uncontrollably, his ability to fight is severely diminished, and the third warrior delivers some heavy bows onto him and Valeria. Then out of the minstrel's hands is a shower of bright colors flares. The party is stunned and blinded by the Color Spray. Eventually, the heroes, although impaired, prevail, killing all the Ivinians; however, they now have a new appreciation for illusion and enchantment magic.

Campaign

Legacy of the Foulspawner - Campain Complete

Protagonists

Rycon

Dryueh

Valeria

Report Date

02 Jul 2023

Related Characters

• Dame Afaewynn Barthy
• Sheriff Sir Maldan Harabor
• Sir Luisan Kelic

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Helping Caelan up, the heroes become suspicious that the injured so-called "halfwit" may not be all he appears to be. They call him out, and his appalling accent and poor understanding of the spoken language evaporates. He confesses to being an Aenghysa Agent (a Jarinsese resistance fighter) and trusts the heroes as their mutual friend Khâl, the dwarven Order of the White Hand agent, has spoken highly of them. He arranges a covert supply of weapons to the Jarinese freedom fighters throughout the Kingdom of Orbaal. He enjoys playing the fool. It allows him to gather a lot of intelligence at the Inn, and he actually likes Innkeeper Haselun, his slightly abusive employer.

The party sends him back to the Inn with a bag of apples. At the same time, they dispose of the dead bodies down the Ona-Setrum, a 120-foot deep limestone sinkhole, home of the mythical Murath, a monstrous creature dwelling in the caverns below. The party expects it would appreciate a meal.

The heroes also learn that there have been two more deaths that night, merchants slaughtered by an enormous wolf.

Part 3 – The Feast of Saint Ambrathas

Sir Luisan, art by Artflow

The following evening, the heroes participate in a short Mass of St Ambrathas followed by a grand feast. Unfortunately, the King is too ill to attend and is represented by his niece Princess Meliem Elendsa. The evening is a festive event. Sir Luisan Kelic seeks Rycon out and asks him to join the Squadron of ten Knights he will lead during the upcoming Melee. They will be representing the White or Royal team.

Suspicious that one of the knights present may be responsible for the recent bloody deaths and be potentially a Werewolf, Valeria inspects a few likely suspects with her Aura Sight, finding nothing suspicious. Thinking this pointless, she stops her examinations with only two high-ranking knights remaining on her shortlist and enjoys the rest of the night. Unfortunately, she should have kept scrutinizing.

Dame Afaewynn, art by Artbreeder

Also, that evening, Rycon spends considerable time with the charming young widow Dame Afaewynn Barthy. She certainly seems interested.

Part 4 – Wolf Hunting

After the feast, the party decides to search the woods to see if they can find this giant wolf or suspected Werewolf. Although their initial investigation discovers nothing, as they are about to give up, they find a blood trail leading to a half-eaten corpse.

Following the faint tracks, a predator is nearby, a terrifying wolfman covered in blood and gore. A Werewolf pounces, catching Rycon with a surprise attack. The party silver their weapons with Silversheen Oil, and soon the Werewolf is badly injured; however, the heroes have also taken their fair share of wounds.

The lycanthrope runs, escaping through the forest and over a wide stream, but despite its best efforts, it does not escape the party. Cornered, it fights back with menacing fangs and claws. Unfortunately, it has healed all its injuries during the pursuit, while the heroes have not had time to rest and recover their strength. Rycon is struck down, slashed across the chest, and bleeding badly. Valeria's magic hurts the horror, and Dryueh stabs with a silver dagger, cutting an artery. Despite blood spraying in all directions, the Werewolf strikes back, badly injuring Dryueh. One more hit will surely kill him. At the last moment, Dryueh sees an opening and slashes again, almost severing the creature's head from his body. Valeria rushes to Rycon's aid, applying healing and saving his life.

Part 5 – The Lost Knight

Sir Maldan Harabor, art by Artbreeder

The Werewolf's corpse changes and turns back to human form, revealing his identity. The dead man is Sir Miren Tereneth, son of Sir Eres Tereneth, constable of Baseata keep, one of the aura's Valeria decided not to read at the last moment. Once a light-hearted, friendly young man, he recently returned from the brutal Solora Crusade a changed man, sullen, angry, and apparently cursed. The party transports the body to Castle Olokand and informs the Sheriff, Sir Maldan Harabor, of the events. The eldest bastard son of the King is shocked and asks the party to keep events confidential. He will personally tell Sir Miren's father of the tragic death of his son.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Serolan Margon Irin - the "Lion of Dolothor."

Master Innkeeper Haselun.

Caelan of Marwydd - Assistant Innkeeper and Aenghysa Agent

Sir Luisan Kelic.

Dame Afaewynn Barthy.

Sir Maldan Harabor.

Challenges

3 x Thugs and 1 x Bard.

1 x Werewolf.

Rewards

Nothing this week.

Created Content

Nothing this week.

Related Reports

Night People.

Player Characters

Valeria - Human Magical Experiment - L5 Shadow Sorcerer - Beastmaster.

Rycon - Human Rebel Knight - L5 Fighter - Liberator Champion.

Dryueh - 1/2 Elf Scout - L5 Thief Rogue - Vigilante/Medic.

Next Session

Session 299 - The Melee.