Session 306 - The Assembly of Knights
General Summary
10th to 14th of Agrazhar 726TR
The Story So Far
The heroes have learned that the missing physician, the vile Azelinus of Renwick, was involved in the bloody magical ritual known as the Essence of Sinad. Under his home, the characters have found a secret laboratory and torture chambers.
Meanwhile, Rycon is called to participate in the Soylana Assembly, a conference that may determine the future of the Larani church in Hârn.
This is the continuation of Session 304 - The Evil Physician.
Location - City of Tashal in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
Part 1 – The Busted Nut
After investigating the offices of the missing sinister physician Azelinus of Renwick, the heroes have discovered a depraved underground experimental laboratory. Dryueh decides to rent this establishment and use the secret underground chambers as his hideout. The problem is it is owned by one of the city's most successful and dangerous crime bosses, Perla of Rabeta, the owner of the Busted Nut Tavern.
Dryueh offers medical services to her organization, and Perla puts him to the test; one of her men has an injury to the face and may lose an eye. The crime lord watches with interest as Dryueh tries to save Inskip's sight but fails; his eye is too severely damaged. Despite this failure, she is agreeable for Dryueh to take over the surgery on condition he provides medical care for anyone in her criminal organization, free of charges, but he is coldly warned that too many botched treatments will be severely punished. The canny and practical Perla sees through Dryueh’s slick facade and suspects he is not what he appears but doesn’t care.
Part 2 - An Assembly of Knights
Meanwhile, the Basilica of King Aidrik IV, the city's largest temple of the goddess Larani, is hosting the Soylana Assembly. Most of the Kingdom’s senior Knights of the Fighting Order of the Lady of Paladins are meeting to decide its future.
The reason is the Order’s conduct in the infamous and genocidal Solora Crusade against the Solori Barbarians. The knights present must decide either to;
- Officially obey the instructions of the Grandmaster of the Order and, by extension, support the Crusade.
- Or split from the Lady of Paladins, forming a new independent Fighting Order.
Impressed with Rycons's boldness, Reblena (Senior Commander) Houla Artona calls on Rycon to share his experiences fighting in the Crusade. It is a gripping tale of shameful, unchivalrous conduct and butchery under the instructions of the Order's Chabla (Grandmaster) Enyel Trenoul. Rycon expresses his view that this Crusade is the consequence of a personal vendetta held by the Grandmaster after his son was killed by the Solori almost a decade ago. Sir Armant and his supporters take this opportunity to grill Rycon on his credibility and honor; however, the insults fall flat as Rycon counters every claim with excellent knowledge of scripture and the chivalric code. Rycon's principled, passionate, and pious attitude has impressed many of the knights present.
Later that day, a squire arrives and whispers a message to Sir Kelic. The concerned Sir Kelic takes Rycon aside and needs something attended to urgently. The Crusade has concerned none other than the Sebrath (the Larani Pontiff), also known less formally as the Abbot of Tengela. The Sebrath has sent an emissary, Sir Thorweald Alhburg, to investigate the Crusade and is due to join this Assembly as an observer, but his views would be given great weight. However, he is late and should have left the Kingdom of Chybisa days ago. Sir Kelic asks Rycon to travel south to Chybisa and see if anything has gone wrong.
Location - Along Genin's Trial between the Kingdoms of Kaldor and Chybisa.
Part 3 - Hooked Hounds
The party travels south along the Genin's Trial toward the Chybisa through the dangerous Setha Heath. They are ambushed by a pair of Skaigeth, a rare Ivashu called the Hooked Hounds. These large dog-shaped monsters have sharp hooks for feet and heads that resemble that of a snapping turtle. One launches himself at Rycon and impales him with his scythe-like hooks. Rycon’s metal armor is punctured and seriously damaged, but the Ivashu are slain.
Part 4 - Pagaelin Savages
Later, the characters pass a merchant caravan. The merchant says he saw four fancy foreign knights, and a priest passed him yesterday. They turned off from the road not far back, near an ancient stone marker shaped of a dwarf. Near the marker, the characters find a trail and easily follow it.
The knights abruptly change direction when a broken merchant wagon and two dead bodies come into view. They look like they investigated the murder scene or barbarian atrocity and rode off as the ambushers, likely vicious Pagaelin Barbarians, were nowhere to be found. Unfortunately for the heroes, the barbarians have returned and attempt a crude trap. The heroes are too quick, and soon, a vicious skirmish starts, and the half dozen Pagalean warriors put up a good fight. They show and are given no mercy. All the dishonorable barbarians are killed.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Perla of Rabeta - Crime boss.
Sir Armant Hodshon.
Challenges
2 x Skaigeth.
7 x Pagaelin Barbarian.
Rewards
Nothing this week.
Created Content
Related Reports
Order of the Lady of Paladins.
Temple of Larani - Basilica of King Aidrik IV.
Player Characters
Valeria - Human Magical Experiment - L7 Shadow Sorcerer - Beastmaster.
Rycon - Human Rebel Knight - L7 Fighter - Liberator Champion.
Dryueh - 1/2 Elf Scout - L7 Thief Rogue - Vigilante/Medic.
Next Session
Rycon
Dryueh
Valeria
Order of the Lady of Paladins
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