Session 316 - Shocking Revelations
General Summary
28th to 29th of Halane 726TR
The Story So Far
The King is dead. King Minigath, after ruling well for thirty-three years, has died, and the power struggle as to who will succeed him has started. Meanwhile, in the background, the nefarious Esoterical Order of Lothrim is up to no good.
This is the continuation of Session 314 - A Clash of Wills.
Location - Outside the City of Tashal in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
28th Halane 726
Part 1 - Decisions
Lady Erila would like the group to travel to the Castle of Minarsas and catch up with her son, Sir Tulath Kaphin, the Sheriff of Vemionshire. When the King’s (presumably forged) Will naming Sir Tulath his heir was discovered, she advised him to seek council from Earl Declaen Caldeth at Castle Minarsas. She is concerned that he may do something foolish.
They buy riding horses at a nearby village to speed up their escape. Unfortunately, this allows a gang of pursuing mercenaries to catch up. Although the characters, now on horseback, could easily outrun them, they decide to eliminate that threat and hide the bodies in a thicket off the road.
Part 2 – A Change of Heart
After the heroes tell him they intend to meet with Sheriff Conwan, Sir Armant and his men volunteer to accompany them. Sir Conwan is not at Querina Keep, having made camp with his hastily assembled army. The Sheriff intends to oppose the incoming army of Sir Malden Harabor, which could be hours away from supporting this brother's garrison in the City of Tashal. “A fool’s errand,” he confides pessimistically. “The Sheriff Conwan seeks to ambush Sir Malden's army before it reinforces Tashal. I don’t think we have enough men to pull this off, even with the element of surprise”. Rycon is aware Tashel is lightly defended, and if reinforced, Sir Manden would have a significant strategic advantage.
Tactful inquiring as to why Sir Armant is so friendly, Rycon learns that his former enemy has had a revelation. Before the duel, he prayed to the goddess Larani for her judgment. If he was in the wrong and had fought dishonorably in the Solora Crusade, he expected to lose, but if he was in the right, he expected to win. Rycon soundly beat him, so he accepted the divine judgment and resolved to change his ways.
Part 3 – A Shocking Revelation
Princess Meliem and Lady Erila update him on the events in the city and their escape. Lady Erila insists that she, or her son, had nothing to do with the King's murder. Unfortunately, Sir Conwan is privy to other incriminating information: her chambers were searched after she escaped the city, and a messenger has just arrived alleging it contains evidence that she has been acting as a spy. He accuses her of treason and being a spy for her homeland, the Kingdom of Chybisa.
Lady Erila vigorously swears her innocence, and Sir Conwan does not have enough time to investigate or discuss it further. He has a battle to fight; innocence or guilt will have to be determined later. Rather than being thrown into a dungeon, Lady Erila agrees to surrender voluntarily, go to Querina Keep, and be detained until the Sheriff has time to pursue justice. The bewildered party accompanies her.
Taking Rycon aside, she confesses she is not a Chybisan spy but is an agent working for an organization associated with the Kingdom of Melderyn. She insists that she is not, and never has been, spying on Kaldor but instead monitoring and advising on events, particularly the actions of the mysterious Lady Gwaderia. Rycon asks why she trusts him, and she replies, “Lady Bresyn Risai” (the City of Tashal's White Hand agent) “speaks highly of you and your friends,” then looking at Rycon’s katana, “He would not have given that weapon to you if you are untrustworthy.” Rycon’s katana was given to him by the master weapon crafter Yebisi Netoshi, based in Melderyn's capital city. She asks Rycon to travel to Minarsas and ensure her son does not do anything foolish. On the way, she suggests they travel to Dalmelin Manor. Lady Gwaderia has been known to frequent the Blackthorn Inn on many occasions. “It may give a clue as to what she is up to. “
Location - Dalmelin Manor in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
Part 4 - The Monster under the Well
Princess Meliem decides to stay at Querina Keep with Lady Erila. So, the party ride to Dalmelin Manor and arrive at sundown renting a room in the Blackthorn Inn. The same room, according to discrete inquiries, Lady Gwaderia frequently uses. The Inn is bustling with activity and gossip. Lord Skally, his squire, and half a dozen yeoman have ridden out this morning to join Sheriff Conwan's hurriedly prepared army.
29th of Halane 726
The room is examined and contains nothing suspicious but overlooks a small market square with a well, and Valeria's Detect Magic reveals enchantments around the well. After midnight, unobserved, the party descended the well, finding a large, waterlogged chamber with relatively dry side passages. Alarmingly, there is a guard, a large stalactite on the roof begins to move. It has one large eye and a maw filled with sharp, rocky teeth, projecting half a dozen strands that wrap around the heroes, sapping their strength with some vile sticky fluid. The creature pulls some heroes in and snaps at them, nearly biting Rycon in half. Fortunately, Valeria discovered that the Roper is vulnerable to flames, and a well-delivered series of Firebolts make short work of it, incinerating its rocky hide.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Lady Erila Kaphin - the King's mistress and Lord Privy Seal.
Princess Meliem Elendsa - the King's niece and Lord High Chamberlain.
Sir Armant Houlcath - Larani Knight.
Sir Conwan Elendsa - Sheriff of Semethshire.
Rewards
Nothing this week.
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Related Reports
Nothing this week
Player Characters
Valeria - Human - L9 Shadow Sorcerer
Background - Magical Experiment.
Archetype - Beastmaster.
Rycon - Human - L9 Fighter
Background - Rebel Knight.
Archetypes - Liberator Champion/Dual Weapon Warrior.
Dryueh - 1/2 Elf - L9 Thief Rogue
Background - Scout.
Archetypes - Vigilante/Medic/Shadowdancer/Wizard.
Next Session
Rycon
Dryueh
Valeria
Order of the Lady of Paladins
Order of Larani worshiping knights. They have recently broken away from their parent Order and are in the process of renaming themselves.
Clan Elendsa
The Royal family
Clan Kaphin
House of Lady Erila Kaphin and the former king's bastard son, Sheriff Tulath Kaphin.
Clan Harabor
House of Sir Malden Harabor, Sheriff of Meselyneshire, and Sir Koris Harabor, Marshall of the Royal Guard, both bastard sons of the former King.
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