Session 338 - Murdering the Thardic Envoys

General Summary

Summer 727TR 

The Story So Far

The King is dead. Long live the King.

King Minigath, after ruling the Kingdom of Kaldor well for thirty-three years, has been assassinated. Sir Conwan Elendsa has been crowned as the new King, however, this is contested by former King's bastard sons. Meanwhile, in the background, the mysterious Esoterical Order of Lothrim is up to no good.

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The heroes continue their journey to the isolated border settlement of Trobridge Inn to sabotage the supplies from the Thardic Republic before they reach the City of Tashal, currently occupied by the forces of the usurper Sheriff Maldan Harabor.

This is the continuation of Session 336 - Spy Mission.

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Location - The Salt Route in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

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3^rd Nolus 727TR

Part 1 – Trobridge Inn

The last part of the heroes trek along the Salt Route is dangerous. A small pack of Trolls ambushes the party, but they are dispatched with sword, spell, and fire.

At Trobridge, the heroes find a small, well-defended, bustling settlement. A detachment of royal toll guards is positioned at newly constructed towers on either side of a bridge, and the local lord's manor house is also well-protected. They wander the settlement, talking with residents to discreetly gather as much local gossip as possible.

Rycon learns that the toll guards are concerned. Their loyalty is to King Conwan; however, they have yet to receive orders. Due to their isolation, they are vulnerable and can easily be bullied by the rebels. The ursuper Sheriff Maldan Harabor could send a sizable force anytime to eliminate them if they refused to follow his instructions.

by Sir Kurson, art by Artbreeder

Dryueh, after chatting with the more informed merchants and villagers, discovers that Lord Kurson Ondailis is also not happy to follow Sir Malden's orders, not because of any loyalty or sense of honor but because the pragmatic ex-bandit believes that King Conwan's armies outnumber the rebels considerably and would likely prevail in any prolonged conflict. Valeria also consults with the spirit world, and her Automatic Writing implies the lord murdered his father but learns nothing else of value.

The party also discovers that an envoy of the Thardic Republic and his consort, who, according to salacious rumors, is an Order of the Eight Demons priestess and a squad of Ralama legionnaires is staying at the Inn.

Part 2 – Meeting With The Lord

The party, led by Rycon, secures a meeting with Lord Kurson, and the uncultured but smart lord confirms everything the heroes have discovered. However, he would only act and stop supplies if the following two conditions were met.

by Sir Tommas, art by Artflow

• Sir Tommas Gambin, the captain of the royal toll guards, supports him.
• When the civil war is over, he is rewarded for his loyalty to the King and loss of revenue for blocking trade.

Sir Tommas is called to the meeting, and the inexperienced young knight desperately needs guidance. The confident Rycon secures his agreement to support King Conwan and work cooperatively with Lord Kurson. Lord Kurson takes Rycon’s word that the King will amply reward him for his loyalty.

Part 3 - Priestess and the Envoy

by Envoy Hazer, art by Artbreeder

The Thardic envoy is called to the meeting. Hazer Melvoen, a smooth-talking diplomat, is assisted by Erani Tyen, a beautiful and cruel-looking woman who is not shy of flaunting the fact that she is an Agrik-worshipping priestess of the Order of Eight Demons. By treaty, although the worship of Agrik is technically illegal in Kaldor, the evil god of fire and war's followers are allowed at Trobridge, provided they do not break any laws or indulge in organized services.

Priestess Erani , art by Artbreeder

After some spiteful banter, the priestess recognizes Rycon as one of the prominent founders of the noble Order of The Knights of Redemption, a fighting order in direct opposition to her god. She unleashes a series of poorly veiled insults and threats. However, Lord Kurson soon puts a stop to the snide remarks and focuses on facts. He informs the envoy that he and his men must leave Trobridge as soon as practical. Until further notice, all trade wagons will be inspected, and those containing food and supplies will be turned back. The envoy and the priestess are furious. If looks could kill.

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The following day, the envoys and his guards from the Ramala Legion leave the settlement. Valeria sends her bird companion to scout. Looking through the beast’s eyes, spots the priestess not far from Trobridge but out of sight on the Thardic side of the border, standing next to a river and beginning an unholy ritual. Fire and smoke emerge from her outstretched hands and enter the cold river. The water begins to boil, and soon, semi-spherical clouds of steam form and fly into the air, traveling north.

The heroes are intrigued and leave Trobridge, following the clouds, which quickly change direction and head straight toward the party. It’s a trap. The party battles the balls of steam and gets severely scalded for their efforts. However, the demonic essences possessing the clouds are soon destroyed.

Part 4 - Murder of the Envoys

The heroes follow the Thardic envoy along the Salt Route, keeping their distance and using Valeria’s bird companion to track them from afar. After the Envoy’s party makes camp that night, the party strikes, catching them entirely by surprise. Since there will be no witnesses, Valeria unleashes her full magical might, causing the ground to erupt and float in the air, dragging half the camp with it. The Reverse Gravity, followed by Darkness, is effective, allowing Rycon and Dryueh to quickly eliminate a number of the sentries in the confusion.

The Envoy Hazer Melvoen and the Priestess Erani Tyen are much more dangerous and have a few tricks. However, Valeria’s Dispel Magic negates the envoy's Mask of Terror, but the Priestess’s skill with fire magic causes some concern and severe burns. She is not above incinerating her wounded men if it will catch the heroes in her Fireballs.

Nevertheless, most of the soldiers and the envoy are killed, and Rycon, with some satisfaction, cuts down the Priestess. The few surviving guards' morale breaks, and they flee but die of fright (Valeria’s Phantasmal Killer). The party stages the camp, doing their best to make it appear as though it was a bandit or barbarian attack.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Sir Tommas Gambin - Captain of the Royal Toll Guards.

Lord Kurson Ondailis of Trobridge.

Thardic envoy Hazer Melvoen.

Erani Tyen, Priestess of Agrik.

Related Reports

Trobridge Inn - updated.

Order of the Eight Demons.

Order of The Knights of Redemption.

Player Characters

Valeria - Human - L14 Shadow Sorcerer

Background - Magical Experiment.

Archetype - Beastmaster.

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Rycon - Human - L14 Fighter

Background - Rebel Knight.

Archetypes - Liberator Champion/Dual Weapon Warrior/Swashbuckler.

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Dryueh - 1/2 Elf - L14 Thief Rogue

Background - Scout.

Archetypes - Vigilante/Medic/Shadowdancer/Wizard.

Next Session

Session 339 - Dark Elf Ambush.

Campaign

Legacy of the Foulspawner - Campain Complete

Protagonists

Rycon

Dryueh

Valeria

Report Date

29 Mar 2024

Primary Location

Trobridge Inn

Secondary Location

The Salt Route

Order of the Eight Demons

A much feared female only Clerical Order of the Church of Agrik.

Eight Demons, art by Columbia Games

Order of The Knights of Redemption

A newly fromed Fighing Order dedicated to the highest ideals of chivalry.

Knights of Redemption art by Attacus