Session 340 - Messing with the Viking Ambassador

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 King, but the former King's bastard sons have contested this. Meanwhile, in the background, the mysterious Esoterical Order of Lothrim is up to no good.

This is the continuation of Session 339 - Dark Elf Ambush.

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Location - Querina Keep in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

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23^rd Nolus 727TR

Part 1 – A Meeting with the King

Sheriff Conwan, art by Artbreeder

After their visit to Trobridge Inn and successfully convincing the local lord and royal toll guards to side with the lawful monarch, the heroes are summoned to meet with King Conwan Elendsa. As per Rycon’s recommendations, the King informs them that he has sent reinforcements to Trobridge to cut the supply lines to the City of Tashal. They should have arrived at the isolated settlement about ten days ago, but he has not received confirmation from the carrier pigeons that they were carrying. This is unexpected. Something must have happened to them.

Sir Romlach, art by Artbreeder

Nevertheless, the King has a more pressing concern. He has received word from loyal spies that the usurper Sir Maldan Harabor is looking to employ a large mercenary army from the northern Kingdom of Orbaal. King Alegar II of Orbaal apparently wants to unify his fractious subjects behind a foreign adventure by participating in the ongoing conflict in Kaldor. The negotiations are being held in Baseta Keep and led by Sir Romlash Ethasiel, the much-feared son of the Baron of Sethew and the winner of the grand melee in the last two years' Royal Chelebin Tournament of Chivalry (refer to Session 300 - Moments of Honor). Sir Romlash is considered one, if not the deadliest swordsman, in the kingdom. King Conwan asks the heroes to disrupt the negotiations. Orbaalnese mercenaries would pose a serious threat.

Part 2 – A Failed Ambush

On the road to Baseta, the characters uncover a poorly prepared ambush. They see a recently killed horse and rider lying on the road and something moving in the trees. Bandits, they think? Rycon charges forward and shouts a deadly threat, catching the would-be ambusher by surprise. The coward runs, but three of his better-hid companions attack. Fortunately, the bandits are a poor match for the skilled heroes, and quaking in fear, they are cut down.

One of the drying men is interrogated by Dryueh. More specifically, the physician employs his magical artifact, the Brain Sponge, to record some of the man’s recent memories. He is a bandit, part of many small groups hired by a mysterious man in robes to sever the communications between the major baronies. He has recently arrived in the kingdom and has no other useful information.

The dead man on the road is a courier with a message from Sir Romlash to Sir Maldan Harabor, informing the usurper that the negotiations are proceeding well, with the Orbaalnese Envoy taking quite a liking to the local wines.

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Location - Baseta Keep in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

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Part 3 – Plotting at Baseta Keep

The party arrives in Baseta Keep disguised as mercenaries and tradespeople. The locals advise the party that when Sir Romlash seized the keep from Earl Declaen Caldeth of Minarsas last year, hostages were taken from the nearby lords to ensure their compliance with the new regime. The meetings between the Orbaalnese delegation and Sir Romlash are being held in the keep's conference room, and the party could not find any rumors of a secret way in or a means to poison the apparently popular wine. So, they improvise.

Sir Crya, art by Artbreeder

The meeting room is on the side of the castle overlooking the river, out of sight of the township, so Valeria turns Dryueh Invisible and grants him briefly the ability to Fly. He reaches the meeting room window, conceals himself, and listens to the conversation while hanging perilously. Sir Romlash and the Orbaalnese envoy Inngar Fyrdael get on well, and talks are nearly finalized, the only sticking point being the Orbaalnese want land grants at the conflict's conclusion. Dryueh also notes in attendance is Sir Romlash’s aid, Sir Crya Dezaller, a bitter enemy of Rycon (refer to Session 291 - Rat Poison). Last year, in a duel, Rycon rammed his sword into Sir Crya's knee, which has yet to recover fully.

Learning this, the party decides to see if they can undermine the discussions. While the leaders talk, Rycon and Valeria trail a trio of more junior delegation members as they visit local taverns and drinking spots. As most locals avoid the Orbaalnese foreigners, they easily start a friendly conversation. It seems the tough fighting men are unswayed at the prospect of fighting in a war where they will likely be outnumbered. They see it as a challenge. But Rycon notes several of the party appear devout worshippers of the god Sarajin, and the most senior is somewhat superstitious. Rycon recalls that worshipers of this god must respect the decisions of their clan head. He advises them that Kaldor’s Royal family, the Elendsa’s, met and decided that Conwan would be King, not Sir Malden. They would be fighting for a usurper and likely kin slayer if he has his way. The men are concerned and convince their leader, Inggar, that they need to consult with a priest to get absolution before finalizing any agreement. One does not want to offend the God of the Icy Wind before embarking on a military campaign. Although it is a mere formality, this could take a month or more to sort out, and the envoy Ingaar sees this as a valuable bargaining chip and is more than willing to wait for a reply to Sir Romlash’s frustration. Ingaar sends half his men back to Orbaal to get the clerical approval, however they will not survive to pass on the message.

Part 4 – A Successful Ambush

The party races to the Fur Road and sets up an ambush as the messengers leave the kingdom. Although this small group has skilled warriors, they are caught by surprise, and the heroes quickly slaughter them.

Satisfied, the ambushers return to the Barony of Baseta but note with concern that villages in the distance are burning. Valeria sends her bird companion to the sky to scout and see through his eyes. Bands of orcs are attacking the outlying settlements. The orcs are numbering in the hundreds, and another band is closing on a nearby manor and village. The heroes decide to help the villagers.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

King Conwan Elensda.

Player Characters

Valeria - Human - L15 Shadow Sorcerer

Background - Magical Experiment.

Archetype - Beastmaster.

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Rycon - Human - L15 Fighter

Background - Rebel Knight.

Archetypes - Liberator Champion/Dual Weapon Warrior/Swashbuckler.

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Dryueh - 1/2 Elf - L15 Thief Rogue

Background - Scout.

Archetypes - Vigilante/Medic/Shadowdancer/Wizard.

Next Session

Session 342 - The Foulspawn Invasion.

Campaign

Legacy of the Foulspawner - Campain Complete

Protagonists

Rycon

Dryueh

Valeria

Report Date

07 Apr 2024

Ethasiel

Clan Ethasiel

The Ethaseils are the barons of Setrew Keep and have abandoned their rightful liege lord, the Earl of Gardiren.

Clan Ethasiel, art by Columbia Games

Clan Dezaller

Trusted vassals of Clan Ethasiel who hold Loban Manor.

Clan Dezaller, art by C. I. Roegner