Session 386 - The Brothers of Flame

General Summary

The Story So Far

Ash - An expert in the occult and a skilled monster hunter. Ash uses his talents and budding alchemical expertise to battle what people fear most for a price.

---

Ryobi - A monk of the embattled Order of the Warriors of Mameka. Ryobi is given an important mission: retrieve the holy blades containing the souls of his brother knights, which were lost in the recent Rethemi civil war.

---

They are joined by Vinzent, a bard with a morbid demeanor and a haunted past.

This is the continuation of Session 384 - The Emperor Saurach’s Prayer Book.

---

Location - Barony of Bekar in the Kingdom of Rethem.

---

7^th Morgat (Winter) 727TR

---

Over 200 years ago, during the height of the Corani Empire, one of the most significant religious institutions was the Order of Khamar, a powerful sect of Agrik worshiping warriors and weapon-crafting priests. This sect fell out of favor with the Agrikian Pontiff and was declared heretical, disappearing from history. Its priests had gone underground and eventually remerged as the Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel.

The 11^th Emperor of the Corani Empire, Emperor Saurach, was a fanatical supporter of the Order of Khamar. They presented him with a Prayer Book possibly containing much of the heretical doctrine. This holy book could be used by the enemies of the Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel, to associate it with the Order of Khamar. This would be disastrous given that the Embassy of the Eternal Flame and representatives of the Pontiff are touring the Harnic Isles.

Ryobi has recovered this book and Emperor Saurach's ashes and plans to return them to the protection of the Order of Mamaka.

Part 1 – Order of the Pillar of Fire

Stepping out from Emperor Saurach's Mausoleum, the heroes find themselves in the snow-covered ruins of Meil Island. Four adversaries stand before them.

Two strong warriors, showing the coat of arms of the Companions of Roving Doom and two priests in yellow and black robes bearing symbols of the Order of the Pillar of Fire, hated rivals of Ryobi’s warrior monks. Worse, one of the priests, a gaunt-looking man, looks vaguely familiar, but the heroes can’t quite place him. “So good to see you again. Have you found the book?” the familiar priest murmurs in a whispered tone. “We will put it to good use.” The Roving Doom thugs advance, and the priest mutters an incantation, conjuring a fire elemental.

Ryobi darts past the warriors and charges the priests; the gaunt one backs away, but the other, much taller and healthier, is cut deeply by Ryobi’s holy bade. The Roving Doom warriors rush to his aid. Then Ryobi recognizes the gaunt priest; he was the corpse he discovered in an icy cave weeks ago (refer to Session 376 - The Icy Embrace). Rather than being dead, he was in a state of suspended animation, food for a starfish-like monster until the heroes destroyed it. They looted his body and included a clue as to the location of Saurach’s prayerbook. He was barely alive and was aware of everything the heroes did.

Ash engages the Fire Elemental while Ryobi cuts down the tall priest, but he is set upon by the Roving Doom guards when the gaunt priest's courage evaporates, and he flees, trying to escape down the hill where he has a surprise waiting for the heroes. He doesn’t make it; the agile Ryobi evades the guards and rapidly catches up to the priest. This time, he finished the job driving his holy sword through the coward’s heart.

Meanwhile, Ash and Vinzent are outnumbered by the Roving Doom guards and Fire Elemental, but fortunately, the Elemental burns out when Ryobi slays the cowardly priest. Ash kills one of the warriors, and Ryobi arrives. The pair quickly surrounds and deal with the second.

Part 2 – Returning to the Baron

Baron Orgatt, art by Playground

With this threat attended to, the party returned down the hill and prepared to signal for a local fisherman to pick them up. Unfortunately, the Priest of Agrik has summoned a trio of demons to patrol the island in case the heroes were to escape. These blood-covered skeleton-like fiends wield long, wickedly sharp spears, stalk the hero, and surround the party. They prove very dangerous, a much more significant threat than the priests and warriors, but the demons are ultimately returned to Balgashang.

The party visits the Baron of Bekar and pays him the value of his fair share of the treasures looted from Emperor Saurach’s mausoleum. However, they do not tell him the details of the treasures they have recovered, and Baron Branal Orgatt is not curious enough to ask.

Part 3 – The Apalankh of Hârn

Sir Bisidril , art by Artbreeder

Ryobi returns to the City of Golotha and the great temple of Agrik (the Cathedral of the Trials of Mamaka) to meet with the Apalankh of Hârn, Sir Klyrdes Bisidril, the head of the Church of Agrik on the Hârnic Islands. He presents the Ashes of Emperor Saurach and, much more importantly, his prayer book. Sir Klyrdes, face like a rock, flips through the book, occasionally focusing on some sections, illustrations, or holy verses.

“The ashes of the pious Emperor will be honored appropriately,” he says with little reverence, “But this prayer book is priceless; you were correct to bring it here. Has it been read?” he questions in a slightly accusatory tone. Ryobi assure him that the book was never removed from the oilskin. Satisfied, Sir Klyrdes continues, “This tome could have been used by our enemies. Raise questions and support the unfounded accusations against our Orders. After appropriate study, it will be best for it to reside in the vault of forbidden lore.”

“This book does not exist,” he says in a final and threatening tone. Ruobi agrees and confirms he knows nothing. “Your companions, do they need to be silenced?” the ruthless Apalankh asks. Worried for his friends, Ryobi assures him that they will never speak of the event or treasure found in Saurach’s mausoleum. “Well then, you and your companions, for who you are responsible for, have shown great initiative and skill. As always, excellent service must be rewarded. I will speak to the Mamekan and the Smith-Priests. They will forge suitable weapons for yourself and your companions.” Shortly after, superb enchanted weapons were duly supplied.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

The Apalankh of Hârn, Sir Klyrdes Bisidril.

Branal Orgatt of Baron of Bekar.

Created Content

Nothing this week.

Related Reports

Order of Khamar.

Order of the Pillar of Fire.

Companions of Roving Doom.

The Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel.

Player Characters

Ryobi - Human - L6 Monk

Background - Temple Guard.

Archetypes - Barbarian.

---

Ash - Human - L6 Thaumaturge

Background - Weaponcrafter.

Archetypes - Alchemist.

NPC Companion

Vinzent - Human - L6 Bard

Background - Cursed.

Archetypes - Blessed.

Next Session

Session 389 - The Dolls Report.

Campaign

Monster Hunters

Protagonists

Ryobi

Ash

Report Date

31 Oct 2024

Primary Location

City of Golotha

NPC Companion

Vinzent

He is a skilled minstrel who is infamous for his depressing performances and bad luck.

Vinzent, art by Artflow

Order of Khamar

A heretical Agrikian Clerical Order that disappeared over 200 years ago.

Order of Khamar, art by Attacus

The Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel.

A poweful Agrikan clerical Orderr devtoed to war, crafting and pain.

by Columbia Games

Order of the Pillar of Fire

The clerical sect of the Church of Agrik sponsoring the Fighting Order, The Companions of Roving Doom and neary destoyed by the Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel. They want revenge.

by Columbia Games

Companions of Roving Doom

An Agrikan fighting order sponsored by the clerical order, the Pillar of Fire. The Companions are a powerful force in Rethemi affairs and are known for their efficiency, brutality, and intimidation.

by Columbia Games