46 - Howls of the Bloodlands
General Summary
The ships are docked at the southern end of the Bloodlands. The party and the Hellcaster orcs progress further north, a day's journey from the walls of Eyslalea. Kayin and Edalweiss spot triangle-shaped spires in the distance, which quickly reveal themselves to be eight giant wheeled ships, pulled along by their sails across the the arid land. Once surrounded, the party is addressed by their leader, Veserin of the Bloodriders.
Kayin explains that they are simply travelers looking to find refuge at the border of the Elven kingdoms. Veserin retorts by saying the borders haven't been peaceful for months, and that the suspiciously heavily-armed party would find no peace there. He voices his concern that they are going to reinforce the elven kingdom in the recent conflict. Orceena speaks up, saying she is simply an ear collector with a fondness for elven ears, displaying her ear necklace. Veserin is confused but surprisingly convinced at Orceena's incredibly straight-forward motives. He says that the Bloodriders hate the elven kingdoms, and that they are welcome to stay at their base and join them in the raid two nights away.
The party agrees and are taken aboard two of the landships, the Balder and the Dasher. They arrive at the walls of what was likely an abandoned base, repurposed by the Bloodriders. The party is told to meet at the ruinous city hall at midnight. Celder finds an armory and purchases a great number of boomerangs for the party (six initially, then ten), giving one to Orkdos to practice with. He asks the armory keeper Quiltas if she has any special armaments and she offers him to return after the meeting.
At midnight, the party gathers with a hundred other vagabonds within the ruined city hall, with a circular stadium-like seating and a wide table in the center. Veserin climbs atop the table and gives a rallying speech to the Bloodriders. He brandishes his sword, which emits a bright, silvery glow, and calls to arms all the warriors for a grand battle one night from now, under the full moon. They hope to announce their might directly to the king and queen that they may negotiate a proper trading alliance, to bolster the future generations of Bloodriders. With a flash of his weapon, every Bloodrider begins to grow and transform into a werewolf. Most leave the city hall to spend their final night in revelry, while a select few remain at the table to discuss the plan of attack.
It is eventually agreed upon that all three parties - the Bloodriders, the Hellcasters, and the Titan Corps - will strike in unison at the weakened southwest gate. Celder asks Quiltas about the lycanthropy - she states it is an old curse, given to every Bloodrider at adolescence. Normally lycanthropy is uncontrollable, but their leader Veserin is 'special', blessed by the Eternal Selune with an enchanted weapon and mastery over magical transformation. With his power and leadership, the Bloodriders maintain their sanity and the strength of their werewolf forms.
Quiltas takes them back to the armoury, where the party purchases a small handful of magical items. They retire for the night, ready for the long-awaited day ahead.
Rewards Granted
Full Party + Orkdos - Boomerang (Weapon), ten total
Celder:
- Bag of Holding sold for 600gp
- Marble Elephant bought for 3000gp
- Battering Shield bought for 1500gp
- Bought Cape of the Mountebank for 1800gp
Character(s) interacted with
New Characters
- Veserin: Leader of the Bloodriders, blessed by the Eternal Selune. He wields a magical scimitar that allows the Bloodriders to shift in and out of lycanthropy.
- Quiltas: Lycan, owner of the Bloodriders armoury. Offered Celder more information on Lycanthropy should he be interested.
- Bastion: One of the rowdy, drunk-prone Bloodriders. Calls Edalweiss 'long-ears'.
Notes
Quiltas' Shop:
+1 Double-Bladed Scimitar
Siren Song Lyre - 1100gp
Helm of the Gods (Heliod)
Molten Bronze Skin - 800gp
Report Date
06 Jun 2020
Primary Location
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