Let the Games Begin

Written by Chrundle_the_Great

General Summary

With Kapital's new stronghold claimed, a small force seeks the Champion's Gate for magical healing and spiritual counsel. Favor is offered for a priceless treasure... then another, and another, until every faction makes their intentions known.
Months as mercenaries has afforded the debtors good graces across the board. Possible alliances hanging in the balance, their next choice is of the utmost importance.

Session Notes

• As Kapital moves into the stronghold, the devils appear and give new orders
• For repairs, the Lanterns have glass, while the Academy have cement
• While Peter attunes to the estate, a figure sneaks inside and leaves a note
1. "Would you really work for devils? Meet me in the woods. I'm a friend."
• The group trudges through the pitch-black forest and hears strange voices
1. A hidden imp is revealed and eviscerated by shadowy, abyssal magic
• Friend, large spider-like creature with a human-shaped growth on its back
1. "My patron is Lord Relg, previously chained-up in the Plane of Acheron. Let us be friends! I can assist you with those disgusting devils."
2. It asks for an introduction to the Lord of Feasts and the Beacon
3. Also, it changes a guard into a quazzit, so it can speak with Peter
• Eldemir and Peter summon their spectral steeds, Midnight and Crossroads, to pull a wagon with the group's petrified allies: Ansom, Bloodhound, Kragan
• The group first travel around Redgaard, towards Emberwood Watchtower
• With Ansom missing for weeks, more soldiers are stationed at the garrison
• Lord Commander Elias Drexel, humorless leader of the Hooded Lanterns
1. He denies the group's plan to seek healing from the Falling Fire
2. "We lack the funds to pay the Beacon or Lucretia for restoration. Furthermore, this soldier knows too many of our secrets to allow possible tampering with his mind."
3. Also, he negotiates with Peter to use part of Von Drakken Estate as a training facility and medical bay for the Lanterns
• Following flashing lights, the group finds Champion's Gate without any delay
1. Pilgrims huddle near fires, while acolytes fend off gargoyles on the walls
• Lucretia Mathias, clairvoyant visionary and leader of the Falling Fire
1. She delivers a sermon and sings an old Elyrian hymn with the pilgrims
2. She personally speaks to and embraces all who pass through the gates
• Balthazar humbly welcomes the group and invites them to sit by his bonfire
1. Peter recognizes him as Leonard von Kessel, who he met as a child
• Lucretia warmly introduces herself, congratulates Peter for his new lordship, and places a hand on his shoulder to bless him
  1. Deep in the Haze, Emer seeks an audience with the Lord of Feasts
  2. Peter, Emer, Balthazar, or the Queen of Thieves could take the throne, or Eldemir could topple it, in many possible futures
• Lucretia easily cures Kragan, and he leads pilgrims to take the Sacrament
• A Queen's Man wearing a delerium crown aims to collect Lucretia's bounty
1. Charmed haze hulks stand by his side and loosely follow his commands
2. Goblins concentrate on the crown's magic and furiously take notes
• A booming banshee's wail splits the sky as the Footman of Death approaches
1. Seeming to laugh, the metallic skeleton wears flowing black robes
2. It easily kills the challenger and sets its mirthful gaze on Lucretia
• Lucretia calls two planetars and an luminous knight astride a white griffon
1. "You who call yourself Death, you have no place here."
2. She banishes the creature, but is certain it will return to Redgaard
• She answers Grimgar's many questions about delerium, and encourages him to keep studying, because his findings may enrich lives
• Also, she promises favors if the group can retrieve St. Vitruvio's Dowsing Rod from the Chapel of St. Brenna
1. The Falling Fire wish to find relics to appoint a new champion
2. For Grimgar, she offers unpurified delerium dust for his experiments
3. For Peter, she offers hallowing the grounds of Von Drakken Estate
• Eldemir takes confession with Lucretia, who warns of choices he must make
1. "Much has been taken from you. Find the dowsing rod, and I can reveal your stolen past, during the Sacrament."
• While returning to the keep, the group sees the chapel swarming with dregs
• Alistair reveals a series of letters, one from each of the major factions
• For the dowsing rod, the Lord Commander offers a regiment for the estate
1. Also, Petra pleads that she would have enough sway to save Ansom
• In exchange for the dowsing rod, Brachus offers to pay off one person's debt and align the Wounded Hearts and his noble house with Kapital
1. Blackjack Mel adds that the Ironhelm Dwarves want to store delerium at the estate, but the Queen of Thieves could keep them from attacking
• For the dowsing rod, Big O offers wealth, enchantments for the keep, assistance with Eldemir's vorpal sword, and help exploring the wyrmen-infested clocktower
• For the dowsing rod, Benito, Cecito (freed from the pirates!), and Euclid offer Elyrian breeding horses for the stables
• All factions will search the chapel, with or without Kapital, in three days
• Also, Friend leaves a message, talking about "big plans" for the dowsing rod

Note: While we debate which choice to make, allow me to introduce another.

A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

— Joshua, "WarGames"

Character(s) interacted with

Friend
Petra Lang
Lord Commander Elias Drexel
Balthazar Adamos
Lucretia Mathias
Lady Emer von Drakken
Queen of Thieves
Brachus von Myr IX
Blackjack Mel
Osiris Chronnoly
Sir Benito
Sir Cecito
Sir Euclid

Report Date

10 Aug 2024

Primary Location

Champion's Gate

Related Characters

• Eldemir Barling
• Grimgar Boomshot
• Peter von Drakken