Session 16

General Summary

12th Day of Julista

After another spell of constant miscommunication with Isabeau Forrester [to the continuing annoyance of the party] she finally explained why she had flagged down the group. The ArchProvost of the Vexlorn Arcanium had requested an audience with the party as soon as they were able. Sensing a flash of gold in their horizon, the party agreed. They swung by their rooms at the inn and got cleaned up.
At the Arcanium the ArchProvost; a man named Leinardo, explained the situation. A fortification the Academy had up north went dark a week ago. He sent a group of Arcanium mages to investigate, but they too went dark. Fearing the worst, Leinardo asked the party to head up to Ulympius with his ViceProvost, Deckard Montesoir to find out what happened.... for a good price of course. With another contract on their plates, the party headed back to rest up. At the inn Balthazar meet a woman named Janessa Schonsaur; captain of the Swift Valkaria under orders of The Doge of Perfume Bay, Diero Marivald . He sent the ship to Vexlorn to support the party as they saw fit. How convenient everyone thought.

13th Day of Julista

The party awoke to a foggy morning and headed down to the docks. There they met Deckard and Janessa; then jumped aboard the ship and sailed north (to destiny, maybe... probably). After a full day's journey, the party dropped anchor and headed to shore. Not too far on the island, they encountered the two surviving members of the mages sent to investigate. They said there were some survivors hiding in the forest, and learned what happened from them. A large undead army attacked the fortification without warning. They swarmed in butchering all the individuals working there. Most of the army left, however a small force stayed behind including the presumed leader; a woman in black leather. With the information they needed; the group entered the fortification. Deckard and the mages would fly to the top and work down, while the party was to assault from the ground floor.
Inside they found evidence of an intense battle, as well as savagery by the victors. Bones, flesh, viscera and death filled every hallway. Eventually they clashed with a zombie hoard, and then a necromancer supported by their undead soldiers. On the necromancer, Balthazar found a dagger which had the name Theo Hardie inscribed upon it. As they continued their ascent, they heard evidence of a massive battle happening on the top floor. The party fought their way to the top floor and battled a massive skeleton monstrosity. Things looked dire for our heroes, but they eventually slayed the unliving horror.
Deckard emerged from the adjoining room on the top floor, relieved to see the party had made it. He told them what happened and what he learned. The woman in black was none other than Anja Lugerritz , a former Arcanium archivist that left the organization. He and her battled, but she eventually fled. Deckard revealed Ulympius had housed a large number of artifacts and literature about a man named Krex Weiberknochen . What wasn't known to most was he was a dangerous lich, and one of the objects taken was a significant piece of his phylactery. Deckard passed along a strange artifact, and asked the party to meet with his friend Felix Tanziver in @pruwho might know more about Anja, Krex and the mysterious object.
Before the party left to head back to Vexlorn; a voice called out for help. Balthazar followed the voice and uncovered an ornate hand mirror. Surprisingly, a man inside the mirror introduced himself as Martellus Ingercrantz; according to himself; one of the finest Historians in Terrania . He asked the party to take him with them, as he could be a useful resource, and maybe, if they could, find a way to save him from his prison.

Report Date

04 Dec 2023