Session 024 - Bloody Plans and Plots
General Summary
Date 29th Agrazhar (6) to 10th Azura (7) 720TR (Autumn)
The story so far
Athena's family was slaughtered as part of a conspiracy carried out by Clan Hamlen. She has learned that the Hamlen's have been having troubles of their own with their much-valued fishing harbor suffering from blight. What is going on and can it assist in her plans for revenge?
Athena travels home to the Kingdom of Rethem and after some investigation finds that the son of her fathers friend, Valim Doldrin has been poisoning the marshlands from his secret base in a nearby swamp.
Continuation of Session 23 - Muck and Revenge.
Part 1 - The Escape
The party continue their conversation with Valim Doldrin. They learn that the Hamlens have hired a Priest of Morgath to investigate the "Blight" and Valim says he has been planning to relocate to the Earldoms eastern marshes and set up operation and poison the waterways near Avonal, Athena's home manor. The damage to Deya will take years to recover, and the party agrees to assist and start helping him pack up, planning to move out the next day.
However, they are set upon before sundown. First two giant-sized oozes creatures composed of what looks like blood attack, closely followed by a huge Fly Demon. The Blood Oozes drained the blood from any they hit, adding their victims blood to their form all the while hellish drone of from the Fly demon threatened to put some of the heroes to sleep. The party manages to defeat these foes, suspecting that these could be agents of this mysterious Morgathic Priest they immediately flee. Quazzy noted a Zombie in the distance, observing the party, so uses her skills in woodcraft to help the party evade pursuit.
The party then hide in the woods overnight and decided at the last instant to change their plan. They would now to travel north to Castle of Tormau and meet with the Earl of Tormau hated rival the Earl of Ithiko.
DM's notes
Valim's Shack was under observation by a Priest of Morgath for a week, and he was waiting several more days to ensure that there were no other conspirators in the poisoning plot. If the party had delayed for more than four days, he would have sent his demonic forces in and killed Valim. All they would have found was a burnt out building maybe with some evidence of alchemy.
Viewing the party's arrival through the eyes of his Zombie, the Priest notes that some were injured and therefore vulnerable so he immediately ordered his minions (Blood Oozes and the Fly demon) to attack. Well aware of the parties threat, the Priest was planning an assault at night when his magic is strongest, but the party evaded his grasp.
Part 2 - Fire Swarm
On the road to Tormau the party sees in the sky a fiery form, a swarm of small fire elementals, these target Athena, attempting to turn her to ash. Every melee attack burnt the heroes, but the Swarm of Fire Elemental was vanquished. Athena suspects that this is likely the work of the Order of the Eight Demons.
DM's notes
Athena is correct, the High Priestess Albalny Sunis of the Temple of the Eight Demons in the City of Coranan just received the fake message from the Hamlens. The curse transferred onto the message by the Cursed Inkwell (Session 22 - Curses) has enraged the High Priestess, and she will seek to have Athena murdered as soon and as painfully as possible.
Part 3 - Plotting at Castle Tormau
The heroes arrive in Tormau and note a makeshift city of tents of the various mercenary companies. On the way to the castle, they are questioned by some guards. As they are explaining who they are, a familiar voice from behind informs the guards that they can be trusted. The parties old friend Kimar Brynn, Bounty Hunter greets them. Kimar works for the Earl of Tormau hunting criminals. At Kimar's house, they note a small shrine to Siem, the god of nature.
Kimar introduces them to Earl Denyl Lynnaeus, the Earl of Tormau and Athena have an engaging and productive conversation. The Earl outlines his plans for rebellion, his desire to place his nephew or niece on the throne and expects a civil war to break out within a few years.
The Earl is willing to return Athena's land to her after a war, provided she fights on his side. She learns that the Earl suspects that one of the reasons the Earl of Ithiko turned on her family may have been paranoia resulting from his capturing of the Ithius keep. In any event, Athena convinces the Earl to take Valim on as his Alchemist and agrees to keep in contact with Athena.
Also at Tormau is Dame Lyesa Garavania, a Crimson Dancer Knight who Athena personally knows. She is working with as a liaison with the Earl and is also planning to seize the Order of the Eight Demons temple in the City of Golotha. Unknown to all Quazzy uses a mind-reading spell and picks up a few interesting stray thoughts from Lyesa. She was trained in Psionics by her mother, who is a powerful spellcaster and is likely on the run from the Guild of Arcane Lore.
Part 4 - Travel Home
The Earl pays for transport for the party back home to the City of Coranan. During a stopover in the Golotha Athena take the opportunity to view the Temple of the Eight Demons.
Missions/Quests Completed
Made an alliance with the Earl Denyl Lynnaeus of Tormau.
Assisted Valim Doldrin escape from his swamp base in Ithiko.
Character(s) interacted with
Valim Doldrin - Son of a Dye merchant with a desire for revenge.
Kimar Brynn, Bounty Hunter - In the employ of the Earl of Tormau.
Denyl Lynnaeus - Powerful Earl of Tormau.
Dame Lyesa Garavania - Crimson Dancer Liason to the Earl of Tormau with a dark past.
Created Content
Related Reports
Kimar Brynn, Bounty Hunter - updated.
Valim Doldrin - updated.
Notes
Players Character Status
Athena - Level 8 Paladin of Vengeance - Gained Level.
Yureb - Level 8 Arcane Trickster - Gained Level.
Quazzy - Level 4 Necromancer and Level 3 Warlock Disciple of Desridaen.
