Session 388 - A Black Knight
General Summary
25th to 26th of Kelen - Spring 728TR
The story so far
A group of heroes battle the evils haunting the beleaguered Kingdom of Kanday.
Sir Odin, a former Erkan of the Checked Shield, has been raised to knighthood.
Remy, a former master thief and active gambler, has won and lost fortunes.
Abaddon has traveled the wilderness, perfecting his impressive martial skills.
Edelina, a scholarly priestess of the god of Knowledge Save K’Nor, joins them on their adventures.
This is the continuation of Session 387 - On the Trail of a Murderer.
Location - Gimon Barony, in the Kingdom of Kanday.
Alvor of L'sean, a traveling priest of Ilvir, has been murdered in a brutal ritual consistent with a Morgathic human sacrifice. The heroes are tracking the killer, who appears to be a knight.
They have learned that the murderer is looking for Wichard of Roxby, likely seeking a small ebony box in his possession. A business partner asked Wichard to deliver this to the City of Tashal in the Kingdom of Kaldor, but because the short-lived Empire of Lothrim overran it, this trip was delayed. Wichard is believed to be seeking help from someone called Wilt in Edaxe Manor.
Part 1 – Wyverns
The heroes race towards Edaxe Manor but encounter a disturbing scene; on the road near the lead mine close to Posiar manor, they find a shattered wagon and two dragon-like wyverns feasting on the remains of the horse and a driver.
The heroes attempt to drive off the horrors, but fiends launch themselves into the air and plummet down onto the party. Abaddon is caught in the talons of one beast but drives his spear through its head before it has the opportunity to fly high and toss him to the ground to his death. Odin and Remy slay with the second beast while dodging its vicious bites and poisonous tail spike.
The dead body is of a miner; he was transporting a wagon load of wood to the nearby lead mine. The heroes inform the miners of the tragedy and move on.
Location - Edaxe Manor in the Kingdom of Kanday.
Part 2 - Edaxe Manor
The heroes also learn that a grim-looking knight was here a few days ago asking about the merchant Wichard of Roxby. He apparently threatened Pagin, the Cooper who gave him lip, but backed off and headed east when Sir Valin intervened.
The party also discovers that Wilt is an old holy man who has been living in the settlement as long as anyone can remember and is generally ignored except when healing is needed. He tends to a trio of ancient stones called the Three Sisters.
However, the party is temporarily detained by the suspicious bailiff. Sir Valin Halore wants to know what is happening, but the honorable Odin quickly gets him on their side. The bailiff did not like the look of that knight who arrived a few days ago, not taking well to him threatening those under his charge, even if it was the rather annoying barrel maker. Sir Valin agrees to let the heroes continue their investigations.
Part 3 – Undead in the Woods
Suddenly, two hideous creatures emerge out of the woods from the direction of the three sisters. Walking corpses of a bear and a wolf. The dead animals are covered in deep cuts, broken bones, and torn flesh and fur, but this does slow them down. They prove very savage and dangerous. The heroes are covered with injuries; however, Edelina literally shines, summoning the holy light to Save K'Nor, revitalizing the wounded, and turning the undead to dust.
The party picks the simple lock and investigates the cottage. There is more nature symbolism and a shire to Siem, the Elder God of Nature. This Wilt is a nature priest, more precisely, a druid. Furthermore, Abaddon finds an acorn and an arrow emblem carved into the wall, symbolizing the Uthriem Roliri. The near-mythical Uthriem Roliri is a secret brotherhood of Siem worshipping human Rangers and Druids who protect the wilderness.
Part 4 – The Three Sisters
Thinking that the Knight may return soon, Wilt performs a small ritual and speaks to the local birds and animals. He soon learns the evil Knight is on his way and should arrive at Manor before sundown. The heroes prepare an ambush.
Part 5 – Sir Morghan Cade
The dense woods northwest of the manor make a perfect location for an ambush, so Remy, Abaddon, and Edelina hide while Odin becomes bait.
Odin dodges and counters with a well-timed strike, his greatsword shattering Sir Morghan's shield. Then Remy, appearing from the undergrowth, conjures three spikes of iron that dart towards the knight, embedding deep into Sir Morghan's back. He does not seem to feel pain, but his injuries look serious. Abbadon dashes forward, striking the knight with his spear, and sneaks back into the woods.
Now it’s the evil knight’s turn to create mayhem; his vicious horse delivers a hoof into Odin’s chest, stunning him, then Sir Morghan smashes down with his fail, hitting the hero heavily in the side and knocking him unconscious, with serious internal bleeding. Odin is dying, and the knight turns his attention to Abaddon. Abaddon dashes in again, delivering a few good jabs, and darts away, but this time, the enemy is ready, and he is caught and knocked out by a backswing from Sir Morghan’s fail.
Things go from bad to worse as the missing undead wolf arrives and tears into Remy. Unfazed by the wolf, Remy fires three more metal spikes at the knight, but this time, only one connects. Sir Morhgan charges in and smashes Remy, nearly knocking him senseless. Encircled by Sir Morhgan and an undead wolf, Remy summons wind and sparks and flies up a nearby tree, safe from the undead wolf but not the evil knight. Meanwhile, Edelina sneaks through the foliage and delivers healing magic to Odin, saving his life. Then, while the evil knight is distracted by Remy, she invigorates Abaddon.
Remy destroys the wolf with a searing gust of blast of wind and injures Sir Morghan in a spark shower while escaping again. After taking a healing potion, Abaddon delivers a deep stab into the knight’s side, which is contemptuously ignored, and then retreats back into the woods. Sir Morhgan now eyes Odin again, wanting to finish off the courageous knight, and charges swinging his fail but narrowly misses. “He’s made a mistake; he’s come too close,” Odin thinks as he desperately thrusts his greatsword with all his remaining strength. The sword penetrates through a gap in Sir Morhgan's armor, striking deep. The evil knight's face is twisted with rage. He is about to spit a curse, but as he opens his mouth, he suddenly crumbles into dust. He is an Amorvin, a free-willed undead, gifted by Morgath, the god of chaos and destruction, thirteen "lives," and the heroes have just ended one. His horse is also undead and fights on with mindless fury, but it is quickly destroyed and also turns to dust when destroyed.
The heroes fully expect Sir Morhgan Cade to return seeking revenge. But first, they resolve to deal with the black box and the evil relic contained within.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Sir Valin Haloren - Constable of Edaxe.
Wichard of Roxby - Merchant.
Wilt of Edaxe - Druid and Uthriem Roliri Guardian.
Created Content
Related Reports
Player Characters
Odin - Human - L6 Ranger
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetype - Investigator.
Abaddon - Elf - L6 Monk
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetypes - Druid.
Remy - Human - L6 Kineticist (Air and Metal)
Background - Acrobat.
Archetypes - Acrobat.
NPC Companion
Edelina - Human - L6 Holy Sage Sorcerer
Background - Astrologer.
Archetypes - Psychic.
