Session 106 - Storming the Peaceful Townhouse

General Summary

17^th to 30^th Halane (second Month of Autumn) 722TR
The story so far

Quazzy is a survivor of the Skull and Raven Cult with little or no memories of her life before finding herself the victim in some strange ceremony. The mysterious Cult Leaders, the Raven Woman, and the Golden Skull Masked Man have been trying to kill Quazzy for years. Quazzy has, at last, learned the identity of her antagonists.

The Heroes have attacked the Raven Woman, living incognito, in the Ancient Tower of the Eternal Flow of Life, a Wizards Guildhall. With complete surprise, they very nearly killed her, but she managed to escape. They now have an opportunity to loot her belongings. Then they can seek out the equally mysterious Golden Skull Masked man, hiding out in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

The continuation of Session 105 - The Academy of Water Magic.

Location - Castle of Chyrefal in the Kingdom of Melderyn.

Part 1 - A Quick Opportunity to Loot

The Heroes have very little time available to loot the room of the elderly Water Wizard Elewisa Berea, a.k.a. The Raven Woman. The Guildhall's administrator and some servants have fled to the nearby Temple of Larani and Royal Castle, presumably to raise the alarm and get help.

They find a Spellbook written in the same unique, elaborate magical script which Quazzy is very familiar with. However, it was trapped. A Blade of Ice materializes and promptly cuts down both Athena and Lucia, very nearly killing them. However, the remaining Heroes shatter it before it can do any further harm. Under the desk, they find a well-concealed compartment hiding a Staff of Frost.

The locked chest was also magically trapped, although Yureb manages to avoid being frozen solid when he triggers it. Inside are Gems, Gold Crowns, and Bags of Silver Coins and clothing. Several of the Gems are magical and a Hidden compartment has some Potions and a rare Earthmaster Artifact, a Rod of Awe.

Part 2 - Escape

The Heroes escape the Guildhall into the fields west of the settlement and then carefully make their way back to the township, hiding at an Inn overnight in disguise. The next morning Quazzy learns from some of the locals of a commotion at the Wizards Tower and that the local Sheriff has men patrolling the town's docks. The Party sneaks onto a Merchant Ship, bribe the Captain, and escape Chyrefal.

During the short voyage to the City of Cherafir, Quazzy receives a magical Sending from the Raven Woman.

Quazzy, you think you have won. I was planning to vacate that life soon anyway. I will kill you, kill your friends, kill anyone you know.

I have something special planned for that ugly Thug with a big sword. Yes, something special, indeed. This message is followed by insane cackling.

The Heroes access the Godstone at Cherafir's Chantry of the Guild of Arcane Lore, traveling directly to the Earthmaster Site of Telumar. Quazzy very narrowly avoided a mishap during this magical shortcut.

Location - Strout Manor in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

Part 3 - Kaldor

The Heroes make their way to the Kingdom of Kaldor. Strout Manor, the seat of the Sir Jirex Mallaber, a.k.a the Golden Skull Masked Man, is quickly located. However, Sir Juirex is not in residence. The Heroes learn that he is currently living in the City of Tashal in a Townhouse, although he visited last week to do a quick inspection of the estate and collect some Dogs from his kennels.

Location - City of Tashal in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

Part 4 - Revelations from an Old Friend

Sir Rayneld Ynel by Artbreeder

At the City of Tashel, Athena visits an old friend, Sir Rayneld Ynel, one of the Heralds at the College of the Holy Oak Enclave, Kaldor's College of Heralds. Sir Rayneld is disturbed to learn that Sir Jirex Mallaber is not who he appears to be. Sir Jirex is a prominent member of high society and very well connected. He provides directions to his Townhouse, which is overlooked by an impressive Cathedral of Larani.

Sir Rayneld also informs them that he is aware that the Heroes have recently been in the Kingdom of Melderyn. Through his diplomatic sources, he has seen reports that Princess Eriel Milaka, wife of the Crown Prince Jevas, and sister to King Andasin IV of Kanday, had met with the Larani Clergy. She had learned that the Sisterhood of the Crimson Dancer Knights were in the Kingdom and tried to get them arrested and charged with heresy. The Princesses Aunt, Queen Eriel of Kanday, was brutally murdered by a Crimson Dancer Assassin, and she holds a grudge.

Part 5 - Visit to a Townhouse

Investigating the Townhouse, they observe two guards outside the entrance. Yureb notes the building next to it appears abandoned and quickly breaks in. He finds some boarded-up windows which overlook a small courtyard and garden between the buildings. This garden has a back entrance into the Townhouse.

Meanwhile, Quazzy's invisible familiar enters the building through the chimney. He finds on the second floor a youngish Blonde man talking to a Knight. In an adjacent library is a rather scruffy man reading some books. Downstairs are three Dogs, a Knight practicing swordplay on a mannequin, as well as another guard and female servant in the kitchen.

The Heroes attack, Yureb breaks in via the back entrance, Quazzy, Athena, Lucia, Wilcock Dimension Door, into an unoccupied room. Arlette watches the guards from outside.

Brands on the back of the Dogs flare with magic, and the Dogs transform into large, extremely ugly, intelligent, powerful mongrels. However, the Guards and Dogs cannot fight effectively after being cursed with Blindness by Quazzy and/or Telekinetically held in place. The scruffy man from upstairs attacks with poisoned crossbow bolts, but soon all the defenders are killed, leaving only the panicked servant alive.

The young blonde man from upstairs does not attack but tries to escape out of the door, and is quickly murdered. Then the Heroes hear footsteps coming down the staircase. Sir Jirex has arrived.

Part 6 - The Golden Skull Masked Man Appears

Sir Jirex Mallaber, art by Artbreeder

Sir Jirex Mallaber, or the Golden Skull Masked Man, confidently enters the room. He does not immediately attack. Instead, he calmly surveys the dead and offers to parley. He believes that "Quazzy is the same flesh and part of the same soul" as the Raven Woman, so he is more than happy for these two women to fight it out. "Let the best version of Quazzy win." Besides, he says, the Raven Woman has become irrational and is obsessed with her plots to destroy Quazzy and her friends. He is more concerned about keeping his current position and privileges, so he offers Quazzy a truce. He will not interfere in her business, provided she and her friends don't interfere with his.

Quazzy is more than happy to agree and considers how she can use this surprising turn of events to her advantage. Yureb, the professional thief, likewise sees no need for further conflict. Then Athena decides to deliver an ultimatum. It could come to violence.

To be continued...