DM Journal - Session 13

Session 13 DM journal
Saving the Blacksmith’s daughter, part two.
 
Who we met:
 
Rozalyn Turner – Kidnapped. Now Rescued! Seems at least a bit impressed by the powerful, fireball slininging, sorcerer.
Melancha Vendemic – Wife of the diplomatic consul from a neighboring duchy (Anjou, located SE of Amorica). Was under the effects of Suggestion (and possibly drugged) when found. Melancha wants to go home and have this whole thing be forgotten.
Felixia – a ‘Red Sister’. Cult leader. Escaped.
Linus Forelden and Luna Forelden. Siblings. Cult leaders under Felizia. Luna had the bow. Both escaped.
Borys Kreul – Identified by Melancha. (Party killed him, along with a couple other ghouls, in the upper crypts. Felixia ran from that fight. Worth noting that Borys had the stench of a ghoul in your fight (but not before). Verxatitus can determine that he feels like a (dead) ghoul but looks like a human.
 
Collected loot:
o 200 GP Reward from Koto (on getting back to him)
o Cash on bodies = 42 GP in misc. coins total.
o ceremonial silvered spear that the cult uses during their illicit rites is nonmagical but is exceptionally crafted and worth 150 gp.
o ruby holy symbol (of their evil cult) worth 50 gp.
o finely-crafted leather whip with a bloodstone handle worth 100 gp
o candle of visions (see below).
o The red glass sculpture in this room is carved in the likeness of the Blood Goddess Marena and is worth 100 gp.
o several shelves lined with books, oddities, and jars of various dried flowers. An open letter from a Blood Kingdom Baron sits on top of one of the books. Most of the books are tawdry novels and erotic fiction.
o A book bound in blood-stained leather, titled Prophets of the Red Goddess, stands out from the rest. The tome covers a wide range of information on Marena, her influence, and her priestesses, the Red Sisters. One particular passage of the tome contains information about the implementation of red glass golems, like the ones found throughout the temple, and lists an array of command phrases for such creations, including those assigned to the golems in this temple. The book is worth 200 gp to a collector of obscure religious writings and rare eldritch antiquities. A character that examines the book discovers a note folded within its pages from someone named Shroudson.
o an assortment of gothic carnival masks and half masks worth 15 gp
o Misc. ceremonial clothes and misc mundane weapons. Let me know if you want to collect these.
o The pentagram is also a magic item (though hard to take with you).
o 2,000 gp in cash and gems in Felixia's rooms.
 
Note from the bookshelf:
1 January, 525
In the name of Baron Urslav,
Crawling Lord of Vallanoria, Keeper of the Red Sisters,
and by the unholy hand of King Lucan,
Lord of the Shroud-Eaters,
Let it be known to all agents of the Blood Kingdom: change is coming to Rennes, by the hand of our fair Sisters and the Brothers of Nicoforus the Pale, first of his name. The honorable Felixia Bael-Sheth has been appointed Red Sister of the First Order and ordained to serve the Red Mother’s mercy from our bastion within Rennes itself.
All agents of the Blood Kingdom are hereby summoned to identify any personages of significant import for conversion within Sister Bael-Sheth’s enclave. These covenants will form the bedrock of our new outpost in the region.
By the glory of Morgau and the unhallowed legions of Doresh,
In Marena’s name we conquer.
 
 
Note from the book Prophets of the Red Goddess,
 
Ms. Bael-Sheth,
Congratulations on your new post. Your predecessor was quite reluctant to communicate, and I trust you are a better correspondent.
The bearer of this letter is my agent, Borys Kreul, whom I have tasked with assisting you in whatever way you desire. He is particularly adept at acquiring prey and might serve well in procuring lambs for your goddess’ altar. He brings with him one of our latest acquisitions. An oafish lout, indeed, but this acquisition should prove effective in defending your new position. Though do be sure to keep him well fed.
-Shroudson
 
What we learn from the book ‘Prophets of the Red Goddess’:
 
Red Sisters of Marena
Marena is a destructive and vengeful goddess whose sphere of influence includes sickness, death, and decay. She promotes life in twisted forms, from the second existence as vampires that she bestows upon her favored children to her deft use of lust as a tool of manipulation and ruin.
The worshipers of Marena are a powerful force in the Blood Kingdom, where their goddess reigns supreme. In their base of power, Marena’s followers are called Red Sisters. Elsewhere, they are a greatly feared but fugitive cult called the Blood Sisters, luring victims and new adherents into the fold with lustful rites. Wherever they live, Marena’s devotees carry out the strict edicts of their goddess, spilling blood at her command, both their own and that of their sacrificial victims.
Some references in the book (Knowledge Religion) make it look like she may be the goddess Hecate.
 
XP. 7871 + 1355 = 9226
14,000 needed for 6th
 
Date: 1 day has passed. It is mid-morning on May 9th.
 
CANDLE OF VISIONS
Wondrous item, common
This black candle burns with an eerie, blue flame. The candle’s magic is activated when the candle is lit, which requires an action. When lit, the candle sheds bright light in a 5-foot radius and dim light for an additional 5 feet. Each creature in the candle’s light has advantage on Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration on divination spells. After burning for 1 hour, or if the flame is magically or nonmagically snuffed out, it is destroyed.
Alternatively, when you light the candle for the first time, you can cast the augury spell with it, which reveals its otherworldly omen in the candle’s smoke. Doing so destroys the candle.
-
 
I really should spend more time on descriptions like this one:
The Giant ghoul nests east of the door upon a pile of carrion and bone, which includes the castoff equipment of its previous meals: a longsword, a scimitar, a shield, a war pick, a suit of ring mail, a ruined suit of leather armor, and one breastplate. The ogre ghoul’s carrion pile reeks of death. A creature that searches the ogre ghoul’s carrion pile must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour.
 
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Cast:
• Bruic (Level 8) – (Level indicates size of city based on roughly the highest level of characters one might find there)
o Baron Caleti
 Colors: Blue and White
o Titus Caleti – Age 13
 Markus - Knight
o Princess Nadia Caleti – Age 22
• Gersey, Isle of
o Odzedoz Orcs
 Mega the Brash – had “The Book”, Currently in chains in Bruic.
• Malo: (level 5)
o Ruler, Sir Lucius Turullius Adjutor. He is ancient and blind and has his burgomeister run the town.
o Galerius Rhukhim Mastid, burgomeister. LN Veteran
 Militia is just enough Guards to man the gates and a small unit of archers at the Keep.
o Andolatius. He is a merchant out of Malo. Rescued by party in goblin caves.
 Cordia, his daughter. Age 18
o The White Shirt
 Herius Sallustius Aywin Luphine - LG male high elf noble), who most see as a bit of a snoot,
 Faleria Bezka - bartender who keeps everyone coming back night after night. Bezka drinks almost as much of the ale as she sells and loves to dance on the bar. Rumor around town is that she's in a relationship with the burgomeister, but neither will confirm or deny the allegations.
 BARD: Jacques Pescin of the College of Lore, slight mentor to Barton.
o The Sparkling Lookout
 Valcryn Vorpos – Gnome sage
 DEAD: Vibius Ruhmeid Nammod – NE Oracle/Sage/Mage = Attempted to kill the other sages to cover up his stealing a book.
• Hulay ?
o Docks:
 Rahl is the current master of the docks.
 DRUID: Andecarus maintains the temple but spends most of his day lending a hand to the sailors down at the docks. Runs an Open Air worship of the Celtic god of the Sea (Manannan Mac Lir).
 Samis – local sailor – Delivered and picked up from Gersey
o Temple of Jupiter:
 Publius Dossenius Damasippus - Head Cleric at the Roman Temple.
o Veniena Graki (female thug). – Runs a black market outside the Sisaboat gate.
• Méloir-des-Ondes – Voidwater Mine (Level 3)
o Terris Westmoore – Mine Operator
o Aleith is a cult fanatic., Follower of Hades (And Apollo!)
o Gendra Jade: The owner of the Falling Rod, a tavern
• Paris (Level 13?)
o Luis Invictus. Son of Charles. Has just taken power.
 Colors: Blue and Gold.
o Charles Invictus. Emperor of Greater Francia. He calls Paris his New Rome. He came to power 30 years ago, promising a new Roman Republic. He does have a Senate but they are nothing more than an advisory council. We probably need a way to show how strong he and his government are. Charles is currently on campaign in the German Marches. Togas are in fashion. Chariot races are the great sport.
• Quimper (Level 8?)
o Baron Venetti
 Colors = Blue and Green
• Rennes (Level 10?)
o Grand Duke Bedegar. Considered a good ruler. Is said to be going to put together an army to subjugate the elves near Quimper.
 Colors: Blue and Red
o the captain of the watch (Decius Statilius Nelius)
o 13 Coins.
 Proculus is the owner/proprietor
o GodKing Goblins
 Brix was captured by the party.
o The woman in white. Human. Older. Has a shield with a rose on it. She and her party overflew the goblin hill camp on griphons. Brix said that she was the bigger boss and she once exploded a hobgoblin chief in single combat.
o Heston Turner – Blacksmith. Hates Kobolds for kidnapping his daughter.
o Rozalyn Turner – Kidnapped and Saved. Friend of Cordia.
o Skik – Kobold patron of the Rampant Rat. (Try the stew!)
o Koto Crag-Claw – Local Kobold leader.
o Kwarrel – Kobold scout. Works for Koto.
o Melancha Vendemic – Wife of the diplomatic consul from a neighboring duchy (Anjou, located SE of Amorica). Was under the effects of Suggestion (and possibly drugged) when found. Melancha wants to go home and have this whole thing be forgotten.
o Felixia – a ‘Red Sister’. Cult leader. Escaped.
o Linus Forelden and Luna Forelden. Siblings. Cult leaders under Felizia. Luna had the bow. Both escaped.
o Borys Kreul – Identified by Melancha. (Party killed him, along with a couple other ghouls, in the upper crypts. Felixia ran from that fight. Worth noting that Borys had the stench of a ghoul in your fight (but not before). Verxatitus can determine that he feels like a (dead) ghoul but looks like a human.
• Vannes (level 8?)
o Baron Saxton. Well known boyhood friend of Grand Duke Bedegar.
 Colors: Black and Red
• White Tusk Hobgoblins – Met on Gersey, Again outside Rennes. Have actual uniforms, White bone on lapels.
o Dorokor – Hobgoblin Female War Leader – Red Half Plate armor, Fancy Axe.