Session 10 - The Defiant Crowning

General Summary

As the adventurers escaped from the portal of the shadow realm, they found themselves within a dark pathway. They went through the doors of a tunnel, and soon found a small, stony room with Augustin Souris within it, waiting for them. Augustin discussed with the adventurers their journey, and was worried about Amelie's death. However, Amelie denounced Augustin, calling him a traitor, which disturbed him. The two mages discussed the matter of vampirism, on how Augustin wanted to avoid death, while Amelie mentioned death was a natural part of life. But Augustin was not pleased, angered at death's grasp, for taking his wife, and then his daughter, Abigail. Org mentioned that Augustin was not a good father for letting Abigail commit evils, and this angered Augustin, who cast Hold Person on Org and intended to murder him.
Amelie, however, uncovered this form of Augustin was a mere illusion. The adventurers were blasted by a Cone of Cold spell, but in 12 seconds Amelie dispelled the illusion, causing it to collapse into a pile of snow and hair. Amelie looked over the spell curiously, though she failed to know it was a Simulacrum all along. The party then departed the fortress they were inside and, strangely, found Sunjar and Prince Philippe in the darkness of the woods past the hidden fortress. Amelie and the rest were surprised to see Sunjar alive, but Sunjar barely spoke of how he escaped. Instead, he asked they be on their way out of the woods and to safety.
The party stopped by the Lake of Vine, finding their old emaciated horses and equipment, and then travelled down the river to the town of Vine. They disguised Prince Philippe with the Cape of the Mounteback and entered the walls of the town, hearing that Ieasbreda was now the Queen of Larian and Halfia ever since the king had died. Amelie came to the house of her parents, Daniel and Ida Dumas. The family was worried about Amelie, and over dinner they asked her and her companions about their adventure. (Org, in this time, used much of his silver to buy dinner at a local tavern and bought so much alcohol that he made it free for everyone in town for a week's worth.)
During the night, Terra and Thimbleswipe saw a strange creature depart from one of the magic stores on their watches. In the morning they discussed it quietly with Amelie as they cooked breakfast. Org helped Daniel Dumas milk the cows. Then in the morning the party went shopping, coming to The Dragon's Goods and Treasures to meet the wizard Lenard and his psuedodragon. They bought many powerful items, including a +1 shield, a Sword of Sharpness, and a Ioun Stone of Protection. Terra discussed with the wizard, realizing he was a Silver Dragon in disguise, and Lenard swore her to secrecy.
They also went to the blacksmith, where Prince Philippe bought a +1 sword with credit, telling the blacksmith there, a dwarf named Bobur, he would be recompensed. The adventurers then went to the local Duke's fortress, but as they went inside, Amelie was shocked to see a different duke in power. Now, a man named Charles Garnier was in control. Philippe revealed himself to the Duke, telling him to show his support, but the Duke nearly had Philippe arrested to become a ransom to the queen, before Sunjar revealed his folly. Philippe mentioned that he was the rightful King of Larian, and that Charles would certainly be deposed if he regained power. This scared Charles enough to put away his guards.
Philippe then commanded Charles to gather the dukes of the land toward the city, for he needed to show he was alive. In the following week, dukes from across the realms of Gotha came toward Vine, and crowded within the court of Charles Garnier, including the Four Swords of Fenestein. There, Philippe was recognized as the true King of the Goths rather than the pretender Ieasbreda. Philippe gained the support of the Houses of Mane, Anbleu, Monnorie, and Auberdine, and the dukes of the land bowed to him. Philippe was then crowned with the Bronze Crown of Manneruck by the Bishop of Fenestein, and was declared the King of the Goths.
With this crowning, King Philippe rounded up the Knights of the Four Swords and told the dukes to ready their levies. He suspected that their defiance to Ieasbreda would lead to further fighting. Philippe brought his companions, the adventurers, with him to Fenestein, and they rode toward the capitol city.
In Fenestein, the gate guards, loyal to Halfia, at first refused to let Philippe and his allies inside, but Philippe threatened them, telling them if they did not they would all be arrested for treason. The guards then let Philippe inside unopposed, and the knights poured into the city, regaining control over the capitol. Philippe then marched into the King's Palace, and there the adventurers found Queen Ieasbreda, pale and weak. Terra noticed the bite marks on Ieasbreda's neck, and the party realized that Ieasbreda had been infected with vampirism herself.
Ieasbreda, a regretful old woman, told Philippe she had fallen for Augustine's lies and helped with his plans, for she desired love from her family. However, she realized Vampirism, and gaining the crown of the Goths, did not bring satisfaction. She cried as she realized she lost her brothers to her own wicked schemes, and felt trapped by the curse of vampirism. The party knew the only solution: to kill her with a stake in her resting place. Ieasbreda led them to her chambers, showing them her coffin, as well as the coffin of the dead King Gabriel. Sunjar was the only one strong enough to put the queen out of her misery. He spoke to her before her death, saying not to fear death, and that she would be relieved in peace and redemption. Then, Sunjar pierced her heart with a stake, and Ieasbreda was no more. Philippe was left alone in the chambers, to mourn the loss of his father and aunt.
But hours later, the new King of the Goths sat on the throne, though looking regretful. He talked to his long time companions now, saying that Augustin had to pay for the crimes he had committed against all of Gotha. He desired to see the vampire captured alive, but told them that if he had to die, so be it. The adventurers agreed to the quest.
Before they left they examined the old mage tower of Augustine, only to find a Beholder named Xaviex there, in the place of Augustin. Xaviex indulged in the party's company, and Amelie found the Imprisonment Orb that Mateo was stuck inside. She took it without any interference from the beholder. This was because Xaviex was infatuated by Org's message of monster equality, and thus allowed them to live, enjoying the idea of legal safety for monsters. The party quickly departed before the Beholder could realize they were tricking it.

Date (in world)

October 20th-28th, 4282

Report Date

18 Aug 2021

Player Characters

Org Orgenson, righteous Half-Orc Paladin of the Ancients. He seeks equality between monster and men and is willing to crusade for his cause. Though he appears to be a dumb brute, he has a heart and soul of gold, and a great sense of right.

Terra, fair and kind Wood Elf Fey Wanderer Ranger. She seeks to find her long-lost love in the lands of Larian, a knight whom she once met but knows not the name and face to.

Thimbleswipe, mischievous Fairy Psi-Blade Rogue. Long ago chased out of the fey lands, he now seeks a new life of mischief within the lands of men. But look beyond his heart of guile and greed and one will find a hero fitting of the fey.

Sunjar-Navi, proud Dwarf Paladin of Devotion. He has come from the lands of Bolderun to uncover more about the mysterious Vivian and uncover more truth about dwarf religion.

Amelie Dumas, adventure-seeking human Necromancer. Amelie has humble origins, growing up in a family of cheesemakers. However, after her uncle took her in as an apprentice, she has secretly studied the dark arts and finds thrills in adventuring in her studies.

Allies

Lady Jeffery, a white pig with brown splotches. She is Org's pet, and sponsor of the party.

Prince Philippe Percival, human Bard of the Sword. He is the heir to the throne of Larian.

Sunjar's Return

Sunjar floated within the shadows of death, feeling it's cold grasp shiver across his body, but he was prepared for death. But as he breathed his last, he came into the dwarven halls of Shalvalla. There he witnessed The Creator, Boldur, and a great feast prepared, and by his side being his daughter Vanu-Am. They told Sunjar that his quest was not done, for his quest was to destroy Augustin, for "Boldur loved the race of men, and did not desire to see them destroyed." Sunjar took the quest, and was deemed "Navi", an Incarnation, and thus was sent back to Talamh to continue his crusade.

---

by Paradox Entertainment

Philippe Percival as the third King of the Goths, following his grandmother Percivia and father Gabriel.