Session 9 - Against the Clutches of Death

General Summary

As the adventurers approached the town of Vine, they were welcomed by a party of skeletal knights and a Mystborn warrior named Klakta, who told them they were not welcomed into the realm of Renauld the Skull Lord. However, after some convincing from Org, Klakta was convinced that the party could be a key to him escaping the realm. He faked a duel with the party, but Morganine saw through it. Still, the party had no fight against Klakta, and so he opted to at least escort them to his master. Amelie also restored the last of Philippe's guards, the cat, who turned out to be a spy named Matilda.
Meanwhile, Amelie decided to test her new abilities with necromancy, animating two skeletons to life. Sunjar suspected something was up as she left the party. She used the skeletons to try and protect the Prince at a distance, scouting for the party. Eventually the adventurers rested in the city. In the night, Sunjar looked into Amelie's magic book, looking through her spells and drawings and notes, and saw that she was acquainted with the art of necromancy. But he kept this secret to himself.
As the party awoke, they were eventually led to the castle of Renauld. The party entered without Klakta (who was forbidden from going inside) and were bombarded by flame skulls, which blasted them with fire balls and other terrible spells. The skulls were vanquished, however, and the party progressed forward after getting a breather. They then came into a room featuring a Skull Knight, who threatened to vanquish them, but Sunjar made quick work against him, making a successful Turn the Dead despite the turn resistance the knight gave, and soon he was defeated.
The party then came into the lair of Renauld, who was actually glad to see him. He explained that he knew their intentions to escape, and desired them to, but Morganine controlled his body against his will. They asked what his quarrel was, and he explained that Augustin was once his old apprentice.

"I was once a powerful Gothan wizard, working neatly under the dwarf lords of the land. Then, I started to research into the mysteries of Lichdom. Si-Wang of Pung’s writings… they were rich, but incomplete. But she discussed the Void, and I mistook that for the Shadow Realm. So, me and my apprentice Augustine Fledermaus began to delve into the secrets of necromancy. Then the war of the Queen Percival commenced, and I was killed by the dwarves. This part of the realm, this place… It was formed when I died, taking men, elves, and dwarves with me, and I became their Nightmare Tyrant. Yet Augustin remained free."

Renauld desired revenge against Augustin, who made the dwarves hunt him, while Augustin escaped with his research into achieving eternal life through the undead. However, Morganine controlled his form like a puppet, so Renauld could not slay himself to escape, nor could he relinquish his spirit. Org tried to free him through the spell Protection from Good and Evil, but it did little against Morganine's influence. Soon, his body was forced to attack them, and the party battled his skeletal form. He was slain by Prince Philippe and his royal guards, while the party protected the prince through the battle. In the relinquishing of his body, Renauld said thank you, and his spirit passed. They picked up his Bonestaff and Cape of the Mounteback.
Finally, the party came to the portal room, but they were faced by the Raven Queen herself, who blocked the portal through her form of a massive, shadowy dragon.

“You have been more than impressive, thanks to that weapon from St. Ascus! He has allowed you to cheat. I desired you all to become Nightmare Tyrants, but time and time again you have fought against my corruption. You ignored my call to war and valor. I shall make you into my servants. Behold, a fraction of my power shall be enough to destroy you in the form of a dragon, the greatest warriors of Talamh. Have at thee, and despair against the Raven Queen!”

The battle was then hurried, as the Raven Queen used her power to start to shut down the portal. Terra ran as fast as she could toward the portal, slipping under the dragon's grasp. The Raven Queen then blew a wall of fire in front of the staircase to stop the hero's progress. Philippe and his guards were not afraid of the dragon, sending volleys of arrows and attacks against the Raven Queen. However, the adventurers grew afraid. Eventually, Philippe casted Heroism on Sunjar, and Sunjar used the Cape of the Mounteback to get Philippe back to the portal. He went through, but not before inspiring his men to march on.
Sunjar turned back, as Amelie was trying to get Thimbleswipe through. Org also was trying to fight against the dragon's terror with his pig Lady Jeffery. Yet they failed to overcome, and the portal started to fade. Sunjar fought against the terror, eventually breaking through, and starting to lead the others up the staircase past the wall of fire and toward the portal. The dragon attacked Terra and Sunjar for doing this.
Unfortunately, the dragon also blew her breath at Philippe's guards, vanquishing them and turning them into shadows of themselves to attack the escaping adventurers. Amelie quickly pulled Thimbleswipe away from his hiding, and eventually led him to run to the portal. Org also ran against the dragon with his pig. The final moments of the portal came, as it began to collapse. Sunjar, surrounded by the shadows of the guards and the Raven Queen, ordered the party to run in the party without him. Org pushed Amelie through, but with a rope he was also pulled through via Amelie's quick thinking.
It was then Sunjar's last stand. The Raven Queen laughed at his peril, saying, "Your goddess Vanu-Am will not save you. You are now my prisoner forever."
Sunjar then lifted his shield at the Raven Queen, stating he would fight until the very end. The Raven Queen laughed, as she bit him, and then slashed his body. After a few blows, Sunjar, despite defending himself and wounding the Raven Queen's draconic form a bit, could not take any more. Sunjar fell onto the floor, dead, with the dragon triumphant over him. The Raven Queen howled in delight, but then, Sunjar's body disappeared, to her surprise. "What?!" she cried, but it was too late. The Champion of Vanu-Am was gone, and the heroes ultimately escaping against the vile goddess.

Those Vanquished at the hand of the Raven Queen:

• Cydric, a royal guard for Prince Philippe who gave his life fighting.

• Mortimer, royal defender of the prince, gave his life fighting.

• Matilda, royal spy of Philippe, who gave her life defending the Prince of Larian.

• IDK, Shadar-Kai elf, who gave his life defending his friends.

• Sunjar Goldray, paladin of Vanu-Am, who sacrificed himself for the lives of his friends.

May their names be forever remembered for their valor!

Date (in world)

???, 4282

Report Date

09 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, 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.

IDK, shadow elf warrior. He is a former soldier for his kind, but has betrayed them in order to help the adventurers escape the Shadow Realm.