Session 89: Sir Dain of Thrane in the Rain, Unconstrained

General Summary

• Theobald responded to the Crew's inquiry regarding the note from AKM. He said he knows many members of the high-ranking Brelish government personally, and has spent a not insignificant amount of time around them. If they intend to pursue this lead, Theobald would be happy to serve as consultant on the matter. They would need a more efficient way to communicate — he could pull some draconic strings to procure a twin of the mirror they got from Zorvoth’s hoard.
• The Crew obtained several items from Marketplace - Horseshoes of a Zephyr, two Arcane Propulsion Arms, and Gauntlets of Flaming Fury.
• Philip revealed how he knew information about the Shadow in the Flame. Hesitantly, he told you:
  • It was near the end of the War, near the edge of the Mournland. His company had retreated into a collapsed temple, but an explosion drove them even deeper into it.
  • Deep within the ruin, half-buried under fallen stone, Philip found a tattered, silken blindfold bound around a strange obsidian mirror. The blindfold whispered to him, and he could not resist its call.
  • After touching it, he saw a hearth of bright silver flame, but emerging from its shadows was a twisted, demonic being with broken wings and weeping eyes. It spoke to him — describing to the call of the Shadow in the Flame, and its true nature rooted in ancient history.
  • Turning from the demonic creature, he saw the silhouette of a crone, veiled in chains of shadow and slimy parchment.
  • The vision was prophetic of both the past and the future. He knows now that the figure in the vision, the figure showing it to him, was Sora TerazaHe spoke of his vision to one person — Elder Adonai, the leader of High Hopes Silver Flame Temple in Sharn. Adonai said other powerful clerics of the Silver Flame have learned the same thing.

Adventure on the Lightning Rail

• The Crew decided to take the lightning rail to Fort Light. N'nchyk thought it prudent to wildshape into a cranium rat
• House Orien is quite thorough, and their stations include magic detection gates to board the train, so N'nchyk's presence would likely be revealed. However, Philip discerned that the guard would only care that Rat'Chyk paid for a ticket.
• Philip purchased luxury tickets for each member of the Crew. This included a private room, a Shardcast, arcane locks, a private bathroom, a feather bed, large storage, and a bound elemental guardian. Sylvain was placed into steerage.
• Frisian decided to speak to the conductor. He was mildly surprised that the Crew was not directly behind him. He learned the Fort Light stop was no longer in service, and the conductor vehemently denied Frisian's attempted bribe, insisting she had a tight schedule to adhere to.
• Dooturr frightened a young Orien usher, learning that it would take about 30 minutes to reach Fort Light.
• Meanwhile, Ashpin, Frisian, and Rat'chyk sought to investigate the steerage compartment, passing through the majority of the train on their way. Steerage was guarded by an orc, but merely sought to learn their business, paying no mind to Ashpin's justifications.
• Sylvain was not alone in steerage, but little seemed notable. N'nchyk noticed a slight glimmer on the caged scorpion. Ashpin inspected the door, and using his knowledge of land vehicles, recognized the mechanisms by which it could be unlatched, as the binding magic was not currently active.
• Gathering in Philip's room, smoking a pipe and larkleaf, the Crew hatched a plan to jump the train at Fort Light. Viribus, Dooturr, Bagan, and Philip would jump via the private viewing area afforded to those with luxury tickets. Frisian, Ashpin, and N'nchyk would depart through the steerage door.
• The plan was executed without a hitch. Ashpin unlatched the steerage door and gracefully departed atop Sylvain using his Horseshoes of a Zephyr. N'nchyk wildshaped into an eagle and flew out. Frisian used Jhonathiin to fly. Viribus Levitated himself and Dooturr, while Philip ensconced himself in a Resilient Sphere. Bagan angrily jumped high into the air and landed on the ankle he had sprained in an attempt to fix it. He took 42 damage.

Sir Dain of Thrane

• Having successfully departed the lightning rail, the Crew could see Fort Light in the distance. Frisian knew from what Tira Miron told him that he needed to face this alone.
• Upon approaching the broken, storming, isometric temple, Frisian was confronted by a storm guardian.
• The fight was rather one-sided. Frisian parted the storm clouds with a casting of Sunbeam, and channeled its energy directly into the storm guardian over and over. Imbued with the blessing of Tira Miron, Frisian concentrated the remaining energy of Jhonathiin into a final radiant strike that destroyed his former weapon.
• Frisian saw a pedestal inside the temple, embedded in which was a glowing quarterstaff. However, he could not remove it, and a voice began to speak to him.
• The voice declared he state his business, with Frisian saying he was here to free Sir Dain from the storm. However, Sir Dain said that he was the storm, and he was dedicated to binding the magic of the Silver Flame quarterstaff for eternity.
• Frisian was torn as to what to do. Tira Miron said he was to free Sir Dain from the storm, but Sir Dain says he was the storm.
• Sir Dain said, “I was once a devout paladin of the Silver Flame, sworn to protect the innocent and purge darkness from the land. But when a village under my protection was overrun by a cabal of fiends — despite my desperate prayers — the Silver Flame did not answer. So I turned to the primal power of the storm, calling upon forces of lightning and wrath to annihilate my enemies. I won the battle, but in doing so, I unleashed destruction upon the very people I swore to protect. I was cast out by the Church of the Silver Flame, branded a reckless heretic. But instead of seeking redemption, I embraced my newfound power, choosing the path of the Tempest over the Light. I stand guard over this temple, ensuring none will embrace the light of this staff again.”
• Frisian riposted, “You and I are not so different, I too have been taken by the tempest. I have yielded the power of the storm and heralded the destruction of its will. I was chosen by the winds in a moment of great weakness, it saved my life, but I was consumed by it. You were called by thunder when the flame went silent and left you powerless to defend your oath. You seized the power of the storm to fight off the threat to your people, and left them in your wake. The flame lit the way for me, and it’s still there to guide you. Giving up the tempest won’t change who you are, but embracing the flame will show you peace.”
• It seemed that Sir Dain was using the Tempest as a shield because of what he had done. At Frisian's word, with a breath of relief and a "thank you", the storm of Sir Dain dissipated and faded into the sun.
• As Frisian claimed the Quarterstaff of the Silver Dawn, he rose into the air, the once-dark metal of his armor began to glow, its surface turning from tempest-forged steel to subtle, polished silver, inlaid with faint golden inscriptions of Celestial script and sprouting wings of the coautls.
• Afterwards, Tira Miron appeared to the Crew and spoke to them. Her message is available as "Tira Miron at Fort Light" in Roll20 -> Handouts -> Documents.

The Crew Returns to Sharn

• Using Transport Via Plants, the Crew appeared on their land outside Sharn. As they approached the city, a loud trumpet sounded, and a guard yelled "Sir Theobald was right! The Crew is back!" A firecracker was detonated, and visible amongst the tallest towers of Sharn was the message "Welcome Back Crypt Crew"
• The gate was lowered, and the guards cheered as the Crew re-entered Sharn. Awaiting them was a loud, boisterous parade. Banners with the Crypt Crew’s symbol were draped through the city. Warforged drummers marched through the streets, shaking the bridges. Illusions of the Crew’s victories are cast through the skies. Reenactors line the streets, and the Crew was ushered onto palanquins. Ashpin chose to flank them atop Sylvain in case he needed advantage.
• The party lasted for 8 hours - or rather, that's how long the Crew lasted before slipping out and returning to Philip's house. The party went well into the night, as there has not been much else to celebrate in Breland as of late.
• The next morning, sans Philip (who was about to take a LONG nap), the Crew departed for the Babbling Kobold, the bar started by Viribus and supported by Brucos, with the sign outside depicting their beloved Glorker.
• Upon entering, the found THE babbling kobold atop a table in the center of the bar, smashing bottles on his head to the beat of the music, egged and cheered on by patrons and members of the Dragon's Elite. The bar grew silent as they realized who had entered - Viribus in particular.
• Yet, Viribus gave a rousing statement, and the bar cheered him on as he, the Crew, and Glorker rose the steps to the office floor. Glorker revealed that he had learned to count all the way to five.
• On the second floor was two of Viribus' first ever Dragon's Elite employees - Erwin Bargnaur, the skinny, sniveling, triple-major Morgrave University student. That is, formerly skinny and former student, as he had put on a significant amount of muscle and had dropped out of university to work for the Elite. The second employee is Zarvrak, a hulking minotaur than handles accounting matters of the Dragon's Elite. Ashpin noticed a new master's degree on the wall - Zarvrak had helped Erwin get brawny, and Erwin had helped Zarvrak get brainy.
• Erwin confirmed that the recent state of Sharn had been very beneficial to the Elite. Dooturr asked Erwin what he knew about Viscount Tsitak, and Erwin eagerly shared how he thought Tsitak was a strange, but fascinating figure - formerly seen as a benevolent political figure due to his rule of New Cyre, but thrust into the forefront of the public eye with his recent actions.
• Also on this floor were the two beloved pets Njord, who very quickly leapt into the ribcage of Dooturr and purred loudly, and a large terrarium housed the small dog-sized beetle Santiago.
• N'nchyk asked about Squid, and Zarvrak said he had almost killed Glorker. He also mentioned Daphen, which greatly angered N'nchyk, but the minotaur insisted he ensured no harm would have come to her.
• Zarvrak also reported to Viribus that Frankie - who now went by the alias Frunkie - had been one of the Elite to escort Nicholas to the Mournland. Frunkie had been rising through the ranks of the Elite, and earning himself a reputation for his unarmed fighting. He had left his house key to Zarvrak, who was to give it to the Crew while he was gone.
• After leaving the Babbling Kobold, the Crew was accosted by Brick Wall, a tall warforged that said he was to escort Ashpin to the Sharn Council chambers for a meeting. Ashpin complied.
• Outside the chambers, one of the guards insisted Ashpin sign his longsword with a metal etching tool.
• Ashpin entered the chambers to a chaotic scene. A Sharn Watch captain was concluding a report: Droaamic mercenaries are suspected of infiltrating Sharn via smuggling rings. Warforged and shifter communities are under suspicion, and the councilmembers were engaged in a fierce debate.
• Ashpin made a rather commanding entrace, and he noted each of their different reactions to his return. They each had a public reaction, and Ashpin was able to discern several hidden reactions (in parentheses): Gavanithyx: stern cordiality (mild relief), Thurik: mild surprise, Shassa: acute friendliness (very happy), Bianca: sweet flirtatiousness, Nolan: gruff indifference (gruff indifference), Evik: blunt patronization (threatened).
• First, the Council asks Ashpin to hire the Dragon’s Elite to hunt a pack of werewolves on the outskirts of town for a discount using his alliance with Viribus.
• Next, they say Ashpin’s absence has led to chaos in Dura — part of which is the Anvilbender’s territory. They need to be brought back in line — the Council has even received a note from the King's Citadel saying they have created a file on the organization.
• They request that the Crew gives a speech to rally the city.
• They give Ashpin paperwork regarding his vote on several topics that are currently tied:
  • Cut the budget for education or public welfare. Ashpin votes to cut education
  • Taxation — increase or decrease. Ashpin votes to increase.
  • Prince Cornelius has requested aid in the form of manpower and gold. Ashpin votes to deny the motion.
  • There is a disease outbreak in the lower districts, and there is no House Jorasco to help. Ashpin votes to aid the outbreak.
• After everything, Shassa introduced herself personally, and welcomes him back to Sharn. She expressed her concern with Cornelius' claim to the throne, and Ashpin explains that his veto was more related to his efforts to prevent another war. Shassa directly asked where Ashpin and the Crew were, and Ashpin explained they were indisposed fighting a very strong enemy - "we were bested, outsmarted, hoodwinked". Shassa asked if he meant by Droaam, but Ashpin said he was not at liberty to discuss in such a place. 
• Shassa reminded Ashpin that Breland deckared war because of him and feels she is owed an explanation. She also said her brother, amongst many other brothers, sons, and fathers, that were deployed to fight. Ashpin said that with their return, the bloodshed will end.

Report Date

29 Apr 2025