Session 31: Treason

General Summary

Aftermath

21st of Wintercrest 22nd year of the Second Era
As the hall fell silent, the two personal guards removed their helmets and remarked at the speed and intensity of the battle. The guard that originally shielded Jarl Rupert Wasser was a Half-Elf named Barros. The other was a human named Morris.
When they questioned the identity of the assailants out loud, Malcolm went in to a brief explanation about the Cult of Mantus, also warning them to burn the bodies since members of this cult are promoted through undeath.
They left the hall together just as other guards from the property were coming to assist. The personal guards ordered the others to gather up the fleeing guests and bring them to the hall to treat their injuries. Kaylee asked to stay behind to help as well. They proceeded to the Jarl's home where he thanked them for helping save his life, and rewarded them with a substantial amount of silver, and a magical item that allowed instant audible communication between the two parts with no limitation on range.
Rupert was devastated to learn that his steward Reginald Moss. did not survive. The party told the Jarl about the cult and their connection to the Temple of the Black Star. At first he did not believe it, but Lord Ozin Lorimer assured him they were being truthful. Rupert became frustrated realizing that the people behind his attempted assassination were themselves untouchable, due to their connection to the empire.
He then turned his attention to Nilron Morlamin. Lorimer scryed on Nilron and determined he was hiding in a cabin not far from the keep grounds, shouting into a chalice similar to the one the party took off the body of Emmet(person:2ccf322c-a445-45ed-803f-9f6af8d88f75). What he was saying implied the cult may have kidnapped someone to blackmail Nilron into assisting with the plot. It was the cabin of the Jarl's personal hunter, and Rupert was gravely concerned about his fate. When Rupert ordered his guards to go out and apprehend Nilron, @[Meara insisted the party go with them.
When they reached the cabin, they used the goblet to trick Nilron into coming outside, and Meara knocked him out as he came through the door. They discovered that he had in fact killed the hunter, and carried both bodies back to the Jarl's home. Rupert and the party tried to interrogate Nilron but he refused to give them any more information than what they already knew, because his family would be killed. Malcolm offered to help rescue his family, but Nilron would only take that deal if sealed by a game of Crossroads Gambit. If he won, Malcolm would be bound by threat of curse if he didn't make a good faith effort to save Nilron's family. If Malcolm won, Nilron would have to give up everything he knew on faith alone that Malcolm would rescue his family.
The Jarl warned Malcolm before he made the deal that in rescue attempt would have to be made by a third party, as The Regulators were now connected with the Jarl. Malcolm agreed and played the game with Nilron, who won buy a landslide and with no apparent interference from Tuvreus.
Nilron explained that when he returned to Fuen the day of the The Gauntlet, he was arrested and brought to a secret chamber beneath the imperial palace. There, he was confronted by the new emperor Valem Ekström as well as members of the Temple of the Black Star, and shown images of his wife and daughter being lured to the Temple in Palhas City where they were imprisoned. Valem told him that he would have to assist in the removal of Jarl Wasser or they would be killed. He explained that he knew bout the plan to dissolve the empire by council, and that his "master" would not allow that.
The Jarl was satisfied with this explanation but still disappointed in Nilron. He agreed to hold off on his execution until his family was rescued. Nilron requested that his execution be private, and that his family be allowed to believe he was killed during the attack in the great hall. Lorimer and the party convinced the Jarl to grant this request.
The party was then transported by Lorimer to the keep of Palhas City's Lord Mayor Severin Brahm where they arranged to have the plans for the temple delivered to them. They then went to the secret headquarters of The Nightshifters where they found Sebastian Braun had in fact taken Miles Gray's place as leader.
Sebastian explained that Nallula had commanded him to take over the organization, as Miles' leadership would prove a hazard to the world. While she didn't explicitly say he had to kill Miles, Sebastian knew that would be the only way. He would do his best to turn the Nightshifters into a force for good, starting with a shift in focus from stealing and smuggling physical property, to doing the same with information.
Malcolm explained his deal with Nilron and showed him the plans for the temple. Sebastian agreed to arrange the rescue immediately.

Return to Elta

26th of Wintercrest 22nd year of the Second Era
The rescue was a success, and the party stayed in the hideout for the week while waiting on the return of Serenity. During this time, Zuko apprenticed with a fletcher and Malcolm finished his second new gun. When the ship finally arrived, Thradreg Duskchin informed Malcolm that the ship had a few legal transport run but also found a great smuggling job in Rum Lin. Malcolm was very happy with the crew for doing so well in their absence, and ordered the ship to depart for Elta as soon as possible.
During the trip, Malcolm noticed an increase in temperature and an early darkness filling the sky. The ship narrowly avoided being hit by a large flaming sphere and grazed the Twilight Forest in its evasion. Malcolm ordered the ship into a safe reconnaissance distance and used his spyglass to evaluate the town. The front gates had been destroyed and a large tower now sat in the ocean just behind the settlement. It appeared demonic in design and possibly made of humanoid flesh. Near the front gate, Malcolm saw demons and two catapults, one of which probably fired at the ships.
Kaylee came to the bridge and helped identify the demonic forces, which were flying under the banners of Mantus, Orcus and primarily Diabolus. Kaylee was concerned because Diabolus was a demi-god of Akanh, but seemed to be on loan to Orcus and Mantus, meaning the Valarcour were working together.
She gave what limited information she had on Diabolus, which was mostly limited to his mortal life as a sadistic torturer that experimented on prisoners and dabbled in necromancy. The party decided they needed to take out the catapults so the ship could get closer and provide a bird's eye view as they tried to liberate the town.
To be continued... Session 32: The Massacre of Elta 

Report Date

26 Jul 2020

Primary Location

Palhas Province