Session 40: Temple of the Black Star

General Summary

Under New Management

32nd of Wintercrest 22nd year of the Second Era
The Regulators rushed into Boheim after Kaylee promised to catch up. Arriving in town, they were surprised to find that the Cerulean Guard, Bards from the local college, and even average citizens were faring well against the attack. The assailants were mostly undead members of the Cult of Mantus, but unlike previous encounters, they were more animalistic and seemed to lack free will. 
They proceeded towards the local Temple of the Black Star cathedral, and were ambushed by a herd of Mantus zombies, led by an undead warlock of Orcus. After defeating them, they proceeded to the temple and arrived just in time to see the body of one of the mortal priests of Allir thrown out through the temple doors.  
The Regulators snuck into the temple to find a massacre of the mortal priests. They attacked the apparent perpetrator, an undead knight, and found he was supported by two shadow mastiffs. Shortly after defeating the knight and the dogs, Kaylee arrived and helped them assess the situation. She cast a spell on one of the dead priests, while Malcolm disguised himself as Jesper Forsyth before questioning the priest. Between the priests answers and Kaylee's musing they worked out that Orcus, having realized Mantus would never return, tried to convert the cultists to his service. Those that refused were killed by the knight or set lose upon the town. 
Malcolm received a message from Alexandra Nordheim checking in because of a similar incident in Palhas City. Arget Ethyn wrote to him about some sort of attack in Anexa as well. It was clear that similar chaos was occurring in every city where there was a Temple of the Black Star. 
They followed a trail of blood under a statue that hid a staircase to a crypt below the temple, then found yet another secret entrance to a proper chapel to Mantus. Examining the room they determined that the Undead Knight was summoned and made Orcus' offer here. They found a hidden compartment in the altar that appeared to be offerings from the patrons of the church. After collecting the ill gotten gains, they set bombs in key areas of the structure and destroyed the temple. 
To Be Continued...

Report Date

04 Dec 2020