Session 56: Birth of a Kingdom

General Summary

Returning to Anexa

3rd of Spirende 22nd year of the Second Era The Regulators spent the journey back to Anexa working on their personal projects and getting to know their new companion Echo. Malcolm asked about her skill set while training Jack. Meara lent her the disappointing erotic novel Love like a rock and went on working on healing potions. One of the potions was a failure but Malcolm gave it to Zuko as a prank just to see what happens.
Amis Boone spent much of his time on the ship with his fellow tinkerer Trystan Evan. Echo read Love Like a Rock and noticed that the story (minus the awkward love story) sounded similar to a story she had heard in the Fae Realm.

Late To Their Own Funeral

6th of Spirende 22nd year of the Second Era
When The Regulators arrived at the Anexa Spire, the dock master seemed shocked to see them and suggested they hurry to the estate of Clambock Levut. Malcolm quickly realized what the problem might be. When they arrived at the estate, Clambock greeted them, sporting what would soon become a black eye. He mentioned that he had arranged a funeral service for the three of them, as word had reached Anexa of Malcolm's faked death.
Clambock warned Malcolm that Arget Ethyn was in a rage that he had not written ahead to inform them that the death was a ruse. As they entered, a vase was thrown in their direction that thankfully missed all of them. Clambock was made to read the news call that had reached them before Malcolm had:

"Turmoil in Laurum Sor. Daimyo Román Dávalos has been killed in his own home along with a number of his personal guards, all retired members of the Tercio Legion. The culprit is believed to be none other than long time fugitive and wanted murderer Percival Boone. Boone was seen being escorted into the the Davalos est ate, but was nowhere to be found after an apparent struggle inside. Percival's father Amis Boone is also missing. A short time later, the stolen airship that was seen leaving the estate was found several miles away, crashed and burning in an orange grove. The bodies of two adult humans were found onboard. Percival and Amis are assumed dead, but the Tercio Legion vows to remain vigilant for any sightings of them, in case this was some sort of ruse. However, most believe this is the end of the story of the notorious man who evaded the legion for years."

Arget vented her frustration and Malcolm acknowledged his mistake but informed her that he had rescued his father and was catching up without him on the trip home, so he had not stopped to think of the possibility that his faked death would result in confusion back home. Amis apologized for the distraction he had caused but also pointed out that he had believed his son dead for years. This seemed to calm Arget some and Malcolm offered to take both Arget and Amis out to brunch to get acquainted. Clambock mentioned that it was vital the Regulators stick around for at least another day, but didn't say why.
Zuko spent the day shopping while Echo and Meara went to the local notice board. They found a Huntsman bounty for a nearby village that was dealing with a potential creature abducting miners in the local mine. Traveling to the town they investigated the mine and found evidence that the mine had intersected with a natural deep cave containing a Cave Fisher, a large spider/scorpion hybrid with valuable resources when killed. Meara decided it was a threat best dealt with by the whole group and informed the village foreman that she would be back with reinforcements the next day, and they should stay out of the mine until then. The foreman complained that it could bankrupt the village to shut down operations for a day so she payed them 1000 gold pieces to hold them over. The foreman then asked what was in the mines and Meara told him before leaving.

Birth of a Kingdom

7th of Spirende 22nd year of the Second Era
The next morning, the Regulators, including Thradreg Duskchin, Kaylee and Trystan Evan were ushered to a carriage and brought to Fort Anexa. The fort was largely rebuilt but still under construction. The cliff had been reshaped, allowing the footprint of the fort to expand. The old square towers were now octagonal and broader. From the outside the fort appeared to be manned by the Cerulean Guard, but once they passed the gate, they saw guards wearing the symbol of The Holy Regulators. Shorty after they arrived they were greeted by Ethed who was surprised she was not informed they would be coming.
Alexandra Nordheim also arrived to greet them and explained that they had business with the Order of the Crystal Eye. Ethed seemed annoyed but showed them into the fort and to a central room that contained a small fountain. On the way she informed them that the Holy Regulators were well on their way to having 20 knights and many loyal unsworn fighters supporting their operation. Alexandra cast a spell on the fountain and the water stopped before a spiral staircase formed below it. Malcolm, Meara and Zuko recognized it as the same secret entrance they used to access the fort's basement when it was the headquarters of the assassin's guild (see: Session 8: Fort Anexa.
The basement had also been entirely altered to contain the secret headquarters of the order. They were brought to a meeting room where they found Jarl Rupert Wasser waiting for them. He explained that it was time plan their next moves in the secession of the knew Palhas Kingdom. He started by giving Sebastian Braun the floor. Sebastian reported on the Earrenian Imperial Vanguard's movements and the results of their first encounter with the army of Orcus. The vanguard suffered heavy loses during the battle, and the fallen were added to the ranks of their enemy. Many died after the retreat as well due to the cursed nature of their wounds. Malcolm pointed out that this soudned similar to what Ardun Aaryanfar suffered from, and mentioned the potion Ardun was using to slow the effects. Lord Ozin Lorimer joined them at about this time and reluctantly agreed to contact The Serapis for information on the potion.
The Jarl then informed them that Alexandra had a vision confirming that when the final conflict at Hame occurs, Palhas will be an independent nation. The vision also showed that he commanded an army not only of Palhas but many others, including a strange, seemingly stone army that rose from the ground at his command. The Regulators were encouraged to consider what allies they had made that could participate in this battle, and to let him know if they learned anything about this stone army that was seen in Alexandra's vision. Kaylee agreed to reach out to the religious community to recruit healers for the fight. Lorimer agreed to recruit battle mages for the army.
Sebastian then gave a report on the deserters' prison in Frielos Province. Roughly 8800 prisoners reside there with a prisoner to guard ration of 4 to 1. Most of the prisoners maintain military discipline but without their original chain of command, and some smaller groups have broken off into smaller gangs. Lorimer explained that the prison relies mostly on the natural rock formation around it as well as structure at the entrance. The prison also has an arcane detection system that will inform the guards if weapons other than their own are smuggled into the prison. Small weapons made or converted inside the prison evade the detection. He also informs them that magic items of extreme power or that are constantly active may also alert the guards but items that are mundane and usually dormant may go unnoticed.
The Jarl explained that he wants to plant the Regulators inside the prison where they will determine the loyalties of the prisoners, deal with outliers, and stage the prison break.
To Be Continued.....

Report Date

25 Jan 2022