Haunting of Blackrot Session 16
Saving the Domain of Arvura
General Summary
| Name | Class |
|---|---|
| Abbott | Warlock |
| Clovis | Fighter |
| Henrietta | Blood Hunter |
| Yohgrï | Cleric |
Crimes in the Mournival
The party heads to the Mournival at nightfall for the following show:
A spotlight shines on the stage. Flanking the sides of the light are the Directors for standing front and center is Abbott. Not the real one, of course, this one holds a sign with his name like a criminal. Behind him to the left side are actors in the dark in a line.
The Sage speaks up, “Abbott Eduard, step forward. The crime? A deal with a long lost soul.”
The Critic scoffs, “He is nothing more than another mortal in denial of his age and the affects that come with it. Can he even recall the cost of this partnership or was that withheld by his degenerate associate? He will come to learn our fatalistic ways one way or another. Fate can only be dodged for so long. Next!”
“Clovis Fevre, step forward, please.”
The fake Abbott heads to the right and once in darkness, becomes an actor and runs backstage. To the left, another actor turns into a younger Clovis in a simple white ragged wine-soaked shirt once in the light.
The Sage speaks up, “The crime? Sibling negligence.
The Critic chuckles, “So sure that Tastarn would be alright in that one wretched night. Mighty powers had claimed him while on your watch! Drink can only numb the loss for so long that it took a Zarovich to sober you up! Because yet again, that precious brother you hold so dear was lost yet again to mighty powers! Next!”
“Fernando, step forward.”
The fake Clovis steps to the side and you see a pale figure with white eyes, skin and hair.
”The crime? Interplanar Intrusion? That’s a new one.”
The Critic shakes his head, “Great yellow threads are all around this one and certainly entangled in the mess of the last Creator. Ironic, given the great ambassador is here. Our Host can be a fine example why the last kin of our makers hides away our theater from other productions. Then again, he can always rewrite another role if he doesn’t like it. Ensemble is always a choice. Next!”
”Henrietta Swift, step forward. The charge? Assault.”
”To be labeled an Unfortunate is a crude thing to do. Have she ever considered the possibility that it’s warranted? Her own friends clubbed her in self-defense after all. How can she even be a functioning member of civil society when not even friends are safe? Perhaps the mayor is correct in deeming her unfit. Next!”
“Mysrie Oleya, step forward. The crime? Mass murder.”
“The directions were simple: Kill the dark elf slavers without witnesses. For a brute such as this, it got interpreted as anyone who saw you in the area! Clearly this one was unfit for the great manipulator who engages in subtleties. The gallons of evidence has been spilt. Perhaps this one was doomed from the start? Overthinking things has always been her master’s preference. Next!”
“Yohgrï, step forward. The crime? Accomplice.”
The Critic cackles a bit, “Ah yes, the one whose hands quiver without contact with the tome that has the great knowledge of Venezian magic. Helping a broken man is one thing but it is another to disappoint our Host. That is… if it can be… After all, why care about the fate of Arvura? Let it wither or let it be, it does not matter.”
By the end, the lights go out and the come back on to show the Directors on the stage, “That is the end of the showing. Come again another time.”
After the show, the Directors were rambling...
Critic - “Something has been bothering me. A small portion of actors has gone missing.”
Sage - “Perhaps it has to do with our rebellious leads? They hope to flee the theater after all.”
Critic - “But how? That is the question. No one can leave so easily on a whim!”
Sage - “There has to be some form of help. I can’t fathom what as many powerful divines are not invited!”
Critic - “They will not get far so long as the writers have a role for them and the Host having interest.”
Sage - “Perhaps you are right. All of our fates are sealed. Does it matter in the end?”
Henrietta inquired with the actors about the Mournival's content, even heading to the one who portrayed Abbott on stage, inquiring about how he got into character.
Because I'm a method actor, I had to start speaking to an imaginary friend!
Abbott and Yohgrï discussed about some of the content in the Mournival but Abbott didn't elaborate to him about it.
"Won't you tell me about this?" Yohgrï asked.
"Not to you," Abbott replied, "I trust your wisdom but I trust you haven't been a parent yet."
Beacon of Arvura
The party headed into the mountains and confronted the Beacon Guardians.
On defeating the guardians of the beacon:
With the beacon becoming active, its luminance shines even brighter over the blighted region! There is a strong gust of wind that pushes the fog back, repelling it so that the beacon’s area remains in a clear space. The grand light itself rises to the air and nearby spirits become pulled or are drawn to the calm orb above.
There is one complication as Triste appears. The spirits of the cael and vician struggle to retaliate but she stops them in place, “For divines from Haven and Inferna who give mortals purpose, you have been blinded to your own! Now, I restore you to your rightful form. Become whole again!”
The two then shed their corrupted forms, showing radiant light and the other vicious fires.
“Now, divines, your purpose is clear once again. Go and find the lost, the departed. Bring them to the beacons so they may be saved from these despoilers!”
Hesitating at first, the cael and vician spirits then dash for the open area of Arvura. In their absence, all things fall into a blissful silence to the sounds of the beacon’s thrumming.
Clovis inquired with Triste about the fate of the spirits should the Nameless Host claim the domain. Triste explained that the souls would be fine, as another lit beacon would guide them somewhere safe.
Henrietta inquired about Triste's presence back in her home town. The reason as to why was a discomforting thought for her.
Yohgrï made mention that he worked with Karnell and pushed Elnyra to head for the frontline. This would spook Morek into heading up north as well. As a result, the party worried about Arvura's fate. To quickly aid this, Clovis took a heavy cost to try and reach wherever Karnell is.
There are whispers along the way back. The mists slowly begin to coalesce around you as they become louder. They are difficult to hear at first and soon you can hear varying phrases, “They’ve gone too far,” “We will not lose our play things,” “The light is too bright” and they all culminate into one massive shout, “SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!”
The mists burst and all falls quiet at first. In the far distance. You can see a whole horde of wretches coming forward. Their feral rage can be heard getting closer. But their demeanors quickly soften when they look behind you. They then simply walk right past you. Looking back, their attention is to the only source of light in the distance: the Arvuran beacon.
The party kept traversing forward but a mighty and lanky tall figure of pure necrotic aura arose. It began to pursue the party slowly yet steadily.
Karnell's Redemption
The party reached the middle battle lines of the Revered and the Cult. Yohgrï and Clovis went toward Karnell and convinced him of the domain's imminent destruction by the Nameless Host. Through a Ceremony ritual, Setesk mentioned that spirits were keen to lash at Karnell but the party helped keep their distance. Karnell's mask became whole as he sought redemption and forgiveness. From there, the party let Karnell join up with them in their pursuit to escape the Dread Domains.
Henrietta made sure to give Karnell a threat of violence stern warning about manipulating Yohgrï again.
Arrival in East Harrow
The party goes through the mists yet again.
Through the foggy veil, whispers begin to permeate as the mists start to roil. The noise becomes louder and louder as silhouettes are on the side of the road waving. Coming down the road toward you is another silhouette on horseback giving a fond farewell.
There is a voice that emanates from beyond, “She left to serve that futile purpose and left them to their own.”
It all then fades as things quiet down. For a brief while, there is silence and the wind blowing through the trees. The voice returns, “And when they needed her most? What happened?” Then, there’s an explosion. Then two, three, and five! Screams of panic and agony are heard all throughout in the great chaos.
You see the silhouette of Triste dashing through the chaos but it’s hopeless. The damage was done. The mists begin to grow dense as you see Triste fall to her knees and holds one of the dying in her arms. Once she looks up, the mists disperse.
A statue depicting Triste and the fallen in her arms is revealed. Behind the statue are simple and rundown buildings. The grimy locals are out and about tending to fields and duties. A sign at the front of the rusted iron-barred gate reads: Town of East Harrow.
Missions/Quests Completed
- Lit the Beacon of Arvura
- Resolved the conflict with Karnell
Clovis Fevre
Abbott Edouard
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