Session Preface:
The next morning begins abruptly with the bells of the Platinum Temple chiming the community awake, the bell tolls four times to signify an important governmental announcement is to be made. Even from your respective bed chambers, you can feel the pulse of the city quicken and an electric energy crackle through the dreary windy morning air as all of Avraathe ponders the same question, "What could this mean?"
By the time you gather and meet together at the Platinum Temple, there is only standing room on the stairs leading up to the church. The crowd around you squeezes in as even more citizens push up towards the stairs to be able to hear the decree for which you all wait. After several moments of anxious energy, a wave of hush falls over the crowd from front to back. Echoing footsteps against the marble floors ring out to you over the dead silence of the church hall.
A single clearing of the throat breaks the tension for a moment, and it is a familiar sound. The same sound which began so many messages on Bahamut's merciful justice. The calming, resolved voice of High Priest Ozen rolls over the quiet crowd.
"Blessed be the followers of Bahamut on this fateful morning! We have gathered our beloved community together to share with you joyous news of revelation and celebration. Those of you who have studied the tapestry of history may recall a name once thought lost to rivers of time, that of Clan Zirthund. Yes, the clan of the last Speaker of the migrating tribes whose devotion to Bahamut brought us to this very valley and led to the founding of this beacon of a city.
What many do not know is that Clan Zirthund has continued to thrive beyond the walls of Avraathe, following their own unique calling into the wilderness to seek the more primal and raw aspects of Bahamut's character and will. In doing so, our forefathers amicably agreed to keep Avraathe and Clan Zirthund separate and distinct to allow the two necessary components of Bahamut's entity to remain so distinct and grow in their own ways and path.
It is, however, with great excitement and declaration we announce to our Avraathian community that this long distant clan is finally returning home to be reunited as all our clans were during the migration and skirmishes over this territory. In fact, their 1,000 strong community will be gathering just beyond our walls in only a few hours time.
We understand there is a great deal of information to take in here, but rest assured, Bahamut's will is undoubtedly served by our reunion. We believe the ages of separation have prepared both community's for the seasons to come and our unification will be to the pleasing of the Platinum Dragon.
With this news, however, we must also share the reason for this event's transpiring in the first place. Clan Zirthund, previously residents of a small outcropping of ruins provided to them by Bahamut's mercy during a time of need, our brothers and sisters were forced from their homes by an invasion of orcs from the northern mountains. Just as in the last year, we will welcome these dragonborn as refugees and as family to ensure their ongoing safety as they begin to rebuild their lives.
And as for the orcish threat which forced their journey to our gates, rest assured the three pillars of Avraathe are abreast of the situation and will swiftly put a plan into motion. It may be that some of our daily routines or roles in the city change over the next few days, but those announcements will be forthcoming following the council's next meeting. In the meantime, the Platinum Temple is preparing a welcoming feast for our fellow dragonborn and encourage all those who are not required elsewhere to join us in celebrating their reunion.
On this dreary, but delightful morning, as always, may the Platinum Dragon guide you. Go in mercy and justice."
As the last words reach your ears, a cacophony of voices and scattered steps erupt from the church's sanctuary. With the revelation of a long forgotten clan and the potentiality of a military conflict, the crowd's curious energy bursts into a mix of chaotic concern and wondering. Around you, you pick up on a myriad of the concerned sentiments.
"Why weren't we told about Clan... what was the name Zethend?"
"Orcs? My great-grandfather told me about the orc war during his time and it was a bloodbath. Tiamat take those filthy mongrels."
"Wow... a whole 'nother Clan? 1000 more dragonborn? Where are we going to put them?"
"We barely have room for the last round of refugees we let into the city walls and now this?"
A bellowing voice catches your attention, pulling you from listening in on these fervrent responses.
"Parathrax. Good morning."
Through the crowd, an older, but still able bodied bronze dragonborn approaches with the assistance of a platinum cane.
"I'm told this news came on you and your allies heels late last night, hmm? Well, the War Council will be meeting this afternoon and since the three of you seem to be at the center of all this with insights we are otherwise ignorant of, we'll have a seat for each of you. You know the meeting chamber in the barracks up on the third floor, hmm? The meeting should give you just enough time to greet the new clan and retrieve the orc captured for interrogation. I'm told Captain Irudru is expecting you. One last thing. These meetings tend to go on and on. Lots of bureaucracy. I'd make sure to take care of any pressing business before we get wrapped up in the back and forth of it all, hmm?"
Session Summary:
Heeding the advice of the Supreme Commander Vergraks, the party begins the 21st of Hammer by requesting audience with Orin Underfury to wrap up their work in the mines of removing the kobold threat. 1000 gold richer, the party then makes stops at the Apothecary Imports for 6 healing potions, 1 greater healing potion, and a superior healing potion for 850g. Vorothruun then stops by to see Kala at Scrolls and Shelves where he purchases an Ice Storm scroll and receives an Amulet of Spellsave as a temporary loan from the woman who served as a maternal figure in the years of Vorothruun's preparation for the Augurium. Finally, Endriel made visits to both of his Harps, learning from Madlyn of the mixed emotions of excitement and dread amongst the Talons of Justice and discussed with Durth the almost indifference of many of the mining community who just want work to continue as normal, but realize they will likely be conscripted into other tasks.
As the sun rises to its midday peak, the weary travelers of Clan Zirthund arrive at the gate and are pleasantly surprised by the feast and kind welcome they receive. Parathrax and other leaders meet the Speaker and Elder at the gate before the festivities begin. As the communities mingle and start the long process of integration, Endriel joins Caption Irudru outside the city walls where the dragonborn prepares a sort of questioning ritual to glean information from the captive orc. After an hour of conversation, the three return inside where the orc is guided to the prisons after being promised eventual release to secure his place as a leader of an orc camp following the other captain's defeat at the hands of the combined forces of Avraathe and Velqwen.
Preparing for the meeting itself, the party introduces Speaker Zorvathrax to the Supreme Commander and request a seat for him in the meeting room, which is granted. The meeting starts shortly after their arrival and includes several members of the community who in turn introduce themselves and their roles within the city.
- Justiciar Bronzeroar
- High Priest Rethdar Dradke
- Headmaster Chauncer
- General Maldur of the Platinum Order
- Supreme Commander Vergraks of the Talons of Justice
- Colonel Vyodaar of Clan Othrumi of the Talons of Justice
- Captain Irudru of Clan Kelthoro of the Talons of Justice
- Judge Thren Wyvernthorn, Overseer of Infrastructure
- Speaker Zorvathrax of Can Zirthund
- Parathrax, Vorothruun, and Endriel
After initial introductions, High Priest Dradke opens the meeting in prayer to Bahamut, beseeching the Platinum Dragon for wisdom and guidance. Vergraks then walks through the itinerary of the meeting and begins by requesting intel from Captain Irudru of what he's learned and then addressing the matters which concern the Judge and Headmaster so as the relieve them of the other details of the meeting not relevant to their domains.
Captain Irudru speaks plainly and direct with his understanding of the situation, explaining the orcs plan to drive the bulk of their forces to Avraathe in just less than a tenday. While orc war bands typically travel faster, they bring with them dwarven-designed war machines which move slowly but could have devastating effects against the walls of Avraathe. He then outlines on the maps splayed across the table the southern ruins which the orcs use as a secondary stronghold as well as the smaller encampments of raiding parties to the east.
He also shares crucial intel about the King Waruk leading this conquest, namely confirming that he is at least believed to be by his chain of command the newest Chosen of Gruumsh, meaning he is likely not only the physically strongest orc of those alive in the Nether Mountains, but likely has also been granted uncommonly clever intelligence and cunning wit to match. Headmaster Chauncer corroborates this conclusion with historical references to the Kingdom of Many-Arrows led by a former Chosen, King Obould I who reigned for many years.
During this conversation, Vorothruun notices High Priest Dradke's relative lack of surprise and questions his knowledge of the situation, given the rarity of a Chosen of Gruumsh being recognized. Dradke explains that while the High Council was not aware of this detail, its revelation answers a number of questions regarding how craftily the orcs have been as of late in terms of their strategic raiding of caravans and their quiet movements beyond the towers of the Talons. Though there is a moment of uncertainty for Vorothruun in believing this answer, he eventually drops the matter, taking the High Priest at his word.
With regards to the Augurium, the Headmaster explains their ability to prepare students to cast spells at the level and scale of effecting the tide of battle, but only if they begin preparations on a single spell immediately. The headmaster makes a round of suggestions and ultimately the War Council decides it best to use magic to attempt to blind the invading orcs and in so doing hopefully create enough chaos to deal a devastating blow amidst the confusion.
Next, the Judge Wyvernthorn asks a series of questions as to how to handle the finances, personal, and supplies regarding preparations for the war. These options with a historic precedent including either focussing on building additional defensive measures or anti-siege warfare weaponry like ballista as well as the choice of enlisting miners as levies in the war rather than them working to shore up defenses. As varying viewpoints present arguments and counter-points, a thematic focus on ensuring defenses rather than over preparing weaponry or other tools wins out across the various decisions.
During the dinner recess of the council's meeting, Parathrax and Vorothruun share a private conversation in which Parathrax expresses his admiration and surprise at how compassionately and thoughtfully Vorothruun has spoken in the meeting thus far while Vorothruun shares his observations of Parathrax's approach to power. In his musings, Vorothruun points out his own self-interest and desire for power which he must attain while power is seemingly thrust upon and handed to Parathrax who in contrasts respond with some discomfort and modesty in the place of his deserving the roles he fills. The two brothers then close with a heartfelt conversation regarding worship. Vorothruun explains that Parathrax healing his self-inflicted wound "took a prayer away from Ragnalla" and that while Vorothruun does not think highly of Parathrax worshipping a pale shadow of true divinity, he still respects the worship itself and asks Parathrax to do likewise towards him.
Parathrax then shares a brief meal with Vyodaar who reminds Parathrax that he still owes him a training session. To help with morale around the Barracks, the two make a friendly wager which will include the loser streaking the premises screaming "Tiamat is my grandmother," to which the two eagerly agree. The two friends also express their hesitations and worry about the looming battle, including the decreased numbers available, the relative inexperience of the Platinum Scalers despite Bronzeroar's best efforts, and the general leadership of Avraathe as a whole.
The meeting then reconvenes to dive into the bulk of the conversation - how to gain information on the enemy, how to divide up and arrange the defenders of Avraathe, and whether there are allies who might be able to aid in Avraathe's defense in a tenday's time.
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