II.1.4 Disciple of the Damned

Session Preface

As darkness creeps beyond the mouth of Coppervale Cave, you conclude your explorations of the caverns, assured it is empty and you are alone. You sort through the odds and ends found among the remains and goods scattered throughout the mines. To combat the oncoming winter chill, you set a small camp fire, make a simple meal, and let your thoughts take you. Perhaps you consider the heaviness that lies over the city of Daggerford, the still unknown machinations of the duke and duchess in disguse. Or instead, maybe you focus on the goal of finding Gristaxadahn the Godsforsaken and uncovering the truth behind the missing fallen Knights of ages past. As these thoughts drift, distant memories, present uncertanties, and future worries seem to manifest, depicted within the fire itself, but that is only the imagination's projection. Within the flames, Aethuriel recalls a vivid memory.

Session Summary

Within his memory, Aethuriel relives a training session, practicing stances and battle postures. His training is interupted by Shield Ellisar who draws him into a sparring match. Throughout their duel, the Shield presses the young Aethuriel with increasing directness, demanding him to answer the oft-repeated question, "What does it mean to be a Knight?" Aethuriel answers several times, expressing ideas of duty, doing what's right, protecting, and serving Helm. In the last volley of strikes, Ellisar grabs Aethuriel by the armor and tells him that his answers are getting closer to the truth, but that he still has much training to do.
His focus returning to the present, Aethuriel muses with Pax about the difference between age and experience and inquires about Pax's own capabilities and powers. Pax explains the basics of hemocraft and the nature of his order, expressing that the reason he is particularly good at dealing with demons and devils is because in some ways, he is like them. He describes how the transformations they undergo can provide unnaturally long life, but many do not survive the process or die in the field. Pax allows Aethuriel to observe as he prepares his tinctures, the toxic potions he uses to both mitigate and enhance the transformation's effects on his body. Pax also reads a journal found in the ruins of the cave, learning that the mining operation had been relatively knew and had displaced the goblins who had returned to reclaim their home. The following day, the two follow the valley trail back to Daggerford.

Returning to Daggerford

The day of travel proceeds without incident as you make your way back through the valley, over the giant-made barrier of trunks and branches, and return to the High Road leading into Daggerford. Your writ of entry provides you passage once more beneath the city's iron portculis, though the guards wearing the duke's colors looked no more kindly upon you than before. As fall gives way to winter, a cold chill sweeps through the city streets. The market stands nearly empty, even more stalls closed or left unattended than days before. Across the way, however, is a bustle of activity and a swelling crowd circling around a large wooden structure at the end of the road.
As you approach, you see the building at the center of the crowd is ornately carved with depictions of farmlands and vineyards, cornucopias of foodstuffs, and the profile of Chauntea, the goddess of the harvest.
A man in the duke’s colors of dark blue and silver, stands atop the wooden stairs of the temple. A patch on his shoulder depicts him as of some notable rank. He unrolls a scroll, clears his throat, and begins to read.
“Hear ye, hear ye, the duke’s decree -
With the express authority granted by the foundation of the duchy of Daggerford and vested by the honorable guildmasters of the city, Duke Jorvund and Duchess Morwen Daggerford proclaim the following -
Given that the Church of Chauntea has continuously failed to pay their due taxes for operating within the duchy and has failed to adequately provide for the needs of the community through their own bounty and collection of the wares and goods produced within and by the duchy, it is hereby decreed that the Church of Chauntea shall no longer exist within the duchy as an independent and religiously affiliated institution, but thence shall be folded into the public government as operated and overseen jointly by the ducal castle and the guildmaster’s hall.”
The speech is momentarily interrupted by a few broken shouts of “You can’t do this!” “This is thievery!”
Men wearing the duke’s daggers move through the crowd and bring the disruptions to an abrupt end, dragging muffled citizens out of the city clearing. The crier continues.
“All services will be provided by the new custodians of the facility, and all goods, wares, and material possessions here-within or as determined to be possession of the church will now be that of the state. The duke and duchess desire that those in need will have those needs met more affordably and efficiently than ever before thanks to this decree and the ongoing efforts to make Daggerford the safest and strongest realm in the lands.”
The captain of the guard rolls up the scroll, but remains where he stands, watching as the crowd disperses with hushed whispers and fearful glances towards the other duke’s men that stand throughout the street.

Speaking with Sir Isteval

Forcing himself to not get involved with the injustice of the situation, Aethuriel agrees with Pax to briefly visit Derval to update him on their work and then return to Sir Isteval's home. There they discuss with him the recent events. He explains that he is trying to find a legal way to undo the duke's work, but has been unsuccessful. When Aethuriel speaks of unseating the duke and duchess, Sir Isteval ushers them into the archive chamber of his basement to speak privately. Here, he explains that he is disappointed and surprised to see the guildmasters going along with the duke's authoritarian regime and that it seems counterproductive to their interests. He expresses frustration that his efforts to work within the system are increasingly stymied by new regulations. He concludes by saying that if they find a way to undermine the crown, he is willing to aid them however he can. With this assurance, the party return to Yaldronno to share their news and learn what they can of the vassal they seek.

Meeting with Yaldronno

Pax finds Yaldronno once again in the planar doorway within the Lady Luck Tavern, this time only joined by Elivyre. He shares the news of their venture into Coppervale Cave and the mines being destroyed. Yaldronno holds up his end of the bargain, sharing that Pax is looking for a figure known only as "the Disciple of the Damned." Yaldronno knows the individual hides out in the supposedly haunted room above the Silver Flood Inn. He also shares that this disciple had bought what he called implied was a "burglar's kit" of rope, climbing gear, and lockpicks.
Changing the subjet, Yaldronno asks Pax why he, the Devil of Daggerford, has returned. Pax defers to his previous statements about the vassal and the threat Daggerford faces. Even so, Yaldronno explains that there is quite the bounty out for him and that he would need Pax to make it worth his while to not claim said bounty. He shares that there is a leader, Rheagan, of a local militia, the Gem Guard, who owes him 1,000g, but is untouchable due to the organization's popularity with the citizens of Daggerford. Were Pax to bring her misdeeds to light or otherwise cover the debt, Yaldronno would hold his tongue about his presence within the city. Pax begrugingly agrees.
With these negotiations settled, Pax plays one hand of Gultar with Yaldronno and Elivyre, handily winning thanks to the substitutions he made days prior. Leaving the pocket dimension behind, Pax rejoins with Aethuriel and explains what he's learned. They soon after make their way to the Silver Flood Inn after the vassal.

The Silver Flood Inn

Under the pretense of booking rooms and having drinks, Pax and Aethuriel scope out the tavern of the Silver Flood Inn, sensing a dark power or presence from the private rooms overhead. Following this sense, they eventually break their way into the chamber and discover a magically sealed chest in a simple, if not messy, chamber. While they investigate, the door creaks open and chaos bursts into the room. Bookshelves topple over, sheets move to constrain Pax, and a mirror falls from the wall, shattering across the floor. Not fooled by these tricks, Pax and Aethuriel manage to trap and restrain the would-be assailant, a middle-aged figure with short, cropped grey hair.
In a tense interogation, Pax and Aethuriel confirm this figure to be the individual they seek, the "Disciple of the Damned" which he notes is a prepostorous name, giving his own as Kaledus. When pressed on his purpose in the city, he explains that he is here to prevent the duke from claiming an ancient artifact that would allow him to usher in untold legions of demons across the region. Suspicious of this, the party inquire about his connection to Gristaxadahn, who he calls a 'patron' and explains that the dark presence they sensed is a book of his arcane learnings which indeed contains dark secrets. Kaledus offers a seemingly sincere offer to work together given that he seems to recognize, at least by reputation, Pax as a member of the Order of Profane Souls and that they may have more in common than Pax realizes. In exchange for his restraints being removed, Kaledus offers to tell the party everything he knows of the duke, his machinations, and how they might be able to thwart his plans before it is too late.

Session Overview

Date Played:
June 25, 2023
Party:

• Aethuriel
• Pax

Time Passed:
Marpenoth 20 PM -Marpenoth 21, 1493 PM
NPCs:

• Sir Isteval
• Kobach
• Derval Ironeater
• Yaldronno
• Elivyre
• Kaledus

Loot:

• 50gp, a few silver
• Coppervale Cave Journal