KwN.1.1 The Fall of Sundabar

Session Preface:

Engulfed in flames and overrun with enemies, Sundabar crumbles before you. Ash clings to your sweat-soaked skin, smoke claws at your burning throat. Shrill screams of terror pierce the clashing of crossing swords and splintering of shields. The tastes of blood and dirt linger on your tongue. The stench of death drapes heavy overhead, stifling like a coarse blanket in summer's heat.
"Fall back! Fall back!" Hammer Villiera barks, resolve, remorse, and sheer disbelief cutting through her words in equal measure. "To the courtyard! Regroup!"
Around you, the Knights of Holy Judgement oblige their orders, skewering and slicing orcs in the process. But for each fallen invader, four more crash through the gates. Overhead, boulders arc through the dome of darkness overhead, cratering into the city streets.
"Anyone on the other side of their Holy Vigil, you're with me! The rest of you, follow Shield Teren to the eastern district!" the Hammer shouts, barely audible over the war chants of the orcs just beyond the rubble of the temple's walls. Villiera's eyes scan the maybe two dozen and a half elite Knights who answer her call. "Is this all that's left? Triad, help us." Punctuating the Hammer's prayer, another boulder slams into the courtyard fountain, sending waves splashing against the cobblestone.
"So be it. We've received word the Paladins of Avraathe are on the outside of this assault trying to get survivors on the east side of the city out. But they'll just be trapped in here with the rest of us if these monsters get to 'em first. So that's where we come in."
Villiera pauses as a distant monstrous screech rips through the air, her eyes rising to the bell tower overhead.
"There's no good way 'round it, so here's our hand. The High Council are still unaccounted for. Before the explosion took out the tower, they ordered the retreat of all Knights once the survivors make it out. It may well have been their final order. So we're to do right be them. Make sure the others have a fighting chance 'fore we go."
Overhead, the tower bells toll like rolling thunder, bellowing out over the doomed city of Sundabar. War horns call in response a dissonant tone, growing nearer.
"That's our cue. When you hear that bell toll thrice again, you get your ass into the temple, understood? 'til then, let's give these bastards all nine hells!"
The roar of battle erupts once more as the invaders pour through the courtyard's crumbling walls. From all sides, the orcs rush in unremittingly, their jagged blades of dark steel slashing open shield and armor and flesh alike. The gleaming weapons and magical wards of The Knights of Holy Judgement rise to meet this flood of foes, like a candle flickering against a dark and wicked wind.
Over the chaos, the Hammer's voice rings out once more, "Make your gods proud, Knights!"

Session Summary

Amidst the chaos of the ensuing battle, Aethuriel, Tristain, and Pax fend off waves of orcs, giants, and a white dragon alongside several other members of the Order including Hammer Villiera, Gauntlet Safir, Hammer Ephen, and Agent Hildo. Though several members of the party fall unconscious against the overwhelming forces, they manage to work together and successfully retreat following the final toll of the bell.

Retreating to Silverymoon

As the bell overhead tolls a third time, a second white dragon swoops down from the impenetrable dark shroud over the smouldering city. Shoving a massive claw into the tower's arched opening, the dragon tears the bell free, raining down stone debris and splintered wood. The bell tolls frantically as it is swung to and fro in the dragon's clutches, clinging and clanging before being thrown down to the ground as decisive proclamation. The courtyard shudders under the bell's crushing weight and for but a moment, the world is quiet. The monstrous armies descend upon you, fierce and uttering overwhelming. The reality of the moment sets in with an acute sharpness. The city is lost. The Halls have fallen. The Knights have failed.

Hammer Villiera's voice breaks through the momentary still.

"Retreat! Retreat! Fall back to the eastern keep!"

Following the command, the remaining Knights fend off the most pressing of assailants as they make their way through the courtyard covered in ruin and ash to a momentary respite of relative safety. Even here, away from the worst of the fighting, the structure has still already been destroyed by the siege weapons and work of the dragons overhead.

"We make for The House Invincible in Silverymoon. From there, we will regroup, recover, and retake our city. There's a series of tunnels through the old crypts which will allow us to escape Sundabar. Thankfully, someone had the foresight to clear them out and activate the ancient defenses our forebears put in place. Now more than ever, Knights, hold true to one another and to your oaths. The Triad will endure us through this night and we will meet our enemies on the battlefield once more in the light of the Triad's glory. But for now, survival must come first. Move out."

---

On the journey to Silverymoon, an Acting High Council is named with one representative from each branch of the Triad's followers - Hammer Villiera, Gauntlet Safir, and Agent Hildo. Pax finds himself on the outskirts of the wandering Knights, but accompanied by Gauntlet Safir's confidante, Gauntlet Lyenna. Tristain does his best to raise and maintain the morale of the remaining Knights - roughly a hundred or so - and discusses the importance of self-care with Hammer Villiera as well. Aethuriel checks in on Avri and Fen, finding the former injured, but alive and well enough.
Upon arriving in Silverymoon, the party members are given time to explore and discover the city while awaiting further orders. Pax is turned away from the Vault of Sages for not being a member of the Conclave of Silverymoon before retiring to the Bright Blade Brandished. Tristain attempts to pursue his contract for the tiefling thief Arkmenos, but must settle for learning that theft is generally up in the city, but there are no leads on suspects at this time. Aethuriel listens for rumors and interesting tidbits at the Golden Oak Inn.

The Fate of the Council

The next days seem to rush by in a blur of despair, confusion, anxious waiting, and more than a few heated conversations between Knights nominated to represent the few survivors as the Acting High Council. Among them, Gauntlet Safir has taken to addressing the remaining Knights each morning to provide new information and assignments as it becomes available. For the first several days, there is little to speak of in the ways of hope. For the first few days, the temporary Council dedicate themselves to taking stock of resources, able-bodied Knights, and making arrangements for the ongoing medical care of the wounded. On the fourth morning, Gauntlet Safir delivers a gutpunch to the Knights already crippled morale.
"Knights. Among the incalculable loss we have suffered alongside the city of Sundabar, we have several more names we must now formally add to the list of those lost and those who are unable to serve. We have confirmed the status of the members of the High Council."

Gauntlet Safir chokes back a well of emotion, his hand gripped tight around the parchment before him. As his hand shakes slightly, he continues reading the prepared statement in an effort to ground and recompose himself.

"High Commander Loric D'Orinelis, Triad bless his legacy, has been officially marked as Killed in Action."

"The Shieldmaster, Triad bless her legacy, has been officially marked as Killed in Action."

"Justice Varsum, Triad bless his legacy, has been officially marked as Killed in Action."

"Enforcer Rhekhen Pahri, Triad bless his legacy, has been officially marked as Killed in Action."

"General Torzar has officially been marked as Unable to Serve Due to Physical Limitation."

"Agent Ymir has officially been marked as Temporarily Unable to Serve Due to Physical Limitation."

"Hammer Elhand has officially been marked as Temporarily Unable to Serve Due to Physical Limitation."

As the names and news wash over the huddled Knights, a bitter sadness creeps over the room, hanging low like a stubborn fog. Gauntlet Safir crumbles the parchment in his hand, balling it in his fist.

"In light of this news, there would typically be a gathering of the respective Orders to discuss the nomination of new High Council sitting members. However, with ... well, with there being so few of us as it is, this doesn't seem to be the most beneficial step. Instead, we turn our eyes to justice.

Gauntlet Safir's eyes, buried beneath his furrowed brow, spark to life once more, seemingly the first time in days.

"As we speak, we are working to gather intel, working alongside the Knights in Silver and the dwarves of the Undercity to retake what is left of Sundabar. The Acting High Council will be reaching out to those who have been assigned to these efforts in the days to come and providing more information. We may not be able to save the city, but we sure as the nine hells aren't going to give the orc Kingdom a foothold to the west. Not while the Triad still gives us breath in our lungs. So see to any tasks you must. Keep your blades sharp."

---

The party continues to try and lift the spirits of their fellow Knights and learn more of their new base of operations over the next few days before they learn of their first assignment towards the reclamation of Sundabar.

The First Assignment

After several more days of a flurry of activity among the Knights, each of you in turn receive word that you have been summoned by Gauntlet Safir.
“You’ve got your first assignment. We’ve gotten word of supplies and reinforcements heading towards the garrison maintaining Sundabar. I'm putting together a small force to go and intercept the supplies and make sure their reinforcements don’t make it to Sundabar. We leave at sunrise."

---

Following the five days of travel, the party arrives at the quarry outside of Sundabar where a pair of brother war chiefs have set up camp and guard the supplies alongside the garrison's reinforcements. Through a combination of magical darkness, and blood magic, Pax allows the party, alongside Gauntlet Safir, to get the jump on the orcs and take down their posted guards with relative ease. The remaining forces, in addition to the two bloodthirsty war chiefs, prove to be more trying, but the party manages to cull the entire camp and secure the supplies for the Knights. Weary from the travel and trying encounter, the party rests and returns to Silverymoon on the 5th of Elesias, having taken the first steps towards justice for the fall of Sundabar.

Session Overview

Date Played:
October 8, 2020
Party:

• Aethuriel
• Pax
• Tristain

Time Passed:
Flamerule 10 - Elesias 5, 1493
NPCs:

• Hammer Villiera
• Gauntlet Safir
• Agent Hildo
• Hammer Ephen
• Gauntlet Lydenna
• Shield Avri
• The High Council
• Arkmenos

Loot:

• Supplies
• 3 Potions of Healing
• Blacksmith’s Toolkit
• 9gp, 18sp, 87cp

Related Organizations

• Knights of Holy Judgment

Related Locations

• Silverymoon
• Sundabar