KWN.3.2 The Avengers Assemble

Session Preface

The crowds finally begins to thin as the sand in the pit below settles from the brief bout between Masterbreaker and the hunched over and hobbling Bonefist. The goliath pushes past the velvet rope barrier on the exclusive first balcony, sliding into a seat against the wall at a corner table and nursing a massive tankard. Meanwhile, her less fortunate opponent slowly limps his way up the stairs, aided by a scraggly-bearded halfing and one of the goblins you saw sparring earlier in the evening.
Below you on the main floor, tabs are settled and goods exchanged for the results of bets. All around the room, glitters of gold and silver coin catch and reflect in the candlelight. The jangling of coin purses mixes with the chatter and clinking of glasses into an atmosphere of simultaneous merriment and misery. As the evening slowly fades into early morning, you get the impression that Everlund is not a city that is quiet for long.

Session Summary

Following her victory in the pit, the party approaches Masterbreaker to discuss their potential interest in joining forces for the Champion's League. Masterbreaker relates to Pax a hesitation and uncertainty of working with the Knights, saying she "Doesn't get along well with dogma or those that adhere to it too closely." Having heard that there will be a gathering of all potential contestants the next evening, the goliath leaves the options open while encouraging the party to seek out others that might be a better fit, but that she will join them if together they have the best chance of winning by the time the event begins.
With the evening finally winding down, the party returns to the bunks of the Keep of Vigilance to rest for the evening. The next morning, Pax observes Aethuriel train with one of the Helmites before joining Tristain and High Watcher Merek for breakfast. Over breakfast, the four of them make plans to go to the Champion's League introduction later than night. With a full day ahead of them, the party sets out about town to take care of a few lingering opportunities.
First on their list, the party heads to Moongleam Tower to speak with the leaders of the Harpers about accessing their teleportation circle to expedite the journey to Neverwinter in the future. At the door, they are greeted by Moonlord Daviana who upon reading their writ provided by the High Watcher, invites them in to sit and discuss their goals. She then introduces them to Krowen Valharrow, the High Mage of the tower who oversees the teleportation circle itself. The wizard explains that the Harpers can indeed make the teleportation capabilities available to them, in exchange for information and a bit of work to help maintain the peace and balance of power within the High Forest.
For sharing information, the party discusses their recent exploits in Silverymoon regarding arresting Arkmenos, the connection to Lionshield Coster, and returning the Truesilver Crown to the High Lord, only the last of which Krowen was already aware. As for their aid to the Harpers, Krowen believes they as a neutral third party may be able to help settle some territorial and political disputes in the High Forest. He explains that tensions between the High Forest's inhabitants and Everlund are a delicate balance, but one that has been threatened by some sort of rising conflict within the forest itself. Supposedly, something regarding the Grandfather Tree, an important site to multiple factions, is the source trouble among the inhabitants who are growing more violent and thus making the forest more dangerous for Everlund's citizens as well and threatening the collective peace. Krowen knows of this through a centaur ally, Vosh'ri. After the party expresses a willingness to investigate and deescalate matters, Krowen offers to reach out to Vosh'ri on their behalf and set up a meeting so he can guide them to the Grandfather Tree and help resolve the matter.
On their way out, Aethuriel asks Krowen for recommendations of a possible fourth participant in the Champion's League, particularly ones of magical prowess and he points them in the direction of a wizard and anthropologist Tabaxi named Evening Light Through Clouds who frequents either the Dreaming Dragon or Danivarr's House, but he can't recall which. The party make their way to the Dreaming Dragon where they meet the bickering married proprietors, but not the Tabaxi they seek. They do find Evening Light Through Clouds at Danivarr's House speaking to the half-orc bartender, but the anthropologist seems indifferent to their invitation. The Tabaxi cites their failures to defend Sundabar too them as a factual record against their chances of success, rankling Aethuriel and Tristain. When Aethuriel flips the lack of qualification back on the Tabaxi, the wizard casts a spell to paralyze Pax as they leave. Walking past, Evening Light Through Clouds brushes the party off before Aethuriel uses his speed to catch up and tell off the Tabaxi for being so cruel and lacking compassion for so many, rescinding the offer to work alongside someone so inconsiderate and harsh.
The party then takes up the plight of the local farmers who complained to the Keep of Vigilance of eaten and missing cattle. On their trek to the homesteads northeast of the city, the party meets the young child Herth, who then leads them to his father, Harth, the farmer who wrote the notice asking for aid. Harth is hesitant to give any definitive guesses as to what's causing the issue, but as Pax and the party investigate the scene and learn more of recent events, it becomes evident the herds have been picked off by a roc. The companions make plans to potentially bait and poison the roc (using Harth's best remaining Rothe, Betsny), but will need to gather components for the toxin. In the meantime, Harth makes preparations to have the bulk of the herd migrated further west away from the mountains to mitigate the losses and prepare the fields for the Knight's plan.
With the afternoon quickly fading, the party regathers with High Watcher Merek and being the short trek to the Champion's Coliseum. Pax takes a cart and arrives ahead of the others, giving him a chance to scope out the competition. Among those he watches approach, his attention is most drawn to a recognized pair of Blood Hunters he knows by reputation, Gerron and Arcurth, who are joined by a young pair of twins. Pax also watches as groups of Zhentarim and other local mercenaries proceed into the contestant's pool, as well as some of the contestants from the Missing Minotaur, Masterbreaker included.
For his companions and High Watcher Merek, the walk gives them a chance to discuss the pressures Merek feels as so many merchants try to court favors and ensure protective services by courting their daughters and the strange position it places the High Watcher in as both a priest and a businessman trying to take care of his community and the Helmites organization. Aethuriel and Tristain similarly share their experiences with romance and courtship before the conversation turns to faith and Pax's place within the Triad. Merek learns of just how briefly the three companions have known each other and how they've progressed since the initial events in Sundabar before the party meets up with Pax and proceeds into the coliseum's grounds.
As the companions scan the ground, they also take note of worshipers of Tempus clad in their black and red-trim plate armor, as well as several more less organized groups wearing brand sigils of some the Bell Market's more popular stands and services, as well as Evening Light Through Clouds congregated with a separate group. Eventually, the party meets up with Masterbreaker again and the two resign that they are likely each other's best shot at competing and winning in the tournament.
When prompted for a name, Aethuriel suggests the "Avengers," in reference to the fate of Sundabar. Masterbreak initially is hesitant about the name, responding "I ripped out the throat of every giant that enslaved me. I have nothing more to avenge." Even so, the name sticks and the now team of four prepares for the introduction of the event and details regarding the qualifying challenge.

Kaladas' Welcome

Among the crowd, a path clears itself before a nobly dressed man clad in a doublet of bright green and deep blues. His shoulder-length dark hair, combed back and tucked behind his ears highlights his fair skin and the deep widow's peak at the center of his forehead. He claps his hands together, clearly soaking in the attention and simultaneously measuring each individual he gazes upon as he scans the crowd of competitors. "Welcome, our brave contestants! Though I'm sure I need not introduce myself, I shouldn't want any of our newcomers to not feel at home. I am your host, your humble guide through all of the adventures this arena has to offer, the founder and operator of the Champion's Coliseum, Kaladas Zoar. But, that's enough about me, isn't it? We are here, we are all here, for you. And the grand escapade in which you are about to partake.
Among you, the daring, courageous individuals before me, stand our champions, awaiting their ascension to glory, riches, and destiny! Which of you will rise to stand above the rest of your peers, holding high the Champion's Cup? Today, you take the first collective steps towards such a prize. But, the journey, long and harrowing, will test the mettle and make of each and every contestant gathered here today."
"Many of you gathered have witnessed or even partaken in the feats of strength, courage, and cunning held within these hallowed halls of the Champion's Coliseum. But these challenges that stand between you and victory will be like nothing we've displayed before. With this inaugural Champion's League, you shall partake in history!"
"So, I know there are many questions of what these challenges will entail. I would be remiss to ruin all of the delightful surprises we have in store for you and the audience alike, but I can now reveal to you the first steps you will take in this endeavor. Tomorrow morning, just as the sun sets over the distant moors, all sixteen teams gathered here will test themselves in a variety of challenges and face myriad of dangers in a race that will ensure the rest of the tournament contains only those who are willing and able to take on even greater dangers on their path to destiny. Prepare yourselves in whatever means will best serve you and I look forward to discovering which among you will make your first stand and claim the glory and reward which is rightfully yours this tomorrow morning in the inaugural Champion's League!"

Session Overview

Date Played:
April 5, 2021
Party:

• Aethuriel
• Pax
• Tristain

Time Passed:
Eleint 1, 1493 (PM) - Eleint 2, 1493 (PM)
NPCs:

• Masterbreaker
• High Watcher Merek
• Moonlord Davianna
• Krowen Valharrow
• Evening Light Through Clouds
• Herth & Harth
• Gerron
• Arcurth
• Kaladash Zoar

Loot: