Revolution in Solar City
The revolution in Solar City was not an entire surprise to Duke Burnheld IV or the other nobels. He had been spending the past few years favoring his own calling, the Calling of Strife, much to the dismay of many commonfolk. Then, when the attacks on the Temple of Tyr and Temple of Shar happened during the Recruitment in Solar City and word of a coalition to oppose Strife went around, the people started uprising.
Morning Unrest
One of the most prominent families in Solar City, second only to Duke Bernheld's own estate, was slaughtered one autumn night. The Murder at Maida Manor caused whispers throughout the city, and in the following days, the people knew it was their time. The Duke sent out more and more guards to patrol the streets, which only raised tensions until finally, the opposing groups clashed arms in the beginning of a revolution. The temples in the coalition - most notably the Temple of Malar and the Temple of Talos - had been preparing weaponry for months. They outfitted the rebellions with spears and leather armor while acting as commanders. They organized the best places to strike, and sent trained priests to capture the gates leading out of the city and to destroy the barracks on Guard's Way. However, even with the forewarning and planning done from the priests of Talos, none could know what would happen when the Storm Giant, Clador Stormbreath, arrived to the city.
Taking the Gates
The first task that the adventurers accepted from the coalition was to take back the gates from the Duke's guards. This was ultimately necessary for two reasons. The first is that the coalition wanted to ensure refugees could flee the city. They knew that this was not everyone's fight, and if they could spare some lives, they would. The second, and possibly more important one, was so they could receive reinforcements that they had sent for. These reinforcements were members of Callings that were part of the coalition. They lived in temples from the various towns that resided outside of Solar City.
Four Brothers of Malar joined the adventuring party to take the gate nearest to the Noble's Ward. They were met with a hail of arrows coming from the top of the wall along with knights stationed on the ground that prevented the party from easily accessing the upper floors. Through Ryoshi's bravery and Norcan's coverfire, the two managed to enter the towers that led up. The Brothers of Malar kept most of the opposing mage's magic from affecting the adventurers too much and Day threw magical attacks at the enemy forces. Seya was more or less useless, missing the majority of shots she fired. Bree and one of the Brothers of Malar sneaked up to the towers to assist Ryoshi in gaining entrance and to help fight on the wall.
The Brothers of Malar and the adventuring party took back the gate within a few hours. However, Day suffered heavy injuries that required them to retreat to the nearby Temple of Talos. Ryoshi also needed medical assistance as he had been downed during the fighting and was currently standing purely because of second wind.
Battle on Guard's Way
After a short rest and some medical care by the clerics in the Temple of Talos, Bree, Ryoshi, Seya, and Norcan were well enough to take on the guard's barracks, hoping to stem the flow of refreshed troops coming from there. Day was still in too critical condition to join the party on this mission.
The opposing force consisted of 64 men - 40 guards, 9 veterans, and 15 knights. However, when the adventuring party had arrived, the city militia that had been formed by the coalition was already in battle, creating an easier battleground for the adventurers. The party split up and started assisting the militia, though not always carefully enough to avoid friendly fire due to magical effects. As the captains of the guards started to notice more lethal fighting happening from their opponents, four of these veterans routed out groups of guards and knights, numbering 6-7 members each, to confront each member of the party. While difficult, it had not been impossible for each member to finish off the opposing group. In the midst of the fighting, a number of guards, knights, and veterans were able to escape through the backs of the barracks. Bree also managed to turn one of the guards to her side, recruiting him to be a member of her personal team.
After concluding the battle at the barracks, the party set anything flammable to flame, mostly from Norcan's doing, and returned to the Temple of Talos to check on Day's condition. Her health was much improved at this point, and the party inquired about when the seige on the Duke's Keep would make progress. They were told that there were skilled wizards within the keep that was making it difficult for the revolters to gain entry. They were now camped out of range to the wizards attacks and deliberating on a new strategy. Norcan spoke with the rats to determine that there was an entrance into the keep from underground, but the nature of this entrance was a bit foggy. He was unsure of the size, and how much water the party would need to travel through. The group agreed to take a long rest and make a plan of attack in the morning.
Storm Giant
On the morning that Clador Stormbreath's lurking shadow could be seen in Deep Bay, the party had gone towards the Duke's Keep to provide reinforcement. The exact timing of the Storm Giant's appearance was unknown. As the party traveled to the Keep, they encountered streets littered with the undead. The Duke's wizards had been busy the previous night with their necrotic powers. The party easily dealt with all the zombies that tried to halt their path.
The weather was cloudy and winds were rising. Rain came at a steady bolt and only got harder as the day progressed. The party found the rebel froces had surrounded the Keep, but there was a large swath of no man's land that was protected by wizards. After questioning people within the camp, they found out the wizards were not reluctant to throw fireballs or other powerful spells at anyone who entered into the range of the no man's land.
Hail started pounding down on the forces and a great shadow loomed over the city. Clador Stormbreath had made his appearance finally. Further north, a section of the city errupted in a blast of light as the Storm Giant through a lightning bolt into the city. The party made a run for the city wall's when it became apparent that the giant was headed for the Duke's Keep. From there, they were able to watch as Stormbreath hurled lightning bolt after lightning bolt into the keep, tore down the walls, and created general destruction. The storm was so powerful that some party members took damage from the pelting rain and heavy hail. They also had to be cautious of the flying debris, and Seya was almost knocked unconscious when a large boulder smashed into the wall where the party stood.
After finishing his work at the Keep, Clador Stormbreath demolished the remains of the Temple of Talona, then progressed into the Noble's Ward, focusing on the area that belong to the Calling of Strife. A man could be seen standing on Stormbreath's shoulder, who turned out to be the High Priest of Talos. The party did not stick around to see the destruction in the Noble's Ward, but were pleased to hear screaming coming from that general direction.
Plot points/Scenes
- Morning unrest
- Battle for the city gate near noble ward
- Conflict on guard's way
- The storm giant
