Session 5: "Highbrow Hijinks" Report

General Summary

Bharmus, a reluctant adventurer, grumbled his way to the Bleeding Blade to find the heroes who unmasked the cultists. His arrival coincided with a very short duel between sions of the houses of Thornhaven and Riversong. Nikola Riversong quickly dispatched his rival Darcy Thornhaven. He cut Darcy's throat without hesitation. Bharmus found the adventurers counting the contents of a fat coinpurse (stolen) and urged them to come see Eira at once. Eira updated the heroes as to the fate of the cultists: released without any punishment. It turns out they were all very well connected in the government and had blood ties to several of the most influential families in Redstone and Yorath. Eira was not content to close the case on the cult killings until she found the murderer and until all the cultists were punished - especially the ones sitting on councils, commanding troops, or enforcing the law. She saw corruption everywhere but had to be sure to know her enemy and strike decisively.
That's where the heroes came in. They were tasked with investigating and negotiating with the families involved in the fiasco to give up protecting the cultists.
First they approached the Thornhaven family. Eva, the family's matriarch, sat in a meeting with Dietrich Hoff - one of the city's highest ranking knights. A retainer introduced the heroes and Eva welcomed them with a stone cold glare, inviting them to sit. After some back and forth, Eva was content to offer the heroes a generous reward should they exonerate her and her family.
Eragon, a resident apprentice, burst in dramatically with news! NIKOLA RIVERSONG IS DEAD! Brutally murdered in his home!
"How fortuitous" was Eva's response. Hoff eyed her suspiciously but knew he was needed at the most recent murder scene. He excused himself and invited the heroes to the scene of the crime. Perhaps there would be more answers at the Riversong estate. Eva urged Eragon to accompany them.
The scene was an absolute mess of blood and guts. A recognizable bit of Nikola's face remained, but little else even seemed real or human about the gore. The druid, Crow, recognized tiger prints. Odd. And the rogue found a hidden passage. The heroes split up. Crow and Hoff pursued the bloody tracks and the others explored the passage. It connected to several other chambers in the palace, but eventually they found a door concealing a temple to Graz'zt. A demon prince, infamous for his worshippers' hedonistic rites. The patriarch Ivan Riversong approached with his other sons, who were responsible for the temple. Emory threatened them into revealing the truth about the murderer, Nasir. "We were working with …. with… a Rakshasa!"
Meanwhile in Butchertown, Crow had found a hideout for the murderer. It was elaborately decorated and there was evidence that he nursed his wounds here very recently. A journal and crystal ball stood out from the expensive clutter. The journal contained the names and addresses of the heroes… and their loved ones. Illianna's name was circled in blood. Crow grabbed the crystal ball and caught a glimpse of someone gazing back at him through it. He put the ball in a pouch and grabbed the journal, knowing that time was running short for Illianna's mother he made his way quickly back to Hightown.
The streets of Hightown were in chaos. The King had given an address on the growing corruption in the city and the cultists who were still at large. He then ordered the arrest of the city's governing council until the corruption could be contained. The governing council, predictably, did not like this. Fights broke out as counselors tried to escape. Angry commoners set fire to anything that looked suspicious. Guards tried to keep order, but It soon devolved into absolute chaos.
Eira bloodmane waded through the crowds dragging a few cultists whose freedom had previously been bought. Her followers erected a gallows to make an example of them. "None shall escape Justice!" was her cry as the cultists were hanged.
Crow gave the warning to Illianna who soon vanished into the crowd. Hoff arrived with his followers to confront Eira about her unlawful executions. The heroes found themselves between the rival knights. After failing to negotiate a truce, the heroes gladly took to Eira's side. Bharmus tore through the ranks of Hoff's guardsmen with his greataxe. Soldiers screamed as they fled or fell to Eragon's flames. Emory faced off with another knight with Mella's support. Crow, in tiger form, battled the blue guard drakes.
The heroes triumphed! They beat Hoff's lackeys and helped Eira detain him and the knight that surrendered. However…
Back in the docks district, a doctor visited Illianna's mother. Her housemates warmly welcomed his familiar countenance. In the privacy of her room the doctor's face shifted to that of a tiger's. Mom tried to scream but instead blood sprayed from her lacerated throat. There was no struggle as the Rakshasa dismembered her.

Rewards Granted

Eragon received 350 gold pieces and an uncommon magic item from Eva.
Bharmus received 150 gold pieces and a Vicious Greataxe +1 from Eira.
Emory received a bag of holding and a thank you letter from Eira.
Crow received a mysterious crystal ball.
Illianna received a dead mom.

Character(s) interacted with

Eira Bloodmane, Eva Thornhaven, Dietrich Hoff, Ivan Riversong, Vasili Riversong, and Dragomir Riversong

Campaign

Precipice

Protagonists

Report Date

17 Jan 2020

Primary Location

Redstone