Session 329 - The Succession Council

General Summary

Spring 727TR

The Story So Far

The King is dead.

King Minigath, after ruling the Kingdom of Kaldor well for thirty-three years, has been assassinated, and the power struggle as to who will succeed him is underway. Meanwhile, in the background, the mysterious Esoterical Order of Lothrim is up to no good.

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The Rycon has traveled to the Kingdom of Melderyn and spoken with Laranian Lirrath (Primate) of Hârn, Kerthede Talvail. The Lirrath has agreed to recommend to the Archbishop of Kaldor that he annul the oath Sheriff Sir Conwan Elendsa tempestuously made in his youth to forfeit his right to the Kaldorian throne so he could marry someone of another faith.

This is the continuation of Session 327 - The Dragon's Rage.

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Location - Querina Keep in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

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22^nd Nuzyael 727TR

Part 1 – Meeting with a Future King?

Sheriff Conwan, art by Artbreeder

The heroes return to Querina Keep and meet with Sir Conwan Elendsa. The Sheriff appreciates their efforts to assist in removing the obstructions preventing him from claiming the throne. He informs the party that his eminence, the Archbishop for Kaldor, has received the Primates' recommendation and discretely informed him that he agrees to comply. He will annul Sir Conwan's oath. This will be announced publicly at a succession council meeting convening in a few days at the nearby Caleme Abbey. All members of the Clan Elendsa, close blood relations, and the Kingdom's Earls are invited to contribute. Any belligerents in the current armed conflict will be a safe granted freedom of passage to join during this Council.

Lady Erila, art by Artbreeder

Sir Conwan and his entourage plan to travel to the Caleme Abbey tomorrow. Princess Meliem Elendsa, the Lord High Chamberlain and the king's former mistress and agent of the secretive Council of Eleven, Lady Erila Kaphin (technically under house arrest), asks the heroes to accompany them as bodyguards. They are concerned that the deliberations may be interfered with as it is hoped that the current armed conflict will end if a king, preferably Sir Conwan, is lawfully chosen.

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Location - On the road between Querina Keep and Caleme Abbey in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

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23^rd Nuzyael 727TR

Part 2 - Ambush

The party escorts Sir Conwan (with two knights and four men of arms), Lady Erila, and Princess Meliem to Caleme Abbey. On the way, two Order of the Knights of Redemption knights and common soldiers meet them on the road to provide additional security. Something's wrong; the Larani worshipping knights' uniforms are rumpled, dirty, and torn. Suspecting foul play, Rycon questions them, and their story does not add up, and their knowledge of religious dogma is rudimentary. Their accent is off as well, with a hint of the western Hârnic dialect. Knowing the game is up, the impostors attack, supported by half a dozen thugs hiding in a nearby gully.

The ambushers attack the Sheriff, who proves to be more than capable of holding his own. Unfortunately, Lady Erila and Princess Meliem are in extreme danger, so Valeria, using her sorcery, moves them, concealing them behind a nearby tree out of the line of sight. The bandits are brutal, experienced, and skilled, and with the pretense gone, they all speak with a Rethemi accent. Eventually, they are defeated, and two men are captured alive for interrogation. Four of the Sheriff's guards fall, but fortunately, Dryueh's superb medical skill saves three.

Before Sheriff Conwan orders the men's summary execution of the wounded captives, the party interrogates them. More specifically, Dryueh pretends to administer aid to one of the wounded bandits but instead opens the man's skull and uses his Mind Sponge, stolen from the mysterious Lady Gwaderia (a.k.a Dyalne Dulye or Lothrim's Daughter). The dying man's memories are extracted and can be read by the good physician. Quickly scanning, Dryueh finds a pertinent and interesting recent memory.

The bandit is planning the ambush with his conspirators in a nearby watermill after killing the miller and his family. They are led by a Sorcerer called Etorn.

The location is only a half mile away. Leaving the ladies in the care of Sir Conwan, who will escort them to Caleme Abbey, the heroes race to the mill.

Campaign

Legacy of the Foulspawner

Protagonists

Rycon

Dryueh

Valeria

Report Date

01 Jan 2024

Related Characters

• Sheriff Sir Conwan Elendsa

Clan Elendsa

The royal family.

Clan Elendsa, by Columbia Games

The Order of the Knights of Redemption

Hârn's newest holy Fighting Order who split from the Order of the Lady of Paladins after the unchivalrous and disastrous Solora Crusade.

Knights of Redemption art by Attacus

Part 3 - Battle at the Mill

The mill seems deserted, but upon closer inspection, the heroes spot three Ivinian mercenaries gambling with the dead bodies of the miller and his family scattered about. The heroes charge in quickly, dispatching the villains, but find no sign of the Mage Etorn. Making their way upstairs, they hear the sound of spell-casting from the room above, and suddenly, a small draconic creature is conjured in, but it is quickly dispatched. Etorn magic is powerful, Blinding Rycon and his Chain Lightning staggers the heroes. Using her Rod of Negation, Valeria restores Rycon's sight, and not a moment too soon. As the Sorcerer mutters a powerful incantation, a Prismatic Spray, Rycon drives his katana into his stomach, interrupting his sorcery. While the villain dies, Dryueh again uses his Brain Sponge to record his memories.

Dryueh learns that Etorn is based at the Orc Foundry, an old iron mine from which many weapons and armor are forged and dispatched to the various orc kingdoms. Two agents of the Order of the White Hand are also being held captive. A second location is the lost dwarven Keg of Thirgalir, where investigators are researching an ancient library and powerful magical emanations. These emanations are a potent curse that can be used to kill and are close to a breakthrough.

Of more immediate concern, Dryueh reviews a recent memory.

Etorn is talking to a skull-masked Navehan Assassin. He directs the killer to go to Caleme Abbey in disguise and cause chaos. He is to interfere with the Succession Council and kill some of the attendants. "The Daughter does not care who as long as it disrupts events."

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Location - Caleme Abbey in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

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Part 4 - The Assassin

Sir Armant, art by Playground AI

At Caleme Abbey, Rycon searches among the lights for a familiar and hopefully friendly face; fortunately, one of his strongest supporters, Sir Armant Houlcath, is present, drafted to provide additional security for the Council. Given the situation's urgency, Sir Armant arranges an urgent meeting with the Serekela (Archbishop) of Kaldor, Edine Kynn. The Archbishop is concerned and directs the Abbey's security to discreetly start the search for the assassin. The characters begin their investigation, first scrutinizing the kitchens and wine cellar, looking for poisoned food, then the meeting room, followed by the nearby courtyard, which has a well, and the settlement's original chapel, which dates back hundreds of years.

Nothing appears out of place. However, Valeria spots a lone elderly priest in the old chapel. This is the only person in the settlement who is by himself. Discretely, she looks in through the window and casts Detect Magic, sensing an illusion. For a moment, she thinks that she did it unobserved. Suddenly, the elderly priest leaps through the chapel's stained-glass window and stabs her with a poisoned dagger. Feeling woozy, Valeria loses sight of the assassin after he moves behind the chapel.

Rycon and Dryueh arrive and make out a distortion in the shadows; the assassin is hiding among them. Quickly, the assassin spits a cloud of poison and throws dangerous alchemical bombs. Worse, he is fast and easily dodges the heroes' attacks, but eventually, Valeria's Paralysis spell takes hold and is held in place. Before he overcomes the magic, Dryeuh and Rycon badly injure him, so he decides to flee, but Valeria's Force Barrage finishes him off just as several temple guards arrive.

23^rd to 29^th Nuzyael 727TR

Part 5 - The Succession Council Meets

Earl Troda Dariune, art by Artbreeder

That night, Valeria decides to act. She is aware that the Earl of Kiban, Sir Troda Dariune, usually a man of reason and common sense, is under the influence of Lady Gwaderia's Ring of Domination. He is expected to be disruptive to the Succession Council, so Invisibly sneaks into his bed chamber and uses her Rod of Negation to dispel the magical mind control. It is a difficult feat; however, she is successful and escapes notice.

Archbishop Edine, art by Artflow

With the assassin dealt with, Archbishop Edine Kynn convenes and facilitates the Council. Family members and close relatives of Clan Elendsa assemble and begin a series of "robust" deliberations. Members of the Council include Sir Maldan Harabor, Lady Cheselyne Hosath, Sir Conwan Elendsa, Baron Orsin Firith, Earl Troda Dariune (the Earl of Kiban), Princess Meliem Elendsa, Brother Korwyn Elendsa (a peoni priest), and half a dozen others.

The meeting does not go well; it soon becomes clear that a consensus will not likely be achieved. There are three primary fractions. The former king's nephew, Sir Conwan Elendsa, the king's eldest bastard son, Sir Maldan Harabor, and the king's eldest niece, Lady Cheselyne Hosath (whose daughter is married to the Earl of Kiban's son). After days of deadlock, Archbishop Edine Kynn loses his patience and implores the Council to put aside personal animosity and ambition and agree for the Kingdom's sake. Inspired, and after a brief discussion with Sir Conwan to gain favorable terms, the Earl of Kiban withdraws Lady Cheselyne's claim from the table and puts his support behind Sir Conwan. Unfortunately, Sir Maldan Harabor remains adamant he wants to be king, believing it is his right, and a consensus will not be achieved.

Sir Maldan Harabor, art by Artbreeder

During breaks in the meeting, Dryueh privately meets with the nobles and can convince (or trick) enough of them to vote in Sir Conwan's favor. Although consensus is desirable, a vote of three-quarters of the Council is enough to come to a resolution. One is held, and the Council agrees that Sir Conwan should be anointed King. Sir Maldan is furious and storms out and, under a flag of truce, returns to Olokand Castle. Critically, he still holds the City of Tashal, the economic heart of the Kingdom, and has a large army, albeit smaller than Sir Conwan's, which now has the support of the Kingdom's Earls, most of the Barons, and the Church of Larani.

Part 6 - A King is Crowned

In a brief, somewhat rushed ceremony, the Archbishop crowns Sir Conwan king. Princess Meliem Elendsa supplied the royal seal, something she had been hiding since the king's assassination, making it official. A more formal crowning ceremony will be held in the grand temple of Larani, in the City of Tashal, once the current conflict is resolved and the traitors put to death. King Conwan personally thanks the heroes for their unwavering support and effort, assuring them they will be rewarded in time.

1^st Peonu 727TR

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Location - On the Road Southeast of Caleme Abbey in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

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Part 7 - Shadow Giant

The party decides what to do next. Reviewing the memories that Dryueh has gleaned from the Sorcerer Etorn, they choose to visit this Orc Foundry, possibly destroy it, and rescue the captured White Hand agents.

On the way, Rycon plans to visit his betrothed, Dame Afaewynn Barthy, at Ovendel Manor. Valeria senses a strong magical detonation on the night of the new moon. Once again, a malicious force from the world of Shadows attacks; this time, a 10-foot-tall giant steps out of a cloud of darkness. The Shadow Giant is a very dangerous opponent, accusing Valeria of stealing his master's magic, and its life-draining brutal strikes make quick work of Rycon and Valeria's Shadow Hound companion. Valeria uses her Mislead spell to confuse it and avoid harm. It is eventually slain, but as with other shadow creatures she has faced, it evaporates in sunlight.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

Sheriff Sir Conwan Elendsa.

Lady Erila Kaphin.

Princess Meliem Elendsa.

Serekela Edine Kynn.

Sir Armant Houlcath.

Challenges

8 x Bandits.

3 x bandits + Etorn the Sorcerer.

1 x Navehan Assassin.

1 x Shadow Giant.

Rewards

Some coins, gems, and potions.

Created Content

Nothing this week.

Related Reports

Order of The Knights of Redemption.

Order of the White Hand.

Player Characters

Valeria - Human - L11 Shadow Sorcerer

Background - Magical Experiment.

Archetype - Beastmaster.

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Rycon - Human - L11 Fighter

Background - Rebel Knight.

Archetypes - Liberator Champion/Dual Weapon Warrior.

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Dryueh - 1/2 Elf - L11 Thief Rogue

Background - Scout.

Archetypes - Vigilante/Medic/Shadowdancer/Wizard.

Next Session

Session 330 - The Orc Foundry.