Session 418 – Looters
General Summary
12th of Halane (Autumn) 728TR
The story so far
A group of heroes battle the evils haunting the beleaguered Kingdom of Kanday.
Sir Odin, a former Erkan of the Order of the Checkered Shield, has been raised to knighthood.
Remy, a former master thief and active gambler, has won and lost fortunes.
Abaddon has traveled the wilderness, perfecting his impressive martial skills.
Edelina, a scholarly priestess of the god of Knowledge Save K’Nor, joins them on their adventures.
This is the continuation of Session 417 – The Falling Man.
The heroes are investigating the murder of the potter Sarel of Lebeque in the City of Aleath. The skilled craftsman was strangled and thrown out of a high window onto the street, presumably to make an example.
After examining the evidence, the heroes discovered that Sarel had uncovered a smuggling operation involving his brother Vanvic in the Town of Drysia and may have been preparing to expose it. The heroes travel to Drysia to seek justice.
Part 1 – Constable Fodin
Constable Fodin disclosed to Odin that Vanvic was suspected of being a spy for the Thardic Republic, but had no firm evidence, and would be happy for the heroes to investigate further. Vanvic, like his brother Sarel, was a potter, and his workshop is under guard. The heroes examine the scene of the crime.
Part 2 – Monster of Clay
Vanvic’s workshop is a mess, and the heroes search through it, finding many of the potters' expertly made statuettes hollow. Some contain antique silver jewellery, most of which is badly corroded. Looking at the business records, they are largely exported to the City of Coranan in the neighboring Thardic Republic.
A careful search uncovers a well-hidden compartment. Odin opens it, and suddenly, blades of force slice out, cutting the investigators. Their quick reflexes save them from being sliced in twain. A man-sized blob of clay rolls out of the secret compartment, takes on a vaguely humanoid form, and attacks. The clay blob proves a formidable adversary but is soon splatted into a harmless mess.
The compartment contains a dozen ancient silver artifacts and a map of the local area, which is known for scores of ancient burial mounds. Some of the barrows are circled or crossed. The heroes deduce that Vanvic and his associates were looting the nearby burial mounds and transporting the illicit goods to Coranan. Looting the burial mounds is a crime that the King takes very seriously.
Part 3 – The High Roller
Constable Fodin is relieved to learn that the smuggling operation has been uncovered, and it was not a spy ring. He approved the heroes to investigate the nearby barrows and advises the heroes that some of Vanvic’s associates were Thardic merchants and gamblers, but he has no further details.
Remy visits the Green Flagon Inn and the talkative Innkeeper Orm of Edriza. Orm remembers the Thardic merchant whom he names as Andear. And gives an accurate description, a middle-aged man, short, cropped hair, and a long, thin moustache trimmed to a fine point. He matches the description of a gambler Remy has played against some years ago. The villain was caught cheating.
Part 4 – Death at a Barrow
The heroes investigate the nearby barrows, of which about 70 are marked on the map. Several mounds show signs of recent excavations, those with an "X" on the map. Soon, about three leagues from the town, they spot a bored-looking guard outside a newly opened mound.
The hero sneaks up on him. While Abaddon creates a distraction, Odin sneaks behind him and wrestles him to the ground, wrapping his hand around his mouth, gagging him. Remy moves over the surprised man, deftly swiping his weapon and a signal whistle. The guard breaks free from the grapple, but his efforts to signal his companions looting the mound fail, and he is knocked senseless.
After the man is bound, the heroes prepare an ambush. Remy blows the signal whistle and waits for the grave robbers to arrive before springing their trap. Things go relatively well, and the five looters are caught at a disadvantage and cannot coordinate effectively. Their leader, the cheating gambler Andear, proved to be the most dangerous, and his razor-sharp throwing card gouging deep wounds into Odin and Remy. Nevertheless, the grave robbers and smugglers, save one captured for interrogation, are killed.
The party returns with their prisoners to Constable Fodin. They are "questioned" and soon confess they are working for the Thardic Thieves Guild known as the Spiders, attempting to muscle in on Kanday’s less ruthless criminal organisations. The criminals are executed. The Crown confiscates the looted silver goods and ancient artefacts; however, King Andasin approves an ample reward for the PC, and the remaining silver is melted down and donated to local churches of Penoni and Sav K'nor.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Sir Fodin Draven, Constable of Drysia.
Orm of Edriza, Innkeeper of the Green Flagon Inn.
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Player Characters
Odin - Human - L12 Ranger
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetype - Shadowdancer, Investigator, and Fighter.
Abaddon - Elf - L12 Monk
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetypes - Druid and Familiar Master.
Remy - Human - L12 Aerokineticist (with Metal second gate)
Background - Acrobat.
Archetypes - Acrobat and Thief.
NPC Companion
Edelina - Human - L12 Holy Sage Sorcerer
Background - Astrologer.
Archetypes - Psychic and Time Mage.
Next Session
NPC Companion
Edelina of Sprunstone
Edelina, a scholarly priestess of the Church of Save K'Nor, wanders the world looking for subjects to research. She has studied psionics, religions, and astrology. Her current research topic is the monstrous Ivashu in all their strange forms.
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