Vhakizla – Chapter 3

“Spoiled Shore. Summer of 67. Second Age.
Truth be told, it threw me for a loop that the Commander signed the contract in the first place. Work’s work, don’t get me wrong, but there ain’t a woman on this earth with more hatred in her heart for the undead than the Chimera – yet she signed on the dotted to do whatever it is they ask. Makes one wonder what’s in her head right now. The troops will follow her into the devil’s den – any that might’ve deserted over an unsavory contract are long, long gone – but still it worries at me. A blunder now, a fit of pride or pique on this contract, for this employer, one that commands deathless wraiths and angers the Sixfold Faith with its mere existence, could spell our doom.”
– Beholder's Log, Gnoson 10, 67 2A

"Break the blockade," commanded the Speaker in Shreds before vanishing.
The Commander, however, disagreed. Not about to take orders from some faceless undead, she required her trusted advisors to persuade her otherwise. Before they could, however, Stirge appeared and whispered something in her ear, something that convinced her all the more to circumvent the blockade and confront Vhakizla first. The party reasoned that, were Zelene Silvers persuaded to help, it might help sway Chimera. Agreeing to pay for the alchemist's fire, they made the pirate captain an intriguing offer – a duel with Remorhaz. The captain could not turn down a chance to strut her swordplay.
Mercenaries and pirates clustered around the deck to see the two master duelists compete. What followed was a harrowing series of close-calls, near-misses and desperate escapes. Umber served as referee, presiding over the match with drink in hand. Griffon analyzed the captain's fighting style and gave Remorhaz pointers. Mouse scrambled up the lines for a better view. In the end, it was Remorhaz who triumphed, drawing a thin slice of blood on the captain's arm – before she even noticed. Swarmed by her mercenary cohorts – particularly by Willow – Remorhaz's victory meant the pirates were committed to the cause – and Chimera was ultimately convinced.

BATTLE STATS:
The Menagerie:

• 3 Menagerie Foot (medium standard veteran infantry)
• 1 Menagerie Artillery (medium standard veteran artillery)
• 2 Pirate Boarders (large light conscript infantry)
• 1 Pirate Catapult (small light conscript engine)

Pious Blockade:

• 6 Pious Flock (medium light conscript infantry)
• 2 Pious Clergy (small standard veteran infantry)

Under cover of darkness, the Silver Saber positioned herself for battle. The catapult made the opening salvo, crashing a barrel of alchemist's fire onto the deck of the Pious Strength. Meanwhile, the pirate rowers sped the Saber around the Pious Wisdom's port side and prepared to board. Meanwhile, the Commander's Tent slunk along the Wisdom's port quarter and leapt up to surprise attack the ship's captain and cleric.
The battle against the cleric was quick and bloody. Mouse had difficulty gaining purchase at first, accidentally splashing into the sea. Griffon ignited his zhwaro and waded into the melee. Umber threw himself into a battle euphoria, swinging wild with his two-handed maul. Remorhaz's acrobatics carried him across the field, flipping and cartwheeling and rolling past his foes. It was Mouse, however, who dealt the priest her final blow, appearing from nowhere to shove a shortsword in her side.
One half of their leadership defeated, the Pious Blockade staggered and hesitated. The Commander's Tent seized that opportunity to scamper across the outstretched oars of the Wisdom and leapt aboard the burning Pious Strength.
Here, they engaged the second cleric – none other than Shepherd Visiah. Gripping his holy symbol, he summoned a circle of spirit guardians, looming over the battlefield. These angelic specters brought Mouse low but it proved too little, too late to turn the tide of battle. This time, it was Umber who smited the cleric, beaming excitedly as he caved the priest's head in.
After a valiant last stand, the final remaining Pious Flock was defeated.

BATTLE STATS:
The Menagerie:

• 3 Menagerie Foot (medium standard veteran infantry)
• 1 Menagerie Artillery (medium standard veteran artillery)
• 2 Pirate Boarders (large light conscript infantry)
• 1 Pirate Catapult (small light conscript engine)

Pious Blockade:

• 6 Pious Flock (medium light conscript infantry)
• 2 Pious Clergy (small standard veteran infantry)

In the aftermath, Remorhaz found Willow and celebrated their victory over a tankard of ale – while Pegasus looked on. Umber confronted the Pious prisoners and, when his entreaty to convert them failed, handed their fates to the grinning pirate crew. Mouse sought a trembling Basilisk, conscripted to fight in the infantry, and comforted the shaken dragonborn. Griffon reconnected with his mother and the two of them shared a terse but touching moment as they watched the Pious Strength burn with unnatural purple flame.

Campaign: The Menagerie
Game Date: Gnoson 10 – 11, 67 2A
Starting Point: Spoiled Shore
Player Characters:

• Griffon
• Mouse
• Remorhaz
• Umber