Date: 7/24/24
Session Number: 16
Party Members:
Jaher: A Battlemaster Fighter with a keen eye for strategy and espionage.
Eldeste: An Arcane Trickster Rogue with a deep connection to her dying father.
Hrothgar: A Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer with powerful sorcerous abilities.
Hadern: A Vengeance Paladin driven by a strong sense of justice and strength.
Grom: A young male human cleric.
Summary of Events:
1. Battle with Eridim:
The session began with the Defenders engaged in a dramatic fight against the evil undead
Eridim Cleremont. The team found themselves nearly annihilated, with most members lying on the ground, close to death. Eridim, on the verge of victory, moved forward to finish them off. In a final act of sacrifice and defiance, Hadern rose to his feet. Striking at Eridim with his last ounce of strength, Hadern locked in a dramatic power struggle with his undead brother. Both eventually fell, dying in a violent brotherly embrace.
2. Hadern's Last Words:
Before passing away, Hadern shared his last words with his friends, urging them to defend the realm and avenge the Scouring of Riverfall. He passed on his crown and ring to the remaining Defenders, then his spirit traveled far across the realms.
3. Journey to Kinbuldahr:
After a period of grieving, the Defenders used the druidic portal within the inner grove, emerging outside of Kinbuldahr, just south of a small village. Upon traveling northward, they found the village under attack by a small force of undead.
4. Meeting the Silver Stones:
The Defenders encountered members of the legendary fighter's guild, the Silver Stones, led by King Orik Blackblade III's second oldest son,
Fozmir Blackblade. After assisting the Silver Stones in defeating the undead, the Defenders were greeted warmly by Fozmir and Grom, a new character, a young male human cleric.
5. Update on Kinbuldahr:
During dinner, Fozmir informed the team about recent events around Kinbuldahr. Hrothgar learned that his father's village had been scourged by an Orc raiding party and desecrated by an army of undead. Fozmir also revealed that King Orik had fallen ill and was unable to govern. His advisor,
Rolph Goldbeard, was too old to govern effectively. Orik's eldest son, Orik IV, was away on a diplomatic mission and couldn't return due to the harsh winter weather.
6. Political Tensions:
Fozmir shared information about the Duergar family, the Blackhammers, who had been allowed to stay within the Undermountain due to trouble in the local Underdark. This decision had caused extreme distrust among the multiple underclans. Fozmir then left the Defenders to chat with Grom and spend a romantic night with Eldeste.
7. Interaction with Grom:
Grom, distrusting of most outsiders, grilled the Defenders about their purpose. He promised to return Hadern to his ancestral home for burial when the weather cleared.
8. Encounter with Atalas:
A mysterious human ranger,
Atalas, arrived and expressed immediate suspicion of Jaher, claiming to know his brother,
Jassin Taxxis, who was involved in Sunkeep. Atalas revealed he had intercepted one of Jaher's correspondences to Westborough. After a tense situation, the group relaxed, and Atalas offered to help the Defenders, suggesting they seek him out at his camp.
9. Arrival in Kinbuldahr:
The next day, the Defenders headed for Kinbuldahr and arrived later that afternoon, ready to take the next big leap in their journey.
Character Development:
Jaher faced suspicions about his brother and his own secrets.
Eldeste connected with Fozmir, building on their relationship.
Hrothgar learned troubling news about his father's village, motivating him further.
Hadern made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving his friends with a strong sense of duty.
Grom joined the party, bringing his clerical abilities and a cautious nature.
Next Steps:
The session ended with the Defenders arriving in Kinbuldahr, poised to face new challenges and uncover more about the threats facing the realm.
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