Date: 7/31/24
Session Number: 16
Party Members:
Hrothgar: A Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer with strange family secrets
Grom: A young cleric with a bone to pick
Summary of Events:
1. Downtime in Kinbuldahr:
The session began with Hrothgar and Grom, along with the rest of the Defenders off-screen, taking 21 days of downtime now that they were in Kinbuldahr proper. During this period, they helped train new Silver Stones members.
2. Audience with King Orik Blackblade III:
After their downtime, the Defenders were granted an audience with King Orik Blackblade III. In the throne room, they met several key figures:
**Thorin Snowthane**: Patriarch of the Snowthane clan and right hand of the king.
**Rolf Goldbeard**: A feeble, old advisor from the noble Goldbeard family.
**Hardrim Blackbane**: Proprietor of the Undermountain Mine and patriarch of the Blackbane family.
**Gordrack Blackhammer**: Head of the Blackhammer clan of Duergar.
3. Delivering the Letter:
After introductions, Lord Goldbeard introduced the Defenders to King Orik, who appeared mildly incapacitated. The Defenders offered to deliver a letter from Greasy Marianne. Initially suspicious, Goldbeard tried to protect the king from the letter. However, when the letter was opened, it revealed a strange sigil that temporarily cured the king's illness. King Orik cried out before collapsing again.
4. Suspicion and Arrest:
Hrothgar noticed Gordrack Blackhammer behaving suspiciously during the ordeal. As a result, Rolf Goldbeard had Lord Blackhammer arrested and the Defenders removed from the throne room.
5. Meeting with Fozmir:
Back at the Silver Stones, Fozmir met with Grom. He informed him that Rolf was upset by their antics and assigned Grom to shadow the Defenders. Grom was also required to serve as a guard at the Wraithorn Estates soon. Fozmir recommended the Defenders speak with Atalas and Lorsan outside of the city regarding the investigation into Hrothgar's family home.
6. Meeting Atalas and Lorsan:
That evening, Hrothgar and Grom met Atalas and his protege, Lorsan, in their mystical camp. The camp was magically shielded from the storm by ancient druidic magic. Lorsan shared that he would be traveling to Sunkeep to investigate leads provided by Jassin Taxis, Jaher's brother. Atalas informed the Defenders about powerful necromancy at work within Kinbuldahr, connected to the storm and attacks on surrounding villages.
7. Journey to Hrothgar's Village:
The next day, the Defenders traveled through the storm for several hours, arriving at Hrothgar's old village. They quickly dispatched a group of orcs outside the village, noticing strange runes carved into their backs and arms that seemed to protect them from the storm. The village was found annihilated, with families slaughtered in their homes.
8. Investigating the Village:
Hrothgar and Grom split up to investigate. Hrothgar found a note from his father addressed to Rolf Goldbeard, mentioning Hrothgar's true family lineage and linking his mother to the Spindar gnome slaver family. Grom discovered piles of body parts sorted into stacks, a gruesome sight.
9. Battle with a Ghostly Being:
While investigating, Hrothgar found Grom beset by a cruel ghostly being. The Defenders battled the ghost and were soon attacked by a large horde of zombies. Just as they cleared the horde, Atalas returned, urging them to run. The session ended with the Defenders fleeing the scene.
Character Development:
Hrothgar discovered important information about his family lineage, revealing connections to the Spindar gnome slaver family.
Grom faced the gruesome reality of the village's destruction and proved his combat prowess against the undead.
Next Steps:
The session ended with the Defenders fleeing from the ghostly being and the horde of zombies. Their next steps will involve regrouping and planning their next move, possibly investigating the powerful necromancy at work in Kinbuldahr.
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