Session 16 Recap: "Paradise Lost"
General Summary
Morning came early and peaceful to Orchard's River and the party was finally able to rest after almost a week of constant fighting and travel. Though somewhat scattered, the group gradually pulled together in the tavern to discuss further plans of action, after hearing the Town Speaker's plan to hold a final celebration both to bolster spirits and consume supplies they would be unable to take with them as they abandoned the town the following day.
With the Town Speaker's insistence and unable to do anything but keep themselves at the ready, the party discussed further plans of action to address the larger threat of the Black Hand's intent to sweep across the whole of Edenia. They discussed possible allies across the whole of the kingdom, what they might need to convince them to help, and the best possible route to stay ahead of the army's path and timeline. Alariwyn suggested the Tiri Kitor in the Black Fens would be a good starting point, especially given one of the Silent Dark's commanders (Seraphina Shadowveil) was also supposedly in the area. With the chance to both strengthen their position in the coming conflict and deal a blow to the Silent Dark, the group made plans to leave the following morning once the evacuation of Orchard's River had commensed.
With the day to themselves, the party split up to finish some errands with Deej taking some time to practice his magic and reflect on himself, while Vigo, Yvonne, and Verna stopping first to visit the guard who'd been injured while attempting to arrest Jarret. While they were unable to provide any better care than he was already recieving, they learned the woman was most likely a vampire and had attempted to charm or beguile the guard before hitting him with enough force to send him through a wall. The first-hand account in mind, Verna wanted to visit the basement where she'd been held. Permission recived from Knight Captain Grayson despite an unpleasant confrontation with some of the town's council members, Verna and Vigo left to examine the basement while Yvonne stayed behind.
It didn't take long to examine the now crime scene, or for the unsettling feeling of horror to settle in and grip Verna with visions of endless toothy maws and ravenous hunger. Vigo's quick thinking helped bring Verna back to herself, but there was little either of them could do with the ground Jarret had left desacrated in worship to the Forbidden One, Azariel. Vigo attempted to purify the land with a ritual, though the miasma in the basement was much stronger than he was capable of managing with the impromptu ritual. Rebuffed for the moment, the two warned the guards to stay clear of the basement and returned to the group to discuss their findings.
Night fell at last, and the town of Orchard's River brimmed with celebration and the townsfolk were eager to enjoy themselves under the watchful eyes of the party and town guard. The atmosphere was light and happy, with Miha entertaining the crowds when some of the party heard the tell-tale sounds of the guard's whistles being blown from across the river. Rushing out, they were greeted by the horrifying sight of the homesteads across the river already burning bright against the night sky, just illuminating the sillouette of the river boat already making its trek across the water carrying Mara Tarris on board. But the boat was not destined to arrive, as the familiar bulk of Ozzyrandion rose out of the water and obliterated the boat and its passengers, before the entire town errupted in chaos as the remains of the Silent Dark's vanguard forces descended on the town.
Squads of hobgoblins struck in various points around the town, forcing the party to divide their strength all while dealing with the appearance of the fiendish white Abishais and the looming threat of Ozzyrandion himself. Though not alone in their fight, Miha and Alariwyn joined the town guard in fending off the bulk of the hobgoblins, and Saelaia took to the skies with a fury to attack the dragon directly. Valthruun, the escaped commander of Vraath Keep also made his appearance known, reveling in the destruction around him, before being knocked from the air and into the dark waters of the river below to vanish again. Despite having to divide their numbers to defend the town, one by one, the party put down each of the threats in turn until the town fell quite save for the sounds of the wounded and the crackling of flames across the water...
With the Town Speaker's insistence and unable to do anything but keep themselves at the ready, the party discussed further plans of action to address the larger threat of the Black Hand's intent to sweep across the whole of Edenia. They discussed possible allies across the whole of the kingdom, what they might need to convince them to help, and the best possible route to stay ahead of the army's path and timeline. Alariwyn suggested the Tiri Kitor in the Black Fens would be a good starting point, especially given one of the Silent Dark's commanders (Seraphina Shadowveil) was also supposedly in the area. With the chance to both strengthen their position in the coming conflict and deal a blow to the Silent Dark, the group made plans to leave the following morning once the evacuation of Orchard's River had commensed.
With the day to themselves, the party split up to finish some errands with Deej taking some time to practice his magic and reflect on himself, while Vigo, Yvonne, and Verna stopping first to visit the guard who'd been injured while attempting to arrest Jarret. While they were unable to provide any better care than he was already recieving, they learned the woman was most likely a vampire and had attempted to charm or beguile the guard before hitting him with enough force to send him through a wall. The first-hand account in mind, Verna wanted to visit the basement where she'd been held. Permission recived from Knight Captain Grayson despite an unpleasant confrontation with some of the town's council members, Verna and Vigo left to examine the basement while Yvonne stayed behind.
It didn't take long to examine the now crime scene, or for the unsettling feeling of horror to settle in and grip Verna with visions of endless toothy maws and ravenous hunger. Vigo's quick thinking helped bring Verna back to herself, but there was little either of them could do with the ground Jarret had left desacrated in worship to the Forbidden One, Azariel. Vigo attempted to purify the land with a ritual, though the miasma in the basement was much stronger than he was capable of managing with the impromptu ritual. Rebuffed for the moment, the two warned the guards to stay clear of the basement and returned to the group to discuss their findings.
Night fell at last, and the town of Orchard's River brimmed with celebration and the townsfolk were eager to enjoy themselves under the watchful eyes of the party and town guard. The atmosphere was light and happy, with Miha entertaining the crowds when some of the party heard the tell-tale sounds of the guard's whistles being blown from across the river. Rushing out, they were greeted by the horrifying sight of the homesteads across the river already burning bright against the night sky, just illuminating the sillouette of the river boat already making its trek across the water carrying Mara Tarris on board. But the boat was not destined to arrive, as the familiar bulk of Ozzyrandion rose out of the water and obliterated the boat and its passengers, before the entire town errupted in chaos as the remains of the Silent Dark's vanguard forces descended on the town.
Squads of hobgoblins struck in various points around the town, forcing the party to divide their strength all while dealing with the appearance of the fiendish white Abishais and the looming threat of Ozzyrandion himself. Though not alone in their fight, Miha and Alariwyn joined the town guard in fending off the bulk of the hobgoblins, and Saelaia took to the skies with a fury to attack the dragon directly. Valthruun, the escaped commander of Vraath Keep also made his appearance known, reveling in the destruction around him, before being knocked from the air and into the dark waters of the river below to vanish again. Despite having to divide their numbers to defend the town, one by one, the party put down each of the threats in turn until the town fell quite save for the sounds of the wounded and the crackling of flames across the water...
Rewards Granted
50 platinum pieces per party member, Ring of Warding
Missions/Quests Completed
Defended Orchard's River
Character(s) interacted with
Saelaia Grayson, Miha Serani, Alariwyn, Valthruun the Precient
Report Date
29 Dec 2023
Related Characters
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