Ashe C2 Episode 11 - Dark Friends
Previously on Liters of Tomorrow
You started the day with a strange visit from Ionn Castaliogne who demanded a mysterious chest be returned to him. He claimed that Wes and Crashe had the magically sealed box in their possession. Instead of negotiating with the team he instead sent a band of creatures known as the Wild Hunt to tear you all limb from limb.
Battle was joined with the Wild Hunt and your new traveling companions, Finnix, Mausim, and the strange Tielfling known as Archos. The leader of the Wild hunt was a tall canine man with a heavy crossbow. He commanded eight hounds to surround you and attempt to rip you limb from limb. He very nearly succeeded when one of the hounds ripped out Finnix's throat and leaving him to die. With Wes being his only hope, the ranger fitted a syringe arrow with a healing potion and shot the device into Finnix from 30 feet away. This stabilized the artificer enough to stop the bleedout.
Mausim, Crashe, and Archos met the huntsman in melee range and engaged in furious battle while Wes cleaned up the hounds. After a dangerous bloody battle the ragtag team came out victorious claiming the huntsman heavy crossbow.
With the battle ended, the team still had to deal with their captives, Messendria Quail and her paramore Nicovar Thelypteris. After some discussion they decided to return her home, back to the Baroness who rules the town of Porsk.
On the day and half journey back to town you ran across the famous Gustellin's traveling troupe, a circus on the move to their next gig in Westinox. The Beast wrangler asked for help in recovering two missing cubs. Wes and Mausim took off into the woods to bring them back. Finding the the Displacer beast kitten and the blink dog pup cornered by some Worgs they took up attack positions in nearby trees. Using their bow skills they easily dispatched the Worgs and returned the animals to the Beast Wrangler.
Once back in Porsk the team met with Baroness Quail and you received your reward for finding her missing daughter. Her Advisor Ionn Castaliogne denied his presence in the forest and gave no sign of subterfuge when you confronted him about the missing chest and the Wild Hunt. You also secreted Nicovar Thelypteris away in the stables to avoid and international incident. In the meantime you made a tentative plan to blackmail the dwarven man from Clan Raspgrinder using the evidence you found at the fallen tower implicating him in the plot to replace the princess with an usurper.
Plot points/Scenes
You have all spent the last three days in the bustling shipping town of Porsk. Having a few days of rest allowed all of you to brush up on your training and learn some new skills. The Red Wulves fighting guild has a large training facility that was used liberally by Crashe and Wes to work on new combat techniques. Finnix why don't you tell us what you did during the long weekend.
Mausim -
Mausim you spent the last few days working out with Crashe and Wes, but were dubious about joining the Red Wulves. Your allegiance is still with the Griffon Corp. of Copenhaus. Still unsure why you are here, you wonder why that griffon fled the East and deposited you here. Last night as the sun went down and your new friends hit the Blue Jetsam tavern you walked along the docks. A warm wind began to blow in and you could smell the metallic tang in the air of a storm rain.
Thinking of your sister back home in Copenhaus you let the heavy drops fall on and around you. Thunder rumbled above and then a bolt of lightning struck on the other side of the river. A blinding flash of light and a wave of thunder you could almost feel. As you consider running back up to the tavern you look up almost transfixed by the storm.
Another blinding flash and a bolt of lightning struck you knocking you into the river. Memories come flooding back of a storm and ocean water filling your lungs. Darkness, loud sounds, then the absence of all sound. This storm feels almost familiar. Like a presence lurking within, like the storm sees you. After a few moments the memories fade and you drag yourself out of the water.
Just like that the storm fades, the clouds peel back to reveal the two moons and thousands of stars.
That was last night, now you sit at a round table made of dark thick wood, covered with the waxy feel of a thousand spilled drinks. Crashe, Finnix, and Wes sit with you, Archos has disappeared into his studies again. The Blue Jetsam tavern and Inn is busy tonight. Several ships arrived in the afternoon depositing travelers, sailors, and company men in all the taverns of Porsk. You look around at the huge black timber that makes up the bones of the old tavern. Several wall decorations glow a ghostly blue as minor illusions show sea battles of times long past.
A Note for Wes
The green elven woman of the Red Wulves fighters Guild known as Balia approaches you. "Crashe, Wes. Good workout today." Wes she hands you a small piece of parchment. "Wes this came for you while you were gone. Would you like to join me for a drink?"
Wes the note is from Jaron Dartmoor back in Ashe, but only marked by a small gear symbol he presses into his missives.
"Wes, I hope this note finds you well. I bear bad news, I'm afraid. Zinjah Sheeth of the Blue Moose Brewery has been found dead. The guards claim evidence that leads back to you or myself. I have a theory on who did this. Return when you can but be wary. Watch for ravens..."
A Night on the Town
Bar Fight!
As the two new characters make their way to the bar the bartender is a hobogoblin man named Grendel Wrex with ruddy dark skin and a shaved head. The barback and server is a halfling man named Dida Fruzz. The hobgoblin looks at you both and says in a gruff voice, "What'll it be?" You notice a tall half orc man with greyish green skin standing behind you and he absent mindedly inches closer to you like any drunken lout who doesn't pay attention to others. As he steps on the foot of a human man headed to the bathroom, the human flicks the rest of his beer at the half orc's head and shouts "Ow you stupid bloody ogre!" The drunken half orc turns to look at you with a gleam in his eye, mistaking you for the belligerent who ducks into the crowd. "You talking at me?!" As the half orc swings several patrons get knocked about by elbows and knees and several mugs and glasses get thrown and broken. At this point the bar brawl is in full effect! Let's roll initiative and see what you all do.
[DM Note: In round 2 three large creatures break through the back wall. Wood splinters and axes carve through the slats! Three broad shouldered hairy creatures bust through, one with the head of a ram, one that looks cowlike, and the third has a vulture beak. They all seem like mutated chimerae of some type. They fix their gaze on Crashe, Wes, and Finnix.]
[DM Note: As the team heads to the taverns to get some drinks and some food, They will be targeted by Dark Friends. Humanoids who have dedicated themselves to freeing the Dark Lord or work for one of the Fallen in that service. As hopefully separate a bit some of them will be approached by an attractive woman or two.]
Scenario one: A woman pleads for help, her friend has been dragged off by a large sailor looking for a good time. She is an attractive human woman with black hair pulled back into a pony tail. She looks to be in her late twenties and she wears a dark brown woolen skirt, a loose cotton shirt and a leather vest. Her name is Ronia Sonjon. "Sir, please help me. Or help my friend Callie rather. Dammit, I let her get dragged off by that lout!" She bangs her fist against a table. "Please, he is going to hurt her, I just know it." She describes her friend as a Tiefling woman with light blue skin and long black hair named Tesia.
If the players head off with her, she heads to the docks behind the Mariner's alliance guild. They sit low down by the river, a sharp cliff of about thirty feet separates the buildings above with the river's edge below. Two steep wooden staircases carry you down. You notice that the lanterns and torches of the town don't shine down here. Ronia says that many people use this area of the docks to bring sex workers or to conduct some light smuggling of drugs or fence stolen goods. You smell the damp wood and hear the light crashing of the water upon the wood of the docks.
Just then you hear a woman scream "No! someone help me!" Looking up ahead in the darkness you see a tall male figure grabbing a woman around the waist as she struggles. What would you like to do?
When the PC's put their plan into action they can hear the half elven woman in a much more calm voice say "Now Ronia, do it." From behind you hear the woman named Ronia say "For the Dark One!" as she tosses a small stone your way.
[DM Note: the stone is a golem stone, whatever it touches will turn into a golem and attack the players. The two women and the man will also attempt to stab them with long thin black daggers. These daggers are +1 but are also cursed by the Dark One. Whoever holds them will be watched by the Fallen and other dark friends.]
Mausim -
Mausim you spent the last few days working out with Crashe and Wes, but were dubious about joining the Red Wulves. Your allegiance is still with the Griffon Corp. of Copenhaus. Still unsure why you are here, you wonder why that griffon fled the East and deposited you here. Last night as the sun went down and your new friends hit the Blue Jetsam tavern you walked along the docks. A warm wind began to blow in and you could smell the metallic tang in the air of a storm rain.
Thinking of your sister back home in Copenhaus you let the heavy drops fall on and around you. Thunder rumbled above and then a bolt of lightning struck on the other side of the river. A blinding flash of light and a wave of thunder you could almost feel. As you consider running back up to the tavern you look up almost transfixed by the storm.
Another blinding flash and a bolt of lightning struck you knocking you into the river. Memories come flooding back of a storm and ocean water filling your lungs. Darkness, loud sounds, then the absence of all sound. This storm feels almost familiar. Like a presence lurking within, like the storm sees you. After a few moments the memories fade and you drag yourself out of the water.
Just like that the storm fades, the clouds peel back to reveal the two moons and thousands of stars.
That was last night, now you sit at a round table made of dark thick wood, covered with the waxy feel of a thousand spilled drinks. Crashe, Finnix, and Wes sit with you, Archos has disappeared into his studies again. The Blue Jetsam tavern and Inn is busy tonight. Several ships arrived in the afternoon depositing travelers, sailors, and company men in all the taverns of Porsk. You look around at the huge black timber that makes up the bones of the old tavern. Several wall decorations glow a ghostly blue as minor illusions show sea battles of times long past.
A Note for Wes
The green elven woman of the Red Wulves fighters Guild known as Balia approaches you. "Crashe, Wes. Good workout today." Wes she hands you a small piece of parchment. "Wes this came for you while you were gone. Would you like to join me for a drink?"
Wes the note is from Jaron Dartmoor back in Ashe, but only marked by a small gear symbol he presses into his missives.
"Wes, I hope this note finds you well. I bear bad news, I'm afraid. Zinjah Sheeth of the Blue Moose Brewery has been found dead. The guards claim evidence that leads back to you or myself. I have a theory on who did this. Return when you can but be wary. Watch for ravens..."
A Night on the Town
Bar Fight!
As the two new characters make their way to the bar the bartender is a hobogoblin man named Grendel Wrex with ruddy dark skin and a shaved head. The barback and server is a halfling man named Dida Fruzz. The hobgoblin looks at you both and says in a gruff voice, "What'll it be?" You notice a tall half orc man with greyish green skin standing behind you and he absent mindedly inches closer to you like any drunken lout who doesn't pay attention to others. As he steps on the foot of a human man headed to the bathroom, the human flicks the rest of his beer at the half orc's head and shouts "Ow you stupid bloody ogre!" The drunken half orc turns to look at you with a gleam in his eye, mistaking you for the belligerent who ducks into the crowd. "You talking at me?!" As the half orc swings several patrons get knocked about by elbows and knees and several mugs and glasses get thrown and broken. At this point the bar brawl is in full effect! Let's roll initiative and see what you all do.
[DM Note: In round 2 three large creatures break through the back wall. Wood splinters and axes carve through the slats! Three broad shouldered hairy creatures bust through, one with the head of a ram, one that looks cowlike, and the third has a vulture beak. They all seem like mutated chimerae of some type. They fix their gaze on Crashe, Wes, and Finnix.]
[DM Note: As the team heads to the taverns to get some drinks and some food, They will be targeted by Dark Friends. Humanoids who have dedicated themselves to freeing the Dark Lord or work for one of the Fallen in that service. As hopefully separate a bit some of them will be approached by an attractive woman or two.]
Scenario one: A woman pleads for help, her friend has been dragged off by a large sailor looking for a good time. She is an attractive human woman with black hair pulled back into a pony tail. She looks to be in her late twenties and she wears a dark brown woolen skirt, a loose cotton shirt and a leather vest. Her name is Ronia Sonjon. "Sir, please help me. Or help my friend Callie rather. Dammit, I let her get dragged off by that lout!" She bangs her fist against a table. "Please, he is going to hurt her, I just know it." She describes her friend as a Tiefling woman with light blue skin and long black hair named Tesia.
If the players head off with her, she heads to the docks behind the Mariner's alliance guild. They sit low down by the river, a sharp cliff of about thirty feet separates the buildings above with the river's edge below. Two steep wooden staircases carry you down. You notice that the lanterns and torches of the town don't shine down here. Ronia says that many people use this area of the docks to bring sex workers or to conduct some light smuggling of drugs or fence stolen goods. You smell the damp wood and hear the light crashing of the water upon the wood of the docks.
Just then you hear a woman scream "No! someone help me!" Looking up ahead in the darkness you see a tall male figure grabbing a woman around the waist as she struggles. What would you like to do?
When the PC's put their plan into action they can hear the half elven woman in a much more calm voice say "Now Ronia, do it." From behind you hear the woman named Ronia say "For the Dark One!" as she tosses a small stone your way.
[DM Note: the stone is a golem stone, whatever it touches will turn into a golem and attack the players. The two women and the man will also attempt to stab them with long thin black daggers. These daggers are +1 but are also cursed by the Dark One. Whoever holds them will be watched by the Fallen and other dark friends.]
Themes
A Note for Archos
Archos you are handed a note. The high end parchment paper and impeccable calligraphy stands out as something important . It reads "Meet me in the back room of the Bronze Dragon Tooth Inn, alone…"
[DM Note: Imply that maybe messendria or the Baroness is sending this note. If Archos agrees he will see a man sitting at an ornate wooden table.]
Ionn Castaliogne sits at the table relaxed he holds up his hands and smiles. "Please, I am unarmed, I invited you here for a drink and a proposal. Relax and have a seat, there are no traps here."
"I see that you have drawn the attention of the Assembly of the Weave I also have many issues with their organization as well. Perhaps you and I could do something about that. I have a plan if you would be so good as to hear me out?"
"When you have had your dealings with the Assembly have you noticed the medallions around their necks that bear their seal? These are not only a symbol that you are in good standing with the Assembly, they are also enchanted for communication and monitoring. They are all linked by the same magicks. I am creating a device that will unravel those enchantments and reweave them into a magical block cutting them all off from magic indefinitely and simultaneously. With one flick of a switch you and I could destroy the entire organization!"
"You only need to acquire the box that has mysteriously vanished amongst your companions, the ranger and the elf. Do not be alarmed my boy, the contents are only a focus. Once this is added to my device it will amplify the signal and encompass the entire continent. The focus is a carved statue of a horse's head fitted with several crystals. It is carved from shardrock and enhanced to magnify magic."
"Think of the good we could do by freeing all of us from the oppression of the Assembly, how many good people would be free to travel the globe like you do without worrying that they will be gentled?"
On their way back from Porsk have the Vestal Moth attack them and try to steal the box! Could set up a block on the road and then engage them with wereravens and golem. During battle have actual thieves attempt to ransack their carriage
Archos you are handed a note. The high end parchment paper and impeccable calligraphy stands out as something important . It reads "Meet me in the back room of the Bronze Dragon Tooth Inn, alone…"
[DM Note: Imply that maybe messendria or the Baroness is sending this note. If Archos agrees he will see a man sitting at an ornate wooden table.]
Ionn Castaliogne sits at the table relaxed he holds up his hands and smiles. "Please, I am unarmed, I invited you here for a drink and a proposal. Relax and have a seat, there are no traps here."
"I see that you have drawn the attention of the Assembly of the Weave I also have many issues with their organization as well. Perhaps you and I could do something about that. I have a plan if you would be so good as to hear me out?"
"When you have had your dealings with the Assembly have you noticed the medallions around their necks that bear their seal? These are not only a symbol that you are in good standing with the Assembly, they are also enchanted for communication and monitoring. They are all linked by the same magicks. I am creating a device that will unravel those enchantments and reweave them into a magical block cutting them all off from magic indefinitely and simultaneously. With one flick of a switch you and I could destroy the entire organization!"
"You only need to acquire the box that has mysteriously vanished amongst your companions, the ranger and the elf. Do not be alarmed my boy, the contents are only a focus. Once this is added to my device it will amplify the signal and encompass the entire continent. The focus is a carved statue of a horse's head fitted with several crystals. It is carved from shardrock and enhanced to magnify magic."
"Think of the good we could do by freeing all of us from the oppression of the Assembly, how many good people would be free to travel the globe like you do without worrying that they will be gentled?"
On their way back from Porsk have the Vestal Moth attack them and try to steal the box! Could set up a block on the road and then engage them with wereravens and golem. During battle have actual thieves attempt to ransack their carriage
Structure
Exposition
On the Daggerun Road
[DM Note: As the players get up and moving in the morning make sure to ask them about the carriage, what they are doing with Nicovar and where the magic chest is.]
As you move south on the Daggerun Road that stretches from the Thoris Megalith all the way to Helletowne, the autumn breeze bring a chill. The tall leafy trees that stretch overhead have tints of yellow, orange, and red mixed into them. The horses hooves fall over brown dried leaves that litter the wide heavily trafficked road.
The sun shines bright and warm overhead but the wind and shadier areas have a chill to them. The horses move south at a good clip, clearly thankful for the exercise and the bellies full of fresh oats and molasses. After an hour of travel you see two figures on horseback up ahead. Two heavily armored women ride thick hooved wide shouldered stallions wearing light armor on their horse shins and heads. The two women glare at you as they ride past. On their tabards is a golden circle with a spear of gold pointing up and down. Two small lightning bolts sit at the side of the circle on a 45 degree angle.
[DM Note: These are two of the Daughters of light: Opela Barn and Qesa Huss. Opela is a human woman with black hair and brown eyes. Qesa is a half orc woman with bright green skin, tall with dark green hair.
A religious order dedicated to Vellenox, they only accept females. They are a backlash to the Adherents of Iron, the religious zealots who said they were clerics of Eigeralon. The truth is they were devoted to the evil creature known as Anaxis. When the deception was revealed the order fell apart. After the battle of Penthos many of the higher officers were arrested.
With Vellenox being the last god targeted by the Adherents of Iron, the Clerics devoted to her rallied and recruited thousands of new acolytes. One of their main temples is in the city of Westinox. This organization has been radicalized especially against males. There are rumors that they have been castrating any men that they deem criminals or heretics. They have also set up an adversarial relationship with the Clerics of Eigeralon and the EMP.]
"Hold travelers, may the light of Vellenox reveal you." Opela speaks sternly with an authoritative voice, you see chain mail underneath a bright white tabard that bears the mark of Vellenox. The sides of the tabard and her cloak are bright gold in color. She sits astride a white charger with hooves like a clydesdale.
"There is nothing to fear if you hold to the light, but there are dark friends about."
[DM Note: As the players get up and moving in the morning make sure to ask them about the carriage, what they are doing with Nicovar and where the magic chest is.]
As you move south on the Daggerun Road that stretches from the Thoris Megalith all the way to Helletowne, the autumn breeze bring a chill. The tall leafy trees that stretch overhead have tints of yellow, orange, and red mixed into them. The horses hooves fall over brown dried leaves that litter the wide heavily trafficked road.
The sun shines bright and warm overhead but the wind and shadier areas have a chill to them. The horses move south at a good clip, clearly thankful for the exercise and the bellies full of fresh oats and molasses. After an hour of travel you see two figures on horseback up ahead. Two heavily armored women ride thick hooved wide shouldered stallions wearing light armor on their horse shins and heads. The two women glare at you as they ride past. On their tabards is a golden circle with a spear of gold pointing up and down. Two small lightning bolts sit at the side of the circle on a 45 degree angle.
[DM Note: These are two of the Daughters of light: Opela Barn and Qesa Huss. Opela is a human woman with black hair and brown eyes. Qesa is a half orc woman with bright green skin, tall with dark green hair.
A religious order dedicated to Vellenox, they only accept females. They are a backlash to the Adherents of Iron, the religious zealots who said they were clerics of Eigeralon. The truth is they were devoted to the evil creature known as Anaxis. When the deception was revealed the order fell apart. After the battle of Penthos many of the higher officers were arrested.
With Vellenox being the last god targeted by the Adherents of Iron, the Clerics devoted to her rallied and recruited thousands of new acolytes. One of their main temples is in the city of Westinox. This organization has been radicalized especially against males. There are rumors that they have been castrating any men that they deem criminals or heretics. They have also set up an adversarial relationship with the Clerics of Eigeralon and the EMP.]
"Hold travelers, may the light of Vellenox reveal you." Opela speaks sternly with an authoritative voice, you see chain mail underneath a bright white tabard that bears the mark of Vellenox. The sides of the tabard and her cloak are bright gold in color. She sits astride a white charger with hooves like a clydesdale.
"There is nothing to fear if you hold to the light, but there are dark friends about."
Conflict
As the team moves farther south at around early afternoon the road bends. The wide hard packed dirt road curves right towards the riverbank only to sharply bend back to the left going around a dense copse of trees. Wide trunks mean deep roots and clearly to large to simply clear and have the road move straight through.
Perception check for Wes and Aerin the falcon. DC 16 to spot a raven high up in the branches of the taller tree looking down at them.
[DM Note: Inside is a Smelt Ward Minotaur and another wereraven ready to attack the players. The minotaur has been blackmailed by Premalkin Po and the Vestal Moth to keep the players busy while two thieves sneak behind them and ransack the carriage looking for the magic chest.]
Perception check for Wes and Aerin the falcon. DC 16 to spot a raven high up in the branches of the taller tree looking down at them.
[DM Note: Inside is a Smelt Ward Minotaur and another wereraven ready to attack the players. The minotaur has been blackmailed by Premalkin Po and the Vestal Moth to keep the players busy while two thieves sneak behind them and ransack the carriage looking for the magic chest.]
The Year SF3, 3027 the month of
Plot type
Main Story
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