Ashe C2 Episode 47 - Team Copenhaus Finally Arrives at Copenhaus
Previously on Liters of Tomorrow...
You watched The water elemental retreat into the vastness of the Wyvern Sea only to emerge as a gargantuan roiling maelstrom. Massive arms and a face formed out of the rushing seawater. It loomed over the ship and the team gathered on the deck of the Pineapple Blade to meet it. Mausim used several control water spells to attempt to break it apart and Demaia wild shaped into a crocodile to meet the creature in the ocean itself. Rango noticed a small glow in the head of the creature and a plan began to form. Mausim froze a section of water around a strange crystal in the center of the elemental and attempted to draw it out. Demaia swam into the belly of the beast to dislodge the ice ball and Rango leapt off of the mast to help from the air. With the crystal removed the creature fell apart and dissipated into the waves.
Nuth went to work to decipher the provenance and workings of the crystal and succeeded in communicating the sender of the elementals. A mage of the assembly now in the service of Grantebridge Strahan. The team was warned that they were being hunted by Strahan and that there was no place to hide.
The ship was temporarily halted as the crew worked on repairs. In the distance a ship was spotted approaching from the West. It caught up to the blade and your ship was boarded. A tall human man called King Arric Lee of King Lee Enterprises demanded to take a look in the hold for some stolen cargo. Captain Queverly thought she had nothing to hide so she allowed Lee's Ship mage to cast detect magic and take a look.
King Lee recognized Nuth and Demaia as two of the law enforcement officers who put him in prison five years ago. Despite this fact he attempted to charm them with a tour of his ship and a drink. Though wary the two agreed, if only to find out what he was up to. Rango tagged along out curiosity and the excitement of touring another ship. King Lee poured them some whiskey and attempted a toast. Demaia had cast detect poison as a precaution and indeed felt the peculiar prickling on her fingers when she waved them over the glasses. They both mimed drinking and tossed the liquor on the floor. To show that he had no hard feelings he gifted Nuth with a necklace of some value.
The Crew of King Lee's Ship took a couple of crates from the hold and despite attempts by Demaia and Mausim to thwart this the crates were transported onto the Ebon Thunderbird. Though bested this time by King Lee and his crew you all vowed to not let it happen again and to investigate what they wanted in those crates.
Sailing on you ate dinner with the crew and settled in for the night. Nuth took a look at the strange pendant given to him by King Lee and the item began to pulse with a strange energy. Touching it Nuth was assaulted with mental images of sea creatures attacking. Moments later several Sahaugin leapt onto the deck of the ship and attacked the crew. A defense was mounted and the attack was thwarted but one of the creatures named Nuth a thief and said that the pendant was a holy relic that was stolen from their city. Nuth returned the pendant to the creature and Mausim convinced them to retreat back under the waves.
You watched The water elemental retreat into the vastness of the Wyvern Sea only to emerge as a gargantuan roiling maelstrom. Massive arms and a face formed out of the rushing seawater. It loomed over the ship and the team gathered on the deck of the Pineapple Blade to meet it. Mausim used several control water spells to attempt to break it apart and Demaia wild shaped into a crocodile to meet the creature in the ocean itself. Rango noticed a small glow in the head of the creature and a plan began to form. Mausim froze a section of water around a strange crystal in the center of the elemental and attempted to draw it out. Demaia swam into the belly of the beast to dislodge the ice ball and Rango leapt off of the mast to help from the air. With the crystal removed the creature fell apart and dissipated into the waves.
Nuth went to work to decipher the provenance and workings of the crystal and succeeded in communicating the sender of the elementals. A mage of the assembly now in the service of Grantebridge Strahan. The team was warned that they were being hunted by Strahan and that there was no place to hide.
The ship was temporarily halted as the crew worked on repairs. In the distance a ship was spotted approaching from the West. It caught up to the blade and your ship was boarded. A tall human man called King Arric Lee of King Lee Enterprises demanded to take a look in the hold for some stolen cargo. Captain Queverly thought she had nothing to hide so she allowed Lee's Ship mage to cast detect magic and take a look.
King Lee recognized Nuth and Demaia as two of the law enforcement officers who put him in prison five years ago. Despite this fact he attempted to charm them with a tour of his ship and a drink. Though wary the two agreed, if only to find out what he was up to. Rango tagged along out curiosity and the excitement of touring another ship. King Lee poured them some whiskey and attempted a toast. Demaia had cast detect poison as a precaution and indeed felt the peculiar prickling on her fingers when she waved them over the glasses. They both mimed drinking and tossed the liquor on the floor. To show that he had no hard feelings he gifted Nuth with a necklace of some value.
The Crew of King Lee's Ship took a couple of crates from the hold and despite attempts by Demaia and Mausim to thwart this the crates were transported onto the Ebon Thunderbird. Though bested this time by King Lee and his crew you all vowed to not let it happen again and to investigate what they wanted in those crates.
Sailing on you ate dinner with the crew and settled in for the night. Nuth took a look at the strange pendant given to him by King Lee and the item began to pulse with a strange energy. Touching it Nuth was assaulted with mental images of sea creatures attacking. Moments later several Sahaugin leapt onto the deck of the ship and attacked the crew. A defense was mounted and the attack was thwarted but one of the creatures named Nuth a thief and said that the pendant was a holy relic that was stolen from their city. Nuth returned the pendant to the creature and Mausim convinced them to retreat back under the waves.
Plot points/Scenes
As the ship sails up the Eastern Coast of Penthaheim you see the massive cliffs of Olero and the white limestone deposits bleached by the sun over thousands of years. The warm sun overhead combines with a cool wind to make a pleasant late summer day as you lean against the rail on the port side of the ship. The waters of the Alcala Strait are calm as the boat cuts through small waves North towards the city of Copenhaus.
After a few hours you see the massive rock spires in the distance. The city of Copenhaus was built on these flat capped spires that jut out of the Strait. Each Spire is connected by massive bridges and many of them have huge elevators that bring goods up to the city from the ports built into the bases. Mausim gives you a good rundown of the city and what to expect on arrival.
Long ruled by the Nuxhall family, Copenhaus operated as an independent city state ranking third in size to Penthos and Lamborginus. The prime minister Baron Anton Hebrides Nuxhall had been in power for over 30 years. It's Naval prowess keeping it protected from raiders on the sea and it's spires giving it a natural defense against land invasion. In the last couple of centuries it has augmented it's defenses by training an air corp. of Griffons piloted by talented aerial warriors. The Nuxhall's, being one of the five great houses, Made Copenhaus an important trading hub on the continent and many of the merchant class incredibly wealthy. It is also holds the famed Alcan embassy that helps to create trade routes with the massive island of primarily Aarokocra who live across the Strait. The Great Zoo of Copenhaus is famous througout the continent and is a major tourist attraction.
According to recent messages from Mausim's sister Cat most of this has been turned upside down by the arrival of a warlord called Vernabogge. He has taken control of the city, and rumors have it, imprisoned Baron Nuxhall.
[DM Note: Copenhaus - As they arrive the guards will be much larger than usual due to Vernabogge’s survival of the fittest philosophy. He is very much an analog of Apocalypse, he views everything through terms of strength. As they arrive he will set up a dinner party to greet them. He will tell them everything he is up to and list off Mausim’s crimes against Copenhaus.
He will cheerfully explain that they are fugitives and criminals and must not leave the city BUT they are free to move about the city as they please. He has set up a game where bounty hunters and other adventuring teams will hunt them through the city. Survival of the fittest, he applauds their durability and the fact that they have defeated the worm known as Lord Vedemire Darkhorse. He explains that darkhorse was a business associate but he always deplored his weakness and his weak minded machinations and confidence man schemes. He serves the Dark One because of the Dark One’s strength. He explains that there is always a higher power, but one must never stop striving for being stronger and surviving.]
Crimes against Mausim are as follows:
After a few hours you see the massive rock spires in the distance. The city of Copenhaus was built on these flat capped spires that jut out of the Strait. Each Spire is connected by massive bridges and many of them have huge elevators that bring goods up to the city from the ports built into the bases. Mausim gives you a good rundown of the city and what to expect on arrival.
Long ruled by the Nuxhall family, Copenhaus operated as an independent city state ranking third in size to Penthos and Lamborginus. The prime minister Baron Anton Hebrides Nuxhall had been in power for over 30 years. It's Naval prowess keeping it protected from raiders on the sea and it's spires giving it a natural defense against land invasion. In the last couple of centuries it has augmented it's defenses by training an air corp. of Griffons piloted by talented aerial warriors. The Nuxhall's, being one of the five great houses, Made Copenhaus an important trading hub on the continent and many of the merchant class incredibly wealthy. It is also holds the famed Alcan embassy that helps to create trade routes with the massive island of primarily Aarokocra who live across the Strait. The Great Zoo of Copenhaus is famous througout the continent and is a major tourist attraction.
According to recent messages from Mausim's sister Cat most of this has been turned upside down by the arrival of a warlord called Vernabogge. He has taken control of the city, and rumors have it, imprisoned Baron Nuxhall.
[DM Note: Copenhaus - As they arrive the guards will be much larger than usual due to Vernabogge’s survival of the fittest philosophy. He is very much an analog of Apocalypse, he views everything through terms of strength. As they arrive he will set up a dinner party to greet them. He will tell them everything he is up to and list off Mausim’s crimes against Copenhaus.
He will cheerfully explain that they are fugitives and criminals and must not leave the city BUT they are free to move about the city as they please. He has set up a game where bounty hunters and other adventuring teams will hunt them through the city. Survival of the fittest, he applauds their durability and the fact that they have defeated the worm known as Lord Vedemire Darkhorse. He explains that darkhorse was a business associate but he always deplored his weakness and his weak minded machinations and confidence man schemes. He serves the Dark One because of the Dark One’s strength. He explains that there is always a higher power, but one must never stop striving for being stronger and surviving.]
Crimes against Mausim are as follows:
- Grand theft Aerial, a griffon “True Grit”
- Instigating an Escape, Felony. The escape of Prisoner 4428 Trick Redfern
- 27 counts of Assault on duly deputized soldiers of Copenhaus
- Tax Avoidance to the sum of 458 gold.
- Treason and Sedition - Joining the underground resistance movement known as Catspaw.
- Associating with an enemy of the state Unacather Baramus
Themes
The Lion's Wing - Resistance Group
The Lion's Wing are a group of Aarokocran mercenaries who have been trapped in the city after the rise of Vernabogge. They do have flight but not the ability to fly all the way to Alcan Island. Some have escaped through the continent but the remaining members are here to fight Vernabogge. They know that if he succeeds their home island will be invaded.
They have intel that Vernabogge plans a multi front assault drawing most of Penthaheim into combat immediately. It is through the Lion's wing that the team will learn that he is creating a bomb that he plans on detonating in the Underdark. Within months all of the continents will be drawn into a world war.
Members of the Lion's Wing - They are all fighters and barbarians.
Chaffinch Brightwing - Fairly hawkish female Aarokocra with bright white feathers on her arms and wings. Ouzel Bluefeather - Male Aarokocra with a bluejay shaped head with blue and black feathers. Nevatar Goshawk - White eagle shaped head, male. Brown feathers with white speckles. Carrion Crowntail - Thinner head with dark grey, orange bands cover her arms and wings. Oriole looking colors. Caspian Tern - Finch like head with dark blue feathers, a bright pink group of feathers on his chest. Chukar partridge - Pigeon like colors and features. Male Aarokocra with grey tones highlighted with bright blue and pink. Citrine wagtail - Finch like head with bright yellow feathers on his head and neck. Grey and black bands about his shoulders.
The Lion's Wing are a group of Aarokocran mercenaries who have been trapped in the city after the rise of Vernabogge. They do have flight but not the ability to fly all the way to Alcan Island. Some have escaped through the continent but the remaining members are here to fight Vernabogge. They know that if he succeeds their home island will be invaded.
They have intel that Vernabogge plans a multi front assault drawing most of Penthaheim into combat immediately. It is through the Lion's wing that the team will learn that he is creating a bomb that he plans on detonating in the Underdark. Within months all of the continents will be drawn into a world war.
Members of the Lion's Wing - They are all fighters and barbarians.
Chaffinch Brightwing - Fairly hawkish female Aarokocra with bright white feathers on her arms and wings. Ouzel Bluefeather - Male Aarokocra with a bluejay shaped head with blue and black feathers. Nevatar Goshawk - White eagle shaped head, male. Brown feathers with white speckles. Carrion Crowntail - Thinner head with dark grey, orange bands cover her arms and wings. Oriole looking colors. Caspian Tern - Finch like head with dark blue feathers, a bright pink group of feathers on his chest. Chukar partridge - Pigeon like colors and features. Male Aarokocra with grey tones highlighted with bright blue and pink. Citrine wagtail - Finch like head with bright yellow feathers on his head and neck. Grey and black bands about his shoulders.
Structure
Exposition
[DM Note: Vernabogge has created a bomb, a thermonuclear device that he will detonate in the Underdark. He is fomenting a war not just between the five houses and the city states but his grand plan is to start a war with the underdark and the surface world. All to create death and chaos for the Dark One and to create stronger survivors for his survival of the fittest mentality. The Lion’s Wing resistance group is focused on this. There should be a chamber with a massive hole underneath it leading into the Underdark. The bomb construction is taking place on a platform above this hole in the ground. It uses a large amount of shardrock and other accelerants.]
The Catspaw resistance group led by Mausim’s sister is focused on getting political prisoners out of prison before they are killed in the gladiatorial games. Specifically her father who is being held in high security prison. The team also needs to find the key that unlocks the shield around Vernabogge’s phylactery. That should be hidden in the manor house that he is using as his home base.]
Catspaw Resistance Group:
The Catspaw resistance group led by Mausim’s sister is focused on getting political prisoners out of prison before they are killed in the gladiatorial games. Specifically her father who is being held in high security prison. The team also needs to find the key that unlocks the shield around Vernabogge’s phylactery. That should be hidden in the manor house that he is using as his home base.]
Catspaw Resistance Group:
- Unacather Baramus- Allow Eman to describe her to us. Human Woman with dark hair.
- Restovar Graphus - Human man, bald with a face tattoo of a snake on his cheek. Former soldier of Copenhaus.
- Hiram Westov - Half Orc/Half Dwarven man, former Griffon Air Corp member but never made pilot.
- Pelia Nuxhall Dover - The Niece of Baron Anton Hebrides, human woman with long brown hair and brown eyes.
- Istael Drudge - Dwarven man who used to run the Whistling Blade. A weapons shop specializing in knives and swords.
- Erasmus Piton - Gnome man and former thief, he has thinning grey hair and a large nose even for a Gnome.
- Jugwell Fletch - Halfling man and former thief. Has rogue abilities and several scars around his left eye. Black curly hair.
- Talis Sonia - Half elven woman with short spiky hair dyed blue. Former spy for Lamborginus, now determined to kill Vernabogge.
Conflict
Other things players can notice about the city:
Stockpiles of weapons and military brigades marching or drilling in public spaces. Many of the taverns have done quite will with the expanded ranks of the soldiers. There are no rules about drinking or public brawling.
The populace is now living in a state of increased anxiety, commerce continues and many of the shop and tavern owners are trying to do business as usual. In fact the economy of the city is doing quite well, profits are up due to the influx of soldiers and goods that are flowing into the city. They can also notice that this military buildup is for a reason, war threatens the future.
Locations of things
The Catspaw resistance
They have been using an old thieves Guild as their headquarters. The Hare's Catch had a thriving guild here 25 years ago but was edged out by the Elder Crowe's. The guild is deep in the Ulatan Dome behind a secret wall. There is a glyph that responds to the phrase "Touching a Whale's Penis."
The Key to Vernabogge's phylactery
Hidden in Nuxhall Manor in the study is the key. It's in an ancient ceramic box and would look like a lion key from voltron. Once placed in the receptacle underneath the painting it would unlock the shield. Behind a massive painting of the current form of Vernabogge there is a safe. It needs to be unlocked and is trapped with a paralyzing chemical agent. DC 17 constitution saving throw.
The Bomb is being constructed in 14 / The Light. The lighthouse is a strange device that has been shining for millenia. Originally it was built by the drow as a type of periscope to the surface world. The light was supposed to be a viewing device for a dark sect of Drow who were determined to invade the surface world. They were defeated 1200 years ago by Paladins of Eigeralon who discovered the plot. When the device was destroyed it left a blazing magical light that never burned out. The lighthouse of Copenhaus was built around it and shines to this day.
Underneath the floor of the lighthouse is a secret room. The floor there is being torn up to reveal a chasm that delves deep into the earth, if one was to fall into it they would fall four miles into the underdark.
Stockpiles of weapons and military brigades marching or drilling in public spaces. Many of the taverns have done quite will with the expanded ranks of the soldiers. There are no rules about drinking or public brawling.
The populace is now living in a state of increased anxiety, commerce continues and many of the shop and tavern owners are trying to do business as usual. In fact the economy of the city is doing quite well, profits are up due to the influx of soldiers and goods that are flowing into the city. They can also notice that this military buildup is for a reason, war threatens the future.
Locations of things
The Catspaw resistance
They have been using an old thieves Guild as their headquarters. The Hare's Catch had a thriving guild here 25 years ago but was edged out by the Elder Crowe's. The guild is deep in the Ulatan Dome behind a secret wall. There is a glyph that responds to the phrase "Touching a Whale's Penis."
The Key to Vernabogge's phylactery
Hidden in Nuxhall Manor in the study is the key. It's in an ancient ceramic box and would look like a lion key from voltron. Once placed in the receptacle underneath the painting it would unlock the shield. Behind a massive painting of the current form of Vernabogge there is a safe. It needs to be unlocked and is trapped with a paralyzing chemical agent. DC 17 constitution saving throw.
The Bomb is being constructed in 14 / The Light. The lighthouse is a strange device that has been shining for millenia. Originally it was built by the drow as a type of periscope to the surface world. The light was supposed to be a viewing device for a dark sect of Drow who were determined to invade the surface world. They were defeated 1200 years ago by Paladins of Eigeralon who discovered the plot. When the device was destroyed it left a blazing magical light that never burned out. The lighthouse of Copenhaus was built around it and shines to this day.
Underneath the floor of the lighthouse is a secret room. The floor there is being torn up to reveal a chasm that delves deep into the earth, if one was to fall into it they would fall four miles into the underdark.
Rising Action
Other Encounters -
The team may encounter Drow Scouts who are worried about invasion. They have little information on the surface world and don't realize that the true threat is coming from Vernabogge in Copenhaus. He has begun to send tremors into the underdark as he constructs his device. The Drow will have mounts and creatures that should be interesting. They have information pertaining to the chasm that extends below the earth under the lighthouse.
Marrow Stalkers Creatures! - see stats in Current folder. The Drow are using them for protection and to hunt people aligned with Vernabogge. Their spies and informers have been warning of war fomenting somewhere in Penthaheim.
The Drow Stalkers- Members of the Mist's Eye, See their article in World Anvil.
Traits
Languages, Elven, Undercommon, Sylvan
Fey Ancestry: The drow has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put the drow to sleep.
Innate Spellcasting:
The drow's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 11). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: dancing lights
1/day each: darkness, faerie fire
Sunlight Sensitivity: While in sunlight, the drow has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
The team may encounter Drow Scouts who are worried about invasion. They have little information on the surface world and don't realize that the true threat is coming from Vernabogge in Copenhaus. He has begun to send tremors into the underdark as he constructs his device. The Drow will have mounts and creatures that should be interesting. They have information pertaining to the chasm that extends below the earth under the lighthouse.
Marrow Stalkers Creatures! - see stats in Current folder. The Drow are using them for protection and to hunt people aligned with Vernabogge. Their spies and informers have been warning of war fomenting somewhere in Penthaheim.
The Drow Stalkers- Members of the Mist's Eye, See their article in World Anvil.
- Captain Xiv Shadowborne
- Ensign Keltavin Exanomic
- Hunter Raxon Trexhaven
- Hunter Nuntalos Rex
Traits
Languages, Elven, Undercommon, Sylvan
Fey Ancestry: The drow has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put the drow to sleep.
Innate Spellcasting:
The drow's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 11). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: dancing lights
1/day each: darkness, faerie fire
Sunlight Sensitivity: While in sunlight, the drow has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Mausim Family in Copenhaus
- Mother - [deceased] Umara, a Merchant Captain
- Father - Baramu, Elder and Craftsman of Fishing Boats and Boat Supplies.
- Older Brother - [deceased] -Baramu, AKA Rama, First Mate.
- Twin Sister - Unacather AKA Cat. Cat is an Elder in Training
- Younger Twin Siblings - 10 yrs old.
- Kuher / Brother and Uhalab / Sister
Plot type
Main Story
Related Characters
Related Organizations
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