Previous Session
Hildegard was kidnapped by the Fire Snake, a man named Gaston helped the party save her, but betrayed them in the end.
Setup
Sky is clear, but cold (13°C). Party should be in Drunah the same day. Get position of players on carriage.
Activities
Travelling to Drunah
Party gets attacked by mercenaries 3 light-brown skinned mercenaries (dulken, crowharbor) “we haven’t been paid for our work in Arcastle. You guys like you have some coin”. They have about 230 gp that they stole from villages nearby.
They get attacked again by this time 5 mercenaries (pale, thasslia, whitescar). They only have 110gp on them, and a healing potion.
Drunah
Drunah is currently building fortifications around the city, since they’ve never needed any before. Guards are stationed at the entrances to the city, and ask the party what their business is. They don’t seem to be expecting them, and want to make sure they aren’t mercenaries trying to get into the city to cause chaos.
The players have to wait 1d4 hours before someone arrives (Jake), a higher up guard to bring them to the city. He is confused, and tells them to just wait at the tavern Big Betty a few hours…. Or a few days, he’s not sure… The king doesn’t keep much contact anymore, since he is back from the war.
Hilde mentions the house of Dalton, and where it is to Jake.
The players can explore Drunah. If they walk around as Ardenians, they will get lots of negativity.
Pelor’s Sanctuary
The players can visit a small local shrine of Pelor, called Pelor’s Sanctuary. It is a small dark wood structure, with thick glass on the outside. Inside, the priest Brother Garrat. He will sense Pelor’s influence on Hilde and Lex. He will invite them to a Bath of Cleaning. One person at a time, they can enter the cold, thick yellow liquid. It is expected that they wait at the bottom of the small well. They must breath the water to feel like they are dying, to finally feel the warmth and open their eyes in another plane. They are naked, floating in the sky. It is bright, and yellow clouds expand in all directions. A ball of light/fire comes slowly, and once close to the player, they will see a white mark on the ball.
Hilde
My child, my sweet child, you have done a great deed in bringing my temple back to the Magic Vein. But beware, it has been tainted by an evil force while it was away. My powers grow weak as time goes by. I ask you to make me stronger again, so I can fight off the darkness.
You are one of my chosen heroes. I ask you to fight for me. Bring life to where there was none. Bring light to the darkness. Bring good to places that didn’t know any.
Lex
My child, my sweet child, you have done a great deed in bringing my temple back to the Magic Vein. You have spread my word, you have helped my power grow. But beware of the path you wish to pursue once the night has fallen. My light brights even the darkest of places, and I keep a close eye on my heroes. And beware of the shadows who follow you, they are of great evil. Destroy those shadows, and I shall reward you greatly.
The players than grasp for air as they emerge back from the pool. Garrat hands them a yellow towel for them to get clean, and wishes the players a good stay in Drunah. “Beware of the shadows”.
Market
Hilde bought a Tambourin for 6gp from a merchant. She asked for sheets, but he told her to come to his shop tomorrow. The shop is in the same village as Dalton’s house.
Auron bought Leaky Dark Beer (350ml) for 5sp.
Lex wanted to buy a healing potion for 70 GP, but didn’t want to pay.
Tavern
The players can enjoy the taverns and inns, including the baths, heated water. The pools are separated by sex. Hildegard could be approached at that point by Vaeri, the drow woman. Have a privat talk with her. She will casually ask Hilde where she is from, who she’s here with, what are her personal goals. Hilde should be interested in this NPC and ask her questions. Vaeri (passing simply as Nysah) will mention coming from “Dokuz”, a land Hilde or the others never heard about. “It’s behind the glass mountains.” After a few questions, she will leave “well, it’s been a pleasure”.
Beautiful Tiefling
While walking in the city, Auron will notice a female Tiefling, the first he sees other than the ones at the orphanage. She has long golden hair, a light purple skin tone, a beautiful body covered in runes and markings. They can try and follow her. Charisma Valla is a warlock, part of the Magic Guild, where she is in training.
She can notice the players, and invite Auron to a drink “not often you see another Tiefling here”. During the interaction, she asks Auron, seeing as he is strong, to help her with something. She was tasked to study the the Sinking Temple. She found the temple, but she couldn’t get in “the doors were blocked and I wasn’t strong enough”. In exchange for getting the info, “I shall reward you like a hero” with a wink. If he accepts, he will get the info where the temple is (1 day carriage and one day walk through the sinking wetlands). Her colleagues went into the temple a few months ago, but didn’t come out. They are probably dead, but she needs to know what happened to them.
A meeting with the king
At some point where the players are doing something (maybe when they are drunk), the same guard will come for them, even if it’s at 3 am. “The King is waiting for you”. They are to come now. He will lead them the castle walls. They will have to leave weapons, bags, armour, everything except clothes (and rings). The guard will lead them to the main building “enter, go up the stairs, and you are there. Good luck” as he isn’t allowed in the castle.
It’s a pretty small castle built 400 years ago. The stones are dark, the carpets rugged, the stairs a bit on the small size for humans. Each step echoes, the air is heavy, and the smell of cold food hits their nose.
Up the stairs, they are in the throne room. The king is sitting in the throne, looking intensely at the party. Next to him are two young girls. He does not speak, only listens and looks (sometimes mumbling). About 10 guards are on each side.
One of the girl says “Greetings, people of Arden. You have been summoned to Lord Bathair of House MacPhaiden, King of Othiria, Ruler of the free people, dawnbreaker and son of the sun. Lord Seathan MacPhaiden, brother of the King, has told the King about your actions in Redford. The King is pleased you have fulfilled your duty and shown your commitment to the talks.
Our deal is the following.
- Arden will give back the province of Ramfield to Othiria
- Arden will transfer the knowledge used to protect the temple of light to Othiria
- Arden will kill any people with this knowledge after the transfer
- Arden will allow Othiria mages to enter Arcastle and take the temple and bring it to a safer place
- Arden will hand over the Stone of Hearts to Othiria
In exchange, Othiria will do the following
- Othiria will promise not to attack Arden again for 50 years
- Othiria will not kill the Princess of Arden
To seal the peace treaty, the princess of Arden will stay in Othiria for 10 years. Any questions?”
The party can ask questions, but the same girl will reply the same things. At some point, the king will look at hilde, stand up, “it can’t be” and come towards her. With one hand, he will stab her with a poisoned blade that knows her unconscious (DC20), and call “Guards, arrest these men”, while taking the necklace from the princess. 14 guards draw their weapons.
End.
Next Session
Auron should get a letter back from her father regarding Charlie and Dion killing her son.