Session 14: Dark Presence and Ambush in Loden

[Johnny Champion]

This Topic serves for discussion of the last session where the Helio Verum encountered the Dark Presence from the Abyss. A 20' tall mass of muscle, power and darkness.

More to come....

[Johnny Champion]

And last night was a lot of fun. I hated that what's-his-name got away with so little hp! That *only* happened because he broke my sword! lol
Speaking of, if there's any chance (or added cost) that the blade can retain it's magic abilities, let me know what I should do (or pay)

DM: The answer will be at the table.

[Johnny Champion]

Per the discussion from last night.... Groot's dragonhide suit....
Groot as "Natural Barkskin", which basically keeps his AC from dropping below 16, period. Do you want to come up with what a custom-fitted Red Dragon hide suit would give to his AC, if any, and bonuses to fire ST, since it covers most of his body/trunk? Let me know and I'll update character sheets accordingly.

DM: What is his AC now without it? What does he wear? Does he wear clothes at all? I would think that it would provide Studded Leather type protection with a +2 ST(dx) vs Fire (magical and non-magical).

[Agnati]

Per the discussion from last night.... Groot's dragonhide suit....
Groot as "Natural Barkskin", which basically keeps his AC from dropping below 16, period. Do you want to come up with what a custom-fitted Red Dragon hide suit would give to his AC, if any, and bonuses to fire ST, since it covers most of his body/trunk? Let me know and I'll update character sheets accordingly.

DM: What is his AC now without it? What does he wear? Does he wear clothes at all? I would think that it would provide Studded Leather type protection with a +2 ST(dx) vs Fire (magical and non-magical).

Right now, he has natural "Barkskin", which is pretty much a base AC of 16. No other AC bonuses at all. The Studded Leather would put him at AC 15. I'll make a note of his bonus to fire STs.

[Johnny Champion]

DM: After the ambush in the town center, the party has more questions than answers.

What the Party Knows:
• Party after the battle in the town square, was met and greeted by Ranger Arromar and Ser John Reichard (10th cleric) of the Temple of Wymore (Telstoys) to the town hall. You also recognize several of Orin’s men.
• The ambush was clearly set up by the conversations with Hamon and Manex , scoundrels met earlier in the day. The party wonders who would be behind such an attack especially with Krauss dead.
• Arromar is very pleased with the outcome of the battle. He indicates that the tide is turning for the better.
• Loyal City Guards, under the supervision of Fernon LaVough, were able to capture the assassin Hamon Ruff of the Black Hand; they have returned him to the town hall for questioning.
• Dead on the streets are (4) Conjurers of the Ironna Feign.
• Potromo, the Ironna Feign’s leader, is assumed to be at the guild or his tower.
• Ser John was able to stabilize/heal one the fighters named Bram Swiller, the Archer.
• The four (4) fighters (3 dead and 1 captured) were officers of the City Guard and two (2) of which were high level officers including Bram Swiller. The other dead higher level fighter was named Jeffer Carsoon.
• Hamon Ruff (also now a prisoner) and Manex Fredric (deceased) are determined to be assassins and members of the Black Hand Guild.
• Bram Swiller had several arrows that have been confiscated by Rickul.

[Agnati]

For being a Neutral Good half-elf, he's feeling a little chaotic after such an ambush as reward for freeing a town from an evil-aligned leader. Rickul would like a few questions with the captive attackers, himself, with a little paladin or Groot-cast Zone of Truth to figure out who they are, what they do in town, who they report to, and what their leader's plans were going to be after our deaths... and what they may be now.

He would also like to run over to the smithy to check the status of his helm & the Dragonhide Groot Suit as soon as they're ready for pickup. He'll tip 20gp to the Smithy to carve the Ranger of Nouveau crest onto the mouthpiece of the helm

How are we on time? Have we been able to rest yet and/or get XP/training, or no?

[Agnati]

• Bram Swiller had several arrows that have been confiscated by Rickul.

Rickul would also like to offer a few of those confiscated +1 arrows back to Mr. Swiller.... perhaps one in his spleen, one in his left thigh, and perhaps one in his right shoulder if he doesn't answer our questions to our satisfaction! (again, feeling pretty chaotic after that ambush!)

[Mooki]

Groot lance and shield. AC16 +2(ForShield)= AC18

Zone of Truth 2nd level spell in upon Groot's list.

New chorus "Tell the Truth or Groot will know. Tell us were the undead go. Tell us where their lover's now Stow!"

DM: I need a picture of Groot

[Johnny Champion]

DM: Under interrogation, Hamon Ruff, Thief and Assassin of the Black Hand, begins his speech:

“You must release me. For your own sake. Atalya does not negotiate with one of her own captive. She has allies who are dark in deed, even she quakes before the death that confronts this town. But I do offer you this deal, that I will no longer seek the death of any of your party or anyone else aligned with you, but you must allow me to make for Ironthal . Will you give me this opportunity? I will convince her that the Black Hand maintains its neutrality, and that those she considers friends are indeed, beyond this world.

But I am Hamon Ruff as you know. I am a member in good standing with the Black Hand, the notorious guild of my kind. My Guild Leader is Atalya Balefrost, elven mistress. She is not to be seen and I have only met her 3 times. She has messengers and those that meet her usually feel her blade in their back. Krauss has offered riches to the Guild, and now that he is gone, Potromo has sought alliance with the her. I am not sure of who Krauss pays homage, but I've heard whispers of a deeper darkness.”

[Johnny Champion]

DM: Bram Swiller, formerly a captain in the City Guard, begs for his life. He is not as resolute as Hamon, nor does he try to negotiate his release.

"I and several of my officers plead guilty and offer our apologies for aligning against Viscount Orin and the Marshals of Loden. But Potromo and Jerus were very convincing...offering us riches, power, women and dominion over many, if only I work for Krauss. It is a terrible world outside these walls. I wanted to make my mark. I see now that I was wrong. Jerus Webb is in league with the darker forces of Loden. He was very convincing.

What are you going to do with me?"

He continues and offers the names of 5 other officers of the City Guard who were aligned with Krauss and his group.

[Johnny Champion]

Arromar, the worldly ranger of Rivermead, has become central to the plight of Loden. He is now considered a Marshall of Loden.

Along with Ser John Reichard, Viscount Orin and Fernon LaVough, they form a nucleus of good within the town. They call upon Helios Verum to provide the muscle. They ask if one of the party would wish to be a permanent Marshall.

Arromar: "I think you broke the back of the corruption and evil within the political structure of Loden. Your service, mighty warriors, to our land is of the might of Malazar. But their is more to be done”

Fernon: "The real evil is still outside the city even as the corruption within has diminished. Rangers have determined large concentrations of gnoll warriors and troll shock troops near the ancient keep of Angor. The area of evil has expanded as have the darkness that emanates from the Keep. I doubt that a frontal assault will be anything more than doom for us without the knights of Ironthal. Otherwise we must prepare our city defenses."

Ser John: "Potromo, my friends, is still a menace. And we know not where he is. I fear his power from within the city walls will be disastrous for us!"

[Agnati]

DM: Under interrogation, Hamon Ruff, Thief and Assassin of the Black Hand, begins his speech:

“You must release me. For your own sake. Atalya does not negotiate with one of her own captive. She has allies who are dark in deed, even she quakes before the death that confronts this town. But I do offer you this deal, that I will no longer seek the death of any of your party or anyone else aligned with you, but you must allow me to make for Ironthal . Will you give me this opportunity? I will convince her that the Black Hand maintains its neutrality, and that those she considers friends are indeed, beyond this world.

But I am Hamon Ruff as you know. I am a member in good standing with the Black Hand, the notorious guild of my kind. My Guild Leader is Atalya Balefrost, elven mistress. She is not to be seen and I have only met her 3 times. She has messengers and those that meet her usually feel her blade in their back. Krauss has offered riches to the Guild, and now that he is gone, Potromo has sought alliance with the her. I am not sure of who Krauss pays homage, but I've heard whispers of a deeper darkness.”

Rickul: "We seek no allegiance with any dark organization such as the Black Hand, but will destroy it with fire and ice and bow and sword should it, or any other guild, stand against us. Our path and quest is far larger in scale and importance than riches and power, but for the survival of all the lands around us. Elusive as she may be, Atalya will suffer an audience with us if she values the lives of anyone, including her own."

In confidence to the party: "What are your thoughts? Let him go and "escort" him to Ironthal, warning him that if we are ambushed by humans, his live will be the first cut short? Ironthal is next on our list to visit, after all.... Thoughts?"

DM: Bram Swiller, formerly a captain in the City Guard, begs for his life. He is not as resolute as Hamon, nor does he try to negotiate his release.

"I and several of my officers plead guilty and offer our apologies for aligning against Viscount Orin and the Marshals of Loden. But Potromo and Jerus were very convincing...offering us riches, power, women and dominion over many, if only I work for Krauss. It is a terrible world outside these walls. I wanted to make my mark. I see now that I was wrong. Jerus Webb is in league with the darker forces of Loden. He was very convincing.

What are you going to do with me?"

He continues and offers the names of 5 other officers of the City Guard who were aligned with Krauss and his group.

Rickul aims an arrow between the eyes of Bram from across the room. As Bram closes his eyes, wincing as if it will help the pain, Rickul let's loose an arrow an inch to the right of his ear, embedding head-deep into the wood of the chair.
Rickul: "We each have been deceived and mislead by false ambitions more than once in our lifetimes. Malazar would never condone the killing of a repentant soul. You have been helpful with the information and names you have provided so far, and we thank you for your cooperation. If there is any other information you think may help us, please speak, but you are free to go nonetheless. We advise getting save passage out of town, however. I doubt Potromo, nor Jerus, nor this "Atalya" we have heard about would appreciate what you have told us. Go, and make better choices for yourself in the future."

Arromar, the worldly ranger of Rivermead, has become central to the plight of Loden. He is now considered a Marshall of Loden.

Along with Ser John Reichard, Viscount Orin and Fernon LaVough, they form a nucleus of good within the town. They call upon Helios Verum to provide the muscle. They ask if one of the party would wish to be a permanent Marshall.

Arromar: "I think you broke the back of the corruption and evil within the political structure of Loden. Your service, mighty warriors, to our land is of the might of Malazar. But their is more to be done”

Fernon: "The real evil is still outside the city even as the corruption within has diminished. Rangers have determined large concentrations of gnoll warriors and troll shock troops near the ancient keep of Angor. The area of evil has expanded as have the darkness that emanates from the Keep. I doubt that a frontal assault will be anything more than doom for us without the knights of Ironthal. Otherwise we must prepare our city defenses."

Ser John: "Potromo, my friends, is still a menace. And we know not where he is. I fear his power from within the city walls will be disastrous for us!"

"We will find this Potromo and end the shadow he casts over this liberated town. Any equipment or information you can provide that would help us combat one such as him would be welcome."
We present our map of the area
"Can you provide any approximate location of these gnoles for us? We're in the mood for a hunt!"

[Johnny Champion]

Spies of Fernon LaVough, Master of the City Watch, enter the room.

"Ser Fernon, Jerus Webb and 5 guards have been seen tracking north. They left soon after the town square battle. It has been nearly 90 minutes since they have been gone. They were on horseback."

Fernon: "My friends, I fear the road north is fraught with danger. If there was another way into Angor. I suspect Potromo no longer resides in his tower, but now appears before his master. I know this as I have sent a party of adventurers scouting the area. They sent word that the defenses are formidable and that Angor, though seen in the distance, was several leagues away. The party was attacked and barely escaped with their lives."

[Agnati]

Rickul to party: "Anyone else fancy a reunion with our subterranean dirt-delving friend beneath the crypts?"

[Johnny Champion]

Fernon LaVough provides the following map of the Angor Region.

Map: Angor and Surrounding

Angor and Surrounding

Angor and Surrounding.png (1.59 MiB) Viewed 899 times

Fernon "This map covers an area nearly 6x8 miles. The Keep sits on a carved Plateau nearly 3000' above the forest below. There are many natural defenses and there are towers at various points that surround the forsaken keep"

[Johnny Champion]

DM: Map Updated Map: Expanded to 6x8 miles. Added Details and improved scaling.

[Agnati]

Rickul: "I would bargain that the road leading out from Angor to the East connects to the underground passage we found beneath the crypts. Tell me, Fernon, given the chance that the underground tunnel is not yet completed, is the mountain range to the East of the keep passable on foot or horse?"

[Johnny Champion]

Fernon: "If you indeed found a tunnel leading out from Rathillion, I know not its purpose or meaning. But the eastern road leading out of Loden, past Rathillion is patrolled by our City Watch. Few gnolls or fiends dwell in that grassland. But as you approach the narrows of the Selin River, the land becomes dangerous. Our watch stops where the Faldwin Trail approaches the river. The Selin Valley no longer sees humans travel. That expanse has seen marauding packs of hyenas, wolves and fell beasts that seem ever hungry for the flesh of man. They are attracted to the area. Griffons from Lake Martin sometimes descend upon the plain but their numbers have decreased. There were once tails of a magnificent Copper Dragon who dwelled in the caves north of Lake Martin. She has no longer been seen in years. She would give us council.

The woods surrounding the Finger of Angor are full of montrous spiders and hideous insect beasts and worms of enormous size.

I further worry what is the purpose of the tunnel? If the tunnel leads north east as you say, it could provide you a means to approach Angor from below."

[Agnati]

"I fear that it's origional purpose was quite the contrary... to feed troops from agnor to your very doorstep beneath the very feet of the scouts and guards keeping watch for you."
To the rest of the party: "What say you? Underground or test our luck and metal against beasts and creatures unknown in the forest and mountains? Should we seek out the council of this Copper Dragon of legend? If she is as Fernon suggests, and if we bind Mooki's hands and mouth and take his weapons, perhaps we could meet a dragon not bent on devouring us."

[Tungsten]

I'm for heading to Lake Martin and seeking council from the Copper Dragon.