Session 49: Crossed Paths and Hidden Dangers
[Feb 20th, 2024] – Hearthrest 3rd, 713 G.R.
With the capture of the Emperor’s assassins and the opening of the city, a sense of normalcy returns to the city of Milania and the Moonlit Blades. News of the Moonlit Blades’ heroics at the Dominfectum Reservoir has exploded through the streets. Combined with their fame at the Meragia Theatre and finding the assassins, the Moonlit Blades have never been more popular. They are flooded with new applicants who want to join the small, but prominent mercenary guild.
A few weeks go by as the heroes manage their personal affairs and take a break from all the activity.
Zhorn takes advantage of the the popularity and manages to recruit a Kalruan woman who is devoted to the causes of Pelaria. Draco is dealing with the aftermath of his grandfather’s death. He has been bequeathed his grandfather’s estate and numerous shares and holdings. Sila and Ferelin look more into the Order of the Eldritch Eye and suspect they have deciphered a cryptic message between local members, it seems they are meeting at the library.
Aki returns and is eager to learn as much as he can about the Moonlit Blades’ adventures to chronicle them in writings and song. Scalanis gets a reply from Dhengo Themlas and learn that the Crimson Blades returned his payment, as they do not operate in Milania anymore. Now he looks into joining the local colosseum as a gladiator. Castor is inheriting his parent’s blacksmithing operation and setting up the manager to handle to day-to-day operations of the 20+ employees. Ernault continues to share the teachings of the Lady of Tranquil Waters, and finds his fame grants many invitations to noble events and parties.
Isolde continue looking for her husband and is eventually approached by a messenger that leads her to an inn outside Milania. She meets with Brajko who has Sigfried. The Inquisitor threatens them, telling them that he has taken their children to his manor in Kalrua and killed Sigfried’s mother in the process. He then forces Sigfried and Isolde to find the missing artifact that Zlatan apparently had stolen. It is a holy relic called the Djojic’s Eye. Isolde speaks with Octavia, who believes the Eye is actually a tiny Shard of Nembral and contains great magical power. Unfortunately, the two don’t have any idea where to look.
Jaquin and Felix decide to start a side gig where they steal from the rich and give to the poor. They fail to find any recruits for their new morally-agreeable thieves guild. Rael heads back home to treat his parents disease. They immediately recover and Rael is eager to return to Milania and learn more about the wider world. Three new recuits sign on with the Moonlit Blades: Ryo, Cahir, and Klikmos. Ryo speaks at length with the Historical Society to learn as much as he can about Stelmar artifacts. He is trying to find space to create a workshop in town.
Cahir is a giant Dyrferd warrior of the Bear Clan, he is eager to prove himself and challenge himself in combat. He spends his time getting familiar with the new city.
Klikmos is a strange trickster fey-gnome. He seems quite deceptive and arrogant around others and seems to have the ability to summon forth a great golem of solid metal and burning fire named Basalt.. Klikmos is eager to learn more about ancient artifacts.
After a few days of the assassins, the heroes are invited to the Legionarii Castle where both the Imperator and the Senator of Milania, Asperius Raptus, treat the heroes to a banquet and formally award them the 1000 silver bounty. Senator Asperius is particularly eager to form a connection with the Moonlit Blades. He asks them to take on a mission for the Legionarii. It seems some bandits have moved into the ruins of Lazurus and they want them removed so they can begin reconstruction of the fort and the village. The heroes are free to take anything that remains at the village for their efforts.
The Wise Chestnut Inn and the Moonlit Blades office are both visited by a criminal enterprise called the Emerald Teeth. They seem to want protection money by the end of the month. Cahir tries to talk with the local guards, but it seems there is little they can do unless they catch a crime in action. Aki asks around town to learn more about them, but only learns that they control the western half of the city in the vacuum left behind after the fall of the Braided Hoods.
Castor forms a group with Cahir and Ryo and a few others to immediately head out to the ruins of Lazurus to deal with the bandits. In the meantime, Draco invites Caetronia Bruscia to stay at his grandfather’s estate while she hides out from the Emerald Teeth. He will bring her with them when they leave for Ashara. The heroes also prepare for the upcoming trip to Ashara, deciding they may want to search for Cauis Cilnius while they are there.
In the meantime, Felix, Jaquin, Rael, and others decide to take on the secret contract from Kaeso Asinius. They intend to meet with him and accept the contract, knowing it must be discreet.
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Session 50: Shadows of a Prophecy
[Mar 12th, 2024] – Hearthrest 5th, 713 G.R.
In Milania, many of the Moon Blades continue dealing with personal business. However, Sila has uncovered the meeting place of the Order of the Eldritch Sign. He convinces Dietrich and Zhorn, who bring Raoul, Aki, and Isolde for backup, to head to the library and try to learn what they can about the Order and perhaps eavesdrop on their conversation.
The group arrives at the Theological Library of Milania, where they find a dark and dusty chamber filled with ancient scrolls and books. The clerk welcomes them and invites them to browse and call if they need any assistance. Dietrich and Zhorn sneak into the rows of bookcases as the others hang back. They eventually find two robed figures meeting in the dark corner of the library. One of the men seems to be named Merix and is quite agitated as he shares a letter with the other. He then recites a prophecy that seems to have them worried and might explain why the Order seeks the Moonlit Blades.
Sword and sorcery for coin aplenty,
Bounded by curse that is lifted,
The band of few become many,
Moonlight binds those that are gifted.
Discoveries made in the mythical ruins,
The blackest star then returns to burn bright,
The verdant key gleams of great fortunes,
After they step into lands of pure light.
The white tower that was tall will have fallen,
Its crown pierced by dragon’s hot bile,
The eyes that had seen will be broken,
The verdant land of Amar will grow hostile.
The members leaves, but Dietrich notices they left the letter behind. The letter makes it clear that the Order is gathering at Teilam Manor in Tortumael, Eshlien to “take care of things”. It might mean more danger for the Moonlit Blades. The heroes rush back to headquarters to discuss their actions. They decide it might be best to send a second party to Eshlien and confront the Order at Teilam Manor. Perhaps just to hear the rest of the prophecy.
Meanwhile, after a few days, Dietrich, Scalanis, Raoul, Felix, Jaquin, and Isolde decide to meet with Kaeso Asinius about the discreet mission. After reading through an extensive protection agreement, the heroes sign and listen to the man’s story. He explains that he inherited an ancient Stelmar artifact that came to life when the Void Star appeared. He manipulated the object, a plain silver amulet with a black gem. It sprang to life with magic and he found his servant had been killed. He then saw a pale, gaunt elf with long bloody claws fleeing out a window. He worries that he accidently released the monster from the artifact. The artifact is no longer magical.
He explains that the eight mysterious murders in the western Septentria neighborhood, where the victims were found slashed by claws, matches the monster’s methods. He asks the Moonlit Blades to quietly and discreetly dispatch this monstrosity without anyone linking the source of the monster to House Asinius. The group agrees to take the mission and not share the details with their colleagues as requested.
Meanwhile, many days later at the ruins of Fort Lazurus, the heroes led by Castor heal their wounds after their conflict with the scavengers. They also find a few useful trinkets and a magical Arathian dancing scarf among the loot. They then decide how best to approach Fort Lazurus. They decide to take the western route through the thick woods, hoping to surprise the bandits.
When they arrive at the western side, they find that the western door has been filled with a makeshift cobblestone wall. Kit transforms into an ape and climbs to the high wall to throw down a rope. However, she spots many bandits down below. Cahir then climbs to join her, but is incidentally spotted by the guards. The bandits fire arrows as the other heroes try to climb up. Castor clambers up quickly with Ferelin close behind him.
Castor and Cahir charge down to the bandits to take them head on as the others move into position. Kit supports them with spells from above. Ryo climbs a tree and is able to take shots from the trees boughs, over the wall’s crenellations. Kilkmos scrambles up the rope and joins the others. Ryo flips from the tree to the high wall with a perfect leap. One of the bandits escapes to warn more, and the heroes soon find themselves surrounded by many bandits swarming in.
Cahir looses himself to his forest-inspired rage, charging in at the enemies who eventually take him down. The other heroes try to hold a line at the approaching bandits as Ferelin and Ryo support them with spells and bolts from the outer wall. Castor pulls back to form a line with Kit who has returned to ape-form. Things grow desperate and Kit reverts to elf form to unleash a powerful necrotic myst to send fear into their enemies. The myst slows them down, allowing Castor and Klikmos to retreat to the other high wall.
The enemies continue to close in…
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Session 51: Return to Fort Lazurus
[Mar 19th, 2024] – Hearthrest 12th, 713 G.R.
At Fort Lazurus, the heroes find themselves in a dire position as the bandits seem to be getting the best of them. Castor is knocked out with bloody stabbings as Klikmos flees to revive Cahir. He then summon his astral construct, Basalt to aid him. Meanhile, Ferelin and Ryo blast at the bandits from afar. Kit then summons great bursts of fire, taking out many of the bandits. She then chases down a fleeing bandit and fells him before he can alert others. The rest of the bandits are dispatched and the heroes quickly revive Castor and skirt away from the danger.
The heroes set up a camp about a mile from the keep, hidden in the woody hills. They spend the rest of the day tending their wounds and recovering, while prepping the camp for any assault by the bandits that may be pursuing them. Late that night, they are indeed assaulted during Cahir’s watch. The mighty barbarian gets wind of their approach and shouts to wake the others. The heroes rush out of their tents and waylay the bandits. Kit’s wilderness snares slow them down as they approach and the heroes are able to take them out quickly.
The heroes rest for the remainder of the night and treat their final wounds in the morning. Rested and recovered, they decide to return to Fort Lazurus and search for a new approach. After searching all angles of the castle, they return to the back entrance they entered last time, seeing only a single guard as opposed to the many guards at the main gatehouse. Ryo and Ferelin strike from afar at the single guard, taking him out quickly.
The heroes then sneak up the wall and into the keep’s courtyard. They find a cracked statue and a deep, foreboding well. They then sneak around the side to assault the guards at the gatehouse. They charge in quickly, with Cahir, Castor, and Basalt leading the charge. Ferelin subdues the guards with a calming spell over their minds, with the leader fully oblivious to the danger around him. The heroes take the guards out quickly and speak with the lieutenant, named Caelus. They learn that the leader, Ajaxx, and many other bandits are in the main keep. But he warns them that they are worried about the missing bandits that went down below, into an old ancient crypt from the days of the Empire. They were plundering the ancient tombs until people stopped returning.
Klikmos convinces Caelus to leave the bandits and join the Moonlit Blades. The heroes leave Caelus to guard the gatehouse as they head into the main keep. On the way, they find one of the bandit’s ledgers, detailing their finds and stolen goods. Ferelin deciphers that they were working with a corrupt city official in Milania, named Kaeso Minius, who was helping them sell the goods. The heroes then enter the main keep from an upper side entrance.
They then sneak down into the main floor and surprise two guards with a quick assault. Unfortunately, one of the guards manages to get to the door and yell for help. Many bandits charge in from the south as the leader Ajaxx climbs down a balcony and rushes to the north door. He then lets out a massive tortured bear that screams in a rage and charges towards the heroes. Cahir goes into his own rage and confronts the bear as the other hears pull into the room. Castor finds himself overwhelmed to the west as his friends move in behind him.
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Session 52: The Forgotten Tomb
[Mar 26th, 2024] – Hearthrest 13th, 713 G.R.
The heroes pull together, taking out the bandits one by one. Cahir and Basalt try to take on the tormented bear as Ajaxx hides behind the enraged beast and fires his crossbow. With a few deadly blows, the bear is taken down and the heroes take out the remaining bandits while Castor, Basalt, and Cahir surround Ajaxx. After a few well-placed blows, the bandit leader surrenders.
Ajaxx explains that on the past week, they had discovered a sealed entrance beneath Fort Lazurus that led to a forgotten crypt. The crypt might have been used by the ancient Noman Empire nobility. The bandits were raiding these forgotten tombs for jewelry and gems meant to accompany these nobles into the afterlife. However, lately the bandits sent below have not returned. To corraborate the story, the heroes find a few expensive trinkets among the bandits ill-gotten goods. The heroes kill Ajaxx and decide to rest and tend their injuries before exploring this forgotten crypt.
Over night, the heroes are attacked by three zombies that were once the missing bandits. They take them out quickly and return to their rest. The next morning, they descend into the caverns below Fort Lazurus. They find a large open chasm with a worn stone bridge. There are some ancient statues that help them narrow down the time of the crypt to the decline of the Noman Empire (circa -675 GR), shortly after the capitol was moved from Goldwall to Ardolia. In one of the nearby empty crypts, they find writings of a warning that only “true-blooded Nomans may enter this place”.
The heroes attempt to cross the bridge, but find they are blasted by a protective ward. Cahir survives the onslaught, but Castor is completely unaffected, presumably because he has Amarie (Noman) heritage. The others are nearly killed by the magical blast, and Castor and Cahir have to revive them quickly before taking them up to the Fort to rest and recover. Later that night, after tending to their wounds, the heroes return to the tombs.
Ferelin devises a plan to use Castor’s blood to ‘trick’ the protective wards to let them pass. Ferelin, Ryo, and Klikmos use their occult and arcane knowledge to apply this blood-protection. It seems to work, allowing the others to pass through unharmed, although they suspect that the power will fade soon as the blood dries.
The heroes continue exploring the ancient tomb, finding a skeletal trine of three families that formed an alliance: Floronius, Eberunus, and Tatian. The heroes are then assaulted by a group of undead. These corpses, however, seem quite rotten and ancient. The heroes take them out quickly before exploring more of the tomb. In one side tomb, they find a crypt for the Octavania family where they recover a signet ring. The heroes find a few other priceless items along with a magical amulet that protects from the dark energy of unholy priests.
The heroes head north where they find a series of crypts glowing with strange crystals. As they investigate it further, they are attacked by animated skeletons..
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Session 53: The Things That Dwell in the Dark
[Apr 2nd, 2024] – Hearthrest 14-15th, 713 G.R.
The heroes take out the skeletons quickly, noting they are dressed in rotted and rusty garments of ancient Noman soldiers. They explore the tombs and strange glowing crystals. Ferelin is able to decipher that the broken runes and crystals were part of a ritual to protect the dead from being animated by dark energy. He is able to learn the ritual to protect the dead in the future.
The heroes then come across five angry wights that strike at them. The battle is fierce and the heroes are nearly defeated. Cahir, Castor, Ryo, and Klikmos all go down, leaving Kit and Ferelin to revive them enough to hide in a corner of the tomb. During their short rest, they are confronted by a group of curious ghouls who seemingly have been eating the dead in the tombs. They seem to share disdain for whomever is raising the dead in the crypt. The ghouls then disappear into the darkness.
The heroes retreat to the fortress above and rest for the night. The next morning, they prepare themselves for another descent into the tombs depths. They decide to approach the northern bridge, but Castor has a bad feeling about its safety. They decide to cross the bridge one at a time and make it safely to the other side. They see a dragon-shrine below them, but decide to head up the stairs where they find the forgotten tomb of the Merula family, Ferelin and Klikmos learn that the tomb likely belonged to the famed general, Oppius Merula, who fought the Noradrie during the decline of the Noman Empire. Oddly, the tomb was missing any remains of the dead. Additionally, bandits seemingly dug a hole into a lower cavern.
The heroes head down and around past a crumbling spiral staircase that drops to darkness below. They find robbed tombs of dragon-god priests. They head to the dragon shrine, finding that it emanates a protective aura that dispels the undead. Inside the shrine, Ryo finds a powerful ring that can detect the presence of the undead, Castor takes it. They then explore another empty tomb where there are bloody remnants of a dark ritual to animate the dead.
The heroes then head north where they find a natural cavern is blocked by a cave-in, but a constructed path heads down into a tall natural cavern. When they enter the cavern, they are attacked by cloak-like aberrations that descend from the ceiling. The strange creatures attempt to cover the heroes in their forms to eat them. The heroes work well together to pull down the enemies and take them out quickly.
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Session 54: The Battles of the Bridge
[Apr 9th, 2024] – Hearthrest 15-16th, 713 G.R.
The heroes leave the safety of the hidden alcove and head back towards the bridge to continue their explorations. However, when they reach the large open chasm, they find the far side has numerous crouching reptilian creatures. They appear to be scaly xulgaths, who throw javelins at the heroes from afar. The creatures then charge across the bridge to fight as the heroes head for cover.
The creatures then incidentally cause the bridge to fail and the rocky spur collapses, taking two xulgaths down into the depths of the chasm. The remaining troglodytes leap down to fight the heroes as Castor and Cahir try to challenge them. Kit and Ryo assault the xulgaths on the far side until they give up and seem to flee. Cahir beheads one of the xulgaths and Ferelin uses its entrails to smear blood on the walkway above. The heroes then finish off the remaining enemies.
With the bridge out, they are unsure how to proceed. They decide to explore the stairway down and find another crypt with two dig sites. Cahir moves to grab a shiny object from the dirt, but the heroes are then assault by a pair of angry and hungry ghosts. The ghosts seem impervious to their attacks and their touch drains the life from them. Cahir goes down as a ghost drains his life essence. The others flee as Kit revives Cahir. Basalt distracts the ghosts, but is de-manifested as the ghosts tear into him. This causes Klikmos to pass out.
The heroes make it to safety at the shrine of Numenor and then rest more at the cloaker cavern. Kit transforms into a tiny animal to ride with Ryo, who uses his crafted flame jets to soar across the chasm gap. They return to the fort above and fashion a makeshift ladder to cross the bridge. The heroes try to cross with the new bridge, but it seems somewhat unstable. Thankfully, they use ropes to secure each person who crosses, because the bridge snaps under Klikmos. Castor, Basalt, and Cahir catch the gnome in time and pull him up. Frustrated by the impasse, Ferelin’s mind reaches deep and he is able to summon a spectral bridge that allows everyone to cross.
The heroes return to the fort above and rest for the night. The next day (16th Heartrest), they return to the crypts to explore with a new, well-crafted ladder. As they cross the bridge, however, they are assaulted by the remaining xulgaths. However, they pose little threat and the heroes take them out quickly. The heroes head to the crypt of the Merula general and down into the hole below using a rope. Castor goes first and slips, but he finds a strange journal where he lands. The others follow and Kit is able to read the remains of the ancient Noman journal. It seems long ago a priest of Solarus interred a vampyre in these crypts.
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Session 55: Murders in Septentria
[Apr 16th, 2024] – Hearthrest 16th / Hearthrest 5-7th, 713 G.R.
Castor and the others, having discovered that there may be a vampyre in the crypt, decide to flee as quickly as possible. They return to the Fort, gather Caelus, and head to Bulsia to send a carrier pigeon to Milania to send word to Draoc, Sila, and Zhorn to relay their findings and for instructions.
Meanwhile, weeks prior, on the 5th of Hearthrest, Dietrich, Felix, Isolde, Jaquin, Raoul, and Scalanis continue their investigation into the mysterious creature that Kaeso Asinius wants found and destroyed before any more people are murdered. The group splits up to ask around about strange sightings, with Raoul, Scalanis, and Jaquin heading to the Emerald Teeth. They don’t learn about the murders, but they do get into a scuffle with the criminals. Scalanis makes short work of those ruffians, but they all have to flee when the guards are called.
Isolde and Felix ask some beggars, but only learn about strange shadows in the night, and one beggar thinks he saw a monster. Dietrich has the best luck, as he talks with Sergeant Pontia Magunna. She shares with him a list of people who reported monster sightings, two of the people on the list witnessed murders. Dietrich gathers the others and they go one-by-one asking the people what they saw.
The first speak with a aquaduct worker named Aulus Semponius who saw a green slimy monster crawl out of the sewers, he mentions its red claws and glowing red eyes. Amulius Caracturus, a young watchman, saw a black demon-like monster with red claws and red glowing eyes climb up the city wall and kill his fellow watchman, Cossus. He is devastated by what he saw. He also faces a court marshal the next day to investigate the actions, as some watchmen think he killed his friend himself. They heroes head home to rest and continue the next day.
Next day (6th Hearthrest), they talk with Sulpicia Victricia, a middle-aged gardener who claims to have seen a green orc brute that threatened her with red claws. They then talk to Servius Cincius, after Felix threatens his father. The young child claims to have seen a red dragon at his window. Felix and Dietrich check the window and find strange claw marks. Next, they talk with a local drunk, named Drusus Volcatius, he tells a tale of a gray-skinned hag who scared him in the street with her red claws. Finally, they talk with Flavia Rogata, who lost her husband. She never saw the killer, but the body of her husband shows clear claw marks. The heroes visit the morgue and confirm the claw marks on the two bodies. Dietrich cannot place their making, only that they were created by a creature of some kind.
The heroes split up and Isolde heads to talk to Octavia. The wizened wizardess suspects a shapeshifter and asks Isolde to bring the artifact for her to study. Isolde agrees and meets with Kaeso Asinius, who reluctantly allows Isolde to borrow it. Meanwhile, Dietrich and others cannot find any creatures that fit the descriptions at the Library of Biological and Taxonomical Studies at Astonia Imperial University. Scalanis and Felix find some evidence at the sewers of claw markings.
The heroes decide to scout the neighborhood through the night, hoping the creature shows up. However, they eventually give up and head back to get some sleep. Early the next morning, they are greeted by Sergeant Magunna who informs them of another murder. She takes them to an orphanage where a young girl, Axia Gregoria, has been taken after her mother was murdered the previous night.
The heroes try to talk to the catatonic girl, but eventually Isolde is able to break her barrier and get her to talk to her. She learns that Axia’s mother was escaping an abusive husband and was behind on rent. Last night, the creature attacked her and seemingly looked like her husband, a large man, but with red claws. Axia then saw the creature “turn to ooze” and reshape into the “void man”, black skin with glowing red eyes and red claws. She screamed and the landlord barged in and it was gone.
The heroes return to Octavia to get some more information with the relic, to see if they can chase down this creature. Unfortunately, Octavia says the artifact has no magic, however, for a nominal fee (50 gp), she can perform a ritual to hunt the creature down. After getting approval from Zhorn, Sila, and Draco, they agree to pay and Octavia creates a magical divining rod that will locate the creature.
The group adds Zhorn, Sila, and Aki to the group as they hunt down the creature, just as night falls. They find themselves led by the divining rod to a secluded alleyway. Isolde spots the creature first in the shadows. She sees a hulking devil, a servant of Bael, beckoning her to damnation with its glistening red claws.
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Session 56: The Mysterious Phantom
[Apr 23rd, 2024] – Hearthrest 7th, 713 G.R.
The heroes charge in to fight the devil that beckons them. Zhorn charges in first, but is quickly slashed by the red claws and falls hard to the ground. The others are more cautious approaching it. Felix tries to hold it at bay with his shield, but he to is struck down with one strong blow. The heroes decide the creature is too much for them and retreat, saving Zhorn and Felix as they flee. Sila throws a bioluminescent bomb on the creature, surrounding it with a faint glow.
Dietrich and Sila are able to discern that the creature is not what it seems, rather it takes on the most feared aspect of those that see it. The heroes gather at the Moonlit Blades headquarters and decide to confront Kaeso and ask for more money to destroy it. Draco expresses that he’s like to get help from the legionarii, but Kaeso is strictly against exposing his family’s name. In the end, Draco and the others convince Kaeso to pay more than double (125 gp) what he offered.
The heroes gather together, eleven of them (Draco, Ernault, Sila, Aki, Zhorn, Isolde, Raoul, Scalanis, Dietrich, Felix, and Jaquin) use the divining rod to trace down the creauture. They again find it skulking in the alleyways of Septentria, its still glowing from Sila’s bomb. The creature sheds its false appearance and becomes a void-like humanoid with glistening red claws and glowing red eyes.
Scalanis and the others circle the creature as Ernault bravely charges at it to hold its attention. Scalanis, Jaquin, and Zhorn then move in quickly to slice and cut at it before the slip away again to safety. The numerous attacks come so quickly that the creature cannot react. Raoul and Draco strike at the creature’s mind to distract and weaken its guard. Isolde blasts it with electricity. Felix then moves in for a final blow slamming it with his deadly pick. As the creature is destroyed, it evaporates into a cloud of phantasmal smoke, dissipating into the ethereal plane.
The heroes immediately head back to Kaeso in the middle of the night to declare their triumphant defeat of the creature. He pays them promptly and they return to the headquarters and Wise Chestnut Inn to celebrate.
Eleven days go by (17th Hearthrest) and the heroes in Milania receive Castor’s carrier pigeon message asking for aid a the crypts of Lazurus. The Moonlit Blades have to decide if they will leave all together to deal with the crypts of Lazurus, the Order of the Eldritch Sign in Tortumael, and attend Hilnan Cainorin’s Spring party in Ashara.
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Session 57: The Vampyre
[Apr 30th, 2024] – Hearthrest 25th, 713 G.R.
The Moonlit Blades in Milania spend a week crafting new items, preparing for their expeditions, and allocating the existing gear. Rael returns from his trip to his home village, eager for more adventures. After receiving Castor’s message, the entire Moonlit Blades decide to all head towards Lazur Lake and Bulsia on their way to Tortumael and Ashara.
On the journey, Ernault gets on Raoul’s nerves, as the champion continues to praise the Lady of Tranquil Waters and sings hymns in her honor. The group meets up outside of Bulsia to get an update from Castor’s group. They then all travel to the ruins of Fort Lazurus. On the way to Fort Lazurus, Isolde and Scalanis have a bonding moment, as they spar for a bit. Isolde tries to improve the speed of her elemental impulses, but Scalanis easily bests her in their match up.
At the Fort, one group stays behind to foray into the crypts again, as the twelve others continue on towards Etherin and the ferry to the cities of Eshlien. Castor stays to lead the group, as he eagerly wants to return to Milania quickly to learn about the arson attempt on his family black-smithy. Scalanis, Dietrich, Rael, Raoul, and Rios join them to explore the crypts.
The heroes head down in the crypts exploring the caverns behind the waterfall, but then returning to where the ghosts were spotted. They don’t find the ghosts, but Castor senses them with his magic ring. They decide to descend lower into the hole, each leaping down the 15 ft. into the next cavern. After they descend, the hungry ghosts strike from the walls.
The heroes group up, trying to strike at the ghosts, but their incorporeal nature makes it quite difficult to harm them. Raoul, with his divine magic, is the most capable. The ghosts continue to absorb the heroes’ life force as the heroes barely strike at them. However, a loud primal roar echoes down the hall, as if a man was calling out in agony. The ghosts disappear into the walls, leaving the heroes to peer down the hallway.
They see a dark figure heading towards the light. He holds a broken clerical staff, its wooden spear-like end covered in blood. He throws upon the ground claiming those with naught but greed in their hearts found their death. He shows his bloody teeth. He introduces himself as Vel Sulinus, claiming to want to make all the aristocracy suffer, asking them to join his cayse. Dietrich and Raoul identify him as a vampyre and suggest caution. Ryo steps forward to get a better look. Scalanis then steps forward to challenge him, seeing an opportunity to prove himself.
The vampyre laughs. He looks into Scalanis’ eyes and dominates him as he steps forward, ready to fight.
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Session 58: Vampyres and the Ancient Order
[May 7th, 2024] – Hearthrest 25th, 713 G.R.
The heroes try to strike at the vampyre, but soon realize they are in over their heads. Castor and Dietrich grab Scalanis to keep him from fighting until the domination magic wears off. The undead soldier then summons a wall of fire to block their path, but the heroes push through it, burning themselves as they flee. Ryo and Raoul lead the retreat, but Dietrich is badly burned. Castor goes back for him and Raoul heals him. Castor then finds that Scalanis has lost the will to fight and has laid down his sword to accept defeat. Castor screams at him through the flames, getting Scalanis to gather his resolve and flee with the others.
The heroes quickly set up a climbing rope at the top of the stairs and then flee out into the bright sunlight of Fort Lazurus. They realize that the vampyre, Vel, is on the loose and will likely continue his mission against the nobles of Astonia. Dietrich, Caelus, and Castor head back to Milania to see to things there and perhaps warn the legionarii of the danger. On the way, Dietrich thanks Castor for saving his life and for staying behind to ensure Scalanis escaped. The two bond over their loyalty to the group.
Raoul, Scalanis, Ryo, and Rael decide to try and catch up with the other Moonlit Blades enroute to Etherin to catch the ferry. They eventually catch up and the entire Moonlit Blades reach the town of Etherin. The two groups find that the ferry to Ashara has had problems and they are running out of room. Draco is forced to bribe the ferryman to let he and his friends on board. The other group heads to Tortumael to find the Order of the Eldritch Sign.
Scalanis, Cahir, Ferelin, Jaquin, Raoul, and Felix arrive in Tortumael and begin asking about Teilam Manor and the Order of the Eldritch Sign. They end up at a dive bar called the Black Dart Tavern, where Raoul convinces the bartender to tell him more about the Order. The bartender seems to make an arrangement for the heroes to get inside information. However, they are brought to the back alley where they find many members of the Order waiting to ambush them.
Scalanis manages to talk their leader, Moren Yas, to a duel. The duel goes poorly for Moren and he orders an attack. The Order strike hard and nearly kill many of the Moonlit Blades, however, they manage to gather their strength and hold them off. Morwen the wizard then appears and begins blasting them. Scalanis bests Moren in another duel until the wily swordsman flees.
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Session 59: Springtime Party at Cainorin Manor
[Jul 2nd, 2024] – Rainfall 1st, 713 G.R.
On the 30th of Hearthrest, most of the Moonlit Blades arrive in the grand city of Ashara, the golden tower shimmering down from its height as a beacon to all in the city. The groups get a room an inn near the markets and begin discussing their strategy to learn more about the manor and its occupant.
Over the next couple of days, they get a general layout of the manor house, finding only one entrance through the tall, black-stone walls that surround the manor house. The grand park near the White District makes it difficult to approach the area without being seen. Zhorn uses Timothy to scout on the manor from above and the heroes are able to map a general layout of the place, finding two servant entrances on the sides, a modest stable, and a family mausoleum.
The heroes talk around town, learning about the party itself and its many celebrity guests. They learn that the best part of the party is the afterparty when most of the guests leave and the celebrities discuss topics late into the night. The heroes decide they need to get an invite to the afterparty to be able to search the manor. They also gain some gossip to help them gain the favor of the other guests.
Zhorn meets with Meral Veselvrem at the Temple of the Moon, informing his superior of his progress in Milania. She is impressed and says she has a new apprentice for him, a strange blessed woman named Elena. Zhorn meets with Elena the next day and she seems eager to root out the evils of lycanthropy.
Meanwhile, back in Milania, Dietrich, Castor, and Caelus return to the city to share the news of the vampyre, Vel. However, they find that the Emerald Teeth has been aggressively putting pressure on Castor’s smithy until they pay up their protection. Also, the legionarii inform them that the phantom killer has seemingly returned. Three more murders were reported last week matching the claws of the previous killings. However, things seem quiet at the moment.
In Ashara, the night of the party arrive (1st Rainfall) and the heroes attend the wonderful affair. Draco and Ernault ride in their decorated outfits on fine steeds as the rest come in a rented carriage. They enter the dark manor house to a packed entry hall of party-goers. They immediately begin to charm and influence the celebrity guests, hoping to gain an invite to the coveted afterparty.
They meet Alviva and Mathias Kydwelly, two Loyollan siblings and explorers of the Selicean islands. They enjoy speaking of sailing, island cultures, and languages.
They meet the local Eshlien nobles, Dona and Kerwin Jom, who seem most eager to speak of politics and gossip.
They meet two Aelgardian nobles, Freygard and Jorund Hamundsson. They have much to share of their culture, especially horses, herbalism, smithing, and athleticism.
They also meet Lili Nekarda, the famed actress. She recognizes Draco and Ernault from the Megara Theatre attack. She seems most eager to talk about herself.
They also meet Vitomir Nivakovic, an arrogant Kalruan nobleman who seems to wish to discuss faith and philosophy, while always hinting at the greatness of his lord Bael.
They also meet Decurion Licinius Bromidus, a famed Astonian general and war-hero of the Alliance Wars of the north. He wishes to discuss war tactics and Astonian politics in the aftermath of the Emperor’s assassination.
Finally, there is Druren Brungall, a temporary ward of Hilnan Cainorin while his parents are away in Arathkelsara. He is from Hopesdawn and seem most eager to discuss the occult and dark cults.
The heroes enjoy a three-course dinner and dancing through the night, while they flatter and influence the celebrities. They pick up on topics of interest for each person, then discreetly share this information as they swap targets, being sure to influence those guests. At the end of the long evening, Hilnan Cainorin seems impressed with how much the celebrities speak of the Moonlit Blades. He offers them to stay the night in his guest quarters and continue enjoying the afterparty with the celebrity guests.
The evenings formal affairs have ended and all the guests not staying the night leave. Now it is only the celebrities and the Moonlit Blades as they prepare the afterparty.
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Session 60: Secrets of Cainorin Manor
[Jul 9th, 2024] – Rainfall 2nd, 713 G.R.
The heroes head over to the smoking room where Hilnan Cainorin shows off his fine selection of cigars and spirits. A rousing afterparty begins as the musicians begin to play jaunty tunes. Aki and Lili join the music, providing their own touch to the entertainment.
Meanwhile, Zhorn is able to explore parts of the castle. He discovers across from Druren’s room is a secret shrine to the obscure Elven deity, Wisteria the Shrouded, goddess of mysteries and secrets. She is better known as a rallying support for Elven supremacists. Down in the kitchens, Aki speaks with the chef and learns every guests favorite dish. He also learns that the chef has to cook from a secret Elven cookbook when certain guests are in attendance.
Isolde and Sila explore one of the side bedchambers and discovers a room with a shrine to Morriga, the Elven goddess of revenge and justice. They are discovered and feign to be lovers kissing. The Elven man who pushes them out seems quite militant and angry. Later on, Aki lets Kit into the house in the rouse that she is his favored cat. The staff insist she stays in his room.
Draco, Ernault, and Zhorn keep the party going, with Ernault partaking in illicit drugs. Meanwhile, Isolde, Sila, Kit, and Aki explore Hilnan’s bedchambers. Kit finds a strange translucent magical orb on his desk and takes it. They find two secret doors in his bedchamber. One houses a magical mirror and strange podium. They heroes cannot decipher its power. They carry the sign of the Shadowed Moon, a secret symbol of a crescent moon and cross quills, known to be the symbol of the secret organization known as the Hirde oi Mȍrekal, or Seekers of the Darkened Light. They are known to want to keep Elven magic and ancient Elven artifacts away from human hands, as they are Elven supremacists.
They also find a room with a crystal ball for scrying. Aki is able to use the magical ball to search for Desnia Roolan, the missing assistant of Professor Angalarie. They see her face in tears and pain, and then they see a faint image of the Elven man Isolde and Sila saw earlier. They realize she must be nearby.
The night continues on and the heroes share what they found with Draco and the others. They decide to split up and make excuses to leave the party. Draco, Kit, Zhorn, and Ernault explore the castle, and find the library. Kit finds a book detailing the history of the Hirde oi Mȍrekal.
Aki, Isolde, and Sila head to the kitchens and try to convince the chef to show them the cellars, but he refuses. They explore the area and find an important meeting room. Sila finds another translucent orb hidden in the couch. They then explore outside but find little other than the mausoleum of the Cainorin family.
The two groups reconvene outside the Shrine to Wisteria, hoping to find a secret inside. However, they are greeted by Druren who overhears them outside his door. He sees Kit and believes they are all part of Hilnan’s “secret organization”. He is eager to learn more…
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Session 61: Alliance with the Seekers
[Jul 16th, 2024] – Rainfall 2nd, 713 G.R.
The heroes convince Druren to let them into the shrine, but they find nothing of interest inside. Afterwards, Draco and Ernault speak with Druren and convince him that they are members of Hilnan’s secret organization. They manage to convince Druren to confess that he has heard voices in the cellar and he thinks Hilnan is working with someone that he doesn’t trust (perhaps Cauis Cilnius).
The heroes return to discuss in the common room, but Hilnan interupts them and asks them to rejoin the party. They manage to convince Hilnan to give them a tour of the wine cellar instead. He does so and shows off his many ancient wines much to the chagrin of his chef. Zhorn is able to find evidence of a secret door while Draco and the others distract Hilnan.
The heroes return to the party as Aki begins a long saga about the Noradrie people, he sings loudly distracting the party-goers as Ernault, Kit, Sila, Zhorn, and Isolde slip out to sneak into the cellar. They all manage to sneak past the chef, except for Ernault who convinces the chef to make Aki another sandwich.
Down in the cellar, Zhorn and the others open a secret door and begin exploring the secret basement that seems to be the headquarters of the Hirde oi Mȍrekal (Seekers of the Darkened Light), as the Shadowed Moon symbol is found everywhere. They find a shrine dedicated to both Morriga and Wisteria, both banished Elven goddesses. They then find a small barracks that has some sleeping forms.
The heroes sneak deeper into the underground complex and accidentily trip a magical trap. A grand column seems to grow magical eyes and then fires magical beams of energy at them. Sila is hit and turns partially to stone. Kit escapes quickly as Isolde tries to fight the column. Some elven spellblade warriors come around the corner and strike at Zhorn telling them to surrender. Zhorn tries to escape as Isolde stands firm to protect Sila. They eventually give in as more Elven guards come towards them. They are stripped of their items and thrown into a prison cell. Inside they find Vesuvius the Astronomer and Desnia, Professor Angalarie’s missing assistant.
Desnia tells them that Hilnan took the artifact from her but they still don’t know the location of the Stelmar ruin. Cauis Cilnius has been going out on expeditions, but coming up empty. Vesuvius doesn’t know why they keep him, as he knows little about the Stelmar artifacts or even the Void Star that he studied.
Meanwhile, Kit returns to Ernault and explains what happened. They rush to tell Draco, who then arranges a private meeting with Hilnan. During the meeting, they are interrupted by Hilnan’s guard captain, Wellon Vex, who is likely about to explain what happened downstairs. However, Draco and Ernault are able to negotiate with Hilnan. They arrange a deal, a joint expedition between the Seekers and the Moonlit Blades to find the Stelmar ruins together. The Seekers have the key and the Blades have the location.
As part of this agreement, Hilnan will break his alliance with Cauis Cilnius and his werewolves. Cauis was going to leave for another expedition anyway, and Hilnan will arrange to his men to deal with him during that quest. In the meantime, the Seekers and Blades will be in touch. The heroes learn that Hilnan and his group of Seekers want to insure the magical might of the Elves by recovering the ancient Stelmar knowledge, in order to protect Elven culture from further human expansion.
The heroes return to the party and all is well until the morning, when Cauis heads out on his false expedition and Hilnan releases the prisoners. The heroes all meet up at the tavern and discuss their plans. Draco meets briefly with Hilnan and they decide to meet up in Milania after Cauis is dealt with, to give both sides some time to prepare an expedition. It is then that Sila receives a carrier pigeon letter from Scalanis.
Meanwhile, in the city of Tortumael, Scalanis and the other Blades speak with Morwen, who had just helped them fight off members of the Order of the Eldritch Sign. She tells them that Order will seek to destroy them unless they destroy the Order first. Scalanis and the others decide to send a pigeon to the Blades in Ashara to help them do so. Before Morwen leaves, she shares the full Prophecy of Ruin, so that he heroes might understand what motivates the Order. However, she does not seem to believe in the prophecy herself.
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