So in addition to their fantastic Epic Encounters range, Steamforged Games launched a Kickstarter for a collection called Local Legends. (see the full range here Steamforged Games Local Legends), a collection of ten distinctive taverns each with its own set of NPCs, tavern game and, of course, local legend.
The Kickstarter was fulfilled recently and of course, I sent the minis from mine over to my friend Jon for his expert hand at painting them. So here they are, each legend has one main monster and some additional pieces to accompany it. I won’t show the books, cards or maps that come with the set here, there are plenty of YouTube videos out there showing them off.
The Nodding Dragon – The Owlbear
Owlbear
Druid
The Draughty Rabbit – Banjo, the Hill Giant
Banjo
Banjo’s boulders
The Shady Nook – The Diaemus
The Diaemus
Giant Bats
The Golden Griffon Club – The Griffon
The Griffon
Dead messenger under his horse
Salt & Kraken – Captain “Bloodbeard” McGraw
Cpt McGraw
Sea Spirits
Velvet Dreams – The Efreet
The Efreet
Fire elementals
Mace & Flail – The Berserker
The Berserker
Floating Blades
The Silver Purse – Guardian Wraith
Guardian Wraith
Votary Spirits
The Huntsman’s Stag – The Green Devil
The Green Devil
Mangrove Trees
The Adventurer’s Rest – Marshina, the Night Hag
Marshina, the Night Hag
Will-O-Wisps
Really happy with the job he’s done on these (as always) and I’m looking forward to either integrating them into my current campaigns or just running some one-shots of each of the amazingly detailed taverns and their legends.
Jack S – Dalin Light, a female tiefling Light Cleric of the Sacred Flame.
Steve – Varis, a male drow Bard of the College of Swords.
Morgan – Deena, a female human Sorcerer with a Haunted past
Jon – Coulter, a male human Fighter Commander, re-enlisted Lantern
Lee – Fezzik, a male goliath Beast Totem Barbarian, first mate from Boot’s ship
Jack E – Tinker, a male tabaxi Rogue Thief from the streets
Kiefer – Balor, a male human Paladin of Devotion
Tidesday 4th Sowing, Year 1.126
The heroes glared at the trapdoor but instead of trying to force their way through to the chamber below Varis cheerily declared “With Deena gone I can safely lower the rest of us to the battlement below” and so on the count of three, they all leapt from the tower top and the drow cast a feather fall spell upon them all, allowing them to land safely on the connecting battlement twenty feet below.
Their feet had barely touched the stones before Fezik charged forward to the door leading into the southern tower, the one that Deena’s spectre had previously seen the half dozen garmyr in, the goliath smashed the door open and assaulted the nearest foe as his allies rushed to support him.
Dalin chanted a prayer to the Flame and summoned her spirit guardians as Coulter and Balor strode into the tower to join Fezik. The startled garmyr quickly retaliated and with snarls, barks and growls threw themselves at the heroes, attacking with teeth and claws.
The door to the other tower opened and the trio of burly garmyr Varis and Deena had seen strode forward wielding vicious-looking glaives followed by the garmyr they had suspected of being a spellcaster. This suspicion was confirmed as it summoned its own cloud of guardian spirits (while unseen by the rest of the heroes, returned Deena to her position beside the trapdoor on the rooftop).
Seeing the new arrivals bearing down upon Dalin from the rear, Balor hoisted his greatsword, Lightbringer, and charged towards the closest. But before he could get close enough to strike his furry foe it struck him with its glaive, stopping him in his tracks.
Coulter, Tinker and Fezik quickly dealt with the remaining garmyr inside while Varis used greater invisibility to come out onto the battlements and snipe spells at the garmyr caster while hiding in the corner, and Balor and Dalin faced down the burly glaive-wielders. Deena managed to get the trapdoor open and made her way down to join her companions and lend her magical attacks in taking down the garmyr on the battlements.
With their current foes down the heroes took a moment to regroup while Deena sent her spectre to invisibly scout the floor below which, according to the blueprint the Lord Commander had given them, should contain the winches for the gatehouse portcullises. They heard the barks and yaps of a large squad of garmyr approaching along the road from the cathedral but as they neared the sky above them was filled with a volley of green-fletched arrows from the concealment of the buildings lining the road and they all were slain. Their fellow Lantern’s were keeping their side of the bargain and guarding against reinforcements.
The spectre floated down the spiral staircase and into the chamber below, finding a trio of scrawny unarmed garmyr, then it moved across into the chamber that sat directly above the gateway. Inside it saw three garmyr armed with sturdy longbows, a bigger garmyr armed with a nasty-looking meat cleaver and another of the wizened caster types. It continued through to the chamber in the opposite tower and saw another trio of the scrawny garmyr. Using her mental connection to see through its eyes Deena had also seen all of this and was relaying it to her companions as she sent the spectre back into the central chamber to watch the caster.
The heroes carefully made their way down the stairs and Tinker darted out of the door to assault the nearest of the scrawny garmyr, unfortunately, it proved sturdier than the tabaxi hoped and so he had to quickly withdraw. Varis was quick to assist his companion and slashed at the same foe with his flashing blades, but it still stood.
Deena sent her spectre back into the winch chamber, fearful that the sounds of combat would make the garmyr in there damage or destroy the winches beyond use. As it passed through the wall she saw through its eyes that the caster was glaring directly at it! Deena commanded the spectre to attack the caster but it failed and the attempt made it visible to all in the chamber. The wizened garmyr barked something to the larger one who then threw back its head and gave a mighty howl that all of the garmyr responded with howls of their own. The three bow-carrying garmyr immediately surrounded the spectre and bit at it viciously unit it simply dissipated.
Back in the northern tower chamber, the trio of scrawny garmyr bounded forward to attack Tinker and Varis with their own hungry bites. The rest of the heroes burst out of the stairway and attacked the scrawny garmyr who proved to be hardier than they looked. Fezik pushed his way through to the door into the winch chamber noting that it could be opened both ways and had no lock so he grasped the handle and set his foot against it in the hopes of preventing more garmyr from entering the room until they had dealt with the three already inside.
Between the remainder of the heroes, the three garmyr were despatched and Balor and Coulter joined Fezik at the door ready to burst in. Unfortunately the bow-wielding garmyr inside were waiting for just such an opportunity and fired a volley of black shafts into Balor and Fezik badly injuring them.
Dalin conjured a flaming sphere into the chamber but the garmyr were too full of bloodlust to fear the burns it inflicted. Deena tried to cast a ball of necrotic energy at the far end of the room to not injure her allies but the spellcasting garmyr countered her magic with a laugh.
The large garmyr hoisted its cleaver and charged out of the chamber, pushing past the warriors at the doorway to get to Dalin but thankfully the tiefling cleric’s armour proved protection enough against the vicious blade, though his snapping jaws did bite her a few times.
Dalin risked not defending herself in favour of helping her injured allies back to their feet and chanted a prayer of healing that revived Balor and Fezik, the paladin getting back to his feet and turning his greatsword on the large garmyr.
The garmyr spellcaster finally succumbed to the flames of Dalin’s sphere but the last of the garmyr archers was still fighting on, his companions having been slowly whittled away by the combined attacks of Coulter, Varis and Tinker. The three heroes charged the beast with their blades and it too fell lifeless to the floor
Deena chanted a spell, causing her hands to ooze with a sickly, sticky goo and struck the remaining garmyr brute with it. The muscles of the brute seemed to spasm and contort as they suddenly locked in place and the sorceress shouted “Now! Take it down!” at her companions. They didn’t need telling twice, Balor and Fezik hacked into the beast while it was incapacitated by the spell and brought its life to an end.
As the heroes moved into the central chamber to the winches they heard a discordant horn blaring outside. Like a combination of a braying goat and a predator’s roar, it sounded from the direction of the cathedral …
Jack S – Dalin Light, a female tiefling Light Cleric of the Sacred Flame.
Steve – Varis, a male drow Bard of the College of Swords.
Morgan – Deena, a female human Sorcerer with a Haunted past
Jon – Velvet “Vel” Claw, a male tabaxi (foxkin) Rogue Scout for hire/Coulter, a male human Fighter Commander, retired Lantern
Lee – Fezzik, a male goliath Beast Totem Barbarian, first mate from Boot’s ship
Jack E – Tinker, a male tabaxi Rogue Thief from the streets
Kiefer – Balor, a male human Paladin of Devotion
Sunday 2nd Sowing, Year 1.126
The morning arrived and the heroes prepared themselves for the meeting, though Dalin had to purge Deena’s contamination first and the sorceress expressed an interest in learning the spell so as to share the task going forward. As they gathered their gear they realised that no one had actually said where the meeting would be held, the heroes just assumed it would be at either the Red Lion or the Gilded Lily. They left Velvet’s cottage and began heading towards the centre of the village, as they got nearer they heard the sound of hammering.
Reaching what used to be Caravan Court they saw a massive marquee being erected by workmen under the watchful gaze of several knights of the Silver Order. Apparently, the Order had already decided where the meeting would be held. The meeting had been arranged for midday so the heroes took the opportunity to visit Crowe & Sons blacksmith and gather a few supplies before returning to watch the marquee and the preparations. Patrols of Silver Order knights were prevalent throughout the streets of Emberwood and the residents watched warily from their homes and businesses.
As noon arrived the heroes saw a contingent of Hooded Lanterns in their tell-tale green cloaks approaching from the north, led by Lord Commander Elias Drexel and the Lang siblings. Turning, they saw a quintet of Academy mages led by River and the man who had given them the letter to deliver to the dwarven smithy, Eldrick Runeweaver. There was no sign of the leader of the Silver Order.
Suddenly the peace of the village was broken by a chorus of screeches from above and the heroes dropped their hands to their weapons instinctively. They looked up to see half a dozen huge griffons circling down as they came in to land, each being ridden by a pair of figures. A Silver Order knight controlled each griffon while the six passengers dismounted, Knight Captain Theodore Marshall leading High Flamekeeper Ophelia Reed and a quartet of his senior knights. With the barest nod of acknowledgement to the other faction leaders the Knight Captain led the way into the marquee. The Academy contingent followed and the Lord Commander ordered the rest of the Lanterns to remain outside before asking the heroes to accompany himself and the Lang’s inside.
Over the next hour, the three leaders discussed, somewhat tersely, the need to ally against the massive force of the garmyr currently holding Temple Gate and the Cathedral of Saint Vitruvio. Eventually, it was agreed that they would work together to root out the enemies from the Gate and leave it under the control of the Silver Order, if that went successfully then they would look to dealing with the rest at the Cathedral.
It was agreed that the knights would lead an assault upon the gate from the Outer City while the Lanterns would prevent any reinforcements from reaching the gate from the Inner City. The mages of the Academy would supply aid to both groups in whatever way they could. While this happened an elite unit would assault the gate from within to gain access to the winch mechanism and open the portcullises for the knights. Both the Knight Captain and the Lord Commander looked at the heroes, “You shall be that unit”.
The Lord Commander supplied a plan of the gates, based upon the structure of Shepherd’s Gate, and after a bit of discussion, it was agreed that the heroes would be flown in on the backs of Silver Order griffons which had been made invisible by the Academy mages. The mages needed to prepare the right magics and so it was agreed that the assault be begin at dawn the day after next.
With that, the meeting was over and the parties began to leave the marquee. The Lord Commander pulled the heroes aside and quietly told them that while the wall gargoyles most likely couldn’t perceive invisible creatures, once they were visible the guardians would probably attack them, “It’s a shame you haven’t found any of the city seals, they protect the bearer and his nearby allies from the guardians” he said quietly. The heroes looked at each other, silently agreeing with their looks before admitting to the Commander that they had indeed retrieved the Steward’s Seal. “Well, that’s a damn good start. With my badge of office that’s two of the six we’ll need if we’re to enter the castle and restore the monarchy, should we find an heir”.
The Lord Commander told them that a retired Lantern who lived in Emberwood had recently offered to join back up and that they could certainly do worse than to let him join their raid. He wished the heroes good luck and began leading his Lantern’s back to ward the city to return to the Garrison and prepare to do their part in the coming assault. The heroes returned to Velvet’s home and spent the rest of the day preparing themselves for the task ahead, each lost deep in their own thoughts until they retired for the night.
Moonday 3rd Sowing, Year 1.126
The heroes awoke the next morning to find Velvet gone, and a note waiting for them on the table.
My friends, I am aware there has been great concern in the group since I underwent the ritual with the Falling Fire, and with the Silver Order becoming more prevalent and bolder in their presence, I am worried my presence puts you all at far more risk than need be in these already difficult times. I have therefore chosen to take my leave of the group, returning to the Falling Fire’s enclave where I can hopefully do some good. I figure I can look more into this ritual to determine if there is anything of concern. Plus some quality time with my mother is long overdue. And if the Silver Order should come looking for trouble, then I can put all the skills I have honed from my time with the party to good use once more. You know where to find me if you need me – I will always be a friend and ally to you all. Heartfelt regards, Velvet Claw PS – I left the supplies I was carrying in a bag under the bed – I took one of Aldo’s health potions just in case, hope that was okay.
They were a little shocked at this news but didn’t have a lot of time to consider it as the door of the cottage knocked loudly. Outside stood a human man in an old but serviceable Lantern’s uniform, he introduced himself as Coulter and told them he had been tasked with delivering a message to the heroes asking them to meet the Lord Commander at the Chapel of Saint Brenna in the Outer City as soon as possible, so they gathered their gear and set off into the city together.
As they neared the chapel they came across the body of a Silver Order knight trapped under his horse, with another five foot soldiers lying dead around them. All appeared to have suffered wounds from arrows, bolts and blades but there was no sign of who had killed them. Varis used a spell to speak with the dead knight, learning his name and that he had been leading a patrol when they were attacked by ruffians. The only identifying mark they bore was a stylised bulldog’s head. Tinker recognised the mark as belonging to the Howlin’ Dogs, a gang controlled by the Queen of Thieves. They searched the bodies but the ruffians had already looted anything of use or value.
The chapel looked much as it had the last time they had visited, though a light shining within was visible through the burnt shell of the building. The heroes all felt that something was a little off but entered cautiously all the same.
The Lord Commander leant casually against the central brazier that was still lit in the centre of the chapel, apparently alone. The heroes were suspicious and quickly realised that this wasn’t the Lord Commander so the figure dropped their disguise, revealing themselves as a lithe woman in red and black leathers with a wide-brimmed hat that Tinker easily recognised as the Queen of Thieves.
The Queen quickly tried to calm the situation and assured them that she meant no harm, she had used the subterfuge as she needed to talk to them and didn’t believe they would have come if they knew it was truly her. She told the heroes that she needed them to take a message to the real Lord Commander, that he shouldn’t trust the Silver Order and that she had a similar goal to the Lanterns, restoration of the rightful monarchy. In fact, she knew where a living heir of the Von Kessel family was and was keeping them safe until they could assume their place on the throne. She wouldn’t confirm who the heir was or where she was keeping them, just that they were safe and that the Silver Order would certainly oppose them taking the throne because of the Edicts of Lurmen preventing any magic wielder from taking the crown. The heroes were understandably wary but agreed to get the message to the Lord Commander and the Queen wished them luck and disappeared. The heroes made their way back to Emberwood Village but rather than go to Velvet’s home they rented a cottage from the Bark & Buzzard once again and rested for the night knowing they had an early start in the morning.
Tidesday 4th Sowing, Year 1.126
Before the sun had risen the heroes were assembled once again in Caravan Court, the marquee was gone but several griffons were mustered along with their handlers and a dozen Academy mages. Each of the heroes was assigned to a griffon and its rider and a mage turned them all invisible. They had been briefed that it would be too risky to land on the gate towers so each of the heroes would be flown within ten feet of the battlements and then would have to jump onto the tower and the griffons would then return to the main Silver Order assault.
As they flew over the awakening Outer City and approached Temple Gate they saw the ranks of the knights on their own, albeit slower, approach and waiting for them the hungry-eyed garmyr guarding the gate.
Deena sent her spectral minion invisibly to the right-hand tower while the heroes all headed to the left-hand one. They could see each was defended by a handful of garmyr and a pair of ramshackle ballistae. The griffons swept down with military precision as was to be expected and the heroes each leapt free of their seats, landing heavily but unseen by the garmyr, though only Varis, Fezzik and Coulter landed on their feet.
Deena’s spectre sank unnoticed through the floor into the chamber below as the sorceress looked through its eyes, seeing half a dozen more garmyr assembled within. Dalin revealed herself as she threw fireballs at the enemies on the opposite rooftop, while Varis animated one of the ballistae and caused it to thrash about in an attempt to smack into any garmyr foolish enough to get too close. Fezzik, Coulter, Balor and Tinker proceeded to slaughter the garmyr on their tower with as much speed as they could.
With both tower tops clear of foes Deena moved to the trap door and pulled it open, seeing a trio of burly garmyr below accompanied by an emaciated odd-looking one, even by garmyr standards. She attempted to cast a spell into the room below but the odd garmyr growled up at her and countered her magic. Varis tried to cast a spell of his own down at the creature but it shrugged his spell off as if it was nothing before giving an evil little laugh and growling out a spell of its own and Deena vanished from the rooftop, then one of the garmyr clambered up the ladder, pulled the trapdoor shut and bolted it from the underside …
Hinesh – Gnarl, a male kobold Way of Mercy monk physician
Lyam – Tezmin, a male harengon warlock of the Genie (dao) (Unavailable this session)
Sarah – Hildegarde, a female tempest cleric of the Wildmother (Melora)
Grey – Bek, a Shadar Kai bladesinger wizard
As may be apparent, we are utilising some non-WotC sources for this campaign. In addition to the usual 5e books, characters could draw upon the Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount, Tal Dorei Reborn, and Gunslinger.
Da’leysen, 27th Fessuran, 836 PD
Arriving at the former temple of Avandra the heroes found Fogholme, the firbolg cleric of the Wildmother in conversation with a pair of tieflings. One they recognised as Question, the young member of the Cobalt Soul that they had explored the Hythenos house for. The other was a chubby-faced sandy-skinned man with a selection of archaeologist’s tools. As they approached Fogholme saw them and the body they carried.
The tiefling pair stood aside, realising the heroes need to be more important, and the firbolg helped them settle Hildagarde’s body as they prepared to perform a resurrection ritual. As he had done with Gnarl previously, Fogholme called upon the other heroes to assist. Ginger knelt beside the body, removed his hat (with the wig still attached) and said:
O Melora the Wild please hear our plea; Resurrect our friend and not just for me. Take pity on us and hear our appeal, For this friend of ours does more than heal. As Hilda’s blood starts to congeal; Through that cleric I was shown some zeal. Will your power shine through a big reveal, Or have they had their last meal? When we set out, we were five; Dropped one, gained one & now they’ve died. Help me make sense and make this jive; How can this death be justified. Help us know how to seek your grace; Alive & kicking! That’s Hilda’s place. So if found at all amongst the dead; listen to all they’ve done and said; We’re seeking that boon to restore us full, Because we’re like a ship with a broken hull. But if this plea falls on deaf ears, At least send someone to help face our fears.
Gnarl also beseeched the Wildmother in his own way, “Send her back, or don’t, whatever” as he sewed closed the many wounds on her body, adding a few extra stitches on the back of her neck to sign his handiwork. Bek just stood aside and watched silently.
Hildegarde was strolling through a lush, overgrown garden. Not neglected, the plants had just been allowed to grow to their full potential. As she walked along the path trailing her hand in the flowers blooming beside her she heard the screech of a rusty iron gate opening that seemed oddly out of place amongst the serenity of the garden. She headed towards the gate and as she did she heard the voices of her companions. Hildegarde glanced back into the garden as a warm comforting breeze blew her closer to the gate and she took that as a sign, turning and stepping through into the blinding white light beyond.
With a dramatic intake of breath, the formerly dead cleric sat up, surrounded by her allies and the familiar face of Fogholme. The sandy-skinned tiefling was ecstatic at having witnessed the reviving of the cleric and eagerly introduced himself as Prolix, an archaeologist of the Allegiance of Allsight. The name meant nothing to the heroes and he explained that he was from Ank’Harel and the Allegiance were seekers of history and knowledge there. He had come to Bazzoxan to learn more about Alyxian as his story was linked to the city. When the heroes recounted how Hildegarde had died and mentioned the red-robed elf mage he spat “That bitch!” and explained that she was named Aloysia and a member of a rival group known as the Consortium of the Vermilion Dream who sought out ancient magical secrets.
The heroes showed the tieflings the stone tablet that Aloysia had dropped and Prolix explained that it was a teleportation tablet and that he had one also which he was planning on using the next day to return home. Prolix offered to take the heroes with him and they accepted, rather than using Aloysia’s and teleporting into possible danger. They agreed to meet up the next day and the heroes retired to the Ready Room.
Miresen, 28th Fessuran, 836 PD
The next day they met up with Prolix and Question as arranged and the archeologist used his tablet to transport them all to Ank’Harel. The chilly air and gloomy clouds of Bazzoxan were replaced by dry heat and a brilliant blue sky visible through the arched window of a magnificent building with walls of white marble. Beneath their feet was a teleportation circle, from which the glow of magic slowly subsided.
Prolix asked if the heroes would be willing to meet with one of his superiors and they agreed. Question thanked him for helping her get home but had to go and report to her own superiors at the Library of the Cobalt Soul, but before she left she gave them a tourist map of Ank’Harel and a sending stone, explaining that one of her order would contact them soon.
Prolix led the heroes across what he explained was the Sigil District, passing its manicured lawns lined with fig trees between the white marble structures that resembled a massive university campus. They came to a smaller building, the sign outside read “Headmaster Alakritos” and the tiefling led them inside and to an office on the upper floor. He knocked on the door and a voice called out “Enter”.
Inside sat a male goblin in brown robes, tiny spectacles perched on the tip of his long nose. Rather than the expected desk, he was sitting on a plump cushion and sipping tea from a delicate cup. He invited the group to join him and began pouring them each a cup of tea.
The heroes recounted their run-in with Aloysia for the Headmaster, though they omitted any mention of the Jewel of Three Prayers and kept it hidden. In return, the Headmaster explained that the Allegiance had by royal decree, permission to explore and catalogue the ruins of the city that had been discovered below Ank’Harel which they believed dated back to the time of Alyxian and the Calamity. He told them that the Consortium of the Vermillion Dream had been trying to gain access to the ruins for their own reasons but the guards of the Allegiance kept anyone that wasn’t a member out. They showed him Aloysia’s teleportation tablet and upon examining it he announced that it appeared to be linked to somewhere in the Suncut Bazaar, an area the Consortium were known to frequent.
Prolix offered to take the heroes to quarters but they declined, asking about lodgings within the city instead. The Headmaster told them about various establishments throughout the city and they decided to head for the Suncut Bazaar before finding lodgings of their own and bid the Headmaster and Prolix a good day.
Using the map that Question had given them, and stopping a few times to ask locals for directions, they found themselves at the Suncut Bazaar at late afternoon. Hildegarde bought some lighter clothing from one of the market stalls while Gnarl explored the food stalls of the Courtyard.
T1 – Welcome Arch, T2 – Patrolled Battlements, T3 – Central Street, T4 – Market Stalls, T5 – Luck’s Run casino, T6 – The Bone Garden pawn shop, T7 – Mystic Pursuits arcane supplies, T8 – First Eclipse tavern, T9 – Food Stall Courtyard
The heroes entered Mystic Pursuits, as Gnarl wanted to see what magical artefacts they might have. The kobold was a little disappointed to find that the shop merely traded in spell components and a soothsayer offered to read customer’s futures in her prophetic deck of cards. The soothsayer told them that the sale of magical items was pretty much monopolised by Gilmore of Gilmore’s Glorious Goods, an overpriced establishment in the Sand Herald District.
Next, the heroes visited the Bone Garden, the sign outside signifying that it was a pawn shop. The proprietress was a young woman with a colourful parrot seated upon her shoulder. When they tried to talk to her they discovered that she communicated by a combination of hand signals and verbal comments from the parrot. The heroes perused her wares and enquired if she had any magic items but she didn’t, and when Ginger began enquiring about smoke powder and firearms the parrot became extremely agitated and they were quickly ushered out of the shop.
With the evening drawing in they decided to make their way through the sprawl of the Bazaar to the River District and seek out one of the taverns the Headmaster had marked on their map, the Harried Mongoose. By the time they reached it, the sky had already darkened and they rented a pair of adjoining rooms to rest in.
Grissen, 29th Fessuran, 836 PD
It took a little time to adjust to trying to sleep in the different climate but sleep eventually found them and their rest was undisturbed. When they awoke the next morning a note had been pushed under one of their doors, sealed with the symbol of the Allegiance of Allsight.
Allegiance hopefuls,
We need you to pick up and deliver a marble figurine of an elephant that was stolen from us. We have located it at a curio shop called the Bone Garden in the Suncut Bazaar and arranged for the proprietor, Rerosha, to hand over the merchandise without a fuss. Simply bring the figurine to Gatekeeper Raashid at the Crystal Chateau, and your task is complete.
Welcome in advance to the team! —Professor Lymmle Wist, Allegiance of Allsight
Jack S – Dalin Light, a female tiefling Light Cleric of the Sacred Flame.
Steve – Varis, a male drow Bard of the College of Swords.
Morgan – Deena, a female human Sorcerer with a Haunted past
Jon – Velvet “Vel” Claw, a male tabaxi (foxkin) Rogue Scout for hire.
Lee – Fezzik, a male goliath Beast Totem Barbarian, first mate from Boot’s ship
Jack E – Tinker, a male tabaxi Rogue Thief from the streets
Kiefer – Balor, a male human Paladin of Devotion
Firesday 30th Hearthstone, Year 1.126
The buildings and ruins lining the street glistened from the crystalline webbing that stretched amongst them and the heroes heard the tap-tapping of hammers chipping at stone ahead. As they neared the source of the sound they saw eight ratlings hard at work chipping delirium chips from the walls, they were so intent on their task that they were oblivious to the hero’s approach.
Tinker scrambled up onto a nearby roof to see if there were more ratlings in the area but instead spotted a quartet of odd-looking arachnids stalking through the crystalline webs towards the rodent men. The tabaxi was about to return to his companions when he saw one of the furthest away ratlings suddenly get covered in shiny webbing before getting yanked into the concealing ruins before it could cry out a warning to its fellows. As the returning Tinker told his allies about the spiders in the ruins Dalin stepped forward, pointing the sceptre of Saint Vitruvio towards the largest clump of ratlings and unleashed a fireball.
The flames obscured the view for a moment but once they cleared the remaining ratlings as well as Balor, Dalin, Deena and Fezik had all disappeared. The sorcerer quickly realised that Dalin’s spell must have damaged the delirium and triggered an arcane anomaly, turning them invisible and called out to reassure their companions.
Suddenly one of the spider creatures appeared beside Balor, having also been turned invisible by the anomaly, sinking its fangs into the paladin and pumping necrotising venom into him. Another couple of spiders appeared further along the street where ratlings had previously been.
There was a flash of movement as an enormous, armour-shelled spider sprung out of the ruins and onto the spot where Dalin’s fireball had erupted. It rose up on its legs, towering over the nearby buildings as its spinneret shot a thick strand of webbing across the street to strike Tinker in the chest, pulling the rogue halfway towards it before he even thought to try and escape. The tabaxi struggled against the webbing but couldn’t break free before he was in the spider’s grasp.
The other heroes watched, almost mesmerised, as their ally was rolled around and quickly wrapped into a glistening, webbed parcel before being dropped at the spider’s feet.
When the heroes began to strike back at the spiders they found that if they failed to connect the odd arachnids seemed to leave a mirror-image of themselves behind that shattered under their blow while the actual spider reappeared safely nearby. But thankfully when striking the smaller spiders they didn’t miss that much and quickly it was only the massive spider remaining.
Balor ran to try and free Tinker from his cocoon as the monstrous spider began springing about the ruins, into and out of striking range of the heroes and biting them viciously. The heroes realised that the arachnid’s venom was not only necrotic but also contaminated.
The spider curled up into a ball, leaving only its armoured carapace exposed, the heroes continued to assault it but found it even harder to hit than before until it unfurled and they realised that it had healed many of the wounds they had inflicted upon it so far. The heroes didn’t relent though, renewing their efforts and wailing upon it with everything they had.
In a last desperate attempt, the spider unleashed a torrent of attacks, biting and spitting acidic webbing at the heroes before Balor brought Twilight down in a final devastating strike upon it and ended its life.
After gathering up the delirium the ratlings had mined they made their way wearily to the Hooded Lantern’s garrison. They confirmed that the message had got back to the garrison about the Silver Order’s occupation of Emberwood before heading down to the barracks to rest.
Starsday 1st Sowing, Year 1.126
In the morning Dalin once again used the Rod of Purging and her spells to free them of their contamination, and they discussed their options over breakfast. They decided that after a quick visit to the quartermaster to acquire more components they would head to Eckerman’s Mill to sell the delirium they had acquired and see what Aldor had on offer.
The journey through the Outer City was quiet and they soon saw the familiar ruined windmill ahead, though now the camp around it was larger. They easily found the familiar oversized wagon of Aldor and the other caravan owners and were able to sell their delirium, though Velvet tried to haggle the price and ended up losing money on the deal.
Aldor sold them an assortment of his healing potions and despite having a few rare items available they were for the most part beyond their price range, though Deena did purchase a scroll or two before they bid him good day and turned back to the city.
They made their way to the ferry landing, ringing the bell and summoning Stick. They paid the fare and the ferryman took them across as wordless as always. They began making their way through the city but they were distracted and found themselves back at the ferry landing. With a resigned sigh they set off once again, this time finding their route easily and without incident to the road that led to Emberwood Village.
The evening was drawing in as they arrived at the village, patrols of armed Silver Order knights walked the streets and watched them stroll in but didn’t interfere with them. The heroes made their way to the Velvet’s home and settled in to rest, wondering what the morning would bring …
Jack S – Dalin Light, a female tiefling Light Cleric of the Sacred Flame.
Steve – Varis, a male drow Bard of the College of Swords.
Morgan – Deena, a female human Sorcerer with a Haunted past
Jon – Velvet “Vel” Claw, a male tabaxi (foxkin) Rogue Scout for hire.
Lee – Fezzik, a male goliath Beast Totem Barbarian, first mate from Boot’s ship
Jack E – Tinker, a male tabaxi Rogue Thief from the streets
Kiefer – Balor, a male human Paladin of Devotion
Tidesday, 27th Hearthstone, Year 1.126
The crowd was full of excited murmuring until Lucretia stepped forward and they all fell into a hushed silence. She announced that the pilgrimage to the crater was to begin and simply turned and walked away, the fifty-strong crowd falling into line behind her. Father Flint was near the heroes and told them to come along if they wished and they fell into step with the slow-moving congregation.
The walk to the crater edge was slow but uneventful, the Haze grew thicker the nearer they got to it until they could barely see a stone’s throw ahead. The heroes and most of the pilgrims were beginning to show signs of being affected by the contamination by the time the procession halted at the crater’s edge. Lucretia used her magic to augment her voice so all could hear her as she instructed the pilgrims to each search for a shard of delerium that “spoke” to them. Varis, Velvet, Deena and Tinker joined the search and after two hours Lucretia called everyone back together. Around two-thirds of the pilgrims had found a suitable shard, including Velvet’s mother. Velvet and Deena had also found suitable pieces. Lucretia then called those who had secured their shards to accompany her to the nearby Chapel of Saint Gresha, those who hadn’t were welcome to return to the monastery but were advised to return to Hendrix Farm to recover from their journey but were welcome to try again in the future.
To the heroes, she said, “Only the faithful may enter the Chapel and partake in the sacred ritual that is to come. You’re welcome to do so but if you aren’t willing to then you must remain outside and not interfere”. Velvet asked his mother if she was going ahead with it and she replied that of course she was, that’s why she had come, and so accompanied her.
Lucretia led them northwest of the crater towards what remained of the Chapel of Saint Gresha. It had been constructed in much the same style as that of Saint Brenna but nothing remained of the domed roof and the walls looked to have been trapped mid-explosion and were held in place by octarine magic. Velvet decided to follow his mother inside but Deena chose not to. No one noticed Tinker slinking inside and into the shadows behind one of the twelve statues of armoured warriors that lined the interior of the circular chamber. The main stained glass window of the chapel remained surprisingly intact and the congregation gathered before it as Lucretia called upon Saint Gresha to appear and administer the Sacrament.
The ghostly apparition of the saint appeared above Lucretia and led the whole congregation in an hour-long ritual prayer, at the end of which the pilgrims (including Velvet and his mother) all plunged their delerium shards into their chests! Tinker was shocked but held his place as none of them appeared to be hurt by this act. Dark shadows were expelled from the members of the congregation and as the ritual prayer reached its zenith a flare of radiant energy flashed from Saint Gresha and incinerated the dark forms. As the light returned to normal all those that had received the sacrament relaxed and now showed no signs of contamination, even the minor mutation that Velvet had gained was gone. The spectral saint disappeared and Lucretia welcomed everyone as members of the Falling Fire before leading them back outside.
Reuniting with the others Velvet kept the shard in his chest hidden but told them that he was fine. He asked Lucretia what happened now and she told him he was free to do whatever he wished, as was his mother. The leader of the Falling Fire remarked that those who had undergone the sacrament were welcome to come to the monastery at all times but those who hadn’t had now outstayed their welcome, and with that she prepared to lead the other new members back through the streets, all of them apparently unaffected by the Haze surrounding them.
Velvet’s mother told him that she was returning to the monastery for now but would be spending her time between there and home should he need to find her, just as they were about to part Lucretia caught his elbow, “I had a vision during the ceremony, the one you have been seeking has not crossed over” she said and walked away. Velvet was understandably shocked and confused by this news but had to put it aside for the moment as his companions were still affected by the Haze and needed to find somewhere to rest and recover. Rather than travel all the way back through the city to either the Garrison or Emberwood Village they headed for the reclaimed Clocktower.
They had almost reached the river that split the city in two when their path was blocked by a pair of massive humanoids walking towards them.
They were taller than the surrounding buildings and dragged large clubs along with them the size of trees. Delerium chunks had fused with their bodies and their muscles pulsed with arcane energies as they lumbered forward. Balor and Fezzik closed the distance between them and the lead gargantuan opened its mouth as if to roar but instead unleashed a beam of octarine energy that struck the paladin squarely, rocking him back on his heels and leaving him further contaminated. The heroes’ eyes had barely recovered from the flare of the beam when they saw a chunk of masonry from one of the nearby buildings hurtle over the head of the gargant and smash into Deena.
The sorceress sent her spectral minion forward to attack the gargant while she retreated behind the cover of one of the buildings to avoid being hit with more building pieces. Tinker sped through the ruins and clambered up onto the roof of a building but waited below its apex, hoping to be out of the line of sight of their massive foes. Dalin and Velvet sent spells and arrows into the monsters as Balor finally got into melee with the lead figure. His glowing greatsword, Twilight, slashed left and right on the monster before him as Deena’s spectre drained the life force from it beside him and it fell.
Deena sent a spell at the gargant that left it dazed and struggling to focus on its enemies as Fezzik joined the paladin and spectre in assaulting it, but the three of them were temporarily pushed back as the massive monster swung its club in a wide arc that smashed into them and knocked the corporeal ones off their feet. It wasn’t enough though, the heroes were able to focus all of their attacks on the single foe and it quickly fell to their attacks and they made it to the bridge without further incident.
Once across the bridge they pushed through the Haze surrounding the clocktower, though they had to drag Varis as he was overcome by his contamination, and made their way up the staircase to the observation deck and the small corps of Lanterns manning it.
Windsday, 28th – Firesday 30th Hearthstone, Year 1.126
The heroes spent the next two days resting and recovering atop the clocktower, using the rod and Dalin’s spells to purge the contamination from almost all of them before heading back down to the streets and the Garrison. They were halfway between the marketplace and the Garrison when they were stopped in their tracks …
I mainly wanted this monster printing because the boss wanted to try resin printing a larger, multi-part model and it had just arrived via the subscription I have to Flesh to Gods miniatures. The comments from fellow subscribers mentioned that they had even tried upscaling it even bigger but I just wanted it as it came, on a 100mm base.
In all the years I’ve been playing D&D (and it’s about 40 at this point) I have never used a tarrasque in a game. We came close at the end of the Frostmaiden campaign with Team Gnome Force Ultra when they tried to use the scroll of tarrasque summoning.
It was only the day after Jon messaged me to say it was finished that I found out that there is a possibility of the beast making an appearance in one of the two current campaigns I’m running, I won’t say which at this point but it would be hilarious to get up mid-session, pick him up from the cabinet in the store where he resides, and plop him down on the battlemap and watch the players faces drop!
Let’s take a look at one of the latest packs from Steamforged Games’ Epic Encounters range (see the full range here https://steamforged.com/games/epic-encounters?tab=Overview), the Savannah of the Gnoll Pack. As always these have been painted for me by my friend Jon.
Now I have a fair few gnoll models already for my Dungeons of Drakkenheim campaign but when Steamforged announced this pack I knew I had to get more.
First, we have the CR 1/4 Dire Hyenas, I wasn’t sure if the spiked mounds on their backs were natural growths or added armour but pointed out after painting that there appear to be straps holding it on. The models are on 50mm bases but their stat block says medium? The stats are similar but lower than the standard Giant Hyena of the Monster Manual and I would definitely consider running them as a combination of the two.
Something to note, this is the first time the accompanying booklet comes with a “Stat Block Modifications” section at the bottom of (most) entries to assist you in altering between lower or higher tier play, so it appears that as written the stats are for tier two play. However, I spotted a couple of errors in these and passed them on to the Steamforged team via their Discord; they are aware and gave the correct information there. For the purposes of this post, I’ll just refer to the as-written stats.
(Higher tier HP should read 25 (5d8+3))
Also sharing the CR 1/4 spot are the Gnoll Seekers. These seem to have the standard Monster Manual ability scores though lower HP/HD. They don’t get the gnolls Rampage trait but, instead, gain On High Ground and Precision Accuracy which can combine to make their javelin strikes very dangerous for low-level pcs.
Taking up the final CR 1/4 slot in the book is the Vulture Flock stat block, sadly we don’t get either miniatures or tokens for this. It functions as a swarm and would have been a great single mini base.
Next up is the CR1/2 Feral Gnoll. You get four of these in the box and their stats are pretty much the same as the standard Monster Manual gnoll though with lower AC due to not having shields, and a reduced Int and Wis. They gain a new trait, Blood Lust, which is basically the become Reckless once bloodied. They also lose their spear in favour of either two claws or a bite attack.
The CR 2 Gnoll Reavers also come in a group of four. Armoured in toughened hide they have a better AC than their Feral compatriots and forego a shield in favour of wielding a two-handed greataxe, though the models seem to have glaives but that’s just visual flavour. The Reavers don’t have the standard gnoll rampage ability but do get the Reckless trait. Their basic HP/HD seems low especially since the Lower Tier suggestion gives it more – I hadn’t noticed this till writing this and have messaged Steamforged again for clarification.
(Standard Reaver’s Hp should be 67 (9d8+27) hit points)
Next up we have the CR 3 Striga. According to their stat blocks traits, their wings are formed from the arms but the models clearly have arms and the wings look like they are built from scraps of bone and flesh. These seem to be gnoll shamans that have partly turned fiendish. There is no equivalent stat block in either the Monster Manual or Volo’s Guide to Monsters, but I would have liked to see their spell list include animate dead to allow them to create Witherlings.
The final model is the CR 5 Gnoll Fang. The pack leader (unless you run the accompanying gigantic gnoll boss monster, but I don’t have that one – yet) and is much more powerful than the CR 2 Gnoll Pack Lord from the Monster Manual.
His Empowered trait uses a scenic piece from earlier in the book to create a thematic combat bonus, while the standard Rampage is replaced with Bloody Rampage. As a pack leader his Slaughter! Blood! Death! Kill! trait allows him to whip his underlings into a frenzy.
His basic attacks are a Bite for a respectable 3d6+4 piercing damage, and a swipe with his Slaughter Blade for a vicious 2d12+4 slashing and an additional 4d8 necrotic damage, as well as forcing the target to make a CON save or make their own next attack at disadvantage. Both of these melee attacks have 10 ft reach so getting close to this beast is dangerous!
The accompanying map is lighter visually as have been a couple of their more recent ones, and the encounters in the booklet at first read seem good fun. The suggested block modifications are a great addition and I hope they issue a free errata pdf to supply the same for the older packs.
Last summer when they released the booklets and maps on DrivethruRPG it was asked if they would be putting codes into new boxes for those buying the physical products to automatically get the digital version too and they said they would look into it – however, since then we’ve had six releases (Bandits, Manticore, Lizardfolk, T-Rex, Gnolls and Big Gnoll) without such – a shame.
Hinesh – Gnarl, a male kobold Way of Mercy monk physician
Lyam – Tezmin, a male harengon warlock of the Genie (dao)
Sarah – Hildegarde, a female tempest cleric of the Wildmother (Melora)
Grey – Bek, a Shadar Kai bladesinger wizard
As may be apparent, we are utilising several non-WotC sources for this campaign. In addition to the usual 5e books, characters could draw upon the Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount, Tal Dorei Reborn, and Gunslinger.
Da’leysen, 27th Fessuran, 836 PD
Continuing up the corridor they followed it along until they came to a T-junction and after a brief discussion chose to follow the left-hand path. The corridor twisted and turned several more times before ending in a door that had a set of concentric metal discs set in its centre. They also noticed pairs of narrow holes in the floor, walls and ceiling before the door.
As they examined the discs they could see letters carved into their surface and realised they could be rotated. Before they could touch the discs they heard a disembodied voice call out “Running through the woods at night, we look up at the silver disc”. Hildegard thought this meant wolves or wolf but noticed that the discs couldn’t accurately spell either but could put the letters W O L F in a different order and rotated the discs to do so. As she released the final disc there was a slight click and gouts of flames sprayed out of the holes bathing the area in front of the door and burning the heroes.
The heroes understandably decided to think it through a bit more before touching the door again, and eventually decided to try M O O N and were rewarded by hearing heavy bolts being drawn back. But the door remained closed and they heard the voice once more call out “My face is covered in these arcane symbols”, this time they easily guessed the word was R U N E and rotated the discs accordingly and heard a second set of bolts drawn back.
The voice called out a third time “What I will lead you into”, Bek suggested Hell, and when they tried it they once again were blasted with flames. Then Gnarl thought about the name of the temple they were in and realised that you could spell R I S E and tried that. The final set of bolts were drawn back and the door cracked open.
Beyond the door was a short corridor of the familiar matte black stone that led into the familiar chamber with the kneeling chained statue with the three over-arching arms. However, this time there were no other exits on the other walls of the chamber.
Not wanting to turn on each other they kept a respectable distance from the statue and with Tezmin having previously poked (and even licked) one of the pustules on the palm of one of the hands they tried attacking it. Ginger fired a pair of gunshots as Bek blasted a magical bolt and they were rewarded by watching the pulsing pustule being blasted to pieces, leaving a clean and clear palm behind and one side of the triangle carved into the floor lit up. They repeated the process with the other two pustules and as the third and final side of the triangle lit up the doors in the chest of the statue swung open revealing a prismatic light within.
Hildegard cautiously climbed up the statue and peered within the door, seeing a tunnel barely wide enough to walk in single file disappearing within, clearly extraplanar in origin as it led deeper than the thickness of the statue. She returned to the rest of the party and told them what she’d seen and they decided to take a brief rest before they entered. As they finished their short rest, however, the lights went out, the doors closed and the pustules reformed on the palms of the arms.
After a slight grumble, the heroes once again destroyed the pustules and opened the doors, this time heading in with Gnarl leading the way. The tunnel twisted and turned and the heroes were sure that at one point they were walking directly downward but somehow remained perpendicular to the floor, eventually opening out on the east side of a circular chamber. The walls were covered with softly glowing amber-coloured crystals that filled a crater at the room’s centre. At the bottom of the crater sat an altar made of the same crystal.
Carefully the heroes made their way down to the altar at the base of the bowl and Tezmin felt his necklace pull towards it, and a compulsion to place it upon the altar.
A spectral figure blossomed forth from the amulet. This warrior, who called himself Alyxian in their previous vision, looked up at them with a faint smile and said, “You came… you followed… you can find me.” The crystals around them glowed brightly, and their vision went white. Then they saw a company of armoured soldiers, Alyxian among them, marching into the Betrayers’ Rise. Their expressions were grim. Though they did not speak, they could tell that none of them expected to come home.
The vision shifted again, and everyone in the company of soldiers was dead except for Alyxian, who continued to fight while surrounded by the corpses of mortals and demons. He was hurled across the battlefield by the claws of a gorilla-like demon. The scene blurred, and he fell to his knees, pleading, before a simple wooden altar that bore the holy symbol of Avandra. At the end of his prayer, he was lifted to his feet by a tall young woman with light brown skin and flowing black hair.
A foreboding voice cut through this scene of divine intervention, and Alyxian froze. “The Change Bringer and a mortal,” the voice intones. “What brings you into my sacred, devouring darkness? Even if you save him, Change Bringer, he will suffer. He will die. He will be forgotten. All that he has worked to save will crumble and be devoured by worms. Why invite further suffering? Let go. Give in. All is futile in the end, so why…”
As the voice trailed off, Alyxian turned to face the heroes and fell to his knees in tears. The scenery shifts, and the forsaken warrior was now underwater, amid the ruins of a sunken city. “The Crawling King spoke true,” he muttered. “All was futile. All has been forgotten… and I am lost in darkness. Please, help me set it right.”
The heroes were able to ask Alyxian a few questions and he told them he had fought in the Calamity and was called the Apotheon because he beseeched the gods for power three times and three times received it—first on the shores of Wildemount, again in the depths of the Betrayers’ Rise, and once more in a temple of Corellon the Arch Heart in a city of elves and orcs in the jungles of Marquet. These divine gifts transformed him from a mortal being into something more. Alyxian says that the city of elves and orcs was destroyed centuries ago. Alyxian is imprisoned in an underwater place lit by a crimson glow. He grows angry as he explains that mortals are harvesting the source of the glow and leaving him in darkness and that this is torture for him.
As the vision of Alyxian fades the heroes saw that the necklace of Three Prayers had transformed upon the altar, and heard a slow clap coming from the entrance to the chamber and turned to see their competitors from Jigow accompanied by the red-robed elf standing on the lip of the bowl. “Well done, heroes!” said the elf. “Now, if you would simply hand over the jewel, we can all get out of here without spilling any more blood.” “If we don’t?” asked Gnarl as he stood upon the altar, blocking the necklace from their sight and nudging it back towards Tezmin before jumping forward to be between his friends and the new arrivals. “Well then we’ll just retrieve from your corpses” replied the elf with a wicked grin.
Tezmin snatched up the necklace and put it back on quickly turning invisible and flying up towards the ceiling as Bek cast a fireball at their foes, the elf tried to counter it but Hildegard countered her counter, only to have her spell countered in turn by Galsariad with a resigned frown. The goblin cleric, Dermot, chanted a blessing on his allies as the drow threw a crackling black orb down into the bowl that created a pulse of intense gravity that pulled all the heroes within range closer together and knocked most of them off their feet.
Ginger had managed to stay upright and stalked backwards up the far side of the crystalline bowl before taking aim at the red-robed elf and unloading four rapid shots at her and injuring her quite badly. Irvan threw daggers at the kobold monk but whether his aim was bad or his heart wasn’t in it, none of them came close to striking Gnarl. The genasi, Ayo, snarled like an animal and charged Gnarl with her ivory spear, but her strikes went wide of the nimble kobold and she called the ogress down to help her.
Maggie strode down and swung her hammer almost reluctantly at the monk but thankfully neither swipe connected. Then the red-robed elf cast a spell, a ball of crimson energy streaking into the centre of the bowl and almost as a reverse of the drow’s earlier spell, pulsed with force and threw the heroes nearest away and knocking Bek and Hildegard unconscious.
Gnarl struck out at Ayo, and even as she reactively struck him with the ivory spear he hit her with a stunning strike. Tezmin moved closer to the exit of the chamber but realised that to get into the tunnel he would have to get past the elf. Dermot moved to stand beside his friend Ayo, casting a searing smite at Gnarl as he approached and readying his hammer to strike too, but the little kobold’s luck had run its course and the cleric’s spell knocked him out. Despite having the opportunity Dermot didn’t strike the unconscious Gnarl, he cast spare the dying and stabilised him instead.
Galsariad threw another of the black orbs to the rear of the altar, its gravitic pulse pulling the unconscious forms of Hildegard and Bek towards the far side of the flat bottom but Ginger was able to keep his footing and stay upright, answering with another pair of dead-eye shots at the red-robed elf. Irvin moved to stand beside the elf and whispered something to her. With a shriek of exasperation she shouted “Fine, we’re leaving!” and ordered her allies to retreat as she pulled a scroll from her satchel and cast an earthquake spell!
The chamber shook and large chunks of the ceiling began falling around the heroes as they rushed to check on their fallen comrades. As they did so they realised that neither Hildegard nor Bek were breathing, and as they watched the bladesinger melted into a pool of shadows and was gone. Ginger grabbed the cleric’s body as Tezmin fed Gnarl a potion to revive him, and pursued their foes into the tight tunnel but, unfortunately, they had disappeared, but they had left behind a small stone tablet covered in arcane runes. They took it with them and made their way out of Betrayers Rise, heading for the dilapidated temple in the hopes of reviving Hildegard …
B1 – The Gates, B2 – The Crematorium, B3 – Infirmary, B4 – Gatehold Barracks, B5 – Dilapidated Temple, B6 – Wall of the Unforgotten, B7 – The Ready Room
Jack S – Dalin Light, a female tiefling Light Cleric of the Sacred Flame.
Steve – Varis, a male drow Bard of the College of Swords.
Morgan – Deena, a female human Sorcerer with a Haunted past
Jon – Velvet “Vel” Claw, a male tabaxi (foxkin) Rogue Scout for hire.
Lee – Fezzik, a male Goliath Beast Totem Barbarian, first mate from Boot’s ship (unavailable this session)
Jack E – Tinker, a male tabaxi Rogue Thief from the streets (unavailable this session)
Kiefer – Balor, a male human Paladin of Devotion
Moonday, 26th Hearthstone, Year 1.126
Having spent another restful night back at the Hooded Lanterns Garrison the heroes were joined by another new recruit, a drow bard named Varis. As they ate their breakfast they caught him up on their current status then got their gear together and set off out of Shepherd’s Gate and headed south through the Outer City.
Unfortunately, they got a little turned around cutting through the alleyways of the city and found themselves too close to Temple Gate. They tried to avoid detection and get away from the gate as quickly as they could but they ran into a garmyr hunting party, the hunter’s howls mixed with those of their accompanying worgs as battle commenced. Dalin was quick to react and the cleric threw a bead of flame at one of the clusters of enemies that ignited into a fireball when it reached them. Though it didn’t kill any of the hunting party outright, all were severely burned and injured.
The garmyr surged forward, most bringing their bows up as they ran and loosing a volley of arrows into the heroes, one of them managed to get close enough to stab at the tiefling cleric with its spear but her armour was able to deflect the attempt. Balor stepped up to help defend Dalin, swinging his greatsword in mighty strikes at the snarling garmyr.
Despite the ferocity of the garmyr’s assault the heroes quickly dispatched their furry foes with only Deena taking any major wounds which were dealt with easily by her companions. Patched up, they continued their journey onto the southern edge of the city and then onward to Camp Dawn and the Knights of the Silver Order.
A tall wooden palisade wall surrounded by a ditch filled with water and sharpened stakes protected the camp. Each corner was anchored by a defended guard tower. Entry into the camp was by one of four gates—one at each cardinal direction, flanked by towers, with a wooden bridge leading over the ditch to the wooden doors. Inside, the camp was an array of activities. Most of the enclosure was filled with neatly organized rows of large canvas tents, grouped around small cooking fires and supply carts
Camp Dawn
Guards at the gate demanded the party identify themselves and state their business, to which the heroes answered they were there as representatives of the Hooded Lanterns to discuss a proposal with the leader of the Silver Order. After a minute or two they were allowed in but ordered to surrender their weaponry before going any further. Begrudgingly they complied and were then escorted through the camp. They passed the massive bonfire burning at the centre of the camp close enough to notice that it gave off no heat or smoke, obviously magical and that it was being used for prayers rather than warmth or cooking. Eventually, they arrived at the largest of the tents which had another pair of knights standing guard outside. They were shown inside and presented to the leader of the Silver Order forces.
Knight-Captain Theodore Marshall
Knight-Captain Theodore Marshal was a man in his prime. Athletic and tall with boldly sculpted features, bronzed skin, and unkempt sandy brown hair. Unshaven stubble had grown into a beard over the crisscross of scars on his face. A leather patch covered his right eye. He wore gleaming silver plate armour etched with golden trim, a shimmering sword and a broad shield engraved with the symbol of the Sacred Flame lay on the table before him.
The Knight-Captain was a little brusque in his demeanour and when the heroes said they brought an important proposition he replied “Not important enough for the Lord Commander to come and see me himself though”, as the heroes began to explain that Commander Drexel was extremely busy, Marshal burst into a laughing grin “I’m just busting you, I know only too well the demands on a leaders time”.
After explaining Commander Drexel’s proposal for a joint assault on Temple Gate, and then the Cathedral, the Knight-Captain agreed that it would be militarily sound and that he would agree to a meeting with the Commander “I propose we meet on neutral ground, Emberwood Village would suffice, say, in five days hence”. The heroes thanked him for his time, leaving the camp after retrieving their weapons and heading back to the Garrison to inform the Lantern commander of the agreed meeting.
As it was barely past noon they decided to head down to Emberwood Village and see if River, the tiefling mage of the Amethyst Academy could arrange for her people to be represented at the meeting too. The journey through the city was less eventful than earlier and as the evening drew in they entered the outskirts of the village.
They immediately noticed that the mood of the village was more subdued, and as they passed the watchtower they saw knights of the Silver Order station there instead of the familiar Hooded Lanterns. Dalin suggested heading into the nearby chapel and asking the Flamekeeper what was happening.
Flamekeeper Hanna was happy to see the heroes again and answered their questions. The Silver Order had come into the village several days ago, dismissing the Lanterns at the watchtower before routing the rougher crowd from the Skull and Sword. There had also been an incident at Caravan Court, two soldiers of the Order had been injured when they tried to commandeer Aldo’s caravan. The burly trader then left the village, leading the other caravans out of town and telling folks that if they wanted him he’d be at Eckerman’s Mill. The heroes were aghast that the Silver Order had practically put the village under martial law, and that their Knight-Captain had obviously known this when he had suggested the meeting be held here earlier that day. They were just leaving when Hanna said to Velvet “Oh, and I’m sorry about your mother”.
Velvet whirled around, asking what she meant, was his mother injured, or worse? The flamekeeper apologised, having not realised he was unaware, his mother had packed up her belongings and left the town a few days ago, after attending a “prayer meeting” of the Falling Fire over at Hendrix’s farm. As the rest of the heroes headed for the watchtower, Velvet rushed off to his family’s cottage.
The guards at the watchtower were belligerent as the heroes approached but as Balor was currently wearing the armour from the knight they had killed a few days ago he was able to convince them that he was a higher-ranking member of the order and demanded to see their commander. They were directed to the upper floor and knocked loudly on the door when they got there.
A muscular blonde woman, probably in her late twenties or early thirties, answered. The heroes could see her armour and weapons in the room beyond her. She was very curt with them and when they asked on whose orders she had deposed the Lanterns and taken control of the village she told them “The Knight-Captain’s of course, he is the one in charge”.
Knight-Lieutenant Elaina Highcastle
Velvet almost dropped his key in his haste as he unlocked the door to his family home. Once inside he saw that everything was pretty much as it normally was, his mother had only taken the barest things she needed when she left. As he came out of the cottage and locked the door behind him, his companions arrived and they all decided despite evening getting late, to head over to Hendrix’s farm as it was just to the south of the village.
Farm was a generous term these days, none of the fields had yielded crops since the meteor fell but the farm had two large buildings still, a large barn and the farmhouse itself. The barn was dark but a little light could be seen through the shuttered windows of the farmhouse.
Deena sent her spectral familiar to investigate the barn, seeing through its eyes. The interior of the barn was dark but she was able to make out almost thirty bodies on the floor, carefully she looked if any of them were foxkin, like Velvet, but they all appeared to be human. She was about to tell her companions that the barn was full of corpses when one of the bodies rolled over and yawned before settling once more into sleep.
Deena sent the spectre towards the farmhouse but it couldn’t get within twenty feet of the building, some invisible barrier prevented its approach. Velvet moved beside the spectre and then stepped past it, whatever the barrier was it only seemed to block the spectre, and the rest of the heroes made their way to the farmhouse.
They kicked the door open and burst inside, startling the half a dozen people seated at the table within. A middle-aged man dressed in simple brown robes came to his feet, hands raised in a sign of being unharmed. “Please, there’s no need for violence. We don’t have much but what we do have we’re happy to share”. Everyone at the table was human, and Velvet immediately asked where his mother was.
The man in the robes introduced himself as Father Nathaniel Flint and explained that Velvet’s mother had indeed been with them a few days ago but had gone with a group into the city on a pilgrimage to Saint Selina’s Monastery. After a brief, but tense discussion the heroes learnt that another Father Flint was leading the next group the next day and agreed to accompany them. With that, the heroes returned to the village and spent the night in Velvet’s cottage.
Father Nathaniel Flint
Tidesday, 27th Hearthstone, Year 1.126
The next morning the heroes were up bright and early and returned to Hendrix’s Farm where they joined the large group of pilgrims and began making their way through the Outer City towards Champions Gate. En route they encountered a Hooded Lantern patrol, the patrol leader recognised them and checked everything was alright and that they had their flares, “just in case”, before wishing them luck and moving on. The going was slow but steady and soon they began to approach part of the city that was thick with the Haze. Father Flint seemed unbothered by the Haze but the heroes and the other pilgrims felt its effects but continued onwards.
When they arrived at Champions Gate they could see the gate was a ruin, having been hit hard when the meteor hit, one of its towers totally obliterated and the passage through the gate strewn with rubble. Beyond the gate was a collection of tents and a group of Falling Fire followers that all seemed similarly unaffected by the lingering Haze.
Before the heroes could question this a figure approached them, an elderly woman in simple robes that Dalin recognised as Lucretia Mathias. She was trailed by a dozen armed and armoured men, two wearing ragged uniforms of the Hooded Lanterns, two still sporting the regalia of the Silver Order and the other two appeared to be unaffiliated mercenaries.
Lucretia Mathias
Lucretia spoke briefly with Father Flint, the latter gesturing towards the heroes and Velvet in particular before he led the pilgrims onward and she approached the party. “I thought it best to come and greet you personally,” she said in a quiet but strong voice that belied her frail appearance. The heroes wondered how she knew they were coming and she told them “I saw you were coming in a vision, I have them on occasion” as she looked at Dalin. Velvet demanded to know where his mother was and she calmly told him that she was at the Monastery, there of her own free will and free to leave at any time. Lucretia could see he was obviously anxious and invited the party to come to visit the Monastery and see for themselves, “normally only the followers of our faith are allowed entry but I think this warrants an exception”. With that, she led the heroes toward a hill on the southern bank of the river inside the city wall upon which stood the Monastery.
Saint Selena’s Monastery
When they reached the Monastery Lucretia asked where Velvet’s mother could be found and they were directed to the laundry, “she wanted to be useful” said the pilgrim. They went to the chamber that was used for cleaning the linens and clothing of the Monastery and Velvet’s mother and three human women were in there washing bedsheets. Upon seeing Velvet enter his mother cried out “What the hell are you doing here?”. The foxkin scout was a little taken aback as it was not the reaction he had expected and as they talked he realised that his mother had indeed come here and was staying by her own free will. She was waiting to undertake the pilgrimage to the crater’s edge to complete her joining the Falling Fire.
The heroes asked if they could accompany Velvet’s mother, still not quite believing what was happening, and Lucretia said that they could accompany them to the crater’s edge but only the faithful could be witness to the ceremony that followed. The bell in the tower rang out and everyone began to move out and congregate in the open garden of the Monastery …
vobeskhan 