Episode 13 - On to Bellglade - Notes

DM Notes

Previously...

Previously in the Awakening Campaign...

The heroes left Kacorothi on a diplomatic escort mission, protecting Ambassador Alaina Queus on her way to her post in Aithessi.
While exploring the abandoned fey city of Lavan, the heroes met Ahern Saeque, a high ranking general of the Celebarim Elfhames, close friend of Elaron Celebar, and a previous student of Shiyak, the mentor of Lira.
After celebrating the Harvest Day with a hearty meal on the road to Mist, Shae, Simmah and Varamael experienced visions of a possible future.
The heroes rescued Elaron Celebar, King of Skywood, and his niece, Fien Thertylian, High Princess of Aetheria.

Give each player 450xp.

Returning to Aithessi - 2Y1179 Vistro 18 - Evening

The rest of your journey to Aithessi was uneventful. You're again greeted by a contingent of fey scouts. The Duke quickly waves them over and they take the King and High Princess from General Saeque. The Duke turns, "Friends, thank you for your assistance in recovering the King and the High Princess. The General's trust in you was well-placed. I'm going to take the King and Princess Fien to Aithessi Castle immediately for treatment. Your invitations to feast for Ambassador Queus will arrive in tomorrow morn. General, I leave these men in your care." With that he disappears towards the city center.

General Saeque is willing to let the party question the captives one more time but will disallow any rough handling of the prisoners.

The party can attempt a skill challenge to recover some information from the captives. Bluff, Diplomacy and Insight checks (DC 20). Up to six success before two failures at which point the captives will lose their lucidity or refuse to speak.

Specially trained unit arrived from Fairport a few days ago.
Sent by their Asp commander to kill the High Princess.
Received information from a sympathetic diplomatic worker.
Secondary unit was readied to clean up any survivors on their way back to Aithessi.
Huge beast levelled the trees
Beast emitted a burst of freezing air that instantly froze assailants and knocked them away from the High Princess.

General Saeque speaks up, "I don't think there's anything more to get out of these men. I'll take them to the castle and have them treated and then imprisoned for an assassination attempt. Also before we left, the Ambassador informed me of your desire to reach the university at Bellglade. Normally outsiders are not allowed upon the shores of Skywood but I'll request passage for you all aboard my ship the Ruatria."

The Forge

It seems as if the hammering of arms and armor and the glow of the furnance never stop. One of the master craftsmen is always toiling away. Master Silverforge notes your arrival and lays down his hammer. It's not ready yet. I haven't even begun testing the material to see how to shape it properly.

If pressed about a time frame: Weeks for sure. Months more likely. Nobody's ever worked with this material before. But I'm the best smith this side of the ground and I'll find a way to do it. When it's time, I'll find a way to reach you.

Grey Pause Tavern - 2Y1179 Vistro 18 - Evening

The barmaid cleans up the spilled ale and picks up the coin. She whispers quietly, "He's unavailable until the morning but he'll meet you right after breakfast.

Grey Pause Tavern - 2Y1179 Vistro 19 - Morning

This Grey Pause's breakfast has a lighter fare than the other taverns you've visited in the Free Cities, likely due to the fey cuisine served. After you've finished eating, the barmaid clears the table and informs you that Tahlki is ready to see you.

The drow sits comfortably behind his desk. With his boot, he pushes a sealed scroll towards you. Your invitation to tonight's meal. The Duke insisted it be hand delivered with his thanks.

His thoughts on what occured in the forest:
My best guess is a divine servant. A huge beast that freezes things seems out of place down here. And why else would it protect the King and the Princess?

Ambassador's Feast - 2Y1179 Vistro 19 - Evening

The banquet hall is filled with nobles and dignitaries of humans, fey, dwarves and others. Tables are arranged by station and home nation. The largest table is only filled in on one side with several empty chairs you can only assume belong to members of the royal family. Seated at the table are Duke Sandoval, Ambassador Queus, an elderly eladrin woman, a young male eladrin and a young human girl.

GS AC FT EC IC DT HG DS
Gen. Saeque, Arama, Fien (empty), Elaron (empty), Ilri (empty), Drethar, Tylsa, Duke Sandoval

Several courses are served over the three hour affair. Elven spirits flow freely and chatter and laughter fill the hall throughout the night. A toast to the newly install Ambassador Alaina Queus is raised and the feast winds down with dancing well past the midnight hour.

Each player may roll a knowledge check to learn something at the banquet.

The King and Queen have no children. Many of the assembled nobles offer their opinions on the fate of the crown including a range from the King taking a new wife or mistress, to adoption of the High Princess, or the union of the Thertylian and Celebar lines.
Many are willing to discuss the royal family members in attendance but few are willing to speculate about the absence of the King and Queen. Arama Celebar, the Queen Mother is the mother of Elaron. The High Prince and High Princess are the niece and nephew of the Queen through her sister, the High Queen of Aetheria. Duke Sandoval is the elder brother to Queen Ilri.
News about the passage of the Shifter Enslavement Laws in the western parts of the Holy State is a quietly, but hotly, discussed topic. Many worry about the possibility of a rebellion in the western regions. In addition, the guilds of Fairport are divided on the subject of the legalization or criminalization of slave trading.
In recent months, many of the Celebarim's military and academic leaders have been recalled to Bellglade for reasons unknown.
High Prince Drethar and Lady Tylsa are an often discussed topic at the tables. Lady Tylsa is the eldest scion of the powerful Drumwind merchant family in the Olivian Republic. Her parents are not fond of her relationship with the High Prince and tensions between the Republic and the Elfhame are rising.
News of distubances in the Free Cities is spreading. Though many are also heaping praises on a particular band of heroes helping the cities as they travel through them.
Rumors of a snake cult from the north persist. Some claim they are working at the behest of an evil schemer seeking to rise to power. Others talk of arcane experiments that mutilate the test subjects.

Important Attendees
Arama Celebar, the Queen Mother
Drethar Thertylian, High Prince of Aetheria
Tylsa Drumwind, Olivian Merchant Scion
Aelsha, Elven
Arii, Elven
Ruael, Drow
Tahlki Firatria, Drow, Grey Pawn
Waukeen Sandoval, Duke of Aithessi
Shan, Olivian Ambassador
Tanat, Kacorothi Ambassador
Ranul, Dayton Ambassador
Hinrad, Mist Ambassador
Ranseri, Holy State Ambassador
General Ahern Saeque

At the conclusion of the festivities, General Saeque takes a seat at your table. A few updates for my friends. The King was diagnosed with exhaustion. He hasn't woken yet but the Queen has asked that the Ruatria set sail for Bellglade tomorrow. The Princess is awake but she doesn't remember much. She had a few small wounds including a knot on the head. She was at least able to confirm our captives as part of the assailants. The Queen has granted our request for you to travel to Bellglade and meet with the Chancellor. Meet me at the docks in the morning with your gear packed and ready for travel.

Sailing to Bellglade - 2Y1179 Vistro 20

Ruatria - The Star Dancer
General Saeque's ship
200 men + dignitaries

Captain
Lieutenant
Lieutenant

2x 36ft longboat (10 oarsmen, cox, 20 passengers) [31] x2 [62]
4x 30ft cutters (6 oarsmen, cox, 16 passengers) [23] x4 [92]
1x 28ft captain's gig (4 oarsmen, coxswain, 5 passengers) [10]
1x 22ft jolly boat (6 oarsmen, cox, 10 passengers) [16]
1x 14ft punt (1 oarsman, 10 passengers) [11]
= [191]

Food for Thought - 2Y1179 Vistro 23

The journey to Bellglade has been quiet and the seas have been calm. You've been allowed to freely wander the decks of the Ruatria by the General with the exclusion of the forecastle where the royal family is staying.

A few days into the voyage, the Queen Mother has requested the party join her for a midday meal. A nice lunch is served, far better than the rather bland fare you had eaten prior.

After the meal is concluded, she walks to the door and asks you all to leave. For your part is rescuing my son, I shall impart on you a morsel of knowledge. For knowledge is a greater weapon than any sword. As you approach the door, she inspects each of you, almost looking through your body.

First she calls for Néshira, "She's out there waiting for you."
Then she turns to Simmah, "Your past is the key to their future."
Next she speaks to Odanus, "Home is where your family is."
Then to Rolfewicke, "The makings of a hero begin with his desire to make things right."
Next she takes Lira by the hand, "He left his mark, so you could make yours."
Then to Varamael, "The winds of fate will lead you to a discovery unlike any other."
Finally she closes the door after Varamael and whispers something quietly to Shae behind the closed door before letting her continue out.
"Thank you for watching over my son. But your protection is needed a while longer.

Sinking of the Ruatria - 2Y1179 Vistro 27 - Night

A light humming fills the deck, you are jostled awake suddenly by a thunderous boom followed by a crash of splinters. Charged particles rip through the sides lower deck starting fires and the Ruatria begins taking on water. A mighty screech can be heard from above followed by more explosions of fire. A familiar voice, that of General Saeque, echoes through the holds, "We're under attack. All hands to the main deck!"

Roll initiative.

By the time the party arrives above deck, the Lady of the Sun and the Lost One should be locked into a fierce aerial battle.

A smaller but assuredly swifter ship painted black and sailing beneath a black flag with a green snake on it is closing quickly on an intercept course with the Ruatria. General Saeque stands on the quarterdeck with the King by his side. The general is shouting out orders as blasts of arcane might shatter the mizzenmast.

The King's attention is focused on the sky above where two magnificent beings are embroiled in a fierce aerial battle. Each of them is almost as big as the Ruatria itself. And without the full moon light, it would be difficult to make out the shapes of either one. But the sight to behold is unmistakable, two dragons, ripping, biting, clawing and breathing fire and lightning at one another.

Roagrimm is well-prepared for this fight and will use every trick he has trying to down the party and the dignitaries. Including calling on a fairly constant supply of backup

Fien, Drethar, Ilri and Tylsa are in the forecastle.
There are eight (of nine) ships available to abandon ship. One of the cutters has been lost.

Elaron, Ilri, Fien, Drethar, General Saeque, Arama, Tylsa
Odanus, Néshira, Rolfewicke, Simmah, Shae, Lira, Varamael

3,000xp of 2,800xp
Roagrimm the Faithful (1,200xp)
3x Asp Guard (750xp)
2x Asp Archer (500xp)
2x Asp Bolter (250xp)
4x Asp Prowler (200xp)