We kick off chapter 5 with a very role-play-heavy session.
The characters (The Vingaardians):
- Drystan Silverhart – Level 6 Aasimar Paladin (Knight of Solamnia)
- Yseult De Lorimar – Level 6 Human Warlock (Noble)
- “Fletch” Siannodel – Level 6 Kagonesti Elven Ranger (Folk Hero)
- Sabelina – Level 6 Human Cleric of Gilean (Acolyte)
- Sidekicks: Hrigg Roundrook and Tem Temble
This session kicks off with the party catching a breather before being debriefed by Marshal Vendri about what happened in the catacombs. On the way there, they overhear that Lord Bakaris is generally bitter about what happened, both with the military catastrophe that (likely) caused his son’s death, and is taking it out on the party by generally complaining to whoever will listen.
Because the party was able to save Sir Rial, he was able to provide some testimony that further implies Lord Soth’s involvement, so Vendri is much less skeptical of Soth’s direct involvement in the attack. After a back and forth with the party, Darrett, and Vendri, Vendri agrees with sending a small force of volunteers to accompany the party in the northern wastes (if the party had argued for going it alone, I would have done it that way, as Fletch has a high enough Survival Skill that he could forage for the party).
As Darret prepares for the excursion, Yseult went to speak to Wyhan about the Cataclysmic energies taken by Soth, at Vendri’s suggestion. Wyhan suspected that with what knowledge she has on Soth’s background, Soth’s level of skill would be limited to putting the magical energies into something and not necessarily channeling them through a larger magical ritual. He also would probably have to have some sort of magical container to hold the energies, as they might destroy him otherwise, a container that would need to be made by a powerful arcane or divine spellcaster – or worse, supplied directly by Takhisis. However, as she’d never had a chance to study the contained supplied arcane energies or where they were kept, this was strictly conjecture. She would inquire to the Towers to see if they knew more. This was an addition on my end, expanding some worldbuilding, and raising the stakes some.
Wyhan then let Yseult know that, officially, her Trial was being indefinitely postponed as the Orders of High Sorcery were taking an official stance of neutrality. Unofficially, she was being permitted to practice and train in magic beyond where she would normally be permitted to be before undergoing the Trial, and to proceed with her current activities – though if she were captured by the Dragon Armies – and she was also informed that there were 4 more Dragon Armies, the Orders of High Sorcery would disavow any knowledge of her actions.
A successful History check from Sabelina found some pre-Cataclysm records that gave a general idea of where the City of Lost Names likely fell, giving the party a general direction of where to go once they disembarked at Wrecker’s Edge. Speaking of the expeditionary force, much of their number was made up by Cudgel’s Company, along with Darrett and a few Solamnics, plus Tatiana Rookledust, who had several more Fargabs, including one for the party, with the size successfully reduced to about satchel size instead of backpack size. Hrigg ended up volunteering to carry it.
On arriving at Wrecker’s Edge, the party encountered Dalamar and the Sylvanesti encampment, and after some negotiation – along with providing news on the actions of the Red Dragon Army (and possibly Soth’s involvement), he provided them three additional points to explore for possible leads. The party elected to check the Blue Phoenix Shrine first.
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