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--- v2session31a [2008/06/29 13:03] – created jims
+++ v2session31a [2017/05/27 18:57] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 | Val | [[Allie]] | [[Lesser Aasimar]] | Favored Soul/7, Ranger/1 |
-...
+//Note: This session is merely a summary of an email session.  No XP was awarded and no module was used.//
+=== An encounter on the road from Castle Serastis ===
+As you shepherd the freed slaves toward civilization, Ash spots a pair of
+soldiers on the road ahead.  As he is not the type to open fire unprovoked, the
+soldiers have time to act.  One signals to the other, who turns and begins
+running back the way they came.
+The remaining soldier adopts a defensive stance, places his hand on his
+shortsword hilt, and says, "Halt!"
+Based on the soldier's armor (light) and choice of weapons, he is likely some
+kind of scout.  While he has a crest displayed on his armor, it is not one that
+any of you are immediately familiar with.
+However, Ash recognizes it as from the private militia of the wizard [[Kevin
+Arcana]].  It is fairly well known amongst those in power because of the fact
+that [[Kevin Arcana]] has no "divine" right to any authority.  He is a commoner
+who has stepped onto the stage by virtue of the fact that he is extremely
+wealthy.
+As such, his militia is eyed with a heavy dose of concern by those who wield
+power through "legitimate" means - especially Baroness Karoline of the clan
+Simen - on whose land [[Kevin Arcana]] lives.
+[[kevin arcana|Arcana]]'s power has extended into the upper classes of Southbay,
+but has had little impact on the outlying baronies - including the Wildhurst
+barony (where your characters call home).
+=== Kevin Arcana's Army ===
+Chris Havel wrote:
+> Are we still outside the boundary of a recognized barony?
+Depending on who you speak to, there is nowhere outside a recognized barony.
+Even Castle Serastis and the Yuan-Ti would //technically// be under the
+"authority" of a baron.  However, there are numerous such places that are
+lawless because the baron hasn't had the interest or ability to exert their
+authority.
+> I recommend parlay until flying kick-time arrives.
+I rule that despite the rolls, Likami and Allie's parlay/diplomacy will
+neutralize Freyrik's initimidation.  (Kinda hard to give somebody the stink eye
+when their cohorts are rolling their eyes and saying, "Don't mind him.  He
+hasn't had his coffee, yet.")
+> 1) Explain we're escorting these captives we freed from the snake
+> people. We're not outfitted to repel a big band of, well, anything,
+> and would appreciate help from trained soldiers.
+This interests him greatly.  He really perks up when you say "snake people".
+> 2) What detachment are you from, and where are they? Take us to your
+> leader.
+What with the shock of Freyrik and the awe of Allie, he is remarkably compliant
+to your questioning.  He reveals that they are in the employ of the mage [[Kevin
+Arcana]], that their captain is named "Adrian", and that they number around 150.
+(This last point is clearly something he regrets revealing - further evidence of
+his compliant nature).
+> 3) Once with the main troop, we can figure out why they're here and
+> if our Baron should be worried.
+The main troop arrives after a few minutes.  They are extremely well equipped -
+and seem to be well trained.  Perhaps twenty are mounted and a train of pack
+animals and carts trail behind the main army.  Amongst the infantry, you
+recognize an unusual variety of races and ethnicities (though, naturally, most
+are from Southern Rota).  You even see elves, dwarves, and hobbits in the mix -
+which is highly unusual for a human-led force.
+While the main contingent remains "at the ready", they make no threatening
+advances and have no weapons drawn.  Your friendly scout trots over to a man
+who, shortly thereafter, is introduced to you as "Adrian, Captain of the Arcane
+Defenders".  Despite the title, you sense that this man is not a spellcaster.
+(Though there are a few in the crowd that probably are).
+After a few cordial introductions, Adrian reveals that his soldiers have been
+sent to reconnoiter a place called "Serastis".  He was told that it harbors a
+tribe of snake men and that these snake men recently suffered a great defeat.
+He is eager to know what (if anything) you know about this castle.
+Unlike the scout, this man seems less intimidated and/or awed by you.
+P.S.: //Your// baron probably couldn't care less - since you are something like
+a dozen baronies away from his lands...
+=== Serastis de-brief ===
+In the absense of other player input, I will take [[Heilli]]/VW's response to be
+the group consensus...
+> Pssst....let 'em know we wasted Seratis.  [...]
+> Allie, flanked by Ash (all glowy) and [[Heilli]] (who appears
+> distracted) will lead the contingent, [...]
+At first (quite naturally), Captain Adrian seems unconvinced.  However, when the
+normals convincingly corroborate your story, his opinion is swayed.
+Once he believes you, he begins grilling you for specifics.  He doesn't seem to
+care WHY you were there and steers the conversation away from PAST events.  All
+he cares about is the NOW.  How many of the enemy remain?  What is their
+fighting style?  What kind of special abilities do they have?  Can you pinpoint
+where in the castle they might be located?  He then brings out a reasonably
+accurate partial map of Serastis and asks you to fill in as many gaps as
+possible - especially details about the entrance.  (The chief deficiencies of
+his map are that it shows the Upper Landing as open to the air; and that it does
+NOT show the secret entrance).
+Whether or not you reveal all you know about Serastis, this portion of the
+encounter is over.  Adrian and his troops will remain with you for only a short
+time before continuing on their way to Serastis.  They believe that they have a
+narrow window of opportunity and intend to capitalize on it as best they can.
+> First and formost, if I may speak for Ash, we want to rescue these
+> prisoners.  To take them to any place of safety where they can
+> recover and rest. [...]
+As for the refugees, Adrian offers two options: Bring them to the nearby village
+of Inger or bring them to [["Neroth"]] (which he says is [[Kevin Arcana]]'s base
+of operations).  In the process of this discussion, he sketches out exactly
+where you are and where you need to go to get home.  (Note: If you opt for
+caution, this information can be extracted without revealing your hometown).
+While both destinations are nearby - and would be reached after only one night's
+camp, [[Neroth]] is farther from the path you'll need to take to get back home.
+Adrian's preference is for you to go to [[Neroth]] - which you interpret as a
+distrust of Baroness Karoline (in whose barony Inger is located).
+=== The trip to Neroth ===
+When you decide to make the trip to [[Neroth]], Adrian tasks a young man from
+his support train to guide you.  He is unwilling to send any of his main army
+for fear that he will need every one of them when they reach Serastis.
+His name is Didrik and while he seems mildly disappointed at having to miss the
+"action", he quickly accepts his new assignment and makes a point to learn all
+of your names.  He strikes you as the type who would have a great future as a
+businessman or political leader.
+The rest of that day goes without a hitch.  While [[Neroth]] could have been
+reached that day under normal circumstances, the large number (and condition) of
+the refugees slows you down and forces you to camp the night.
+During this time, Didrik fills you in on some of the details of [[Neroth]] and
+[[Kevin Arcana]].  Arcana has been known to the locals for several years and
+(like most wizards) had a reputation as an eccentric.  On one hand, he lived far
+enough from the cities to gain respect from the rural communities, but on the
+other hand, he alienated many by offering his magical services only with a
+ruthless capitalism.
+Three years ago, though, everything changed.  This was the summer of 1108 --
+which those in the know recognize as the year the magic changed.  Arcana began a
+massive construction project at a site near where he lived.  The construction
+was done with such an urgency and the pay was so high that it drained the
+resources from the surrounding farmlands.  [[Karoline|Baroness Karoline]] was
+none too pleased about the productivity of her peasants, but an "arrangement"
+was made which seemed to make her happy (at least for a time).
+Since then, construction has never stopped.  Now, [[Neroth]] consists of a
+massive, walled castle complex with three nearby stone-walled buildings and
+numerous wooden buildings -- including dormitories for the workers.  It is, by
+all measures, a town in and of itself.
+And, while [[Karoline|Baroness Karoline]] seems to have lost her patience with
+him, he now commands a massive contingent of mercenaries, so [[Karoline]] would
+be foolish to oppose him with force.  (This last detail is one which Didrik
+relays with great pride).
+Even with all of this information, when you arrive the following day at
+[[Neroth]], you are amazed at its size.  And, while the buildings and
+decorations are certainly not audacious, they still represent a vast wealth.
+This fact is augmented by Didrik -- who tells stories of wagons full of gold and
+silver that come and go in the wee hours.  (Naturally, he offers no specifics
+and when pressed, admits that he's never actually //seen// the wagons -- he's
+only heard about them from others).
+You are greeted at an outer gate to the complex by a squadron of armed soldiers.
+Didrik then does something unusal.  He pulls from his pocket a small gem on a
+chain and places it into a stone pedestal near the gate.  An orange glow arises
+from the pedestal -- at which point one of the guards opens the gate and the
+rest all step aside.
+Didrik then leads you to the main castle, where the process is repeated.  The
+same orange glow from a similar pedestal elicits the same response from the
+(very well) armed guards.  However, this time, one of the guards recites a small
+speech -- which appears to be one he says often.
+"Welcome to [[Neroth]].  Within the walls of this castle, any use of
+supernatural abilities is strictly prohibited.  This prohibition is
+automatically enforced by the castle itself, so I would advise you to dismiss
+any active spells immediately."
+----
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