Hierarchy of Hate

The Black Door at the Cathedral of the Altar had a deep history and stood a miracle for those of the faith as both the pinnacle of craftsmanship of divine man, and a symbol of the strength and endurance as taught by the Seven Edict Scrolls of the Ministry.

 

High Precept

The Black Door is made of thick blackened ghost wood banded together by thick iron bands set in stone that is beaten and worn but as strong as the day it was constructed; it was heavily stylized with a shield and gauntlet motif. Church history states the Black Door stood as the inner sanctuary entrance for clerics and priests for several churches in Zhentil Keep’s early history before being brought here in the great Cathedral of the Altar. 

The High Precept regarded himself in a grand silver mirror, it too was in the shape of a shield, as his studious acolyte straightened the lines and folds of the Precept’s robes and blessed chasuble. The High Precept was a stark man with intense eyes, a sublime disposition, and few words. He was old but his skin lacked the lines of many men half his age, he too also had raven black hair; a prized human trait.

Beyond the Black Door waited scores of supplicants who had come seeking indulgences from the Ministry, the High Precept could hear them, smell their filth and turned hastily to a wine glass to wash cleanse his palate catching the acolyte off guard. And when the glass was emptied, the acolyte dutifully refilled the goblet.

A man offering half his betrothed’s dowry to the Ministry to sanction his marriage to his sixth concurrent wife; a woman seeking an indulgence for her sins with a song; even clergymen under the Ministry’s pantheon wishing to better their rank by appealing to the higher gods of the Cathedral’s Altar Bishops. They would wait; today the High Precept expected…

A figure knocked curtly on the Black Door and entered the Precept's sanctuary casting a grim shadow on the acolyte from the high shield shaped stained glass window set in the stone wall, it was the Ministry's Arsenal Chaplin. The acolyte, after seeing the new guest, knew his place was to leave.

The Chaplin

The Chaplin was tall with black hair and a back goatee; he walked with the diligence of a soldier and had the commanding voice of a battled tested orator. While waiting for the acolyte to leave, the newcomer helped himself to a goblet of wine and drank deeply, red lines of wine spilled down his chin. A cloud outside dimmed what meager sunlight there was.  

“I have narrowed it down to three.” The Chaplin said after wiping his neck and catching his breath after a long quaff.

The Precept remained silent in his thoughts but he was alert to this news and how it fit with the larger plans for holy conquest.  

Handing the High Precept a scroll, the Chaplin continued, “These three merchants should offer the Ministry a fair assessment of our assets from the Inquisition and the Librarians at the Citadel of the Raven will add their expertise as well.”

“You know I do not like dealing with the Librarians.” The High Precept said with a dry cracked voice.

“They are necessary, as you well know. Their work in occultism was a boon for the Zhentarim and by extension the Ministry.”

The High Precept seemed to concede the point, “What about the remaining churches? They understand their new position in the Ministry and the hierarchy set forth by the Tenants?”

Black Cloak

“Unknown at this time.” The tall Chaplin replied. “But I expect Inquisitors Ginali and Darkhoon have done their job in those cities and will deliver their assets to the Citadel by the appointed date.”

“Have you heard any news of the Black Cloak?” the High Precept asked changing the subject to something more personal.

The Chaplin’s face changed, “None since when Hillsfar fell, when he drove out the elves- none since the godsfall,” The tall man knew of course whom the High Precept was speaking.

“What's strange is, there are reports indicating signs of his handiwork,” the Chaplin paused for a drink before continuing. “troop deployments in Dagger Dale, agents in Cormanthor, and of course we have the soul gem from Hillfar- but no confirmed sightings or contacts.”

The High Precept looked from the Chaplin, framed by the Black Door, to the stained glass window high above, “Could be that there is a clone we are not aware of?”

Kings-Men 9: A Climatic Ending

This week we catch up with our characters moments after Raghnall disables the mechanical lock and in a moment of inspiration Egol freely walks into the monastery, and as the war priest walks past Raghnal, the rogue uses his skill to emulate what was needed to also pass into Vicklow.

Inside the monastery the two are immediately surrounded by magical darkness, and then a spirit appears surrounded by a nimbus the same color as the mythal-barrier that protects this place against intrusion. The spirit expresses curiosity toward Raghnal but recedes to its normal state after assessing our presence holds no threat. It even told us where the Book of Life was.

Outside the other characters attempted to access Vicklow leaving behind Ace who, while invisible would hold off the three wyverns that took flight just as Egol and Raghnall entered the monastery.

Inside our characters (sans Ace) would descend to the crypts to find a golden pyramid in the center of the crypts and the soul stone that gives the mythal its power.

Outside Ace flees from the wyverns, including a mythic wyvern that was a mix of blue dragon; finding their lair in the process.

Inside the other characters find and open the vault and relieve it of its burdens: A cavalier’s banner, philosopher's Stone, Talisman of Pure Good, Helm of Many Eyes, Green Orb of Dragonkind, Scarab of Unlife, and “Brightdeath” a Holy Avenger.

Outside Vicklow Ace, running, scrambling, flying, eventually fell to a blast of lightening breath. The rest of our characters emerge from Vicklow to see the blue wyvern take the unconscious Ace back to the wyvern lair. Our character give chase and are able to surprise the three wyverns saving Ace, finding the remains of Sir Baconridge, his sword and the King’s men disks, as well as some other treasure: two 2^nd level wands 3CL, Rod of Wonder, +3 weapon, +1 SA, and a Belt of Hurling, lesser.

We were awarded 2,200 xp and 1 mythic trial.

Epilogue: A few days later our characters arrive in Caer Leon to much celebration; Ace would reveal his reason for his cart- adding to the festivities with items collected in our travels; and to find both baronies reclaimed by the McClaines. Our story is told and we are given new orders; as Major Garrett intends to return to Hedeby our task is to escort Father Benetto and the Book of Life to the Capitol city. 

Kings-Men 8: Largest Ever Seen

… after dispatching the goblin gaurds, then later a group of goblin archers, and finally a group of

gillie goblins with a winter wolf, our characters looked upon the east border fort. A plan was quickly concocted where Raghnall would set alchemist fire and caltrop traps as the rest of the A-team approach cautiously as the sun sets behind them.

Each border fort was layed out the same with the stand out differences being the upkeep or lack of in each fort our characters investigated; however this one had a round yurt erected in the courtyard. Battle commenced with Ace jumping over the palisade, bow in hand, while the rest of the A-team showed off their mythic might on the barghests and the goblins of hob.

Our characters gathered the treasure, which included: burglar boots, major (Ace), ring of delayed doom, +1 weapon, +1 sa (Hannibal), ring of wishes, three (Raghnal [+1 Dex], Baracus [+1 Dex], Egol), +1 armor (Egol), and two potions or scrolls of second spell level or lower. Also gathered were masterwork weapons to be taken back to the druid’s secret community in the woodlands.

Our characters decide to camp outside with filthy east border fort where Hannibal makes his report to Major Garrett that all forts are relatively secure, the threat of the Goblin-King is no more, and that our destination now is Vicklow in a few days hence.

Vicklow

Late the next day our characters arrive to the secret woodland community to a night of stories, revelry, dance, drink and physical pleasures (after which Raghnall gives an enchanted cloak tohis woman).

Our characters set out early the next day and travel late and encounter the King’s Road along the way where our characters turn north to a relatively unmaintained road and increasing colder temperatures.

Eventually we find Vicklow built into a massive bluff, magically protected and mechanically locked against intrusion. After a few moments of study Egol feels a presence and Raghnall finds the magical protections. Raghnall disables the mechanical lock and in a moment of inspiration Egol freely walks into the monastery, and as the war priest walks past Raghnal uses his skill to emulate what was needed to also pass into Vicklow, the door shut firmly behind them.

We pick up here next Thursday. We were awarded 2,800 xp and 1 mythic trial. 

Kings-Men 7: The Secret In The Woodlands

The Durid’s name was Connie and to her right and left were half-elf rangers of the bowman variety, while flanking them were werewolf hybrids- who were also rangers but of the melee combat variety. A symbol of the Stag Lord was visible upon them.

Hannibal immediately uses his diplomacy to adjust their initial attitude towards favorable to us when the druid suddenly warned us not to advance along our path further; because further ahead is the Goblin King.

When questioned further, she bid us to follow her into the nearby wooded area. Baraccus seemed to trust her immediately and followed her, while Hannibal showing trepidation and Raghnall expressing impatience along the way. An hour later we arrive to a secluded community nestled in the woodlands; humans and half-elves made up most of the community of frontiersmen. Watching the people react to the druid we see how comfortable everyone is even in the presence of werewolves.

Connie leads us to a community building where we tell her of our travels and our goal of reaching the east border fort. She explains that the Goblin King was driven out of the mountains a year and a half ago (after midsummer) by dragons. As far as the strength of the Goblin King’s forces, she diflects that question to a ranger named Tristan.

Tristan, part of a scout group, described four tiers of enemies consisting of goblins with wargs commanded by winter wolves in the first tier. The second tier populated by trained hobgoblins, he estimates their number at seventeen. Third are the Goblin Kings lieutenants, two lesser versions of the Goblin King- the top tier enemy, and through Tristan’s description Hannibal was able to discern these to be barghests and the Goblin King a greater barghest.

There has been no contact with the former King’s-men Sir Baconridge and Glynnis, who we believe went to Vicklow.

With this valuable information our characters return to the road without further delay. Ace leaves his sturdy cart behind. Shortly thereafter Hannibal makes a report to Major Garrett about the Goblin King, how John Jr. was telling the truth in his lunatic ravings and leaving out Connie and the woodlands community.

Over the course of the day our characters encountered a group of goblin sentenials, then later a group of goblin archers, and finally a group of gillie goblins with a winter wolf. We dispatched each group, Raghnall gathering oilfactory components to his disguises; our characters finally arrive a half hour before sunset to the east border fort.

We gain 1012 xp and begin next session with the attack on the Goblin King. 

Kings-Men 6: Border Fort Tour

… The King’s Road veered north east as our characters continue north west to the border fort following the map. Along the road we see recent wagon wheel tracks along the way. We take a short six hour rest and continue. The next day, around a bend in the road, we come to what we believe to be the border fort under siege with the dwarves defending themselves against the ogres and bug bears...

                                              

It proved to be three ogres (one mage, and two brutes) and their leader upon a wholly rhino, who made his entrance by delivering the heads of dwarven miners in a gruesome sack over the border keep palisade. Bolstering their numbers were seventeen bug bears.

We defeat the attackers and introduce ourselves to the dwarves, eventually telling him of our kings-men orders to aid if the dwarves should require. Thorgrim Battlehammer, a dwarven clan chief, bids our characters stay and feast after our victory, while he checks on the status of the iron mine and the fate of the miners.

Inside the border fort, our characters see the improvements the dwarves have made as well as some of the injured; furthermore no one here as seen Sir Charles of Baconridge or Glynnis.

Later during feasting Thorgrim shares with us the details of their week under siege and his long term plans of maintaining this border fort as well as the mine with lofty hopes of somehow becoming a Baron after it’s all said and done.

That night during Hannibals report to Major Garrett, Hannibal releys this and conveys our support. Major Garrett says 25% of the mines output goes to the crown, the Barony is more complicated than that and will have to be negotiated, but it is not out of the realm of possibility.

The next morning most of our characters are fitted with hangovers, nevertheless our group travels east early that day and arrive at the next border fort late that day. The outpost is deserted and neglected with no valuables left behind; the night goes by uneventful (Egol thinks he sees a large serpentine silhouette in the sky) and we depart early the next morning.  

Around midday our character’s path intersects the King’s Road, but beyond that Baracus starts to feel a sense of calm as well as a natural resonance with the land- a strong indication of druidic presence.

Our characters arrive at the third fort to find it has been visited manys times, we even find a shrine and well maintained barracks and store house. It is here where Ace leaves a pint of vodka and Baracus a magical cloak of resistance +1. During the night Egol notices a wolf watching us during his watch, then that morning Baracus speaks with a hawk, hopefully to deliver a message to the druid.

Again our characters leave early for the final border fort, but after a few short hours our characters come to a shallow valley and a group of half elves, a wolf, two werewolves, and a familiar hawk. This is where we will begin next session.

We are awarded 6,000 exp, gain seventh level, and our second mythic tier.

Kings-Men 5: The Peasants Are Revolting

We begin this week’s session moments after the battle with the goblins, wrogs, and the pair of winter wolves. As Baracus skins the two winter wolves the rest of us prepare to press onward along the King’s Road and Caer Leon.

Later, we come to a low rise where Caer Leon was carved out of; inside the gate were paved walkways, ramps and thoroughfares; a well made if not neglected community in the shadows of what our characters learn later are the severed heads of the missing Baron and his court. Also below this gruesome display were ogre and bugbears herding peasants to their enclosures; however when they say us the monsters took up arms and charged at us. We killed them all, took their stuff and liberated the captives.

We take our rest in the Baron’s manor, after speaking with peasant spokeman who explains that most of the larger group of ogres were taken by the leader to one of the border forts to deal with a dwarf infestation. We help ourselves to the Barons treasure as Hannibal reports in, including Ace with a 100 gp gold chain.

Major Garrett amends our mission, now that a goal has been achieved- finding out the fate of the Baron- and wants us to take the fight to the enemy (and help the dwarves) and to visit the other border forts as well. No one here as seen Sir Charles of Baconridge or Glynnis in Caer Leon. We leave directly after eight hours of rest to leave under the cover of darkness.

The King’s Road veers north east, we continue north west to the border fort following a map. Along the road we see recent wagon wheel tracks along the way. We take a short six hour rest and continue. The next day, around a bend in the road, we come to what we believe to be the border fort under siege with the dwarves defending themselves against the ogres and bug bears.

We are awarded 4,000 ex and gain sixth level, we begin next week with the battle for the north east border fort.

Kings-Men 4: Ya'll Fools Need To Go South

We begin the this week’s session moments after the battle with the half-elves in Canton. Ace and Egol gather the dead, bind the unconscious and pile valuables together; Raghnall maintains his disguise and performs reconnaissance; while the rest of our characters announce to the Conton villagers that we are just peaceful travelers.

Hannibal finds a villager and learns these humble folk are just as surprised to see travelers as our characters are to find people in a town that is supposed to be deserted. These people are just trying to survive and they don’t hold the half-elves in contempt; in fact they state Stiorra insured many of them it was safe here while they work the silver mine.

Our characters go to meet this woman and were met with hostility but our characters did not kill them. Instead took them prisoner, took their stuff, and reported them to Major Garrett who would send the Baron’s Housecarl to escort her, her roguish male companion and the people of Canton back to Colechester. Before that our characters learn that Stiorra was taking advantage of an opportunity and that it was not personal against the king. As far as striking out against our characters: simply stated our characters looked like a threat. Later, Hannibal addresses the truth of the matter before an uneventful night.

 

The next morning Ace and Raghnall go hunting and bag their limit, but also find perimeter tracks around Canton about five days old. Around mid afternoon we hear the approach of the Baron’s Housecarl, a total of ten riders lead by Third. Our palaver is brief, and after learning they will bring everyone back to Colechester, our characters decide to leave for points north shortly thereafter. But not before Ace absconds with a box of wine. 

About an hour before nightfall our characters cross the border into Axeminster and to a largely unused road; a couple of hours after that our characters find a dilapidated enclosure suitable for camp. Overnight, during Hannibal’s watch, our characters are attacked by goblins who bore medallions bearing the image of a dragon or lizard.

The next morning our characters expect to reach Caer Leon, however worgs with goblin riders wielding chopper swords and winter worgs would have something to say about it. When the smoke clears our characters realize these also have dragon medallions and they were led by the sinister and intelligent winter worgs. We are awarded 2,300 xp

<<Our ten-hour theme>>

Kings-Men 3: A Coons Age

We begin the morning after our battle with one-eye Caitlin and her half-elf brutes. Our characters make some minor repairs to the farmstead as we intend to leave behind the livestock and recovered farmstead wares. Our characters bury the dead farmer family. Ace, however succeeds in pilfering a copper pot.

The road to Glendalough was a narrow affair compaired to the King’s Road; nevertheless our characters happen across another farmstead whereby our characters inform them of the death of One-eye and the free livestock just up the road.

 

Glendalough

Pushing on through the hills our characters finally reaching Glendalough in the mid-evening. Glendalough proves to be a welcoming community of less than a hundred buildings with the monastery to Ohgma the major landmark. As per our usual custom our characters look for and find an inn: Bridget’s Fire. The inn had an attached corral outside; inside, there was a warm fire, a trio performing the greats, and a comely woman who was more than happy to accept our character’s coins for two double rooms.

Inside our characters take in the night life, Hannibal overheard half a conversation on the merits against ‘the old way’- an argument that may never be resolved; nevertheless the festivities continue throughout the night.

Early the next morning our characters seek out who the authority figure is to inform them of the farmstead up the road and the death of One-eye and her bandits. Our characters travel to the monastery where we find people working fields and ploying their craft; it is here our characters meet Brother Cromarty who takes our statement and refers us to either the Scriptorium or the library for Father Benetto.

Our character’s first stop was the scriptorium where people worked their fingers to the bone for Oghma; here too was an old map worked into the floor. The map was without Coalchester, but had Caer Leon, a large forest north of Glendalough, the King’s Road past Viklow and beyond to what is now elven lands.

Without Father Benetto, our characters make our way to the library and a private study room where Father Benetto eventually meets us. The old father, loyal to the king, was a stooped man with a penchant for odd socks and a fire in his heart for what he believes. Hannibal reveals ourselves as Kings-men and our search for Sir Charles of Baconridge.

“Baconridge is going for the Book of Life” The book of what? Father Benetto informs the uneducated that the Book of Life is a tome of healing rituals, curative methods and, Sir Charles believes, what maybe the cure for The Plague. It is a golden book and the opposed Book of Death, which is how Father Benetto believes The Plague started. Furthermore Father Benetto believes the treasure still lies in Vicklow, in a secret vault that was never unsealed when texts say treasures were moved during the war. Father Benetto even produced very old blueprints to prove his hypothesis.

He maintains Sir Charles was after the Book of Life and that he, Father Benetto, and Sir Charles with Glynnis in tow, returned to Glendalough for the proof which he was now providing our characters. A crystal revealed a secret room on the blueprints of Viklow that Raghnall saw as worth of taking by the course of the meeting.

We agree that his idea has merit and he asks us to go, but our duties must take precedent. When our characters depart we donate a 2gp brass arm band and purchase new socks for the odd father.

Hannibal later reports in to Major Garrett while some of us sell of loot gathered off one-eye’d Caitlyn and prepare to journey back to Coalchester, the King’s Road and beyond; Hannibal also recommends the One-eye cat as a safe house. Hannibal tells Major Garrett that regardless if the Book of Life is true, Sir Baconridge believed it was, and that may change our mission course. Nevertheless our characters will continue to travel north.

The next morning on the road we pass a traveling pelt salesman who has worg pelts he says came from a man named Riker. The pelts came at a stiff price, but Baracus encouraged us not to buy the flea ridden skins. Our characters press on to Coalchester were we did not have a problem obtaining access, even in the night.

Awoken early at the One-eyed Cat we are taken before Baron McClane who wishes to see is immediately about our travel to Glendalough and our intensions on going north. He begins by asking ‘are we going for the book?’ revealing that he has spies everywhere. Our curt response is that our charter is not to seek the treasure. He emphasizes that our actions will have geopolitical ramifications and Baron McClane wants to make certain our interests ally with his; the Baron does not seem to condone interference with the current status quo. He believes he knows what our mission is, this reveals again the Baron’s distaste for the King. We are shown the door, our horses and then the gate as we are escorted out of Coalchester.

Along the King’s Road, four hours later, near the border to Axebridge we come to Canton and the adjacent silver mine. By all accounts Canton should be abandoned, but evidence disproves this. Smoke rose from buildings, and sounds of a community could be heard. Raghnall sneaks in as the rest of the group attract the attention of a human guard. Meanwhile inside the walled Canton, Raghnall spots half elves and the rest of the night was combat with the half-elf shield wall.

We begin next session after the battle in Canton. 

Kings-Men 2: Longsleeper

We begin with our characters rainy approach Castle Colechester where we hope to speak with Baron McClane and his son John Jr. However our character’s late arrival is greeted with a closed door and a referral to a nearby longhouse for shelter.

Ace and Egol find clever shelter for the horses as Face mingles with the others huddled in the longhouse. This, along with Hannibal’s report to Major Garret, reveals some new names who had been in contact with Sir Charles of Baconridge and Glynnis- the two previous Kings-men.

·         Malcolm Donovan, the head of the Baron’s housecarl who commands about twenty swordsmen.

·         Delavan Scott, the court wizard who is never without several aids at his service.

·         Third, one of the Baron’s inner circle; nevertheless, people react superstitiously around her.

·         Brother Martin, a well liked baker who seems to lack the heart behind being the primary cleric of Colechester. He was Opal’s replacement from Glendalough; Opal died a year ago weeks after midwinter.

·         Dubricus D’Ambreville, a spellcaster who has been living here since midsummer (just before Charlie and Glynnis arrived).

·         The Baron McClane

Our characters post a watch, but the grey and rainy night passes uneventful.

The next morning our characters walk our horses to the open doors of Castle Colechester and directly to the stables where two youngins take to our horses immediately. After this, our characters turn to take in the nice community inside the castle walls; a market square, a chapel, and shops that cater to the traveler or the homesteader. Further in was the Main Keep; however its doors stood closed.

Our characters eventually meet up with Devereaux the Castellan who, after seeing our Pegasus Seal, tells us the Baron is unavailable, it was his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary the night before. Our characters call upon the formal hospitality of the Baron as Kings-men and are soon allowed to eat and clean up. When asked about the Baron’s son, we find out John Jr. is not very well liked.

By midday our characters were in the court of the Baron. All the afore mentioned personages were here along with a vexing dwarf named Rory Brightmail. Hannibal states our official business for passing through Axebridge: investigating the disappearance of the Baron of Axeminster and the two kings-men Charlie and Glynnis. (which actually makes us the B-team)

McClane responds indifferently but is polite while he and Rory express the knowledge that nothing comes back from the north (save John Jr.), and that the elves of the north eventually drive everything south from their lands. But as far as Charlie and Glynnis, they spoke to Baron McClane mainly of the mission at hand- their search for the Baron of Axeminster.

Our characters are lead, by guard, to John McClane Jr. in a nearby barracks to hear his account of his trip north. He and Avrim gathered twenty of the best men and about fifty more free-militia and ventured north. As he speaks he gets noticeably nervous, prompting some proactive spellcasting from Hannibal and Egol. John’s tale leads to a recounting of an extended valley and the discovery of Caer Leon, the ancestral home of the McClane’s given to the Darcy’s.

They camped and in the morning everything was on fire. John Jr.’s recount became confused as he spoke of giants, something in the sky, and wolves that walked on two legs. “Avrim said to run, so I ran.” He lost track of time and was sure he was dead, but not alone. This went on until he found himself looking at Castle Colechester.

Satisfied for now, our characters break to reequip with the quartermaster for tomorrow’s departure, find masterwork tools for Face, and find the friendly local watering hole the One-eyed Cat where our character’s find Brother Martin and his apple turnovers and Third enjoying some alone time.

Third, answering some questions from Egol, is with the Sisterhood of St. Maruda and she came here answering a dream that told her to travel until she felt she should travel no further. Brother Martin on the other hand, explained that is was all he could do to keep Glynnis advancements off while Old Charlie visited a man named Father Benetto. Benetto, sent from Glendalough to replace Opal, he had some fresh ideas about The Plague, but soon the two and without preamble took Father Benetto back to Glendalough where he presumably still is. Charlie and Glynnis returned a short time later to continue to Axeminster. Brother Martin does not think Baron McClane was fond of Father Benetto.

After, when the castle was asleep, Ace and Face investigate Colechester with no events. The next morning we leave on the King’s Road, however we don’t head north. Instead we cut across the land and make our direction toward Glendalough to inquire about this new lead in Father Benetto.

About midday we first see evidence of a fire then discover a partially burned farmstead still smoldering with ma and pa Farmer along with their younglings killed in cold blood; their entire farm including livestock looted.

Baracus picks up a trail and we begin to follow it Nnorth east to these murderers which turned out to be old witch one-eye Caitlin and her three half-elf brutes. We kill them to death, gathering what valuables we could find before leaving them to the crows and our eventual return to the farmstead at night fall where our characters work to lay these people to rest.

We are awarded 750 xp and find a Silver Arm Band 10g, Brass Arm Band 2g, Amber Necklace 20g, Silver Earrings 10g, Bronze Torc 10g, and a master work boarspear and a master work suit of studded leather.

Kings-Men 1: The Half-Orc Way

The Kingdom has known war for the past forty years against the goblins and other monstrous races, but no warfare like as in the past five years. This was when our characters were drafted into a special unit whereby our characters were successful in thwarting a plot against a Duke who was running the war efforts. Our characters uncovered a plot by a Baron aided by other worldly beings of mythic origins and thus King Baldwin the II awarded our characters Kings-men status. However not enough evidence was produced to bring to justice the Barons accomplices so we were reassigned to a distant location.

In the Kingdom is common knowledge that Halflings are mostly second ‘servant’ class citizens; elves are commonly viewed as an enemy race, a race of thieves; the industrious dwarves are viewed with respect, many are mercenaries; finally the half-orcs, while a new thing, are welcomed for their size and strength.

Our team of A-listers: Hannibal, the capable spokesmen yet skeptic and charismatic one of the group. Baracus and Egol, half-orcs who think they run the show. Raghnall ‘Face’ a master of disguise who can blend into any crowd; and finally Ace, our quiet and deadly Zen Archer.

 

Our character’s first assignment is to report to the Duchy of Gallia King’s office in Hedeby, the capital city. After traveling over sea we find a land wrought by The Plague in the past year, no one knows yet how it is spread but it is not transferred by ingestion. There is only a 30% survivability chance and those who the black boils and death in their sleep, never fully recover. When our characters arrive at Hedeby we see efforts are being made to quarantine areas and the burning of bodies to stem the spread of The Plague. Our characters observe many new soldiers (enlisted during the surge of fighting) in the ranks of the city watch with only 20% having seen battle.

Before our characters arrive at the Crossed Halberds, Raghnall arranges a room at The Three Star under the name of Mr Lee Chang, as a contingency plan. After this we arrive at the Crossed Halberds and are greeted by Halflings and are allowed clean up after the ocean voyage before our last leg to the King’s office first thing in the morning. After dinner and baths our characters are given stately rooms and are advised to rest by Handfast, our host. We seem to be the only guests, however Ace thinks it’s best to reach the rooftop and get the lay of the land. With watches stationed, nothing occurs overnight.

As the city wakes, so too does a stage coach to take our characters to the King’s Office leaving no time for a large breakfast much to the half-orc’s lament. Inside the coach was a man named Garret, Major Garret who treats us to anecdotes from the front lines. When asked about The Plague, he laid blame on the rats. Under the seal of the Pegasus our characters are led to a conference room where it is explained that the Kingdom has lost the Barony of Axeminster to the far north. After the Baron was a no show during a winter gathering and later a spring meet, it raised alarms that something was not right.

Baron McClane of Axebridge sent his son and scores of troops north to investigate, but only the Baron’s son returned and even he was not right and became unsettled when asked what happened. These two Baronies had mixed relations after they were collectively reduced by the King after the war. The Kin gave the Axeminster Darcy’s McClane assets despite being staunch allies to the crown.

A third Barony, is actually one of two monasteries Glendalough is said to be a vast storehouse of knowledge; while its sister monastery Viklow, to the north, was lost in the war. Viklow was said to have a wealth of magical treasures.

It was just after the spring (it is autumn now) when the McClane son returned. At midsummer two Kings men were sent: ‘old’ Sir Charles of Baconridge and Glynnis the other; it was Old Charlie who believed he was on to something about this mystery.

Our character’s mission is to find Charles of Baconridge and Glynnis; find out what Charles believes he discovered; and complete Charles’ mission of possible. It is a four day journey to Colechester and from there a half day journey to Axeminster.

It takes an hour to leave the city to the King’s Road that proves wide enough for two wagons, sloped and well maintained. At the end of the second day our character’s reach Bishop’s Rest, a small town with a mean looking sheriff. Finding little vacancy, Egol leads us to a temple of Lugh which provides us stabling and shelter. While there we discover the ‘miracle’ and that is the resting place of the former Bishop, 172 years interred in a golden sarcophagus with a crystalline lid, not at all decomposed. Over time various people have made the pilgrimage, some have been healed.

Father Brisbane of Lugh shares stories from people coming from the north and while their stories are horrific, speaking of giants and dragons, they all agree there is no The Plague in the north. Our characters later seek out the sheriff (who owns a magic sword); he proves relieved that we are just passing through and not bandits or here to inquire about the taxes that seem light by his estimation. Outside Ace watches the area.

Later we seek out dinner while learning all we can about those traveling south. Our characters pass are told tales of bandits to the north as well as fantastic stories of monsters. People seem to be fleeing in advance of something terrible.

The next day Ace steals a cart as our characters pass leave for points north and around midday we pass into Axebridge; then later that night characters pass rest at a sheltered way point.

The next day our characters pass several abandoned homes until we find people holed up in a couple fortified buildings for safety in numbers. They greet us suspiciously and are not welcoming. They speak of Old Caitlin ‘one-eye’ and her boys raiding them for about a month.

We continue to Castle Colechester which is where we begin next weeks session.