Welcome to Karpathia

Welcome Nerds! This blog is serving as an archive and a sort of diary chronicling the adventures of my friends and throughout the current D&D campaign we're playing!

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Session Updates!

It’s been a while since I’ve gotten an update out, college is wild. A lot has happened in Karpathia since the last post so I’m just going to list out the major events! 

- Maeve has left! Deciding she had seen enough of Karpathia for now, Maeve returned to her classroom and her students in Alstein. Tassar stayed on with Heinrich

-Alibi and Red have joined the party. A warforged, a tiefling, a genasi, a changeling, and Heinrich walk in to a bar...

-We got attacked by protesters, Valeria is not very popular in Oradea-Galatis as it turns out.

-Solana is being watched closely by Lynadra who is suspicious of her identity (Learn more about Lynadra on the NPC page) 

-We’re on a boat! The boat trip was mostly uneventful and that’s okay!

-The Queen knows about the party’s connection to Saul, the Paragon, and Damian King. This is less okay, but no one got thrown overboard. 

- Dorelius III, the candidate from Oradea-Galatis is likely a target and Valeria asks Heinrich to ensure his safety 

-The party did a meet and greet shortly after arriving at Chur, the people there are obsessed with adventurers 

annnnnd that’s what you missed in Karpathia! 

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

It took us 19 minis to figure out what this massive caravan looks like but so far the Queen is safe.

SESSION UPDATE COMING SOON

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Maeve’s Farewell

I’m going to do my best to explain my heart to you all, as you know I am a professor of war magic back home in Alstein. I spent many years there and have brought up many a mage, Tasar included. Over the last year, I found myself removed from the world my students were living in. I spoke to my colleague, Gwenyth, and she recommended getting back into the world in order to teach it. That’s been what this sabbatical was about. I’ve seen much of the world, some of which I didn’t know was there to see. I’ve seen a lot of the world that I simply won’t allow myself to be a part of any longer. Deception, political games, and now sussing out agents of espionage? That is not why I left, and I think it's time I get back to my students.

But I’ve been so incredibly lucky to meet the three of you, what better wisdom to impart to my students than that of a legendary bard who cares so immensely about the lore of Karpathia, Solana I would trust you with my life. The experience of battling alongside a young lady who, even in the heat of conflict never lost sight of her charms, dearest Aura may you never lose your tenacity. I’ll miss the two of you greatly.  

Heinrich, I have had the highest honor of knowing you. Your curiosity and need to understand has done much to reinvigorate my own need to share knowledge with others. I look forward to telling my students about my friend Heinrich, the Beacon of Sivasia.   

Please, promise me my dears, if you were to ever find yourselves in Citadel you simply must come and see me.

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Session Updates 8/31-9/7 -- To Catch a Spy

Valeria calls Heinrich aside to speak with him, during the conversation she appoints him the position of point man and charges him with the responsibility of sussing out the identity of the spy and executing them before the party moves forward. 

Solana and Maeve begin conducting interviews, or conversations more like, with Masque, Rel, and Abina. We’re later joined by Aura, who relieves Tasar of his duty keeping Masque company. Tasar really tried his best but made little to no progress. He went to help Liam in supporting the Queen as she prepared for camp that night. 

During Maeve’s interview with Rel she learned that he had early knowledge of the routes the party was to travel, he was a cleric of Aureon, and had many of his own theories about who/why there could be a spy. His theories are as follows:  1. Someone got paid to sell them out 2. Someone is actually just evil  3. Someone had some scrying/tracking instrument planted on them  4. Someone got caught on their way to the Red Keep and has been followed since then  His theories continue and get less and less likely, suggesting things such as Haar or Hallbrook were responsible. 

(At the same time as Maeve’s interview with Rel, Solana was talking with Abina, and Aura with Masque...however, I don’t have Dynasty & Emily’s notes so this post will focus on Maeve’s experience) 

In Maeve’s interview with Masque, she learned more about Stella McAllister, and her new existence as Astrid. Masque shares that Astrid is a mother of vampires and she houses a coven in Alstein that she calls The Children of Iron. They also share that Astrid is married to Lord Cain and she collects powerful artifacts.

Masque goes on to explain more about the inter-workings of vampires and Maeve begins to understand who the “spy” is. Masque tells Maeve that vampires travel in packs of 4 or 5 and if they aren’t killed properly (ie a stake driven through their heart) they simply “re-spawn” back in their coffins in Alstein. 

Now, if you’ve been following these posts you might recall that on the party’s way to the Red Keep we ran into 4-5 vampires attacking a group of Sivasian militia men transporting a powerful artifact to Amarranth. 

Meanwhile, Heinrich has been searching the luggage of our suspects and has ultimately found nothing. After discovering a letter in Abina’s bag referencing the Traveler, he calls Maeve over to take a look and Maeve shares her current theory. 

The party comes back together and Maeve explains once more that its extremely likely that the party was followed by the vampire that turned into mist and escaped, thus leading Astrid to Valeria’s exact location. Maeve also shares with the party that the adventuring life has simply become too much for her and she will be returning to her classroom in Alstein. (Maeve’s goodbye speech will be a separate post) 

Heinrich informs Valeria of the party’s conclusion, she is tense but satisfied. Maeve informs Valeria of her departure, Valeria is oddly kind. Heinrich informs the rest of the group that he went through their things, it is uncomfortable but not hostile. We make camp, the sun comes up, Maeve says her final goodbye and begins her trek back to Alstein, Tasar stays with the party. 

The caravan moves on and eventually comes to a barricade of trees on the road, Ironheart’s Vanguard has arrived. Enter Alibi. 

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Session Notes 8/18 & 8/24

On the road not too far from the Red Keep, the party sees in the distance that there is a army of about 40 small, armored soldiers on the road ahead of us. From this distance all we could see were their bright, cardinal red banners. 

As we approached we could hear this army speaking to each other in goblin, when we attempted to communicate with them in common we were met with borderline hostility. Solana quickly thought to speak to them in Goblin and the rest of the party, except poor Aura who doesn’t speak Goblin. 

We learned that the army before us was the Goblin Liberation Army and they were marching on Big Tree (if you’ve been following along you might remember that in the early days of Karpathia we freed a small group of Goblin slaves from the Orcs that had captured them in Big Tree), they were pleased to hear of our previous assistance. Snixel, their commander general, told us to come find him if we ever found ourselves in Yaremburg. 

The party finally makes it to the Red Keep only to find our lieutenants camping outside. Ulysses grumpily explains that since they weren’t on the list they weren’t allowed in until we got there. Heinrich and the others ride on to the gate while Maeve helps B team break down their tent. 

At the guardhouse, Taltar (the halfling guard we met the last time we were at the Red Keep) happily greeted the party and quickly made arrangements to add B team to the personnel list.

We were given rooms for the night to share with our respective lieutenants, Tasar took the Deck of Many Things from Heinrich to see if he could find any information about the artifact or its properties. With that, the party went to sleep 

We were woken in the morning by a knock on each of our doors and a servant urgently requesting that we dress and prepare for departure. As everyone begins spilling out, General Hallbrook  (in full military regalia) begins to introduce everyone and explain what everyone’s role in keeping Valeria safe will be. 

(See the NPC page for more info on these new characters)  

- Relius “Rel” Cabal            Rel is to be point man

- Abina “Wraith” Kumalo        Wraith is a warrior, she has refashioned a warforged weapon so that she is able to wear it on her forearm 

- Masque       Masque is quiet, keeps to themselves. By talking to the other we learn that Masque’s specialty is espionage and that they are a sort of magician or shapeshifter. 

After introductions and getting to know each other for a while, Valeria is ready to leave. The caravan sets out along a route, taking back roads to Fort Unity in Braslov where we will then take a ferry the rest of the way to Chur. We’re given strict orders that in the event that anyone begins to cross paths with us on the road, that person is to be dealt with swiftly. 

The party travels for roughly 4 hours, a man appears up the road. As Heinrich looks he realizes this man is full sprinting towards the caravan and quickly breaks ranks to cut him off. The man runs up to Heinrich despite his warnings and tries to give the box he is holding to Heinrich.   

Heinrich takes the box and throws it as far away from the caravan as he can. As he does this, the sound of distant buzzing intensifies as two swarms of bees close in on the party. Where the box landed, broken into pieces, lay a jar holding a queen bee. 

Maeve uses her breathe weapon to begin freezing the bees, Aura helps as well. Solana breaks ranks to rescue the queen bee. Heinrich begins riding down the road with the beekeeper in tow. Once a decent distance from the party the beekeeper leaps onto Heinrich and tries to attack him. This “beekeeper” is the vampire that got away from us in the previous encounter. 

A dimension door firmly plants itself on the road behind us and out comes a fearsome creature that begins to attack the party. From the Caravan, fear in her eyes, Valeria remarks to Biv “Oh shit, its Astrid” 

From the front of the formation Abina calls back, “GO AROUND, DO NOT ENGAGE”  Maeve fires a defensive fireball (or two) to help clear the path for the Caravan. 

Astrid turns to Rel and Power Word Kills him, she paralyzes Ulysses, Aura is trapped in a prison of her own life story. Heinrich is battling a vampire, Solana is off past the tree line still in search for the queen bee that got tossed. 

As the fight goes on and it seems the party may slip away mostly undamaged. (Tasar has plans to revivify Rel as soon as the coast is clear) Maeve feels a voice in her mind asking for her life story, a man appears in her mind. Drawing all of her strength, she pushes him out of her mind and onto the battlefield, visible. Lord Cain. 

The dimension door opens itself once more and 12 pit creatures come pouring out. 4 arms, armed with makeshift weapons. Daggers of sharpened rocks, pointed sticks, and crude spears. 

The party makes quick work of the pit creatures, Heinrich manages to get the vampire to the ground and drive a stake through his heart, leaving him to burn in the sun. 

As the party turns the tide of the fight, Lady Astrid calls out “Cain its over, she’s gone” and the two of them dash back through the dimension door. Tasar swoops Rel up and begins to revive him. 

Once we got to our camp for the night Valeria begins to explain who Lady Astrid is...and who she was. 

Gardrave’s Conclave of Merchants is ran by businessmen from Gardrave’s noble houses.Clan McAllister is one of those houses.Lord McAllister is currently at the head of the Conclave. 

Years ago, Valeria’s great great great grandfather murdered Stella, but alas she did not die, not truly.. Since then she has taken on the name Lady Astrid and has made it her afterlife’s mission to take revenge on House Lorraine.  

More terrifying than Astrid herself is the next sentence from Valeria’s lips: Someone had to have told her I would be on this route, ladies and gentlemen someone standing here with us now...is a spy 

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Session Update 8/10

After leaving the city of Hallstat, the party was reachable again. Aura reached out to Ulysses and he was able to give her the following information: 

A letter from the Red Keep had come for the party, written across the front, open immediately. From the letter we learned

1. High King Otto is dead

2. There is reason to believe that he is dead (this is classified information and sharing this with anyone else is considered treason)

3. Credible security threats have been posed to all of the prince and princess electors 

4. Despite this, the elector tribunal and coronation of the next High Monarch will take place next week 

5. The party has been called upon (see also: voluntold) to act as the Empress-Queen’s security detail (this is largely due to the fact that despite her counsel informing her that attending these events poses great risk to her safety, Valeria feels it is her duty to attend and will not be swayed) 

With this new information the party begins to cut through the dark forest, desperately trying to get to the Red Keep as quickly as possible. The sound of large flapping wings can be heard overhead, getting closer and closer as the party proceeds. After a short time the flapping is so loud the party dives off the foot path into the shadows and begins to look around.  

As the wings descend, a large male figure comes into view, his dark skin, golden eyes, and flowing white robes, coupled with enormous wings. He stops on the path and begins to scan the area, Heinrich steps forward as the figure calls out “I come for Turnuroth” The man introduces himself as Behar, this of course signaling to Maeve that this is the same angel that presented himself to Lydia, one of the Paragon’s exemplars. 

Quickly casting message to inform Heinrich of this situation, Maeve slowly comes out from the trees and announces herself. Behar comes over to Maeve and begins to communicate with her telepathically. 

He informs her that for the past two days she was being stalked by a demon that she owed a blood debt to, intending to assasinate her and the party in the very forest where we stood now. This one in particular was slain by Behar though there will, inevitably, be others that try.   

While safely making camp thanks to Ot’s spell, Tiny Hut, Aura draws another card from the Deck of Many Things:  

1. The Hanged Man: Aura immediately gains a level (putting her at level 7) but is compelled by the card to draw again 

2. Justice: This card changes her alignment from Chaotic Good to Neutral Good. The Hanged Man compels her to draw again 

3. The Queen of Pentacles: This card causes one magic item to disintegrate. Aura is now broom-less and rides a horse like the rest us. (Note: this card often causes all magic items a player is in possession of to disintegrate but our DM is benevolent) 

The party gets back on the road and when we arrive at Echo Outpost there has been no positive change, Heinrich informs Epistaxis that we’ve returned with the supplies he requested and that Solana took them inside to the supply warehouse. 

With no time to lose the party begins to make their way to the Red Keep, not too far into these travels we come across overturned carts that are smoking on the road ahead of us. As we drew nearer we saw Sivasian Militia men engaged in battle with several cloaked casters. 

Maeve attempts to assess the situation but the rest of the party launches into battle, attacking the cloaked figures. Maeve takes issue with this but helps her party anyways. 

As combat proceeds it quickly becomes clear that these cloaked figures are vampires, one of them successfully charms Heinrich and latches on to his neck. She calls out “Lord Cain compels you” and this is the last the party hears her say as she begins to communicate with Heinrich telepathically. 

The party manages to take out the remaining vampires (one of them got away) and free Heinrich. After asking the remaining guards what the vampires were after, we learn they were transporting a highly magical artifact. Maeve casts identify and we learn: 

Talisman of Pure Good 

An ancient relic used by Clerics and Paladins, this talisman served no god. 

- requires attunment - +2 to damage dealt while holding it  - has 7 charges - When attacked, neutral creatures take 6d6 damage and evil creatures take 8d6 damage per round.  - if its target is evil, a flaming fissure opens below the creature forcing it to make a DC 20 DEX save or fall in and be destroyed, leaving no remains or traces of existence - when the last charge is used, the talisman explodes into golden light and is destroyed

This is where we ended our session, though we are very close to the Red Keep.  Introducing: Sivasia’s newest Security Detail 

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Aura on Politics

I don't care. 

Politics, Court intrigue, backroom dealings, whatever you want it to call it, I simply do not care. It’s all the same in the end. A pretender king, a little girl forced to be a "god," or an old elf proclaiming himself the first prophet of a dead kingdom, all just clawing for the seat of power and prestige. Most nothing more than pretty words used to lie to your face. All a set of chains meant to imprison you to their ideas.    

I fucking hate chains.   

So, no, I don’t care about politics. I'm more interested in how people act — how they treat others when there is no political move. When there is nothing to gain and no eyes watching. So, tell me, what are you like when you think no one is there to see you?

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Session Notes 7/28 & 8/2

The party arrived at Echo Outpost to see General Epistaxis hard at work on a refugee. There was a large guard presence, both Sivasian and Alsteinian. Surrounded by sick refugees we began to worry if Karpathia was facing a new plague. 

After a moment, the party was able to flag Epistaxis’ attention, struggling not to reveal the extent of our connection to the Paragon, (If you recall the last session notes post, we learned that Paragon worship is illegal in Sivasia) we communicated to Epistaxis that we had been sent to find him by “the General”. 

Inside the tent that functioned as his work space, we were able to speak more freely about what we needed from him and how we knew to come find him. Epistaxis agreed to show us the way to Hallstat on the following conditions 

1. The party does NOT aid in any of King’s military operations  2. The party does NOT aid the Swords of Dis in any way  3. The party DOES purchase all of the medical supplies that his 50gp will allow us to get 

The party agrees without hesitation.

Curious, Maeve asked about the illness that was affecting these people and learned the following: 

Orc Flu 

- Not native to “the mainland”  - Orc tribes are immune, half-orcs are not  - Humanoids at risk as far as we can tell  - Dragons and Dragonborn may also be at risk - These refugees are coming from Ningate 

Epistaxis leads the party past Ningate and implores us to stay off of the roads, they’re full of bandits, highwaymen, and those affected by the Orc Flu. We arrive at a footpath through the forrest and Epistaxis gives the party directions on how to get the rest of the way to Hallstat, he needed to return to Echo Outpost and continue tending to the ill. 

Epistaxis gives one last warning: The forest is full of Owlbears, some of which are sick with the Orc Flu and must be put down. 

As the party continues northwest, Maeve and Heinrich feel the ground give way beneath them as they fall into a net. An elf woman emerged from the trees, furious that something had triggered her trap by mistake. After some explanation and apologies (to Maeve’s annoyance) she begrudgingly lowered a ladder and Aura flew down on her broom to help untangle Maeve & Heinrich. 

Continuing on, the party arrives at Hallstat. Hallstat is a vertical city made up of patchwork skyscrapers and there is a large population of Tieflings here. The party is stopped at the front gate by Warmaster Conrad Grimm (see the NPC page) and all of our Manadrite weapons are confiscated for security purposes. Maeve and Ot hesitantly hand over their items. 

After presenting the invitation that we had received from Damian King, we were directed to the Manadrite-At-Arms ran by Mr. Prell (Brother of the Alsteinen Lord Prell). Two guards outside the door to his shop confiscated the rest of our weapons. Solana tried, and failed, to smuggle her stiletto in. 

Inside, we showed Prell the invitation and finally we were escorted to the central compound to meet with Damian King. Down a hall way, in a central room sits a semi-circle of eight thrones, two of them occupied. Behind the thrones are the following for images in the following order: top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right 

The party recognized the bottom right image as a young Saul. The two thrones are occupied by Damian King and Juliana King (learn about them on the NPC page). Damian greets the party warmly and invites us to take a seat with him in the empty thrones, he explains that these seats are meant to occupied by people of honor and loyalty. All but Heinrich take a seat. 

The party asks about Saul, the Paragon, the Settler attack and inquires as to what Damian’s role in all of those events may be.  Damian, mildly offended, explained that he just barely maintains control of Hallstat proper and that there are those in the city that don’t even believe he is the King of Varna, he certainly does not have the manpower or stability to rally an army strong enough to attack Karpathia, nor would it be a smart political move on his part. If he were to begin a war with Karpathia, what little remains of Varna would be crushed almost immediately. 

After answering the party’s questions, Damian had some of his own. He inquired after the prophecy that Saul told the party. A quick glance between each other and the party decides it best to be vague, leaving out the exact details of what is to befall the High King. Damian seems disappointed and a little suspicious of the Party’s hesitancy. Finding ourselves at an impasse the party begins to leave. 

King tells the party of a mine in Ningate, there are some people trapped there with some sort of...thing? The party ultimately decides helping King is not in our best interest and we continue on our way. On our way out Solan seems to freeze up for a moment and then fearfully turns to Maeve and whispers grimly that the party needed to return from Varna immediately. 

As we exit King’s Compound, a crowd has gathered in the town center, in the middle of this crowd is a Tiefling monk in a white robe, in her hand a vial of Alchemist’s Fire. Before the crowd she dumped the vial of herself in an act of self imolation. One of the two other monks that was with her exclaimed that the presence of the Swords of Dis have brought evil and corruption, the gods of the Sovereign Host will punish Hallstat for this and despite their attempts to speak with King on the matter, there has been no change. 

Heinrich goes on to the medical supply shop and begins fulfilling our promise to Epistaxis, Aura and Ot find spots in the crowd. Maeve makes her way up to the monks and tries to get more information about what is happening, there isn’t much luck with that interaction. 

When those monks begin to address the crowd in the language the party has heard Annika speak, as well as Damian and Juliana, Maeve asks the people in the crowd around her.  The man standing to her left, does in fact recognize the language. He informs Maeve that they are speaking Taali, the native language of a tribe from the Peak of the World. He tells Maeve that ‘King’ is not Damian and Juliana’s last name and that they are “making themselves more palatable”  Maeve learns that Juliana’s Taali name is Nolwazi and that their last name is Isheanesu. The man she’s been speaking with introduces himself as Vegter and Maeve can’t help but tell him about Annika’s companion of the same name. 

Heinrich finishes gathering the supplies, Solana rushes us along and along the way informs us, Biv made contact and the High King is dead.

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

The Book of Saul

Chapter 3: Examplars

This chapter is rather large, much larger than the others before it. It is broken down into sub-headings to separate narratives.

Lydia

It is here that the handwriting changes. It is no longer Saul writing.

The section starts off with a quote, which is attributed to “Behar”

“Weighed down by your heart of gold, you languidly and painstakingly searched for your savior. You never needed a savior. You met your savior the first time you looked in a mirror. You see a wretch but They have shown me your future and the greatness you are destined for.”

The writing begins to describe where Lydia was during the Cataclysm and is written in first person. Lydia is said to have been a beggar in a town called “Zyte.” She writes, “This town would succumb to the Armageddon blast and be forever lost to rubble and desolation. Its ground bore signs of being salted, though no signs of enemies.”

Lydia writes that she spent days in the rubble trying to find shelter. She huddled amongst “other paupers who had survived the blast by having slept in the trenches dug by the river when the great and terrible sound happened.” She says that they had brought together all of the food stores they could find, but they knew it wasn’t going to be enough to last. It was nearly two weeks after the blast that their first “messenger of hope” arrived.

“This messenger of hope arrived by horse. Their steed was armored, with a mask and some kind of mechanical device attached to its mouth. When they spoke, their voice was mechanical and inhuman. They told us that all was not lost. Hallstat stood and that we must find strength in ourselves to take a great pilgrimage there.”

Lydia writes that this messenger instructs “all of the wretches among us to gather together and begin the pilgrimage to safety, to hope. It says that others will come to guide us, and that They will confront us when it is our time. It points to me and knows my name, something I had not told the messenger. It says, ‘you are Lydia, a great hero of days to come. Guide your people. Take them north from here, to the great temple, for it still stands,’ and while I didn’t believe what it was telling me, I felt compelled by some divine wind to carry on. I found strength I never had and courage I had only seen in others.”

Lydia explains that she leads what’s left of her village on a pilgrimage across the destroyed wastes of Varna. She describes how animals have changed. She meets two more of these “messengers of hope,” who are faceless figures hiding beneath mechanical masks and armored steeds. They give the people food and water on their journey, and what Lydia calls “the exodus of Zyte.”

She is exhausted when she gets to Hallstat. She describes that its “walls are broken and battered, but standing. The earth around it survived the blast and remains green but is now overgrown.”

The next section describes Lydia entering the “Temple of Virtue,” which was the great temple to The Paragon that the messengers described. As she enters, she is overcome with “divine ecstasy,” and describes feeling, “elated, as if my heart swelled in my chest and threatened to burst. I became lightheaded as I beheld the destination of my journey. Before me, inspiring these feelings, was the great angel Behar. His dark skin, golden eyes, and flowing white robes were perfect, and Lydia describes him addressing her as she is subjected to “these fits of divine mania.”

He instructs her to make another journey. She must prove herself not just as a guide and devout believer, but as an Exemplar.”

She must go to Pacrest and find, “‘The Last Apostle,’ Saul.”

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

The Paragon

Since the early days of this campaign the Party has crossed paths with members of the Paragon & as time has gone on the party has learned a lot of conflicting information, some rumors, and some very strong opinions. After all of that, no one is quite certain where we stand or who to believe. So here’s what we know so far: 

The first time the party came across a member of the Paragon was in Holbeck where we faced Kithedin. We were met by Valdim Craghelm the Pure, he offered us amulets of the Paragon that purified the air that had been made toxic by the Black Dragon. We didn’t inquire much about the abilities of the amulets at the time.  

The next bit of information we learned about the Paragon came by way of a letter addressed to the party. In this letter, Saul introduces himself as a friend of Valdim’s and asks the party to come find in Pacrest. He continued to explain that he had a grave prophecy he needed to share with us. 

We were a bit hesitant to accept this invitation, being summoned to the Realm of Monsters doesn’t scream trustworthy per se. As is typical of adventurers, our curiosity won out. 

Arriving at Pacrest, it appeared to be a ghost town. We learned that there was a magical barrier placed around the town to make it appear that way. Wearing (or being in physical contact with someone who is wearing) and amulet of the Paragon that Valdim had given us was the only way to pass through this barrier. 

Inside we met Saul, and he shared with us the following prophecy: 

“I dreamt of a seminole calamity. A tragedy that struck the hearts of men and women from the Isle of Chur to the deepest arcane pits of Varna. I dreamt of heroes at their limits, burgeoning with power they cannot wield and do not understand. I saw you standing before the flames of destiny with your arms outstretched, your bodies covered in offensive symbols, your minds scattered to the wind. 

Aura, you were a ball of light. No longer a single form on this material plane. You were a nova. Your wings, ink and flesh, had manifested -- real. They carried you about effortlessly. I could not tell whether what you did was out of kindness and mercy...or a fickle gesture of spite and hate.

Maeve, with wings and claws outstretched. You were more a dragon than you could ever imagine. You had evolved. You tried to reason with the void. Logic and reason, a fixation of which is eternal with you. You were the only one who tried. You spoke to the void. It spoke back. 

Heinrich, with his weapon brandished and his hands permanently affixed thereon, he was no more the Beacon. That title was meant for men. Not gods. His armor, that invincible hide, was shattered. It lay in pieces about him. The sorrow he bore...The raw emotion. It moved planets. It cleared the skies, tore clouds into shreds, and forced rain down from the heavens themselves. 

Solana, your veneer had cracked and peeled away. But a masterpiece lay beneath, hidden from the world until that moment. You stood fearless before the void. Despite its best efforts to silence you, you played your arcane symphony. Just you and yet a full orchestral sound. You stared into the void and when it gazed back, you were stone. But you knew it was too late. You tried to tell them, but their hubris...It outlasted your patience.”  

(Written by the DM)

Leaving the party with much to process, Saul offered us a place to stay for the night and a warm meal. At this dinner we met Malachi of Reth, at the time introduced as a friend of Saul’s. We would later learn from Ezekiel that Malachi’s title is the Harbinger.  

On the journey home from Pacrest the party talked with Annika about our meeting with Saul. She strongly encouraged that we be very careful about who we told that to and we learned that Sivasia considers him a criminal that has rallied an army and led attacks of Sivasian settlers attempting to reclaim the Realm of Monsters. 

Jo Cloudwalk, the librarian at Flame Keep, showed Maeve and Solana books and newspaper articles describing Saul as a heretic and a terrorist. The newspaper article provided a detailed account of an attack on Sivasian settlers supposedly led by Saul’s army. 

After returning to Fort Chroma, the party was contacted once more via letter by a member of the Paragon, this time Ezekiel. Upon meeting him Ezekiel refers to himself as an exemplar and explains that he is on a crusade against evil, all evil. 

Maeve asks about the rumored army Saul has and Ezekiel expresses his surprise and informs the party that he has no reason to think that either Saul or Malachi would be raising an army. 

Still unsure of who to believe the party continues on to meet Damian King, still hopping to find the answers we seek.

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

The Book of Saul

After meeting with Saul, Maeve asked for a copy of the religious text he was writing. Below are summaries written by DM Jack explaining as much as Maeve has read so far

Chapter 1: Provenance  The first chapter of the Book of Saul opens with a quote with no attribution. The quote is written on the first page and stands alone on the page. It is: “To those who find themselves lost, look to the west and find the beacon of hope. It will lead you home.”The next page has the title of the work, Book of Saul written in very distinct and ornate handwriting. Below that is an image of the sigil of The Paragon, a set of feathered wings within an unbroken circle of braided lines.

In the introduction to the first chapter Provenance, Saul describes the “destruction of the holy land…by flame and magical destruction.” He ascribes this destruction to “the heretic,” and in no uncertain words describes witnessing the Cataclysm firsthand. 

It isn’t long after the “great sound that shook the earth to its core,” that Saul receives a vision from The Paragon instructing him to find a ruined town on the edge of the blast site. He journeys for weeks until he stumbled upon a place he recognizes, Pacrest. This was his birthplace and where he grew up, hundreds of years ago. He then says that when he arrives, he receives a command: “Go forth a build a shelter. House those lost souls whom the heretic have taken humanity from.” 

Saul does this, rebuilding the town at first by himself and then with the help of travelers and soldiers fleeing from the destruction. He says that he is instructed by “Them,” in reference to The Paragon, to write this book with Their blessing and instruction.

Pacrest is rebuilt in piecemeal but Saul makes it his home. He builds a small temple so that he can hold services and relies mostly on supplies brought in from outsiders, as the ground there cannot grow anything. He tries to leave, but he is stopped by The Parargon, who tells him that followers will come. They will become clerics, paladins, believers, and supporters. They will come but he must stay there at this new temple. Saul calls his new home “The Last Temple.”

As days pass and Saul continues rebuilding, he describes hearing news from travelers. These travelers tell of treaties being forged to break up Varna and dislocate its people. He writes that no Varnese diplomats were invited to these treaty signings and that Karpathian-Allied soldiers continue to fight in Varnese land, claiming it as their own and conquering.

At the end of the chapter, Saul writes out the six tenants that The Paragon have given him. He says that his hand is forced to write them over and over, to scrawl them on as many pages as he can find. These will be given out to travelers and soldiers to remind them of what is right and what the gods ask of them.

These tenants are given a few names. Saul calls them the Axion of the Paragon, though he notes that some of the Varnese call them “Aseret ha’dibrot.”

They are as follows: 1. Always seek justice and righteousness in all matters, regardless of situation or circumstance as perfection can only be achieved when all corruption is cleansed. 2. Be kind to all creatures and give them the benefit of all doubt. 3. Aid crusaders and other exemplars, as they fight not for themselves or an idea, but for all of creation’s sake. 4. Keep righteous allies and treat them well. Share with them your bread, your water, and your wisdom. Do not reject help from any being, as it is the only way forward. 5. Do not hoard wealth, as it only leads to imperfect societies. 6. Display to others your exemplary status among creation. Only when shown perfection and righteous behavior can others begin to understand and mimic. They will surely see your example and follow.

Chapter 2: Vayikra This is the second chapter in the Book of Saul. The introduction says that Saul was approached in his dreams by a celestial named “Vayikra.” He says that this being was sent directly by The Paragon to show Saul that Their power is still real, despite Their greatest temple being destroyed in the “great sound that shook the land.” Vayikra demonstrates her power by inspiring Saul and giving him divine power. He says that with Vayikra’s blessing, he was able to wander the desert outside of Pacrest looking for survivors for weeks on end without food, water, or sleep. He calls this journey, “Vayikra’s pilgrimage,” and he says that he freed several great and powerful allies, whom he calls “Exemplars” from “chains of iron, ink, and blood.”

These Exemplars are: - Darius - Levi - Isaac - Lydia - Ezekiel - Joanna

These Exemplars made their home in Pacrest and listened to Saul’s visions described in Provenance. They all agree to continue their service to The Paragon and Their cause. Vayikra then shows her face for the first time in person, in front of Saul and the six Exemplars. She is a magnificent sight: nine feet tall, dark skin covered in white robes, with outstretched wings, and golden eyes. She towers over the group and speaks firmly to them, commanding them to carry on a crusade in Their name, to cleanse all of the evil that permeates through Varna. Not only the evil created by the cataclysm, but also the evil that lurks in the hearts of men.

She says that these Exemplars are to begin their crusade by cleansing what is left of Hallstat and free what remains of the people there as they are trapped by monsters and destroyed rubble. Saul ends the chapter by saying that Vayikra left and he has never seen or heard from her since, but that she said she would return when the time is right. 

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

The History of the Chaos Wars with Dr. Turnuroth

Today is the 22nd of Olarune 975.

As your parents and grandparents may have taught you, 500 years ago the continent was a war zone. In the year 442, the Chaos Wars began out of the city state of Chur.

These armies were led by Kane, he set sail for Oradea, where the first battles would take place. The actual city of Chur, called the City of Golden Roses, has never seen a battle and as such is seen a bastion of peace and to some the land is sacred. 

Most people view Kane as the father of modern Karpathia, his leadership and actions in the Chaos Wars shaped much of Karpathian life today. 

After conquering Oradea, Kane makes his way to the Kingdom of Gardrave and confronts the king, demanding the support of the people and Manadrite weapons. You might recall that Manadrite is a rare metal with magical properties that today is only found in the mountains north of the Nethercity. In exchange for this support, Kane swore not to siege Gardrave and the Karpathian Alliance was formed. As a token of loyalty, the King of Gardrave gifted Kane with the sword known as Eminence and a shield called Purity.  

How many of you have been fortunate enough to attend the coronation of King Otto? 

Well, the sword and shield you saw passed down to the King are these very artifacts. 

It is rumored that these weapons are sentient and embody Kane himself after his death, if someone who was not an elected High King were to wield them, these weapons would be unusable. The actual effects of what might happen to someone attempting to use these weapons is unknown, though Dr. Silverhelm is drafting a research proposal in the hopes of uncovering this mystery. 

Newly armed, Kane begins to proclaim himself “King of Chur” and for the first time Chur becomes a Kingdom.

Oradea is not yet a part of the alliance, at this point they remain conquered peoples. This meaning that their sovereignty has been taken and during this time Orads were overwhelmingly conscripted into Kane’s army. 

Marching onward into Galatis, the army makes quick work of the Galatian resistance and they too, fall to Kane’s rule. The fate of their nation mirrors that of the Orads.

At this point, Kane has conquered the eastern half of Karpathia and all but Gardrave have lost their sovereignty.  Initially, the Empire of Sivasia, the Holy Kingdom of Alstein and the Kingdom of Varna thought themselves safe from Kane’s war, as the Iron Mountains separate these two halves of the continent.

Upon reception of what has come to be known as the Amaranth Ultimatum, Sivasia quickly learned that sense of safety was naive. Kane gives two options: the first being join the Karpatian alliance, the second being getting conquered. His explanation was with the absence of a massive alliance, Karpathia will never know peace or success. 

Sivasia’s initial response is to fight, resulting in the fall of Amaranth and the beginnings of a siege on the Red Keep.

It is this battle where the Red Keep gets its name, as an onlooker described it as being difficult to tell where the cardinal banners of House Lorraine ended and the blood began.

 This battle ends with Sivasia ceding to the Amaranth Ultimatum. In the Red Keep the Sivasians hold a coronation and Kane is presented with a gold crown etched with scenes of battle. This crown comes to be known as Sovereign and completes the three artifacts of the High King. 

The emperor of Sivasia maintains his title and they join the Karpathian Alliance freely. Kane’s coronation as High King of Karpathia leads to the formation of the Iron Alliance between Varna and Alstein. Hoping to fend off Kane’s coming advances and maintain their sovereignty, however, Kane quickly declares war. 

This war is brutal, the Varnese practice total war forcing the Karpathians to rely solely on supplies and support from the outside. This ends in the year 476, while the Karpathian and Iron armies collide in the middle of Varna. On the warpath to Hallstat, there is a great explosion that no one quite understands. 

This event becomes known as the Cataclysm, an incomprehensible blast of arcane energy. Different nations place the blame on various factions. Some blame the Gardravian Manadrite Authority and its liberal use of manadrite weaponry & armor. Others place the blame on Sivasian Spellbreakers, an elite shock troop force trained to eliminate enemy mages from the battlefield, for their use of enchanted weaponry. The most widely accepted theory is that the Varnese and Alstenien mage houses populated by large clans of Elves were responsible because of the use of planar magic. 

After the Cataclysm, which obliterated half of Alstein, the Alstenien government fell to Kane and they too joined the Karpathian alliance, leaving Varna to stand alone. As the dust settled it became clear there was no Varna left. 

Kane returns to Chur and a formal coronation is held, he is crowned High King Kane I, and became the first of the House of Karpath.

As a token of their loyalty to the Karpathian Alliance, Alstenien artisans crafted the Crystal Throne using materials from the Iron Mountains. This is the throne where High King Otto sits today.

 After this coronation, Kane became known as Kane the Unifier. 

Kane’s death in 491 brought about the search for an heir.  Being the only member of the House of Karpath, he left instructions for after his death detailing that the leaders of the Karpathian alliance are meant to choose the new High King among themselves. This has led to the tradition of Prince and Princess-Electors who choose a new High King when the time comes. 

Despite Alstein’s endless struggle to keep the effects of the Cataclysm at bay, as promised by Kane, the nations of Karpathia have never seen another war. 

Any questions?

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Updated Map

As the party has continued to explore and learn about Varna, we’ve got new locations on our map. Also we finally named our keep, Fort Chroma, so that has been labeled as well just East of Fultig. 

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Session Notes 7/19

After everyone received their mail and caught up with their lieutenants(except for Aura who is still hiding her missing finger from Ulysses), Biv was put in charge of the Fort Chroma and B team while the party was out & it was time to head back into the Realm of Monsters.

The plan was to head out from Echo Outpost (the closest way to Hallstat from Fort Chroma), conveniently that’s where Ezekiel’s (see the NPC page) camp was. The party was hesitant to meet him as we’ve been struggling to make sense of Saul and the Paragon. Ultimately, we decided that passing up on that meeting could leave us in the dark as Ezekiel might have more answers. The letter he sent to Maeve explained how to find his campsite as it would be hidden to the untrained eye.

Gaining access to Ezekiel’s camp sight required us to take the Paragon Amulets out of Ot’s bag of holding. We’ve been keeping them there since learning they have scrying properties. Once wearing the amulets, the party was able to see the entrance to a pocket dimension (Out of character we learned that this was the Plane of Law, but our character’s don’t know that), Maeve was the first to enter.  

Before her was a muted, dull landscape filled with mechanical buzzing sounds and a small campsite off to the side. The party didn’t sense any danger and everyone proceeded into the pocket dimension. Here we were greeted by Tick (see NPC page) who inquired as to what our business was. Solana informed him we were summoned by Ezekiel, this was all the answer Tick needed before escorting us to the “general” (Ezekiel led them in the last Great Census 300 years ago, so to the Modrons he’s a general despite not having any military ranking on the material plane). 

Ezekiel inquired as to what happened between the party and the Lord of Flesh, as per his letter he was hoping the party may have salvaged documents with names of clientele or accomplices. Which we did, but we gave it to Jo who runs the library at the Flame Keep and seeing how Paragon worship is illegal in Sivasia...Ezekiel can’t just stroll in and ask to take a look at the records. Luckily, he was understanding and was still willing to answer the party’s questions regarding rumors about the Paragon, about Saul, the history of Varna, and we even got some information about Damian King.  

Everything we’ve learned about Saul & the Paragon so far will be coming soon in its own post. There’s a lot to unpack and even more to still learn. 

In our conversation with Ezekiel we learned that Damian King’s Varnese name is Themba & that he likely chose “Damian King” to make himself more palatable to the Karpathian alliance. We learned that he himself is a politican, not necessarily a fighter & he employs the Swords of Dis (see the Factions page!) to police his lands. Ezekiel told us that Mr. King is likely the responsible party for the attacks on “settlers”( according to Ezekiel these settlers were actually groups of Sivasian soldiers looking to expand into Varnese territory after the Cataclysm) in Varna that have been pinned on Saul. Near the end of this conversation Ezekiel mentioned that arriving at Mr. Kings doorstep wearing amulets of the Paragon might serve us well and be quite the bargaining chip.

Maeve spent some time chatting with the modrons (mostly Click who is on the NPC page!) and Solana spoke with Ezekiel. Heinrich was gifted roasted weenies (the Modrons are fascinated with how the color of sausage changes as it is cooked but they do not eat food), Aura was uncomfortable and ready to leave.  

Next stop: Hallstat (for real this time) 

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

A Letter for Maeve

Upon returning to Fort Chroma, Maeve received a letter from Ezekiel. The letter below was written by DM Jack:  Dear Dr. Turnuroth and her esteemed allies,

I wanted to extend my thanks to you for your heeding Their call. The Harbinger has told me not only of your continued crusade against our enemies and the slaying of the vile Lord of Flesh, but also your patronage in taking Their divine earthly writings with you. Spreading Their word is important to the continued survival of our great community, our brotherhood and sisterhood. Your willingness to aid in our crusade against evil is commendable and honorable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart; know that you have Their gratitude as well as Saul’s.

Truthfully, I am writing to you for business as well. The eternal crusade against the heretic and his evil allies is going well, but always requires more aid. I wish to speak with you and your allies to debrief about the encounter with the vile Lord of Flesh. I have divine orders from Them to track and hunt the “customers” of this vile creature. The crusade must continue. After inspecting the charred ruins, I was unable to mend any usable paperwork back together. I was told that you and your allies possessed those papers. Please let me know if you are able to assist with either of these requests.

I will be making camp outside of Fulltig, at the base of the Iron Mountains by Echo Outpost. I am trusting you, as an ally, not to give that information out to those who may seek to do harm to myself or our shared cause. You will know my camp because of Their sigil, which will be carved into the earth at the base. Once you find it, read Their words and I shall know that it is you and that it is safe. Hymns 53:5.

Godspeed and good luck, Ezekiel

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Session Notes 7/5/2019

While fleeing the lair of the Lord of Flesh, Heinrich found a Deck of Many Things (something no player can resist). Once the party had a safe place to camp, using Leomund’s Tiny Hut (Spell card below), each of the party & Sinclair pulled a card or two. (To learn more about Elijah, see the NPC page)

Here’s the results: 

Heinrich:    Pulled two cards. The 1st card was pulled and as far as we know, nothing     happened. The 2nd card causes him to permanently take a -1 to all saving   throws 

Ot:  Pulled two cards. The 1st card granted her armor that makes her AC 20, immune to fire damage, and the ability to speak and understand Primordial. The 2nd card summoned Death and he took Ot’s soul. If Ot were to die, there would be no way to revive her. UNLESS, we can find the plane of Death which no one knows where that is. 

Aura:  Pulled 1 card. The card granted her a +2 to an ability score, but also a -1 from a different ability score. 

Maeve:  Pulled 1 card. The voice of a demon filled her head and told her they’d be coming to collect her debt and there was nothing she could do to stop it.  

Elijah Sinclair:  Pulled 2 cards. The first card allowed him to avoid a situation in life, he chose to have never joined the Swords of Dis, thus removing his scars and restoring his ears. The 2nd card caused all of his gold to disappear. 

Maeve was unsettled to learn that the Swords of Dis were responsible for what happened to Elijah and asked him about the organization. We learned the following: 

- Dis is a plane of hell as well as the capital city  - Dis is ruled by Dispater, the Lord of Pain  - The org is more of a militarized street gang, using Dis’ name as an intimidation factor, not because they’re devil worshipers. - Aura learned more about Elijah’s experience: Scythe (who you can learn more about on the NPC page) is the Viceroy of the org and when he learned that Elijah left the organization, a Warmaster (2nd in command) called "Two-Guns Ward", ordered his members to ensure that Sinclair never forgot. They scarred his face and clipped his ears.  

Haarstead and the Flame Keep 

- Heinrich got to meet Paisley(learn more about Paisley on the NPC page), we found her in the library with Dr. Jotun Cloudwalk (a firbolg, we call him Jo). -Talking to Paisley about Saul we learned the following:      - Paisley talks to Saul in her dreams & sometimes Saul’s friend Ezekiel      - Saul talks about being lonely      - Ezekiel is helping Saul with a project      - Paisley seems to have no fear of Saul, she says he’s always been kind.      Though when she told a priest she talked to him, he told Paisley not to talk to Saul “because he’s bad”    - Saul is the one initiating these links between him & Paisley? 

- While talking with Joe about our findings in the Realm of Monsters, Maeve  inquired about the rumors surrounding Saul & the Paragon. We learned the following:   - Worship of the Paragon or possession of religious texts (which Maeve has) even for academic reasons are highly illegal in Sivasia (but not in Alstein) 

Returning home to our Keep we discovered that Ajax and his friends had started acting up so Ulysses locked them all in Liam’s room. When we got back we learned that Ajax felt they were being paid unfairly and we had a frustrating re-negotiation about wages. 

Next stop: Back to the Realm of Monsters to meet Damian King.

[dungeonsdragonsandnerds]

Campaign Summary

Since the campaign started, the party has done quite a bit! 

- Saved a town from a black dragon named Kithedin at the request of Her Imperial Majesty, Valeria the 11th. As a gift to the party for their service, the queen gifted us with a Keep. which we have yet to name. 

- We hired a team of Kobolds to be our security force at the keep. 

- We were summoned to the realm of monsters and met Saul (Learn about Saul on the NPC page) 

- We met, were almost killed by, and then killed a necromancer (Learn about the Lord of Flesh on the NPC page)