#session 54

Session 54 of our War for the Crown campaign, Adrast city, Northern Tandak. I need to process what happened.

At the beginning of the session, Cassandra's agent Lilly sent her a message with a warning that someone was after us. But Cassandra forgot to mention it to the group, since “being in danger” is our normal Tuesday.

The party went to an abandoned Shelyn Temple where they fought demonic werewolves, and then encountered a group of good-aligned adventurers (Iomedae Inquisitor, Desna cleric, a warrior, and a barbarian (?)).

There we managed to get Cassandra's demon eidolon back, so she's now back to her full power. After we returned home, Ywain was invited to a party. He, his yandere girlfriend (who we now suspect at being a succubus or other entity, and not a real Sepsinia), Aviden and Cassandra all attended the party in the city, while Brie went to investigate Dupont, a Galt's merchant they've been suspecting of shady dealings (the ironic part is that Brie bragged about her halfling luck to the man). After Brie was done with the merchant, she decided not to join the group, and instead went back home to their base to craft some magic items. At home, she met with her agent Ginnit and tasked her with investigating a certain lawyer for connections with Dupont.

She then went upstairs to her lab in the attic.

After failing her perception check, she was silently approached from behind and struck with a knife between her ribs. While falling on the floor into the pool of her own blood, all she heard was an unfamiliar voice saying: “I'm sorry, little lady”.

End scene and of the session.

So what does this mean?

Mechanically, an assassin used Mark of Death, Brie failed her perception check, and then failed her Fortitude save after the assassin used Assassinate. Brie is incapacitated at best, and probably dead. If the roll was a critical failure (that I suspect is, the GM doesn't want to show all his cards, and we are at the cliffhanger). I couldn't even use Luck because I didn't know the DC of the save.

Is Brie all alone without anyone to turn to? Yes. Is she dead? Probably.

Can the party revive her on their own? No, I don't think so.

Do I trust the party of chaotic evil, lawful evil and true neutral guys to go above and beyond to save their little halfling rogue? Honestly, no.

A/N: I wanna put a warning on this one because it might trigger some people, especially on the themes of grief and loss (unspecified, besides breakups and identify). That said, I hope some of you may find somewhat solace in recognizing themselves in this and thus realizing that we are, in fact, not alone. <3

Caduceus was so adorable in this past session. Him trying to get a grumpy face was too cute!

"You know you're on the losing side, right? Takhisis lost before, and we are backed by the same divine that guaranteed that." The return is slow, methodical, and flaming with passion. "The Will of the Dragon Queen will not know defeat. Submit, or suffer eternal torture."

Using the sending stone, "Kansaldi is apparently outside kalaman walls, be alert if not already aware" Eirma is tired. "The army has taken the majority of the lands. I am the new council leader. I need to speak to erei."

Nimako's face drops, and she starts planning what to say for that.

Kay asks Sirrion to send a letter to Levin. it starts to burn, but it stops, as a hand grasps it from the flames, and a tiny voice asking "who's it going to?"

Kay describes levin and where he's probably at.

"the new champion of sargonnas? You really want me to send it to him? Yeah, I cna just, put it out from, any fire that's close to him. I just. don't relay like. Sargonnas. Ok. Fine. I'll do it. Bye Bye."

There's some shenanigans getting up, with Nimako teleporting her and Mallori up, Kay trying to be athletic before just mistystepping after failure, Jace kind of flying over more or less, and Deepcurrent becoming a gas.

Nimako manages to decieve the way in, everyone in disguise, her looking draconic and Deepcurrent giving her the draconian tongue. they only get so far before even their excuse and disguise doesn't let them pass... and violence becomes the only option.

Upstairs, as the fight rages on, the damaged Deepcurrent slips into the room, Lohexet is busy. it's an obserational room, with many projections, including a tortured becklin surrounded by enemy troops... but Lohezet has not noticed that he has company, at least.

"Deepcurrent. I recognize you, I recognize you, and most of the others. what are you here for?" Lohezet is monologuing.

"I think you know what I'm here for."

"please. enlighten me."

"Which of my objectives do you want to hear? the personal, or the grand?"

"Both, if you'd be so kind."

"You know the city should not rise again, But i still have something to find here: my own name."

"ah, tha tlittle thing. I wonder how you lost it. hm. And ah, I assume you want to get through here. Up, through the final floor..."

"That would be welcome, yes, But I assume you won't let us pass that easily."

Lohezet shrugs, then shrinks in on himself. "I don't want to be hurt. I'm not with the Dragon Army."

"We heard you were one of their commanders."

"They have forced me. they heard of my research. My Research. MY RESEARCH. And I chose this, over certain death. You would understand, for the sake."

"I do. I was once a captive of teh Dragon Army, and these good people saved me. So-"

"Well, perhaps they can save me too.Can't you?"

"Well, if you're not going ot get in our way, There's no point utilizing resources to make things harder then this."

"Thank you. what is your name?"

"You can call me Monika." Nimako answers, cautiously.

"A fellow mage. must be addressed as such."

--

"Draconian. don't get much closer."

"What does it do?" Jace asks, curiously.

"Many things."

"What is it they want you to do with it?"

"I am awaiting orders I do not wish to obey. Orders to raise it into the sky."

"So you already know how to do it."

"Perhaps. But if I know it, someone else does too."

"Do you know how to sabotage it?" Jace.

"Belephaion, a fanatical worshipper of the dragon queen. and though it hurts to betray the weakness of such a beautiful artifact."

--

"Have you ever known me to go back on a promise without reason?

"why are you asking."

"We won't turn on you if you don't turn on us."

"Hm. And if you don't wish for anything else?"

"Is this place safe to rest?"

"It is if i say so."

"We'd just need an hour to take care of ourselves to prepare to do this fight, then." Nimako adds, levelly. tension is still there- she knows he's not saying everything.

"Then just an hour, and no touching things, and no casting weird spells..."

And then the rains begin. Lohezet looks up, listening to the sound, "Well, I do wish for the best for you to defeat belephaion. There's no point in your silly disguises anymore, I can see right through them, right through them. Waste magic if you wish to, I suppose. While you're resting, I'd love to speak to you, Deep current."

"I expected as much."

"There is so much to catch up on."