War Never Changes (2COT31)

Session begins on 20 Kythorn 1381.

Act 1

20 Kythorn 1381. The Summer Solstice.

A grand event is held outside Velprintalar, in a purpose-built temporary mini-city designed to house thousands of nobles, visitors, and common folk, as King Aleric and Empress Zahl come together in concordance to officially sign a treaty of lasting peace and cooperation between Thay, Aglarond, and Rashemen.

Amongst many other events and festivities is a ceremony honoring the soldiers of both sides who sacrificed so much to make this peace possible. Col. Talrendis Sunshadow (ret.) is among those honored, and the party has come forth to witness.

That night, as the combined courts celebrated, a visitor comes to the King's court, seeking an audience on a terribly important matter. Hierophant Ilmaryn Oakheart has grave business to discuss. The party, and the Empress, are also in attendance as she conversed with the King.

It seems that the spirits of the Yuirwood are in torment, the Fey Walks are unnavigable, and some grave, magical catastrophe seems imminent. Several sacred sites, such as Magnar's Barrow, have been violated, and this has dire implications for the entire realm. The PCs grill Zahl on the matter, who demures, passing responsibility to the Red Wizards, and in particular the followers of Zulkir Druxus Rhym, now deceased.

The party sets forth to investigate, beginning with the very installation where Talrendis was nearly made a casualty of the Red Wizards' mad ambition, a remote base in northern Rashemen.

Act 2

They penetrate the underground base, working past old but deadly magical traps, and looting some valuable treasures in the process. At the bottom of the base, they encounter the very same Red Wizard who had captured and tortured Talrendis back during the war. He explained his intention to regain control over Talrendis, indicating that his escape might have been intentionally allowed, and tried to dominate him with the help of some sort of black shard. He failed, narrowly, and escaped when the party attacked.

But not before setting loose the chained and bound form of Elikarashae, the Yuir goddess of the Wolf tribe. The demigoddess hungrily pursued the party as they fled, at best possible speed, through the dungeon, past the traps, and out into freedom. They might not have made it, but for two unlikely arrivals.

Krista and Tirin, Talrendis' corporals during the war, had somehow become infused with terrific elemental power. Their attack startled the beast into fleeing. Tirin tried to be friendly with Talrendis, but Krista reminded him that they had other duties, and that Talrendis wasn't exactly on their side. They flew away.

The Dungeon: traps, and the flight from the beast

• 3,000 xp each (new total: 144,000 xp)
• Treasure recorded during session

Starring

• Talrendis Sunshadow
• Raithen Nightsong
• Keket
• Anastasia Scrubs

Guest Stars

• Ilmaryn Oakheart
• Aleric Argentsworn
• Zahl Fe'rya
• Krista Summerwind
• Tirin Ihavenolastname