Session 428 - Wreakers
General Summary
20th to 22nd of Morgat (Winter) 728TR
The story so far
A group of heroes battle the evils haunting the beleaguered Kingdom of Kanday.
Sir Odin, a former Erkan of the Order of the Checkered Shield, has been raised to knighthood.
Remy, a former master thief and active gambler, has won and lost fortunes.
Abaddon has traveled the wilderness, perfecting his impressive martial skills.
Edelina, a scholarly priestess of the god of Knowledge Save K’Nor, joins them on their adventures.
This is the continuation of Session 427 – Fate of the Crab Titan.
Edelina’s father disappeared with his merchant ship, the Blue Drake, which was wrecked along the coast in the Barony of Sarkum. She vowed to bring justice to those responsible and traveled to Kanday, where she established a lookout post on a hill overlooking the Barony. With her trusty telescope, she spends months observing the settlement and nearby villages, attempting to root out suspicious activities. Unfortunately, she drew attention to a range of unsavory characters, likely the wreckers' crew or bandits, and they intended to silence her. Fortunately, the heroes intervened and moved her to safety (Refer to Session 196 - Enemies of the Guild).
That was almost five years ago, and Edelina still seeks justice. The heroes agree to help, and using his smuggling contacts, Remy learns that the wreckers likely operate out of a warehouse in Sarkum’s township. The party also has additional motivation to travel to Sarkum as nearby is the Deadwood Reef, which apparently conceals the ancient lair of the long-dead Crab Titan Obsidapor, a location the heroes plan to investigate.
Location: The party is traveling along the Hebon Road, south of Gimon, in the Kingdom of Kanday.
Part 1 – A Beautiful Old Friend
The heroes spot a disturbing sight, the remains of travelers, mostly eaten, are scattered among the blood-stained snow. It looks like some wild animal has killed and gorged themselves, but Odin is sure that the corpses were roasted before death.
Suddenly, a large white wolf appears from a nearby snowbank and, keeping its distance, begins to circle the party. The heroes decide not to attack. Then, from close by, they hear a familiar melodious voice, “It's all right, Splinter, they're Friends.” Out of a nearby bush steps a beautiful young woman, the Dryad Apricoris. About 4 years ago, the heroes saved her life when a jilted lover attempted to incinerate her tree (Refer to Session 200 - A Burning Woman.)
Not far down the path, the party spots steam emerging from two patches of snow; the Fire Drakes are preparing an ambush. However, the heroes, thanks to the Apricoris’s warning, are well prepared. When the wingless dragons strike, the experienced warriors quickly slay them.
Location: The Sarkum Township, southern Kingdom of Kanday
Part 2 – The Crooked Man
Tokra is discreetly asked which of the town's warehouses would likely employ disputable men or potential criminals. Taking care that he is not being overheard, he quickly answers that the worst is the one owned by the merchant Avca of Hafaci, who specializes in trading wool to the Cities of Aleath and Golotha. He is also a loan shark and sends thugs in his employ to break the legs of those who default on their loans. Outside his warehouse, Edelina thinks she recognizes one of his ruffians, a suspicious character she spotted with her telescope years ago.
Meanwhile, Abaddon visits Karila's Apothecary. Karila is an elf, appearing as a human and possessing keen observational skills. When asked the same question, who suspects two of the town's merchants, she thinks the most likely one to be a criminal is Avca. The man’s thugs are notorious. However, she suspects that the merchant Gorin of Leba is hiding something.
That night, the heroes decide to visit Avca's warehouse.
Part 3 – A Game of Cards
At midnight, the party approached the warehouse, noting a light. Looking through a half-open window, they note two men playing cards and a sleeping guard. This is perfect for Remy, who knocks on the door and, accompanied by Odin, invites himself to a game. Abaddon transforms into a rat and explores the back of the warehouse while Edelina waits outside in the shadows.
When the gamblers see Remy’s coin, he is welcomed to the table. The stakes are high, much more than a common worker can afford. Remy starts to win, so one of the gamblers resorts to cheating, which Remy easily spots. So Remy says out loud, “I will cheat as well,” and does so with such skill, despite being warned, the scoundrels do not notice. Remy wins it all, annoying the men to no end.
Then Odin interjects, trying to trick them into confessing to being responsible for the wrecking and looting of Edelina’s father's ship, the Blue Drake. They are too canny and easily evade the questions, stating they are not aware of anything washed up from that vessel. They summon their boss’s right-hand man, called the Factor. This tall man with cold eyes denies any involvement in illegal activity. Still, he becomes increasingly frustrated with the pointed questions, and the thugs surround Remy and Odin. Odin outright accuses them of wreaking; they respond with knives. They want to silence these mouthy interlopers.
While the verbal alteration goes on, Abaddon, in rat form, spots a well-hidden secret door, but before he can investigate, the fight breaks out. The Factor's skilled eyes identify the flaws in Odin’s fighting style and exploit them, causing several painful injuries. However, Abaddon transforms back from a rat into his normal humanoid form and catches him by surprise, wounding him badly with a surprise stab from behind. Edelina, hearing the confrontation, arrives and blocks the villain's escape with a Blade Barrier.
One thug is cut down, and the Factor and several of the remaining criminals are soon knocked out. The secret door opens to a hidden stairway down.
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Apricoris, Dryad
Tokta of Soltil, Master Innkeeper.
Karila of Dikal, Apothecary.
Related Content
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Player Characters
Odin - Human - L14 Ranger
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetype - Shadowdancer, Investigator, and Fighter.
Abaddon - Elf - L14 Monk
Background - Martial Disciple.
Archetypes - Druid and Familiar Master.
Remy - Human - L14 Aerokineticist (with Metal second gate)
Background - Acrobat.
Archetypes - Wizard, Acrobat, and Thief.
NPC Companion
Edelina - Human - L14 Holy Sage Sorcerer
Background - Astrologer.
Archetypes - Psychic and Time Mage.
Next Session
NPC Companion
Edelina Sprunstone
Edelina, a scholarly priestess of the Church of Save K'Nor, wanders the world looking for subjects to research. She has studied psionics, religions, and astrology.
Her current research topics include mythic history, the monstrous Ivashu in all their strange forms, and the Pradeyalkri, the giants and monsters driven from Ivinia by the god Sarajin.
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