Session 452 - Prison Break
General Summary
The Story So Far
Ash - An expert in the occult and a skilled monster hunter. Ash uses his talents and budding alchemical expertise to battle what people fear most for a price.
Ryobi - A monk of the embattled Order of the Warriors of Mameka. Ryobi is given an important mission: retrieve the holy blades containing the souls of his brother knights, which were lost in the recent Rethemi civil war.
They are joined by Vinzent, a bard with a morbid demeanor and a haunted past.
This is the continuation of Session 448 - The Tidal Reaver.
12th of Savor (Autumn) 729TR
Ryobi was exiled after committing robbery, murder, and blasphemy in his home Kingdom of Rethem. Now, under the order of the new Apalankh, the Agrikian Primate of Harn, he has been pardoned for his many crimes and recalled; his exile is at an end. However, the warrior monk has good reason to suspect a trap and will act accordingly. Nevertheless, the trio begins their long journey home.
The travelers have arrived in the Port City of Anegon, the largest settlement in the County of Bodima, part of the powerful Kingdom of Trierzon. Their plan is to check on their friend and business partner, Severan of Tanzek.
To hide his identity as a devoted holy knight of the god of War Agrik, Ryobi adopts his favorite disguise as the boisterous traveling Priest of Larani, Bishop Blessed, as the worship of Agrik is proscribed in Trierzon.
Location: The Port City of Anegon in the Kingdom of Trierzon.
Part 1 – A City Being Squeezed
The City of Anegon is gloomy; the morale of the common folk and middle class is obviously very low. From the moment the party arrives at the docks, the somber atmosphere is evident. After spending a few hours at a seedy tavern, they learn that the young, unpopular Count Rama Chivara has raised taxes and driven many small businesses to ruin with capricious fines. Rumor has it that these funds are used to support the Count’s luxurious lifestyle, parties, and many mistresses.
The heroes consider their options: murdering the mayor, assassinating the Count, fomenting a rebellion, or rescuing Severan. But before making any decision, they first need to speak with their friend.
NPC Companion
Vinzent
He is a talented minstrel known for his somber performances and poor luck.
Part 2 – The Mayor of Anegon
The confused castle guards are easily persuaded to let Bishop Blessed meet with the mayor, Sir Esqivel Gasson, who was appointed by and represents Count Chivara. Mayor Gasson is initially suspicious. Why would a senior priest from a distant kingdom want to speak with one of his prisoners, especially someone of modest social standing? However, Ryobi convinces him with a tall tale that the merchant has vital information that could prevent a major conflict. Mayor Gasson appears to be an unscrupulous and corrupt man, but he faithfully promises to keep Bishop Blessed's presence in the city a secret and allows him to speak with Severan in the dungeon. Unbeknownst to the heroes, he sends a message to the Count, but it will be a few days before he receives a reply. The mayor also invites Bishop Blessed and his men to dine tonight and offers them accommodations, which they accept.
Part 3 – Meeting with the Prisoner
After speaking with the chief guard, Hector, the party is escorted past a dozen cells, each containing prisoners in various states of health. Severan is bloody but still alive and immediately recognizes Ash and Vinzent, and correctly deduces that the Larani priest is Ryobi in disguise. The guards step back, allowing Ryobi and Severan to speak privately, though they are under constant observation.
Severan asks his friends for help, as he refuses to impoverish himself by paying the exorbitant and unfair fines imposed by the mayor. He also says killing the mayor would not be an option; he is only following the count's orders, and his successor would follow the same policies. Severan mentions that his wife's family owns several merchant ships, and if the heroes can help him escape the dungeon, they can easily vacate the city.
Part 4 – The Jailbreak
The disguised trio dines with the mayor that night, and it is a cordial but tense occasion, with the host cautiously trying to gather information about Bishop Blessed's mission. Afterward, the adventurers disguise themselves as guards and attempt the rescue. Their guises are far from perfect but should fool an inattentive guard in poor light or on a casual glance.
The heroes evade a patrol, distract a guard, and then make their way down the long, spiral staircase to the prison. Unfortunately, two guards are playing cards in an antechamber, and the heroes must sneak past them. Ryobi, using his mystical powers, jumps past the guards and appears, much to his surprise, next to the torturer and his assistant. Luckily, they are sleeping. He creates a distraction, keeping the guards occupied outside the antechamber, while Ash and Vinzent sneak past.
Severan waits in his cell while Ash skillfully picks the lock, freeing him. Then they quietly sneak back to the staircase, going up to avoid the guards who are once again immersed in their card game. The quartet escapes the castle unnoticed; however, Ryobi can't resist leaving a taunting message for the mayor in his room.
Part 5 – Escape
The heroes rush to Jeanette, who, after gathering portable valuables, escapes the city on her family’s merchant vessel. A few days later, they arrive in the Principality of Tarkain and are well rewarded by their friends. Ryobi and Ash decide to stir things up a bit and hire an assassin to kill Count Chivara, but sadly, the cutthroat is discovered and executed.
To be continued.
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Related Reports
Nothing this week.
Player Characters
Ryobi - Human - L15 Monk
Background - Temple Guard.
Archetypes - Barbarian/Fighter.
Ash - Human - L15 Thaumaturge
Background - Weaponcrafter.
Archetypes - Alchemist/Vestige Hunter.
NPC Companion
Vinzent - Human - L15 Bard
Background - Cursed.
Archetypes - Blessed/Disciple of Thalia.
Comments