Sidrea11 – Arthadan in Flames
The session begins where the adventure had left off last time – the companions had driven off the red dragon and saved their ship – although the rest of the flotilla had been destroyed. The companions had managed to rescue some of the sailor – and although the galley was damaged it soon managed to get underway.
Soon, it became apparent that not all is well is Arthadan – for the horizon glows red. Even more than a dozen miles away, one can see that Arthadan is in flames.
At first, the companions thought that the dragons they had encountered had burnt the city. Zerkestor, however, went among the fleeing refugees to gather more information. Soon, from the refugees’ tales, it became apparent that many lizard-like creatures had appeared in the city overnight – overrun most of the eastern half of the city and set it aflame.
While speaking with the refugees ashore, Zerkestor encounter a herald holding the banner of the Arch-duke Iorlas. He seems to have done some hard-riding and looks exhausted – but he asks Zerkestor to take him back to the ship, as he has a message for Alaurenz. Zerkestor agreed, and the herald was soon aboard the galley. The herald then gave Alaurenz a small package, upon opening the package, Alaurenz turned a pasty white.
Alaurenz then calmed himself and closeted himself with the herald for some moments before asking the companions to join them. Alaurenz then revealed that he is, in fact, Kailimos – the son of Arch-duke Iorlas. Kailimos had disguised himself as Embar Darokar’s assistant so that he might take a look and get to know his bride, the Countess Areth, before they’re wed.
The herald brought terrible news – the companions, apparently, were not the dragons’ main target. Instead the dragons’ main target was the Arch-duke Iorlas. Two great dragons assaulted the Arch-duke’s camp – scattering the ducal guards and burnt everything. The Arch-duke was torn apart by the dragons – and it was by the merest chance that one of his men was able to save the ducal signet.
Even as the companions drew apart to discuss this latest development in private, Kailimos seems troubled – and he was seen in an animated discussion with Amathyya.
Later on, as the companions’ discussion wind down, the herald once again asked the companions to attend Kailimos. There, in the ship’s cabinet, with the herald and the companions as witness, Kailimos swore fealty to Amathyya.
It was a day of couriers bearing ill news. Soon after the secret ceremony, another courier hailed galley and was brought on board. This courier was from Arthadan and sent to look for Kailimos – for much of Arthadan is now in enemy hands, including some of its strongest fortifications, and it would require careful navigation for the galley to reach Fort Shaehan, where most of the arch-duke’s remaining commanders are gathered.
The progress was slow and tortuous – it was late morning when the galley finally reached Fort Shaehan. There a military council was immediately held, where the companions attended as special advisors to the duke. Fear was and the duke’s commanders presented a grim picture.
The overall picture is grim: it seems clear that Count Ben-Edara, the ruler of northern Rondor, had been preparing for an attack for some time. For less than a week ago, his fleet had sailed across the Apella Cove and landed considerable forces just north of Arthadan. At the border, his troops also launched attack against two of the major towns. At Ginalla, the northerner were beat back with heavy loses, but Thanil – one of the city that was declared a safe-haven for elven refugees from the north, is now besieged.
Closer to home, the picture is grimmer still. Thousands of lizard-men had somehow made their way into the city of Arthadan. Most of the eastern city – including the ducal palace, had been overrun. The naval yard is still held by a combination of what’s left of the ducal guards and some marine detachments. Unfortunately, the enemies have taken Fort Phelian – a fortress with special long range trebuchets. With Fort Phelian in enemy hands, most of the fleet is now bottled up in the naval yard.
In addition to the naval yard, it seems that the Knights of the Cudgel (the worshippers of St. Cuthbert) and Knight of the Sword (the worshippers of Alioch) had both held onto their temples.
The military commanders proposed to assault Fort Phelian. For without the fleet, the supply line of the enemy legions that landed in southern Apella Cove cannot be cut. Without cutting the supply line of those enemy troops, they will soon march south and take Arthadan. The loss of the ducal capital will likely spell the collapse of the entire duchy and victory for Ben-Edara.
The commanders of the forces within the city, however, propose to drive back the bridgehead that the enemy has established in the western half of the city prior to anything else.
After a great deal of discussion, the companions decided to do what they can in aid of the bridgehead situation. After which, they will sneak to the eastern shore at some point north of the city – then doubling back, they will sneak into the city from its eastern walls, where there is likely to be fewer enemies.
At Fort Shaehan, the companion also picked up an unlikely ally. Apparently, a female human mage named Seleth had been having strange dreams. When she encountered Berek in the castle hallways, she immediately recognized him as someone from her dreams. Uncertain what to make of it, she decided that she would join with the companions for some time to see how things would develop…
THE BRIDGEHEAD
The companions arrived at the bridge-head just as a fresh unit of lizard-men began their assault. It was soon clear that the companions had arrived just in time, for the elite lizard-men warriors, supported by their shamans, were cutting through the badly depleted human soldiers.
Berek, Soyoko and Seleth took the right flank. Haeythir and Zerketor took the center, while Dalrick decided that his archery would enable him to hold the left by himself.
The battle started off well enough. Soyoko’s confusion spell completely disrupted the lizard-men’s assault on the right as the lizard-men started attacking each other. Haeythir’s empowered acid ball stalled the lizard-men’s attack in the center – and Dalrick shot a lizard-men right through the head.
However, the battle soon grew dangerous – a sleep spell from the lizard-men shaman put the human troops to sleep as a fireball burst around the tower where Haeythir stood.
A clever shaman then conjured a mist around Dalrick – neutralizing his deadly archery.
In both the right flank and the center, the companions were able to neutralize the enemy shaman and destroy their elite troops. On the left flank, however, Dalrick soon find himself surrounded by lizard-men. Berek rushed to his aid from the right flank, but a lucky blow from a lizard-man grievously wounds the warrior.
Eventually, the companions were able to overcome the lizard-men – just in time as the reinforcement came up and drove the discouraged lizard-men back to the bridge.
Having halted the lizard-men’s advance toward the western portion of the city, the companions now proceeded with their plan.
NEAR THE EASTERN WALLS OF ARTHADAN
The companions managed to cross the river and land at the north side of the city without any through. They then managed to double back toward the eastern walls of the city. Half-way through the journey, Berek suddenly got a feeling that someone is looking at him. The companions fan out in search of someone invisible, but did not find anyone.
Then, some time later, just as the companions approached the eastern gate, a few of the companions caught sight of something silvery that dropped from the sky and landed about twenty feet in front of the companions.
Dalrick rushed forward to engage it. Berek was frightened and dashed backwards. Then there was a brief shimmer and a enormous hideous spider with poisonous fangs materialized where the silvery object had landed.
It immediately bit Dalrick and the ranger screamed as it injected him with its deadly venom. Its claws struck the ranger, holding him in its deadly embrace.
The companions rallied to attack the deadly arachnid. However, it suddenly disappeared – taking Dalrick with him. Then it reappeared amidst the companions, dropping an unconscious Dalrick behind it.
Seleth was bitten and fell. Haeythir was grappled and once again vanished with the arachnid. However, when the dreadful arachnid returned, dropping a nearly dead Haeythir before it, the remaining companions were ready for it – finally vanquishing it.
As the arachnid collapsed with the final blow, it disappeared in a cloud of foul vapor – only leaving behind a silvery cloak clasp. Upon close examination, one can see that the cloak clasp is shaped like a spider shaped cloak clasp and is now broken.
It was only later, once Dalrick and Haeythir were revived that the companions discovered the creature to be a bebilith – a demonic spider. This particular one is strange though, as it possesses the ability to teleport into a pocket dimension where time travels quickly – enabling its poison to act quickly.
All of which leaves the question of who knew of the companions’ whereabouts and could command such a creature against them?
Soon, it became apparent that not all is well is Arthadan – for the horizon glows red. Even more than a dozen miles away, one can see that Arthadan is in flames.
At first, the companions thought that the dragons they had encountered had burnt the city. Zerkestor, however, went among the fleeing refugees to gather more information. Soon, from the refugees’ tales, it became apparent that many lizard-like creatures had appeared in the city overnight – overrun most of the eastern half of the city and set it aflame.
While speaking with the refugees ashore, Zerkestor encounter a herald holding the banner of the Arch-duke Iorlas. He seems to have done some hard-riding and looks exhausted – but he asks Zerkestor to take him back to the ship, as he has a message for Alaurenz. Zerkestor agreed, and the herald was soon aboard the galley. The herald then gave Alaurenz a small package, upon opening the package, Alaurenz turned a pasty white.
Alaurenz then calmed himself and closeted himself with the herald for some moments before asking the companions to join them. Alaurenz then revealed that he is, in fact, Kailimos – the son of Arch-duke Iorlas. Kailimos had disguised himself as Embar Darokar’s assistant so that he might take a look and get to know his bride, the Countess Areth, before they’re wed.
The herald brought terrible news – the companions, apparently, were not the dragons’ main target. Instead the dragons’ main target was the Arch-duke Iorlas. Two great dragons assaulted the Arch-duke’s camp – scattering the ducal guards and burnt everything. The Arch-duke was torn apart by the dragons – and it was by the merest chance that one of his men was able to save the ducal signet.
Even as the companions drew apart to discuss this latest development in private, Kailimos seems troubled – and he was seen in an animated discussion with Amathyya.
Later on, as the companions’ discussion wind down, the herald once again asked the companions to attend Kailimos. There, in the ship’s cabinet, with the herald and the companions as witness, Kailimos swore fealty to Amathyya.
It was a day of couriers bearing ill news. Soon after the secret ceremony, another courier hailed galley and was brought on board. This courier was from Arthadan and sent to look for Kailimos – for much of Arthadan is now in enemy hands, including some of its strongest fortifications, and it would require careful navigation for the galley to reach Fort Shaehan, where most of the arch-duke’s remaining commanders are gathered.
The progress was slow and tortuous – it was late morning when the galley finally reached Fort Shaehan. There a military council was immediately held, where the companions attended as special advisors to the duke. Fear was and the duke’s commanders presented a grim picture.
The overall picture is grim: it seems clear that Count Ben-Edara, the ruler of northern Rondor, had been preparing for an attack for some time. For less than a week ago, his fleet had sailed across the Apella Cove and landed considerable forces just north of Arthadan. At the border, his troops also launched attack against two of the major towns. At Ginalla, the northerner were beat back with heavy loses, but Thanil – one of the city that was declared a safe-haven for elven refugees from the north, is now besieged.
Closer to home, the picture is grimmer still. Thousands of lizard-men had somehow made their way into the city of Arthadan. Most of the eastern city – including the ducal palace, had been overrun. The naval yard is still held by a combination of what’s left of the ducal guards and some marine detachments. Unfortunately, the enemies have taken Fort Phelian – a fortress with special long range trebuchets. With Fort Phelian in enemy hands, most of the fleet is now bottled up in the naval yard.
In addition to the naval yard, it seems that the Knights of the Cudgel (the worshippers of St. Cuthbert) and Knight of the Sword (the worshippers of Alioch) had both held onto their temples.
The military commanders proposed to assault Fort Phelian. For without the fleet, the supply line of the enemy legions that landed in southern Apella Cove cannot be cut. Without cutting the supply line of those enemy troops, they will soon march south and take Arthadan. The loss of the ducal capital will likely spell the collapse of the entire duchy and victory for Ben-Edara.
The commanders of the forces within the city, however, propose to drive back the bridgehead that the enemy has established in the western half of the city prior to anything else.
After a great deal of discussion, the companions decided to do what they can in aid of the bridgehead situation. After which, they will sneak to the eastern shore at some point north of the city – then doubling back, they will sneak into the city from its eastern walls, where there is likely to be fewer enemies.
At Fort Shaehan, the companion also picked up an unlikely ally. Apparently, a female human mage named Seleth had been having strange dreams. When she encountered Berek in the castle hallways, she immediately recognized him as someone from her dreams. Uncertain what to make of it, she decided that she would join with the companions for some time to see how things would develop…
THE BRIDGEHEAD
The companions arrived at the bridge-head just as a fresh unit of lizard-men began their assault. It was soon clear that the companions had arrived just in time, for the elite lizard-men warriors, supported by their shamans, were cutting through the badly depleted human soldiers.
Berek, Soyoko and Seleth took the right flank. Haeythir and Zerketor took the center, while Dalrick decided that his archery would enable him to hold the left by himself.
The battle started off well enough. Soyoko’s confusion spell completely disrupted the lizard-men’s assault on the right as the lizard-men started attacking each other. Haeythir’s empowered acid ball stalled the lizard-men’s attack in the center – and Dalrick shot a lizard-men right through the head.
However, the battle soon grew dangerous – a sleep spell from the lizard-men shaman put the human troops to sleep as a fireball burst around the tower where Haeythir stood.
A clever shaman then conjured a mist around Dalrick – neutralizing his deadly archery.
In both the right flank and the center, the companions were able to neutralize the enemy shaman and destroy their elite troops. On the left flank, however, Dalrick soon find himself surrounded by lizard-men. Berek rushed to his aid from the right flank, but a lucky blow from a lizard-man grievously wounds the warrior.
Eventually, the companions were able to overcome the lizard-men – just in time as the reinforcement came up and drove the discouraged lizard-men back to the bridge.
Having halted the lizard-men’s advance toward the western portion of the city, the companions now proceeded with their plan.
NEAR THE EASTERN WALLS OF ARTHADAN
The companions managed to cross the river and land at the north side of the city without any through. They then managed to double back toward the eastern walls of the city. Half-way through the journey, Berek suddenly got a feeling that someone is looking at him. The companions fan out in search of someone invisible, but did not find anyone.
Then, some time later, just as the companions approached the eastern gate, a few of the companions caught sight of something silvery that dropped from the sky and landed about twenty feet in front of the companions.
Dalrick rushed forward to engage it. Berek was frightened and dashed backwards. Then there was a brief shimmer and a enormous hideous spider with poisonous fangs materialized where the silvery object had landed.
It immediately bit Dalrick and the ranger screamed as it injected him with its deadly venom. Its claws struck the ranger, holding him in its deadly embrace.
The companions rallied to attack the deadly arachnid. However, it suddenly disappeared – taking Dalrick with him. Then it reappeared amidst the companions, dropping an unconscious Dalrick behind it.
Seleth was bitten and fell. Haeythir was grappled and once again vanished with the arachnid. However, when the dreadful arachnid returned, dropping a nearly dead Haeythir before it, the remaining companions were ready for it – finally vanquishing it.
As the arachnid collapsed with the final blow, it disappeared in a cloud of foul vapor – only leaving behind a silvery cloak clasp. Upon close examination, one can see that the cloak clasp is shaped like a spider shaped cloak clasp and is now broken.
It was only later, once Dalrick and Haeythir were revived that the companions discovered the creature to be a bebilith – a demonic spider. This particular one is strange though, as it possesses the ability to teleport into a pocket dimension where time travels quickly – enabling its poison to act quickly.
All of which leaves the question of who knew of the companions’ whereabouts and could command such a creature against them?
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