Campaign Journal: The Smoke Nears

 Who's staring slack-jawed at the news that Acroria is on fire?

• Jax: Barbarian
• Fred: Thief 1
• Slick: Thief 2
• Rondel: Elf

Things were in motion. Slick and some loyal soldiers secured the captured priest in the fortification's oubliette, with Slick giving plenty of both vocal and implied threats of what would occur if he were to attempt any more shenanigans. 

Now what's this with the fire? The soldiers could report little more than seeing columns of smoke and meeting a swarm of terrified refugees. Some of the dispatched soldiers had ventured on, with intent to learn more.

But first, shenanigans. The party and Manchin were attacked by soldiers and priests loyal to the head priest. Their attacks focused on Manchin as the fortification's leader, and he took several wounds before the party was able to counter them. More sounds of combat rang through the halls of the fort. The priest, freed by loyal troops, emerged. Rondel attempted to web a door to halt their charge, but the priest was able to dispel his barrier. More struggle, and Slick made good on his promises, shanking the priest, before Henry Cee was able to unlimber his flail and punch his clock for good.

The surviving rebels surrendered and were secured. 

More troops returned, confirming that most of the city's troops had marched south to attack the "incursion" of Chirath forces gathered at Mithlonde in preparation to mobilize west for the region's defense. Gerhard returned, confirming the attack, followed by a confused retreat as news of the city's demise spread. Regardless, both forces were out of play as they fought running, pitched battles.

And what could have caused the fire? Word arrived of mutant chimera bursting from the city's prisons and sewers. Chaos had gained much more than a foothold. It had been staging for some time...

And the response was in kind. 

Hi again!

Nothing like holy fire to appropriately purge a city invested by Chaos. The party recalled from their last meeting with the angel Boel, that it said it would return at an opportune time.

More alarm calls from the keep's watch. This time from the west. A wagon, carrying Grancet and the Library Paladins rode hard, being pursued by a massive, twisted dragon.

Was it Qaphanth, Medeg's accursed mount? Seemingly not, as this dragon bore brass coloration rather than black and red. The dragon (with rider) swept down, raining a blast of razor-edged scales onto the wagon, apparently killing everyone aboard, prior to circling the fort at a safe range before flying off. Rondel was able to lightning bolt it at extreme distance, but caused little harm. Well, now we know what happened to the brass dragon Eorvalth. Damnit.

From the wagon wreckage crawled Grancet and one surviving paladin. Both had sheltered the librarian, with Brytha taking the brunt of the dragon's attack and perishing. The librarian and remaining components were safe. After some consultation, they began work on establishing the second anchor-lens at the keep, as time was pressing. Rondel and Benedikt stepped in to help with the fabrications. Slick gave them some drugs he had to help with staying awake through the process...

What now? Big things are in motion, and we still don't have an army. Or do we? Guarded by the remaining party members (Slick entirely enjoying his invisible flight skills), Henry was sent out to find the old battlefields. Sister Sowena's Gauntlet led him out to the barrows and mass graves of earlier battles. The gauntlet did its job, calling the upon old soldiers, who still waited to defend the west, even in death. 

And of course they were attacked by chitin drakes right about then. Lots of swatting occurred, minor burns and bites.

Back to the keep with their cohort.

Wake up, boys!

Would it be enough? Another banner was seen to the south. Victor and his old Green Star knights leading a legion of mercenaries. That would help. Adra was rumored to be arriving, as well...

Oh, hi Serafina, says Slick, want to check out my new flying broom? ...

DM Notes:

Frederick's player noted that he only has four pages left in the legal pad he's been using to take session notes, so I need to wrap this up. :)

I told the players to bring extra d20s for the next session. No reason.