Session 66 (23 January 2019)
Note to readers: This is a session re-cap of an ongoing D&D 5th edition campaign set in a loosely adapted version of N. Robin Crossby's Hârn. A journal of sessions 1 through 54, beginning in February 2015, can be found here.
In-world dates: 8-9 Ilvin 720 TR [second week of winter]
Moon: waxing crescent (full moon on 15 Ilvin)
Swept up in a furious mêlée with the vampires, you deal significant damage to six of them, reducing them to clouds of mist that float away, seeking their grave in hopes of regenerating. Malevix, Dracul's father, escapes from the fray carrying the still-breathing body of Sildar Hallwinter, knight of Melderyn. Galindo and Juan follow in mist form (the Wind Walk spell is still in effect for them) while Dracul and Gil'Doren battle the bloodsucking undead with sword and spell.
Malevix's flight ends at the end of a passage that opens on a vast underground chasm. He shouts, "To me!" and his vampire cronies — at least, those still in corporeal form — instantly shapechange into bats and swarm in his direction, joined by other (normal) bats that suddenly appear. As Dracul, followed by the somewhat slower elf, rush after them down the passage, Malevix turns and holds Sildar's limp form out over the chasm.
"Dracul, my son — join me! Take up the sword I gave you and claim your birthright!" he commands.
"I will not!" replies Dracul.
"Then your friend shall die," declares Malevix, changing into a bat and releasing his grip on Sildar, who plunges into the great bottomless rift. A parting Fireball from Gil'Doren slays many of the normal bats, but the vampires escape into the darkness.
After ensuring that the bodies of Sildar's slain companions will not rise as vampire thralls, you teleport to Cherafir, capital of Melderyn, and give your report. Androkles, the head of the king's council, listens to your tale of woe: Sildar's death will bring dismay to many in the realm. He has bad news of his own: Melderene ships, sent to scout the coasts for signs of the giants, have been disappearing; sailors and fishermen report seeing Storm Giants riding great sea creatures, and one claims that he saw a kraken destroy a naval vessel. Androkles is not sure whether to give credence to such tales, but the fact is, the kingdom is blind, especially now that Sildar and his rangers are dead.
You speak to Queen Aranath of Evael through one of the crystals she gave you. She has no news, but declares the Sindarin ready to march agains the giants. She offers you elf-forged sun blades to help you against the vampires, and suggests that if you wish to make contact with the storm giants, you needs must sail to a location far out in the western ocean.
You consider three courses of action:
You decide upon the first option, planning first to teleport to Elshavel, collect the sun blades, and then to travel overland to Kaldor. You rest, gather supplies and intelligence, and set out on the morrow.
In-world dates: 8-9 Ilvin 720 TR [second week of winter]
Moon: waxing crescent (full moon on 15 Ilvin)
Swept up in a furious mêlée with the vampires, you deal significant damage to six of them, reducing them to clouds of mist that float away, seeking their grave in hopes of regenerating. Malevix, Dracul's father, escapes from the fray carrying the still-breathing body of Sildar Hallwinter, knight of Melderyn. Galindo and Juan follow in mist form (the Wind Walk spell is still in effect for them) while Dracul and Gil'Doren battle the bloodsucking undead with sword and spell.
Malevix's flight ends at the end of a passage that opens on a vast underground chasm. He shouts, "To me!" and his vampire cronies — at least, those still in corporeal form — instantly shapechange into bats and swarm in his direction, joined by other (normal) bats that suddenly appear. As Dracul, followed by the somewhat slower elf, rush after them down the passage, Malevix turns and holds Sildar's limp form out over the chasm.
"Dracul, my son — join me! Take up the sword I gave you and claim your birthright!" he commands.
"I will not!" replies Dracul.
"Then your friend shall die," declares Malevix, changing into a bat and releasing his grip on Sildar, who plunges into the great bottomless rift. A parting Fireball from Gil'Doren slays many of the normal bats, but the vampires escape into the darkness.
After ensuring that the bodies of Sildar's slain companions will not rise as vampire thralls, you teleport to Cherafir, capital of Melderyn, and give your report. Androkles, the head of the king's council, listens to your tale of woe: Sildar's death will bring dismay to many in the realm. He has bad news of his own: Melderene ships, sent to scout the coasts for signs of the giants, have been disappearing; sailors and fishermen report seeing Storm Giants riding great sea creatures, and one claims that he saw a kraken destroy a naval vessel. Androkles is not sure whether to give credence to such tales, but the fact is, the kingdom is blind, especially now that Sildar and his rangers are dead.
You speak to Queen Aranath of Evael through one of the crystals she gave you. She has no news, but declares the Sindarin ready to march agains the giants. She offers you elf-forged sun blades to help you against the vampires, and suggests that if you wish to make contact with the storm giants, you needs must sail to a location far out in the western ocean.
You consider three courses of action:
- travel to Kaldor to convince that kingdom to lend its support to the struggle against the giants
- contact the Storm Giants to discover why they are helping their lesser kin, the Hill, Frost, and Fire Giants in their unjust war against the free folk of Hârn
- try to enlist the help of Venomfang the Green Dragon, and through him perhaps other dragons, in the fight against Giant domination
You decide upon the first option, planning first to teleport to Elshavel, collect the sun blades, and then to travel overland to Kaldor. You rest, gather supplies and intelligence, and set out on the morrow.
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