JANUARY:After crossing the desert, the party took fleeting control of sand worms to create underground channels and enter the mountainous underbelly of Holy citadel Alem — the last bastion against the hell mouth of Mount Attevar and victim to the year-long siege of undead lord Rathakku. Alem's new king Deimar has neglected his uncle Thyvault's counsel and wishes to reinforce the hell seals. His brother, Prince Haiva orchestrates regular civilian evacuations. As Deimar's price to access the local beacon, the party must help defend Alem, find new evacuation routes, treat with the predictably vicious Rathakku and the inexplicably hostile merchant caravans that prey on Alem in its time of need — ...and solve the mystery of a missing woman last seen in royal company, and the serial killing 'Reaper' who claims victims from the castle. All in a day's hard work.
FEBRUARY: Two towers succumbed, while a large refugee caravan escaped. Prince Haiva mysteriously recovereed, but suffers greatly while walking. He needs a mountain flower to heal... one found in the same waters roamed by the silhouette of a beautiful missing woman. The Reaper struck again, this time killing Vataz — Thyvault's son, cousin to the king — and the creature of the caves from where Bucky brought back mysterious scales. Kahl and Cassian Andor spread word that King Deimar may be looking to sell the group to Rathakku. After being abducted with Caitlyn and ineffectively plunged in cave water, Emilia joined Wrathion in learning it was likely Haiva who kept the missing woman company. Wrath temporarily helped seal hell, while Yelena learned that an accidental Alem discovery may have drawn Rathakku to attack. The Lord asked the party to sacrifice 10 people and Deimar, in exchange for his withdrawal, but received no action. A small contingent of the group took on the dragon Irenia — and unexpectedly anchored her undeath on Jon Snow.
A recuperating Haiva began to arrogantly assume control of Alem's retreating forces. Efforts refocused around abandoning the fortress through underground tunnels. In the depths of the netherworld, the demonic Motherless doubled down on breaching wards to seep Hell into Alem, forcing King Deimar, his paladins and several members of the party to head in and fight back. Several party members defeated the Motherless, successfully interrupting Hell's invasion. Caitlyn, Licyn, Wrathion and Emilia discovered Haiva secretly seduced and killed a siren for dark mirror shards that help mermaids gain legs while on ground and give men the ability to reshape and strengthen their body. Her sisters summoned an avenging jatharin — a demon that sought to kill men bearing Haiva's likeness, perpetuating the recent serial murders of Alem. Emilia and Wrath murdered Haiva, with Emilia and Wrathion later publicly telling the masses that the prince perished while nobly sacrificing himself to appease Hell, instead of his sister Cle-Florens — whom Yuri helped rescue.
A forlorn King Deimar returned from Hell, despite his initial death wishes, conceding to bring hope to his people in their new settlement near the monastery of Hassir... and the key to Alem's dwindling beacon for the Merchant's party. On the way to Hassir, Kamala had the group's first direct encounter with the White Wanderer linked to every event of undeath misfortune encountered so far — Matthias of Ellethia.
ARC V: ALEM
S e i z e the day.
JANUARY: After crossing the desert, the party took fleeting control of sand worms to create underground channels and enter the mountainous underbelly of Holy citadel Alem — the last bastion against the hell mouth of Mount Attevar and victim to the year-long siege of undead lord Rathakku. Alem's new king Deimar has neglected his uncle Thyvault's counsel and wishes to reinforce the hell seals. His brother, Prince Haiva orchestrates regular civilian evacuations. As Deimar's price to access the local beacon, the party must help defend Alem, find new evacuation routes, treat with the predictably vicious Rathakku and the inexplicably hostile merchant caravans that prey on Alem in its time of need — ...and solve the mystery of a missing woman last seen in royal company, and the serial killing 'Reaper' who claims victims from the castle. All in a day's hard work.
FEBRUARY: Two towers succumbed, while a large refugee caravan escaped. Prince Haiva mysteriously recovereed, but suffers greatly while walking. He needs a mountain flower to heal... one found in the same waters roamed by the silhouette of a beautiful missing woman. The Reaper struck again, this time killing Vataz — Thyvault's son, cousin to the king — and the creature of the caves from where Bucky brought back mysterious scales. Kahl and Cassian Andor spread word that King Deimar may be looking to sell the group to Rathakku. After being abducted with Caitlyn and ineffectively plunged in cave water, Emilia joined Wrathion in learning it was likely Haiva who kept the missing woman company. Wrath temporarily helped seal hell, while Yelena learned that an accidental Alem discovery may have drawn Rathakku to attack. The Lord asked the party to sacrifice 10 people and Deimar, in exchange for his withdrawal, but received no action. A small contingent of the group took on the dragon Irenia — and unexpectedly anchored her undeath on Jon Snow.
A recuperating Haiva began to arrogantly assume control of Alem's retreating forces. Efforts refocused around abandoning the fortress through underground tunnels. In the depths of the netherworld, the demonic Motherless doubled down on breaching wards to seep Hell into Alem, forcing King Deimar, his paladins and several members of the party to head in and fight back. Several party members defeated the Motherless, successfully interrupting Hell's invasion. Caitlyn, Licyn, Wrathion and Emilia discovered Haiva secretly seduced and killed a siren for dark mirror shards that help mermaids gain legs while on ground and give men the ability to reshape and strengthen their body. Her sisters summoned an avenging jatharin — a demon that sought to kill men bearing Haiva's likeness, perpetuating the recent serial murders of Alem. Emilia and Wrath murdered Haiva, with Emilia and Wrathion later publicly telling the masses that the prince perished while nobly sacrificing himself to appease Hell, instead of his sister Cle-Florens — whom Yuri helped rescue.
A forlorn King Deimar returned from Hell, despite his initial death wishes, conceding to bring hope to his people in their new settlement near the monastery of Hassir... and the key to Alem's dwindling beacon for the Merchant's party. On the way to Hassir, Kamala had the group's first direct encounter with the White Wanderer linked to every event of undeath misfortune encountered so far — Matthias of Ellethia.