Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)

[talien]

On the Red March: Part 9 – Double-Crossed

The soldiers moved in with fierce determination on Garan and Sagrivan. Sagrivan’s apprentices drew daggers, but they seemed little match for the Order of the Hidden Flame.

Kham aimed his pistols. “It’s a double-cross!”

“Finally, an excuse to draw my sword.” Vlad jerked his blade free. “This isn’t Sarishan steel, either!” He kicked one of the greatsword wielding warriors backwards.

Beldin hacked downwards at the legs of one of the men, through his banded armor. The warrior dropped with a howl.

Sebastian took a step backwards. “You seek to worship the Fire Lord? I will show you fire: Radius Incensio!”

Spiral flames shot out from Sebastian’s fingertips. Three men fell backwards, clutching their chests.

Vlad went straight for the commander, who was dressed in full plate.

“How did we miss this?” asked Beldin. “Full plate? Greatswords?”

“Magic,” snarled Vlad.

He met the commander’s greatsword head on. The blow nearly wrenched Grungronazharr from his grip.

“I recognize you!” shouted Vlad. “You were at the gate!”

The man snapped his visor shut and hacked hard at Vlad’s shield. It spun away out of his numb grip.

“You want my blade?” asked Vlad. “You can have it!” He grabbed Grungronazharr with both hands and plunged it upwards through the weakness he knew was in all Nierite full plate, after having worn it for so long.

The commander gurgled soundlessly and fell to the ground.

When Vlad looked up, all the other Nierites were dead. He felt Kham’s hand on his shoulder.

“It’s over,” he said. “We won.”

Vlad stood up, wiping his blade. “It’s never over.”

 

[talien]

On the Red March: Conclusion

Sagrivan, his remaining apprentices, and Garan were escorted within the walls of the great necropolis once again.

Sagrivan was spellbound by the wonders of the city. “I vow to spend the remainder of my life to help restore the beauty of these dark passages.”

“Yeah, that’s great,” said Kham. “That doesn’t change the fact that Ventaka is still a city under siege.”

Sagrivan quickly set his men to work on the areas surrounding the collapsed Portal chamber, assessing damages to find a safe way to proceed.

“When will it be operational?” asked Vlad.

“I predict it should be usable in a month or so.”

“A month?” Vlad was crestfallen.

Kham clapped him on the back. “By that time, Ilmarė will be here with the Bloody Vengeance and we can go where we want. I don’t think I want to go through a portal ever again.”

Garan joined them. “Akali still refuses to commit troops to open battle against the Swords of Nier. But I tink I know another vay to get the troops we need.”

“Troops WE need?” asked Beldin.

Sebastian walked over. “Yes,” he said with a slow smile. “Troops we need.”

Kham rolled his eyes. “I guess we’re going to be here for awhile.”

 

[talien]

Chapter 38: Heart’s Blood, Fire’s Vengeance - Introduction

This is a Year One Living Arcanis Nishanpur adventure, “Heart’s Blood, Fire’s Vengeance” by Kimberly Wajer-Scott, set in the Arcanis setting. You can read more about Arcanis at Onara Online. Please note: This adventure contains spoilers!

Our cast of characters includes:

• Dungeon Master: Michael Tresca (http://michael.tresca.net)
• Beldin Soulforge (dwarf fighter) played by Joe Lalumia
• Kham Val’Abebi (val rogue/psychic warrior) played by Jeremy Ortiz (http://www.ninjarobotstudios.com)
• Sebastian Arnyal (dark-kin sorcerer) played by George Webster
• Vlad Martell (human fighter) played by Matt Hammer

This adventure flowed smoothly with the first one. It also was my opportunity to run every Canceri module I can get my hands on. The PCs were sick of Freeport, so Canceri offered a welcome, if strange, change.

We’ve seen Kham’s tumultuous life in Freeport, learned about Cal and Vlad’s responsibilities in Milandir, witnessed Quintus’ duties in Coryan, and seen the political machinations of Beldin’s home in Solanos Mor. But we never got to really delve into Sebastian’s homeland, even if he was only there for a short period of time as a young boy.

Sebastian’s feelings about his homeland directly impact the outcome of the adventure. I was fully prepared for the worst, but much to my surprise the PCs ended up taking the nobler route. In the end, I think it was the better choice.

 

[talien]

Heart's Blood, Fire's Vengeance: Prologue

The sun had set over the horizon and the night crept slowly over the east. Garan met them at the Dark Gathering, a tavern just outside Nishanpur.

Though still enveloped in the eerie quiet that permeated the air, there was a surprisingly light atmosphere about the inn. Speakers and musicians entertained with audience witch exciting stories, moving songs, and breathtaking poetry…all no louder than a whisper.

“I need you to deliver a Sarishan blade,” said Garan.

“That’s it?” asked Kham, incredulous. “That’s your big plan for an army?”

“You will have to do dis ting vithout questions,” said Garan. “You vill have to trust me.”

“When does it need to be delivered?” asked Sebastian.

“Tomorrow. At dusk, near de Merchant’s Square. Someone vill identify himself as a servant of Sarish. Give him de blade.”

“If this blade is as important as you think it is, “Vlad leaned forward, “then the Order of the Secret Flame will be looking for it.”

“Your confidence is undervhelming.”

“Yeah, well, we didn’t exactly have great intelligence last time,” said Kham.

“Dere is another vey.” Garan sighed. “A vey through de sewers.”

Beldin slammed a mug down on the table. “Now you’re talking!”

“But be varned, dey are wrought vith peril. Dey say dere is a monster dat prowls de sewers, seeking whom he may devour.”

“So what’s the downside?” asked Beldin.

 

[talien]

Heart's Blood, Fire's Vengeance: Part 1a – Watch Your Step!

A guide led them to the entrance of the primary sewage outlet but would go no further.

“The sewers are a maze of tunnels and pipes,” said Beldin, “but Garan gave me directions to an exit that will lead us to a back alley.”

The grate to the sewer system was locked and barred by a blackened metal of unknown origin. It was cool to the touch.

“It’s locked,” Sebastian said to Kham. “Can you open it?”

Kham pulled his trusty dagger from the folds of his jacket. “One way to find out.” He popped a forest of picks from the hilt of his dagger, turned it around, and inserted the pick into the lock.

There was the twang of a bowstring. A dart stuck out of Kham’s arm.

“Ah crap!” His arm immediately went numb. The numbness spread like fire through his veins, infecting all of his limbs. A great weakness overcame him.

“Kham!” shouted Vlad.

The val slumped to the ground, staring at his limbs like they were someone else’s. “Poison…”

“Yeah, we figured,” said Sebastian.

Beldin shook his head. “Should have let me open the lock.” With a mighty blow, the lock shattered.

“Now…” gasped Kham, “…he tells me.”

 

[talien]

Heart's Blood, Fire's Vengeance: Part 1b – Watch Your Step!

After opening the heavy grate, they made their way into the sewers.

“Are you sure Kham’s going to be okay?” asked Vlad. “I don’t think we should have left him.”

“He certainly can’t go with us down here.” Sebastian wrinkled his nose. “I don’t even want to be here.”

The putrid smell of the city hit them. The remains of things too hideous to mention floated and bobbed in knee high muck. They stepped inside and began trudging through the refuse.

Beldin led the way. They moved slowly through the slime, but eventually they made their way to the exit.

“That’s it?” asked Vlad.

“That’s it,” said Beldin.

The exit was a small grate at the top of a ladder whose rungs were stapled into the wall. The grated seemed clear.

“Uh oh,” said Beldin.

Sebastian stared up at the grate. “Uh oh, what?”

A bulbous eye stared up at Beldin from the sewage. For a moment, it looked dead. Then horrifyingly…it blinked. Slowly, a mass of fleshy tissue rose from the waste.

“Never mind.” Sebastian took a step back.

More than a dozen eyes focused their attention as the creature’s numerous mouths began to groan and chatter in meaningless gibberish.

Vlad drew his sword. “I think Kham was the lucky one.”

 

[talien]

Heart's Blood, Fire's Vengeance: Part 2 – Guards! Guards!

Kham approached the gates of Nishanpur. The ominous hush that ruled over the city seemed far more obvious due to his weakened condition.

A soldier bearing the rank of captain took an interested in him. He waved Kham over.

Kham wearily trudged over to the Nierite.

“From whence do you hail?”

“Freeport,” said Kham.

“Where are you going?”

“Altheria.”

“What is your business in the city?”

“I am trying to find a cure. I think I have the plague.”

The guard arched an eyebrow. “From where?”

“I was traveling near Ventaka.” Kham coughed for effect. It wasn’t hard; the poison was getting so bad that he had difficulty lifting his head. “I found some corpses. I think that’s how I contracted the plague.”

“Damn Ymandrakes,” snarled the guard. He patted Kham down. “What’s this?”

He pulled the holy symbol of Altheres from Kham’s coat.

“That’s a symbol of Altheres,” said Kham. It was becoming difficult to speak. “What…you never saw an Altherian before?”

“And this?”

Kham struggled to focus. It was the symbol of Yig.

“That’s…complicated.”

“Uh huh.” The guard grabbed Kham’s arms and pushed them behind his back. “By order of the Sword of the Heavens and his eminence, the Autocrat of Nishanpur, you are hereby ordered to lay down yours arms and surrender yourself into our custody for questioning.”

Kham only heard the words “lay down.” So he did.

 

[talien]

Heart's Blood, Fire's Vengeance: Part 3 – Deals and the Art of Double-Crossing

After a day dealing with gibbering monstrosities and avoiding the Nierite authorities, they found themselves in the Merchant’s Square as dusk approached. Merchants quickly closed up shop and the streets were clear in merely half an hour. They stood in the square when a man in a musty, brown robe sewn from burlap approached Sebastian.

“Greetings, travelers,” he whispered. “I am Hemmet, a servant of Sarish. I have been sent here because you have something for me.” He reached into his robe. “Here is the agreed-upon payment.”

Vlad perked up. “I didn’t know we were getting paid.”

Beldin shushed him.

Sebastian reached into the folds of his robe. His eyes widened.

“The dagger…it’s gone!”

Hemmet smiled and raised his hand. “Thank you, friend. It is now in our possession. Know that your actions have helped to bring justice upon these Erdukeen Nierites. There is just one more task that remains.”

Sebastian kept his hands at his sides, a sure sign that he expected trouble. “Oh?”

“Your friend has been arrested.”

Vlad slapped his forehead. “Again?”

 

[talien]

Heart's Blood, Fire's Vengeance: Part 4a – The Trouble I’ve Seen

As Kham was moved through the streets of the city, he could feel the eyes of the citizens upon him. Only the rattling of the chains that bound him disturbed the silence.

A cool breeze brought the soft hiss of a thousand whispers to his ears. Kham’s arrest had captured the attention of the city, and it was watching him with interest.

His captors took Kham to the local holding cell. Stripped of his equipment, his options were limited.

Previous prisoners turned slaves brought him food. Although the taste was bland and the texture pasty, the meal helped roused Kham out of his stupor.

A few hours later, a man bearing the marks of a high-ranking officer arrived at his cell.

“I am Commander Haron von Grebel,” said the officer. “You have been detained for assisting the insurrectionist who stole the Eye of Sarish from the Sarishan temple in Vrain. I am here to ask you a few questions.”

Kham sighed. “I just went through this in Freeport. Do you all read from the same script?”

Haron summoned a sketch artist to the cell.

“Now, let’s start from the top.” Haron pulled over a chair and straddled it. “From whence do you hail?”

“The other idiot asked me that question already.”

“I won’t ask you again. From whence do you hail?”

“Altheria,” said Kham. “I’m from Altheria.”

Haron checked the sheet in his hand. “You told Captain Virdan-Hartung that you were from Freeport.”

“I just CAME from Freeport. But I’m FROM Altheria. Try to keep up.”

“Where were you going?”

“To Altheria.” He took a long, shuddering sigh. The thought of being imprisoned again made him physically sick. Or maybe it was just the poison. “I’m going to attend a funeral.”

“Umm hmm,” said Haron. “What is your business in Nishanpur?”

“I told Virdan-whatsisname already. I’m looking for a cure. I’m sick.”

“You don’t look sick…”

Kham coughed right in the man’s face.

“That’s it!” Haron kicked the chair away. He turned to the sketch artist. “Leave. Now.”

“What are you gonna do,” snarled Kham. The cough made him see spots. “Convert me?”

“Oh I think not. You obviously profess allegiance to many faiths.” Haron threw the symbol of Yig at Kham’s cell. It skittered across the ground. “Do you know how the Brotherhood of Flame brands its criminals?” He walked over to a smoking brazier.

Kham stopped talking.

“I see you do.” He lifted a red-hot brand. “Now perhaps we should begin again. What do you know about the cult?”

“What cult?” asked Kham, exasperated. “There’s so many to choose from. The Cult of Leviathan? The Brotherhood of the Yellow Sign? Then you’ve got the Brimstone Order…”

“You think this is a joke, don’t you,” said Haron. “Well, I know a way to wipe that smug look off your face.” He was in the midst of unlocking the cell with his free hand when an explosion rocked the building.

Suddenly, the east wall erupted in a mass of dust, stone and mortar. The blast threw Kham to the ground, pelting him with a hail of rock.

Kham struggled to his feet. The commander took the brunt of the blast. He was down.

Most importantly, the bars that held Kham were twisted and bent.

Kham walked over to the only closet in the room. He pulled out his jacket, Talon, and one pistol.

“For once, I didn’t do anything wrong and you STILL arrested me for it.” Kham cocked the pistol. “I am sick and tired of being pushed around by fanatics and small men on power trips. That stops now.” He aimed the pistol at the back of Haron’s head. “See you in hell.”

 

[talien]

Heart's Blood, Fire's Vengeance: Part 4b – The Trouble I’ve Seen

There was a great commotion in the hall and the sounds of battle rang through the building. A single shot rang out.

Silently, a group of robed men stepped into the cellblock through the gaping hole in the wall. Vlad, Sebastian, and Beldin followed them through.

As they did so, the room filled with guards. One of the guards looked at the fallen commander.

“Look, men. They are responsible for this! They have slain the commander!”

The lead soldier lowered his head and glared at Vlad. His voice was almost a whisper as he drew his sword. “I say we kill them all.”

Combat swirled around them. Vlad and Beldin plunged into the battle, ferociously bashing aside the unprepared Nierites.

Kham was outside when the guards were dealt with. “Took you guys long enough.”

“Let’s go!” shouted Sebastian.

Kham leaned on Sebastian’s shoulder. “Just a sec,” he gasped. “Trying to catch my breath.”

Vlad and Beldin drew up along either side of him, alert for trouble.

But instead, Hemmet stood in their way.

“What now?” asked Sebastian. “We have to leave before reinforcements show up.”

“You’re right, we do.” Hemmet advanced menacingly as robed men stepped out of the shadows. “We simply have one loose end to tie up.”

Kham rolled his eyes. “Some rescue.”