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Message: <blockquote data-quote="limeskeleton" data-source="post: 9525157" data-attributes="member: 7047820">Session 02: Allies & EnemiesDelving deeper into the Tower of Waiting, the heroes found themselves against stark opposition. What's more, the gods seemed to be set against them, with every blow of theirs falling short, and those of their enemies striking true. Could this be the end for them? As demons and undead set upon them, each of them fell against their abominable foes, the light fading from their eyes...[SPOILER="DM's Notes"]The dice were not in their favor that night: everyone got downed! It was a Deadly encounter against 2 x Maw Demons, some Wisp Wraith minions, and Princess Elsinore herself (A leveled down Mad Wraith). Her dazing aura proved insurmountable, thanks to many low rolls. Their poor initiative rolls also meant many of the enemies got the drop on them in terms of positioning.After a conversation on what happened, the group decided they wanted to keep exploring these characters. We decided that the fight destabilized the tower itself, collapsing it into the river and sending the party's unconscious bodies into the Nentir River, where they washed ashore before they could be dashed to pieces over the falls.[/SPOILER]Subsequently, they were found on the riverbank by young Juniper Swiftwater, a newly-minted Paladin of Avandra (Companion Character to fill party Defender role!) She resuscitated them and shared her vision: a cloud of rainbow butterflies leading her to the party. Clearly, Avandra and the other gods have plans in store for them. After some time conversing, cleaning mud off themselves, and coughing up dirty river water, the group decided to head into town. However, as they crossed Five-Arch Bridge, they were ambushed by the Fallcrest Five (three), intent on taking any loot they found in the (now collapsed) tower! Apparently, the Gray Company has been paying good money to mercenaries and downtrodden adventurers if they can recover historical artifacts relating to fallen Nerath.[SPOILER="DM's Notes"]I wanted this to do 3 things:1. Show clear consequences of their earlier encounter (and harsh words!) with the small party and make their decisions matter.2. Tie in Henry's background connection to the Gray company and bring them to the forefront as antagonists3. Show off some 'dark mirrors' of the protagonists, as the Fallcrest Five (three) were made to be juxtaposed against them.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Krim, the dwarf from Hammerfast, a proud son of Moradin and former Ghost Legion soldier.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Vharkus, the dragonborn follower of Tiamat.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Severian, the tiefling coward who ran instead of fighting the monsters that slew his brother.</li> </ul>[/SPOILER]A quick combat ensued, which the heroes narrowly won, mostly by tossing their rivals into the rushing river. Vharkus, the dragonborn, met his end at the bottom of the falls. Krim was captured, while Severian fell into the river and began drowning, resigning himself to his fate. However, the heroes were not done! While Henry & Lou tried and ritually executed Krim for his crimes, Forte leapt into the river to save Severian's life, as Kord teaches that to throw your life away is weakness of the worst sort.[SPOILER="DM's Notes"]This was a tiered skill challenge, with 2 semi-unrelated goals: ritually executing Krim & rescuing Severian. There was some fun roleplay back-and-forth from Henry & Lou regarding their beliefs (Gruumsh & Bahamut, respectively). In the end, it was determined that forcing Krim to confess his crimes and then executing him and ritually gouging his eye would satisfy both faiths. Yay?Bad luck continued to plague Forte, but he narrowly managed to succeed in his effort in the end, winning him Severian's brother's old sword "It'll do more good in your hands than it would ever do in mine." as well as Severian's services as a Companion Character if desired.[/SPOILER]In the aftermath, they were finally able to limp to the Nentir Inn for a much-deserved Extended Rest. However, Princess Elsinore and her fell minions had been dumped into the Fallcrest Catacombs, and who knows what terrible deeds they'll get up to there...</blockquote>

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