4/25/2010 - Assault on Karven

Summary

The Chosen attacked the faux-Chosen forces assaulting Carmis, drove them off or killed them, then reassured the townsfolk.  Proceeding to Karven Keep, we slew several demons as we worked our way down from the roof, saved the seven year old Karven sister from sacrifice, then saved the head of the house from death at the hands of her brothers, pawns of a Demon of Disease named Mazin.  The demon got away, Lady Ashumenta swore vassalage to House Chosen, and the whole matter was reported back to Dred through an Imperial Witness.

Details

The group was still in the process of questioning the dead assassins in an alcove just inside the Landsradd hall when Amok teleported in with a nearly unconscious prisoner.  He told the group and representatives of the Empire about a group of demon led faux Chosen assaulting Carmis, and the group decided to teleport in to lift the attack on the Karven city.  We took an Imperial Witness with us, and he observed and reported on all of the events that followed.  We succeeded in lifting the attack with no casualties.  The Griffon Riders and Open Sky barbarians Cratus had previously sent into Karven lands aided in lifting the assault and in hunting down the refugees afterward.  A faux Cylla, initially led by a now slain quasit, was slain herself and questioned post mortem.

• The prisoner was a druid tainted by chaos, altered to look just like Samyn.  Dred and the dwarven and elven monarchs took him into custody immediately.
• We were directed by Dred to do what we had planned with regard to Karven, as it would take several hours to get imperial forces out there.  We opted to go immediately and save the village.  It seemed as though Dred knew how we'd react as well or better than we did.

The Chosen proceeded to Karven Keep, scaled the curtain wall, and assaulted through the roof.  Evidence of multiple demons rampaging through the house was evident, and there were very few survivors.  On the 5th floor we slew a minor demon.  None of the demons here, nor the quasits we faced in the field, had been summoned, by which we know there is a gate into the Abyss somewhere in the Empire or in Grave.

• Demon slain: Dretch, killed by Cratus.

On the 4th floor we fought a Broo/Demon which had the chaotic ability to reflect damage inflicted by melee attacks back on the wielder.  We killed it, then searched Lady Ashument's room thoroughly.  We found numerous books on sorcery and demons, as well as a coded diary in Draconic.  These, along with most of her jewelry, were eventually returned to her, the diary unread.

• Wyldum wisely objected to returning the diary unread, and that may well have been a mistake on Amok's part.  Perhaps a more calculating member of the Chosen should insist on reading it...

On the 3rd floor we rescued Lady Ashumenta's seven year old sister, Seria, from being flayed alive by three more broo.  She was partially flayed and Cratus pissed upon by an excessively acidic broo before all was said and done.  We killed all of the demons and healed the little girl.

• She is still in need of psychological healing and comfort.  Cylla worked spirit healing on her overnight in Correl.

On the 4th floor, we confronted a Demon of Disease name Mazin, who spoke of a superior (?) named Cesarim.  He was coaxing the eldest Karven brother, Sontil, to slay Lady Ashumenta and take her place, while two more broo restrained her and her younger brother, Jontil, looked on.  We saved Ashumenta, slew Sontil and the broo, and captured Jontil.  Mazin fled by teleport as soon as his accomplices (dupes) were defeated.  We accepted Ashumenta's offer of vassalage as we believed her word and the evidence supported her story that she knew nothing of the events that incited the Crasus Belli.  Sontil and Jontil had seemingly been lured into the plot by Mazin or his bosses, and Ashumenta was caught in the middle.

• Mazim is a Demon of Disease (CR10-15) and made entirely of insects.
  • Created a nasty Unholy Blight.
  • Capable of Ethereal Jaunt.
  • Teleported.
• Amok killed Sontil and took out Jontil with a Chain Lightning and exploding broo collateral damage.

The rest of the Keep was empty of demons.  Ashumenta's 17 year old sister was given to the demons.  Later scrying shows her to be alive, and in some space that shifts between the Abyss and Prime.  30 soldiers are also missing and they cannot be scryed with the knowledge Ashumenta had of them.

• We left most of the Open Sky Raiders and a small squad of Griffon Riders (3?) to help hunt down the renegade barbarians who participated in the attack on Carmis.
• The remainder of the Griffon Riders, along with one Open Sky Raider passenger each, were sent back to Larder to report to Milan.  They were told to go swiftly, but to conserve energy for extended operations over the next week.

We took Ashumenta back to Carmis and she reassured her people, broke the news of Karven's change of allegiance, and told them to prepare to supoort the defense of Chosen lands to the North.  We then proceeded back to Correl, secured the mansion, and reported all to Dred and the dwarven and elven rulers with the help of the Imperial Witness.  Jontil is set to be executed in the square in Carmis, and the Chosen are preparing to rush to the defense of their lands.  Codo and Amok were sent ahead to scout and prepare the way, while the remainder of the Chosen attend an emergency Landsradd gathering the following morning.

• Prior to the vassalage, Braunt had been making overtures of marriage to Ashumenta.  She was told it was her decision, but we advised against it.  She seemed relieved not to be required to accept Braunt's offers.
• Ashumenta (and her lineage) remain in command of Karven lands.  Alalron, as the formal Lord of House Chosen, worked the details and explained expectations to Ashumenta.  No one else was privy to that conversation.
• The militia captain who led the defense or Carmis was elevated by Ashumenta to command of the Karven military.
• The teleport circle destination to Braunt was disabled from their side when the Crasus Belli was declared.  Ashumenta was directed to disable it from her side, as well.  We need to get that "node" changed so it connects to the Redgate circle, once it's fixed.
• Before leaving for the Chosen Lands front, Amok proposed an exclusive contract to arm and armor the Imperial troops.  He wants it to be illegal to own or use those weapons unless the wielder is of House Chosen or Imperial.  Dred seemed to like the idea.  Details will need to be addressed once the immediate threat to Larder/Red Gate/Grave is resolved.
• The family that fled from Redgate Manor (the cook and his two daughters) to avoid the Zones of Truth were found slaughtered.  All items of any interest in the cabin from which they expected rescue were taken.  It was entirely empty.

Loose Ends

• Need to verify teleport circles in Karven to Braunt were deactivated.
• May want to insist on a review of Ashumenta's coded diary (Amok, oddly, wants no part of that.)
• Need to verify that Jontil's execution goes off with no escape, and no substitutions.  Braunt could make ill-use of a living Jontil.
• Need to insure Sontil cannot be resurrected, raised, or otherwise brought back.
• Need to verify that Seria's psych healing takes.
• Need to put Milan in contact with Ashumenta and the new miltary leader of Karven.
• Amok (or Alaron?) needs to close the loop with Dred on the weapons/armor contract.
• MJ needs to find out if Amok can create Frost Brands as well as Flame Tongues.  Also thinks Fire/Ice guard armor should be easy.  Check with Bear.  Later.
• We MUST find that gate to the Abyss.
• We should try to find and rescue the 17 year old Karven daughter.  Amok thought of Kylios, but we really need some sort of divinely inspired hunter for this.
• Amok needs to keep Dimensional Anchor memorized from now on.

Resources Expended

• Amok used 3 charges from Camryn (out of 10), 2 of Dertel's Teleport scrolls (CL30, 3 remaining), Wand Charges: Fireball (x2), Resilient Sphere (x2), Energy Resistance (x11), Magic Missile (x2), Burning Hands (x2), Web (x1)

Rewards

• House Chosen received an oath of vassalage from House Karven, it's lands, and now has 23 votes in the Landsradd.
• Our reputation likely took a huge step forward with the general populace of Correl and Karven due to our swift, nearly bloodless handling of the Crasus Belli.
• No items were acquired, unless Wyldum managed to keep some of his take despite Amok's efforts.
• We did not level for the first session since we started tracking in this way.
• Most importantly, we "Did Some GOOD!"

There's a lot I'm still missing here.  Please fill in details in comments below, or directly if you happen to be Bear. - MJ

Note: This page is owned by Bear and he can edit it freely.