The Bastards of Erebus - Session 3: Arael's Rescue

Dramatis Personae

Alizander - Human (Varisian) sorcerer
Carlos Santiago - Half-orc (Alkenstarian) wizard
Croso Galen - Human fighter
Orem "The Ser" Galt - Human (Chelish/Kellid) fighter (formerly in the service of Iomedae)
Slavé - Tiefling (appears human) rogue
Tavo - Human cleric of Pharasma
Vaeden Corleone - Human rogue

Moonday, 9 Rova, 4708 A.R.

The party mounts a daring rescue of Arael as he is being transported from Westcrown to Citadel Ravid, the impenetrable headquarters of the Hellknight Order of the Rack. After discussing the rescue with Janiven and the Returners, the party decides to make their ambush at a small stone bridge crossing the river Athua about 12 miles west of the city. Janiven takes four volunteers from the Returners – Sclavo, Ermolos, and Gorvio – to mount a mock ambush on the bluff several hundred yards west of the bridge in order to draw away as many Hellknights as possible from the prison wagon. Gorvio borrows horses from his uncle Jacovo back in the Adventurers’ Quarter, and the group heads out for the ambush point

Slavé accompanies Janiven and the other Returners, while the rest of the party lies in wait at the bridge, hidden behind boulders and the main bridge supports. Alizander casts a spell to appear as a Hellknight recruit and waits at the old campsite on the east side of the bridge. The prison wagon approaches, flanked by 13 Hellknight armigers. Nine of the armigers are on foot, four are mounted, and one drives the two horses pulling the wagon. Their leader, a Hellknight Signifier named Shanwen (according to Pontia Runario) stands at attention behind a large crossbow mounted atop the wagon. Alizander plays the part of an armiger from Citadel Ravid who has been guarding the bridge against bandits as a penance for bad behaviour and is invited to join the transport for the journey back to the citadel. As the wagon crosses the river, Janiven and Slavé begin their false ambush atop the bluff, and are successful in drawing away the mounted armigers. Janiven and the other Returners scatter caltrops across before the mounted armigers reach them and flee into the surrounding bush and scrubland. Slavé heads the opposite way and steers his horse back towards the Athua.

Meanwhile, the party hiding near the bridge makes its attack as the armigers begin to cross the bridge. Croso is the first to show himself, taunting the armigers. Shanwen order the armigers attack while the wagon moves forward. Orem attempts to trip the attacking armigers with a crude trip line set up between the bridge supports, and a fierce battle ensues between the party and the Hellknight recruits. Alizander finds himself in a bad spot at the back of the wagon and is beaten down by the armigers, but is eventually aided by Slavé, who comes back around the east side of the bridge and avoids the main combat. The party is eventually successful in bringing the recruits and Shanwen into submission, and using a key found on Shanwen they rescue Arael, the half-elf cleric of Iomedae, from the prison wagon. Arael is suspicious of the party’s motives at first, but after hearing about Janiven’s involvement is satisfied the party is not a group of lawless bandits. Slavé bids Arael join him on his horse for the ride back to Westcrown.

Treasure

Potion of Cure Light Wounds (5)

Prison carriage key

Heavy mace, with Hellknight stamp

Full plate, Hellknight style

Light crossbows (10), and 120 bolts

Longswords (10)

Experience Awards

Hellknight Armigers (10): 1350 xp

Shanwen (Hellknight Signifier): 200 xp

Story Award (rescuing Arael): 2000 xp

Total: 3650

Per PC (7): 520

Fame Point (rescuing Arael) - 1

Fame Point (not killing any Hellknights) - 1

Current XP Totals per PC (after session 3)

Alizander, Carlos, Corso, Orem, Tavo, Slavé, Vaeden (2215 xp each)

Nagiphax (1695 xp)