Session 24 - 4 May 2025

Location: Belendar - Underground Tavern Hideout, Palace Ramparts
Date In-Game: Day 2 of Grand Tournament (evening, approximately 6:00 PM onwards)

Key Events

Tavern Siege Defence

Party awakened in underground hideout after Session 23 resurrection:

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian holding front door, injured with stab wound
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner unconscious with no vital signs
Side door breached - attackers in orange/blue colours (Ser Alvar Flowers's forces)
Avicia present in hideout with squires and soldiers

Combat - Underground Tavern:

ToooAh killed two attackers immediately (Dart of Feathers + staff strike, Flurry of Blows)
Ser Tessell Highfrost used Spirit Guardians (15ft radius, 3D8 radiant damage)
Elvva Beltavar killed leader with Hex curse - ethereal green hand strangled him
Lady Odonia of Galantri provided covering fire from upper level
More enemies breached through back door
ToooAh took 22 points damage from multiple hits but party held position

Royal Family Revelation

Patriarch Siegfried Wildner (before palace mission) revealed critical information:

White Falcon Knight is Elincia Flowers - mother of bastard children
Ser Alvar Flowers and Gwendolyn Lightfoot are the bastard twins
Avicia is confirmed as the lost royal child who "died" at sea
She is legitimate heir to throne (daughter of second son who died with wife Verona)
Avicia's memories were wiped when transformed into doll as protection
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner swore party to secrecy about Avicia's identity
Avicia herself only just learned her true identity in this moment

Journey to the Palace

Party travelled through war-torn Belendar:

Streets filled with fighting between city guards and hooded figures
Bodies of civilians and soldiers throughout
Flames and embers across multiple districts
Journey took 45 minutes to one hour
Successfully navigated via stealth through back alleys (group stealth check - highest roll 22)

Palace Approach

Arrived at palace square to find:

~150 metres between city shield wall and palace bridge
Approximately 700 enemy troops engaged in combat
Shield wall of city soldiers blocking bridge to palace
Additional force arrived: 400-500 fresh troops led by Black Knight on warhorse with war hammer
Party retreated to find alternate route

River Infiltration

Commandeered fishing boat to approach palace from rear:

Rowed across river successfully (stealth maintained)
Climbed palace walls using rope (party struggled with stealth checks)
ToooAh flew up with rope end
Guards initially hostile but convinced party was there to help

Palace Rampart Defence

Arrived at front ramparts to find:

10 mages on each wall maintaining lightning barrier between ramparts
Four Siege Wyverns attacking (transformed from soldiers like previous battle)
Enemy forces approaching with ladders to scale walls
General Thailander commanding defence, recognised Lady Odonia of Galantri from previous wyvern kill
Ordered party to eliminate wyverns again

Combat - Palace Ramparts:

Ser Tessell Highfrost cast Sacred Flame on approaching hooded figures, rallied 20 archers
Combined archery fire killed approximately 55 enemies approaching with ladders
Black Knight pointed at Ser Tessell Highfrost, directing wyvern to attack his position
Elvva Beltavar cast Chromatic Orb (96 damage total with Lady Odonia of Galantri's arrows)
ToooAh dealt final blow with Scorching Ray (enhanced by green glow)
First wyvern destroyed - exploded sending gore across ramparts
Soldiers gave ragged cheer
Two more wyverns approaching party's position

NPCs Encountered

Active This Session

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Held tavern door despite injuries, stab wound in side
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner - Unconscious with no vital signs after Session 23 sacrifice, revealed Avicia's identity before palace mission
Avicia - Royal heir revealed, daughter of second son, transformed into doll for protection, memories returning
General Thailander Oakwood - Commanding palace defence, recognised Lady Odonia of Galantri, ordered party to kill wyverns
Black Knight (unnamed) - Leading enemy forces on warhorse with war hammer, directed wyvern at Ser Tessell Highfrost
Palace Guards - Initially suspicious of party climbing walls, convinced to allow entry
City Soldiers - Defending ramparts, rallied by Ser Tessell Highfrost, approximately 20 archers joined attack

Mentioned/Revealed

Elincia Flowers - True identity of White Falcon Knight, mother of Ser Alvar Flowers and Gwendolyn Lightfoot
Gwendolyn Lightfoot - Ser Alvar Flowers's twin sister, bastard daughter of first son
Gaelin - Name of first son who fathered the bastards
Verona - Wife of second son, died at sea with husband (officially)
High King Everglade - His brother was original heir but died along with brother's child

Status Unknown

Ser Silvar's Maître d' - Left unconscious at tavern hideout
Lady Odonia of Galantri's squires and other party attendants

Locations Visited

Belendar - Underground Tavern Hideout - Bane Watchers safehouse, under siege
Belendar - City Streets - War-torn, bodies throughout, multiple fires
Belendar - Palace Square - Main thoroughfare with statue of first king, shops, bridge approach
Belendar - Palace Bridge - Long walkway over river, flanked by walls, shield wall defending
Belendar - Palace Walls - Climbed via rope from river approach
Belendar - Palace Ramparts - Front defensive positions with mages maintaining lightning barrier

Quest Updates

Active Quests Updated

Defend Palace - Status: Active (CRITICAL)
- Four siege wyverns attacking (one destroyed)
- Black Knight leading ~500 fresh troops
- Lightning barrier holding but under pressure
- Enemy forces attempting to scale walls with ladders
Identify Avicia's True Identity - Status: COMPLETED
- Confirmed as lost royal child, legitimate heir
- Daughter of second son who died at sea
- Transformed into doll for protection
- Only party and Patriarch Siegfried Wildner know truth
- Party sworn to secrecy
Eagle vs Falcon Faction War - Status: Escalating (Palace Under Siege)
- Orange/blue mercenaries (Falcon faction) attacking throughout city
- Black Knight leading coordinated assault on palace
- City divided between factions
- Civil war fully erupted
Investigate Royal Family Line - Status: Major Developments
- Quest File: Quests - Mysteries#Avicia's True Identity
- White Falcon Knight is Elincia Flowers - mother of bastard children
- Ser Alvar Flowers and Yavanna Lightwhisper are the bastard twins
- Original heir (king's brother) died along with his child
- Second son and wife Verona officially died at sea
- Avicia is rightful heir as second son's daughter

New Information

Four Black Knights exist - One leading current assault, transformed soldiers into wyverns
Lightning Barrier Spell - Requires 10+ mages concentrating together, blocks wyverns temporarily
Palace Defence Strategy - General Thailander coordinating, recognises party's wyvern-killing capability
Avicia's Protection - Left with Patriarch Siegfried Wildner and Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian at tavern hideout
City-Wide Combat - Fighting throughout Belendar, guards vs hooded figures

Combat Encounters

Tavern Hideout Defence

Participants: ToooAh, Ser Tessell Highfrost, Elvva Beltavar, Lady Odonia of Galantri, Elik'r Stormswallow

Enemies: Multiple hooded attackers in orange/blue colours, one heavily armoured leader

Key Moments:

ToooAh killed two enemies in opening round (Dart of Feathers + staff strike, Flurry of Blows finishing second)
Ser Tessell Highfrost activated Spirit Guardians (15ft radius, 3D8 radiant) - multiple enemies died entering aura
Elvva Beltavar used Hex with killing blow - ethereal green hand strangled leader
Green wisp emerged from body briefly (observed by Ser Tessell Highfrost)
ToooAh surrounded by three enemies, took 22 damage from multiple hits but survived
Large barrel blocking attempt failed - barrel immovable/attached
More enemies continuing to breach through back door

Casualties:

Multiple attackers killed by party
ToooAh injured (22 damage taken)
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian holding door position injured

Palace Ramparts Defence

Participants: Full party vs Siege Wyverns and hooded forces

Enemies:

Four Siege Wyverns (transformed soldiers)
~700 hooded troops
Additional 400-500 reinforcements with Black Knight leader
Forces carrying ladders to scale walls

Key Moments:

Ser Tessell Highfrost rallied 20 archers with dramatic speech: "It is your God's duty to show you mercy, but it is mine to send you to him"
Ser Tessell Highfrost's cape caught fire during Sacred Flame casting
Combined archery killed ~55 ladder-carrying enemies
Black Knight pointed at Ser Tessell Highfrost, directing wyvern attack
Elvva Beltavar's Chromatic Orb + Lady Odonia of Galantri's arrows dealt 96 damage to wyvern
ToooAh's Scorching Ray (enhanced by mysterious green glow) destroyed first wyvern
Wyvern exploded, covering area in gore

Current Situation:

One wyvern destroyed
Two more wyverns advancing on party position
One wyvern still attacking lightning barrier
Enemy reinforcements arriving
Party exposed on ramparts

Character Status

Injuries & Conditions

ToooAh:

Took 22 points damage from multiple hits in tavern
Current condition: Bloodied but functional
Flying capability maintained

Ser Tessell Highfrost:

Cape caught fire during spell casting
Healed self with Cure Wounds (8 HP restored at 2nd level)
Spirit Guardians active (concentration)
Maintaining position on ramparts

Elvva Beltavar:

Resurrected from death in Session 23
Condition stable after resurrection
Hex curse active on enemies
Must take Warlock level at next opportunity (DM specified)

Elik'r Stormswallow:

Psychological trauma from Session 23 (own voice repeating "It's your fault")
Participated in combat but quieter than usual
Current physical condition: Functional

Lady Odonia of Galantri:

Providing ranged support effectively
No significant injuries reported
Infinite Radiant Bow performing well

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian:

Stab wound in side (from earlier)
Holding tavern door position
Not accompanying party to palace
Exhausted from prolonged defence

Patriarch Siegfried Wildner:

Unconscious with no vital signs
Left at tavern hideout
Fate uncertain after Session 23 sacrifice

Avicia:

Just learned true identity as royal heir
Overwhelmed emotionally ("mouth agape, eyes wide")
Left protected at tavern with Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian and Patriarch Siegfried Wildner
Potentially "the vessel" from Bane vision

Loot & Rewards

Level 6 - All party members (from end of Session 23)
No new equipment acquired this session
Elvva Beltavar must take Warlock level 2 (specified by DM)

Memorable Moments

Session 24 - ToooAh - Opened session by immediately killing two enemies in first round: landed on attacker with staff strike caving in helmet, followed by Flurry of Blows neck-snapping second enemy. Session 24 kill count: Impressive.

Session 24 - Elvva Beltavar - Cast Hex curse with dramatic kill - ethereal green hand appeared, strangled heavily-armoured leader, body crumpled as green wisp briefly emerged (observed by Ser Tessell Highfrost).

Session 24 - Ser Tessell Highfrost - Attempted to move massive barrel to block door, completely failed. Later set own cape on fire while casting Sacred Flame. Rallied 20 archers with dramatic speech: "It is your God's duty to show you mercy, but it is mine to send you to him."

Session 24 - Patriarch Siegfried Wildner - Revealed Avicia's true identity as royal heir to entire party, swore them to secrecy. Avicia discovered her own identity in this moment - "mouth agape, eyes wide."

Session 24 - Party (Planning) - Extended debate about how to reach palace: considered horse charges, flying, darkness spells, and flipping tables before settling on "just take a boat."

Session 24 - ToooAh - Scorching Ray spell enhanced by mysterious green glow (similar to Bane influence?), destroyed siege wyvern in spectacular explosion of gore covering ramparts.

Session 24 - Lady Odonia of Galantri & Ser Tessell Highfrost - Guards demanded explanation for climbing palace walls. ToooAh immediately responded "King's business" prompting guard reply: "The king's dead" creating awkward situation requiring Ser Tessell Highfrost to recover with explanation.

Session 24 - The Party - Successfully infiltrated palace via river boat while major battle raged at front gate. Stealth rolls ranged from 12 to 22 but group succeeded in avoiding detection.

Next Session

Cliffhanger

Three siege wyverns still active (two approaching party position, one at barrier)
Black Knight commanding ~500 fresh troops below
Ser Tessell Highfrost specifically targeted by Black Knight
Party exposed on ramparts with wyvern advancing
Lightning barrier under increasing strain
Enemy forces attempting to scale walls with ladders
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner fate unknown at tavern
Avicia's safety uncertain - potential "vessel" target
Civil war raging throughout Belendar

To Investigate

Patriarch Siegfried Wildner's condition - can he be saved?
Avicia's safety at tavern hideout - is she truly "the vessel"?
Green glow enhancement on ToooAh's spell - Bane influence or other power?
Black Knight's identity - one of four Black Knights, connection to Thalas?
Elincia Flowers/White Falcon's current location and plans
Ser Alvar Flowers and Gwendolyn Lightfoot's locations during assault
Who commands overall Falcon faction assault on palace?
Can party turn tide of palace defence?
What happened to second son and wife Verona "at sea"?
Avicia's remaining memories - what else might she remember?

NPCs to Follow Up

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Holding tavern, injured, protecting Avicia
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner - Unconscious, fate critical
Avicia - Royal heir, potentially "the vessel," in danger
General Thailander Oakwood - Commanding palace defence
Black Knight (unnamed) - Leading assault, targeting Ser Tessell Highfrost
Elincia Flowers - White Falcon Knight, mother of conspirators
Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade - Location unknown during palace siege
Ser Alvar Flowers & Gwendolyn Lightfoot - Bastard twins, whereabouts unknown

Immediate Concerns

Destroy remaining three wyverns before they breach lightning barrier
Survive Black Knight's focused assault on party position
Prevent enemy forces scaling walls with ladders
Maintain lightning barrier - if mages lose concentration, palace breached
Protect Avicia at tavern - she may be primary target as "vessel"
Monitor Ser Tessell Highfrost's safety - specifically targeted by Black Knight
Assess Patriarch Siegfried Wildner's condition when/if able to return
Coordinate with General Thailander on defence strategy
Prevent Green glow/Bane influence from affecting party members further

DM Notes

Royal Family Tree (Revealed)

High King Everglade's Brother (deceased) → Child (deceased)
    ↓
High King Everglade
    ↓
├─ First Son: Gaelin (deceased)
│   └─ with Elincia Flowers → Ser Alvar Flowers & Gwendolyn Lightfoot (bastards)
│
└─ Second Son (deceased, "at sea")
    └─ with Verona (deceased, "at sea") → **Avicia** (RIGHTFUL HEIR)
        └─ Current Crown Princess (granddaughter of High King)

Critical Information Management

Only party + Patriarch Siegfried Wildner know Avicia's identity
Avicia herself just learned truth
Party sworn to secrecy (no penalty specified)
If revealed, would completely reshape succession crisis
Avicia potentially "the vessel" from Bane visions - double significance

Combat Scaling

Four siege wyverns = significant escalation from previous single wyvern
Black Knight leader suggests coordinated magical transformation
Lightning barrier creative solution showing mage capabilities
Party handling wyvern kills well - first destroyed in ~2 rounds
Concern: Three more wyverns + Black Knight + ~500 troops = overwhelming force

Green Glow Mystery

Appeared on Elvva Beltavar's Hex kill in tavern (green wisp from body)
Appeared enhancing ToooAh's Scorching Ray on ramparts
Similar to Bane's green colouration but assisting party?
May relate to Session 23 Bane encounter/resurrection
Bears monitoring - could be corruption or unexpected benefit

Timeline Pressure

Palace under active siege - time-sensitive
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner unconscious/dying
Avicia exposed at tavern location
No rest opportunities during active combat
Party resources depleting (spell slots, HP)

Session Pacing

First ~90 minutes: Tavern combat, family tree revelation, planning
Middle hour: Journey through city, palace infiltration
Final 45 minutes: Rampart combat, wyvern kill
Good balance of roleplay, revelation, and combat
Cliffhanger well-positioned for next session's action