Session 019

A Clash with Dagult and Lamoira

The session starts with the party fighting Dagult and Lamoira in an underground chamber underneath a bar known as The Broom and the Bean.

Early in the fight, Fill lands a critical strike onto Lamoira dealing significant damage to her. Dagult manages to persuade Salvador before turning invisible and hiding in the back of the room.

The party continue chipping away at Lamoira before Leodel uses Detect Magic to find the location of Dagult. Dagult re-appears in the middle of all of them; attempting to knock them all away with his Cacophany ability. However the party resist the force of the impact and Dagult is brought within an inch of his life by Alberic. The party notice Dagult beginning to act very scared and shouting at an unidentified source.

Despite a sneak-attack by Lamoira that knocks Mike unconscious - Mike is healed and then able to land a killing blow on Dagult. The Barbarian slices the criminal’s neck and kicks him in the chest - sending him to the ground.

Those of the party who are focused on Lamoira notice her fall to the ground - the light returning to her eyes as Dagult was slain. Meanwhile; those around Dagult’s body see a dark cloud begin to form above his now limp body.

Dagult’s Dark Deals

The dark cloud continues to build until it explodes with a force that push Mike and Salvador backwards. The cloud begins to release tendrils that form into fingers; it’s form beginning to resemble a lithe claw made of shadow. The claw rushes at Dagult’s body and passes through it before disappearing.

Fill investigates Dagult’s corpse, finding 50 gold and a plane transport rod made of gold, as well as noticing that while his body was not wounded by the claw impact - Dagult’s eyes had been left completely white and his mouth was not present on his face. Fill deduces that this was likely the adverse affect of working with a Hag.

Uganda Pickles; unhappy that Fill beat him to the loot again, manages to steal 9 gold from Fill’s pocket without drawing the attention of the Cleric.

At the same time; Mike Hawk recognises the claw that struck Dagult and recalls a memory he’d long forgotten.

”You remember a specific day from your youth - you were in a dank and damp chamber that once used to be a prison room you were told. A tall lithe lady wearing white robes appears and instructs you to open the door for your guests. You rush to the door and see a human man enter - wearing brown robes and darker jacket. He’s well-dressed but not anything overly luxurious. He introduces himself as Dagult and states that he wishes to make a deal… The memory starts to fade but before it goes you hear ‘it shall be known as The Ruining - and you, the Lord Protector.‘”

- Mike’s Flashback, as narrated

During all this, Leodel is speaking with Lamoira; who is currently coming to terms with the situation and seems despaired by the circumstances she’s now in but relieved to be free from Dagult’s control. Leodel heals her and she thanks him - the two talk while the party begin to arrange their next moves.

Returning to the Royals

Fill speaks to Erolith via the Wyng communicator he was given, being told they’ll be there in about 20 minutes. Mike takes the time to discuss the vision he just had in relation to the others he had confided in Fill before. Fill advises that they should wait to see who they can trust before investigating any further.

Erolith arrives with two Jaeger Corps guard and the party are escorted to the High Court via the side-streets. They are taken to a dining room - with Queen Cucumber Pickles sitting at the head and 8 unoccupied seats; 6 for The Bussy Knights and 2 for Erolith and Kellam.

Uganda is greeted very lovingly by his Mother who is visibly happier now that her Son is safe. A feast is served to celebrate their safe return.

Kellam speaks up halfway through the dinner announcing that the Phandalin election will have to be held at a later date - as Amylthas needs to focus on recovery following the civil unrest caused by Pickles’ disappearance. He also says that; at the moment, no candidates are going ahead for the position.

”Halia Thorton has been killed. Lügan Poole has resigned due to fears for his life and Vok Hashtor says he really doesn’t want it either. Andel Yon was a strong candidate but he claims to have business in Neverwinter now.”

- Kellam Oladi

Family Revelations Pt I

At that moment, Andel Yon walks in. He acknowledges he has interrupted the celebrations but says it is for a good cause.

With a sombre face, he looks at Leodel as his form begins to shift and change from a pale man with dark mid-length hair to a more olive skinned man with short grey hair. Leodel recognises the man as Ander Praze; his adoptive father.

Ander is very clearly heartbroken by both the loss of his childhood friend/partial lover Halia, relieved to be free from the clutches of Dagult, and guilty for abandoning Leodel over two years ago.

Ander apologizes to Leodel for his sudden disappearance and begins to explain what caused it.

”I challenged Dagult thinking he was an honest man and it turns out I’m the old fool. I thought he had just become drunk with power after he started calling himself ‘Lord Protector’, I realise now it was him who started The Ruining and this was his plan from the very beginning.”

- Ander Praze to the dining room

Mike; hearing the phrases The Ruining and Lord Protector for the second time in three or so hours, attempts to get some further information but isn’t sure if he can trust Ander so he leaves out some of the details.

Before leaving the room; Ander asks Leodel to come see him in his chambers before he departs for Neverwinter - so they can talk about everything and reconnect.

Rewards for Good Deeds

Following Ander’s reveal, Queen Cucumber Pickles announces it’s time to settle up her end of the transaction she made with The Bussy Knights.

She claps and out comes two elven men in button up shirts and black vests carrying a small chest. The chest is opened on the table and the party can estimate about 1200 gold is within it.

The party awarded the gold and a single bag of gems worth another 200 gold to be split between them. The celebrations continue after the party manage their finances.

Family Revelations Pt II

Shortly after receiving the reward; Mike decides to ask the Queen directly about his adoptive father - Dixon Normus.

The Queen doesn’t recognise the name and asks Mike to elaborate further with a description. Mike says he was a broad shouldered man with navy blue hair that was greying at the roots - a small look of recognition comes across the Queens face.

Mike explains the visions he has seen of the Queen, Dixon; wearing the same attire that Kellam now wears as Captain of the Royal Guard, and himself as a child and is confused by the implications of that. After a painting of Valden Barros is shown to Mike; to which the latter states the painting depicts a younger version of his adoptive father, the Queen demands that everyone except Kellam, Erolith, Uganda, Mike, and Herself leave the room at once. Shortly after the doors are locked - Haestus Pickles is summoned to the chambers.

”I must apologise; it’s been over 100 years since I last laid eyes on you. When our Mother died; I was put in a predicament as I was the closer of the two of us to producing an heir - because I was pregnant with you. Valden was my personal guard at the time and I fell in love with him. It’s forbidden for the Royal Guard to, in any way, compromise their mission of protection - and I didn’t give him any choice but to do that. We both knew we did not have the luxury of being honest with the world about you so we devised a plan to hide you in plain sight.”

- Cucumber Pickles to Mike Hawk

The Queen bawls her eyes out as she admits to having planted the rumour that Haestus was infertile to ensure her succession. She turns to Uganda and apologises for hiding the fact he had a half-brother from him for so long. The Queen breaks down in tears after getting the truth out.

Uganda and Haestus are livid with the revelations while Mike is shocked to hear he is the Queen’s eldest born son, and that Dixon Normus was his real father the entire time.

Uganda attempts to storm out of the room but is caught by Erolith who tries to apologise to Uganda for not telling him sooner and Kellam attempts to cast Calm Emotions on the half-elf. The magic fizzles as Uganda is far too enraged in the moment. Bothered by the tantrum of his nephew and casts Zone of Silence to allow everyone else to speak at a reasonable volume.

Mike says that Dixon has kept coming back; although undead each time, and that his memories before even recently are spotty at best. The Queen embraces Mike with a hug and refers to him as Aster - however the revelations have triggered something in Mike’s mind and another vision takes over his consciousness.

”You are floating above the Throne Room in the Castle. You see a younger Cucumber Pickles sitting on the Throne and the man you now know as Valden standing to the right of her - with a baby; not even 6 months old, with a small patch of navy blue hair in a cradle next to him.

You see three figures enter the room from the front entrance; as you notice Midnight; the leader of The Sisters of The Wight, and two smaller grey figures flanking her.

The tall woman shouts ‘We’ve come for the Royal Blood!’” as she extends her hand and projects a shadowy claw towards the Queen. Valden unsheathes a sword you recognise as the sword you now wield - Inheritance - and deflects the claw back at the woman.

Valden is locked in a struggle with the tall woman while the other two figures dash towards the cradle - slashing the eye of Cucumber in the process. Easily overpowering her; the figure you now recognise as Morrow grabs the baby from the cradle and dashes off. You hear an audible groan as your vision turns to see a shadowy claw through the heart of Valden before releasing him. The woman instructs Valden to kill Queen Cucumber Pickles as Valden; now lightless in the eyes, rushes forwards in a frenzied rage. The visions fades suddenly but you get a sense you didn’t see everything in that vision.”

- Mike’s vision of the past, as narrated

Mike’s consciousness returns to the present moment and he returns the hug his Mother is giving him. The two speak about Valden’s fate and Cucumber shares that Valden was turned against her the last time she laid eyes on Mike. She explains that Kellam is the only reason she is even alive today after what happened. She asks Mike if he minds if she calls him Aster; the name they both chose for him, but he pushes back - insisting that he is Mike Hawk. The Queen accepts this and doesn’t push the agenda any further.

Haestus blows up; claiming that the entire situation is a shitshow and that he has been hurt the most out of all of this. Kellam defends the Queen’s claim and station as he can see she is too emotionally exhausted to deal with her brother’s trantrum as well.

Uganda; still unaware he’s in the Zone of Silence, is comforted by his Mother before the entire room begin to talk about the implications of the realization. Cucumber asks Mike if he has any interest in a claim to the throne; seeing as his is the eldest son of the current Monarch. Mike is too shocked to really process an answer to this question before Haestus speaks up.

”Even if he wanted to succeed the throne - he cannot. This city barely accepts your younger bastard as heir apparent and they haven’t had his existence hidden from them for over a century. They won’t accept a heir who was born out of wedlock and covered up with a blanket of lies.

We have been telling a lie for over a century - as a Monarchy, as a… Family - now we will have to live it.”

- Haestus to the entire room

Kellam begrudgingly agrees with Haestus - advising the Queen that despite Mike being the technical legitimate heir due to being older - neither of them are truly legitimate due to being born out of wedlock. He believes that they should focus on maintaining stability in the cities instead.

The room comes to a consensus that Uganda will continue as the public heir to Amylthas and Mike’s existence and true identity will have to remain a secret for the rest of their lives.

Uganda and Mike are encouraged by their mother to continue adventuring while she is good health and has many years ahead of her. The meeting is adjourned and the entirety of The Bussy Knights are escorted to the Palace - of which each member has their own very well furnished room for the night.

Leodel attempts to speak to Ander before heading to bed but is unable to open the door; presumably because he is asleep. He returns to the other party members and there is a clear tension between Mike and Uganda. Leodel probes for what was discussed in the dining room; sensing that Fill has a decent idea. There is some politicking before Mike bluntly states that Uganda is his half-brother and that his adoptive father is actually his real father.

The sessions closes with the party going to sleep for the night after a very eventful few days.