PLTSMR - The Story So Far
Summary
Section titled “Summary”Unassuming Origins
Section titled “Unassuming Origins”Session 0-2
On the 2nd of Vaelorn 920 PD, seven adventurers arrived in the small town of Rookwell to offer the town help in repelling a group of Raiders who had suddenly made repeated incursions over the past several weeks. The town was seemingly defenceless and the Vaena Kingdom; distracted by the multi-decade war against the Orsanae people to the East, was refusing to provide assistance to Town Sheriff Gavyen Theos. Rookwell was struggling to stay afloat as more-and-more townsfolk were taken by these Raiders.
On this unassuming day - as some of the adventurers had begun to associate with each other - the Raider group known as The Snatchers returned and began to ransack the town, snatching a handful of the remaining townsfolk. The 7 adventurers repelled the incursion alongside a heroic group known as “Bellum’s Bell-Ends” before tending to the damage and losses. Gavyen Theos tasked these 7 adventurers to protect the town whilst the Bellum’s Bell-Ends chased after The Snatchers.
The following morning came with terrible news - Bellum’s Bell-Ends had been ambushed by The Snatchers with only a single member escaping. A distraught Gavyen Theos plead with the 7 adventurers to do whatever they could to save the townsfolk and resonated with Aurevald; a Male Goliath who seemed to have personal issues with slavery, offered their services for free. The 7 wannabe heroes made their final preparations and headed North towards Forest’s Edge; a lawless settlement that has a tenuous relationship with Vaena Kingdom.
The Road North
Section titled “The Road North”Session 2-3
The road North carried with them peril, confusion, and companionship as the newly formed adventuring party fended off displaced Wolves, rescued a seemingly amnesic woman from the side of the road; with one of the party returning to Rookwell to ensure her safety, and bonded over their expectations for the mission that was thrust upon them.
Forest’s Edge proved unique to them as they sought the advice of the locals and learned that The Snatchers had thrown off the power balance between the two longstanding criminal organisations within the settlement; The Homestead & The Rouge. A commotion broke out in the town as The Snatchers reared their heads once again - with their leader; a Leonin male with a striking resemblance to party member Graxious Longwood III, acknowledging the efforts of the heroes for following them this far. The 6 heroes were challenged to follow them into the Shadesorrow Forest to the North West. Impressed by their combat abilities, The Homestead struck a deal with the adventurers in order for the safe return of their leader; Carmen Flint, and 4 generals of The Rouge.
Sessions 3-5
The wannabe heroes continued on their path North and traversed the Shadesorrow Forest - a place suffused with darkness such that it appeared to be night time during the day and even darker still during the night - as they stumbled upon an Owlbear den, castle ruins, as well as more Snatchers along their way. The next morning would bring them to the outside of The Snatchers’ apparent hideout where Scabb; a summon of Aurevald, would enable them to find their way into the basement of the hideout.
Unfortunately for the wannabe heroes; Scabb was noticed by The Snatchers and led them all into a trap where The Snatchers’ leader ambushed them in the basement. He confirmed the suspicions that he was Graxious’ uncle; Drethos Longwood, and challenged them to best him in combat - where should they win, he would disband The Snatchers and free their captives.
Heroes In the Making
Section titled “Heroes In the Making”Sessions 5-6
Despite the drastic difference in themselves and their foe in terms of combat prowess - the 6 adventurers worked together to overcome the sheer force that was Drethos Longwood. The wannabe heroes earnt their titles on this day and began to forge a legacy that none of them had expected to lead only days ago. After a drawn out battle, Drethos disbanded The Snatchers & surrendered with one final show of his martial prowess - conveying some information to Graxious before passing.
The 6 heroes freed the captives & rested a night in the hideout before making the journey home; assisted this time by a magical stone, through the Shadesorrow Forest and back towards Forest’s Edge. They collected their rewards and rested another night before returning to Rookwell - where they were greeted and applauded as heroes of the town.
Amongst the celebrations, the party decided to call themselves The Fated Eight and headed North towards the City of Roan on horseback.
Session 6-7
The Fated Eight awoke to news from the Vaena Kingdom that Prince Kendran Vaena had been killed by assassins from Orsana - the desert nation to the East of Otheria - leaving King Terick II heirless on the throne. They heard some people around town expressing a desire for Dannick Vaena to take over as King but Morgyn seemed to disagree with this notion.
Morgyn’s business in Roan alongside regrouping with Axton drove the party North towards the religious city and former capital of Terick. Travelling on horseback - a man named Magico invited them enjoy a travelling circus that was setting up roadside. The party took notice of a group of mysterious patrons at the circus but paid no mind to them.
Following the circus - they continued North before setting up camp. During night - Lady barely dodged an attack from an assailant before the party realised that they were being ambushed by the mysterious patrons from earlier. They seemed focused on Lady and were reporting on her abilities. The assailants were no match for The Fated Eight but their appearance sent a spook throughout the party.
The City Of Roan
Section titled “The City Of Roan”Session 7
The party arrived at the city of Roan on the 12th of Vaelorn, 920 PD. They were offered tour guide services and a map my a man named Thomas Urgide* who informed them of the city’s history and showed them some key locations to visit. They had also noticed rallies of people chanting in support of Dannick Vaena as King - none of them at the time had become disorderly.
It was at the Roan Chapel that they met up with Axton - their Tiefling acquaintance from earlier - at the bedside of the amnesic Halfling woman they’d found on the roadside. Graxious and SHAI offered to swap places with Axton - granting him a reprieve to visit other places in the city himself.
The party continued around the city and heard cries from the town centre - where they saw multiple drunkards attacking a member of the Civil Corps. During the ensuing encounter - The Fated Eight swiftly dealt with the drunkards and began tending to the guard who had been attacked.
Betrayal
Section titled “Betrayal”Session 7
The attention of everyone in the area was captured by a sudden, sharp cry that pierced through the air. Lady Snowblood had been impaled by blade help by Thomas Urgide*. He doffed his cloak and revealed his true, unaltered image before disappearing with a click of his fingers. The rest of The Fated Eight were helpless but to watch Lady succumb to the poison in her system as she faded from this world into the next.