Session 5 Prep

Above Table

Anything above table that needs to be discussed before session.

Try to schedule two sessions ahead?
Session length/Frequency
How to help keep focus? More regular breaks (60min blocks with 5-10 min breaks baked in?)

Plot Points

List of Plot Points that might be involved, advanced, or branched from…

Review

Two or three paragraphs summarizing the events of the previous session. Be Succinct.

Last we left off… the 6 of you attempted to find your way through the Shadesorrow Forest with the enhanced ocular prowess of Jin. You eventually stumbled upon a clearing where an older woman was captured by a Hobgoblin individual wearing the attire of The Snatchers you’ve been following. The same Hobgoblin ran off after the young child that the elderly woman had been protecting, leaving two armoured members of The Snatchers alone.

Despite a rocky initial engagement by Jin - you managed to turn the tides of battle and slay these armoured combatants. You continued forwards from the battle and found yourself lost once again - a seemingly easy feat in this forest at this time of night. With a desperate call to The Bloom of Life - you found your way to a ruined structure with a small shack on the exterior. You rested your bones for the night; managing to remain undisturbed by the denizens of this place.

You continued North West from the ruins and found a familiar horse tied up outside a large and busy encampment. With some remote reconnaissance by Scabb - you determined this was The Snatchers’ headquarters and began to find a way inside. After 20 or so minutes, you each dashed into the now open cellar door and closed it behind you.

In dark, dusty cellar - you were caught off guard by the foreboding and imposing presence of the Leonin male in charge of The Snatchers. The man introduced himself as Drethos Longwood as he drew a large curved blade from over his shoulder.

Bridge

The initial event or situation to connect last session to this one.

And that’s where we’ll pick up from…

Re-Familiarize

Get them back into the world. Set the scene vividly and make it feel real.

You are all standing in the damp and musty cellar, those of you without Darkvision are relying on the little bit of light shining through the opening behind Drethos to see anything at all, as the silhouette of the Leonin figure looming in front of you comes into focus.

The cape draping from his shoulders falls to his side, revealing the dark leather armour protecting his body, as he points the Scimitar directly at Graxious.

DC16 Perception Check to see behind Drethos, reveals the little girl from prior day held captive with a knife at her throat.

“I must say; cub, your armour and declaration of faith the other day reminded me of my Sister-in-law. I thought it but a coincidence but seeing your eyes and self-important demeanour just now - that reminds me of my Brother.

You wouldn’t happen to know them, would you?”
- Drethos to Graxious

Premature Instigation

If party attempt to rush into battle, DC18 Athletics check to avoid Drethos’ parry.

“Don’t you know that it is rude to interrupt a family reunion… click

You would be wise to think carefully trying that again next time…”
- Drethos to the first attacker…

He’ll gesture over his shoulder to the captive girl.

Family Reunion

After it’s open knowledge that Drethos is Graxious’ Nephew.

“Well, hello there Nephew - what a funny coincidence that we meet here.

What brings you this far from Elysia - have you been searching for me or are you looking for something else?”
- Drethos to his Nephew

If Zertheous’ death is mentioned…

“He’s dead you say? What a shame… I was locked up for 3 decades and never got the chance to kill him myself.”

If Eriana’s Vow is mentioned without mention of Zertheous’ death

“So let me get this straight… Zertheous misses his precious blade but is so chicken he’s sent his Son to come find it instead?

HOW PATHETIC!”
- ?

Immediate Event

The immediate action for the Party to deal with.

A Test…

Drethos will soar upwards as the ladder to the ground floor is yanked up with him holding onto it.

A burly member of The Snatchers will jump down armed to fight in the basement. The Hobgoblin from before will also join in the fray - throwing the young girl to the side.

“If you truly are Zertheous’ son, you’ll find your way to me. I’ll be waiting.”
- Drethos’ command

Bugbear Chief

Hobgoblin

The Snatchers’ HQ

The ladder from earlier is left hanging just over the edge. A DC15 Acrobatics check is needed to grab it and pull it down for all to use.

Forwards

Possible paths forward - plan for a handful of scenarios based on related plot threads

The Big Fight

The party will be met by a crowd of The Snatchers with Zertheous standing in the middle wielding two blades - a long scimitar and a short sword.

“Maybe you’re more than a cub, Nephew.

If you and your friends can best me in combat, I’ll tell you the truth about Eriana’s Vow AND I’ll disband The Snatchers as well.”
- Drethos to Graxious and the party

Drethos Combos/Notes

START OF TURN, roll to regain action surge.
REMEMBER, parry as a reaction
4 D8 Superiority dice
Tactical Mind to add to failed ability checks
REMEMBER, Attack with Shortsword first to try and get Advantage on Scimitar attack.

Drethos Interjections

Turn 1

“That sword should have been mine… Even as children, Zertheous promised me he would give it to me if he was chosen. He said that for our entire lives, right up until the day where it chose him…

He was a hero for wielding it, whilst I was labelled an outlaw!”
- Drethos about Eriana’s Vow

Turn 2

“Elysia’s elders turned their backs on me - they all knew I was the stronger brother and yet they still sided with him…

The jokes’ on them though. He got sick and ”
- Drethos about his experience in Elysia

Turn 3

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you Nephew. You would’ve been so much stronger had I taught you instead of that washed up kitten of a father.”

Penultimate Turn

“Goddamn it. I’ve made my bed and I’ll sleep in it - but maybe I can save some of them from this fate. Snatchers, my final order is this:

Leave this place and find work elsewhere. I led a life of crime and look where it got me - an early grave at the hands of my Nephew. Each of you, turn over the new leaf that I wasn’t strong enough to and there could be a happy ending for you still.”
- ? Many of The Snatchers will begin to exit out the gates in a panic.

Death

“Graxious, is it? Please come close to hear another dying man’s wish.

The truth about Eriana’s Vow is… I lost the sword shortly after I took it from your Father - I crossed the border into Terick and was quickly captured by the guards.

A man named Douglas Beck collected it from the Guards before I was locked up. I haven’t managed to learn much about him other than that he has business in Roan and Zenytha.

One more thing… Be careful, Nephew. I have a feeling that something larger is happening behind all of this. I spent 30 years searching for a way out of that prison - if one existed by accident, I would’ve found it much sooner.

Someone; close to the Crown, wanted us to escape. I’m sure of it.” Drethos will fall unconscious after this and pass into the next life.

Freeing The Captives

The Snatchers’ HQ is now empty aside from themselves and the captives in 5 different cells.

Captives

Cell 1

Rootkeeper Drahn
- She is worried about Young girl (unconscious in basement)
Declin Bellum
- He seems to be paying attention to Lady mostly.

Cell 2

The only cell where the bars are covered in a shade cloth, looks like they tried to make a cell for bad captives.

Amon Romellet
- He has a bruised eye and is asleep currently.
Evony Julio
- She is cuddling up to Amon Romellet, but as soon as she hears people approach she pulls away. DC17 Perception to notice, ASIDE

Cell 3

Cell 4

Cell 5

4 unconscious men wearing attire of The Rouge.