Cycle of Millennia 2021 Session 18: Entrapment
Here is week 18 of my 2021 Dungeons and Dragons Campaign Cycle of Millennia. Lets go over session 18 : Entrapment.
Don’t forget that this campaign has been ongoing for over three years. There is a lot of story to cover and I’m writing a book series to document it all. I am adapting this adventure into a book series. The first three are on Amazon.
!!!Trigger Warnings Abound!!!
This campaign takes place in an incredibly unpleasant setting. The party has dealt with Human Traffickers, Sex Slavery, Child Sacrifice, The Apocalypse, Genocide, Wicked Cults, and other related topics.
There is a God of Madness that is fond of causing auditory and visual hallucinations, makes use of psychic gaslighting, commands the literal legions of hell, and all around causes untold suffering in the setting.
Essentially, nothing is off the table in this campaign. If the above ideas are not ones you want to think about, I do not think this blog series is for you. That is not a problem and does not indicate any failings on your part. I am a storyteller that does not shy away from the darkest topics. It would be horrible for me to not warn my audiences of this in advance.
!!!Final Trigger Warning. Past this point there be dark topics!!!
Grez and Velkora traveled with Rose to Innovia City. She finally fulfilled her deal with them since they had killed the Nihilinn Cultist. Not they wouldn’t have done that on their own since he was killing infants and protected the traitor Death Knights simply by existing.
Rose warned Grez and Velkora not to cause violence while here. The Charice Faithful had countermeasures if they did. The Monk had already experienced their obnoxious magic. It didn’t matter how strong of a fighter he was against an enemy that made him unable to fight.
Velkora mused with the others about how Nihilinn’s minions could even infiltrate the city given that power. Rose reminded her that not all of the God of Death’s servants had met their demise. The living served the dead after all.
Into Innovia City:
The mysterious guards at the door asked them why they visited the city, but when they saw Rose leading the other two, they let all three pass. None of them could figure out why a city known for no military suddenly had one running around.
The entrance to the Innovian Capital was impressive to say the least. Fountains lined the entrance and healthy grass grew as if in direct defiance to Nihilinn. However, the three saw that Rose’s warning rang true. She had informed Velkora and Grez that the Charice Faithful made use of their patron Goddess statues to keep order. But to have one not even 20 feet inside the city? That was crazy.
Things only got crazier from there though. Right past the Charice Faithful who thankfully ignored the group, more of the soldiers stood at wait. And one among them dressed differently. As soon as the three got nearby, he spoke all three of their names as if it was common sense. This put all of them on guard but Rose reminded them that violence wouldn’t work in this city.
Moshe:
Admitting that knowing their names without introducing himself was rude, the stranger gave his own name: Moshe. Velkora and Grez looked to Rose for an answer. She didn’t know who this was. A fact that surprised him. Apparently his a big deal in the capital. In case having a bunch of guards nearby didn’t give that away.
He instructed the three that they were expected and that he wanted to talk to him at his estate. None of them liked this turn of events. But they decided to follow. None were sure what would happen if they tried to disagree or even leave.
As it turned out, Moshe lived on a large tract of land within Innovia City. He must have been important by a large margin to possess such property. Once they all arrived, he told them to wait before asking questions. He indicated outside where yet more of the Charice Faithful congregated by a statue to their Goddess. Even here at a nobleman’s estate they held power.
He explained to the three that he was one of the high ranking members of the ruling council here. Velkora knew enough about the political climate to know that he must be popular to hold such a position. As if reading her mind he told the group that he had been voted in multiple times over 20 years.
Startling Facts:
Rose looked stunned and asked how he had managed such a feat in a place like this. His answer was simple and concise. He kept winning elections because he gave the people what they wanted. Even if he disagreed with it. Under his breath he muttered that this was a common occurrence.
Velkora realized that this man had the quick thinking that Orabaras loved. But she realized immediately how dangerous a person who had the support of an entire city would be for them. His threat level increased exponentially when he cast a potent spell. One that made sure that the Charice Faithful would not listen in on them. To cast such a spell meant he was a powerful Mage.
But Moshe didn’t give them much of a chance to ask the many questions building. He gave them a piece of information freely that surprised all three. The man admitted that he was one of the Nihilinn Cultists that the party needed to kill to defeat the Death Knights. He also let them know that he controlled the barrier that allowed who could use violence in the city.
This was a powerful enemy who had complete control of the situation. And yet he didn’t threaten them at all. Instead, he asked to make a deal with the group.
First, Grez took of his ring. He was able to talk telepathically with Rose and Velkora and wanted to plan their next move carefully. The fact that he told them all this important information indicated that he was extremely confident in his position. Neither Rose or Velkora thought he was overconfident either.
Potent Magic:
In fact, given that he had willingly approached them, Velkora feared he could read their minds. And since he had control of the barrier and had guards all around, the Orabaras Witch immediately emptied her own mind and made Grez put his ring back on. The Monk tried to get a feel for what his allies were thinking, and found both the ladies traveling with him to have empty minds. He took the hint.
Not seeing any other options, the group agreed to hear his proposal. Moshe told them tidbits of interest. He would help them get rid of the other Cultists. Declaring that using Lord Death’s power was an insult to Nihilinn, he wanted to see their destruction.
The party chose not to mention that they would have to kill him later and let him continue. Moshe reminded them that after they had killed one of the other members and fought through an army of Liches and Witches, that all the other members of Nihilinn’s Cult had taken an interest in them.
Before he would give them information though, Moshe wanted them to do something for him. He asked them to go into a cave below his mansion and deal with some uppity Vampires. The party asked how they would fight this group if their ability to fight was suppressed. Grez liked the answer. Apparently if they went deep enough underground, the barrier didn’t work.
With an I told you so, he reminded the other two that he had wanted to tunnel underground to enter Innovia City in the past. Velkora just shrugged. Rose looked at him as if he had said something foolish.
A Favor:
Moshe reminded the three that they were speaking in a Magical Barrier. Something the Charice faithful would not ignore. Since they did not want to alert this faction to their activities, he gave them items to keep the priests away He gave the party items so they could get past the nearby Charice Faithful group.
Directing the group to a nearby greenhouse, he gave them equipment to put here so that they had an excuse to go that direction. As soon as he was out of ear shot Velkora told the other two that the fact that he used such a strong spell meant he might not be one of the Cultists. She feared they were dealing with one of the actual Death Knights.
The Charice Faithful approached the party, but after they realized that the group had nothing of value, they let them pass. Though the priestesses expressed disappointment that the herbs that the group carried were not the fun kind, they bothered the three no more. Not even a watchful eye followed them as they entered the greenhouse.
As soon as the party reached the center of the enclosed space, a doorway in the floor opened up. It admitted them passage that lead to an underground cave deep beneath Innovia City. But what would they find down here? And was Moshe leading them into a trap? All three felt that was likely.
Vampires:
They ran into three Vampires in the deepest part of the cave. The creatures claimed that Moshe had sent them there to die. Claiming they would soon be food, the monsters stared intent on their perceived meal. The party didn’t worry about this situation though. They had fought Vampires before after all. And worse.
But the Vampires knew who they were dealing with. This group had after all killed cultists and Liches. The Vampires proved they were a bit more intelligent than their usual foes and summoned help. Dangerous help in the form of a Dracolich.
The party took on the three Vampires and a Dragon Lich. These were no ordinary Vampires either. Each made use of a magical battle axe. Dangerous weapons that were directed at Rose and almost finished her before she could act.
But she transformed to match the Dracolich and flew away from the Vampires. But Velkora was the next closest enemy and she was almost defeated by their onslaught. These were battle hardened foes. And without Caic and Hadron who excelled against such enemies, they had some trouble dealing with them.
Mistakes:
The Dragon Lich was vanquished by Grez who had focused his complete attention on it. But its spirit fled, being a Lich and all. The three had no idea where to search for its Phylactery.
The Vampires were also defeated, but turned to mist and fled. The party didn’t notice though since they were occupied with searching for any valuables that these enemies might have dropped. That proved to be a mistake.
Unfortunately, the Vampires had called swarms of bats before they had fled. A lot of swarms. The entire room was filled with bats. But something even more dangerous decided to make an appearance too.
An older enemy showed up again that Velkora had hoped would leave them alone joined the bats: The Revenants. And the Orabaras Witch still had the item that they sought.
Wrap Up:
Grez might be doing fine after the last battle, but Rose and Velkora are hurt. And since the last of those three has the undivided attention and killing intent of the Revenants, this is not an idea position to be in.