Ashlem War
Chapter 1: The Fall of Octavius
The Drunken Fool I Session 1
Our heroes find themselves in Octavius a port city now a staging stronghold before heading into the Ashlem Rise warzone, or as the first major refuge for those fleeing North from the war. Safe from the war against the demons or so they thought, they head to bed in the Drunken Fool Inn, a warm sanctuary against the cool night. During their morning routine a large explosion shakes the inn as the central space caves in and demons flood in attacking civilians. Our heroes fight through and clear the two upper levels of the inn and gaining the aid of Artistoxilath a dragonborn knight, who had defected from the Oxtrad army to join the Love Accord, with the two floors clear the group head down to the ground floor.
The Drunken Fool II Session 2
Reaching the ground floor the heroes are met with an onslaught of demons and a large portal among the flaming debris falling from the upper levels. Dispatching the demons and rescuing Captain Oriole and more civilians, the heroes find a black orb that opens the portal as Oriole tells them demons took her friend Colm into the portal. Chasing through the heroes kill off more demons and a group of cultists torturing Colm. After rescuing Colm the group heads back through, collapsing the portal behind them, they see hundreds of these portals across the city of Octavius, time to flee.
To Safety Session 3
Fleeing the crumbling inn the heroes encounter Hunt, a mercenary from The Chain, who points the group in the direction of the sewers and a safe house but is taken by a flying demon and dropped to his death. Guiding the civilians the heroes make it to the sewer entrance, dodging demons and their war dogs, patchwork soldiers created from the body parts of the slain. In the sewers Rae uses her knowledge and cunning to lead the group to the safe house but discover it is already occupied by radenwights1) calling themselves the Blackenblues led by Tch’dorit but come to an agreement to share the space.
With two leads to escape Octavius, either going to the docks to see if Captain Oriole's crew have left without her and taking her ship the Revelation, or work with Tch’dorit on using the sewer system to get passed the city limits. For now, having reached the safe house they rest as demons prowl the streets.
Rest & Revelation Session 4
Taking time to recover from escaping the inn and the dangerous streets the group socialise with those they saved, discussing with Artistoxilath (Arti) and Captain Oriole about their two main options to flee Octavius, one being seeing with Oriole's crew has abandoned her or if they are still docked and waiting if they're even alive that is, other comes from Tch'dorit and his clan to navigate the sewers following them under and away from the now locked down and guarded city gates. During their rest Rae begins investigating on enchanting her armour, Eidethos begins learning infernal from Halcier, and Halcier himself begins honing his skills.
The following day the three successfully find a path back through the sewers to the port, where they find Captain Oriole's ship, The Revelation, still docked and in good condition. Boarding the ship they discover Oriole's first mate, Lamprey, has taken up the title of Captain in Oriole's absence and as much as they respect Oriole they don't intend to stay put as demons and their wardogs take control of the city. After negotiations Lamprey agrees to wait a bit longer for the group to return with Oriole and civilians.
Backtracking and helping the civilians the three offer a spot on the ship to the Blackenblues as thanks for letting them use the safehouse and request of their assistance in a fight in things go south, luckily for all drawing steel is not needed as they guide the refugees aboard, dodging wardog patrols. As soon as they leave port Lamprey returns title of Captain back to Oriole, demons only noticing the ship leaving too late to intercept.
Session title Session 5
