Aarden Campaign Summary

Session 01

Our Party meets up in Solace and enjoys the Harvest Festival. After playing a few games the festival is attacked by fade beasts. Wyverns, Purple Worms and other Beasts. The Party fled the town as it became obvious there was no hope in defeating the beasts. In an old abandoned Church North of the own Solomon, Sin and Proximo met a Black Knight he didn't speak except to demand a key of some kind

Session 02

After escaping the town of Solace the party took refuge in a Cave. They cleared out the inhabitants a few giant Spiders and Centipedes, then set up camp for the night. In the cave, they found a few items, including some letters on the corpse of a courier. The party was able to deduce that the letters were about 10 years old. One of them mentioned a woman in Midweld who fits the description of someone who came out of the fade, odd hair colour and spouting gibberish. It's a 10-year-old lead, but worth chasing down. The only thing she would say is "One is Ten"

After leaving the cave the party went to Sin's campsite to pick up their supplies and start their journey to Midweld. They met a travelling merchant who sold them some potions.

Session 03

Upon reaching the town of Three Bridges the party ran into a team of Clerics and Witch Hunters that were leaving for Solace. The Party informed them of the Monsters and the Black Knight. Word of the Black Knight surprised the Nostor that was there and he asked the party to stay in town until they returned.

While in town the Party helped out with the refugees, getting them food and tending to the injured. The next day the Party met a Man called Alistair and helped him Capture a Fadehound.

Session 04

The party returned to town with the captured Fadehound and delivered it to Alistair's basement. Proximo was upset and grumbling about the heresy. Afterwards, they went to the church to talk to the Nostor, first about the Graverobbing the town had been experiencing, then the Black Knight. The note about insects crawling out of the wounds made the Nostor think of Yidrha. An old god that can create avatars of herself in the form of black snakes. And hearing the fact that the knight wanted a key of some sort, the Nostor thought we should find the key and hand it over rather than risk the wrath of an old god. Proximo found this upsetting and the party decided it was best to figure out what this key was before handing it over.

The party then began work investigating the graverobbing, a stakeout didn't turn up anything but searching a nearby cave the party found evidence of necromancy. Consulting Alistair, they were given a list of components that would be required. the next step would be to check with the West Empire company to see if they had received orders for any harder-to-find items.

Session 05

At the West Empire company, the party met their guard captain Colton. There was a woman there who was very upset, Susanna Grimsby. She was expecting a delivery that had gone missing. She asked the party to look into it. The party asked around about the ingredients and even searched through some packages, but couldn't find anything. As there were leaving they ran into Pavel Romanov, who was also searching for the necromancer who had robbed the grave of his father. He had intercepted the package destined for Susanna, containing many of the reagents used in necromancy.

The party went to Grimsby Manor and found Susanna and several animated skeletons in the basement. They fought and killed Susanna even though Proximo was trying to bring her in alive to reform her.

Session 06

Having Killed Susanna Grimsby the party reported back to The Nostor about her being a Necromancer who was responsible for the Graverobbing. He was upset and asked the party not to mention it to anyone else in the village. Talking about what the church would have done to her if taken alive upset Proximo quite a bit. Pavel Returned and Vowed not to take another life unless absolutely necessary. Later the Party met up with Alistair to identify many of the reagents found in Grimsby Manor. Solomon decided to learn Herbalism and Sin learned Poisoning.

After a few days the Nostors returned from Solace and talked to the party. The Fade Beasts were all gone and they had left the corpses rather than eating them, which was very unusual. The Nostor discussed the Black Knight. Afterward, the Party bought a few Horses and a wagon to travel to Midweld. On the way, the party spotted some familiar bandits on the road. The party paused and decided to split, with Solomon and Sin disappearing into the forest and Poximo, Pavel and Lies in the Wagon continuing along the path.

Session 07

The Party was able to easily handle the Bandits. Capturing most of them alive, they were stripped of their weapons and sent on their way. Before that though they directed the party to a hidden base and their leader "Marko". The party then investigated the base in an underground cave system. There they found two brutes who they had seen previously in Three Bridges escorting a wealthy woman to some ruins. From Eavesdropping on their conversation with Marko (a spell caster), they were trying to get some Deed from the woman who resides in Vezenholt. The Party were able to easily dispatch the three. Then they set out to Noxfeld.

Session 08

The Party talked to the one remaining Survivor in the Cave hideout (Retcon). He had a lot of disdain for The Church, Directing it to Pavel and Proximo whom he accused of killing children. The Party decided to leave him alive though warned him about attacking people on the road. And before they left set up warning signposts to give future travellers a heads-up about possible attacks.

After that, the Party went to Noxfeld. A Walled Village right on the edge of the fade. While shopping for supplies the party noticed there weren't any elderly citizens around. A Church bell was rung and there seemed to be some kind of community gathering. The Party was barred from attending though.

Session 09

The Party got a room at the local Inn. While there they discussed what was happening with the Innkeeper and they were told to keep the population down anyone over 40 was sent out of the Village. To see if anything nefarious was happening. the party snuck out to witness the party. There didn't seem to be anything amiss. It was overheard that the Couple leaving would head out in the morning so the party decided to get some rest and check back in the Morning.

The next morning a little girl ran into the Inn screaming about a monster attack south of the city. The Party set out to fight the monster. and was able to defeat it. though not before it Swallowed and incapacitated Solomon. While unconscious he had a vision of a forest of mushrooms and a Cat telling him he wasn't meant to be there yet and referring to him as "Guardian".

After the fight the Party talked to the owners of the farm that had been attacked. But couldn't get any more info about Noxfield's weird rituals. Other than that they were scared.

Session 10

The Party investigated a sewer system under the Farm that had some sort of monster in it. They managed to kill a few gelatinous monsters. And told the Farmers it was safe.

The party then went back to Noxfeld and investigated the Hall of Laws where the couple had stayed the night before. They found blood on the walls and Confronted the Man in charge. He let them into the basement where he had been doing experiments on the people meant to leave the town. He then transformed into a weird worm monster.

Session 11

In the Dungeon under the Hall of Laws, Confronted with the strange monsters the Governor had transformed into, (Two swarms of black worms/snakes, and a husk of a corpse possessed by some entity). The Party easily dispatched them. And after killing the entity the party blacked out and found themselves in the weird Mushroom forest, all separated. The Cat being appeared in the sky enormous and told Solomon

"Find the others"

"Get to the breach"

"Bring the key"

"Protect the builder"

When they woke up they searched and found a few valuable items and freed the husband of the couple that was meant to have left the town. His wife had already been killed as part of a sacrifice. Upon exiting the Hall of Laws, the Party with the Help of the Husband, explained what was happening, and they went inside and discovered the dungeon. The party was allowed to stay in town and thanked for helping put an end to what was happening. The Party decided to spend a week town (for Downtime Activities)

Session 12

On the Way from Noxfeld to Suthan, the party came across an old Inn, now overgrown with plants. Upon approach the party succumbed to the intoxicating aroma of the berries growing on some of the plants. This turned out to be a trap and man eating plants ambushed the party. The party was able to defeat the plants but burned down the Inn in the process. Sin was able to find a few items inside before it burned down however including a journal of the old owner, a Paladin.

Session 13

The Paladin's journal revealed the existence of a cursed grave belonging to a necromancer beneath the Old Inn. the party decided to go under and defeated the undead underneath and the Paladin that was cursed by the the necromancer to never leave the tomb.

The Party then set off to Suthael, where they were greeted by a Solomon Impersonator. They Got some supplies and booked passage on a ship bound for Midweld.

Session 14

On the Boat to Midweld the Captain didn't believe Solomon was who he said he was. Clearly he had met the imposter first and assumed Solomon was the fake. They then met a few Doctors that were on the way to Midweld and were curious about Solomon's hair. They had attended the mysterious woman with Green hair who had appeared. And they told the party that she had been in a coma for the last decade. The Doctors agreed to take Solomon and Proximo to meet the green haired woman. The rest of the trip was uneventful.

Upon arriving in Midweld the party met their old friend Alistair. They all together, went to see the Green haired woman. In the hospice care building they found Mei Beauchamp, the ranger that had been part of their team. She had aged more than they had expected given how long she had been out of the fade. Proximo tried a lay-on-hands to wake her, but nothing worked. Alistair suggested using a rare reagent found only in the fade. The party set out to meet an inventor that had suits capable of protecting people from the fade, Mara Tisette Jostenbury.

On the way, Pavel confessed he had been reporting on the parties activities to the church and had been commanded to arrest them and bring them in. They decided to tackle one thing at a time and continue with their plan to head into the fade. They got the suits and headed in. They found a cave and while exploring disturbed a monster.

Session 15

The party was easily able to dispatch the monster. Shortly after they were approached in the cave by a strange man named Duderick, who was unaffected by the fade and didn't need a suit. He claimed to be from a clan that lived in the fade and hunted fade beasts to protect the people outside. He joined the party to help find the blight ichor. The party continued exploring the cave finding evidence of intelligent creatures living there. A room where leather was being tanned, a room with strange architecture and an ominous green glow. the party was in a hurry and prioritized the blight ichor but promised Alistair they would come back later. The party did eventually find some blight ichor. and headed back to town.

But when leaving the cave Solomon revealed his plan. Pavel would go back to town and report that everyone had died in the Fade. Alistair would go into town and get new cloths for everyone. and meet the rest of the party north of Midweld. And they would all meet up the next day at MTJ's labratory.

Session 16

The Party Arrived in disguise at MTJ's lab then went to Alistair's house, where he had moved Mei. The Blight ichor worked and Mei awoke. she explained what happened to Solomon's Ranging party 50 years ago.

‎

Drew is Still alive but he has forgotten who he is. He shaves his head to hide the color of his hair.

While talking to the party Mei began to seize, and Midweld was suddenly attack by a group of fade beast and the Fade night they had ran into in Solace. While it seemed like they would be overwhelmed several of Midweld's defenses arrived including a mechanized Balista, a Walking tank and a flying machine developed by MTJ. The party was left to fight the fade knight alone and was able to defeat the it.

Afterward, Mei was on her feet and gave the Party a sending stone so she can communicate with them. the Party then took a week to prepare for their journey ahead.

Session 17

While preparing to head out, Merek Sallworth notified they party that the church had sent out wanted posters for Solomon, Lies, Proximo and Pavel. Merrick also asked the party to take a young boy Jeremy to his aunt Faye Efterstone in Sutherfane. The party agreed to do so in exchange for the help Merrick had provided. At the same time Pavel greeted a woman who had just arrived by train. Betsy, Romanove, his wife. The party set out for Aftonby to catch a train to Sutherfane.

On the way they came across a merchant who had been stuck by a tree falling across the road. After clearing the tree, a group of Hand Paladin's arrived and interrogated the party. The disguises held up and the Paladin's moved on without incident.

In Aftonby the party paid for passage for them and their horses and wagon to Sutherfane and got on the next train. On the way the train was attacked by bandits. and their leader, One-Hand Jack who's bowler hat seemed quite familiar.

Session 18

While battling the Bandits the stress of the situation triggered the young boy's powers. He ripped the roof off a train car, and crushed the bandit's vehicle like a tin can. Proximo was able to calm the boy down and the remaining bandits disconnected the last few cars and got away. Afterward Pavel made his way to the boy intent on killing him but was calmed down by Betsy.

To avoid suspicion, the Party decided to get off of the train and make the remaining way to Sutherfane on foot. Solomon and Proximo made sure to keep and eye on Pavel and make sure he didn't make any moves to kill the boy. Upon reaching Sutherfane they got a room at The Wasted Willow Inn. Solomon went to pickup the horses and equipment they had shipped from MidWeld. On the way back to the Inn he made contact with Lady Fay Efterstone of the underground Railroad at The Devil's Wish Theater. They was told to bring the boy immediately so he could be sent via ship across the sea to another continent.

Pavel tagged along when Solomon went to meet with the underground railroad and made his intentions clear that he would stop the boy from leaving. Lady Fay contacted her compatriots and advised that Pavel should leave the city if he values his life.

(Retconned: Pavel didn't tag along with Solomon and didn't become a high priority target of the Underground Railroad. Basically guaranteeing his death.)

Session 19

Proximo and the Boy shared a tearful good-bye and Proximo gifted Nut-Buster his horse to the Boy to protect him.

The Party was Informed by Mei that Drew would be in a Temple in the Middle of the Swamp. The Party got a lead about an archeological expedition looking for a temple in the jungle and decided to follow up. They met a man in a bar who was about to head out. And decided to go with.

In the jungle they came to the archeology camp and were shown around. They were lead to a set of doors that they hadn't been able to open and were then left alone. Solomon was able to use his Guardian's Sight to read the inscription.

"Speak the Words and the Path shall open"

Pavel was able to use his Voice of the Inquisitor to open the doors and the party when inside.

Session 20

Inside the Temple the party navigated many traps and was able to find another stone in an alchemists lab. Once picking it up they were granted a vision and new powers. The Archeologists there were upset that the party had opened the door and didn't tell them. but the party left most of the ruins intact for them to study.

Once back at camp the party rested up and talked to one of the archeologists about the temple were they were meant to look for Drew. One of them knew this place as the headquarters of the Red Blood Mercenary Group. And had heard rumors of a mad prophet they had working for them. She Took us there and gave us a very accurate description of the layout and ideas for infiltration and escape.

Session 21

The Party decided to try and sneak in under the guise of new recruits to the guild. Proximo and Solomon went in first. Pavel and Oli came in shortly after. Upon reaching the Head of the guild the players encountered several bandits they had ran into before. One of them had overhead Solomon and Revealed that They knew Drew before hand. The Head of the guild asked for 3000 Gold in exchange for Drew. Pavel arrived and offered a cheque for 3000 gold from his family. this was immediately refused but Pavel was able to use Voice of the Inquisitor to convince them to accept.

The Party then left with Drew and he revealed that he was actually lucid and the group returned to the Archeology encampment, then Sutherfane.

Session 22

While catching up with Drew it was revealed that he had gradually recovered after leaving the fade but had kept up the ruse of babbling mad mad in order to maintain his value to the Mercenaries.

After some discussion about next moves the party decided it needed some funds. Alistair mentioned fighting in the Arena. The Party while wanting to keep a low profile decided that would be a good idea. But first they stopped off at a shop to buy some disguises. They settled on dressing up like animals, all but Pavel. And entered the Arena as "McDonald and the Farm Animals"

They entered 2 battles in a row doubling down their bet.

Proximo went down in the second fight. And while unconscious he has a vision of a place in a swamp. the place we could find the next stone.

Oly was able to get Proximo back on his feet and the Party was able to pull out a victory and won enough to buy an Airship.

Session 23

Given the Parties' wanted status, Alistair was able to help with the procurement of the Airship and supplies. They then, head out to the swamps to find the location of Proximo's vision. They found the old ruins that matched Proximo's descriptions. They parked the Airship and Headed down. As they approached the ruins they encountered into several undead. Getting near the main building they over heard some whispers. Something about a "it wanting more" and creating the undead.

The Party was able to dispatch the whispering humans clearly trying to make undead through some yet unknown means.

Session 24

After a another encounter some with undead the party entered the catacombs below the ruins. Their some of the party started running in fear from some unknown force. A moment later while looking at some treasure Pavel was attacked by some invisible force. Proximo lit his Flametongue sword and revealed two ethereal beings. The Party soon discovered they could only be hurt by fire. Soon after they found the stone they were looking for had a vision and gained new power.

After awaking from the dream they heard some pounding on a door. Running over they discovered the entrance they used, closed and someone was trying to barricade the door. They were able to open it enough to squeeze through one at a time.

Session 25

The party gave chase to the men who had tried to lock them in the catacombs. The the path was heavily trapped. after avoiding some and setting off others the party caught up to them.

A battle ensued and while things looked to be in the parties favor with only one human remaining Solomon called for him to surrender. The enemy fired a shot to open a gate and a loud rumble made the ground tremble. A trap was set off as Olly closed in on the last Enemy. They used this moment to escape, and a Death Dragon appeared through the opened gate. The Dragon wasn't interested in the party a fled the ruin but not before unleashing a powerful breath attack that raised one of the dead humans as a Zombie.