In the flickering shadows of a dimly lit tavern, the Red Mantis assassins reveled in their recent triumph, laughter mingling with the scent of ale and adventure. Aguta, the snow-souled traveler, Prince Bernard the third, the hairless pug shoony, Kaznail, Kaida Arashi, the shape-shifting kitsune, and Pato Loco, the catfolk, shared tales of glory, blissfully unaware that a new challenge loomed just beyond their revelry.
The atmosphere shifted as Vatum, a slender aiuvarin courier, approached with a mission from the Vernai, the ruling council of the Red Mantis, under the enigmatic Blood Mistress Jacqueline. Their target was General Ordulf Blade Caller, a formidable priest of Gorum, notorious for his ruthless reputation. Vatum recounted Ordulf’s rise from orphan to fearsome warrior in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, where he earned his title after single-handedly defeating a clan of adlets. The party learned they must verify Ordulf’s claim of slaying a Linnorm before proceeding with the assassination, retrieving his personal religious symbol as proof, all while navigating the treacherous waters of local politics.
Weeks of arduous travel through biting cold brought them to Glacier’s Rest, a remote town perched atop a stone escarpment. At the Frosty Stein inn, Gundar Icebreaker, the owner, cautioned them about the general’s good reputation. The party devised a plan for subtle infiltration, agreeing to gather intelligence over the next two days before a merchant caravan’s departure. Aguta’s intimidation skills revealed that Gorum favored Ordulf with a unique boon, allowing him to heal repeatedly until death, while his arrogance could be exploited through clever tactics.
As they prepared to approach Crownhold, the group employed their skills to gather vital information. Prince Bernard the third teleported to scout the area, while Pato Loco deftly swiped a set of spare keys from a local warehouse. Aguta and Kaznail created distractions to aid their infiltration, uncovering a secret vault containing Stormflash, a magical rapier despised by Ordulf. With their intelligence consolidated, the party stood ready to execute their infiltration plan, armed with leverage points and keys to aid their mission.
Threads to Watch:
- The implications of Ordulf’s healing boon on the assassination plan.
- The potential consequences of local politics on the Red Mantis’ mission.
- The significance of Stormflash and its connection to Ordulf.
- The effectiveness of the party’s infiltration tactics.
- The dynamics within the group as they face their next challenge.