The Great Ascent (Campaign)

"It's been fifteen years since the evil Queen Coin murdered the king of the Sword Coast. Even the lowliest of bards sing tales of the demoness who became the goddess of chaos, whose worship is maintained and mandated by Coin. The kingdom, at least those whose worship is begrudging, instead sing of their deliverance. The four latest sacrifices, it seems, are their newest Hope." -The Great Ascent prologue
The Great Ascent is an ongoing campaign that elaborates on the storyline established by the Darkness Rises campaign. With Queen Coin now in power, the faithful of Ilmater tell of a prophecy that will deliver them from their plight. 
= Factions and Government =
Queen Coin receives their power from the demon goddess, Saharna. Fifteen years before the sacrifices initially escaped, Coin traded eternal servitude to the then-lowly demon in return for their life. As a result, Coin became the reigning monarch, and the mandated worship eventually elevated Saharna's status to a goddess herself. The main temple to Saharna, located in Baldur's Gate where Coin killed her companions and the king himself, was the home of the High Priestess, the late Adeen. Thusly, Baldur's Gate was the religious capital, while Coin themselves took up residence in Dragonspear Castle. Yearly, the High Priestess selects five individuals to sacrifice to the chaos goddess.
In contrast, the group known as The Hopeful consider Coin's (and therefore Saharna's) rule both oppressive and cruel. They seek refuge in the god Ilmater, the god of both suffering and compassion, that one day he will deliver them from their suffering. Some say that the god even provided a prophecy: one that spoke of Saharna's eventual destruction at the hands of mortals. Some notable members of this group include Elien Rencrist, an individual who believed to find those that the prophecy spoke of, and her close friend Akterich, a sage. The Hopeful were originally allowed to worship provided it was in private, until Adeen's murder caused the queen to declare worship of the god punishable by death.
==The Prophesied==
===Escape from the Altar===
The four individuals were initially intended to be sacrificed to Saharna, but were saved by Elien Rencrist and Akterich. Elien had seen them traveling to the temple, insisting that they were the ones referred to in the prophecy. They managed to successfully remove them out of the temple, introducing themselves and explaining The Hopeful.Session 1
https://youtu.be/Aupt2a_rGi4
In order to prevent Queen Coin from learning what had really happened, they were able to steal uniforms and sneak into the embassy to intercept the letter from the High Priestess to Coin. As a result, they discovered the High Priestess' plans to travel to Elturel to procure new sacrifices.Session 2
https://youtu.be/0hOKtIGCtXI
===The Prophecy===
The prophecy, some referring to it as "Elien's Prophecy" as she was its mortal recipient, clearly named five individuals who will eventually be responsible for Saharna's fall. However, its mechanisms are more vague: it speaks of a "rise from the ashes" and a "deliverance," so it is uncertain how it will come to be.Session 4
https://youtu.be/hBETsnG1ZZs
Elien identified the potential members after she found them together having escaped Saharna's sacrificial altar. They were: Raine Whispers, Paw of Bear, Talvi Snowguard, and Kira-fang. Initially, Elien thought Captain Fenik Feldur the avariel must be the "last of an ancient race" mentioned in the prophecy.
===Encounter on Elturel===
"If there are no volunteers... we could always leave it up to chance." -Adeen to the crowds of Elturel
Upon arriving at Elturel, Raine Whispers distracted the guards in order to cause disorder in the crowds. It ended in a battle, in which three of the four individuals managed to fight off the guards, leaving Adeen alone. Raine Whispers, however, had a different approach: he seduced one of the guards during the fight instead, convinced her to desert afterwards, and helped the others kill Adeen once and for all.Session 3
https://youtu.be/IjP3PybvNTM
The group hired a ferry in order to cross the River Chionthar, eventually meeting the pirate Captain Fenik Feldur. As an avariel, Elien ultimately assumed that Fenik must be the remaining member of the prophecy. She explained the prophecy's nature and its meaning to The Hopeful. In anger, Fenik left and never returned. She had been wrong.
===Faith and Fireworms===
Queen Coin found out after all. The goddess Saharna sent an abyssal fireworm as a show of her anger. The group managed to defeat it.Session 4
https://youtu.be/hBETsnG1ZZs Elien would then suggest that they go to the temple itself in order to prevent them from electing a new High Priestess. However, the queen had declared worship of Ilmater illegal.Session 5
https://youtu.be/iWeLP5rFY24
"Until now I have been accommodating of all faiths, provided that Saharna is worshiped in all things. And yet, as such, I am not blind. 
An underground network known as The Hopeful have committed numerous atrocities both against the crown and the Terrible Lady herself. As a result, the veneration of Ilmater is henceforth a punishable offense. Anyone found worshiping or aiding in the worship of the god will be subject to execution."
-Queen Coin's decree
They would soon find, however, that the High Priestess had already been selected. Instead, they'd have to cleanse the temple of its abyssal energy. By destroying Saharna's statues, the evil abated and they began a plan to re-dedicate the temple to Ilmater. However, they would need Akterich's sacred willow branch. He had recently been arrested by the crown for openly proclaiming his faith.
===Ilmater's Intercession===
With Elien's help, the group would infiltrate a Saharnan prison, sneaking past the guards and managing to free Akterich. Willow branch in hand, they would bring it back to the cleansed temple, pray the Litany of Pain, and ask for his intercession. All the while, the group began receiving messages from an anonymous messenger whose notes were marked with a leaf symbol.Session 6
https://youtu.be/0vV8oN743Mc
"Your prayer has been heard.
Saharna's power must not be allowed to grow. The prophecies of old must be fulfilled.
I grant you my blessing of health, that you might quell the abominable weed that the Terrible Lady has become. She has angered us greatly."
-Ilmater's message
The group would then travel to the Cloak Wood, in a clearing blessed from the gods themselves, where they would receive divine gifts. Each member of the group was sponsored by a particular god, and received a corresponding item to help them in their journey.Session 7
https://youtu.be/80a1-BFWETg
===Friends and Foes===
"Saharna's influence goes stronger. Worship of Ilmater is failing. Be wary and avoid the Hopeful. Stay out of sight." -Anonymous message
Eventually, the group would become cornered by three vigilantes, each having their own reason for tracking down the group. One in particular, Calanthe, sought out Talvi to bring her back to the Feywild, warning that her time was running out and that she would soon need to return. Another, Tormeld, wished to kill Bear as justice for murdering his family on a bounty job. The third, Raze-Tooth, wished to have Kira-Fang dead for disgracing his clan. Both Calanthe and Raze-Tooth ended up dead, with Bear narrowly convincing Tormeld to take his leave.Session 8
https://youtu.be/E5Y6T2vILN8 
Meanwhile, the group's informant reveals that Elien and Akterich have been taken by the Royal Guard to Dragonspear Castle.
They'd then run into Lily, a small Kitsune child who seemed to know who they were. The child only spoke Sylvan, and Talvi was able to determine she'd lost her family. The child then explained that she had also noticed a tower in the distance, and wanted them to take her there.
It was there that they would meet the wizard Ixium Delagrace and his apprentice Gwendolyn Ravenshade, who would help travel to Lily's home village of Snowruby to discover the village deserted.
In an effort to save their friends, they meet with their informant: a woman named Rowan Galeen, who has been in careful contact with the Royal Guard, as she had recently been a soldier herself. What's more: she was pregnant with Raine's child.Session 9
https://youtu.be/XtugNraqAys
===The Rescue===
As the group worked on solutions to save their friends, they would better get to know Rowan, who explained she knew a friend named Endri who was equipped to help them from the inside, but was hesitant to assist herself.Session 10
https://youtu.be/9xdifrjCQ38 Upon their arrival though, they'd find Endri himself dead and his body mostly looted. Sacrificing precious time, they'd work to bury the tiefling. Rowan, fully aware of the risks now, would volunteer to help instead, despite Raine's protests.
Upon successfully locating the group of The Hopeful, they would come face-to-face with the new High Priestess Natriss, who engaged them in battle. After killing the guards and with Natriss close to death, it was then that Talvi began to experiment with her magic in a new and horrifying way: by casting Shape Water on the priestess' blood. Panicked, bloodied, and horrified, Natriss begged for mercy. Talvi relented, after her friends pleaded with her to stop.Session 11
https://youtu.be/EFNo8vSC6Bg
Following the encounter and along with the rescued Hopeful, they would go on the run and make plans to escape the Sword Coast. Both Talvi and Raine began to see frightening visions and hear voices encouraging them to procure chaos.Session 12
https://youtu.be/A9eGcpEkOHc
==Destiny's Will==
===Betrayal===
On the way, the group would meet Silverhoof, a talking horse.
Additionally, they would eventually be betrayed by a man named Jixtus, who claimed that they'd threatened his family. He and the rest of the Hopeful would be secured on a boat while Elien, Akterich, Rowan, and the Prophesied would take another, Bear getting injured in the struggle.Session 13
https://youtu.be/c9K20NPoV-I Talvi used her intimidation tactics to manipulate the captain to take off her manacles, and together she and Lily searched for Bear. However, their eventual separation led to them losing sight of Bear. However, Talvi would find a ring with a note from Gwendolyn Ravenshade, explaining its ability to create a pocket dimension and to use it to escape.Session 14
https://youtu.be/RvVZSaamRHM
At the prison, Bear was taken to a separate chamber for torture and interrogation. In the meantime, the rest of the group would brainstorm how to escape. They would soon discover a defective bar in the cell, and Lily was able to make her way into a hallway and locate a row of keys.Session 15
https://youtu.be/xranHllQ1Pc After transforming into a squirrel Talvi, too, would find the keys, and the two of them would be able sneak past a Displacer Beast and find their way around to free their friends. However, it wouldn't end without a battle.
However, the guards and the priestesses had a different plan for Elien. With the recovered corpse of the priestess Adeen, they would be forced to watch the birth of a Balor from Adeen's body and learn a new truth about their friend: Elien had worked for the Royal Guard and had blood on her hands.
Originally, Raine tried to give Gwendolyn's ring to Rowan so she could escape, but the group of them managed to use it at once - save for Elien, who begged for them to leave so she could buy time. They'd listen to her words, reappearing safely at Ixium's residence once again.Session 16
https://youtu.be/YFio1gpufKM
===The Dancer===
In the days that followed, Talvi began searching for ways to sever her deal and earn her freedom. They would make their way to a tavern, where the eladrin would lock eyes with exactly what she needed: a gilded flower being worn as a pendant by a Drow they would later discover to be Corvas Esy'Nirinth. Corvas, a performer at the tavern, would reluctantly agree for Talvi to use her pendant, but only if she could accompany her on her journey. Talvi, in turn, agreed.
Lily would meet someone there too, a mysterious mail-clad woman who seemed to have some knowledge of demons in general. However, she spoke Celestial. Lily identified her as an aasimar, although it was unclear what her purpose was.
The group's presence would not go unnoticed. Between their recognizable faces and the stir they caused in the tavern, guards began to arrive. Both Corvas and the aasimar would help the group escape, where they would once again return to Ixium's--this time with Corvas's wagon and her horse, Blueberry.Session 17
https://youtu.be/al0BolqB8cE
===The Gentleman and the Knight===
In an effort to find a way to rescue Elien for a second time, Ixium would offer the group passage to Waterdeep, where he knew of a man named Garrick Lightsilver to broker information. Talvi and Corvas agreed to go up to the manor alone, the rest of the group remaining in the wagon. Garrick then pointed them in the direction of royal outposts, which he surmised may have some clues. He explained that the guards had been attempting a way to resurrect Adeen for awhile now. Additionally, he had more shocking information: he, too, knew of Elien's treachery.
Garrick offered a cloak to Lily, which she accepted, and Corvas seemed to recognize him. However, he denied any connection to the name she provided: "Porterro."
There was something even more strange about Garrick, though: his garden. His statue of a knight would begin to move mid-conversation, and Garrick soon discovered the rest of the group as well. He explained that the statue had been a gift to him and believed to be an ancient funerary figure. After a brief altercation where Garrick attempted to get him to stay, Corvas and Talvi would negotiate for them to leave him be, and he would join their group as well. He wasn't a statue at all, but a seemingly living corpse.
The knight, however, was no statue. But at the same time, while he did not remember who he was, he seemed to know Corvas, pledging his servitude to her. Corvas reciprocated, vowing to help him find who he was in return. The two women would name him Rienn.Session 18
https://youtu.be/qJQVNl_5Nic
===Rowan's Departure and Talvi's Freedom===
After leaving Garrick's house, Rowan would reveal she no longer wished to stay, citing that her safety had been compromised and she'd felt neglected. Meanwhile, Corvas recognized an emblem on Rienn's armor that she had seen while traveling. On their way south, she suggested they travel in that direction in hope for clues to Rienn's past.
Talvi's visions began to intensify and she soon took action, using Corvas's pendant in order to summon a fey spirit. She attempted to negotiate but to little avail, as the fey she summoned did not have the power to break her deal. As she became more angry, Talvi began to threaten the fey and her homeland. The fey also knew about Elien: supposedly, she'd been involved in the eradication of the Kitsune people and sold out her lover, Raxan.
Following the interaction, Talvi's season changed to summer.Session 19
https://youtu.be/ZoG0mvjuRxk They would continue traveling south.Session 20 https://youtu.be/Jvy-GzlEJNI
Enraged, Raethon, Talvi's master, summoned her immediately. However Kira-fang, Raine, and Lily would tag along. Talvi would then learn her close friend, who she had believed dead, was truly alive. He offered her her freedom if she turned in one of her party members or herself, but she declined. This surprised Raethon, who attempted to paint her as murderous and unhinged. However, he agreed to let Talvi go on the condition of permanent exile. They would then be returned, but not before Raethon took Lily's amulet.Session 21 https://youtu.be/Jvy-GzlEJNI
===Homecoming===
The group reunited, and Talvi's group soon discovered they had been gone nearly a month and were approaching Baldur's Gate. As they continued traveling, they'd find an abandoned outpost like the ones Garrick had referred to, where they learned some key information: first, that Elien had allegedly gone AWOL following her dispatch to the Feywild, and that Elien herself was likely taken to the Abyss by the Balor.Session 22 https://youtu.be/6B-ipmz_4bU
They would also meet up with the aasimar woman before, who gifted Lily with an amulet of Eldath.Session 23 https://youtu.be/GCgQSW4s80g
Their journey south would soon provide more clues about Rienn's past, and upon making their way to Candlekeep they would attain more knowledge about who he might be through some documents on the Battle of the Rose as well as a list of names. However, their trip would be cut short by Raine, who would be caught attempting to steal a violin. A new acquaintance of theirs, called En, left Candlekeep with them, revealing himself as a sorcerer too, as well as his friendship with the aasimar Seraphiel.Session 24 https://youtu.be/tV9s3DEXtqM
=== Songs and Saviors ===
Following being escorted out of Candlekeep, the group was apprehended by a group of Royal Guards. En fled, leaving the group to fight off the remaining guards. In an act of desperation intended to protect Talvi, Lily struck up a deal with an otherworldly being. As part of the deal, the guards were killed.Session 25 https://youtu.be/GCLEa2WQ7AI
In the lull that followed, Corvas was able to dig up more on Rienn's past. She found a ballad, seemingly referring to figures also referenced in the list of names discovered by Rienn originally. Working as a group to piece together the clues, they discovered Rienn's identity as Captain Malcer Dragonvale, who was killed in action after attempting to stop a coup enacted by Lord Pelinal Rosebloom. They also finally uncovered the reason for his dedication to Corvas: her name was the same as his betrothed in life.
It took some prying, but Lily also eventually revealed what she'd done, explaining her patron was a shadow entity known as Dakor. In return, Talvi swore to undo the deal herself.Session 26 https://youtu.be/LFkh1YeINq4
=== The Party Breaks ===
Upon arriving in Athkatla, the group reconvened with both Ixium and Gwendolyn, the former of whom had promised to help them enter the Abyss to rescue Elien. However, a group of vengeful mages had other plans. Enraged by Raine's foolishness, they attacked. Tragically, both Raine Whispers and Kira-Fang lost their lives in the battle. 
En, however, returned: and he brought with him Seraphiel Thornwind as well as Admus Moriarty. Together they fought off the rest of the mages, Talvi using her Shape Water abilities once more. In the wake of the battle, En revealed his reason for returning was to take Lily with him to properly train, where she would no longer be under the custody of criminals. With Lily's agreement, Talvi reluctantly allowed it.
With both Lily and the Dragonborns gone, Bear eventually decided to leave for their own safety, leaving Talvi, Corvas, and Malcer to continue their quest.Session 27 https://youtu.be/nzu-tfjIaGo
==Fate of Mortals==
=== A New Party ===
Several days after the attack, Talvi, Corvas, and Malcer met Ruby, a juvenile ranger who appeared to recognize Talvi herself. She explained that she had been friends with Lily, and had sworn her service to the eladrin in exchange for her kindness. They would run into a lizardfolk known as Kaztzos. He apparently carried the late Raine Whispers' Lute of Inspiration, which caught Talvi's immediate interest. They followed him into a local tavern making conversation, where they would also meet Ravalynn Gemwish and Maka Maka.
Ruby also revealed her true self as a changeling to Talvi in secret as well as her warlock status. She then learned that her patron was the very fey that Talvi had escaped: Raethon.Session 28 https://youtu.be/Q2SmfQ2X60g
As the group became more acquainted, they would also reconvene with Ixium, who would explain their intentions to rescue Elien Rencrist from the Abyss. They agreed to help, taking the day off to take Gwendolyn Ravenshade to the circus where they would meet Ana, an old friend of Corvas'. Ana promised to help Corvas find the group responsible for attacking their circus troupe.Session 29 https://youtu.be/-VSF_pgPCTo
=== Journey to the Abyss ===
"I need no god to put you down." -Malcer Dragonvale, to Adeen
Now well-acquainted, Ixium helped open a portal to the Abyss, where the group would attempt to search for Elien. Corvas purchased a whip from a demonic marketplace before their journey continued.Session 30 https://youtu.be/MuV3Le-YP2s The trip also cost them material goods, as one obstacle involved making a sacrifice. The final obstacle was solved by Talvi, who successfully guessed the answer to a riddle.
They then arrived to where Elien was being held, who seemed tethered to the plane itself.Session 31 https://youtu.be/19xNpaFtoOM Upon making contact with her, the balor form of Adeen appeared and attacked them all. Talvi implored Elien to attempt to make contact with Ixium as they managed to stall. While Malcer and Kaztzos together managed to successfully subdue the beast, Talvi also made a key shot, with the final killing blow being dealt by none other than Corvas herself.
With the balor defeated, Ixium opened a return portal. However, Malcer stayed behind in order to retrieve a portion of the beast's skull, despite being caught in its death throes. The group them emerged victorious, their new prize and their rescued friend in tow.Session 32 https://youtu.be/yifPdSvA56w
===Regrouping===
Now out of the Abyss, Ruby revealed herself to Elien and demanded to know everything that she knew. Talvi also attempted to gather whatever inside information Elien had managed to garner during her capture, which was precious little: she explained she wasn't able to understand Abyssal, and it only seemed to her that Coin was attempting to expand the regime. In exchange for their trouble, she offered them supplies at the safehouse at Baldur's Gate, explaining that The Hopeful there would remain friendly to them and be willing to help.
Prior to leaving, Talvi gathered information from Ixium's research about the Feywild stated her intentions to Ruby that she meant to return. She explained that if necessary, she would be willing to turn herself in for the person she intended to go back for. Ruby refused and the argument became heated. Part of their conversation was overheard by Kaztzos, who sided with Talvi--reasoning that a sacrifice may be the only way to turn Raethon's mind. 
However, there was no one present at the safehouse when they arrived. They gathered the remaining supplies, including scraps of metal that Malcer used to forge into new armor for himself.Session 33 https://youtu.be/-_Y4wPw7CqY
===The Assassin===
Ana would soon provide a valuable lead to Corvas, explaining an assassin key to her past known as Idra Norenthern was still known to reside in Baldur's Gate. The group returned there, with Ravalynn and Maka Maka cooking up a plan to attempt to convince her they wanted to hire her in order to kill her. However, Idra claimed to no longer be a mercenary.
The encounter soon became violent, with Ravalynn and Maka Maka beginning to attack. The commotion soon drew the attention of the town guards and resulted in the two's arrest. Corvas and Talvi, soon catching wind of the incident, set off to find them and were similarly arrested, with Talvi still in wildshape. Session 34 https://youtu.be/Tks1MWTfxhM
===Carnage and Consequences===
Each member of the party, save for Talvi, was individually questioned. The latter of which was trapped within a small box in order to restrain her within wildshape, due to her known Druid status. Corvas managed to steal the keys from the interrogator himself, buying herself enough time so she could become invisible and release Talvi just as Malcer and Ruby arrived.
Malcer and Ruby did not intend to leave anyone unharmed. After warning the guards against their actions, many of the guards were brutally slaughtered or fled. The former of the two would then locate Corvas and help her torture Idra, who claimed not to know who they were nor what they wanted. They would then rescue Ravalynn and Maka Maka before discovering Ruby had ruthlessly maimed the killed the remaining guards.
===The Voice===
Ruby's actions caused her to hear a voice that she eventually determined to be the voice of Saharna herself, offering to break her deal with Raethon if she turned over Talvi and claiming that the eladrin was hiding something. Ruby confronted Talvi, explaining what happened and that she didn't intend on harming her, but expressed her worries that Raethon would turn her against the other.Session 25 https://youtu.be/7hkJjLT7f6c
===Or'lav===
Soon, Corvas would discover just who wanted her dead.Session 37 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQibES4w80&list=PL4YKuJxZxgVp3q73dRwrezyXbF6761L7H&index=37 Soon after, they'd return to Athkatla to find not only Ruby had left, but Gwendolyn, Ixium, and Elien had been abducted by the crown. They then began to formulate a plan: they would need to turn Coin's kingdom against her.Session 38 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsI7o5PTUSs&list=PL4YKuJxZxgVp3q73dRwrezyXbF6761L7H&index=38
They would then meet Or'lav, an undead warlock who claimed to want Raethon's downfall as well. He offered his services to the group, who would help them make their way to Daggerford to enact their plan.Session 41 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkGiQYeR4E8&list=PL4YKuJxZxgVp3q73dRwrezyXbF6761L7H&index=41
== Queen's Bane ==
=== The Liberation of Daggerford ===
With Or'lav on their side, the group began turning their attention elsewhere: taking down the crown. Upon arriving at the city of Daggerford, they'd meet up with Rowan again and meet her daughter, Nymph. Rowan tipped them off that in Waterdeep, a certain Sir Lawrence was preparing a militia in order to revolt against the crown. However, Malcer insisted they liberate Daggerford first. 
They'd then meet the duchess, who explained her power had been taken from her upon the appointment of a council made by the queen. The group offered to help her, tracking down the council-members one by one and ordering them to return their power back to the duchess. Those who refused were killed, including a priestess of Saharna.Session 43 https://youtu.be/nH1pz9jxqBo Those whose lives were spared included Alinda Greatstorm, Maddox Kern, and Terrin Flint.Session 44 https://youtu.be/Gi4j7lPifi4
=== Waterdeep ===
With the duchess' power returned, the group returned to Waterdeep to follow up on Rowan's lead. They located Lawrence's business, but his recruited mercenaries refused to allow them an audience with their leader under the pretense that he communicated only in writing. Eventually, they managed to persuade one of the mercenaries to allow them a better look, where they encountered a beholder's lair.
Sir Lawrence, now revealed to be a beholder, admitted that he intended on taking the throne for himself once the queen was dead. Refusing to change his ways, the group slew him.Session 45 https://youtu.be/Uh0nVmCk62g
=All Episodes=
Category:Campaign
Category:Great Ascent