Rise of Drekis: Chapter 4 Episode 01

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==Synopsis==
The year is 1520 on the continent of Arcadia, the elves have mysteriously disappeared from their forests, leaving the land open for conquest. After winning the War for Arcadia in 1515, the Kingdom of Drekis expanded into an empire but struggled to control the former elven territories, which are plagued by mysterious dangers. Nikolas, an ordinary Cleric of Malkis, receives a divine quest to cleanse the elven forest of its evil and is granted the powers of a paladin. He meets King Imrik McGary of Mistrya, who gifts him a magical mace that transforms into the legendary Holy Avenger Mace. Empress Valuria Wikk of Drekis provides additional magical items for his quest. Nikolas begins his journey in Roxis, gathering information about the forest's dangers, including a flesh-rotting disease. He encounters injured Drekisian soldiers and a ghost-like figure, which he vanquishes with holy water. Further into the forest, he discovers an abandoned elven village with significant items, including writings, gold coins, a mummified elven body, and a magic circle. After camping in the village, he resumes his journey along the river.
==Recap==
===Prologue===
The year is 1520 on the continent of Arcadia, and the elves have mysteriously vanished from their forests. The reasons for their departure remain unknown, leaving the once elven populated forests available for conquest. Following the conclusion of the War for Arcadia in 1515, the Kingdom of Drekis emerged victorious and expanded into an empire, encompassing most of the lands east of the Draken Ridge. Despite this expansion, the former elven kingdom has not yet fallen under the Empire's control. Numerous scouts sent by the Empire into the elven forests seldom return, and those who do report encountering great and mysterious dangers.
This story follows Nikolas, an ordinary Cleric of Malkis who grew up in Mistrya during the War for Arcadia. His life takes a dramatic turn when he receives a divine quest from his deity and is granted the powers of a paladin. Charged with cleansing the evil within the elven forest, Nikolas seeks an audience with King Imrik McGary of Mistrya. Impressed by Nikolas’s mission, King McGary offers him a magical mace. To everyone's astonishment, the mace transforms into the Holy Avenger Mace, a legendary magical artifact, upon Nikolas's touch.
Subsequently, Nikolas travels to the capital of Drekis and meets Empress Vuularia Wikk. Recognizing the significance of his quest, the empress bestows upon him numerous magical items, with the understanding that he will undertake additional quests alongside his primary mission.
=== Starting Equipment ===
*Full Plate (+9 AC)
*Magic Shield Wall (+3 AC)
*
**+5 to hit, +5 to damage
**+10 to damage vs chaotic evil creatures
**Magic resistance of 50% in 5 ft radius
**Dispel magic in 5 ft radius at lvl of Paladin
*Holy Symbol
*Bag of Holding
**1 Potion of Gaseous Form
**7 Potion of Healing (2d4+2 hp)
**30 Vials of Holy Water
**1 Scroll with 7 Speak with Dead
**Magic Rope of Climbing
**Wood Axe
**Bedroll
=== Journey Begins ===
September 1, 1520. Nikolas begins his adventure in the free city of Roxsis, located just west of the elven forest. While in Roxsis, he inquires about the local knowledge regarding recent events in the forest. He learns of several expeditions that ventured east along the river Aila towards the elven city of Lothtrin. Reports indicate that about 20 miles downstream, people started disappearing, and those who returned were afflicted with a terrible flesh-rotting disease. Nikolas converses with Serana, a half-elf, and Dap, a dwarf, both of whom participated in expeditions into the forest. They discuss their reasons for entering the forest and speculate on the elves' departure. Serana suggests that the elves left because of the disease and rot plaguing the forest.
Nikolas sets out on his journey up the river Aila towards Lothtrin the same day. By evening, he reaches the edge of the elven forest and sets up camp. The following morning, he continues along the river into the forest. After only a few miles, he encounters a group of Drekisian soldiers who are injured and in tattered clothes. Sensing something suspicious about their demeanor, Nikolas asks about their presence in the forest. The leader claims they are heading north to make contact with Abara. Nikolas offers to heal one of the wounded soldiers, who gratefully accepts. The soldiers depart, and Nikolas continues hiking upriver for the rest of the day without further incident.
The next day's journey is peaceful until evening, when Nikolas senses an evil presence nearby as he makes camp. He calls out but receives no response, prompting him to investigate. He discovers a ghost-like humanoid figure that does not respond to his attempts at communication. After failing to converse with the specter, Nikolas splashes holy water on it, causing it to wither and disappear.
=== Elven Village ===
Another night passes, and Nikolas continues hiking east until he discovers a path leading away from the river. Following the path, he reaches a section of the forest with unusually large trees and numerous intersecting paths. He follows one path to a particularly large tree with an opening, inside which he finds a beautifully crafted house carved out of the tree. Upon thorough exploration, he discovers that branches form bridges to other tree houses, indicating an elven village. In his search, he finds four notable items: writings in Elvish that appear to be a signal or warning, a hidden stash of 700 gold coins, a partially mummified elven body that seems to have been interrupted abruptly, and a magic circle made of wood.
As the sun sets, Nikolas finishes his search and decides to camp in one of the tree houses. In the morning, he returns to the river and continues his journey.
==Experience==
No experience given this episode.
Category:Rise of Drekis Episodes
Category:Rise of Drekis