Rise of Drekis: Chapter 2 Episode 04

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==Synopsis==
After capturing the Voraci detachment's fort, the party interrogates Gar'Nasha, the orc leader, who reveals information about the ancient fortress Kachuma and the Vorpal Sword within. Vincent suggests diplomatic engagement with orcs and Voraci soldiers, leading to mixed opinions among the party. They decide to keep Gar'Nasha alive as a goodwill gesture. The group, joined by Lord Campbell, liberates Santa Barbara, and deliver a rousing speech to the villagers. 
A week of rest follows, during which the party heals, gathers information, and writes letters—one to Drekis for reinforcements and another to Geraldine Silverworth proposing a peaceful negotiation. During the respite, they witness an eerie light on the distant mountains. Fully healed, the party attends a dinner at Lord Campbell's estate, where he attempts to please Elaine. Elaine and Campbell have a private conversation about identity and family. The next day, the party, accompanied by a goblin, embarks on a journey to Kachuma Fortress to deliver the diplomatic letter, encountering orcs planning an ambush on the way.
==Recap==
=== Orc Interrogation and Speeches: June 28th, 1517 ===
The battle is over, and the party examines the paperwork within the recently captured fort. The documents reveal that the Voraci detachment on the island operates as a scouting unit, tasked with evaluating the strategic value of the island.
After a while Gar'Nasha, the orc leader, awakens and undergoes interrogation. Gar'Nasha discloses information about the ancient fortress, Kachuma, located in the Forest of Death beyond the mountains. Notably, she speaks of a formidable weapon within the fortress known as the Vorpal Sword that seeks the neck of its prey and slices it off with a single blow. Gar’Nasha also informs them that there are around 50 orcs remaining in Kachuma Fortress with the wizard, Silverworth, leading them. Vincent suggests diplomatic engagement with the orcs and the Voraci soldiers. Crumpet strongly disagrees and Elaine isn’t convinced but agrees with Vincent that it is worthwhile to attempt to reach a peaceful agreement with the Voraci soldiers. Vincent also requests to keep Gar’Nasha alive as a sign of goodwill. Elaine agrees.
Later on the same day, the party, accompanied by Lord Campbell and two bowmen, proceeds to the town of Santa Barbara. Crumpet scouts the town, confirming its safety. Knowing that the town is safe to enter, the party makes their way down the main street to the town square. In the town square, Lord Campbell addresses the villagers, declaring the liberation of Outpost Santa Barbara under the Drekisian Empire's banner. Subsequently, the party engages with the townspeople, providing insights and answering inquiries.
=== A Week of Rest: July 1st, 1517 - July 6th, 1517 ===
Over the following week, Elaine and Crumpet dedicate time to heal within the captured fort. Concurrently, Vincent attempts to gather information, engaging the local blacksmith. Using the spell, Vincent delves into the blacksmith's thoughts, learning of the blacksmith's pragmatism and skepticism about the party's survival against the Voraci detachment. Though cautious, Vincent concludes that the blacksmith is not a traitor.
Also, during the downtime, 2 letters are written. One of the letters is to be sent back to Drekis with some samples from the fort explaining the situation and asking for reinforcements. The second letter is addressed to Geraldine Silverworth, and is a request to meet at Lake Casitas to negotiate a peaceful arrangement that will result in them leaving the island of Ethos. The plan is to escort a goblin halfway across the mountain pass and then have the goblin make the rest of the journey to Kachuma Fortress on its own. At the fortress, the goblin will deliver the letter to Silverworth.
During this respite, the party observes an enigmatic light phenomenon on the distant mountains. The glow, appearing alive, traverses the mountain before disappearing over the summit.
=== Dinner Party: July 7th, 1517 ===
After the party is fully healed, Lord Campbell invites Elaine, Vincent, Crumpet, Vordren, and Willa to dinner at his estate. Near the end of the dinner, Lord Campbell makes a speech:
“To my new-found companions, I don’t know how many more opportunities I’m going to have to live a life of luxury, and treat and host with wizards, nobles, and brave (sometimes invisible) halflings. As I understand, the coming days and weeks will help to decide the fate of this town. I have thrown my lot in with each power as they have come to the surface, but I want it to be known that I think Drekis is the rightful ruler of this town, and that I stand firmly beside you come hell or high waters. So dear friends, now that you are rested and healed, and before anything gets too out of hand, I thought it might be nice to have an evening of relaxation and celebration, because life is short, and we may not get another opportunity to enjoy peace and each other's company. And so, new-found friends, I would like to make a toast to the rise of Drekis.”
After the speech, Campbell asks the party members to share stories about the past and family. Crumpet shares a story about one of her 17 siblings that stole an octopus. Vincent tells a story about being scouted by the military in the Drekisian capital of Wikkthronrarenta and being sent to wizard school. Elaine explains how she had to grow up quickly and there are not any stories worth telling. Crumpet then asks Campbell to tell them a story. He tells the story of when the party met him on the yacht. He explains that he believes their meeting was fate and the actions they will take in the upcoming weeks will have large and lasting consequences on not just the people of Santa Barbara, but the entire world. Elaine does not appreciate the story and asks if Campbell would like to talk to her privately.
Lord Campbell and Elaine go to the balcony alone, where Elaine asks Campbell what he wants. Campbell answers that he doesn’t really know and that he is simply taking things as they come. They discuss what it is like being a half-elf and talk about their families. Elaine tells Campbell a story about a time when she asked her non-biological father where she came from. In response to her question, her father threw her outside into the cold night and told her that she must come back inside as a Pentalin or stay outside forever. Elaine explains to Campbell that she is proud to be a Pentalin and will do whatever it takes to make her family proud.
=== Letter Delivery: July 8th - July 9th, 1517 ===
The next day, the party along with a goblin make their way through the mountain pass towards Kachuma Fortress to deliver the diplomatic letter. On the second day, Crumpet notices several orcs preparing an ambush on the cliffs above them. Elaine orders the goblin to tell the orcs that they wish to deliver a message to their leader. The goblin delivers the message and takes the letter from the goblin. The party head back the way they came.   
==Experience==
No Experience given this episode.
Category:Rise of Drekis Episodes
Category:Rise of Drekis