Game 1: Forbearance of Decay

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Forbearance of Decay is the first game of the Azulia campaign. It is followed The Puppeteer. Forbearance of decay occurred on October 25th 2015, real world time.

## Intro

*As Illuma rises in the morning sky, its orange light pierces the veil of darkness below the airship. Gradually, the forests and plains in the distance illuminate. In the distance, you can just make out the city of Kordal before the land gives way to the sea. It’ll be several more hours before you arrive to your final destination, the capital city Manu of the Free Republic of Corsan.*

*T’was strange to think just the night prior you had been on the ground on the gnomish island of Wilford, The Most Serene Republic. The airship, christened just hours before as Trindle’s Resolve, was procured new from gnomes and named after the prime minister and war hero of Corsan, Trindle Weatherford. Trindle’s Resolve is the 3rd airship in the world, an uncounterable force to the ground armies of The Kingdom of Rile.*

*You can still vividly recall the initial battles of the war; nearly two years ago did the declaration of independence occur and immediately precipitate the conflict. Over this time, you and your fellow squadmates in the Free Revolutionary Army performed valiantly, earning many victories in battle. Your success quickly earned the respect of your superiors eventually bringing you to your place today among the most premier special forces units of Corsan.*

*As the ship passes over the midway islands, a yell from one of the crew members snaps you to alertness. These volcanic jungles are largely inhabited by monsters, however, there are rumors of dragons inhabiting the volcanoes. Of course, the entirely gnomish and dwarven crew tend to be a superstitious bunch.*

*As you begin to peer over the edge of the airship, however, you can spot a winged silhouette in the distant sky…*

## The Dragon

*The silhouette slowly enlarges. You can now make out its black wings flapping clearly in the distance. The gnomish helmsman, Rocko, rushes to you. "Sir, your orders? I suggest we turn our broadside to it and engage it. Alternatively we could land in the water and engage it there."*

The heroes, Roscoe, Varis, Earl, and Walter, quickly re position the airship to engage the black dragon with its main cannons. Although the heroes make several shots onto the dragon, it crashes its way into the ship nearly turning it flipping over. Roscoe and the others are able to hold on, however, Varis slams into the handrail and falls overboard. Quickly, Roscoe rushes into the helm and orders the ship to dive. The helmsmen is able to successfully pick up Varis and stop his fall.

Meanwhile, the dragon makes another pass before landing on the ship. The great black dragon's breathe immediately disintegrates several of the crewmen and nearly felling Varis. Roscoe retaliates with his short sword, delivering a wrenching incision to the dragons abdomen, causing it to take flight once more. Once again, the dragon attempts to flip the airship, this time unsuccessfully. The heroes continue to fire upon the dragon as it attempts to flee, finally felling it to the oceans below.

## Return to Manu

*As the defeated dragon falls, the gnomish crewmen quickly set the ship back into motion. The ship picks up speed once again, the land of Corsan ahead of you. This time the crew maintains full alertness. Some time passes before you arrive over land and the capitol city, Manu, grows visible.*

*As the city comes nearer, you can now see the crowd that has gathered to witness the arrival of the airship, Trindle's Resolve. The airship begins its descent and you can see the hands scramble to secure the ropes below.*

*After your gather your bearings, you descend down the lowered ramp from the ship into the roaring crowd below. The prim minister, Trindle, moves forward to greet you. He bats his eyes seeing the damage on the ship before exclaiming, "It seems it has already seen its first battle!"*

The heroes greet the prime minister and offer him information of the attack. "This is distressing news. Dragons haven't been seen here for years and we've had reports that forces of the Kingdom of Rile have set up bases on the Midway Islands. We'll send you over immediately once the ship gets patched up and refitted."

The heroes agree and partake in the festivities of the airships procurement before retiring to their provided suites at The Tigers Den Inn inside Manu.

## Arrival at Skulk

As morning dawns, the heroes make their way to the airship. Most of the damage has been fixed, and the dead and injured crew replaced. Rocko greets them at the ramp. "Good morning, quick word they do here. The felled cannons have been replaced and we've been loaded with the supplies. The navy has already departed and will meet us there. We're ready at your mark commander."

The heroes contemplate their action deciding to move during the daylight coming in low. Arriving at the island of Skulk several hours later, an encampment of the Kingdom of Rile can be made out ashore. Trindle's Resolve strafes in unleashing her main battery, quickly leveling any resistance.

Dismounting, the heroes clear the remaining buildings, setting fire to one with enemy forces who flee from the building. Varis accepts their surrender and brings aboard the airship for confinement. The crewmen begin to unload their supplies and set up camp. Rocko approaches the adventurers, "Great job securing the site. The orders from command are to clear the mountain for possible sighted encampments." The heroes ready themselves and begin their journey up the mountain.

## The Mountain

A quicker, albeit steeper path is found by Roscoe. While initially the adventurers face little trouble, a vertical cliff presents a bit of folly which is eventually conquered. The heroes, now up top, have found the torch lit tunnels in the distance. They cross several narrow crags before making their way into the tunnel.

Once inside, the adventurers find several mysterious potions, among other artifacts, one of which Varis takes in his backpack. Inside, they come across two acolytes casting a spell upon an unmoving black dragon. Roscoe attempts to sneak up, but it is noticed. A fight ensues, the heroes eventually victorious.

During the fight Varis threw the potion he'd picked up at one of the enemies, which containing acid, burned and disfigured one of the enemy combatants. The potion, unbeknownst to the heroes, infected the enemy eventually returning him to life as a zombie after he fell.

Taking a hand from the last battle, Varis rushed to grab another potion from altar to use against the still dormant dragon. Quickly he returned and poured its contents on the dragon who immediatly howled and began to melt. Before its death, however, the dragon was able to unleash its acid breath upon Varis, felling and nearly killing him. Roscoe, utilized his medicinal background to stabilize Varis.

## Outro

The adventurers quickly made their way back to the encampment, carrying the still unconscious Varis, who was treated aboard the airship. As the adventurers rested, the navy begin to land and set up. Slowly, the head officer made his way toward the airship.

The tall human strode up the ramp, "Greetings, I am Admiral Otto. It seems you boys sure did a bang up job taking out this encampment. And I heard you've taken out a dragon, the second in as many days. Impressive. You boys will do well here, get some rest, for tomorrow we'll move on to Black Rock the next island north. I hate to say, this island may have been dull for you. The new reports we've been receiving indicate mass internment camps and live experimentation are occurring in Black Rock. Those same zombies you saw by the dozens. It seems the reports of worship of the God of Disease, Fester, are true. We may all be fucked."