The Final Will - Episode 1

This page is a recap of the first session of *The FInal Will* campaign, played 4/15/23. This was the first session in the BSB universe since the conclusion of *The Crimson Mountains* campaign in May 2016.

Beginning 7 years after the events of *The Crimson Mountains*, the calendar year is 553 ACR. This session saw the first-ever returning player character in Thane Nilos Kallistratos II, and the debut of two new player characters: Rango "Frondeur" Foré, and Kaveth Bruxus. This session included the first scene within the Empire of Bruxia.

This session saw Thane Nilos oversee the new status quo in Blackwall Hold, the initiation of Kaveth Bruxus into the Bruxian Branded, and the arrival of Rango & The Crimson Crusaders to the port of Marinas.

Previous Session: *none*

Next Session: Episode 2

## Nilos Kallistratos

### The Iron Keep - Balcony

The session began on the balcony of The Iron Keep, where an older, wiser, and more respected Thane Nilos stood looking over his city, Stoneshade. Nilos thought back to the very beginning of his journey, at the onset of *The Crimson Mountains* campaign, where his father, Thane Kain once stood in that very spot.

Nilos' younger siblings, Olliva Kallistratos, 17, and Orinn Kallistratos, 16 ran to join him. Olliva explained her joyful anticipation of marriage, and asked Nilos what has taken him so long to look for a wife. Orinn was struck how much Nilos was reminding him of their late father.

Nilos was joined by the new head of the Thanesguard, Ser David Freeman. David alerted Nilos that the council was soon gathering. Freeman took a moment to heartfully thank Thane Nilos for his role in changing his life. Once a humble Yurican mercenary, David was knighted by Thane Nilos after the events of the Battle of Stoneshade. Now with a noble house in the high quarter, a wife, and a young son, Freeman claimed he owed it all to Thane Nilos.

Nilos departed for the meeting, and Ser Freeman took the young Orinn to sword training, just as Ser Darius Straton had done for a young Nilos 7 years prior...

### The Iron Keep - Council Chamber

Thane Nilos was brought before his new council:

* Imperator Zanther Mason; advisor of military. The new Imperator after the rise of Widmund Reinhold to Baron of Hastreau.
* Executor Kristoff Mason; advisor of finance. The only returning councilor from *The Crimson Mountains*. CEO of Mason Mining & Smithing.
* Inquisitor Pierre; advisor of intelligence & spymaster. The new Inquisitor since Caius stepped down at the conclusion of *The Crimson Mountains*.
* Praetor Draco Basilius; advisor of diplomacy. A close relation of the King Basilius, sent to aid Nilos after the betrayal of Dracken Fenris in *The Crimson Mountains.*

The councilors gave their reports on the new status quo in Blackwall Hold. Executor Mason informed that steel prices had been on a downward trend, a bad omen for Blackwall's primary export. However new investments in Sela Petrae development were slowly paying off. Thane Nilos emphasized the importance of sela petrae R&D to thier technological arms race with the Bruxian empire.

Imperator Mason informed Nilos that a wing of soldiers had left the service of House Kallistratos to join the Gold Legion Free Company. This angered Zanther greatly, as he saw it as a sign that mercenary forces were continuing to gain sway over traditional armies.

Inquisitor Pierre reported from his spies in the Republic of Targe: not only had the first-ever senate gathered, but they had succeeded in passing a "Bill of Rights" for citizens of Targe. The council showed total skepticism for the idea of guaranteed rights to thier citizens, and Thane Nilos himself claimed an attempt at democracy was unsustainable.

Pierre informed Nilos about the upcoming "Congregation of Vicars" set to to take place at the High Temple of Phlendegar in Marinas. At the congregation, the Creed's high-ranking Vicars would decide who would fill the two vacant seats as "Archons" - human embodiments of the Gods' will.

Next arose the topic of the Empire of Bruxia. Pierre reported that the Branded have taken a renewed interest in completing the Bridge of Prosperity in Yanama - the bridge to span the gap between the two nations. Even Matriarch Vetharia Bruxus of Vassili was considering sending a delegation to Blackwall to negotiate a deal on its completion. Nilos showed cautious optimism for the possibility of increased trade with Bruxia.

Praetor Basilius reported word from the Barons. Baron Darius Straton of Solon was tardy on his monthly report, but Nilos cheerfully forgave his old friend. Baron Widmund Reinhold of Hastreau sent an all-good, and an additional report that agents of the Birchmen had been sighted on his lands - far north of their hiding place in Vasque Relicto. No attacks were confirmed and no action was needed as of now. that Baron Ferris Alexius of Nubardum would soon be arriving to Stoneshade to speak to Nilos in person. With the situation on the border evolving, as well as the rebuilding of the High Temples in progress, there was much to speak of.

Then, the council was joined by guest Eliza Straton. Once upon a time, "Eliza the Bastard", she was legitimized by Thane Nilos on the request of her father Darius Straton, and in the ensuing years had seized the opportunity to attend the University of Marinas, and become an educated lady. Since graduation, Eliza served the family business in Straton Steelworks, and also as a protege of the Praetor Draco Basilius. Draco praised Eliza for her wits. However, the Masons, longtime rivals of the Stratons, gave her a piece of their mind. Kristoff and Eliza got into a heated argument, and Eliza contradicted Kristoff's report by stating that both Steel and Sela Petrae prices were on the rise for the Stratons. Finally, Eliza was able to drop her big news: this morning she was confirmed as the new CEO of Straton Steelworks.

The council ajourned, and Nilos prepared for the arrival of Baron Alexius.

### The Iron Keep - Great Hall

Before meeting Baron Alexius, Nilos took the opportunity to speak to Eliza one-on -one. He inquired about her time at University, and her rise in recent years. Eliza thanked Nilos again for legitimizing her years prior. Stating that in another timeline, she may still be working at Muriel's flower shop in the trade quarter. Nilos impressed on Eliza the importance of advancing their technology through sela petrae R&D and weapon development. He presented a wild idea and challenge for Eliza - to design a new kind of naval warship to defend thier southern border. Excited at a new challenge , Eliza said she would reach out to an old friend, an engineer, to play with creating blueprints.

Thane Nilos greeted the arriving Baron Alexius, and showed him to his office for a private conversation.

### The Iron Keep - Thane's Office

Ferris Alexius reported to the Thane about the complicated situation in Nubardum.

Alexius did not trust the Bruxians on the matter of the Bridge of Prosperity, to which Nilos agreed that more information was needed before a decision could be made.

Alexius' brothers, Baryck & Gerith, had been more and more distant, now cutting off all communication with the Baron. The founders and leader of the Gold Legion, Ferris saw them becoming more and more complacent with their growing power & influence. The Gold Legion was in control of the border security with Bruxia, but have been getting loose and there were many incidents occurring on the border. With the civil war in Bruxia having been violently quelled for now, people were getting desperate on the south side.

This displeased Nilos, as he saw it as Ferris' responsibility to wrangle his brothers, telling Ferris to "find a leash" for the Gold Legion. Alexius claimed it was beyond him, heating up the argument significantly.

The differences between the two men continued to grow as Ferris revealed his priority: restoring the dignity of the Creed of the Five Gods. After the Battle of Stoneshade left the High Temple of Tagrimus in rubble, and the High Temple of Aquinas was ransacked by the Chasm in Targe, the Creed was in shambles with only 3 of its 5 High Temples standing. Ferris had allied with the Creed and began construction of new religious sites on his lands. With a new High Temple of Tagrimus in Nubardum, and a new High Temple of Aquinas near North Yanama, Ferris hoped to transform southern Blackwall Hold into the "Holy Land" for the Creed.

This angered the secular Nilos, and the two men got in a heated debate over the role of the Gods in modern Tirrenian society. The pious Alexius would not back down, and before long the men agreed to disagree, with Baron Alexius departing back for his lands with no aid from the Thane.

### The Iron Keep - Balcony

The session ended where it began: Nilos once more pondering the future of his lands from the Iron Keep. He was joined by his young brother, Orinn.

Orinn seemed despondent. Nilos inquired how sword training with Ser Freeman went, but Orinn was not interested in discussing. Instead, Orinn turned the conversation on Nilos and said that he does not live up to his brother. He says that Nilos seems more like their father every day. Orinn has no desire to be a Thane like Kain or Nilos, or a knight like Ser Freeman. Orinn says he is far more interested in living like their long-lost brother Kairos, who ran away to join the Creed and live a life outside the nobility (not knowing a thing about the identity of Kairos as Tyrusz). Orinn requests Nilos' blessing to join the Creed as a Druid.

Nilos hates the idea personally, but does not argue against his brother's heart wishes. Nilos grants Orinn permission to travel to Nubardum with Ferris Alexius and begin his training at the new High Temple of Tagrimus.

## Rango Foré

### Aboard *The Crimson Crusader*

Captain Rango "Frondeur" Foré is introduced onboard the ship he captains, *The Crimson Crusader*. Rango is joined by their loyal first mate Kaladin, and the Crusader's best blade Prisen Colin. "The Crimson Crusaders" are on thier way to the Port of Marinas to deliver a shipment of mystery cargo they agreed to smuggle. Kaladin reports that provisions are on thier last leg, the rum has run dry, and its about time they make it to land. They need to get paid and paid well to upkeep their ragtag operation at sea. Rango charismatically reassures Kaladin that all is well and happening in time, and the two old friends laugh and reiterate their confidence in one another.

Rango catches up with the quiet Prisen, a Yurican man who was once a killer for the Vassili Cartel. Prisen takes the opportunity to thank Rango again for the opportunity at sea which changed his life and took him away from a darker path. Prisen reiterates that his blade now protects Cpt. Rango and the Crusaders.

Rango heads below deck to the quarters of Raize. An alchemist and gunner of Bruxian origin, Raize was a refugee in the Bruxian civil war who crossed into Tirrenor after the slaughter of his family. Plucked from poverty, Rango gave Raize the opportunity to be at sea and explore his curiosities, in return for overseeing the Crusader's cannons. Raize excitedly demonstrates to Rango a chemistry breakthrough he made in increasing the efficiency of their gunpowder. Rango raises Raize's spirits and thanks him again for being such a vital part of the ship.

### The Port of Marinas

Rango & the Crusaders arrive at the port of Marinas, the largest city in Sea March. The biggest port in Tirrenor, the harbour is bustling with activity. Kaladin states that they are looking to make contact with Froylin the Merchant, and to meet a middleman, "Seb". Rango recruits the help of a young pickpocket, telling him that if he finds Seb, he can get him a spot on the Crimson Crusader. "Tye the Swift" excitedly ventures for his target while Rango, Kaladin, Prisen, and the crew make their way to the "Skeezy Barnacle" bar for R&R. However, Kaladin points out a ghost of the past sits in the harbour: *The Diamond Dagger*, the ship the two of them once served on.

### The Skeezy Barnacle

The crew comes unwound in the bar, filling up on rum after a long absence. Rango, Kaladin, and Prisen remain on point. Also in the bar are a group of Druids from the Creed of the Five Gods, having arrived into Marinas from northern Tirrenor for the upcoming "Congregation of Vicars". Prisen points out a strange hooded man in the bar watching Rango's every move. Rango is not alarmed, and Prisen assures him that his eyes will stay on the man.

Then, another pirate crew enters the bar. Led by none other than Captain Flynn Daggar, the most feared captain on the seas and Rango & Kaladin's previous employer. On sight, Daggar is thrown into a rage at Rango, revealing that Rango once attempted to poison Daggar & his crew in retaliation for a violent disagreement. The whole story is not told, but it is clear the hatchet is not buried. Daggar says if it were not for the pirate code of safe haven, that he would kill him right then & there. Daggar & crew depart, and Rango reminds everyone in the bar to "remember that his is the name on the lips of the best".