Sovereign's Lure

"*Sovereign's Lure*" (*1x07*) is the seventh session of the **Campaign of the Black Knights** and the seventh session of **Chapter 1 - The Rise**. Following the group's victory over the basilisk, they were immediately attacked by a second basilisk. Their new objective was to slay the second beast and save the village of Goldrise.

## Synopsis

Date: **6th August 342 Third Age, 7:00 PM.**

Following the group’s victory over the basilisk, the group were then immediately attacked by a second, larger, angrier basilisk. In the ensuing fight, they managed to kill it but not before **Lux** was turned into stone. After the group defeated the basilisk, the townspeople helped load **Lux** onto a cart**. Jin-San** and **Ivy** were then taken to an abandoned tavern where they rested for the night. As **Ivy** slept, she had a terrible dream where she was executed for the murder of **Elohir**.

Date: **7th August 342 Third Age**

In the following morning, the duo took the cart and travelled back to Aestinvale. They arrived late in the evening and went to Whitehill Guild, where a guild cleric successfully cured **Lux** of the petrification. The group went back to the *Ill-Tempered Fox,* where they rested for the night. When **Lux** went to her room, she found a note from the Shadow Collective which detailed what they wanted from **Lux** in exchange for their aid. Whilst **Jin-san** and **Lux** slept, **Ivy** snuck out and went to the tavern called the Beefy Boiis, where she drank, ate and gambled.

Date: **8th August 342 Third Age**

In the following morning, the group went to Whitehill Guild and were debriefed and then paid for their successful mission. After this the group split up and went about their own individual business.

Shopping and Errands: **Everyone**

**Jin-san**

* Went to *Peona and Othed’s Armaments*; bought a new +1 katana.
* Chatted with Peona.

**Lux**

* Went to the *Medici Bank* and deposited 50 gold into her account.

**Ivy**

* Went to *Em’s Broidery* to pick up her order (skirt and vest)
* Went back to the Sphinx’s Armory to drop off the loaned armor back to Breca.

Following this, the group rendezvoused at the *Ill-Tempered Fox.* They went to go have lunch but were interrupted by a commotion outside. The group went outside to investigate and saw a large skyship in the sky, heading in the direction of Cumulo Square. Curious, they went to Cumulo Square. When they arrived, a messenger sent to look for them was exiting Whitehill Guild, walking right into them. They were told that they were summoned to Whitehill Guild.

**Heor** **Lou** had returned and asked the group to come to Whitehill Guild for an urgent meeting. They met with **Heor** and were introduced to **Cleric Mackenzie**. The group then went to a room that contained **Elohir’s** body. The cleric performed the spell *Speak with Dead,* which temporarily gave **Elohir’s** corpse life and intelligence, allowing it to speak to the group. **Heor** questioned **Elohir**, who was groggy and disoriented. Despite his efforts, **Elohir** was unable to explain who killed him and after further questioning, was possessed and attacked **Heor** and the group. Through **Jin**-**san’s** divine sense, he was able to determine that a fiend had possessed **Elohir**. He cut off the hand that was strangling **Heor** but was in turn then strangled by that same hand. In response, Ivy communicated with the fiend and told it to leave. She shot the head, which stopped the spell. Following this harrowing experience, the group went with Heor to speak to the Duchess.

The group met with the **Duchess**. **Heor** and the group explained the situation to the **Duchess**. She commanded that none speak of what had happened, to keep the city from panicking. The group then informed the **Duchess** about the basilisks and questioned her about **Sovereign** and his history. The **Duchess** reluctantly told the group about **Sovereign**:

* **Sovereign** was a high-ranking battle mage in the Sovereignty Army. He was given a portion of land to overlook. In the Sovereignty, non-snow elves were never given high ranking positions. **Sovereign’s** appointment as a high-ranking official was a great scandal and controversy. One day, a noble accosted him and verbally abused him. Enraged, **Sovereign** attacked the noble. He was severely punished for this in the form of a public flogging. He was also heavily demoted. Following this incident, he appeared to have been humbled and even kissed the feet of the noble who accosted him. However, that same noble was later found murdered, having been tortured and heavily mutilated in the process. **Sovereign** was accused and then hung for the murder of the noble. His body was tossed into the gutter. Sovereign **Galathor** censored all mention of **Sovereign**. Not even his name was allowed to be spoken, on pain of public flogging.

The group were then contracted into acting as a bodyguard for a diplomat to seek alliances with the other cities. They entered into a formal contract and signed it with **Heor Lou**. The group and **Heor** went back to his office, where the official paperwork was signed. Following this, the group were dismissed. **Jin-San** asked **Lux** for a spar. She agreed but first went to Secretary **Ramon** to ask some questions. **Ivy** stealthily followed behind to spy on **Lux**. **Lux** tried asking **Ramon** for **Sovereign’s** real name, but his fear of **Sovereign** prevented him from telling her. Following this, **Lux** met with **Jin-san** and went to the training room to spar, with **Ivy** tagging along. Whilst they sparred, the two discussed **Ivy** and her possible connection to the murder. Although close by, **Ivy’s** exhaustion meant she was unable to discern what they were discussing. Once they finished their discussion, they prepared for another round of sparring but were interrupted by the bells tolling. They went outside to see heavily armed soldiers in formation in Cumulo Square. A large snow elf, in resplendent thick plate armor sat upon a horse. He was identified as General Radahn. Heor Lou went up to him and questioned him on why the army was in the city. General Radahn answered bluntly:

Sovereign is on his way, and with him, an army many thousands strong.