The Clasp of Virtue

The Clasp of Virtue was a campaign set primarily in the Stauden Bishopric within the empire of Damaria. The campaign follows a party who is working undercover to save a noble woman who has gone missing within the bishopric after having sought refuge at a monastery administered by a prolific preacher.

## Player Characters

Asshur Dawnfire (David), Elf Ranger

Jarnik Ib-Nostor Xandor (Daniel), Human Wizard

Rhonda (Alice), Halfling Cleric

Rovin of Peck (Jeppe), Human Rogue

Shrok (Casper), Half-Orc Barbarian

## Prologue

It is the year 1446 in the Age of Division in the world of Cintias. We find ourselves in the empire of Damaria. Less than a few hundred years ago, Damaria was one of many kingdoms fighting for power and survival in the northern half of the Midrealms continent. However, fortune would favor Damaria, which would end up conquering its neighboring rivals, expanding and incorporating nearby regions into its territory. Damaria’s expansion has helped turn what was once thought of as a backwater region into a major center of power and prosperity. Such growth has presented the Damarians with new enemies, most notably the southern Azurite peoples of the southern Midrealms.

In the present day Damaria is embroiled in a great conflict with many of the neighboring southern states. Empress Ashlind I has initiated a war of conquest against the dwarven Rinfolk states to the south, hoping to incorporate these lands into her empire. This has triggered a great defensive coalition against Damaria, who now fights a war on multiple fronts against the states of Karrock, Wulfphalia, Akarrosand Messilia. This great war is currently at a stalemate, with neither side being able to gain the upper hand over the other, and back and forth clashes have become a daily occurrence at the borders.

However, we turn our attention away from the battlelines and into the inner politics of the empire. The young Duke Lethis Redvaine of Penreach, a duchy located in northern Damaria, is tackling his own personal battles on the homefront. His younger sister, Lady Lysaera Redvaine, has gone missing. She has sought refuge in a monastery in the nearby Stauden Bishopric, having been swayed by the teachings of a prolific preacher named Ghislain. The Duke has done whatever is in his power to have his sister returned. However, the Stauden Bishopric has its own set of rules and privileges within the empire, having a system of governance akin to that of a theocracy which serves Panaea, the Goddess of Virtue and Honor. The bishopric has refused to return Lysaera as they respect the private matters of monasteries and practitioners in their region. This almost let to a violent standoff between Penreach and Stauden, as Duke Lethis marched a retinue of soldiers to the border demanding Lysaera’s return. The situation would be resolved peacefully when mediators from the rest of Damaria would ease tensions. Duke Lethis would return home having gained nothing.

However, Duke Lethis has yet to give up. At the outskirts of the mountainous town of Vigenberg within the Bishopric of Stauden near where Ghislain’s monastery is located, a gathering is taking place between a group of unlikely companions. Duke Lethis has hired undercover agents to infiltrate the monastery and guarantee the safe return of Lady Lysaera. The group is rendezvousing at a peculiar hilltop called “Flatpony Hill”.

## Story

### Beginning

The party met at Flatpony hill near Vigenberg. The adventurers knew that Ghislain resided in a nearby monastery known as Highdrake Monastery. Before heading towards the monastery, the party headed towards Vigenberg to gather supplies and gather intel regarding Ghislain and the cult that follows him.

The party would set course during the afternoon, travelling through the rough mountain terrain to reach Highdrake and avoiding rockslides along the way. On the path the party encountered two individuals dressed in white robes named Astria and Menuvil. Both were being attacked by a small goblin band led by a bugbear. The party would defeat the gang and route the remaining goblins. It was then revealed that Astria and Menuvil were both followers of Ghislain. Appreciating being saved by the party, Astria and Menuvil gladly escorted the heroes towards Highdrake.

### Highdrake Monastery

The party arrived in Highdrake during late afternoon. An abbot named Kasabin would greet the party and show them around the premises of the monastery. Highdrake was revealed to be a highly autonomous and self-maintaining society which grows its own food and produces many of its own necessities. They quickly learned that Ghislain resided in a part of the monastery known as the Drake's Tooth located on top of a peak with a lift being the only access. The party would split up to explore the monastery. Rovin would try to find secret entrances to the Drake's Tooth but with no success, instead ending up gambling money away with a local thief named Seddrick. Jarnik would explore the western chapel, a solitary religious building, where he would summon a spider familiar which he used to explore beneath a hatch leading to a basement. Asshur would attempt to sneak on board the lift but would end up fighting the guard guarding the lift, knocking him out but being bloodied in the process. In a panic, Asshur took the guards clothes and threw him under the lift, masquerading as the guard before a lift came down and crushed the knocked out guard. Asshur would manage to escape undetected, except by Seddrick who noticed him escaping and demanded hush money.

Rovin, Rhonda and Shrok would be present when Ghislain held a sermon to his followers. During the sermon, Rovin was handed a mysterious letter which told him "Meet me by the old willow in Lebisfield tomorrow afternoon."

As night approached the party would travel to Lebisfield and rest at a local inn.