The High Road (Ep. 1)

### **Introduction**

To begin we are introduced to the DM for The Nights of Eveningstar campaign **MARK HULMES (DM)**, as well as the four players **MICA BURTON (AZARA MITHRAS), JONATHAN INDOVINO (TARKHAL ESSENCA), ANNA PROSSER (AGNIS CROWNSILVER), and NATHAN SHARP (MARCEL).**

As the game begins in earnest Mark sets the stage for the campaign:

> "Cormyr the Forest Kingdom and the Land of the Purple Dragon is a land far to the east of the infamous Sword Coast its lands are filled with humans and elves once united against the ancient black Wyrm [...] Thauglorimorgorus, the Black Doom and it now stands as a nation of courage that has withstood wars, disasters, and invasions time and time again. The High Road stretches from the western side of the Stormhorn Mountain Range to the city of Arabel. The landscape is beautiful with sweeping hills to the north, bountiful farmlands all around, and to the south the famed King's Forest. Amidst the ancient green boughs of the wood are patches of purple where it is said the blood of Thauglor stained the leaves as a reminder of Cormyr's past courage."
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### **Summary**

We are then introduced to the the characters **Azara Mithras****, Tarkhal Crownsilver, Agnis Crownsilver,** and **Marcel** on the road with a unit of young knights. This band has travelled here several days up the High Road from the capital. It is reveled that in the capital they had been summoned to the court of Queen **Raedra Obarskyr**. There before the assembled knights and her war wizard **Denolin[spelling unsure]** they were each tasked. The Crownsilver siblings, Agnis and Tarkhal, were to rule the hamlet of **Eveningstar** as Baroness and Baron respectively. Eveningstar's previous Baron fled after it was discovered he had dealings with Cormyr's enemies during the war with **Sembia** and **Netheril.** The siblings will receive a stipend, must collect the crown's taxes and represent Eveningstar when called for at court but within those bound have near total autonomy as to the management of the settlement. Azara and Marcel are given titles as well; Magister and Minister of Arms respectively. They will be given full authority over their domains and provided stipends as well. Azara will be responsible for representing the **War Wizards** in Eveningstar. She is to attend the yearly War Wizards council, as well as report and begin training on any individuals who show magical proficiency. During the conversation Denolin alludes to a problem of Asara's that this may be a solution to. Marcel is to be responsible for troop recruitment, patrols, construction and maintenance of fortifications. In the conversation it is revealed that Marcel, until being made a minister, was a mercenary.

Queen Obarskyr expresses her confidence in the Crownsilvers to restore the peoples trust in the crown. As well she offers her condolences to Azara on her mothers death, further stating that she believes the fallen Mithras' staff is in good keeping (referring to the staff in Azara's hand).

The company is given a chest valuing in at 1'500 Gold Pieces as a bursary, but before they go must swear an oath. The four swear on **Symylazarr,** the ancestral sword of the royal line, an oath of loyalty to Cormyr, its people, and the crown. This oath they all swear, with widely varying degrees of eloquence and enthusiasm, before being sent on their way. Accompanying them at the head of the 20 or so fresh-faced knights is Marcel's liaison with the **Purple Dragon Knights**. The half-orc woman clad in plate is named **Illessa Dawnwhisper** and she is to lead the knights as they are technically outside of Marcel's authority.

The narrative having arrived at the present the newly titled nobles make their way west along the High Road. Their journey thus far having been uneventful they approach a bridge crossing a river. The site of a battle is laid out before them, the bridge is scorched and peppered with arrows. On either side of the bridge bodies lie still, some brigands others knights, many have arrow shafts jutting out of torso's or limbs. The company advances cautiously, swords drawn. Agnis sends her fire spirit ahead to scout it returns uneasy but with no danger to report. Marcel leads the advance followed by half the knights, Azara and Illessa at their head, then the other half with the Crownsilver siblings. Marcel calls back that one of the knights on the ground still breaths.

When Blade-captain Illessa turns the figure over to asses his wounds steel flies and her throat is opened by a blade. The all across the field the bodies jump up, the company has been caught in an ambush, on the far side of the bridge men throw off green cloaks and step out of the forest. Agnis uses her wall of fire to cutting off the bandits on the other side of the river and setting the bridge ablaze. The battle is short but brutal but the company is victorious with minimal damage sustained. Agnis gives healing to Azara and Illessa who are both worse for wear.

During the fighting they learned the bandits follow 'the **Thornhand**' although the significance of the name is, at the time, unknown. As well it becomes clear that older bodies were used in the ambush, likely the garrison of Eveningstar along with locals who resisted the bandits in the initial fighting.

Due to damage sustained before and during the fighting the bridge is deemed too risky to use for the crossing forcing the majority of the company to wade across, although Agnis and Azara both opt to cross using magical means instead.

They arrive at Eveningstar to find the town up-in-arms. Locals wield rusted or makeshift weapons, a barricade has been erected at the village estate. Manning the barricade with a motley militia is a well kept purple skinned tiefling named **Dusk**. Dusk it would appear is the Crownsilver's seneschal who has prepared for their arrival as best he can under the circumstances.

Agnis address' the assembled villagers stating her intention not to lord over them but to protect them to the best of her abilities. Tarkhal offers news of their victory at the bridge as proof of their ability to do so, heartening the crowd as the scene draws to a close.