Session 30

**Session 30 of the Eden campaign** took place May 25 (In Erideon time 26 August 120 3A to 27 August).

## Summary

Asutali narrowly escapes capture after infiltrating The Bohemians, a tavern in Roulan where the White Covenant auctioned seized magical goods. The party hides from the pursuing Covenanters with the aid of Nicola von Stavenger, an Ancient Vampire of powerful lineage. She recounts much of the previous ages, sharing the tragic story of her family, before the party returns to the surface to continue their quest. There are some antics with the Eyestones, which end in the only way they can: Badly.

## Synopsis

### The Ancient Vampire

The terror in the cellar was far more civil than expected: Nicola von Stavenger, an Ancient Vampire of a proud house that has lent its name to the region it once occupied. A lover of culture and a secret admirer of the cultural life of Roulan, Nicola admired JoJo, and knew him by name -- as well as sobriquet, "The Nightingale." An aspiring artist, Nicola held canvas an easel: certainly, an ironic spin on the Faith of the Painter, as the White Covenant would gladly burn her at the stake in front of cheering crowds where she to be captured.

### An Ancient Curse

Nicola lived for twenty-three years under the rule of Logarius the Great, at a point where the tyrant's power had long been eroded by his former friends and allies. She recounts the terrible day, in which Logarius, finally consumed with the reality of his powerlessness, consumed himself -- and everything around him -- in a desperate effort to end the turmoil of the Planescape. Although it succeeded in clearing the minds of everyone in the Nexus, ending warfare for a while, it eventually left the Nexus stratified and disjointed in the face of Extraplanar aggression.

Nicola resents Logarius for his many crimes against Vampires, although she readily admits that the times before the tyrant's decline are remembered fondly as some of the most peaceful of all time, her vampiric ancestors remembering them with longing.

### The Forgotten Avenger

Nicola revealed many things of the past, including that Ulfgar's Black Sword was once wielded by her brother, who betrayed Logarius the Great after witnessing the horrific demise of his family, a family of vampires. Unbeknownst to him, though, his sister, Nicola, escaped. The Avenger of yore then descended into rage and madness, living only to exact retribution against Dragons.

### The Bohemians revisited

The party returns to The Bohemians, where JoJo and Huron discover that the place has been scrubbed clean after the previous day's antics.

They also stumble upon a Town Crier, clearly addressing the populace on the events of the previous evening, namely the Battle of King's Plaza (120 3A):

"HONORABLE and MOST LOYAL subjects of the KING IN ALDIA, Laurence, second of his name of the House of Istiniac. Surely, at this time, ye have all heard of the melee that took place in the Plaza of our Good King. Know that the perpetrators, a band of roguish and fiendish practitioners of witchcraft and devilry, are now being pursued by the full power of his Highness's men, and they will soon be delivered to justice. The outcasts and brigands that brought this destruction upon us shall be made to pay for every innocent life they took yesterday evening, every man, woman, and child that they murdered! Go on about your duties, countrymen, and know that the Good King Laurence keeps you all in his heart!"

### The Soup Kitchen

The party meets Hallah, a blonde human with dull yellow eyes, that is leading a small cohort of White Covenant faithful in providing food and nourishment for the poor of Roulan. They offer soup to the Usual Suspects, who happily accept such a delightful breakfast, albeit the "Blessings of the Painter!" were somewhat less delightful.

### Eyestone Antics

The party messes around with some Eyestones -- the results, although predictable, are nonetheless funny.

## Quests

### Ongoing

* **Plaster Saints (Everyone):** Help the students of Nirmarth with their ambition to discredit the White Covenant.
* **The City of Tears (Everyone):** Find and explore the mysterious city of Aldenburgh, now known to be the ancient Serpentfolk city of Shihen Ahen, where ancient lore claims that the Great Conqueror first stepped foot on the "unknown." Now known to be a demiplane, only accessed via the phylactery in the Royal Palace.
* **The Legacy of the Great Ones (Everyone):** Find information of Neia's whereabouts from the Hellborn in the Netherworld. Two phylacteries can be used to access this plane: one in the Royal Palace, and one somewhere in Freienthal.

### Completed

* **Devil's Advocate (Asutali and possibly others):** Prepare to testify before the Aetherial Council.