Risen Defeat

"*Risen Defeat"* (*2x01*) is the eleventh and twelfth session of the **Campaign of the Black Knights** and the first session of **Chapter 2 - The Fall**. Having narrowly escaped the defeat at Aestinvale, the Black Knights found themselves sailing in the skies above the Sovereignty. They now had to decide what to do next. This episode was split into two sessions titled **Part I** and **Part II**.

## Synopsis - Part I

Date**: 15th August 342 Third Age, 8:00 AM – Cloudfall, skies above Aestinvale**

With Heor Lou’s wrathful sacrifice, Sovereign’s hold on the skyship Cloudfall was released, and the ship was propelled by the sheer force behind the explosion and ship now being free to move. The ship exploded out of Aestinvale like an arrow loosed from a bow and it sped through the storm surrounding Aestinvale. The Black Knights struggled to not only maintain their grip on the ship’s railings but to also maintain consciousness. The sheer speed at which they were rocketed through the clouds made it incredibly difficult for them to stay awake but through sheer will, they managed to hold on as the ship continued its course. Eventually the ship rocketed out of the storm and above the clouds. For the first time in days, the group felt the warmth of the sun. The ship slowed down to a more reasonable pace and finally the Black Knights could regain their balance as the ship levelled out.

As they got up from the railings and regained their bearings, they finally had the time to recall everything that had happened, all the losses they had suffered and the terrible truth that was revealed unto them: Ivy Hellfire was a murderer.

Enraged by this, Lux sucker punched Ivy, sending her to the ground. As she approached Ivy’s prone form, Ivy retaliated with eldritch blast, sending Lux to one knee with the wind knocked out of her. Ivy tried to talk Lux down, but the enraged Were-bear simply pulled out her greatsword, with Ivy preparing herself in turn. A standoff ensued between the two, but Jin-san used his flame sword to get their attention. He tried to calm the two down by telling Ivy to surround her sword to the group. Ivy refused vehemently. For a while the group argued back and forth before they were interrupted by a soldier who informed them that the Duchess had requested their presence. They followed the soldier to the captain’s quarters where the Duchess was resting. The group talked with her where they informed her of Heor’s fate. Upset by this, she maintained a stiff upper lip and encouraged them to continue the fight against Sovereign. Before they could continue this talk, the ship was attacked by Fallen forces riding giant vultures.

The group returned to the upper deck and engaged the Fallen in combat. In the ensuing fight, Jin-san was able to kill a vulture whilst Lux was able to decisively kill the two riders of the vultures, a lion humanoid and a werewolf, alongside ripping apart the second vulture. Whilst this was happening, Ivy was picked up by a vulture and thrown off the side of the ship. Thanks to her quick thinking, she was able to shoot a crossbow bolt with rope tied at the end to grapple herself to the ship. She then climbed to the top of the railing but before she could get back onto the ship, the vulture scooped her up and flew above the top deck near the helm. It dropped her on the top deck but soon regretted that decision as Ivy retaliated with Hellish Rebuke, lighting the vulture aflame and turning it into a rotisserie chicken, complete with a platter to serve it. With their victory complete, the group decided to tuck into the roasted vulture but before they start, the ship was attacked by a massive blue dragon that loomed menacingly above the ship.

## Synopsis - Part II

Date: **Top deck of Cloudfall, somewhere in the skies above the Sovereignty – 15th August 342 Third Age 9:00 AM**

Hovering near the ship, the group stared, in mute awe, at the massive form of the adult white dragon. Resplendent in the morning sun, the white dragon stared at the trio while the sailors and soldiers on deck cowered in fear. After a period of mutual staring, Ivy and Lux started eating with Ivy offering some chicken to the dragon. The dragon declined politely before asking the group who they were and why they were there. The group talked to the dragon about their mission and their journey to Maelbar. The dragon introcued themselves as **Aetion**, Alabaster Wind of the Feathyreway Pass. Aetion claimed dominion over all of the Sovereignty. The group bartered with the dragon, and agreed to spread word of Aetion’s magnificence if the dragon escorted the ship to Maelbar. The dragon agreed and then moved in front of the ship, flying within sight range of the ship so Cloudfall’s helmsman could follow.

Date: **Cloudfall, somewhere in the skies above the Sovereignty – 16th August 342 Third Age 7:00 AM**

After this, the group rested and woke up in the morning and broke their fast. They then had a meeting with the Duchess who expressed her concern of a possible traitor on the ship. The group agreed to keep an eye out for any traitors and advised the Duchess to root out the traitor by giving a false heading to the helmsmen and Captain. The plan was to announce publicly that the ship was going instead to Fethyrefall instead. During this talk, Ivy’s demon raged at her to kill the Duchess and everyone else. Her staunch refusal led to severe head pain, and she promptly asked the Duchess if they could end the meeting. The Duchess agreed but grew suspicious over her behaviour. The group split up after this, with Ivy heading to a broom closet where she spoke with the demon over its behaviour. She refused to kill but the demon grew angry at this refusal and her condescending attitude and punished her with a mental strike. It then left her be, shaking in the broom closet.

Meanwhile, Jin-san and Lux went up to the top deck of the ship and talked near the railings. They spoke of their plans to watch out for the Duchess and any possible traitors. They also agreed to watch out for Ivy who was acting erratically and strangely. As they finished talking, they watched as the Captain announced a new heading: they were ‘headed’ for Fethyrefall but in reality the heading had never changed. The Duchess’ plan was underway.