Episodes 17-22
Episodes 17-20: The Vinheim Arc Part 1
The Vinheim Arc.
DAY 1, NIGHT. Our heroes arrived in Vinheim as the perpetual thunderstorm of this region buffeted their skyship, The Devourer. Landing in Vinheim, they journeyed into the gothic, stonewalled city to be met by the screams of a vampire spawn's victim. After slaying the vampire spawn, they were met by the city guard who arrested the party under the suspicion that our heroes were responsible for the death they arrived too late to prevent.
That night, they were brought to the Vinheim jail where they met Striga Florsheim-- a newly converted paladin on a path to discover the truth behind her husband and daughter's disappearance only days ago. Their conversation was interrupted by an attack from Davik, a vampire, who flew in to assassinate Striga. After Gallogk turned the creature, the party passed the night to meet Lord Aegir in the morning.
DAY 2, DAY. After a series of quite effective persuasions by Sankara, the party was passed a secret note by Lord Aegir to meet them at the Warhammer Inn in two days' time. More information would come. After leaving Lord Aegir's estate and making their way to shelter at The Silver Arrow, the party crossed paths with Ileana who recognized Sankara from his supernatural visit to Mirkarkden with the goddess Vishnaiva. After narrowly escaping with their lives after her arcane barrage in the streets and alleyways of Vinheim, the party retreated into a magic shop-- Luizana's Magic Shop & Arcade.
The party grew in Luizana's favor. After learning of her past life as an adventurer, they also were made privy to her mysterious ability to bring others into her vivid memories to fight her monsters of adventures long past-- her arcade.
DAY 3, DAY. Seeking more gold for magic items, the following day they accepted a quest to dispatch Ytharra the Decrepit, (Luizana's nemesis), and did so very well!
DAY 3, NIGHT. That night, they met Captain Van Ness of the city watch at The Silver Arrow. He and his men grumbled about Vinheim's inaction with the attack on Daekrahm. He informed the party that in two days (DAY 5, DAY) he and many men of Vinheim would rebel against Lord Aegir and march to Daekrahm in its defense. The party agreed to help.
DAY 4, DAY. The party meets Torlad, Lord Aegir's right hand, at the Warhammer Inn. For decades, the humans and vampires of Vinheim have abided by The Covenant (a written agreement arbitrated by The Church of Oghma). The Covenant states that the humans rule the day and Vampires rule the night with the understanding that the humans do attack or encroach and Vampires only feed on social refuse and Undesireables.
It is explained to the party that Lord Aegir has had his hands tied by the vampires of Vinheim (The Sept Sanguin). For some reason, the vampires have captured Lord Aegir's daughters, swearing to kill or turn them should he take any action to aid Daekrahm. In secret, Torvlad has come to request aid in their rescue. The party agrees to help.
DAY 4, NIGHT. The party followed a lead that increasing disappearances have been happening in the slums around a pop-up tent soup kitchen run by The Path of Plenty and their leader, Samantha Fowler. Striga tells the party that her husband and child were going to this soup kitchen for a meal when they disappeared. After asking maybe a few too many questions, Samantha introduces herself to the heroes and invites them to a dinner party later that night to learn more about The Path of Plenty. Sankara wildshapes into a rat to ride Samantha's carriage to her estate. There, he finds an elaborate dinner and an unexpected guest-- the vampire, Davik.
The party convenes at the doorway of Samantha's house and joins the dinner party. Tired of their pointed questions and provoked by Gallgok, the fight with Davik and the Path of Plenty cultists begins!
DAY 4, NIGHT (continued). The party stands victorious over Davik and the cultists as Shalltear flees into the night. The party tracks Shalltear to the House on the Hill where they become victims of her doll house. Striga falls victim to her late husband turned flesh golem and the party discovers that Shalltear turned Striga's child into her undead spawn. After surviving Shalltear, they journey lower into the depths of the House on the Hill and discover Lord Aegir's daughters. After a fight with Viscount Morose, the leader of the Sept Sanguin, they not only free Lord Aegir's daughters but free Vinheim from the rule of The Covenant.
DAY 5, DAY. Now free to act without the threat of losing his daughters, Lord Aegir releases forces with Captain Van Ness to aid Daekrahm.