This is the second chapter of Book Five of the Sorcerer-Kingmaker adventure path conversion for Dark Sun. Although the PCs may have had a chance at victory in the Rushlight Games in the last chapter, someone from their home territory comes rushing to find them after the closing ceremony, letting them know that their territory came under attack, only a few days after they left. You should make this an NPC they're fond of, someone trusted and unlikely to be lying. They tell of an attack by a flight of trained pterrax riders, supported by a regiment of soldiers and some kind of giant in a great bronze helmet. Tearfully, they tell of the sack of their town, and the deaths and enslavement of dozens of their people.
The original adventure is a little short on plotted detail for this chapter, and leaves the PCs in the same city as the guy who has apparently just attacked them. I'm not sure about your players, but I feel like mine would go for the throat and try to kill (or maybe just confront) King Irovetti as soon as they find out. I feel like an urgent need for the PCs to return home can offer some drive to save their people rather than just gank Irovetus. The other puzzling part is that despite being titled "War of the River Kings", there's only really one King who takes part (pending whatever title the PCs call themselves), and given Irovetti's demonstrated preference for forcing confrontations through cats' paws (Baron Drelev, in the previous adventure), it seems odd for him to jump to immediately confronting the PCs himself. Therefore, this chapter will introduce an additional complication- Irovetus has launched an attack on Altaruk at the same time he has attacked the PCs' settlement, and made the attacks appear to be from one another. The competitors from Altaruk hear of the attack on the same evening, and as the PCs are staggering from hearing of the attack, they swiftly desert, heading out the city gates. Their encampment is abandoned, and partygoers are still milling about confusedly. They tell that a messenger came, and the mercenaries grabbed their gear and headed off out the city gates without a word, and had Balic's gladiator champion Villamor Koth with them (unless he died earlier). This lends a sense of urgency and requires response. The PCs should fence back and forth with Altaruk's forces across the region, seeing Balic's soldiers and Templars watch cautiously and keep the peace against both sides, preventing water sources being fouled and villages being burned. Villamor Koth serves as general of Altaruk's forces, and his personal might can overcome almost any defences arrayed against him, although the PCs' personal involvement can blunt his advances. His military strategy is passable, but his combats have generally been small-scale, rather than organizing troop logistics and movement, so the PCs will have opportunities to outflank and defeat his strategies. The troops of Altaruk are generally mercenaries, with some citizen levies. If questioned, they maintain that the PCs' settlement attacked first, though they are confused about exact timing. Specific battle sites: 1. Defense of the Rhana valley: The PCs' first action against the forces of Altaruk come in a defence action in the Rhana Valley, a narrow pass with a small watchtower. A regiment of two hundred soldiers, backed by a dozen half-giant juggernauts and a trio of mercenary Defilers, expect to march through this valley to reach the PCs' region. Reaching the valley in time will be difficult, and may involve taking a level of exhaustion to take up fortified positions before the troops arrive. 2. The storming of Heliosta village: Heliosta, a small village on the shore of the Sea of Silt, is being used as a staging-point by Altaruk's troops. A regiment has taken up positions at the village's drinking-holes and several silt-skimmers monitor traffic along the coast and protect the swift troop movements. Holding this point means having a point to ferry soldiers up and down the Sea of Silt. Taking this town will mean slowing the progress of Altaruk's army, and being able to insert the PCs' troops (and perhaps the PCs themselves) closer to Altaruk. 3. Battle of the Anamesh defile: A seemingly-easy victory at the oasis town of Anamesh lures overextension of resources, which Villamor Koth is only too happy to exploit. His infantry fall back along the side of the Defile, an ashy ravine outside town, as his hidden cavalry, riding heavy crodlus, sweep around the flank to launch a surprise attack. 4. Strike on Mardahal: A garrison the PCs are supervising comes under attack moments before a Tyr-storm hits. The attackers swarm out of the dust and lightning, protected by a pair of conscripted druids, overwhelming the defences as the weather crashes in. 5. Ambush at Tarat: A spy brings word of a slow and heavy wagon train on a secret route, bringing paychests for Altaruk's mercenary troops draws close to the small town of Tarat, allowing an opportunity to sieze their resources and reduce their army's morale. However, it is in an armoured Mekillot wagon, and defended by mercenary sharpshooters in cover. 6. Last Stand at Altaruk: Villamor Koth stages a desperate last stand behind the walls of Altaruk, as Balican soldiers prepare to reinforce them, bringing a heavy cavalry unit up behind the PCs' troops, enough to completely overwhelm. As they prepare to strike, an attack horn blows among Balic's troops, signaling their betrayal. Several Templars among their ranks bolster their forces in a devastating attack leaving no doubt as to the identity of their ultimate attacker. This will be a very hard fight, with the PCs pressed from both sides. If the PCs survive, this leaves the next step as launching an attack on Balic itself. However, their victory in the field gives them an edge which Andropinis recognizes as a true danger to his city. He decides to cut his losses and takes to the city walls himself, appearing unshielded before the PCs. The mighty sorcerer-king gazes at them impassively, then sends a messenger (perhaps Velemandus, who brought them word to begin this adventure) who approaches them fearfully. The messenger bears a golden laurel wreath on a pillow, and a map, and provides a memorized speech: "Greetings from the undisputed and indomitable Dictator of Balic. This wreath is a gift from Mighty Andropinis for the victor of the War of the Silt Princes, and is His apology for His servant's eagerness. The map contains directions to Whiterose in the Branthlend Mountains foothills, where he currently plans a trap for you. The Dictator of Balic wishes to convey that His servant has taken his household guard with him, as well as his loyal servant Mnoedon, a giant. The Dictator hopes that this settles any lingering ill will, and wishes to convey that no tribute is due for [the PCs' settlement] for the next decade as a further expression of His benevolence." This leads the PCs to the next chapter, where they can close on Irovetus and hope to bring the War of the Silt Princes to its end. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 22 January 2021. Comments are closed.
|
AuthorI'm Luke. He/him pronouns. Archives
May 2022
Categories
All
|