# Session 13 - Session Name **Played:** 25 June 2025 The group slowly move forwards and find themselves in front of the monastery itself. A path begins to reveal itself and figures become visible. There do not appear to be any guards or obvious defences. The group comes up with a plan and presses on towards the larger building. As the group draws near they see this stone path which appears quite ramshackle. Perhaps 50/60 people reside within this complex, the majority of which are wearing brown robes, with scatterings of red robed individuals. They all appear to be busy with tasks and there appear to be stables and animals. The robed individuals slowly turn to the group as they notice their approach. A gong is rung as the group find themselves surrounded by eager, smiling, welcoming individuals, greeting the party with "Welcome. [[The Brotherhood]] awaits you." Looking around them, [[Elena]] notices that the individuals in red robes have disappeared into a back building, and she relays this to the group, suspicious of what they may be planning. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] greets one of the brown robed cult members and asks if there is somewhere the new recruits gather. The ecstatic individual with dilated pupils responds overenthusiastically, delighted the group are joining [[The Brotherhood]]. She prattles on about The Old Ways and how wonderful [[The Brotherhood]] is. They insist on getting them robes and bring over several sets of brown robes. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] asks about where the quarters are. The cult member introduces themselves as Lisa and is more than eager to lead the group over a raised pagoda area with a mosaic on the floor and multiple prayer mats aligned around it. As the group walk towards a building to the North of this pagoda, [[Elena]] sends 🐭[[Myst]] up to do a fly by around the area, feigning giddiness with excitement and asking [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] to take her arm and steady her. Nothing stands out other than the gardens and a study area and the main complex building. Lisa opens the door to the main building for them and gestures to them inside. The group repeatedly tries to get information out of them but there is an unnatural euphoria to them and a fanaticism about them that is unsettling. They agree to stick together and explore this complex as the cultists get distracted by menial tasks and seemingly allow the group to wander freely. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] announces “I guess we will change in here” and opens a door to the east and reveals a large dormitory of 50 or so bunk beds in very minimalistic almost military bareness. The group discusses the benefits of donning the robes, but agree not to. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] finds a set of red robes in a cupboard and adds them to his backpack. A door to the North East of the main dormitory is locked and as [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] picks the lock [[Elena]] looks through 🐭[[Myst]] again to make sure Brother Merric is not approaching. In this room they find what appear to be the red robed members quarters. Nothing of interest here, except a door to the South, which is locked. Persephonefails to lockpick it so [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] tries to kick it down and on doing so, triggers a small trap which deals damage to him. They go through another seemingly plain room and encounter another locked door. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] tries to open. [[Elena|Elene]] checks for traps, then [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] kicks down again to another bang of a small explosive trap. Now, entering a seemingly plain four walled square, stone room that is again empty, [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] suspiciously casts around the room along with [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]]. She discovers a false wall that opens to a descending stairwell. The group agrees that this area is likely very forbidden and out of bounds and so they should proceed with caution. They give [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] one of the red robes and [[Pipe]] casts invisibility on her, and she scouts ahead whilst the group keeps watch at the stairwell. She finds a mural on the floor that she describes to [[Elena]] via their mental link and in describing this to [[Pipe]] he says it sounds vaguely reminiscent of the nation of Kazadd, otherwise known as "the burning lands". [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] and [[Pipe]] warns that the inhabitants of these lands were known to be practitioners of necromancy and other dark arts. The other side of the mural she sees a more ornate door that is also locked. She communicates this with the group and [[Elena]] cautions her to wait until the rest of them arrive before entering this space. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] ignores [[Elena]] as usual and, as she lock picks the door, [[Elena]] mentally communicates with her that the party are coming down as it is time she had back up. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]], still invisible, successfully picks the lock and opens the door a crack to take a peek at what lies beyond. She spots a chapel of sorts, with pews and an altar. Before she has much more time to see anything, she spots two red robed figures of [[The Brotherhood]], one armoured figure with a shield heading towards the door, and before being able to react, a robed figure at the altar launches some flaming bolts straight at her. Despite being invisble, she takes a heavy hit from these scorching rays and retreats back into the passageway, swiftly retreating to where the group are able to reconvene at an intersection of corridor some 60ft back. The group agree that now their presence has been discovered they muist stop them, as they may warn the rest of the complex. Bad enough to fight a couple of these cultists, let alone an entire encampment. As the group carefully make their way back to the ornate door that [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] had opened, they see the door is still ajar, but an ominous cloud of magical darkness now enveloped the area making vision impossible. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] takes a torch off of the wall and throws it in. It disappears. He grabs another, casts light on it, then throws it in. This remains. The group approaches the door, preparing for what may be. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] loudly offered the cultists inside an opportunity to surrender, which [[Elena]] rolled her eyes at. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] cast faerie-fire on the area, illuminating the armoured cultist nearest the door. [[Pipe]], unsure of what to do with such limited visibility tried to trick the cultist with an illusion, but failed. [[Elena]] instinctively ran towards the darkness and engaged the cultist head on. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] tried to sneak around the side of the room, using the pews as hiding spots to try and get closer to the casters at the back of the room. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] was able to pick her moments carefully and landed some nasty arrows against the cultists. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] charges, shield up and pushed the armored cultist further away. [[Pipe]] made his way around the other side of the room and was able to web the two casters and barrage them with magic missiles which successfully broke their concentration on their spells. The armoured cultist landed several heavy blows against [[Elena]] and [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]], bringing [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] to his knees. Recognising the urgency to end this fight swiftly [[Elena]] drew upon the powers bestowed to her by [[Nyxthys]] and rattled the cultists very soul with a premonition of death. There seemed to almost be a clash of divine will which [[Nyxthys]] emerged triumphant from. With an almighty blow, [[Elena]] cleaved through the cultists flesh and bone, destroying him utterly. As the body split in two, [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] saw through the split at Elenas darkened eyes, impressed, but also concerned at what he had just seen. What unnatural power was this? After Maela landed a killing blow on one of the casters, [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] approached the remaining cultist casting command “surrender”, which failed. Instead the cultist looked on in desperation attacking with more Searing Flames. After a few switch attacks from the party, they were eventually felled. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] was frustrated at the deaths, and that the group did not keep one alive for questioning. After the fight the group take a breath and [[Elena]] berates [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] for once again going it alone and acting recklessly placing everyone in danger. [[Elena]] finds a key on one of the corpses which opens a door at the back of this room into a small chamber with black stone shelving with skulls on. The skulls appear to be from multiple different races below each of which are labels which are numerous. The shelf at the end is wooden and littered with paperwork. There are many files discussing the creation of the order. [[Elena]] finds a document evidencing the creation of this order, called a chapter and the presence of many around [[Tarin]]. The importance of blending in with society is emphasised, whilst seeking to recruit and expand numbers. There appears to be a hierarchy to this order, [[The Golden Circle]] is mentioned. The reds are called apostles and appear to be police / guardians. The votary are the browns, the common followers. The crusaders are the armoured. The bloodied is mentioned / The compelled. The venerates, those who seem to produce "the sacred." [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] finds a document about a meeting of [[The Golden Circle]], happening soon, where [[Merric Veil]] will be speaking. This appears to be a fairly commonplace event. [[Pipe]] finds a document from [[Merric Veil]] to a [[Cassius]]. - 15th Summer 3032 [[Cassius]], Long have I urged The Circle, but I feel my words fall on deaf ears. Let me be clear - unless we act, we shall end in ruin! Secrecy is our greatest weapon. It has kept us hidden from the Imposter Gods and their followers for over 3000 years. We have survived. But survival is not enough, if the prophecy is to be fulfilled - we need to thrive - we simply cannot wait another cycle! To do so requires a new way of thinking. Secrecy must be maintained and is essential, but with our numbers dwindling and our future bleak it is time to utilise new tactics. Too long we have been a whisper in the dark, now it is the era of dominance. I have bold ideas and connections I feel could bolster our numbers. But how to spread the word and recruit whilst keeping our cause secret? By utilising a facade, a pseudonym, that can be used to recruit followers en masse before revealing our true identity to those who devote themselves! By employing these tactics immediately, with haste, across all Chapters, I believe we can turn the tide. - MV 22nd Summer 3032 Merric, Whilst I agree with your judgement on time and numbers, these methods are not our way. What you suggest would risk exposure and possibly alienate our flock. The assembly has always valued your input and the Reds have always upheld our laws, but I worry as to your thinking here. I would ask you to cease this line of thought and concentrate on the coming months. CP [[Merric Veil]] further continues to try and persuade [[Cassius]] through correspondence. They discuss village folk as being prone to folklore and superstition. They can simply nurture seeds of doubt and reap the benefits. [[Merric Veil]] [[Cassius]] says he has no authority outside of [[The Golden Circle]] and should be removed from position. Some sort of coup appears to have taken place with [[Merric Veil]] assuming control of [[The Golden Circle]] and he now goes between the chapters ensuring they are following his plans. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] finds a doctors list, of all female patients with dates of conception next to them. With dates ranging from last winter to last week. The names have also been marked fair / poor etc but MV has signed "induce" over them. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] takes a look around this space and feels a draft coming from underneath the wooden shelf. He finds another false wall and is able to push this back revealing yet another staircase leading down. Before the group head on down into the unknown, [[Elena]] suggests that they should perhaps take a short rest, but also explore the rest of this floor / compound. She suggests that Will would not be important enough to drag all the way down into this most secret lair and that if they wished to free him, it is likely he would be held prisoner in a slightly more accessible place. The group considered this and eventually agreed that it would be a good idea to scope out the rest of this floor first and make sure Will or Persephone's dagger were not here. The group speculated that the stairs may either lead to a secret exit, or perhaps the lair of that winged beast seemingly under The Brotherhood's control. Or it could even lead to some sort of ritual site with more of those crusaders or even these "bloodied". Either way they should be prepared before heading down. ## Session 13 - Post Session Check-in