Dantia/Storylines/The Assault on Basalt Isle

The Assault on Basalt Isle

432-02-25, a few IG years after the death blow to Maelshyve, a group of PCs under the general lead of Rekon began pursuing a plan to assault Basalt Isle, where the Lich Jeihrem resides. From the First Land Herald, issue 432-02-25:

First called before the Baron was Sir Rekon, Council Leader of the Order of the Dragon Shield, who requested the Baron's support in an assault he intends to make on the Reshalian island belonging to the lich Jeihrem, may his flesh wither into dust and his despicable spirit be agonized by the Spiral. The Baron denied the request on the grounds that the Order of the Dragon Shield's sanction is in Riverhaven only, though he allowed that a private attempt may be made, one done outside the name of the Order.

432-05-13, a memorial service was held in honor of the Necromancer Osven and all those who fought in the battle against Maelshyve. In attendance was someone known at that time only as "the scholar" who spoke about how he had been a Necromancer under Osven, and that he had been attacked by a three limbed, five eyed creature named Sivroch (who is associated with Jeihrem in some capacity). The scholar, though formerly a Necromancer, said he had awakened to the light of the Immortals (becoming a Redeemed Necromancer), and that he was under the care of the Temple.

433-06-14, the scholar attended a Riverhaven Town Hall and advised Rekon's group that the Temple had instructed him to warn us of the risks that we would face on the island, and that House Moglin, one of the Rathan Houses, was willing to support our venture. The scholar had been trying to determine how to strike Sivroch down for what she had done to him, and that while he did not think she and Jeihrem could be struck down completely, perhaps we could slow their efforts for a time.

433-06-22, there was a public meeting that included Rekon's group, Commodore Khoheke of House Moglin, and the disfigured scholar. Khoheke indicated that House Moglin had been losing ships in proximity to the isle, and the cost had reached a critical point. They wanted to strike a decisive blow to set the lich's efforts back and give them time to re-secure the waters while Jeihrem recovered. The Temple had provided House Moglin with a holy weapon that could be outfit onto a warship and used from a distance, but Khoheke needed intelligence from the ground on areas of potential weakness where the weapon could be used to most effect.

A scouting party travelled to the island to search for weaknesses, and was quickly faced with push back from Sivroch and several Necromancers. A report was issued back to House Moglin about what had been discovered.

Some time passed here due to the pandemic.

437-04-38, a new group of PCs that included some original members and some new, reached out to the scholar (now known as Zauldin) and House Moglin to begin discussions again. In response, the GMs scheduled "A Discussion of Naval Opportunities". At this public meeting, Zauldin confirmed that the holy weapon works, mostly, and that in the future he will likely be asking for help in a variety of missions - "naval, exploratory, sorties, and the like" - leading up to an anticipated assault. In the meantime, we are to "watch the seas, watch for pirates, and identify those who aid the Lich."

During this meeting, a small contingent of pirates attacked and looted portions of Crossing. Several days later, there was an additional attack of about the same size. Both attacks were defended against fairly easily. Several days later, Srinoja, a Gnome woman apparently speaking on behalf of the pirates began taunting folks over the gweth and then finally revealed that pirates were looting Riverhaven. Adventurers drove the pirates back and tracked Srinoja through part of the city, but lost her trail. She thanked them for the stuff that had been looted, and invited people to join her at a requested parlay in a few days time on Hara'jaal.

The turnout at the parlay was huge, with many people expecting that there would be a large fight with pirates. A small diplomatic team was taken on board Srinoja's ship to attempt to negotiate some sort of peace between her and Khoheke. Eventually, Srinoja agreed that if Khoheke would accept a series of demands, Srinoja and the pirates would work on Khoheke's behalf. On the beach, the combat teams fought with necromancers who coordinated an attack.

437-06-26, we met with Khoheke to outline Srinoja's demands and see if a deal could be struck. Srinoja eventually joined the discussions. Things began to escalate, and Srinoja, with the help of a group of necromancers and those working on their behalf (who were attempting to kill Khoheke), sprung a trap by exploding casks of alcohol. A fight ensued, but Khoheke was protected and escorted to safety.

437-08-10, Srinoja gweths about looting Aesry and sending some "uninvited dinner guests" to Ratha. A small defense is formed on Ratha, where they encounter a swarm of banyakea (creatures that usually reside on Basalt Isle). As the defenders fight back, several House Moglin ships arrive and use a strange weapon that disperses the cloud and ends the siege.

437-08-26 (4/3/2021), an attempt is made to rally the Rathans to rise up against Khoheke. When it appears the citizens do not intend to shrug off House Moglin's influence, several PCs start setting fire to various areas in and around the city, including farmlands prior to harvest. Droning is heard again and another wave of banyakea attack the island. A disjointed force rallies to fight the banyakeas, but are confronted by another group of PCs who take advantage of the confusion and fight against the defenders.

437-08-38 (4/6/2021), droning is heard again, this time in the area of Riverhaven. A quicker defense is mobilized, and the invaders are repulsed. During the attack, Sivroch enters the mind of several PCs, searching their memories for... something.

437-10-34 (4/24/2021), an evacuation is held to escort anyone who wants to leave off of Basalt Isle before the anticipated assault. The effort was confronted by several necromancers and Sivroch, but was still able to see about half a dozen villagers safely through a Moongate to Ratha. Several villagers were, unfortunately, killed in the attempt.

438-01-14 (4/29/2021), a creepy ichor began bubbling up in the Crossing Empath guild, followed by an attack by bone wyverns and bone amalgams. Defenders fought them off, but there were more than a few deaths to the ichor that would attach to a person and flow up over their legs and abdomen.

439-09-39 (07/25/2021), Zauldin and Khoheke meet with adventurers to discuss the overall outline of the Assault plan, and provide opportunities for questions. There is also discussion about Kauga's fate, and it is agreed that he will be given the change to fight in the Assault. Simultaneously, a similar preparation meeting was held for defenders on Basalt Isle.

439-05-24 (09/19/2021), Sivroch invades Riverhaven, and appears to be trying out some new attacks. Upon arrival by a group of adventurers, she yells 'FINALLY', as if she had been waiting for someone to finally show up. One of her new skills appears not to work, which frustrates her. She is defeated several times and eventually does not return.

439-06-08 (09/25/2021), Sivroch invades Shard, leaving an altar just outside the East gate, covered in eyes. Adventurers are able to punch this alter to destroy it, and after a lot of effort manage to do so.

439-06-12 (09/26/2021), Sivroch invades Crossing, employing her new attacks that she seems to be perfecting, and leaves an altar just outside the Crossing Empath Guild. This altar is also destroyed.

439-06-16 (09/27/2021), Sivroch invades Theren. She leaves another altar, this one dedicated The Manifold, that is destroyed.

439-06-36 (10/02/2021), the big Assault! Adventurers sailed to Basalt isle on Khoheke's ship, the Oshu'k'et, which was mounted with the Sanyu Aes, the holy weapon to be powered and fired by Paladins. Upon arrival, adventurers first cleared a landing zone and consecrated an altar that would serve as a depart location for those embroiled in the fighting. Adventurers were directed to progress their way toward Jeihrem's manor, smashing down barricades they encountered along the way. As they progressed, the way was cleared for special weapons to be used in the fight - whether against barricades or the hoards of banyakea that were attacking the front line fighters. Defenders of the Isle had their own tasks that were used to 'empower' their side, creating abominations or strengthening Sivroch as she continued to confront the attackers. As the fight waged on, people were plucked into a confusing maze, where they were expected to perform certain tasks to free themselves and get back to the fight. After several hours of grueling fighting, Jeihrem emerged from his manor, his size so great that he was able to cross the length of the island in just a few steps (crushing unsuspecting victims as he went). As he approached the Oshu'k'et, Paladins rallied to the Holy Weapon and, with the aid of Khoheke to lead them, empowered and fired the weapon into Jeihrem.

Reality battles interloper as the rules of the Plane of Abiding roar in fury as the many exceptions and violations on the isle are forcefully rectified. In the rain of golden light, you detect for a fleeting moment an illuminated banner, composed of precise lines and silvery wisps emanating from a silvery spiral. The banner seems to unfurl from horizon to horizon, perfect forms overlapping with perfect forms in an endlessly nested and shifting display. Everything changes, and through it all, you feel the force of Khoheke's will.

The weapon deals a significant blow to Jeihrem, but is unable to kill him. His wispy form collects Sivroch and retreats into his manor. In the chaos of the end of the battle, Srinoja appears to be freed from her disfigured freedom, and escapes on an airship.

So who won? No one. And everyone. The attackers of the Island successfully dealt a blow to Jeihrem that he is sure not to forget anytime soon. But at the same time, the defenders of the Island succeeded in protecting him from being killed completely, and perhaps had other goals fulfilled that the public is not privy to...

Related Logs

• 433-06-22 (02/07/2020): Meeting with Khoheke and Zauldin/the scholar, scouting mission to Basalt Isle, confrontation with Sivroch.
• 437-04-38 (02/25/2021): A Naval Discussion with Commodore Khoheke Moglin and Zauldin, the Redeemed Necromancer in regards to an assault on Basalt Isle.
• 437-06-26 (03/14/2021): A strategic meeting with Commodore Khoheke Moglin goes sideways, when the pirate Srinoja and necromancers attack!
• 437-08-10 (03/30/2021): Fending off an attack of banyakea on Ratha, sent by the Pirate Srinoja, with unexpected naval aid from House Moglin.
• 437-08-26 (04/03/2021): A letter to Khalo rae Wen Salvur on needing more Combat Empaths.
• 438-09-39 (07/24/2021): Assault update with Khoheke and Zauldin, including discussions on Kauga's fate.
• 439-06-36 (10/02/2021): Assault on Basalt Isle - Alter Consecration PoV (courtesy of Whiteburn).
• 439-06-36 (10/02/2021): Assault on Basalt Isle - Oshu'k'et PoV (courtesy of Lasaia).
• 439-06-36 (10/02/2021): Assault on Basalt Isle - Airship PoV (courtesy of Elaun).
• 439-06-36 (10/02/2021): Assault on Basalt Isle - Holy Weapon PoV (courtesy of Cadhan).