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Music by Kevin MacLeod.
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Ten years ago, the Ghoul Imperium of the Underworld and the vampires of Morgau marched into Krakova and conquered the kingdom entirely, establishing the Greater Duchy of Morgau and expanding the borders of the Blood Kingdom.
The undead occupation has been kept in check by resistance from the Court-in-Exile, as well as opportunistic reaver dwarves who sailed across the Nieder Straits.
But the hidden machinations of the ghouls swirl beneath the surface. Rumors abound of an even more sinister plot that threatens not just one kingdom, but the entire world of Midgard.
Empire of the Ghouls is designed by Richard Green, and published by Kobold Press. It takes place in Kobold Press’ fantasy world of Midgard.
Chapter 3: The Blood Marriage
Episode 3: The Memorial Feast
Active Party:
Alaric, level 6 dhampir Death Domain Cleric/Bard
I/O, level 6 gearforged Circle of the Moon Druid
Lucian, level 6 dhampir Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Ry, level 6 shadow fey Black Powder Sorcerer
Torben, level 6 bearfolk Ancestral Guardian Barbarian
While traveling upriver toward Huldramose, the party run into a pair of bearfolk being attacked by a large, hairy creature with elongated limbs reaching out from a tree overhead.
It’s an asanbosam, an ape-like ogre who thinks he’s scored an easy meal. Until our heroes show up.
Torben wastes no time flying into a rage and leaping off their boat and into the murky swamp water, wading furiously toward his fellow bearfolk.
Lucian casts fly on I/O, who transforms into bear form. Flying bear cavalry!
Unfortunately for the three remaining on the boat, another asanbosam attacks from a nearby tree, taking swipes at Alaric, and then Ry.
Alaric uses spirit guardians to pummel the hairy creature. When it it disappears back into the trees, Ry roots it out with a burning hands, only to get grabbed in its long, venomous claws.
Meanwhile, the flying I/O bear gets caught up the other asanbosam’s claws. It shreds her of her bear form, but discovers that, as a gearforged, she’s immune to its venomous teeth and claws.
She wild shapes again, and with the combined effort of a raging Torben, and the two rallied bearfolk warriors, they take out their monstrous foe.
Javelins come hurtling from nearby and strike the second one dead as Ry misty steps away.
The party turns to see a third boat approaching, carrying a handful of trollkin warriors, their shields emblazoned with the symbol of Sif. The Huldra!
After exchanging some cautious words, the Huldra agree to escort the others the rest of the way toward the village.
The bearfolk are grateful for the rescue. The sisters are also on their way to Huldramose, in hopes of training to become shield maidens themselves.
Huldramose is built right over the river and wetlands on wooden beams. The Huldra escort the party to the Queen’s Hall, where they meet with Queen Thorgerd, one of the two reigning queens of Huldramose.
The party explain their cause, and the bloody invitation they discovered at Reaver’s Cave.
Queen Thorgerd is concerned of dark tidings lately, and agrees to consult her augurs and sages to find more information on this “midnight temple.”
The party also reveals the magic sword and shield they found at Reaver’s Cave, with an inscription from a Huldra named Rangrid.
Queen Thorgerd is grateful for its return, and declares tomorrow the Memorial Feast of Rangrid Ironeyes, to which the party is invited as guests of honor.
The Huldra fight hard, and play hard. The Memorial Feast is practically a carnival or fair, with archery contests, axe-throwing, and snake-handling.
Alaric tries his luck with a bow, but his rusty skills are put to shame by the more experienced Huldra (A for effort, though!).
Ry and Torben far better with a game the Huldra called Crown of Kings, which involves lifting heavier and heavier stones onto barrels representing dwarven leaders. The higher the Athletics check, the faster the participant can move each stone.
Torben uses his impressive brute strength to become the new record-holder, though Ry puts up an impressive showing by burning through all his Sorcery Points using Magical Guidance for constant re-rolls.
Lucian and I/O head to the snake-handling area, which is more solemn and serious than a mere contest. Participants are told to drink a foul liquid and sit calmly with a snake (or more) placed upon them.
I/O can’t imbibe liquid, but she supports Lucian’s brave efforts to take part in the ritual. When the old Huldra tells him four snakes is the record, the emboldened dhampir calls for no fewer than five snakes!
Lucian becomes poisoned from the liquid (failed CON save), but I/O has a neat trick up her sleeve. She casts speak with animals, and attempts to reason with the newly arrived snakes, convincing them not to attack them.
Most of the snakes listen, but a mediocre animal handling check causes one snake to bite Lucian. “Sssorry,” they tell I/O. “Ssssteve is kind of a dick.”
The snake bite has an odd effect on Lucian. His eyes roll in the back of his head and he begins convulsing, alarming I/O until the Huldra shrug and tell her it’s a normal reaction. Many of the Huldra receive visions this way.
Lucian does receive a vision, of running through a dark forest, ghostly hands reaching out. A dark pit yawns before him, and out of it rises a sinister building.
I/O leads an unconscious Lucian out of the snake area, but spots a suspicious Huldra ducking behind the Queen’s Hall. With her hands full, she calls for Alaric and the others to check it out.
Alaric gets there first and asks the Huldra what she’s doing. The Huldra tries to wave off any concern, but actually casts charm person, and Alaric fails the save.
Thankfully Ry and Torben show up, and realize Alaric isn’t acting at all like himself (though is also quite drunk).
When the Huldra realizes the jig is up, she opens her mouth, distends her jaw, and releases a cloud of freezing, icy breath!
Several tiny icy creatures harass the surprised trio while the “Huldra” disappears in the cloud. But she did leave behind a hastily scrawled map, with a marked path from a group of standing stones south of the village.
The party reunites and reports their finding to Queen Thorgerd. Ry casts detect thoughts on the Queen, careful not to probe too deep. Her thoughts are filled with protecting the world tree, and fear that nefarious forces have discovered their hidden sapling.
Aloud, she confirms that they have noticed some dark fey in the area. She asks the party to journey to the stones and take out any evil creatures they may find.
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RogueWatson 