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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 6: The Midnight Temple
Active Party:
Alaric, level 7 dhampir Death Domain Cleric/Bard
Bahn, level 7 kobold Bard College of Whispers
I/O, level 7 gearforged Circle of the Moon Druid
Lucian, level 7 dhampir Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Ry, level 7 shadow fey Black Powder Sorcerer
Having endured the Cursed Multitude of the forest, the party finally emerges in the ruins of Nordheim, where an imposing temple stands at the bottom of a recently excavated crater.
The two-story temple bears the black paw sign of Chernobog, god of night and death. The area is empty, save for a main entrance guarded by several deranged-looking dwarves, and a pair of robed figures.
They’ve bluffed their way past undead guards before, why stop now?
Alaric pops his fangs and dons the dress of his vampire lord father. He demands to be let into the temple to attend the ceremony, and hands over the wedding invitation from Reaver’s Cave.
He rolls a nat one on the Deception check, with advantage. Double 1s!
While leaning forward, the Holy Robes of Sister Adelind locket slips through his robes. The darakhul shadowmancer spots it and hisses. The fight is on!
The party faces off against the darakhul, a human blood mage, and four derro, a sort-of mutant dwarf.
The elderly blood mage casts [Evard’s] black tentacles on the entire party, but Lucian hits him with a mind sliver, breaking his concentration before it can do much damage.
Alaric stuns two derro, forcing the darakhul to retreat. I/O drops a moonbeam, while Ry summons a magma burst on the blood mage.
But the mage is stronger than he appears, and the radiant damage from the moonbeam doesn’t seem as effective inside the red glowing runes that surround the outside of the temple.
Surprisingly, Bahn still tries to work the diplomatic angle, confirming that it’s all a misunderstanding, and they’re indeed the servants of Alaric.
The mage appears willing to agree, if Bahn gives himself up as a meal to be served.
Alaric won’t have any of that, he’s in full fight mode, and the others are equally concerned. They refuse to agree, and the blood mage uses his full power to drain Bahn, Alaric, and a nearby derro of their blood!
Bahn goes down, though I/O is able to pick him back up. Lucian and Ry continue to focus on the mage and the straggling derro.
Alaric is locked into the battle with the shadowmancer, having to put up defensive shield spells against the shadowmancer’s repeated scorching rays, until I/O can finally summon the moonbeam on top of him.
The party notices more derro guarding side entrances, but they haven’t yet been alerted. Having mopped up the main crew, they loot the mage’s key, and head inside.
The empty antechamber is piled with bodies, which is always a fine place for a short rest! It’s also sound-proofed, and they have no idea what to expect inside, though they haven’t seen any other wedding guests approach (they recall Adra, the imperial ghoul guard, was surprised they were arriving so late, back at the forest).
I/O summons all three animals from her rarely-used bag of tricks, including a dire wolf, while Alaric animates two ghouls from the pile of bodies.
The party enters like the temple interior like they own the place. The pews are filled with over a dozen ghouls, vampire thralls, cult fanatics, and dwarven reavers.
Short steps lead up to a raised sanctuary at the other end, where three figures stand. A darakhul man, vampire spawn woman, and a gnome officiator dressed in black robes. By joining these two nobles, representing their dark factions, in unholy matrimony under the will of Chernobog, the dark gods’ power will spread ever-lasting darkness across the world.
Which would be bad for everyone else.
The party try to keep up the ruse as best they can, waltzing up to the pews, but Alaric’s Holy Robes begin emitting a bright light. Quickly the party sets off a big surprise round, including Bahn casting hypnotic pattern on half the guests (and the bride and groom!).
I/O becomes a beacon of healing with aura of vitality, Lucian pops open his Vial of Sunlight, and Ry lobs a fireball onto the altar.
The results are messy but effective, as the entire right side of the temple erupts into a gigantic brawl. I/O transforms into a giant elk and summons stampedes, while the gnome priest, Kenas, summons a blade barrier around his charges.
Any hopes to finish the ceremony are dashed when Ry lobs his elemental gem of fire through the barrier, summoning a fire elemental on top of the nobles.
The injured darakhul groom fully retreats, while the vampire bride fares little better with fire and sunlight raining down on her.
Lucian twin casts haste on Alaric and I/O-elk, turning them into effective murder machines, and allowing Lucian and Ry to stay safe in the backline, dealing damage from afar.
Bahn plays it dangerously, as always, but still stays on his feet. And more importantly, concentrating on hypnotic pattern!
This party has been preparing for this battle for some time, and they waste no items or spell slots hammering into these enemies.
When Kenas falls, a great crack runs through the temple, right up to the altar, revealing a symbol of Sif underneath. The darkly restored temple begins to fall apart, spurring the guests to begin to flee.
I/O elk uses her massive size and hasted speed to scoop up chests full of wedding gifts, and the party make their escape.
During the chaotic egress, the valkyries descend from the heavens atop their winged wolves, throwing down ropes for the PCs (several ropes for I/O giant elk!).
The valkyries spirit the party away from the temple and back to Huldramose, where they are received with a grand feast from their triumphant victory over evil.
The loot from the wedding includes a cloak of protection, mithril chainmail +1, and adamantine breastplate +1, as well as several expensive gems and jewelry.
From there, the party return to Marsh Hollow, and the boat ride back to Johzt.
But the reception in Johzt isn’t quite as warm. High Priestess Jagoda has distressing news. While the party was overseas, the ghouls launched a surprise attack, and kidnapped Archduke Avgost.
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RogueWatson 