Welcome to Patron DnD, where Platinum-level patrons and I get together to play Dungeons & Dragons via Discord and Roll20. Patrons also get exclusive access to private videos, custom 5e content, and participate in monthly DM Roundtables.

This Patron DnD Campaign will feature a rotating cast of players, depending on signups, availability, and earned Platinum Points.

Music by Kevin MacLeod.
Token art by Jimmy McClure.
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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 6: The Pure City of Vandekhul
Episode 5: The Pure City p2

Active Party:
Bahn Mi, kobold Bard College of Whispers
Alaric, level 12 dhampir Death Domain Cleric/Bard
Millie, level 12 human Way of the Kensei Monk
Ry, level 12 shadow fey Black Powder Sorcerer
Zaberi, level 12 human Battle Master Fighter/Wizard

With the Marquess a total bust (well not total, Millie uses her hat of disguise to transform into her!) the party tries their second ghoul noble contact from Narosain, the Marquis Lazlo Dimas, former general of the Harvester Legion.

The Marquis is intimidating and serious, but helpful. He’s loyal to the Imperium now — but not to Duke Lichmark, whom he sees as conspiring with the Hunger Cult against the Emperor.

He gives the party half a sending stone, telling them he can help indirectly by using his influence in the military.

He then tells them to seek out the head priestess at the Temple of Agonizing Bliss.

The party enjoys acting out the part of a troupe of courtiers, bodyguards, and servants for the “Marquess,” including Bahn as her new beau, as they make their way to the temple.

The Blood Temple’s spiked steps prove painful as the party ascend to meet with the high priestess. She agrees that the Hunger Cult is growing far too powerful, and she’s learned of an important ritual taking place early tomorrow morning: High Priest Radomir plans to ritualistically sacrifice the Archduke of Krakova for the Hunger God, Vardesain. In doing so, Radomir will be blessed with the knowledge of how to create darakhul with each infection.

Normally darakhul are extremely rare, as the fever usually creates baser ghouls, or simply kills its victims altogether.

The vampire wants to keep the darakhul in check as much as the party does. She knows the ritual will take place at the Bone Cathedral, and tells the party of a secret entrance in a nearby alley that leads to the underground catacombs.

The party heads toward the alley to scope out this important location. But on route they are stopped and surrounded by over a dozen ghouls and armored darakhul, including an officer mounted atop a carrion beetle!

Seems they’re actions have finally caught up to them, and they’re wanted for questioning by orders of the Emperor.

The party briefly debate on how to proceed, but the captain isn’t waiting around, and Millie isn’t one to go quietly.

Roll for initiative!

Alaric stops most of the undead with his command undead spell, but his concentration is broken when the Imperial Ghouls fire their crossbows.

Bahn picks up the commanding officer with Bigby’s hand, dropping him back down atop his beetle, while Zaberi strides up to fight both of them in melee combat.

Millie lashes out at the nearest ghouls with her fists, and Ry targets the officer with power word: pain. By the time Alaric unleashes his devastating turn undead (insta-melting all the ghouls and fearing the others) the captain is nearly dead.

It’s a simple manner of cleaning up the rest, though the beetle turns tail and scampers across the rooftops, while two turn’d ghouls quickly flee down the street.

It isn’t long before the party spots aerial patrols mounted on giant bats, and the sound of an alarm ringing throughout the city.

They turn into the alley and are met with a trench coat-wearing ghoul named Marius. Marius is an agent of the Emperor, and bemoans the show of force that both sides just engaged in.

He informs the party that the Emperor actually condones what they’re doing — far easier for a group of adventurers to deal with a seditious Duke’s plans than trying to wage a civil war on an entire zealous religion.

That being said, Marius warns the party that if they hope to make it out of the Imperium alive, they need to bend the knee to the Emperor when the time comes (and drop their magical disguises, so he can more easily pin it on living intruders).

With alarms and patrols increasing, the party heads into the catacombs below the city, and toward their final destination.

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