keep on the borderlands: Chapter 19 and 20

[mikewyant]

Session 19: The Battle’s Turn

Arriving at the public square outside the inner keep, the group was confronted by the aftermath of a brutal battle. The bodies of slain lizardfolk and soldiers lay sprawled around the area—several of the human corpses appeared to have been brutally mauled and burned by caustic acid.

Then, with a snarl, a fierce black dragon leapt into view atop a nearby building. The creature taunted the party, telling them that Lord Drysdale was near death, if not dead already. With that, the dragon and several lurking lizardfolk attacked the group and the remaining guardsman that can to their aid.

As the heroes engaged in battle that ranged all over—and above—the square, they chanced upon Chendera, the priestess of Avandra, who informed the party that Drysdale had been poisoned and taken into the Inner Keep.

The urgency of the situation spurred the adventurers to put down their enemies quickly. While Yulbraxis the dragon proved to be a ferocious foe, he was soon slain, along with his reptilian counterparts.

With no time to spare, Chendara and the heroes rushed to save Lord Drysdale.

Session 20: Snakes in the Hall

The group was met on the steps outside the Great Hall by Kendon Longstrider, the elderly bailiff of the keep. The heavily armored man confirmed that Benwick was inside, and may have already finished off Lord Drysdale.

The heroes threw open the doors to the Great Hall and strode inside and past huge tables spattered with the blood of the servants and guards whose bodies were strewn about the fire-lit hall.

Across the room, atop a low dais, Benwick loomed over the prostrate form of Lord Drysdale. With sneering menace, the villain called out, “So, it has come to this, friends…Zehir’s darkness will take you all!” With that, he flung out his arm, creating a number of venomous snakes, which joined a pair of man-sized serpents in lashing out at the heroes.

Benwick fought with zealous fervor, proving to be far more menacing than anyone expected and using an array of powers at his command—including his charisma. He played to Kendon’s mercenary tendencies and attempted to sway him to betray the party. Benwick’s venomous attempt was foiled when the heroes reminded the bailiff of his duty—and of their determination to defeat their enemies. The heroes pressed their attack and defeated Benwick and his serpents in time for Chendara to administer antivenom to Lord Drysdale.

With Benwick destroyed and his army broken, the inhabitants of Restwell Keep cheered their victory. Lord Drysdale rewarded each of the valiant adventurers, who were hailed as true heroes—the Defenders of the Borderlands.