As the last session began, it was early morning of the 14th day of the 1st Trigon of Elok’s influence. The party was waking from their night’s sleep as the winery was slowly coming to life. Outside their accommodations could be heard the voices of small children playing. It was the voices of the McKayne children. A sound that had not sung out at the winery for far too long.
After rising and heading to the manor house dining room for breakfast, the party was interrupted by Captain Barlor, who asked to speak with the group privately.
Captain Barlor explained that Bellbroke Keep, the home of the Vanguard in the City of Evendor, had been infiltrated during the night. There were signs of a fight, and Commander Ranier was missing.
Captain Barlor gave the party a note he believed was meant for them. The note read, “Friends and Family of Tionchar Winery, I will keep this message brief and to the point. You have someone of interest to me. I now have someone of interest to you. Return Darvell Snowleaf to where you found him. No Vanguard or the Commander dies, and the well-being of Tionchar Winery becomes of particular interest to me. I know that you have the means for quick travel. I will expect you within two days.”
The party quickly devised a plan and departed for Onyx’s Hideout. The plan’s basis was to have Nightingale disguised as Darvell Snowleaf and a Vanguard soldier disguised as Nightingale. The party would make the exchange and then rescue Nightingale before Onyx could get away.
Arriving at the hideout, the party dropped into a nearby clearing and began walking the final distance to the hideout. As the party rounded a corner, they encountered a young black dragon. Despite Kogaan’s attempt to befriend it, the dragon attacked, but the fight was short. A second young black dragon flew past overhead and called the first away. The party collected themselves and continued the short distance to the hideout entrance.
Four Doom soldiers guarded the entrance to the tomb. A quick discussion between the party and the guards determined that the party would have to go inside to complete the exchange. A variable they had hoped to avoid.
Inside, the party entered the large cavern toward the back of the hideout. There stood Onyx and Commander Ranier, but things were not as expected. The commander was dressed in a black ornate suit of plate mail armor. The armor of the Dooms.
As it was clear the exchange would not happen, the party attacked. Onyx and Commander Ranier fought well, but the party was able to kill the commander and inflict several strong blows against Onyx. Onyx removed his mask, showing to all that he was a Dark Elf, then teleported away after warning the party his face would be the last they see.
The hideout began to shutter and collapse around the party. It was an apparent attempt by Onyx to kill them once and for all. Thankfully, the collapse was not as extensive as it could have been, and the party was able to escape the hideout.
Returning to Tionchar Winery, the party confronted Captain Barlor, Lieutenant Rycrott and Lieutenant Arden about being Dooms. Using Douglan’s Zone of Truth ability, the party confirmed that Barlor, Rycrott and Arden were not Dooms and were loyal to the Vanguard.
As the session wrapped up, the decision was made for Captain Barlor and the party to visit Dragana Skyshield, the High Commander of the Vanguard, to begin a determination as to the amount of infiltration of the Dooms into the Vanguard. It was agreed by all that if the upper ranks of the Vanguard were indeed compromised, the Vanguard were lost.