Session 12 Overview

The party is divided, scattered in all directions away from the village. After a couple hours of running, they learn that the Von Heltzer invasion force is withdrawing from the region, back to their lands (following the deaths of their commanders). Unfortunately for the party members, the Von Heltzer force is heading straight through the village, between them and the safety of High-Haven. Nefarion and Ysera flee south into a forest, and decide to rest until the army has passed. Seltyiel and Cynthia flee east into Von Heltzer controlled territories, and eventually double-back west along a mountain path. Hiding in the mountains as the invasion force passes by. They get a close call after a Von Heltzer scout passes by them and a further one mounted on a Griffin swoops over them. But after a few hours of hiding, they remain undetected, and pass the army successfully. Hel (without the company of her ghost; Mel) wanders south to the coastline, she manages to patch up some of her wounds, and in the distance she can see the two distinct spires of High-Haven. She walks along the beach towards the Port City but falls into a deep sleep not long into her journey. Mel (who had been back at the Windmill) searches desperately for her living sister, and manages to detect her, she flies south over the passing Von Heltzer army towards her sister. Ramos heads west back to the Windmill, to locate his hidden stash of items, to his horror, almost 3,000 of his gold is missing, the trail of coins lead towards High-Haven. He suits up, and decides to follow the trail, and along the way he sees a limping Mack in the distance, heading straight for High-Haven. After an awkward meeting (Ramos, having considered taking Mack's life), Ramos decides to help Mack, patching up some of his wounds, and takes him off of the path. The pair of them notice a cloud of dust in the distance, in addition to the sounds of thousands of boots marching on the ground. The Von Heltzer army...it was heading straight for them. Ramos drags Mack as far as he can along a hidden forest route but it seems that the army has caught up with them. Ramos hides Mack in a hollowed out tree stump, and he himself climbs up a tree. The Von Heltzer army passes through the forest, and after twenty minutes or so, the army seems to have gone, when Ramos jumps down from the tree, Mack begins to climb out of the stump. It's at this point a crouching figure sits up from behind the stump Mack had been in. The figure (identified as a Von Heltzer scout) had dropped trow and was currently ejecting his bowls. Ramos went over quietly and attempted to coup-de-grace him, but failed. The scout threw himself to the side, and drew his sword from it's scabbard (with trousers still around his ankles), and the two of them clashed in melee. After a brief fight, the scout made a run for it (having sustained a number of deadly stab wounds from Ramos' glaive). He screamed bloody murder as he ran towards the tail end of the Von Heltzer army, who had left him there. Fortunately for Ramos, the scout tripped over a log as he ran, destroying his knee and pulverizing his lower leg. He lay there screaming, and Ramos stabbed him multiple times until the screams stopped. A Von Heltzer Knight had heard the commotion in the distance and had charged Ramos, but Ramos made a run for it shortly after. The Knight in his heavy Armour and already exhausted state, did not pursue Ramos for long, and allowed them to get away.

It takes them a long time to get back to High-Haven, but astoundingly all of the PCs made it in one piece (With the exception of Hel, who is still passed out asleep on a southern coastal beach.) After they all return, they are met by Captain Visseus of the High-Haven Townsguard. He explains to them that in their absence, Lord Emmon has been murdered along with their companion; Sij, the Samsaran Pacifist Monk. He was dismayed to have to tell the PCs the news, but assured them that their sacrifices had not been in vain. The Von Heltzer army had withdrawn from the region, licking their wounds. They had saved High-Haven were rewarded 2,000 gold each, and 1,000 bonus experience each for their endeavors. Matheus and Severine (the Hell-Knight fugitives that the PCs saved) also greeted the party. Severine smiled warmly at Nefarion and Ysera, and she is still wearing her green dress - albeit a bit muddied since they you saw it. Matheus had his hand placed on Severine's shoulder affectionately. He seemed well washed, and adorned in finer clothing. Weaing a purple velvet doublet and positively jingling with jewellery.