Solasta: The Call of the North

As our heroes return victorious from Aer-Elai, they are officially declared “Heroes of Solasta” by the Legacy Council, and have become celebrities in Masgarth. The Crown is now displayed by the church of Einar as a relic. With Kaseinax’s spirit departed it no longer has the power to open/close rifts and is no longer a threat. But all is not well.

The Soraks essentially run the nation of Gallivan. That is why the threat of war loomed at just the right moment to enable their gambit for the Crown. It is unknown to what degree this involves Sorak Infiltrators, Blackmail, Intimidation, Corruption, and/or Bribery. But the practical ramification is that Gallivan is in a state of low-level undeclared war with Masgarth.

The Snow Alliance is a far northern, Icelandic-themed primarily Dwarven nation. It is famous for two past political moves which have profoundly affected both its current makeup and its relations with its allies. First, the Dwarves gave refuge to the Sylvan Elves when the High Elves of Manacalon were attempting to eradicate them. This means that the largest current population of Sylvan Elves lives in the Snow Alliance. The other major decision was accepting Human refugees when Humans first came to Solasta – again in direct opposition to the Manacalon High Elves. This means that even though these decision points date back 1000 years or more, the Snow Alliance and the High Elven New Empire to this day have very tense and distrustful relations.

Roland received a message asking him to visit Marshall Sunblaze at the Einareum – a sort of monastery for clerics and paladins of Einar. It was unclear what he wanted, but he claimed it was a matter of discretion and urgency.

On the way they were ambushed by a group of Gallivan mercenaries posing as bandits. At this point, given the challenges they had already overcome, mercenary raiders were not that much of a threat….

It did not turn out terribly well for the mercenaries.

fantasy painting;panoramic view;(paladin man,friendly,6'2") and (rogue woman,smirking,5'9") look up at large doors outside stone monastery;(french paladin man,age 50,thin beard,neat brown hair,blue eyes,strong,paladin armor,blue cape);(italian rogue woman,age 30,short black french bob hair,sassy,brown eyes,black leather armor,pants);large stone statue of knight;autumn garden — When they arrived they were greeted and given a chance to look around the gardens. They were given spacious quarters for the night, and told that the Marshall would meet with them first thing in the morning.

jeff easley fantasy painting;(african-american man,6'2") introduces (dwarf woman,4'9",short):(african-american man,resolute,strong,straight braided black hair,goatee,age 50,brown eyes,silver armor);(icelandic dwarf cleric woman;stout;age 35;stocky,weathered,fancy dwarven plate armor;up-braided blonde hair;blue eyes,watching the viewer);in stone prayer room — The next morning Marshall Sunblaze introduced them to a dwarf cleric named Vigdis. She had been serving as a priest in the Einareum, but she was also the heir to House Kaikonnen of the Southern Clans – one of the Great Houses of the Snow Alliance. Her had father recently died in mysterious circumstances, and so she needed to return to take up his mantle.

It was not yet common knowledge, but Lord Kaikonnen had been kidnapped by Soraks and was being pumped for information when his agents found him. They killed his Sorak kidnappers, but he did not survive the rescue attempt. Now that the Soraks controlled Gallivan, and now that it was better understood how the Soraks operate, the Marshall strongly suspected that they were attempting to gain control of the Snow Alliance as well.

jeff easley fantasy painting;icelandic dwarf cleric woman;stout;age 35;serious,weathered,fancy dwarven plate armor;up-braided blonde hair;blue eyes;standing in temple garden — Vigdis and her entourage were heading back to her clan stronghold for her father’s funeral and to manage the political fallout of his death. The Marshall directed Roland to accompany her on the journey – as he strongly feared for her safety. He also wished them to, with Vigdis’ help, begin investigating the situation in the Snow Alliance at large.

As they travelled with Vigdis to Kaupaapunki (stronghold for House Kaikonnen) she told them that the Snow Alliance had had very mixed reactions to the hostilities between Masgarth and Gallivan – and many had dismissed as propaganda the claims from Masgarth that Soraks were running Gallivan.

As they crossed Stenvaag bridge – one of the larger crossing points over the mountains leading into Snow Alliance territory – they were ambushed by Sorak Abominations backed up with magical support!

The attackers included some unknown new form of Sorak Warlock/Battlemage. It appeared able to cast a wide variety of offensive magic – which was bad enough – but it also showcased a darker magic that they had not before seen from the Soraks…

It summoned some kind of Vulture demons (Vrock) to join in the ambush! with hideous shrieks and vicious claws! Demons had been largely unknown on Solasta for millenia. It was only recognized as such because demons had been obliquely mentioned in some of the old lore Tess had studied and featured in some of the old Dwarven legends Vigdis remembered.

After fighting off the ambush, they re-grouped, assessed their losses, and continued on. The dwarven stronghold was not much further away – they could make it by nightfall if they hurried. And Roland wanted Vigdis safely home before they could be ambushed again.

jeff easley painting;scenic view;(french man,6'2") and (italian woman,5'9") cross stone bridge approaching closed bronze doors in stone wall;(french paladin man,thin beard,short brown hair,strong,paladin armor,blue cloak);(italian rogue woman,short black bob hair,black leather armor,black cloak);two statues of stocky armored dwarves flank doors;next to rocky cliffside;dark snowy night lit by flaming brazier — They finally arrived at Kaupaapunki on a dark and chilly night, grateful for the burning braziers out front.

2 responses to “Solasta: The Call of the North”

atcDave

December 31, 2024 at 12:44 am

I was hoping for more of this!
That one Sorak Abomination is huge! Dragon sized. Vigdis is kind of shockingly pretty for a Dwarf. Obviously she must be trouble….

1. Zeno
  
  December 31, 2024 at 4:31 am
  
  She is essentially a dwarf warrior-princess. Her head of security is… a rather more dwarfy dwarf woman So far we continue working with her, and she’s been quite a bit more straightforward than the council ever was. Just a bit overwhelmed by having to process her fathers murder while being thrust into politics.
  
  A number of Sorak variants to come, some of which extend or double down on previous types. Giant abominations. Whatever these demonologista are. I’m sure there will be more.

Zeno's Ziggurat

Solasta: The Call of the North

2 responses to “Solasta: The Call of the North”

Leave a ReplyCancel reply