Oathbreaker

"Oathbreaker" is episode 41 of SuperQuest Saga. Echo, Persephone, Primina, and Sebastian face off against Lord Saturos in his palace. Before their fight is over they are interrupted by the dramatic arrival of Xaserbane Night and Archduke Ramazall himself. The Archduke of Kaebooros allows the party to leave with their lives, but one of the party asks for more before they go. Upon their return to Outlaw's Horizon, the party is attacked yet again by a mysterious robed warforged.

Introduction

 * Will Stark shall be your hellacious dungeon master for this evening.
 * Josh Freeland is playing Sebastian Crenshaw, half-orc paladin.
 * Your Special Guest Jake is playing Persephone Goldpetal, the firbolg druid.
 * Brian is a space wizard, but also a rogue and a fighter, so he’s a space-rogue and a space-fighter and he’s gonna kill somebody today. Space!

Recap
Last time the party found Primina and she looked different. At first she seemed different as well, but now she’s fine and she’s still the Primina they know. They decided to try to break into Saturos’ portal room to find their way back to the galaxy. After they battled a couple bearded devils to get in, Echo tried to figure out how to activate the portal but before he could finish his work Saturos showed up. When Saturos realized there was nothing he could say or do to get Primina to stay he transformed into a dark hell knight astride a nightmare and it’s time to roll initiative.

It's Time to Roll for Initiative
The battle begins with Echo activating his Bladesong and moving away from Saturos as far as he can. He pulls out his carbine and fires a Ray of Frost that hits Saturos, causing the fires that surround him and his Nightmare to die down a little bit. The Nightmare levitates in the air and charges at Echo. As he closes in on Echo, Saturos’ eyes glow and he says a word in Infernal that echoes throughout the chamber and seems to reverberate off the walls and frightening Echo and Persephone. Saturos draws his flaming greatsword and approaches to attack Echo, but Echo dodges. Echo quickly swaps weapons, his carbine magnetically attaches to the back of his armor as he pulls out his katana, but misses his attack as Saturos flies by. Saturos swoops toward Persephone and connects with his flaming greatsword, dealing severe damage. Persephone takes an opportunity attack, swinging her staff like a golf club and smacking him as he moves on to Sebastian. Saturos misses his final attack on Sebastian. Primina attempts to claw Saturos but doesn’t make it through his plate armor. Persephone holds up her staff and uses it to draw a circle in the air to cast Conjure Animals. An extra-dimensional portal opens and four creatures, strikingly similar to direwolves but also alien, appear to join Sebastian in a half-crescent formation surrounding Saturos. Persephone starts to glow like a supernova and jumps into the air, Wild Shaping into the Cosmic Elemental at the height of her jump, and overcomes her fear of Saturos as she turns to glare at him with an angry bird face. Sebastian takes two swipes with his sword at Saturos, both empowered with the blue light of his Divine Smite, cracking Saturos’s armor and causing him to yell in pain.

Echo casts Ray of Frost, hitting Saturos again, but fails to save against his fear of Saturos. Saturos leaps down from his Nightmare, landing between the wolves and Sebastian. He clenches his fist and roars, causing the flames around him to coalesce and burn even brighter, and Sebastian is able to see the crack in his armor mend. Primina again tries to swipe at Saturos with her claws, managing to hit once. The Nightmare flies towards Persephone’s elemental form and kicks out at her with its fiery hooves, causing her to lose concentration on her Conjured Animals and the wolves disappear. Persephone lets out a dramatic, long bird cry and she attempts to hit Saturos with a starbeam attack, but misses. Sebastian swipes at Saturos, using his Guided Strike to ensure a hit, and Divine Smite to amplify damage; but misses his second attack.

Echo casts Ray of Frost at the Nightmare, but misses, then takes cover behind the portal. Again, he attempts to save off the fear, but fails. Saturos decides that Sebastian is the biggest threat. He uses his Terrifying Command and once more the Infernal is uttered from his mouth, but Sebastian and Primina are not affected. Saturos unleashes all three greatsword attacks on Sebastian, connecting with two solid blows dealing slashing and fire damage. Primina tries to help out by slashing Saturos with her claws, hitting once and missing the second. Saturos ignores her, but she is dealing some damage. The Nightmare continues to kick Persephone and hits her. Persephone uses a slam attack on the Nightmare and does some damage. Sebastian hits Saturos twice and uses two more Divine Smites, re-cracking Saturos’s armor and drawing another yell of pain.

From behind cover Echo casts Magic Missile at Saturos, causing four darts to connect with the back of his head. Echo tries again to save against the fear, but fails. Saturos shouts his Terrifying Command, successfully frightening Primina. He unloads three more sword swipes at Sebastian, hitting once. Primina attacks Saturos with her claws but misses. but manages to overcome the fear she feels. The Nightmare critically hits Persephone with its hooves, kicking the shit out of her. Persephone flies over to assist Sebastian, dodging an opportunity attack from the Nightmare, and dives at Saturos and flips, attempting to slam him with her tail, but misses. She uses one of her spell slots to recover some damage. Primina manages to shake off the fear of Saturos. Sebastian takes two more swipes at Saturos, hitting him both times with Divine Smites.

Echo casts Magic Missile, four missiles are fired from pods on his shoulders to strike Saturos. Echo fails his save again, and remains frightened of Saturos. Saturos repeats his last turn, trying for the Terrifying Command again, but it has no effect. He swings three times at Sebastian; all three hit, one critically. Sebastian is knocked down after the first two blows, and Saturos strikes his unconscious body with the third. Upon seeing this, Primina freaks the fuck out and transforms into her aggro form; her wings are already out but she beings to grow taller, her teeth get sharper, and she grows a tail with fire at the end, becoming a dragon-humanoid monster. She takes three attacks at Saturos, missing with her claws and horns, but dealing damage with her bite. The Nightmare chases Persephone and hits her. Persephone hits Saturos with a slam attack and then uses a spell slot to heal again. Sebastian makes his first Death Save and passes.

An Interruption
The battle is interrupted by an enormous whirling explosion of fire as all four walls of the room burst into flame. There appears to be wind and shadow swirling in the fire, and two silhouettes are visible where the door would be.One of them is familiar to the party as they recognize Xaserbane Night in his suit and slight stature. The other figure, though they have never seen him before, is undeniable and unmistakable; a hulking monstrosity walks out of the fire and the party finds themselves in the presence of Archduke Ramazall. He is twelve feet tall, with two incredibly long black horns protruding from his brow, wings made of fire and shadow, and he is wearing red and golden sleeveless robes with sharply exaggerated shoulders. His exposed muscular arms are covered in infernal wounds that seem to be self-inflicted. Long, black hair frames a devilishly handsome face, and his red, orbular eyes stare menacingly at everyone in the room. As he and Xaserbane Night step into the room, the Archduke is revealed to have the legs and feet of a hoofed beast.

Lord Saturos immediately drops his weapon and the Nightmare vanishes as he kneels, and bows his head. He greets the Archduke with “Your Majesty.” Xaserbane Night rushes forward towards Persephone, Primina, and the unconscious Sebastian. He whispers to Persephone “Kneel, or you will not leave this room alive.” He then turns around, stands next to Lord Saturos and kneels facing the Archduke. Echo kneels behind the pillar of the archway. Persephone lands and stands over Sebastian and Primina with her elemental forms wings over them protectively as she kneels. She changes back to her firbolg form and heals Sebastian with a superior healing potion. Ramazall doesn’t say or do anything, he is more focused on Saturos than the party.

Persephone, Primina and Sebastian overhear as Lord Saturos mutters to Xaserbane Night “So every time you don’t get you way, your run off and cry to father?” Xaserbane replies “Come now, brother. You do me a disservice. What I do, I do for the benefit of us both.” Saturos starts to raise his voice as he responds. “Don’t you “brother” me. All can see you’re jealous of my station, and bloodline! You only wish to ruin—", and he is interrupted by a deep, rumbling voice that resounds to the core of all who hear it. “My sons. As you bicker like children, might I remind you that though you are of my flesh and blood, you are as expendable as kindling for fire. Have you forgotten the fate of your predecessor, the First Lord of Kaebooros?”

Saturos responds, of course they have not; they were responsible for his downfall. Xaserbane groans in exasperation. The Archduke’s eyes flare with anger and suddenly Saturos collapses, writing and screaming in agony. They see Ramazall’s eyes glow. He steps forward slowly and says “Was it you, my over-presumptuous offspring? Was it you who stripped him of his title and power? Was it you who remolded him into a sniveling imp and cast him into the wastes to die, or live as a scorned pariah? Was it you who altered the very name of his existence? ANSWER ME!” Saturos, almost whimpering, replies “No, t’was thee! Forgive me please, t’was thee, not me, please!” After another moment, the Archduke’s eyes stop glowing and Saturos stops writhing. Ramazall says “You are forgiven, my son. It is true that your brother and you played your part in uncovering his treachery, but I will now consider you reminded of the truth of this matter, and I will not suffer you forgetting again.” Still whimpering, Saturos stammers “Thank you, your Majesty. You are merciful.”

You Are the One Called Primina
At this point in time Ramazall turns his attention to the party and his eyes settle specifically on Primina. He asks her to step forward so he can take a measure of her. Primina looks terrified and looks to Persephone and Sebastian. They nod and smile reassuringly at her. Before she steps forward Ramazall asks Persephone, Primina, and Sebastian to tell their ally to step out from behind the pillar and join them. Echo hears this and drops his Bladesong as he moves to join his friends and kneel. Ramazall tells Primina once more to approach him, and she does.

Ramazall steps forward, towering over her, and places his enormous hand on her brow. His eyes glow again and Prim’s body stiffens as he silently does something. Echo tries to discern what Ramazall is doing but he can’t tell. Sebastian is still trying to figure out what is going in. Persephone takes a step forward but Xaserbane stops her, telling them that Primina is not in pain. The Archduke is skimming her mind, reading her memories, and this is the only way for any of them to escape with their lives. Xaserbane has made a case for them and hopefully Primina’s mind holds the evidence he thinks it does. Persephone steps back into line. This goes on for a little over a minute and Ramazall’s eyes dim as he releases Primina who falls to her knees. She appears to be okay, just a bit dazed, and mumbles to herself “Wh.. What was that? I could see my past, my childhood. I remember something I had forgotten, where I was raised. Shardlar.” Primina tells the party that Zahn was building something powerful and dangerous.

Before she can continue Ramazall speaks over her. He tells Saturos that Primina cannot stay. When Saturos protests Ramazall tells him that she would bring ruin to all of Hell. Saturos argues that Ramazall cannot be afraid of the elves. The Archduke fears nothing save Saturos’ incompetence. The elves are no threat to them but there are horrors from beyond the stars stirring in their sleep and Primina is at their center. He turns to the party. “You have entered my realm uninvited. You have trespassed upon my city, broken into my palace, proven its defenses an embarrassment, and made a fool of my firstborn son. For all of that, I am impressed, and I will permit you to leave here with your lives.” He instructs Xaserbane to guide them out and return when he is done. Xaserbane asks why he is to return and Ramazall explains he has called for a reunion between the Archdukes; both Xaserbane and Saturos will be in attendance. Persephone thanks him for their lives and Ramazall turns to leave.

A Favor
Sebastian speaks up as the Archduke walks away. “I have a favor to ask.” Ramazall pauses and turns, he looks irritated but pauses because of Sebastian’s boldness and waits for him to speak. Sebastian says: “I ask for help to give me the strength to protect my friends, and also to right the wrongs of the annihilation of my ancestors. I ask for whatever you can give me, any strength, and I will go into battle for you, but I ask for this help so that I can help my friends protect Prim as well as annihilate the elves.” Ramazall is silent for a moment, and then speaks. “That is not…. When I came here, I did not expect to be petitioned.” He looks at Sebastian for a long moment then tells him to approach so Ramazall can take the measure of him. Sebastian does so, and the Archduke places his hand on Sebastian’s brow, repeating what he did with Prim. Sebastian’s experience is visceral; he is immediately transported to his childhood and sees visions of his childhood, his mother and father, and the turmoil of all that. He sees bad things that happened to his mother, and then himself becoming a Paladin. The visions jump forward to the space travel, finding Primina, learning of the orc annihilation and the death of his god, and the Iron Legion. He sees all the trials and tribulations he has endured go by in a flash. Sebastian is shook and he falls to his knees. Ramazall begins to laugh, it is always the Legionnaires desiring more power at any cost. Sebastian is not the first of Dominion’s followers to beseech him, nor will he be the last. He asks Sebastian to answer a question. “What would you do with my power, if I deigned to grant it to you?”

Sebastian responds that he would use the power to bring down the elves, the ones who wiped out his race, and also protect those around him. He pledges to go to battle for Ramazall if called upon. Ramazall asks if Sebastian would forsake his oaths, betray his brothers in arms, and serve Kaebooros by sending souls to its doors in exchange for power. Sebastian says he would. The Archduke smiles, and says “Then kneel, Oathbreaker.” Sebastian kneels. Ramazall snaps his fingers and a floating contract and a quill appear before Sebastian. He tries to sign his name but the quill won’t write, as if it is out of ink. Echo mutters “you have to lick it.” Ramazall’s brow furrows and says that it seems they have been busy signing contracts elsewhere.

Echo stands and bows. He thanks Ramazall for sparing their lives and informs him that Savvy Jack Scratch is one who would betray him. Echo asks if Ramazall would like the party to do anything about him. Ramazall tells them to do nothing but he appreciates the offer, noting that the First Lord of Kaebooros remains as calculating as ever. He snaps his fingers again and a contract appears in his hands. He reads it over and dismisses it, and the contract bursts into flames. He looks at Sebastian and tells him that if he signs his name the power of Kaebooros will be his to call upon. Send Ramazall enough souls and he may earn himself a position of influence when he is called to return here, and Ramazall might bestow even more gifts if Sebastian pleases him.

Echo speaks up and tells Ramazall that he and Percy signed similar contracts. He believes Savvy Jack Scratch would have them move against Ramazall, and would like to avoid that since Ramazall has honored them and they are allies to Sebastian. Ramazall would be happy to destroy the contracts but there are rules that even he must abide by. He is able to take over the contracts they already signed, if Echo and Persephone sign with him instead. The choice is whether they want to owe Savvy Jack Scratch or Ramazall a favor. Ramazall wants Sebastian to sign before they make any decisions. Sebastian signs and the contract vanishes.

Ramazall turns to Echo and Percy and bids them to approach. He stares at them for a bit, then snaps his hands and new contracts appear for them to sign. Echo and Persephone sign and the contracts vanish. Ramazall turns to Sebastian and says “I look forward to working with you, my young paladin.” He walks away through the portal and the fire and shadows he brought with him disappear. At this point Saturos stands and silently stalks furiously out the room, leaving the party with Xaserbane Night.

Thank You, Mr. Night
Echo sighs with relief and thanks Mr. Night. Xaserbane notes that it was crazier than he expected and asks if they are ready to leave. He leads them to the portal and tells them it will be much quicker than the alternate route they took coming here. Persephone asks if Saturos has ears in his palace that he could use to hear them speak now. Xaserbane does not believe he can hear them. Percy asks if it would be bad to kill Saturos and Xaserbane suggests that the party should not attack his brother, or ever come back to Kaebooros. He explains Ramazall is a ruthless and rash man but he would not appreciate the party killing his first-born son. Persephone thinks Saturos deserves to be killed since he kidnapped Prim, tried to Stockholm Syndrome her, and they were very close to killing him today. But she will back off if it will make things awkward for Sebastian. Xaserbane tells her that it would be like signing their own death warrants and recommends against killing Saturos. Echo thinks that they’re square and asks if they can go since he’s been uncomfortable since they arrived. They pass through the portal.

The journey is similar to their arrival with the corridor, the glass floor, and the walls of water, but the pathway is more narrow. Xaserbane tells them that they should arrive at The Virus Bright in the next few hours. Sebastian and Echo are quiet. Persephone tells Sebastian that he did a great job fighting Saturos, and Sebastian thanks her. Primina looks very grim and does not say anything. Persephone holds her hand and puts her head on Prim’s as she says they will figure out what Ramazall showed her. Primina is not upset about what he showed her, she is upset by what Sebastian has done. Echo tells her Sebastian saved their lives. Primina agrees but states he didn’t have to sign his soul away. Echo agrees with her and changes the subject, thanking Mr. Night for the deus ex machina. Xaserbane notes that it looks like they had his brother beat, that is no easy feat and he is impressed.

At the end of the corridor is a round portal that leads through Xaserbane’s mirror. He must return to Kaebooros but he invites them to stay in The Virus Bright for the night, and as long as they like. He advises against staying too long since they are wanted fugitives, and asks if they need anything else before he leaves. Echo tells him they spent a lot of money in Hell and asks if he has anything to help them pay for a cab to get back to their ship. Xaserbane pulls a card out of his wallet and Echo promises to pay him back, and Xaserbane departs once more.

Echo sets up an Alarm and they prepare to rest. They send a text on the bracer jack to let Victoria know they’ll be back at the ship tomorrow. Victoria asks if they got Prim, it’s been a few days and she hadn’t heard from them. Persephone lets her know they are all fine.

The Fixers
The next morning they decide to don the same disguises they used to get into The Virus Bright and call a cab. On the flight over to Hawking Harbor, Echo as Kyle the Maintenance Guy, suggests “The Fixers” as their team name. Persephone notes that they usually break shit, but she likes the name. Echo retorts with “Sometimes ya gotta break some eggs to make an omelete! Sometimes the room’s gotta get dirtier before it gets cleaner, ya know! That’s part of fixing stuff, making messes!” The cab driver shakes his head at this strange conversation, and drops them in the parking area of Hawking Harbor, where The Starling is docked.

As they head towards the main harbor hub the party notices a crowd gathering around a fountain. They seem to be “oohing” and “aahing” at a feminine figure wearing a hooded blue and purple robe and dancing while holding an opalescent staff. As she dances gracefully and elegantly the water of the fountain flows and dances with her. Persephone gets distracted and walks over. Echo cautiously follows Persephone and scans the crowd for pickpocket targets, but Sebastian is so focused on getting to the ship that it takes him a moment to figure out where they went and he hurries to catch up. The crowd is dense so Percy stays towards the back.

Suddenly they hear the sound of missiles heading directly towards them. They look up at the oncoming missiles and see another feminine figure, a warforged with a rocket launcher modification on her shoulders, standing atop a distant parking structure.

The Party

 * Sebastian Crenshaw: a half-orc paladin. He's kneeling! He's Oathbreaking!
 * Persephone Goldpetal: A firbolg druid. Super willing to kill for her friends.
 * Echo: An elf wizard/fighter/rogue. Not about that devil shit.

NPCS

 * Primina: A young woman of mysterious origins. The MacGuffin. Has recently remembered important plot info.
 * Lord Saturos: A cambion, son of Archduke Ramazall. The Second Lord of Kaebooros. Still a bachelor.
 * Xaserbane Night: The leader of The Dreadstars. A son of Archduke Ramazall. Echo owes him 3,000 credits.
 * Archduke Ramazall: The Archduke of Kaebooros. Sebastian's new boss.

Music

 * SuperQuest Saga Theme - by Brian
 * Enter Lord Saturos - by Brian

Out of Character

 * Since they are between levels, Freeland can choose to swap one of his paladin levels for one level in warlock
 * Sebastian is no longer a paladin of Conquest, he is now an Oathbreaker.
 * Lord Saturos has a Challenge Rating of 13.

Nat 20's (3 total)

 * Will (Attack as Nightmare)
 * Will (Charisma Save as Primina)
 * Will (Attack as Saturos)

Nat 1's (4 total)

 * Will (Saturos Attack)
 * Special Guest Jake (Concentration Check)
 * Special Guest Jake (Starbeam)
 * Echo (Charisma Save)