Session 17 – The False Fire and the Temple of Chantea

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Session 17 – The False Fire and the Temple of Chantea

Date: 6/17/2023 DM: Lauren

Summary

The party arrived at the Greenest Mill, expecting a blazing inferno, only to find the flames were an illusion — a ruse to lure rescuers into an ambush. A squad of cultist raiders lay in wait, but their element of surprise was swiftly undone by **Shade's Fart of Doom**, a cloud of noxious consequence that sent enemies (and stomachs) reeling. (DM's Note: Perhaps skip the ale brewed in Greenest this year.)

After subduing the raiders, the group questioned one surviving mercenary. He revealed that most of the raiders were hired muscle, but the true cultists were zealots devoted to "the Dragon Lady." The mercenary admitted to having worked for her before — typical raids focused on looting treasure, though all valuables beyond gold were turned over to her personally. Rumors among the ranks mentioned that the cult might also be seeking **dragon eggs**.

Returning to **The Keep**, the heroes briefed **Governor Nighthill** on what they learned. The governor suggested investigating the **Temple of Chantea**, a shrine across town whose reclusive priests had not checked in since the attack began. Before the party could depart, however, the dragon above — Lennithon — unleashed a devastating lightning breath upon the Keep's defenders, scattering the militia and leaving many dead.

The group pressed on regardless, slipping through the shadows to reach the temple. There they found thirty villagers trapped inside, surrounded by cultists trying to force entry. The clerics within were sheltering visiting monks from **Berdusk**, including a scholar named **Leosin Erlanthar**, who had gone missing during the siege. Leosin, they learned, was an expert on dragon lore and cult activity.

The party stormed the temple grounds, defeating most of the raiders and saving 27 of the 30 villagers. In the aftermath, they interrogated a captured cultist fanatic. He proclaimed his faith in **Tiamat** and taunted Gootcha Zinnoa — revealing that he knew her uncle, the same man who had sent her the mysterious letter that brought her to Greenest. Gootcha, unimpressed and thoroughly done with this cult nonsense, silenced him permanently.

The survivors were escorted back toward The Keep as the fires of Greenest dimmed — for now.

Notable Characters

  • Governor Nighthill – Briefed by the party and suggested investigating the Temple of Chantea.
  • Leosin Erlanthar – Monk-scholar expert on dragon lore, mentioned as missing during the siege.
  • Lennithon – Blue dragon who unleashed devastating lightning breath on the Keep's defenders.
  • Gootcha's uncle – Cultist recruiter who sent her the mysterious letter (mentioned by captured fanatic).

Factions Involved

  • Cult of the Dragon – Forces conducting the ambush and attempting to breach the temple.
  • Tiamat – The Dragon Queen worshipped by the cult fanatics.

Experience

  • **Bechamel** – 7,520 XP (Level 5 → Level 6 at 14,000)
  • **Bruder the Brash** – 7,520 XP (Level 5 → Level 6 at 14,000)
  • **Xanphina** – 7,520 XP (Level 5 → Level 6 at 14,000)
  • **Cosima** – 7,230 XP (Level 5 → Level 6 at 14,000)
  • **Shade** – 7,350 XP (Level 5 → Level 6 at 14,000)
  • **Keyleth Siannodel** – 1,920 XP (Level 3 → Level 4 at 2,700)
  • **Gootcha Zinnoa** – 1,320 XP (Level 2 → Level 4 at 2,700)

Notable Events

  • **Shade's Fart of Doom** becomes legendary among the Greenest survivors.
  • Introduction of **Leosin Erlanthar**, monk-scholar and future ally.
  • Confirmation of the cult's obsession with **dragon eggs**.
  • Gootcha's personal story deepens with mention of her **uncle's cult ties**.

Foreshadowing

  • The cult's search for dragon eggs connects to their wider plan to summon Tiamat.
  • Leosin's disappearance will drive the next mission.
  • Lennithon's attack foreshadows the cult's escalating use of dragons as weapons.

Next Session

The siege winds down, but victory brings questions. Who truly leads this cult, and where are they gathering their forces? The answers may lie with the captured monks — or with Leosin, if he still lives.

<details><summary>🧩 DM Notes (Spoilers)</summary>

Truth: The ambush at the mill was orchestrated by Frulam Mondath to thin Greenest's defenders. Leosin's capture is part of her plan to extract information about the Harpers and the cult's enemies.

Foreshadowing:

  • The temple's monks hint at future Harper involvement.
  • Gootcha's uncle is a mid-level recruiter for the cult, based in the camp beyond Greenest.
  • The false fire ruse is a small-scale echo of the cult's broader strategy of misdirection and manipulation.

</details>

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