Chapter Text
Apotheosis Chapter 1: Session Zero; Introducing the party and the campaign.
In the country of Wameria a war brews with the Coalition of Independent Northern Territories. Despite diplomatic efforts tensions rise and both sides are rushing to hire the best adventurers of fame and legend for their side of the seemingly inevitable war. Very few groups of reliable adventurers are left south of the mountain range to do the smaller jobs, clearing out monster hot spots, recovering stolen relics, or even rescuing missing people. In the coastal city of Mare Harbor one such job awaits. Two parties have already attempted to rise to the occasion and claim the large reward to go with it. The first group of four went missing in action and has long been considered KIA. The second group, six this time, swaggered in with arrogance befitting of their level and less than a week later turned tail and fled in terror. The job posting has remained still, a reward of 1000 gold for each member of the party that manages to find and rescue the missing children of Mare Harbor, specifically one Kaina Noss, and bring their kidnappers to justice.
It just so happens that our story starts with the third and latest party to take up the job. A party of five, new to each other and new to their profession. Some merely amateurs, other first timers, all of them completely broke and desperate for a good paying job.
Florin, the nomadic Aasimar cleric of Waukeen from the dune sea desert of Shand. a traveling healer and part time merchant looking to see more of the world (and escape the drudgery of life as a cactus farmer that they were born into). Florin got her start during an incidental run-in with drug smugglers hiding out in the temple of Waukeen, derelict and seldom used on the outskirts of the fading village market of her hometown. After tricking the smugglers into believing their hideout was haunted and abandoning the town she set to putting the temple to rights, something about it called to her. A few years later, with some divine guidance and training, Florin sets out to Mare Harbor to start life as an adventurer and maybe bring some trade back to her home town in hopes of reviving the dying community.
Darius, a human Paladin of Lathander, is a bit of a himbo, but on occasion can be surprisingly deep, not unlike his god. He sees more than many realize, but rarely thinks much of it, or puts much thought into it. He started as a starving artist who lost his family to a monster rampaging through his town. Darius’ life was saved and the monster was defeated by a different paladin of Lathander passing through the town at the time. Darius was inspired and aspires to reach the same level as that paladin, find him again, and thank him for saving his life. He has dedicated his short and new career to his new god and living up to the image of this other paladin his mind remembers.
Pollux is a trifling rogue and street rat from the slums of Mare Harbor, he has been told all his life he will only ever be good at being a criminal. As hell spawn with a talent for breaking the law and getting away with it, he believes he belongs in the underworld and the shadows, but longs for a bit of spotlight, to become a legend, and be more than he was told he could be growing up. Everyone has to start somewhere, even if it is rock bottom, but Pollux is determined to at least try. With only some borrowed chainmail, stolen supplies, and slightly broken bravado to compensate he is ready to begin his journey to the top and become a legend.
Morris is a Tabaxi sorcerer who woke five years ago with little memory of their past on the shores or Mare Harbor and has been working in an inn frequented by adventurers while they build themselves back up from nothing, but their mysterious circumstances and unknown origin plagues them as they wish to find out who they once were. inspired by the adventurers that passed through the inn, and with a natural penchant for magic that seems almost too easy, as if muscle memory or something, they seek to start on an adventure of their own and hopefully find either their origin or a way to recover their memory.
and finally, Vasily, the changeling bard, a charming troublemaker down on his luck and looking to make it big on his next adventure, or the next one, or maybe the next, one never knows when fortune will strike, and it would not do to miss the window of opportunity (he is a bit of a gambler). Vasily has been on less than a human handful of adventures already. Not many and only as back up really, but of the hastily assembled party of five he has the most experience.
The five of them have gathered in the foyer of the mercantile Baron Noss, a tenth generation descendent for infamous adventurer Dorian Noss and co-founder of Mare Harbor. Escorted by the half elf butler, having introduced himself as Georgie, to the barons office this hap dash and hastily thrown together party of newbies try-hards eye each other with curiosity and wariness.
“Thank you for coming, and for taking this job. I will admit I have grown desperate”. Baron Noss said once everyone has entered the room and Georgie has closed the door.
“It is a lot of money.” Said Pollux, nervously looking back at the closed entrance behind him.
Georgie coughs into his fist in reprimand.
“Yes, well your predecessors in this job have either vanished or fled and my daughter is still missing” the baron grits through his teeth.
“We have heard, and are very sorry for your loss, hopefully we can find your daughter for you, Baron Noss, as there is nothing more important than reuniting a separated family.”
Vasily steps in to cover for his new teammate’s miss step. Of all the people in this new party Vasily knows best the value of teamwork and group cohesion (or at least the appearance of such) and does his best effort to cover for this less than charismatic new member.
“For sure! We will do everything in our power to return your child to you safe and sound sir!” Darius shouts enthusiastically, unfortunately right in Morris’ ear.
“So loud.” Morris whimpers and rubs the side of his head, leaning away.
“Sorry.” Darius stage whispers.
Florin rolls her eyes and then smiles at the baron. “We will do our best with what we have and complete this job Baron Noss, what more can you tell us of the circumstances in which your daughter went missing?”