Attributes
Featured NPCsAdmond GalundMadame FlicketSeamus AdairMathius StraightTrevor LightfistMichael the HammerGraak CinderforceMarcus GalundCraig Galund
Chapter Number8
TitleTrouble with Freeriver
Primary Locationtrayalon
Dm NotesThe Rift Shadow encounter is a mechanically unique combat: characters pulled into the Nexus (Will DC 20) must use a full-round crystal action to return. Grak can close one crystal per round, so the party needs to protect Grak and manage the Rift Shadows simultaneously. The conspiracy (Flicket + Seamus as true architects of Tray's assassination) is NOT fully resolved — this is the campaign's hanging thread and a potential sequel hook. The revelation that Tray ordered the Honor Day attacks on Caivil's daughters adds moral complexity to the Galund legacy. If Trevor and Michael learn the full truth about Tray, they could become allies against Flicket's faction. The five crystals each need a full-round action to close (Grak, or the party), so the fight needs to last at least five rounds of concerted effort.
Detailed NarrativeAdmond returns to lead the council in the wake of Tray's death. Flicket and Seamus maneuver to be elected to council seats, capitalizing on the chaos and the convenient framing of Caivil. Mattias Straight is revealed to be working for both Flicket and Seamus (and formerly Tray), showing the depth of the conspiracy. Flicket and Seamus proposition Solomon to switch sides and eliminate Duncan and Admond, offering him continued and expanded power. Meanwhile Trevor Lightfist and Michael the Hammer — champions of the now-dead Caivil Strong — return to Trayalon and go directly to Duncan and Admond at the monastery to confront them about Caivil's death and the betrayal of their lord. The monastery sits atop a planar prison of the Hesh. During or immediately following the confrontation, the opening of the portal causes Rift Shadows to escape from the Nexus into the material plane. Five Hesh crystals beneath the monastery are actively collapsing the material plane into the Nexus. After several rounds of combat, the system will collapse and close the portal. Any character struck by a Rift Shadow must make a Will DC 20 save or be pulled into the Nexus realm (a full-round action using a crystal can return them to the material plane). Grak uses a full round action to close each crystal. The party must destroy all five crystals before the collapse completes.
EventsFlicket and Seamus attempt to seize council seats in post-assassination chaosMathius Straight revealed as triple agent: working for Flicket, Seamus, and formerly TrayFlicket and Seamus proposition Solomon to betray Admond and DuncanTrevor Lightfist and Michael the Hammer return to accuse the council of Caivil's murderRift Shadows erupt from beneath the Jade Lotus Monastery — Hesh planar prison breachedFive Hesh crystals collapse the material plane toward the NexusGrak Cinderforce closes crystals; party defends against Rift ShadowsPortal sealed — the Nexus crisis ends but the conspiracy of Flicket/Seamus remains unresolved
SummaryIn the chaos following Tray's assassination, Flicket and Seamus maneuver to seize council seats while framing Caivil Strong. Trevor Lightfist and Michael the Hammer return to accuse the council of betrayal and murder. The confrontation at the Jade Lotus Monastery unleashes Rift Shadows from the Nexus — five Hesh crystals beneath the monastery begin collapsing the material plane into the Nexus — forcing the party into a desperate last stand.
Campaign Idfounding-of-trayalon-gallund-river-empire
Campaignfounding-of-trayalon-gallund-river-empire
Locationstrayalonjade-lotus-monasterynexus
RewardsMaterial plane preserved — Nexus collapse avertedAdmond established as ruler of the Gallund River EmpireThe truth about Tray's assassination still partially hidden — long-term campaign thread
Player CharactersFreespirit BastionDuncan SarkranaAdmond GalundSolomon