5. Infiltration

It is the day after. You have all had a really good night's sleep, a sleep that felt like it lasted for at least a week. You feel fulfilled. Some parts of the night before are blurry. You don't remember much, but it seems that all of you remember the majestic figure that appeared before you. God what a majestic figure he was... 

Anyways. You wake up in a basement, and it seems that only the original party is downstairs. You hear voices upstairs, it seems that Lianthe and the Sergeant are having a conversation. The voices are a bit loud, and it seems that they might be arguing.

The players go upstairs, where they see Lianthe, her other elf friends, and Sergeant Unintelligible seated around a table. Sergeant's face is eerily blurry. You can hear his voice, but you can't seem to grasp it completely. It is as if his voice is non-existent, but yet understandable at the same time. Sitting with them is a stranger elf. He is armoured and dressed like a warrior, yet there is magic in his veins. [Can you tell I was obsessed with Elves yet?]

"I may have betrayed the Queen in the past, however the wellbeing of the realm is at stake." [A player character. I believe he was an arcane warrior.]

"I need all the help I can."

"You strangers are not from here. I don't know why you have chosen to help Lianthe, and I don't know why she is vouching for you. And you, [arcane warrior]. Let me tell you, I do not trust any of you, and I will not trust you. But you offer help, and so I have to accept. "

It looks like you don't have any chance but to help him.

"Dargathum is a citadel. It relies on sheer size and ominousness for protection. The city around the citadel is strictly under Covenant control. It is essential that we keep a clandestine operation. It is going to be difficult, I am not gonna lie, we might get captured. And in case we do get captured..."

He motions towards some rings set on the table.

"The ring is hollowed. If you take the top off as such, you will be able to access what's inside. It will be a clean and painless death. Dying is better than being a Covenant captive, both for you and more importantly the realm."

What exactly does the Covenant do?

"Well what I have heard are only reports, and rumours coming out from the city. At nights we hear screams coming from the citadel. Terrible, chilling screams. Most of the denizens have already abandoned the city before the Covenant arrived, more weren't so lucky. Those who managed to run away after the Covenant arrived were driven insane. Some are still in the city, roaming the streets, rambling about what they have... felt. Their nights are restless, their dreams troubled. Something dark is happening in that Citadel, and by my Sword I vow to stop it."

You enter the city. You have to split up. Lianthe and her group go right, towards the Main City Square. According to the plan, you have to go the other way.

Sergeant Unintelligible will follow the players. In fact he will lead them. The way they follow passes through the Trade District of Dargathum.

It is a terrible feeling to walk through this street, all empty. Dargathum is supposed to be pulsing with life, and now all you can see are abandoned stalls, empty stores, dangling signs, and no sign of life anywhere. Not even the wind blows.

Suddenly "Did you hear that?" the Sergeant says.

You listen around, and there is absolutely nothing around. "Must be my imagination."

"We are going to one of the hidden exits of the Citadel. There are many like these all around the walls, the Covenant knows about must of them, but not all. Current intel claims that this one is unattended. But be cautious."

Through the slithering streets of Dargathum you walk for 45 minutes or so and you eventually reach a back alley. The buildings here are placed really densely and provide almost a second layer of walling. After walking through this alley, you reach an opening, covered on all four sides with the backsides of buildings. There is no door leading to or leaving from this opening. [I wasn’t really good at describing things back then. I’d like to think I’m better now.]

Sergeant Unintelligible walks up to one of the buildings which it turns out is adjacent to the Citadel Wall.

"We are lucky. The Serpentine Covenant indeed has not discovered this one yet," he says as he walks up to the building, when suddenly three Serpentine Soldiers jump down from the rooftops of the buildings. And out of thin air appears a Serpentine Mage. The soldiers seem to be humans, while the Mage is an elf.

"Well, well if it isn't the famous Sergeant Unintelligible" says the Mage. You can see that he has actually pronounced the Sergeant's name, however you were not able to hear it, nor were you able to read his lips.

"Traitor." says Unintelligible.

"One loses a friend, and gains a thousand more. You seem to have found six."

"Shed your skin my brother. Reborn anew." He looks at you and you can see that his eyes are glowing green, and that his face is scaly. (He looks like a snake you guys.)

"I will be honest with you. The Covenant is falling apart, and will not last long. We know that the Alliance is advancing to the Citadel, and I know that the Covenant will fail terribly fending them off. That's why I have decided to answer to a higher power. The Serpent is losing its powers and the Covenant is trying to bring it back. The truth is, the Serpent has abandoned us. His gifts so graciously remain, but he will never come back.

Join me. And we will be the first to witness the rising of a new Master. One that will shadow out the old slithering fool."

"Keep your forked tongue to yourself, Silas. You have betrayed your kin, you have slain your kin. You have plunged this peaceful realm into war, and wrought havoc. I will not let you further the suffering of my people, nor of any other."

"War is in our blood, brother."

"So be it."

With that, the Sergeant draws his sword, the Blade, and charges at Silas; who teleports behind him, causing the Sergeant to miss.

"So be it," Silas repeats.  

Roll initiative.

The soldiers die easily, as the Sergeant focuses on Silas. Although they do pack a punch, the players have their new weapons which have made them much stronger.

As the soldiers are defeated, the players see that the Sergeant and Silas are locked in Melee combat. Despite the fact that he's a mage, Silas is adept with a sword, which apparently has been imbued with poison.

When Silas has 6 or less HP, He yells out "Enough!" and release a force wave that knock all of you down. The Sergeant, however falls on to his knees. (Players who can pass a DC15 Strength check can also just fall on their knees.)

Silas walks towards the fallen Sergeant and looks at him. "I won't ask you again Unintelligible."

"Never."

"So be it."

Silas reaches to his belt and unsheathes an obsidian dagger. And with a swift move, he stabs himself in his left hand, which then bursts into black flames. He then grabs the Sergeant's face: he is concentrating his fire to incinerate his face.

Thee players can attempt to shoot him in the face to distract him. If more than three players fail to distract him, Lianthe will come to the rescue.

Lianthe and co arrive at the scene. She looks down at the corpse of Silas, and seems to recognize him. The Sergeant stands up, and faces Lianthe, who is apparently shocked at what she sees. Something is wrong with the Sergeant's face, and we don't know what.

"We have to go in, now.  Whatever that's going to happen, is going to happen today. By night, the fate of the Covenant, and that of the realm will be sealed." says Lianthe.

In the distance, a bear growls. [I swear to god I don’t know what this is a reference to.]

"Well… erm… How do we enter?" asks Armen.

“I will handle this," the sergeant says and he walks towards the building, limping. He draws his Blade and prepares to strike at the building. (Anyone can break that wall really.)

Now that the wall is broken, you walk into the depths of the Citadel.