14.2 The Duke and the Shadow

SESSION DATE: July 05, 2025
PRESENT: Rory, Kemurial, Calanthia, Freya

Deep Dive

![[Rory - 14_2 The Duke and the Shadow.wav]]

Adventure Photos

Adventure Song & Lyrics

![[The Duke and the Shadow.mp3]]
[Verse 1]
Lanterns lit in a city of stone
Hollow streets under curses unknown
Whispers cling to the citadel's walls
And the duke hears every one of them all
In the hall of the honored and proud
We stood where no begging is loud
Names weighed down by silence and snow
But truth has a way of slipping below

[Chorus]
It's the Duke and the Shadow
And we’re caught in between
Every oath, every glance
Every crack in the screen
Truth dressed in armor
Lies whispered low
In the court of the cautious
Where secrets don’t show

[Verse 2]
Villem smiles like the storm’s far away
But his eyes write lines his mouth wouldn’t say
Said to meet him by fire, not by stealth
In a place where even honesty costs wealth
Freya fades in the smoke and the light
Rory waits for the next excuse to fight
Kemurial speaks like a blade with a vow
While Calanthia reads every furrowed brow

[Bridge]
There was poison on the wind
And bolts in the snow
An ambush with timing too perfect to know
And while one of us listened behind gilded doors
The others were bleeding on forgotten floors
And someone was watching
And someone was warned
But the blade didn’t flinch
And no banner was torn

[Chorus]
It’s the Duke and the Shadow
And the space in between
Every nod, every pause
Every crack in routine
Justice in armor
Or dressed for a show
In a city where silence
Is the first thing to go

[Solo]

[Verse 3]
No banners were raised, but the war has begun
With no battlefield, and nowhere to run
Just names and positions, and gestures too kind
And Calanthia wondering who touched her mind
So we drink by the fire and pretend not to doubt
While the city holds breath and waits to find out
Whether honor still means what the old songs say
Or if shadows now barter where knights used to pray

[Chorus]
It’s the Duke and the Shadow
And the cold in the walls
Every truth walks a wire
Every brave one could fall
Power in whispers
Not banners or snow
In a city that listens
But never lets go

[Chorus]
Yes, it’s the Duke and the Shadow
And the space in between
Where the torchlight is law
And the danger unseen
The fire is fading
But still it will glow
In the hearts of the watchers
And those who still know

World Anvil Journal

sooo... i did thum thhoppin agin an i got thome paiw of them thicic gwatheth an mor of them thupa heewin poshinth which ith gwate becauth i alwayth get thtabbed ow thhot ow poithind ow thomethin.

thin we wint to the big pwathe cawed the thitidel an they got wing hewmets ewerywhewe which ith funny cawth i do NOT think wingth go on yow head i think wingth go on yow bak.

we met the duke guy enwik an he ith not vewy nithe he wooked mad abowt pwitheth an food an munny an a guy named yegow wooked wike he wath tawkina wot but the duke wath mad. n e way then we got put in a waitin woom an thewe wath hith bwotha viwwem who ith way beter at bein a pewthon an he akshuwwy thaid thingth dat made thenthe kimiweel did the tawkin which ith gweat cawth when kimiweew tawks we get pwivate meetin wike in a fanthy tavown.

fwaya an cawanthia kept wookin awound a wot an cawanthia said thomebody twied to poke hew bwain with thomethin which ith WUDE an i hewped hew give the mean mug wook to the cweepth doin it but they din't wun they juth pwetended they wike the wawwtapes ow thometin.

awtho kimiweel made up a name fow uthe wike a gwoup name he thaid vawiabwe tawithman but it got too many weterth in it fow my mouth i twied it wike a buncha timeth an it thounded wike i wath abowt to thneethe.

then we had to wawk in fwont of the hole thitty and kimiweew had to be awe fanthy an make a thtowy an i think he did good i mean i got a wittwe bored but thome of the peepel in the woom had big eyeth wike they never heawd of demonth befowe an then the duke thaid we can come bak at ten fow the pwivate chat an i did math an that wath awtho the time we thuppothed to meet viwwem. awtho i twied to wemind ewvwyone but kimiweew ignowd me and kepp tawkina abowt the thitty an how it got got by chaos befor wich ith fine i mean fowget that i ever thaid anything im juth the guy with the akth.

when we wint bak to the inn we got JUMPT BY THUPER SNEAKY ATHATHINTH IN MATHKTH guyth THey had cwothbowth an won shot dady karl wite in da neck OW. an fwaya got thhot too wike a cupla tiemth an i got thhot too i wath mad i mean i know ith a suwpwithe attack but dat juth means i go WAAAUUUGHHH an jump on da woof of a buiwdin but win i got up thewe nobody wath thewe an that wath thtupid. i wooked at thnow fow cwuweth but it wooked wike thnow. awtho kimiweew did the heewin an made the baby eewectwic ewementh which ith pwetty cool.

n e way we got bak an cawanthia cwimbed in da window an i towd hew we got attacked an she did that thing whewe she thaid if they wuz good we’d be ded which ith NOT da vibe i wath goin fow but okay. then i athk if anybudy twied to git in hew bwain again but she thaid no but we did find the poithin wath wyvewn kind which ith weawwy dangewith an i think maybe thothe athathinth new we wud be thewe that pwace not thafe no mor.

an now we gotta meet the duke agin and i don’t twutht nobody i think viwwem ith nithe but he got the i got thecwetht eyes an that meanth we gotta watch cwothe. awtho cawanthia awweady doin that im juth gon thtick cwothe to kimiweew an thwing at n e body that bwinkth too hawd.

dwaugnir pweethe pwotect my fwends fwom the dawk pwath an wet my mom and dad dweam of me with wings on my hewmet.

Private Notes

• Rory buys four pairs of Psi Lenses for 1600g total (400g each pair), and three Potions of Superior Healing.
• Kemurial tells Gotrek and Felix that if Calanthia isn't officially part of the Iron, we can't keep her around without fully bringing her into the fold. Good point. Kemurial puts in a good word for Calanthia, telling them about how she's done well in our short time together. They agree to observe her and will report to the Iron about their own findings and opinions of her.
• We head to the citadel. Once there, we learn more about the heritage and culture of Kislevites. They're known for their cavalry prowess. Many of them recognize Empire gods, but they're more a culture of their own in that way. Lots of horse iconography and winged helmets at the citadel. Men and women are honored as warriors. Not as much pomp and circumstance, even in their highest politics.
• Inside the citadel, we see lots of runners and guards until reaching the doors that lead into the primary audience chamber of Duke Enrik Kazinski.
• Calanthia tries to determine the general feelings and vibe, and she wants to eavesdrop on any conversations. She's looking for clues to the identity of the mole and subterfuge. She hears lots of talk about the siege, whether they have stores, how many have made it out, whether the tzarina will be able to help, what does Enrik think he's doing allowing these zealots to have such power in the city during such times, etc. Nothing too revealing.
• We enter the hall. On the far end is the high seat, upon which sits Duke Enrik, in conversation with someone named Yegor. Ulrika meets us and explains that he's one of the leaters of the guild and is talking with the duke about price gouging during the siege. He's speaking passionately about it. He's trying to maintain his goods and can't just be losing money and isn't trying to swindle. He's trying to charge fair prices, etc. The duke is extremely upset that the merchant is making ANY money at all during these times.
• We are taken to a waiting area and introduced to Enrik's brother, Villem. Compared to the duke, Villem is far more personable. Enrik is the eldest of his brothers, and is a warrior, not made for a statesman. His brother is empathetic in his discussions. He understands their point of view and can better understand their needs. He's often the buffer between the people and the duke.
• Villem introduces himself to us and tells us he appreciates our work below the city. Kemurial says we're at his service. Villem says this is the most pressure they've been under while his brother has been in power. Calanthia gets Kemurial's attention and points to Villem, saying "Maybe this is who we should speak to instead?" Kemurial agrees, but maybe not in court. Calanthia tells Villem we have important info, but this isn't the right location. Villem is surprised, but intrigued. He offers for us to discuss it with him at his home this evening. He tells us to meet him at 10pm, but make sure we come with torchlight and lanterns. It's almost the law in the outer part of the city. We shouldn't appear to be sneaking in any way. Rory tries to remind the party that we may already have plans tonight. Kemurial ignores it, instead asking another question about how often this city comes under siege. Rory takes this to mean he should keep his mouth shut for now. Villem responds saying there are rumors of things buried beneath the city, there's a depressing aura that consistently falls over the city. The architecture here has changed thanks to a previous take-over by the Chaos forces of the city. Interesting. But he doesn't know of anything in particular. Calanthia asks if he knows who ruled during the Chaos reign of Praag. He says he doesn't quite remember specific names, but he remembers that the raw power of Chaos engulfed the city, which is still visible today with grotesque inhuman forms. Calanthia asks if the name Kishina rings a bell. He says that wasn't it. He says it was a name like "Arebal" or "Azabar" or something, not anything like Kishina.
• He asks us what we're going to petition the duke about. Kemurial says we intended to talk about our attack outside the city's walls and see if there were targets they had in mind or whether we should be involved at all. Villem advises that we keep any specifics out of this public appearance. There are many faces, and he suggests being safe instead. Don't say anything to inhibit our chances to continuing to participate in the city's defense. Calanthia says she's glad to see political restraint and info being shared in public forums in these trying times, and that if one feels they have info that should be shared privately instead, how would we go about doing so? Villem says feel free to speak with his agents or something, didn't quite catch it. He says to look out for guards with a particular symbol as they report directly to Villem. He'll send one of his runners to us this evening. He asks where we're staying. We tell him we're staying at the Three Bears and a Bayonet. Kemurial thanks him for his patience, and he thanks us for our service to Kislev.
• Calanthia senses Villem has secrets, but she's unsure whether he's the traitor or not, but there's something there under the surface.
• Calanthia looks around the room looking for any Thieves' Cant or sign language. As she's scanning the crowd, at one indistinguishable point, she felt a bit of a tug at the inside of her mind, but immediately resisted it. She takes some time to try to figure out who or what tried to pry into her mind. There are several people look over at us, but she's unable to find a singular source. She stares toward them so they know we see them, doing so long enough to try to unnerve them such that they try to leave. She lets us know what she's doing, trying to intimidate them, so Rory looks toward them as well to help her. Some people look away, but nobody tries to leave. Whoever did it played it cool.
• Calanthia tells Kemurial we're in a city court with a leader who administers his court based on honor, pride and respect. Only Kemurial should be speaking. He accepts the responsibility. He asks if she has any advice on his framing of his questions. She suggests not alluding to the mole as it's not the proper time or place to share it. She figures we could talk about Kishina. Rory thinks that might be a bit too pointed though. But what does he know.
• We listen to some other supplicants' pleas and concerns. One of the convos that comes up immediately is the presence or arrival of Katarin, the ruler of Kislev, and what info has been gained about any of the outriders, those who have traveled and delivered the messages to her, will the Ice Court repond, whether it's appropriate for her to be riding into the field. Some are questions whether some of the temples be maintained as sanctuaries or should be magically sealed instead. Some are about internal schisms in Kislev between the traditionalists and the radicals that are almost to the point of deifying Katarin. They're referred to as the Ice Witches. Discussions of the containment of Plague and how it has been popping up in unnatural patters throughout the city.
• Calanthia reminds us that she found one of the sources of the foodlines was from an operation that hasn't been in operation in some time. Maybe they've been taken over by the Chaos, and hypothesizes the Plague might be coming through the food.
• Kemurial suggests we give ourselves a collective name to introduce ourselves as. He suggests "Variable Talisman" and Rory can't say it of course. But he thinks it sounds cool!
• While discussing what we'll ask, Ulrika is having her own audience with the duke. She's requesting that he share any info he might have about her father Ivan Stragoff. She wants to know if anyone has heard from him. Duke Enrik is compassionate enough with kin to let her know that nobody has heard anything, but he assures her that her father is a mighty warrior and leader, and he trusts he's well and making protective decisions. If they hear anything, he promises her she'll be the first to know. She bows and ends her audience.
• It's our turn. He calls us up. We walk up to the center of the room and begin our audience with him. Kemurial tries to project a persuasive persona while speaking with him. Kemurial thanks him for receiving us before petitioning humbly for a private audience as we have uncomfortable information to share. The duke responds, saying that "We heard it was no simple affair down in the undercourts. Perhaps in exchange for a private audience, you could give us a tale of your exploits so our people can rally with the strength of our herores." Kemurial accepts, and begins to try to imitate how a bard might present this tale. Kemurial makes a Performance check. After a riveting tale of some of the horrors we encountered and the cleansing we did for the city, we see gratitude, awe and inspiration. We even see a few of the young nobles with a mix of pride and calling, mixed with shame that they have yet to prove themselves and us outsiders have passed them up in their role. Calanthia looks around the room looking for those respondingly negatively to such powerful words. The only things that stand out to her is that a few of the older veteran types that aren't exactly as influenced, they seem to think we're grandstanding. They don't seem to appreciate that the duke is taking the time for these types of things during his audience. Kislevites are boastful, but they're not fans of it happening here. But no signs of real negativity. Duke Enrik accepts the tale well and says we flock to his persuasive nature. He grants us private audience. He says he'll see us this evening at 10pm. Return here and we'll be escorted to a separate chamber. We accept.
• We exit the hall as the audiences continue.
• We see Villem and we talk with him about this schedule conflict. Obviously we have to meet with the duke and might need to reschedule our meeting with Villem. He meets us outside and talks with us about that. He says "Well, it looks like we'll have to talk tomorrow. I'll be there during the private audience with the Duke, but our meeting will have to wait." Sounds good.
• Calanthia wants to stay here and be unobtrusive while listening to what people have to say. She'll report back to us if she finds anything interesting. We'll rendezvous back at the inn.
• Before leaving her alone, Rory asks Calanthia if she wants someone to stay with her. She says she'd rather not, so Rory leaves.
• Calanthia makes a Perception check to listen for things said at the citadel.
• Meanwhile, while on the way back to the inn, the rest of us are surprised by combat. INITIATIVE!!!

  • Round 1

    • Assassins - Targets Friar Karl with a multiattack, CRITTING on the first attack, hitting and downing him on the second (!), then attacking Freya with the last shot, but that one misses. No bueno! Now ALL the other enemies' Readied actions go off. Ruh roh Raggy! Another assassin attacks Kemurial, missing all three attacks. Another pops out and attacks Freya. First attack hits, for a ton of damage, second attack hits for just about as much damage, third attack hits for even more. YEOWCH. Yet another assassin appears firing at Rory, hitting once. The second assassin gets to go now that the Readied action has been taken, so it all happens all over again. Targets Freya, hitting for a bajillion damage, nearly taking her out. Another takes aim at Rory, hitting him once and doing lots of damage. The fourth aims at Kemurial, hits him twice for lots more damage.
    • Kemurial - Healing Word on Friar Karl for 35 HP. Nice one. He then activates his sword and uses Conjure Minor Elementals, making them electric. He pulls out his shield. He moves next to a table and building for cover.
    • Freya - Greater Invisibility and Potion of Greater Healing.
    • Friar Karl - Beacon of Hope and moves near Kemurial.
    • Rory - Rage, then move to and leap off the table Kemurial's using as cover to get up to the southwest building's roof to attack an assassin, but that assassin is long gone.
  • No other attacks come while we wait. Combat over.
• Rory continues his Rage for as long as possible. While Kemurial searching for clues, Rory looks for clues in the snow as to the whereabouts of these assassins, but finds nothing of note.
• Kemurial finds nothing of note as well as he was peppered with bolts.
• Freya drops her invisibility and asks for a heal. Kemurial uses two uses of his Keoghtom's Ointment on her to heal her up.
• We make it the rest of the way to the inn safely.
• Back to Calanthia, she attempts to move stealthily back to the inn, and makes it without issue.
• Calanthia arrives through the window we left open for her. She discovers that we've been attacked by assassins. Rory says several assassins ambushed us with crossbows, which is funny since she wasn't there. We could've used her, but while Rory said he doesn't blame her for anything, a suspicion lurks in the back of his mind as he wonders... All Calanthia could say was "Well if they were good assassins you'd be dead."
• Kemurial saved the bolts that were sticking out of his body and hands them to Calanthia to inspect. They're not marked and nondescript, but all of them were heavily dosed with poison. She tries to identify the poison, and finds that it's some variant of wyvern poison.
• Rory asks Calanthia if she was targeted in a similar attack, but she wasn't.
• The most interesting thing that happened back at the citadel was that there was a accusation of a wrongful death, a zealot's inquisition gone too far. The duke responded with a condemnation of such things, reminding them it's punishable by death. Enrik says, however, he is the law of this land, and if they find or capture any, they must face the justice of the law, not your own. They can't be the judge, jury AND executioner. The general consensus of this decision was taken well.

That's it for this session!

Adventure Loot

Loose Gold Found

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