Age of Ashes A Pathfinder 2e Campaign
Hellknight Hill

Session 2025-04-26

Narrative Summary

After spending a week and a half restoring the citadel, the party prepared to advance deeper into the Alseta's Ring portal network. Nadira successfully repaired Huntergate using the hunter's arrowhead key, passing a DC 24 Crafting check and restoring the portal to functional status. With the gateway to the Mwangi Jungle finally open, the party ventured through.

The Manifestation of Dahak

Upon passing through Huntergate into an ancient elven passage, the party was immediately confronted with a terrifying encounter: a manifestation of Dahak, the dragon god of destruction. This was not a minor demon or cultist, but a fragment of divine power given physical form—a massive, molten draconic entity that filled the entire tunnel width, making traditional movement-based tactics impossible.

Dahak opened combat with a devastating Fireball cone attack (initially rolled as 11d6 but corrected to 6d6 by the DM), dealing 23 damage to most of the party. William took a severe hit (partially mitigated by Nadira's pre-combat Resist Energy spell). Most notably, Theo's riding horse "Dawn" was incinerated in the initial blast and collapsed, apparently dead.

Divine Intervention

When all hope seemed lost, Nadira knelt and prayed to Sarenrae, making a Religion check (critical success). The prayer triggered an unprecedented divine response: multiple deities answered simultaneously—Sarenrae, Shelyn, and Apsu (the good dragon god) all turned their attention to the chamber. While these deities could not enter directly (their vastness would shatter the pocket of reality), their combined gaze provided temporary aid.

The divine attention manifested as:

  1. Healing of 35 HP to all party members
  2. A translucent protective barrier reducing heat damage
  3. Temporary weakening of Dahak's power
  4. Revival of the apparently dead horse "Dawn"

This divine intervention completely turned the tide of combat, giving the party a genuine chance at victory.

The Combat Resolution

With divine favor, the party coordinated their attacks:

  • Frazzle: Attempted to use his newly acquired "Warp in the Weld" gun, initially struggling with equipment mechanics before learning to properly equip the weapon. Eventually scored a critical hit (natural 20) with the gun, dealing 11 damage with its chaotic properties
  • Frazzle's Summon: Also summoned an elemental mephit to aid in combat (though it initially attacked the wrong target)
  • Nadira: Maintained buffs (Bless aura providing +1 to attacks/saves), used healing, and provided guidance bonuses to Frazzle
  • Theo: Used Force Barrage (3 attacks) dealing consistent damage, demonstrating that non-divine spellcasters could still contribute meaningfully
  • William: Attacked with his longsword (dealing 19 damage on a hit), raised shield when needed, and offered prayers to Shelyn for protection
  • William's War Horse: Contributed attacks despite the overwhelming threat
  • Renali (NPC companion): Provided support actions

The party systematically reduced Dahak's HP until, after approximately 4-5 rounds of combat, the manifestation shattered—exploding into dissipating embers that spiraled back into the tunnel cracks, returning to its ancient dimensional prison.

Aftermath and Divine Reward

Upon victory:

  1. Renali's Amazement: She expressed disbelief that anyone could defeat even a fragment of Dahak, noting that even the Ekujae (who sealed it originally) couldn't achieve such a victory
  2. Emotional Reactions: Party members offered prayers of thanks to the deities who intervened
  3. William's Shield Transformation: As William repaired his shield (using Crafting checks to restore its hit points), the steel inexplicably transmuted into adamantine—a divine reward from Shelyn herself, appearing to bless her champion with unbreakable protection

The adamantine shield transformation was treated as a miraculous blessing, signifying divine favor for facing and defeating a fragment of a dragon god.

Post-Combat Status

  • All party members survived (critically important given the enemy's power level)
  • Dawn (Theo's horse) survived the encounter
  • William's shield was fully restored and divinely upgraded
  • The party gained significant morale and spiritual validation from divine intervention
  • The path to investigate whatever lies beyond the portal remained open

The tunnel now felt calm after the intense battle, though the shimmering portal at the far end beckoned the party toward further challenges.

Session Notes

Key events:

  • Party successfully repaired Huntergate portal (DC 24 Crafting)
  • Encountered and defeated a manifestation of Dahak, dragon god of destruction
  • Experienced unprecedented divine intervention through Nadira's sincere prayer
  • Multiple deities (Sarenrae, Shelyn, Apsu) provided temporary aid
  • Dawn (Theo's horse) was "killed" but later revived by divine healing
  • William's shield was divinely transmuted to adamantine
  • Party confirmed their status as divine champions through victory over a god fragment

NPCs encountered:

  • Dahak's Manifestation (fragment of a dragon god; defeated)
  • Renali (elf companion; witness to unprecedented victory)

Combat:

  • Single encounter: Dahak's Manifestation (AC 27, extremely high damage output)
  • Combat lasted 4-5 rounds before enemy defeated
  • Initial Fireball attack dealt massive damage; divine intervention allowed recovery
  • Party used diverse tactics: melee (William), spellcasting (Theo, Frazzle, Nadira), summoning (Frazzle), buffs (Nadira)

Party decisions:

  • Pressed forward into Alseta's Ring after securing Huntergate
  • Chose to engage Dahak manifestation rather than flee
  • Accepted divine aid when offered
  • Rested briefly in the tunnel after combat rather than pressing deeper

Unresolved threads:

  • What lies beyond the current chamber in the ancient elven passage?
  • How does defeating Dahak's manifestation affect the larger Cinderclaws/Scarlet Triad threat?
  • Will the Ekujae elves seek contact after learning of this victory?
  • What other divine blessings or consequences might follow this triumph?

Rewards/loot:

  • Adamantine shield (transformed from steel shield; divine blessing with equivalent of 64 HP, represents unbreakable divine favor)
  • No monetary treasure from the encounter

Combat Mechanics Notes

  • AC 27 represented extreme enemy difficulty (hitting on natural 20s for most party members)
  • Divine intervention mechanics: Prayers to deities can have real, game-changing effects if sincere and appropriate
  • Elemental summoning: New mechanic for Frazzle, allowing additional combatants through Summon Elemental
  • Horse mechanics: Clarified that mounts can be targeted, killed, and potentially revived through healing
  • Gun mechanics: Warp in the Weld gun requires proper equipment setup but enables critical hits like any other weapon

Narrative Impact

This session marked a turning point in the campaign's scope. The party has now:

  1. Directly defeated a divine manifestation
  2. Received undeniable proof of divine favor from multiple deities
  3. Confirmed their status as more than ordinary adventurers
  4. Demonstrated they can face threats that previously seemed insurmountable

Renali's statement that "even the Ekujae couldn't" achieve this victory elevates the party's standing in the narrative, positioning them as uniquely powerful agents in the conflict against Dahak worship.

Sidequest: Equipping and Training the Bumblebrashers

The session ended with the party beginning a new sidequest: training and equipping the Bumblebrashers as guards for Citadel Altaerein.

Helba and Warbal's Response

When Nadira proposed training the Bumblebrashers into true guardians, both leader and diplomat enthusiastically accepted:

  • Helba (battle-shaman): Immediately agreed, expressing excitement at becoming "smart fighters" rather than just survivors
  • Warbal (diplomat): Formally accepted, pledging not to squander the trust placed in them

Training Framework

The DM established a Training Guards downtime activity:

  • Time: 30 days (abstractable or splittable into tiers)
  • Check: DC 17 Warfare Lore / Diplomacy / Intimidation (or DC 18 Religion for Nadira using Sarenite discipline)
  • Success: Basic proficiency with simple weapons and teamwork tactics
  • Critical Success: +1 to Perception and Reflex saves while grouped

Equipment Costs

Per Bumblebrasher:

  • Leather Armor: 2 gp
  • Spear: 1 sp
  • Sling + 10 bullets: 2 sp
  • Wooden Shield: 1 gp
  • Total: ~3.3 gp per goblin

For ~20 Bumblebrashers = 66 gp total investment

Equipment Sourcing

Nadira used Diplomacy (rolled 25) with Breachill to request aid. The Town Council provided:

  • Complete leather armor sets
  • Spears
  • Slings and ammunition
  • Wooden shields

At no cost to the party, reducing the financial burden of equipment.

Future Training Plans

DM outlined next steps when party has more downtime:

  1. Set up training schedules (drills, alertness, alarm signals, defensive stands)
  2. Organize crafting rota (assign Trisiel, Falwan to equipment production)
  3. Plan swearing-in ceremony for morale/RP (optional)
  4. Future expansion: Recruitment from other towns encountered

Implications

  • Party can recruit additional guards from friendly towns encountered during future adventures
  • Trained guards will form a permanent defensive force for Citadel Altaerein
  • DM hinted: "They're going to have the end boss come fight your citadel"—suggesting trained guards will become narratively important for later encounters

Campaign Status

  • Book 2 (Cult of Cinders, Chapter 1) is actively progressing
  • Party is level 4
  • Now confirmed as divine champions after defeating Dahak manifestation
  • Citadel Altaerein is becoming a proper stronghold with trained guard garrison
  • Multiple sidequests (citadel restoration, guard training) running parallel to main narrative
  • Primary threat: Dahak cult (Cinderclaws and Scarlet Triad connections)
  • Secondary threat/opportunity: Restoring other aiudara portals and/or securing them against enemy use