The Beginning of Our Adventure
Hello, potential adventurers! Allow me to tempt you with this tale and set the stage for your journey.
We begin on the continent of Uuthral—a land of rolling plains, calm seas, impassable mountains, and... random demons. Every dozen generations or so, massive Demon Princes descend upon Uuthral, flattening any semblance of civilization. Nobody knows why or how these devastating events occur, but they leave humanity's progress fragile and fleeting.
Despite this looming threat, life in the capital city of Acelea continues. Most residents focus on more immediate concerns: strange piles of rocks mysteriously appearing around the city, whispers that the young ruler of the empire is losing his grip on sanity, and rumors of giant sea creatures surfacing in the city’s central pool. Yet today is not a day of fear but celebration. Acelea marks its 287th Founding Day, commemorating nearly three centuries free from major demon attacks.
And this is where our story begins.
The Stars of Our Show
Grimtwinkle, the forest gnome wizard (School of Illusion), played by Gareth.
Karadin Forgeheart, the hill dwarf forge cleric, played by Hamilton.
Torbin Gavalle, the mountain dwarf paladin (Oath of the Ancients), played by Andrew.
Silas, the fire genasi rogue, played by Zac.
Acelea: The City of Promise
Acelea, the thriving heart of Uuthral, is a young and ambitious metropolis in a relatively new empire. Its prosperity is built on trade, farming, fishing, and tourism, making it a city of opportunity and optimism. Even the lower classes take pride in their contributions to the city's growth.
The city is divided into six distinct districts, some more welcoming to outsiders than others. It rose to prominence under Quilious Acelea I, a visionary king who rebuilt Uuthral after the Demon Prince Fraz-Urb’luu ended the Second Demon Age. Under his leadership, Acelea became a bastion of hope, complete with massive walls and a fierce army. By the time of his death eight years ago, the city had grown into a vibrant hub of life and commerce.
In Uuthral, it’s not uncommon for portals to The Abyss—the chaotic plane of demons—to open sporadically. Their origins remain a mystery, as does any ability to predict them.
The Festival Begins
It is early spring, and the city is alive with the sights and sounds of Founding Day, a jubilant celebration of Acelea’s triumph over demons. The streets are packed with parades, music, and festive decorations, including papier-mâché demons hanging from every corner. The air is thick with joy and superstition as townsfolk revel in another year free from catastrophe.
For the adventurers, this is their first Founding Day, and they’ve gathered in the lively Distillery District to soak in the festivities. The night air is crisp but pleasant, and laughter fills the streets as the day’s parade winds down. They find themselves outside Tipsy Trixie’s Meadery, where a stage is being set for the city’s traditional Demon Push and an evening of music and dancing.
The Demon Push is a crowd favorite. An enchanted Balor replica, complete with flickering flames and guttural growls, takes center stage. It’s tradition for newcomers to the city to “fight off” the demon. The city officials control the Balor puppet, while spectators cheer wildly as a ceremonial sword is plunged into the beast.
The Turning Point
As the festival reaches its peak, a sudden red flash cuts through the night. The crowd falls silent as a demon gate bursts open, spilling chaos into the streets. With guards preoccupied protecting civilians—and most revelers too drunk to fight—it falls to our adventurers to step up and save the city from disaster.
And so, their story begins…