Aglarion

Type: Kingdom
Region: Central realm of the campaign
Appearance/Notable Features: A prosperous and powerful kingdom, home to nobles, knights, merchants, priests, and common folk. Its halls, such as the Grand Hall of Crowns, are built with vaulted ceilings, painted stone, and symbols of the royal line like the blazing phoenix.

Overview

Aglarion is the kingdom where the campaign begins and where the party has operated through the first seven sessions. It is a land of noble courts, bustling towns, and deep political intrigue, with tension between royal authority, the Tower, divine churches, and the common people.

History

• Once ruled by King Waldrann Azennar, who sought to remarry after Queen Alyssa’s death from sickness.
• Queen Alyssa was the mother of the crown prince (deceased before the campaign began).
• After Alyssa’s death, Waldren courted and married Queen Larwencia, who became queen mother to Princess Athena.
• At the coronation (Session 6), Athena was crowned but transformed into a monstrous form, declaring the end of the old order.
• The new “queens,” Athena and Queen Larwencia, announced harsh decrees outlawing divine magic and demanding loyalty through blood oaths.
• Knights who swore fealty were twisted into monstrous werecreatures.

Role in the Story

• The party has been drawn into Aglarion’s political upheaval, working under Lord Signmonder as a stabilizing force.
• Key story events:
  • Session 0.50: Lord Signmonder seen negotiating over a kodal feather, early foreshadowing of his role.
  • Session 0.25: The party learned more history and lore connected to Aglarion through the old man of Dunhallow and Lauren Kaylin (fallen angels, Dark Star).
  • Session 6: The coronation, where Athena and Larwencia seized power and the kingdom fractured.
  • Session 7: Aftermath of the coronation; the party continued to navigate alliances and survival amid Aglarion’s new order.

Notable Figures

• King Waldrann – Former king of Aglarion, widowed after Queen Alyssa’s death.
• Queen Alyssa – First queen, mother of Princess Athena; died of sickness.
• Queen Athena – Crowned heir who transformed during coronation, declared divine casters enemies, now co-ruler in monstrous form.
• Queen Larwencia – The new queen and power behind the throne, issued strange decrees alongside Athena.
• Lord Signmonder – Protector of the Crown, wary of corruption, allied with the party.
• Gregory – Signmonder’s closest Redcloak guard, the only one known by name.

Relationships

• Factions:
  • The Tower – Powerful magical order with influence in the kingdom; some party members (Zane, Voss) have ties to or history with it.
  • The Crown – Now fractured under Athena and Larwencia.
  • The Coven – Revealed during the coronation; nobles aligned with the queens who exposed themselves as cultists.
• Neighboring Locations:
  • Dunhallow – Town within the kingdom.
  • Temple of Emberwood – Ancient ruin tied to relics and lore.
  • The Lucky Leap – Tavern in the capital city, common gathering place.
  • The Grand Hall of Crowns – Coronation site.

Notable Moments

• Session 0.50: Lord Signmonder first introduced in the Lucky Leap.
• Session 0.25: The party learned of Aglarion’s deeper past — fallen angels and the Dark Star.
• Session 6: Coronation of Princess Athena; transformation into monstrous queen, outlawing divine magic, rise of the Coven, chaos in the Grand Hall. Xaniver was killed by Power Word Kill.
• Session 7: Aftermath of the coronation, survival alongside Signmonder, further descent of the kingdom into chaos under the new queens.

Current State (Post-Session 7)

• Rule: Co-ruled by Queen Athena (transformed) and Queen Larwencia.
• Decrees:
  • All temples are closed.
  • Divine magic is outlawed.
  • Unauthorized healing is treason.
  • All wealth belongs to the crown.
  • Arcane casters must swear a blood oath to the queens.
  • The Tower answers directly to the queens; all other orders abolished.
• Military: Knights are divided; some remained loyal to the crown and were transformed into monstrous werecreatures. Others resist under Signmonder.
• Religion: The churches and clerics of Aglarion have been declared enemies of the state.
• Society: The people are shaken by the coronation’s events. Panic, fear, and uncertainty spread across the kingdom.