20th of Eleint: Dusk
Chapter 1: Vasilya’s and Atalaya’s talk
(Previous session) Nevil had gone upstairs to wake Inman and Boz. She told Boz that he needed to talk to Atalaya. Boz fumbles while he dresses, putting on his shirt inside out. The three make their way back down to the portal room.
Atalaya has gathered up all her papers and materials and placed them into her pack. Sir Isteval re-asserts that he will see that her papers are filed appropriately. We head out of the tavern and start on our way back to the Green Goblin. Atalaya is walking with Boz, silently taking in his appearance. She notices his improving skin color and his incorrectly donned shirt. She slows her pace, allowing Nevil and Inman to make their way out of earshot.
She finally, hesitantly starts a conversation with Vaz about the papers she has been preparing. She tells Vaz that the last few days have weighed heavily on her and she wanted to make sure that if anything were to happen to her, that there would be no way that anyone could try to force Cirilli back to Parabor and into her parent’s care. Vaz responds that they would never let that happen. Atalaya agrees, but says that she wanted something in writing, like Master Elaria had done, so that there is no question. Then she says that she named him as Cirilli’s legal guardian if something should happen to her. He responds saying that of course he would take care of Cirilli. They talk a bit.
He then says something about how if Atalaya didn’t return from an adventure/mission that he wouldn’t be returning either. Atalaya admits that she had thought about that too. She says that the will instructs that whoever else of our group that remains would then become Cirilli’s guardians. Vaz agrees that the group would naturally take care of her. Atalaya again says that she knows this. But this puts her concerns and plans for Cirilli into writing so that they cannot be disputed. Vaz says something about how the Greenleafs and her father and mother would also take care of Cirilli if something happened to us. Atalaya agrees and says that should all our group perish, then Cirilli would go to the Greenleafs and that they were asked to bring Cirilli to the High Forest to meet with my family and for everyone together decide what would be in Cirilli’s best interests. She says that she has talked to Cirdan about this and has his promise to take her in and do this.
They talk about this some more and Atalaya admits that when Nevil realized what she was doing and asking, that she seemed to be upset with her. Atalaya says she isn’t sure if this is because Nevil thought I was questioning the group’s willingness to care for Cirilli or that she thought I was dwelling too much on the possible negative consequences of the work we do. She tells him that Nevil has assigned her two extra hours of meditation in the morning. Vaz makes a comment about this. Atalaya says that she plans on fulfilling Nevil’s mandate. She admits that the last few days since Sorrow’s self sacrifice, resurrection and then watching the vampires sucking the life out of both himself and Inman have deeply affected her and that she knows that she needs to be able to clear her mind of that and be totally focused on what they will be doing when they reentered the Doomvault. Knowing that the decisions were made for who would care for Cirilli, that Nevil had agreed to continue on as Cirilli’s weaponmaster even though we have completed the Candlekeep trip and returned to Riverport/Saltmarsh and that she as worked out with Joan her continued ranger training has already helped to settle her. Some more meditation and some kata work should therefore have her prepared for their next trip into the Thayan fortress.
Vaz listens to her, letting her talk it out and responds supportively. Atalaya also explains to him the plan to take Cirilli, Sorrow and probably Joan to the Greenleaf estate so that they can wait there for us to finish our work in the fortress. Vaz mentions that maybe one of the Greenleafs will know some healing that would help Sorrow. Atalaya admits that is one of her reasons for wanting to move Sorrow there. She thinks that she has heard of at least 1 healer among Cirdan’s family.
When they arrive at the Green Goblin they enter the tavern room, and seeing the party seated at a table enjoying dinner, they join them.
Chapter 2: Dinner at the Green Goblin
The tavern is busy with the dinner rush when Inman and Nevil enter it. Sorrow, Joan and Cirilli are downstairs and eating. They join them. Sorrow is drinking the Claw Wine that Bluebell ordered for him from Saltmarsh. Within a couple minutes Vasilya and Atalaya join them.
Cirilli says to Sorrow, “You are still not entirely yourself.”
Atalaya tells them about Cirdan’s offer to let them stay at them (Cirilli, Sorrow and Joan if she wants to go there rather than into the Doomvault) Greenleaf estate while the rest of us try to free Kelson from the Thayans. Nevil tells Cirilli that she should think of it as a training exercise, that Cirdan might need help keeping the estate safe while he is gone from it. She also wants Cirilli to practice riding while she is at the estate. She tells Cirilli that this may become very important for whatever is to come next for the group. Cirilli says that she can do that. That there are horses on the Greenleaf estate.
Joan and Sorrow discuss going. Joan plans to go with Sorrow.
Nevil:_______
Joan: “I don’t think he is right now.”
Sorrow: “I’m right here.”
Joan: “.... going to use the help.”
Atalaya flags Bluebell down. She tells her that we are going to take Cirilli, Sorrow and Joan away for awhile, so we will only need the bigger room. That they can rent the other out. She thanks them for allowing us to use both rooms. Atalaya and Bluebell talk a bit more, Bluebell bringing more drinks to the table, including more of the Claw Wine for Sorrow. She tells Atalaya that as bad as it is, some of the orc customers and Aristotle seem to like it too.
The stew is particularly delicious tonight.
After we finish eating, Sorrow, Joan and Cirilli pack up. Atalaya and Boz move anything that is left of theirs from the smaller room into the large end room. When we are ready to depart Inman and Boz say good-bye to those who are departing and then head to their cots and back to sleep.
Chapter 3: Quick Trip to the Greenleaf Estate
Atalaya gathers everyone else around her, gets the helm of transportation out of the bag of holding, puts it on and reaches for Sorrow’s and Cirilli’s hands. She tells everyone else to hold hands. Nevil balks a bit at this as Sorrow plays it up, teasing her. Eventually she gets everyone in physical contact as she concentrates on the trinket from the Greenleaf’s manor and her memories of the manor and we transport to Cirdan’s estate.
We materialize in front of the manor. Elanil greets Cirilli ecstatically and pulls her off to join the other younglings on the estate. Raven greets the adults. Atalaya tells him that Cirdan has offered hospitality to Sorrow, Cirilli and Joan while we tackle the next attempts in the Doomvault. Raven asks about Cirdan and Nevil tells him that Cirdan has not yet entered the Thayan fortress, but will be heading there soon, probably first thing in the morning. Raven admits to worrying about Cirdan. Raven says that he is not an adventurer, that he is a merchant. “I worry about him (Cirdan).”
Nevil gives Raven some instructions for Cirilli. She wants her to be assigned chores like the other children in the household, to play some and to practice. And she says that Crilli needs to ride horseback and improve her abilities with that skill. She and Atalaya tell Raven that she has had a bit of exposure to horseback riding on their adventures down the coast, but that she needs more instruction in this. Raven says that is easily done.
Atalaya tells Raven that the Eye of Death has been destroyed, but that Sorrow died in the process. That he has been resurrected but he isn’t quite himself yet. She mentions that he has been seeing things that aren’t there. Like giant purple bugs. Raven says that they have a healer, Willow’s mother who can keep watch on Sorrow. Atalaya is very relieved to hear that.
Atalaya will take Raven aside slightly and hand him copies of the papers she had prepared at the Lady Luck that afternoon. She says that they are her will and other papers that go with it. She tells Raven that Cirdan has agreed to what is contained in the will and asks that Raven keep it safe at the estate until he returns. Raven agrees.
Nevil and Atalaya say good-bye to everyone. Joan and Sorrow are shown to rooms upstairs. Atalaya takes herself and Nevil back to the Green Goblin. (2 of 3 charges were used to go to Saltmarsh and then back to the Goblin.)
The guys are sound asleep when we return to the Green Goblin. Deciding that they are providing us with good examples, we get ready for bed ourselves and crawl under our covers.
21st of Eleint
Chapter 4: Preparations
Nevil slept in this morning. She, Inman and Vasilya wake up refreshed. The boys are looking much more like themselves this morning. They get up, dress and pack to head back to the Lady Luck. While they are doing so, Atalaya makes her way back up to the room.
We have breakfast together in the common room, enjoying Aristotle’s cooking. Atalaya looks more at peace this morning than she had yesterday. The fang marks seem to be gone, but Inman is picking at where his was.
After we finish eating, we make our way to the Lady Luck, ready to find out what was happening there overnight.
As we enter Nevil greets Mennik by saying, “Mennik, do you ever sleep?”
Mennik: “Really, I do.”
Nevil: “Any news?”
Mennik: “I don’t think so.”
Nevil: “Cirdan go off?”
Mennik: “Yes. They have been gone all night.”
Nevil: “_______________
Nevil: “We are going to go take care of business. …. I promise not to whack any vampires.”
Mennik: “Vampires are annoying.”
Mennik and Curran clear off the portal opening and we step through to the Gatehouse. Syranna greets us.
Nevil: “We are ready to punch in the clock.”
Syranna: “Be careful. I wish you luck.”
Chapter 5: Back to the Fortress, Zombie Room
We go through the portal there, and Syranna directs it to the entry point where we appeared the previous day.
As we arrive we quickly scan the space. We don’t see the vampire from the day before. But the zombies are there and another entity. The imp creature is also not present.
The zombies definitely notice are arrival. Nevil looks for the Imp. She doesn’t see him.
Nevil tells the zombies that we are just passing through here. They are watching us. We prepare to shuffle through them. We don’t see the vampire girl. Avalon is not in the room. Atalaya takes one step forward, watching for any response from the zombies. Boz is ready to strike any of them that make a threatening move.
The zombies look as if they are readying their weapons.
Boz, reading their intent tries to react quickly, but the zombie is already intent on attacking Boz. It swings at Boz, hitting him, but Boz’s quick reaction reduces the damage to 1 point of damage.
Boz turns on zombie 3, swinging his sword and hitting it, for 11 points of damage.
Zombie 3 moves up and flanks Boz.
Zombie slams into Boz
Atalaya takes 2 shots at Zombie 4 doing 11+8 points of damage.
Zombie ___ moves to Boz, hits him for 1 point of damage.
Nevil: Attacks Zombie 3, with her morningstar. First swing connects for 12 points of damage. Her second swing also connects and does 11 points of damage.
Zombie 2: Tries to hit (body slam) Nevil, it runs into her shield and Nevil takes no damage.
The other creature comes over. It is not a zombie, but is a rotting corpse with a glow to it. It has a longsword and takes a swing at Nevil. It swings 2 handed. It’s first swing hits her doing 5 points of damage. It swings again, makes a critical hit for 10 points of damage.
The creature is a Wight. It asks, “Why are you here?”
Nevil responds with: “Temple of Chaos!”
Inman: comes forward with his scimitar raised. He tries to hit but has a critical failure. He drops his primary weapon and is stunned for one round.
Boz: Turns on Zombie 1 to protect Inman. He swings his sword and the zombie’s head falls off and hits Inman in the chest as he lies prone in front of the beheaded zombie.
Atalaya lets another 2 arrows fly at Zombie 2. Both hit. 12 + 9 points of damage. 1 arm falls off. The Zombie is swaying on his feet, but it is still standing.
Zombie 1: Tries to head butt Boz but has a critical fail. One of its eyes fall out. It doesn’t seem to be aware of that. It does have a -1 to hit on its next attack.
Nevil: Attending to the Wight swings at it with her morningstar mace. And she misses with her first swing. She tries again and has a critical fail. She slips on the eyeball zombie slime from Zombie 1, loses her balance and falls prone.
Zombie 2 falls on Nevil and slams his skull into her, causing Nevil 10 points of damage.
Wight: Reaches down a horrific hand and tries to grab Nevil. Nevil manages to dodge him. Enraged, it tries a one handed swing of his longsword to attack Nevil. But he telegraphs his move and Nevil is able to throw up her shield to block the blow.
Inman: Stands up. And attacking Zombie 1 with his scimitar does 4+9 points of damage.
Boz: Recognizes the creature attacking Nevil as a Wight, something he fought in the tower outside of Greenfast. Realizing Nevil’s danger he sneaks up and attacks it. Hitting it for 9+15 points of damage. The Wight hisses at Boz.
Atalaya, also recognizing the danger shifts her target to the Wight and shoots 2 arrows at it. Both hit. 13 + 13 damage. The Wight disintegrates, hissing as it disappears.
Nevil: Stands up and smacks Zombie 2 for 13 points of damage. Its head goes flying off.
There is gore everywhere.
Nevil heals herself. The guys head over to check on Nevil. Inman: “Are you alright?”
Nevil seems a bit embarrassed.
Inman licks his thumb and wipes away gore from Nevil’s face..
Nevil says something about why doesn’t he use prestidigitation instead?
Inman laughs.
(Atalaya collects her arrows while this is occurring, wiping them as clean as she can get them before putting them back in the quiver.)
Chapter 6: Meeting Avalon
We head down the stairs into the room with the pit. We see Avalon floating above the pit in which there are several bald tattooed headed corpses. We make our way into the room and down into the pit. Nevil leads the looting of the bodies while Atalaya checks in with Avalon
Loot: 1. Two longswords
2. Two javalins
3. 16 gp
4. Nice armor: 2 sets of chain mail armor.
5. 2 red cloaks
6. 2 shields
7. 2 Thayan helmets
Atalaya puts all this in the bag of holding, except that she hands Inman one of the cloaks. “These could help as disguises, maybe.” He takes it and puts it on. Atalaya asks who wants the second cloak. Boz accepts it.
Nevil asks Atalaya if we want to head north or south?
Atalaya looks around and then points towards the northern hallway. “We need to clear out this area before we head towards where we want to meet up with the other group Nevil agrees.
Atalaya turns to Avalon and asks, “Do you want to stay here or go along with us?” She explains that we are looking for a friend. She explains that if he goes with us and sees us trying to talk to someone, even if they have tattoos on their heads, he should not immediately eliminate them. Let us talk to them. But, if they make any threatening moves on us, he can handle them his way at that point. He agrees and seems to understand the instructions.
We move towards the north. The short corridor ends in a T-intersection. To the right we see a shimmering luminous area in the floor with mist around it. It looks like a white gate from the information we have gotten from Mennik and Shyranna. Atalaya talks with Nevil. We check the map of the fortress that Nevil copied yesterday. We decide that we need to clear out the rest of the area first, before trying to go through the gate to a different location.
Chapter 7: The Vampire’s Lair
We turn around and head south into the small room southeast of the demon training pit. There are stairs going up into it. Nevil and Inman go up the stairs,They see an open coffin on a dais. There are black silk wall hangings. Inman starts to enter the room and immediately falls into a pit trap with stone spikes at the bottom of it. It is a 5 foot square hole in the floor, the floor was on a hinge that triggered when he stepped on it. He falls, and as he falls he makes a grab for the edge. He manages to catch hold of the edge and Nevil prostrates herself on the floor at the edge of the trap, grabs his arms and makes fun of him as she pulls him out of the trap.
Boz: “I suppose we need to be careful.”
(Inman and Nevil make a Wisdom saving throw and make it).
Atalaya asks if they would like Vaz to check out the room first, before the rest of us get caught in more traps.
We get Boz to check for traps before entering the room. Atalaya asks Avalon to wait at the bottom of the stairs. (She is thinking a rear guard would be a good thing to have as we enter a room without any other visible ways out of it.) Boz finds a 2nd floor pit trap. He continues to scan the floor, reaches over and triggers another trap. “This floor is like cheese,” he says.
Inman, watching the two sparkly floating lights says, “Must be some kind of trap.
Boz answers, “Magic triggers or scanners… watching the…”
Atalaya makes a wisdom saving throw.
Boz does not make his wisdom saving throw.
There is a flash of light from the closest of the floating prisms and a spectral wrath that looks like Boz appears.
Boz: “I think we figured out what the prisms do.” Startled, he swings his short sword at the wrath and misses.
Nevil : Pushes past Boz and steps up onto the corner of the dais. She swings her morningstar and hits the Wrath twice doing 9 + 13 points of damage.
Atalaya, making sure to grab 2 of her magic arrows shoots and hits the wrath twice, doing 9 + 10 damage.
Inman: uses mage hand to place one of the red Thayan cloaks over the prism on the other side of the room.
Dead Boz Wrath reaches out his hand to grasp Boz. Boz dodges the hand.
Boz: Seeing the Wrath distracted by Nevil and Atalaya makes a sneak attack on the Wrath doing 4+15 damage to it.
Nevil swings with her morningstar, hitting on both swings and doing 8 + 13 damage. The Wrath dissipates.
Vaz moves onto the dais. Checks it for traps and the area around the coffin, and then inside the coffin, moving carefully to avoid any surprises. Once he is certain there are not traps he can find, he searches the coffin for items and finds:
6 scrolls: 2 comprehend languages, 3 detect magic, 1 greater restoration.
A bottle of ink
An ink pen
16 sheets of parchment paper
A glyph key.
Inman says, “Hold it up. See if it is glowing.”
Boz points to the rune circle on the glyph key. “It’s a contact stone. We can talk to the gatehouse, to Shyranna.”
Nevil takes it and talks to Shyranna: “WE found one of these things.”
Shyranna: “You found a contact stone. Where are you?”
Nevil tells her that we are in the Fiendish Arena area.
Boz says the key for is for the fiendish area.
Atalaya directs Vaz to attune the key. Shyranna: “Yes, I can.”
Nevil gets the other key out. “The Keys must touch” she says. She and Boz touch the two glyph keys together. The attunement fails and each take 2 points of force damage.
Boz asks, “Try again?”
Inman uses Mage hand to grab the cloaks.
Nevil hands Inman the glyph key saying that she doesn’t want to hold it anymore.
We put the items from the coffin into the bag of holding.
Inman and Boz try attuning the new key again. This time it works. They do it once more. The new key has all the attunements that our original key has now.
Atalaya asks Nevil if she wants to take the original key back. This way each couple will have access to a glyph key. Nevil says no. Atalaya tells Inman to keep that key then. She asks Boz to keep the new key.
Chapter 8: Trying out the Glyph Key
We check the map. The other corridor (SW corner of the pit room) appears to be a corridor heading into the pool area called The Pools of Devotion. We don’t have a key for that area. So we head back toward the white gate at the north end of the map. We get to the corridor to the gate and Boz heads confidently toward it. And falls into a pit trap. He catches the edge and Atalaya is able to pull him out of it. He then carefully checks the remaining few feet to the gate for more traps. Deciding it is clear he approaches the gate with the glyph key in his hand. Nevil steps up next to him. Vaz holds the key up to the gate. It clears. And Nevel is shoved back 10 feet, right into the open pit trap. Inman tries to grab her as she is thrown back, but misses. She falls into the pit, landing on the stone spikes and taking 20 points of damage.
Boz turns around and he and Inman pull Nevil out of the trap.
Boz has a flash of knowing. He says to Nevil, “The gate. You didn’t have a key.”
Inman adds, “Thayan dear.”
Nevil heals herself again.
GAME ENDS
