Session 5: Deep Beneath the Beacon Report

General Summary

Rescuing Lasso: The Festrog Ambush

After catching our breath from the brutal fight with the mimic, the party decided to backtrack and find Storbold’s trusty pet lizard, Lasso, who had been separated from us earlier. We followed the path, rounding a corner and climbing a flight of stairs, when we found him. Lasso was hissing at what appeared to be an empty hallway, his tail thrashing in agitation.   We soon learned why—undead creatures, known as Festrogs, leapt from the alcoves, skittering on all fours. They were vile things, covered in diseased pustules that sprayed filth onto the party as they bit and tore at us with a ferocity that sent shivers down my spine. Despite the Festrogs' relentless attacks, we managed to put them down for good. Among the decayed bodies, we found a small amount of treasure hidden in the hall—nothing major, but at least it wasn’t all for nothing.  

The Salted One: Draug-Ur's Challenge

Continuing our exploration, we ventured further south and found ourselves in a large chamber where a towering Draugr wielding a greataxe awaited us. This was Draug-Ur, known as the Salted One. His reputation as a fierce undead warrior was not exaggerated. He was joined by a skeleton archer, making the battle even more dangerous.   The fight was brutal and swift. Draug-Ur's greataxe cut deep into our ranks, and the party barely scraped through with their lives. Wounds were bad—real bad. With no other choice, we barricaded the door and decided to hole up in the draugr's throne-chamber for the night. Everyone spent the next eight hours tending to wounds, sharpening weapons, and catching what little rest they could. The tension was thick, and no one felt truly safe in this cursed crypt.  

A Return from the Dead: The Risen D’ziriak

We hadn’t even finished our rest when disaster struck. Gale, who was keeping watch, called out in alarm as the door burst open. The D’ziriak we had previously slain had returned—but this time, as a risen undead! Its eyes burned with cold, necrotic energy as it came for us, furious and unrelenting.   The battle was intense, with everyone on the verge of collapse. Just when it seemed the D’ziriak would finish us off, a lucky strike put the creature down once and for all. Exhausted and battered beyond belief, we made the decision to retreat from the crypt for the night. We slept under the stars outside, far from the stench of the undead and the suffocating darkness.  

Cleansing the Shrine of Narthos

The next morning, we gathered ourselves, performed our daily preparations, and re-entered the crypt. We knew there was unfinished business. With determination, we returned to the Shrine of Narthos—the source of the corruption seeping into the beacon. This time, Storbold stepped up, calling upon the power of Jarak, god of craft. His fiery magic ignited the shrine, cleansing it in a blaze of divine fire.   As the flames consumed the foul altar, the beacon above shuddered. Moments later, it returned to its original state, casting its brilliant light once again and dispelling the darkness of the Shadow Veil. The sense of victory was palpable, but we knew our work wasn’t over. Something—someone—had corrupted the beacon, and we needed to put an end to it.  

The Final Battle: Jean Valnik and the White Ivory Door

With Draug-Ur’s key in hand, we finally made our way to the white ivory door. Unlocking it, we pressed deeper into the crypt and came face to face with our true enemy: Jean Valnik, the undead harpy necromancer responsible for the corruption. As we entered the room, we were surprised to see Jib-Jub, the very posh, talking dog who had once been a companion to Giancarlito.   Despite the strange reunion, there was no time for pleasantries. Jean Valnik, ever the talkative villain, tried to rattle us with his monologue, but the party was having none of it. We assaulted the room, launching spells and blades at the necromancer. It was a chaotic battle, with Jean’s undead minions scrambling to protect their master. But in the end, the harpy fell—talkative to the last.   With Jean Valnik dead, Jib-Jub safely rescued, and the beacon restored, the corruption of the crypt had finally been undone.