Saturday Session 3: The Trail of Keys: Unveiling Secrets in the City

General Summary

Aurendil's Apology

Tempusember 18th, 1083
Aurendil, burdened by the weight of unforeseen consequences, gathered his companions at the bridge to Beaumar and humbly offered his heartfelt apologies. He hadn't realized that their noble intentions would inadvertently unleash the ancient and malevolent force known as Malachoz. Determined to right their unintended wrongs, Aurendil began to unravel the haunting tale that lay behind their current predicament.
Three centuries ago, in the embrace of Beaumar, there existed veiled catacombs that ensnared unsuspecting souls. These catacombs, shrouded in mystery, held an entrance that would only reveal itself to a solitary individual when they least expected it, their gaze turned away from its elusive presence. It was whispered among the locals that a famous pirate named Arud possessed an uncanny ability to locate this hidden gateway.
Arud a pirate was the only one who knew how to reach the enigmatic Veiled Catacombs. Malachoz, driven by a sinister purpose, embarked on a treacherous journey into the veiled catacombs. His relentless quest was to find a long-lost portal, rumored to hold the power to release a horde of demonic entities upon the world. Within the depths of the catacombs, he lured unsuspecting souls and sacrificed them in a dark ritual, the true purpose of which remained shrouded in enigma. This being quite some time ago, Arud must have passed away about 100 years ago.
Yet, amidst the shadows of their situation, a glimmer of hope emerged. Lyra and Leeland, members of the group, remembered an ancient song passed down through generations. Its verses hinted at the existence of a hidden key, an artifact infused with the essence of Calimbar, a long-forgotten power. The song spoke of secrets that resided not in plain sight but within the unseen realm, where the decrees of mysteries held sway.
The adventurers understood that their path to redemption lay in casting their gaze beyond the obvious. They embarked on a quest to unveil the veils that concealed the key's whereabouts. Guided by the subtle depths of Beaumar, they explored its hidden corners and winding alleys, searching for the reflective allure that would reveal the truth they sought.
With each step, the adventurers discovered fragments of the truth. They realized that the key's hiding place was obscured, beckoning them to venture beyond the surface and explore the realm of secrets. They unraveled enigmatic clues and deciphered cryptic symbols, leading them closer to the elusive truth they sought.
Aurendil's apology marked the beginning of a treacherous journey, one that would test their resolve and unearth ancient secrets. As they ventured forth, their bond grew stronger, their determination unwavering. They would not falter in their pursuit to make amends and set things right. For in the face of darkness, the adventurers embraced their role as guardians of Beaumar, vowing to unveil the truth, unlock the hidden gates, and banish the malevolence that threatened their beloved city.
And so, their riveting tale unfolded, a testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring power of friendship. Together, they would navigate the depths of Beaumar, unravel the secrets of the veiled catacombs, and confront the lurking darkness that awaited them. Their journey would be fraught with danger, but they were determined to restore balance and protect their world from the unleashed forces of Malachoz.

Lyra's House

Following the trail of cryptic clues and hidden secrets, the group of adventurers found themselves standing before Lyra's house. It was a sight to behold, a beautiful testiment to elvish architecture bustling streets of Beaumar. With a sense of anticipation, they entered the house, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the next clue.
As they explored the rooms, their attention was drawn to an old mirror hanging on the wall. Curiosity piqued, they inspected it closely and discovered an Abyssal rune etched behind its weathered glass. Realizing the significance of the rune, they carefully made a rubbing of it, preserving its intricate details for later reference.
But the surprises didn't end there. As they turned their gaze back to the mirror, they noticed another riddle hidden behind it, its words cut into the wall. The riddle beckoned them to D'Arcy Square, where a statue of Lucian D'Arcy awaited their arrival.

D'Arcy Square

D'Arcy Square, bathed in the warm glow of the sun, welcomed the adventurers as they stepped onto its cobblestone path. Lucian D'Arcy, a revered figure from Beaumar's history, had been a charismatic diplomat who played a pivotal role in uniting Nou Verdeau and Enegarnad during the Arcane Forge War. His statue, standing tall and resolute, held a scroll and a quill in its outstretched hands.
Faenor, with his keen eyes, was immediately drawn to the quote inscribed on the scroll: "The pen is mightier than the sword." Sensing a hidden meaning, he followed the direction in which the quill pointed, leading the group's attention to a rune etched into the ground. Furthermore, they discovered another riddle, intricately carved on a nearby stone.
The riddle's enigmatic words pointed them toward a transformed haven, once a place of solace but now harboring an unknown adversary. Undeterred, the adventurers set forth, determined to uncover the next key that would bring them closer to their ultimate goal.

Shadow's Embrace Tavern

The trail led them to the renowned Shadow's Embrace Tavern, where they hoped to uncover more secrets and legends. Within its dimly lit interior, they met an old storyteller who regaled them with tales of Seraphin, a legendary hero who rode a panther and warned the people of Noird Mire about the treacherous plans of Verdeau to steal a hidden weapons cache.
At first the bouncers seeing our adventures as the kind of people that are not meant for such an establishment, encourgaged them to leave. Yet our heroes tricked them and entered anyway. The bouncers were right, it wasn't long before a patron shoved Leeland to the ground. That patron ended with a chair leg through his head.
The found a enigmatic character named Drizzt who Lyla took a liking to. He offered to teach her things about the underdark. As he left Callun's interest was piqued and began following him, though that was about the time the rest of the party was dealing with the deadly half-orc patron.
After the fight they paid for the damages and the proprieter explained the statue had long been moved, but pointed where it used to stand. They found a slat that was easily movable where the grand statue must have stood. Within this concealed space, they stumbled upon a hidden box cunningly concealed beneath the tavern's floor. Opening it, they were greeted by the sight of yet another Abyssal rune, its dark patterns shimmering with latent power. Alongside the rune lay another riddle, its words both enticing and perplexing, guiding them towards their next destination.
With the clues they had collected thus far, the adventurers were slowly piecing together a grand tapestry of secrets and revelations. Each step brought them closer to their objective, but also deeper into a world tinged with danger and uncertainty. As they embarked on the next leg of their journey, they steeled themselves for the challenges that lay ahead, knowing that the answers they sought were within their grasp, waiting to be unveiled.

Unnamed Scout's Tomb

Armed with the latest riddle, the adventurers embarked on their next quest, seeking the secrets hidden within the tomb of an unnamed scout. The riddle spoke of a group of people who carried a profound secret to their final resting places. Among them, a single key held the key to unlocking the truth.
Journeying to the designated burial site, the adventurers found themselves standing before the tomb of the unnamed scout. With reverence, they spoke his name as a tribute to his role in the war that had shaped their world. As the name escaped their lips, a rune materialized before their eyes, accompanied by an inscription etched into the tomb's stone surface.
The inscription spoke of a guardian, a figure who had devoted their life to protecting the weak and standing resolute atop a hill. Realizing the significance of this guardian, the adventurers whispered their name, understanding that it held the key to their next discovery.

Statue of Thalendir

Guided by their newfound knowledge, the adventurers made their way to the statue of Thalendir, a legendary hero whose deeds were woven into the tapestry of Willowshire's history. Thalendir was renowned for his mastery of a weapon known for its deceit and mercy, embodying the delicate balance between power and compassion.
Standing before the imposing statue, they uttered Thalendir's name three times, invoking his spirit and seeking his guidance. In response to their call, a hidden compartment within the statue was revealed, containing yet another Abyssal rune and an enigmatic riddle.
The riddle hinted at Arud's Dagger, a legendary artifact of great importance. However, its whereabouts remained uncertain, as it could either be held by Captain Leonhardt or hidden in the depths of the ocean. The adventurers pondered their next move, considering the risks and challenges that lay ahead.
Recognizing the need for rest and preparation, the group decided to return to the familiar refuge of the tavern. Within its walls, they sought solace and companionship, sharing stories and strategizing for the journey ahead. Knowing that their ultimate goal drew near, they rested their weary bodies and replenished their spirits, ready to face the trials that awaited them in the pursuit of uncovering the secrets that had been concealed for far too long.

Campaign

Shards of the Sundering

Protagonists

Lyra Spectralsong

Leeland Magnus

CN Dwarf (Clan Crafter)
Artificer 1

10 / 10 HP

STR
13

DEX
15

CON
15

INT
17

WIS
11

CHA
11

Faenor Arvala

CN High Elf (Noble)
Paladin 2

25 / 25 HP

STR
17

DEX
18

CON
17

INT
16

WIS
15

CHA
18

Callon Dawnfall

Neutral good Wood elf (Criminal)
Rouge 1

8 / 8 HP

STR
12

DEX
20

CON
14

INT
13

WIS
14

CHA
17

Tempest Magnus

Chaotic Good Water Genasi (Sailor)
Sorcerer of Storm Sorcery 5

33 / 33 HP

STR
16

DEX
14

CON
18

INT
13

WIS
13

CHA
18

Report Date

29 May 2023

Tempusember 18th

Aurendil Apology

• Aurendil apologizes for unknowingly causing the release of Malachoz while trying to do good.
• Malachoz lured people into veiled catacombs 300 years ago.
• The catacombs' entrance appears randomly to a single person when they are not actively searching for it.
• Famous pirate Arud managed to locate the entrance.
• Arud entered the catacombs with the intention of finding a portal to release demons, but her true motives remain unknown.
• Arud never disclosed the location of the entrance and passed away 100 years ago.
• Lyra and Leeland recall a song hinting at a hidden secret within the city.
• The song suggests looking beyond what is immediately visible to find the next key.

Lyra's House

• The first riddle led them to Lyra's house.
• They discovered an Abyssal rune behind an old mirror and made a rubbing of it.
• They found another riddle behind the mirror.
• The riddle points to D'Arcy Square, where a statue of Lucian D'Arcy is located.

D'Arcy Square

• Lucian D'Arcy was a charismatic diplomat who united Nou Verdeau and Enegarnad during the Arcane Forge War.
• The statue of Lucian D'Arcy in D'Arcy Square holds a scroll and a quill.
• A quote on the scroll catches Faenor's attention: "The pen is mightier than the sword."
• The quill points downward, revealing a rune and another riddle inscribed on a stone at noon.
• The riddle leads them to a transformed haven where an enemy now resides.
• They must search beneath a cat statue in the haven to find the next key.

Shadow's Embrace Tavern

• They learn about Seraphin, a hero who rode a panther and warned the people of Noird Mire about Verdeau's plans to steal the weapons cache.
• There is a wooden carved statue of Seraphin in the Shadow's Embrace tavern.
• They encounter trouble with the tavern bouncers but eventually find the statue's original location.
• A hidden box beneath the floor contains an Abyssal rune and another riddle.

Unnamed Scout's Tomb

• The riddle refers to a group of people who carried a secret to their graves.
• Within their ranks, one key holds the secret.
• They find the tomb of an unnamed scout who played a significant role in the war.
• Speaking his name as a tribute reveals a rune and inscription.
• The inscription mentions a guardian who protected the weak and stood on a hill.
• Whispering the guardian's name is required to unlock the next key.

Statue of Thalendir

• The riddle describes a weapon known for its deceit and mercy.
• Thalendir, a legendary hero, is associated with Willowshire hill and holding ground against the enemy.
• They go to the statue of Thalendir and say his name three times, leading them to another rune and riddle.
• The riddle hints at Arud's Dagger as the next key, potentially held by Captain Leonhardt or lying at the bottom of the ocean.
• They decide to return to the tavern to rest.