32 - Ched Nasad, The Light in the Dark

When last we left our heroes...
(Cat's notes are pretty good; she should read the recap for everyone) The group discusses their conflicting views of history before bedding down for the evening in Ty's Tiny Hut. Was Maars the savior of the realm as those following Crel's teachings have been led to believe all their lives? Or was he the Great Betrayer, as those following Chetri have been taught. Ailonora's uncle reaffirms that the time of the Gods' War was a chaotic and confusing time; he unfortunately gives no clear answer as to who Maars truly was. Finally deciding that Maars may have actually been trying to bring back Hadaar, the group agrees that he must be stopped, if he is truly the one behind these mysterious forces across the realms. Setting a plan to go in and defeat the Red Wizard the following morning, the group rested peacefully. As the Tiny Hut disappeared from existence, Ty became visibly concerned and paranoid as he noticed the Skull Lord watching over the group from the top of the hill. Not seeming to be making any moves, Ty attempted to convince the group that the Skull Lord was getting closer. Ace, Ailonora, and Jordan are contacted by Ani again, offering a peaceful, quick passage to Ched Nasad. A brief discussion happened, and finally the group boarded The Sinking Goblin VII and get underway. Discussions of how the crew sustained themselves were had by Ammethi as the ship was seemingly propelled at god-like speed. Within an hour, the ship lurched to a slow sail, and the crew prepared a boat for the group to take to shore. Ched Nasad, the gleaming Light of the Darkness, stretched out before the group. A small contingent of goblins escorted the group ashore and promptly disappeared. The group, now stranded on the city docks, briefly imitated the dead crew of the research ship and paid the docking fees.
It is here we resume... and I turn the day over to you, as the city of Ched Nasad seemingly begins its day. What would you like to do?

Session Plot Points There are two ways to resolve the issue of being stuck in the Underdark

The party must traverse the island and discover the matching obelisk deep inside the dragon (very deadly)

Defeating the Red Wizard is protected by his Skull Lord and an army of skeleton warriors

The entrance to the obelisk is also protected by the Sphinx, Gal'taney

or --

The party must discover a way to get back to Corsithia by exploring the city of Ched Nasad

Option 1: Ched Nasad, The Light of the Underdark

• Magical Lights to keep the Undead at bay
• The city is militaristic, and devout to the Black Flame Princess, Aether, Godess of the Light (Order of the Arcane)
• Open use of magic is considered blasphemous and could be punishable as a crime (the lantern Hollis has on his back will cause a stir)
• The Festival of Secrets will be happening soon (hosted by the Temple of the Flame)

City of Ched Nasad

Open full size

Option 2: The Red Temple

• Inverted pyramid with a seemingly bottomless pit at the center of the dragon (uneventful to get down it)
• Once down, opens into a vast cavern
• A great temple is at the back of the cavern, guarded by a sphinx (bound to the area near the obelisk, protecting its power from all those unworthy)
• The sphinx will attack the party if they try to push past him
• The sphinx might tell the party about the great red wizard, an Acolyte of Maars, who is channeling the power within the obelisk to call Hadar to the realm
• They sphinx may tell the party that the Acolyte was the last person who made it into the chamber, but has proven to be unworthy since

The Sphinx's Riddles

• If the party chooses to partake in the Sphinx's challenge, they will all be transported to a place between realms, trapped with only one way of escaping - completing the riddles. The only warning the Sphinx will give is that each of the party must look deep inside to complete the test. A WIS 20+ will grant that person the knowledge that they are trapped in a mental realm, but are physically still in the lair of the Sphinx.

1. Riddle: I am passed from father to son, and shared between brothers. My importance is unquestioned, though I am used more by others. What am I?
A: A Name
2. Riddle: I am built between friends, broken easily, but foundational to survival. What am I?
A: Trust
3. Riddle: Kept, I never age; shared, I am gone forever. What am I?
A: A Secret
4. Riddle: You saw me where I never was and where I could not be. And yet within that very place, my face you often see. What am I?
A: Your Reflection
5. Riddle: Young men may think they lose beauty as they get older, but wise men know that true beauty lies here.
A: In the eye of the beholder.

• A correct answer will trigger an encounter with an undefeatable, legendary Beholder. The party must figure out to use the 5 riddle answers and admit each of their darkest secret to their reflection into the eye of the Beholder, or to each other. The test will not be complete unless all of the party complete it.