Episode Eighty-seven - Return to the Tomb of Horrors

General Summary

Part One

As the group sat around the table at the Deep Road Inn and Tavern, they got to know Ash and, given his willingness, they accepted his help to assist them in dealing with local matters, specifically the Order of the Eye of Vecna. Ash attempted rescue Pentival from petrification by casting Dispel Magic but it seemed to fail as plants grew on Pentival and consumed Ash's spell. Annabelle determined that the growth was divine and that it consumed the spell to charge itself. Then, she was able to determine that it was likely from the local god's interaction, the mother of nature, Kinvirnus. The trio, Annabelle, Arion, and Ash, then sorted through what gear had been taken from Sol before his burial. As they looked, Ash noticed a portrait in a nearby chest. It held Arion Varis Aldrichlaughing Arion then had the group go seek out Durnan's council on the matter and his log book determined that they'd booked in with an Eondra. After the last lieutenant among the conscripts informed Arion that they would be required to move on, Arion wrote a letter to the Castellan of the Keep on the Borderlands to ask that they remain for sometime more. He and the trio then made their way to the supper gathering for those going down to the Tomb. They made a rough map and discussed the journey ahead. Come the morning, Arion and Ash spoke with the group of dragonborn that had come out of the well a night prior. They learned that the group were aiming to defeat a deep dragon that was working for the evil Sol Astair; a dragon that would serve as the Earl's bodyguard in any final conflict. With the name of the Order of the Eye of Vecna known, the pair waited for their companions to arrive.

Part Two

At the town graveyard, Sol was dug up and awoken by the Earl of Undeath. Using a Godfather Gem of Time, that the Earl had borrowed from the evil Sol Astair, Sol was brought back to be reasoned with. They talked at some length and they learned much from one another. Sol was able to deduce that they were always fighting in times before Vecna knew them, which made the party the instigator in their conflicts. He was also able to determine that the party and the Earl had common ground. They worked out a deal that if the party were able to take out the Order of the Eye of Vecna, that he would not intervene as all he wanted was to save the people of the area from a greater conflict brewing south of the border.

Part Three

In the adventuring room, Annabelle and Raven had a conversation about their doubts and worries concerning the Tomb of Horrors. They agreed that they shouldn't go down and when Annabelle informed Raven that she saw a demon there, a balor, Raven told her about her experience with a demon. She told Annabelle that after using a book, that informed Raven of her own life from her point of view, it saddled her with a voice. The voice offered aid. Considering her brother, whom was turning into a werewolf, she made a bargain and gave the demon a memory. She then forgot her own brother, actually more of a comrade, and it devastated her but worse yet she became possessed. Annabelle then caught Raven up on her day prior and told her about Pentival. They then agreed, if nothing else, to hang back in that tomb if they were to journey there.

Part Four

Walking into the tavern, Sol's return from the dead came as a shock to all around. "Umm, I thought you were dead." Raven remarked. "Oh, it didn't take." Sol quipped. Arion even drew blade and there was much uncertainty, Raven even drew a dagger. They then took Sol to the woods where they had questioned Tanzot and there Sol filled them in on his conversation with the Earl of Undeath. He told them that there was a potential for peace as the Earl only wanted to safeguard the people against a larger threat, that he felt he was likely the only one to do it. That he was willing to hold off attacking them as they took on Vecna's people but that they must be careful to guard that secret from the god of secrets. Back inside the company bound for the Tomb of Horrors took role call and realized that none of them remembered a name on the list, Brasom Gren. Zulthorn's papers marked him as in attendance at the supper but no one even knew his name that morning. Dismissing it for the moment, the company descended and eventually arrived at the Tomb of Horrors. They uncovered the entrance and began to explore within. They fought a form of Moghadam called the Ruiner and defeated him just inside. They revealed the first hall's pit traps and denoted a message on the floor. They tested secret tunnels and refused to trust a smokey archway. Come round, they all rested for a meal and there met a wandering deep dragon wyrm that Annabelle spoke to and convinced to leave. They then returned for more exploration, slow exploration, and realized that, to press on, they must manipulate a door with many pins upon it.

Rewards Granted

560xp

Missions/Quests Completed

Quest Vecna's Eye Continued, Sidequest An Eye for Traitors Continued, Sidequest Against the Order Started, Subquest Tomb of Horrors Started, Subquest Throne of Bone Started, Subquest The Dragon Below Started

Notes

Notable Party Damage:

Aldrich has a horrible burn scar on the left side of his neck in front of the ear from an azure fire elemental summoned by Seldra Tylmarande. His armor and shield are extremely claw marked from many Lizardfolk. His shield has a large fist shaped dent in it from when he was crushed by a Sacred Statue.
Noted Effects: Horrible Scar (Neck). You are disfigured to the extent that the wound can't be easily concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar. Missing.
Annabelle has a hole in her armor on her right abdomen from a kobold's arrow. She has a scar on her left abdomen from an attempted assassination. In a fight with hobgoblins she gained a large dent on her backplate from the sword of hobgoblin captain and three holes in her chest plate: one in the left shoulder, another above her right breast, and another on her left rib from the arrows of hobgoblin soldiers. Her armor is severely scarred from a battle with goblins outside Forlorn Hope.
Noted Effects: Minor Scar (Left Abdomen). The scar doesn’t have any adverse effect. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar.
Arion came from Arda with a scar that won't seem to heal. He has a dent in the back of his plate armor from a betrayer's blade. He has a dent on the lower backplate from a fight with hobgoblins as well as a stab in his upper left abdomen. His armor is severely scarred from a battle with goblins outside Forlorn Hope.
Noted Effects: Minor Scar (Head). The scar doesn't have any adverse effect. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar.
Raven has stress tears in her leather armor from a long fall.
Noted Effects: None
Sol has a scar across his right jaw from a nail that was shot at him in an explosion.
Noted Effects: Horrible Scar (Right Jaw). You are disfigured to the extent that the wound can't be easily concealed. You have disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks and advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, removes the scar. Dead.