Session 15: The Hellfire Citadel and Willoughby

General Summary

On this episode of DREAM THIEVES...

The Plane of Hellfire

Zanuriel and Azriel descended into the 8th layer of hell, where the oppressive heat threatened to overwhelm them. To their surprise, Stryxia, who declared her to be apart of House Zhera, bestowed Zanuriel an amulet of the ice maiden, offering protection from the searing temperatures.
In a shocking revelation, Stryxia disclosed that they had been deceived; there would be no dinner party, and they were to remain unless Azriel agreed to become her house champion.
As tensions rose, Stryxia entrusted her cursed locket, which contained Detective Tristian Hannah’s corporeal form, to Carmine her imp vizier.
Amidst the howls of pain and anguish filling the Hellfire Citadel, they encountered two prisoners, Vesper and Gilly, who shared cryptic details about the prison and the possibility of finding a wizard who could aid in their escape through a portal.
Their journey through the infernal depths brought them face to face with horrors and challenges. They encountered an abomination branded as a slave. Azriel attempted to appease an underworld young drake with bacon. A chance encounter with two inebriated captives, Dannick and Davies, who hinted at the Citadel's complex defenses.
Continuing their exploration, Zanuriel burned some incense paper to figure out whether or not he could use the items in his inventory without fear of them turning into a blaze of flame. The paper seemed to be safe to use while in the giant building, but not outside exposed to the hot air. Meanwhile, Azriel stumbled upon a lockbox that had dropped off the side of the climbing stairway. Able to retrieve it and return, he was taunted by a fiendish guard named Tuluth, who dropped a strange metal disc containing another brand symbol as he flew away.
The heroes found themselves escaping perilously as a tentacled monster threatened to ensnare them before they hastily fled through the citadel's front door.

Arriving in Willoughby

Meanwhile, Aeða, Gervil, and Torrentous finally arrived in Willoughby, a prominent town in the Guilded Alliance’s South Western region. They spoke to a town guardsman who informed them of a recent attack by clockwork soldiers.
Gervil found a circle of stones and, using his curiously large banana, summoned Tabooki who gave him two cards from the Deck of Many things: the Rogue and the Abberation. These cards were unchained spells that could have any number of beneficial effects, but they'd only be known once the spell was cast.
Their inquiries led them to Cedric, the bone doctor rescued from the prison they found themselves in at the very beginning of the adventure, who was treating a patient. He shared insights into the town's tensions with the local chapter of the nation's eminent wizarding guild, the Wardens.
Their journey continued encountering individuals including Fiero the Bard, who told them that the local Bard College of Lore was missing it's headmaster, who had recently vanished.
They also met Kinnick Filigree, a local author who had previously worked alongside Jacques in the creation of his research. He provided invaluable aid in the form of spell scrolls and information about the Auclaire family. Kinnick confirmed that the Auclaires were important members of the Araby inner circle of arcane researchers and artificers who had important contributions to the creation of armatures.
Our heroes visited the local blacksmith, Garret Ironfist, who offered them weapon mod gems. These are small magic stones that can invigorate their weapons with special attributes. Torrentous asked to have the plate mail he found in Union restored to its former glory, but first the armor had to be stripped of its military colors. In order to do that, they were invited to stop by the local alchemist.
The heroes went to the alchemist who sold them paint thinner which cleaned the plate mail. Gervil was offered 40g for the Fairy Berry seed, and was told they could steal Fey water from a mausoleum of Lord Flabbergast to water the seed. The alchemist needed ashes from the cemetery and offered them a reward if they were to retrieve it.

Deep in the Citadel

Amidst peculiar encounters with hellish bean counters and a gargoyle, Azriel narrowly escaped a deadly trap while exploring the citadel's depths. They encountered Kiri the Valkyrie and, to their intense surprise, the mysterious Judge Turin, who seemed to be reanimated in some fashion.
Their quest led them to confrontations with blade angel guards and harrowing encounters with torture victims. However, amidst the chaos, they discovered valuable artifacts such as a Helm of Comprehend Languages and a ring of free action.
Azriel moved deeper into the building and discovered a gigantic animated furnace keeping guard of the master’s chambers. He was able to sneak around and make his way into a small room with a strange contraption. The device had an opening for the small metal discs he was finding around the citadel, and the discs would become superheated then slam down onto an anvil, that had a distinct impression that could fit most all human hands.

Searching High and Low

In their search for aid, they visited Mayor Kara Durn, who shared her enigmatic history and offered insights into the city's recent issues. She mentioned that she gave up a life of adventuring to become mayor, throwing her adventurer’s sword down the well as a symbol of her retirement. Aeða retrieved Kara's weapon, known as Snakebite, from the well and led to a mysterious encounter with the water spirit, who kissed her before sending her back up to the surface.
Their journey continued with alliances forged at the tavern and encounters with guardsmen fleeing the Union's tyranny. As they prepared to venture to the graveyard, the mysteries and challenges ahead loomed large, promising further trials for our intrepid heroes.
At last our heroes realized that their next stop was the Willoughby cemetery, where they had heard Jessa’s parents had gone.
Will our heroes ever unite again? Will they find new secrets to their mission at the cemetery? Find out next week on DREAM THIEVES!

Campaign

Dream Thieves

Protagonists

Aeða Mɛlñɛriæn

Azriel Carynthian

Zanuriel Leafbreeze

Torentous Tenaysius

Gervil Norev

Report Date

29 Jan 2024