Session 084 - Rats, Ghosts and a Basilisk Egg
General Summary
22nd of Peonu (Spring) 722TR
The story so far
Acheron and friends are traveling to the Dwarven Kingdom of Azadmere to collect a magical Silver Sword.
On their way, they have uncovered a conspiracy. In the long-forgotten tunnels under the City's Amphitheatre they have discovered a nest of shape-changing Ratmen. The Ratmen appear to have been created using strange Magical Fur Cloaks and controlled by magical domination.
The continuation of Session 83 - Vermin under the Amphitheater.
Location - City of Tashal in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
Part 1 - Yet more Rats
The Heroes continue forward down the passageway encountering swarms of rats and another Hybrid Ratman. The man flees; however, he and his vermin friends are quickly defeated. Like the two previous Ratmen encountered, he was knocked out and transformed into a human after his magical cloak was removed.
On his corpse, they find a Metal Ring with crude animal symbols inscribed on it. This is later identified as a Ring of Animal Influence. It appears Eldon Farbeck was using the magical cloaks to transform the unwilling Bards and performers into rats and then coercing them with the magic ring.
Part 2 - Room with a Warning
A nearby door has a crude warning written in dried blood, "Horrible Room, Keep out," and the door is wedged shut. The Heroes investigate and find an ancient chamber with what looks like a stone table holding three heads, each with empty eye sockets and mouths open. One head is that of a mummified Human, one is made from stone, and the last head is carved from wood. On the ground is a dead body of a Ratman. Removing his cloak reveals an ancient man who appears to have died of old age and fright.
The cause of his death quickly becomes evident as a Ghost, in the form of a man dressed in archaic colorful robes, materializes. Suddenly the Heroes are overwhelmed with terror. Avon is particularly severely affected, aging three decades in moments, then struck again for another thirty years by the Ghost's Withering Touch. Lucky being a Half-elf gifts him an extended lifespan. The Heroes eventually recover their composure and attack, driving the apparition temporarily back into the Ethereal Plane several times.
Frustrated, the Ghost possesses Sabretooth and forces him to attack his friends. Eventually, the heroes manage to knock Sabretooth out and dispatch the Ghost as it is expelled from his body. They expect that the Ghost will reform again, but they plan to be long gone.
In a concealed compartment, Avon finds a bag filled with sand containing two stone eyes (one with a red iris and the other blue) and a stone tongue. Acheron placed the red eye in the Human right socket and gained a magical boon, the ability to run faster. Avon puts the tongue in the Stone Head finds he can now create a shock wave on earth and stone. Sabretooth places the blue eye in the socket left socket of the wooden head finds he can now cause plants to grow and impede his enemies. These boons have a limited number of times they can be used before the magic fades.
Part 3 - The Stone Egg
Quazzy
Avon
Acheron
Sabretooth
Morivian Skins
The six Rat Cloaks the party has collected appears to be faulty and have a curse.
Morivian Skin
Wondrous Item Very Rare (this item requires attunement)
Appearance:
A wolf pelt, somewhat tattered.
Properties:
Morivian skin exists for several medium-sized animals. As an action, a person can step into the enchanted skin, and the wearer assumes the form and physical attributes of the animal, similar to a druid's shape change. The user keeps his mental attributes.
The skins of nocturnal creatures work only at night and have no effect in daylight, and vice versa.
Quirks:
Some aspects of the animal's personality and that of previous users remain in the Skin. This can conflict with the user and potentially causing personality changes if it is worn multiple times.
After the first use, the user must make a Nature Check with the DC = 2 + the number of times the Skin has been used; otherwise, gains a personality change or psychological issues at the DMs discretion.
Charges:
4d6
Weight:
10 lbs
Interlude - Night at the Theater.
The Parable of Cowardness, Spite, and Pride.
Once long ago, the Basilisk Queen, Antibai, of the Land of the Weeping Stones, Prized Egg was stolen. She went to the wisest of the three two-legged Humanoid races in the Island Kingdom of Hârn for help.
The cowardly Jarin Lord feared the past evil deeds of her kind and fled.
The spiteful Dwarf Mason hated the reptile for polluting his mines and laughed at her plight.
The dismissive Elf was too busy was tending his tree to help. However, he offered Antibai the gift of forgetfulness, as long as she would leave him in peace.
The angry Basilisk Queen decided to punish these so-called wise men.
She ambushed the cowardly Human and turned his left eye to stone. He could not run fast enough.
She turned the Dwarf's tongue to stone. He will laugh no more.
She visited the uncaring Elf, and so that he could never forget his pride, she turned his right eye to stone.
When evil asks you for help be very careful how you respond.
After the performance, Desridaen takes Quazzy for a walk around the city. On the northern end is a stand of trees. He explains this is a Barasi Points, a Fairy Circle used by the elves in the long past to magical transport to other locations and worlds. He comments that it is unfortunate that when Quazzy's Psionic Talents were awoken that she did not gain the ability to use these natural gateways.
As Acheron, Sabretooth, and Avon emerge from the tunnels under the Amphitheatre, Desrdian returns Quazzy to the real world. She plans to investigate the Barasai Point she was shown. Also, the heroes plan to see what they can do to get Avon's youth restored.
To be continued.....
NPC Interactions
Several Actors, Bards, and former Ratmen.
Rewards
Ring of Animal Influence.
Boon of the Human Head - Acheron can cast Longstrider 5 times.
Boon of the Stone Head - Avon can cast Earth Tremor 10 times.
Boon of the Wooden Head - Sabretooth can cast Entangle 10 times.
A reward of 3 Potions of Glamor (Advantage of Charisma Checks fro 1 hour).
Challenges Overcome
Defeated 4 Rat Swarms, 5 Giant Rats, 2 "Wererats" and 1 Elite "Wererat."
1 Desiccating Ghost.
2 Gargoyles and 1 Gargoyle Ambusher.
Created Content
The Parable of Cowardness, Spite and Pride.
Related Reports
Players Character Status
Avon - Level 6 Thief.
Acheron - Level 3 Paladin and Level 3 Warlock Disciple of Mendiz.
Sabretooth - Level 4 Ivashu Lord and Level 2 Monk
Quazzy - Level 5 Necromancer and Level 10 Warlock Disciple of Desridaen.
Comments