Session 156 - Secrets of Lake Valona

General Summary

8^th to 10^th of Larane (Second Month of Summer) 722TR

The story so far

Jolanta and her trusty bodyguard Blaine are agents of the mysterious Order of the White Hand, hunting down unscrupulous mages and covering up magical mishaps.

But first, Jolanta's research has located the possible whereabouts of a magic sword lost decades ago in the mysterious Lake Valona. This would be the perfect weapon for Blaine.

Continuation of the Session 154 - Something Stinks.

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Location - Ascur Abbey and Lake Valona in the Kingdom of Kaldor.

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Part 1 - The Lost Manor

The heroes locate the underwater ruins of Bromyl Manor. Jolanta uses her Magic Staff to give Blaine and herself the ability to Breathe Water. Their searching is interrupted as the ground beneath the heroes collapses, and they fall into a ruined cellar, narrowly avoiding being trapped by falling beams. A predator is watching, a snake-like Ivashu, a Baethyr, or Mind Lasher. It attacks with Mental Bolts causing massive headaches to Jolanta, although Blaine seemed particularly resistant, possibly the result of years of alcohol abuse. Jolanta puts up a strong magical barrier forcing the creature to attack at close range. This allows Blaine to target it with his spear. Wounded, it is driven off, seeking easier prey.

The heroes thoroughly search the ruins and find a large and decaying wooden coffer. It is easily opened, revealing a sword in excellent condition, seemly impervious to the ravages of time and water. They also find some silver and a Clan Algelmor signet ring. Blaine now has a magical weapon.

Part 2 - The Elven Ruin

Bromela the mysterious Barasi Point, or Holy Grove is nearby. This is also located underwater and acts as a gateway to other locations and worlds. It was used by the elves thousands of years ago, and their ruins can still occasionally be seen when they glow with light.

Some parts of the ancient elven buildings are preserved underwater. Jolanta uncovers fragments of some elven script along the walls and looks like symbolic representations of the Moon (Yael) at various phases. These are paired with other symbols corresponding mostly to animals such as the fox, beetle, boar, although there is also a bow represented.

Unable to make any sense of the inscriptions, Jolanta decides to force the issue. She uses all of her magical knowledge and power to force the gateway to open. She succeeds; however, the ancient elves have prepared magical defenses to deal with trespassers. Five small white globes of light appear and attack Jolanta. She is more than a match for these swift and agile motes of light and blasts them to oblivion with her disintegration magic. But before they can recover, Jolanta and Blaine blink and suddenly find themselves standing on hot, dry sand.

Part 3 - Oasis

They appear in a desert next to a small oasis. Unfortunately, they are not alone. A huge reptilian beast lies in wait and is hungry. A Crocodile burst from the water and attacks the startled heroes. The monster wacks Jolanta with its muscled tail and catches Blaine in its jaws. Jolanta backs off and creates an illusionary fire around Blaine. The reptile spits him out but continues on with its assault. Eventually, between Jolanta's magic blasts and Blaine's new sword, the beast was killed.

In the distance, they see a ridge of low hills and what looks like some Tomb. This is worthy of exploration.

Part 4 - The Tomb in the Distance

After an hour's walk in the hot sun, the heroes arrive at the Tomb. A wind-worn statue of a harsh-looking man in flowing robes acts as a guard. Suddenly two Giant Scorpions burst from the sand. Blaine is stung several times, and with his vision beginning to blur, he dispatched one and manages to drive the other off. The pair spend precious time recovering before they investigate the entrance of the Tomb.

The door is jammed shut; however, there is evidence that it has been opened several times recently. This Tomb has been looted.

Blaine breaks in, and the heroes start searching. They find another Giant Scorpion hiding under a large faded rug and easily dispatch it, but anything valuable has long since been taken. They find a second set of doors with an inscription is a language Jolanta is unable to identify. As she prepares to use a magical translation spell, Comprehend Languages, the dust begins to swirl and form into two small, vaguely humanoid guardians. The Dust Mephits attack, Jolanta traps one in a cube of Illusionary water. This delays it enough to allowing her and Blaine to kill each Mephit in turn.

The translation is difficult as many of the words are damaged, or their meaning has changed over time. However, Jolanta interprets that this is the "Burial place of the Yaqfan (or Mystic) A'Larez who is protected by his patron, Rajin, God of the Violent Desert Wind. Anywho defile it will be cursed." Blaine pushed the doors open.

Part 5 - The Curse of Yaqfan A'Larez

As expected, it looks like the chamber has been looted; however, the casket has not. The walls are painted with mystical inscriptions, some of which Jolanta recognizes as magical text, similar to a spell formula. Jolanta hastily starts transcribing and identifies two spells Dust Devils and Ashen Memories. The second of these spells interests her, and after two hours, she believes she understands this ritual and tries it out.

Ashen Memories allow her to see a significant event that occurred when a fire was burning from the remains of its ashes. She finds some remains of ceremonial candles and reads the memory from the ash of their wicks.

Jolanta sees the ritualistic interment of Yaqfan A'Larez. Men in colorful flowing robes draw a dragon-like symbol on the chest of the corpse. They chant, and Jolanta identifies elements of a conjuration ritual. She decides that his body is well protected and that she is not a tomb raider, and it would be most unwise to disturb this body. Blaine secures the doors of the Tomb shut as they depart.

Part 6 - Way back

Concerned that the gateway at Bromela may close at any time, Jolanta and Blaine jog back to the Oasis. Unfortunately, they are intercepted by two huge beasts, Giant Hyena, but they are quickly dispatched. Fortunately, the gateway is still open, and the heroes hastily enter.

Then Jolanta realizes her mistake. She appears underwater, gasping for breath. Fortunately, she has enough air in her lungs to activate the Water Breathing power of her Magic Staff. The heroes make it to dry land then return to Ascur Abbey. They conclude their business in the village and travel directly to the City of Tashal.

To be continued.

NPC Interactions

None.

Challenges Overcome

Drove off the Baethyr or Mind Lasher.

Destroyed 5 Wisps guarding the gateway.

Opened they Holy Groves.

Killed 1 Giant Crocodile.

Killed 3 Giant scorpions.

Killed 2 Dust Mephits.

Killed 2 Giant Hyenas.

Rewards

The Magic Sword Orc Bleeder

Ashen Memories Spell.

Clan Algelmor signet ring.

Related Reports

Barasi Points - Holy Groves - Updated.

Ascur Abbey.

Player Character Status

Jolanta - Human - Level 6 Evoker.

Gained Level.

Campaign

Agents of the White Hand - Campaign Complete

Protagonists

Jolanta

Report Date

28 Jun 2021

Primary Location

Ascur Abbey

NPC Companion

Blaine

Jolanta's loyal and often drunk bodyguard.

Blaine, art by Artur Sadlos

Orc Bleeder

Forged in 604TR by the Dwarven Weapon Crafter Haddar Klarazhal for Sir Patryn Algelmor, Lord of Bromyl as a reward from saving his life from an Orc ambush. The Anglmor clan has since died out.

This sharp sword is adorned with the Klarazhal stamp and the Algelmor coat of arms. The weapon was originally named Mensagh Edarisa or Foes Blood in Hârnic; however, Sir Patryn more crudely named it Orc Bleeder.

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This is a magical +1 Longsword which can cause bleeding damage on a critical hit. On a critical the target must make a Dexterity Saving Throw equal to 8 + wielder's Proficiency Modifier + Strength or Dexterity Adjustment. If they fail they take d6 bleeding damage per round until the wound is tended by healing magic or a DC 10 Medicine check.