Session 280 - Secrets of a Lost Laboratory
General Summary
10th of Peonu (Second Month of Spring) 726TR
The Story So far
The heroes continue their exploration of an underground experimental complex of Norack Bloodweaver, the alchemist and wizard located under a broken tower in the Tuzmyr Embankment.
What experiments did this agent of Lothrim the Foulspawner undertake over 600 years ago?
This is the continuation of Session 278 - Norlak's Tower.
Location - The Tuzmyr Embankment in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
Part 1 - Impalers
Exploring further, the characters find a larger chamber filled with pillars, more animated Orc Skeletons, and a few Orc Zombies, corpses preserved with strange chemicals. Although they do not pose a significant threat, the jabbing spear traps set off by stepping on pressure plates on the dusty floor are. Rycon and Dryueh narrowly avoid being impaled, and the pressure plates are soon located, allowing the heroes easily avoid them.
An old dried-up well is located in a side chamber, and the characters drop a flaming torch down and spot a gleaming metallic object at the bottom among rocks. The characters also wake a Gargoyle discarded and forgotten for hundreds of years, giving it its first chance to vent its anger. It scampers up the well, badly inuring Valeria and her Shadow Hound with its vicious claws before being shattered. The metal object is an enchanted covered cold-iron dagger inscribed with various runes called the Thirsty Sculptor.
Part 2- The Slamming Door Trap
The door to a side chamber has an unusual locking mechanism; while Dryueh's side chamber is examining it, Rycon steps through. Suddenly, the door slams shut, whacking him in the back and trapping him in the chamber with three more Skeletal Orcs. He is surrounded and fights defensively while Dryueh frantically works on the complex locking mechanism, almost breaking his lockpicks. Finally, just after Rycon destroys one of the skeletons, Dryueh unlocks the mechanism, and the party destroys the remaining undead.
The circular chamber further in is clearly ceremonial; however, the heroes do not understand its significance. They do find some old potions, four vials of Numbing Tonic. One of these will be of vital importance in the next few hours.
Part 3 - Norlak’s Laboratory
The next chamber is far more interesting, an extensive alchemical laboratory. The adjoining room has a small library, although most of the books are water damaged and in poor order; however, one book, Norlak’s Dark Codex, is in good shape.
The characters learn that Norlack’s experimented on Orcs under the direction of Lothrim the Foulspawner, and his research was extensive. He had tested all manner of alchemical concoctions on his subjects, the various orc subspecies. This book is a record of his studies, including many of his alchemical formulas, magical rituals, and spells.
The characters debate what to do with this book. Is it better to destroy it, or can it be used for good? Regardless, they trash the laboratory equipment to ensure that no one can to replicate the experiments.
Part 4 – The Cages
The last area the heroes explore is a large cave filled with dozens of iron cages containing the bones of experimental subjects left to starve when the complex was abandoned centuries ago.
Three more animated Orc Skeletons are on guard, but worse, a skeleton of a Human wizard lurks nearby in the shadows, the animated remains of the Infamous wizard-alchemist Norlak Bloodweave. Out of the darkness, he points his finger at Dryueh, and an Acid Arrow strikes him in the side, nearly killing him. Worse acid continues to burn painfully. Rycon disposes of the second Orc Skeleton and charges the Skeleton Mage, shattering some of its ribs, but it is not concerned and points his staff at the warrior. Rycon’s head explodes in agony from Phantom Pain. However, he is just able to hold himself together.
Valeria’s Chill Touch compels the remaining Orc Skeleton to flee, and while Dryueh is on the verge of passing out, he quaffs one of the vials of Numbing Tonic. With the pain temporarily dulled, he moves behind the Skeleton Mage and scores a solid hit to its back. As the undead fiend prepares to unleash another destructive spell, Rycon trips him, and as the skeleton attempts to rise, he delivers a massive final blow to its skull shattering it.
After the party deal with the remaining Orc Skeleton, they examine the bones of the wizard, particularly the staff. Valeria finds it is a powerful artifact, the Norlak’s Staff of Mind Twisting. The adventurers of checking the remaining complex for treasures and then rest up for the night.
To be continued.NPC Interactions
Nil.
Challenges
10 x Orc Skeletons.
4 x Orc Zombies.
1 x Gargoyle.
1 x Skeleton Mage.
Various traps.
Rewards
4 x Numbing Tonic, 1 x Sun Rod and 1 x unidentified Bane Oil.
Thirsty Sculptor +1 Returning Cold Iron Dagger.
Norlack's Staff of Mind Twisting.
Book - Norlaks's Dark Codex.
Created Content
Book - Norlaks's Dark Codex.
Related Reports
Player Characters
Valeria - Human Magical Experiment - L2 Shadow Sorcerer - Beastmaster.
Rycon - Human Rebel Knight - L2 Fighter - Liberator Champion.
Dryueh - 1/2 Elf Scout - Thief Rogue - Medic.
Next Session
Rycon
Dryueh
Valeria
Norlak’s Dark Codex
These experiments involve making orcs more aggressive or passive, removing light blindness, and increasing their strength and reproductive rates. It included a comprehensive study on various toxins and stimulants specific to Orcs.
Alchemical Recipes
Gargun Battle Elixir - The most recent experiment made from Lothrim's Bane, a magically modified variant of Bane Berry, gives the Orcs Battle Rage with the side effect of shortened life span and a considerably increased risk of dying of sudden heart attack.
Gargun Speed Elixir – Increases an orc's movement rate.
Gargun Numbing Tonic - Allows the orc to resist damage but ruins their nerves.
Elixir of Life – A paste applied to wounds that heals only orcs.
Strength of Uragg – Increases orc's physical attribute for an hour.
Lothrim's Gift – An additive that makes orcs suspectable to charm magic. It can be added to other Elixirs.
Arcane Wizard Spells
L1 - Ant Haul, Command Orc, Goblin Pox, Noxious Vapors
L2 – Acid Arrow, Horrifying Blood Loss, Touch of Idiocy
L3 – Blindness, Haste
Rituals
L1 – Create Lothrim's Bane
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