Session XXVII: Thorlok's Thirst Report

General Summary

Turmoil in the Archives

Fleeing Downwards

The adventures continue battling the remaining four Berenike Knights but together make short work of them. Being at unease by the disappearance of their Skull Commander, John Doe uses his Hunter's Mark tracking to discover the Commander is still at the palace grounds. The adventurers start gathering the final remaining books as John drinks the last bit of Mind Fluid remaining. He scans through the Draconic Language dictionary, learning the basics of the Dovah speech (Thu'um). In addition, he skims the book on the sewer system of Gildin, gaining the ability to navigate through them precisely.
Meanwhile, Oswald Fleetfeet send his Geest Uil to check if the boat is still docked at the sewer outlet. Balin Thornbow and Nalan start dragging the book to elevator to make their escape. After Geest Uil reports the boat is still moored, Oswald sends his familiar to check on the Palace Grounds. To his surprise, he finds the Skull Commander battling a tall Rage Demon accompanied by multiple hulks summoning Magic Missiles, later revealed to be Abominations. The Commander appears to be luring the demon toward the Archives and the adventurers decide to make way toward the boat. Right before they start descending the elevator, Oswald catches a glimpse of an ominous undead surrounded by purple energy and smoke battling off the Rage Demon: The Lich Thorlok.

Image of the Lich Thorlok, taken from Grim Hollow's Campaign Guide
They descend the elevator leading to the Giant's Quarters below and as John is jamming the elevator system, Oswald walks through the door into the large quarters when the scraping sounds of chains are heard from above.

Unpleasant Surprises

Learning they are being chased by the Lich, the adventurers quickly make way to descend the elevator. Once below, John quickly jams the elevator but not before Oswald has a nightmare come true: as Oswald walks through the doorway to the large quarters, he hears the loud scraping of chains from above. Looking up he sees a Giant wrapped in black chains, wielding a helmet piercing his skin, dropping from the ceiling to squash the little hobbit beneath him. walks into the large quarters as scraping sounds of chains are heard from above. Oswald responds adequately luckily, using Featherfall in a quick reaction to escape harm's way. As he steps away from the giant, three skeleton archers start to apparate.
Battle emerges and the adventurers unleash all their might on the Giant besieging them. Nalan attempts to Persuade the giant to halt his fire and although he catches a glimpse of doubt in the giant's eyes, they quickly turn bloody again to return to smashing the intruders. The Giant, wearing a large metal plate necklace with the word "Naas" etched in the metal, attempts to catch Oswald many times with his chains but to no avail as Oswald uses his Mirror Images to remain safe. Balin & John deal greats amount of damage to the Giant as Oswald is making his way toward the sewer's entrance, their escape route. Nalan attempts to bypass the Giant with Oswald's newfound "Book of Initiates", as John is caught by the Giant's chains and is effectively Grappled & Restrained. The Giant holds John over Oswald's Flaming Sphere causing it to slightly burn the elf. John, realizing he's in a very bad situation, uses his Misty Step to escape the chains and aid Nalan in carrying the tome. In the end, Oswald flaming sphere deals the lethal damage to the giant through its renal tract and the adventurers make a run for the exit.

Image of the Bloodfray Giant Naas
This is however not the final unfortunate event to transpire in Gildin, as a Crimson Circlet of blood appears around John & Nalan. In the blink of an eye, the blood crystallizes and emerges as spikes toward the adventurers caught in the spell. Briefly, a dim lit beam of turquoise light forms between the spell's area of effect and Oswald's Mimic Stone, with the stone glowing brighter upon the dissipation of the light. Dealing quite some damage, the adventurers realize this spell must belong to Thorlok and continue panicking toward the exit. As Nalan jumps into the small canal in the room, he sees Thorlok levitating down the elevator way. Suddenly, he feels an ominous feeling surrounding his heart but through the power of Innos manages to remain vigilant, succeeding on all Constitution Saving Throws imposed.
With Nalan having rejoined the party, the adventures make haste in their rowing boat as dark clouds amass above them. Suddenly, a thick red liquid drops down onto them and as the blood starts accumulating on them, they feel themselves becoming exhausted. They manage to escape the Blood Rain and seek shelter on the Dragon Isle close to the city of Gildin.

A Close Call

The Puzzle Pieces Falling in Place

The adventurers spend the night on the island, with John climbing the steps toward the ceremonial dragon plateau once more. There, he is able to interpret the dragon writings on the wall. He learns of a mighty dragon "Taranis", described as the Storm King throughout the writing, who brought the gifts of Lightning & Thunder to his devoted followers: the Giants of Rhunaar. The Giants' Lord, Azulon, in turn bestowed the gifts of roar & might on chosen dwarves from Ban Grond, who would be known as the Stormguard from then onwards. The dwarves would pay homage to the Stormlord Azulon every 2 years in his Giant's Hold, and venture to this island every ten years to pay respect to the Storm King himself. Having learnt this knowledge, John joins the others for a good night's rest.
In the morning, the adventurers return to the southern beaches neighboring Gildin by boat and continue their journey through Rhunaar's jungle. They briefly discuss whether they should pay Zulk a visit in the Shire of Sloniz, but ultimately decide not to as they failed to complete his quest of returning a book on the Gundyr royal bloodline. They venture onward and decide to rest at the Meridia's Shrine, where they are confronted with what to do with the soul gem of the Librarian they retrieved from the Archives. Before an ultimate decision is reached, Nalan uses his morning star to break the lyrium encasing of the soul gem, breaking his trusted mace in the process. Finally he sets the spirit of the cursed Librarian free, who is allowed through Meridia's intervention to remain in the land of the living for a few moments more. The Librarian thanks them greatly and promises to answer two questions they ask to the best of his abilities.
After some discussion, the adventurers decide to ask about the events that transpired around Khazat, during its conquering. The Librarian tells them of the campaign led by Raelon I Gundyr and the dwarven King Grond, who fought of the demon inhabitants of the Krembor mountain range. Laying waste to the demonspawn, they built the dwarven city of Khazat here, to harvest and refine the Lyrium flowing through the mountain range.
Their second question, revolves around the nature of the purple found in the Purple Plains and why the elves formerly inhabiting Rhunaar are interested in this landmark. The mountain is turned purple due to a very unique event: the confluxing of the powerful magic matters of Aria & Lyrium to create the purple vegetation. The Dunmer of the Island were particularly interested in the Conflux Mountain found at the heart of the Purple Plains. Grond & Brolof learnt of this Conflux of magic by gaining access to the Conflux Point through lyrium rivers flowing from Khazat, and learnt the dark elves were using this gargentuan amount of magic to forge an object of terrible magical might. The brothers quickly raised their arms, ending the short found stalemate between the Dunmer of the North and the dwarf, human alliance. King Iudex Gundyr I, amassed the Gildin army to wage war on the elves. The exact transpirings after this battle are vague to the Librarian, although it is certain the conflict ended in cataclysm.
In the Librarian's final moments, he thanks the adventurers once more, saying "I, Laurius, Arch Mage of the White Robes of Gildin, thank thee noble ones for freeing me from Thorlok's vile curse. May the Ladies watch over thee". Realizing the Librarian was in truth Laurius the Arch Mage, the adventurers are satisfied with their questions, as Laurius was one of the few Gildians to know the true reason of the mountain's purple coloring.

Home at Last

6 days after slaying the bloodied giant Naas, the adventurers return to Savior's Landing for a well deserved rest. Here they meet Mercer, who informs them that both Soren and Lennard aren't present in the camp, but respectively at Khazat & Gnel's Hold. Oswald decides to meet with Isadora, telling her about the Mimic Stone he found and the "Book of Initiates". Isadora jumps at the sight of the stone and immediately uses her magic to identify the turquoise gem (see ). He strikes a bargain with Isadora, with Isadora being allowed to transcribe the book into her own book of spells and being tasked with safekeeping the book. In return, Oswald will receive a scroll of Identify and a filled Common soul gem.
With none of their superiors being present in the Landing, they decide to travel to the Hold next day to report to Lennard Rye. Depending on his decision, they will either investigate the Giant's Hold further or continue their journey to the Conflux Mountain/Khazat, with the former having their preference.

Campaign

The Island of Runaar

Protagonists

Nalan

Oswald Fleetfeet

TN halfling(gnome) (cloistered scholar)
wizard 5

26 / 26 HP

STR
8

DEX
15

CON
13

INT
19

WIS
16

CHA
10

John Doe

Lawful Neutral Wood Elf (Inheritor)
Ranger 6

63 / 63 HP

STR
9

DEX
18

CON
14

INT
18

WIS
16

CHA
13

Report Date

05 Jul 2021