Session XXXVII: Mount Krembor Report

General Summary

To Khazat

Departure from the Fiefdom

Having calmed the recently-turned humans from their blood craze, the adventurers take to the stage to speak to them with the help of the Charmed Gary the old-one. The adventurers explain their former leader Todahn unfortunately deceased during the removal of the bullywug curse. Todahn did however swear to provide his aid in the assault on the conflux mountain planned by The White Flame, to which multiple villagers are reluctant. Around ten are starting to desert when Nalan grapples a running villager and puts him on the block. John Doe and Oswald Fleetfeet try to intervene Nalan's actions but to no avail, as Nalan beheads the villager. This leaves in total 30 villagers that submit to the White Flame's cause with the others running for their lives.
Balin Thornbow decides to scavenge the submerged tower of Indolis and finds some strange recipes and alchemical ingredients. When diving into the water, Balin discovers there is a large space underwater and finds a heavy bag. Bringing it to the surface, he finds 400 gp and shares this treasure with his mates.
The Embers then lead the villagers to the shore where the Magdalena awaits. On the road towards there, multiple villagers succumb to the dangers of the bog with their lost defenses. A Swampshark ambush and Lurker attack ensures 5 more villagers are lost leaving only 25 alive. These are transported by rowing boat to the Magdalena by John & Oswald while Balin & Nalan stay behind to ensure no further desertion. During the rowing John & Oswald discuss how Nalan went to far and decide to aid the villagers in escaping Nalan's tyranny. They come up with a plan and bribe a few mariners for 40 gp to drop of at least five of them on their way back to Savior's Landing from Khazat. In the end, the adventurers take a Long Rest on their travel to Khazat.

Arriving on the island

At dawn the adventurers lay sight on mount Krembor : A dense mountain range presenting slightly reddish vegetation. Sailing to the southern side of the island they find recently built docks manned by a few Watchmen. The Watchmen explain the actual city of Khazat is found largely underground within the mountain and dwarven crafted stairs lead to the city. Climbing these said stairs, the adventurers are met with a lot of gore as multiple rotting demon corpses are found. Rising to the top they are greeted by a sturdy gate that gives opening to a large square. All kinds of ancient dwarven homes are carved within the mountain-side and the remains of a large "Prowling Demon". A large gate gives way to the hall of Brolof where in a back-chamber they meet Soren Azohr.
Briefing Soren on the current status, Soren is deeply insulted by their ignorance of the chain of command. Taking actions upon their own to initiate a war against the Uthramians. He is tempted to not aid them in their warfare but ultimately is persuaded by the adventurers and the financial gain of occupying this Conflux Mountain and its resources. Upon sharing their plan on travelling the "secret tunnel" from Khazat to the Conflux Mountains, Soren starts laughing out loud. They wish to enter a lyrium mine without any preparations on shielding themselves against the corrupting influence of the red substance. He is ultimately persuaded to give the adventurers 2 scrolls of Lesser Restoration to cure the effects of Lyrium Craze. One problem remains however: The lower mining halls of Khazat are currently occupied by a gigantic lyrium monstrosity. The adventurers inquire whether they can fight this monster but Soren deems their success unlikely. Instead he proposes to offer a distraction for the adventurers to sneak past the monstrosity to the "Lyrium Road". During their conversation, Soren makes it known he is no fan of the Innos paladin of Fire taking residence at the table.

Reaching the Lyrium Road

To devise a proper plan, John scouts the lower mining hall and lays eyes on the monstrosity. The hall is made up of 6 large pillars keeping the roof from collapsing, five of them still intact. Most of the pillars are flanked by lyrium crystals. Furthermore there is a gigantic statue of a dwarven warrior found at the bottom of the stairs leading into the room, with three doors leading out of the room:

• To the left of John's perspective (west) a tunnel leads to a subsection of the mines.
• To the right (east) a hall leads to a lyrium processing site where it is purified by recrystallization.
• Straight-ahead to the north is a large archway likely giving passage to the lyrium road

Picture of the Lyrium Monstrosity
Meanwhile, Balin is very interested to learn about the lay of the land and inquires with Soren on their reclaimed history of the dwarves. He joins Karl the archivist who attempts to answer all of Balin's questions. Ultimately, Balin mainly learns that Brolof, brother to the dwarven king Grond and founder of the Stormgurad, was a mighty-warrior utilizing the runes of his ancestors. Upon inquiring on the faith of Brolof, Karl can only share Grond & Brolof led the dwarven charge through the Lyrium Road on the Conflux Mountain prior to the eruption. This leaves Balin hope to reclaim his knowledge of the runes somewhere within the Lyrium Road.

Drawn overview by John of the lower halls

Charging the Monstrosity

Reconvening, the adventurers opt for a stealth approach taking heed to Soren's warnings. Oswald casts Invisibility on himself, Nalan and Balin while John uses his Pass without Trace area of effect to increase the chances of success of the mission. While they almost reached the northern passageway without being traced, John unfortunately steps in a red pool in the dimly-lit room which comes to life and attempts to grapple him. Although unsuccessful this leads the monstrosity to take interest in the sound who starts turning to face them. Panicking, Balin takes a sprint to the door as well as Oswald and Nalan. Stepping away from John's area of effect, their sounds reveal their presence and combat ensues.

The stealth approach
Balin & John manage to enter the tunnel while Oswald attempts to freeze the gigantic monster in time. Nalan decides to shield Oswald before the monstrosity releases a powerful force beam from his stomach dealing 46 force damage to John and Oswald, and half damage to Nalan. This makes Oswald go Unconscious who is tossed around between Nalan and Balin, who runs with Osald on his shoulder through John's Healing Spirit to bring him to safety. Their rescue of Oswald causes Nalan to pay a price, with the monstrosity releasing three tentacle attacks on Nalan bringing him to 4 HP. At this point Soren is in range to cast his Sleet Storm to Prone the monstrosity and bring the adventurers out of sight. They make way to the tunnels for roughly ten minutes before stopping to take a Short Rest. Finally they find themselves in a large opening with a brazier lit with slightly-green flames. And as such, the Lyrium Road awaits...

The first sights of the Lyrium Road

Current state of resources

• Oswald has used 5/7 hit die and is currently at 21 HP.
• Balin has used 0/7 hit die and is currently at full health.
• Nalan has used 7/7 hit die and is currently at 64 HP.
• John has used 5/7 hit die and is currently at 60 HP, dealing with stage I Lyrium Craze.

Rewards Granted

• 190 gp each (400 from Todahn's treasury, 360 from scrolls Oswald sold)

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

17 Jan 2022

Primary Location

Khazat

Secondary Location

Rhunaar Marshes