Session Thirty 11/5/24
General Summary
Characters Present: Finkelstein (Tim D), Aldri (Lou), Darfin (Tim M), Zavania (Alyssa), Redla (Melissa)
Interrupted Quest to Thornhold Watchtower
The party’s journey at Thornhold Watchtower took an unexpected turn when Mushu, the gold dragon, interrupted their mission. Flying in with her usual grandeur, Mushu deposited Finkelstein before the party—his noticeable limp a silent testament to a chaotic encounter. She invited the group to join her at the hidden town of Wraithmoor for its annual festival. With a mischievous glint, Mushu regurgitated a long, pink silicone rod onto the floor, instructing the party on how to use it to open a dimensional door to the settlement. Although hesitant, the party volunteered Finkelstein to handle the unusual item, who successfully opened the portal.
Arrival at Wraithmoor
Entering the hidden town of Wraithmoor, the party found themselves in a former mining town now secluded in a pocket dimension. Lord Benedict Hollows, current lord of Hollowshade Manor and descendant of Wraithmoor’s founding family, greeted them warmly alongside Mushu in her human guise. He introduced Captain Helmar Drosk, the night watch captain, directing the party to him should they need anything during their stay. The town was bustling with activity as villagers prepared for the upcoming festival honoring Mushu, who had saved them from an orc invasion centuries ago. Banners and flags depicted Mushu’s silhouette beneath a heart crossed by a sword, a symbol of the town’s gratitude and reverence for their dragon savior.
A Night at the Tavern
The party made their way to the local tavern, where Zavania and Aldri enjoyed drinks and indulged in recreational drugs. Finkelstein joined in, finding himself in the company of local women, while Redla maintained a steady but modest consumption, limiting herself to eight ales—a “humble” amount for a dwarf. Observing the townsfolk, the party noticed a common trait: dark circles around their eyes, hinting at a lack of sleep.
Strange Songs and Conversations
Curious about the odd appearance of the townsfolk, Darfin approached a dwarf for information. The dwarf shared only minor gossip, though he did mention a sweet song heard in the streets, attributing it to Lord Benedict. Unconcerned, the dwarf seemed to find comfort in the music.
A Morning of Ominous Changes
The following morning, the party noticed strange changes around town. The festive banners with Mushu’s likeness had vanished, replaced by flags bearing only the heart crossed by a sword. Even more alarming, when the party asked the townsfolk about Mushu, none appeared to recognize the name. Instead, they believed the festival celebrated Wraithmoor’s founding, with no mention of any dragon savior.
Darfin’s Bold Gesture and Arrest
Confused and frustrated by the townsfolk’s apparent memory loss, Darfin took drastic action by setting the town’s crops aflame, hoping for a reaction. Captain Drosk promptly arrested him and brought him before Lord Benedict. The lord, visibly disturbed by Darfin’s act, insisted the festival was solely in honor of Wraithmoor’s founding. When Darfin questioned him about Mushu, Lord Benedict denied any knowledge of a dragon. Zavania intervened, offering to magically restore the crops, which appeased Benedict, leading to Darfin’s release.
Exploring Hollowshade Manor
Later, during the evening’s festivities at Hollowshade Manor, Aldri and Zavania ventured into the manor and encountered a maid cleaning a guest room filled with abandoned adventuring gear. The maid remarked that guests often left belongings behind. Aldri took the gear, following her outside to dispose of it in the manor’s storage area, but a journal slipped from the bundle, which Zavania picked up.
Dracnor’s Journal and Recollections
The journal belonged to Dracnor, a dragonborn. The entries detailed many of their previous adventures, leading up to their arrival in Wraithmoor. Dracnor’s last entry mentioned hearing a strange song from the sewer grates and his plan to investigate further. As Aldri searched through a crate of discarded gear, he found a staff, which triggered a flood of memories—fragmented recollections of Dracnor as a companion alongside the party. Each member who touched the staff regained faint memories of Dracnor and their shared travels.
Investigating the Sewer Grates
Following Dracnor’s clues, the party tracked down the sewer grate mentioned in his journal. As they approached, the strange song grew louder, and several members fell under its trance, beginning to enter the sewer. Reacting swiftly, Aldri deafened the affected party members, breaking the song’s spell over them. He then sent his undead summons into the sewer ahead to scout, confirming the path was clear before the group descended.
Battle with the False Hydra
Deep in the sewers, the party encountered the source of the song: a false hydra, a monstrous creature with four long, sinewy necks, each ending in a grotesque, human-like face. The hydra’s hypnotic song clawed at the party’s minds, and Aldri succumbed to its effects, turning on his companions under the creature’s control. Despite the setback, the party fought fiercely, with Redla ultimately delivering the finishing blow. She threw her dwarven thrower with deadly accuracy, severing each of the hydra’s heads, and silencing its song forever.
Aftermath and Questions Unanswered
With the hydra defeated, fragments of memory returned to the party, but mysteries remained. What had become of Mushu? Why had the townsfolk forgotten her? And who was Dracnor, this lost companion whose presence they now only faintly recalled?
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