Session 22 - "Finders Keepers, Ruins of Gauntlight - Part 9"

General Summary

Toliday, 4th of Desnus, 4721 AR

Abandoned Fishing Camp

6.30p

Using Zor'ahn's shadow, the party makes better time to the Abandoned Fishing Camp to investigate the zombies threat that Olli had reported to them. There is no sign that the ettercap has returned. Searching the area, Ehrn finds signs that undead had recently been in the area, however, after not finding an adequate food source, have since moved on. After fortifying the doors, everyone beds down and experiences a peaceful night.

Wealday, 5th of Desnus, 4721 AR

Gauntlight Keep

Ruined Boathouse

6.30a

Arriving back at the keep, Zor'ahn suggests carrying the remaining mitflit corpses near the boathouse to encourage a confrontation between the giant scorpion and the swamp dragon. At the boathouse, the party finds a two or three day old fire within. Carefully examining the scene, Zor'ahn believes that there were at least three people who are accustomed to camping outdoors. Also tied to the dock is a rowboat that they don't remember previously. Examining it further, the boat is found to bear no identifying marks, but does contain a waterproof food bag still within. Opening the bag, they discover it contains fish cakes made at the Crook's Nook. Zor'ahn marks the rope mooring the boat with chalk in order to see if it has been later used. He also notices a small wooden carving of a bird, possibly an osprey. Additionally he spies a space between the floor of the boathouse and the water. Taking advantage of the location, the corpses are moved within to "chum" the waters. The group gets its first good look at the single story building on the small island in the same architecture as the keep. The party's actions are uninterrupted.

Spookywisp

7.00a

Approaching the doors to the small building, the ironbound wooden doors are found to be swollen and stuck. Tristan puts shoulder to wood and manages to forcefully push the door open and finds himself within small, disarrayed office of desks, chairs, and strewn paper.

A deep, ominous voice sounds out, "I am Spookywisp, beware!" The fighter replies, "I am Tristan," and moves inside. "Beware, trespassers," it responds and light begins to flicker in front of Tristan and take shape into a will-o’-wisp. Tristan flips the desk over and something that looks like a toddler comes screeching out from under it as the wisp disappears. It appears to be trying to make a move to the west.
Tristan moves to block the way and attempts to settle the creature down. Kalitos moves in and quickly looks the creature over, determining it is a brownie, a type of fey creature. They rarely engage in direct combat and typically confuse and try to evade direct combat. They are also honest to a fault and known for stealing, but if caught they quickly own up to what they've done and are considered a nuance. Kalitos kneels down and retrieves a copper piece, assuring the fey that they just want to talk.
The brownie visibly begins to calm, but still observes everyone warily. "Just don't want to get hurt is all. What are you doing here?" Tristan begins speaking with it, who tells them about a really mean doll with a beaked face that flies that also has his "shiny". But when asked if he really lost something, the brownie seems evasive. Tristan offers to get it, but Kalitos asks if he really lost something or the doll has something he wants. He only gives the magus the side-eye. Tristan asks what he is, to which he replies "Tangletop", though some call him "Spookywisp". He says that he has been living here, but that doesn't appear to be true. Olli appears wary as well. Tristan begins opening doors first and finds a storage room with tools and lumber. The next reveals a spiral staircase leading down, but the room and stairs are coated with moss and fungus.

Hall of Portraits

Finally opening the west door, they find a short hallway that turns to the south. There is also a series of four paintings that hanging on the wall, but are damaged from mold and moisture.
The first 12 ft, painting depicts Absalom in flames with ghost rising from the city's streets, similarities with the model and stained glass. A bronze plaque states "So shall the fools suffer". The second painting is similar in size and style, but shows instead what appears to be the Gauntlight Keep, but before it was ruined. The lighthouse is set against a night sky and a familiar light issuing forth with ghosts within. "Let the Light Shine Forever." The third is a portrait of maybe a man, but has been completely shredded as if by a knife. Tristan attempts reapproximate the strips and is able to make out a man that is male drow, midnight skin, white hair. Painted skillfully. The plaque reads "The Artist at Work". The fourth and final portrait is smaller and circular, depicting a smirking woman dressed in a red gown with a high collar, "The Lady of the Light". Zor'ahn notices some scratching on the wall made by a knife that appears to be a language. Kaliff is able to make out, "I serve you still! You shall be avenged!" in Aklo. Tristan suggests that someone else has taken up her mantle and is continuing her dark deeds. Kaliff goes back to Tangletop and asks him a question in Aklo, but he does not seem to understand.

The Artist at Work

The Lady of Light

Workshop

7.20a

Pushing open the door, the Exterminators see what appears to be a workroom in shambles. Soggy material hangs from the ceiling with moldy carpet and rotten, smashed open display cases. Against the back wall on a table is a bejeweled spyglass. Some detritus suddenly begins to move and stands up to show itself to be a crude doll as described. In a warbling voice it asks, "Is Master Azinae coming back?" Kaliff replies "Yes, he will be back soon. But he asked us to fetch the spyglass." The doll immediately screeches and lurches into the air.
Seeing the glass littering the floor, Tristan weighs his options. Maintaining his balance, the fighter moves in and launches an attack, but misses his strike. Ehrn follows her husband and lashes out with her glaive, scoring a blow. The doll says, "You are not the Master! What did you do with him?" It gestures in Tristan's direction and he is suddenly wracked by phantom pain. Kaliff steps forward and throws the feather token on the ground and a ladder instantly appears on the floor. Zor'ahn takes to his heels and Kalitos follows suit, both of them missing with their attacks.
Tristan enflames his sword, but is unable land an attack as well. Ehrn quickly patches up Tristan and follows up with a devastating blow and begins to rage. The toy attempts to flit through Tristan's leg, but he smashes it with his sword. It stops and tries to retaliate, but to no end. Kaliff strikes it with an electric arc, but it only damages it slightly. The toy continues to be too tiny for the ranger's attack, but he is able to continue with Tristan's healing. Olli snakes in and knocks the toy off balance and Kalitos is able to land a hearty blow.
Tristan lands a final attack, setting the construct ablaze.
The spyglass looks incredibly well-crafted, encrusted with with gems. Zor'ahn digs a green gem from the bird's body, which he finds to be magical. Tangletop still waiting, but Zor'ahn replies, "You and I have no deals, creature."

7.30a

Kaliff continues to examine the spyglass, but he determines that it is amazingly crafted by a master craftsman with no magic. Tristan wonders where it is to be used, also noticing that everything in the workroom is destroyed, save the spyglass. Tristan begins bantering with Tangletop, the fey offers to tell what he has read from the books in exchange, and that the spyglass is better off with him as he is "Keeper of the Shinies". He tells the party that this whole place used to belong to Volluk Azrinae, which doesn't impress them. He then states that Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, who was even worse. Zor'ahn says there are more shinys the lighthouse, but Spooywisp says they can have those shinies. The fey's face is getting red, and he appears to be working up to a tantrum. Tristan says the spyglass will be returned when they don't need it any more. The fey then sullenly leaves the room.

Old Pier

7.40a

Zor'ahn briefly examines the attached pier and determines it could collapse at any moment. However, he begins to make out what appears to be some flickering light at the end, possible some kind of bug, unusual for the daytime. Using his hand of shadow, the lights blink out immediately as it closes in.

Level 2 - Servant's Quarters

Morlocks

7.50a

Turning into the hallway, the group runs into a morlock. Tristan flames his sword and brutally strikes it down. He then raises his shield and waits. Kaliff runs forward and runs into a morlock, slashing at it. Ollie nips. It attempts to bash him with a club, but misses and then flees. Ehrn makes her way down the hall as well and rages. Zor'ahn moves and then shadow dashes. Ehrn runs forward and is hit by a spear trap. Kalitos and Tristan moves as well. Zor'ahn continues his movement to engage with the morlocks. He is hit by a spear trap as well. Kaliff moves up to illuminate the area. Tristan quickly takes advantage and rakes the smoking sword against one of the creatures. It attempts to club him, but it is unable to land a blow. It steps towards Kalitos and the magus makes him pay, as does Olli.

Report Date

20 Oct 2024

Primary Location

Gauntlight Keep

Secondary Location

Abandoned Fishing Camp

Related Characters

• Ehrn Ricard
• Kaliff Raiboren
• Kalitos Raiboren
• Tristan Ricard
• Zor'ahn the Dark Ranger

Constellations