Session 85: Into the Shadowfell Report

General Summary

Session 85 – Wednesday October 20, 2021 – Enter the Shadowfell

4.5 Hour Role playing/battle session. 5:30 PM to 10:00P

Party of 5 (The order of Heroes, Inc.):

It is the 16th day of the month of Uktar (The Rotting) in the 3rd year of the Age of Enialis

• Annalisa (Anna) – Human L8 Monk – L6 Wizard /L3Fighter – Ryan Armstrong (remote)
• Jaquette Mara – L17 Human Druid – Jackie Armstrong
• Lucky Lightfoot – Leprechaun – L16 Bard/L1 Sorcerer – Jacob Munson
• Luigi Risotto – Wood Elf L15 Monk/L2 Wizard – Dan King (Absent-Church)
• Rolen – Human L17 Warlock – Josh Pozsonyi
• Tyrena Rechs – Human L14 Ranger/L3 Fighter – Nathan Gioconda
• Jeter Kaiser – L16 Human Sorcerer – Spencer Armstrong (Back at school)

Goals:

• Find the source Mind Flayer lair and raise an army to take out the Elder Brain
• Gather the other parts of the god Destroyer (Blade, Hilt and guard)
• Locate the Amber Sarcophagi and destroy them with the god Destroyer
• Take the sword to the Summer Queen and have her destroy it.
• White Dragon at Purple Rocks

Alaric has a map

They party walked into the shadow in the Mausoleum. They looked in the sarcophagus and found nothing. Feeling a bit griefed, Anna went back into the Material plane and found nothing there either. Back in the Shadowfell Rolen exited the Mausoleum and called out Alaric Saltzman’s name three times. After a few minutes Alaric showed up with a very rough map and handed it to Rolen. The map showed a few key landmarks. Rolen’s eyes were drawn to an area of the map marked “Strakh’s Lair.” Alaric explained, “That’s where the Shadow Dragon lives. He thinks he runs this whole area.” Rolen asked if the Dragon would be with them or against them. Alaric said, “perhaps if you seek him out and offered him something he wants, he may be persuaded. He has no love for the Mind Flayers.”

Alaric also pointed out the location of the Mind Flayer’s old ship and the cave where there is another shadow that can lead to the Material plane. The Cave is where the Mind Flayers go. On the map was a large area marked as the “Dark Forrest.” Alaric explained that the path disappears, just outside the forest and they should turn north to find it again. The party took the map and started their journey.

A Wagon on the Road

Around dinner time, Lucky started looking for any food. He spotted a Blood Berry Bush. Using Mage hand, he reached out and grabbed a berry. The Large plant got up and started shambling towards the party relatively slowly. The party was able to outrun the undead shambling Mound. A short while later they stopped for dinner. Lucky cast Tiny Hut and prepared a nice stake dinner. After dinner they continued their journey towards the woods.

A short while later they found a wagon on the road. The wagon had 7 chained coffins in the back and a dead Shadar-kai in the front. Examining they saw that one of the coffins was broken from the inside-out. They also saw evidence that there were 2 people driving the wagon. Tyrena examined the ground and found tracks heading north. One seemed to be an elf person with a hurt leg, and it seemed to be pursued by a creature with spike like legs. They saw no sign of what was pulling the wagon.

Rolen suggested they seek the surviving Shadar-kai as they may need help. Anna protested. Jaquette examined the body and noticed this was very recent and said, “We should absolutely help this poor person!” They Order of Heroes then quickly followed the footprints to the north.

The Shadar-kai.

After several minutes, they crested a small hill and saw a very bony creature with four long spindly arms grappling a hurt Shadar-kai about 50 yards away. Rolen grabbed Anna and teleported over to the Shadar-kai and the two of them killed the strange creature attacking the Shadar-kai. The rest of the party quickly ran up to join them. Jaquette healing the Shadar-kai a little bit. She offered more but he refused.

The Shadar-kai introduced himself as Hawin. He explained that he and his companion were transporting a cart full of Sorrowsworn from Evernight to the Lair of the Shadow Dragon Strakh because “She has requested it be done.” He went on to explain that the Sorrowsworn were once humanoids from the Material plane, who couldn’t adapt well to the Shadowfell and became corrupted. People are transformed by the gloom of the Shadowfell and can become these monstrosities.

He asked that the party take the wagon to the lair of Strakh for him and the party reluctantly agreed. The party asked about the dragon and Hawin explained that the dragon is gone and said that “She has requested that the Shadar-kai take over it’s lair.” Several asked who this “She” is and Rollen explained, it is the “Raven Queen, the leader of the Shadar-kai and one of the rulers of this plane.”

The wagon and the Golem

The party went back to the wagon. Lucky, with his newfound strength, wasn’t quite strong enough to pull it by himself. As they were contemplating other possible ideas, they saw a large creature walking towards them with an odd almost zombie like gate. As it came closer, they recognized it as a flesh golem who was grunting and putting his fingers near his mouth. Lucky interpreted the motions as the creature asking for food, so he went to it and offered it a wide variety of food. The Golem rejected the vegetables and accepted the meat. It was so grateful that it ripped off it’s pinky and handed it to lucky as a way of thanking him. Lucky accepted the pinky and the others just looked in horror.

Jaquette summoned a pair of dire wolves and the Golem seemed to be willing to help the party. Between those 3 creatures they were easily able to pull the wagon filled with 7 coffins plus the party along the path into the dark forest. Anna stood on the side of the wagon while Tyrena (with her proficiency in Land Vehicles) took control of the reigns. Rolen walked beside the Golem following the map and watching the trail. Lucky sat in the back and continued to re-create his spell book.

The Dark forest

The party travelled through the dark forest with everyone (except Lucky) keeping a careful eye out. They noticed webs within the trees and spotted the glint of torchlight reflecting off the eyes of giant spiders. They saw a few drow hiding in the woods so Rolen sat up front and dropped his disguise. The Drow just observed and did not take any actions. After the Dire Wolves disappeared, Jaquette turned into an Ox and helped pull the wagon.

After some time, they came to a river. The trail seemed to lead up to a point in the river where the crossing was narrow, perhaps only 15 feet or so. They were told by the Shadar-kai, Hawin, that there would be long beams they could use to cross. They searched the area but only found one. Lucky cast Fabricate on a tree and helped to form a bridge. The party then took all the caskets and put them into one of Rolen’s demiplanes for safe keeping. The party was able to get over the river and continue through the creepy dark forest without any major incidents. This did spot some vampire spawn eating bloodberries, but they didn’t fall for their trap.

At the end of the forest, they found the path ended. They remembered to turn north and to look for the trail again. Eventually, Anna found the trail and after a few minutes on the trail again, they settled down for an evening’s rest. Rolen took the first watch, and nothing happened. Tyrena took the 2nd watch and saw something in the woods.

There Wolf!

Tyrena woke up Rolen. They saw several hairy creatures moving through the brush on all fours. Rolen stood up and make himself clearly visible. Tyrena woke up Anna who got up and prepared for battle. The creatures, 5 werewolves leaped out of the brush and began to run towards the party. They all immediately stopped, their eyes grew wide and they all, with a look of fear in their eyes, turned and ran away with a yelp. Rolen jumped up and began looking around for any creature behind them that may have frightened the 5 werewolves but saw nothing. Anna too looked perplexed. Tyrena smiled and said, “I think they’re afraid of me.” Lucky had protected Tyrena from Werewolves.

The others went back to bed and Tyrena continued her watch. The flesh Golem approached Tyrena and acted hungry again. Tyrena gave him a portion of her rations and the Golem was very grateful. He ripped off one of his small toes and handed it to Tyrena as thanks. Tyrena reluctantly accepted the “gift.”

Lair of the Shadow Dragon Strvakh

Lucky cast Antipathy on Rolen to protect him from Drow. The party traveled along the dingy trail for about 8 hours over and around hills. They made their way to a fork in the road and Rolen pointed the party to follow the trail to the creepy old house on the hill. They walked over a narrow pass over a ravine and towards the large house that had a massive hole in its side. As they entered, they spotted another massive hole in the floor leading down. Several Shadar-kai, hidden in the shadows and invisible, revealed themselves.

The leader of the Shadar-kai approached Rolen and asked him about Hawin. Rolen explained the situation. The Shadar-kai asked Rolen if the rest of the party are his prisoners and Rolen explained they are together. Rolen mentioned that Hawin suggested that the Shadar-kai could use some help in the Lair. The Shadar-kai said they could use help clearing the lair. He offered the party 50% of all the treasure found except the Shadar-kai get first pick of anything magical. Lucky said, “Sounds fair.” The Shadar-kai said they had cleaned out some of the lair and delt with some powerful shadows. Anna said, “We took care of Acererak, we can take care of a few whisps.” The Shadar-kai started to ask, “You’re not the…” Lucky responded, “Order of Heroes.” Jaquette handed him an 8X10 signed sketch of the group.

The Shadar-kia told them, “This should be nothing for you.” Rolen opened his demi-plane, and they took out the coffins of the Sorrowsworn. The Shadar-kai took them to the edge of the Ravine.

Emptying the Lair

The party methodically searched the caverns of the lair of the Shadow Dragon. Lucky kept casting Detect Magic sensing something in the area but never able to really see what it is. They found evidence of battles with Mind Flayers. They continued throughout the lair and went into a room where the shadows on the walls were moving in odd directions. The shadows revealed themselves as shadow ghasts and Shadow Assassins.

One of the ghasts leaped toward anna and attacked her while one of the Assassins hit Rolen and sapped his strength in ½! Jaquette cast ice storm and wounded 4 of the creatures. She then took one of her prayer beads and smashed it into Rolen’s head, restoring his strength. Lucky cast destructive way killing 1 of the shadow ghasts and one of the assassins. Anna downed her potion of hill giant strength. Rolen, used his eldritch smite with his dagger and decimated one of the Assassins. Tyrena pulled out her greatsword and joined the fray killing one of the ghasts.

The shadow assassin attacked Anna and badly wounded her and reduced her strength by 7 points. Anna begged for help from Jaquette who said “Oh, I didn’t think it was that serious.” Jaquette cast ice storm on 2 creatures and cured Rolen of his poisoned condition. One of the assassins attacked Tyrena and sapped her strength just a little. Lucky cast cone of cold against 3 creatures and killed one but also badly hurt Anna. Anna responded with her whip and hit 2 of the creatures and put a flaming sphere next to the shadow.

One of the remaining shadow assassins focused on Lucky damaging him a bit and reducing his strength. Rolen took out the Shadow attacking Anna with his dagger and crossbow. Tyrena sliced into the Shadow attacking Lucky. A shadow attacked Tyrena a couple times and reduced her strength by 6 but then Anna’s sphere killed the shadow. Jaquette cast “Mass Cure Wounds” and healed everyone a bit. Lucky grabbed the head of the last remaining Shadow Assassin and cast firebolt on it. The head exploded in flames and the shadow was destroyed.

The treasure and the Drow.

Jaquette cast greater restoration on Anna with one of her prayer beads and the party finished searching the room. They went into the largest room and found the Dragon’s hoard (see Treasure.) Within the treasure they found a Jeweled platinum ring that Lucky recognized belonging to the Drow house of Xorlarrin. Lucky mentioned that to the group and Rolen then spotted an invisible Drow standing in the entryway. Rolen said to the Drow, “Reveal yourself.”

The Drow dropped his invisibility and said, “I am Din’hrae a shadow blade of house Xorlarrin, may I have the ring please?” Rolen asked how the ring came to be here. The Drow explained that the dragon slew most of his house and stole his family cygnet ring. Rolen asked about his people and if they’re aware of the Mind Flayers. Din’hrae explained they avoid them as some of his people have been “turned into those creatures.” Rolen asked if his clan would be able to join them in their assault on the Mind Flayers. The Drow said, his people are too few to aid in a way that could be effective and preserve his family.

Lucky took the ring (and a signed glossy 8X10 sketch of the party) and handed them to the Drow. Din’hrae thanked them and promised them safe passage through the woods but told them, “Do not stray from the path or the spiders may get you.” Rolen asked about safe passage for an army they may bring. The Drow was astonished that they would bring 100 people from the Material plane to battle the Mind Flayers.

The Drow then told them to beware of the Mind Flayers for they have captured the Dragon Alive. He then gave them a small patch of leather with his family crest on it and handed it to Lucky. He said, “Copy that onto a large banner and put it in the front of the party and we will make sure your army is protected as they walk through the woods. There are not many in my family, but it has been a long time since the Drow have fought beside the Shadar-kai. I cannot promise that we will aid but I will promise safe passage.” He then disappeared with his ring. The party then left depths of the Lair to tell the Shadar-kai what they had found…

Rewards Granted

Treasure Found:

• 40,000 gp
• 33,000 pp
• Gold jewelry box with platinum filigree worth 7,500 gp
• Jeweled platinum ring (Lucky recognized the signet of the Drow house Xorlarrin) worth 7,500 gp
• Small gold statuette set with rubies with a jagged counterclockwise spiral (Anna recognized it as some god) worth 7,500 gp
• 15 +3 Walloping Arrows
• Qty: 2) Potion of healing - supreme
• Potion of storm giant strength
• Spell scroll (8th level) - Maze
• Spell scroll (8th level) - Power Word Stun
• Spell scroll (9th level) - Power Word Heal

Campaign

Rebuilding in the Age of Enialis

Protagonists

Lucky Lightfoot

Annalisa Selemchant

Jaquette Mara

Fredrik Fredson

Douglan Halfdopple

Rolen Blackstone

Tyrus Rechs

()

8 / 8 HP

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Report Date

28 Oct 2021