Session 67:Hobgoblins and Angels Report

General Summary

Session 67 – Wednesday January 24, 2024 – Hobgoblins and Angels.

4-hour Social/Battle session 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

The Stone Bearers. Party of 5

It is the 24th day of the month of Nightal (The Drawing Down) in the 50th year of the Age of Enialis (Late December.)

• Abrash – Wood (Desert) Elf, L10 Druid – Jacob Munson (Remote)
• Ajani– High Elf, L10 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L10 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi
• Cassidy – Human, L10 Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L10 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Juan Peyote – Gnome L10 Paladin – Will Johnson (Absent)

Going back to the Dwarves

The party divided the treasure and against their better judgement gave Juan the vial of Torpor poison. Isabella mentioned that there was an exit at the bottom underwater, so Abrash cast water breathing on everyone. Vor’pat thanked Gazlowe for saving his life and reminded the party of their commitment to take care of the evil Illithid in the ancient underground city of Kortar. He remined them that the entrance is in the Nameless Dungeon protected by Ashyra (ah-SHEE-rah.) He told the party that the leader of this particular Illithid colony is named Syuul (see-YOU-ull) and while all Illithid have powerful psionic abilities and like to eat brains and such, Syuul is known for his experiments with creatures bodies and flesh.   The party reasoned that the best way to get to the Nameless Dungeon would be to have Zyark’s friend teleport them there. Abrash offered to use “Windwalk” but the party brushed him aside as they had to see Zyark anyway. They went into the water and out the underwater door. They found themselves in the bottom of the cavern. Cassidy levitated up and Abrash turned into a Giant eagle. Isabella climbed up the wall of the cavern, exercising off some lingering rage.   They saw no signs that any of the other Denizens of the tower had left via the bridge (which seemed to be the only other way out.) Gazlowe callously destroyed the bridge. Feeling bad for the minions of Xorannox, Isabella tossed a rope to the tower and left them. The Party made it back to Zyark.

Meeting Zyark

The Stone Bearers told Zyark that they had rid the White tower of Xorannox. Zyark agreed to meet with the Red Lady. Gazlowe pulled out the sending stone given to him by Oris and sent him a message telling him to make arrangements with the Dwarves of Gauntlgrym. Vandore met the party and told them that he needed to go back to Zelbross. The party decided to part ways with Vandore for now. One of the other dwarves escorted Vandore away to meet with Alfred while Zyark and the Stone Bearers discussed a feast of celebration.

Meanwhile back at Niptu’s secret lair… (Cutscene)

Niptu was awoken by one of his servants who told him that he was being visited by 3 messengers. Niptu first met with two Fire Giants (Ilkurt and Hulba) from the Sunlight Legion under Zenith Aastrika. At first Hulba reported that things were going great, but Ilkurt quickly corrected her. They then reported that Zenith is dead, the legion is disbanded and the Orb of Dragonkind has been destroyed by the Bearers of Stone. Niptu Glared at Hulba and said, “Mar, I don’t like what she said.” A beam of force shot out from a mechanical creature standing behind Niptu and obliterated Hulba. Niptu ordered Ilkurt to form a new Sunlight legion and report back when it is done.   A Goblin underboss (Vinky) and a Lizardfolk (Jirlizuzk), former slime servants of Ithu'Rath (ith-YOU-rath) came in as Ilkurt was leaving. Niptu asked how Ithu’Rath is doing. Jirlizuzk started beating around the bush and took too long to get to the point, so Niptu said, “Mar, I don’t like what he says.” Another beam of force shot from the creature eliminating the Lizardfolk. Niptu looked at the goblin and said, “Get to the point. The goblin reported. The servants of the Lord Ithu'Rath have been deprived of their unification under his psychic leadership as the Lord Ithu'Rath has been destroyed.” He told them that the culprits were a group known as the Stone Bearers. Niptu told the Goblin to leave from his presence and to not return.   As the goblin ran out, a Human wizard and an Orc who had just teleported from the White tower of Xorannox walked in. Niptu said, “This better be good news.” The Wizard pushed the orc forward. The Orc went straight to the point, “The organization called ‘The Grasp’ has been destroyed and Xorannox has been killed horribly.” Niptu asked, “Who did this?” The Orc replied, “Some Bearers of Stone.” Niptu flew into a rage so intense that his body shot forth a beam of energy that killed both the Orc and the Human. As he settled down, he looked into a dark hallway behind his throne and said, “Get Devin. Find these Stone Bearers.”

Back at Guantlgrym

“Another round!” yelled Gazlowe. Gazlowe tried to get Vor’pat to drink but he refused. The others were all having a good time. Abrash spotted Alfred floating in the back of the room covered by a cloak. Abrash spoke with him telepathically and Alfred expressed his fear of the Gith Vor’pat. They went into a back room and Alfred revealed himself as an Alhoon, an undead Illithid wizard. Alfred explained that most Illithid abhor arcane magic and therefore Alhoons are also hated by most other Illithid. Gith however make no distinctions. Alfred was wearing a metal magneto helmet that he explained prevents the other Illithid from forcing him to join a collective. Abrash asked if the other Illithid have any weakness. Alfred said they don’t have any real weakness, but they do have several strengths including that they are resistant to bludgeoning damage. Abrash left Alfred and found Ajani who was performing cool party tricks and told him everything he learned except that Alfred was an Illithid.   Zyark gathered the Stone Bearers around him and they spent some time getting to know each other a little. They party all had a lot to drink. Abrash hooked up with a Dwarven woman and Ajani drunkenly scryed on Eversus. Ajani saw that Eversus was in a dark room meeting with other elves. The Other elves were picking on him. Eversus defiantly said, “That’s why I have left her!” A dark voice said, “Why would the White Lady accept you, “Eversus replied, “Have you heard the song?” Gazlowe felt accomplished and the party all slept well. In the morning Gazlowe contacted Orist and told him that Eversus is meeting with the White lady.

To get to the Nameless Dungeon

In the Morning Zyark asked the Stone Bearers where they wanted to go. They told him, “The Nameless Dungeon in the northern part of the High Forest.” Zyark left them to get Alfred. Abrash realized that Vor’pat may want to kill Alfred, so he quickly warned Ajani. Zyark came back alone and asked to speak to one of them privately. Cassidy went back with Zyark. Zyark explained that his best friend Alfred is concerned with the Gith Vor’Pat. Zyark warned Cassidy that if their friend should hurt his friends then, “You and I, not so solid.” Cassidy asked if Alfred could disguise himself. Alfred acknowledged that he cold try. Zyark told Cassidy, “If this doesn’t work, you will be responsible.”   Cassidy came back and told the party to distract Vor’pat. Ajani had Vor’pat turn around to look at something. Isabella walked up to Vor’pat and told him how handsome he is. Vor’pat told her that his species doesn’t reproduce in the same way, “We are hatched.” But that didn’t deter Isabella. Vor’pat explained his pronouns are “They, Them.”   Meanwhile Gazlowe told Alfred to transport them to the Nameless Dungeon. But nobody knew exactly where that was. Gazlowe pointed out a map and Alfred pointed to Zelbross or Silverymoon. Gazlowe said, “Fine, Silverymoon it is.” Alfred cast Teleportaiton circle and opened up a passageway to the Harpers secret stronghold in Silverymoon.

The Harpers

The party walked out of the magical teleportation circle and found themselves in the attic of a building where they were greeted by a couple of Elves. The Elves demanded to know who they were and what they were doing there. The party said, “The Stone Bearers” and Vor’pat chimed in, “And loose affiliates.” The party showed their Red Lady Cloaks, and the Harpers allowed them to stay. The Harpers discussed the party joining the harpers but found that the party simply wasn’t interested. The Harpers showed Abrash precisely on a map where the Nameless Dungeon is. Abrash cast Wind Walk and the party turned into misty whisps, and they flew to the Nameless Dungeon.

The Entrance

The party landed in the forest a few hours later to an area where Abrash thought they should be. Abrash cast Commune with Nature and learned the entrance was about a mile away. He also sensed elves patrolling the area. He cast Pass without a Trace on the party and they crept through the woods. After about 10 minutes they spotted elves. Abrash, Ajani and Isabella reveled themselves. The Elves spotted the robes of the Red Lady and asked if they were the Stone Bearers. Abrash said yes and that they needed to go to the Nameless Dungeon. The Elves asked why and Abrash said, “It’s on a need-to-know basis and you don’t need to know.   Insulted, the Elves simply let them pass. After a short 20-minute walk they made it to the entrance at the base of a stone bluff. A gate was placed at the entrance, but it fell awkwardly from rusted hinges. An old sign had been placed outside the entrance with “Keep out” written in many languages. The party went in.

Fool of a Took!

Cassidy focused on the environment and used her trait to try to see what had happened here. She learned that the dungeon had long ago been a prison for 2,000 Fey’ri. The party made their way deeper and deeper into the dungeon. They recognized that the lower levels were dwarven carved. They saw some signs of creatures being present, perhaps orcs or goblins. As they walked down a flight of stairs, Abrash, insulted by a snide comment made by Gazlowe caused a root to grow and tripped Gazlowe. Gazlowe, in his full suit of armor fell down the stairs. His armor banging and echoing against the stone walls. He landed at the base of the stairs. The party heard a drum beat down the hall.

Angels and Goblins

They heard a goblin shout out commands. Gazlowe heard in Goblin, “Kill the thing.” The party gathered and opened the door to a very large room. They saw a hoard of Hobgoblins attacking a Plantar (a large celestial / angelic creature) and a Unicorn. The Plantar and the Unicorn had already killed about 20 hobgoblins. The Hobgoblin leader was directing his best fighters who remained. Gazlowe saw the situation and yelled, “Backup is on the way boys!” as he charged in to attack the angel and the unicorn.

A moral quandary?

The others didn’t think it right to attack a Unicorn and an angel. Assumptions were made and sides were chosen. The party went in, but their loyalties were split. The Hobgoblin shouted back and Gazlowe, “A wise choice. Flank to the right, we’ll flank to the left. You help me and I’ll help you. I’ll owe you.”   Abrash shouted, “In the Red Lady’s name.” He waited for any sort of reaction from the angels or goblins but there was none. Cassidy dashed in with her whips, but everyone was still out of reach. Isabella went into a rage and ran into the room. She chose to shoot her arrows at the Hobgoblin leader and landed a critical hit. The Hobgoblin screamed in pain, “You fool!”   The Planetar struck a large hobgoblin with his flaming sword and instantly smote it dealing about 82 points of damage with 2 hits. The Unicorn made a critical hit against the minions and slaughtered 3 of them. Abrash, confused didn’t want to attack the wrong person. He focused on the angel and unicorn and saw the angel subtly say something to the unicorn. Abrash, being too far to hear any words but being very perceptive realized the Angel had said something in Abysal.

Abrash changes the direction of the fight.

Realizing that Angels shouldn’t be speaking in the language of demons called out to the party, “Attack the Angels.” The party went with it. Gazlowe rolled his eyes at his companions’ assumptions, cast Haste on himself, and ran up to the Unicorn and Angel. Ajani from over 100 feet away shot a poison orb at the Planetar. It hit but had no effect as the Planetar was immune to poison. Confused and angry, Isabella went ahead and shot her +2 arrows at the Planetar. The Planetar shot a lightning bolt at Isabella and Vor’pat along with a few hobgoblins. He killed a couple hobgoblins.   Abrash cast polymorph on one of the hobgoblins and turned it into a giant Ape. Gazlowe shot a lightning bolt at the Angel and Unicorn. Abrash shot another Chromatic Orb at the Planetar and hit again but this time he used thunder damage and left the Planetar bloodied. The Hobgoblins continued to focus on the Planetar.   Cassidy hit the Planetar with his radiant whip and discovered the Planetar is vulnerable to radiant damage. Isabella followed up striking the Planetar with another arrow leaving it near death. The Planetar picked up one of the dead hobgoblins and took a massive bite out of it. The Planetar’s eyes grew bright as it consumed the remaining life force and healed itself. Isabella shouted, “Now that is EVIL!”   The Giant Ape landed one blow. The Unicorn took out another hobgoblin. Gazlowe and his homunculus and some hobgoblins hit the Planetar leaving it very badly bloodied. Ajani shot a chromatic orb but just missed. Ajani directed Vor’pat at the Planetar and Vor’pat went behind the Angel and used his blade to slice the angel’s throat. As the Planetar fell dead, the Unicorn shouted, “Devin!” The Stone Bearers and the Hobgoblins focused on the Unicorn. Cassidy made the killing blow wrapping her whip around the neck of the Unicorn and breaking its neck.

Unlikely friends.

The Hobgoblin leader the Bloodlord Varrox, badly wounded, made his way to the Stone Bearers. He said, “Except for your first shot, the rest of you did pretty good.” Gazlowe apologized and introduced himself. Varrox said, “I am in debt to you.” Cassidy was confused as to what happened to the Angel and Unicorn. Varrox said, “A powerful entity has corrupted their souls. These are fallen celestials. Rare, but not unheard of.” He went on to explain that the Hobgoblins live in the Nameless Dungeon and that the angel and unicorn had just showed up before the Stone Bearers did.   Ajani asked about the Illithid. Varrox knew nothing of them. Gazlowe mentioned Ashyra. Varrox said, “Ashyra, the protector of Kortar. That way is blocked.” Gazlowe asked if any other elves had been by and Varrox said, “No.” The party explained they need to go to Kortar and Varrox said, “It will take some time to clear that passage, but if that is what you wish of me to repay my debt, I will make it so.”   Cassidy went to collect some unicorn blood. Varrox said to Cassidy, “The Heart and Horn are mine. You can have whatever else you wish.” Varrox then offered a feast as Unicorn meat is fantastic. Plus, they will honor their fallen dead by feasting on them. Isabella looked aghast. Gazlowe said, “Just because you eat your fallen comrades does not make you evil.” Gazlowe then went over to the Planetar, searched hm and found that his underwear had the name “Devin” written on the tag. Gazlowe took Devin’s underwear.