Session 59: Operation Operation Report

General Summary

Session 59 – Wednesday March 24, 2021

4 Hour roleplay session. 6:00 PM to 10:00PM

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

It is the 19th day of the month of Marpenoth (Leaffall) in the 3rd year of the Age of Enialis

• Fredrik Fredson – Human L9 Barbarian/L3 Fighter – Dan King - Absent
• Jaquette Mara – L14 Human Druid – Jackie Armstrong
• Lucky Lightfoot – Leprechaun – L13 Bard/L1 Sorcerer – Jacob Munson
• Annalisa (Anna) – Human – L 8 Monk – L4 Wizard /L2Fighter – Ryan Armstrong
• Rolen – Human L14 Warlock – Josh Pozsonyi
• Tyrus Rechs – Human L11 Ranger/L3 Fighter – Nathan Gioconda (Absent – Play)

Goals:

• Aid Zyark in destroying the Slaadi
• Red Rocks treasure
• White Dragon at Purple Rocks

Back to the caverns

The party walked back to the caverns with Jaquette carrying the chicken. They went directly to the prison area and took the Chicken to the operating room. The party struggled for a while trying to figure out how to restrain the chicken when it reverts to a Slaad. They determined they’d just beat it within an inch of death and then strap it to the table. Rolen and Anna were able to knock it out quickly and then they shackled it to the table.
Jaquette expertly performed the surgery but couldn’t find the control Gem. Since she couldn’t control him, she slit its throat. Lucky postulated that the Mind Flayers are controlling the Slaad. Rolen bet 500gp that they’re not and Lucky took that bet. Rolen went to talk to Zyark but found that he wasn’t there. The guard told him “Every 3rd day he goes out.”

Lucky’s magnificent mansion.

The party went to rest, and Lucky was happy to provide them with a beautiful, customized magical mansion. Each person had their own room created in their personal motif. The common area had a very fey feel. Lucky showed them the training room with shooting range and then led each person to their custom room. Tyrus’ room resembled a hunting lodge complete with a Gnoll Skin rug. Jaquette’s room was filled with nature complete with a waterfall shower. Rolen’s room was dark with a very secure door with only one key. Anna’s room was very ornate, and Anna was impressed. Lucky mentioned that there is a room for Fredrik when he returns.
The party settled in the common area and Rolen shared what he learned about Zyark. Jaquette wanted to discuss the next steps but Rolen needed sleep. Anna, curious about what Rolen said went to talk with Zyark’s guard some more. She learned that Zyark leaves every 3 days. She bribed the guard with 10pp and then slipped 10sp into his pouch instead. The guard, thinking the bribe was 100gp, told Anna that Zyark goes to Gauntlgrym every 3 days with a Gnoll or a dwarf an the Gnolls don’t usually return.
The party slept in, or otherwise spent the morning enjoying their rooms. When they gathered around 10AM they had a delicious meal and discussed the lack of control gem and the fact that Zyark leaves every 3 days. They speculated on what Zyark is doing and who is controlling the Slaad. They decided to go and speak with Zyark directly as a party. Jaquette wanted to address the “creep” Zyark directly. Anna corrected her with the dwarven word “Gimbledork.” Rolen suggested that they deal with it diplomatically.

An audience with the boy king.

Rolen explained to Zyark that the Slaad have no control Gems. Zyark appeared concerned and gave the control gem he had back to Rolen. They agreed to a strategic assault that would take place in 5 days. Zyark asked if the party could pick off a few Slaadi near the entrance and Rolen agreed. Rolen asked for more poison to enslave the Slaad and General Gornor said “I’ll make some connections.” Zyark looked excited and told the party that he would join them for the battle.
They party began to leave and Jaquette stared hard at Rolen expecting him to ask about Zyark’s whereabouts. Rolen began to pull Jaquette out of the room. Anna turned around and ask Zyark: “Is there anything of value the Slaadi would be looking for?” Zyark said “I couldn’t tell you.” Jaquette perceived no deception in his response but she was still upset nobody confronted him directly, so she cast bonfire in various places on the way back to their room. The party agreed that they would tail Zyark in 3 days.

A series of operations

Over the next few days, with some magical help from Lucky, Jaquette was able to perform successful surgeries on 18 of the 19 remaining Slaadi. She only screwed up and killed one. The party decided not to use any of the poison and simply beat the Slaad to unconsciousness. They had acquired 19 gems (1 green, 9 red and 9 blue.) They formed a plan to create a vest of 18 red and blue gems and a necklace of 1 green Gem. Anna began creation of the vest. General Gronor told Rolen that he trusted the party to control the Slaad and the Slaad would be the first wave in the invasion.
Over a period of a few days Lucky spoke with Gildon and Gildon agreed to meet with them the day before the invasion at the same clearing they had met before. Gildon told them to bring the inevitable gem and that he would bring the Robe of Stars.

Zyark has some unexpected friends.

On the evening of the 3rd day, Anna set an alarm spell at the cavern entrance to warn her when Zyark leaves. The party hung out in the dining hall playing cards with a couple of dwarves. Rolen had just about cleaned out the dwarves (who only had about 10gp to their names.) The dwarf put up his short sword into the pot and Rolen called him. The dwarf won as Anna told the party “Time to go!”
The party ran outside. Jaquette cast pass without a trace and Rolen cast invisibility on the party. Jaquette caught a trace of Zyark and a gnoll and they eventually caught up to him without being seen or heard. They followed Zyark and the Gnoll into the cavern. The Gnoll stood in an alcove and Zyark said “Stay.” They party watched as an 8-foot-high, 5-foot-wide tunnel appeared right where Zyark was standing. Inside the tunnel was a grey looking hunched over mind flayer.
The Gnoll moved forward but was stopped by an invisible force. A tiny brain with legs (intellect devourer) hopped up from the ground onto the Gnoll and the Gnoll’s expression went completely blank. Zyark walked into the tunnel and he and the Mind Flayer walked out of sight. The tunnel just disappeared.
Lucky walked right into the wall where the tunnel was and did a face plant into the stone. The tunnel was not an illusion. They debated about staying or leaving or killing the Gnoll (that couldn’t see them still.) They continued to debate until the passageway opened again.
The mind flayer looked directly at Rolen and said, “Lower your weapons we are no threat to you.” Zyark said “Hey guys, it’s cool.” The Mind flayer looked dry and grey, its eyes were hallow and he wore a hooded cloak. He introduced himself as Tal and said he does not like the term “Mind Flayer.” He said his brethren prefer to be called “People who partake in cerebral nourishment” but he doesn’t even do that anymore, he told them that he is an Alhoon.
Tal told the party that they have made an agreement with the dwarves. The Alhoon have found a new path to eternal life and in exchange for a safe place to live they will help the dwarves open the mines. Rolen and Lucky asked about the Alhoon’s mind flayer brethren and Tall explained that they no longer associate with them as their former brethren don’t like the Alhoon’s enlightened state.
Jaquette asked about the enlightened state and the relationship with the dwarves. Tal explained: “We can offer a mutually beneficial relationship for those who are elderly and near the end of their life. We can take that essence of the Dwarf, or even better an elderly Elf and preserve them eternally. We prefer much older beings they are much more... interesting. We gain their life.... experiences and they gain our... eternal gratitude. Their... memories and therefore their existence can remain forever giving them eternal life.” The Alhoons said their former brethren don’t like them very much.
Tal released Zyark from the oath, allowing him to speak to the Order of Heroes. Tal agreed to provide 10 Alhoons to aid in the battle against the Slaad. Tal also told the party they have a controlled Beholder named “All” they are using to drill out the mines. They party said “cool” and the Alhoon went back into the tunnel and left.

Don’t upset an ancient dragon

The next day Jaquette was still quite upset with the whole situation and wanted to stay in her room to consider her options and settle down. Rolen explained to General Gronor that they would have a magical Ally in the upcoming battle in 1 day. Rolen took the control Vest from Anna. Lucky, Rolen and Anna asked Jaquette to wind walk them to Gildon and she angrily said “fine!” and cast wind walk on them but she did not join them. They flew to the clearing where they had previously found mistletoe. They waited for a about 15 min and the elderly man, Gildon, walked out of the woods wearing a robe of stars. Anna opened the portable hole and handed Gildon the large inevitable gem. Gildon gazed deep and longingly at the gem. He took off the robe and handed it to Anna. Gildon looked at Lucky and said it’s been an absolute pleasure. He continued to be entranced by the beauty of the gem. He placed the gem on the ground and continued to gaze at it while he told Lucky “I’ll be on the look out for other items for you as this has been a pleasant arrangement.”
A Marut from Mechanus appeared about 10 feet from the gem. Rolen asked Anna for the cloak. Anna, a bit taken back by the change of circumstances handed the Cloak to Rolen. The Marut pointed to the gem and said to Rolen “This was obtained in Mechanus, you are under contract, how do you plead?” Rolen said “innocent, this is not my gem.” The Marut said, “Come with me.” Rolen said okay. Lucky said, “Should we tell the others? Should we wait for you or should we go back?” Rolen and the Marut disappeared with the gem and the robe of stars.
Gildon looked at Lucky and Anna and said, “This was not the arrangement. Now that my gem is gone, how will you pay for the robe? Perhaps 10 years of service from the leprechaun?” Anna looked for an extra gem and they both saw that Gildon’s patience was running thin. Both Anna and Lucky tried to talk their way out of it. Gildon pointed out that Anna handed the cloak to her friend before he disappeared, and that Lucky is the one who summoned Gildon for this deal.
Lucky asked for time. Gildon said, “I shan’t let you both go as I need some collateral to ensure your return.” Lucky and Ann both hemmed and hawed until Gildon revealed his true nature, that of a gargantuan Gold Dragon. He sniffed them both deeply and told them they could keep their armor, clothing, non-magical weapons, spell components, spell scrolls, 1 potion each, and a 500gp gem. He then said, “Everything else must stay.” He told them that he would wait here for up to 3 days. They must bring him his robe and the gem and then he said, “we could start again.” Lucky continued to beg for items and Gildon allowed him to keep the pot that was on his head. Lucky did not give Gildon his luck stone even though Gildon said “Everything.” Gildon said “do not cross me.” Gildon handed Lucky a sending stone and then stood over the loot, pushing Lucky and Anna aside. Lucky still had a spell scroll of plane shift and a tuning fork to Mechanus. Lucky looked at Anna and said, “Do we get the others or go to Mechanus now?”