Chapter 11: Trials of Kaleth - Voices in the Dark
Session Date: 7/5/2018
New Player Characters:- Gregor - Human Oath of Conquest Paladin
- The party learns not all mimics are friends
- The party attack the healer
- Fighting Shadows in the dark
- Moana and Varis sprint through the dungeon and find an ancient book
- The party faces a puzzle that gets inside their heads
- Melody brings some context to the situation
- The cliffhangar ending as Gregor barges into the final room
Plot points/Scenes
Ruins of Kaleth - Zimir Isle
The party treks back down the main corridor past the smaller passage and down to where Moana’s torch has extinguished. Around the corner, Varis spots 2 doors down the corridor. He investigates the first door which is unlocked. He pushes the door ajar and enters. Inside the room is a large bookshelf, storage trunk and desk with papers and a tiny chest on it. He goes to open the small chest looking for treasure, however, the chest bites him and sticks to his hand. A few rounds of combat and Varis is able to dislodge the mimic… only to waken the other 2, the storage trunk and a book of the shelf. As he went ahead of the party to scout, he has to endure several rounds of combat before they can get to him. After taking roughly 30 points of damage, the party is close enough to render aid, While Varis runs screaming from the room. He catches his breath and informs them mimics are in the room. Moana: “Ooh. Monty.” and runs into the room and reaches for the small chest which proceeds to bite him and adhere to his hand. Khadgar enters and instructs Moana to raise his hand and shoots a firebolt at it. Varis is resting out in the corridor. Gavin heals Varis. These mimics are quite old and have plenty of health. Several attacks still haven’t dispatched them. Moana still has one mimic on his hand and attempts to kick the other (the large trunk) across the room which just gets it stuck on his foot and leg. Moana attempts to stab the trunk mimic with his trident while holding the one on his hand to the trident hoping for residual damage. Unfortunately he fails. Gavin has a rather unique idea. He goes in and jabs the trunk mimic with his dagger and leaves it inside it. He then uses heat metal to do residual damage. Melody and Varis dispatch the mimic book, while Khadgar shoots the mimic off Moana’s hand with a firebolt. Moana, unfortunately falls unconscious and is making death saving throws. The final mimic is defeated, Moana is stabilized, but all the party got was 1 GP from the tiny chest mimic which Varis collects. The party takes a short rest with light provided by Khadgar and soothing music provided by Gavin. While playing, Gavin hears the slight clink of chain mail out in the corridor. He ceases, playing and Khadgar extinguishes the light.A New Ally Approaches
Gregor, following the sound of music and a light at the end of the tunnel suddenly sees the light go out and music stop. He extinguishes his own torch.Gavin, seeing the unknown person’s torch extinguished, creates sparks emitting from the wall opposite the door. Varis moves into position by the door.
Gregor, upon seeing sparks from the wall moves to investigate. Suddenly, a knife is at his throat and he is being interrogated. Gregor: “The guild sent me.” and he shows the guild’s crest to his assailant. It seems to do the trick because he is released. Attacker: “Follow me.”
Khadgar lights his staff. Gregor turns and can only see the silhouettes of the party. Varis: “Who are you?” Gregor: “Gregor. I’m from the guild.” Introductions are made. Gavin: “So what are your skills?” Gregor: “Uh… prayer…" collective laughter "arts and crafts… and slaying gods.” Laughter ceases... Gavin: “Wait what?” Varis: “How did you do that?” Gregor: “He wasn’t looking.” Khadgar: “But how?” Gregor: “Uh… from behind?” After some investigation, the party deduces that Gregor at the very least believes what he is saying. They continue in darkness down the corridor to the other door. Varis unlocks it and enters to see piles of books, scrolls, and a desk with another chest. He pokes it with his sword. Nothing happens. He pokes it again, and still nothing happens. He then opens it to find a large gemstone within. Gavin joins him in the darkness. Out of the corner of his eye, Varis sees dark shapes move along the wall towards them. He quickly wheels Gavin out and slams the door behind them. However, a dark shape seems to slip out from beneath the door. Only Moana and Varis can see this. Moana proceeds to kick open the door only to see a wall of black. Khadgar lights up his staff… and initiative is rolled. Varis identifies them as Shadows and the party fights to eliminate them. Moana and Melody tag team the one in the door while Varis, Gavin, and Khadgar are focusing on the other in the hallway. Gregor strides in and with a muttered incantation, his shield (embossed with a scale and his head in profile) and sword glow bright bluish white and with his Divine Smite dissolves the last shadow. The party continues down the tunnel and gets turned around with the brazier corridor. Varis figures it out the magic of that tunnel and is able to point the party in the right direction.. He runs and completes the tunnel loop while the party goes into the last chamber with the stairs down deeper into the dungeon. Varis finds the little alcove where the “rupee” gem would go. But he decides to not put it in and doesn’t reveal what he found to the party.
Test of Lies and Secrets
The group descends and find the room of darkness. Khadgar’s staff’s light cannot be seen, neither can his “glow stick” or sparks made by Gavin. They freak out and leave. Gregor charges in. Khadgar and Varis run back up to the alcove. Turns out it was a magical seal. The gem opens up to a well kept study. The only thing appearing of worth is an old journal laid open on the desk. It is written in Old Common, which is barely readable to the two. Someone who knows ancient languages and cultures might know how to read it. Gregor continues walking into the darkness and fails the wisdom save, takes psychic damage and begins to hear the whispers. Eventually the voices get loud enough to reveal the solution. He somehow convinces the room that “I killed your god. You’re welcome. *Nat 20*” There is a slight chuckle only he can hear and the darkness fades and dim blue light emanates from the geodes in the cavern roof. Khadgar and Vairs return to the group and give the Melody the journal. Melody flips through the book and discovered the trick to the room. In order to avoid being consumed by the darkness, you must confess your greatest fear or regret.DM note: No one can hear or see anyone who has passed the test until they pass. Those who have passed can see and hear everyone. Failing the save begins the process of falling into the darkness and starts the whispers. The save gets harder and harder the longer you are there. Once under the darkness, you cannot see the exit or hear anyone else; only the whispers. Completing the trial, the darkness dissolves and dim blue light is emitted from geodes in the natural cavern roof.One by one, the party enters. Moana: “My father was right!” Gavin: “I wish things could have been worked out between us.” Varis: “I wish I could have been there for both of you.” Khadgar: “I regret I had to kill my master.” The party, all succeeding, all turn to see Melody standing in the doorway, book open in hand. Trembling, she musters up courage and enters. She does not succumb (repeatedly makes saving throws) to the darkness and eventually emotionally breaks down. Melody: “I’m sorry. I never should have given up searching for you. My little Emily.” With everyone through, Khadgar gives Melody a big hug. Inside the large cavern, they find 3 crescent sabers. Seeing something to take her mind off of what just happened, Melody shows her skills with it. Varis and Moana are really impressed and request lessons to become proficient in ancient weapons. The party then walks through the door into a long tunnel ending in a large door. Varis checks for traps but feels it is too easy and something feels off about it. Melody reveals the history of the site and the culture: The island was once populated by a great and ritualistic society. From what they know, this location was known as Kaleth and was the seat of power on the island. The king had a weapon of great power forged and his rule was long and fierce. He grew crazed and obsessed with his possessions and the pursuit to extend his life. To protect his belongings should he fail, the king laid all of these tests out to deter any thieves. The party wants to prepare but Gregor barges in and torches illuminate the massive chamber.
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