Session 26: The Ziggurat of Tharizdun Report

The Party explores the Ziggurat.

General Summary

1/29/2022

The Mighty Menagerie (3)

Leafall 24, 2020KC

Ziggurat of Tharizdun, below Skola Vale, Skola Vale, Upperdark, The Underdark, The Dark Rain Forest, Kampos Story so far

The party has come to Skola Vale, the home of Calliope Galanodel & the Elder of the Dawngreets and of the Skola Vale, which was overrun by a large band of mercenaries -- paid off by a Warlock. This Warlock, named Bargle has been in the Ziggurat of Tharizdun, below Skola Vale long ago built and hidden with the death of the Archfey, Archfey of the Vale, which originally created the Vale. The creator Archfey had desired to place his Domain as a conduit between the Material Plane and the Shadowfell. The Domain of Dread and death. Instead, it would seem that a long time ago, a band of adventurers with the assistance of other powerful Archfey beings killed him and then made the Domain a conduit between the Material Plane and the Feywild instead. This also placed this large cavern and temple into a pocket universe. Not too long ago, Bast, the cat goddess, came into this pocket universe and took the Gem of Tharizdun, which had been left behind on the Flying Ship. She put it into a magical Bronze orb to hide it from others and to keep it safe. This she imparted to Sas W.T. Rayce, a Tortle hermit. There was a bit of oddness in the last session as they explored the first Flying Ship seen in ages. They also found a strange Black Obelisk and had two Two Obelisk visitors pop in on them.

As the party had been exploring the Airship and the Ziggurat, they were not doing anything too strenuous, and so they were able to get the benefits of a short rest. At this point it is later in the day of the same day they came to the Skola Vale. Retcon

we did discuss Bastion Bladesinger's tattoo -- an eye behind his ear.

Sas Only

Sas W.T. Rayce sees a bright light. She is not with the party. She is in a dream-like state and sees large pyramids and other such things. There is Bast. She speaks to Sas W.T. Rayce about the orb.

Right after the zap from the Black Obelisk which hit Arktos the rest of the party noticed Sas W.T. Rayce was gone. Bastion Bladesinger and Shadow in the Snow saw in the corner of their vision there was a bright white light which bathed Sas W.T. Rayce, and then she was gone. Shadow in the Snow: "Guys…" she then feels around the air where Sas W.T. Rayce was, nothing. Then she starts to investigate the sand in the area and nothing even though she got a 21 in her investigation. Calliope Galanodel was standing next to her and she was distracted with what happened with Arktos. Sas Only

Sas W.T. Rayce finds herself bathed in a bright light, and as you put your hands up to block the light, it begins to fade. You find yourself in a strange desert. The stars in the sky are so innumerable, and the stretch of desert you find yourself in also seems to stretch on for days. It is a cool night with a slight chill, and the smell of sand and calm is all you notice. Then in the distance is a series of 3 large pyramids, a large white stone obelisk, and a Sphynx statue. As you take in the sights, you hear a Familiar feminine voice. You turn to see Bast come up to you.

"I see you have come to learn a bit more of the relic I have given to you. I don't have a lot of time, but first I had to warn you. That is a very powerful item. It is true that I came here to steal it because I have need of it. There is a pharaoh in desperate need of it in The City in the Mist, the one you and the Shadow in the Snow Tabaxi were looking into before. She has the key to get you entry. I need you to protect that orb and get it there when you can. You have time, no need to rush -- but be safe about it. "I also need to be sure you understand the dangers of that orb. It holds immeasurable power that can be used to grant power but should be reserved. The party who used it to power that ship did not risk the dangers -- but if one uses the artifact to give them spells, that risks their sanity. It does allow the wielder to cast a number of spells based on the power level of the wielder… but each spell they get from the orb risks their sanity, and it can be irreversible -- so be sure you are aware of how grave that danger is. "now, I am sure you have questions and will gladly answer what I can, but our time is short. Your friends will worry about you. Sas W.T. Rayce: "can you tell me more about this city?" Bast: "You were on the right track, it is in the desert of Al'Quar. The deserts you had looked into before." Sas W.T. Rayce: "So I need to find the city and give it to someone.." Bast: "yes, the Pharoah. There is more, but.. I can't tell you too much out of fear of changing the future." Sas W.T. Rayce: "How will I know if I get to the right city?" Bast, with a slight laugh: "You'll know. Your friend's coin is the only way to get into the City. And when you get there, there is only one Pharoah." Sas W.T. Rayce: "How come I'm the only one who can see you?" Bast: "I've taken you and brought you here, to my personal plane. Your friends don't know where you have gone, which is why we need to be quick right now." Sas W.T. Rayce: "is the plane where the school is on?" Bast: "no, it's my personal plane. So, just keep researching about the desert. There is an oasis, and when you toss the coin into the lake, you will be sent to the City. But I need to send you back. You can use the orb for its powers, but be wary about using its inherent spells. Those can drive you mad." Sas W.T. Rayce: "Are there others looking for the orb? Is it dangerous?" Bast: "Yes. There are always those seeking those -- be it the followers of Tharizdun or others. This is why it's so important to get to the Pharoah. And without telling too much -- the fate of the whole universe relies on you getting it there." Sas W.T. Rayce: "Oh, no pressure.." Bast: "Yes, that is why I avoid telling you too much." Sas W.T. Rayce: "Am I close to the City?" Bast: "It's on another continent." And the card was updated to the powers it holds. Sas W.T. Rayce: "Is there a time crunch?" Bast: "You have time. I would suggest care in your travels more than expediency. Besides, this current issue you are dealing with may be more important for the immediate time." Sas W.T. Rayce: "Will I see you again?" Bast: "I am sure we will. I have to be careful so that others can't see us, and that's why the orb is so important in protecting that world."

And then the light once again took Sas W.T. Rayce back. It was minutes for Sas W.T. Rayce, but mere seconds to the party where Sas W.T. Rayce was Invisible. Something she knew happened once before to her.

So, a few seconds later, and then Calliope Galanodel & Shadow in the Snow spot Sas W.T. Rayce.

Shadow in the Snow: "oh my gosh -- where'd you go?" Calliope Galanodel: "That's a fun party trick." Sas W.T. Rayce: "I'm sorry, didn't mean to be gone too long. "

They discussed how time was a bit different for the groups. Sas W.T. Rayce talks about how she met Bast and was on her plane. Bast said the orb has powers, but to use the spells, it offers it can cause one to go insane. She said we need to take it to the City in the Mist. It needs to be delivered to the Pharoah there. There is time. Not sure why us, but it was crazy. Shadow in the Snow then asked if Bastion Bladesinger knew the guys who had just shown up. She pointed out how one of them had the same Brooch he had. The silent one who didn't hand over the Ring is the one with the brooch. It was a gift from his mother, but he doesn't remember much about his parents since they died when he was so young. Barlo Only

Barlo starts to trace his claw along the fine lines along the Black Obelisk. Then he hits it with his maul. Not even a scuff mark.

Calliope Galanodel asks if she can touch it. After he touches the Brooch, she learns the Brooch came from his mother, but before then, it belonged to an adventurer named Grognard -- who was friends to the parents. He has a long history, but not much really came through. He had given it to Bastion Bladesinger's mom to protect her, and she gave it to the son to protect him. Thanks to her Glove This also "awakened" a dormant property of the item that Bastion Bladesinger had never even realized was there. It is a Stoneskin Brooch. Upon realizing that he needed some Diamonds to load into the Stoneskin Brooch he sends a Message to Ursa & Lars Heyton.

"Need 2 100gp Diamonds" and he places 220 gp into the Enderbox. A few moments later: "Give me about an hour; I can probably find such Diamonds." Barlo: "How do you know Grognard?" Calliope Galanodel: "That's just what the brooch told me; what's he to you?" Barlo: "No one important, but how do you know him?" Calliope Galanodel: "It's just what it told me; I don't know him." Bastion Bladesinger: "Grognard is the guy who took me in." Barlo: "How long ago was that?" Bastion Bladesinger: "When I was a boy. How do you know Grognard?" Barlo: "I used to go to his place and listen to stories. He would tell us these crazy stories. They were great to listen to."
Bastion Bladesinger is 26, Barlo is 40, so it is very possible that this is the same Grognard who Barlo knew that would later take care of Bastion Bladesinger. As they describe the person, it does seem like that the Grognard Bastion Bladesinger he knew was possibly an older version of the same person.
Shadow in the Snow: "What kinds of stories?" Barlo: "Adventuring stories. Stories of flying in the stars. Typical adventuring stories. Slaying dragons. Taking to the skies and fighting harpies and attacking The Moons. He was a very good storyteller. I don't know how true they were."

Barlo also speaks to how the silent one of the Two Obelisk Strangers, that had just appeared & disappeared, reminded him of Barlo. Shadow in the Snow suggests they might want to get moving and so Barlo agrees it is time to get into the Ziggurat of Tharizdun, below Skola Vale before the others come back. Bastion Bladesinger was able to attune to the Ring with the time they were exploring. As they get to the stairs, they see the statues are of some person with chains. These statues spark a bit of memories in the party. The stories, as they recollect, of Tharizdun, has many forms, and so this is one such form it would seem. He is generally viewed as amorphous darkness or a void -- but this could possibly be an avatar's form. As they step onto the stairs, they notice how abnormally cold the stone is and the area around it. As the party gets onto the stairs, their heads fill with all types of screams and whispers of various voices saying vile things, and this image of Tharizdun in flames comes in their head, and they taste/breathe the smoke. Except for Sas W.T. Rayce, who saw the vision, but not the voices. Then they hear yells behind as the Orcs and Goblin have returned, in force with others in tow. The party prepares to take a stand, so Shadow in the Snow suggests they continue into the Ziggurat, and so they continue in. As they enter the temple, a large stone wall comes down and blocks the entrance with a loud and audible slam. There are four large fire braziers that even lit don't provide a lot of warmth, and the air is cold. It is all black stone; the air is cold. There is a reverse ziggurat on the floor as there are two lower levels, each 3 feet below the one above. This is the Obex, a sign of Tharizdun. On the walls, they see eight Dragon heads, two on each wall -- each has a "glass" orb in their mouth and a black Metal plaque below them. On the bottom is a strange circular pattern.

On the far wall is a large set of Celestial runes carved into the black Rock and below that is Espruar script graffiti which seems to be Undercommon in use.

Carved Celestial Scripts: "Light must be snuffed, perfection decayed, order dissolved, and minds fragmented."

Below that, there is Espruar Scripts. Undercommon graffiti, old and aged -- but even as it has faded over time, it is still readable to those who are knowledgeable in Undercommon: Each of the Dragon heads have two lines written on a black Metal plaque:

For the one who strives to give or take lives

Alter perception with arcane deception

Properties are altered improved or faltered

objects are imbued changed or improved

protect, block and banish or make enemies vanish

reveal information with some concentration

energy is created and manipulated

create arcane features like objects and creatures

Calliope Galanodel reads out the Mantra in Celestial Script, and Barlo reads the graffiti. The party realizes this must be his mantra, the dogma of his followers. This cult had built this tower to honor Tharizdun. The stones for the Dragon heads each have a bit of a different color, like a Sheen or tint as the light hits them. Barlo reads out a loose translation of what the graffiti says. It is a bit of dark mantra added later. Bastion Bladesinger uses his understanding of the Arcana to investigate the Dragon's head and orb to the left of the entrance. Inside of the orbs, they can just barely make out a floating magical symbol it seems. As they are starting to examine these statue heads, they are interrupted by two wraiths that form near the center of the room.

"So you have come to solve the riddle, either to find the treasures or destroy the temple." The party: "Treasure?" "Every temple has some kind of treasure, whether it is the knowledge within or the powers they hold. But the treasures held here are not for you. I don't know if you know how to solve this arcane riddle, and I don't think you've come for the right purposes.




Sword Wraith Warrior
Wraith

The Battle:

Combat Round 01

R.1

Shadow in the Snow pulls out her longbow and attacks the Sword Wraith Warrior and hits with a swarm and arrow attack, but her second arrow misses. Hunter's Mark. Then moved to the first edge.
The Wraith, a figure of Shadow in the Snow, moves right up to the group using its movement but reserves its action.
Sas W.T. Rayce shoots out a Chill Touch on the Wraith, and the hand goes through the Mist; it seems immune to the necrotic powers of the spell.
Bastion Bladesinger casts a Scorching Ray with all three hitting the Wraith, but it is obvious that he has some resistances to fire.
Barlo RAGES and runs to the Shadow in the Snow and then to the Wraith, slamming him with the maul; this Wraith seems to have some resistance to the damage of a magic weapon.
The Sword Wraith Warrior: "Our job is to protect this place, and we shall do as we've always done." he then summons his bow to his hand and shoots at Shadow in the Snow. The spectral arrow hits, but its second attack (which opened it up to opposing attacks to have advantage) it misses. Taking out Shadow in the Snow's Hunter Mark.
Calliope Galanodel throws a Vicious Mockery at the Wraith: "Are you too chicken to show us your full self? Burn."
The insult doesn't land, and he was able to resist it. So she moves up to the Brazier.

Combat Round 02

R.2

Shadow in the Snow attacks with the bow again and her swarm, two times.
The Wraith reaches out at Barlo, seeking to life drain him, but Barlo's tail swipes up and disrupts the attack.
Arktos runs up to the Wraith and lashes out to attack with his beak, but it does no damage. So he is now confused & angry.
Sas W.T. Rayce used her action to move closer to the Wraith.
Bastion Bladesinger Cast Ray of Frost on the Wraith. It hit, but it seemed resistant to cold damage.
Barlo shifts to his left to get the flanking advantage on the Wraith, and he slams down on him.
The Sword Wraith Warrior shoots two arrows at Barlo, with the first hitting and the second missing.
Calliope Galanodel brings out the Cloud of Daggers and places it into the area where the Wraith is at.

Combat Round 03

R.3

Shadow in the Snow takes advantage due to Sword Wraith Warrior's previous attack and misses, but gets the second arrow and swarm to connect. He is getting bloody.
Calliope Galanodel's daggers damage the Wraith.
The Wraith tries to reach out to Barlo again and connects -- He fails his con save, allowing the Wraith to drain some life force which reduced his full HP by 26 (counting the Temp from the Feast) -- recoverable after a Long Rest.
Arktos ferociously grows & roars, then takes the dodge action.
Sas W.T. Rayce casts Shillelagh on her club, yells "Shillelagh," and hits him from the top down, and the corpse falls, and it slowly sinks into the cracks.
Bastion Bladesinger moves towards the Sword Wraith Warrior and shifts the Hex, then blasts a Ray of Frost and is able to kill it -- He pointed his finger at him, and you could see a hole through the head, and then it drops, slowly melting into the cracks of the bricks.



☠️ ☠️ Sas




t Combat Experience: 2500 (500 Each) | Total: 17,080 (Next Goal: 23,000) t

Barlo had been reading the Monster Hunting Guide and realized there might be value in the Wraith motes. He put what he could into an empty bottle he had (survival 9), and using his knitting needle; he got just a bit of "Wraith Dust Dust," a very small amount as it crumbled and disintegrated as he collected -- It didn't help when Arktos came over and sneezed. Then Bastion Bladesinger thought of Arcane Challenges and how this might be an arcane challenge. These Arcana Tests require a person to cast the right spells or to emulate what the kind of magic would do. School of Illusion - discussed using the Uncommon Glamerweave Bastion Bladesinger shot a Ray of Frost at the Evocation one, and a red symbol of light representing the Evocation school shot up through the cracks near the edge of the Obex. The party starts going back and forth to figure out all the Dragon heads. Transmutation: Bastion Bladesinger casts Prestidigitation, and the orange sigil appears. Divination: Shadow in the Snow goes over to it and shoots Hunter's Mark at it. White sigil. Barlo: "Keep going, you guys are getting it., let me see something -- where is the Enchantment one?" He runs over to it and swings his maul at it, but at the last moment and just taps it. "My weapon is enchanted; it should work, right?" Nothing happens; he sits down. Calliope Galanodel uses Mage Hand on the Conjuration, and it gets sucked in, and the orb glows yellow. Yellow sigil. She was about to cast Counterspell, but they then realized that it might be best to use the cantrips. Sas W.T. Rayce casts Chill Touch on the Necromancy one as the skull hand comes up and grabs the glass; it gets sucked in -- green light and sigil. Abjuration - Shadow in the Snow casts pass without a trace, and the fuzzy appearance she takes on gets sucked into the glass. Enchantment -- Calliope Galanodel's Vicious Mockery "Stop being such a punk." and it glows a purple hue. The center of the room has a sound, the center disappears, and a stairwell goes down, the room goes dark, and a red circular marking -- that of Tharizdun -- lights up. In the center of the circular stairwell is a very large stalagmite that reaches up and then is shaped into a Dragon's hand holding another orb.

Barlo "Wait!! we have been down such stairwells." they begin investigating the stairwell and walk down very carefully. The stairwell goes down very deep, past their 60 feet of Darkvision. Shadow in the Snow leads.

As they get to the bottom, it gets colder. It is a small room with a hallway that bends at the end. They hear noises and rustling sounds. Then voices. Down the hall that bounces off the walls.

Conversation (overheard) "Bargle, so, what now? We have searched this area, and that orb is not to be found." "I realize that. I don't know how it could have been removed. That orb should have been in the ship or somewhere around here, but with the other deific artifacts stored in this temple, I would have assumed it would be in here. "Why not just the orb you have to get back? "If I just wanted to go back to Mystara, I could have done that at any time since I got this orb that holds my Realm's power -- I'd leave that behind. All that was and will be, but that would mean I'd have to sacrifice the orb. I have yet to find a way to return with the orb. That's why it's so important to find another one. I was sure this one would be the easiest to get. "Hey, now that the winter issue at that island is handled, maybe we can try to find that kid. Didn't you say his hat might have an orb to Vader's Realm? "Venger's Realm. " he corrects him., "And it is possible it is in that magic hat of his. I suppose that is one trail we can go down. All I know is that hiring this merc outfit has drained a majority of my financial resources. I suppose we can take the ship as a "prize" -- we can take that to Arcane Order and see if they will fund the excursion to Outding. besides -- the rumor is that they have built a bit of a magic research facility there now. Maybe the rumors of a Mystical Forge on that island are true. "I know my contact from Philander said they had a Forge out there, but it is in control by the local village. She said to leave that one alone for now, but then again, I haven't heard from Vyerith in some time. She was supposed to leave via Neyer, but she never made it there, and it seems her contact from the Road never made it either. He was lost at sea. Fine… I'm done with this place. Let's go see if we can find this Pradam kid; even if he doesn't have the orb, I know he has some very interesting items anyways. "

The voices seem to move further away.

Bastion Bladesinger "Should we stop them?" Shadow in the Snow: "wow, that was a lot. We should warn Lars Heyton, but yeah -- we should go after them." Calliope Galanodel " should we send a note ?" Shadow in the Snow "we need to get these guys." Sas W.T. Rayce: "Do we let them go?" Barlo, Shadow in the Snow, Calliope Galanodel: "No, we get them."

The party remembers that Pradam Estorich was the kid from another "world" with the Fortunate Mead Heroes. They go stealthily down the hall (attempt at least).

They come into a large room; a large curved structure in the center goes down into deep pits—large skulls in the pits, a huge door structure behind some throne-looking structure. Orcs and Troglodytes are rummaging throughout the room, with a Satyr in the center.

A pale well-groomed man across the room with a black manicured goatee and the Satyr Warlock of Tharizdun says to him, "Boss, they made it down here after all." Bargle: "Oh, so you made it here after all." Sas W.T. Rayce: "were you expecting us?" Barlo: "Yeah?" Satyr Warlock of Tharizdun: " I had a feeling you would get involved. I had hoped the Dragon would get you." (Probably a reference to Almandine Barlo: "that little thing?" Sas W.T. Rayce: "Excuse me, who are you?" Satyr Warlock of Tharizdun, with a deep sigh: "My name is Bargle." Calliope Galanodel: "Bless you." Barlo laughs and points. As well as the others. Satyr Warlock of Tharizdun: "okay, I'll let you guys handle the easy work."

**Left in the hidden room of the Ziggurat of Tharizdun, below Skola Vale about to fight Bargle & Satyr Warlock of Tharizdun**

Rewards Granted

A bit of "Wraith Dust"

Experience

t Combat Experience: 2500 (500 Each) | Total: 17,080 (Next Goal: 23,000) t

Missions/Quests Completed

Solved the Arcane Challenge in the Ziggurat of Tharizdun, below Skola Vale

Character(s) interacted with

Created Content

11 (Leafall)

Leafall 24, 2020 KC, Evening

Explored Temple and discovered Bargle

— Timeline of The Mighty Menagerie

Misc

Leafall

Two Obelisk Strangers

Notes

Sas's vision
Bast...
The Brooch.
Grognard and his shared past with the party.
The Arcane challenge.
Who is Bargle? He seems to be from "Mystara" and has an orb (333 Gems of Tharizdun) for his home realm. He seems to want another since one will be destroyed to get him home. He wants power.
Seems Pradam might have an orb in his hat, and Pradam is from "Venger's Realm". The Arcane Order would like the Adventurer Class Airship.
Magic research facility at Outding Refuge?
Vyerith is still around, and came from Philander. She is aware of a forge they have there (it is controlled by the local village). She told Bargle to leave it alone right now. She has a contact with "The Road". She was supposed to meet one of their contacts, but he was lost at sea.
Seems Bargle expected the party to get involved. He was the one who used Almandine to attack the party.

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