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Session Recaps

Mon, Jan 24th 2022 08:29
Session 1: Fate? by Nomad
  We gathered at the Yawning Portal. Not my first choice, but it's not for me to decide. Turns out that's where everyone else was anyway, which already puts me on edge. When that newcomer, Jain, I believe, talked about his dream, then we realized we all had the same one, I started thinking there was a lot more to this. There are no coincidences.
  Good to see everyone again, though. Didn't think I'd see Saddachbia and Regulus again, but here they are. Same with Angus. Glad to see the big guy still gentle and fierce as ever. Atka too. Kal, Illidrex, and I came off like old friends even if I didn't say much to them. Jain seems nice enough. Curious fellow. Honorine' s here too. Glad to have her guarding my back. And someone else I didn't expect; the imp himself. I was relieved my brother made it back from his travels. Good to be reunited with Orian.
  Night starts off well enough. Got my orders. So do they, apparently, even if I'm not sure who they're answering too. Drinking like old friends. We go up for another round and someone starts a row with some Warforged. Been seeing more of them lately, but it doesn't matter since they're the innocent ones here. Angus, Regulus, and I move to intervene, but the whole place goes still when Regulus shakes the foundations with that roar of his. He escorts the troublemakers out, and we keep drinking. At the bar, Durin's in a good mood thanks to us. Honorine and I talk to him about that bottle of wine the Zhentarim want so bad. I tell him the truth, which surprises him given the company I keep, but he appreciates it. Says we'll talk more later.
  Illidrex disappears for bit and goes to take care of some Gauntlet business. Needs to get someone released and finds the man who can get it done. It takes some doing, and damn, that one's got some talent he keeps secret till the time calls for it, but he gets the job done. Threats and a silver tongue, he makes them both work. Even gets a nice purse by the end of the night with some knife games.
  Regulus and Angus are working for the Enclave, and they find their contact with a special seed that'll help the Sword Coast if it gets planted. The agent isn't too keen on helping someone else they have a history with, but those two show how gentle their souls can be when it comes to matters more important than swinging and axe or maul. They convince the agent, get the seed, then join us back at the table for talk of old times.
  Orian gets away himself for a bit. Not sure how he pulled it off, but he manages to sneak upstairs to the restricted rooms and find his mark. He even picks the lock on the door with his sword. Never seen that done, but the Imp always surprises me. He gets the cache, jumps out the window, and comes right back inside as if nothing happened, and he and I are laughing about old times and celebrating his success. I know him and Atka are doing the Alliance proud.
  Kal, Jain, and Saddachbia have their mission from the Harpers. Need to find a guy who knows how to navigate the magical defenses of Xanathar's hoard or something like that. They find their man, but he's guarded by lackeys. I'm not one for dabbling in the affairs of wizards, and I still can't make out what Saddachbia really is, but between the three of them, I'm not in any more of a hurry. They disarm a whole group of thugs without drawing a blade. Magical fire that doesn't burn, sapping spells, and some help from Illidrex from what I gather get the job done, and then Saddachbia is inside the guy's head with that power of his. They find out about a dwarf with a staff who knows more. It's not much to go on, but it's something. Some kind of internal job too, so Xanathar won't be happy.
  Then there's Honorine and I. Durin takes me up on my offer to earn that bottle of wine. Tells me to gear up, grabs his sword, and we head out back. He's looking for a fight. In this form, I'm still nothing like the warrior I once was, even if old powers are reawakening. And that old fuck can move when he wants to. Comes at me like a pissed off bull during mating season, but Honorine is throwing insults from the shadows. Throws off his focus. I make it through one engagement. Then another. And again. Can't believe it, but after a bit, he even leaves me an opening. I come away bleeding, but with a win, and he's a man of his word. Gives me the bottle and we start swapping war stories. Even gives me tips on where I can find other Zhentarim, both good and bad. Good guy. I hope I can help get rid of the Black Network. Don't want to see anything else happen to him or his business.
  We don't get long to breathe after that. A group of adventurers that went down the hole don't come back up. Instead, roars, screams, metal on metal. Battle is joined, and a massive troll is standing in front of all of us with some other beasts.
  Time to get to work.
  Session 2: Deadly Intrigue by Nomad
  Right away we all know this is going to be a rough fight. Sturges all over, flying up to both floors and going after everyone, and that troll is covered in puss and rot, poisoning everything around it. We all get to it, Honorine striking first and getting the troll's attention along with Sadachbia with his biting magic. Illidrex takes a sturge down and gives me an opening to call on some old tricks. Regulus and Atka are swatting the buggers up top, and Angus is busy pushing people out of harm's way. Guess I shouldn't be surprised, he's always put others first. Sad to see a few folks get dropped, but the acid and poison these things are leaking melt through everything. The troll is about to go on a warpath, so I step in. And then an old enemy decides to get involved. Don't want to think much more about it beyond the power I'm given, but it burns through the troll well enough in one swing. It's out of the fight, then we're on to the remaining sturges which don't last long. It's over quick after that. Sadachbia is patching people up.
  Durnan tells us the measures he's got in place to stop stuff like this from happening. It takes some doing--fixing the runes that keep beasts away. Minor repairs, but Sadachbia and Regulus get it done. Up top there' some investigating of the troll as well as harvesting some items. Turns out someone tried to implant a green dragon's poison bladder in this thing and it went horribly wrong, but it was also led to the Yawning Portal and turned loose. Something's going on in Skullport.
  Regulus gets approached by a guy named Volo. We all talk with him in private and find out he's got a friend missing and he's willing to pay big to get him back. We need to find Floon, and last he was seen, he was getting involved with the wrong crowd. The Black Network. I know it's not something the Zhentarim like me doing, but I level with the others. They need to know what they're walking into. Black Network has been stirring up trouble with Xanathar's gang and making the Zhentarim take the fall for it. They need to know who's fighting on their side and who they need to be fight against. We send Volo on his way and tell him we'll find his friend. He pays us, then heads his way as I head mine and go to confront a potential problem. It's a tense introduction, but I meet another member of the Zhent, and he introduces me around. Doom Raiders...Need to work with them soon. And talk with Grek, if he'll give me the time.
  We decide to get some rest after that. Next morning, Sadachbia catches a strange sight. Rats in the Yawning Portal too, which has Durnan in a tizzy because there shouldn't be any rats in here thanks to the wards. Sadachbia goes to investigate, turning into a rat himself and then gets jumped somewhere in the walls. Comes out a bit bloody and tells us there's someone or something trying to mess with the Yawning Portal. Durnan's irritated, but now he knows he's got enemies. Or at least, people spying on him. Here's hoping we can help him out.
  Then it's off to gear up because we're about to head to the Dock Ward and the place isn't exactly welcoming to folks like us. Black Network sure to be there, so we need to be ready. Illidrex pulls some strings, makes some introductions for us after we sell some goods. Good Steel is where we end up. Meet an acquaintance of his who fought in the War. She helps get us outfitted first, then we get to the clothes shop with the name that's too long for me to remember. Illidrex and the others get what they need.
  A gang war, murders in the trade district, this business at the Yawning Portal, and now we're off to find a high-profile missing person...I guess poking the Black Network is a good place to start.
  Session 3: Finding Floon - Take 1. by Atka Marduk
  It all started with a quick visit to the Skewered Dragon (where Volo said he and Floon went). Illidrex knew where it was, so we knew where to go. However, as we approached, a large crowd was surrounding the place. Angus and I were able to see over the guards three Xanathar (as we discovered) men murdered in front of the bar. After asking around, we found out which way two rich looking red headed men were heading.
  We followed that street. Kal spotted a halfing man peering out a shop window. We investigated, bribed him for the information that one was drunk, both noble and red haired, and both went to the Blushing Mermaid after encountering “men in black” on the street. Sadachbia got poisoned by dream most that was wafting in this place.
  Being that the Blushing Mermaid is Illidrex’s home, we investigated there. Found that the two never made it. So being that we had time to kill while the murders at the Skewered Dragon were cleaned up, we attempted the sidequest of the child’s lullaby being heard from a well.
  We found the well…which gave no echos to our voices and basically had no bottom - it seemed to eat the falling torch I dropped down there. Illidrex played a child’s lullaby and it echoed that! Kal and Sadachbia went to research abyssal and demon knowledge at their library because Angus noticed a peculiar reaction from the war he was in as Illidrex played. Illidrex, Angus and I experimented with the hole during that time.
  Sadachbia discovered that it was part of a demonic ritual that needed to be completed to be put at rest (either summoned or pushed back). Kal ran back to tell the others to stop experimenting. Then Sadachbia talked to the mages of the library and found that there was a container to bring the material component causing the abyssal illusion to a safer place to perform the ritual but it would take our time. He went back to the group to inform.
  Angus, upon learning of the nature of the well, fashioned rations to a hunting trap and rope to “fish” out the material component. It worked. And it was revealed to be a small girl’s teddy bear. Kal adeptly (almost too adeptly according to Angus) performed the ritual exposing and then pushing the demon back, reducing the component to a normal bear. He pocketed the item.
  Then we went to the Skewered Dragon. Atka gambled, Angus arm wrestled, Illidrex, Kal and Sadachbia listened for any clues. To create distraction (and drunken openness) Illidrex and I performed for them: me dancing and Illidrex throwing knives through my act. It got us the information we needed. Floon was taken to Candlelane, a dark street with only one light.
  Once there, the group spotted a warehouse. And long story short, because of the markings being the same as those rumored to have taken Floon, we ambushed them. I fell through stairs and discovered a red haired prisoner I recognized. Not Floon. But I knew immediately, my long mission for HIM was over.
  After the battle, Illidrex and Angus interrogated the remaining enemy. They found out that Floon was at “their headquarters” and we were to “follow the yellow signs.”
  The other red head? The son of my Dagult Neverember (Rainor). He hates me for actions between me and Dagult, who he believes to have embezzled money from the people and is now responsible for nefarious people wanting him (Rainor). I begged to take him home because Dagult needed him, swearing that he didn’t love me. He refused and demanded to know my feelings. I dodged the question.
  Illidrex convinced him to join our party if we helped find Floon then fix the embezzlement, since it was in our interests anyway. He disguised Rainor, we agreed to meet and depart in the morning at the Yawning Portal...
  Session 4: Finding Floon Part II By: Nomad
  Day starts off well enough. Rainar is meeting us at the Portal. I keep making contacts with the Zhentarim agents here. Hoping I can do what I came here to do and stay out of the worst of this. Doesn't seem like a place for any would-be heroes. Regulus and Orion have a little moment, but Durnan takes it well even though the Regulus shatters a keg of ale. All in good fun. Honorine adds to the voices in my head after that. Not as much fun when I can't tell if the voice is real or not. Not her fault.
  Rainar shows up and we set off. Thankfully working with the Zhentarim has given me an idea of what we can look for to find the Xanathar hideout. Along the way, Kal tells me he and Illidrex are being followed by some drow of a gang or band of some sort. Bregan D'aerthe. Don't know what that means, but Kal tells it to me in Abyssal and Angus doesn't like it, but I vouch for him and let the big guy know Kal can be trusted. It's enough for him. His honor hasn't changed a bit.
  We find the lair pretty quick with all of us looking. Trail ends at a sewer cap, and before we head in, we gear up and get what we need, then we head down. Right away we're confronted by beholders, or littler versions of their kind. They hold us up, tell us they're ordered not to let anyone by. Honorine and Orion manage to talk their way past, but then I fuck the whole thing up when I think I can play diplomat and maybe broker some peace between Xanathar's guild and mine. Dumb mistake. They try to kill us quick after that, and the fight is tough but we manage it. Now I'm blaming myself for putting them in a bind, but Illidrex waves it off. Tells me to get over it. We got someone to save. He's right, so we move on.
  Not long till we run into the next fight after that. One of the passages lead to a tavern basement and inside is a halfling and two giant rats beside her. Warns us to stay away, and when I step into the room, she's already turned into a wererat and attacking. Thankfully Angus and Regulus are there with their silvered weapons, and they're done quick enough. We explore a bit and find some locked doors and steps that lead up into a halfling pub of some sort, all of them hairy. All of them halflings. We note it, but then we're heading deeper into the sewers.
  Minor obstacles bar our way but we make it past well enough. Even find some gear and other items before we happen upon some goblins. Thankfully, they're not looking for a fight. We move past, then find ourselves in a bigger cavern and bridge guarded by two kenku. Illidrex sneaks in and manages to dodge a nasty trap that drops a giant boulder. Even manages to push one of the kenku off the bridge while he's at it. But now we have to get to him before anything else happens.
  Session 5: Found Floon...And a lot More. By: Nomad
  These Xanathar mercs know how to secure the place, I'll give them that. After the boulder comes down, magical glyphs, oil traps, and giant, swinging logs all bar our way. If Regulus cares at all, he doesn't show it. Barges right through the worst of it and paves the way. The Imp takes a more calculated approach, flies up and cuts the lines on the traps. Some magic from Jain reduces the flames from the oil traps, and some clever druidcraft from Sadachbia keeps the runes from blowing us to the 9 Hells. Well done all. I scramble up the boulder ready to help a few of them over, but then Regulus is facing down a room full of crossbows. After he scares the piss out of a few of them, I'm jumping in to help, and fuck if I know how, but somehow I'm sliding down the slope on his shield, clearing the enemy lines, and then even the shield kicks out and almost finishes the one right in front of me after he's pinned to the wall by Regulus's spear. A quick slash, his head rolls, and they've lost all taste for the fight. After they flee, we loot the room. A trapper is waiting for us. Tries to make a meal out of me, but the others are there to help, and I'm free soon enough. Honorine disappears while this is happening, but is able to scope out what's ahead. Renaer is itching to get to Floon, so we're moving.
  Honorine is back and warning us about what's ahead. A monster in the room we're trying to cross, Duergar, and even a mindflayer are ahead. We know it ain't getting easier from here, but we have to press on. The thing they're calling "the experiment" tries to drag a few of us in the water as we cross. Regulus and Atka almost get pulled in, but we manage to make it through after we decide this isn't the fight we're looking for. But Torm's fury, the next room erupts into chaos as we try to get to Floon. That troublemaker from the Yawning Portal is down here along with a mage, a set of gazers, the Duergar clerics, and some little monstrosity that's a brain with legs and claws. Before the mindflayer leaves through a portal, it aggravates an abomination I've never seen before, and Sadachbia calls out to be careful of the "mindwitness." Things aren't going well after the mage unleashes a storm of spells on us, but we're all finding our resolve. I hope the others don't remember or don't care about what I did, but I know Asmodeus is smiling after I unleash the power of his influence to try and save some of them. Didn't see what else I could do, but I wasn't gonna let them die down there, even if it complicates things moving forward. At least it does the trick along with some Zhentarim help harassing the mindwitness. I take the fight to the mage while the other enemies are too scared of what I am to keep pressing harder. Everyone's looking out for each other now. We get our fallen friends back up. Jain uses his magic to bend gravity to his will and turn it on our enemies, and Atka burns the little brain to death some acid to help Jain's counter assault. Kal puts his owl and magic to deadly effect, that little beast of his ripping enemies apart, eye for eye. Regulus and Honorine are clearing up the rest while Sadachbia is healing us all the while. When I put down the mage, everyone closes in on the mindwitness. That beast is imposing, but so are we. It's dead pretty quick, and I'm beginning to realize this is no ordinary group of fellows I've fallen in with. There's a reason we were all in that dream together, even if I can't see it yet. 9 Hells, been a long time since I've seen warriors like this. Even longer since I fought beside this many. Glad they're on my side.
  Floon is in rough shape, but we get him out. (Fuck, Regulus is strong...) After we heal him and get him something to eat and drink, it's easy to see why they mistook him for Renaer. We make the most of what we can out of their stashed goods. A few trophies and some spoils will go a long way in the future, and the gold they left us is appreciated. Now it's time to figure out why in all of Heaven's name there's a mindflayer in the sewers beneath Waterdeep.
  What's really going on here?
  Session 6 Recap:
  -the party determines to go investigate their new property and the legitimacy of its haunted-ness.
  -Nomad takes Kal and Angus aside, revealing himself and his past. Angus offers to help Nomad purify himself from Hell’s influence. Kal also intends to aid him.
  -Nomad and Honorine talk with representatives of the Zhentarim. More information is needed to move fully against the Black Network.
  -Illidrex gets a new companion watchdog with Angus’s help.
  -Sadachbia helps Nomad summon a spectral steed
  -upon arriving at the manor, the owner of a nearby establishment warns the party not to go in. So does Orion who has an “instinct” on the situation.
  -after initial contact with a poltergeist, the party discovers a demonic summoning circle which a balor claws through. After questioning, a sacrifice to Glasya was made there, trapping the spirit of the poltergeist in exchange for the balor’s service to “break a contract” with Glasya on behalf of the summoners. An impossibility.
  -no longer bound, the balor leaves, but opens a portal to the abyss. Waves of demons pour out, but the party repels them and kills then to the last.
  -after the disturbance, a large force of the watch arrive. Jain and Illidrex try to dissuade them from arresting the party, but Angus is able to convince them of his status as a warden, delaying any arrests. Illidrex is still a murder suspect however.
  -now free of the demonic curse, the spirit of the poltergeist still resides in the manor, but the property is cleansed of any possession.
  Session 7 recap
  -Illidrex dresses Lif for the part. He now wears a bow tie, vest, monocle, and gloves. Nomad offers him atonement through Torm. Lif accepts, the ritual is a success.
  -Angus and Illidrex seek legal council. A blue dragonborne named Ithshasar takes their case and successfully defends Angus, exonerating him of all charges.
  -Nomad, Kal, and Honorine go to speak with Arkan Valenier, exchanging information for information. They learn an evil wizard named Manshun has returned and is leading the Black Network. Arkan asks for discretion and not to repeat that name, then writes them a letter of recommendation to the sages of the Mage’s Guild, who will be able to decipher the mystery of the Stone of Galorre.
  -Illidrex, Atka, and Angus seek out Angus’s mentor who helps Atka reconcile her past. He also reveals Mamnen is still alive. Atka warns her allies there may be trouble ahead upon returning to the Wandering Spirits. They all resolve to help her.
  -Nomad and Orion help Kal summon a pair of demons for questioning. After some interrogation, they reveal their true names and confirm the demonic incident of the manor was an isolated event.
  -The group shares a bit more about themselves and their pasts to one another, all resolved in their alliance, and in some cases, friendship, before the information about the Black Network is disclosed save for the wizard’s name. It’s decided they should go to the sages immediately to prevent any further harm by finding the Stone of Gallorre before their rivals or the Black Network.
  Session 8 Recap
  -Upon exiting the Wandering Spirits, bodies are strewn across the streets and Xanathar and Black Network agents start firing upon them. One of the victims is Renaer, but Nomad heals him and Regulus takes him to safety. "She has the stone," he says before passing out.
  -A chaotic battle ensues involving trees flying through walls, acrobatic roof running, supernovas, assassinations, gargoyle cliff-hanger battles, and minimal property damage. When the Watch arrives, a figure is seen fleeing from the scene. Nomad, Regulus, and Sadachbia give chase. The rest of the party stays to take care of Renaer and address the guards. Honorine talks her way out of trouble. Angus calls his lawyer. Illidrex plays the hero to avoid trouble.
  -The three pursuers close the distance to their quarry. Regulus delivers a killing blow and retrieves the Stone of Golorr. However, the identity of the woman is revealed, and Nomad's daughter Zora lies dying. Nomad and Sadachbia rush to save her. Nomad prays to Torm, and the god grants him the power to save his daughter just as a fissure to Hell opens beside them and a troupe of devils and a pair of humans come through to claim the Stone.
  -A standoff ensues, the other members of the party sensing something is amiss and rushing to help. Orion befriends the Griffon Guard and rushes to help beside them. Amidst the confrontation, Nomad and Sadachbia hear two humans working with the fiends say "Victoro won't be pleased." A fight is about to ensue when divine light washes over Nomad, Sadachbia, Regulus, and Zora. The four, as well as the rest of the party are transported back to the Wandering Spirits.
  -Tense questioning and disclosures abound as Nomad learns of his daughter's involvement with the workings in Waterdeep, as well as her romantic involvement with Renaer. Zora has recently stolen the Stone from a noble family called the Casselanter's, who's presiding lord is named Victoro.
  -Zora and Renaer believe the Stone is safest with the party, and entrust it to them before the party rests. Greif-stricken over nearly killing Nomad's daughter, Regulus leaves the party, as does Sadachbia with an angry and resigned demeanor. Nomad gets the rest of the story from Zora and what she's been up to since he first left for Waterdeep. She discloses that Manshoon is after her and the stone, and is also the Ring Master that condemned Atka to her life of servitude.
  -Nomad and Illidrex find out who's been accusing Illidrex of murder and plan to investigate.
  -Nomad and Sadachbia share more of their histories, Sadachbia disclosing he's had another vision with dreadful implications for them and their world. The pair believe there's something terrible coming and know they need to learn more.
  -Regulus confronts Renaer, angry with the man about not telling them about his involvement with Zora and putting her in danger for it. A fight ensues, and Renaer is left nearly dead as a result.
  -Honorine, while seeking Regulus, finds the wounded Renaer and takes him to be healed. When he wakes, he threatens the party and Honorine. She moves to incapacitate him, but exacerbates his wounds. Renaer dies as a result.
  -Regulus returns to the party and has a discussion with Nomad. The two make peace. Meanwhile, Honorine also helps Regulus cope with his shame. After that, members of the party begin to act strangely, most of them reaching to take or claim the Stone of Golorr.
  -It's discovered the Stone is sentient, and is controlling some of their actions. Orion learns that the stone is an artifact of significant power and urges caution. Resilient to the Stone's influence, Nomad holds it and learns it wishes to connect with him and attune. Orion and the others agree to let Nomad do so.
  -After bonding with the item, Nomad hears a voice in his mind. "Hello Callum."
  Session 9 Recap
  -Nomad communes with the Stone of Golorr, discovering it knows the location of Dagult's hoard as well as the methods to find it. However, it gives a cryptic warning that there's much more afoot than mere treasure, and if Nomad and the others don't realize that, they'll die like everyone else. During the night, the stone shifts hands to Regulus, leaving Nomad with no memory of the discussion.
  -Morning arrives and so does inspector Blastwind with a number of the Watch. He and Nomad discuss the happenings of the last incident. Nomad is honest and claims self defense as well as intervention for any violence committed, courteous throughout the exchange and assuring the inspector he has no enemies among the group. Blastwind is unconvinced, but leaves without arresting anyone.
  -Another figure arrives: Meloon Wardragon representing another secret group of Waterdeep who acts on behalf of Lareal Silverhand. He sings high praise of the party, offers his support, then tells the party of the location where Xanathar's and the Black Network will strike next. He says he'll be in touch, and when trying to leave, his axe is magically stuck to the floor. Only Regulus can lift it, and the axe reveals itself to be sentient, seeks a worthy champion, and warns Regulus that the man before him is an imposter, made so by an intellect devourer. The corpse now masquerades as Meloon on behalf of Xanathar.
  -Kal, Illidrex, and Orion all follow the imposter back to its lair, discovering the entrance to Xanathar's hideout. Meanwhile, the others stay behind to greet the returning Sadachbia, who now has the Stone of Golorr in his possession. More confusion ensues, but a record is kept of what the stone has disclosed and to whom.
  -Sadachbia succeeds in reasoning with the stone, and the party sets off to visit Xoblob, the Svirfneblin shop owner, guided to do so by the stone. When they arrive, the stone helps them to prompt Xoblov to explain his theories involving the infinite multiverse, the Life Equation, and the current state of Faerun. It's discovered that, simplistically put, too much life has come to Faerun largely because of the influx of warforged, and that a cosmic balance has been upset since Tiamat's incursion. As a result, a terrible, annihilating force is coming to restore balance. Xoblob is mortified, and the stone guides the party to get the first "key." Nomad pays Xoblob 500 gold for the eye of a beholder. The stone then needs more time to recall the next "key."
  -The party then sets off to investigate the strange figures tailing Illidrex. They reach the dock ward, and after some questioning, the boat and the old man accusing Illidrex. Illidrex talks his way onto the ship after showing them the gun he's come to possess, and after some tense negotiations, succeeds in gaining an audience with the group's leader.
  -After a time, the leader and Illidrex take off their masks and reveal their true nature's. Jarlaxle of Bregan D'earthe claims Illidrex could be of great use to them, and in exchange for a gift, wants half of Dagult's hoard. He then shoots the drow next to him in the knee and offers Illidrex the choice. Illidrex "accepts" the terms, then takes grisly vengeance on the wounded drow, honoring Hoar. Honorine sneaks past the ship's guards and witnesses the spectacle to confirm nothing ill has befallen Illidrex. The party leave Illidrex to his task and return to the Wandering Spirits.
  -Resolved to visit Lareal Silverhand the following day to inquire about the axe and Meloon, they are about to rest when there's a strange disturbance. Undead burst through the windows and doors, and the fight is on.
  Session 10 recap
  -Undead flood the Wandering Spirits in the form of poultergeists, zombies, skeletons, and cultists. The party responds in quick order. Angus bars the back entrance. Nomad and Illidrex deliver death from above. Atka demonstrates combat superiority. Kal begins summoning in earnest. Sadachbia blasts and retorts with celestial might. Honorine snipes from the shadows. Orion ventures outside and calls the griffon riders.
  -The fight escalates as wraiths and ghosts now engage the party. Illidrex erupts in radiant fury while the others continue to hold the line to drive back the undead.
  -Sadachbia is impaled by an unseen assailant and taken from the battlefield. He later reappears outside gravely wounded but manages to escape from the Boneclaw that seized him. Atka is guided by a voice and responds first to the threat while Nomad heals Sadachbia before the party rushes to engage the new threat. Kal focuses his arcane power and tells Nomad "go all out," then restores all of his abilities.
  -Nomad unleashes smite after smite, aided by Orion to land critical strikes while everyone around him works in concert with one another to eventually bring the undead monstrosity down. The battle concludes shortly after the Boneclaw's defeat.
  -Sadachbia reveals that Manshoon has taken the Stone of Golorr, but the stone imparted some final wisdom to the druid before their parting. Furthermore, Sadachbia REMEMBERS possessing the stone and their discussions. The party will need a Bronze Dragon Scale, and a "Rare Dwarven Ale" that Nomad reveals is on its way to the Wandering Spirits. 2 of the 4 keys to Dagult's hoard are theirs.
  -More discussion occurs between the party as Illidrex removes his mask and reveals his marred visage. He discloses what he did to achieve vengeance against his old foes. Nomad asks him not to torture anyone. Members of the party have mixed feelings about the subject, as well as those who partake of the practice.
  -Nomad and Orion spar over the subject of torture, their past interactions coming into play. Nomad tells Orion he's sorry he left him, Orianna, and Zora even though he was hoping to protect them. The two make peace.
  -Atka has questions about the voice while also revealing she knows where Manshoon is. Angus encourages her to speak with Orion, and upon questioning, Orion reveals how he's been able to see what are otherwise unseen threats. A key phrase is uttered, he snaps his fingers, and an imp appears on his shoulder. "Everyone, this is Imperius," he tells them.
  Sub Session 9/27/22 Recap: -The boneclaw reforms and withdraws.
  -Illidrex has Sadachbia cast detect magic on him in the hopes of discovering any magical divination that might be monitoring him. None is detected, but his deck of cards has a magical presence.
  -The inspectors arrive promptly in the morning, but Lady Laerel Silverhand, open Lord of Waterdeep is with them. She commends the party for their efforts against Manshoon and gives them an offer in exchange for their loyalty to protect the city of Waterdeep. A set of badges that grant them a degree of amnesty from the city's laws and authorities, which also grant a +2 to AC to everyone except Nomad. (+2 if you don't use a shield with it.) It also grants the wearer a direct line of communication to Lady Silverhand, who is the only one who knows the wearer's location.
  -Angus receives a vision and sees a different plane while hearing a voice in his head. It tells him it can help him harness his rage and that his friends only see him as a monster. Angus is defiant to the voice, telling it he needs no help from evil, and that he will continue to do good. The voice says it will be waiting. The vision ends.
  -Nomad askes Sadachbia and Angus to look after Zora in case something happens to him, disclosing he believes that Hell will reclaim him one day and he wants her to have a future. Both accept, though Angus reassures him that Hell's grip can be broken. The three toast in respect over morning cocktails. (Bloody Mariliths)
  -Nomad promises Atka that he'll help her face her past and the devils there, including her brother and Ire. Atka offers the same to him with his respective enemies.
  -Illidrex thanks Kal for not judging him harshly regarding his means.
  -The party decide to start doing some investigating as to how they might steal the stone back from Manshoon.
  Sub Session of the 9th month's 30th day of the year of human civilization 122022(ish):
 
  • We resolved the interaction where Orion revealed Imperious to certain members of the party initially (Nomad, Kal, Angus, Atka, and Zora). Nomad had a very negative reaction to finding out his brother in law was working with a devil, while Orion insisted that Imperious has been there for some time and had done nothing but help the party. Atka and Angus had also a negative reaction to the situation, prompting Imperious to feel awkward and fly off. Orion states that he and Imperious were tortured by demons and escaped together, he's their friendship.

    •  
  • Angus proceeds to, after Orion defends Imperious with some good points to Angus, go find Imperious and apologize to him.

    •  
  • Zora finds Nomad and tries to convince him to not be too harsh on Orion. Nomad makes the statement that while he does not like Imperious, he and Orion will solve their differences.

    •  
  • Atka and Nomad speak on what just happened. Things seem to settle.

    •  
  • Orion meets with Illidrex and introduces Imperious to him. Illidrex is taken aback, but doesn't seem as phased, just asking if Imperious is going to stab him in the back. With 'no' being the answer, Illidrex says that he himself doesn't do traditionally good things, so as long as the devil doesn't cause issues, he doesn't have a problem with him. Imperious says he's a 'big fan' of Illidrex's recent work, which made Illidrex uncomfortable. Illidrex tells Orion he wants to find someone in Luskin at some point, Orion says he would be willing to help.

    •  
  • Kal is approached by Imperious. The imp admonishes Kal for summoning demons and possibly 'bringing about the end of the world.' Kal says that he is merely using them, and is being careful about that. They don't seem to reach a mutual understanding on the matter.

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  • Orion and Nomad make amends after the meeting with Silverhand the next day.

    •  
  • Atka tries to talk to Orion to come to some understanding, but... (cont)

    •   Imperious tries to convince her to give more into her devilish side, as does (to a different degree if I remember) Orion. Atka leaves the situation possibly unresolved. Imperious flies off with a ham.
     
  • Orion approaches Sadachbia to introduce Imperious, and with his powers of perception, Sadachbia hears Imperious and thanks him for the imp's help saving him from the boneclaw. Sadachbia doesn't seem to have a problem with the Imp.

    •  
  • I believe Orion and Kal talk, and Kal tells Orion how he was approached by the Imp. Orion stated how he agrees with the imp and doesn't like how Kal summons Demons. (I will admit, my listening hat wasn't fully on for this conversation, I think pizza was involved.)

    •  
  • Out of game we then talked about our options for how we were going to breach the forcefield around the TOM (the official name for the Tower of Manshoon (I don't care if that's how you spell his name, he's a dick)). Andy wanted to know a direction for us to go to find the information. Candlekeep, Luskin, and Silverymoon were options that we came to for places to travel, and the other option was taking more DT to research in Waterdeep to possibly find a solution at home. Time being a somewhat issue, traveling traditionally would take as much time as doing DT, but the option for Teleporting somewhere was brought up. A vote was taken, and with various other issues with other locations, Silverymoon was the agreed upon destination. Logistics would take place next session.

    •  
  • Illidrex approached Sadachbia then, thanked him for putting down some grass in the basement for Briggs to business in. Illidrex then did a card reading for Sadach. Upon finishing the reading (after rolling), one of the gems in Illidrex's coin purse was diminished in value. That had never happened to Illidrex before.

    •  
  • Atka, seeming lost with her path in life, approached Illidrex then and asked him for advice stating he seemed without much turmoil in how he acted. Illidrex stated...(continued again)

    •   that is not the case on the inside. Atka states that there are a lot of people who tell her her path, and she doesn't know who to listen to. Illidrex offers to do a reading for her, as sometimes it helps people realize something about themselves. The final card in the reading is the Missionary. He stated that missionaries, while having strong values, need to bend their ideals somewhat to connect to those they meet along their path. He offered the advice that Atka be willing to have the flexibility with her ideas to meet halfway those she may disagree or dislike. During this reading, something good happened for Illidrex (allowing him to cast Hunter's Mark once per day), making Charlie very interested to figure this deck out.
     
  • Angus got some ink on his footsies (triple jump distance, dropkick ability).

    •   Session 11a Recap:
      -Nomad approaches Angus and Orion and asks for help. He might know where Blackrazor is and fears what else is waiting if the blade is on the material plane. He makes a tentative peace with Imperious. Illidrex and Sadachbia wish them all well, the druid performing an Augury spell which indicates great woe, which the druid warns his friends about.
      -The three make their way to Mount Waterdeep. Upon initial inspection of the Shadow Guardian's Sanctuary, nothing seems out of place. Nomad offers the fragment of Blackrazor he carries to the alter to no avail. When he pulls the blade away, it connects with the statue's weapon, revealing the true identity of the axe. A voice calls behind Nomad, "that doesn't belong to you."
      -The Raven Queen appears before the three, claiming the blade is hers and hers alone to protect. Nomad offers to act as an ally should he carry the sword, wishing to earn the right to wield the blade. The Raven Queen accepts, and avatars of death emerge to battle the three. Orion wins many battles of "shade," infuriating the goddess of death with his sharp wit.
      -The first wave is defeated, and when the statue comes to life, Nomad challenges the Raven Queen directly, asking to settle the fight between champions. She accepts, and the battle is on for many rounds. In the end, Nomad is defeated, Angus rushing to intervene. "I won't let you die like this! Who truly decides who's worthy of this weapon?" Nomad convinces his friend to stay his hand, offering his fragment of Blackrazor to the Raven Queen's champion.
      -When the avatar touches the fragment, it becomes laced with radiant light before it's consumed and destroyed by an unknown power. Nomad holds the restored Blackrazor in his hand as the Raven Queen looks on in fury. "What did you do?" she hisses, but Nomad claims he's done nothing, stating he and the Raven Queen are allies in what lies ahead. She departs shortly after.
      -The three look on the blade in disbelief, Nomad speaking to the entity within. However, the presence he remembers is no more. Instead, a confused voice calls to him. "Where am I? What happened?" After some initial questioning, the blade wishes to return home, stating it's close to the place it knows. Nomad turns to the place indicated. "Are you Arkan's boy?" "Father? Yes...I was once Valenier..."
      -The three set off to bring Blackrazor to Valenier manor, but are intercepted by a frantic Zora along the way. Barely able to speak, she insists they return with her to the Wandering Spirits. Upon arriving, a dapper and imposing human dressed in blue and gold stands before them. "Greetings. I am Dagult Neverember," he tells them. "We must speak."
      Session 11 Proper Recap
      Atka, Honorine, Illidrex, Kal, and Sadachbia departed from Waterdeep to Silverymoon by Teleportation Circle.
      Once there, they headed to the Library of Silverymoon where Sadachbia, Kal, and Honorine started searching for answers to the TOM issue. Illidrex and Atka hit the streets and found out that the city was one big gentrified neighborhood (at least the parts they were in).
      Honorine, sneaking into the restricted section of the library, found something that she didn't share with the rest of the party. Sadachbia and Kal didn't have much luck searching for materials on the shield, but Sadachbia spoke to the man at the front desk on the matter, vibe-checking him first to see if he was trustworthy.
      The man was named Dr. Alan Ilbes and said he had actually researched a similar phenomenon with a friend of his Raul. Raul, however, had disappeared years ago.
      Given directions and research notes, the gang sets off south to find the phenomenon there. They stumble upon some old fort ruins, loot the place, get some minor magic items, and keep moving.
      Upon arriving near the spot, they camped for the night. The next day, they woke up, and saw that the terrain around them had changed dramatically. Trees and hills had moved, and they couldn't see any landmarks they had camped around the night before. Kal and Sadachbia figured out it was probably some sort of illusion. Illidrex (using a reward card) saw through the illusion and that they were in the same spot they had previously camped in. Sadachbia dispelled the illusory terrain and spoke to a tree.
      The tree described the creature who had done this as very large and green. Kal, using his harpers abilities, and with everyone else putting their heads together, they figured it was an ancient emerald dragon, named Raulothim (something like that). They decided, as they were few in number, to speak to him, despite the tree saying he killed travelers who trespassed...
      ...Sadachbia wrote in Skywrite a message that referred to the dragon as Raul, and implied that Alan sent them. Soon the gargantuan creature flew into sight. As it landed, Illidrex, still immune to illusions, figured out that it had, in fact, landed behind them and was invisible. He addressed the creature where it actually was, and asked to speak with him in a very polite manner. Succeeding with the help of Sadachbia's abilities to hit over a 30, the dragon (who had previously been charging his breath weapon) allowed the travelers to speak.
      Illidrex, thinking that a creature this mighty who was guarding a gate (to another dimension, I forgot how we figured that out) was probably insightful enough to see through deception, so he told Raulothim the truth that they were not here for his gate, but to research the shield. Raulothim appreciated the honesty. After a bit of back and forth and giving the dragon more and more information, as he seemed to not at all be aligned or at all friendly towards Manshoon (he didn't like the sound of the mage), it was revealed that the dragon had learned the shield magic in ancient Netheril (probably spelled wrong). This was an ancient and powerful civilization of magic users. The spell, apparently, is very powerful and is essentially impenetrable.
      With a bit more persuading, the gang was able to convince the dragon that we didn't want to use the magic, and we wanted to kill the one who was abusing it in Waterdeep. The dragon agreed after placing magical tracking chips on the party. He then told the group that they would need to go through gates to a transitive plane (Shadowfell, Feywild) and then find a gate back in, through the shield. Essentially, you can't break the barrier, and you can teleport in. You have to planejump through from another plane with high level magic.
      He then gave the group the whereabouts of a few natural gates they can use to get to either plane....
      But since they didn't have a map on them, it was a general area more than exact, but they have a rough idea where to start looking.
      As the dragon was about to leave, Illidrex asked if he could come meet with the dragon again at some point to talk. With another high persuasion, Raulothim said if anyone was to come again, he would kill them, but in Illidrex's head he told him that he was allowed to do so.
      The gang then made their way back to Waterdeep.
      Session 12a recap:
      -Nomad and Orion speak with Dagult. He discloses that Xanathar claims to have taken his "friend." Dagult fears it's the guardian of the hoard, which he claims to have no memory of along with the identity of the guardian. A safety protocol that remains in effect.
      -Nomad and Orion agree to help him save his friend by meeting with Xanathar. Before they depart, they visit Valenier Manor, revealing the identity of the soul within Black Razor. For the first time, Arkan's emotions betray him. He makes Nomad swear to guard the sword with his life and very soul. Nomad agrees, swearing in Torm's name to protect the soul within, and find a way to restore Ushen if he can.
      -On their way to meet Xanathar, Nomad and Orion fell a gorgon, allowing Black Razor to feed.
      -When they arrive, Xanathar is there, revealing he's captured Durnan from the Yawning Portal. Dagult tells Orion and Nomad that Durnan is not the guardian. Negotiations ensue.
      -Xanathar demands the stone in exchange for Durnan. Nomad and Orion try to negotiate with him, claiming they'll get the stone back from Manshoon, who Xanathar claims "is a huge dick." Parlay dissolves when a mysterious voice says, "they're not cooperating. Kill them." A towering, bladed warforged reveals himself from the shadows, casting spells and beginning the attack.
      -Xanathar tries to get the opposing parties to stop, the fight even for a time, Orion even felling the hulking warforged with a brilliant shot. However, the warforged fades to nothing, only to reincarnate itself and its form from the husk of another warforged nearby. Things reach a standstill when Nomad helps Dagult and Zora escape, while Orion is trapped in a wall of force with Durnan.
      -Eventually, the bladed warforged agrees to parlay. When he learns Manshoon has the stone, he discloses he won't risk resources in a war with the cloned wizard. Instead, he gives Orion and Nomad a means to let one of them bypass the barrier, claiming he's done it once before and knows there are runes within Manshoon's stronghold that, if destroyed, will drop the barrier.
      -Nomad questions the warforged and his intentions. He agrees that if Nomad and Orion can retrieve the stone, he'll free Durnan. However, he cares nothing for the party or any that are not warforged. "Nothing can stop my vision. Even the gods fear me." He doesn't care what's in the vault, he only wants the stone. So does Xanathar.
      -Unable to free Durnan, Orion and Nomad agree. As the group departs, the remaining warforged soldiers show great respect, offering Nomad a bow, even introducing themselves. Further conversation reveals that this warforged "Lord" wishes to enact "The Overlay." A future where the worlds of Eberron and Toril are merged in the vision intended by the Lord.
      -As they depart, the warforged soldier named E-23 bids Nomad "Confluence be with you." Nomad is intrigued and asks about this "Confluence," which the warforged reveals is the infinite realm, the ultimate dimension, and what the Lord needs in order to achieve his goal. He says he'll meet with Nomad at the Yawning Portal in two days, happy to tell him more.
      -On their way back to Waterdeep, Dagult asks if any of them has seen his son recently.
      Session 12 recap
      -Jain returns and details his travels to Ravinca, where he’s learned that Nicol Bolas wishes to restore/save his divinity, but to do so he needs to collapse another plane: the material plane.
      -all members of the party relay their collective undertakings, meeting with Dagult and E-23 for more information and finalizing plans. Volo is back.
      -while at the Yawning Portal, Bregan Dearthe contacts Illidrex and gives him a piece of the Blackstaff, which can animate the guardians of Waterdeep. The statues could then be used to smash the barrier, but would cause great destruction in doing so.
      -The Cassalantors arrive, calling the disguised drow by his family name of Baenre, and warning him to stop meddling in their business. They then summon a force of subterranean creatures to attack everyone in the vicinity.
      -the Cassalantors make their escape, with exception to one mage who is captured. Meanwhile, daring acrobatics, land -sharking, copious arcana, and excellent teamwork overcome and defeat a bullette, 2 ankegs, 3 phase spiders, an umberhulk, and a purple worm.
      -Illidrex confirms Ranaer has been staying at the Yawning Portal recently. So has Zora. In the same room.
      -the party rests and must now choose their next move: use the guardians to destroy the barrier, travel through Skullport to reach the Shadowfell and bypass it, or send one of their own through to try and disable it from within. No choice is without great risk, and the clock is ticking.
      Session 13 Recap
      -Illidrex utilizes a mermaid contact to find where the bronze dragon of the bay has gone. It seems he's "retired."
      -Angus speaks with his "mentor" who tells him to "find his hate, but not lose himself."
      -Nomad and Angus head to Mount Waterdeep in an attempt to free Ushen's soul. When Nomad prays, a towering dragoborn paladin arrives and tells him to hand over the sword. The two almost come to blows when Nomad refuses, but when it's learned Ushen's soul dwells within the blade, Fryen chooses to help him free Ushen with the use of his skull flail. With their powers combined, Helm and Torm free Ushen, but the cleric is captured by the Raven Queen just after he takes form. Fryen calls Nomad his brother, gives him his armor, then sets off for the Shadowfell to free his returned friend. Nomad and Angus are about to leave now that Black Razor is destroyed, but a familiar voice speaks to Nomad, and Asmodeus has returned to enlist his help against Vecna. Nomad must be convinced, but the arch devil humbles himself and concedes to Nomad's demands, and the paladin takes up his old sword to repel Vecna's return.
      -The party reconvenes and sets out to Skullport, avoiding dangers in the Underdark along the way. When they arrive, the unruly town is met by equal measures by Angus, who dispatches a murderer shortly after arrival. The party elects to rest, and after some interesting attempts at theft and fear that are repelled, do so without further incident.
      -Heading to the suspected location of the gateway, the party is successful in crossing over into the Shadowfell. After a short journey through the inverse world, they manage to make it the tower. A plan is made, and they cross back over into the material world.
      -A battle immediately erupts as they stumble into a demonic summoning ritual for a glabrezu. Atka, Angus, Regulus, Sadachbia, and Kal in one area, Nomad and Illidrex in another, and Honorine sneaking through the tower.
      -The party wages a fierce battle with the demons, mages, and undead, but are able to repel the threat, "de-wing" a demon, and thwart an undead mage, but the glabrezu is able to escape. They even manage to befriend a spectator in the process who agrees to help them!
      -Honorine makes her way through a large portion of the compound and discovers a death tyrant in the process. When she heads to a lower floor, she's ambushed by a boneclaw and is nearly slain. However, she's inexplicably teleported to Nomad's side, the paladin healing her quickly with a flash of both heavenly and infernal power.
      -After Sadachbia summons a towering and wildly effective tidal wave, he heads lower in the tower and discovers a death slaad. When he engages the threat, the slaad teleports him to a different plane, his fate unknown.
      -As the battle subsides, the death tyrant moves to engage the party, but Kal focuses his power and seizes control over the monster, allowing the rest of the party to disable the magic runes of the barrier and find the remaining symbols.
      -As the two groups see to their tasks, more battle erupts below, but the lower group is able to find another rune and disable it. Meanwhile above, the death tyrant repels Kal and strikes him with a devastating ray that takes him from his feet. Nomad moves to intercept the beast while Atka pulls Kal to safety.
      -The group below is ambushed by another boneclaw that wounds Angus and Orion, but the barbarian "lends himself a hand" and pulls free of the monster while Orion and the others begin an immolation process on it. The fight continues.
      -As the fight wages further and Kal can't be revived, Nomad is engulfed in a cloud of smoke and flame before bursting forth as a fiery dread knight, taking the full fury of Hell to the monster. When the beast is slain, the changed Nomad heals Kal before heading to join the others below. The others instruct him to find the last rune.
      -In a frenzied but determined whirlwind, Angus, Orion, Honorine, and Illidrex nearly finish the boneclaw that has seized Orion. Regulus disables a rune but is caught by a falling cage as a nearby flesh golem awakens and moves toward him, Atka sees to Kal's wounds before they begin making their way to join the others, and Nomad storms through a group of enemies to find and disable the last rune.
      -The barrier falls, but there are many enemies still about, and the Stone remains in the thus far absent Manshoon's possession. There is still much to do!
      Subsession 14 Recap
      -Taking what power remains from his new form, Nomad is transported to Sadachbia's location, an arcane sanctuary nestled in the void of space. Sadachbia informs him this is a demiplane of Manshoon, who spoke with him and told him to join his side or die. Manshoon needs to get into the vault to retrieve the Book of Vile Darkness before Vecna to enact his plan.
      -Sadachbia prays to his deity for help, and is answered by a servitor in the form of a flaming rat that guides the pair's navigation through the fortress in the hopes of escaping.
      -Manshoon's forces are scattered about the area, but the two are able to intimidate or fool their way past most of the threats until a drow wizard catches wise to their charade. A fight breaks out, another Tidal Wave devastating Manshoon's servants and also freeing Nomad from a Maze, and eventually the enemies retreat, trapping the two within walls of force that seal off their escape.
      -Nomad and Sadachbia explore further, taking what resources they can before finding a captured Efreeti named Esboreas from the plane of fire. Deciding it was best to take their chances with the Efreeti rather than Manshoon, they free him, but are betrayed and abandoned in the fortress by the magical being, who leaves fire monsters behind that are quickly dispatched by the pair. However, the device that once held the Efreeti still retains magical power, and using it as a battering ram, Nomad is able to break through the walls of force in a manner that would make Regulus proud.
      -The two continue toward the final chamber where Manshoon and his associates are waiting. When they enter, the evil Wizard is flanked by an ominous lich, a fully armored warrior, a Raksasha, another wizard, and beyond them is an aspect of Atropus tethered to a crystal. Manshoon makes his offer again, enjoying the ability to monologue and toy with his prey.
      -Negotiations dissolve into one last offer: eternal service to Manshoon in exchange for mercy. Nomad asks if he can pray on it. "There are no gods here," Manshoon tells him. "You might be surprised," is the answer before Nomad bursts into motion. "I'll give you time," he offers to Sadachbia.
      -The pair are assaulted by spells, narrowly escaping death and imprisonment. Nomad offers one last prayer to Torm before channeling the power of his sword and the souls within. With one last effort, he shatters the blade and is engulfed in a cataclysmic explosion that annihilates Manshoon and all of his associates. When the dust settles, only Sadachbia remains. The Druid searches for his friend, but soon learns there was no surviving the blast. Nomad is dead.
      -Sadachbia offers his parting, "I'll make sure this wasn't for nothing." He searches the remains of the chamber, discovering a small scrap of paper with what appears to be arcane script on it, then exits the demiplane to find his remaining friends.
      Session 14 Recap
      The party of adventurers dispatched the bone claw that was harrying them inside the tower, but not before it could grievously wound Angus. With Angus down, Illidrex commanded Briggs to administer a potion to revive his comrade in arms. Shaken, but not down for the count, Angus got back up in time to be greeted by Sadacbia, the wayward Druid, as he descended the stairs.
      “Sadacbia, you’re back,” he said.
      “You were gone?” A look of confusion across the faces of half of the party.
      “Yes, I was in a demi plane of some sort, but Nomad was able to help me escape.” he said, pausing briefly, “Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.”
      “What do you mean?” Angus asked.
      “He’s gone.” the druid said, hanging his head low.
      “Where did he go?” the barbarian asked.
      “He’s dead.” The other party members said in unison.
      “I wish we could take the time to do something about it now, but we really should be leaving. Did we take care of the energy field around the tower?” the druid questioned, trying to get caught up.
      “It’s been taken care of.” Honorine said, chiming in.
      The group proceeded to quickly scan the rooms around them, scavenging anything of particular use. Some healing draughts, precious gemstones, a spellbook, and another book with writing in Celestial.
      They made their way toward the exit on the third floor, but when they emerged, Jarlaxle and a cohort of drow soldiers were waiting for them.
      “Hello, Illidrex…and friends. The stone. Hand it over.” the flamboyant drow said, made all the more menacing with the groups pistols leveled toward the group.
      “Manshoon has the stone, and he wasn’t home.” Sadahcbia said, the weight of the stone in his bag feeling heavier under the weight of the lie.
      “I know you’re lying, but nice try. Hand it over.” Jarlaxe quickly retorted, seemingly annoyed that anyone would even attempt to deceive him.
      Illidrex, seeking some guidance on how to get out of the situation subtly pulled a deck of cards from him satchel and drew a card. The Monk.
      “What the fuck did you do to me?” Jarlaxle exclaimed, Illidrex raising his eyes from the card to the newly impaired drow.
      “A duel. First to three touches. You win, we give you the stone. We win, we leave. The tw…” Illidrex proposed.”
      “Agreed.” said the mercenary leader, interrupting Illidrex before he could add any stipulations to this deal.
      Gunshots echo through the deserted streets, but they all go wide.
      “Nimblewright, take care of this.” he said, looking at the warforged and nodding toward the group.
      At that moment, Nimblewright’s body began to contort, his body going into unnatural positions. The sound of screeching metal emanating from his body before blades began shooting out from within. A moment later, Nimblewright was no more. Before the group stood the Lord of Blades.
      “Oh, fuck.” Jarlaxe said. “Where’s my friend?! Bring him back!”
      “The stone. Give it to me.” The warforged said. A cold and sinister tone, devoid of emotion sent chills down the spines of everyone present.
      “They have it!” Jaraxle said, pointing at the group.
      Another card. The Raven. Another subtle change, but this time in the Lord himself.
      “Jarlaxle has it.” Illidrex said, eyes staring at the bladed being in front of him.
      The Lord of Blades turned toward the drow, but Jarlaxle immediately vanished after a waive of his hands. He turned toward the group and shoved his hands to the ground, a ring of runes appearing before him. A moment later, a unit of metal beings manifested themselves, ready to obey.
      “Take care of them. I’ll take care of the drow.” he said, turning back toward the soldiers.
      The party took that as a sign to escape as quickly as they could, heading back up the stairs towards the balcony of the tower. A smartly placed blizzard and spikes deterred the encroaching automatons as the group made their way back, but a few seconds later, the entire tower began to shake.
      Outside, a huge statue made it’s presence known with it’s imposing shadow looming over the street.
      “I said, bring back my friend!” an enraged Jarlaxle shouted, holding on to the shoulder of the giant stone statue. A swing toward the Lord of Blades on the ground before it, but it hit nothing but the road below.
      The group ran, flew, climbed, and jumped their way to the balcony before they realized that Jarlaxle had run and on the statue’s shoulder now stood the Lord of Blades, his hand extended toward the statue’s head. The statue froze for a moment before heading straight toward the tower, it’s massive sword swinging wildly.
      BOOM. BOOM.
      Each swing taking away chunks of the tower. The group was standing on the balcony, waiting for everyone to jump.
      BOOM. BOOM.
      They leaped off the side of the castle, as they were falling, Kal cast a spell allowing them to fall down without a scratch.
      BOOM. BOOM.
      Huge chunks of the castle began falling toward the group underneath it’s shadow, narrowly missing most of the group, but hitting Angus and knocking him unconscious.
      The statue turned towards the stunned group and raised it’s sword. It began to arc and come down, sealing the fates of those beneath it’s giant blade, but it suddenly stopped.
      Illidrex’s hand opened, a fine black dust blowing away in the wind as he did. The piece of the Blackstaff that Jarlaxle had given him earlier stopped the Lord of Blade’s influence over the statue, just long enough to delay their doom for another moment.
      “Angus, get up!” Sadachbia shouted, sending magic through his words to rouse his friend.
      The minotaur sprang to his feet and then jumped into the air, his legs flashing a bright yellow for a brief moment as the magic surged through his tattoo.
      At that same moment, a woman appeared in a flash of magical energy. She held a large onyx staff in her hand and raised it above toward the statue. The statue stood erect and motionless.
      “This isn’t over yet.” the Lord of Blades said under his breath, and then he was gone.
      The group decided that they shouldn’t stay at the Wandering Spirits for the time being, as it had become well known that was where they had been staying, and opted to utilize their connections for another place to stay. Castle Waterdeep under the protection of the Open Lord seem as good a place as any.
      Just before the party arrived at Castle Waterdeep, Sadachbia pulled Illidrex aside into an alleyway, a look of concern on his face.
      “I need to go get Zora and bring her here, so she can be with us. It isn’t safe at the inn. I need you to hold onto this while I am away.” he said, pulling out the Stone of Golorr. “Are you sure about this?” asked Illidrex, wary of the importance of what he saw in the druid’s hand. “I need to get her. I’ll be back shortly.” he said, handing the stone over after a moment of hesitation.
      Sadachbia arrived at the Wandering Spirits, the tavern bustling with its newly earned patrons. He approached Lif and asked where Zora was. The monocle looked upward toward the stairs. The haggard druid, weary from what had transpired, went behind the bar and grabbed a bottle of the strongest spirit he could find and took a pull. He stood there for a moment, turned his back to the bar and slid down onto the floor, knees tucked up into his chest. He took another pull. He thought of his friend’s last moments and couldn’t hold it in any longer. Tears came from knowing what he lost, but more so from the news he knew he had to deliver. A silence fell over the patrons, becoming aware of what was going on behind the counter. A monocle and a large tray floated toward Sadachbia, blocking the patrons from seeing him in his moment of vulnerability. Another pull.
      Sadacbia slowly got up, the weight of the responsibility feeling like a bulette crushing his chest, and walked toward the stairs. He approached Zora’s room, each step coming slower than the last. He stood in front of the door, dreading what came next. Another pull. He set the bottle down on a small table beside the door. He took a deep breath and knocked.
      No response.
      Knock knock.
      No response.
      “Zora?” he said fearfully.
      Another door, down the hallway, opened up, the Tiefling standing under the doorway.
      “What’s going on? Where is everyone?” she asked, looking beyond the teary eyed man.
      A tear welled up and rolled down his face, “He’s gone.” he said, letting out a sob. “He didn’t make it.”
      Zora’s face went blank. She stared at Sadachbia almost as if he wasn’t there. Then another figured stepped from the door, Laeral Silverhand. She reached her hand out to the girl, but her shoulder pulled away as she ran down the hallway and down the stairs. The open lord slowly walked toward the broken man, and set her hand on him, calming him for a moment.
      “I’m sorry for your loss.” she said, as meek as the most powerful woman on the continent could be.
      “Thank you.” he said, wiping the tears from his eyes.
      She led him back into the room she came from, but not before he could grab the bottle.
      They went through the events of the last two days, detailing everything. Learning of the portals, going to Skullport, the Shadowfell, making it to the tower, and being sent to an extra-dimensional space. He then talked of Manshoon’s plan and his allies that were with him. He went into details on how he plans to take the Book of Vile Darkness from the vault in an attempt to stop Vecna and control Atroupus. He paused for a moment and took another swig from the bottle.
      “Manshoon gave us an ultimatum. Join him in accomplishing his goals or die. We had planned to try and make a run for the door, but as I was shapeshifting in a giant eagle…hoping I could fly us away from our fate, he ran forward. He ran right into the group of them and shattered his sword.” Laeral placed a hand on his shoulder. “And then a flash of light and he was gone.” He said, with his shoulders slumped and eyes on the floor.
      Laeral took a moment and said, “We should get you to the castle. Take my hand.” She reached her hand out, but the Druid got up.
      “Give me a moment. I’ll be right back.”
      He walked down the hallway, over to Zora’s room. He pushed open the door and moved toward the bed. After setting the bottle on the nightstand, he waved his hands, a green glow emanating from them, and a small bouquet of wildflowers bloomed within his grasp. He left them next to the bottle and went back to Laeral.
      When Sadachbia arrived, he found the group in the dining hall around the table. A sober look on all of them, having just read Manshoon’s plans from a journal the had found in the tower.
      “Laeral knows everything.” he said, sitting down with his companions. The group remained quiet.
      “So what do we do now?” Angus asked…a pregnant pause, no one knowing what to say. “How do we bring him back?”
      Sadachbia pulled out a scroll and unraveled it before the group.
      “His body was gone, but I did find this in it’s place. It’s a scroll for a powerful spell. Possibly strong enough to bring him back.” he said, “A chance, at least.”
      The group, steely eyed and determined to see their friend again, nodded in agreement.
      Honorine grabbed a bottle of ale and poured a glass for each of the companions and an extra glass for those that couldn’t be there. He slid a glass in front of each of them and the last to an empty chair beside him. Some drank, some did not. Each remembering him in their own way.
      Session 15 Recap
      -The party separates to see to various tasks needed to bring Nomad back. Kal and Sadachbia for research, Illidrex, Honorine, and Regulus end up paying Zoblob a visit and getting a discount on an expensive component, while Angus and Atka remain at the Temple of Honor and Orion goes to find Zora with no luck.
      -When everything is gathered, the ritual commences, each member of the party making an offering of a memory, a secret, or another personal connection with Nomad, amplifying the chances of success. After everyone has spoken and ritual concludes, Nomad is returned, shakily, to their ranks, receiving an emphatic group hug from several of his friends.
      -Piecing together what happened, things quickly turn when Nomad tries to warn them of something, but is stricken with damaging psychic magic that afflicts both him and those around him. Corvix magically restrains Nomad for safety, ordering the rest of the party out that they might cleanse him of whatever evil is afflicting him. Nomad is able to warn them that he saw Nicol Bolas.
      -Several days pass, the party able to find Zora and tell her that Nomad is alive. Meanwhile Angus throws a party to celebrate while Sadachbia and Regulus wait outside the temple for Nomad, eventually making peace with one another over past grievances and "befriending" two guards. Illidrex attends a noble party and discovers the Casselantors are up to something nefarious on the second day of LongShadows, nearly 1 month away.
      -Nomad is freed, Corvix unable to remove whatever condition is afflicting him. He warns the paladin to seek ways to cleanse himself as he's a danger to everyone, but also offers him atonement for his offenses against Torm. Nomad agrees, accepts the ritual, then is joyously reunited with his daughter as Regulus and Sadachbia look on with approval.
      -More celebrations are had, but things are still in motion. The party makes plans to see to various loose ends before disrupting whatever the Casselantors are up to. In the meantime, they rest and recover from their latest endeavors, see to personal activities, and also to renovations and improvements for their Secret Cabal and the Wandering Spirits.
      Mechanical Notes: -Lif can see to 2 downtime activities at the Wandering Spirits. -The Wandering Spirits has been upgraded with an Arcane Cannon, a "portal room" good for 90 miles, more rooms to broaden its business, and a cosmetic upgrade in the form of floating lanterns, candles, and chandeliers as well as a fresh paint job and new look befitting its improvements.
      Session 16 Recap
      -Nomad offers a gift of talismans to his friends, revealing his real name is Callum. Later, Kal, Regulus, Angus, Sadachbia, and Honorine accompany him when he speaks to Arkan Valenier about the return of Ushen. Finally, they go to the Temple of Honor to see Corvix about a possible ritual to help Callum be free of his curse.
      -A Deva is summoned and begins treating with Callum about current events, revealing Urielle has been led astray and that the path back to Torm's grace will take time. However, Callum is no longer afflicted by a curse. Coincidentally, Jarlaxle visits Illidrex at another part of Waterdeep, thanking the bard for helping him in the end. "And your friend is off the hook," he offers in parting, then bids Illidrex to visit him in Luskan on offer of more work.
      -The party reconvenes, then sees to another post about a boy cursed to transform into a beast on his 18th birthday. Kal is able to lift the curse easily, and the boy is both relieved and horrified to discover his "crazy" mother was right all along about the green hag that cursed him.
      -Upon further investigation into the bronze dragon, the party visits a researcher named Grinda who is the most versed in the ecosystem of the harbor. She hesitates at first, especially when she suspects Honorine and Callum belong to the Black Network, but cooperates before long, showing the group her sub-nautical apparatus which they would need to explore the depths. She also warns them about "Obliterous," the deadly and intelligent megalodon now inhabiting the harbor.
      -Captain Uday is hired by the party to take them into the harbor, the appropriate paperwork and clearance filed with the Navy and harbor, and after some initial confusion, Grinda's apparatus rented for the effort. Kal also learns how to pilot the vessel through deduction and successful trial and error.
      -Sadachbia speaks with the local wildlife to ascertain the location of the megalodon, and upon Illidrex's discovery of the beast's proximity, the group moves to remove the threat. Getting the creature to breach after some Regulus-bait is used, the party makes quick work of the shark, the beast stunned, paralyzed, and immobilized, before the deft and killing blow from Illidrex.
      -The next day, Angus and Sadachbia summon and converse with a pod of dolphins that lead the group toward the bronze dragon's lair at a nearby shipwreck.
      -Honorine, Kal, and Sadachbia descend the depths to discover the dragon lays dead next to a treasure horde and an intact egg. However, before they can investigate further, a wave of frigidity courses through both the water and them before a towering, spectral and draconic form exhales an icy blast in their direction. The three face the new threat, their fate unknown.
      Session 17 Recap
      -Kal, Sadachbia, and Honorine confront the spectral dragon, evading it's breath attacks initially before Honorine telepathically links with the specter, discovering it to be the slain ghost of the bronze dragon before them, Illaeriettis.
      -Honorine treats with the fallen dragon, striking a deal that the party will help her claim vengeance against those that killed her, the Cassalanters. Illaeriettis possesses Honorine's form, the two now inhabiting the same body, intent on joining the party in their battle against the fiendish nobles. She also reveals her son, Zelifarn is still alive, and the party later discovers him to be a prisoner of the Cassalanters along with a "golden dwarf."
      -Residual magic from the dragon's hoard empowers a few of the party's items, and numerous items within the stockpile are welcome additions to party members like Angus, who finds a sword that boosts his intellect formidably. Callum performs a funeral rite for the fallen dragon, preserving its body for a time before they all depart.
      -The party is now resolved to take the fight to the Cassalanters after preparations are made. Kal acquires the components he needs for numerous spells, and Angus helps him acquire blueprints of the Cassalanter estate. Illidrex speaks with Zora about how she infiltrated the stronghold, familiarizing himself with the estate as much as possible. Orion and Atka have a heated exchange regarding Imperious, but in the end, an understanding is reached, and Atka is outfitted with enhanced armor and a new greatsword. Meanwhile, Callum, Sadachbia, and Honorine go to question the captured Cassalanter mage, learning key details about the ritual they intend to perform, which involves sacrificing Zelifarn and a gold dragon as well as hundreds of lives to summon Glasya, Geryon, Moloch, and Bel, all fallen, former lords of Hell, who will meet Vecna when he returns. The mage divulges two more of their allies, nobles Lord and Lady Garrow.
      -With a day remaining before they intend to make their move, Callum resolves to visit the summit of Mount Waterdeep one more time, honor-bound to inform Asmodeus of the ploy by his daughter to sunder reality as they know it. Kal offers to come with, claiming to have an idea that might spare the paladin Torm's wrath a second time.
      Session 18 Recap
      -Kal and Callum head to the summit of Mount Waterdeep to fulfill a promise made the arch devil, Asmodeus. The pair fail to make initial contact, but summon a barbed devil and give him a medallion to carry word to the Lord of the 9 Hells. After doing so, Kal meditates and is contacted by Asmodeus himself, who seeks to aid Kal in his efforts of thwarting the Cassalanters and gives him a list of various demons' true names from the Blood War. He will also funnel the power of Avernus to Kal's call, allowing him to bring these demons directly to him when necessary.
      -Upon returning, the party discusses Kal appropriating their new expansion for a summoning chamber. Orion, Sadachbia, and Angus can't abide the presence of demons and elect to move out of the Wandering Spirits, but reassure the party they are still friends and allies. All agree these matters will be discussed before acted upon in the future.
      -Various reconnaissance is performed by the party, and they learn the makeup of personnel on the Cassalanter grounds, details of certain family members including the presence of 2 children, heightened security on the upper level of the estate and tower, and that Lord Victoro doesn't wish to go through with the ritual. Glasya has their children held prisoner, using them as leverage to force the nobles into the ritual that will summon Vecna, and which point she intends to use the fallen arch lich to go back in time to bring Tiamat back and fulfill her original plan from before the War of Tyranny.
      -Honorine and Illidrex question two more of the Cassalanter prisoners, Tyrel and Latasha. They learn details of the ritual, as well as the truth that Latasha is a member of the masked council, but the pair are adamant that no one can stop Glasya. Both rogues disagree, intent to prove the nobles wrong.
      -Orion attempts to show Callum the capabilities of his new weapon and accidentally kills a pickpocket. Callum is able to revive the boy, but turns himself into the authorities when he's accused of the crime. He's later pardoned due to lack of evidence. He forces Orion back with him to the Wandering Spirits, administers punitive justice to his brother, then convenes with the others.
      -Final efforts are made to maneuver around the legal complications of storming the Cassalanter estate, including contacting Arkan Valenier for advice. The nobleman gives them his invitation to the soirée and gives them a list of what they'd need in order to force the hand of the Masked Council, even with the presence of Latasha.
      -Illidrex and Sadachbia both attempt to influence the presence and behavior of the guards that evening, hoping that they'll be absent when the assault begins, but ready to intervene if devils are summoned. Results to be determined.
      -The party sits poised at the edge of the Cassalanter estate, ready to the make their move the night before the party/ritual is set to commence.
      Session 19 Recap
      -The assault begins when Illidrex senses one of his allies in distress among the Cassalanter ranks. He signals the others to begin the assault, Callum arriving to confront the pair of chain devils holding a disguised Honorine. Regulus and Angus are next, followed by Illidrex. The disguised Honorine keeps her cover intact, assassinating two other cultists with practiced precision and deadliness.
      -A fierce skirmish ensues, the imp leading the ritual revealing it's far more than it seems when it channels powerful magic and sends Callum careening out the window. A prayer to Torm grants him divine strength and speed, and when Sadachbia and Orion arrive to dispell and "ventilate" its magic, the party turns the tide of the first skirmish, Regulus and Angus quick to storm the levels below in pursuit of the imp who screams, "start the ritual! We have to move now!" Sadachbia is quick to heal his allies that they might continue on.
      -Kal's army arrives at the same time, a horde of demons appearing in the midst of the Cassalanter stronghold and wreaking havoc on the cultists as they destroy everything in their path. In the chaos, Kal works his way to the lower levels beside his allies as they dispatch guards both fiendish and human alike. Strange magic is at play yet again as fallen humans rise again as zombies, and healing magic from Sadachbia and more are less effective than they usually are.
      -Angus and Regulus discover a dwarf and half-elf prisoner matching the description of the dragons below, freeing them from their cell with brawn and architectural destruction. However, the imp appears and absconds with the half-elf. Regulus is able to summon a spectral warhorse to carry the dwarf off toward Valenier manor before rejoining the fight.
      -More powerful magic is at play when a Divine Word is used to banish a large portion of Kal's army, and just as the wizard moves to intercept, he is snatched and held aloft by an unseen force that reveals itself to be the deposed arch devil Geryon. Able to withstand the initial ambush, the wizard thinks fast and magically switches places with Callum. Still empowered by his god, the paladin unleashes his full fury on the arch devil, nearly slaying the fiend and forcing it to retreat with terrible wounds.
      -A low, droning horn is heard as the imp reappears between Regulus and Angus again, its arrival preceding the entry of a dozen rampaging minotaurs that begin counterattacking Kal's demons. As further chaos ensues, the imp teleports Angus away to a nearby tower, where he tells Angus, "I'm gonna kill you now," and begins to transform into a towering beast. Moloch, another deposed arch devil takes the field, throwing his ferocity at the defiant Angus. The barbarian clashes with the arch devil, taking dreadful wounds but holding fast as he waits for his allies to assist.
      -Meanwhile, Honorine continues to explore the levels below, seeking the secret passage to the lower levels of the stronghold and discovering pools of fresh blood where a severed hand and disembodied eyeball lay. Recalling the elements involved, she faintly begins to realize that the Eye and Hand of Veccna are in play, and the Arch Lich is near. The ritual, while complicated, is still well underway and must be stopped.
      Session 20 Recap
      -Angus petitions Bahamut for aid and the platinum dragon answers in the form of a servitor that draws Moloch's ire. As the two entities clash, Callum careens through the walls of the guardhouse and slams into the fiend, both tumbling to the ground outside the compound to the terror of the Waterhavian residents who now realize a greater fiend is in their midst.
      -Kal fills the upper levels of the estate with tendrils of death and fire while Sadachbia saturates the air with pelting ice, harrying many foes all at once while the others continue the battle. Meanwhile, Illidrex and Honorine fend off the animated defenses of the Cassalanter estate and discover the hidden passage to the lower depths. The two press deeper.
      -Up above, the clash with Moloch intensifies, the fiend going from one party member to the next after felling Bahamut's servitor, but regrouped and freed of afflictions, Callum, Sadachbia, and Angus make their stand. The fight turns when Angus points out that Vecna will simply erase all from history, and in a surprising twist, convinces Moloch with the argument. The fiend hesitates, then disappears.
      -Illidrex returns to the surface after an ominous realization and warns the party that the Cassalanter ritual is being fueled by the blood spilled during the battle. They need to stop the conflict and head to the focus of the ritual site, but before they can do so, Bel, deposed lord of the first circle of Hell emerges, summoning a storm of meteors to destroy all within the compound.
      -Sadachbia summons a dome of stone to thwart one meteor, Illidrex and Kal combine their arcana to stop another with magically reinforced winds and webs. Angus is able to blast another back with his mighty dragon breath, and Callum takes one head-on, blasting it to pieces.
      -Bel disappears to the depths below, as do the other foes. It's time to take the fight to its source. The greater fiends, the Cassalanters, and Glasya await.
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