Session 89: Crimson Vision Report

General Summary

The excursionists had made their way to a small volcano island on the sea of Thallasia in the plane of Elysium. Here, they are to prove themselves to Ogun, The Red Knight by finding chess pieces scattered around the island. So far they had recovered two pieces, the bishop piece from the puzzle-filled lighthouse and the rook piece from the caldera of the volcano. As the two last places they were to look were the encampment on the northern shore and the salt caverns on the south of the island, they decided to head to the encampment since the cavern would be flooded during high tide and it remained another 2 hours until low tide. Having made their way to the encampment, the gnolls let them pass, telling them to meet their leader on the stranded ship. As they stepped into the hold, it had been remodeled into a theatre, where they were tasked to entertain the audience. After several tricks and acts, they managed to make all fifteen skeletons that made up the audience take a standing ovation. As they did, the skeletons reformed into two demonic hounds and a draconic skeleton that attacked the party. After a brief combat, they defeated the enemies, and the door at the far end of the room opened, letting them proceed further into the ship. A short corridor leads to a staircase, a purple flap with dim green light seeping from beyond it.
As they passed the staircase, they entered into a dimly lit bar room with a couple of colorful machines in one corner of the room. Behind the bar sat a gnome woman, wearing a white tunic and brown pants held by suspenders. She was solemnly rolling dice on top of the bar and talking with a patch of green mold growing on top of it. As the party spoke with the gnome, they learned that her name was Uro Bach, that the machines in the corner were slot machines, and that the patch of moss was an alkilith called Aldobos. While they were talking to Uro, Baradin Godchosen "won" on the slot machines and a short jaunty tune played from it. After a couple of bad drinks, the party learned that Uro's "employer" and leader of the ship was called Iago of the Howling Laughter. They then inquired how to proceed and meet with Iago and Uro showed them to a lounge behind the bar.
Inside the lounge was a table, black mist obscuring the top of it and seven figurines were placed on a section that was not obscured. Uro explained that they must focus and control one of the miniatures to navigate a maze placed on the table so they could find a deck. So, the party grabbed a figurine each and it transformed into a version of them and they could see and control the miniature. As they navigated the maze, they noticed niches filled with platinum coins lined the walls and constructs stalked the corridors. After a while, everyone had made their way to the center where a roulette wheel awaited them, though Arten Veronica Lagurdo and Maro Rei 'Sky' were very badly injured. The group realized they must grab coins from the niches to pay for the roulette and as such Omen ei' Taure and Baradin ventured to acquire some before returning, though Omen got attacked on his way back. Now with a good amount of money, they paid for all the numbers on the wheel, won the game, and gained a Deck of Many Companions. As they grabbed it, their vision returned to the lounge where Uro congratulated them and allowed them to rest in the bar. So the party took a short rest and after it, realized a staircase to the main deck had appeared. As Arten was the last to leave, she used her Divine Sense and sensed two fiends in the bar. As she questioned Uro about it, Uro gave her a wink.
On the main deck, the party found themselves in front of a massive chess board, and beyond it, sitting on a throne was a human man clad in gaudy robes of black, white, and gold, with dried blood covering their clawed hands. Omen asked them if they were Iago to which they responded that they were and asked the party if they would play one final game. If the party won, they would receive the two chess pieces that Iago had. If the party lost, they would give him their key to the endless world. Initially, Eldon Caufield refused this deal as he was not willing to even chance to part with the key. But it was revealed that Cathrine had been controlled by the cult and they had already lost the key they had as Cathrine De Clair Antebellius had given it away to some soldier several weeks prior during the battle against Balaur. Because of this, Eldon agreed since they no longer had anything to lose.
The game itself involved the party drawing three cards acquired from their deck while Iago drew three from his deck of monsters. During the battle, the party was allowed to aid their side but not damage the enemy directly as such they mostly cast many supportive spells. After the Assassin, Gladiator, and War Priest came out victorious against the Barlgura, Cambion, and Glabrezu, Iago gave them the chess pieces. Afterward, they asked Iago some questions about if he had acquired one of the keys to the endless world. Initially, Eldon Caufield refused this deal as he was not willing to even chance to part witclined giving away the information. As such, the party decided to leave the encampment and begin heading towards the flooded caverns on the south of the island.
On the way to the caverns, they discussed their plans moving forward and that they should try to get to Arborea next as they believe one of the keys to be there and as long as they had at least one key, they could be sure the cult didn't have them all. Additionally, Omen said that he would be more careful about who can access the Bag of Holding. When they arrived at the cavern, Cathrine cast Water Breathing on all of them as the cavern had six openings leading deeper underwater. During this time, Arten asked Baradin about why when she used Divine Sense, she felt an undead air from him. Baradin responded that he would talk about it another time.
As the party then explored the openings, Omen began by exploring one that started with a tight passage, leading to a group of stinging jellyfish. Beyond the jellyfish was a hydrothermal vent, which Omen moved past by briefly removing the water with Create or Destroy Water and swiftly moving past, mostly unharmed. After the vent, it led to another tight passage before ending in some stalactite-like formations and going out from another opening.
Meanwhile, Arten and Baradin explored another opening that had a strong current at its start. As such, Arten was tied with a rope, which almost made her pull Cathrine, who was not prepared to brace with her, but Cathrine managed to hold on. The currents pulled them past another swarm of stinging jellyfish and into a calm passage where they found a glass bottle with a piece of paper stuck in the wall. They managed to get the bottle out of the wall without breaking it before moving on past a group of algae that Baradin briefly got tangled up in before exiting from another opening. After they exited, they removed the piece of paper from the bottle, finding a short part of a song inside.

On an ocean of stars
Lo, an angel they see
Untouched by the war
That they waged

Lain low by their scars
A people wounded, but free
Seek what lies beyond
This dark age

The seasons they turn
Winter to spring
Dulling the pain and
Erasing the sting

The seasons turn
Summer to fall
Time's warm embrace
Begins to heal all

Finally, Omen, Maro, and Baradin explored one opening, moving past a group of colorful corals where they found a massive oyster, which they opened and the queen piece was inside of it. Afterward, they headed back out of the opening. Meanwhile, Arten and Eldon explored the last opening, passing by another hydrothermal vent, and a set of stalactites before finding a dead end. With the final chess piece in hand, they regrouped and headed back to the orchard. They returned to the prayer hall, where the ruby statue of a night stood, and assembled the chess pieces revealing a ruby armor set in a hidden compartment behind the shield of the statue. After a brief change, Arten wore it with pride and as the party was discussing their plans, a howl from outside interrupted them. As they exited, a large half-wolf, half-human figure, and six gnolls stood there awaiting them. The werewolf-like figure said to them:

My apologies. You were just so much fun, I could not resist having a taste, just single a bite... for the Mad Hunger.

Rewards Granted

Deck of Many Companions

Wondrous Item

Legendary

This ivory box contains a deck of six cards made of crimson metal, each bearing the image of a different adventurer.
As an action you can pull one card at random from the deck to summon the spirit of an adventurer in an unoccupied space within 30 feet of you. The spirit uses the stat block of the creature specified in the table below and is under your control. The spirit disappears when reduced to 0 hit points and only one spirit can be active at a time. Once a card has been pulled it does not return to the deck. At dawn the deck recovers two cards at random (roll 2d6, rerolling recovered ones).

1d6	Spirit
1	Human Champion (VGtM)
2	Half-Orc Blackguard (VGtm)
3	Elf Gladiator
4	Tiefling War Priest (VGtM)
5	Dwarf Assassin
6	Halfling Abjurer (VGtM)

Ruby Plate of Crimson Vision

Armor

Artifact Requires Attunement

This red armor shimmers like a ruby in daylight. It was once worn by the Oracle of Crimson Vision, who despite their grim moniker used the armor to defend the city of Nirene for several decades in the early years of the Outwars.

Part of strategy is knowning the right time to use a hidden trump card

Half plate consists of shaped metal plates that cover most of the wearer's body. It does not include leg protection beyond simple greaves that are attached with leather straps.

You have a +3 bonus to AC while wearing this armor.
The wearer has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
Once per day, while you are attuned to this armor and have it equipped, you can cast the 9th level spell Foresight, targeting only yourself and lasting 10 minutes.

Type	AC	STR Req.	Stealth Dis.
Medium	18		Yes

Weight: 40 lb

Missions/Quests Completed

Gather the chess pieces of the ruby knight.

Character(s) interacted with

Uro Bach

Iago of the Howling Laughter

Cassia, Oracle of Crimson Vision

Campaign

The Excursionists

Protagonists

Nitt

Neutral Vedalkan ()
Wizard 17
Rouge 2

92 / 92 HP

STR
8

DEX
16

CON
10

INT
20

WIS
14

CHA
14

Maro Rei 'Sky'

Chaotic Good Air Genasi (Aspirant)
Fighter 8
Monk 4

92 / 92 HP

STR
12

DEX
18

CON
16

INT
13

WIS
12

CHA
10

Cathrine De Clair Antebellius

Lawful Neutral Human (Noble)
Artificer 14

67 / 101 HP

STR
10

DEX
18

CON
14

INT
20

WIS
14

CHA
16

Omen ei' Taure

Chaotic Good Tabaxi (Temple Guard)
Monk 16
Cleric 2

172 / 172 HP

STR
23

DEX
20

CON
18

INT
8

WIS
20

CHA
8

Arten Veronica Lagurdo

Lawful Neutral Fallen Aasimar (Mercenary Veteran)
Paladin 14

113 / 113 HP

STR
8

DEX
18

CON
16

INT
10

WIS
14

CHA
20

Eldon Caufield

Neutral good Halfling (Fisherman)
Bard 15

77 / 77 HP

STR
9

DEX
16

CON
10

INT
10

WIS
16

CHA
20

Baradin Godchosen

Neutral Good Hill Dwarf (Far traveler)
Cleric 14

150 / 150 HP

STR
8

DEX
14

CON
20

INT
10

WIS
20

CHA
8

Report Date

27 Jan 2024

Secondary Location

Elysium