Session 30 - "Don't Breathe - Part 1, Ruins of Gauntlight - Part 16"
General Summary
Oathday, 6th of Desnus, 4721 AR
Gauntlight Keep
Level 4 - Belcorra's Retreat
Dining Room
12.26a
Proceeding down the well-made stairwell, the only discernable sounds are the party's footsteps. As they descend, the air noticeable cools, but not uncomfortably so. A familiar iron-banded type door opens into a large dining room with tapestries, decorative stone carved pillars, and a 15 ft. ceiling. The room is illuminated by more everlight crystal chandeliers to reveal an impressive and stout dining table set for a grand meal, surrounded by luxurious, high backed chairs. However the scene is in disarray. Silverware and plates lie strewn about, and chairs are overturned. Four skeletons lie about the room, dressed in tattered finery. All clutch their necks with one bony arm and have a goblet near at hand. A number of doors lead out of the room.
Tristan calmly mentions the possibility of asphyxiation, Zor'ahn suggests looking for traps. Ehrn examines the tapestries, but notes nothing of interest. Peering into one of the goblets on the floor, Kaliff suggests the possibility of poison after seeing a dry, crusted residue. Tristan finds within the trappings of one skeleton a finely stitched hem with the name "Cavond Rahn". The family name hails from Garund, but reveals little else.
The party spends a few moments to examine the room further. Kaliff checks the wine pitchers and finds a similar residue. He begins to gather up the drinking vessels, just as a familiar energy crackles through the skeletons as they begin lurching to their feet. The first skeleton rises before Tristan and the fighter reflexively slams his smoking sword into it. It slashes back at him. The ranger repeatedly pummels another with his Wooden Argentis, before stepping around it. The skeleton to the southeast rises and begins attacking him. Kaliff commands Thud to attack, but is ineffective. He fires a phase bolt which slams into the thing. The skeleton in turn stands and rakes into Kalitos. With a growl, the magus charges his dueling sword and explodes it against the old bones, nearly bringing it down. Ehrn thrusts with her glaive and increases her kill count by 1. The corpselight detaches itself and overs in the air. Tristan scores the second kill, but is unable strike his original foe.
A brilliant beam of blue light gouts from the first skeleton's mouth, catching most of the party. Those caught feel the energy leave their bodies and see it revigorate the creature. Zor'ahn turns his attention to his other enemy and lands a palpable blow before lending some healing to Kalitos. The skeleton in turns blasts with its own draining light. Kaliff lashes out with an electric arc, snuffing out the two corpselights. Kalitos flanks with Tristan, but is unable to capitalize on the move. Ehrn moves as well and scores a hit against the second skeleton. Tristan continues to chip away at the first.
The skeleton returns in kind, but Tristan is able to ward off some of the blow with his shield. Zor'ahn quickly heals himself and Tristan. He steps and continues his attack, swinging with such force that the skeleton's ribcage instantly turns to ash. Kaliff fires another arc, taking out the new corpselight. Kalitos strikes down the remaining skeleton and, almost as an afterthought, slashes the emerging corpselight.
12.46a
After healing, Kaliff finishes collecting the poisonous residue. One the bodies themselves, there is some gold, an unusual bracelet made of gold links and an arrow, the shaft of which is covered with green scales and the head of which looks like iron fangs. Kalitos harvests the everlight crystals and hands them out.
The party moves to the south door first, opens it, and reveals a short passage to another door, that is locked. Tristan attempts to unlock it and feels a tiny prick on his hand, however the skin is unbroken. Kalitos sees to it, finds the trap, but breaks his tools. Kaliff attempts to repair them, but further destroys them.
Opening another door reveals a small room with a chute in the floor, most likely for trash. While looking at it, Tristan sudden feels like Ehrn is pushing him towards the opening. The party sees him stumble and then squeeze his eyes shut. Zor'ahn slams the lid down in response. Ehrn takes the scene in with a confused look, her hands out either to catch him… or push. She scolds him for the display, but the concern on her face is evident. Kaliff suddenly calls out that the door to the south closed on its own accord. Tristan suggests Zor'ahn detects for magic, but there are no new sources.
The door to the north suddenly closes as well, but it easily is reopened. The next door opens into a washroom with a dusty metal tub with a small skeleton within it, most likely a halfling. The next door is to a small chamber with twisting runes carved into the wall, filled with a dull, silvery metal. On the floor and ceiling are small silvery discs. The runes seem the same as previously seen, but the discs are a new element. Kaliff investigates and concludes that this is also a teleportation circle, most likely inert. Zor'ahn produces the chalk impressions taken early and does find several similarities.
12.56a
The next room is a wine room. Kaliff quickly runs in and begins searching the bottles. He soon finds an empty bottle that appears to have been of Jalmeray vintage. Contained within is some sort of alchemical bomb, three vials of unusual liquid, and another letter from Quagmire. Doors continue to close on their own.
The next is a small cupboard with barrels and shelving and two more skeletons. After that is a kitchen with an unusual cast iron stove with no chimney, racks of utensils, another skeleton. Kaliff finds a familiar stain on the ladle next to the skeleton and on the walls next to the stove. The magus gathers more samples.
Lair of the Worm
1.16a
Confident there are no secret doors and no other options, the group turns their attention back to the locked door. Tristan puts his shoulder to it and bursts through. Immediately, an area of darkness falls over the party, snuffing out even their everlight crystals, and an acrid mist engulfs Tristan. His nose and mouth begin burning from the effects.
Report Date
02 Feb 2025
Primary Location
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