Session 9: The Pale Fangs
General Summary
Deal with the Devil
Lucian Malphas enters the premise of Starspark's home in Farholm as he promised that he has crucial information he wishes to share with the party. Indeed, he explains to the party what has happened in those ancient times when the primordial beasts were defeated:
The end of the beasts’ dominion came at a terrible cost, but mortal resolve triumphed. Volthalos, the embodiment of destruction, was brought down in an earth-shaking clash. The mighty dragon’s body shattered like glass, leaving behind only its chromatic heart—a pulsating relic of primal power. This heart, still beating with frozen malice, was entombed deep underground, locked away in the chamber of the heart. Xolthuun, the corrupter, was unmade as his form splintered into countless shards of twisted essence. These pieces, radiating wild mutation, were submerged in hidden lakes within the Underdark, each encased in crystalline prisons to contain their corruptive influence.On questioning what happened to Ataiyo, Luke had to admit his shortcomings, even he is not fully aware what happened to it.
He urges the party to go to the chamber of the heart and retrieve the Heart of The Dragon. As a help, he presents the party with a magical charm that has the power to resurrect them should they fall in a battle. He also offers them to buy any magical items in his arsenal, or win them through a game of wheel of fortune. Gerrith especially was interested in the gamble and owns two minor favours to Luke now. Starspark had even worse luck as the devil took something precious from him, his left eye. On the other hand, or paw, he managed to gather a copy of Volo's Guide to Monsters and other Malevolent Creatures from Luke.
Travelling Underground
Having digested this encounter, the party makes its way to a big cavern system underneath the Shimmerpeaks mountain range. Here they find the entrance to the dungeon holding the Heart of The Dragon. Right at the entrance, however, they manage to find traps that have been prepared to greet them, as well as a small group of Kobolds. The party explores deeper into the cave system and encounters a deep chasm over which a bridge spans. Just as Gerrith and Starspark cross, a sneaky Kobold from the other end throws a bottle of alchemists fire at them, which collapses the bridge underneath their feet. They manage to get to the other side and while Gerrith pursues the kobold, Starspark lets a rope down to help Anhiri to climb down and back up to his side. Meanwhile, Brokr teleports himself and Misa across using his magic.
Gerrith manages to chase the kobold towards a small room filled with huge bioluminescent fungi. Unable to catch up, he tries shooting it with his sling, but misses and instead triggers a small explosion as the projectile pierces one of the adjacent mushrooms. The kobold dies of these injuries, and the party is able to loot a flask of alchemists fire from it. Just as the rest catches up, they are again ambushed. This time it is two fungified undead that startle them, Starspark however uses his javelins to trigger more explosive mushrooms and the foes are quickly disposed off.
Moving on, they arrive in a long entrance hall with big stone doors at the other side. The narrow hall is lined with carvings depicting dragons on the side walls, and at the far end the party sees two Kobolds standing. Anhiri being able to speak draconic starts approaching them diplomatically. She is able to figure out that the kobolds are keeping the crypt of their god safe from intruders, and that their other guests mentioned that a group of Ill-intended adventures might follow to try and destroy their mutual god. Anhiri persuaded them that her group means no harm. The kobolds believed her and beckoned them to follow so they could meet their other guests. Starspark signalled to the others to be aware of pressure plates on the floor, that activate traps. By pressing the matter, Anhiri got informed by the Kobolds that these traps could not harm true believers of their god. The party manages to misstep and activate tubes lining the sides that spray fumes of icy coldness, which damages them. Aggregated, Starspark charges the kobolds and Gerrith, having hidden on his back the whole time, is catapulted forward when Starspark draws his axe from his back. Using the momentum for an attack, Gerrith takes his rapier and pierces through the first kobold. Starspark then quickly guts the second Kobold with his axe.
The Chamber of The Heart
After drinking up on health potions, the party continues through the stone doors and arrive in a spacious room in which the Pale Fangs are waiting for them. Across from the entrance is a small path that leads to the artifact identified as the Heart of The Dragon. The small alcove it is placed in is overladen with elemental energy as lightning arc from the heart, thunder rumbles and extreme coldness forms a barrier. Istor Icefang greets the party and offers them a final choice: join them in resurrecting Vorthalus and conquering this plane for it, or be their enemy. The party portrayes mixed feelings about the situation, and Starspark expresses doubt. Istor explains that all the suffering, pain and chaos of this world would vanish and perfect order reigns as Vorthalus assumes his righteous place. His followers would transcend with him to the astral plane after this plane has been cleansed. Starspark then turns towards Brunhilst and asks her if this would make them true celestials. She answers him that these acts will not help Starspark to become a celestial. Being somewhere between disappointed and enraged at the answer, Starspark initiates combat by attacking Brunhilst. Before leaving the room to focus their attention back to the Heart of The Dragon, Istor speaks to Anhiri and pleas her to join their cause, after all, total order aligns with her goal of a lawful world. Istor Icefang, Maya and The Nameless then turn to enter the alcove again while Brunhilst is ordered to deal with their enemies.
Just as Starspark attacks with his greataxe, Brokkr loosens a firebolt at Brunhilst and Anhiri, heeding to the plea, attacks Brokkr in a twist of alliance. Battle ensues and while Starspark and Brunhilst test each other's prowess of their Aasimar powers, Anhiri keeps Brokkr and Misa in check. Empowered by the Ring of Shielding bought by Anhiri from Lucian Malphas, She endures multiple attacks from Gerrith, who sticks to his proven hit-and-run tactics. During the encounter, Brunhilst manages to shake off Starspark shortly before getting hit by a fireball from Brokkr, that almost sets the whole room ablaze. Enduring the hit, she chases after Gerrith with her improved flying speed, but realising that Misa is the crucial piece keeping the party alive with her healing spells, she reprioritises her target. Brunhilst, clad in full plate armour with bright wings on her back and a metallic spear at hand, launches herself at Misa with immense force, dealing enough damage to knock her out in a swift move and catapult her against the walls of the chamber. Simultaneously, Gerrith hits another of his critical sneak attacks at Anhiri, the betrayer, and triggers the explosive release of the Ring of Shielding. Everyone but Anhiri and Brunhilst get knocked down by the immense impact. Basking in the wild flames of destruction and the blood-painted stone around her, Brunhilst slips out of her compulsion for a moment and reveals her savage nature. Unable to keep her magic further under control, a glimpse of wild magic sparks from Brunhilst and forms a portal in the middle of the room. Seeing this spectacle, Anhirir clears her head for a bit. Looking across the room to the beaten and seemingly lifeless bodies of her former comrades and friends, she realises what she has done. Just at this moment, the charm that Luke offered the party activates and revives them, giving them a chance to escape certain death. As Anhiri sacrifices herself to cast Hold Person on Brunhilst, the party realises their opportunity and jumps through the portal.
Misa Mu
Cleric 1
9
11
11
13
14
11
Gerrith Garrick
Comments