Session 42: Veilmar, Part II
General Summary
Predator
The Departed swiftly dispatch the gray oozes, weapons and armor alike oddly damaged during the struggle. The air is tense, and as they begin to move forward, Gloinn and Paz catch the unmistakable sound of heavy, familiar footsteps—the minotaur is close, pacing just outside the garden storage room. With little time to waste, the group hastily navigates the twisting hedges and pathways of the garden. As they move, Aurin's keen eyes catch sight of several large, oblong stones seemingly fused into the walls lining the castle’s outskirts, a purple light blinking erratically at its center.A Melody of Malfeasance
The relentless pursuit of the minotaur drives the Departed to a supposed dead end. Cul and Loghain, working in sync, uncover a hidden stone switch embedded in the wall. When pressed, a concealed pathway opens, inviting them to delve deeper into Veilmar’s shadowy depths. The narrow passageway eventually leads to a steep staircase descending into the heart of the castle. An unsettling, oppressive aura seeps into their very beings, chilling them to the bone. Everyone steels themselves against the sinister force, yet Gloinn succumbs, his mind clouded by an enchanting melody of distant drums. In his charmed state, he believes his companions are his long-lost bandmates, and are quick to anger the reminiscing dwarf.Worse than Death
As they reach the bottom of the staircase, Gloinn takes the lead before anyone is afforded a moment of rest. They follow before encountering a horrifying sight - a room drenched in blood, filled with the mangled remains of various Praetorians. Amidst the carnage stands a lone Praetorian initiate holding two severed heads, eerily silent as he slams his faceless head against a wall. He turns to face the Departed, yet remains motionless. Aurin attempts to agitate the faceless being but to no avail. The group, shaken but resolute, push onward to catch up with Gloinn, a familiar aura of dread stalking them with every step.Lost in the Dark
Gloinn, still under the charm’s spell, drifts ahead, his mind lost in the haunting allure of the drums. Separated from his companions, he stumbles into a dilapidated library, its shelves and tomes reduced to rubble. The remaining Departed members attempt to locate Gloinn, shouting in the process, but only alerting the abyssal minotaur to their presence. Now hurrying to locate Gloinn, they arrive at an imposing door, massive and inscribed with runes of a language unknown to most. Loghain, however, discerns the Abyssal text, realizing the room beyond holds great significance to the Praetoria. Yet, the door remains locked, its secrets hidden within.Prey
As the minotaur’s ominous presence grows nearer, panic sets in. The group frantically attempts to unchain the door, but their efforts are in vain. At the same moment, Gloinn's trance begins to lift, the charm dissipating as he hears a desperate banging from a darksteel door in the library. Summoning his strength, he bends the bars just enough to pry it open, reuniting with his comrades. Together, they scramble to reinforce the damaged darksteel handles, sealing the door as the abyssal minotaur’s annihilating aura encroaches upon them. With the creature’s looming shadow finally retreating, the Departed are finally afforded a moment of respite.
Report Date
22 Dec 2024
Primary Location
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