Session 59: Nithrithvinae's Tomb Report

General Summary

Session 59 – Wednesday November 15, 2023 – Nithrithvinae tombs (nith-rith-VIN-æ)

4-hour exploration session 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM

The Stone Bearers. Party of 6

It is the 15th day of the month of Nightal (The Drawing Down) in the 50th year of the Age of Enialis (Mid December.)

• Abrash – Wood (Desert) Elf, L10 Druid – Jacob Munson (Remote)
• Ajani– High Elf, L10 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda (Remote)
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L10 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi
• Cassidy – Human, L10 Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L10 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Juan Peyote – Gnome L10 Paladin – Will Johnson

Entering the Tombs

The two elven brothers had disappeared momentarily leaving the others to try to get into the tomb. The adamantine doors to the royal tombs had a handprint in it. The non-elves took turns placing their hands on it with no effect. Cassidy tried to ethereal walk through the door but found there was some sort of magical barrier. Gazlowe considered his chime of opening and then Ajani appeared. Ajani placed his hand in the door handprint, and it opened.
The party looked down a long dark rough-hewn hall. Very old and not well traveled. They spotted footprints entering and exiting. After a thorough examination they were able to determine that three individuals had gone in and 4 had come out. Based on recollection of shoe sizes they surmised that Niptu and the elven leader from Nithrithyinae were 2 of the individuals going in and out. They didn’t recognize the 3rd but the footprints were smaller, perhaps female. The footprints going out were of a larger upright beast walking on 2 legs.
The party walked in and setup a small camp inside. The doors closed automatically after a few minutes. Shortly after the doors closed, they opened again and Abrash joined the party. Ajani tried to scry on Niptu but failed. They chose not to light a fire and took a long rest in the cold. Abrash cured Ajani of his fish head.

Following the footsteps

In the morning, they had some berries and rations and began their journey into the catacombs. The main passageway branched off in several directions and it looked as if the footsteps they followed had traversed them all. They looked at the footprints and found the path where the bestial footsteps came from. They came to a large adamantine door that was ajar and crooked in it’s jamb. There were ancient magical runes all around the threshold and door. Clearly something of immense magical power or strength broke this open. Cassidy could determine that the runes were of a nature to keep something in the room.
Peering into the room they spotted 2 books with a 3-dimensional tiger face on the cover. Cassidy and Isabella walked in to examine the book. Juan quickly followed. Cassidy walked over to the 2nd book and knew they needed to pick it up to examine it. Isabella reached down and touched it and it transformed into a Rakshasa.

Lesser Rakshasas

The two books transformed into medium sized Rakshasas and then 4 smaller Rakshasas came out of the shadows. The first one tried to make Isabella grovel, but she resisted. The second one tried to seduce Cassidy with riches, but she too resisted. Isabella went into a rage and slashed one of the larger Rakshasas twice. One of the smaller ones tried to magically take Isabella’s axe but she held on tight. Another struck Isabella with a forked Scimitar and 3 third struck Cassidy.
Juan channeled divinity and tried to frighten the creatures, only 2 of the smaller ones became frightened. Cassidy hit one of the larger twice with her whips and badly hurt it. Abrash, cast Guardian of Nature on himself. He then cast Thornwhip and struck one of the Rakshasas, but it had no effect. One of the smaller ones struck Abrash. Ajani saw that the cantrip had no effect and he cast Lightning Bolt hitting 2 of the Rakshasas. Gazlowe threw a bead from the necklace of fireballs into the center of the group. Only Gazlowe and Ajani were unaffected. One of the bigger Rakshasas was killed and all the others were hurt. Bird was killed and everyone else was hurt (except Gazlowe and Ajani.) Gazlowe looked around innocently saying, “Where did that come from?”
Isabella was upset that someone took her kill, so she turned around and struck another with her axe and left it badly bloodied. One of the small ones struck Cassidy twice. One of the frightened Rakshasa took psychic damage and its head exploded! The other frightened one landed a single blow on Juan. Juan struck the 2nd frightened one twice and smote it turning it into ash. Cassidy struck another Rakshasa twice leaving it badly hurt. Abrash cast blight at the larger Rakshasa and hurt him badly.
The little one hit Abrash twice hurting him very badly. Ajani shot a first level chromatic orb at the bigger Rakshasa hitting him squarely in the throat with what would have been a critical hit, but the Rakshasa was immune to that first level spell. Gazlowe punched the one next to Isabella with his gauntlets and killed it. Isabella said, “That was mine!” She swung at another one but only hit it once and left it bloody. The little Rakshasa critically hit Isabella in return.
Juan swung his hammer and hit one. Cassidy backed up from one of the little ones so she could better use her whip. The creature struck Cassidy leaving her badly bloodied and Cassidy then missed both of her attacks. Abrash cast Guiding Bolt at 3rd level and obliterated the Rakshasa Isabella was attacking. She glared at him and Abrash apologized. Ajani shot a level 3 Chromatic Orb at the last remaining small Rakshasa, but it just glanced off the creature’s shoulder, missing him. Gazlowe handed Juan 75gp and looked upset at Ajani. Gazlowe hit the last creature twice and killed it. Isabella yelled, “It was mine!”

Examining the prison.

Cassidy knew that these creatures were fiends, but their bodies did not disappear. Examining the footprints, they determined that Niptu left with a much larger Rakshasa. Juan took one of the small heads and added it to his lance. Cassidy learned that the Rakshasas can transform into small objects like the books they saw. They pondered why the Rakshasas were locked in the prison. Isabella suggested that Niptu may want them for their magical resistance ability. Gazlowe stuffed one of the little ones into his armor. Cassidy took the skin of one and so did Juan but Juan’s wasn’t as nice as Cassidy’s.
The party healed up a bit with berries and potions, laying of hands and something Gazlowe had. Then the party went back into the hallway and continued searching. The place was a labyrinth. They learned that Niptu did not know his way around but was clearly doing a methodical search.

Trapped hall

They party came to a door, and they opened it. Abrash got a whiff of ozone and warned the others that it smelled like Ajani’s lightning. Down the hall they saw another door and alcoves off to the sides. Gazlowe walked down the hall looking for treasure. Abrash and Ajani stayed back. The others walked behind Gazlowe. Gazlowe didn’t see any traps on the doorknob so he opened it and saw a spark. He yelled, “Run!” Everyone dove into the alcoves to avoid some of the lightning that shot down the hall except Isabella who just stood in place and took it all.

A Baelnorn.

The room was filled with books and alchemy supplies and cauldrons over fires. Juan saw the books and went to attack. A tall undead elf wearing a long robe greeted the party kindly and told Juan that books are for reading. Juan mentioned that the last ones turned into tigers and the undead elf asked if he’s talking about the Rakshasas. The Baelnorn asked if they party is with, “He who came before you.” The party told him no, but they wanted to know what Niptu was doing here.
The elf introduced himself as Timothy the Baelenorn of Minnejab, “Brewer of potions, master of magic with knowledge for the house of Minnejab.” The party started asking all sorts of questions, but Timothy asked what the Gnomes, human and Goblin were doing with Noble Elves? Abrash said, “They are my friends.” Timothy asked, “What is your house?” Abrash told him his father’s name Valarian Asim.
Timothy didn’t recognize the name and listed the 12 noble houses as: Buener (buey-NAIR), Moshni (MOSH-ni), Veil, Udhyea (EWD-yay), Charissa (char-iss-AH), Vuenzul (vwayne-ZHUL), Nad, Tanaliph (TAN-a-leaf), Dag, Ersha (er-SHAW), Peshjo (PESH-jo) and his house, Minnejab (MIN-eh-jab.)
Cassidy offered a sample of Ajani and Abrash’s blood to help determine its nobility. Timothy showed Cassidy some testing equipment and books that contained information to help identify the specific house. They found that Abrash and Ajani are of house Minnejab. Timothy bowed to the brothers and offered his services. He would answer any question they had as his royal obligation to the house.

TIMothy the Baelnorn of Minnejab.

Tim’othy warned the party, that even though the elves have royal blood, the tombs are filled with traps and deadly denizens that will attack the non-elves on sight. They party again focused on what Niptu wanted. Timothy explained that Niptu had many questions. Niptu was very interested in the Great Rakshasa Kahmit (whose true name is Kahmityathyut.) Timothy had directed Niptu to Gregor’y, the Baelnorn of the Buener family.
Cassidy asked why he answered Niptu. Timothy explained that the elder elf that was with him has a unique blood line and that he was obligated to answer. He told the party that the 3rd elf was a younger elven woman. Cassidy tried to describe the White lady, but Timothy did not know who she was.

Plans of Niptu.

Tim’othy explained that Niptu seems to be sewing discord and chaos in the world. “He has loosed Fey’ri and Tanarukk into the forest. He has granted Fire Giants new powers that will cause the Fire Giants to challenge the Ordning. He seems to be learning information on elves and stirring up ancient animosity between the elves. He was interested in the Sundering and for that I directed him to Greg’ory of house Tanaliph.”
He went on to explain that Niptu seemed to have a lot of questions about lichdom, specifically details about a phylactery. Niptu was interested in how to protect a phylactery and Tim told them to hide it in a demiplane.
Gazlowe asked if the other Baelnorns would help them. Timothy said, “If you ask nicely, they may.” Gazlowe asked, “What would one do with Weavite?” Timothy told him that it can be used to greatly enhance one’s magical ability. It used to be snorted but it’s a rare element and that dangerous practice was banned long ago.
Gazlowe asked if he could help him with his 2 flasks of 50/50 explosives and said he could try. The party took a short rest while Timothy turned Gazlowe’s explosives became 75% likely to explode. Cassidy asked if he knew of Bloodantimoniumunumum and he was not. Gazlowe gave him a potion of minor stasis and asked if he could make it stronger. Timothy said he’d have to examine it for about a week.

To save the desert Elves.

Tim’othy told the party again of the dangers of the catacombs. Gazlowe disguised Cassidy’s ears to make her look more elf-like. He had Juan stand on Isabella’s shoulders and put a trench coat on them. He built a structure to help stabilize them (which was mediocre) but the makeup he put on Juan looked fantastic.
Abrash and Ajani went back inside to talk to the Baelnorn. Abrash asked how he could become a Baelnorn so that he could protect his people. Timothy explained that he cannot share this secret and that even if he could, Baelnorns are not for protection. They are keepers of knowledge. Abrash wanted to learn how to protect his people. Timothy explained that Baelnorns don’t gain knowledge by becoming Bealnorns.
Abrash begged for help. Timothy said, “Tell me of your homeworld Usul”

Rewards Granted

Tim'othy provided:

• 2 splash potions of greater healing to Isabella
• A vial of perfume to Cassidy and Isabella
• 11 flasks of alchemist’s fire.
• 2 flasks of 50/50 were upgraded to 75/25.
• 2 potions of invisibility (1 to Isabella and 1 to Ajani.)
• A book on how to make an invisibility potion to Cassidy.

Campaign

The Forest

Protagonists

Thomas Elliot

Abrash Asim

Chaotic Good Moon Wood Elf (Folk Hero)
Druid 1

9 / 9 HP

STR
7

DEX
10

CON
13

INT
8

WIS
19

CHA
14

Report Date

22 Nov 2023