Session 70: Like a Surgeon Report

General Summary

Session 70 – Wednesday February 21, 2024 – The Tomb of the Keeper Part 3

4-hour Social Session 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

The Stone Bearers. Party of 7

It is the 6th day of the month of Hammer (Deepwinter) in the 51st year of the Age of Enialis (Early Jan)

• Abrash – Wood (Desert) Elf, L11 Druid – Jacob Munson (Remote)
• Ajani– High Elf, L11 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L11 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi
• Cassidy – Human, L11 Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L11 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Juan Peyote – Gnome L11 Paladin – Will Johnson

Vor’pat!

Cassidy sneezed and Abrash and Ajani returned. Gazlowe saw that Vor’pat was down, and asked the party if it was worth 300gp to revive him. Isabella quickly said yes while the others agreed a bit less quickly. Gazlowe used his bring-back-to-lifeinator and saved Vor’pat. Abrash gave Vor’pat and Cassidy some berries and Juan healed himself.

The Haunted Archive

The party opened the door in the north to another room that was filled with shelves of books. Ajani glanced over the books and saw the were various tomes ranging from artistic chronicles to records of the weather. Gazlowe spotted a display case against a wall in the middle of the room. Juan moved to the center and used his divine sense and detected the presence of an undead spirit.
An invisible ghost hit Juan. Abrash cast Faerie Fire, and everyone could now see the huge haunting spirit outlined in a stary blue light. A second invisible spirit threw a book at Ajani and then slammed Gazlowe. Gazlowe hasted himself and hit the spirit and quickly realized that it was resistant to thunder. The others continued to focus on the spirit they could see. Juan smote the visible spirit and left it very badly hurt. Ajani shot a chromatic orb of fire at the spirit and would have finished it off if it were not also resistant to fire.
A 2nd book flew at Ajani and the spirit then hit Vor’pat. Abrash cast Faerie Fire again and this time hit both spirits. Cassidy started attacking the 2nd creature allowing Isabella to finish off the first. Isabella with her axe then turned to the 2nd creature and left it bloodied. The rest of the party converged on the remaining creature and Juan finished it off with a critical hit.

A Trapped display case.

Gazlowe went right to the display case and picked the lock. Unfortunately, it was trapped, and a swarm of mechanical beetles covered him. Cassidy hit the beetles and realized that the damage she does to the beetles also hurts Gazlowe. Cassidy hurt them both. Isabella also attacked with her flame sword and killed most of them. Ajani used his psychic ability to push the beetles off Gazlowe and then finished them off with a firebolt.
Gazlowe collected one of the beetles and Juan ate one. Isabella felt bad and threw a splash potion on Gazlowe. Gazlowe took a moment to recover from his haste. He then opened the case and took out the treasure (see Treasure found below.) He gave the scrolls to Ajani and the Warhammer to Juan. Cassidy examined the books on the table and noted they were all dealing with dark necromancy magic. The books discussed rituals forbidden in most mage circles and requiring living creatures to be sacrificed.

Ashyra

They party went through the door to the north. They entered a chamber where four stone pillars surrounded a stone throne built atop a sarcophagus. Sitting on the throne was a female mummy wearing a gold crown and holding a massive ancient tome. Images were carved into the walls depicting hundreds of mages casting spells to change weather, block out the sun, create forests, and move water in tidal waves. Abrash looked at them with intense interest.
The Mummy (Ashyra) spoke to the party, “You have taken what does not belong to you.” Juan pulled out her liver. Gazlowe tried to prevent a fight and began to talk with Ashyra. He asked about the cleanliness, and she told him she has spirits that keep the place clean. He asked her about Kortar and the undead.

Let’s make a deal.

Ashyra knew the party must be somewhat powerful to make it this far and Gazlowe amused her. She offered the party a deal. “You can keep what you have stolen (except for my organs) and I will open the passage to Kortar and tell you where it is IF you bring me back the heart of and Empyrean Stag. Not everyone was familiar with the Empyrean Stag. Ashyra told them they could probably find one in the High Forest near the Grandfather Tree. Abrash read her body language. He knew she legitimately means the party no harm, and she would most likely honor her part of the deal, but her use of the Heart would be for nefarious purposes. He knew that like Unicorns, Empyrean Stags are magical celestial beings, but are even more powerful and rare than Unicorns. Unicorn horns and hearts are very sought after as powerful magical reagents, it is logical to assume that an Empyrean Stag’s heart is considerably more powerful.
Gazlowe asked if Ashyra was dealing with the White Lady, the Empress Tina Palp. Ashyra confirmed that she had received word from her. Gazlowe asked if they bought the heart if Ashyra would not help the White Lady. Ashyra agreed to defend the passage to Kortar from the Empress Tina Palp.
The party stepped away for a moment to consider the deal. Abrash was reluctant to make a deal with a mummy. He also didn’t like killing a celestial guardian of the forest. Juan suggested they eat her organs and then kill her. Cassidy considered the power the heart could grant her. The party continued to argue as Abrash again examined the drawings on the wall. He saw a section where the mages performed magic to turn a desert into a forest. He returned to the party and said emphatically, “We’re killing the Empyrean Stag.” The party voted and agreed.
Abrash asked Ashyra that if they brought back to her the heart of the Empyrean Stag if she would teach him how to turn a desert into a forest. She told him, “It is magic known to the Sorcerers of Kortar and requires a sacrifice” and she agreed to the deal. The party left the way they came in revealing to Ashyra that the passage to the surface is now clear. Ashyra smiled at this revelation.

Finding the Stag

Abrash cast windwalk and the party floated back into the high forest and to the area where Abrash was told the grandfather tree was located. Spotting the grandfather tree itself wasn’t an issue. Going around, they saw Elves of the Red Lady, Dryads, Centaurs, and a host of Fey creatures scattered about. Many of the creatures clearly spotted the mist as it floated overhead. But nobody took any hostile actions. The party eventually spotted the large Empyrean Stag who was with a lone forest gnome and 3 beautiful dryads. They were some distance away from the other fey creatures and there was also a small clearing nearby.
The party sat down in the clearing and took a short rest. They discussed various plans from negotiating to directly attacking. Cassidy wanted to contact the Red Lady directly. Others suggested that it’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is permission. Gazlowe agreed with Cassidy and Isabella agreed with Abrash. Abrash asked if anyone can speak Celestial, Ajani smiled and raised his hand proudly.

A crazy plan

2 Abrash suggested that Gazlowe make a disguise for everyone. But then Juan suggested that Gazlowe use his abilities to create an artificial heart. Cassidy said, “That’s not the stupidest plan.” Cassidy mentioned she had a waterskin filled with blood. Gazlowe suggested that they go in disguised as doctors and tell the Dryads that the Stag has heart disease and they’re going to cure it. The plan evolved into “official surgeons of the Red Lady” and they decided to wear their cloaks.
Isabella suggested they get some poison to knock out the Stag. Cassidy and Juan had some poison. Cassidy suggested that Gazlowe Contact Orist to let him know what’s going on. The others disagreed. For the rest of the hour Gazlowe fashioned disguises and they were fantastic! The party then decided Abrash will be the actual surgeon and the others will find a way to help. They got their story together and walked towards the Stag.

Do you mind if we take your heart?

The party walked (without trying to be stealthy) quickly towards the Stag. The shabbily clad Gnome was sitting in front of the Stag casting a spell that nobody was familiar with. Three exceptionally beautiful Dryads intercepted the party and stopped them. Gazlowe tried to deceive the Drayds telling them that the Empyrean Stag has heart disease and the Red lady sent them there to do emergency surgery.
One of the Dryads went and told the Gnome sitting 100 feet away. The Gnome let out an audible laugh and got up to talk to the Stone Bearers. He clearly didn’t believe their story and thought the cloaks were stolen. He wasn’t hostile but he wasn’t buying their story. The party gave all fake names, Shabra, Logaz, Dr. Inaji, and Isabella said her name was Brenda. The Gnome openly laughed at the party.

Cassidy speaks the truth.

Seeing the charade is not going to work, Cassidy walked up and gave her real name and mentioned they are the Stone Bearers, and they are working for the Red Lady and are trying to keep the White lady from getting the heart of the Stag. She told the Gnome that they do plan to replace the heart and not harm the Stag if possible. She did not however tell the Gnome that they are doing this for an evil person, nor did she mention that they plan to replace the heart with one from a mummy. Still the Gnome wasn’t buying the whole thing.
Gazlowe then asked the Gnome if he knew Orist. The Gnome did so Gazlowe pulled out his sending stone and paged Orist to come to confirm their task. Orist replied that he’d be there, “Soon.” They talked to the Gnome and learned he’s an Archdruid named Fastion. Ajani asked, “Why can’t the stag speak for itself?

The Stag communicates to the Stone Bearers

A deep regal voice echoed in the heads of everyone. The Stag expressed that he considers it an inconvenience to give up his heart at the moment. Ajani, speaking celestial began speaking with the Stag. The Stag asked for the name of the person who will receive his heart and what they’re going to do with it. The party told him that it’s classified and Gazlowe let it slip, “The guardian of Kortar.” The stag quickly asked, “Ashyra?” Gazlowe asked his opinion of her, and the stag told them that he hadn’t spoken to her in 4,000 years, but she has dedicated her life to a noble cause. The Stag seemed to consider offering his life for a noble cause and perhaps not die in the process and prevent the White lady from gaining his heart. After a moment he agreed. (The party rolled 3 natural 20’s for persuasion.) The Dryads and the Gnome started to protest but the Stag said, “I have spoken.” Then he laid down.

Dr., Dr., Dr., Dr., Dr., Dr.

Cassidy provided some Crawler Mucus and Juan had some Topor poison that combined can incapacitate and paralyze the stag. They mixed it with some Goodberrys to help provide positive benefits. Gazlowe pulled out some tubes and thread and other items to help custom fit the mummy heart into the stag. Ajani monitored the vitals. Cassidy used her blood magic to control the heart rate. Juan observed and encouraged everyone. Isabella stood by ready to separate the ribs. Cassidy made the first cut, and it wasn’t pretty. But the others stepped up and together they worked quickly. Abrash carefully removed the heat as Gazlowe observed its connections and modified the mummy heart. Abrash put the new heart in.
Gazlowe started to sew up the connections. Isabella cauterized the bleeding veins. Juan used his strength to put the ribs together and Abrash used his medicine kit to prevent infections. Ajani prayed in celestial to grant guidance on everyone. Cassidy prepared a concoction using holy water and the Splash Potion of Bestest Supremior Healing. The party executed all steps with amazing precision (the average roll was 25!)
Gazlowe placed the Empyrean heart into a container as the Stag woke up. He seemed well, but weak. The party told him it went well. The Stag asked them to promise his heart will not be used for nefarious purposes. Isabella began to speak but others quickly made her stop. They said, “we’ll do the best we can.” The stag told Fastion to help the Stone Bearers as he went to rest.
Fastion asked what they need. They needed to go back to the nameless dungeon warned that the White lady will be coming for the heart. Fastion agreed to get more Dryads and Fey to protect the stag and he cast travel via plants for the party. They party left just before Orist arrived.

A grateful Ashyra

The party made their way back into the Dungeon and through the passageways to Ashyra. They gave her the heart and she was astonished. So grateful was she that she opened the secret door to her treasure room and allowed the party to take all they wanted. The party of course took everything. (See Treasure found below.)
Ashyra told the party of a specific book that sorcerers in Kortar have that contains the ritual that can be used to change a landscape, including turning a desert into a forest. She gave the party a very crudely drawn map on how to get to Kortar. She explained that there is a passageway from her secret treasure chamber that leads to the Shadowfell and that is where Kortar has been hidden. She told them to follow the map and beware as it is a 3-day journey to the cave that hides the city.
The party thanked her. Gazlowe showed her the rings he stole and asked if it is cursed. She confirmed it was and told him to return it to remove the curse. Gazlowe asked if there was another way. She told him that the treasure curses the thief once. If he has another way to remove curses, then he can keep the treasure. Juan removed Gazlowe’s curse as they went into the secret chamber to gather their treasure. After that they went down the set of stairs deeper underground and into the shadowfell.

What happened yesterday?

Isabella opened her eyes. She felt that she slept well. She was very comfortable in her bedroll. Her body had the familiar faint aches of a previous day's strain from hard training, or battle or mountain climbing or... She thought for a moment and realized she had no idea what she did yesterday. Cassidy, Abrash and Ajani were sitting up staring at the campfire that was mostly hot coals with only a trickle of flame left. Their eyes slowly blinked as they come out of their resting trance.
Gazlowe's armor stood up as if protecting Gazlowe who was still asleep in his bag, tucked in tight. His armor was impeccably cleaned. Next to his armor was all his equipment laid out in an organized manner as if it were completely inventoried. In fact, as she looked around the camp, it was the same for everyone. Every sword, every knife every arrow, bolt, potion and coin was laid out in a meticulous manner. Every item clean and polished. At a quick glance nothing obvious was missing except for color…
The air was cold, the sky a shade of grey that cast a dim grey colorless light all around. Even the gold coins in a neat pile next to Gazlowe had no color. Nor did the gems that were laid out in front of Isabella. Everyone's armor, main weapon and shield were within arm’s reach of where they lay or sit. But everyone has been sleeping in very comfortable soft cotton night clothes and nobody had any idea where they were or how they got there.

Rewards Granted

Treasure found:

In the Display case

• +1 Warhammer
• A spell scroll of geas
• Two spell scrolls of legend lore
• 3 diamonds (worth 2,000gp each)

Ahyra’s hoard

• Nine lives stealer Scimitar with a curved blade (also called a khopesh)
• Rod of the sovereigns’ servant (see below)
• Potion of flying
• Potion of cloud giant strength
• Potion of speed
• Ashyra’s research notes (see below)
• 100 pounds of salt (worth 10 gp)
• 10 marble bowls (worth 15 gp each)
• 20 square yards of linen (worth 100 gp)
• 20 square yards of silk (worth 250 gp)
• Gold-plated abacus (worth 250 gp)
• Gold mask of Ashrya’s face in life (worth 1,000 gp)
• Portrait depicting Ashyra in life (worth 1,250 gp)
• 41,330 cp
• 1,210 sp
• 980 gp

Ashyra’s Research Notes

Ashyra’s research notes about magic and necromancy are organized and indexed. When you fail an Intelligence (Arcana) check to recall lore, you can spend 1 hour during a short or long rest reviewing the notes and repeat the check. If the check is related to necromancy magic, you have advantage when you reroll it.

Rod of the Sovereigns’ Servant

Rod, very rare (requires attunement by a by a Spellcaster) While holding this rod of blackened bone, you can cast the speak with dead spell up to 10 times without expending a spell slot. After the charges are consumed, as long as you remain attuned to the staff you can still cast the spell as if it were one of your own additional prepared spells (you need to provide components and utilize a spell slot and hold the rod.) Additionally, while you hold the rod, you can cast the following spells using your spell save DC: Animate dead as a 5th-level spell

• Bestow curse
• Geas
• Raise dead

Once the rod has been used to cast one of these four spells, it can’t be used to cast that spell again. After you have used the rod to cast Raise Dead, as long as you remain attuned to the staff you can still cast the Raise dead as if it were one of your own additionally prepared spells (note that you must hold the rod and it will then use your own spell slots and you will need components.)

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

27 Feb 2024