Session 100: Preparing to go to Hellgate keep Report

General Summary

Session 100 – Wednesday November 6th, 2024: Preparing to go to Hellgate Keep.

4-hour Battle session 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

The Stone Bearers. Party of 3:

It is the 23rd day of the month of Alturiak (The Claw of winter) in the 51st year of the Age of Enialis (Late Feb.)

• Ajani– High Elf, L18 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda (Absent)
• Cassidy – Human, L18 Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L19 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi (Absent)
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L18 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Juan Peyote – Gnome L18 Paladin – Will Johnson
• Seften Mitcaver – Human, L18 Cleric – Jacob Munson (Absent)

Treasure hoard

The party collected the treasure while Cassidy dissected the Dragon. Isabella didn’t have room for all the treasure in her portable hole so she left behind most of the food she had previously collected. They left the throne along with all the copper, silver and electrum.

Back to the Stronghold of the nine

The party found a secret passage out through a lava fall. Outside the volcano, the party debated for some time on where to go next. In the end they decided to walk back to the Stronghold of the nine to see if they have any allies there.   On the 4-day journey, they hid from bands of roving elves and made it back to the keep undetected. They approached the stronghold of the nine stealthily and observed their staff for a little bit. Concerned of doppelgangers, they approached the lone groundskeeper, Isett. Realizing they haven’t paid their staff Cassidy gave Isett a month’s worth of backpay (at 2gp/day.) Cassidy gave Isett an additional 30gp and requested a drop of blood to prove he isn’t a doppelganger.   They went into the keep and paid everyone and collected blood from everyone, there were no doppelgangers. Ogian had’t been seen in about a 10-day but he does come back on his own schedule. Isabella gave her remaining food supply to the cooks (but kept 40 red dragon steaks for herself), and everyone had a feast.

What they learned

The staff informed the party that nobody has been to the keep looking for them. Humans have been banned from the forest completely. Many of the elves are not enthralled with the White lady but they will be loyal to her. If the party is found, their loyalty will be questioned (possibly under a zone of truth spell.) Ogian was concerned about the Mistmaster and went to check on him.

Getting a message to Ogian

Isabella talked to the local wolves. They were fond of Ogian and agreed to use the Twilight howl to get a message to Ogian. The wolves told the party it will take 2 days to use the howl chain to get a message to Ogian if he’s with the Mistmaster.   The party spent time restocking their supplies, ammunition and broken weapons (ones destroyed by the Red Dragon’s fire breath.) Cassidy scried on Ogian and saw that Ogian was talking with someone at a campfire. Cassidy discerned that Ogian was talking with the Mistmaster, a vampire and possibly a dwarf. During the 2nd day Cassidy scried on John Wick and found he was crouching in bushes with someone. Cassidy recognized the trees and bushes as common to the forest, but didn’t see anything specific to discern a precise location.   After 2 days, the wolves called out to Isabella. Isabella learned that the wolves made contact with Ogian, and he’ll be returning “soon.” In exchange for a dragon steak the wolves gave Isabella 30 dead rabbits.

Ambushed

The party noticed Isett walking around looking suspicious. Cassidy went invisible to follow him. After Cassidy disappeared, Isett started to leave through the front gate. Cassidy reappeared next to him and asked him how the grounds are doing. Isett was startled. Cassidy asked for a drop of blood and Isett punched Cassidy hard and then ran. Cassidy struck the Doppelganger as he ran away. Isabella ran after Cassidy. As Cassidy ran after the Doppelganger, she was struck from behind by John Wick who was hiding in the bush. A poisoned arrow critically hit Cassidy in her back leaving her badly bloodied. Cassidy turned and shot a bolt at John but missed. The Doppelganger turned around and struck Cassidy with two blows knocking her unconscious. Her death ward type trait however kept her from truly going unconscious.   Isabella took out her flame tongue sword and knocked the doppelganger unconscious. She then ran to John Wick behind a tree and discovered there was another doppelganger there. She struck John Wick who told her “I have no grief with you.” Juan touched Cassidy and healed her. John Wick ignored Isabella and Juan and shot Cassidy with 5 crossbow bolts, again critically hurting her. The doppelganger punched Juan so hard it knocked the wind out of him.   Cassidy stood up and said, “It was just a dog!” She struck John with her whips. Isabella killed the 2nd doppelganger and ran to John Wick and attacked him. Juan struck John Wick and annoyed him. John Wick took out his short sword, dipped it into poison and stabbed Cassidy. Cassidy went down, unconscious. Her rights were dismissed, and Cassidy was able to regain 1 HP but stayed down. John Wick, thinking he was securing the kill, stabbed her 1 more time and then turned to leave.   Cassidy’s necklace revived her with 2 hit points. Cassidy stood up and attacked. Isabella ran up to him with her flame tongue sword and knocked John Wick unconscious!

Rewards Granted

Treasue!!!

From the Dragon

• 2 Red Dragon Wings
• 1 Red Dragon Tail
• 10 Dragon Fangs
• 5 strips of Dragon Hide
• 1 Ancient Red Dragon heart
• 1 Ancient Rad Dragon Fire Sac
• 8 Dragon Scales
• Lots of Dragon Steaks
• 1 intact Red Dragon head

The Dragon’s hoard:

• Animated shield (Isabella)
• Lava crucible (Cassidy)
• Necklace of fireballs
• Staff of fire
• Arrow of slaying (undead)
• Feather token (bird) (Isabella)
• Potion of giant strength (cloud) (Isabella)
• Potion of flying (Used by Gazlowe)
• Potion of heroism (Used by Gazlowe)
• Potion of invisibility (Used by Gazlowe)
• Potion of speed (Gazlowe)
• Spell scroll of meteor swarm
• Spell scroll of raise dead
• Vial of oil of etherealness
• Dragon compass (Cassidy)
• 50 pearls (worth 100 gp each)
• 20 bloodstones (worth 500 gp each)
• 5 topazes (worth 500 gp each)
• 10 fire opals (worth 1,000 gp each)
• 10 full-length silver mirrors with gold and platinum filigree (worth 1,000 gp each)
• Portrait of Frezzelvarax in a 30-foot-wide, 20-foot-long ornate gold frame (worth 1,250 gp)
• 2 ornate sets of ceremonial plate (worth 3,000 gp each)
• 3 rubies (worth 5,000 gp each)
• Platinum tiara set with rubies (worth 15,000 gp)
• Gem-encrusted obsidian throne (worth 20,000 gp)
• Replica of a ruby rod of a ruler of Hell, cut from a single ruby (worth 25,000 gp)
• 31,599 gp, and 2,501 pp