Session 93: Zomissi's Mansion Part 1 Report

General Summary

Session 93 – Wednesday September 11, 2024: Zomissi’s Mansion Part 1

4-hour social/battle session 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

The Stone Bearers. Party of 6:

It is the 12th day of the month of Alturiak (The Claw of winter) in the 51st year of the Age of Enialis (Early Feb.)

• ● Ajani– High Elf, L15 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda
• Cassidy – Human, L15Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L16 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L15 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Juan Peyote – Gnome L15 Paladin – Will Johnson
• Seften Mitcaver – Human, L15 Cleric – Jacob Munson (Remote)

The Gray Render and the eclipse.

Cassidy continued to manually pump the Gray Render’s heart to keep the attached baby alive. Ajani sat near the creature to witness its birth. As he sat, it became dark, but it was still morning. The party looked up and saw that the moon had eclipsed the sun.   The party recalled a time in history where a similar thing occurred, but they all knew this was unnatural and a bad omen. Moments later, the baby Gray Render detached from its dead mother and bound itself to Ajani. Ajani named the creature “Eclipse.” The creature was hungry, and Juan gave Ajani a decaying head from one of the creatures they had slain. The Grey Render loved it!

The Army

The party hung for a bit, but the eclipse never ended. They decided they needed to move on to the Jinn’s mansion as requested by the Red Lady. As they journeyed down the road they encountered a small army of men marching westwards along the road towards them. The men all wore Sword Coast Lord’s Alliance uniforms and was accompanied by wood elf named Delf. Delf recognized the Red Lady cloaks being worn by the Stone Bearers and briefly spoke with them.   Delf explained that he’s accompanying the humans to the Red Lady at the Citadel of the Mists. Ajani asked if he had any food for his pet. Delf told them that the supply cart was delayed but he gave him a bit of his rations anyway. Ajani and Eclipse were grateful. The Stone Bearers told the Delf and the 2 human captains with him about the dead creatures they had recently killed and that they were on a mission for the Red Lady. The Army marched past, and the Stone Bearers continued on their way.

The Supply cart

About 4 hours later the Stone Bearers encountered the supply wagon being pulled by 2 horses galloping towards them. The wagon was laden with crates and manned by 2 scruffy looking men. The Stone Bearers ordered the cart to stop but the men ignored the order. Juan jammed a spear into one of the wheels causing the wagon to stop. The men complained at the delay and said they’re already delayed enough. Gazlowe and the others insisted on an inspection.   As they approached the wagon, one of the men leapt down and viciously punched Ajani twice. The hits were so hard Ajani was left bloodied. The party responded and a fight broke out. They quickly killed the driver and as his body fall to the ground, his disguise faded, and they realized he was a doppelganger.   Ajani cast chromatic orb. In the darkness of the eclipse, he noticed the spell looked and felt different. He struck the 2nd doppelganger with the spell, and it ricocheted off and hit one of the horses. The horse then revealed itself to also be a doppelganger. The party wound up killing all 4 doppelgangers with relative ease. Gazlowe quickly opened the crates and found there were 36 crates each filled with 28 Lord’s Alliance uniforms!

An Army of doppelgangers!?

The Stone bearers were convinced that the army deceived them, and they were all doppelgangers. They quickly formed a plan to drive the wagon to the army camp and set off the bomb they have. They fashioned disguises with Ajani and Seften driving the wagon, Bird pulling it and the others hidden in the back.   By midnight they had found the army’s campsite, about 1 day’s journey away from the Citadel of the Mists. They were stopped by a guard before entering the camp. The guard asked if they have food and wanted to inspect, Ajani said yes, they have food and Seften bribed him with a bottle of wine to let them in. The guard pointed to the back of the camp where they should park.   The party found the main tent and walked in on Delf and a few officers, sitting back, relaxed and talking. The officers were surprised, and the party explained they have brought the supplies (Ajani winked as he said this.) Delf was happy and told them the troops are very hungry and need food. They were told to move the food to the kitchen tent and bring the weapons and supplies into the command tent.   The party started to question their plans. They decided to move the wagon in front of the tent, blocking the front of the tent. The guards complained but Ajani bribed them with a cigar. The party all jumped into the tent and explained that they found the cart was manned by doppelgangers and told Delf and the humans that they need to start talking. Everyone brandished their weapons and the atmosphere was tense.   Delf lowered his weapon and pulled out a dagger. He cut into his finger showing red blood and handed the blade to the next person. Everyone in the room (army and stone bearers) each cut themselves to prove they were not a doppelganger. Once done, the Stone Bearers told them the whole story.   The Stone Bearers realized they had made a mistake. The army was expecting food, and they were all very hungry. Isabella gave up most of her rations from the bag of holding and Abrash created some food and water to help. The army was fed (mostly) and the stone bearers joined the army for the night taking turns on watch.

Somebody was watching

The party took turns patrolling around the camp perimeter. In the morning (although the sun was still eclipsed by the moon) Ajani spotted an area of interest that looked odd outside the camp. Cassidy investigated and found that someone had been watching them through the night. He followed the trail to a clearing where it appeared that whatever was watching them, flew away. Cassidy assumed it was a fey’ri.   The party spent some time trying to figure out what the plans of the doppelgangers were. Some thought the doppelgangers were going to kill the army, but others argued the numbers weren’t with them, that couldn’t have worked.

Learning about the eclipse

Ajani cast legend lore to learn more about the moon. With his new knowledge he learned that the moon has eclipsed Toril before, it has never stopped like this. He knew that this was some very powerful magic. He also knew that the darkness that now covers the land will draw and effectively protect many creatures who shun daylight.   In the meantime, Seften reached out to commune with Snuffelsnort to learn if the moon will affect magic and the response was “yes.” He also learned that Isabella’s cycle will not be affected “for a while.”

Back to the Jinn’s mansion

As the party approached the mansion, Seften cast Aid on Ajain, Cassiday and himself. Ajani cast his mage armor and Juan cast Deathward on himself. Gazlowe noticed day old wagon tracks outside the mansion.   They opened the front door and walked right in. The foyer was elegant with a Jinn statue on either side of the hall. One was ready to attack and the other was granting a wish. Juan went to the statue of the Jinn granting a wish, rubbed its belly and said, “I wish I had a burrito.” A burrito suddenly appeared in Juan’s hand. Everyone else slapped their foreheads knowing that was Juan’s wish granted to him by the Deck of Many things. Juan however thought otherwise.

The Drawing room

They saw Doors to the north, east and west and chose to go east into a Drawing room. The room was neat and tidy with seating and small tables for guests. The spotted several figurines depicting very generic genies. Gazlowe determined their value around 250gp each and pocketed them.   Cassidy heard noises (shuffling of feet and clinking of dishes) from a door to the east. She listened at the door but didn’t hear anyone talking, just lots of work. Juan wanted to give them his burrito plate to wash but the party decided to continue north through a different door.

The courtyard

They found themselves in a large courtyard. The building wrapped around the courtyard, nicely sectioning it off from the rest of the world. At its center was a small garden with a massive generic statue. A well and a broken wine bottle were the only other noticeable items of significance in the courtyard. North of them was another door and to the southeast was a large plate window.   Cassidy looked at the window into a large dining hall and saw movement. Isabella walked up to the window and gazed into the room. She saw a large stone statue against one wall and a skinny lady in a beautiful dress standing at large table with her back to the window. They could see that she wore a very large turban on her head. Across from her were two generic looking monks, perhaps more doppelgangers.

The dining hall

The Stone Bearers assumed the woman was the Jinn and discussed a surprise attack or perhaps a talk. Only Seften voted for a conversation; the others said, “Nope she’s evil, she dies.” Ajani prepared to cast psychic lance. Isabella drank her potion of Giant strength and then smashed the window. Ajani hit the woman with his Psychic lance, incapacitating her. She was struck with the psychic damage and her turban came loose a bit.   One of the Monks charged and struck Isabella twice. Isabella walked into the room and saw that the statue was a stone golem, and in the room, there was also a Flesh Golem and a homemade Chimera. As Cassidy passed the monk, the monk struck her hard in the chest, knocking the wind out of her and slowing her down. Cassidy was concerned with all the creatures in the room.

That’s no Jinn

Cassidy saw beneath the turban of the lady and saw snakes peeking out. Cassidy said, “She’s a medusa.” Gazlowe said, “She’s still evil; kill her!” Cassidy shot her bolts at her. The Stone Golem walked up to Cassidy and pounded her. The Chimera hopped on the table in front of the Medusa and shot a volcanic explosion at the party. The other doppelganger critically hit Isabella leaving her bloodied.   Juan caused the monks to be frightened. Isabella finally went into a rage and bloodied one of the doppelgangers with her axe. Ajani shot a chromatic orb at the chimera, it ricocheted around the room, striking the Medusa, the stone golem and both doppelgangers. Ajani was surprised by his new spell!   The Medusa was no longer incapacitated, and she removed her turbine and shot beams from her eyes. Everyone was able to avoid her gaze except Abby who started to turn to stone. Gazlowe pulled out the bands of Bilarro and said, “I choose you lady!” and threw it at the Medusa, restraining her in the bands. Abby struck the bloodied doppelganger and killed it. She then slowly walked near Juan and was able to end the petrification.   Seften cast Heal on Isabella. Cassidy pulled out her whip and struck the Medusa (Lady Emer.) The flesh Golem tried to attack Cassidy but couldn’t. The stone Golem slowed Isabella. Lady Emer the Medusa tried to break out of the bands of Bilarro but couldn’t. The Chimera tried to attack Gazlowe, but Cassidy cursed it, preventing the creature from hitting.   Jaun landed a critical blow on the chimera and smote it, destroying it. Juan said, “That was easy.” Isabella hit the Stone Golem with her magical axe. Ajani shot another chromatic orb that bounced around the room hitting the Stone Golem, the Flesh Golem and Lady Emer.   Gazlowe said, “Do you want to take a moment to call off your minions or should we kill you.” Lady Emer said, “Down my pets…”

Rewards Granted

Treasure

From the Jinn’s mansion

• 5 small, well-made Genie figurines worth 250gp each.