Session 84:Kortar Rising Report

General Summary

Session 84 – Wednesday June 19, 2024: Kortar Rising

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

The Stone Bearers. Party of 4:

It is the 18th day of the month of Hammer (Deepwinter) in the 51st year of the Age of Enialis (Mid Jan.)

• Ajani– High Elf, L13 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda (absent)
• Cassidy – Human, L13Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Gazlowe – Goblin, L14 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi (absent)
• Isabella – Forest Gnome, L13 Barbarian – Jackie Armstrong
• Juan Peyote – Gnome L13 Paladin – Will Johnson
• Seften Mitcaver – Human, L13 Cleric – Jacob Munson

Back to the keep.

Cassidy sneezed and Ajani and Gazlowe disappeared. The party continued to gather up treasure, ate some dragon meat, drank some wine and rested in their tents with their new dragon skin blankets. In the morning, they dug their way from the dragon’s lair room to the adjacent room and then dug their way out of the caverns. Outside the cave, they debated on where to go. They recalled that Vampire dad (the Marquee Kurtis von Glauer) would know when his son was dead, and he would contact the Red Lady.   They decided to take the 5-day walk back to their Keep (the Stronghold of the Nine.) The first day’s journey was uneventful. At the end of the first day, Seften used greater restoration on everyone (including Gazlowe and Ajani) to remove their blood curse and allow them to heal fully again.

Traveling elves

On the 2nd day of travel, they crossed paths with 3 wood elves. One of the wood elves called out, “Greetings fellow humanoids.” Seften quickly became suspicious. The larger elf in the lead begged the party forgive his companion as he’s not very good at social interactions. He then asked Isabella, “A word, my lady. We are but poor, lost circus performers. Is there a village nearby?” Isabella said, “No.” and Seften again quickly looked at them suspiciously and asked for them to demonstrate their talents and perhaps they could lead them to a village. Juan offered to pay them 200gp for their act.   The Elves agreed and the one in the front called them, “Masters of illusion” as he waved his hands and the 2 Elves in the back turned into Fey’ri. With a second dramatic wave of his hand, they were transformed back into wood elves. Cassidy said, (in infernal) “That’s a neat trick.” The lead elf replied, “Thank you very much.” Cassidy then said to the others in a straight tone, “Kill them.”

A Rakshasa

The lead elf dropped his disguise and revealed himself to be a Rakshasa. Seften asked if he’s in league with Niptu and the Rakshasa said, “He is my lord.” The party pulled their weapons and elves returned to their Fey’ri form. Isabella charged forth with her flaming sword and hit the Rakshasa. The Rakshasa tried to charm her, but she resisted it. The Fey’ri sorcerer cast Fireball at the party. Bird hit the Rakshasa and Juan hit the Fey’ri warrior. The Fey’ri warrior flew into the air and pulled out his long bow and shot 4 arrows at Seften but only 1 hit. The Rakshasa struck Isabella.   Cassidy used her bracers to turn into a black misty cloud and engulfed the Rakshasa hurting him with necrotic damage. Seften cast Animate Objects but was counter spelled by the sorcerer. Isabella continued to slash at the Rakshasa and bloodied him. The sorcerer cast Ice Storm on the party hurting Seften the worse. Bird hit the Rakshasa in Cassidy’s mist and hurt them both. Juan attacked the Fey’ri warrior, smote him and left him bloodied. The Warrior pulled his long sword and couldn’t hit Juan.   The Rakshasa stepped out of Cassidy’s mist and struck it and Isabella. Cassidy engulfed the Rakshasa again. Seften cast Animate Objects and had them attack the Fey’ri, badly wounding the warrior. The Rakshasa wanted to leave but Isabella said, “Not yet!” Isabella struck it and Cassidy leaving the Rakshasa close to death. The sorcerer shot Magic Missiles at Seften. Juan tried to finish off the Rakshasa but missed. The warrior cast dimension door and fled. The Rakshasa exited Cassidy’s toxic mist form and Isabella killed it with an opportunity attack. Seeing the Rakshasa killed, the sorcerer cast Dimension Door and fled.

Item’s left behind

The Rakshasa melted into a black ichor, leaving behind a set of fancy clothes. Seften cast identify on the clothes and discovered they were not magical. However, they were made from a material that he and Cassidy were simply not familiar with. In the pockets they found a small pouch of gold, and a letter and a book. Cassidy notice the Rakshasa’s eyes in the ichor.   Seften looked at the letter and the book and saw they were written in infernal. Cassidy looked through the book titled “Tome of Vengeance.” The tome contained extensive details of the last 3 people to have slain this Rakshasa, including information about relatives and close friends. Obsessive and massive in scope, each name had a line crossed through it. As Cassidy turned to the back of the book, the name Isabella of the Stone Bearers appeared magically. The book then disappeared. Cassidy told the others what it was. Isabella was concerned. Cassidy reminded everyone that they now have 3 things after them. A Rakshasa after Isabella, A death knight and something else after Juan and John Wick after Cassidy. Cassidy read the letter:

"Kermit,
My son, it has been revealed to our lord that the Sorcerers of Kortar are succeeding in their ritual even sooner than anticipated. They will soon arrive in the material plane, and this will attract attention. Bring one of them to me as unharmed as possible.  

Kahmit"

Sorcerers of Kortar?

The party filled in Seften that they had met the Sorcerers of Kortar. Kortar was the ancient city in the Shadowfell protected by the mummy Ashyra (to whom they gave the heart of Empyrean Stag.) The Sorcerers of Kortar gave to Abrash the Sh’nall seed. The party didn’t recall any specific ritual, but they thought it might be bad. They wondered why the Rakshasa (or Niptu) would want the Sorcerer. They contemplated this on their rest of their 4-day journey to their Keep.

At the Keep

The Stone bearers were greeted by the workers at the Keep with much fanfare. A feast was made in celebration of their return. The party spent a full week, resting, healing, training, studying and basically becoming better at the things they do in anticipation of the next adventure. (Party leveled up to level 14.)   They spent time with Mad Myrtle, the kobold alchemist Vumkaxxu, the orc blacksmith Gosha, that they hired, Ghe'Bher, the intelligent bear, Mayjin, the Lizardfolk tailor, and all the other cooks, carpenters, weapon masters, etc. of the keep. Ogian was not there. The party learned some interesting battle tactics from the various battle masters.   Cassidy went to Meyjin, the lizardfolk tailor, and had him examine the Rakshasa clothing. After a few days Meyjin revealed that the fancy clothes are made of a material called asbestos. While it doesn’t really protect from fire in the same way, it does reduce fire damage if you wear the fancy clothes. Cassidy, Isabella and Juan spent some time with Mad Myrtle, who is no longer collecting hands. She has moved onto a collection of penises.) Juan was unwilling to part with his, so they purchased some poisons and potions and made some items (See Treasure for details.)

The Mistmaster.

After a full 10-day of rest and training and crafting, a man approached the Keep calling out for Ogian. He was an elderly Sun Elf; Cassidy recognized his robe as one belonging to a Cleric of Leira. He wore a tight dark, green shirt with tight, bright green leggings and walked with a cane. His hair was full and healthy. It had greyed with remnants of red from his younger days. He seemed weaker than other elves of his age.   Seften greeted the stranger and told him that Ogian is not about. The stranger introduce himself as the Mistmaster and the other Stone Bearers came out to greet him. They recalled the lore that the Mistmaster was a Harper and the sole survivor from the use of Gatekeeper’s Crystal that was used to destroy Hellgate Keep which killed Niptu 200 years ago.   The Mistmaster explained that he’s the guardian of the northeast section of forest called the “Tall Trees.” Hellgate Keep is there, as is his fortress known as the Citadel of the Mists. Cassidy asked permission and then cast detect magic. While she didn’t detect any spell affecting him per se, she detected an unusual strong aura of chaotic wild magic about him. Cassidy backed away as he seemed to be what he said he was. The Mistmaster asked to go to a meeting room to relay to them of an issue of importance.

A disturbance in the Northeast.

The Stone Bearers took the Mistmaster into a meeting room and provided him a map of the forest. He pointed out the region of the Tall Trees in the northeast section of the high forest and Hellgate Dell in the farthest eastern section of the northeast. He then pointed out his Citadel of the Mists in the western quarter of the Tall Trees area. There was a road coming from the Silver Marches north of the High Forest (the cities of Silverymoon, and Everlund) into the High Forest and past The Citadel of the Mists and to the Elven port in the east and south to the rest of the wood.   He then pointed to a small marking on the map and called it the ruins of Mhilamniir (MIL-am-near) in between The Citadel of the Mists and the Grandfather Tree farther to the west. He told them that used to be a large Elven settlement, but it was destroyed by the demonic hoards flowing out of Hellgate Keep. It’s now ruined and overgrown and home to an ancient green dragon, Chloracridara (Chlor-acri-DAR-uh) and her wyrmlings. He explained that Chloracridara was a problem 50 years ago but ever since the events after the death of Tiamat, she has kept herself to the ruins. However, something changed about a ten-day or 2 ago, and trade caravans are disappearing near Mhilamniir. The Mistmaster thought it might be Chloracridara, but recent reports talk of something different.   A survivor of an attack made it to the Citadel of the Mists and he was half-mad. He spoke of shadows attacking and people being sucked into the shadows of the ruins of Mhilamniir. The Mistmaster was hoping Ogian could help him investigate the matter but since he wasn’t there the Mistmaster asked the Stone Bearers to investigate. Seften was cautions as they just got their butts kicked by an ancient white dragon and only survived because of Isabella’s use of a wish.

Making a deal

Cassidy asked for a description of the shadows, but the Mistmaster had only heard the account 2nd hand and wasn’t even sure if the information was accurate. Seften suggested that perhaps there are masters of illusion at work and are using the green dragon area as a cover. The Mistmaster agreed that could be the case and asked the party to please investigate it.   The Mistmaster told them that this is the primary trade route between the wealthy people of the north and the High Forest. In taxes alone he makes 10,000 gp a year and is willing to offer the Stone Bearers 10% cut for the next 10 years if they fix this issue. Juan said, “If Gazlowe were here…”   Seften left the room and magically enhanced his negotiation abilities. He came back and asked for 50% but the Mistmaster explained the gold is used to pay the wages of the guards, taking care of the roads, social security for the elderly, college loan forgiveness programs… he couldn’t go that far. In the end they settled on 15%.   The Mistmaster told him that a portal will open up to take him back to the Citadel of the Mist and the Stone Bearers are welcome to join him. The Stone Bearers requested that the artisans of the Keep craft the White Dragon Claw Greatsword and the White Dragon Wing Cloak. They then gathered their stuff and were transported to the Citadel of the Mists.   As soon as they arrived in the Citadel of the Mists, the Mistmaster was approached by guards explaining how the situation is getting worse. Cassidy said, “We’re on our way.” Isabella sighed moaning about the walk. The Mistmaster gave her a donkey and she named him Willow. Apparently, Willow was Awakened since it began talking to Isabella and was bothered by the fact that his current owners gave him away so quickly. The Stone Bearers started the 6-hour journey east along the road and Isabella and Willow chatted the whole way.

Mhilamniir (MIL-am-near)

Night fell before they reached their destination. Cassidy lit up her weapon and Isabella had Seften affix her gem of brightness to her helm. They closer they got to the ancient ruins they began to notice the trees were turning gray and were dying. Seften swore he saw shadows move between the trees, but when he looked there was nothing there. Cassidy said, “This feels like the Shadowfell.” Cassidy said, “This is where the Wizards of Kortar are coming.”   Seften summoned Quaddles as they drew close to the ruins. There were portions of buildings surrounded by large dead trees and overgrown with now dead vines. The remains of the buildings were no more than 2 or 3 walls here and there with some old debris scattered about. Seften spotted a large creature moving between the shadows of the wall. He said, “Hey there, stop.” Seften got closer and saw a Boneclaw hiding in the shadow. Seften asked as if talking to a puppy, “What’s going on Buddy?” Seften walked by one of the standing walls to get an angle on the Boneclaw that was walking away and a hand reached out from the wall and grabbed him!   The hands grappled Seften and sliced into his flesh. The Boneclaw shot a bone into Seften’s shoulder. Juan rode bird past a wall and hands reached out to grab him but missed. Juan struck the Boneclaw. The hands from the wall pulled Seften into the wall, partially entombing him. Isabella drank a potion of Zombie Giant Strength and went into a rage. Cassidy went behind the wall and whipped it had with her new White Dragon Tail Whip. Seften felt the psychic pain from being trapped in the wall and knew he need to break free before it entombed him entirely…

Rewards Granted

Treasure

From the Rakshasa

• Letter from Kahmit to Kermit.
• 1,927 gp
• 2 eyes (Used at the keep see below)
• Set of Fine Infernal Clothing (Cassidy)

Back at the keep (Spending and crafting)

• Cook's Utensils (Cost 1gp)
• Greater Restoration on 4 people (Cost 400gp of diamond dust.)
• A Necklace of Wound Closure for Cassidy
• Set of Fine Infernal Clothing (Cassidy)
• Googly Goggles of Night using the Rakshas’s eyes (and some gems - Cost of 750gp gems.)
• 2 5lb bags of sulfur (one for Cassidy and one for Juan (cost of 200gp.)
• 1 satchel of salt water.
• 2 vials of Pale Tincture
• 1 vial of Wyvern poison
• 3 dream Lillys.
• Cost of above poison 1,700 gp + Cassidy gave up her contact book of poison dealers.
• 2 potions of Zombie Giant Strength.
• 1 Potion of Stone Giant Strength.
• 1 Potion of Flying
• 1 Potion of Get Lucky (Adv on Attack or Saves for 1 hour.)
• Cost for above potions 2,980 gp.
• Extra-large chest of preserving.
• Bag of salt.