Session 097: Shopping & New Mission Report

     

Summary

                                             

S097: Shopping & New Mission

  Date: Dec 6th, 2025  

Summary

The party reconvened after successfully retrieving a unicorn statue from the Blue Alley, a prestigious wizard-created obstacle course, on behalf of Needle and the Shadow Thieves guild. The statue had been part of a contract involving a dead dwarf messenger whose body had been found in a tree, likely left there by a displacer beast. As they shared drinks with Needle, he offered them passage through the Port Authority to reunite with their teammates who had remained on the ship. Shadow carefully observed Needle's movements, noting his opportunistic nature and suspecting he might have had additional motives beyond the stated mission.   That night, each party member experienced vivid and transformative dreams. Barlo found himself in an endless battle against creatures from their journey, fighting in a constant state of rage. When he noticed his yarnstone ball floating nearby—a simple spherical stone he had created during a previous adventure—clarity struck him. He realized he was dreaming and began to consciously temper his rage, fighting with calm, stylized movements while maintaining his draconic claws. A new sensation pulsed through him, a thrumming energy that signified an awakening of draconic power within. Just as he was about to focus on a mysterious voice he heard, he was jolted awake by a dart striking his shoulder.   Bastion dreamed of studying ancient tomes and practicing swordplay, his mind working through the complexities of powerful magic. In his dream, he finally achieved a breakthrough in understanding the Demiplane incantation, solving the final pieces of the magical puzzle. His moment of triumph was cut short when he felt a sharp pain in his neck and awoke to find figures in black cowls on the ship, one attempting to subdue him with a chemical-soaked rag before darkness claimed him.   Sas experienced a dream of her past as a hermit, sitting in the cave where she once lived in solitude. She noticed countless mushrooms she had never paid attention to before, and as she reflected on her journey, she could visualize the trail of places she had been. The locations appeared slightly different, as if she were observing them from outside rather than being present within them. A sharp pain in her neck interrupted her reverie, and she woke in her bed on the ship.   Calliope's dream was the most unsettling. She found herself floating in a tube, surrounded by similar containers holding Bastion and Sas, both asleep. An empty tube stood nearby, its purpose unknown. In the corner of the room, several figures in black cowls—humans, tieflings, and halflings—played cards, completely ignoring her presence. Drowsiness overcame her again, and when she finally woke, she was back in her own bed with no memory of what had transpired.   The following day, the party returned to the port town and began acquiring magical tattoos from a skilled artist. Bastion negotiated a discounted price for a striding tattoo that would enhance his jumping abilities, while Calliope requested glamour ink tattoos on both legs for the Mark of the Frog. The artist worked meticulously for hours, using traditional methods including special leaves and ointment. Shadow examined the magical broom they had recovered from the dragon's hoard, attempting to understand its properties.   As Shadow walked through the bustling port town, his keen ears picked up various rumors circulating among the populace. The Black Dragon cultists, now leaderless after the party's victory, had been raiding settlements to the south with less organization than before. Reports of undead rising had increased, particularly near a church the party had previously visited. Most concerning were the increased sightings of mermen and sea elves from the north. The townsfolk whispered that they had previously been safe because the Black Dragon would have attacked the city before reaching the aquatic races, but with the dragon defeated, they feared the mermen and sea elves might now turn their attention to the port.   Over the next day, the party continued their tattoo sessions. Bastion received the Mark of the Armsman, a process that took eight hours of careful work. Calliope completed her leg tattoos, and plans were made for Shadow to receive the Mark of the Telepath. Between sessions, the party discussed the concept of permanency spells—ancient magic that could make certain effects permanent, though the rituals were so complex and exhausting that only specialized wizard guilds could perform them.   When the time came, Needle led the party to his secret pocket dimension, a hidden realm protected from most scrying magic. They arrived at a landmass featuring a circular gazebo-like structure with a special teleportation circle capable of inter-planar travel. Needle asked if they trusted him, then calmly walked to the edge of the landmass and stepped off, continuing to walk down the side as if it were flat ground. The party followed, experiencing the disorienting sensation of walking down what appeared to be an inverted mountain.   About twenty feet down, Needle walked directly through what appeared to be solid rock but was actually an illusionary wall. The party followed him through the hidden entrance into a short carved stone hallway. Though they were technically upside down compared to their entry point, everything felt perfectly normal. The hallway led to a round chamber about twenty feet in diameter, its walls receding in levels like an upside-down ziggurat.   The chamber's shelves held onyx-like crystalline plates, and on several of them rested the Gems of Tharizdun—the dangerous orbs the party had been collecting throughout their journey. In the center of the room stood a six-foot-tall black obelisk with a small hole in its middle. Needle explained that this chamber was doubly protected, both by the pocket dimension's planar separation and by the illusionary entrance, making it nearly impossible for enemies to scry or locate the gems.   Needle revealed the obelisk's true purpose: when a Gem of Tharizdun was placed in the hole, it would create a portal to another location. He had already collected several orbs and stored them safely here. Now, he intended to use the obelisk to portal the party to where his unicorn friend was being held captive. He clarified that the unicorn statue they had retrieved was essentially the body, while the horn contained the soul. Their mission would be to rescue the horn and restore his friend. With this revelation, the party prepared themselves for the journey ahead, understanding that they were about to step through a portal into unknown danger to complete Needle's desperate rescue mission.  

Short Summary

After successfully retrieving a unicorn statue from the Blue Alley for Needle and the Shadow Thieves guild, the party experienced vivid, transformative dreams that night. Barlo discovered he could temper his rage while awakening draconic power within himself, Bastion achieved a breakthrough in understanding the Demiplane incantation, and Sas reflected on her hermit past while visualizing her journey. Most unsettling was Calliope's dream of floating in a tube alongside Bastion and Sas, surrounded by black-cowled figures playing cards—though all party members awoke with mysterious dart wounds and fragmented memories of the night. The following days were spent acquiring magical tattoos in the port town, where Shadow overheard troubling rumors: the leaderless Black Dragon cultists were raiding southern settlements, undead sightings had increased, and mermen and sea elves from the north posed a new threat now that the dragon no longer stood between them and the port.   Needle eventually led the party to his secret pocket dimension, a hidden realm protected from scrying magic, where they navigated through illusionary walls and disorienting gravity shifts to reach a round chamber. Inside, the Gems of Tharizdun they had been collecting throughout their journey rested on crystalline shelves surrounding a six-foot-tall black obelisk. Needle revealed the obelisk's true purpose: when a Gem was placed in its central hole, it created a portal to another location. He explained that the unicorn statue they had retrieved was merely the body, while the horn—containing the soul of his captive unicorn friend—still needed to be rescued. With this revelation, the party prepared to step through the portal into unknown danger to complete Needle's desperate rescue mission.  

Classic Style

Last we left off, after successfully retrieving a mysterious unicorn statue from the Blue Alley and navigating the dangerous politics of the Shadow Thieves, the party found themselves drawn deeper into Needle's web of secrets. That night, as they rested aboard their ship, each member experienced vivid, transformative dreams—Barlo awakening to new draconic power, Bastion finally mastering the Demiplane incantation, and Sas reflecting on her journey from hermit to adventurer. But Calliope's dream was far more disturbing: she found herself floating in a tube alongside her unconscious companions, watched over by mysterious cowled figures. When morning came, the memory had vanished like smoke, leaving only unease in its wake.   Over the following days, the party acquired magical tattoos and gathered rumors throughout the port town. The Black Dragon cultists, now leaderless, had grown disorganized in their raids. Undead sightings had increased near familiar locations. Most troubling were reports of mermen and sea elves from the north—previously kept at bay by the dragon's presence, but now potentially free to turn their attention toward the vulnerable port. When the time came, Needle led them to his secret pocket dimension, a hidden realm protected from scrying, where he had been storing the dangerous Gems of Tharizdun within a chamber concealed behind illusionary walls.   There, before a six-foot black obelisk, Needle revealed the truth: the unicorn statue was merely the body. The horn—containing his friend's very soul—remained captive elsewhere. Using the obelisk's power to create a portal through one of the gems, Needle prepared to send the party on their most dangerous mission yet. Now, standing at the threshold of the unknown, the party steels themselves to step through the portal and rescue a soul trapped in darkness...  

Snarky Style

Welcome to the episode where the party discovers that working for the Shadow Thieves comes with EXCELLENT benefits: magical tattoos, interdimensional storage solutions, and oh yeah, getting DRUGGED AND KIDNAPPED IN THEIR SLEEP. Nothing says "trust your quest giver" like waking up from fever dreams where Calliope literally saw everyone floating in tubes like they're specimens in some dark wizard's collection. But sure, let's just ignore that and get some sick ink instead.   The party spent their downtime getting tattooed while Shadow gathered the world's most depressing rumor mill: the Black Dragon cult is still raiding (just more chaotically now), undead are popping up like daisies, and the mermen are apparently no longer deterred by their former dragon overlord. Congratulations on killing that dragon, heroes—you've destabilized an entire ecosystem! Meanwhile, Needle casually revealed his pocket dimension contains a LITERAL PORTAL OBELISK powered by world-ending artifacts, because why store apocalypse gems safely when you can use them as Uber for interdimensional rescue missions? The fact that nobody questioned the suspicious dreams after being led to a secret dimension by a guy named NEEDLE is peak adventurer energy.  

Middle English Style

Harken well, ye brave and bold, Of heroes true whose tale is told; They claimed a statue from the Blue, For Needle's guild and Shadow's crew!   In dreams they wandered, each alone— Barlo fought with rage o'erthrown, Till yarnstone brought him clarity, And draconic power set him free. Yet darkness came with poison'd dart, To steal them ere the morning's start!   Bastion solved his arcane lore, The Demiplane's secrets to explore; Whilst Sas beheld her hermit's cave, And Calliope, in vision grave, Saw tubes of glass where sleepers lay— Black-cowled figures at their play!   They sought the tattoo-maker's art, Marks of power to impart; Through town walked Shadow, list'ning well— Of cultists, undead, tales they tell, And mermen from the northern sea, No longer held by dragon's fee!   Then Needle led them through the veil, To hidden vault beyond the pale; Where Gems of Tharizdun did rest, And obelisk stood manifest. "Come forth!" quoth he, "through portal's door, To save my friend, the unicorn's core!"  

Limerick Style

The party met Needle for drinks and a chat, Retrieved a statue (a unicorn at that!). Through Port Authority's door, They rejoined their crew once more, While Shadow watched Needle like a suspicious cat.   That night brought dreams both vivid and strange, Where Barlo fought beasts in an endless range. His yarnstone brought peace, Made his fury release, As draconic power began to arrange.   Poor Bastion dreamed of his magical tome, Solved Demiplane spells in his scholarly home. But figures in black Launched a chemical attack, And darkness claimed him (far from his dome!).   Sas saw her cave and mushrooms galore, While Calliope floated in tubes by the score. They woke with a fright, No memory of night, Just wondering what those black cowls were for.   They got magic tattoos and heard rumors of dread, Black cultists and undead and mermen ahead. Then Needle revealed A dimension concealed, With gems and an obelisk—rescue horn, he said!  

Scenes

Recap and Departure with Needle

The session begins with a recap of the party's previous adventure, where they obtained a unicorn statue from the Blue Alley for Needle, a member of the Shadow Thieves.

The DM recaps the party's successful retrieval of a unicorn statue from the Blue Alley for Needle.

The party had previously found a package on a dead dwarf messenger's body that was being eaten by a displacer beast.

Needle offers the party passage via the Port Authority to reunite with their teammates who were left on the ship.

The party discusses the nature of the thieves' guild and Needle's opportunistic tendencies.

Barlo's Dream of the Ascendant Dragon

Barlo experiences a vivid dream where he learns to temper his rage while fighting, discovering a new inner power connected to dragons.

Barlo dreams of endless battles against creatures he has encountered on his journey, fighting in a constant state of rage.

He notices his yarnstone ball floating, which triggers clarity and helps him realize he is dreaming.

Barlo consciously tempers his rage, fighting with calm, stylized movements while still maintaining his draconic claws.

He feels a new pulse, a thrumming sensation within him, signifying an awakening of draconic power.

The dream connects to his path toward the Way of the Ascendant Dragon monk subclass.

Before he can focus on a mysterious voice he hears, he is awakened by being hit with a dart.

Bastion's Dream of Demiplane Mastery

Bastion dreams of studying magic and achieves a breakthrough in understanding the Demiplane spell.

Bastion dreams of reading books, studying various magics, and fighting with his sword.

In his dream, he works on mastering the Demiplane spell, figuring out its complex incantation.

He achieves a breakthrough, understanding the final pieces needed to cast Demiplane.

Bastion is suddenly awakened by a sharp pain in his neck.

He sees figures in black cowls on the ship, one attempting to subdue him with a chemical-laced rag before he is knocked out.

Sas's Dream of the Hermit Cave

Sas dreams of her past as a hermit, noticing details she had previously overlooked and reflecting on her journey.

Sas dreams of the cave where she lived as a hermit, experiencing a moment of clarity.

She notices numerous mushrooms in the cave that she had never paid attention to before.

Sas visualizes her life's journey as a trail, seeing the places she has been in a new way.

The places in her vision look slightly different, as if she is observing them from outside rather than being present.

She experiences a sharp pain in her neck and wakes up in her room on the ship.

Calliope's Dream of the Tubes

Calliope experiences a strange dream where she floats in a tube alongside her companions, observing mysterious figures.

Calliope dreams of floating in the air, feeling her magical glove aiding her bardic abilities.

She sees Bastion and Sas floating asleep in adjacent tubes, along with an empty tube.

Several figures in black cowls—humans, tieflings, and halflings—are playing cards in the corner, ignoring her.

Calliope feels drowsy and falls back asleep in the dream.

She wakes up in her own bed on the ship with no memory of what happened.

Return to Ship and Tattoo Planning

The party returns to their ship and discusses getting magical tattoos while learning about permanency spells.

The party returns to their ship after parting ways with Needle.

Shadow uses his high perception to observe Needle's departure, noting his movements.

The party discusses getting magical tattoos, including the Mark of the Armsman for Bastion and the Mark of the Frog for Calliope.

The DM introduces the concept of permanency spells, an old magic that can make certain spell effects permanent.

The party learns that a wizard guild tied to the Port Authority can perform permanency rituals for a fee.

Shadow examines the magical broom from the dragon's hoard to understand its properties.

Gathering Rumors in the Port Town

Shadow overhears various rumors while walking through the port town, learning about regional threats and tensions.

Shadow overhears rumors about Black Dragon cultists raiding areas to the south, though with less organization than before.

Reports indicate an uptick in undead sightings, particularly to the south near a church the party had previously visited.

There are increased sightings of mermen and sea elves from the north, causing concern among townsfolk.

Shadow learns that the townsfolk believe they were previously safe because the Black Dragon would have attacked the city before reaching the aquatic races.

Now that the Black Dragon is defeated, the townsfolk fear the mermen and sea elves may target the city.

The party returns to their ship without incident.

First Tattoo Session

Bastion and Calliope begin receiving their magical tattoos from a professional artist in the port town.

Bastion negotiates a discounted price for a striding tattoo due to Shadow's guild membership, paying 3,175 gold pieces.

The tattoo artist works on Bastion's striding tattoo for five hours.

Calliope requests glamour ink tattoos for both legs, receiving a guild discount for a total of 4,500 gold pieces.

The artist works on Calliope's leg tattoos for six hours.

Both Bastion and Calliope pass their constitution saves, avoiding any disease from the tattooing process.

The artist schedules additional tattoos for the following day, including the Mark of the Telepath for Shadow.

Second Tattoo Session

The party returns for more tattoos, with Bastion receiving the Mark of the Armsman.

Bastion receives the Mark of the Armsman tattoo for 2,175 gold pieces, a medium simple design.

The tattoo takes eight hours to complete.

Bastion passes his constitution save, avoiding disease.

Calliope continues with her Mark of the Frog tattoo on both legs, which takes six hours total.

The artist uses special leaves and ointment during the application process.

Plans are made for Shadow and Calliope to receive the Mark of the Telepath the following day.

Journey to the Pocket Dimension

Needle leads the party to a hidden pocket dimension, demonstrating an unusual method of entry.

Needle brings the party to a pocket dimension featuring a circular gazebo-like structure with a teleportation circle.

He explains that this special teleportation circle can access other planes, unlike typical circles.

Needle walks to the edge of the landmass and steps off, walking down the side as if it were flat ground.

The party follows, walking down about 20 feet before the surface becomes rocky and angled.

Needle walks through an illusionary rock face, revealing a hidden entrance.

The party enters a short carved stone hallway, finding themselves technically upside down but feeling normal.

The Obelisk Chamber Revealed

The party enters a secret chamber containing Gems of Tharizdun and a magical obelisk for planar travel.

The party enters a round room about 20 feet in diameter with walls that recede like an upside-down ziggurat.

Shelves along the walls hold onyx-like crystalline plates and several Gems of Tharizdun.

A six-foot-tall black obelisk stands in the center with a small hole in its middle.

Needle explains that the pocket dimension is protected from most scrying since it exists on a different plane.

He reveals that placing a Gem of Tharizdun into the obelisk creates a portal to another location.

Needle states they will use the obelisk to portal to where his unicorn friend is being held.

He clarifies that the unicorn statue's horn contains the soul he needs to rescue, and the goal is to retrieve the horn.

NPCs

Needle

A member of the Shadow Thieves guild who contracted the party to retrieve a unicorn statue. Opportunistic and resourceful, he has access to a hidden pocket dimension with an obelisk for planar travel. He is working to rescue his 'unicorn friend' whose soul is contained in the statue's horn. Still a recruit in the guild, he may have been performing tasks to prove his worth.  

Tattoo Artist

A professional and meticulous artist in the port town who applies magical tattoos. She offers guild discounts and uses traditional methods including special leaves and ointment. She works on Bastion's striding and Mark of the Armsman tattoos, as well as Calliope's glamour ink and Mark of the Frog tattoos.  

Figures in Black Cowls

Mysterious individuals seen in Calliope's dream and who subdued Bastion with a chemical rag. They appear to be involved in the party's temporary incapacitation, with some observed playing cards while party members floated in tubes. Two Tabaxi were also seen wearing simpler versions of these cowls with a weird lump near the front.  

Keilier

The wizard who created the Blue Alley obstacle course. Described as not the most honest of wizards but also not the most evil.  

Durnan

An individual whose establishment is now being run by a doppelganger who murdered a girl and married her boss after the party left.  

Reginald

An individual whose civil war was halted when adventurers planted an evil seed that sent blights throughout the land, forcing former combatants to become allies.  

Black Dragon Cultists

Followers of the defeated Black Dragon who are now raiding areas to the south with less organization and force than before, spreading out after their leader's defeat.  

Locations

Blue Alley

A wizard-created obstacle course or maze created by the wizard Keilier, often considered an unofficial temple to Mystra. Known for its prestige and rumored gambling halls where people bet on adventurers attempting to navigate it. The party previously retrieved a unicorn statue from here, and it features a hidden entrance behind a magic wall.  

Port Authority

A guild or organization that Needle has dealings with, offering travel services. It has ties to a wizard guild capable of performing permanency spells and other magical services.  

The Ship

The party's primary vessel and temporary residence, where they rest, discuss plans, and where several party members experienced strange dreams of being subdued or observed in tubes.  

Port Town

A bustling coastal settlement where the party is currently staying. It features a tattoo parlor, various shops, and is a place where rumors spread easily among the diverse populace. Historical tensions exist between the town and aquatic races like mermen and sea elves.  

Tattoo Parlor

A professional establishment in the port town where party members receive magical tattoos. The artist uses traditional methods including leaves and ointment, and offers discounts to guild members.  

Pocket Dimension

A hidden, extra-dimensional space created by Needle, protected from most scrying. It features a landmass resembling an inverted mountain with a circular gazebo-like structure containing a special teleportation circle capable of inter-planar travel.  

Obelisk Chamber

A secret round room within Needle's pocket dimension, accessed by walking down the side of the landmass and through an illusionary rock face. The chamber is about 20 feet in diameter with ziggurat-like shelves holding onyx plates and Gems of Tharizdun. A six-foot-tall black obelisk stands in the center, designed to create portals when a gem is placed in its hole.  

Scholarvale

Calliope's homeland, previously returned to the material plane from a stasis between it and the Fey Wild with the party's help.  

Hawkings, Indiana

A place mentioned by a Teetling who took an orb from the Black Dragon's lair, claiming to be from there and needing the orb to return with Pradam.  

Items

Unicorn Statue

A statue retrieved from the Blue Alley for Needle and the Shadow Thieves. Its horn is described as containing the soul of Needle's unicorn friend, which the party is tasked to rescue. The statue itself appears to be the body, while the horn holds the essence or soul.  

Yarnstone Ball

A simple, ball-shaped stone created by Barlo during a previous adventure with the cats. It appears in his dream as a focal point, acting like the spinning top in Inception, helping him realize he is dreaming and gain control over his dreamscape.  

Calliope's Glove

A magical glove worn by Calliope that enhances her bardic abilities, boosting her inspiration, music, art, and ability to expose secrets and create grand tales. It aids in her connection to the magical aspects of bardic performance.  

Black Cowls

Garments worn by mysterious figures who subdued party members and were seen in Calliope's dream. Two Tabaxi were observed wearing simpler versions with a weird lump near the front, suggesting association with the Shadow Thieves or a similar organization.  

Striding Tattoo

A magical tattoo applied to Bastion that affects his jump distance, both long jump and high jump. It was acquired at a discounted price due to Shadow's guild membership.  

Mark of the Armsman Tattoo

A medium-sized, simple magical tattoo applied to Bastion over eight hours, enhancing his combat abilities. Applied professionally using traditional methods.  

Mark of the Frog Tattoo

A small, ornate magical tattoo applied to both of Calliope's legs using glamour ink, enhancing her leaping ability. The application took several hours with special leaves and ointment.  

Mark of the Telepath Tattoo

A magical tattoo planned for Shadow and Calliope, applied to the head and granting telepathic abilities. More complex and expensive than other tattoos.  

Gems of Tharizdun

Magical orbs that Needle has collected and placed on onyx plates within his obelisk chamber. These gems represent different planes or worlds and are used in conjunction with the black obelisk to create portals for planar travel. Sas carries some of these, including ones containing Eberron and Toril.  

Black Obelisk

A thin, six-foot-tall black obelisk in the center of Needle's hidden chamber with a small hole in its middle. When a Gem of Tharizdun is placed in the hole, it activates and creates a portal to another location, enabling planar travel.  

Portable Hole

A magical item used by Needle to temporarily store the unicorn statue, demonstrating its utility for quick and discreet storage.  

Magical Broom

A broom recently acquired from the dragon's hoard that Shadow intends to study to understand its magical properties and how to activate it.  

Healer's Kit

A kit containing supplies for healing, found by the party and offered to Sas.  

Good Berries

Magical berries that last 24 hours, which the party discusses preserving in a bag of colding to potentially extend their duration.  

Unknown Nuts

Thirty-six nuts of an unidentified type found by the party, their properties and uses unknown.  

Spells

Demiplane

A powerful spell that Bastion masters in his dream, figuring out the final incantation components. It allows the caster to create a small extradimensional space. Bastion plans to use it to create a workshop where a Simulacrum can make scrolls.  

Simulacrum

A high-level spell discussed by Bastion, intended to create a duplicate of himself to craft scrolls in a demiplane workshop. Requires snow or ice as a material component.  

Permanency

An old, rare, and closely guarded magical ritual from previous editions that can make certain spell effects permanent. In this campaign, it causes exhaustion instead of experience point loss and can only be performed by specific wizard guilds due to its complex rituals. The Port Authority has ties to a wizard guild capable of performing these rituals for a fee.  

Teleportation Circle

A magical circle located in Needle's pocket dimension that is capable of inter-planar travel, which is unusual for such circles. It is part of the technology used to create and maintain the pocket dimension itself.

Experience



t Experience: xxx,000 (Next Goal: 195,000) t