Episode 48

Collective Action resumes their exploration of the first level of Vigil's Keep, their caution sharpened by the recent encounter with wraiths. As they venture further, they stumble upon a decrepit kitchen. Before they can investigate thoroughly, a mimic lurking among the kitchen’s furniture attacks them, its gaping maw snapping hungrily.   The adventurers dispatch the mimic, and to their surprise, a small Christmas Elf emerges from the creature’s remains. The cheerful Elf gifts the party several whimsical magical items before disappearing in a puff of festive smoke.   In the kitchen, they discover a large, dormant cooking fire, which appears to have once provided heat to the keep. Groban lights the fire and the flames roar to life. A ghostly figure materializes beside them, hands outstretched toward the warmth. Introducing himself as The Archivist, the spectre thanks the adventurers for restoring heat to the keep and offers his aid.   The Archivist explains that to descend to the lower levels of the keep, the party must complete a ritual involving a candle, a bell, and a set of holy words. However, his memory of the ritual’s specifics is incomplete. He advises them to consult the High Priest, warning that they must bring the priest his favorite slippers to avoid incurring his wrath.   The party presses onward, their exploration fraught with challenges. They trigger a trap that shrinks Meepo, much to the Kobold’s dismay, and discover a variety of items, including healing potions, colored wardstones, magical trinkets, and tattered notes.   Eventually, they find an old, decrepit pair of slippers, which Blair restores with a touch of Magic. Their search brings them face-to-face with a group of giant spiders. Despite Roan's best attempts to communicate with the arachnids, the spiders opt for violence, forcing the party to defend themselves. After a fierce battle, the adventurers emerge victorious and use a key found earlier to unlock the High Priest’s chambers.   Inside the chamber, they find a sarcophagus flanked by two massive, inert golems. Sliding the sarcophagus lid aside awakens the High Priest, whose initial anger at being disturbed softens upon receiving his freshly cleaned slippers, which Blair carefully places on his musty feet.   Grateful, the High Priest praises the party for bringing the slippers and for possessing the wardstones that kept the golems inactive. He provides the precise instructions for completing the ritual before returning to his eternal rest.   With the necessary components in hand, Barnabus begins the ritual, speaking the holy words with precision. However, the ceremony is interrupted by the ominous sound of cracking stone. The party turns to see the statues scattered throughout the room beginning to animate, their expressions hostile toward the intruders. The air grows tense as the adventurers prepare for yet another battle within the shadowed halls of Vigil's Keep.