SKT.5.3 A Shortcut Through Darkness

Session Summary

• After Tristain's departure, the party begins traveling North towards the Oracle, only to learn of an impending Fire Giant assault on Triboar thanks to research by a surly and self-sure wizard by the name of Emmyth.
• The party and Emmyth decide to delve into the Underdark once more, having heard rumors of a shortcut through tunnels that would save them time and allow them to arrive in Triboar in time to help the city prepare defenses.
• Through the Underdark, the party encounter a number of strange, terrifying, and harrowing experiences like walls with faces reaching out to suffocate them, monsters below the depths of underground rivers waiting to breach the surface and devour them, a desperate and manic ghost left to guard a lonely tower within a mushroom-infested cavern, as well as minotaurs and phase spiders lurking and waiting for them in the darkness.
• Along their journey, the party comes across an overturned and ransacked cart with traces of magic present, though any items being transported long since removed.
• The party also stumbles upon a collapsed dwarven structure housing a powerful, sentient relic claiming to be the Crown of Gauntlygrm, wishing the wearer, Thaust, to help it return to the proper king's brow. In exchange, it offers its magical abilities to their service until their quest is complete.
• The party also discovers a small group of Cyric worshippers who meet within the skull of a massive long dead mysterious creature. After disposing of the cultists, the party discovers a locked dwarven vault behind the cult's chapel. Through the use of abstract symbols on the walls and a series of pressure plates, the party successfully opens the vault, discovering a myriad of magical artifacts and items piled together within the dark halls.
• As the party nears the exit of the Underdark near Triboar, Thaust meets a peculiar and friendly dark gnome by the name of Fargrim who wishes to escape the Underdark and explore the world above ground. The two become quick friends and Fargrim rides on Thaust's shoulders as they depart the dark and dangerous caverns for civilization once more.
• As hoped, the party arrives in Triboar in time to prepare defenses. When the Fire Giants do come, they are deterred and pushed back, though it is unclear whether they will abandon the Vonindod components they seek near Triboar or if they will return with more military might to ensure their eventual success.