Session 14 Prep

Set Expectations

Set the expectations for the session and communicate any above table information FIRST before starting the session…

Ruling stuff
- Overkill rule: Have to be 100% of your max HP under 0 in a single hit. Otherwise just death saves. i.e if you have 1hp remaining with a 50hp Max, and you take 51 or more damage - that’s instant death.
- Command: The spell is a 1 word command - I think last session Somnus used a phrase but remember for future instances.
This session will probably focus on RP moments and some puzzles as we’ve had a lot of combat lately and you guys are a bit bruised rn.
- I say probably because it’s up to you guys to decide your course of action from here.
We’re in a pretty intense arc atm and have been since Lady’s death - which really accelerated the plot. I want to reassure you all that there will be a chunk of downtime for less high-stakes adventures/quests whilst I do some GM admin and go on Ski-Trip in the coming weeks and months.
- That downtime is for you guys to push character narratives and party relationships forwards without the pressure of the world imploding around you - but it’ll be up to you to RP it into existence.
Please remember to be actively participating during RP - it worked really well last session so let’s keep that up. Be the audience that you would want
Some exciting stuff to cover so let’s get into it

Recap & Re-Familiarize

Recap the previous session events with brevity, then reintroduce them to the world.

Last we left off… you all spent a short moment outside of the run-down warehouse district to rest up and recover some resources before continuing further inside. Somnus’s Tiny Hut provided shelter whilst Jin kept watch. Inside the Tiny Hut - a peculiar phenomena was noticed around Lady as she; and anyone around her, could see a shadowy figure beyond the Hut’s boundary. After some experimentation - you each realized it was connected to Jin. It was unclear exactly why but he seemed to carry himself differently after briefly entering the Hut. During the remainder of this downtime, you read what you could of the journal of the Halfling man who had led you here - learning that his Sister was in danger and that he was struggling with the guilt of his actions. From here, you each decided to move further in and explore the large Warehouse in front of you.

Inside you noticed large piles of scrap before a pair of Drow caught your attention. The pair, Eden and Cain by their own introduction, rushed you in a maniacal and cruel frenzy. The battle was intense - with Cain suffering early before a surprise attack from a nimble woman wearing a grey cloak separated your front and backlines. Through teamwork and grit - you managed to make to cause a puzzling double-vision phenomena to occur around Cain and Eden - wherein you saw a Human male and Half-elf woman plead with you to ‘end this nightmare’ whenever you landed blows on the Drow combatants.

The battle came to a head as Cain and Eden struggled with the physical toll and mental fatigue placed on their bodies. The woman in the grey cloak retreated alongside her ally from another pile of scrap; abandoning the Drow and calling out “the experiment was a failure…”

As Axton and Somnus managed to slay Cain and Eden respectively - their corpses; and belongings, seemed to melt away leaving behind the Male Human and Half-Elf woman bodies instead. Their only belongings being name badges that read Mathias and Giselda respectively.

And that’s where we’ll pick up from… - the threat has passed for the time being and you have some time to attend to any urgent personal needs/desires.

The current day is Kynmark, the 14th of Vaelorn, 920 PD. It is now getting into the late afternoon early evening. The gloomy weather has faded as a cold wind sneaks through the cracks in the warehouse exterior.

Immediate Event

The immediate action for the Party to deal with.

Loot

SUPER IMPORTANT DO THIS At the mention of searching the bodies or looking for loot - Somnus will notice their string pull a little as a strand floats off into the air and turns into golden light. The light will float to each the corpses before settling behind.

Searching the bodies will find:

1 diamond worth 400 gold (Giselda)
1 bag of gems worth 70 gold
A simple breastplate for a medium humanoid (Cain)
A key with the same twisted crown symbol on it.

Rest??

Where do they stay? Who keeps watch? Do they fortify the doors?
During the night they’ll hear noises of machinery and whirring from below them - as well as footsteps getting closer and then fainter - before disappearing behind the warehouse.
Let them discuss their theories for a bit - after 15-20 minutes move it along.
Lady has a moment of recollection and feels a warmth pulse through her arms.
- Standing in that same liminal space but instead of the 4 figures from before; a larger, broader apparition stands tall in front of you. They look familiar their arms are completely missing.
- Approaching them you feel a warmth pulse up and down through your arms as your brain begins to move a million-miles-an-hour.
- When you’re in touching distance of the figure - that warmth exits your body and flies towards the figure. You watch as their arms slowly re-appeared.
If Axton or SHAI does a watch - they are allowed to add Aurevald’s CHA modifier to the roll as well.
- A success on this roll will allow Aurevald to speak a max of 25 words to the roller.

Plots Points/Paths Forward

Details about various plot threads that can be explored this session - with a subheading for each one.

CHRPLT - The Treeseeker

Certain stages of the adventure will allow/require Aurevald to help his allies from beyond reality itself. He functionally no longer exists in the memories of any of them except Lady.

Helps Lady | STR CHECKS

Lady - you’ve not been alive again for very long but you have had this nagging feeling that you’ve been forgetting something, or someone, important. You haven’t been able to place it but now you see the smiling face of a Goliath male fading away and that name from earlier runs through your mind over and over until it clicks. You - as has everyone else - have forgotten Aurevald… but why - what happened whilst you were dead that caused that?

Start the music at 14 ish seconds. Move quick and pause on fade to black
Lady and Aurevald both make the check and combine their rolls.

Who?

Change music to Better Death Than Slavery

After the roll - cut to a scene with Aurevald floating on a small island with a large, withered tree. He’s currently tending to the roots, watering them and removing any weeds - as he has done every day since arriving here.

Aurevald - you are floating through an endless void on a small island made purely of dirt and rock. There’s only just enough space for yourself and the withered tree you tend to here. In the moments where your attention has wavered, you’ve noticed a glowing ball of light; far off in the distance. You’ve never been allowed to investigate your surroundings for very long so you weren’t sure if that was all that was out there until recently - when a second ball of light appeared; further away from the other but brighter. You get distracted for a moment as you feels a pulse of warmth leave your body and vanish into the ground - but that’s ok; you don’t need it anymore. You haven’t needed warmth in a long time; you can’t remember how long. It’s been at least a number of days since that second ball of light appeared but even that feels distant at this stage. What you need is to work, harder and faster - that’s what the deal was. But what deal? Why did you make that deal? Who for and when? All these thoughts leave your mind as you realize you were careless and cut the roots of the tree instead of a weed.
”FOOLISH CREATURE… DO YOU WISH TO REVOKE OUR DEAL?” a familiar booming voice echoes - as the Emperor of Earth has turned his attention towards you. PROMPT RESPONSE and RP CONVO

The Emperor will command him to “WORK” (DC25) WIS saving throw.

The conversation will be interrupted as the balls of light begin to grow brighter and brighter. Aurevald will recall a memory from one of his earliest days on the island - when for the first time he thirsted and considering drinking from the watering can he worked with. The scar he received that day stings a little as his attention is taken by the warmth from behind him.

You, feel warmth - true warmth, on your back for the first time in god’s knows how long. Then it hits you - you’re weak. Your body has atrophied and you can’t support your own weight as you collapse to the floor.
”GET UP YOU USELESS CREATURE… I HAVE WAITED MILLENNIA TO BE SET FREE - I WILL HAPPILY WAIT MILENNIA MORE IF IT MEANS FINDING SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT ‘EVERYTHING’ TRULY MEANS…” the Emperor’s voice booms out.
You have no strength to move, even if you wanted to, and then you feel a familiar but old sensation come over you - you’re thirsty; seriously thirsty. This is the first time you’ve been aware of your physical state before a shrill but friendly voice echoes back from behind you.
”Awww come’on where are you boss? Can’t you find me? Please find me - it’s cold and dark and I really don’t know where I am. I’m scared boss - you promised to keep me safe!”
Another pulse of warmth resonates through you and you feel a little energy return to you - if only enough to reach for the watering can.
PAUSE A SECOND - LET HIM PROCESS

“A LINGERING MEMORY HMMM - IT SEEMS EVEN MY POWERS CANNOT REACH WHERE YOUR PET HAS FOUND HIMSELF BUT NO MATTER - HE IS POWERLESS HERE.” the Emperor boasts as the ground reverberates with each syllable.
Familiar words enter your mind once again - a memory of so long ago in the Shadesorrow Forest.
”Freedom is many things; but trading a cruel master for a benevolent one, it is not.” the vague yet wise words of Rootkeeper Drahn bounce around your mind and stele your sprit - enough for you to turn your head and see that the two balls of light have moved closer to you; close enough to see images in them. On the left, the smaller and less bright one, in it you see a familiar little Imp carrying a book and a leather bag. He’s floating around an everchanging black void. On the right hand side; larger and much brighter, you see a group of familiar figures - three Humans, a Leonin, a Half-Elf, a Tiefling - alongside an unfamiliar figure in armour. They seem to be struggling to open a metal door. The image fades and shifts to that of the Half-Elf woman with a face of recognition as she turns and looks directly at you. Aurevald - what do you do?

WING THIS SECTION

Resume TVVVS from start

Aurevald will regain his strength/vigor/memories/identity/etc upon drinking from the watering can - and he will recognize Scabb and The Fated Eight are in need of him. He is aware that he has changed in his time; a couple of months at least, but he’s
- As he grabs the watering can - the emperor of earth will try to scar him again; but it will be blocked by a golden barrier as another pulse of warmth washes over him.
The Emperor of Earth lashes out in a rage as rocks and debris begin to hurl down from the void above. Aurevald feels a tug pulling him and the two balls of light towards a central point. What does he do?
Every step out into the void is met with the pulse of warmth as a golden plane gives him footing above the void. He dodges and ducks most of the rocks BUT
As he is within an arms length of each of the balls of light, the golden barrier around him shatters…
Make a flat Wisdom saving throw - the DC is a 17
- On a success - the barrier recovers and he reunites with the balls of light safely. FADE THE MUSIC OUT GENTLY
- On a failure - the barrier is gone as a large pillar slams into his back and pushes him towards the balls. PAUSE MUSIC IMMEDIATELY
Aurevald’s vision is consumed by white/golden light as the Emperor screams out “ARGH! FOOLISH CREATURE… WE HAD A DEAL Aurevald - AND I NEVER GET THE WORSE END OF A DEAL…”

MEANWHILE BACK IN THE MATERIAL PLANE…

Tiny flecks of light escape from the bodies of The Fated Eight…

Lady’s Hands
Jin’s Legs
SHAIs Ears
Graxious’ Heart
Axton’s Eyes
Morgyn’s Head and rush toward each other to form a larger figure of light before it cracks like the shell of an egg - revealing a Goliath male. Aurevald has returned to the Material Plane.

Alive:

He stands tall for a second before falling to one knee. He’s just shaken and a bit confused. He looks different - Ask Aaron to describe some of the changes…

Dead:

He stands tall for a second; before falling face first into the ground. His body is cold and lifeless…
Give them a second to process before…
Somnus feels a pulse of warmth escape from the Diamond and will be aware that he can use Revivify here.
- If he chooses to - The Maiden will speak with them and offer to forego the Diamond if Somnus makes a personal contribution instead.
- If they make a personal contribution - Somnus’ thread will thicken a fair bit but the spell will be cast without the need for the Diamond.
Aurevald is revived - wing this part

WING ANY REMAINING QUESTIONS/RP - IT IS FUN

PLTPNT - The Unknown Anchor

Explore the Monarch Of Madness’ warehouse more, even discover the stairwell to the basement and below…
First mention of “The Anchor” in a research plan/note

Back Section

Behind the warehouse is a medium sized fenced area with dirt covering the ground (DC15 Investigation for footprints). There is a small circular section of cobblestone and cement in the middle of this area but there’s more scrap metal and broken machinery parts atop it.

The exterior fence is a metal wire and is intact.
They can move the scrap - takes a few minutes and they find a metal door with a big handle on it. It is locked. AUREVALD HELPS LADY
- Let them fumble for a bit and try stuff - eventually Lady’s bracers will pulse and the Ignis will glow brightly - a pulse of warmth will run through her arms for a second time.
- READ LADY’S HELP DIALOGUE
- DC30 using both Aurevald’s CHA roll and Lady’s STR roll (ADVANTAGE)
- For a second people will see a broad shouldered ethereal figure helping Lady before the metal door shears at the edges and is ripped away revealing a metal ladder leading down a fair distance.
- Lady is fully aware of who Aurevald is and that he somehow helped her here… - how does she react?
- PAUSE MUSIC!!!! AFTER AUREVALD SCENE

The ladder leads down 120 feet before ending in wide, rectangular hallway. It only had one path forwards, following it leads into a large open room.

The Laboratory

First Floor: Shaped like a D4 - waiting room; beds, some organizational stuff

You immediately get the sense that the room is quite cold and you can see it is almost entirely made out light grey stone. The room is triangular in shape; with equal sides all around, and the walls meet a tip to create a very high ceiling. There are various tables, drawers, and a central raised triangular plinth that seems to have a bit of give underneath it.

They can explore the drawers and tables but they all seem empty. A DC15 investigation check under one of the tables will reveal a small note that has a drawing of a triangle and a dot in one of the corners. They notice the paper is thin and very translucent. Subsequent investigation checks will allow them to find 3 more with 2 having dots in the corners and 1 in the centre.
Puzzle: 3 people must stand on each of the corners whilst another stands in the middle.
- Once complete - the plinth will depress flush into the floor and a staircase will unfold in the outline of the plinth and downwards, carved out of the stone itself.

Second Floor: Shaped like a D6 - war room; board tables, chalk boards, arcane projectors

This room is much more comfortable than above. It’s carved from a darker stone and there’s a large board room table in the centre of the room. The room contains a number of chalk boards and smaller desks - alongside some odd looking devices scattered around the room. The room is a similar size to the previous one - but has a square ceiling, walls, and floor instead of triangles.

There’s chalk board with concentric circles marked out but the labels have been erased, and another with odd geometric patterns. There’s a small illustration of 5 oddly shaped pillars arranged around a central object - but the details have been removed. A DC16 INT check will allow a hint that the chairs aligned with the glasses of water are slightly different than the others.
The can find a Greater healing potion next to one of the chalk boards, and a Potion of Pugilism
Puzzle: There are 6 half empty glasses of water at specific seats at the table - The head, the two on it’s left and right, and the 3 at the opposite end.
Once complete - The wall to the left of the entrance will slide back about 2 meters and reveal a staircase leading further down - wrapping around the outline of the room.

Third Floor: Shaped like a D8 - research floor; books, scrolls, notes

You are caught off guard by the immediate and unexpected temperature drop in this room. It is ice cold in here and even those of you with experience in cold climates will take a good few minutes to acclimate. Initially - the surroundings remind you of the first room - the triangular walls slanting upwards to a single point in the ceiling - however you realise the floor you are walking on is actually a balcony around the perimeter of the room. Looking over the balcony - you see 4 more triangular walls facing opposite those that make up the ceiling.

There is a central column running from ceiling to floor that suspends a double story platform with what look to be bookshelves, chests, and research apparatus. Offset staircases connect the balcony you are walking on to the central platform.

On the lower platform - you see an intricate device made up of a an empty vial underneath a pad of parchment and quill. The vial is connected to some sort of funnel-like device but it unclear beyond that.

Freezing cold - a nearly completely frozen cup of coffee near a loose page - see Missing Page.
A journal note containing the following details:

“The Proto-Anchor has proven useful in our experiments, we hope to begin trials of localized alterations by the end of the week.”

There are various letters that are written in code - on a DC26 Investigation check they can find a letter that is decoded saying:

Accept this payment and finish production of the core.

May The Unseen Thorne Prevail…

Puzzle: They need to write the 8 “code” words on the paper to open the next door. They can find code words by searching the books around the library where certain words are circled. Each correct word will fill up 1/8th of the vial and persists on the paper. Illegal words will fade away into nothingness
- Code words are circled in red whilst the others are circled in any other colour - DC18 investigation check (advantage if they mention colour or the type of circle)
- Legit Codewords (DC14 Investigation check, +1 each success):
  - Maiden
  - Deity
  - Ritual
  - Arcane
  - Anchor
  - Alter
  - Ascension
  - Fate
- Red herring words:
  - God
  - Pious
  - Experiment
  - Magic
  - Divine
  - Terick
  - Monarch
  - Power
  - Change
  - Design
  - Enforce
- Upon finding all 8 codewords - a gap will open in the wall behind them and reveal a staircase further below - after they have all entered the staircase - it will turn into a slide and they will accelerate into the next room.

If they seem bored of puzzles or need a break - let them RP for a bit or run a combat

Fourth Floor: Shaped like a D10 - manufacturing floor; machines, hardware, scrapped glyphs

The acceleration reaches it’s terminal velocity as you plumet 50, 100, 200, 500 feet below the surface

You each land with a thud on the hard, stone floor and are instantly made aware of the temperature change in this room. It is hot; very hot and uncomfortably humid.

As your eyes adjust - you discover that the heat is radiating from below you - as

Floor is obsidian glass - it’s transparent and they can see bubbling lava beneath them.
The forges are fed from lava
There are ingots in some of the forges - others have the materials to make it.
Seriously humid and warm - there’s hammers and arcane equipment nearby a still active furnace/generator.

IF WE GET HERE - END SESSION EARLY MAYBE WING A POST CREDIT SCENE WITH KING OF FIRE AND EMPEROR OF EARTH.

**Puzzle: There are is 10 forges - where 1 has a completed ingot **

Fifth Floor: Shaped like a D12 - captives floor; jail cells, ripped straight jackets, research notes

Temperature is nothing notable but the smell is acrid and off-putting. Has a vile vibe about it.

Sixth Floor: Shaped like a D20 - production floor; full scale experiments, Boss encounter

The air is electric - there is arcana flowing through every particle in this room.