Session Summary
The party explored a room in Château Amber containing magical playing cards and encountered a strange jester-like figure who controlled three white-furred apes. After a tense interaction, the party attacked the jester, with Thal attempting to drag him from the room and Hawthorne delivering a fatal blow using dissonant whispers. The session ended with philosophical discussions about death and their circumstances in the mansion.
Thal’s Journal Entry
Written in precise handwriting, with margin doodles showing playing cards raining money away and a small jester being dragged across the floor while three confused apes watch
Just when I thought my luck couldn’t get worse. Found a fortune teller with cursed cards - because of course this mansion would have one. Tried being clever, thinking I could peek at a card before picking it. Lost every coin I had for my trouble. Nearly a thousand gold pieces, gone like morning mist. At least watching Hawthorne juggle her growing collection of swords provided some entertainment.
Then we stumbled into some twisted circus act - a deformed jester controlling three white apes that might have been people once. Something about rituals and transformations. Decided to test if he really couldn’t leave his room. Turns out he couldn’t - permanently. Hawthorne’s whispers saw to that. The apes seemed oddly relieved, wanted to dine on their former master while listening to music. Some things you just can’t unsee.
Crew Assessment:
- Combat Capability: Improved coordination on improvised tactics
- Reliability Factor: Mixed - some charging in, others showing restraint
- Spiritual State: Ranging from vengeful to existential
- Sea-Worthiness: Would need lessons in avoiding cursed card games
- Notable Moments: Group’s growing comfort with morally ambiguous decisions
Attendees & Status
Present:
- Jinks (Thal) - Half-elf Rogue/Monk, Level 4
- Sidney (Hawthorne) - Changeling Bard, Level 4
- Ryan (Selnove) - Deep Gnome Barbarian, Level 4
- Justin (Grok) - Half-orc Cleric/Druid, Level 4
- Erik as Dungeon Master
Setting & Atmosphere
- Card reading room with wood-paneled walls and plush carpet
- Ballroom with balcony and musical instruments
- Large chandelier
- Chains and collars for the apes
Key Events
- Party drew cards from mysterious fortune teller
- Thal lost all money due to cursed card effect
- Hawthorne gained a cursed rapier
- Discovery of jester controlling three white-furred apes
- Party’s coordinated attack on jester
- Jester’s death by Hawthorne’s dissonant whispers
- Revelation about apes’ possible human origins
Character Moments
- Thal attempting to outsmart the card system and losing all wealth
- Hawthorne acquiring and struggling with a cursed rapier
- Grok attempting to communicate with the apes
- Selnove showing vulnerability about the caravan’s fate
Important NPC Interactions
- Fortune Teller (brief appearance before vanishing)
- Little Ape Jester - revealed history of transforming the Amber children
- Three white-furred apes: Henri, Marie, and Rene
Loot Acquired
Lost Items
- Thal: 934 gold and 25 platinum pieces (lost to card curse)
Magical Items
- Hawthorne: Cursed rapier (compels wielder to fight until all enemies are dead)
Emotional Highlights
- Tension during the jester confrontation
- Horror at the revelation of transformed humans
- Comfort moment between Hawthorne and Selnove
- Growing existential dread about their situation
Narrative Consequences
- Loss of Thal’s wealth
- Death of the jester
- Discovery of dark transformation magic in the mansion
- Growing suspicion they might all be dead
Player-Specific Notes
Thal
- Lost all accumulated wealth
- Initiated conflict with jester
Hawthorne
- Acquired cursed rapier
- Delivered fatal blow to jester
Selnove
- Showed emotional vulnerability about caravan
- Assisted in confrontation
Grok
- Attempted diplomatic approach with apes
- Developing theory about party’s death
Decisions Made
- Attacked the jester
- Left the apes alive
- Chose not to take magical instruments
- Agreed to continue exploring mansion
Notable Quotes
Grok: “I’m pretty sure that the caravan didn’t leave. I think we… I don’t think we made it. You know? I think we’re dead.”
Hawthorne: “Let’s exhaust every option. We don’t know that. This place is full of tricks and magic.”
Selnove: “What if the caravan left without us?”
Cliffhanger/Unresolved Questions
- True nature of the apes
- Party’s possible deceased status
- Purpose of the mansion
- Way to escape the mist
Next Time
- Explore remaining unexplored rooms
- Investigate throne room door
- Consider implications of possible death
- Search for escape route