Session Overview
The party dealt with the aftermath of defeating the abbot-beast in Perigon, learning from Luc that the townspeople would publicly deny the abbot’s transformation while privately accepting the truth. After securing the Ring of Eibon, they traveled to Vyones where they found the city in crisis - a massive 100-foot-tall colossus created by the necromancer Nathea was threatening the town. Gaspard du Nord offered the Viper Circled Mirror in exchange for the colossus’s defeat. Through coordinated tactics involving rope traps and Hawthorne’s aerial powder attack, they successfully brought down the giant creature and claimed their final artifact, completing their collection of the four items needed to break Castle Amber’s curse.
Thal’s Journal Entry
Written during their celebratory feast in Vyones, with margin doodles showing a massive colossus tangled in rope like a ship caught in rigging, Hawthorne swooping down with powder like a seabird attacking, and a small sketch labeled “the necromancer’s final basket ride” with exaggerated expressions of doom
Well now, that’s it then — four artifacts, one impossible ritual, and hopefully a way home, so there is. Watching that hundred-foot corpse-tower topple like a felled mast was satisfying enough, but knowing ‘twas our last required hunt makes the victory taste sweeter than the feast wine, sure enough.
Perigon wanted us gone quick-smart after we sorted their beast problem — can’t blame them really. Hard to explain to the neighbors that your holy man was actually an undead shapeshifter without raising uncomfortable questions, to be sure. Luc handled the politics well enough though, giving his guards a story they could sell while nodding along with our version in private.
Hawthorne tried her hand at a bit of extortion — managed to squeeze fifty gold out of poor Luc, she did, though Selnove’s generosity gave most of it right back. That gnome’s relationship with money continues to baffle me entirely.
The rope trap worked better than expected though, aye. Watching that massive beast go down like a drunk sailor on his first shore leave was satisfying in ways I can’t properly express. Hawthorne’s powder attack from above sealed the deal — suddenly we’re heroes of Vyones with all four pieces of our puzzle complete, so we are.
Found a basket on the thing’s back that likely held the necromancer controlling it. Crushed flat when the colossus fell — seems fitting that someone who builds monsters out of corpses would end up as paste under their own creation, I’d say.
Crew Assessment:
- Combat Capability: Excellent coordination under pressure, rope tactics proved surprisingly effective
- Reliability Factor: Strong when facing clear threats, though Hawthorne’s extortion habits remain concerning
- Spiritual State: Grok’s divine powers proving invaluable against undead, rest adapting well to escalating threats
- Sea-Worthiness: Would make decent marines with this level of tactical thinking
- Notable Moments: Hawthorne’s aerial powder strike, Selnove’s rope coordination, entire party working as actual unit
Attendees & Status
Present:
- Jinks (Thal) - Half-elf Rogue/Monk, Level 6 (leveled up)
- Sidney (Hawthorne) - Changeling Bard, Level 6 (leveled up)
- Ryan (Selnove) - Deep Gnome Barbarian, Level 6 (leveled up)
- Justin (Grok) - Half-orc Cleric, Level 6 (leveled up)
- Erik as Dungeon Master
Setting & Atmosphere
- Town of Perigon dealing with aftermath of abbot’s death
- Journey to Vyones during crisis with giant colossus threat
- Vyones’ main square with panicked citizens and Archbishop’s emergency address
- Forest road ambush site with fallen trees and strategic positioning
- Celebratory feast in Vyones following successful colossus defeat
Key Events
- Post-combat discussion about whether they killed the real abbot or impostor
- Luc’s explanation of political handling - public denial, private acceptance
- Hawthorne’s successful extortion of 50 gold from Luc
- Travel to Vyones and discovery of colossus crisis
- Meeting with Gaspard du Nord and learning about the Viper Circled Mirror reward
- Setting up rope trap ambush for the 100-foot colossus
- Successful coordinated attack bringing down the colossus
- Hawthorne’s decisive black powder attack to the face
- Discovery and destruction of necromancer in basket on colossus’s back
- Triumphant return to Vyones, reward ceremony, and leveling up
Character Moments
- Hawthorne successfully extracting additional payment through performance and manipulation
- Grok attempting to use Turn Undead on the colossus (ineffective due to size but caused disadvantage)
- Selnove’s tactical rope coordination and generous tip-giving tendencies
- Thal’s practical assessment of threats and strategic positioning during ambush
- Party working together effectively on complex tactical challenge
Important NPC Interactions
Luc le Chaudronnier
- Explained political situation regarding abbot’s death
- Paid party 50 gold additional reward under pressure from Hawthorne
- Provided cover story for guards while acknowledging truth privately
Gaspard du Nord
- Former pupil of necromancer Nathea who saw error of his ways
- Offered Viper Circled Mirror family heirloom in exchange for colossus defeat
- Provided black powder formula to defeat the undead creature
Archbishop of Vyones
- Announced 5,000 gold reward for colossus defeat
- Organized town’s response to crisis
Loot Acquired
Party Treasure
- 50 gold pieces (extorted from Luc by Hawthorne, mostly returned by Selnove)
- 5,000 gold pieces (reward from Vyones for defeating colossus)
Magical Items
- The Viper Circled Mirror (fourth and final required artifact)
- Black powder (used to defeat colossus, potentially replicable with formula)
Personal Acquisitions
N/A - Rewards distributed among party
Notable Item Details
- Viper Circled Mirror: Fourth and final magical artifact needed to break Castle Amber’s curse
- Black powder: Special alchemical compound effective against undead colossus
- Quest Complete: Party now has all 4 required artifacts (Sword of Sylaire, Ring of Eibon, Viper Circled Mirror, Potion of Time Travel)
Relationship Web
N/A - Combat and quest-focused session with minimal relationship development
Emotional Highlights
- Relief at successful resolution of abbot situation in Perigon
- Tension during Hawthorne’s extortion attempt
- Excitement at realizing they have their final artifact
- Anticipation and fear facing 100-foot colossus
- Satisfaction at successful tactical coordination
- Triumph at completing their impossible quest
Narrative Consequences
- Secured fourth and final required magical artifact
- Gained significant wealth and reputation in Vyones
- Demonstrated party’s capability against seemingly impossible threats
- All artifacts now collected - ready for final ritual to break Castle Amber’s curse
- Party leveled up to 6th level following major victory
Player-Specific Notes
Thal
- Maintained strategic overview during combat planning
- Provided tactical support during rope coordination
- Showed practical assessment of threat levels
Hawthorne
- Successfully extorted additional payment through performance
- Delivered decisive aerial attack against colossus
- Demonstrated growing confidence in flight combat
Selnove
- Coordinated rope trap effectively with Thal
- Continued generous spending habits (returned most extorted gold)
- Showed tactical thinking in combat setup
Grok
- Attempted divine intervention against colossus
- Used spiritual weapon effectively in combat
- Demonstrated understanding of undead creatures
Decisions Made
- Left Perigon quickly to avoid political complications
- Volunteered to fight colossus for mirror reward
- Used rope trap strategy rather than direct assault
- Hawthorne carried all black powder for aerial attack
- Accepted feast and rewards in Vyones
Notable Quotes
Grok: “Begone, Satan. You and your weird backpack.” (Attempting to turn undead against the colossus)
Hawthorne: “That doesn’t get us close to a mirror. We need a mirror.” (Frustrated about the complexity of their quest requirements)
Thal: “We have three out of the four items and we just need one more. And then we get the fuck out of Perrygon.” (Summing up their progress)
Selnove: “For the snails!” (Battle cry before rope coordination against colossus)
Cliffhanger/Unresolved Questions
- How to perform the ritual to summon Prince Stephen’s tomb now that all artifacts are collected
- Whether the necromancer in the basket was truly Nathea
- Location of the Gate of the Silver Keys mentioned in their instructions
- What awaits them in the final confrontation to break the curse
Next Time
- Preparation for final ritual using all four artifacts
- Search for the Gate of the Silver Keys
- Final confrontation to break Castle Amber’s curse
- Potential return to their original dimension and the missing caravan
Transcript
Transclude of T-2025-06-30