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Dunmari Frontier - Session 97

Shadowkeep’s Fall: in which the party vanquishes Rhodar von Glauer

Featuring: Seeker, Delwath, Kenzo, Wellby, Riswynn
In Taelgar: May 03, 1749 DR to May 05, 1749 DR
On Earth: Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Shadowkeep and Voknaz Manor

The Dunmar Fellowship defeats vampire Rhodar von Glauer, escapes the collapsing Shadowkeep, and advances their quest against Apollyon.

25 days until Apollyon’s escape

Session Info

Character advancement: everyone reaches level 14 after defeating Rhodar von Glauer
New treasure acquired in Ursk: Ursk Treasure

Summary

  • The Dunmar Fellowship defeated the vampire Rhodar von Glauer after a fierce battle in a darkened chamber.
  • Delwath destroyed von Glauer’s remnants in his coffin, finding valuable items amidst the imminent collapse of Shadowkeep.
  • The group narrowly escaped Shadowkeep with loot, evading wraiths and leaving a venom troll behind.
  • Through the Dream spell, the party learned of terrorist attacks by their doppelgängers in Chardon and discussed countermeasures.
  • Upon returning to Voknaz Manor, the adventurers received a Jade Piece of Rai’s Hand and learned of political complications.
  • Seeker teleported the party to Nevium, positioning them for their next quest to find another Jade Piece.

Timeline

Visions and Dreams

Narrative

We begin on the afternoon of May 3rd, 1749, as the confrontation with Rhodar von Glauer culminated dramatically. Amidst a magically darkened chamber, the party meticulously planned their attack strategies, balancing the risks of friendly fire against the imperative of exploiting their individual combat strengths. Wellby initiated the offense by marking von Glauer’s position with an arrow, while Riswynn brilliantly illuminated the vampire with a Sunbeam spell.

The fight escalated quickly as von Glauer unleashed a barrage of dark spears and sword attacks, wounding Kenzo and Riswynn. Despite this, the group’s coordination was impeccable. Seeker attempted a Slow spell, albeit unsuccessfully, while Delwath landed heavy blows enhanced by Yezali’s Mark. Riswynn continued to assault with Sunbeam and a summoned Spiritual Weapon, significantly weakening von Glauer. The vampire, desperate, transformed into a flaming bat, swooping through the party and dealing damage, but ultimately it wasn’t enough to stave off defeat. After a series of calculated attacks and a final melee confrontation led by Kenzo, von Glauer was dispatched, dissipating into a noxious cloud that momentarily disoriented the party.

In the aftermath, Delwath pursued the remnants of von Glauer to his coffin, ensuring the vampire’s permanent destruction by targeting the mist with radiant energy. The victorious party then scoured the coffin, uncovering a collection of intriguing items including a magical dagger with blindsight abilities. However, their victory was overshadowed by the imminent structural collapse of Shadowkeep, prompted by their intense battle.

The escape from the crumbling Shadowkeep was fraught with peril and urgency. Amid the chaos, Wellby and Kenzo prioritized salvaging valuable treasures, while the rest of the group managed external threats. Despite the hazardous conditions, they successfully extracted significant loot, including gold and magical items, narrowly evading hostile wraiths they encountered along the way, and leaving the venom troll to claim the ruins of Shadowkeep as his new domain.

The night brought a need for reflection and planning. Using the Dream spell, Delwath engaged in a crucial conversation with Lyra, addressing misunderstandings and discussing recent calamitous events in Chardon, where doppelgängers of Kenzo and Delwath had been implicated in a terrorist attack. This revelation suggested manipulation by their adversaries, adding layers of political intrigue to their quest.

The morning of May 4th, the party teleported back to the Voknaz Manor, presenting tokens of von Glauer’s defeat to a nervous Olen Vrask. Their proof was accepted, and they were awarded the Jade Piece of Rai’s Hand, a critical element in their ongoing mission to prevent the release of Apollyon, a looming threat detailed in a vivid dream vision triggered by the jade piece.

That evening, the party used the Dream spell to maintain communication with their allies on Vindristjarna – Faldrak, Amil, and Kethra – learning of developments that further complicated their strategic considerations. Their discussions underscored the urgency of their primary quest over potential distractions, highlighting a burgeoning crisis that could culminate in a catastrophic release of Apollyon.

The session ended with Seeker’s successful teleportation to Nevium on the morning of May 5th, marking the beginning of the next phase of their journey, situating them strategically near the Gulf of Chardon as they prepared to search for the next Jade Piece of Rai’s Hand.

Transcript

Detailed Summary

The Attack on Rhoder von Glauer

  • The party strategizes in magical darkness, discussing spells and abilities they have at their disposal. Wellby expresses concern over visibility, Dewalth focuses on positioning for combat, and Kenzo is reminded that he can’t see in the darkness but decides against activating the daylight spell for strategic movement.
  • Wellby decides to shoot an arrow at von Glauer, marking his location and theoretically providing a target despite the darkness.
  • Riswynn suggests a careful approach to avoid friendly fire when casting Sunbeam.
  • Kenzo, using his Fist of Planar Power, manages to hit von Glauer and pull him closer, planning to engage in melee combat.
  • von Glauer, in response, unleashes attacks with dark spears that restrain and damage Kenzo and Riswynn, followed by sword attacks that further injure Riswynn.
  • The party’s discussion includes attempts to use their environment and abilities to their advantage, considering the use of items like drift globes and discussing the potential vulnerabilities and resistances of von Glauer.

Sunlight Illuminates the Fight

  • Riswynn decides to cast Sunbeam targeting the direction of her assailant, carefully angling it to avoid hitting Dewalth.
  • DM clarifies there’s nothing between Riswynn and her target, allowing her to safely cast Sunbeam without hitting allies.
  • Riswynn successfully casts Sunbeam, illuminating the area and revealing the vampire in the process.
  • Seeker debates using various abilities but settles on attempting Slow on the vampire, which fails due to the vampire making its save.
  • Dewalth then uses Yezali’s’s Mark on the vampire and attacks, dealing significant damage across multiple hits.
  • Wellby takes aim and shoots the vampire with a magical arrow, dealing damage.
  • Kenzo deflects and returns an attack with Deflect Missile, then Kenzo engages the vampire in melee, dealing a series of hits.
  • The vampire transforms into a flaming bat, flying through the party dealing damage to several party members.
  • Riswynn, now aware of the vampire’s location, uses her Sunbeam again while also summoning a Spiritual Weapon to attack, the latter inflicting force damage on the vampire.
  • The vampire retaliates with a series of attacks from within magical fog, dealing damage to several party members with magical spears.
  • Seeker casts a high-level Healing Word on Riswynn, significantly healing her, and then tries to dispel magic fog created by the vampire, successfully clearing it.
  • Kenzo uses his action to do Acid Arrow on the vampire, successfully landing the attack and dealing acid damage.
  • As the fog clears thanks to Seeker’s action, the party continues their assault. The ladder, animated by Seeker, joins the attack but misses and suffers damage from sickening radiance.
  • Throughout the chaotic battle, the party maneuvers and coordinates their attacks, leveraging their abilities and environmental factors against the vampire.

The Defeat of Rhoder von Glauer

  • Dewalth decides to attack Rhoder von Glauer directly, slashing with his sword, and smiting with his spells, leaving him badly wounded but still alive.
  • Wellby makes a move and shoots at von Glauer without advantage, but with sneak attack, dealing 37 damage and pushing von Glauer to the brink of defeat.
  • Kenzo joins the fray, getting into melee with von Glauer and making a series of attacks, eventually dealing a killing blow that disperses von Glauer into a black cloud.
  • The party, excluding Seeker, must make a Constitution saving throw due to the dispersal of von Glauer into a toxic cloud, with most failing and taking damage.
  • Confusion ensues among the party members as some are forced to make random attacks against each other due to failing their saving throws against the cloud’s effects.
  • Dewalth turns into a cloud of insects and flies to von Glauer’s open coffin, attacking the remaining mist with a sword infused with radiant damage, effectively killing von Glauer.
  • The party finds and examines items within von Glauer’s coffin, including a key made of bone, a pendant, a dagger, and three rubies, identifying the dagger as magical with blindsight capabilities.
  • The party contemplates their next moves, including rescuing the venom troll let loose in Shadowkeep, while a distant crack suggests the potential collapse of their current location.

Escape from Shadowkeep

  • The party discusses pillaging Rhoder von Glauer’s stronghold for treasure, considering the risks and rewards.
  • Dewalth uses Mage Hand to collect a key, dagger, watcher’s pendant, and 3 rubies
  • The party debates their next steps, considering using the Rainbow Bridge to escape, but ultimately decide against it to save it for a more desperate situation.
  • As the party attempts to leave, they notice structural damage to the stronghold, indicating an imminent collapse.
  • The group splits, with Wellby and Kenzo tasked with pillaging using a skeleton key, while the others handle distractions outside.
  • Wellby prioritizes looting valuable items, including 50 pounds of gold, a diamond statue, potions, and a shield, despite the collapsing environment.
  • Wellby discovers a secret door leading to a mausoleum and encounters wraiths, managing to escape with the loot.
  • The party decides to retreat from the stronghold as the poison troll claims it as his kingdom, throwing rocks at them.
  • Amidst the chaos, the Ladder manages to grab some armor pieces, but it nearly gets destroyed by falling rubble. Inspiration is used to save it.
  • As the stronghold collapses, the party makes their way down the mountain, deciding to camp and plan their next move.
  • The party takes inventory of their loot, identifying several potions, a dagger of blindsight, and confirming that some items are not magical.
  • They plan to use spells like Dream and Sending to communicate with allies.

Dream Messages and News

  • Dewalth plans to use the Dream spell to communicate with Archivist Lyra in the middle of the night.
  • During the Dream spell, Dewalth creates a welcoming tea room setting to discuss recent events and clear up misunderstandings with Lyra.
  • Lyra expresses disbelief in Dewalth and Kenzo’s involvement in a terrorist attack in Chardon, suggesting a rift to Pandemonium was opened in the city.
  • Apparently, duplicates of Kenzo and Delwath, created by Apollyon, were supposedly executed in Chardon for the attack, raising tensions.
  • Dewalth tries to explain their side of the story to Lyra, including their battle against Rhoder von Glauer and how Fausto might have used the scroll they traded to cause the rift.
  • Lyra shares that there’s a growing call for retaliation against Dunmar due to the attack, complicating diplomatic relations.
  • The party discusses sending Faldrick with their airship towards Chardon to prepare for their next steps, despite the potential risks.
  • Dewalth and the party strategize on how to communicate securely, given the existence of their duplicates, and seek to inform allies and potentially clear their names.

Return to the Voknaz Manor

  • The party decides to execute their plan of showing up at the gates with the Watcher’s Medallion instead of teleporting inside to steal the jade fragment.
  • Upon arrival, they are greeted by the scribe who had previously sent them on their mission. The scribe, appearing nervous, inquires if they have the proof of the vampire’s death, the medallion.
  • Dewalth confirms they have the medallion and mentions they have a messenger from Rodnya Kinzal in their custody. The scribe dismisses the concern for the messenger, focusing on the task of verifying the vampire’s death.
  • After waiting for several hours, the party is approached by the scribe carrying a lead box containing the piece of jade they sought, warning them of its dream-disturbing properties.
  • The party discusses internally the potential to offload the Kinzal messenger and the implications of using a dagger they possess.
  • They inquire about getting a pass or permission for future returns to trade or for diplomatic entry, which the scribe agrees to consider, offering a writ of trade to the port cities for the time being.
  • The scribe reveals that the Kinzal messenger likely returned home using a return stone, suggesting his escape from their captivity.
  • The party is led to believe that their names will not be heavily associated with the vampire’s defeat, implying that the victory will be attributed to Rodnya Voknaz.
  • The scribe grants the party access to a portal for future visits, marking the end of their transaction.
  • As Kenzo attaches the jade piece to his staff, the party is transported to a dream vision revealing the fragile state of magical bonds restraining a powerful entity named Apollyon and the urgency to act before these bonds break.
  • The party debates their next moves, considering the importance of collecting more jade pieces to strengthen the bonds holding Apollyon and prevent his release.
  • They discuss strategic approaches to the situation, including potential distractions and the need to focus on their main quest over side quests.
  • The party speaks with their followers on Vindristjarna, learning they have been having their own adventures: meeting with frost giants, rescuing a foundering halfling ship, and fighting hobgoblin pirates. Alberd departed with his sister, who was one of the frost giants they found, and Kecha left to find the kenku to the east, after learning of them from the halflings.
  • The party plans to use teleportation for rapid movement to their next objectives and considers the logistics of meeting with their airship in the future.
  • They acknowledge a ticking clock towards a doomsday scenario if Apollyon is freed, and ultimately decide to send Vindristjarna to Uzgukhar, and teleport to the area near the Old Chardon Canal, to search for the next piece of jade.
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Short Summary

The Attack on Rhoder von Glauer
The session focuses on the party’s preparation and initial engagement with Lord Rhoda von Glauer in magical darkness, involving strategic planning and the use of specific abilities to gain an advantage. Despite the darkness, they manage to locate and attack von Glauer, but also sustain heavy attacks in return.

Sunlight Illuminates the Fight
The party engages in a strategic battle against a vampire, using Sunbeam, Spiritual Weapon, and various spells to illuminate the area and deal damage. Despite the vampire’s attempts to confuse and damage them with magical darkness and fog, the party manages to dispel the fog and coordinate their attacks effectively.

The Defeat of Rhoder von Glauer
In a climactic battle, the party defeats Rhoder von Glauer with a combination of direct attacks and strategic use of magical items found within his coffin. The battle concludes with the discovery of several magical items and a warning sign of structural instability in their location.

Escape from Shadowkeep
After defeating Rhoder von Glauer, the party loots his stronghold, narrowly escaping structural collapse and confrontations with wraiths and a poison troll. They recover valuable items, including potions, gold, and a diamond statue, before retreating to plan their next moves.

Dream Messages and News
The party discovers that duplicates of Kenzo and Delwath were supposedly executed in Chardon for a terrorist attack using the Pandemonium Scroll. They use the Dream spell to communicate with allies and plan their next steps, including repositioning their airship as they work to clear their names and prevent a war.

Return to the Voknaz Manor
The party successfully retrieves a piece of jade crucial for their quest, receiving warnings about its effects and the urgency surrounding their mission. Through strategic discussions and a significant dream vision, they realize the importance of their next steps in preventing a catastrophic event, planning to focus on the main quest over potential distractions.