Episode 18
Session Summary
The Dormitory Exploration
The party began their exploration of the dormitory’s common spaces, uncovering remnants of lives disrupted. Journals detailed strange experiments and rituals, hinting at the tragic fall of those who once occupied the tower.
A Ghostly Encounter
Professor Peppercorn ventured into a well, where she encountered the ghost of Davia, a tragic figure bound to the area by her unresolved past. The encounter turned chaotic as Davia lashed out, but with the aid of Queequeg and others, Peppercorn was pulled to safety, narrowly avoiding harm.
The Tower’s Dark History
Through journals, diagrams, and haunting memories, the party unraveled the history of Davos and Davia, siblings whose lives were consumed by obsession and grief. Davos’s experiments sought to harness soul energy, creating dangerous necromantic constructs.
Fidelis, the Guardian Hound
The spectral dog, Fidelis, was encountered, bound to the tower by magical chains. Though wary of the party, its interactions revealed deep loyalty to its master, Davos’s father. Efforts to release Fidelis proved unsuccessful, as its true freedom lay in the hands of its long-deceased master.
The Laboratory Discovery
The party uncovered a laboratory featuring macabre experiments and a partially completed potion requiring a humanoid heart. Aubrey, revealing her preparedness, used a preserved heart to complete the experiment, successfully creating a potion of resurrection.
A Shrine to the Triune
The party discovered a shrine to the Triune gods. Its inscription—"To honor the Triune, one must offer what they hold dear: light, darkness, and balance"—hinted at a potential puzzle or offering to unlock its secrets.
Character Highlights and Giggles
- Professor Peppercorn: Embarked on a chaotic and brave dive into a haunted well, leading to frantic efforts by the party to pull her back to safety.
- Voscheck: Played a significant role in interpreting journals and diagrams, shedding light on the tower’s necromantic experiments.
- Aubrey: Demonstrated her alchemical expertise by completing the resurrection potion, revealing her surprising preparedness with a preserved humanoid heart.
- Queequeg: Showed strength and loyalty in aiding Peppercorn during the well incident.
- Dirk Goodhair: Attempted to befriend Fidelis, successfully calming the spectral hound temporarily with a natural 20 on an animal handling check.
Enemies Encountered
- Davia (Ghost): A hostile spirit haunting the well, bound by unresolved grief and a connection to her brother’s tragic experiments.
- Fidelis (Spectral Dog): Bound to the tower by magical chains, Fidelis displayed both hostility and a tragic sense of loyalty.
- Haunting Spirits: Ghostly presences in the dormitory created moments of tension and unease.
NPCs Met
- Davos and Davia (Referenced): Siblings central to the tower’s tragic history. Davos’s experiments in necromancy were fueled by grief over Davia’s death.
- Father Tihmoir (Referenced): A priest whose writings warned of the dangers of Davos’s obsessions. His body is presumed to hold the keys necessary to unlock certain tower secrets.
Treasure
- Potion of Resurrection: Created by Aubrey using a preserved heart.
- Journals and Notes: Containing detailed accounts of necromantic experiments, rituals, and the tragic fall of Davos and his family.
- Keys (Presumed): Believed to be on the body of Father Tihmoir, as hinted in the party’s investigations.