Episode 27

Mar 21

Session Summary

The session began with some bookkeeping and item clarifications, ensuring the party was clear on their inventory, XP gains, and the properties of various magical items acquired in past sessions. Players identified, discussed, and categorized several alchemical ingredients and magic items, such as an iridescent rock of unknown origin, a potion of lesser restoration, and the wand of animal summoning.

Shopping and Alchemical Research

The group visited Merra’s Arcane Asylum, engaging in various alchemical transactions and discussions. Voschek sought a gilded skull, a key magical component for necromantic rituals. After some negotiation, he secured it for 300 gold and a future favor. Professor Peppercorn was targeted by Merra’s skeletal crows while attempting to present ingredients for identification. Through experimentation and a little gold spent on equipment rental, the group successfully identified several alchemical materials:

Dagger Root (x3) → Can be crafted into Oil of Accuracy (+2 to attack for 10 rounds).
Gremishka Tail (x3) → Can be used to create Wizard’s Bane Oil, causing a -3 penalty to spell attack rolls and save DCs for 2 rounds when applied to weapons. The weapon remains coated for 10 rounds.
Bone Cap Mushrooms (x3) → Identified as a key component for making Basic Poison.
Mystery Arrowhead Coating → Identified as a Fungal Bamboozler, causing confusion upon exposure.

The party also engaged in a lively discussion about necromantic practices. Aubrey secured a Death’s Mirror, a magical compact allowing the casting of False Life three times per day, for 400 gold and assisting Merra in gilding the skull.

Clothing and Gear Shopping

Aubrey and Voscheck, dissatisfied with their current outfits, sought out a tailor and seamstress for fine custom clothing. The Goldmans, a family of tailors, took their measurements and agreed to craft high-quality garments over five days, with embroidery and additional modifications upon request.

The group then headed to The Rusty Cog Tavern, where they prepared for the upcoming council meeting over lunch. The tavern was unusually crowded with dwarves, most notably more intoxicated than usual, hinting at something being afoot in the mines.

The Longmorn Council Debate

The party found the Council Chamber to be made out of the original cliff cavern that Phidias and the rest of the Longmornians used to shelter from Ringfall during their relocation of the town. Rustic and lacking in any false grandiosity, parts of the cavern were left in its natural state, while an open cave mouth served as a giant window overlooking Riverside below and the farms beyond. The cave was originally dubbed "The Rabbit Hole" after Phidias and Heidi discovered it while scouting for a new town location.

Upon entering the Longmorn Council Chamber, the party was met with a tense political atmosphere. Seated at the table were Phidias Inabush, Heidi Inabush, Druhyer, Babi Danka, Renee Vulpine, Seaglow, and Poppy—the seven Elders of Longmorn. The debate, structured as a skill challenge, unfolded in rounds, with the party needing to win at least 9 of 16 turns to secure control over Malignius’ Tower.

Debate Breakdown

Phidias' Welcome

Phidias welcomed the party, called proceedings to order, and turned the floor over to Druhyer to make the first round of arguments. The party took the opportunity to prepare, with Voscheck successfully placing a clandestine Hex on Phidias, sapping away his advantage at persuasive political machinations. Peppercorn granted bardic inspiration to others, and Shadow strategically enhanced the abilities of those who would speak first.

Debate Round One - Druhyer

Points and counterpoints flew back and forth, but Druhyer failed to make much of an impression on his fellow council members, with each of his arguments being successfully countered by one of the party members! Phidias was displeased, but there wasn't much he could do about it until Druhyer yielded the floor.

Shadow got caught while re-casting Enhance Ability, but fortunately, Heidi was the only one who noticed. She dispels the magic on Shadow, but not on Peppercorn. By the end of the first round, the party had nearly secured a compromise of shared stewardship of the tower between themselves and the Brotherhood of Engineers.

Debate Round Two - Phidias

The second round proved more challenging. Despite being hexed, and with the party members helping each other to counter his arguments, Phidias managed to tie his rounds of the debate until the very last moment. In a final, decisive counterargument, the party convinced the council to rule in their favor, granting them full control rather than a compromise.

Outcome & Resolution

The debate was fiercely contested, with strong counterarguments from Shadow, Voscheck, Dirk, Peppercorn, and Aubrey. The party leveraged their knowledge of the tower, historical precedence, and political maneuvering to secure victory with 8 wins, earning full control over Malignius’ Tower.

Phidias and Druhyer left visibly frustrated, their political influence diminished. The Mornshields were appointed as neutral security for the tower, ensuring peace between the party and the town. However, lingering tensions suggested potential future political conflicts.

Character Highlights and Giggles

Peppercorn became a snack vendor as Merra’s skeletal crows (Caws and Effect) attempted to steal their peanuts.
Voscheck had a conversation with Merra and Aubrey about necromancy, revealing opinions over the ethical use of undead servitude.
Aubrey managed to haggle the price down for her Death’s Mirror by offering magical labor.
Dirk wisely suggested that coating arrows in Wizard’s Bane Oil would be an effective anti-mage tactic.
Shadow’s counterarguments during the debate were particularly cutting, gaining advantage on multiple rolls.

Enemies Encountered

No physical combat this session, but Phidias Inabush and Druhyer were political adversaries.

NPCs Met

Merra (Arcane Asylum) – Alchemist & necromancer, provided deals on items in exchange for favors and gold.
The Goldmans (Tailors) – Skilled seamstress and tailor crafting Aubrey and Voscheck’s new outfits.
Phidias Inabush (Brotherhood Leader) – Main antagonist of the debate, now weakened politically.
Druhyer (Underground Leader) – Argued against the party but was ultimately outmaneuvered.
Mornshields – Town militia now responsible for ensuring neutrality at the tower.

Treasure & Notable Acquisitions

Aubrey’s Death’s Mirror – Magical compact that grants False Life (3/day).
Gilded Skull (in progress) – Required for necromantic rituals.
Alchemical Discoveries:
- Oil of Accuracy (+2 to attack rolls, 10 rounds)
- Wizard’s Bane Oil (-3 to spell attacks/save DCs, 2 rounds)
- Basic Poison
- Fungal Bamboozler (Confusion effect)
Fancy Clothes – Custom garments for Aubrey & Voscheck (to be completed in 5 days).

Final Thoughts

The party has cemented their political standing in Longmorn, but their victory over Phidias and Druhyer may have long-term consequences. With full control over the tower, they must now decide how to utilize its resources wisely and diplomatically to avoid future conflicts.

Petr Klapka