Episode 17
Session Summary
Dormitory Secrets Unearthed
Following the battle against the Giant Undead Lifter Gnome, the adventurers explored the eerie dormitory level of the Tower of Melignus. They split up to investigate the apprentice quarters, common rooms, and hidden chambers, piecing together fragments of the tower's grim past.
The group discovered:
- A priest’s room, filled with relics of devotion to the goddess Pauline, and notes documenting strained relationships with the tower’s necromantic master.
- An apprentice’s quarters that revealed torn pages from spellbooks and disturbing insights into the dangerous experiments conducted by the students.
- A common room that felt alive with lingering spirits, including a chess game frozen mid-match and faint, whispering voices.
The atmosphere grew more oppressive as the group uncovered evidence of failed necromantic rituals, soul manipulation, and experiments with Ring Spore, a volatile material linked to strange mutations.
A Mysterious Shrine
The group discovered a shrine dedicated to three gods, with Palev—god of destruction—taking center stage. The air within the shrine was charged, and the group felt a physical pressure that seemed to weigh down their very spirits. Voscheck, examining the holy water present, determined it to be an effective weapon against undead creatures.
Moments of Levity
Despite the dark atmosphere, the adventurers found moments of camaraderie. Peppercorn’s antics lightened the mood, and Queequeg shared stories of his past, endearing himself to the group. Ilya, the mysterious girl accompanying the party, continued to show resourcefulness, scavenging weapons and armor from fallen enemies to equip herself for battle.
Character Highlights and Giggles
- Peppercorn stumbled upon an unfinished chess game and quipped, “Do ghosts get checkmate privileges?” Her attempt to “play” the game resulted in hilarious speculation about undead chess masters.
- Voscheck methodically examined the shrine’s holy water, concluding, “This stuff will burn undead faster than a torch in a paper mill.”
- Shadow uncovered torn journal entries, observing with dry wit, “When your diary includes ‘soul manipulation,’ maybe rethink your hobbies.”
- Aubrey identified rare alchemical components in one apprentice’s quarters, remarking, “This mushroom is worth more than my tuition.”
- Queequeg charmed the group with tales of his Goliath-sized antics, sharing his perspective on their surreal journey with childlike curiosity.
Enemies Encountered
- Lingering Spirits: While no combat occurred, the pervasive presence of ghostly whispers and strange phenomena kept the group on edge.
NPCs Met
- Ilya: The resourceful girl scavenged equipment from fallen foes, including a chain shirt and dagger. Her determined attitude belied her age, and she insisted she was “ready for anything.”
Treasure
- From the Shrine:
- Holy Water: Effective against undead creatures, dealing radiant damage upon contact.
- From the Dormitory:
- Torn Spellbook Pages: Notes on necromantic rituals and failed experiments.
- Scroll of Protection from Evil and Good.
- Potion of Radiant Resistance.
- Scroll of Detect Poison and Disease.
- A family crest ring, ornate and out of place among the apprentice's belongings.
- Miscellaneous:
- Herbal Salve of Protection: Wards off lesser undead for one hour.
- Potion of Water Breathing.
- Ethereal Essence: Enhances a weapon to strike ethereal creatures for one hour.