Session 14: Chasing the Monolith - Revision history

Manath: /* Summary */

2025-03-01T01:26:05Z

Summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:26, 28 February 2025
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	By dawn, the party reached Urlingwood, where Octavius's scrying confirmed the Monolith was gone, its resting place now a field of goblinoid corpses. Survivors pointed them underground, where ogres had fled with their prize. Following the trail, the party descended into the earth, navigating a massive tunnel dug by an Umber Hulk, until the path abruptly ended—collapsed by design. Lilia warned against disturbing the ground, as the creatures could sense tremors, but rather than excavate for weeks, she shifted into a starry badger and burrowed through in minutes.		By dawn, the party reached Urlingwood, where Octavius's scrying confirmed the Monolith was gone, its resting place now a field of goblinoid corpses. Survivors pointed them underground, where ogres had fled with their prize. Following the trail, the party descended into the earth, navigating a massive tunnel dug by an Umber Hulk, until the path abruptly ended—collapsed by design. Lilia warned against disturbing the ground, as the creatures could sense tremors, but rather than excavate for weeks, she shifted into a starry badger and burrowed through in minutes.

	Emerging on the other side, she found herself face-to-face with a drow lookout—Ryltar T'sarran. He laughed at the sight of the celestial badger, tossing her a mushroom, which she ate without hesitation. Reporting back in ~~beaver~~ form, Lilia briefed the party, who prepared to squeeze through the tunnel and meet whatever lay ahead in the depths of the Underdark.		Emerging on the other side, she found herself face-to-face with a drow lookout—Ryltar T'sarran. He laughed at the sight of the celestial badger, tossing her a mushroom, which she ate without hesitation. Reporting back in badger form, Lilia briefed the party, who prepared to squeeze through the tunnel and meet whatever lay ahead in the depths of the Underdark.

	== XP Award ==		== XP Award ==

Manath: /* They Didn't Hear No Bell */

2025-03-01T01:25:50Z

They Didn't Hear No Bell

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:25, 28 February 2025
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	* She did her best badger impression, which earned a laugh from the drow. He tossed her a mushroom, which she ate.		* She did her best badger impression, which earned a laugh from the drow. He tossed her a mushroom, which she ate.
	* [[Octavius]] asked for a status report via the message spell.		* [[Octavius]] asked for a status report via the message spell.
	* [[Lilia]] the badger returned to the party, speaking in ~~beaver~~ form about what she saw. She began widening the tunnel.		* [[Lilia]] the badger returned to the party, speaking in badger form about what she saw. She began widening the tunnel.
	* The party deliberated on how to handle the man, and engaged in extreme caving by entering the tunnel one at a time.		* The party deliberated on how to handle the man, and engaged in extreme caving by entering the tunnel one at a time.

Manath: /* Taking the Red Eye */

2025-03-01T01:25:02Z

Taking the Red Eye

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:25, 28 February 2025
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	* [[Unit 137]] spoke of Baator once having been a paradise, how it's key to planar stability, and how demons are his mortal enemy.		* [[Unit 137]] spoke of Baator once having been a paradise, how it's key to planar stability, and how demons are his mortal enemy.
	* [[Octavius]] tinkered with his weave-attuned sextant, noting that the nearest leyline was in the Endless Wastes to the east.		* [[Octavius]] tinkered with his weave-attuned sextant, noting that the nearest leyline was in the Endless Wastes to the east.
			* The party passed over Tir, Taporan, and a network of small rivers over the Rashemi heartlands.
	* '''Date:''' 15th of Tarsakh (The Claw of the Storms, April), early afternoon, 1372 DR		* '''Date:''' 15th of Tarsakh (The Claw of the Storms, April), early afternoon, 1372 DR
	* In the early afternoon, the party had arrived over Urlingwood.		* In the early afternoon, the party had arrived over Urlingwood.

Manath: /* XP Award */

2025-03-01T01:19:47Z

XP Award

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:19, 28 February 2025
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	* 200 XP for Lilia's expertise on tracking and Umber Hulks		* 200 XP for Lilia's expertise on tracking and Umber Hulks
	* '''Total: 1200 XP'''		* '''Total: 1200 XP'''
	* '''Current XP: 16180 XP -> 17380 XP '''		* '''Current XP: 16180 XP -> 17380 XP ''' (Level 6)
	* ''(Required for next level: 23000 XP)''		* ''(Required for next level: 23000 XP)''

Manath: /* Maps */

2025-03-01T01:19:20Z

Maps

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:19, 28 February 2025
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	== Maps ==		== Maps ==
	* Nothing worth uploading a map for. (Honestly just being lazy.)		* Nothing worth uploading a map for. (Honestly just being lazy until someone tells me they miss the maps, especially since we have them physically.)

	== NPCs Encountered (or mentioned) ==		== NPCs Encountered (or mentioned) ==

Manath: /* Summary */

2025-03-01T01:18:32Z

Summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:18, 28 February 2025
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	[[File:Ryltar T'sarran.png\|right\|600px\|thumb\|Ryltar T'sarran, the Drow Lookout]]		[[File:Ryltar T'sarran.png\|right\|600px\|thumb\|Ryltar T'sarran, the Drow Lookout]]

	The party reappeared in the ruins of ~~'''~~Ironjaw's Mirth~~'''~~, nausea from planar travel leaving ~~'''~~Diedric, Octavius, and Shadespine~~'''~~ reeling. Grateful for his rescue, ~~'''~~Shadespine~~'''~~ chose to seek out a ~~'''~~Rashemi Berserker Lodge~~'''~~, roaring his farewell as he vanished toward ~~'''~~Lake Mulsantir~~'''~~. That night, while soaring north on their ~~'''~~Carpet of Flying~~'''~~, ~~'''~~Smokescale~~'''~~ requested to be unsummoned, seeking to show ~~'''~~Unit 137~~'''~~ the true nature of ~~'''~~Baator~~'''~~. When they returned, the modron spoke of a lost paradise, a time when the Nine Hells had been a bastion of order against the demons he despised. Meanwhile, the ~~'''~~Mimir~~'''~~ revealed the ~~'''~~Monolith of Stars~~'''~~ was a fragment of an ice moon, shattered onto Toril in the ~~'''~~Tearfall~~'''~~, an ancient war's final reckoning.		The party reappeared in the ruins of Ironjaw's Mirth, nausea from planar travel leaving Diedric, Octavius, and Shadespine reeling. Grateful for his rescue, Shadespine chose to seek out a Rashemi Berserker Lodge, roaring his farewell as he vanished toward Lake Mulsantir. That night, while soaring north on their Carpet of Flying, Smokescale requested to be unsummoned, seeking to show Unit 137 the true nature of Baator. When they returned, the modron spoke of a lost paradise, a time when the Nine Hells had been a bastion of order against the demons he despised. Meanwhile, the Mimir revealed the Monolith of Stars was a fragment of an ice moon, shattered onto Toril in the Tearfall, an ancient war's final reckoning.

	By dawn, the party reached ~~'''~~Urlingwood~~'''~~, where Octavius's ~~'''~~scrying~~'''~~ confirmed the ~~'''~~Monolith~~'''~~ was gone, its resting place now a field of goblinoid corpses. Survivors pointed them underground, where ogres had fled with their prize. Following the trail, the party descended into the earth, navigating a massive tunnel dug by an ~~'''~~Umber Hulk~~'''~~, until the path abruptly ended—collapsed by design. ~~'''~~Lilia~~'''~~ warned against disturbing the ground, as the creatures could sense tremors, but rather than excavate for weeks, she shifted into a ~~'''~~starry badger~~'''~~ and burrowed through in minutes.		By dawn, the party reached Urlingwood, where Octavius's scrying confirmed the Monolith was gone, its resting place now a field of goblinoid corpses. Survivors pointed them underground, where ogres had fled with their prize. Following the trail, the party descended into the earth, navigating a massive tunnel dug by an Umber Hulk, until the path abruptly ended—collapsed by design. Lilia warned against disturbing the ground, as the creatures could sense tremors, but rather than excavate for weeks, she shifted into a starry badger and burrowed through in minutes.

	Emerging on the other side, she found herself face-to-face with a ~~'''~~drow ~~lookout'''—'''Ryltar~~ T'sarran~~'''~~. He laughed at the sight of the celestial badger, tossing her a ~~'''~~mushroom~~'''~~, which she ate without hesitation. Reporting back in ~~'''~~beaver form~~'''~~, Lilia briefed the party, who prepared to squeeze through the tunnel and meet whatever lay ahead in the depths of the ~~'''~~Underdark~~'''~~.		Emerging on the other side, she found herself face-to-face with a drow lookout—Ryltar T'sarran. He laughed at the sight of the celestial badger, tossing her a mushroom, which she ate without hesitation. Reporting back in beaver form, Lilia briefed the party, who prepared to squeeze through the tunnel and meet whatever lay ahead in the depths of the Underdark.

	== XP Award ==		== XP Award ==

Manath: Created page with "Umber Hulk's Burrow == Summary == File:Ryltar T'sarran.png|right|600px|thumb|Ryltar T'sarran, the Drow Look..."

2025-03-01T01:17:38Z

New page

[[File:Just Do Whatever The Fuck This Is.png|right|600px|thumb|Umber Hulk's Burrow]]
== Summary ==

[[File:Ryltar T'sarran.png|right|600px|thumb|Ryltar T'sarran, the Drow Lookout]]

The party reappeared in the ruins of '''Ironjaw's Mirth''', nausea from planar travel leaving '''Diedric, Octavius, and Shadespine''' reeling. Grateful for his rescue, '''Shadespine''' chose to seek out a '''Rashemi Berserker Lodge''', roaring his farewell as he vanished toward '''Lake Mulsantir'''. That night, while soaring north on their '''Carpet of Flying''', '''Smokescale''' requested to be unsummoned, seeking to show '''Unit 137''' the true nature of '''Baator'''. When they returned, the modron spoke of a lost paradise, a time when the Nine Hells had been a bastion of order against the demons he despised. Meanwhile, the '''Mimir''' revealed the '''Monolith of Stars''' was a fragment of an ice moon, shattered onto Toril in the '''Tearfall''', an ancient war's final reckoning.

By dawn, the party reached '''Urlingwood''', where Octavius's '''scrying''' confirmed the '''Monolith''' was gone, its resting place now a field of goblinoid corpses. Survivors pointed them underground, where ogres had fled with their prize. Following the trail, the party descended into the earth, navigating a massive tunnel dug by an '''Umber Hulk''', until the path abruptly ended—collapsed by design. '''Lilia''' warned against disturbing the ground, as the creatures could sense tremors, but rather than excavate for weeks, she shifted into a '''starry badger''' and burrowed through in minutes.

Emerging on the other side, she found herself face-to-face with a '''drow lookout'''—'''Ryltar T'sarran'''. He laughed at the sight of the celestial badger, tossing her a '''mushroom''', which she ate without hesitation. Reporting back in '''beaver form''', Lilia briefed the party, who prepared to squeeze through the tunnel and meet whatever lay ahead in the depths of the '''Underdark'''.

== XP Award ==

* 200 XP for freeing Shadespine
* 800 XP for discovering the origin of the Monolith of Stars
* 200 XP for Lilia's expertise on tracking and Umber Hulks
* '''Total: 1200 XP'''
* '''Current XP: 16180 XP -> 17380 XP '''
* ''(Required for next level: 23000 XP)''

== Things That Happened ==

=== Farewell at Ironjaw's Mirth ===
* '''Date:''' 14th of Tarsakh (The Claw of the Storms, April), evening, 1372 DR
* [[Diedric]], [[Octavius]], and [[Shadespine]] succumbed to summoning sickness, retching.
* [[Shadespine]] thanked the party for saving him, asking where he should go.
* The party offered him two options -- to try to join a Rashemi Berserker Lodge or to go to Galdren in the Rebel Estate.
* [[Shadespine]] chose the former, and before leaving, asked Octavius his name.
** Octavius: 🩸🪶 [vine boom]
* [[Shadespine]] leapt away with a roar, following the eastern edge of Lake Mulsantir toward Lirensk.

=== A Fork In The Flight ===
* [[Smokescale]] asked for permission to be unsummoned so he could show [[Unit 137]] that Baator was more than the spawning pits.
** The party agreed, planning to resummon them in eight hours. [[Smokescale]] warned that death was permanent for them in Baator as they descended into brimstone... mostly to pike them.
* Now in-flight north on their Carpet of Flying, the party deliberated their choices through the night.
* At first, they thought to assist Lilia with rescuing her kidnapped coven sister, but decided it would be best to first check on the Grove of Stars since their battle.
* [[Lilia]] asked about the Mimir, and asked it about the Monolith of Stars.

=== The Monolith's Origins ===
* In Faerun's ancient past, during the Days of Thunder, the batrachi were losing a battle against the titans.
* In desperation, they performed a ritual to unleash imprisoned primordials.
* In response, Asgorath, the World Shaper, hurled an ice moon at the planet, in an event known as the Tearfall.
* This reshaped continents, created what is known today as the Sea of Stars, and ultimately drove the batrachi to extinction due to climate change.
* The Monolith of Stars is a fragment of that ice moon.
* Lore origin: [[https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Batrachi#History Batrachi's History]]

=== Taking the Red Eye ===
* Flying through the night like a band of degenerates, the party watched Lake Mulsantir appear behind them.
* [[Diedric]] demonstrated his ability to fly using Selune's grace.
* [[Smokescale]] and [[Unit 137]] were resummoned.
* [[Unit 137]] spoke of Baator once having been a paradise, how it's key to planar stability, and how demons are his mortal enemy.
* [[Octavius]] tinkered with his weave-attuned sextant, noting that the nearest leyline was in the Endless Wastes to the east.
* '''Date:''' 15th of Tarsakh (The Claw of the Storms, April), early afternoon, 1372 DR
* In the early afternoon, the party had arrived over Urlingwood.
* [[Octavius]] channeled a scrying spell, observing the Monolith being gone, piles of dead goblinoids, wounded being tended to, and the grove no longer being in perpetual twilight.
* The party landed, spotting [[Thenn]], the charmed red wizard guard, wounded next to a dead ogre, being cared for by his future wife [[Haga]].
* The party asked which way the ogres took the Monolith. One of the three sisters (the other two were on patrol) pointed the direction, saying they dare not follow them below.
** The goblinoid incursion bypassed Urlingwood's wards by going underground.
** The sister confirmed she would send word to Galdren.
* Deliberating, and considering the ogres had a 24 hour lead on the adventurers, they chose to continue the pursuit.

=== Into the Underdark ===
* The party followed their trail on their carpet. [[Lilia]] spotted the entrance.
* A large 8 foot hole, dug by a beast [[Lilia]] identified as an Umber Hulk, led into the earth.
* [[Diedric]] granted [[Lilia]] and [[Glenn]] darkvision to start, but as the flight went on, they experienced complete darkness and rushing wind.
* They heard water dripping and saw roots overhead.
* Two hours into the flight, the tunnel ended, having intentionally been collapsed.
* [[Lilia]] warned the party to avoid touching the ground, as Umber Hulks could sense tremors.
* It looked like it would take a full team of workers a long time to excavat--

=== They Didn't Hear No Bell ===
* [[Lilia]] animorphed into a starry badger (with [[https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Lavarandar%27s_Lantern Lavarandar's Lantern]] marked on her body) and began furiously digging through the DM's roadblock.
* In just a few minutes, she popped out the other end, only for a surprised drow lookout ([[Ryltar T'sarran]]) to spot her.
* She did her best badger impression, which earned a laugh from the drow. He tossed her a mushroom, which she ate.
* [[Octavius]] asked for a status report via the message spell.
* [[Lilia]] the badger returned to the party, speaking in beaver form about what she saw. She began widening the tunnel.
* The party deliberated on how to handle the man, and engaged in extreme caving by entering the tunnel one at a time.

== Maps ==
* Nothing worth uploading a map for. (Honestly just being lazy.)

== NPCs Encountered (or mentioned) ==
* [[Ryltar T'sarran]], the Drow Lookout

== Memes ==
* Nick: "Choosing this name is a big decision."
** DM: "Yep, intentionally so--"
** Nick: "Shut up"
* [[Viran]], the evaded githyanki, resembling Cricket from IASIP by the end of his journey

== DM Thoughts ==
* Despite the lack of combat, the players embraced their agency in this scenario and were creative.