Weekly Gaming Session Summery #57 (05/15/2021)

A Thank You For Playing today's Dungeons & Dragons 5 th  Edition game of 05/15/2021 - From 10:00 am EDT, until 1:45 pm EDT, and our 67th Gaming Session, goes out to:   Barbarian – Human - Marcuria Violezi -  Connor D. Rogue – High Elf - Roqar -  Roxxifarius War Priest – Human – Juan Denero –  Buddy-D   Wizard (Evocation) – High Elf – Feralda - Chad N.     Whom Could Not Make It Today!   Monk – Elf – Farren Nidanas -  Bahrrenn Drakke Wizard (Sage/Scribe) – Drow Elf – Rolo - Daniel M. Wizard (War Mage) – High Elf – Dia Xiloscient -  Elizabeth K.     Game Summary for Saturday (05/15/2021):   Opening Scene: Day 26 : July 15th, 9:00 am:     The adventurers were last discussing about what to do with the stubborn dwarf miners and were-rat folks that are inside of the Mountain’s Toe gold mine, since both sides are claiming the mine for their own while the business consortium in Neverwinter City that sent Don-Jon Raskin down to have a look, is also interested. The party continues deciding on what to do. Feralda, casts the Enhance Ability spell upon Avery bestowing the Eagle’s Splendor to enhance her charisma and have advantage on checks. Avery then goes to talk to the dwarf miners, with Marcuria, Avery tells the dwarves, “I think it might be a good idea if you all came with me. We need to get you all out of here. I know this is your mine, and you want to keep it, and we want to help you to get it back as well, but not with you all in such a state. If you'll just come with us, we'll get you back to fighting form and we will get you your mine back. I promise." A persuasion check roll of 29 total indicates the five dwarves here decide to leave mine with the adventurers and come back later. Zeleen Varnaster the overseer, is told that the dwarves agreed to leave and she happily thanks the party. The adventurers leave and meet the five dwarves at the gravesites of their ten fallen comrades, then head on back on the day long trip to Phandalin. When they get three miles out from the town, undead skeletons of the dwarf variety come upon and attack the party! Initiative Rolls are mad and Combat Round #01 Beings: Dia, casts the Flaming Sphere spell, and directs it to roll into 3 of the undead skeletons. Two of the skeletons make their dexterity saving throw while one fails, so it was 4 fire damage to one and 2 to the other two! Rolo, casts the Chromatic Orb spell, hurling a 4-inch-diameter sphere of energy (fire) into Skeleton #04, dealing 16 fire damage and defeating the creature! Avery, casts the Vicious Mockery spell unleashing a string of insults  laced with subtle enhancements at Skeleon #05, dealing 7 psychic damage and defeating it! Feralda, casts the Fireball spell, sending out a 20 ft radius sphere, [The area which is covered by the fireball is a total volume of 33,510 cubic feet (33.5, 10-foot × 10-foot × 10-foot cubes) ], centered on one of 3 remaining skeletons, all of which fail their Dexterity saving throws and thus take the full 34 hit points of fire damage, defeating them all! End of Combat! Once back in Phandalin, Roqar stops at the shrine of Tymora, the goddess of luck before joining the others whom go to the Stonehill Inn before they either rent a room for the night or stay at Roqar’s house. Inside the Inn, the party sees Gundren and Nundro Rockseeker, having a meal and mead. Nundro sees the five filthy dwarves and says, “ Well look what we have here, you fellow dwarves look the worst for wear? What happened?" One of the dwarves says, “Eh, well, we were mining at Mountain's Toe, and these diseased wererats decided to move in. They said orcs chased them out of the old shrine of Savren. We put up a fight and lost 10 of our members and tried to keep part of the mine for ourselves at least, until your friends came along."   Feralda says, “I don't suppose you two want to hire these people? They're in need of a new home, if they don't take back Giant's Toe."   Gundren says, “Eh, Interesting. Tell you what though, would you folks be willing to work for us at Phandelver mine then? Yes that Phandelver, we have found its location!"   Dirty dwarf says, “Phandelver you say? It is found? Why yes we will be willing to help you there, certainly!"   Marcuria says, “"Well, that's good for you at least. But first, these guys need food and drink...and we need to get our rest. Still need to push the wererats out of that mine. Might need to take a trip to Neverwinter, try to get some silver so we can actually hurt the things without magic."   Gundren says there could possibly be some silver in the mine but of course it would take a long while before it is retrieved, if any and then processed and refined. Toblin Stonehill says, “Says, “The town blacksmith could get the silver through the lionshield coster, whom would buy the silver in Neverwinter and have it sent to phandalin.” When Roqar settles in at the inn, she tells the party she has an idea to refurbish the old woodland manse, (of which the Anchorites of Talos and bugbears were its last occupants before the party routed  them out), in the Neverwinter woods and move in there since it is centrally located for any trouble in the area. Don-Jon pays the party the 100 gold pieces for escorting him to the mine and back. After resting for the night the night the party had decided to head up to the paladin knight, Lord Taris Havenfall’s manor house. Making sure they bring along the furs they bought at Barthen’s provisions to protect from the below freezing cold temperatures that envelopes the place. The northbound trip up to the manor is about 25 miles and the adventurers get there without bumping into anything that would give them trouble. They camp out near the place over night and proceed inside the next morning. They have with them 3 of the diary pages that were found on a previous excursion inside the manor. As the party approaches the manor, now wearing the furs and mittens to protect from the cold this is what they see: One thing is evident when approaching Havenfall Manor; the entire area seems to be about 10 degrees colder than the rest of the forest. Also it appears that it’s been years since the Manor was attacked. Plants are growing out of the windows and bushes around the home grow uncontrollably. The double doors are made of a thick oak, that have now been splinted by damage. Each of the doors barely clings to the hinges which they were originally connected to. Trying to peer between the shattered doors just reveals darkness beyond them. When the doors are pushed open they creaked very loudly and the party sees that it’s completely dark inside as no sunlight seems to stream in from anywhere. Feralda uses the prestidigitation spell to light a torch, however, as the torch flickers to life, its light does not penetrate the darkness, much beyond the torch itself! The elves in the party note that their infra/dark vision also does not reveal anything for them. Realizing that the darkness may be magical in nature, Feralda did not have her Dispel Magic spell memorized so the party simply camps out for another day so she can memorize and use the spell inside the manor. Once back at the manor the Dispel magic is cast into the darkness and it is lifted! Sunlight begins to stream into the manor at all the windows and cracks and holes in the roof! What the adventurers now see inside: This large room is massive. Several large tables, now broken, lie scattered about. Pieces of armor and broken weapons line the floor. There are noticeably, three suits of armor on the western wall, northern wall, and eastern wall, all of which seem undamaged. There are broken paintings along the floor and tossed in the middle of the room. It appears that some fighting may have taken place here on top of the destruction this room suffered from the dragon’s attack. A deep crack splits the roof where portions are open to the night sky. The floor also has a similar crack along the floor. Rogar tells the party the armor was trapped, (Came to life and attacked), the last visit here and that would be the 3 pieces along the western wall of which now the armor is scattered along the western part of the room. Feralda examines the damage and scattered and broken tables, in the room trying to find if anything can be gleaned about the white dragon and fight here. Roqar tries searching around and didn’t find anything as her roll of 5 on an investigation check shows. Looking around for stairs that go down to deeper levels shows none to be seen. They see that there are 4 doors that lead off the large hall, one to the north and 3 along the south wall.

The party moves to the south double doors about 94 feet east of the entry doors and open them to reveal: This hallway has splotches of blood scattered on the walls. It’s unclear what caused the blood or who the blood came from. There is another set of double doors, directly 20 ft south of where they entered and another set of double doors on the west wall about 27 ft away. A large red and gold rug covers the floor here, which is now layered in dust and filth. The splotches of  blood scattered on the walls, is dry and old. Marcuria goes across the hall to the south door and begins to push it open when the door comes to life and tries to bite her! Turn out it is a hungry Mimic! She was alert enough however and wasn’t surprised by the attack. Initiative Rolls are made and Combat Round #01 Begins: Dia, casts Tasha’s Hideous Laughter upon the mimic who fails it’s wisdom saving throw rolling a 6 needing ≥ 15!  So thus the mimic falls to the falling laughing uncontrollably! Mimic’s turn and since it can’t do anything but laugh and make another saving throw on it’s turn a Wisdom saving throw of 3 is rolled needing ≥ 15! So it continues to laugh. [Really during the first round that this took affect the initial Save when casted should have been the only save this round, unless an attack hits. So thus when it’s the mimic’s turn in subsequent rounds then he can continue to make more saving throws during his turn. And if an attack hits the Mimic during this or any round,  then he can do another saving throw.]] Avery, goes over and grabs Maruria to pull her away from the Mimic! Rolo, casts the Fire Bolt spell dealing 7 damage to the Mimic! Farren, moves into position. Feralda, missed with the Scorching Ray spell! Marcuria, throws an oil flask at the mimic hoping to coat it in the oil and ignite it, the flask does hit the mimic, spilling its contents! [Usually, you can make an item saving throw to see if the flask breaks and splatters its contents. Item saves are in the DMG, I have seen it but forget where it is, last time I tried to find it.] Juan, scores a Critical hit with the magical +1 Lightbringer mace, dealing 16 bludgeoning damage to the Mimic! Roqar, slashed the Mimic with the magical +1 Talon long sword for 10 damage! No second Attacks were made.   Combat Round #02: Dia, casts the Ray of Frost at spell at the Mimic dealing 7 cold damage! Mimic, Rolls a Wisdom Saving Throw against the Tasha’s Hideous Laughter spell affect it, rolling a 15 needing ≥ 15, it makes the save and calms down and stops laughing! Avery, casts the Vicious Mockery spell upon the Mimic but it makes its wisdom saving throw rolling a 21 needing ≥ 15 and it has no affect! Rolo, casts the Fire Bolt Cantrip at the Mimic, dealing 4 fire damage and igniting the oil causing more damage and defeats the creature! [Good thing the manor didn’t burn down!] End of Combat! Entering into the room that the mimic posed as a door for, reveals the following: Rotten food lies scattered all over the floor. Barrels have been broken apart and are now empty or festering with rotten content. Some of the food here, however, seems to have been eaten by something. The party searches the room, using perception or investigation checks but no secret doors or hidden items were to be found. The adventurers move to the west double doors in the blood splattered hallway and open them to reveal: This room appears to be in a state of disarray. A large table in the center has items scattered all over it, ranging from serving trays to candles, all of which have been knocked over. A large portion of the ceiling here is also cracked and appears it could cave in at any moment. There are two doors to the east. There are the bodies of a dozen dead and frozen stirges scattered about the floor along with their blood stains. The other double door is south of the one you entered The south double door on the east wall south of the one they entered is opened next: This is a closet where guest’s coats would be stored. There are several coats hanging, most of which have been cut up. A tattered rug is on the floor, and there is a dead Kobold here; his cause of death is unclear. There is no blood to be seen in the closet. Marcuria, leaves the room and goes to the south door on the west side of the great hall, opening it to reveal: This appears to be a guest room. Beautiful paintings line the wall; but they’ve been ripped and torn and are now worthless. On the bed, a medium sized creature, with an odd elongated head, large pointed ears, and demonic wings, stands up from the bed, dropping from its hands, small bone fragments. Feralda says, “Looks like we caught a squatter”. Marcuria says, “Oh boy. Here we go”. Feralda says, “Who are you”? Marcuria says, “And more importantly, what are you, and why are you here”? The creature  says, “I am Kenis. I am what you call a berbalang”, “Who are you folks? I am here looking for the paladin Taris’s magical blade that was used in a fight against an ancient white dragon and I am trying to find it’s location”. Feralda says, “We are adventurers, here to cleanse this area of undead”. Marcuria says, “Mind if I ask what you intend to do with the blade when or if you find it”? Kenis says, “Well, good luck with that, (cleansing out the undead), and if you happen to find the sword, I am interested in knowing what magical properties it possesses”. Feralda says, “Probably to slay the dragon or keep it from being slain…” Kenis says, “Taris slayed Ashenfrost long ago. Will you help me find the sword”? Marcuria says, “…Yeah…? I guess”? Avery says, “In return for that, might I see that piece of parchment over there? (Points to the parchment on the bed right next to Kenis). Kenis says, “Oh I have nothing to give, but hell, feel free to take what you find here. Oh, that, it seems to be a diary page. You can have it if you want”. The adventurers read the diary page: Tarsakh 7, No. No. No. No. My home… in ruins… my wife, dead in the garden… her neck broken. I found my son crushed upstairs… trapped beneath one of the bookshelves. My other son, dead, next to him, a weapon in his hand. Everything in ruins. My home.  My family. My heart. I’ve lost everything. But where is she? I can’t find her… Is she alive? Where? Where could she have gone?   Avery says, “… By the divines above… that’s horrible. Where is she, indeed”? Feralda says, “I wonder who the diary page is talking about. His wife is dead, so does he mean a daughter? A Mother? Someone else”? Feralda believes the missing girl might actually have been Ashenfrost the white dragon. The adventurers move on, opening the double doors in the north west corner of the guest room and see: A large oak table 10 ft. long and 5 ft. wide sits in the middle of this room. The room looks to be in a state of disarray. Some of the damage in the room appears to have been from when the dragon attacked, some of the damage appears to be as if a creature had come in the room searching for valuables. After searching, rolling perception and investigation checks, Roqar noticed that there is no silverware in the room and Avery found another piece of diary parchment on the floor.

The diary page reads: Flamerule 7,       Perhaps it was destiny that we never found you when I was with the Order… Because you have turned me into this … this… thing… and tonight, after months of tracking you down… I have found you… and I have put you down. I know somewhere there is a nest with your young… If I can find it… I will destroy them as well. I bathe in your blood; it showers my vengeance and fuels my thirst to destroy. For now, I return home… to see my wife… my children; but where did you take her?   Marcuria says, “Even if it still had her, and she was still alive… where would you even start to look”? Feralda says, “For a white dragon? An icy mountaintop, and there are many of them to search”. Marcuria opens the south double doors into the next room to see: This appears to be a guest room. The room also looks to be in a state of disarray. An assortment of paintings that had been on the wall now lay on the floor, cut up and torn. The covers on the bed have been pulled off and lie on the floor. A dresser appears to have taken some damage, but seems to be the least damaged object in the room. Searching the room did not find any secret doors or hidden items, however Feralda sees a fancy box on one of the dressers in here. It has a zodic motif decorated upon it. Avery notes blood drops upon the bed sheets on the floor. When removed from the dresser, Feralda sees that there is a key sticking partially out, on the underside of it. The key is turned until it cannot be turned any farther, as if winding up something inside. When Feralda opens the box a small figurine pops up inside of it. It looks like a fencer holding a sword and it spins around as music begins playing. Marcuria starts yawning but fights it off and does not fall asleep, the elves near the music box, Avery and Feralda are immune to the box’s sleeping spell effect. Feralda closes the music box and the music stops playing. She keeps the box.   And this ends the gaming session for the day, until next time!   It is now July 20 th (Day 31) at 12 noon.   The Adventurers’ Experience Points Earned This Session:   Mimic (as a wooden door): Challenge Level 2 : 450 XP     Total: 450  XP 450 / 7 = 64.28 XP per Adventurer   ----------   Grand Total Experience Points:   Everyone is at 8.737.22 XP    Level 6 now reached at 14,000 XP   Loot Found: 2 pages from a diary 100 gold pieces paid out to the party for escorting Don-Jon Raskin to Mountain Toe’s gold mine and back. 100/7 = 14.28 gold each   Number of Sessions for current Adventure Module: 67 th Session for “Lost Mines of Phandelver / Dragon of Icespire Peak” 05/15/2021   [1st Session start was 08/15/2019]