DND Blog

A place to keep DND session recaps, from various campaigns.

The Hundred and Second Session

May 11, 2024, Campaign: As the ground quakes, evil wakes

The Prodigal Son returns to the Byron home, and breaks with his father.

Table of Contents

  1. Last session
  2. Ending the Day
  3. Morning in Maymoor
  4. The Quadroads
  5. Maymoor, again
  6. The Byrons' Mansion
    1. Hi, Dad
    2. The Distribution of Swords
  7. Next Session

Last session

We defeated an Otherworldly Corrupter and a Shoggoth, and saved the town of Maymoor.

The rescued priest of Umberlee begged us to appease the angry Umberlee, and we dumped lots of stolen gold into the ocean. Then we closed the Breach offshore. And now we're bobbing in the ocean on the Folding Boat.

Notable loot included tuning forks for dimensional spells.

Ending the Day

We row back to shore. We see the remnants and carnage of what happened at the amphitheatre. We spend some time investigating the ruins, and Percival takes a robe.

At MacGuffin's Magnificent Mansion, a new attendant guards the entrance outside with cobbled-together armor. We're covered in viscera, except Ryltar. Percival Minor Illusions Ryltar even cleaner. We go in.

In the main hall, Alistair is asleep in the chair. We decide to prank him by filling the purloined robe with viscera squeegeed off our bodies.

We take advantage of the hot baths, and the bar. Bugfood finds his sister. Then we go to bed.

Morning in Maymoor

The normal hustle-bustle of resetting the Mansion occurs. The gorecrow we left on the floor causes some consternation. Alistair asks us what happened; we recap the day: thieves, the false priest, the shoggoth, the false priest's silencing dagger.

Alistair asks us what we're going to do next; he's interested in being present when Percival confronts his father Augustus. Percival says he should tell his sister Meredith that Alistair is still alive. "That'll be nice," says Alistair. He wants to come with us, but there are things he must do in town to make sure t's safe.

Sending to Dirius:

We have encountered unforseen complications Should it be required we meet you post departure, what is the path of travel you plan to take?

Dirius replies:

Our entry to the Red Waste will be Zennar. We have experienced a windfall of good fortune to leave Zennir the day after departure.

So we get one extra day, if we could get to Zennir directly. Which we can't.

We have tasks:

We explain to these characters some of the risks of Teleport if we're going to take them to the South Haven. We can more safely get them to Quadroads. Given the options of difficulty vs. safety, they choose safety, and so we go to the Irregular Inn after Ryltar finds an item from town to use as an anchor.

The Quadroads

Salris, Seamus, Cato, and Zander are still in the Inn. Zander is making breakfast, under Ockoh's direction.

It's been only a few days since we left. Construction isn't much along; they're still cleaning out the warehouse.

Riots continue; people deface the temples. Things seem unsafe in the city.

A young woman looking like Percival left a letter for him; he sends to his Sister:

Sorry to have missed you. I trust Faher has hept you under his boot. Meet me at Irregular Inn at Noon.

She replies:

I thought the Irregular Inn was closed? I'll see you there.

Salris and brother are recovering. Slightly less exhausted; getting their timelines in.

At Glassmore's Tinctures, They're out of potions; the city is a bit of a warzone. He's not interested in our wyvern poison, but for 35 Sea Dragon Scales, he gives us 1500 gold.

We return to the Inn and Percival reads the letter:

I'm in the Quadroads and had reserved a room at the Coinflip Inn. Meet me when you see this; I fear Father will escalate things should I return without you.

Percival burns the letter, dramatically, and puts the seal in one of his already-opened pockets. He tells the Party what the letter said, and that it's fine if we're here when she meets with him. He's been away from homa about a year and a half, mostly training with Dirius, but through the Final Exam with Dirius, he was doing his father's wishes. He's only been gallivanting for two months. He doesn't think she's going to be a danger.

When we get back, there's someone standing at the door, hooded in a deep purple embroidered cloak. He casts Glibness on himself. Jerry readies a bludgeoning attack in case of betrayal. Within 15 fet, Percival motions for the Party to stay back, and he walks forward.

Percival hugs, and uses Dancing Lights to enhance the hug.

"I've missed you so," she says. "but I thought this place was closed?"

We clear up that confusion: we're the owners. Introductions are made. We all go into Percival's Magnificent Mansion for privacy, and there's some renovations made in there.

"Father hasbeen demanding you return. I am here to protect you."

""Protect me?"

"I overheard his conversation with his private guard to return wth you. I convinced him otherwise, if I should return with you."

"His guards were never gentle, even if I didn't leave. I would hate to waste your effort, with the way that you've helped me here. So I will return home with you."

"Father wans you home. HSomethinghas happened. He is disdraught. He lashes out more."

"Has he taken to any vices?"

"No. From everyhting else, he should be fine, as he is."

"How is the money?"

"Fine. Nothing has changed, other than…"

"How are Mother and Gerald?" (Gerald, the kiss-ass)

"Mother is reserved, shut away. Gerald is never around anymore. I've been too busy with my studies to know where he is."

Percival has a maid present her with the three-legged dog. The butler with the shoe also enters, and is not commented upon.

"And who is this?" she asks.

"My dog, Levity. I see him once per day, unless more-pressing matters arrive."

She asks if we can go to the father right now; we need to go back to Maymoor before goin to West Haven. We can travel there today, and she's surprised by that fact. But she can get us to West Haven.

Percival mentions his grandfather. "Who?" she asks. Percival drops the Mansion and Ryltar Teleports us to Maymoor, just like that. Time for a surprise trip!

Maymoor, again

Percival grabs his sister and Dimension Doors quickly around the village, knocking on each door, until he finds his grandfather. Six doors later, they arrive at the entrance to the Mansion. Ten minutes later, the rest of the party arrives.

The guard, who has swapped out, lets Percival and sister in. Inside the Mansion there is the normal hustle and bustle.

Alistair greets him, wondering if he's back already from talking to his father. Percival says, "What, don't you recognize your own granddaugher?"

In his mind, she Messages: "Percival, Grandfather is dead. Who is this?"

Percival gives her a 31 convincing wink.

She cautiously greets the old man, and he says it's been a while, since she was just a baby. Percival offers a three-way hug, and she is very hesitant, but joins in the hug.

There is a manic smile on Alistair's face, a disturbing gleam.

Meredith is horrified.

The rest of the Party arrives.

Alistair does really want to see Percival.

Suddenly we're worried that Alistair isn't good.

Meredith pulls out her component pouch and wand, and we all exit the Mansion. She draws the Teleport Circle. Ryltar learns the circle, which, it transpires, is in the Byron Mansion's receiving room.

The Byrons' Mansion

The receiving room is dedicated to the receiving circle. It's presentable, and decorated with banners of the house. Meredith leads us into house proper.

The house is lavishly decorated; there's the office (with two guards outside) that Alistair uses for official business.

"Father will be in his office. It's best if I enter and introduce … "

Alistair says: "Or we can all go in." We like this idea. "I'll hang back," he says.

Hi, Dad

But that is all redundant, for Percival has thrown his father's doors open, Dancing Lights, he's posing and proclaiming: "FATHER, I HAVE RETURNED!"

The office is opulent, with a massive desk set in front of a huge stained-glass window in a two-story office with shelf walls and ladders. There's a House Byron tapestry beside the window, with a parquetry floor and a pedestal built into the floor with a ceramic bowl within a glass case.

The father frowns. Augustus says, "This sort of exuberance will no longer be tolerated."

"Just because you show off with your wealth, and I show off with my soul, doesn't make us that different, Father."

"Then should I remove my wealth from you, you will have nothing."

Jerry audibly fails to suppress her laughter.

"I have a dragon's hoard behind me," says Percival.

Meredith is paler than the well.

Augustus says, "Meredith, entertain our guests."

Ryltar is offended, says so. "And who are you?" "You know who we are. We're the saviors of this town." 22. "And I am truly thankful for that. But this is a family matter." Rytlar asks Percival: "Do you want us here?" "Just me and Alistair."

Jerry and Vurguron step aside, and exit, revealing Alistair.

We're filing out.

Alistair stands there, just inside the doorway.

Augustus says, "Leave."

Alistair examines his nails. "Well, this is a family matter. I think I should be in attendance as well."

Augustus looks over. Stands up. "This world is a disappointment that it has not kiled you yet. It is not a mercy for you to b alive."

Alistair laughs. "You were always bitter. I gave you a chance. An opportunity to make yourself better, but this is your prison you made yourself."

Alistair scowls. "I rule here. This is the house of Byron. You left."

"I did leave, searching for someone better. And I found him." He looks to Percival.

"Well," blushes Percival.

"Percival is in need of study. He has the name of Byron. He has his duties to his family. And why are you so blind to the needs of this family? I made this family. And I preserve its legacy."

"And what legacy is that, I wonder?" Alistair walks to the center of the room, past the pedestal.

We're all peeking around the edge of the open door. Meredith is just standing in the doorway, stock still, half in shock, matching the marble in coloration.

"This family has its secrets, I know. And I really like what you've done with the room. The interior decorators left out one key feature."

Augustus is visibly angry. "Meredith!"

She tries to cast a spell, which Ryltar (26) recognizes as a high-level spell, abjuration, Anti-magic field.

Ryltar tries to Counterspell, 8 nope. Percival also Counterspells, 15 + 5 + 2 + rolled 13 = 25, and the anti-magic field is blown right back into her hand. The spell falters.

Alistair snaps his fingers, and the pedestal with the bowl shatters, exploding across the room. The bowl is gone.

Alistair and Augustus glare daggers at each other.

The pedestal shows a silvery longsword with sapphire jewel in its pommel, embedded in the tile below, at a slight angle. Percival walks over to it, with his lyre prepped for Stone Shape.

Augustus orders: "Percival, stay back! It is a curse on this family."

"It is only a curse when you wield it, for it brings what shame you bring to it."

Percival steps closer.

Augustus calls out, "Guards!" The two guards standing outside the door start.

Jerry casually (29) holds the nearest guard by the neck against the wall. Vurguron does nothing.

Ryltar casts Slow on both guards, but Meredith Counterspells. The second guard enters the room, tries to grapple Percival, and fails.

Percival makes it to the sword.

The Distribution of Swords

  1. Round 1: Silence falls within the room. Percival approaches the sword. Ryltar removes himself and Meredith from the affray.
    1. Augustus calls out, "Percival! I told you your grandfather was dead, to protect you. Stop this insolence!" Percival makes an Insight roll, and this proclamation gives him pause.
    2. The guard runs up with advantage to try to grapple Percival, and Percival perfectly dodges.
    3. The other guard tries to escape Jerry's hold, and fails against her 28.
    4. Meredith casts Wall of Force and is counterspelled. She yells out, "Percival, stop this, please!"
    5. Ryltar casts Polymorph on Meredith and turns her into a turtle, and defeats her Counterspell with his own. He grabs her and backs out of the room, shouting, "We should think about this maybe?"
    6. Jerry casts Silence in the room, on the sword. The held guard tries to escape again, and fails against her 28.
    7. Percival grabs the sword. It doesn't relent; it stays still.
    8. Alistair, a bard, casts a spell within the Silence. Nothing visibly happens.
    9. Vurguron rushes into the room, draws his sword, and shouts, "What's happening!" in a Silent room.
  2. Round 2: A guard grapples Percival and pulls him away from the sword. Augustus gets mad. There's something invisible in the room. Jerry threatens a guard.
    1. Augustus mutters something, getting angry, and we hear nothing. He walks out from behind the desk.
    2. The guard trying to grapple Percival continues trying, and succeeds. He pulls Percival back to the door.
    3. The one held by Jerry Commands her to release, and fails.
    4. Meredith is a turtle.
    5. Ryltar sits down on the floor with the turtle, and holds her still.
    6. Jerry turns to the guard and says, "If you try that again, I will kill you." Natural 20.
    7. Percival turns to the guy trying to grapple him and tries to convey, through pantomime, that it would be in his best interests and health if he stopped grappling Percival. The grapple continues.
    8. Alistair's turn. Percival feel something invisible push him away from the guard.
    9. Vurguron tries to help Percival with that guard.
  3. Round 3: Alistair is not present in person. Percival goes to draw the sword, and sees his memories. Vurguron continues shouting as he beats up a guard.
    1. Augustus rounds the corner, and goes for Alistair. He slaps Alistair with his palm, and passes through Alistair.
    2. The guard pushes Vurguron away, and succeeds against his 1, and against his 15, and now Vurguron is outside of the room.
    3. Jerry's intimidated guard casts a spell; Ryltar Counterspells. It would have ended the silence.
    4. Meredith remains a turtle.
    5. Ryltar goes to sit on a couch.
    6. Jerry punches the guard in the face, for 6. Ding goes the helmet, and so she reaches over to unbuckle it, but fails with an 8 Sleight of Hand.
    7. Percival checks Arcana of the sword: 12 magical somehow. He pulls on the sword again.
    8. (Alistair's turn) Percival sees images of a dragon being slain, images of other things, floating around him.
    9. Vurguron punches his guard in the face, and he misses. Second attack hits, dealing 6 damage. Third, crit, for 7. He shouts at the silenced guard, "Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"
  4. Round 4: The silence is lifted. The guards begin to do some damage to the Party, and the Party does damage back. Percival draws the sword.
    1. Augustus tries to walk towards Percival, and is blocked.
    2. Jerry's guard casts a spell with his glaive, and is counterspelled by Ryltar, blocking Smite. He then attacks thrice, hitting twice, for 23 slashing. She loses concentration on the Silence.
    3. Vurguron's guard makes three attacks against Vurguron, and hits for some.
    4. Ryltar sighs, then casts Ray of Frost against the guard attacking Jerry. 9 damage, speed reduced by 10. He looks around for a display case or something to hold her. He sees a shallow bowl with some fruit, dumps it out, and puts her under it.
    5. Jerry carries the guard up the wall 20 feet, in a 40-foot room. The guard is nervous.
    6. Percival attempts to communicate with the sword. He thinks about memories which match what Alistair showed him, focusing on Kerjes. He pushes the thoughts and says the words, with a 31 performance, 1 on a d20 + 1 on a d12. The sapphire on the hilt glows, showing to the room multiple images of bravery and heroics. He tries to draw the sword. Like a tuning fork singing, it pulls free of the floor.

Alistair drops his Invisibility.

Augustus is furious. His shoulders drop, and he goes back to a pensive stance. "Leave," he says.

"I-" starts Percival.

"Leave."

Percival turns, and walks out, carrying the sword. Ryltar frees the turtle from its bowl. Jerry walks down the wall and releases the guard.

Augustus looks over to Alistair, says, "You real what you sow. Leave."

Alistair looks at Augustus, chuckles, nods. He leaves the room.

The guards look at Augustus. "Leave them!" says Augustus.

Ryltar frees Meredith from Polymorph. "What does this mean," she asks, and Ryltar replies, "I'm not sure." "It means my father has only one son," says Percival.

"Leave!"

We all leave, with Alistair going as well. Percival pulls the letter's seal from his pocket, snaps it, and throws it behind him.

Alistair beams. "Unfortunate," he says to Percival.

"Tell me everything," says Percival.

"There's a lot to be said," says Alistair.

Next Session