Summary
The party embarked on a five-day journey from Barglen to Needle, encountering suspicious soldiers fleeing the town along the way, led by John Knack. Upon their arrival, they discovered a scorched and partially destroyed marketplace, the aftermath of recent chaos involving dragon-headed soldiers summoned by a wizard named Khemsha. The group inquired about the events and learned that the New Moon Bay Trading Company had been forced to leave town after causing mayhem.
The party sought out the wizard Asmodie in Needle for information about the Wolfgar family and magical items. In exchange for a boon, Asmodie tasked them with exploring ruins in the mountains to the west. The group traveled westward, crossing grasslands and reaching the foothills, where they hunted for food and eventually discovered the ruins of an ancient, large stone structure with fallen walls and headless statues.
As they explored the ruins, the party encountered various hazards and uncovered clues about the site’s history. They discovered statues and graffiti related to Abralach, a demon who had once disguised himself as a benevolent god. The group navigated through water-filled chambers, faced Giant Lizards, and found a ritual room with a broken summoning circle and shattered statues of Abralach in his human guise.
Delving deeper into the dungeon, the party entered a room filled with thick webbing. They were suddenly attacked by two large spider-like creatures, engaging in a fierce combat. Eldarin used a focused acid bolt spell, while Squire Tuck attacked with a bastard sword. One spider was severely injured and retreated, while the other fled. After this encounter, the party decided to return to Needle to regroup and gather more equipment, now able to fast travel to the dungeon entrance for future exploration.
Scenes
Journey from Barglen to Needle
- Five-day travel from Barglen to Needle
- Encounter with suspicious soldiers on the road
- Camping and information gathering
- Discovery of scorched marketplace in Needle
- Inquiry about recent events and New Moon Bay Trading Company
- Learning about the dragon-headed soldiers and Khemsha the wizard
Meeting with Asmodie and Journey to the Western Mountains
- Party enters Asmodie’s Tower
- Asmodie offers a task in exchange for magical items
- Asmodie instructs them to explore ruins in the Western Mountains
- Party travels westward through grasslands
- They cross a river and enter foothills
- Successful hunting for berries to supplement rations
Exploration of Ancient Ruins
- Party finds ruins of a large stone structure
- Observe fallen walls, overgrown vegetation, and headless statues
- Examining headless statues with inscriptions
- Discovering graffiti in diabolic script praising Abralach
- Spotting a Giant Female Figure in the distance
- Navigating through a partially blocked stairwell
- Entering a chamber with stagnant water and murals
- Encountering giant rats in the rubble
Encounters in the Ruins
- Discovering two Giant Lizards in a side chamber
- Togg intimidating the Giant Lizards to avoid conflict
- Party deciding to leave the Giant Lizards alone
- Finding a room with broken summoning circle and shattered statues
- Identifying Abralach’s symbol on the statues
- Discussing the possibility of looting quartz beads from the walls
- Party encounters a room filled with thick webbing
- Two Giant Spiders attack the group
- Combat ensues with the Giant Spiders
- Eldarin uses a focused acid bolt spell on one Giant Spider
- Squire Tuck attacks with a bastard sword
- One Giant Spider is severely injured and retreats
- The other Giant Spider flees
Retreat and Planning
- Party decides to return to Needle
- Group discusses fast travel options
- Plans made to regroup and gather more equipment
Npcs
John Knack
Suspicious soldier encountered on the road, possibly fleeing from Needle.
Khemsha
Deranged wizard in a green robe and turban, leader of the New Moon Bay Trading Company, responsible for summoning dragon-headed soldiers in Needle.
Asmodie
Powerful Archmage of Needle who defeated Kemps and his dragon soldiers with a blast of fire. Protects Needle and communicates through a glowing orb in his tower. Offers magical items in exchange for completing tasks.
Villagers outside Asmodie’s Tower
Group of curious locals who gather to watch visitors enter and exit Asmodie’s tower. Some engage in informal betting on the outcomes of these visits.
Giant Female Figure
A 20-foot tall female giant seen in the distance, wearing a bear skin loincloth and eating from a barrel. Accompanied by a smaller, dog-sized creature.
Giant Lizards
Two large lizards, about the size of Komodo dragons, encountered in a side chamber. They appear defensive but not immediately aggressive.
Abralach
A demon who once disguised himself as Gunnan the Benevolent, a supposedly kind god. His cult was purged centuries ago, but remnants of his worship remain in the ruins.
Giant Spiders
Large, dog-sized spider creatures that attack the party in the webbed room. Described as being about the size of a Vespa scooter, they are nimble and aggressive.
Locations
Barglen
Elven village, starting point of the party’s journey
Needle
Town with a recently destroyed marketplace, home to Archmage Asmodie, and site of recent chaos involving dragon-headed soldiers. Asmodie’s tower is located here, protected by the wizard. The party plans to return to regroup and gather more equipment, as it’s closer than Barglen and they are not banned from the only bar.
Asmodie’s Tower
A crooked, white tower with a ball-shaped top and brass double doors that open automatically. Inside is a plush carpet and a glowing orb through which Asmodie communicates.
Western Mountains
Mountainous region west of Needle, containing ancient ruins and the source of a river.
Ancient Ruins
Large stone structure with fallen walls, overgrown with vegetation. Features headless white statues and a fallen gate. Possibly of cyclopean or giant origin. Exterior has graffiti-covered walls and a large ditch filled with water. A Giant Female Figure is seen in the distance.
Spells
Acid Bolt
A focused spell cast by Eldarin that deals significant damage to one of the Giant Spiders. It requires concentration and a spellcasting check each turn to maintain.
Fire Blast
Powerful spell used by Asmodie to lay waste to the marketplace and defeat the dragon-headed soldiers
Light
Cast on a party member’s shield to provide illumination in the dark underground chambers, allowing the group to navigate and observe their surroundings.
Items
Dragon’s Heart
A powerful magical relic mentioned in relation to recent troubles in Needle. Burying it can cause unpredictable magical effects.
Berries
Edible berries found in the mountains, used as rations by the party. Abundant but perishable.
Abralach’s Symbol
A strange symbol resembling a triply curved ankh with hooks at the ends, embedded in the chest of statues depicting Abralach’s human form.
Quartz Beads
Numerous clear, round quartz beads studding the walls of the ritual room. Potentially valuable but difficult to harvest without making noise.
Dubious Heroes 
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