Shadowdark Session Recap: 10/17/2024 Online – Holy Divers

Summary

The Unholy Divers, a brave party of adventurers, embarked on a perilous journey to the ruins of the Temple of Aberlach, once dedicated to Gunnin the Kind. With a new member, Mal, joining their ranks, they trekked for five days before reaching their destination. Upon arrival, the group discussed strategies for potential Giant inhabitant encounters and ventured into the Underground Ruins.

The party encountered various rooms and obstacles as they delved deeper into the ancient structure. They discovered a collapsed chamber, heard orcish voices behind a closed door, and eventually found themselves face-to-face with animated Stone Guardians in a hall lined with dwarf-sized warrior effigies. A fierce battle erupted, and Togg was knocked unconscious, but the group fought valiantly against the Stone Guardians. They defeated the Stone Guardians, which appeared to be of Duergar origin. Tog entered a berserk state in the heat of battle and accidentally struck Mal. After emerging victorious, the party discovered a skeleton clutching a silver warhammer and a curious lantern.

Intrigued by their findings, the group discussed the dungeon’s history, noting evidence of multiple occupations over time. They experimented with the mysterious lantern, which projected a map-like image, and debated its significance.

Scenes

Party Introduction and Travel to the Temple of Aberlach

• Introduction of party members and their characters
• Discussion about picking up Mal as a new member
• Preparation for the journey to the Temple of Aberlach
• Arrival at the ruined temple and description of its surroundings
• Discussion about the Giant inhabitant and how to approach it
• Planning their entry into the Underground Ruins

Exploring the Underground Ruins

• Descending the stairs into the Underground Ruins
• Casting of the Light spell
• Party moves through water-filled entrance
• Discover a collapsed room behind a door
• Hear orcs behind another door
• Find graffiti and carvings on walls

Battle with Stone Guardians

• Party enters a hall with dwarf-sized statues
• Stone Guardians animate and attack
• Togg is knocked unconscious
• Party fights back against the Stone Guardians
• Tog enters berserk state and accidentally attacks Mal
• Party defeats the Stone Guardians

Discovery and Discussion of Artifacts

• Find halfling skeleton with chainmail, silver warhammer, and curious lantern
• Discuss distribution of found items
• Experiment with the lantern, revealing a map-like projection
• Examine flooded chamber with carvings
• Discuss multiple occupations of the Underground Ruins over time
• Debate significance of the lantern and map

Npcs

Giant inhabitant

A 20-foot tall figure clad in bear pelts and hides, living in the ruins of the Temple of Aberlach. Possibly a cyclops or one-eyed creature. Has an animal companion.

Asmodie

The archmage of Needle, who had conflicts with the New Moon Bay Trading Company and ordered them to leave the town. He sent the party to recover an artifact from the ruins, providing vague instructions about recognizing it when found.

Stone Guardians

Animated stone statues that attack the party in the Hall of Statues, wielding stone axes and proving to be formidable opponents.

Locations

Temple of Aberlach

Ruins of an old temple, once dedicated to Gunnin the Kind (actually Aberlach, a fiend in disguise). It has 20-foot tall walls, a collapsed gate, and stairs leading to an underground area. The ruins are now inhabited by various creatures, including a Giant inhabitant.

Needle

A town where the party previously encountered some trouble with the New Moon Bay Trading Company. It’s home to an archmage who had conflicts with the trading company.

Underground Ruins

A series of damp, dark tunnels and rooms with water-filled areas, collapsed sections, and walls covered in graffiti and carvings. This ancient dungeon has multiple chambers, including flooded areas and cave-ins. Walls are carved with images of dryads and satyrs. Evidence of multiple occupations over time, including cultists and possibly Duergar. It includes a Hall of Statues, a wide hall with three dwarf-sized statues of armored warriors in alcoves, plus one crumbled statue and a skeleton in rusty chainmail.

Mountains

The current location of the party, mentioned as a place where they are staying and unable to go carousing.

Spells

Light

Cast by a party member to illuminate their path in the underground area of the temple. Successfully cast to last for two hours instead of the usual one hour.

Web

Cast by a party member to imprison one of the Stone Guardians in its alcove.

Cure Wounds

Cast by a party member on another party member after they were knocked unconscious.

Items

Blue-green flowers

Used by Eldarin to paint his companion, possibly for camouflage or protection.

Silver Warhammer

An undamaged warhammer with a shiny silver head, found in the grip of a halfling skeleton. Worth 25 gold pieces.

Curious Lantern

A black lantern covered with pinprick holes, lines, and divots. When lit, it projects a map-like image with different sides showing various parts of an unknown area.