Summary
The Shadow Deaths, a brave adventuring party, found themselves approached by two individuals after a period of revelry in the city of Pitden. Giselle, a local herbalist, hired them to hunt a fearsome manticore dwelling in a ruined tower northeast of the city, offering gold and potions as payment. A barbarian woman named Thraani joined their ranks, seeking vengeance against the trolls that had slain her family. As the party set out towards the tower, they encountered a peculiar Ash-covered Man who claimed to serve the manticore, adding an air of mystery to their quest.
Upon approaching the tower, the Shadow Deaths came across a group of Barbarians who worshipped the manticore. Surprisingly, the Cultists allowed them to proceed to the dilapidated structure. The party decided to scale the tower using a grappling hook, with Thraani reaching the top first and coming face-to-face with the terrifying manticore. A tense confrontation ensued, while the rest of the group found themselves scattered between the lower levels and the climbing rope.
The battle against the manticore was fierce, with Thraani sustaining injuries before the beast eventually fled. Pursued by the Cultists, the Shadow Deaths retreated to Pitden to heal and strategize their next move. They debated whether to face the manticore again or to honor their promise to the herbalist by dealing with the trolls. After careful consideration, the party chose to return to the Manticore’s Tower for a second attempt.
In a daring maneuver, one of the Shadow Deaths mounted Vardoza (The Manticore) mid-flight, managing to blind the creature. The beast crashed to the ground, allowing the party to defeat it and the Barbarian Cultists in a climactic battle. Victorious, they harvested valuable parts from the manticore’s body and returned to town as celebrated heroes. Their bravery and skill were rewarded with payment and a wealth of experience, marking the end of their perilous but triumphant adventure.
Scenes
Hiring in Pitden
- Giselle the herbalist hires the party to hunt a manticore
- Thraani the barbarian joins the group
- The party buys plate mail for Thraani
Journey to the Manticore’s Tower
- Encounter with an Ash-covered Man claiming to serve the manticore
- The group follows the man towards the tower
- Arrival at the Manticore’s Tower and surrounding Barbarian Camp
Encounter with Barbarians and Tower Approach
- Party meets Barbarians who worship the manticore
- Barbarians allow the party to approach the Manticore’s Tower
- Party observes a Captive Goblin in the Barbarian Camp
- Party crosses a rickety bridge to reach the tower
- They discover elf stones with warnings near the tower
- The party debates how to enter the tower
First Battle with Vardoza (The Manticore)
- Party uses a grappling hook to climb the tower
- Thraani reaches the top and encounters Vardoza (The Manticore)
- Other party members are scattered in different parts of the tower
- Vardoza attacks Thraani, KOing her
- Vardoza flies out of the tower
- Ember casts Fireball on Vardoza
- Vardoza fires tail bolts at Ember
Retreat and Return to Pitden
- Party members flee down the stairs
- Doublee causes chaos in the laboratory
- Cultists approach the tower
- Party escapes pursued by angry villagers
- Party returns to Pitden to heal
- Discussion about next steps (manticore or trolls)
- Negotiation with Giselle for more healing potions
Final Battle with Vardoza (The Manticore)
- Party approaches the Manticore’s Tower at night
- They cast Shield of Faith quietly
- Group performs a successful stealth check
- Party encounters sleeping Vardoza, Malmogg, and Barbarians
- Combat ensues with spells and melee attacks
- Character mounts Vardoza
- Vardoza takes flight with character on its back
- Character blinds Vardoza
- Vardoza crashes to the ground
Victorious Return to Pitden
- Party harvests manticore parts
- They return to Pitden as heroes
- Receive payment and experience points
Npcs
Giselle
An older human woman herbalist and potion maker who owns ‘The Mandrake’s Root’ shop in Pitden. She hires the party to hunt a manticore, offering potions as part of the payment. She later pays the party for the manticore parts and provides a potion of flying.
Thraani
A blonde-haired human barbarian woman seeking revenge against trolls that killed her family. She joins the party on their manticore hunt in exchange for help with the trolls later. She receives a share of the payment and has plate mail armor.
Ash-covered Man
A strange man encountered on the way to the tower, covered in ash and claiming to serve the manticore and a warlord named Malmogg.
Malmogg
Leader of the barbarian group and a ‘devout servant of the manticore’. He is a hulking man with a bald, scarred head, wearing a helmet with a deer skull mounted on a wicker crown. He carries a bastard sword. During the battle, he was found sleeping near the manticore but fled, shouting about revenge.
Vardoza (The Manticore)
The main antagonist in the tower encounter. A large, intelligent creature with the body of a leopard or tiger, bat-like wings, and three rows of iron teeth. It has red eyes, speaks Common, and can fire bolts from its tail. The manticore shows signs of intelligence and has a threatening demeanor.
Captive Goblin
A goblin held in a cage in the barbarian camp, pleading for help in Common language.
Cultists
A group of about 20 barbarians who are allied with the manticore. They pursue the party as they flee from the tower.
Barbarians
Followers of Malmogg, some acted as drummers. They were defeated in combat or fled after seeing their leader escape.
Locations
Pitden
The city where the party has been carousing and where they are hired for their new quest. It’s also where they interact with the herbalist who gave them the original quest. The party returns here to heal and resupply. After defeating the manticore, they return to this town as their home base. The townspeople were impressed by their victory.
Manticore’s Tower
An 80-foot tall, dilapidated tower with a 40-foot wide base, located northeast of Pitden. It has holes throughout and is covered in lichen. The interior is dark and filled with debris, including shredded books and bones. It features multiple floors, including a laboratory on the second floor. The middle floor has been blown out, creating a hole. The tower serves as the lair for Vardoza (The Manticore) and the main battleground for the encounter. Surrounded by a camp with multiple tents and people.
Barbarian Camp
A circular camp near the Manticore’s Tower with three pavilions, housing about 20 Barbarians. It features a central fire and a cage containing a Captive Goblin.
Spells
Magic Missile
Cast by a party member to hit Vardoza (The Manticore) from a distance.
Fireball
A powerful spell cast by a party member against Vardoza (The Manticore). It has a 30 foot radius and can be cast at a range of up to 200 feet.
Invisibility
A spell considered for use by the party, but ultimately not cast successfully in this session.
Items
Healing Potions
Two healing potions given to the party by Giselle as part of their payment for the manticore hunt.
Grappling Hook and Rope
Used by the party to climb the tower. The rope is 60 feet long.
Walking Stick
An old, decayed walking stick found inside the tower entrance, used by a party member as a makeshift probe.
Dubious Heroes 
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