DCC Session Recap: 12/06/2024 Gongaii

Summary

The adventurers were hired by Bridona the librarian, who offered them 500 gold pieces to investigate a concerning slime incursion in a nearby sinkhole. After gathering necessary supplies in town, they carefully descended into The sinkhole using ropes, finding themselves in a network of slick, muddy tunnels and caverns. They discovered an unusual topaz statue during their exploration, which they decided to break apart and carry in pieces.

As they ventured deeper, the party encountered chambers filled with protoplasmic creatures and rivers of slime. Their journey led them to a great cavern containing a towering 60-foot-high mound of quivering nastiness, surrounded by strange protoplasmic creatures. They found a peculiar mound with grinding gears near this central area, where one brave party member climbed up to investigate further.

The situation quickly turned dangerous when they encountered hostile blob-like protoplasmic creatures communicating through a distinct cinnamon-like smell. During the ensuing combat, Prot was severely injured, while Lord Connor attempted to cast enlarge spells, experiencing divine visions as an unexpected side effect. The battle intensified as more protoplasmic creatures emerged from what appeared to be a hive structure.

Under the effects of an enlarge spell, Mordakai launched a direct attack on the hive, causing it to emit a shrill alarm sound. Recognizing the increasing danger, the party made a strategic decision to retreat. They climbed back up their rope while carefully carrying their acquired items, including a shield and the topaz pieces. Fortunately, the enlarged character returned to normal size during their escape.

Upon returning to town, they reported their findings to Bridona and divided their spoils. The topaz pieces were valued at 625 gold, with each party member receiving 281 gold pieces for their efforts. The adventure earned them valuable experience.

Scenes

Initial Exploration of The Sinkhole

• Party buys supplies including rations, rope, and equipment
• Group ties rope to a secure tree and descends into the sinkhole
• They reach the bottom finding slick tunnels leading north and south
• Discover a cavern with slug trails
• Find passages leading north and south
• Observe a hole continuing deeper down

Discovery of Hidden Chambers

• Find bubbling pool chamber with tree trunk pillars supporting the ceiling
• Discover 10-foot wide bubbling, murky pool
• Test pool with torch, finding it unpleasantly hot
• Break through dried barrier to find statue chamber
• Discover 4-foot tall topaz statue worth significant gold
• Break the statue into portable pieces to carry out

Exploration of the Great Cavern and Strange Structure

• Descend to lower level using rope
• Find massive great cavern with 60-foot high mound
• Observe multiple protoplasmic creatures tending to the mound
• Wizard detects strong magic emanating from the mound
• Party observes green light emanating from cracks in the strange cave structure
• They notice a central vent with grinding gear-like mechanisms
• Witness protoplasmic creatures being ground up and reformed

Extended Combat with Protoplasmic Creatures

• Prot encounters a protoplasmic creature at the top of the rope
• Creature attacks and misses
• Multiple protoplasmic creatures converge on the party
• Character takes significant damage from a critical hit
• Prot attempts to retreat down the rope
• Lord Connor successfully casts enlarge spell despite divine interference
• Party fights against multiple creatures that smell like cinnamon
• Several creatures are defeated, exploding upon death
• One creature escapes down a waterfall
• Party discovers more creatures emerging after the hive is struck

Final Battle and Escape

• Mordakai attacks the hive while enlarged
• Hive emits reddish mist with cinnamon scent
• Hive produces shrill alarm sound when hit with arrows
• More protoplasmic creatures emerge and converge on the party
• Party climbs rope to escape
• Mordakai begins shrinking while carrying shield
• Party successfully escapes despite being pursued by creatures
• Mordakai experiences a pixelation-like shrinking effect as enlarge spell wears off

Session Conclusion

• Distribution of 625 gold worth of topaz and 500 gold reward for information about the node
• Each party member receives 281 gold pieces
• Award of 10 XP to each character

NPCs

Bridona

A librarian in town who offered the party 500 gold to investigate the slime incursion. She is fascinated by the party’s findings and information about the hive.

Protoplasmic Creatures

Slimy, amorphous beings found throughout the caverns that smell of cinnamon. They can form tendrils for arms, move along walls and ropes, and operate with a hive-mind mentality. These burbling creatures can travel through water and may explode when defeated. They are particularly concentrated around a large mound in the great cavern.

Central Node

A mysterious mound featuring a central vent with grinding mechanisms, emanating green light and containing protoplasmic creatures. Has a large central vent surrounded by grinding gear-like structures.

Locations

The Sinkhole

A deep hole with slick, muddy walls and multiple levels of tunnels and caverns beneath.

Bubbling Pool Chamber

Chamber supported by tree trunk pillars, containing a 10-foot wide pool of hot, bubbling murky liquid.

Statue Chamber

Hidden room sealed by dried barrier containing a valuable topaz statue.

Great Cavern

Massive 200-foot wide cavern with 80-foot ceiling, supported by five large pillars, containing a 60-foot high mound of quivering material.

Spells

Enlarge

A spell that doubles the target’s size, providing +4 bonus to attacks, damage, and armor class, plus 10 temporary hit points. Comes with the side effect of experiencing visions of a dying deity when cast.

Items

Giant Shield

A large shield taken from an 18-foot tall warrior, weighing 100 pounds when affected by the enlarge spell.

Topaz Statue

A four-foot-tall statue weighing 800 pounds depicts a humanoid creature with a bulbous nose and a single stump-like appendage. It is covered in hieroglyphs and worth at least 250 gold when broken into pieces.