Summary
The party arrived at the crumbling Temple of Pflar early one morning, discussing their options for exploration. The ancient structure featured deteriorating walls and a prominent hole in its roof. Mal, demonstrating their agility, climbed to the roof and discovered they could enter through the skylight, subsequently helping the group descend via ropes onto an interior balcony twenty feet above the main chamber.
They observed the temple’s mysterious features from their vantage point: a black pit surrounded by ethereal blue flames, a metal cage suspended by chains, and an imposing thirty-foot-tall jackal-headed statue. Tuck found a winch mechanism connected to the cage, which contained the remains of a portly skeleton. When Togg attempted to lower the cage into the pit, gray ooze creatures emerged from the darkness, moving through the blue flames unharmed.
The situation quickly deteriorated as the party faced the dangerous oozes. Tuck’s attempt to throw a torch proved ineffective, while Eldarin suffered a nasty fall while climbing, taking significant damage. The oozes’ acidic nature caused severe injuries to multiple party members, forcing Mal to make a dramatic escape by swinging out of the temple. Jane, maintaining her religious convictions, remained outside but helped heal the injured as they retreated.
Later, the group traveled to Byxata, a fortified Hutaakan village, where they encountered the acting priestess Kfordez behaving strangely. Inside her residence, they discovered a human wizard named Golthar, who had positioned himself in the high priest’s seat and amassed a considerable collection of trade bars. Jane’s keen insight exposed Golthar’s deception, leading to a confrontation where he cast a Web spell to entrap the party.
The battle climaxed when Togg delivered a devastating blow to Golthar, while guards attempted to break through the barricaded door. Mal delivered the killing strike, breaking Golthar’s magical hold over Kfordez. In the aftermath, Jolenta, an apprentice wearing red robes, revealed she had been sent by Asmodie to monitor Golthar’s activities. The encounter concluded with Kfordez agreeing to meet with the Traldar, while the party collected gold and electrum bars before departing with Jolenta, who promised a reward for safe escort back to Needle.
Scenes
Planning at Temple of Pflar
The party arrives at the crumbling Temple of Pflar in the morning to explore it
- Party discusses options for exploring the temple
- Mal climbs to the roof and finds a way in through a skylight
- Party uses ropes to enter through the roof onto a balcony
- They observe a black pit surrounded by blue flames, a metal cage, and a jackal-headed statue
Temple Exploration and Ooze Encounter
The party explores the temple balcony and encounters dangerous oozes after lowering a cage
- Party discovers winch mechanism connected to cage containing skeleton
- Tuck lowers cage into black pit surrounded by blue flames
- Gray ooze creatures emerge from pit
- Tuck throws torch at ooze with no effect
- Eldarin falls while climbing, taking 9 damage
- Multiple party members take acid damage from oozes
- Mal swings out of temple to safety
- Party retreats with Jane helping heal injured members from outside
Confrontation at Byxata
The party visits the Hutaakan village and confronts the wizard Golthar who has magically charmed their leader
- Party arrives at Byxata and meets Kfordez acting strangely
- Discover Golthar sitting in high priest’s seat with pile of trade bars
- Jane exposes Golthar’s deception
- Combat breaks out with Golthar casting Web spell
- Togg delivers near-fatal blow to Golthar
- Guards attempt to break in but are hindered
- Mal delivers killing blow to Golthar, breaking his charm over Kfordez
- Jolenta reveals she was sent by Asmodie to watch Golthar
- Kfordez agrees to meet with the Traldar
- Party loots gold and electrum bars before departing with Jolenta
Npcs
Jolenta
Asmodie’s apprentice wearing red robes, sent to explore the valley. Forced to accompany Golthar but disapproved of his actions. Previously seen around Needle when the party delivered a lantern to Asmodie. Requests escort back to Needle in exchange for reward.
Golthar
A manipulative human wizard with a long scraggly beard wearing yellow robes. Attempted to take control of the Hutaakan by posing as a spirit and magically charming Kfordez. Hoarded the village’s precious metals before being killed by the party.
Kfordez
Acting priestess of Pflar and leader of the Hutaakan after the high priestess’s death. A dark gray-furred coyote-headed female known for being arrogant, humorless and petty. Wears ornate robes with gold thread embroidery. Found under Golthar’s magical influence before being freed.
Locations
Temple of Pflar
An ancient temple with crumbling walls and a gaping hole in the roof. Features include a main chamber with a 30-foot tall jackal-headed statue, a black pit surrounded by blue flames, a metal cage hanging from chains, and a balcony level about 20 feet up. Contains dangerous ooze creatures and magical defenses.
Byxata
A fortified Hutaakan village with 15-foot stone walls, nestled into a plateau. Contains guard posts and Kfordez’s personal residence – a white stone building where the confrontation with Golthar took place. Serves as the current Hutaakan stronghold.
Spells
Charm Person
Used by Golthar to magically control Kfordez, making her subservient to him. The spell broke upon his death.
Web
Cast by Golthar during the confrontation to trap most of the party members and inadvertently some of his own allies, creating difficult terrain in his quarters.
Cure Wounds
Healing spell used multiple times by Jane to treat critically wounded party members during and after the ooze encounter.
Items
Trade Bars Collection
A large collection of precious metal trade bars including silver, gold, and electrum, stacked 2-3 feet high in Kfordez’s residence. Represented the entire crafting resources of Byxata village. Some were looted by the party during their escape.
Cage with Skeleton
A metal cage suspended by chains over a dark pit in the Temple of Pflar, containing the remains of a large, portly skeleton. Can be raised or lowered via winch mechanism on the balcony.
Dubious Heroes 
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