08/08/2025 – Geeks & Games – The Shipwreckers

Summary

Last session, the Shipwreckers returned to the Black Tomb, their bodies painted with magical protection by Orantha. Their first order of business was a sunken sarcophagus in a treacherous subterranean river. After their initial attempt to hoist it failed, the sarcophagus slipped deeper into the rapids. Undeterred, Patick braved the current and swam to an opposite ledge, discovering three more sarcophagi. Inspired by this, Thomas Magnum attempted to cross using a rope but was violently swept away and plunged over a waterfall.

The party was thrown into chaos. As Thomas lay dying at the bottom of the falls, Patick executed a daring rescue, rappelling down the cliff to administer a life-saving potion at the last possible moment. After carrying the battered Thomas back to safety, the group decided to abandon the remote sarcophagi and press deeper into the tomb. They opened a sealed door, unleashing a horde of wraiths. Valtor’s faith proved potent, turning the spirits and causing them to flee into the walls.

Crossing a crumbled stairwell over a deep chasm, the party entered the final chamber, only to be ambushed by more wraiths. The battle was fierce, with Patick’s crystalline sword and Orantha’s silver javelin proving effective. As the fight raged, the previously turned spirits returned, swarming the heroes. In the chaos, a wraith latched onto Thomas Magnum, draining the very life from his body and leaving behind a withered husk. After a desperate struggle, the party finally vanquished the remaining spirits.

In the quiet aftermath, they opened the last two sarcophagi. One held a jade statuette of War, the Horseman of the Apocalypse, while the other contained a pristine, magical longbow. After looting their fallen comrade’s body, with Orantha unwittingly taking on a curse of sticky gold, the party left the tomb to return to town, mourning the loss of the brave orc thief.

OUTLINE:

Return to the Tomb and River Hazards

• The party paid for a crew and sailed back to the Black Tomb.
• Orantha used her abilities to paint the party members, giving them magical armor.
• They attempted to retrieve a sarcophagus from the river but failed, causing it to sink deeper.
• Patick successfully swam across the whitewater rapids to a separate ledge.

Waterfall and a Desperate Rescue

• Thomas Magnum attempted to cross the river with a rope but was swept over a waterfall.
• While Thomas was dying at the bottom, Patick rappelled down to him.
• Patick administered a Witch’s Brew potion at the last second, saving Thomas’s life.
• Patick carried the heavily injured Thomas back up the rope to the group.

The First Ghostly Encounter

• The party abandoned the river area and proceeded deeper into the tomb.
• They used an amulet to open a large set of bronze doors.
• Three wraiths emerged from the doorway, attacking the party.
• Valtor successfully used his Turn Undead ability, causing the wraiths to flee into the walls for five rounds.

The Final Chamber and a Hero’s Fall

• The party crossed a chasm using a rope secured by Cadabra’s Misty Step.
• They were ambushed by two more wraiths rising from sarcophagi in the final room.
• During the fight, the three previously turned wraiths returned and rejoined the battle.
• A wraith attacked Thomas Magnum, draining his constitution and killing him instantly.
• The remaining party members fought on and eventually defeated all the wraiths.

Loot, Curses, and Aftermath

• The party opened the two sarcophagi in the final chamber.
• They found a jade statuette of War and a +1 magical longbow.
• They looted Thomas Magnum’s body, and Orantha took 50 gold, 25 of which became cursed and stuck to her.
• The party left the Black Tomb and returned to town.

NPCs:

• Ajish: Valtor’s nemesis, a glib wizard who impersonated Valtor and tricked the party out of 10% of their wealth during a night of carousing.

LOCATIONS:

• Black Tomb: An ancient, trap-filled tomb built into a mountain cliffside, featuring a dangerous subterranean river and haunted by wraiths.

ITEMS:

• +1 Longbow: A finely crafted oaken longbow, untouched by time, that is magical in nature. Found in a sarcophagus.
• Black Spruce Mask: A magical, dark mask worn by Thomas Magnum before his demise. Its properties are currently unknown.
• Book of Morkel: A mysterious tome in Orantha’s possession that seems to be affecting her mind and interfering with her spellcasting.
• Crystalline Sword: Patick‘s magical sword, which proved effective against the tomb’s wraiths.
• Cursed Gold: 25 gold pieces taken from Thomas Magnum’s corpse that are now magically stuck to Orantha and cannot be spent or given away.
• Ghostbane Oil: A special oil that can be applied to a weapon, allowing it to harm incorporeal creatures like ghosts and wraiths for a short time.
• Jade Statuette of War: A heavy, foot-tall jade statuette depicting the Horseman of the Apocalypse, War, upon a skeletal horse. Valued at 250 gold.
• Shield of Halduron: A powerful shield wielded by Patick, capable of deflecting potent attacks.
• Witch’s Brew: A healing potion that restores hit points. One was used to save Thomas Magnum’s life after his fall.