Welcome to Patron DnD, where Platinum-level patrons and I get together to play Dungeons & Dragons via Discord and Roll20. Patrons also get exclusive access to private videos, custom 5e content, and participate in monthly DM Roundtables.
This Patron DnD Campaign will feature a rotating cast of players, depending on signups, availability, and earned Platinum Points.
Music by Kevin MacLeod.
Token art by Jimmy McClure.
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Ten years ago, the Ghoul Imperium of the Underworld and the vampires of Morgau marched into Krakova and conquered the kingdom entirely, establishing the Greater Duchy of Morgau and expanding the borders of the Blood Kingdom.
The undead occupation has been kept in check by resistance from the Court-in-Exile, as well as opportunistic reaver dwarves who sailed across the Nieder Straits.
But the hidden machinations of the ghouls swirl beneath the surface. Rumors abound of an even more sinister plot that threatens not just one kingdom, but the entire world of Midgard.
Empire of the Ghouls is designed by Richard Green, and published by Kobold Press. It takes place in Kobold Press’ fantasy world of Midgard.
Chapter 5: Into the Fuligin Realm
Episode 5: The Last King
Active Party:
Bahn, level 10 kobold Bard College of Whispers
I/O, level 10 gearforged Circle of the Moon Druid
Millie, level 10 human Way of the Kensei Monk
Ry, level 10 shadow fey Black Powder Sorcerer
Zaberi, level 10 human Battle Master Fighter/Wizard
With the three magic items in hand, the party heads toward the final area of the Cult of the Withered Hand.
The path up the steps toward the leader is blocked by another pair of derro shadow antipaladins, and once again they don’t care to help!
One of them holds up a staff with a dangling cage at the end. A sharp, maddening cry echoes from the infant child within.
Roll for initiative!
The party steels their will against the derro infant, whose cries try to infect their minds with madness.
Millie uses her flurry of attacks to disarm the warrior and grab the staff, while I/O shifts into her water form and engulfs him, both running to different bodies of water.
Bahn stabs at the other antipaladin, taking a nasty hellish rebuke in response.
Ry is brutally stabbed by an ambushing derro shadowseeker, while Zaberi is left confused and running in circles.
Ry tries to fire a spell at the cage, only to realize it’s protected against magic.
The fetal savant tries to use its creepy soul-switching ability on Millie, but she resists its pull.
Millie reaches the poison pool and hops in, once again showing off her monk immunity.
The baby cage may be protected against spells, but not against pools of poisonous water! The baby shrieks as it disappears beneath the fumes.
I/O drops one of the warriors into the quipper pool, letting the fish do the work, while the others can focus on the shadowseeker and the other warrior.
Without the screaming child, the party regains their senses, and takes out the final guards.
A sign by the steps warns the party that the door is trapped. After much deliberation, I/O, still in water elemental form, sloshes underneath, noting the holes in the door.
On the other side is a throne room built out of a giant mushroom. An imposing derro witch queen, Orda, is waiting impatiently.
She’s powerful, but still just as crazy as the others. She believes I/O is one of the water pools come to life! Is she out of fish? Are the adventurers here yet? What’s taking them so long!?
Stifling a laugh, I/O disarms the door trap and lets the others through. Orda’s disappointment has been replaced by intrigue at the water-creature. Bahn convinces her that it was all his doing, adding to her awe.
They ask her about Narosain, a deposed ghoul lord from before the Imperium. She will only refer to him as the King of the Underworld, confirming that he’s alive, and nearby.
Now that they’ve passed the trials, she can permit them an audience. She reveals that he’s also the lord of bugs, and all the creepy crawlies are his eyes and ears. He’ll be expecting them.
Just don’t step on any bugs!
The party is running low on resources, but this isn’t a safe place to rest. They’re forced to trudge north, into the winding tunnels of the vermin-infested tunnels. Hundreds and thousands of bugs and spiders infest the tunnels, but true to Orda’s word, none of them harm the party (though they do ocassionally watch with eerie intelligence).
After several hours of winding twists and turns, the ground rumbles, and a monstrously large centipede bursts out of the ground, spewing acid at the entire party.
I/O shifts to giant spider form, and tries to communicate with the creature, but finds its more monstrosity than beast. The normal bugs all react in terror, trying to get out of the way.
Millie shows off hers superior monk movement, deftly weaving in and out of the swarms of bugs to note any other dangers, while Zaberi moves in to do her swift stabbing-polearm combo. Ry unleashes a pool of magma underneath, and soon it’s all over for the megapede.
Shockingly, the creature bursts into swarms of smaller insects. Ry quickly turns off the magma pool, and the bugs thank the party in a multifaceted voice. Apparently some bugs “get too big” for Narosain to command. He tells them it’s not much further.
They soon reach the inner sanctum of the ghoul lord. Despite his isolation, he’s still dressed regally, with full armor and robes, and a dull crown. He’s surrounded by bugs who help bring him food. Hope the party enjoys grubs and scraps!
Narosain is cordial and respectful, though expects complete honesty from the party, as he sees right through their magical disguises from the Book of the Hungering Dead. They finally admit they’re here to rescue a friend, Archduke Avgost, from the clutches of the Imperium.
Narosain admits he saw the entourage, and knows he was brought to the city of Vandekhul, a city run by Duke Morreto Lichmark, for some sort of dark ritual. Probably involving human sacrifice!
Reaching Vandekhul deep in Imperium territory will not be easy. And what do they do once they’re in there?
Narosain says he can help. He’s eager to take the Imperium down a few pegs, especially if it involves embarrassing or even slaying Emperor Nicoforus, whom he believes must have a hand in all of this.
He’s willing to provide all his intel, and allies who maintain their loyalty, if the party helps him retrieve his staff.
His magic staff was lost when he was forced into hiding, and is now in the clutches of Gondecap, a cave dragon who rules over the Dragon Graveyard.
Retrieve the staff, and he’ll make sure the party reaches Vandekhul, and their friend, before it’s too late.
The party eagerly agrees, especially when Narosain offers a safe area to long rest — and level up!
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RogueWatson 