Live streamed and uploaded every week on YouTube. Join us live on Sundays around 8pm Pacific/11pm Eastern!
Original character art by Jimmy McClure
Music by Kevin MacLeod.
Chat with us in the Official Discord Server.
Support the channel via Patreon!
Keys from the Golden Vault Session 31
Starring
Chéri Powder, level 7 human Illusionist Wizard
Elowen Fernwhisper, level 7 wood elf Circle of the Moon Druid
Stayzie Diamondz, level 7 orc Champion Fighter
Taveen, level 7 aasimar Warrior of Mercy Monk
Varrow, level 7 gnome Thief Rogue/Ranger
After a level up and a long rest, the party receives a mysterious package, delivered to their base at Trollskull Manor. Inside is the same crystal shard from Bryseis’s vault, with a note about forgetting it, and finding it a good home.
While Taveen and Varrow move to take a closer, careful look, Stayzie scoops up the shiny crystal. Immediately it embeds itself in her forearm, forcibly attuning to the crystal shard!
The cursed shard enhances her strength, but it’s cold and painful to the touch. Trench examines it, noting there may be a presence within, or perhaps a piece of someone — or something.
Meanwhile, their next client walks through the doors, an elven knight named Naevys, and she carries a Golden Key. An official mission from the Golden Vault!
Shop for tabletop games, CCGs, miniatures, RPG supplies and more at our sponsor!
Neavys explains that she comes from a distant city called Ghalasine, and their king has fallen terribly ill, possibly cursed, or worse. She was sent to seek aid, and this key was mysteriously delivered to her as she neared Waterdeep.
They place the key into the music box, and the music plays, telling of a scheming, spellcasting adviser, a looming red rift, and the stolen heart of the king.
Much of this is news to Naevys, who questions the supernatural clairvoyance of the Golden Key-Box system. The party collectively shrugs — they’re used to it!
Taveen actually recognizes the guard captain — he’s originally from Ghalasine! Naevys doesn’t know him personally, but she mentions the potential culprit, Charmayne, the court wizard, and Taveen is instantly familiar. That was the wizard who tried to get him to brew a powerful potion that could steal a person’s charm and vitality.
But when he refused, she had him thrown into a foreign prison.
He wonders why he would deign to help such a corrupt government.
Neavys plays it diplomatically, explaining that any transgressions would be expunged if they can aid the kingdom.
Plus, she never liked that jealous adviser, anyway!
Taveen accepts. When Chéri asks if he can brew a potion that could reverse this process (as perhaps Charmayne was able to get it done, in some way), the monk agrees, but he’ll need to get to his old workshop in the city.
Before they depart on their journey, the party buys some supplies with their ill-gotten gains. Elowen finally ups her armor with Studded Leather, while Varrow and Chéri buy a bunch of level 1 spell scrolls. I had to limit them to 10 each!
Finally they set off on a carriage ride, traveling several days toward the city of Ghalasine, known for its exquisite glasswork.
But when they get to the edge of the city, they find an apocalyptic disaster: buildings crumbling away to ash, the sky darkened, and what looks like a fiery planar portal looming above the castle, slowly drawing everything toward it. Yikes!
Equally alarming is Captain Naevys, who had fallen ill on the last day. As the party exits the carriage, she stumbles out, then screams as her body alights in flame. Her hair turns to fire, and her skin ashen.
She shakily passes a scorched parchment to the party, and whispers her final words about the castle, the curse, the heart, and to save them all, before her face goes slack. She unsheathes a flaming greatsword and attacks!
Several gnarled smoke monsters (mephits) join the fray from nearby buildings.
Varrow acts quickly to knock her down with a trip attack, allowing the super-strength-enhanced Stayze to easily deal over 30 damage with multiattack.
The mephits draw the attention of the rest of the party, and the Ashen Naevys deals some nasty blows to Varrow before he’s able to knock her out.
He could tell she was struggling, and perhaps a glimmer of herself was still in there. Maybe they can still save her.
They destroy the smoke monsters, however, which can blind with their breath, and spew toxic smoke when they die.
When the last one falls, the party stares out at the smoky ruins, and the castle beyond.
Live post-session discussion:
Next session: A city of ashes!
Live streamed and uploaded every week on YouTube. Join us live on Sunday around 8pm Pacific/11pm Eastern!
Support my channel via Patreon!
Shop for tabletop games, CCGs, miniatures, RPG supplies and more at our sponsor!
RogueWatson 