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Keys from the Golden Vault Session 37
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
Upon reaching the floating armory, Varrow is immediately attacked by a foursome of flying animated (and flaming!) swords. They get the drop on him, and the first one strikes him with a nasty critical hit, forcing the rogue to retreat.
Elowen shifts into battle bear form and takes up the frontline, while Stayzie power leaps over hear and lands on a sword, grappling it in her hands. She wants a flaming sword for herself (though Regine is still technically piloting her)!
Unfortunately, these swords aren’t so easily tamed, and it strikes back at her.
Chéri summons an illusory fey into the armory to help attack them from behind. Taveen clambers up and stuns one sword, destorying it, then destorys another with his furiuos blows.
The animated flying swords soon clatter to the ground, much to Stayzie’s disappointment. But there’s other treasure to be found here: some +1 arrows, some oil of sharpness (which is apparently permanent now in the 5.5e rules? The DM will get back to you on this!) and some +1 fist wraps for Taveen.
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There’s one room to go: the king’s bedroom, which floats about 20 feet away. Stayz-ine makes the leap with her superior athletics, then holds a rope for others to follow.
They notice a regal painting of the large but kindly king fading into ash, like everything else, before a door bursts open, revealing the hulking monstrosity the King has been transformed into.
The creature formerly known as King Jhaeros has a burst, empty ribcage where his heart should be, and his skeletal face, long claws, and ashen feet are a terrifying sight.
Behind him is Charmayne, who continues to screen about her kingdom, and to destroy these foreign invaders (or in Taveen’s case, betrayers).
Regine is upset at seeing her beloved king in this state and tries to grapple to move him out of the way to reach the mage. But the big King is super strong, and resists multiple attempts to be moved.
As a small gnome, Varrow is able to slip under the King’s legs to reach the back room, just in time for Charmayne to unleash one of her deadly fireballs into the main room.
Stayzie and Chéri take a shocking 44 fire damage(!), downing the wizard and severely injuring the fighter. Elowen barely stays up, but losses concentration on a fancy moonlight spell, while Taveen, the fancy monk, nimbly evades the blast.
The fire also heals the King (a modified clay golem, with fire absorption), and the party realizes they’re in trouble.
While Elowen heals Chéri and Stayzie frustratingly strikes at the King, Varrow tries throwing a net at Charmayne.
The net misses, but in the distraction he’s able to swipe the enlarged burning heart she’s holding. It’s still burning, and dealing fire damage!
She screeches, blasting Varrow with fire while he races back underneath the golem, holding up the burning heart.
Taveen doesn’t hesitate, and grabs the heart (ouch, it’s on fire!). With one smooth motion he slams the heart into the golem’s chest.
King Jhaeros’ fiery eyes go slack as he stands there, stunned. Taveen fumbles for the potion they spent great pains to make earlier, and he pours it into the king’s mouth.
White light pours from the golem’s eyes, shooting up into the sky. The red portal from above closes and winks out, and the floating rooms begin spinning back down to the ground.
The ashen walls and furniture repair themselves, mending the castle and the kingdom to before Charmayne’s terrible ritual.
The skeletal mage tries to blast them again, but her fire dies out into dust. She tries to scream, but her body dissolves into a pile of ash.
The King, too, is repaired. His ribcage closes around his heart, and his body regains flesh and form. His memory is still fuzzy, however, remembering how Charmayne was trying to heal a sudden sickness that had befallen him.
A ghostly Regine leaves Stayzie’s body, bowing her head to the King, and thanking the party profusely for their help. Though Stayzie complains the entire time!
King Jhaeros assures the party they will be well rewarded for their heroics. And anyone who was knocked out and not killed is also restored, including Captain Naevys!
Charmayne leaves behind a Circlet of Blasting, while Captain Naevys and the King award the players with her Flame Tongue sword, and some serious coinage, before they return to Waterdeep for their next assignment.
Live post-session discussion:
Next session: Return to Waterdeep!
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