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Summary 001

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Sessions Alkaid_Ibyke Caliphas GoldenFlame GoldenFlame_College Helena_Cell Rhea_Grippli Summary_001 Ustalav
Table of Contents

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Session 001: Escaping the Grave #

Part I: The Briefing #

The campaign began at the Vodavani Lodge in Caliphas. The party was summoned by Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss, who briefed them on a grim recovery mission. With the Gravelands overrun by the Whispering Tyrant’s forces, the Society needed to extract missing agents and cultural relics from the ruined town of Golden Flame.

Evni provided the group with dossiers on missing Pathfinders and possible items.

Unbeknownst to Evni or the rest of the party, Al received a private contract from Vesper prior to the briefing. His primary objective was not the Society’s relics, but a specific artifact located within GoldenFlame College: a glowing magical sword.

Part II: Into the Dead Roads #

The journey into the Gravelands was treacherous, presenting three distinct challenges before the town even came into view.

  • The Hill: First, a massive, steep rise blocked the direct path. Rather than losing precious time diverting around the obstruction, the party was forced to find an efficient path up and over the crest to maintain their pace.

  • The Horde: Next, they encountered a massive patrol of undead troops blocking the road. Rather than fighting a suicidal battle, the party opted for a visceral solution. Utilizing their survival instincts, they covered themselves in zombie guts and gore. This gruesome camouflage masked their scent of life, allowing them to walk unnoticed directly through the heart of the horde.

  • The Thicket: Finally, the road was choked by heavy, prickly undergrowth. The party had to hack their way through the dense vines and brambles to clear a path to the town gates.

Part III: The Town Plaza #

Upon entering the Town Plaza, the silence was broken by the rasping whinny of a Zombie Riding Horse lurking near the dry fountain. As the beast charged, Zombie Shamblers emerged from behind the ruined hedges to ambush the party.

  • The Fight: The SmashEmUps engaged the undead immediately. While Helena & Rhea held the line against the steed, Al focused fire on the shamblers.

  • The Discovery: Upon defeating the horse, Al noticed a glint of metal in its rotting throat. He recovered a slime-covered Wayfinder, identifying it as belonging to the fallen Pathfinder Clement Marten.

  • The Companion: Following the battle, a living horse emerged cautiously from behind a building. This was Desert Wind, a steed bearing the Glyph of the Open Road on its barding. Recognizing it as a Pathfinder mount, the party managed to calm the frightened animal and take it with them.

Part IV: The College Incident #

Moving to their primary target, the group entered GoldenFlame College’s Main Hall. They did not find an empty ruin; instead, they walked directly into the presence of the necromancer Ralthiss.

  • The Target: Ralthiss stood in the center of the hall. Strapped to his back was a weapon emanating a faint blue light— Voice Of Sarenrae.

  • The Prisoner: The necromancer had already captured the missing druid, Larraz, and was preparing to turn him into a zombie follower.

Part V: The Rescue #

Combat erupted immediately.

  • The Engagement: Helena and Rhea surged forward to engage Ralthiss’s zombie minions and the Skeletal Champion, creating space in the chaotic hall.

  • The Breakout: Taking advantage of the distraction, Larraz managed to break through the barred door keeping her trapped. Rather than fleeing, the druid joined the fray, casting spells to support the SmashEmUps.

  • The Prize: Al focused his attention on Ralthiss. Through a combination of tactical positioning and divine magic, the group overwhelmed the necromancer.

With Ralthiss defeated, Al secured the Voice Of Sarenrae. He successfully hid the true nature of his interest in the blade, allowing the party to believe it was simply another relic recovered for the Society.

Part VI: Return to Caliphas #

With the necromancer dead and the primary threat neutralized, the group gathered what relics they could (including the painting of the dean and historical texts) and escorted Larraz back to safety. The druid was overjoyed to be reunited with her faithful horse, Desert Wind, whom the party had kept safe.

They returned to the Vodavani Lodge as heroes of the moment. Evni Zongnoss was relieved to see Larraz alive, though she remained entirely unaware that the most powerful artifact recovered—the Voice of Sarenrae—was destined not for the Society’s vaults, but for the hands of The Glass Spiders.