(S039) A Father & Daughter Reunited, Briefly

Descending deeper into the caverns, the party eliminates sleeping guards, frees prisoners, and experiences an emotional reunion between Sas and her father Solec—which is shattered when Solec is abruptly teleported away.

📝 Session Summary

The Wild Cards were called The Menagerie by some until they came up with the name The Wild Cards.

• Barlo: A grizzled tabaxi barbarian who has been doing some work for a network that one should be wary of.
• Bastion: An orphan human who spent his life studying magic and blades, even though his elder pushed him away from the sword. He replaced Reginald.
• Calliope: This bardic faun joined the party late when she needed to find help to save her homeland.
• Reginald: A leonin cleric who was off to show his family's royal background and would later find out there were secrets leading to him becoming a king.
• Sas: A tortle hermit was given an item of power and a quest.
• Shadow in the Snow: This tabaxi got a coin, and her curiosity set her on a path.

🎬 Scenes

• Scene 1: Barlo's Backstory — From The Bronze Canyon in Kampos. Gave up Tabaxi name, "Smiles". Help move people. On way to Eushia to help Black Road with a client. Currently on ship near Carrune.
• Scene 2: Bastion's Backstory — When Bastion Bladesinger was very young he lost both of his parents to a plague. He took care of himself as he taught himself how to use the rapier his father once wore. He lived in Dyrt and watched all of the great knights. He also had an interest in the ways of magic and he wished he could do both – use swords and excel in magic – like many elves he had heard about.
• Scene 3: Calliope's Backstory — Calliope was born into the nestled highlands of the Oraniad Mountains. The Skola Vale, wild and free, blessed by the gods and inhabited by whimsical Satyr and Faun. Deep within it among the lush valley, reside the Dawngreets, a long generational line of storytellers and lore keepers.
• Scene 4: Reginald's Backstory — He was born at home, a modest-sized mansion where his family lived a modest means – even though his father could never stop talking about how they were royalty and yet this was the only lands they currently possess. His childhood was generally a happy one full of several friends. He was an only child.
• Scene 5: Sas' Backstory — Sas was born on the continent of Oth'Mar – a content mostly inhabited by Tortles and is far to the south of the Carrune Isles.
• Scene 6: Shadow's Backstory — Deep in the snowy mountains high in the north, there lived a large group of Tabaxi, The Blinding Wild Clan.

📜 Missions & Quests

• Completed:
  • Established individual party origins and initial connections to the world of Dierde.
• Active / Discovered Threads:
  • Barlo's ties to the smuggling rings and the Black Road.
  • Bastion's mysterious past and fallout with Grognard.
  • Calliope's quest to save the Skola Vale.
  • Reginald's pursuit of his family's royal mint commission and claim in Neyer.
  • Sas's vision of the Cat Goddess Bast and journey to find her lost lands.
  • Shadow's golden coin and mystical calling from her clan shaman.

NPCs

S039: A Father & Daughter Reunited, Briefly

Date: 2022-10-08

Short

The party ventured deeper into the ancient caverns beneath the keep, discovering a room where a goblin boss and orc slept among weapons and supplies. Shadow swiftly killed the orc and a regular goblin while the goblin boss remained mysteriously asleep, allowing the party to bind him and loot the room, finding gold, potions, an ornate ring, and another mysterious black stone. Upon awakening, the terrified goblin boss revealed he was part of the Bloodhand organization that guarded tunnels, moved slaves, and watched for shadow beasts from the north, and he led them to a chamber containing four cages of prisoners: an elderly tortle with a damaged shell, Barlo's sister Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" (a Tabaxi), and two Leonin. After a chaotic struggle to subdue the awakened guards and lock them in the now-empty cages, the party freed the prisoners and learned that Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" had fragmented memories of being hired to retrieve Grognard's Journal before being drugged and enslaved.

The most significant revelation came when Sas discovered the tortle prisoner was her long-lost father, Solec, who had allowed himself to be captured to protect vital knowledge hidden in a sigil embedded within his shell. After an emotional reunion and Bastion magically repairing his damaged shell to reveal the hidden sigil, tragedy struck when one of the rescued Leonin prisoners, Kryrez Roughpride, suddenly touched Solec and both vanished through teleportation. Sas was left devastated, having reunited with her father only to lose him moments later, while Bastion explained that the sigil could store knowledge and secrets, meaning whatever information Solec had been protecting was now in enemy hands. The party was left with a mute Leonin prisoner who couldn't explain the betrayal, Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow"'s desperate need to find her companion Beast, and the disturbing realization that their enemies remained one step ahead.

Summary

The party continued their exploration of the ancient caverns beneath the keep, noting how some passages showed signs of recent excavation while others retained stonework that had been untouched for ages. Shadow instructed Artie, her owlbear companion, to guard their flank at the entrance of the narrow passages, giving him a dead mouse and a scratch before venturing deeper. As they approached a doorway at the end of a hallway, Shadow pressed her ear against it and heard a muffled, one-sided conversation that repeatedly mentioned the word "shadow," though she couldn't determine if they were speaking about her or something else entirely.

Upon opening the unlocked door, the party discovered a dimly lit room with wooden flooring, tables laden with weapons, and a small chandelier casting flickering light. A goblin boss and an orc lay sleeping on the floor, and Shadow could hear the goblin muttering threats about killing "shadow" in his sleep. After whispering to Sas that they should try to take the goblin boss alive, Shadow struck swiftly, plunging her flaming sword into the orc's belly. The creature's eyes flew open in terror as it screamed and grasped at the burning blade before falling dead. She then turned to a regular goblin and delivered another devastating blow, the high-pitched screaming echoing through the chamber. Strangely, the goblin boss remained asleep through both deaths.

The party quickly looted the bodies and searched the room. Shadow found gold, silver, and a potion on the goblin boss, while Bastion discovered an ornate gold ring with silver etchings wedged at the edge of a table, along with specks of diamond dust and another mysterious black stone similar to ones they had found before. Bastion then secured the still-sleeping goblin boss with rope, binding him tightly while he remained unconscious. Shadow checked the next door for traps and found a sophisticated double trap designed to release gas and explosives that could cause a cave-in, but it had been disconnected and the door was unlocked.

When the goblin boss finally awoke, Barlo whispered to him in Goblin while Shadow poured water on his face, startling him into terrified consciousness. With Shadow's flaming sword held threateningly close to his face, the goblin boss revealed he was a member of the Bloodhand organization, showing his tattooed palms as proof. He explained that they guarded tunnels, moved slaves, and watched for shadow beasts from the north. He mentioned that "Fingertips" were initiates sent to fight these beasts to prove their worth, and he revealed that a tortle slave was being held in a nearby room along with other prisoners. Under threat of being fed to the shadow beasts, he reluctantly agreed to lead them to the captives.

The party entered a long chamber containing four iron-barred cages on the left side and three sleeping troglodytes with another goblin boss on the right. In the first cage, they found a very old tortle with a severely damaged shell. The second cage held a dark-furred Tabaxi that Barlo instantly recognized as his sister, Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow". The third and fourth cages contained two Leonin prisoners. Sas approached the tortle's cage, trying to determine if this could be her long-lost father, but her childhood memories were too blurry to be certain.

As the party attempted to move the sleeping enemies into the now-empty cages, chaos erupted. Barlo accidentally dropped one of the goblin bosses, causing its head to hit the ground and awakening it. The creature screamed, rousing the other sleeping enemies. A frantic struggle ensued as Barlo and Sas grappled the enemies and shoved them into cages while Calliope transformed into a vampire bat to gain a better vantage point. Shadow struck down a troglodyte with a powerful blow, and Bastion eliminated another with his magic. The foul stench emanating from the troglodytes threatened to poison anyone who came too close. Eventually, the remaining enemies, realizing they were outnumbered and trapped behind locked bars, ceased their resistance.

Barlo woke his sister Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow", who was groggy and disoriented with fragmented memories. She recalled being hired with Beast to retrieve Grognard's Journal for a wizard organization, but after that, her memories became a blur of salt mines, ships, and being drugged. She mentioned working for a wizard named Jacoby Drexelhand and expressed her desperate desire to find Beast. The captured goblin boss, brought into the chamber, expressed bewilderment about being put to sleep and muttered about Jacoby Drexelhand's potential betrayal, noting that the wizard had been seen with a mind flayer that morning and hadn't been seen since.

Sas approached the tortle prisoner and asked his name. When he introduced himself as Solec and heard Sas speak her full name, a glow appeared in his eyes and mist rose from his shell as recognition dawned. He revealed he was her father and explained that he had allowed himself to be captured to protect vital knowledge, having a friend cast a spell to suppress his memories until Sas rescued him. They embraced emotionally, and Solec asked for his shell to be mended. As Bastion worked the magic multiple times, the damaged shell gradually repaired itself, revealing a hidden sigil made of thin metal pieces embedded within it that had been obscured by damage and caked mud.

The party freed the remaining prisoners, including a Leonin named Kryrez Roughpride who could speak, and his mute companion Bajol. Kryrez Roughpride thanked them for their rescue and discussed the political situation in Forlione, mentioning that Reginald was now in charge while Zirin had moved elsewhere. Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" expressed her intention to find Beast as soon as possible. Then, without warning, Kryrez Roughpride thanked the party for fixing Solec's shell and reached out to touch him. In an instant, both Kryrez Roughpride and Solec vanished completely, leaving no trace behind. Shadow attempted to strike at them but was too slow, and Calliope's echolocation confirmed they had truly disappeared, likely through teleportation.

Sas stood frozen in shock, having just reunited with her father only to watch him disappear moments later. She frantically felt around the area where he had been standing, experiencing an emotional meltdown as the reality of the situation set in. Bastion revealed to Shadow that the sigil on Solec's shell could store knowledge and secrets, suggesting that whatever information her father had been protecting was now in the hands of whoever Kryrez Roughpride truly was. The party was left with more questions than answers, a mute Leonin prisoner who couldn't explain what had happened, and the unsettling knowledge that their enemies were always one step ahead.

Scenes

Cavern Exploration and Doorway Encounter

The party continues to explore old caverns, noting signs of recent activity mixed with ancient stonework, before reaching a doorway where Shadow listens in on a muffled, one-sided conversation.

• Artie, Shadow's owlbear companion, is instructed to guard the party's flank at the entrance of the narrow passages. Shadow gives him a dead mouse and a scritch before leaving.
• The party navigates through old caverns, observing that some sections have been recently cleared while others retain ancient stonework.
• Shadow listens at a doorway, hearing a muffled, one-sided conversation that repeatedly mentions the word 'shadow', causing uncertainty about whether they are talking about her or something else.
• Shadow decides to open the door, finding it unlocked and untrapped.

Surprise Attack on Sleeping Foes

Upon opening the door, the party discovers a goblin boss and an orc sleeping in what appears to be a waiting room, prompting a swift attack.

• Shadow opens the door to reveal a goblin boss and an orc sleeping on the floor in a room with wooden flooring, tables with weapons, and a chandelier.
• The goblin boss is heard muttering about killing 'shadow' in his sleep.
• Shadow identifies the goblin boss as a larger, potentially stronger individual and whispers to Sas that they should try to take the goblin boss alive.
• Shadow attacks the sleeping orc with her flaming sword, striking it in the belly. The orc screams and dies.
• Shadow attacks the sleeping goblin with her flaming sword, critically hitting it. The goblin screams loudly and dies.
• The goblin boss does not react to the screams, remaining asleep.

Looting and Interrogation Prep

After eliminating the sleeping enemies, the party loots the bodies and prepares to interrogate the goblin boss they've secured.

• Bastion secures the goblin boss by tying him up with rope while he is still unconscious, successfully binding him securely.
• Shadow loots the goblin boss, finding 25 gold pieces, three silver, and a potion of climbing.
• Bastion investigates the room, discovering an ornate gold ring with silver etchings jammed at the edge of a table, specks of diamond dust, and another black stone similar to one found previously.
• Shadow checks the door to the next room for traps, finding a double trap designed to release gas and explosives that could cause a cave-in, but it has been disconnected and the door is unlocked.

Interrogating the Goblin Boss

The party interrogates the goblin boss, who reveals information about the Bloodhand organization, their operations, and the location of enslaved individuals.

• Barlo whispers sweet nothings in Goblin to the tied-up goblin boss while Shadow pours water on his face to wake him, startling him into a state of fear.
• Shadow holds her flaming sword threateningly close to the goblin boss's face, intimidating him into speaking.
• The goblin boss reveals he is a member of the 'Bloodhand' organization, showing his tattooed palms as proof.
• He explains they guard tunnels, move slaves, and watch for 'shadow beasts' from the north tunnels.
• He mentions 'Fingertips' as initiates who want to become Bloodhands and are sent to fight shadow beasts to prove their worth.
• The goblin boss describes various slave storage locations, including a 'turtle cave' on an island that was destroyed a couple years ago.
• He reveals that there is a tortle slave in a nearby room, along with other slaves, and points to the door.
• Shadow threatens to send him to the shadow beast if he doesn't cooperate, and he reluctantly agrees to lead them to the tortle.

Discovery of Prisoners

The party enters a chamber with multiple cages, discovering several sleeping prisoners, including a tortle, a Tabaxi, and two Leonin, along with sleeping troglodytes and another goblin boss.

• Shadow checks the door for traps, finding a disconnected double trap designed to release gas and explosives that could cause a cave-in.
• The party enters a dimly lit chamber with four cages on the left-hand side and three troglodytes and another goblin boss sleeping on the floor to the right.
• They discover a very old, weary tortle with a damaged shell sleeping in the first cage.
• Barlo instantly recognizes a dark-furred Tabaxi named Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" sleeping in the second cage.
• A large Leonin and a skinnier, well-muscled Leonin are found sleeping in the third and fourth cages, respectively.
• Sas approaches the tortle's cage, trying to determine if it is her father, but her memories are too blurry to be certain.

Chaotic Prisoner Transfer

The party attempts to move the sleeping enemies into cages, leading to a chaotic awakening of one goblin boss and a brief, frantic combat encounter.

• Barlo unlocks Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow"'s cage with the brass key and tosses it to Sas.
• Sas unlocks the tortle's cage with the brass key.
• The party decides to move the sleeping enemies into the now-empty cages.
• Shadow and Barlo attempt to move the first goblin boss, but Barlo slips, causing the boss's head to hit the ground and awaken.
• The awakened goblin boss struggles against Barlo and Shadow, eventually screaming and alerting the other sleeping enemies.
• Barlo grapples the goblin boss and shoves him into a cage, then grapples a troglodyte and shoves it into the same cage before stepping out.
• Calliope transforms into a vampire bat and flies into the chamber to gain a better view.
• Sas grapples another troglodyte and shoves it into a cage, then locks the door.
• Shadow attacks a troglodyte, knocking it unconscious with a powerful strike.
• Bastion kills a troglodyte with his rapier and then uses Ray of Frost to kill another troglodyte.
• Barlo punches a troglodyte through the bars, attempting to knock it out, but it remains standing.
• The goblin boss and troglodytes, realizing they are outnumbered and outmatched, cease combat.

Waking Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" and the Goblin Boss's Confusion

Barlo wakes Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow", who is disoriented and has fragmented memories of being enslaved and working for a wizard, while the captured goblin boss expresses confusion about his situation.

• Barlo wakes Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow", who is groggy and disoriented, recognizing Barlo but unsure of her current situation.
• Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" has fragmented memories of working for a wizard named Jacoby Drexelhand to retrieve a book, being in salt mines, and on ships, suggesting she has been drugged.
• Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" recalls being hired with Beast to get 'Grognard's Journal' for a wizard organization and mentions her genie patron.
• Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" expresses a desire to find Beast.
• The goblin boss, brought into the chamber, expresses bewilderment and confusion upon seeing the sleeping prisoners and realizing he was also put to sleep.
• He mutters about Jacoby Drexelhand's potential betrayal, stating that Jacoby Drexelhand was seen with a mind flayer earlier that morning and has not been seen since.

Sas Reunites with Her Father, Solec

Sas discovers the tortle prisoner is her long-lost father, Solec, who reveals he intentionally suppressed his memories and allowed himself to be captured to protect crucial knowledge.

• Sas approaches the tortle, who is now awake, and asks his name.
• The tortle reveals his name is Solec, and upon hearing Sas's full name, a glow appears in his eyes and mist rises from his shell as he recognizes her as his daughter.
• Solec explains that he allowed himself to be captured to protect knowledge and had a friend cast a spell to suppress his memories until he met Sas, who was destined to rescue him.
• Sas embraces her father, Solec, feeling his heartbeat and the emotional weight of their reunion.
• Solec asks for his shell to be mended, and Bastion casts Mending on his damaged shell multiple times.
• The Mending spell gradually repairs the shell, revealing a hidden sigil made of thin metal pieces embedded within it, which was previously obscured by damage and mud.

Solec's Abduction

After freeing Sas's father, Solec, and Barlo's sister, Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow", from their cages, a speaking Leonin named Kryrez Roughpride thanks the party for fixing Solec's shell and then teleports away with Solec, leaving the party stunned and Sas distraught.

• Barlo frees the final Leonin prisoner, Kryrez Roughpride, who can speak, and his mute companion, Bajol.
• Kryrez Roughpride expresses gratitude for being freed and introduces his mute companion, Bajol, who was used for heavier labor.
• Kryrez Roughpride discusses the political situation in Forlione with Shadow, mentioning that Reginald is now in charge and Zirin has moved elsewhere.
• Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" expresses her desire to find Beast after being freed.
• Kryrez Roughpride thanks the party for fixing Solec's shell and expresses interest in the book the party possesses, but states he can get it later.
• Kryrez Roughpride touches Solec, and both disappear instantly, likely via teleportation.
• Shadow attempts an opportunity attack but is too slow as they vanish.
• Calliope, in bat form, uses echolocation to confirm they are completely gone, not just invisible.
• Sas experiences an emotional meltdown, distraught over her father's disappearance shortly after finding him.
• Bastion reveals to Shadow that the sigil on Solec's shell can store knowledge and secrets.

Memorable Moments

Sas discovers the tortle prisoner is her long-lost father, Solec, leading to an emotional reunion as he reveals he allowed himself to be captured to protect vital knowledge.

After years of separation, Sas finally finds her father, only to learn he intentionally suppressed his memories and allowed himself to be captured.

Kryrez Roughpride touches Solec and they both mysteriously disappear via teleportation, leaving Sas distraught moments after reuniting with her father.

Just after an emotional reunion and the revelation of a hidden sigil on Solec's shell, Kryrez Roughpride abducts him, leaving Sas in an emotional meltdown.

Bastion's Mending spell on Solec's shell reveals a hidden sigil made of thin metal pieces, suggesting it stores powerful knowledge or secrets.

After repairing the damaged shell, a secret sigil is revealed, hinting at the knowledge Solec was protecting and why he was captured.

Barlo whispers sweet nothings in Goblin to the tied-up goblin boss while Shadow pours water on his face to wake him, essentially waterboarding him.

The party interrogates the goblin boss using a combination of intimidation and absurd tactics.

NPCs

Arktos "Artie"

Shadow's owlbear companion, polymorphed into a giant eagle, who is left to guard the party's flank at the entrance of the narrow passages. He gives Shadow a look when told to wait, then munches on dead bodies after combat. Shadow gives him a dead mouse and a scritch before leaving.

Goblin Boss (interrogated)

A larger, stronger goblin and member of the 'Bloodhand' organization, tattooed on his palms. He was found sleeping and muttering threats about killing 'shadow'. He guards tunnels and moves slaves for the wizard Jacoby Drexelhand. He is easily intimidated and reveals information about the group's operations, including the existence of 'Fingertips' (initiates), 'shadow beasts' from the north tunnels, and the location of a tortle slave. He expresses confusion and fear about being put to sleep and suspects Jacoby Drexelhand of betrayal.

Orc

A large, sleeping creature found alongside the goblin boss in the weapon area. It was swiftly killed by Shadow's flaming sword.

Goblin

A sleeping goblin found in the weapon area, swiftly killed by Shadow's flaming sword.

Jacoby Drexelhand

A wizard associated with the Bloodhand organization, who uses the tunnels for research and slave transit. He was seen with a mind flayer earlier in the morning and has not been seen since, leading the goblin boss to suspect betrayal.

Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow"

A dark-furred Tabaxi, Barlo's sister, found enslaved in one of the cages. She is groggy and has fragmented memories of being hired with Beast to retrieve 'Grognard's book' for a wizard organization, working in salt mines, being on ships, and being drugged. She has a genie patron and expresses a strong desire to find Beast.

Brother of Shadow, Belly of a Beast

Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow"'s boyfriend and Shadow's brother, who was involved in retrieving 'Grognard's book' with Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow". Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" wishes to find him.

Solec

An old tortle with a damaged shell, found enslaved in a cage. He is Sas's long-lost father, who allowed himself to be captured to protect vital knowledge and had his memories suppressed by a spell until Sas rescued him. His shell contains a hidden sigil made of thin metal pieces that can store knowledge and secrets. He mysteriously disappears with Kryrez Roughpride after being rescued.

Kryrez Roughpride

A Leonin prisoner found in a cage, who can speak and communicates with the party. He expresses gratitude for being freed and introduces his mute companion, Bajol. He discusses the political situation in Forlione, mentioning that Reginald is now in charge and Zirin has moved elsewhere. He shows interest in the tortle's shell and the book before unexpectedly touching Solec and teleporting away with him.

Bajol

A mute, well-muscled Leonin prisoner, companion to Kryrez Roughpride, found in a cage. He was used for heavier labor and communicates through signs with Kryrez Roughpride.

Troglodytes

Three reptilian humanoids found sleeping in the slave chamber, serving as guards for the Bloodhand organization. They emit a foul odor that can poison those within five feet. Two were subdued and caged, while one was killed.

Goblin Boss (slave chamber)

Another goblin boss found sleeping in the slave chamber, who awakens during the chaotic prisoner transfer and attempts to fight back before being subdued and caged.

Gruk

A goblin who reportedly ran in to warn the goblin boss about an attack before everyone fell asleep.

Locations

Old Caverns

A network of ancient underground passages, some showing signs of recent excavation and cleaning within the last couple of years, while others retain very old stonework, indicating a long history of use and disuse.

Weapon Area/Waiting Room

A room with wooden flooring, tables with various weapons, and a small chandelier providing light, making it brighter than other areas. It appears to serve as a waiting area or barracks for reinforcements. Contains specks of diamond dust and black stones.

Slave Chamber

A long, dimly lit chamber containing four cages with iron bars on the left side, which appear to be newer than the surrounding stonework, having been installed within the last couple of years. Three troglodytes and a goblin boss were found sleeping on the floor to the right. The chamber holds various prisoners and serves as a holding place for slaves in transit.

Items

Dead Mouse

A small, deceased rodent that was looted and given to Artie as a snack.

Flame Tongue

Shadow's sword that sheds bright light for 40 feet and dim light for an additional 40 feet. She uses it to attack sleeping enemies and to intimidate the goblin boss.

Brass Key

A key previously found by the party, used by Barlo to unlock Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow"'s cage and by Sas to unlock the tortle's cage.

Rope

Used by Bastion to securely tie up the unconscious goblin boss.

Gold Pieces

25 gold pieces found on the goblin boss.

Silver Pieces

Three silver pieces found on the goblin boss.

Potion of Climbing

A magical potion found on the goblin boss.

Ornate Gold Ring with Silver Etchings

A decorative ring found jammed at the edge of a table in the weapon area. It has no apparent magical properties or writing, just figurative decoration.

Black Stone

Another one of the mysterious black stones, similar to those found previously, discovered in the weapon area.

Grognard's Journal

A book that Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" and Beast were hired to retrieve for a wizard organization, believed to contain secrets that could be unlocked. Sas pulls it out of her shell to show Solec.

Solec's Shell Sigil

A hidden sigil made of thin metal pieces embedded within Solec's tortle shell. It was previously damaged and obscured by mud but was revealed and restored by Bastion's Mending spell. It is believed to store some type of secret, power, or knowledge.

Scimitar

A weapon wielded by the goblin boss, which he unsuccessfully attempts to use to cut his bonds while tied up.

Rapier

A weapon used by Bastion to deliver a killing blow to an unconscious troglodyte.

Spells

Polymorph

Cast by Calliope to transform into a vampire bat, allowing her to fly and gain night vision during combat and interactions.

Ray of Frost

A cantrip cast by Bastion to attack and kill troglodytes through the cage bars, blasting them with icicles.

Mending

A spell cast by Bastion multiple times on Solec's damaged tortle shell. Each casting gradually repaired the shell, eventually revealing a hidden sigil made of thin metal pieces embedded within it.

Classic

Last we left off, our party delved deeper into the ancient caverns beneath the keep, where Shadow left her loyal owlbear companion Artie to guard their rear while they investigated the winding passages ahead. After discovering a room filled with sleeping enemies—a goblin boss muttering threats about "shadow" in his sleep and an orc—Shadow struck with deadly precision, her flaming sword ending both the orc and a regular goblin before the party bound the still-unconscious goblin boss. Under interrogation, the terrified creature revealed he worked for the Bloodhand organization, guarding tunnels and moving slaves while watching for shadow beasts from the north. He reluctantly led them to a chamber containing four cages holding prisoners: an ancient tortle with a damaged shell, a dark-furred Tabaxi that Barlo recognized as his sister Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow", and two Leonin.

What should have been a quiet rescue turned chaotic when Barlo accidentally dropped a sleeping goblin boss, awakening all the enemies in a frantic struggle that ended with the creatures locked in the now-empty cages. Barlo's sister Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" awoke with fragmented memories of working for a wizard named Jacoby Drexelhand and desperately seeking someone called Beast, while the captured goblin boss muttered about betrayal and mind flayers. But the most emotional moment came when Sas approached the tortle prisoner, who revealed himself to be Solec—her long-lost father. He explained he'd allowed his capture to protect vital knowledge hidden in a sigil embedded within his shell, which Bastion carefully repaired through multiple castings of mending magic.

The reunion was tragically short-lived. After freeing the remaining prisoners, including a Leonin named Kryrez Roughpride and his mute companion Bajol, Kryrez Roughpride suddenly reached out and touched Solec. In an instant, both vanished completely through what appeared to be teleportation, taking the newly revealed sigil and all its secrets with them. Sas was left frozen in shock, frantically feeling the empty air where her father had stood moments before, while Bastion grimly explained that the sigil could store knowledge and secrets—knowledge now in enemy hands. The party stood surrounded by freed prisoners and caged enemies, with more questions than answers and the haunting realization that their adversaries remain always one step ahead...

Middle English

Harken well, ye brave and bold,
Of caverns deep and secrets old,
Where Shadow led her band below
Through passages where few dare go.
With Artie set to guard their rear,
They ventured forth despite their fear.

A door revealed a chamber dim,
Where goblin boss and orc lay grim,
In slumber deep they did not wake,
Till Shadow's blade their lives did take.
The flaming sword struck swift and true,
And screams rang out as blood-fire flew.

With rope they bound the sleeping chief,
Who spoke of Bloodhand, slaves, and grief,
Of shadow beasts from northern lands,
And Fingertips with tattooed hands.
He led them to the cages four,
Where prisoners lay on stone-cold floor.

There Barlo found his sister dear,
And Sas beheld her father near,
Old Solec with his shell once broke,
Till Bastion's healing magic spoke.
A sigil hidden was revealed,
That ancient knowledge had concealed.

But joy turned swift to bitter woe,
When Kryrez Roughpride touched and made them go,
In teleportation's cruel embrace,
They vanished without any trace.
Poor Sas stood frozen in despair,
Her father gone into the air!

Snarky

Welcome to the episode where the party speedruns emotional devastation: dungeon crawl edition. Shadow and crew descended into ancient caverns that screamed "definitely not a trap," left Artie the owlbear to guard their backs with nothing but a dead mouse and good vibes, and stumbled upon a room where a goblin boss was literally sleep-talking about murdering someone named "shadow." Naturally, Shadow took this personally and decided the best interrogation technique was stabbing his roommates to death with a flaming sword while he napped through the whole thing. Nothing says "stealth mission" like high-pitched screaming echoing through stone corridors.

After tying up Sleeping Beauty and disarming a trap so elaborate it could cause a cave-in (but was conveniently disconnected because plot armor), they discovered the goblin worked for the Bloodhand organization and was guarding slaves. Cue the rescue mission: they found Barlo's sister Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow", two Leonin prisoners, and a tortle who turned out to be Sas's long-lost father Solec—who had DELIBERATELY gotten himself captured to protect secret knowledge hidden in his shell via magical memory suppression. The party had a beautiful reunion, Bastion lovingly repaired the shell to reveal a hidden sigil, and then one of the "rescued" Leonin said "thanks for the MacGuffin" and teleported away with Solec, leaving Sas to experience the full five stages of grief in thirty seconds. Turns out their enemies aren't just one step ahead—they're playing 4D chess while the party is still figuring out which dice to roll.

Limerick

Through caverns they crept with great care,
While Artie stood guard at the stair.
Shadow's sword blazed bright,
Slew goblins by night,
And captured their boss in his lair.

The Bloodhand boss spilled what he knew,
Of shadow beasts, slaves, and his crew.
To cages they came,
Found prisoners by name—
Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow" and Solec in view!

Young Barlo found Sister of Barlo, Mellow Robin "Mellow", his sister,
While Sas met her father and kissed her.
His shell they did mend,
A sigil toend,
But joy turned to loss in a blister.

Kryrez Roughpride gave his thanks with a touch,
Then vanished with Solec—too much!
Teleported away,
With secrets in play,
The knowledge now out of their clutch.

Poor Sas stood in shock and despair,
Her father just gone from right there.
The enemies scheme,
One step past their dream,
With questions that hang in the air.

Exported from GMAssistant on 2026-08-16