(S085) The Mansion

Exploring the shifting halls of the mysterious manor, the party recovers a time dragon egg, meets the feline mastermind Vashkar, and is teleported to a hellish basement portal they must sabotage.

📝 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

S085: The Mansion

Date: 2025-04-26

Short

The adventuring party explored a mysterious mansion where they discovered a time dragon egg, only to find the building supernaturally transforming around them into an ever-shifting hotel-like structure. During their exploration, they encountered several suspicious characters including a winged woman holding a council member under a charm spell and a tiefling alchemist conducting experiments with dragon eggs to control gods. The situation culminated in a meeting with Vashkar, a powerful feline being who revealed he had orchestrated their theft of the egg from his own house to maintain appearances with a devil named Wrathis. After demonstrating his ability to extract books from the lost library of Calcle using a magical obsidian cube, Vashkar transported the party to a basement containing a portal to Hell, tasking them with destroying two red gemstones to prevent Wrathis from using it to return to the material plane.

Summary

The adventuring party found themselves exploring a mysterious mansion with peculiar characteristics. The downstairs was well-decorated and clearly meant for entertaining, while the upstairs appeared sparse and utilitarian. Their exploration led them to discover a rare time dragon egg contained within a platinum box, but upon exiting the room with their prize, they found the mansion's hallways had transformed dramatically.

The corridors now resembled a hotel, stretching and shifting mysteriously, with numerous identical doors lining the walls. As they explored, they heard ethereal chanting in Infernal echoing through the walls, creating an unsettling atmosphere. In one room, they encountered a succubus with bat-like wings who appeared to be holding a council member from Thornwind under some kind of charm spell.

The party also discovered a laboratory where a red-skinned tiefling alchemist was conducting experiments. His research notes revealed attempts to create potions using dragon eggs, with the ultimate goal of controlling a god. The alchemist's work seemed connected to a larger plot involving devils and powerful entities.

They were eventually led to meet Vashkar, a powerful feline-like being reclining in an ornate room filled with exotic creatures, colorful cushions, and sweet-smelling incense. Vashkar revealed that he had manipulated events to have the party steal the time dragon egg from his own house, explaining that he needed to maintain appearances with a red abishai named Rathus who would soon seek revenge for his defeat.

Vashkar demonstrated his magical prowess by using an obsidian cube with a white skull inside to extract a mysterious black leather book adorned with a golden skull from another tome. He explained that this cube was one of many that could access books from the lost library of Calcle. The conversation revealed complex political machinations involving devils, demons, and powerful entities like Vecna and Tiamat.

The meeting concluded with Vashkar transporting the party to a basement containing a portal to Hell. The portal showed visions of a fiery landscape where devils and demons waged eternal war. Two large red gemstones flanked the portal, which Vashkar instructed the party to destroy in order to prevent Rathus from using it as a shortcut back to the material plane. The party prepared themselves to face the devil guardians protecting the portal, knowing they would need to act quickly to prevent reinforcements from arriving through the hellish gateway.

Scenes

Exploring the Mysterious Mansion

The party enters a strange mansion with shifting hallways, exploring rooms and encountering supernatural elements

• Discovered a time dragon egg in a platinum box
• Hallways transformed to resemble a hotel-like space
• Heard mysterious chanting sounds
• Encountered a red abishai

Meeting Vashkar

The party meets a powerful feline-like being named Vashkar in an ornate room filled with incense and exotic creatures

• Vashkar reveals information about their mission
• Vashkar demonstrates a magical book extraction method using a cube
• Discussed a portal to Hell in the basement
• Vashkar provides details about devils and their motivations

Basement Portal Confrontation

The party is transported to a basement with a portal to Hell, preparing to face devils

• Discovered a large portal to Hell
• Identified red gemstones guarding the portal
• Prepared to fight devils to destroy the gemstones

Exploring the Mysterious Mansion

The party enters a strange mansion with shifting hallways and discovers rooms with unusual inhabitants.

• Party finds a room with a succubus and a charmed council member
• Hallway changes and stretches mysteriously
• Encounter with a creature named Rathus who works for Vashkar

Exploring the Mysterious Mansion

The party investigates a strange mansion with shifting hallways and discovers a potion laboratory and a room with a powerful being.

• Discovered a changing hallway with multiple doors
• Found a tiefling alchemist's laboratory
• Examined notes about dragon egg potions and potential god control
• Met a powerful feline-like being named Vashkar

Meeting Vashkar

The party encounters a mysterious and powerful being who reveals information about their quest and offers a deal.

• Vashkar explains the situation with the red abishai
• Demonstrates a magical book extraction method using a cube
• Suggests destroying gemstones near a portal to Hell
• Provides information about a potential threat from Vecna

Preparing to Descend to the Portal

The party is transported to a basement with a portal to Hell and prepares to face devils.

• Transported to a basement with a hellish portal
• Observed two large devilish creatures guarding the portal
• Identified red gemstones that need to be destroyed
• Prepared for potential combat with devils

Exploring the Mysterious Mansion

The party investigates a strange mansion with changing hallways and encounters various supernatural beings.

• Discovered a room with a time dragon egg in a platinum box
• Hallway mysteriously changes and elongates
• Encountered a succubus in a bedroom
• Found an alchemist's laboratory with notes about dragon egg potions

Meeting Vashkar

The party meets a powerful feline-like being named Vashkar in an ornate, incense-filled room

• Vashkar reveals information about their past adventures
• Vashkar demonstrates a magical book extraction method using a cube
• Vashkar suggests destroying gemstones near a portal to Hell

Descending to the Portal

The party is transported to a basement with a portal to Hell

• Discovered a large portal to the first level of Hell
• Noticed red gemstones guarding the portal
• Prepared to face devils guarding the portal

Exploring the Mysterious Mansion

The party investigates a strange mansion with changing hallways and encounters various supernatural beings.

• Discovered a room with a time dragon egg in a platinum box
• Hallway transforms and becomes longer with multiple doors
• Encountered a succubus
• Found an alchemist's laboratory with notes about dragon egg potions

Meeting Vashkar

The party meets a powerful feline-like being named Vashkar in a luxurious, incense-filled room

• Vashkar reveals information about devils and their motivations
• Demonstrates a magical cube that can extract hidden books
• Offers the party a task involving a portal to Hell
• Discusses potential threats like Vecna and Tiamat

Descending to the Portal

The party is transported to a basement with a portal to Hell

• Discovered a large portal with red gemstones
• Vashkar instructs them to destroy one of the gemstones
• Warned about potential devil reinforcements

Exploring the Mysterious Mansion

The party investigates a strange mansion with shifting hallways and multiple rooms, encountering various supernatural entities.

• Discovered a room with a time dragon egg in a platinum box
• Hallway changes and becomes longer with multiple doors
• Encountered a succubus in a bedroom
• Met a tiefling alchemist working on mysterious potions

Meeting Vashkar

The party meets Vashkar, a powerful feline-like being who reveals information about their quest and exchanges a book using a magical cube.

• Vashkar explains details about devils and their motivations
• Exchanges a book using a magical obsidian cube
• Discusses a portal to Hell in the basement
• Provides information about destroying gemstones to delay a devil's return

Descending to the Basement Portal

The party is transported to a basement with a portal to Hell, preparing to face devils and destroy gemstones.

• Transported to a small basement room
• Discovered a large portal to Hell
• Observed red gemstones guarding the portal
• Prepared to fight devils and destroy the gemstones

Memorable Moments

The party discovers a rare time dragon egg contained within a platinum box

While exploring the sparse and utilitarian upstairs of the mysterious mansion

Vashkar reveals he manipulated the party into stealing the time dragon egg from his own house

Explaining he needed to maintain appearances with a red abishai named Rathus

Vashkar transports the party to a basement containing a portal to Hell

Instructing them to destroy the flanking red gemstones to prevent Rathus from returning

NPCs

Vashkar

A powerful, feline-like being who manipulates the party, possesses magical knowledge, and has connections to devils and other supernatural entities

Rathus

A red abishai devil who was defeated by the party and is expected to return

Tiefling Alchemist

An older male tiefling working on mysterious potions involving dragon eggs and potential god-controlling experiments

Succubus

A succubus with bat-like wings encountered in the mansion, who seems to be working for Vashkar

Locations

Mysterious Mansion

A supernatural dwelling with shifting hallways, decorated differently on different floors, containing magical and mysterious elements

Vashkar's Ornate Room

A bohemian-style room filled with colorful cushions, incense, and exotic creatures, featuring a throne and a chessboard

Basement Portal Room

A small basement room containing a portal to Hell, with red gemstones and devil guardians

Potion Laboratory

A room filled with various unlabeled potions, brewing equipment, and research notes about dragon eggs and magical experiments.

Vashkar's Throne Room

A bohemian-style room with colorful pillows, incense, and a hookah, featuring a feline-like being on a cushioned throne.

Alchemist's Laboratory

A room filled with potions, notes about dragon egg experiments, and various alchemical equipment

Vashkar's Hookah Room

A bohemian-style room with colorful pillows, incense, and a throne, filled with various supernatural creatures

Items

Time Dragon Egg

A rare and valuable egg of a time dragon, discovered in a platinum box, potentially used for experimental magical purposes

Magical Cube

An obsidian cube with a small white skull inside, used to extract books from a hidden library

Skull-Embossed Book

A mysterious book extracted using the magical cube, with a skull design and potential significant magical properties

Potions

Various magical potions including fire breath, healing, and potentially experimental dragon-related concoctions

Obsidian Cube

A magical cube with a small white skull inside, used to extract books from the lost library of Calcle.

Spells

Tune In

A spell used to understand the mysterious chanting, revealing it to be in Infernal and conveying dark, religious emotions

Fairy Fire

Used to illuminate the succubus, revealing her demonic nature and supernatural nature.

Detect Thoughts

Used by a party member to gain insights into the tiefling alchemist's notes and understand the chanting in the hallways.

Tongues

Used to understand the infernal chanting heard in the walls, revealing religious and potentially evil incantations

Classic

Last we left off, our intrepid adventurers found themselves entangled in a web of deception within a most peculiar mansion. What began as a seemingly straightforward heist to acquire a time dragon egg revealed itself to be an elaborate scheme orchestrated by the mysterious Vashkar, a powerful feline entity whose motives remain shrouded in intrigue. Through shifting corridors that transformed from lavish entertainment spaces to unsettling hotel-like hallways, the party encountered various beings including a winged enchantress holding a Thornwind council member captive, and a tiefling alchemist whose research hinted at ambitious plans to control divine powers.

Their journey led them to an audience with Vashkar himself, who revealed not only his manipulation of events but also demonstrated his considerable magical abilities using an obsidian cube - one of several artifacts capable of accessing the legendary lost library of Calcle. The revelations continued to unfold, exposing a complex political landscape involving devils, demons, and even the interests of cosmic entities such as Vecna and Tiamat. The true scope of their involvement in these grand machinations became increasingly apparent as Vashkar shared his schemes and rivalries, particularly concerning a red abishai named Wrathis.

Now, our heroes find themselves in the mansion's basement, facing a portal to the Nine Hells itself, where visions of the Blood War rage eternal. With two crimson gemstones serving as anchors to this hellish gateway, and devil guardians standing watch, the party must act swiftly to destroy these crystals before Wrathis can utilize this passage. As infernal reinforcements loom on the horizon and the heat of hell's battlefield beckons, we return to our adventurers as they prepare to execute this crucial mission...

Snarky

When last we left our adventurers, they had stumbled into what might be the most bizarre open house tour in history. What started as exploring a swanky mansion quickly turned into a reality-bending escapade after they snagged a time dragon egg from a platinum box. Because apparently, nothing says "thanks for having us over" quite like some light artifact theft. But plot twist - the whole thing was an elaborate setup by their host, a mysterious feline being named Vashkar, who had basically Inception-ed them into stealing from... himself.

The mansion decided to channel its inner M.C. Escher, transforming into an ever-shifting hotel maze complete with creepy Infernal chanting (because regular hotel music would've been too boring). Along their "architectural adventure," they encountered everything from a succubus running her own charm school with an unwilling council member, to a tiefling alchemist trying to brew god-control potions in his basement lab. You know, just your typical house party guests.

Things got even spicier when Vashkar revealed he was playing 4D chess with a red abishai named Wrathis, casually pulled out a magic book using an obsidian cube (as one does), and then sent everyone on a field trip to a portal to Hell. Because nothing says "thanks for coming" like asking your guests to destroy some gemstones to prevent a devil invasion. Just another day in the life of our heroes, who are probably wondering if they should start charging consultation fees for getting involved in these cosmic power plays.

Middle English

Harke ye all, good folk of minde,
To tales most strange and rare to finde,
Of mansion faire with secrets deepe,
Where time-drake's egge did safely sleepe.

In chambers fine with gilt and golde,
Below did entertain of olde,
But higher floors bore spartan face,
A mystery in this curious place.

The hallways shifted, doors untolde,
Like tavern corridors of olde,
While devil's tongue did echo dire,
Through walls that seemed to never tire.

A winged dame of beauty brighte,
Did hold a lord in charmèd plight,
While in a chamber, blood-skinned sage
Did work with potions on his page.

Then came they to a noble's den,
Where Vashkar, feline more than men,
Upon his cushions sweet did rest,
And told his plot with cunning zest.

"Mine own egg did ye steal this day,
To fool mine rival," he did say,
"For Wrathis seeks revenge most dire,
With wings of scale and eyes of fire."

With cube of blacke and skullèd face,
He drew forth tome with golden trace,
And spake of libraries long lost,
Where knowledge rare came at great cost.

To Hell's own portal led them last,
Where rubies twain stood fierce and vast,
Through gates did burn eternal strife,
'Twixt devil's horde and demon's life.

"Break ye these stones," the cat-lord spake,
"Ere devil's path these portals make,
But haste ye well, for guardians dire
Do watch these gates with eyes of fire!"

Limerick

A mansion they chose to explore,
With grandeur below, sparse upstairs decor.
A time dragon's egg,
Made hallways to beg,
As hotel halls stretched evermore!

A succubus charmed with her wiles,
While Infernal chants echoed through tiles.
A tiefling's dark scheme,
With dragon eggs' gleam,
Sought godhood through alchemist trials!

Then Vashkar, feline and wise,
Revealed all his tricks and his lies.
The egg was his own,
His power was shown,
Through cubes that made libraries rise!

Now deep in the mansion's dark core,
A portal to Hell's fiery shore.
Two gems blazing red,
Must break them, he said,
Before devils come knocking once more!

Exported from GMAssistant on 2026-08-16