(S091) Potent Puddings

Following the destruction of the shadow-portal orb, the party experiences profound temporal visions, battles splitting chrome-infused black puddings, and establishes a hidden camp in the mist-choked dragon lair.

📝 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

S091: Potent Puddings

Date: 2025-09-13

Short

The party experienced a profound mystical revelation when Sas picked up a magical orb, causing time to slow and granting each member visions about their past and abilities. Sas discovered she had been unconsciously spreading myconid spores across worlds, Shadow learned they could wild shape into an owlbear and that Artie could join their swarm, Bastion realized Grognard was their grandfather and gained draconic healing abilities, and Calliope received divine powers from Tymora including forced re-rolls and invisibility. However, Barlo's vision was interrupted when his spectral dragon companion was destroyed by something dark and ominous.

As the mystical moment ended, a massive black pudding dropped from the ceiling and attacked the party with devastating acid and bludgeoning damage. The battle proved challenging as the creatures were immune to slashing damage and split when struck by such attacks, while melee combat caused acid splash damage to nearby allies. Through tactical adaptation using ranged attacks and bludgeoning damage, the party eventually defeated multiple puddings and a lizardfolk guard, with Sas delivering the final blow. Afterward, they discovered obsidian dragon skull pins on the enemies, used an Arcane Eye to scout ahead through acidic green mist, and established a secure rest area with Leomund's Tiny Hut while preparing to face whatever dangers awaited them deeper in the black dragon's lair.

Summary

The party found themselves in a moment of profound mystical revelation as Sas picked up the orb that resembled other ruled orbs they had encountered before. Time seemed to slow around them as magical energy washed over the room, closing the portals that had been their enemies' means of reinforcement. In this suspended moment, each party member experienced visions and revelations about their past and abilities.

Sas heard a telepathic whisper expressing gratitude, and discovered that a young myconid had been secretly traveling with her spores since she visited their home. The fungal creature sought to establish a new colony in the underground swamp and communicated its plans telepathically. Sas realized she had been unconsciously spreading spores across different worlds like Johnny Appleseed, leaving traces of life wherever the party had traveled.

Shadow received mystical knowledge about their swarmkeeper path and their deep connection to Artie the owlbear. They learned that Artie could become part of their swarm, functioning as a unique familiar, and gained the ability to wild shape into an owlbear once per day. The revelation explained why Artie had always been so gentle despite being an owlbear, and how their bond had been guided by forces beyond their understanding.

Bastion reflected on the elf soul connection within them and realized that Grognard had been their grandfather in this timeline. They discovered a bronze dragon spirit within them tied to Remington, which granted them additional draconic healing abilities when using their protective wings. The complex web of souls and connections began to make more sense as the magical moment revealed hidden truths.

Calliope found herself transported to a circular room similar to the Yuan-ti dungeon, where a table held a cup, a twenty-sided die, and a flute. When she played the flute, incorporating melodies from Barlo's sheet music, she received divine abilities from Tymora, the goddess of luck. The goddess granted her the power to force re-rolls once per day and cast invisibility without expending magical energy.

Barlo described his dragon spirit companion as otherworldly, possibly a space dragon with aurora-like colors that seemed to exist beyond the normal understanding of dragons. However, his moment of revelation was interrupted when he witnessed his spectral dragon companion being smashed by something dark and ominous.

As the mystical moment ended, a massive black ooze creature dropped from the ceiling where it had been clinging. The creature, a monstrous black pudding, had been hiding in the shadows but felt emboldened to reclaim its territory now that the threatening white light from the portal magic had dissipated. Barlo noticed strange chrome-like streaks and shiny masses within the black ooze, reminiscent of creatures they had encountered before.

The black pudding immediately launched an assault on Shadow with its pseudopods, dealing devastating bludgeoning and acid damage. When Shadow and Artie counterattacked with claws, they discovered the creature was immune to slashing damage and actually split into smaller creatures when struck by such attacks. This revelation forced the party to quickly adapt their combat tactics.

Sas proved effective with Eldritch Blast, the force damage creating ripple effects through the ooze like stones thrown into a pond. Bastion unleashed a powerful Scorching Ray that dealt massive fire damage, ultimately destroying the main pudding creature. However, the battle was far from over as smaller puddings continued to threaten the party.

Barlo commanded Calliope, who was in eagle form, to attack enemies while he leaped from her back to engage in close combat. His landing was rough, and he took damage from the fall, but his feline agility allowed him to rush toward the smaller pudding creatures. Using reckless attacks, he discovered that while his slashing weapons caused the puddings to split further, his stomping attacks with bludgeoning damage were effective.

The combat intensified as the party learned that melee attacks against the puddings caused acid to splash back on nearby allies. Shadow and Artie took acid damage from being near Barlo's attacks, while Calliope in eagle form engaged a lizardfolk guard with beak and talons. The lizardfolk counterattacked with a flail as she attempted to fly away.

Shadow retreated to a safer distance and began shooting arrows at the large black pudding, dealing significant damage while avoiding the dangerous acid splash. However, the monstrous black pudding launched a devastating multi-attack against Barlo, dealing massive bludgeoning and acid damage that reduced him to near death. Only his Relentless Rage ability kept him conscious at a single hit point.

The desperate battle continued with multiple black puddings attacking simultaneously. Bastion used protective wings to deflect incoming attacks while Sas eliminated another pudding with Eldritch Blast, carefully avoiding the acid splash by using ranged attacks. In a bold move, Bastion cast Steel Wind Strike, hitting five small puddings simultaneously but taking acid splash damage from the melee spell attacks.

Barlo, critically wounded, attempted to disengage and hide behind Sas while drinking a healing potion to recover some strength. Calliope continued her aerial assault against the lizardfolk guard while Shadow went invisible to avoid opportunity attacks. However, they soon discovered that the black puddings possessed blindsight and could detect invisible creatures.

The final phase of combat saw the monstrous black pudding launching multiple attacks against Sas, dealing significant bludgeoning and acid damage. Sas's defensive spores automatically retaliated with necrotic damage against the attacking creature. Through a combination of Eldritch Blast and tactical positioning, Sas managed to destroy the remaining puddings.

Bastion attempted to use Ray of Frost but discovered the puddings were immune to cold damage, adding to their growing knowledge of the creatures' resistances. She then used her Draconic Healing ability to restore Barlo's health while he threw a javelin at the last small pudding, carefully avoiding the acid splash by using ranged attacks.

Shadow finished off the final small pudding with precise arrow shots before turning his attention to the wounded lizardfolk guard. With devastating accuracy, he dealt massive damage to the creature. Sas moved across the bridge to get a clear view and delivered the killing blow with Chill Touch, manifesting the spell as a skeletal hand that grabbed the lizardfolk by the neck and lifted it like an invisible force before the creature went limp and died.

After the combat ended, the party assessed their precarious situation within the black dragon's lair. They realized that some lizardfolk had escaped through the portals before they were closed, alerting others to their presence. Barlo noticed that chrome pieces from the black puddings had sunk into his skin, similar to chrome ooze they had encountered in the Feywild.

The party discovered obsidian dragon skull pins on the more powerful lizardfolk guards and necromancers, with Shadow and Calliope collecting these pins as evidence of the cult's hierarchy. Shadow used an Arcane Eye to scout the northern cave entrance but found it blocked by a magical barrier that prevented further exploration.

The magical eye revealed that the cave continued with branching passages, but visibility was limited by acidic green mist that filled the chamber. This mist bit at their skin but didn't cause actual damage, though it significantly reduced visibility and created an oppressive atmosphere with echoing sounds suggesting a very high ceiling.

Seeking safety for rest, the party identified a secure location where Calliope cast Leomund's Tiny Hut, carefully camouflaging it to blend with their surroundings. During their short rest, Calliope used Song of Rest to provide additional healing while party members recovered using their natural resilience. They remained uninterrupted during their hour-long rest, though they debated whether attempting a longer rest in the dangerous dragon lair would be wise. As they prepared for what lay ahead, Artie dropped out of his polymorph form back to his normal owlbear state, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in the depths of the black dragon's domain.

Memorable Moments:

• Sas discovering a young myconid secretly traveling with her spores.
• Calliope receiving divine abilities from Tymora after playing her flute.
• Barlo leaping from Calliope's eagle form to engage the black puddings in close combat.
• Sas delivering the killing blow to a lizardfolk guard with a skeletal hand manifested from Chill Touch.

Scenes

Mystical Revelations After Portal Destruction

Time slows as the party picks up the orb and experiences mystical visions about their past and abilities.

• Sas picks up the orb that resembles other ruled orbs they've seen
• Time slows down as magical energy washes over the room and closes the portals
• Sas hears a telepathic whisper saying 'thank you'
• Shadow receives mystical knowledge about their swarmkeeper path and connection to Artie
• Shadow learns Artie can become part of their swarm and gains new familiar abilities
• Shadow gains the ability to wild shape into an owlbear once per day for 10 minutes
• Bastion reflects on the elf soul connection and realizes Grognard was their grandfather
• Bastion discovers a bronze dragon spirit within them tied to Remington
• Bastion gains an additional draconic healing ability when using protective wings
• Calliope finds herself in a circular room similar to the Yuan-ti dungeon with a table containing a cup, d20, and flute
• Calliope plays the flute and receives abilities from Tymora, goddess of luck
• Calliope gains the ability to force re-rolls once per day and cast invisibility without a spell slot
• Sas discovers a myconid has been traveling with her spores, seeking a new colony location
• The myconid telepathically communicates its gratitude and plans to establish a colony in the underground swamp
• Sas realizes she has been unconsciously spreading spores across different worlds like Johnny Appleseed
• Barlo describes his dragon spirit as otherworldly, possibly a space dragon with aurora-like colors

Black Pudding Ambush

A massive black ooze creature drops from the ceiling to reclaim its territory after the portal magic dissipates.

• Barlo sees his spectral dragon companion being smashed by something dark
• A large black ooze creature (black pudding) falls from the ceiling
• The creature emerges now that the scary white light is gone
• Barlo notices chrome-like streaks and shiny masses within the black ooze
• The black pudding attacks Shadow with pseudopods dealing bludgeoning and acid damage
• Shadow and Artie attack with claws but deal no damage due to slashing immunity
• The pudding splits into smaller creatures when hit by slashing attacks

Initial Black Pudding Combat

The party engages the black pudding and discovers its dangerous properties and immunities.

• Sas uses Eldritch Blast effectively against the creature
• Bastion kills the main pudding with a level 5 Scorching Ray dealing 30 fire damage
• Barlo commands Calliope (in eagle form) to attack enemies
• Barlo leaps from the eagle but falls, taking bludgeoning damage
• Barlo uses feline agility to rush toward the smaller pudding creatures
• Barlo attacks recklessly with slashing weapons, causing the puddings to split further
• Barlo takes acid splash damage from melee attacks against the puddings
• Barlo discovers the puddings are immune to slashing damage but his stomp attack with bludgeoning damage is effective
• Barlo triggers his Silver Flame healing ability, gaining hit points for himself

Escalating Pudding Battle

The combat intensifies as more puddings appear and the party takes heavy damage from acid attacks.

• The party realizes that melee attacks against the puddings cause acid splash damage to nearby allies
• Shadow and Artie take acid splash damage from being near Barlo's attacks
• Calliope in eagle form attacks a lizardfolk guard with beak and talons
• The lizardfolk guard counterattacks Calliope with a flail as she flies away
• Shadow retreats and shoots arrows at the large black pudding, dealing significant damage
• The large black pudding launches a devastating multi-attack against Barlo
• Barlo takes massive bludgeoning and acid damage from multiple pseudopod attacks
• Barlo is reduced to near death but uses his Relentless Rage ability to stay conscious at 1 hit point

Desperate Combat Continues

The party fights desperately against multiple black puddings while managing severe injuries.

• Multiple black puddings attack with pseudopods dealing bludgeoning and acid damage
• Bastion uses protective wings to boost AC against incoming attacks
• Sas kills a black pudding with Eldritch Blast without taking acid splash damage
• Bastion casts Steel Wind Strike hitting five small puddings simultaneously
• Bastion takes acid splash damage from hitting puddings with melee spell attacks
• Barlo attempts to disengage and hide behind Sas while at critically low health
• Barlo drinks a healing potion as a bonus action to recover some hit points
• Calliope in eagle form makes sweep attacks against a lizardfolk guard
• Shadow shoots arrows at the monstrous black pudding, dealing significant damage
• Shadow goes invisible to avoid opportunity attacks from the pudding
• Artie attacks a small black pudding with talons but takes acid splash damage
• The party learns that black puddings have blindsight and can see invisible creatures

Final Pudding Elimination

The party systematically eliminates the remaining black puddings and lizardfolk.

• The monstrous black pudding attacks Sas with multiple pseudopod strikes
• Sas takes 11 points of bludgeoning damage and 25 points of acid damage
• Sas's spores automatically deal necrotic damage to the attacking pudding
• Sas gains permanent hit points from a special roll and casts Eldritch Blast to destroy remaining puddings
• Bastion attempts Ray of Frost but discovers the puddings are immune to cold damage
• Bastion uses Draconic Healing to restore Barlo's health
• Barlo throws a javelin at the last small pudding, dealing minimal damage but avoiding acid splash
• Calliope in eagle form continues attacking the lizardfolk guard to the north
• Shadow finishes off the final small pudding with ranged attacks
• The party eliminates all black puddings in the main chamber
• Shadow shoots the wounded lizardfolk guard with arrows, dealing massive damage
• Sas moves across the bridge to get a clear view of the lizardfolk
• Sas casts Chill Touch, using the Force to lift the lizardfolk by the neck like Darth Vader before it goes limp and dies
• Combat ends with all enemies defeated

Post-Combat Assessment and Rest

After defeating all enemies, the party assesses their situation and establishes a safe resting area.

• Party discusses their precarious situation in the black dragon's lair
• The party learns that some lizardfolk escaped through portals before they were closed, alerting others to their presence
• Barlo notices chrome pieces from the black puddings have sunk into his skin, similar to chrome ooze encountered in the Feywild
• Party discovers obsidian dragon skull pins on the more powerful lizardfolk guards and necromancers
• Shadow and Calliope both collected obsidian dragon skull pins from defeated enemies
• Shadow uses Arcane Eye to scout the northern cave entrance but finds it blocked by a magical barrier
• The magical eye reveals the cave continues with branching passages but visibility is limited by mist
• Shadow scouts the chamber counterclockwise looking for safe spots and enemy tunnels
• The party identifies the chamber as having acidic green mist that bites at the skin but doesn't cause damage
• Calliope casts Leomund's Tiny Hut and camouflages it for protection during rest
• The party takes a short rest, with Calliope using Song of Rest to provide additional healing
• Party members use hit dice to recover health during the short rest
• The party remains uninterrupted during their hour-long rest
• Discussion about whether to attempt a long rest in the dangerous dragon lair
• Artie drops out of polymorph form back to his normal owlbear state

Memorable Moments

Sas discovered a young myconid had been secretly traveling with her spores to establish a new colony

During a moment of profound mystical revelation after picking up the ruled orb

Calliope played her flute with Barlo's sheet music and received divine abilities from Tymora

Transported to a circular room during the mystical revelation

Barlo leaped from Calliope's eagle form to engage the black puddings in close combat

During the intense battle against the splitting black puddings

Sas delivered the killing blow to a lizardfolk guard with a skeletal hand manifested from Chill Touch

Finishing off the remaining enemies after the black puddings were destroyed

NPCs

Monstrous Black Pudding

A large, amorphous black ooze creature that was clinging to the ceiling of the portal chamber. It has immunity to slashing damage, splits when hit by slashing attacks, and deals both bludgeoning and acid damage. Contains strange chrome-like streaks and shiny masses within its form. An upscaled version of the standard creature to provide appropriate challenge.

Lizardfolk Guards

Bulky lizardfolk warriors guarding passages and wearing obsidian dragon skull pins indicating allegiance to the black dragon cult. They attack with flails and javelins and show resistance to the party's assault.

Myconid Traveller, Feerus

A young fungal creature that has been secretly traveling with Sas among her spores since she visited their home. Seeks to establish a new colony in the underground swamp and communicates telepathically through spore clouds.

Tymora

The goddess of luck who grants Calliope divine abilities during her mystical vision. Known for her influence over fate and fortune, she has been watching over Calliope and provides her with powers to alter destiny.

Locations

Northern Cave Entrance

The entrance to the black dragon's deeper lair, protected by a magical barrier that prevents scrying. The cave extends into darkness with multiple branching passages and is filled with acidic mist that limits visibility.

Portal Chamber

A large flooded cavern with acidic water, stone bridges, and green acidic mist that bites at the skin but doesn't cause damage. The chamber has poor visibility due to the mist and echoes suggesting a very high ceiling. Contains dying plant life along the walls and serves as an antechamber to the black dragon's lair. The northern passage is blocked by an invisible magical barrier.

Circular Divine Chamber

A mystical room similar to the Yuan-ti dungeon where Calliope experiences her vision from Tymora. Contains a table with a cup, twenty-sided die, and flute, representing the goddess of luck's domain.

Portal Chamber Bridge

A stone bridge spanning across the acidic water in the portal chamber, providing safe passage above the dangerous liquid. The bridge is only ten feet wide and connects different areas of the chamber.

Items

Obsidian Dragon Skull Pins

Small black obsidian pins shaped like dragon skulls worn by the more powerful lizardfolk guards and necromancers. These pins indicate allegiance to the black dragon cult and mark higher-ranking members. Shadow and Calliope both collected these pins from defeated enemies.

World Orb

A mystical orb similar to others the party has encountered before. When picked up by Sas, it triggers time-slowing effects and mystical revelations for the party members. The orb appears to be connected to the portal system that was just destroyed.

Divine Flute

A mystical flute that appears in Tymora's chamber during Calliope's vision. When played, it produces perfect melodies incorporating notes from Barlo's sheet music and serves as a conduit for receiving the goddess's blessings.

Twenty-Sided Die

A divine d20 that appears on Tymora's table during Calliope's vision, representing the goddess of luck's domain over chance and fate. Connected to Calliope's previous actions in the Yuan-ti temple.

Chrome Ooze Fragments

Metallic chrome pieces intermixed within the black pudding that were noticed during combat. These fragments are reminiscent of the chrome ooze creatures the party previously encountered in the Fae Wild arena trap. Some of these pieces absorbed into Barlo's skin during the battle.

Healing Potion

A simple healing potion used by Barlo during combat. When taken as a bonus action, requires rolling for healing amount rather than getting the maximum effect. Restored 8 hit points when consumed.

Spells

Eldritch Blast

Sas's signature warlock cantrip that proved highly effective against the black puddings, dealing force damage that bypassed their resistances and immunities. Cast as three separate beams at 11th level, creating ripple effects through the ooze like throwing stones into a pond.

Scorching Ray

Bastion cast this spell at 5th level against the main black pudding, dealing 30 fire damage that proved highly effective and ultimately killed the creature.

Relentless Rage

A barbarian ability that allows Barlo to survive at 1 hit point instead of falling unconscious when taking damage while raging. Requires a DC 10 Constitution save that increases by 5 each use.

Protective Wings

A draconic ability used by Bastion to manifest wings and add proficiency bonus to AC against a single attack roll, successfully deflecting a 26 to hit attack.

Steel Wind Strike

A 5th-level spell cast by Bastion that allows melee spell attacks against up to five creatures within range, dealing 6d10 force damage and allowing teleportation. Triggered acid splash damage from the puddings.

Invisibility

Shadow cast invisibility on himself to avoid opportunity attacks from the black pudding, though the spell's effectiveness was limited due to the creature's blindsight ability.

Ray of Frost

Bastion's cold damage spell that proved ineffective against the black puddings due to their immunity to cold damage, revealing important tactical information about the creatures.

Draconic Healing

Bastion's gift of the metallic dragon ability, allowing him to cast Cure Wounds without expending a spell slot to heal Barlo during the battle.

Healing Word

Sas cast this bonus action healing spell on Barlo during combat, providing crucial healing at a distance when the barbarian was critically wounded.

Chill Touch

Cast by Sas to deliver the killing blow to the final lizardfolk guard. The spell manifested as a skeletal hand that grabbed the enemy by the neck and lifted it up like Darth Vader using the Force, before the creature went limp and died.

Arcane Eye

Shadow cast this divination spell to scout the chamber and northern cave entrance. The magical eye was blocked by a barrier at the cave threshold and used to search for safe resting spots and enemy tunnels around the chamber perimeter.

Leomund's Tiny Hut

Calliope cast this protective spell to create a camouflaged shelter for the party's short rest. The hut was specifically made to blend in with the surroundings using natural camouflage techniques and provided protection during their hour-long rest.

Song of Rest

Calliope used this bardic ability during the short rest to provide additional healing, granting an extra 1d10 hit points to party members who used hit dice during the rest.

Classic

Last we left off, our intrepid party found themselves in a moment of profound mystical revelation as Sas grasped an orb of power, causing time itself to slow around them. In this suspended moment of magical energy, each member experienced visions that revealed hidden truths about their past and abilities. Sas discovered a young myconid had been secretly traveling with her spores, seeking to establish new colonies wherever their adventures had taken them. Shadow learned of their deeper connection to Artie the owlbear and gained the ability to wild shape into an owlbear form. Bastion uncovered the truth about Grognard being their grandfather and discovered a bronze dragon spirit within them tied to Remington. Calliope found herself blessed by Tymora with divine luck abilities, while Barlo witnessed his spectral dragon companion being destroyed by dark forces.

However, their moment of revelation was shattered when a massive black pudding dropped from the ceiling above, having waited for the threatening portal magic to dissipate before reclaiming its territory. The monstrous ooze launched a devastating assault, and the party quickly learned that slashing attacks only caused it to split into smaller, equally dangerous creatures. Through careful tactics and ranged attacks, they discovered that force, fire, and bludgeoning damage were effective, while cold damage proved useless against the acidic horrors.

After a brutal battle that left Barlo clinging to life and several party members scarred by acid, they managed to destroy the puddings and eliminate the remaining lizardfolk guards. Now, having secured a moment of respite within Leomund's Tiny Hut, the party finds themselves deep within a black dragon's lair, with escaped enemies likely alerting others to their presence. With acidic mists blocking northern passages and obsidian dragon skull pins revealing the cult's hierarchy, our heroes must decide their next move in this treacherous domain where danger lurks in every shadow...

Snarky

When last we left our intrepid adventurers, they had just experienced what can only be described as a magical group therapy session courtesy of a mysterious orb. While Sas discovered she'd been accidentally Johnny Appleseeding myconid spores across multiple dimensions (talk about leaving your mark on the world), Shadow learned that their owlbear buddy Artie could literally become part of their swarm family. Bastion had a touching grandfather reveal with Grognard and unlocked some fancy dragon healing powers, while Calliope got blessed by Tymora herself with luck manipulation abilities. Poor Barlo was having a beautiful moment with his space dragon companion when something dark and ominous decided to crash the party by literally smashing his spectral friend.

Speaking of party crashers, a massive black pudding had apparently been playing ceiling spider this whole time, waiting for the perfect moment to drop in uninvited. What followed was a masterclass in "learning enemy weaknesses the hard way" as the party discovered that slashing attacks just made more puddings (because that's exactly what they needed), while acid splash damage turned every melee attack into a group punishment exercise. Barlo nearly became pudding food himself, getting reduced to a single hit point and probably reconsidering his life choices, while the rest of the party frantically adapted their tactics to deal with creatures that were basically living, aggressive Jell-O with anger management issues.

After finally defeating the ooze invasion and some unfortunate lizardfolk guards, our heroes found themselves deep in a black dragon's lair with the uncomfortable knowledge that some enemies had escaped to tattle on them. With chrome bits from the puddings now embedded in Barlo's skin like the world's worst souvenir, and acidic green mist blocking their northern route, the party wisely decided to hunker down in Calliope's magical tiny hut for some much-needed rest. Because nothing says "strategic planning" like camping in a dragon's living room while hoping the homeowner doesn't come back early from vacation.

Middle English

Harken well, ye noble folke,
Of adventurers brave and true,
Who ventured deep in dragon's lair,
Where mystic visions came to view.

When Sas did grasp the orb of power,
Time itself did bend and sway,
And portals closed with magic's might,
While revelations lit the way.

A myconid spake unto her mind,
With gratitude and purpose clear,
To spread its spores 'cross many realms,
Like Johnny Appleseed so dear.

Good Shadow learned of swarmkeeper's path,
And Artie's bond beyond compare,
The owlbear gentle, now made kin,
With wild shape's gift to freely share.

Brave Bastion found his grandsire's soul,
In Grognard's form from days of old,
A bronze dragon's spirit dwelt within,
With healing wings of burnished gold.

Fair Calliope to chamber went,
Where cup and die and flute did rest,
She played sweet melodies divine,
And Tymora's luck her soul did bless.

But Barlo's dragon, space-born bright,
With aurora's hue so strange and fair,
Was smashed by darkness from above,
A sight to fill the heart with care.

From ceiling dropped a pudding black,
A monstrous ooze of fearsome might,
With chrome-like streaks within its mass,
It struck at Shadow in the fight.

The beast was proof 'gainst slashing steel,
And split when cut by blade or claw,
But Sas's blast and Bastion's flame,
Did burn and blast without a flaw.

Bold Barlo leaped from eagle's back,
Though rough his landing on the stone,
With stomping feet and reckless rage,
He fought the puddings all alone.

The acid burned both friend and foe,
When melee strikes did find their mark,
While Shadow's arrows flew so true,
From safety in the cavern dark.

Near death was Barlo brought to heel,
By pudding's devastating blow,
But Relentless Rage kept him alive,
At one small point of life so low.

Steel Wind Strike did Bastion cast,
Five puddings struck with magic's might,
While Calliope in eagle form,
Fought lizardfolk with beak and sight.

Though Shadow turned invisible,
The puddings' sight could pierce the veil,
With blindsight keen they tracked their prey,
No hiding trick could make them fail.

At last the final foes were slain,
By Sas's Chill Touch cold and grim,
A skeletal hand did grasp the throat,
And lizardfolk's life grew dark and dim.

Chrome pieces sank in Barlo's skin,
Like ooze from Feywild's cursed ground,
While obsidian pins they gathered up,
From cultists' bodies scattered 'round.

The Arcane Eye did scout ahead,
Through mist of acid green and thick,
But magical barriers blocked the way,
And visibility grew quick.

In Tiny Hut they took their rest,
Camouflaged from prying eyes,
While Song of Rest did heal their wounds,
Beneath the cavern's starless skies.

Now deeper in the dragon's realm,
They steel themselves for trials ahead,
With Artie true in owlbear form,
They face what fills the heart with dread.

Limerick

The orb glowed with mystical light so bright,
As visions revealed each hero's true sight.
Sas found spores had spread,
Shadow's bond with Artie was fed,
While Bastion learned of dragons' ancient might.

A black pudding dropped from ceiling above,
With chrome streaks that none of them could love.
It split when they slashed,
As acid it splashed,
But force and fire proved quite enough.

Poor Barlo was battered and nearly died,
While Calliope soared through the air with pride.
The lizardfolk fell,
To Shadow's aim well,
As Sas finished with death's cold tide.

They rested in safety with magical dome,
While planning their next steps far from home.
The dragon's lair waits,
Behind misty gates,
Where danger and treasure freely roam.

Exported from GMAssistant on 2026-08-16