(S098) The Realm of Dungeons & Dragons

Preparing in Thornwinds with tattooing and gear commissions, the party steps through Pradam's portal into the Realm of Dungeons & Dragons, navigates jagged obsidian tunnels guided by a sprite named Willowbrush, and battles fierce hook horrors, traps, and an acidic black pudding.

📝 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

S098: The Realm of Dungeons and Dragons

Date: 2026-01-03

Short

The party prepared for their next adventure by acquiring magical enhancements—Barlo received tattoos of striding from Shadow, they commissioned an enchanted saddle for the Broom of Flying, and created a magical duplicate of Bastion with half his strength. They then stepped through Pradam Estorich's portal to meet their guide, who explained that bullywugs had captured a unicorn that Pradam needed to return home. After considering three possible routes, the party chose to venture through underground tunnels lined with jagged black obsidian walls, noticing a strange phenomenon in the distance: a cloud formation with a yellow pillar of light and crackling blue lightning.

Deep in the tunnels, the party encountered increasingly dangerous threats. Barlo discovered and brutally dispatched a massive nine-foot-tall Hook Horror in seconds, stunning his companions with his ferocity. They fought through another Hook Horror and three lizardfolk before reaching a trapped door that injured Sas before they finally broke through. Beyond the door, they discovered a chamber where a massive black pudding ooze had camouflaged itself beneath pooled water. The party engaged the acidic creature in fierce combat, with Bastion's scorching rays proving effective, Calliope hurling insults and breathing fire, and Barlo biting the ooze with his draconic jaw despite suffering corrosive burns as they fought to overcome this gelatinous menace.

Summary

The party spent time in Thornwinds preparing for their next adventure. Barlo visited Shadow to receive magical tattoos of striding on both legs, a lengthy process that took approximately twelve hours using expensive three-dimensional ink. Meanwhile, a leather smith was commissioned to create a specialized enchanted saddle for the Broom of Flying, designed to prevent the rider from being dismounted against their will and provide protection during aerial combat. The party also created a magical duplicate of Bastion, though this simulacrum possessed only half his strength and could not recover its magical energy once expended.

When preparations were complete, the party stepped through a portal provided by Pradam Estorich, emerging on a roadside where their guide awaited. The guide explained that bullywugs had captured a unicorn that Pradam desperately needed to return home, and presented three possible paths to reach the creatures. After considering routes through marshes, a dragon's graveyard, or underground tunnels, the party chose to venture into the depths. As they approached the cave entrance, they noticed a strange phenomenon in the distance—a cloud formation with a yellow pillar of light and crackling blue lightning.

The tunnels were lined with jagged black obsidian walls that rose fifteen feet high. Barlo scouted ahead and discovered a recently repaired door, hearing strange sweeping sounds beyond it. He telepathically warned Shadow, who relayed the information to the others. When they opened the door, a massive nine-foot-tall Hook Horror with gray chitinous armor and necked feathers stood before them. The creature let out a blood-curdling shriek that sounded like a hundred dying vultures, but Barlo charged forward in a rage, his claws extended. With devastating ferocity, he tore through the massive creature in seconds, leaving the rest of the party stunned at how quickly the battle had ended.

Pressing deeper into the tunnels, the party noticed water seeping from cracks in the obsidian walls, making the floor slippery and treacherous. Barlo spotted another Hook Horror ahead, and the party engaged it in combat. During the fight, Barlo demonstrated remarkable agility by running up the wall and leaping over the creature to attack from behind. Bastion and his duplicate struck with their rapiers while Sas channeled primal energy through her claws. With a critical strike that glowed with savage power, Sas tore through the Hook Horror and defeated it. The party then encountered three lizardfolk in simple leather garments, but these shorter reptilian humanoids were quickly dispatched.

The next obstacle proved more challenging—a trapped door that Sas attempted to disarm. Despite her efforts, a scythe blade swung out from the wall, striking her as the door remained stubbornly locked. The party worked together to break through, with Sas ramming it with her shell, Shadow shooting the hinges, and Bastion finally forcing it open with his rapier. Beyond the door, they discovered a chamber where water pooled on the floor, but something seemed wrong about the liquid.

As the party entered, a massive black pudding ooze revealed itself, having camouflaged beneath the water. The amorphous creature struck at Sas with acidic pseudopods while the party scrambled to respond. Bastion launched rays of scorching fire that proved effective against the ooze, while his duplicate's frost magic seemed less potent. Calliope stepped forward and hurled an absurd insult at the mindless creature—"You smell like a carpet"—before breathing fire upon it. Barlo transformed his jaw into a draconic maw and bit into the ooze, though the corrosive creature burned his flesh in return. The battle raged on as the party fought to overcome this gelatinous menace lurking in the depths of the obsidian tunnels.

Scenes

Tattoo Session and Gear Preparation

The party spends time in Thornwinds with Barlo getting magical tattoos applied by Shadow and commissioning a specialized saddle for the Broom of Flying.

• Shadow applies a Tattoo of Striding to both of Barlo's legs using expensive three-dimensional ink, a process taking approximately 12 hours total.
• A leather smith is commissioned to create an enchanted saddle for the Broom of Flying that prevents dismounting against the rider's will and gives disadvantage to attacks against the mount, costing 2,500 gold pieces.
• Barlo pays Shadow 3,000 gold pieces to help cover costs.
• Shadow continues making payments on her custom studded leather armor with gem sockets.
• The party discusses creating a simulacrum of Bastion, noting its limitations including half hit points, no equipment, and inability to regain spell slots.

Portal Journey and Mission Briefing

The party emerges from a portal and receives guidance about their next objective from their guide.

• The party passes through a portal provided by Pradam Estorich, who had shown them a black obelisk and given them a modified book to hide magical orbs.
• A guide informs them that bullywugs have captured a unicorn that Pradam needs to return home.
• Three paths are presented: marshes requiring stealth, the Dragon's Graveyard with skill challenges, or tunnels inhabited by lizard-type creatures.
• The party chooses the dungeon crawl through the tunnels.
• A simulacrum of Bastion is created and equipped with Shadow's spare plus one studded leather armor.

Cave Entrance and First Hook Horror

The party enters a cave with obsidian walls and encounters their first Hook Horror after Barlo scouts ahead.

• The party observes a strange cloud formation with a yellow pillar of light and blue lightning in the distance.
• They arrive at a cave entrance with black obsidian-lined walls.
• Barlo investigates a recently repaired door, hearing sweeping sounds and detecting a Hook Horror inside.
• Barlo telepathically relays the information to Shadow, who informs the rest of the party.
• Combat begins with Shadow firing arrows at the Hook Horror.
• Barlo charges in with a reckless rage attack using his claws, dealing massive damage.
• The nine-foot-tall Hook Horror is quickly defeated by Barlo's ferocious assault.

Tunnel Exploration and Second Encounter

The party proceeds deeper into the tunnels, encountering another Hook Horror and several lizardfolk.

• Barlo scouts ahead and spots another Hook Horror down a hallway.
• The party notices water seeping from the walls, creating difficult terrain.
• Sas moves forward to engage the Hook Horror while Calliope attempts to cast Chill Touch but misses.
• Shadow uses her Broom of Flying to ascend and turn invisible.
• The Hook Horror attacks Sas, dealing piercing damage.
• Barlo uses his speed and agility to jump over the Hook Horror, positioning himself behind it.
• Bastion and his simulacrum attack with rapier strikes and True Strike cantrips.
• Sas delivers a critical hit with Primal Savagery, defeating the Hook Horror.
• The party discovers and quickly dispatches three lizardfolk in the next chamber.

Trapped Door and Black Pudding Ambush

The party struggles with a trapped door before discovering a camouflaged ooze creature in the water.

• Barlo investigates a door and discovers a trap using her Wand of Secrets.
• Barlo attempts to disarm the trap but triggers it, taking damage from a scythe blade.
• The door remains locked despite the trap being sprung.
• Sas rams the door with her shell, splintering it but not breaking the lock.
• Shadow shoots a crossbow bolt at one of the door's hinges to weaken it further.
• Bastion finally forces the door open with his rapier.
• As the party enters, Sas is attacked by a black pudding ooze that had been camouflaged by the water.
• Combat begins with the ooze, with the party discovering it is vulnerable to fire but resistant to cold damage.
• Bastion uses Scorching Ray effectively while his simulacrum's Ray of Frost proves less effective.
• Calliope casts Vicious Mockery and Dragon's Breath with fire damage.
• Barlo rages and bites the ooze with his transformed dragon jaw, taking acid damage in return.
• Arktos attacks with his claws but also takes acid damage from the corrosive creature.
• The session ends mid-combat with the black pudding still threatening the party.

Memorable Moments

Barlo single-handedly destroys a nine-foot-tall Hook Horror in seconds with a devastating reckless claw attack, shocking the entire party with how quickly the massive creature fell.

First combat encounter in the obsidian tunnels after Barlo charged in with rage

"You smell like a carpet."
— Calliope Galanodel

Casting Vicious Mockery on a black pudding ooze, delivering an absurd insult to a mindless creature

Barlo triggers a scythe trap while trying to disarm it, taking damage as the blade swings out from the wall, and the door remains stubbornly locked.

Attempting to safely open a trapped door in the tunnels, failing the disarm check

Sas delivers a critical hit with Primal Savagery, her claws glowing with primal energy as she tears through the Hook Horror and defeats it in a single devastating strike.

Rolling a natural 20 on her attack after the party had been whittling down the creature

NPCs

Pradam Estorich

A human wizard who made a deal with the party, providing them with a modified book to hide magical orbs. He is searching for his unicorn friend so he can return home, having lost other friends in a realm he calls the Realm of Dungeons and Dragons. He showed the party a black obelisk with a hole where he placed an orb, creating the portal they used.

Willowbrush

A Sprite e who met the party after they emerged from the portal and briefed them on the bullywugs who have captured Pradam's unicorn friend. The guide presented three possible paths to reach the bullywugs and has been spying on them.

Kaslen Wheelscheme

A craftsman in Thornwinds who created a custom enchanted saddle for the Broom of Flying, offering various options at different price points ranging from 60 to 2,500 gold pieces.

Hook Horror Creatures

Large, nine-foot-tall creatures with gray chitinous exoskeletons and necked feathers. They make blood-curdling yelps that sound like a hundred dying vultures. Two were encountered and defeated in the obsidian tunnels.

Lizardfolk Creatures

Reptilian humanoids encountered in the obsidian tunnels. They are shorter than typical lizardfolk and wear simple leathers and loincloths. Three were quickly dispatched by the party in combat.

Black Pudding Creatures

A large, amorphous ooze creature that camouflaged itself by resting under water seeping from the tunnel walls. It attacks with bludgeoning and acid damage, corroding weapons and dealing acid damage to those who strike it in melee. The creature is vulnerable to fire but resistant to cold damage.

Arktos

Shadow's owlbear companion, currently polymorphed into a giant eagle. He participates in combat by attacking with his claws and bites, though he took acid damage when striking the black pudding.

Simulacrum of Bastion Bladesinger

A magical duplicate of Bastion created by the party. It has half of Bastion's hit points, no equipment initially but was given Shadow's spare plus one studded leather armor, and cannot regain spell slots. It assists in combat by casting spells like Ray of Frost and attacking with a rapier.

Locations

Thornwinds

Thornwinds where the party spent time getting tattoos applied and commissioning custom gear from craftsmen.

Roadside

A location where the party emerged from Pradam's portal, serving as the starting point for their mission to rescue the unicorn.

Obsidian Cave

A network of tunnels with jagged black obsidian-lined walls, approximately 15 feet tall. Water seeps from the walls and floor in some areas, creating difficult terrain. The cave appears to have been inhabited by various creatures over time, with recently repaired doors suggesting current occupation by lizardfolk and other dangers.

Items

Tattoo of Striding

A magical tattoo applied to both of Barlo's legs by Shadow using expensive three-dimensional ink. Each tattoo grants a plus 10 bonus to walking speed, totaling plus 20 for both legs, increasing Barlo's speed from 60 to 80 feet.

Three-Dimensional Ink

An expensive, high-quality magical ink costing 350 gold pieces per vial. It enhances the effects of magical tattoos, doubling the speed bonus of the Tattoo of Striding from plus 5 to plus 10 per tattoo.

Enchanted Saddle for Broom of Flying

A custom-made saddle commissioned for 2,500 gold pieces that attaches to the Broom of Flying. It prevents the rider from being dismounted against their will while conscious and imposes disadvantage on attack rolls made against the mounted creature. It includes normal saddlebags and foot holsters.

Broom of Flying

A magical broom weighing three pounds that functions like a mundane broom until a command word is spoken. It then hovers beneath the rider with a flying speed of 50 feet, carrying up to 400 pounds, though its speed becomes 30 feet when carrying over 200 pounds. It can be sent to travel alone to a familiar destination within one mile using command words.

Plus One Studded Leather Armor

Magical studded leather armor that provides an AC bonus. Shadow owns one and gave her spare to Bastion's simulacrum. She is also having a custom version made with gem sockets.

Modified Book

A special book given to the party by Pradam Estorich, modified to hide magical orbs and aid them in their travels.

Wand of Secrets

A magical wand that uses one charge to pulse and point towards the nearest secret door or trap within 30 feet. Sas used it to detect a trap on a door, which inadvertently revealed a camouflaged black pudding.

Bag of Holding

A magical bag with extradimensional space. The party discussed it as an optional feature for the custom saddle but declined. Arktos's saddlebag was previously fashioned into a backpack.

Spells

Enhance Ability

A spell that can be cast on a willing creature to double their proficiency bonus on a chosen ability check for up to one hour. Bastion offered to use it to aid Shadow during the final hour of Barlo's tattoo application.

Simulacrum

A powerful spell used to create a duplicate of Bastion. The duplicate has half the original's hit points, no equipment initially, and cannot regain spell slots. It costs 1,800 gold pieces in materials and requires snow or ice in sufficient quantity to make a life-size copy.

Chill Touch

A necromancy cantrip that creates a ghostly, skeletal hand to attack a target, dealing necrotic damage. Sas attempted to use it against a Hook Horror but missed, and later used it against the black pudding.

Dragon's Breath

A spell cast as a bonus action that allows the caster to exhale elemental energy in a 15-foot cone as an action. Calliope cast it on herself, first choosing acid damage against lizardfolk, then fire damage against the black pudding. It requires concentration for up to one minute.

Primal Savagery

A druid cantrip that transforms the caster's hands into bestial claws or fangs for a melee attack. Sas used it to deliver a critical hit against a Hook Horror, dealing significant damage and defeating it.

True Strike

A cantrip used by Bastion to enhance his attacks. He used it in conjunction with his rapier strikes against Hook Horrors and lizardfolk.

Scorching Ray

An evocation spell that launches multiple fiery rays at targets. Bastion cast it at fourth level against the black pudding, dealing effective fire damage as the creature proved vulnerable to fire.

Ray of Frost

An evocation cantrip that projects a frigid beam of blue-white light, dealing cold damage. Bastion's simulacrum used it against the black pudding, but it proved less effective than fire damage.

Vicious Mockery

A bard cantrip that uses cutting insults to deal psychic damage and impose disadvantage on the target's next attack roll. Calliope used it against the black pudding, insulting it with 'You smell like a carpet.'

Blade Song

A Bladesinging Wizard ability that Bastion activated as a bonus action, entering a magical state of battle that enhances his AC, movement speed, and concentration saves.

Shillelagh

A druid spell mentioned by Sas when she attempted to ram the trapped door with her shell, though it's unclear if she actually cast it.

Classic

Last we left off, after accepting a quest from Pradam Estorich to rescue a captured unicorn from the clutches of bullywugs, the party made their preparations in town. Barlo endured a grueling twelve-hour session receiving magical tattoos of striding from Shadow, while arrangements were made for an enchanted saddle for the Broom of Flying and a simulacrum of Bastion was created—though this duplicate possessed only half his strength and finite magical reserves. With their preparations complete, they stepped through Pradam's portal and met their guide, who presented three possible routes to reach their quarry. The party chose to venture into the underground tunnels, though not before glimpsing an ominous phenomenon in the distance—a strange cloud formation pierced by a yellow pillar of light and crackling with blue lightning.

The obsidian tunnels proved immediately treacherous, their jagged black walls rising fifteen feet high and slick with seeping water. After Barlo scouted ahead and discovered a recently repaired door, the party encountered their first Hook Horror—a massive nine-foot creature with gray chitinous armor that unleashed a shriek like a hundred dying vultures. Before the others could even react, Barlo's rage-fueled claws tore through the beast in mere seconds. Pressing deeper, they faced another Hook Horror, with Barlo demonstrating remarkable agility by running up the walls while Sas delivered the killing blow with a critical strike that glowed with savage power. Three lizardfolk fell quickly afterward, but a trapped door proved more stubborn, striking Sas with a scythe blade before the party finally forced it open.

Beyond the door, what appeared to be a simple flooded chamber revealed itself to be far more dangerous when a massive black pudding ooze emerged from beneath the water. The acidic creature lashed out with corrosive pseudopods as the party scrambled to respond. Bastion's scorching rays proved effective while Calliope hurled the absurd insult "You smell like a carpet" at the mindless ooze before breathing fire upon it. Barlo transformed his jaw into a draconic maw and bit into the gelatinous horror, though the creature's acidic body burned him in return. Now, deep in these obsidian depths with the battle against this amorphous menace still raging, we pick up as the party fights to overcome this corrosive guardian of the tunnels...

Snarky

Welcome to another episode of "The Party Makes Questionable Life Choices Underground Edition." Our heroes spent their downtime doing what any sensible adventurers do: getting magical tattoos that take TWELVE HOURS (Barlo's commitment to leg day is truly inspiring), commissioning a saddle for a flying broom because apparently regular saddles aren't extra enough, and creating a discount version of Bastion who's basically just Bastion but with half the hit points and none of the spell slot recovery. It's like getting the store-brand cereal version of your party member.

Then they portaled straight into a rescue mission for a unicorn kidnapped by bullywugs, because nothing says "epic quest" like amphibious frog people holding magical horses hostage. Naturally, they chose the creepy underground tunnel route—because why take the scenic marsh path when you can stumble through obsidian caves with mysterious yellow light pillars and ominous lightning in the distance? The party proceeded to absolutely DEMOLISH a nine-foot-tall Hook Horror so fast it barely had time to finish its "hundred dying vultures" scream, with Barlo going full Wolverine and shredding it in seconds. They then fought more Hook Horrors, some lizardfolk wearing what can only be described as "business casual for reptiles," failed to disarm a trap (Sas took a scythe to the face for her troubles), and are now fighting a black pudding ooze that Calliope insulted by saying it smells like a CARPET. A carpet. To a mindless blob of acid. Peak bardic energy right there.

Middle English

Harken well, ye brave and bold,
Of heroes' deeds in caverns cold!
Through Pradam's portal did they stride,
To save a unicorn with pride.
Barlo bore tattoos of striding faire,
A saddle wrought for flying's care.

The guide did speak of bullywug's sin,
A captive beast they held within.
Three paths were laid before their eyes,
But tunnels deep they did devise.
Black obsidian walls did rise on high,
Whilst yellow light pierced distant sky.

A Hook Horror, nine feet tall and grim,
With chitinous armor, grey and dim,
Did shriek like vultures in their death,
But Barlo's rage stole its breath!
His claws did rend the beast asunder,
Leaving all his friends in wonder.

Through slipp'ry halls where waters seep,
More horrors lurked in tunnels deep.
Sas struck with primal power bright,
And lizardfolk fell in the fight.
A trapped door did swing its blade,
Yet through it still the party made.

A black pudding, vile and wide,
Beneath the pooling water hide.
"Thou smell'st like carpet!" Calliope cried,
Then breathed her flames with fiery pride.
Barlo's draconic jaw did bite,
As Bastion's scorching rays burned bright!

Limerick

The party prepared with great care,
Barlo got tattoos, quite the affair.
A saddle enchanted,
A Bastion supplanted,
Through Pradam's portal they went with flair!

A unicorn captured, they learned,
By bullywugs—freedom it yearned.
Through tunnels they'd go,
Past obsidian's glow,
Where yellow light strangely burned.

A Hook Horror shrieked like the dead,
But Barlo tore through it with dread.
His claws were so fast,
The battle ne'er last,
The party stood stunned at what bled!

Through lizardfolk, traps, and more Horrors,
They fought through the underground corridors.
Sas hit by a scythe,
They broke through (not blithe),
To face pudding ooze and its terrors!

The black pudding struck with acid so mean,
While Calliope insulted the obscene.
"You smell like a carpet!"
(Though it couldn't parse it),
She breathed fire upon the foul sheen!

Exported from GMAssistant on 2026-08-16