Game-Summaries:7/12/2019 Recollections

Recollections by Rezik

Halisstra is gone, but not totally gone. We've learned that she's been turned into the Lady Penitent by Lolth. She's in immense pain, covered in poison but unable to die. Lolth has been using her to hunt down and kill priests of Vhaeraun and Eilistraee. Our friends have decided to help bring her back - if that's even possible.

We all met up - Ford, Jeroy, Tallulah, and Zanna. It would start with Tel. We'd have to speak with him and see what we could learn - our thinking being that maybe we could convince him to come with us.

When we found Tel, he wasn't too happy about our plans. He thought we were crazy (which is a terrifying thought). He told us we would need to find the Sword of Eilistraee - the Crescent Blade. He believed the blade had been cursed, which is what was keeping Halisstra as the Lady Penitent. Tel thought that by breaking the curse, we could free Halisstra—potentially.

We asked him how we could find the sword. He seemed to shudder and then answered that Wendonai had it. We don't really know much about Wendonai, but he seems to scare Tel - so that tells us enough.

We were finally able to convince Tel to join us and guide us to the entrance to the Demon Web Pits, which is where Wendonai keeps his lair and hopefully the Crescent Blade.

We started by raiding the Vault. We knew it would be a difficult journey and fight, we needed to be prepared.

Leaving for the Underdark

Once we were ready, we teleported to the Nightshade Kingdom and made our way through the Well of Souls. Jeroy gave up a memory for payment to pass through the Kingdom. It was something about his dad. Didn't seem very important, he can tell the story.

As we reach the Well of Souls, we jump through it and enter the Underdark. Tel starts to guide us towards the Demon Web and tells us a little more about our journey.

Note: Tel lets me know that I can actually teach Gramph how to Polymorph herself. I teach her how to cast the spell and now she can take the shape of a 9 year old girl. I feel bad for anyone that decides to unsuspectingly pick on her.

Joining a New Religion?

It turns out that we'll have to pass through the Vast Oblivion, an area owned by Karazikar. Karazikar is a powerful beholder that has started his own religion and has been gaining power. Apparently we have to pass through the Vast Oblivium because I burned down some spider bridge last time we came through here - I'll try to be more careful next time - maybe - probably not.

As we passed through a cave, we noticed that the cave had a bunch of eyes chalked on them. Ford and Zanna let us know that this is usually a message to let people know that this area is claimed - in this instance by Karazikar. When we exit the cave, we come up to the bridge that crosses a limitless chasm. Tel let's us know that this is Karazikar's Maw - that Karazikar himself carved this out.

We start to cross the bridge when suddenly a person that seems human appears on the other side. He begins floating towards us, with his cape billowing. He has ten eyes tattooed on his head and is holding a large staff that seems to have been fashioned out of a beholder stalk.

He keeps us from passing beyond the bridge until we promise to give our life in service to Karazikar. We decide to let the man know we're interested in joining the religion - at which point he begins to yell "KARAZIKAR WE HAVE NEW SUPPLICANTS!". As he's yelling, we decide to continue on. He didn't seem too keen on following us - we find out why in a few moments.

Nice to Meet You Karazikar

Once we reach the other side of the bridge, we walked through a cave and enter a giant room. When we enter the room, we suddenly notice a giant Beholder descending on us from above - Karazikar had appeared.

Note: Be wary of what Ford tells you.

Ford takes the lead in our conversation with Karazikar. Convincing him that we have information about something called the "Maze Engine," but that we need to get to Halisstra for all the info. That seemed to work, and Karazikar allowed us to pass, assuming we promised to return with information about this "Maze Engine."

As we continued on to the Demon Web Pits, we asked Tel about the "Maze Engine." He seemed to only know about the legends around it. Apparently the demon lords are creating the maze engine which traps people, but may be for something more; the theory is that the maze engine can alter reality.

Note: Learn more about the Maze Engine

After walking through the Underdark for a few more hours, we finally reach a cavern that seemed to glow red. Tel let us know that this was where we needed to be. When we entered the cavern, we noticed that there was a shaft leading down. We descended into the cavern and found that we had come to a giant expanse. As we reached the expanse, we heard a loud voice, "who DARES enter my domain?"

Wendonai the Balrog

We had found ourselves face to face with Wendonai. We knew why Tel was afraid of him now. Wendonai was a balrog. Ford answered Wendonai's question. He tried to convince Wendonai that we had come with information about a threat - that Karazikar was coming to attack Wendonai.

Note: Don't say a deities' name unless you want them to hear what you say - no matter how little power they actually have.

As we were talking to Wendonai, Karazikar appeared above us shouting - "You liars!". Ford took this moment to reinforce his ruse, making it extremely believable that Karazikar had just come to attack Wendonai.

Wendonai turned on Karazikar and with our help we were able to dispatch Karazikar.

We had hoped that once Karazikar was downed, we would be able to negotiate with Wendonai, but that didn't happen. Wendonai quickly turned on us. It was an extremely difficult battle.

When we thought we were just about to finish it, Wendonai pulled out the Crescent Blade. Suddenly the fight became that much more difficult - we started being assaulted with spells like Power Word: Kill and Finger of Death. The blade truly is a magnificent artifact.

In the end, we were victorious. Tallulah had to be revived and each of us were badly battered, but we were able to get out of the cavern with the blade.

Removing the Curse

We attempted to dispel the curse on the blade, but we couldn't. It seems like the spells Tel thought would work, didn't. We decided to take the blade back to the keep and figure out our next steps from there.

Our return was uneventful until we reached the keep. Tel informed us that we would be expecting a guest that could help. That guest would be Dyrr.

After exchanging pleasantries, Tel convinces Dyrr to break the curse on the blade. Dyrr picks it up and lets us know that he believes the curse is Orcus' work - Lolth seems to have a new ally.

Note: Lolth and Orcus working together, research this.

Dyrr casts a Wish spell to break the curse, draining him entirely, and leading the blade to shatter and reform. The spell left Dyrr extremely weakened, but it seemed like it worked and the curse was broken.

The Strange Dream

That night something strange happened - I dreamt. Halisstra imparted her last memory as a mortal, showing us how Lolth had tricked her into killing priests of Eilistraee and in the process she ended up killing Eilistraee herself.

It was in that moment that Corellon appeared and forgave Halisstra, and all of the Drow and opened the doors of Arvandor to the dark elves.

Corellon then sat down at a table across from Lolth, taking Eilistraee's seat in the game of Sava she and Lolth were already playing.

The next morning in the Great Hall, an apparition of Halisstra appeared. It looked like her, but somehow different. She began to thank us for our help, her voice sounded musical, like a chorus speaking in harmonious unison.

She then granted us a boon, sharing some of her power with us. It was in this moment that I realized, Halisstra had ascended into Eilistraee's place and she was now the new goddess of song & dance.