Session 23 - 6 April 2025
Location: Belendar - Underground Tavern Hideout, Ethereal Plane
Date In-Game: Day 2 of Grand Tournament (approximately 6:00 PM onwards)
Key Events
Arrival at the Hideout
Party regrouped in underground tavern after Session 22 - 15 March 2025 attacks:
- Ser Tessell Highfrost and ToooAh arrived with wounded Ser Silvar's Maître d'
- Elik'r Stormswallow unconscious, carried by Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
- Elvva Beltavar's body brought to hideout
- Lady Odonia of Galantri arrived battered (bruised eyes, slashed lip) with Patriarch Siegfried Wildner
The King's Assassination
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner announced High King Everglade has been killed:
- Lady Odonia of Galantri revealed she fought Thalas the Black Knight in throne room
- Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade and Patriarch arrived during fight
- Thalas and minions driven off
- Civil war now erupting in Belendar streets
- Party's Tournament success forced conspirators to escalate plans
The Resurrection Decision
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner offered way to save Elvva Beltavar:
- Requires travelling to plane between life and death
- Necromantic practice, generally forbidden
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian strongly opposed (Bane more potent in other realms)
- Not guaranteed to succeed
- Party chose to attempt rescue despite risks
The Ethereal Journey
Entry to the Plane
Mages created ritual circle, party and Patriarch transported:
- Everyone took 8 points psychic damage on entry (except Elik'r Stormswallow - rolled 15, took none)
- Vision went black after swirling colours
- Spotted Elvva Beltavar 200 ft away, walking away
First Vision - The Battlefield
Witnessed young Elvva Beltavar in ancient battle:
- Drow elves vs high elves conflict
- Young Elvva's father killed protecting her (spear through face)
- Elvva's eyes glowed red, screamed, magic erupted
- Party unable to intervene despite attempts
Bane Influence Attempt:
- Ser Tessell Highfrost took 2 points psychic damage (failed save)
- Lady Odonia of Galantri, ToooAh, Patriarch Siegfried Wildner heard specific commands:
- ToooAh: "Kill him" with image of Ser Tessell Highfrost
- Odonia: "Kill her" with image of Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
- Patriarch: "Betray the mole" with undisclosed image
- All three took 5 points psychic damage
- Commands planted for later activation
Second Vision - The Torture
Witnessed Elvva Beltavar's captivity and torture:
- Hanging by shackles, beaten and bruised
- Placed on rack and stretched
- Guards exchanging coins, assault implied
- Placed in stocks, pelted by townspeople
- Extended torture sequence
Second Bane Influence:
- Elik'r Stormswallow took 2 points psychic damage (everyone else resisted)
- Increasing rage and hatred building in victims
Third Vision - The Village Tragedy
Elvva Beltavar attacked in peaceful village:
- Lost control of fire magic defending herself
- Entire village set ablaze accidentally
- Bodies charred, screaming, devastation
- Elvva in anguish at what she'd done
Physical Attack:
- Falling through void, lashed by vines turning to iron chains
- Ser Tessell Highfrost took 10 points slashing damage, blinded for one hour (whipped across face, permanent scar unless healed)
- Lady Odonia of Galantri, ToooAh, Patriarch Siegfried Wildner took 3 points bludgeoning damage
- Elik'r Stormswallow avoided damage (rolled 16)
Fourth Vision - The Immortality
Witnessed Elvva Beltavar's long life:
- Girl with unique necklace became friend
- Fast-forward through time - same girl now old woman with same necklace
- Girl died of old age, Elvva Beltavar unchanged, crying
- Sequence repeated through 3-4 more friends
- Elvva Beltavar always the same, friends all aging and dying
Final Bane Attack:
- Ser Tessell Highfrost and Lady Odonia of Galantri grabbed by spectral green hand
- Saw green dragon roaring, mouth opening to swallow them
- Both failed saves
First Combat - Town Square Recreation
Party awakened in recreation of Session 22 - 15 March 2025 town square:
- Elvva Beltavar bleeding out on ground
- Elik'r Stormswallow standing over her with longsword
- All except Elik'r Stormswallow heard command: "Kill Elik'r. Save Elvva."
- Elik'r Stormswallow heard only: "Kill"
The Struggle
Elik'r Stormswallow fought mental control:
- Longsword slowly descending toward Elvva Beltavar
- Green spectral hands pushing down (initially 2 pairs, increased to 6)
- Party attempted to resist commands and help
Key Moments:
- Ser Tessell Highfrost cast Guiding Bolt (missed - natural 1)
- Ser Tessell Highfrost charged, tried to pull Elik'r Stormswallow away (failed, cloth ripped)
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner used Gust to blow sword from Elik'r Stormswallow's hands (failed - Elik'r Stormswallow rolled 18 strength save)
- Lady Odonia of Galantri used Twin Blades chains to pull sword (failed contest)
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian (in real world) slapped Elik'r Stormswallow's physical body
- Brief moment of control regained, then 20 spectral hands appeared
- Sword plunged into Elvva Beltavar's heart
- Elik'r Stormswallow took 15 points psychic damage from trauma
Elvva's Final Words (to Elik'r):
"This is your fault."
Words now echo in Elik'r Stormswallow's mind in his own voice
Second Combat - The Fire Plane
Transported to volcanic plane with lava pools:
- Elvva Beltavar appeared with glowing green eyes, possessed
- Summoned dire wolf (hellhound) from lava
- Party engaged both threats
Combat Summary
Round 1:
- ToooAh flew up, launched 3 Dart of Feathers at Elvva Beltavar and wolf
- 2 hit Elvva Beltavar, turned to green mist on impact
- Wolf leaped through lava, breathed fire cone
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner took 19 fire damage
- Elik'r Stormswallow took 10 fire damage (resistant)
- Lady Odonia of Galantri followed possessed Elvva Beltavar (now green wisp)
Round 2:
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner used Catapult with boulder - 32 damage to wolf
- Ser Tessell Highfrost cast Guiding Bolt (partially sighted from injury) - 16 radiant damage, killed wolf
- Elik'r Stormswallow used Lay on Hands on self, restored 20 HP
- ToooAh attempted to grapple green wisp (failed - hands passed through mist)
The Dragon Emerges
Possessed Elvva Beltavar summoned massive green dragon from lava:
- Approximately 10 times Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's size
- Dragon from earlier vision that "swallowed" party members
- Vision went black for Patriarch Siegfried Wildner, Lady Odonia of Galantri, Ser Tessell Highfrost, and ToooAh
The Final Confrontation
Elik'r Stormswallow and Patriarch Siegfried Wildner remained conscious in void:
- Faced possessed Elvva Beltavar with glowing green eyes
- Voice repeated: "It's your fault"
Breaking Through
Elik'r Stormswallow declared:
"I know the real Elvva would not say these things so lightly. The influence is purely of the being and I will not let you control me or influence my mind."
- Elvva Beltavar rolled wisdom save - succeeded (rolled 10)
- Eyes returned to normal for 10 seconds
- Real Elvva Beltavar managed to say: "Help me"
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner teleported into realm
The Solution
Patriarch Siegfried Wildner: "There's only one choice to save her now. One of us has to take the Bane."
- Elik'r Stormswallow volunteered immediately: "I will do it"
- Reached out to touch possessed Elvva Beltavar
- Rolled wisdom save - 7 total (failed)
- Rest of party appeared through reality tears
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner commanded everyone grasp his staff
- All grasped together (including Elvva Beltavar)
- Vision went white
Return to Reality
Party awakened in underground tavern:
- Elvva Beltavar's eyes opened - ALIVE
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner did not wake up - NO SIGNS OF LIFE
- All party members levelled up to Level 5
Elik'r's Curse
Elik'r Stormswallow woke with voice in head:
- No longer Elvva Beltavar's voice saying "It's your fault"
- Now his own voice repeating the accusation
- Self-doubt and guilt consuming him
Immediate Threat
Tavern under siege:
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian shouting: "Thank god you're awake, get on this fucking door!"
- Front door being battered down
- Side door kicked open - two footmen and assailants rushing in
- Combat imminent
NPCs Encountered
Active This Session
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Held tavern door, slapped Elik'r Stormswallow's physical body during ritual, injured (stab wound in side)
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner - Led resurrection ritual, entered ethereal plane, guided party, sacrificed himself to save Elvva Beltavar, now unconscious with no life signs
- Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade - Fought Thalas in throne room (mentioned, not present)
- Lady Odonia of Galantri - Arrived battered from secret mission, fought Thalas with Princess
- Elvva Beltavar - RESURRECTED, possessed by Bane during journey, now alive but condition unknown
Deceased This Session
- High King Everglade - Killed in throne room (confirmed)
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner - Status: Unconscious, no vital signs (fate uncertain)
Mentioned
- Thalas the Black Knight - Attacked throne room, fought Lady Odonia of Galantri and Princess
- Avicia - Not mentioned this session
- Ser Silvar's Maître d' - Still unconscious in hideout
Locations Visited
- Belendar - Underground Tavern Hideout - Secret Bane Watchers safehouse, accessed via trapdoor
- Ethereal Plane - Battlefield - Ancient drow/high elf war site
- Ethereal Plane - Torture Chamber - Elvva Beltavar's imprisonment
- Ethereal Plane - Village - Scene of Elvva Beltavar's loss of control
- Ethereal Plane - Town Square Recreation - Mirror of Session 22 - 15 March 2025 attack
- Ethereal Plane - Fire Plane - Volcanic realm with lava pools
- Ethereal Plane - The Void - Final confrontation space
Quest Updates
Active Quests Updated
- Resurrect Elvva Beltavar - Status: COMPLETED (with complications)
- Successfully retrieved from death
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner apparently sacrificed
- Elik'r Stormswallow cursed with self-doubt
- Method was necromantic, taboo practice
- Prevent King's Assassination - Status: FAILED
- High King Everglade killed in throne room
- Thalas responsible
- Vision's warning came true
- Civil War in Belendar - Status: ACTIVE (escalating)
- Attacks throughout city
- Multiple royal faction knights killed
- Orange/blue mercenaries infiltrating
- Tavern currently under siege
- Investigate Elincia Flowers (Thalas) - Status: Active
- Confirmed as throne room attacker
- Fought Lady Odonia of Galantri, Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade, Patriarch Siegfried Wildner
- Driven off but king killed
The Bane Influence
New Critical Threat:
- Bane planted commands in three party members:
- ToooAh commanded to kill Ser Tessell Highfrost
- Lady Odonia of Galantri commanded to kill Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner commanded to "betray the mole" (target unknown)
- Commands dormant but may activate
- Elik'r Stormswallow suffering psychological trauma, voice in head
Combat Encounters
Ethereal Plane - Town Square
Participants: Full party vs Bane possession of Elik'r Stormswallow
Outcome:
- Elik'r Stormswallow forced to kill Elvva Beltavar in vision
- Severe psychological damage
- Demonstrated Bane's mental control power
Key Mechanics:
- Multiple failed saving throws
- Physical intervention (Co'narr's slap) briefly helped
- Possession too strong to overcome
Ethereal Plane - Fire Plane
Participants: Full party vs Hellhound Dire Wolf and Possessed Elvva Beltavar
Enemies Defeated:
- Hellhound Dire Wolf - killed by Ser Tessell Highfrost's Guiding Bolt
Damage Dealt:
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner: 19 fire damage from wolf breath
- Elik'r Stormswallow: 10 fire damage from wolf breath
- Ser Tessell Highfrost: 8 fire damage (various)
- Wolf: 32 damage from boulder (Patriarch), 16 radiant damage final blow (Tessell)
Outcome:
- Wolf destroyed
- Green dragon summoned before completion
- Most of party blacked out
Character Status
Injuries & Conditions
- Permanent facial scar (whip across face)
- Was partially sighted (one hour duration, likely expired)
- Current HP: Single digits mentioned
- 15 points psychic damage from forced killing
- Cursed: Own voice repeating "It's your fault"
- Severe PTSD/guilt
- Current HP: 27 (after 20 HP Lay on Hands)
- Bruised eyes
- Slashed lip
- Various tears to clothing
- Fought Thalas before rejoining party
- Wings singed (10 fire damage)
- Bane command planted: Kill Ser Tessell Highfrost
- ALIVE (resurrected)
- Condition unknown
- Was possessed during journey
- Psychological state unclear
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian:
- Stab wound in side (from earlier)
- Makeshift bandage
- Exhausted from holding door
- Unconscious, no vital signs
- Fate uncertain
- Possibly sacrificed self in ritual
Loot & Rewards
- Level Up: All party members advanced to Level 6
- Elvva Beltavar must take Warlock Level 1 (specified by DM)
Memorable Moments
Session 23 - Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Slapped Elik'r Stormswallow's physical body during ethereal possession (dealt 2 bludgeoning damage), briefly breaking Bane's control with violence where magic failed.
Session 23 - Elik'r Stormswallow - Forced by Bane possession to plunge longsword into Elvva Beltavar's heart in ethereal vision, took 15 psychic damage from trauma. Her last words "This is your fault" now echo in his own voice constantly.
Session 23 - Elvva Beltavar's Backstory - Witnessed her father killed protecting her (spear through face), her torture and assault as prisoner, accidentally destroying entire village with fire magic, and watching friends age and die while she remained unchanged for over 200 years.
Session 23 - Ser Tessell Highfrost - Whipped across face by iron chain (10 slashing damage), blinded for an hour, permanent scar unless magically healed. Rolled natural 1 on first Guiding Bolt attempt.
Session 23 - Patriarch Siegfried Wildner - Catapulted boulder at hellhound for 32 damage, successfully led party through ethereal planes, apparently sacrificed himself to resurrect Elvva Beltavar - now unconscious with no vital signs.
Session 23 - ToooAh - Dart of Feathers turned possessed Elvva Beltavar to green mist when they struck, wings caught fire for 10 damage in volcanic plane, now has Bane command to kill Ser Tessell Highfrost planted in mind.
Session 23 - Lady Odonia of Galantri - Arrived bloodied from fighting Thalas the Black Knight in throne room during king's assassination, has Bane command to kill Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian planted in mind.
Session 23 - The Party - Chose to perform forbidden necromantic ritual to resurrect Elvva Beltavar despite Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's warnings about Bane's power in other realms. Multiple party members now have dormant Bane commands.
Next Session
Cliffhanger
- Tavern under active siege, side door breached
- Assailants rushing in with axes
- Party just awakened, Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian calling for help
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner unconscious, possibly dead
- Elvva Beltavar just resurrected, condition unknown
- Party at Level 6 but likely exhausted
- High King Everglade confirmed dead
- Civil war raging outside
To Investigate
- Patriarch Siegfried Wildner's condition - can he be saved?
- Elvva Beltavar's mental state after resurrection and possession
- Elik'r Stormswallow's curse - voice in his head
- Dormant Bane commands in ToooAh, Lady Odonia of Galantri, and possibly Patriarch Siegfried Wildner
- High King Everglade's body location
- Thalas's current whereabouts after throne room attack
- Lady Odonia of Galantri's secret mission for Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade
- Civil war status throughout Belendar
- Tournament Day 2 - semifinals still scheduled?
NPCs to Follow Up
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - injured, holding door alone
- Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade - now dealing with father's death
- Avicia - whereabouts unknown, potentially "the vessel"
- Ser Silvar's Maître d' - still unconscious
- Eldrin Oakenhart - Royal Advisor during crisis
- Mages who performed ritual - their status
- Thalas the Black Knight - escaped throne room
Immediate Concerns
- Survive tavern siege - front and side doors breached
- Assess Patriarch Siegfried Wildner's condition
- Check on Elvva Beltavar's resurrection effects
- Determine if Ser Tessell Highfrost's facial scar can be healed
- Monitor Elik'r Stormswallow's psychological state
- Evacuate to safer location
- Regroup with Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade's forces
- Find Avicia before "the vessel" prophecy fulfilled