Session 31 - 18 October 2025

Location: Stormhold Keep → Sylobelle → Stonereach Cavern
Date In-Game: Day 10-11 after Grand Tournament (2 days of levelling up, then investigation)

Key Events

Post-Dream Aftermath

Party Awakening:

All five members woke from the shared dream vision (Session 30)
Elvva Beltavar possessed the Dragon's Tear gem - the only item from the dream world that persisted into reality
The gem appears as a sapphire to normal appraisers but contains an eerie swirling light within
Lady Odonia of Galantri awoke with a new magical tattoo on her chest - a swirling, colour-shifting animal design that constantly morphs between different creatures (eagle, bear, serpent, wolf, etc.)
The tattoo grants Lady Odonia of Galantri the ability to warg - projecting her consciousness into animals within 30ft whilst her body falls unconscious
Elik'r Stormswallow still heard the words "it's all my fault" ringing in his ears despite Elvva Beltavar's forgiveness

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's Revelation:

Elik'r Stormswallow and Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian had a private conversation in Elik'r Stormswallow's room
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian revealed that the shared dream was his doing - part of Bane Watcher training
"Every Bane Watcher has to learn to control their hidden abilities and talents"
This explained why "Steve" (the talking rock) had Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's voice - only Elik'r Stormswallow could see and hear Steve
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian gifted Elik'r Stormswallow a painted rock with a face - "Mini Steve" for his backpack
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian departed Stormhold Keep for Nolunia to meet "an old, mad coot"

Two Days of Levelling Up

Party Activities:

Ser Tessell Highfrost:

Spent time attuning to the Iron Circlet
Provided healing to troops and labourers around the Keep
Late-night parkour training, improving dexterity
Practised with his crossbow

Elik'r Stormswallow:

Intensive training with Ser Silvar Glinnan
Developed Aura of Protection (Level 6 Paladin feature) - +2 to saving throws for allies within 10ft
Enhanced fire breath now deals 3d6 damage (deeper orange flames)
Improved melee combat (+6 to hit DC)
Filled blood threshold for his magical sword
Attuned to his cloak, learning its capabilities

ToooAh:

Attuned to her ring
Meditated on the highest clifftop
Experimented with Chi and flying techniques
Accidentally attempted terminal velocity again
Discovered ability to use Chi to heal herself

Lady Odonia of Galantri:

First experience with warging ability - accidentally possessed her dog River
From the dog's perspective, an eerie green glow emerged from Lady Odonia of Galantri's body as a hand-like form
Practised understanding and controlling the new ability
Note: Her dog views the possession as an external green entity taking control

Elvva Beltavar:

Travelled from Belendar to Stormhold Keep during the two days
The only party member who retained an item from the dream world

Appointing Sylobelle's New Mayor

Candidates Considered:

Ser Oldric the Stalwart
Lady Isolde of the Silver Rose (Knight, wise tactician) - CHOSEN
Ser Garet of the Wildlands (reckless rogue character)
The previous mayor

Decision: Lady Isolde of the Silver Rose was appointed as the new mayor of Sylobelle

The Murder Investigation Begins

Initial Briefing with Lady Isolde of the Silver Rose and Erland Greystone:

Victim: Jon Doe, nephew of the previous mayor

Found dead in his bed with throat slit in three places
Murder occurred approximately one week prior
House was severely damaged - cracked, falling in, split floor
Blood dried at the scene (body buried)

Suspect: Seraphine

New druid healer living on the outskirts of Sylobelle
Arrived after the mercenary attack to help heal villagers
Suspected purely because she's new and "different"
Known to manipulate elements
Erland Greystone convinced of her guilt

Attempted Murder: Sofia

Occurred a few nights ago (approximately 4 days before investigation)
Sofia reported being stalked at night
Ground shook before she was hit on the back of the head
As she passed out, she heard guard Terry shout "Oi! Who goes there?!"
Terry gave chase to fleeing figure
Only glimpsed a tail as the figure turned a corner

Crime Scene Investigation:

Party visited Jon Doe's house in the centre of town
Blood dried at the scene
Split floorboards revealed large canine paw prints
ToooAh discovered a faintly glowing red glyph under the floorboards (unknown origin, couldn't decipher)
House showed significant structural damage - cracked walls, collapsed sections

Witness Interviews:

Lady Odonia of Galantri attempted to gather information from villagers and Sofia but learned nothing new (Investigation 19, Persuasion 13)
Most villagers repeated third-hand information
Gunther, a senile old man, claimed he heard a howl on the night of the murder

Investigating Seraphine

Initial Assessment:

Party visited her hut on the outskirts of Sylobelle
Seraphine appeared kind-hearted and genuine
Her home contained apothecary supplies - herbs for health potions and healing
No evidence of dark magic (no skulls, pentagrams, or sinister items)
Blonde-haired human woman with no tail

Seraphine's Account:

First murder night: Claims she was asleep in bed (no alibi)
Attempted murder night: Was away collecting herbs (evidence of freshly picked herbs supports this)
Came to Sylobelle after hearing of the mercenary attack
From a town further east
Lifelong wandering healer/druid
No family, no pets (except a frog in a jar)
Owns an amulet with a raven - allows her to shapeshift into a raven or small bear

Critical Information from Seraphine:

When she first arrived in Sylobelle, there was a wolf problem
A quest was posted to deal with wolves at Stonereach Cavern
The quest appeared to be dealt with by "unknown forces"
Shortly after, there was a large earthquake in the area
Wolves were no longer a problem after the earthquake
The alpha wolf of the pack was reportedly "ferociously big"

Party's Assessment:

Concluded Seraphine was innocent
Recognised the connection between ground shaking and the murders
Moon phase was waxing gibbous (4 nights ago)
Elvva Beltavar purchased Seraphine's frog

Stonereach Cavern Investigation

Preparation - ToooAh's Magical Tea:

ToooAh (rolled 15):

For the next hour, whispers and shouts are switched
If she tries to whisper, she yells; if she tries to yell, she whispers

Elik'r Stormswallow (rolled 43):

A large black portal appeared 10m in front
Stepped through and found himself in a dark room with books
Through the next door, encountered Joneyentee the Unknown the wizard "researching"
Instantly thrown out of portal
Took d6 psychic damage

Ser Tessell Highfrost (rolled 69):

Chose ToooAh as target
For the next hour, sees ToooAh naked

Cavern Discovery:

Human, elf, and animal bones laid on the floor
Bones stripped bare and arranged in the shape of a wolf
Broken shrine with the word "EARTH" written in Orcish runes
Runes glowing faintly red
Shrine appeared to be "bleeding"

Elik'r Stormswallow's Action:

Cast Mending on the broken shrine
Upon repair, a wolf's howl echoed through the cavern

Combat: Earthbound Dire Wolf

Initial Encounter:

Party exited the cavern
Faced an Earthbound Dire Wolf
The wolf appeared to be infused with earth magic

Combat Highlights:

Opening Attacks:

Party readied actions when wolf burrowed underground
Elvva Beltavar, Elik'r Stormswallow, Ser Tessell Highfrost, and Lady Odonia of Galantri detected wolf's emergence
Elvva Beltavar: Chromatic Orb (Level 2) - 18 damage
Elik'r Stormswallow: Firebolt - only 2 damage (one hit, one miss)
ToooAh: Dart at disadvantage - 6 damage
Wolf attempted to grab Elvva Beltavar with earthen hand (failed, Strength save 18)

Wolf's Attack:

Targeted Lady Odonia of Galantri
Howled and shot earthen rock spike from mouth
26 piercing damage to Lady Odonia of Galantri
Spike embedded through her leg, reducing movement speed by half

Ser Tessell Highfrost's Turn:

Wolf entered his Warding Flare emanation (15ft radius)
Wolf made DC 15 saving throw (succeeded, half damage)
Took 4 radiant damage
Wolf bloodied and yelped in pain

Second Phase - Earth's Blessing:

When first bloodied, wolf became covered in molten earthen light
Similar to the bleeding from the altar/shrine
Wolf appeared infused with earth's power
Gained resistance to damage while in defensive stance

Lady Odonia of Galantri's Warg Attempt:

Informed Elik'r Stormswallow of her warging ability
Attempted to warg into the dire wolf
Rolled 3 (odd number) on grey die - PARTIAL CONTROL FAILURE
Successfully warged into wolf but retained the wolf's hostile instincts
Party witnessed green glow emerge from Lady Odonia of Galantri's unconscious body
Green hand grabbed wolf's snout, eyes turned bright green
Lady Odonia of Galantri's perspective shifted to see through wolf's eyes
Compelled to attack the party

Warging Consequence:

Lady Odonia of Galantri forced to use wolf's multi-attack
Fired two Earth Spikes at Ser Tessell Highfrost
First attack (19) - hit for 15 piercing damage
Second attack (12) - missed (AC 18)
Wolf/Lady Odonia of Galantri attempted to burrow away

Final Kill:

ToooAh took attack of opportunity as wolf burrowed
Attack roll: 19 (hit)
Damage: 6 bludgeoning
Described kill: Grabbed wolf by tail and slammed it against the wall
Wolf gave its last whimper
Green wisp emerged from dying wolf
Wolf's earthen green and brown colours faded to standard grey wolf colouring
Lost all earth magic upon death

Mysterious Observer:

Elvva Beltavar spotted a figure on a distant mountain ridge
Huge wolf with a humanoid rider on its back
They had been watching the battle from afar
Turned and disappeared from view when noticed

Resolution and Celebration

Reporting Back:

Party returned to Seraphine and cleared her name
Elik'r Stormswallow invited Seraphine to join party as dedicated healer
Seraphine initially declined: "I'm sorry, but the town needs me far more"
Persuasion check (13) successful - agreed to join Stormhold Keep outfit
Set up with apothecary space at Stormhold Keep
Will continue healing surrounding villages through health potion shipments
Can serve far more people (732 troops + territories) from Keep than village alone
Reported findings to Lady Isolde of the Silver Rose and Erland Greystone
Confirmed the wolf/earth elemental threat was neutralised

Evening at Sylobelle Tavern:

Competitive darts game among the Riders of the Storm
Elvva Beltavar attempted intimidation tactics (flashing)
Lady Odonia of Galantri accidentally warged into a frog mid-game (passed out drunk)
Frog jumped onto Elvva Beltavar's dart mid-throw

Final Standings:

ToooAh - Winner (bull's eye + middle ring + inner ring)
Elvva Beltavar - Second (two inner rings + middle ring)
Ser Tessell Highfrost - Third (bull's eye + outer ring + miss)
Lady Odonia of Galantri - Fourth (lucky drunk bull's eye but otherwise poor)
Elik'r Stormswallow - Last (threw one dart out the window, all others missed)

Betting:

ToooAh bet 1 silver on herself (won 2 silvers)
Originally wanted to bet 10 gold (village couldn't afford it)
Planned to donate winnings to rebuilding effort
Ser Tessell Highfrost tipped the barkeeper 1 gold upon leaving

NPCs Encountered

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Revealed he created the dream vision as Bane Watcher training, gifted Mini Steve to Elik'r Stormswallow, departed for Nolunia
Lady Isolde of the Silver Rose - Appointed new mayor of Sylobelle, helped coordinate murder investigation
Erland Greystone - Village elder, provided details of murders, suspected Seraphine incorrectly
Seraphine - Innocent druid healer, provided crucial information about wolf problem and Stonereach Cavern, recruited to Stormhold Keep as healer/apothecary (persuasion 13)
Sofia - Victim of attempted murder, heard ground shake before attack
Terry - Guard/footman who interrupted attempted murder, saw figure with tail
Gunther - Senile old man who heard howling on murder night
Joneyentee the Unknown - Wizard "researching" who Elik'r Stormswallow briefly encountered via magical tea portal
Jon Doe - Murder victim (deceased), nephew of previous mayor
Humanoid Wolf Rider - Mysterious figure on huge wolf observed watching the battle from distant mountain ridge

Locations Visited

Stormhold Keep - Base of operations, where party levelled up and Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian departed
Sylobelle - Lady Odonia of Galantri's domain, site of murders, location of investigation
Stonereach Cavern - Former wolf den, contained broken earth shrine and ritual bone arrangement
Belendar - Where Elvva Beltavar travelled from to rejoin party
Nolunia - Northern kingdom where Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian departed to meet "old friend"

Quest Updates

Completed

Quests - Completed#✅ Investigate Sylobelle Murders - Status: COMPLETED
- Identified Earthbound Dire Wolf as culprit
- Cleared Seraphine's name
- Neutralised threat by destroying the corrupted wolf
- Discovered broken earth shrine connection
- Mysterious humanoid wolf rider remains at large

Active Primary Missions

Quests - Active#Rally the North - HIGH PRIORITY: Duke Vallandor Firebloom in Neverwinter is first target
Quests - Active#Visit Bane Watcher Citadel - CRITICAL URGENT: Elvva Beltavar's sprite corruption, Elik'r Stormswallow's active curse, examine Dragon's Tear gem
Quests - Active#Secure Eastern Border - HIGH: Investigate Eastern Citadel silence, strange creatures attacking

Ongoing Threats

Quests - Active#Eagle vs Falcon Faction War - Kingdom remains 50/50 split
The Bane - Corruption and curse effects continue

New Leads

Humanoid Wolf Rider - Large wolf with rider observed watching battle, whereabouts unknown
Earth Shrine Mystery - Orcish runes spelling "EARTH", ritual bone arrangement, connection to wolf corruption
Unknown Red Glyph - Discovered at Jon Doe's murder scene, origin and purpose unknown

Combat Encounters

Earthbound Dire Wolf (VICTORY)

Enemy: Earthbound Dire Wolf (earth-magic infused)

Abilities:

Burrow (can move underground)
Earth Spike (ranged spell attack from mouth)
Earthen Hand Grab (strength saving throw to resist)
Earth's Blessing (second phase when bloodied - resistance to damage, molten earthen coating)

Party Performance:

Elvva Beltavar: 18 damage (Chromatic Orb)
Elik'r Stormswallow: 2 damage first round, 26 damage second round (fire bolts - half damage due to resistance)
ToooAh: 6 damage (dart), 6 damage (attack of opportunity - killing blow)
Ser Tessell Highfrost: 4 radiant damage (Warding Flare), took 15 piercing damage
Lady Odonia of Galantri: Warging attempt resulted in attacking Ser Tessell Highfrost for 15 damage, took 26 piercing damage

Outcome: Wolf killed by ToooAh's attack of opportunity (grabbed by tail, slammed into wall)

Casualties: None (party members injured but survived)

Loot & Rewards

Dragon's Tear Gem - Elvva Beltavar retained from dream world (unique persistent item, appears as sapphire, contains swirling eerie light, properties unknown)
Mini Steve - Painted rock with face gifted to Elik'r Stormswallow by Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
Frog - Purchased by Elvva Beltavar from Seraphine
2 Silver - ToooAh won from darts betting (bet 1 silver, won 2)
Seraphine Recruited - Druid healer joined Stormhold Keep as apothecary/healer, will serve 732 troops and surrounding villages

New Abilities

Lady Odonia of Galantri's Warg Ability - Can project consciousness into animals within 30ft (body falls unconscious, success depends on dice roll - even = full control, odd = partial control with animal instincts)
Level 6 Abilities - All party members levelled up with new features (detailed in levelling section)

Memorable Moments

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's Reveal: "Every Bane Watcher has to learn to control their hidden abilities and talents" - explaining the dream vision was intentional training
Mini Steve: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian gifted Elik'r Stormswallow a painted rock companion before departing
ToooAh's Tea Chaos: Three different wild effects including whisper/yell switching, portal to Joneyentee the Unknown, and Ser Tessell Highfrost seeing ToooAh naked for an hour
Seraphine's Innocence: Party cleared her name despite village suspicion - classic "blame the outsider" prejudice
Seraphine's Recruitment: Elik'r Stormswallow successfully persuaded her to join Stormhold Keep as healer/apothecary despite initial refusal
Bone Wolf Ritual: Discovering bones arranged in wolf shape with bleeding earth shrine
Lady Odonia of Galantri's First Combat Warg: Successfully warging but rolling odd number (3) meant she attacked her own party members - "I must kill these people" instinct
Drunk Frog Warging: Lady Odonia of Galantri accidentally warging into a frog during darts game whilst unconscious from drink
ToooAh's Kill Description: Grabbing dire wolf by tail and slamming it into wall for final blow
Victory Dart Game: ToooAh won, Elik'r Stormswallow threw dart out window, Lady Odonia of Galantri hit bull's eye whilst drunk and unconscious
Mysterious Wolf Rider: Huge wolf with humanoid rider watching from mountain ridge - clear setup for future encounter
Ser Tessell Highfrost's Generosity: Tipped barkeeper 1 gold despite ToooAh trying to fleece the poor village

Next Session

Cliffhanger

Mysterious humanoid wolf rider on huge wolf observed battle and fled - identity and intentions unknown
Party staying overnight in Sylobelle tavern (some drunk)
Earth shrine mystery - why was it broken? What does the Orcish "EARTH" inscription mean? Connection to other elemental forces?
Unknown red glyph at murder scene remains undeciphered

To Investigate

Identity and motives of humanoid wolf rider
Significance of earth shrine and ritual bone arrangement
Other potential earth elemental threats in the region
Connection between earth magic and the wolves
Purpose of the unknown red glyph
Properties of Dragon's Tear gem (only item to persist from dream world)

Party Decision - Choose Next Destination

East to Cathedral Town (Ilmater cathedral) - then decide:
- North to Neverwinter - Rally Duke Vallandor Firebloom (first target for Rally the North)
- East to Bane Watcher Citadel - Address Elvva Beltavar's corruption and Elik'r Stormswallow's curse (CRITICAL URGENT)
East to Eastern Citadel - Investigate why it's gone silent (HIGH priority)

NPCs to Follow Up

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Now in Nolunia, meeting "old, mad coot"
Humanoid Wolf Rider - At large, potentially hostile
Seraphine - Cleared ally in Sylobelle
Lady Isolde of the Silver Rose - New mayor of Sylobelle, potential future contact

Session 31 Change Log

Session: 31 - 18 October 2025
Starting Location: Stormhold Keep
Ending Location: Sylobelle Tavern

Key Events:

Party levelled to 6 and gained new abilities; Lady Odonia of Galantri discovered warging ability with shifting tattoo
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian revealed dream vision was intentional Bane Watcher training and departed for Nolunia
Investigated murders in Sylobelle; cleared innocent druid Seraphine; discovered earth shrine at Stonereach Cavern
Recruited Seraphine to Stormhold Keep as healer/apothecary (persuasion 13)
Defeated Earthbound Dire Wolf (earth-magic corrupted); Lady Odonia of Galantri's first warg attempt resulted in attacking party
Spotted mysterious humanoid wolf rider on huge wolf watching from mountain ridge
Celebrated with competitive darts game; ToooAh won, Elik'r Stormswallow came last, Lady Odonia of Galantri drunk-warged into frog
Party decided to head east to cathedral town, then choose between Neverwinter (Rally the North) or Bane Watcher Citadel (address corruptions)