We hobble back The Sanctum.
We head back and let the wizards know that we plan to go after the Sword of Kas. Pash decides to stay back and study more about the Hand of Vecna.
They tell us about the making of the sword, how it will want to destroy both the hand and eye, and likely seek to destroy Pash as well.
We sift through Alustriel’s library looking for more info related to the Dracolich. Treeavenger finds a document related to dracoliches:
- It will be near impossible to rest within a mile of a Dracolich lair
- It can feed off your soul within a mile of it
- It’ll be a big pain
We decide to head onward, to the lair of the Dracolich. From the bottom of
We head up, towards the keep.
A light blue arrow, as if made of magic, lands at my feet. Treeavenger makes a comment and is struck by another.
We scamper upwards still. Getting pelted by arrows as we run upwards towards the keep.
As we head up, we find the source of our issues, mounted atop a skeletal bird.
The Death Knight cries out:
“You carry hope like a torch into the dark… but here, all flames die. Turn back—or be unmade beneath the gaze of the Crimson Doom.”
I reach the top and find the bird rider that Treeavenger hollered about moments ago, and the skeletons who were shooting down at us.
Bardon manages to finish off the skeletal bird, while I finish off the skeletons at our level.
At least one more skeleton archer is around somewhere. The skeleton that was mounted on the bird puts up a fight.
After significant effort, the Death Knight and wights are dead.
We continue upwards, finding ourselves at the entrance to a massive fort.
We find a door written in draconic:
“Only death may open the way, yet life holds the key.”
With the following wards:
Skull, Flame, Eye, and Chain
We try to press flame: burned Press skull: burned
Bardon takes a closer look and presses both eye and skull together.
…and the door swings open.
We head in and greet the undead caretaker.
It tells us about 3 trials with 3 wardens as it points to some sigils on the wall: Eye: Warden of Wisdom Blood: Warden of Pain Swords: Warden of Oath
Pointing to the Eye. The Warden of Wisdom Twins… blind, but still they see. You must silence them—both. If one wails alone… the other awakens anew.”
Pointing to the Blood. The Warden of Pain “Pain walks behind him. It is his burden… and your only hope.” “Steel cannot bleed, but glyphs can burn. You’ll need a blade kissed by magic… and the courage to strike where he cannot see.”
Pointing to the Crossed Blades. The Warden of Oath “He will choose. One of you. A duel of vows and blade. If you answer with cowardice… all shall suffer.” “Do not interfere. He will not be kind a second time.”
A riddle for each warden.
Recite
Break Time
The Crimson Doom is the nickname of Vauryx, the Dracolich.
We take the door behind the Caretaker and find ourselves in a room with many more doors than expected.
I open the door to the nook on the left. And find 2 Flaming Skulls. Ugh.
We open the door and head inside. Treeavenger and I get locked inside. I quickly pick open the lock again and strike at one of the skulls across the room. Bardon passes me a quick heal.
The chest seems to be ethereal. Treeavenger exits the room. I try to pick it to check for sure, and nothing.
When we leave it locks back and the wards on the room state, in draconic:
Death for the unworthy
We head down and check the next door. There is no keyhole, so Bardon and Treeavenger batter it open. The central room opens with several undead inside.
We strike down the one in the top left easily. I head to take out the Death Knight on the right.
The rest, except the Death Knight, are taken out by the others, while I focus on the Death Knight.
Treeavenger managed to finish off the Death Knight for us.
Treeavenger tries to open the door nearest to us but its locked. I open it. More undead and Flaming Skulls.
I take out one skull quickly. Treeavenger takes out the other.
We gang up on the skeletons and finish them off.
Bardon investigates the fire in the center and finds some Blessed Kindling.
I open the door on the left.
It is eerily silent. And eerily covered in humanoid shapes.
We head to the left room from the main hall and find a broken bonfire, with only 1/3 of the flames needed to ignite the fire.
Time, Death, Memory, Light, Shadow, Sight, Madness, Silence. “What one beholds, the other forgets. What one remembers, the other never sees. Turn the dial to balance their minds, or forever lose your own.” A circular dial is embedded in a stone door. Around its edge are eight arcane symbols, each representing a concept:
What is wisdom, pain, oath?
Treeavenger tries light and shadow and is hurt for it. The wording is likely important like before.
I slap sight and memory upon examining the engraving in detail…
The door open… to behold zombies.
I take out the northern beholder. But the other causes it to rejuvenate. Fuck.
After a very stressful event, we manage to take out both of the specters at the same time.
Because the Flaming Skulls will return if we take too long, we don’t rest and decide to move towards the next trial!
Recite
END SESSION