Infiltrating the Marvelous and the Mysterious
Greetings, fellow adventurers! After the harrowing escape from the cursed coronation and our refuge in the Lucky Leap, Session 6 saw our party embark on a daring new phase of their desperate plan: infiltrating the legendary Imperial Emporium of Marvelous Rarities. If we're to break the curse plaguing the kingdom, the stolen crown needs our attention, and that means acquiring a magic key and safely dealing with a volatile magical nullification device.
The session began with a quick rundown of the mission objectives1 :
- Locate the Tomb of the Constructor and retrieve a magic key capable of opening any lock.
- Utilize a box of magic nullification held by Ricio, the Lucky Leap's bartender, to block the crown's influence.
- Safely empty an unknown item from this box, the only known location for which is the perilous Imperial Emporium of Marvelous Rarities, a magic shop unlike any other1 .
Having already secured the magic key from the Tomb of the Constructor (as hinted in the recap), the focus shifted entirely to the Emporium. The burning question was: how do you waltz into a one-of-a-kind magic shop with a stolen magical item you desperately need to neutralize?
Our heroes, ever so subtle, debated the merits of a daylight versus a closer-to-closing-time entry2 . The idea of using a “rush infestation” as a cover story for their presence was floated, with a pointed look towards the more… furry member of the group2 . Ultimately, the decision was to arrive nearer to closing, hoping for less scrutiny.
Carrying the ominous chest of magic nullification, the infiltration began. The initial foray led them into a lecture hall, complete with writing tablets, a skeleton, and a detailed description of the Arcane Lock spell. However, their presence wasn't unnoticed. An apprentice was cleaning the room, leading to a swift and decisive, if not entirely ethical, response. A hold person spell was cast, and the unfortunate apprentice was quickly bound, gagged, and stashed in a corner – a necessary, if morally questionable, measure to avoid raising alarms3 ….
Next on their list was locating a specific mechanism to interact with. They entered a laboratory, filled with the typical accoutrements of magical experimentation. The goal was a valve that needed to be turned counter-clockwise. After some searching, a non-functional valve, disconnected from any piping, was identified and turned5 . Predictably, nothing happened. The mystery of this mechanism deepened.
Their search continued, leading them to discover scars on a back wall. Hoping this was another hidden switch or trigger, they manipulated it, but again, to no avail6 . Time seemed to be of the essence, with mentions of a ten-minute window related to their actions5 …, though the exact trigger for this countdown remained unclear.
As they prepared to delve further into the Emporium, specifically towards the basement, the strategic minds of the party considered their magical resources. Bergrom revealed a rather significant asset gained from a previous encounter with a dragon: access to all wizard spells found in the player's handbook! This included crucial spells like knock and silence, essential tools for their lock-picking endeavors7 . It was confirmed that Pass Without Trace was also likely active, aiding their stealth4 .
With spells prepared and a captive apprentice left behind, the party stood on the precipice of the Emporium's underbelly. The session concluded as they were about to descend into the basement, leaving us in suspense about the challenges and wonders that awaited them in the depths of this unparalleled magic shop6 . Would they find the means to safely deal with the nullification box? What other secrets and dangers lurked within the Imperial Emporium? Tune in next time to find out!