Down the Rabbit Hole and Straight into a Fight!
Welcome back, adventurers! Session 9, dubbed “The Hunt for the Royal Architect Part 2,” picked up with our intrepid party still within the confines of the Menagerie, specifically in a somewhat dilapidated shack. There was a palpable sense of anticipation, as if they were expecting company. A rather dark comedic note lingered in the air, stemming from a previous conversation about the party’s potential interest in the zoo's inhabitants as a food source.
Their exploration led them into underground chambers, where the signs of recent habitation were evident in the form of sturdy sleeping mats and scattered belongings. The shift from uneasy calm to potential danger was swift, marked by Strange Claw and Anton rolling for initiative.
Here, they encountered an individual heavily implied to be the elusive Royal Architect, known as Narder. This character spoke with a certain fervor, expressing a willingness to aid the party in their audacious plan to infiltrate the castle and steal something. He even provided a tantalizing piece of information: the existence of a “Tunnel of Love,” originally conceived by the esteemed Master Ireland as a secret escape route for the Royal Family.
A brief moment of levity punctuated the tension, involving a seemingly powerful magical item with the ability to grant at-will spellcasting. However, the Dungeon Master's playful admission that he had made it up served as a humorous reminder of the game's imaginative nature.
The atmosphere soon darkened again. As everyone made perception rolls, unseen threats were revealed, and the tell-tale signs of combat erupted on the digital tabletop. The party found themselves facing a dangerous mix of foes, including “Royal swords,” servant cultists, and formidable werehellhound knights. Adding to the immediate threat were the appearances of individuals named seldonia suthis and old gnarly.
The initial clash was explosive. Esky (Pilgrim) unleashed a devastating Fireball, clearing some of the immediate hostiles. As initiative was officially rolled, the battle was joined in earnest. Anton demonstrated their control over the battlefield by casting a spell that froze an enemy in their tracks.
Amidst the unfolding chaos, a rather comical yet perilous situation arose involving Bergrom, who somehow became separated from Anton and plummeted a significant distance. Despite the fleeting thought of using feather fall, Bergrom continued their rapid descent, leading to some lighthearted banter in the face of danger. Pilgrim, demonstrating surprising agility, repositioned themselves amidst the fray.
Intriguingly, during the combat, Strange Claw was affected by an inscription and the intense way another character clutched a ring, sparking the werewolf's curiosity about their significance.
Even in the heat of battle, the party's minds seemed to be working on their next move. A brief discussion touched upon the existence of a secret passage located within the public cemetery, specifically linked to House Mondor, hinting at a potential avenue for future exploration.
Unfortunately, the session concluded rather abruptly shortly after the commencement of this intense combat encounter, leaving us all hanging on the edge of our seats. The GM did offer a glimpse into the future, promising that the next session would see the party delving into the hidden vault of House Mondor, an adventure that will culminate in a much-anticipated level up! Stay tuned for more tales from the Crown of the Oathbreaker!