Category Archives: The Ruins of Drakkenheim

Key Events (Timeline)

• The party, deliberating in the Inscrutable Tower, is approached by a figure in white plate armor.
• The figure reveals herself to be Ryan Raymere, the former Archmage of the Amethyst Academy. She came to dispatch Oscar Yorin but found the party had already done so.
• Belmere shows her the two staves recovered from Oscar. Ryan confirms the white, cylindrical staff is the Inscrutable Staff, one of the Seals of Drakenheim.
• Ryan shares crucial information:
  • She now operates out of a laboratory in the Rose Theater.
  • She believes all the Seals of Drakenheim are necessary to activate magic within Castle Drakken and dispel the Haze.
  • She provides leads on other Seals/powerful figures: a rogue magician called The Pale Man (rumored to be at the Kleinberg Estate) and the Queen of Thieves.
  • She warns the party that while she trusts River, any information given to her may reach Edric Runeweaver, who she suspects is trying to harness delerium for power.
• Ryan provides more lore:
  • Eldritch Lilies grow in the Queen’s Garden, which is tended by the undead Queen of Drakenheim herself.
  • St. Vitruvio’s Cathedral is a likely location for a Seal. It was built atop the tomb containing the remains of Saint Vitruvio and his gold dragon, Argonath.
• Ryan gives Belmere a scroll containing a formula she developed.
• Belmere spends an hour attuning to the Inscrutable Staff. This forces him to unattune from the Steward’s Seal, as a character can only be attuned to one Seal of Drakenheim at a time.
• The party decides to leave the tower and travel to the Cosmological Clocktower for a safe long rest.
• Upon arrival, the party rests. Tyrius attunes to the Steward’s Seal, which Belmere gives to him.
• Belmere forgoes his long rest to study the book, The Nexus of the Inscrutable Tower. He learns:
  • The tower’s functions can be controlled from a chamber at the very top called The Nexus.
  • The Nexus is operated via eight chairs surrounding a contained dimensional rift.
  • Controlling the Nexus grants access to the tower’s deep cells, which contain a vault sealed by three keys, holding a vast collection of magical arcana.
  • The book contains no information on making the tower a safe haven from the Haze.
• After resting, the party decides their next destination is St. Vitruvio’s Cathedral.
• The party travels to the cathedral. On the way, Gust gains one level of contamination. The session ends as they arrive.

NPCs

Name Description Location Hooks Ryan Raymere Dark-skinned human female with white flowing hair. Former Archmage of the Amethyst Academy. Wears resplendent white full plate armor and carries a quarterstaff. An enemy of Oscar Yorin and wary of the current Amethyst Academy leadership. Encountered in the Inscrutable Tower. Her base is the Rose Theater. Ally against the Haze. Possesses knowledge of the Seals, Castle Drakken, and other key figures/locations in the city. Offered to help the party if they gather the seals. The Pale Man A rogue magician and “fiend.” Rumored to reside at the Kleinberg Estate. May possess knowledge of or hold one of the Seals of Drakenheim. Ryan marked him for extermination. The Queen of Thieves A powerful figure in the city’s underworld. Unknown. May have knowledge of the Seals of Drakenheim. The Queen of Drakenheim The former queen, now an ancient, undead creature. Tends her garden in the Queen’s Park. Her garden contains numerous Eldritch Lilies, a key component for a ritual. She is a significant threat.

PCs

PC Player HP/Status Inventory Changes Notes Belmere Blake Did not gain the benefits of a long rest. Gained: Inscrutable Staff (+2), Scroll from Ryan. Lost: Steward’s Seal (gave to Tyrius). Attuned to the Inscrutable Staff. Spent the night studying a book about the tower. Tyrius Kevin Full HP/Resources (Long Rest). Gained: Steward’s Seal. Attuned to the Steward’s Seal. Experienced a magical awakening during the fight with Oscar. Zadok Matt Full HP/Resources (Long Rest). No changes. No relevant content mentioned. Gust Chris Full HP/Resources (Long Rest). Contamination: 2. No changes. Gained 1 level of contamination while traveling to the Cathedral. (Unspecified) (Unspecified) Full HP/Resources (Long Rest). No changes. No relevant content mentioned.

Loot/Resources

• Inscrutable Staff: (+2 staff, +2 to spell attack rolls & save DC). Has 20 charges. Can cast Haste, Slow, Arcane Eye, Dimension Door, Arcane Hand, Wall of Force, Disintegrate, Reverse Gravity, Maze using charges. Can cast Detect Magic, Floating Disc, Mage Armor, Mending, Message, Misty Step at will without charges. (Attuned by Belmere).
• Steward’s Seal: A Seal of Drakenheim. Allows casting of Dispel Magic, Create Food and Water, Animate Objects, Telekinesis and several cantrips. Can rebuke gargoyles and tower dragons. (Given to and attuned by Tyrius).
• Scroll: A scroll containing a formula developed by Ryan Raymere. (Given to Belmere, contents unknown).

Quests/Plot

• Active: The Seals of Drakenheim: The party has secured the Inscrutable Staff. New leads point towards St. Vitruvio’s Cathedral (possibly for the High Flamekeeper’s Phylactery), the Pale Man, and the Queen of Thieves.
• Active: The Inscrutable Tower: The party has learned the tower is controlled by a “Nexus” at the top, which requires eight chairs to operate. This grants access to a deep vault sealed by three keys. The personal quest to “unlock the magic of the tower” is ongoing.
• Active: Eldritch Lilies: The party confirmed the lilies grow in the Queen’s Garden, but it is guarded by the undead Queen of Drakenheim.
• New Destination: The party has decided to investigate St. Vitruvio’s Cathedral next.

World/Lore

• Amethyst Academy Politics: Ryan Raymere has cast off the “Edicts of Lumen,” believing them too restrictive to fight the corruption in Drakenheim. She fears Archmage Edric Runeweaver is seeking to exploit delerium for power and that River, while good-hearted, may inadvertently pass information to him.
• St. Vitruvio’s Cathedral: Built on a mound containing the remains of Saint Vitruvio (a great paladin of Drakenheim) and his gold dragon, Argonath. They died centuries ago defending Westmar from an army led by a half-dragon warlock.
• The Nexus: An arcane apparatus at the top of the Inscrutable Tower, built around a stable dimensional rift. It controls all magical functions of the tower.

DM Notes/Reminders

Belmere is operating without the benefits of a long rest.

Gust is now at 2 levels of contamination.

The party is beginning the next session at the entrance to St. Vitruvio’s Cathedral.

The time is mid-morning on a new day.

📅About Meeting

• Date & Time: 2025-10-02 20:51 (Duration: ~1h58m)
• Location: Inscrutable Tower – Library breach and upper director’s chambers (in-game)
• Attendee: Belmir, Gus, Octi, Zadok, Tyrius

📒Meeting Outline

Breach Aftermath and Loot Recovery

• Oscar Yoren’s remains and loot
  • Party confirmed Oscar’s undead minions reduced to husks.
  • Belmir searched Oscar’s body: recovered two staffs (one ebony, twisted; one long plain white staff), a large research spellbook (200–300 pages on delirium, dregs, husks), four scrolls (two arcanely familiar, two alien with octarine inks), three delirium crystals, and ~60 platinum.
  • Delirium crystals safely stowed using Mage Hand into special pouches.
• Library environment and conditions
  • Massive anti-gravity breach with swirling debris and eldritch lightning; visibility limited by maelstrom.
  • Elevators destroyed; vertical shafts present on every level; stairs intact below the breach, obliterated above ~40–50 ft.
• Initial reconnaissance plan
  • Belmir and Gus advanced upward using psychic flight speed = 10 ft × INT mod (min 10).
  • Decision to move slowly together (20 ft increments) to maintain visual contact and safety.

Ascending the Breach

• Hazard navigation and lightning strikes
  • Multiple staged D6 hazard checks while ascending ~180 ft breach.
  • Observed: debris density increases after ~50 ft; frequent dodging required.
  • Gus evaded an eldritch lightning strike (Dex save + Evasion; no damage).
  • Near top, both rolled 1s; Belmir used Absorb Elements to halve 33 lightning damage (noted “lightning but not natural,” eldritch arcane feel). Casting inside breach caused odd reactions: nearby debris/books sprouted limbs momentarily, indicating wild/unpredictable magic surges upon casting.
• Reaching upper level
  • Gravity gradually returned on stairs above breach.
  • Found an obsidian double door leading to director’s audience chamber with an astrolabe, Amethyst Academy sigil, chandelier of celestial rings, and an iron side door. A chest stood beside the throne.

Director’s Chambers and Nexus Discovery

• Room checks and findings
  • No traps or arcane runes on doors; chamber quiet except mechanical astrolabe ticking.
  • Side room (iron door) opened via Mage Hand: revealed a five-foot-wide vertical torrent of octarine light rising from a rune-inscribed dais. Runic circle showed transmutation and conjuration markers; Belmir assessed it as a transport-related construct (likely Nexus-related), not a standard teleportation circle.
• Chest contents assessment
  • Inside: clockwork components/gears, a large metallic “rock,” and a bowling-ball-sized glass sphere containing a delirium crystal.
  • Arcana suggested parts likely related to the Cosmological Clock Tower mechanisms.
  • Glass sphere taken via Mage Hand into Bag of Holding; heavier components left in place (Gus later staged the chest to the stairwell but did not attempt passage with it through the breach).

Party Split, Risk Realization, and Regroup

• Restlessness below and attempted ascent
  • After ~1–2 hours, Octi and Tyrius attempted ascent (INT flight 10 ft/round). Tyrius was struck by eldritch lightning in the first 10 ft (38 damage), prompting immediate retreat and reassessment; healing via potions.
  • Conclusion: low-speed ascent is prohibitively dangerous for most of the party.
• Return of Belmir and Gus
  • Belmir descended at full speed safely; Gus descended with multiple checks, dodging a final lightning strike at the breach exit.
  • Debriefed team: discovered probable Nexus transport room and director’s chamber; retrieved glass sphere (delirium), logged two staffs and research materials; chest components likely important for Clock Tower; moving all members through breach unsafe without control or shortcut.

Withdrawal Planning and New Threat

• Rest vs. exit
  • Considered short rest on research floor; acknowledged others had partial recovery time while waiting.
  • Decided to withdraw from tower toward Emberwood Village when feasible; avoid further breach crossings until controls understood.
• Incoming adversary
  • At the base of the stairwell on the research floor (still in anti-gravity zone), Belmir and Gus heard heavy mailed boots approaching from the library side—similar to prior clockwork/golem sentinels.
  • A female voice called out: “So I see you found the staff,” implying hostile awareness and imminent confrontation.

📋Overview

• Recovered critical loot from Oscar Yoren: two staffs (one plain white, likely significant), research spellbook, four scrolls (two alien), three delirium crystals, ~60 pp.
• Library breach is a deadly maelstrom with eldritch lightning; casting within triggers chaotic effects; fast movement reduces exposure.
• Discovered director’s audience chamber and a transport-like Nexus room powered by octarine light and runic circle (transmutation/conjuration).
• Chest of clockwork components likely ties to Cosmological Clock Tower; heavy and risky to transport through breach; glass sphere with delirium safely retrieved.
• Attempt by Octi/Tyrius to ascend confirmed hazards too great for low-speed characters; regrouped plan to avoid breach until controls found.
• Decision to withdraw and rest; interrupted by arrival of armored foes and a female adversary who seems aware of the staff.

🎯Todo List

• Belmir:
  • Study “The Inscrutable Nexus: The Tower, The Magics Within” to identify Nexus function, controls, and the role of the staff; preliminary findings next session.
  • Identify both staffs (attunement checks, detect properties) to confirm if the white staff is the Inscrutable Staff; start immediately.
  • Analyze four scrolls (catalog known two; research the two alien octarine scrolls) for usability/risks; after safe rest.
• Gus:
  • Secure and inventory valuables: platinum, delirium crystals, glass sphere; ensure safe containment; before leaving tower.
  • Plan extraction routes and fallback points on research floor; coordinate with Octi/Zadok; before engagement with incoming foes.
• Octi:
  • Coordinate immediate defensive posture against approaching mailed enemies; assign positions/cover in low-gravity environment; now.
  • Evaluate alternative egress down the tower vs. holding position for a short rest; decide with consensus post-contact.
• Zadok:
  • Support Arcana/Perception surveillance for incoming threats; maintain Guidance and healing triage; ongoing.
  • Assist Belmir in cross-referencing tower schematics from found book on the Inscrutable Tower (pre-catastrophe diagrams) with observed rooms; after combat or during safe window.
• Tyrius:
  • Heal up (potions/abilities) to readiness; confirm status for potential immediate combat; now.
  • Prepare tactics for construct/golem-type foes based on prior encounters; now.
• Team:
  • Decide whether to engage, evade, or parley with the approaching female and mailed forces; immediate.
  • If disengaging, set course to Emberwood Village for rest, item identification, and planning; post-contact.
  • Plan a return expedition with: attuned staff, clearer Nexus understanding, and a method to bypass or disable the breach hazards; before next ascent attempt.

Date:

• Date & Time: 2025-07-24, 21:02 (Duration: ~2.25 hours)

📒Meeting Outline

Session Logistics and Recap

• Technical Setup and Banter The session began with lighthearted conversation about video conferencing mishaps, referencing popular internet moments and sharing personal anecdotes. All attendees confirmed their audio and video were working.
• Previous Session Recap The group recapped the last adventure: retreating from the Inscrutable Tower after a challenging encounter with fire-spewing automatons, resulting in a tactical withdrawal to Emberwood Village for rest and recovery.

In-Town Activities and Resource Management

• Contamination Status Players reviewed their contamination levels, confirming current statuses and noting that no one was in immediate danger, though some minor contamination persisted.
• Delirium Fragment Sale Blake sold 18 delirium fragments to River, receiving 1,800 gold. The group opted for gold over trade, though scrolls were offered. River discreetly suggested a more private meeting for further business, indicating sensitivity around the Inscrutable Tower topic.
• Resource Distribution The party divided loot: each member received 460 gold and 200 platinum. Discussion followed on the high cost of goods due to local inflation (double standard prices, food/drink five times normal).
• Equipment Upgrades Blake purchased full plate armor from Crow and Sons Blacksmith for 3,000 gold (with a promise of five delirium fragments on next return). A roleplay scene with the blacksmith and his daughter highlighted the transaction and party’s growing reputation.
• Spell Scribing and Supplies Blake acquired materials to scribe two spells (Invisibility and Suggestion) into his spellbook, spending 400 gold. Additional time was spent affixing trophies to new armor and practicing jewel carving.
• Religious and Personal Reflection Speaker 6 (Gus) visited the witch’s shrine, donating gold and engaging in intense prayer. He received a cryptic vision: “Seals. Seals. Seals.” This led to a dawn conversation with the witch, who explained the significance of the Seals of Drakenheim—ancient artifacts tied to the city’s fate. Gus’s compass, previously unreliable, pointed toward Drakenheim after a mystical experience.

Market and Magic Item Acquisition

• Potion Purchases River provided six healing potions at 100 gold each; Blake bought all six for party use. Additional potions were purchased from Aldor the Immense, who also offered magical items.
• Magic Item Shopping Gus bought a +1 enchanted shortbow (2,200 gold/platinum), and Clay acquired a Ring of Protection (+1) after successful negotiation (950 gold). Both received invoices and attuned to their new items.
• Party Inventory Coordination Blake confirmed that all items in the party’s bag of holding are available to members upon request.

Strategic Planning and Party Direction

• Seals of Drakenheim: Party Briefing Gus shared his vision and the witch’s information about the Seals, emphasizing their importance in containing the spreading mist. The party discussed their current possession of one seal and the need to collect others, placing the compass in the bag of holding for group benefit.
• Personal Transformations Several characters reflected on the darkness affecting them, with Tyrius and Belmir noting changes in their spiritual and magical alignments. The group acknowledged the toll the campaign is taking on their identities and resolve.
• Religious Intervention Blake expressed concern about Tyrius’s growing affinity for corruption and arranged a discreet intervention with Flamekeeper Ophelia. After a dramatic ritual, Ophelia purged Tyrius of his compulsion, at personal cost, and accepted a donation in thanks.
• Next Steps Discussion The party debated their next objectives. Key points included:
  • The need to secure a safe resting point within the haze, possibly by controlling a tower or similar location.
  • The urgency of pursuing the Inscrutable Tower, as rival Oscar Yorin is rumored to be heading there to claim the seal (the Inscrutable Staff).
  • The potential value of investigating Oscar Yorin’s house for clues or resources before heading to the tower.
  • The ongoing quest for the Seals, with the Queen’s Garden and other locations flagged for future exploration.
  • The importance of supporting party members affected by madness or corruption, with plans to return to the Flamekeeper for further purges as needed.

📋Overview

• The party regrouped in Emberwood Village after a difficult retreat, using the opportunity to rest, resupply, and upgrade equipment.
• Contamination levels were reviewed and managed; loot was distributed equitably.
• Major purchases included full plate armor, a +1 shortbow, and a Ring of Protection, as well as a significant stock of healing potions.
• Gus received a vision indicating the Seals of Drakenheim are crucial to containing the mist; the party is now focused on collecting these artifacts.
• The witch and River provided critical lore and intelligence, including warnings about Oscar Yorin’s ambitions and the need for discretion regarding the Inscrutable Tower.
• Tyrius underwent a successful but taxing purification ritual, removing his compulsion toward contamination.
• The party agreed on a general plan: investigate Oscar Yorin’s house, then proceed to the Inscrutable Tower to secure the seal before Oscar can.
• The group recognized the need for a secure base within the haze and discussed strategies for long-term survival and campaign progression.

🎯Todo List

• Blake:
  • Investigate Oscar Yorin’s house for clues, resources, or potential confrontation, before proceeding to the Inscrutable Tower. (Next session)
  • Prepare and utilize spells (Invisibility, Suggestion) for potential infiltration or negotiation with Oscar Yorin. (Ongoing)
  • Return to Flamekeeper Ophelia for brother’s (and others’) further purges as needed. (As required)
• Gus (Speaker 6):
  • Return to the witch in 20 days to inquire about tools of darkness or new magical items. (Track in-game calendar)
  • Monitor the compass for guidance toward additional Seals; lead party in following its direction when appropriate. (Ongoing)
• Clay:
  • Attune to and utilize Ring of Protection; coordinate with party for further magical item needs. (Immediate)
• Tyrius (Speaker 7):
  • Continue spiritual reflection and monitor for further effects of the haze; support party in religious and magical matters. (Ongoing)
• Party (All):
  • Secure a safe resting point within the haze, potentially by claiming or allying for control of a tower or similar location. (Strategic, ongoing)
  • Prioritize collection of the Seals of Drakenheim, using compass and gathered intelligence to guide exploration. (Campaign-long)
  • Maintain regular check-ins regarding contamination, madness, and resource needs. (Ongoing)
  • Consider further purchases from Aldor the Immense or other vendors as funds allow. (As needed)
  • Support Sirius in his quest for the eldritch lily in Queen’s Park for future ritual capability. (Future session)

This summary is intended as a comprehensive reference for all party members, ensuring clarity on recent developments, current objectives, and individual responsibilities.