Active Quests
Clear the Baron's Barrow
Status: active
Clear the Baron's Barrow
Objective
Travel to the Shadebarrow (Baron's Vault) in Ebonroot and kill whatever is keeping Camilla Tenver's spirit around — ending the haunting of Buddleia Austan and dealing with the ancestors waking since the planar tear. This overlaps with the Remnants lead for the third Abyssal Anchor.
How It Was Obtained
Buddleia Austan, the last known living member of Sevil Howthess's bloodline, was found sitting shiva in her Westruun townhouse, sleep-deprived and haunted by her dead "desk sister" Camilla Tenver. She handed Ki her signet ring — "Take the Curse with you" — and named the destination. Fetch separately identified the same barrow as the Remnants location.
Key Facts
- Route: Find the Shattered Monolith shaped like a split tongue; past it, through the mud, an iron gate
- Key: Buddleia Austan's signet ring (carried by Ki) opens the iron gate
- Rivals: Blaine Kraverrogg, a relic-hunting fanatic, is also after the barrow
- No map exists; directions are from Buddleia and Fetch
Progress Log
- Session 77 — Quest introduced. Party obtains the signet ring and the location. Session ends with the party fighting "murder ghosts" (shadows) inside Buddleia's townhouse before setting out.
Rewards
- [TBD] — likely tied to the Remnants and the third anchor; possibly recovering Alorah Vasorin's soul
Notes
This quest braids directly into Stop the Abyssal Anchors via the Remnants. Clearing Camilla Tenver's unrest and reaching the Remnants may be the same objective.
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Complications in the Hills
Status: active
Complications in the Hills
Objective
Identify and stop whatever is taking children in the Umbra Hills around Jorenn Village. Quest briefed by Arhana Lewyn, Shade Master of the Shade Watch.
Quest Giver
Arhana Lewyn, Shade Master of the Shade Watch, briefed the party on arrival in Jorenn:
"Complications in the Hills."
"Nasty things — the type of things that take your children."
The Shade Watch effectively replaces the absent Tal'Dorei Council in this region.
What We Know
- Something in the Umbra Hills is taking children
- The Shade Watch is the entity attempting to defend against it; it is sufficiently severe to warrant a formal warning to incoming parties
- Local rumor: "You will die if you go north" (North-of-Jorenn Warning)
- A church in the hills — Temple of the Dawn Father — exists; relationship to the threat unknown
What We Suspect
- Whatever is taking children is plausibly connected to:
- The Lord of Hells anchor site (which is somewhere in this region)
- The Mawl (anchors implanted in living bodies; The Mawl uses vessels)
- Both
- The Temple of the Dawn Father may be either a defensive position, a target, or compromised
Open Questions
- What is taking the children?
- Where are they being taken?
- Are any still alive?
- How long has this been going on?
- What is the Shade Watch doing about it currently?
Progress Log
- Session 73 — Quest introduced by Arhana Lewyn at the Jorenn gates
Next Steps
- Speak again with Arhana Lewyn for specifics (numbers, recent incidents, locations)
- Investigate the Temple of the Dawn Father
- Speak with Ulysses the Apothecary (named in Session 73)
- Investigate the warning to not go north
- Determine connection to the Lord of Hells anchor site / The Mawl
Related
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Investigate Alorah's Death
Status: active
Objective
Investigate the death and soul theft of Alorah Vasorin. Determine perpetrator, method, and whether soul can be recovered.
Background
Session 55:
- Alorah sent message requesting party's aid
- Request was "not urgent"
- Party prioritized other objectives
Session 66:
- Brom Goldhand sent urgent message to Finn
- Alorah is dead
- Her soul was taken (not natural death)
- Finn ordered to complete current mission and return ASAP
What We Know
Victim:
- Alorah Vasorin
- Associated with Lyceum (academic institution)
- Had requested party's help (not urgent)
Method:
- Killed (not natural causes)
- Soul stolen/taken
- Suggests powerful necromancy or soul magic
Timing:
- Between Session 55 and Session 66
- Party was dealing with Yug Voril threat during this time
Possible Connections
Abyssal Anchor Conspiracy:
- Soul theft could be part of activation ritual
- Three-eyed being may consume souls
- Planar forces often traffic in souls
Mind Flayer Operations:
- Intellect Devourers consume minds/souls
- Morgranth's conspiracy could extend beyond Yug Voril
- Lyceum academic connection to research
Other Threats:
- Kalnicos the Unbroken
- Order of Desolation cultists
- Unknown soul-stealing entity
Progress Log
Session 66:
- Quest introduced via Brom's message
- Party currently engaged in Yug Voril anchor crisis
- Investigation delayed pending mission completion
Session 68:
- Gilmore confirmed burial details: procession took Alorah to the cemetery district
- Council disagreed on where she should be interred; settled on burial with her chosen deity, the Arch Heart
- First sitting council member to die — historically significant
- Gilmore noted he does not deal with souls
- Drake and Alorah were very close friends; would have been romantically involved in another life
Session 75:
- The Council at Cloudwatch indicated the Remnants may be able to recover Alorah's soul as a bonus to placing the third Abyssal Anchor
- This is the first concrete, named path to soul recovery; tied to the anchor endgame (Stop the Abyssal Anchors)
Next Steps
- Complete Yug Voril anchor mission
- Return to Brom Goldhand
- Travel to Lyceum for investigation
- Determine method of soul theft
- Identify perpetrator
- Attempt soul recovery (if possible)
Notes
Party's failure to respond to "not urgent" request may have contributed to Alorah's death. This quest represents consequences of prioritization.
Brom's order to "finish mission first" suggests he understands Yug Voril threat takes priority, but investigation is time-sensitive.
Soul recovery may require:
- Divine intervention (Resurrection-level magic)
- Planar travel (retrieve from Hell/Abyss/Far Realm)
- Defeating entity holding soul
- Arcane ritual
Rewards
[Unknown - likely information about soul-stealing threat]
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Investigate Dean Damill
Status: active
Objective
Determine the extent of Dean Damill's memory manipulation on Ana and hold him accountable.
Background
Dean Damill is the enchanting Dean of the Lyceum. The party placed operative Tyce on the Lyceum cleaning staff. Tyce infiltrated Damill's study and stole what he believed was a personal diary — it is the Dean's spellbook.
What We Know
The Spellbook:
- Obtained by Tyce during Session 68
- Contains enchantment magic, Modify Memory, and related spells
- Contains a custom 9th-level Modify Memory spell — the highest possible power level
- 9th-level Modify Memory can rewrite memories permanently and comprehensively
The Implication:
- Dean Damill has used this spell on Ana
- The nature and content of the altered memories are unknown
- Ana's pre-Lyceum history and connection to Cathmoira may be relevant
Other Context:
- Zeloah (Clasp Shadows leader) has been out of town for at least a week as of Session 68
- The "new master of Arcana" at the Lyceum is a topic of interest — possibly connected
Progress Log
Session 68:
- Quest introduced when Tyce stole Dean Damill's spellbook from the Lyceum
- Spellbook reveals 9th-level custom Modify Memory — strong evidence of memory tampering targeting Ana
- Investigation has not yet begun in earnest; party is focused on Abyssal Anchors crisis
Next Steps
- Analyze the full contents of Dean Damill's spellbook
- Determine what memories were modified in Ana (and when)
- Investigate Damill's motives and connections
- Confront or expose Dean Damill
- Explore possibility of memory restoration for Ana
Notes
This quest is deeply personal for Ana. The revelation that a senior Lyceum official has tampered with her mind at the highest possible level of spell power raises questions about what she may have known — or discovered — before the modification.
Ana's research connection to Cathmoira (her pre-Calamity submerged home city) may be related to what Damill wanted suppressed.
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Investigate Morgranth's Conspiracy
Status: active
Objective
Stop Mind Flayer Morgranth's experiments with planar conduits and uncover the full scope of his conspiracy.
Known Conspirators
- Morgranth - Mind Flayer, Unseelie Court member, planar researcher (at large)
- Maylis - Cultist scientist (defeated Session 65)
- Atarah, Jax, Teyeres - Apprentices (defeated Session 65)
- Intellect Devourer - Wrote notes in Maylis's hand
- Hag - Unknown identity, correspondence with Morgranth
- Three-eyed being - Unknown entity (possibly mastermind)
Progress Log
Session 63:
- Discovered Morgranth in Yug Voril
- Learned he's Mind Flayer with Unseelie Court connections
- Identified Morgranth Estate as base of operations
Session 65:
- Assaulted Zarga Lab (non-euclidean laboratory)
- Defeated three apprentices in combat
- Confronted and killed Maylis
- Damaged magical relay network
- Obtained four spell books
Session 66:
- Discovered Maylis's personal notes
- Found first half of communications between Hag and Morgranth
- Freed enthralled grad students (teleported to Lyceum)
- Recovered slave contracts, Resource Acquisition Permit
- Confirmed mithril core as ley line conduit
Session 67:
- Second half of Hag/Morgranth correspondence recovered from lab
- Full correspondence now in party's possession
- Desiccated headless remains found in lab (large, unidentified — skull missing)
- Demilich skull spider (guardian of mithril core) defeated
Key Discoveries
Zarga Lab:
- Non-euclidean architecture (wet membrane, silvery sinew, biofilm)
- Mathematical charts for conduit equations
- Obsidian work table with cranial tissue
- Entire structure pulses with energy
Research Timeline:
- First success: several months ago
- Second success: 7-10 days before Session 66
- Instructions on ley line destruction completed
Connections:
- Morgranth has Resource Acquisition Permit (legal authority in Yug Voril)
- Correspondence with Hag (larger conspiracy)
- Intellect Devourer involvement (Mind Flayer thralls)
- Three apprentices suggest training program
Current Status
Completed:
- Maylis eliminated
- Apprentices defeated
- Relay network damaged
- Research data obtained
- Grad students freed
Ongoing:
- Morgranth still at large
- Hag identity unknown
- Full conspiracy scope unclear (but full correspondence in hand)
- Mithril core status post-combat unclear
- Identity of desiccated headless remains in lab unknown
Session 69:
- Research at the Cobalt Reserve yields critical revelation: Morgranth was an Illithiliche — an Illithid who achieved lich-hood
- A spider wore Morgranth's skull and transformed into a lich through it
- The desiccated headless large remains found in Session 67 were Morgranth's corpse — skull already removed before party arrived
- Trail went cold after Morgranth's apparent "death" — the demilich skull spider fought in Session 67 may have been Morgranth's consciousness in transformed state
- If so, Morgranth may have been destroyed in Session 67
Next Steps
- ~~Defuse Yug Voril anchor (immediate)~~ — spider defeated; anchor status TBD
- Analyze full Hag/Morgranth correspondence for intelligence
- Determine if Morgranth was truly destroyed in Session 67 or if some form persists
- Identify the Hag
- Understand three-eyed being's role
- ~~Identify desiccated headless remains from lab~~ ✓ — Morgranth's corpse (skull removed, worn by the spider)
- Prevent any remaining operations
Notes
Quest overlaps heavily with "Stop the Abyssal Anchors" - Morgranth's conspiracy IS the anchor threat in Yug Voril. However, his Unseelie Court connections and Hag correspondence suggest operations beyond single anchor.
Party disrupted but did not destroy his operations. Expect retaliation or contingency plans.
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Stop the Abyssal Anchors
Status: active
Objective
~~Prevent~~ Locate and defuse three Abyssal Anchors — planar bombs capable of 10-fold artifact-level energy release tied to Hell, Abyss, and Far Realm. All three anchors have now been deployed. Prevention is no longer possible — the party must find and defuse them.
The Threat
Abyssal Anchors:
- Three total locations: Yug Voril (current/past), Frostwield, Gap Shadows
- Each anchored to different plane: Hell, Abyss, Far Realm (Astral Sea)
- 10-fold energy release of artifact explosion (catastrophic scale)
- Unknown entity orchestrating: "being with three eyes out there and it's smiling"
- ⚠️ STATUS UPDATE (Session 67): All three anchors confirmed deployed. Party was too late to stop the third.
Yug Voril Anchor:
- Located in old mithril mine
- Perfect mithril sphere serving as ley line conduit
- Intelligent spider guardian (demilich skull spider) — defeated Session 67
Progress Log
Session 54:
- Zelthrax released from The Remembrance book
- Learned about Abyssal Anchors at Frostwield and Gap Shadows
Session 63:
- Arrived at Yug Voril
- Discovered city built around mithril core
Session 65:
- Assaulted Morgranth Estate
- Defeated Maylis and apprentices
- Obtained research data on ley line destruction
- Damaged magical relay network
Session 66:
- Discovered full scope of threat through Maylis's notes
- Freed enthralled grad students
- Descended into old mithril mine
- Confronted spider guardian at mithril core
- Combat initiated (ongoing)
Session 67:
- Demilich skull spider defeated in mithril core chamber
- Second half of Morgranth/Hag correspondence recovered from lab
- Confirmed: two anchors already deployed before party arrived; third was also too late to prevent
- All three Abyssal Anchors are now deployed and active
- Party took long rest, traveled to Emberhold
Key Information
From Maylis's Notes:
- "Finally had a success!" (several months ago)
- "Second success" 7-10 days before Session 66
- Instructions on "how to" destroy ley lines
- Yug Voril Mithril Core confirmed as conduit
Morgranth's Role:
- Mind Flayer researcher providing scientific framework
- Correspondence with Hag suggests larger conspiracy
- Operations disrupted but not stopped
Session 68:
- Quash briefed party at Gilmore's Glorious Goods: anchors cannot be teleported — doing so would exponentially increase mishap risk
- Dispel Magic suppresses but cannot permanently end an anchor
- An Unmake Magic spell is required; party has enough research notes to craft it
- Recommended strategy: capture a device and bring it to the Arcana Pansophical for neutralization
Session 69:
- Three anchor sites confirmed with faction alignments:
- Gap Shadow = Chained Oblivion (Abyss) - Cressida cannot reach the altars; site currently inaccessible to all parties
- Vecna Temple (Whitestone) = Remnants/Cult of Vecna - Vex confirms it is well in hand
- Umbra Hills = Lord of Hells - no Cobalt Soul eyes; critical intelligence gap
- Anchors take 1 full year to properly attune; cult is attempting to short-circuit this process
- Rothtree is doing most of the anchor research but findings are withheld from him by Westborn
- Griselda Cassius directive: GET TO UMBRAL HILLS
- Arcana Pansophical also directed party to Umbra Hills
Session 70:
- Party detours to Westen (Finn's hometown) before the Umbra Hills
- Purple inscription found in Finn's mother's manic handwriting at Mossglow Cult Headquarters: "The anchor is dropped, the anchor is unbarred, the weaver's threads is ours to cut"
- Inscription directly connects Finn's mother's local cult operation to anchor deployment and the Hellchain Weaver
- Zarissa (drow) confirmed as the cult leader sought via Fetch in Session 69; was at this site; whereabouts now unknown
- Localized rift in reality (fist-sized) discovered hovering above the cult's obsidian plinth — possible Far Realm bleed point
- Deformed humanoid suspended in chains in the sanctum — identity and purpose unknown; may be connected to anchor ritual
- Session ends mid-combat; Mossglow headquarters not fully resolved
Session 71:
- Sanctum combat resolves; the mutant (frontal-cone maw of horrors) is killed
- Ana extracts an Abyssal Anchor device from inside the body — platinum, chaotic orb, four surrounding crystals
- Zelthrax the Folded Promise appears and confirms the device "used to be an Abyssal Anchor"; has Bigby's Magic Hand prepared
- The portal to the Abyss at the center of the sanctum dissipates as the device is removed
- The cult is named: The Mawl
- Liora (first name confirmed) Dimension Doors out and escapes
- Loot: gold + silver ritual daggers (magical, unassigned), 500 gp residuum, six 500 gp diamonds
- Faith Mossglow Sends Finn: mom is at the family home
- Pursuit to the Mossglow Family Home — food set out the back, teleportation circle in the back yard; Finn takes her hairbrush
- Plan to vault the captured anchor in the Cobalt Reserve; Drake and Quash notified; Aaron the Page involved
- Eskil scry on Liora: inconclusive — dead or on another plane
Session 72:
- Party levels to 11
- Captured anchor placed in the Cobalt Reserve vault at session open
- ⚠️ Note: Quash previously warned anchors cannot be teleported. Either the device is now inert (consistent with Zelthrax's "used to be" framing) or the mishap risk was knowingly accepted
- Travel to the Umbra Hills — unseasonable winter-cold weather
- Meet Andreas Du Vavier and Gully at a roadside pavilion; Ki sits for a portrait
- Finn's Patron manifests in a fireplace; references "my cousin" awaiting in the Umbra Hills — implies planar familial structure aligned to the Lord of Hells site
- The Gypsy Woman delivers prophecies to Finn ("a child in your future") and Imdra ("vindication... cost more than you're willing to pay"); party feels inspiration
- Vespera the Dream Stitcher (moonstone dragon, not from this world) gifts Ki the Quill of Preservation — pins non-sapient, non-conscious things in their current state; framed as "an anchor if the world starts to unravel"
Session 73:
- Party reaches Jorenn Village in the Umbra Hills — larger than mapped; silver mining boom town; no Tal'Dorei Council presence
- Abandoned Farmhouse ghost encounter resolved by Banishment
- Arhana Lewyn (Shade Master, Shade Watch) warns of "complications in the Hills" — "the type of things that take your children" (Complications in the Hills)
- Rumor: "You will die if you go north" (North-of-Jorenn Warning)
- A Temple of the Dawn Father in the hills (Mama Mara as source)
- Ulysses the Apothecary named
Session 74:
- Party went north (~30 miles) from Jorenn into barren, volcanic, devil-haunted waste (devils, not demons)
- Reached the Bastion of the Fading Dawn — Temple of the Dawn Father — tended by Father Abraham
- Abraham's wards hold back the infernal residue of the Battle of Umbra Hills (the defeat of the dictator Drasig that birthed Tal'Dorei); the veil to the Hells is thin here and the site is charged for blood magic
- An explosion broke the wards; a divine gate (dark-iron trident, gold rain) tore open the sky — identified by Zelthrax the Folded Promise
- The Demon Prince of Indulgence crossed through and began overwhelming the party
Session 75:
- Party fled the Demon Prince; evacuated Jorenn Village via Skywrite/Sending; teleported to Cloudwatch
- The Council laid out the endgame leads:
- League of Miracles — recruit their wizard via the envoy to the Palace of Wonder
- Calmyros the Unbroken — turn his people to help
- Remnants — placement of the third anchor; possible recovery of Alorah Vasorin's soul; priority lead; biggest concern is securing the device
- Get the device out of Westruun
- Iron Authority is working to bring back Bane; Calmyros opposes them
- Magnus Wilds (Arcana Pansophical, Lyceum professor) theory: the Archeart wove the Weave from their own essence, so repairing it needs divine essence — patch the hole with the essence of many demigods
Next Steps:
1. ~~Defeat/negotiate with spider guardian~~ ✓ (Session 67)
2. ~~Understand anchor mechanics~~ ✓ (Session 68 - need Unmake Magic; cannot teleport)
3. ~~Resolve Mossglow sanctum combat~~ ✓ (Session 71)
4. ~~Recover and contain an anchor~~ ✓ (Session 71/20 — placed in Cobalt Reserve vault; inertness pending confirmation)
5. Find Zarissa — Drow cult leader has gone dark; Faith Mossglow is looking independently
6. Find Liora — Dead or on another plane (Liora's Fate)
7. Locate the Lord of Hells anchor site in the Umbra Hills — Party is now in the field
8. Investigate "complications in the Hills" — Children being taken; Temple of the Dawn Father; the north warning
9. Investigate how the cult is short-circuiting the 1-year attunement process
10. Confirm the captured anchor is truly inert (and not just dormant) inside the vault
11. Defuse Yug Voril anchor (spider defeated but anchor status still unclear)
12. Gap Shadow site currently inaccessible; Whitestone temple handled by Vex
13. Identify and stop three-eyed being
Rewards
[Unknown - preventing planar catastrophe is its own reward]
Notes
⚠️ Critical update (Session 67): All three original anchors deployed. Objective shifted from prevention to defusal.
✅ Major update (Session 71/20): One anchor device captured and vaulted. The "used to be an anchor" framing from Zelthrax suggests it may be inert post-extraction. The anchor was embedded in a living body — this is the cult's working method (see The Mawl Cult).
🌐 Planar tie surfacing (Session 72): Finn's Patron references "my cousin" awaiting in the Umbra Hills — strongly suggests the Lord of Hells anchor site is in family relationship with Finn's patron. This is the first on-screen contact with the Hells-side power behind any of the anchors.
🛡️ Counter-anchor in play (Session 72): Vespera the Dream Stitcher gifted Ki the Quill of Preservation, explicitly described as an anchor if the world begins to unravel. Whether this is mechanically a counter to an Abyssal Anchor or a different kind of anchor altogether is unclear.
Brom's urgent message about Alorah may be connected — soul theft could be part of anchor activation ritual.
The demilich skull spider at the Yug Voril core has been defeated, but the Yug Voril anchor's status (active/defused/stable) is not yet confirmed.
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The Mawl Cult
Status: active
The Mawl Cult
Objective
Identify, contain, and dismantle The Mawl — the cult that runs the Mossglow Cult Headquarters beneath the old tannery in Westen, weaponizes Abyssal Anchors by embedding them in living bodies, and is currently led by Liora Mossglow (status: dead or planar per Session 71 scry).
Background
Session 70: Cult discovered beneath the Westen tannery; obsidian plinth of cult members (Finn's name scratched out); deformed humanoid in chains; rift over plinth; Mrs. Mossglow chanting.
Session 71:
- Cult is named for the first time: The Mawl
- The deformed humanoid (the "mutant") had an Abyssal Anchor implanted in its body
- Ana cut the body open and extracted a platinum device with a chaotic orb and four crystals
- Zelthrax the Folded Promise confirmed: this device used to be an Abyssal Anchor
- A portal to the Abyss at the center of the sanctum dissipated when the anchor was removed
- Mrs. Mossglow — first name confirmed Liora — Dimension Doored out and escaped
- Loot recovered: two magical ritual daggers (one gold, one silver), 500 gp residuum, six 500 gp diamonds
- Liora's escape route: teleportation circle in the back yard of the Mossglow family home
- Scry on Liora (by Eskil in Session 71): dead or on another plane — inconclusive
What We Know
- Cult name: The Mawl
- Local leadership: Liora Mossglow (gone, status unknown)
- Working method: Implanting Abyssal Anchors into living bodies; bodies become anchor vessels
- Planar tie: The sanctum's central portal opened onto the Abyss
- Symbolic structure: Obsidian plinth of cult member names; "dedication" chamber; 7-pointed star sanctum
- Member-list signal: Finn's name scratched out — formal removal from the cult
- Inscription: "The anchor is dropped, the anchor is unbarred, the weaver's threads is ours to cut" — references both Abyssal Anchors and the Hellchain Weaver
- Local outreach: Connections to Zarissa (drow cult leader); current whereabouts unknown to all
- Planar shadow: Finn's Patron in Session 72 references "my cousin" awaiting in the Umbra Hills — suggests planar/familial structure surrounding The Mawl
What We Suspect
- The Mawl is a local chapter of a wider conspiracy aligned with the Abyssal Anchor deployment
- Liora's status (dead or planar) implies she was drawn through her own teleportation circle or killed in transit
- Finn's patron's "cousin" in the Umbra Hills is likely the Lord of Hells anchor site target — and The Mawl is positioned to feed it
Open Questions
- Who founded The Mawl?
- What is The Mawl's relationship to the wider Abyssal Anchor faction?
- What is the role of the deformed humanoid (the body the anchor was placed in)?
- How are anchors implanted? What is the ritual?
- Is there more than one Mawl cell?
- Where is Zarissa?
- Where does the back yard teleportation circle at the Mossglow home lead?
Progress Log
- Session 70 — Cult headquarters discovered beneath the Westen tannery; cult unnamed
- Session 71 — Cult named (The Mawl); anchor implantation method confirmed; one anchor recovered from a body; Liora escaped; loot taken
- Session 72 — Recovered anchor delivered to the Cobalt Reserve vault; Finn's patron references "my cousin" in the Umbra Hills
- Session 73 — Party reaches Jorenn Village in the Umbra Hills; "things that take your children" warning consistent with Mawl-aligned activity
Next Steps
- Investigate the Umbra Hills for The Mawl's next cell or the anchor implantation site
- Recover Zarissa or her trail
- Trace the back yard teleportation circle at the Mossglow home (if recoverable)
- Determine what the Mawl's "cousin" planar power is
Related
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People of Taldorei (NPCs)
Aaron the Page
Occupation: Page (presumed Cobalt Reserve) · Status: alive · Affiliation: Cobalt Soul (presumed, via Cobalt Reserve) · Location: Westruun
Description
A page named Aaron, surfacing during the Cobalt Reserve vault placement of the captured Abyssal Anchor recovered in Session 71 and executed at the start of Session 72. Specific role in the vault placement undocumented — likely a Cobalt Reserve junior staff member assisting with logistics, escort, or paperwork.
Known Information
- Identified as "Aaron the Page"
- Surfaces in the context of Drake and Quash arriving to coordinate after the party signaled the anchor had been delivered
Open Questions
- Whose page is he? (Aaron the Page of whom?)
- Standing assignment at the Cobalt Reserve, or attached to a specific official?
Appearances
- Session 71 — Named in connection with the Cobalt Reserve vault placement
- Session 72 — Vault placement executes; Aaron's logistics involvement assumed
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Adomas
Description
Briefly mentioned in Session 68 — Adomas "ran into opportunity." No further details are available. Possibly a party contact, operative, or background figure.
Known Information
- Mentioned as having encountered an opportunity — nature of that opportunity is unknown
Appearances
- Session 68 — Brief mention only
Notes
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Alorah Vasorin
Occupation: Lyceum Associate · Status: dead · Affiliation: Lyceum
Description
Associate of the Lyceum who requested party's aid. Her death and soul theft became urgent plot hook.
Timeline
Session 55:
- Sent message requesting party's aid
- Request noted as "not urgent"
- Party did not prioritize
Session 66:
- Brom Goldhand's urgent message: Alorah is dead
- Soul was taken (not natural death)
- Confirms party's delay had consequences
Manner of Death
- Killed: Yes
- Soul Stolen: Yes (not natural death)
- Implications: Powerful necromancy or soul-magic involved
- Perpetrator: Unknown
Relationship to Party
- Status: Failed to help in time
- Represents consequences of prioritization choices
- Connection through Finnick and Brom Goldhand
Plot Significance
Alorah's soul theft introduces new threat level - suggests entity capable of harvesting souls. May be connected to:
- Abyssal Anchor conspiracy
- Mind Flayer operations
- Three-eyed being
- Other planar forces
Her "not urgent" request becoming fatal demonstrates campaign stakes.
Appearances
- Session 55 - Sent message requesting aid
- Session 66 - Death revealed by Brom
- Session 75 - The Council at Cloudwatch indicated the Remnants may be able to recover her soul as a bonus to placing the third Abyssal Anchor
Notes
Party's guilt over not responding may drive future urgency in helping allies.
Soul theft method unknown - could be:
- Abyssal magic
- Infernal contract
- Mind Flayer consumption
- Far Realm corruption
- Necromantic ritual
Connection between Lyceum (academic institution) and soul-stealing threat unclear. Was she targeted specifically or victim of opportunity?
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Andreas Du Vavier
Race: Human · Occupation: Retired merchant; obsessive painter · Status: alive · Affiliation: [None known] · Location: Andreas's Pavilion (mobile, on the road to Jorenn Village)
Description
A retired merchant turned painter, met by the party at a small pavilion on the road to the Umbra Hills. Wealthy-ish family background. His wife died somewhat recently; he was a merchant during the marriage and retired after her death. He picked up painting as a hobby afterward and it has become an obsession.
Travels with his dog Gully, whom he calls his "bunk mate." Gully is a mut, part basset hound and part golden retriever.
Relationship to Party
- Agreed to paint a portrait of Ki
- Hosted in Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion for dinner (Session 72)
- The portrait Andreas placed in the mansion has shown unusual persistence — it remained intact through the Banishment of the farmhouse ghost in Session 73
Known Information
- From a wealthy-ish merchant family
- Widower; wife died "somewhat recently"
- Career: merchant during marriage, retired after wife's death
- Has been painting "for years" but obsession is recent
- On the road, alone but for Gully, working from a small pavilion
Mysteries / Open Questions
- Why is he this deep in the Umbra Hills?
- Was the wife's death natural?
- Is his painting actually magical (Ki's portrait persistence in the mansion through banishment is suggestive)?
Appearances
- Session 72 — Met at a small pavilion on the road; agreed to paint Ki; invited to dine in the mansion
- Session 73 — His portrait of Ki persists in the mansion through a Banishment effect cast on a hostile ghost
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Arhana Lewyn
Occupation: Shade Master (runs the Shade Watch) · Status: alive · Affiliation: Shade Watch · Location: Jorenn Village
Description
The Shade Master — leader of the Shade Watch, the gray-cloaked guard order that handles security in Jorenn Village. With no Tal'Dorei Council presence in Jorenn, the Shade Watch is effectively the local power.
Known Information
- Title: Shade Master
- Briefed the party on "complications in the Hills"
- Specifically warned of "the type of things that take your children"
Quotes
"Complications in the Hills."
"Nasty things — the type of things that take your children."
Relationship to Party
- First contact; briefing tone — neither warm nor hostile
Mysteries / Open Questions
- How long has the Shade Watch operated in lieu of the Council?
- What specifically is taking children in the Umbra Hills?
Appearances
- Session 73 — Briefed the party on the "complications in the Hills" upon their arrival in Jorenn
Note on Spelling
The session 21 raw notes contain both "Arhana Lewyn" and "Arhana Llewyn." Canonical spelling per Jeremy: Lewyn.
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Blaine Kraverrogg
Occupation: Relic hunter / cult fanatic · Status: alive · Affiliation: League of Miracles (cover) / Cult of Vecna (true allegiance) · Location: Departing for Ebonroot to oversee the Shadebarrow excavation
Description
A fanatic digging up relics near Ebonroot / the Shadebarrow. First named by Fetch as a rival relic hunter racing the party for the Remnants. An intercepted letter passed to the party by Fetch reveals he is far more than a competitor: he is a secret devotee of Vecna in the Cult of Vecna, writing to its leader, the "Keeper of the Whispered Truth."
Known Information
- Publicly funds his expeditions through the League of Miracles, whom he privately mocks as "fools" blind to his true purpose — they believe he digs for artifice to bolster their war chest
- Secretly serves the Cult of Vecna and its god Vecna, named in the letter as the Whispered King (the "maimed one"), to whom his devotion is "absolute"
- Located the bloodline of the "old Baron" (Sevil Howthess) and broke his grandchildren with "waking nightmares" to extract the Shadebarrow's location — directly implicating him in the haunting/death of Camilla Tenver and the torment of Buddleia Austan
- Believes the Shadebarrow is not a tomb but a vault sealed by Orcus containing a "terrible dark power" — a weapon he intends to claim to bring the Republic to its knees in the Whispered King's name
- Has departed for Ebonroot to personally oversee the excavation; instructed the cult faithful to be ready at the site
Goals
- Breach the deepest crypts of the Shadebarrow and claim what Orcus sealed beneath it
- Deliver that power to Cult of Vecna as a weapon against the Republic
Appearances
- Session 77 — Named by Fetch as a competing relic hunter pursuing the Remnants location
- Letter from Fetch (ingested) — His own correspondence to the Keeper of the Whispered Truth, exposing his true allegiance, methods, and target
Notes
Confirmed antagonist. He is the "bad dude" Finn expected to find in Ebonroot. The party now knows his goal and that he has a head start to the barrow. He is the likely source of the ancestors waking / Camilla Tenver's unrest, via the "waking nightmares" he inflicted on the bloodline.
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Brom Goldhand
Occupation: Cleric · Status: alive · Affiliation: [Unknown organization]
Description
Cleric who previously pulled Finnick back from mortal danger. Now serving as urgent contact regarding Alorah Vasorin's death and ongoing mission.
Appearance
- Face burned by dragon fire
Known Activities
Connection to Finn:
- Previously saved Finn's life (pulled him back from danger)
- Has sending spell communication with Finn
- Tracking important missions
Urgent Message (Session 66):
- Alorah Vasorin is dead
- Her soul was taken (not natural death)
- Requested Finn finish current mission and return ASAP
- Implies larger organization or mission structure
Relationship to Party
- Status: Ally through Finnick
- Provides intelligence and mission coordination
- Has authority to request party's return from field
Plot Significance
Brom's urgent message about Alorah's soul being stolen introduces new threat - suggests powerful necromancer or soul-stealing entity at work. His dragon fire scars hint at dangerous past encounters.
Appearances
- Session 66 - Sent urgent message to Finn via sending
- Session 75 - Referenced at Cloudwatch in connection with the Council's scholarly leads (alongside Magnus Wilds)
Notes
Brom's burned face (dragon fire) suggests connection to Kalnicos the Unbroken (Adamantine Dragon) or other draconic threats.
Organization affiliation unknown but clearly has structure allowing mission assignments and urgent recalls.
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Buddleia Austan
Occupation: Last living member of Sevil Howthess's bloodline (known) · Status: alive · Location: Westruun
Description
A surviving descendant of Sevil Howthess's bloodline, found by the party in a modest two-story townhouse in Westruun with the lights out and curtains drawn. When the party arrived she was sitting shiva in the corner, sleep-deprived, clutching a crossbow, and haunted by her dead "desk sister" Camilla Tenver. The party brought her into the Magnificent Mansion to recover.
Known Information
- One of Sevil Howthess's descendants — names (Camilla Tenver, Buddleia) are buried in the Cobalt Reserve / Hall of Reason records
- Believes she is being haunted by Camilla Tenver ("Why won't you stay in the dirt?")
- Says the haunting started "ever since the sky turns" (the planar tear / Graz'zt's breach)
- Reports the ancestors are waking out at Ebonroot (to the northeast), at the Baron's Vault
- Wore a signet ring on a chain — the key to the iron gate beyond the mud at the barrow
- Directs the party to a Shattered Monolith shaped like a split tongue marking the barrow
The Curse
When Ki took the signet ring, a mental weight visibly lifted from her and she collapsed ("Take the Curse with you"). She asked the party to go to the barrow and kill whatever is keeping Camilla Tenver around. Finn forced pancakes on her afterward.
Cause of the Haunting (revealed)
An intercepted letter from Blaine Kraverrogg (provided by Fetch) states he isolated Sevil Howthess's bloodline and broke the grandchildren with "waking nightmares" to extract the Shadebarrow's location. This implicates Blaine as the source of Camilla Tenver's death and Buddleia's torment — the "curse" she carried may be his psychic assault, not (only) the barrow itself.
Relationship to Party
- Initially hostile (assumed the party had come "for the Barrow"), then cooperative once she handed over the ring
- Now resting in the Magnificent Mansion
Appearances
- Session 77 — Found sitting shiva in her townhouse; gave the party the signet ring and the location of the Shadebarrow; brought into the mansion to recover
Notes
Whether the haunting fully ends now that the ring is gone is unconfirmed. Her townhouse was left with shadows dancing in it — the party rolled initiative against "murder ghosts" there to end the session.
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Calmyros the Unbroken
Race: Adamantine Dragon · Occupation: Paladin · Status: alive · Affiliation: Opposed to the Iron Authority · Location: Shifting Keep
Description
Adamantine Dragon Paladin based at Shifting Keep. Forges weapons and armor from his own scales. Has sworn four oaths (content unknown). He is opposed to the Iron Authority (confirmed in Session 75); his people are a potential ally the party must win over.
Known Details
Physical:
- Adamantine Dragon (extremely rare metallic dragon type)
- Capable of crafting from own scales
Religious/Oath Structure:
- Paladin class (oath-bound)
- Has sworn four specific oaths
- Cult leader suggests charismatic authority
Organization:
- Opposed to the Iron Authority (confirmed Session 75)
- Shifting Keep - His stronghold base
Activities:
- Forging weapons/armor from adamantine scales
- Potentially devouring or enslaving (referenced but unclear)
Relationship to Party
- Status: Potential ally (not yet encountered); opposes the Iron Authority
- The Council (Session 75) wants the party to turn his people to help against the anchor crisis
- Connected to cultist activity around The Remembrance book in early sessions
Plot Significance
As an adamantine dragon he's nearly invulnerable, and as a Paladin he has divine power backing his oaths. He is against the Iron Authority, making him a potential ally rather than an enemy.
Connection to Brom Goldhand's dragon-fire scars is speculative but possible.
Appearances
- Session 53 - Mentioned as Iron Authority leader at Shifting Keep
- Session 75 - Named by the Council at Cloudwatch as a needed ally — the party must turn his people to help. The Iron Authority is reported to be bringing back Bane, and Calmyros is against them (supports the "opposed to the Iron Authority" reading over the affiliation listed in this file's frontmatter)
- Session 76 — (Referenced) Ki Nightwhisper researching him; party departs to find him
Notes
Party has not yet traveled to Shifting Keep or confronted Kalnicos directly. Given current Abyssal Anchor crisis, he may be secondary threat or connected to larger conspiracy.
Four oaths unknown - could be source of his power or binding restrictions.
Adamantine dragons are lawful good in traditional lore, but cult leadership suggests corruption or non-traditional interpretation.
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Camilla Tenver
Occupation: Member of Sevil Howthess's bloodline · Status: dead · Location: Westruun
Description
A descendant of Sevil Howthess and the "desk sister" of Buddleia Austan. Died nine days before Session 77, found in her home. According to Buddleia, Camilla Tenver clawed her own eyes out in her sleep, screaming about the Baron's Vault.
Known Information
- Part of Sevil Howthess's bloodline (with Buddleia Austan); names recorded in the Cobalt Reserve / Hall of Reason
- Died ~9 days before Session 77
- Now believed to be haunting Buddleia Austan every night since "the sky turned"
- Tied to the ancestors waking at Ebonroot / the Shadebarrow
- Body unclaimed at the Westruun undertaker; the second family ring is missing from it (Session 78) — Blaine Kraverrogg suspected of taking it
- Her townhouse shows a noble house in decline — she had struggled since losing her husband years ago (Session 78)
- Likely cause of death revealed: an intercepted letter from Blaine Kraverrogg states he broke the Baron's "weak, brittle" grandchildren with "waking nightmares" to extract the barrow's location — consistent with Camilla Tenver clawing out her own eyes in her sleep while screaming about the Baron's Vault
Appearances
- Session 77 — Referenced as the recently dead sister haunting Buddleia Austan; her unrest is the target of the barrow expedition
- Session 78 — Home investigated; body checked at the undertaker (unclaimed, ring gone)
Notes
Merged entry: earlier notes split this one person into "Camilla Tenver" and "Camilla Tenver." Buddleia's plea: go to the barrow and "kill whatever is keeping her sister around."
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Dean Damill
Occupation: Dean of the Lyceum (Enchantment) · Status: alive · Affiliation: Lyceum · Location: Lyceum
Description
The Dean of the Lyceum with a specialization in enchantment magic. Dean Damill has not been met directly by the party — he is known through the theft of his spellbook by Tyce, a Lyceum cleaning staff operative. The contents of his spellbook reveal him to be a significant threat to Ana specifically.
Known Information
From Tyce's Intelligence (Session 68):
- Is an enchanter — specializes in enchantment school magic
- His spellbook contains Modify Memory, additional enchantment spells, and related mind-affecting magic
- Has a custom 9th-level Modify Memory spell — a modification requiring extraordinary magical expertise
- The strong implication from the party: Dean Damill has altered Ana's memories using this spell
Threat Level
⚠️ High — A 9th-level Modify Memory is the highest possible application of that spell. At that level, the caster can alter a target's memories of events spanning up to a year. The fact that Damill developed a custom version suggests this is not incidental capability.
Relationship to Party
- Anastasia Ravenswood — Apparent victim of his memory modification; her true memories of certain events may have been erased or altered
- Tyce — Tyce's theft of the spellbook exposed Damill's capabilities to the party
Appearances
- Session 68 — Referenced through Tyce's report; spellbook recovered
Notes
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Drake
Race: Dwarf · Status: alive · Affiliation: [Unknown — Council/anchor coordination contact] · Location: Emon (presumed)
Description
Full name: Drake Thunderbrand. Dwarf. Originally encountered in the Underdark (per the older raw note from the 2026-02-24 game session, where he appears as "the guy that we met in the Underdark"). Was very close friends with Alorah Vasorin; the party got the strong impression that in a different life, Drake and Alorah would have been romantically involved. Appears in the orbit of the wizards' council and the Cobalt Reserve's anchor coordination.
The full name is confirmed in the older raw note Session 2026-02-24 (an unprocessed background file at the root of the vault); the wikilink target file remains Drake to preserve existing references.
Known Information
- Extremely close to Alorah Vasorin — described as the relationship that would have been "involvement" in another life
- Mentioned in the context of learning of Alorah's death and burial
Relationship to Party
- No direct relationship established; known only through the connection to Alorah
Appearances
- Session 68 — Referenced when party discussed Alorah's death
- Session 71 — Drake and Quash notified by party that an Abyssal Anchor had been recovered from the Mossglow sanctum and was inbound to the Cobalt Reserve vault; both arrived to coordinate. First on-screen appearance.
Notes
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Dusty
Race: Dwarf · Occupation: Clasp Fence · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Clasp · Location: Underwalk Gates
Description
A dwarf Clasp fence operating out of the Underwalk Gates district of Westruun. Dusty's shop is a short, stout stone building — one story, though taller and sturdier than it appears — constructed from reclaimed sewer infrastructure. He has a clearly contentious history with Finn, whom he openly calls a dickhead.
Known Information
- Runs a fence operation from a repurposed sewer-built stone structure in Underwalk Gates
- Is the party's point of access to Fetch, the Clasp's Spireling of Secrets
- Has pre-existing history with Finn — relationship is hostile or derisive
Shop Description
- Stone building, one story, but taller and sturdier than typical construction
- Built from reclaimed sewer and underground materials
- Located in the Underwalk Gates district
Relationship to Party
Appearances
- Session 68 — Introduced as Clasp fence at Underwalk Gates
- Session 69 — Party visited his shop; he brokered access to Fetch
Notes
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Echo
Race: Human · Occupation: Clasp Operative · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Clasp · Location: Westruun
Description
A human operative of The Clasp based in Westruun. Echo serves as the party's initial Clasp contact when they arrive in the city. No further physical description or personality details are known.
Known Information
- Human Clasp operative
- Based in Westruun
- Served as the party's point of contact upon arrival
Relationship to Party
Appearances
- Session 68 — Met the party upon arrival in Westruun
Notes
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Eskil
Race: [Long-lived — at least 100 years old; presents young] · Occupation: Academic, Westhall Academy; wizard; reportedly aided Vox Machina · Status: alive · Affiliation: Westhall Academy; Arcana Pansophical · Location: Slaterock Tower, Westruun
Description
Full name: Eskil Ryndarian. An academic at Westhall Academy in Westruun; wizard. Described in the older raw note as a "foppish young noble, known as a party guy" yet at least 100 years old ("was 96 when he took down Vecna"). The presents-young / actually-ancient contrast implies a long-lived race or magical longevity. Helped take down Vecna. Aided Vox Machina at various points. Explicitly not a member of The Clasp. Capable of casting Scry. Sought out by the party in Session 71 to scry on Liora using a hairbrush taken from the Mossglow home.
The full name is confirmed in the older raw note Session 2026-02-24 (an unprocessed background file at the root of the vault); the wikilink target file remains Eskil to preserve existing references.
Known Information
- Academic at Westhall Academy; runs or is significantly involved in the academy
- Aided Vox Machina (historical)
- Not a Clasp member (per the Westruun notes)
- Has Scry in his prepared spell list
- Was found with a crib when the party went to see him in Session 71
The Crib
The notes from Session 71 flag this without explanation: "Eskil has a crib." Whose, what for, why — undocumented. Logged as a mystery under Eskil's Crib.
Relationship to Party
- Cooperative; performed the Scry on Liora
- Result of scry: inconclusive — Liora is dead or on another plane
Appearances
- Session 71 — Approached by the party; cast Scry on Liora using the hairbrush
- Session 72 — Confirmed scry result remains inconclusive
- Session 77 — Part of the group went to his home, Slaterock Tower, hoping he could help locate the Remnants. His butler — the flesh golem Jekt Pennyworth — said Eskil was away and seemed to be keeping the party out (though read as genuine). Ki Nightwhisper later tried to Sending Eskil and got no response: he is "alive" but not answering
Session 77 — Location, Affiliation, and Silence
The party now knows Eskil keeps a home at Slaterock Tower in Westruun, staffed by the flesh-golem butler Jekt Pennyworth. He is identified here as part of the Arcana Pansophical (an organization Finn considers worthless). The raw notes also float "a vampire?" as an open question about Eskil's nature — unconfirmed. Despite being alive, he did not answer Ki's Sending, leaving his silence an open thread.
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Faith Mossglow
Race: Gnome · Occupation: Family caretaker · Status: alive · Location: Westen
Description
Finn's younger sister. Weathered, smiling, uses a "mom voice" when needed. Rides Gopey, the family's ancient stolen donkey. Has been managing the Mossglow family affairs in Finn's long absence. Has not been home in a while herself, but the state of their father drew her back. Was wearing just a towel when the party arrived at the family home.
Known Information
- Took over Finn's role in the family while he disappeared adventuring
- Is aware of family matters including the tannery headquarters but appears to maintain distance from her mother's cult activities
- Has heard of the old drow (Zarissa) but is not a fan; declined to discuss her in mixed company
- Offered to independently investigate Zarissa's current status
- Was the one who led the stolen donkey Gopey away from the inn wizard roughly 40 years ago alongside young Finn
Relationships
- Finnick Beatrice Marigold Mossglow - Brother; has held things together in his absence
- Orin Longspike Mossglow - Father; clearly worried about his worsening drinking
- Mrs. Mossglow - Mother; relationship status unclear, maintains some distance from mom's activities
- Zarissa - Knows of her; not a fan; relationship nature unstated
Appearances
- Session 70 - Met on the road into Westen riding Gopey; provided family briefing; was at the family home when party escorted Orin back
- Session 71 - Cast Sending to Finn during the sanctum combat aftermath: their mother was likely at the family home. Confirmed at the home that mom had left food out the back. Did not interfere with the party's search.
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Father Abraham
Occupation: Priest of the Dawn Father · Status: alive · Affiliation: Dawn Father (faith) · Location: Bastion of the Fading Dawn
Description
An older, deeply sun-tanned priest of the Dawn Father, found kneeling in prayer beneath a crystal and a pillar of concentrated sunlight inside the Bastion of the Fading Dawn. For 18 years he has tended the sanctuary, his prayer sustaining the magic that holds back the infernal residue left by the historic Battle of Umbra Hills. He was visibly annoyed at being interrupted ("Can I help you?"), and when his prayer stopped, the protective lattice quivered and the chapel was "infested again."
Known Information
- Priest of the Dawn Father; the Bastion is a sanctuary to that god
- Has tended the Bastion for 18 years; the cathedral is 200+ years old
- His prayer powers a honeycomb-like lattice of magic that suppresses infernal residue
- Prays in a language the party does not recognize
- Source of the campaign's clearest account of the Battle of Umbra Hills, the fall of the dictator Drasig, and the rise of Tal'Dorei
- States the veil between the Bastion and the Hells is thin and the site is supercharged for blood magic
- Mentioned that Oz had been here and traveled North West
Relationship to Party
- Reluctant informant; the party explained the Abyssal Anchors and ley-lines to him
- The party rifled through his belongings while he finished praying
Appearances
- Session 74 — Met at the Bastion of the Fading Dawn; gave the Battle of Umbra Hills / Drasig history; an explosion broke his wards and a divine gate opened, admitting the Demon Prince of Indulgence
Notes
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Fetch
Occupation: Spireling of Secrets, The Clasp · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Clasp · Location: Westruun
Description
The Spireling of Secrets within The Clasp's Westruun operation — a high-ranking figure in the Secrets branch of the organization. The party accessed Fetch through Dusty to gather intelligence about the old drow cult leader. The party's impression of Fetch is decidedly unfavorable.
Known Information
- Holds the title Spireling of Secrets within The Clasp
- Is the relevant contact for intelligence on the old drow cult leader (approximately 460 years old) the party is investigating
- Dusty served as the broker to arrange access
Relationship to Party
- Bohdi Shadowtwist — Clasp membership is the connection; Fetch is accessible through the organization
- Party reached him via Dusty
- Party opinion: negative ("Fuck Fetch")
Session 77 — Fetch's Office at the Underweave Haberdashery
Bohdi tracked Fetch to his HQ, the Underweave Haberdashery and Textile Import in Westruun (busy, smelling of cedar). After asking to "speak to a manager" and going in for a "fitting," Bohdi was admitted through a secret door to find Fetch behind a large desk, a long thin dagger resting beside a ledger.
What Fetch revealed:
- The forgery: Documents on his desk show someone spent a long time forging his signature on Myriad letterhead. Fetch insists the "Myriad cutpurses playing in the mud" are too dumb to have set him up — someone is trying to distract the Clasp. He believes the betrayal is internal, and that someone within the organization wants his spot.
- Bohdi's standing: Fetch confirms Bohdi is now in the inner circle of The Clasp.
- The Remnants lead: Fetch provides the Remnants location: the Shadebarrow near Ebonroot. He has no map, and warns the party are not the only ones looking — Blaine Kraverrogg, a relic-digging fanatic, is also after it.
- The bloodline: The way in runs through old Sevil Howthess's bloodline — Camilla Tenver, and Buddleia Austan — whose names are buried in the Cobalt Reserve / Hall of Reason records.
- Timeline note: The current year is 1836, and Fetch has been Spireling for 24 years.
- Fetch also provided a document — now in the vault: an intercepted letter from Blaine Kraverrogg to the "Keeper of the Whispered Truth." It exposes Blaine as a devotee of Cult of Vecna using the League of Miracles as cover, reveals the Shadebarrow is an Orcus-sealed vault, and confirms Blaine broke Sevil Howthess's grandchildren with "waking nightmares" to find it. This is the source for Finn's belief that the "bad dude" is in Ebonroot.
Conflict to resolve on-table: Katalina Caines and the Kymal Clasp (via Sable and Kellen) believe Fetch sold them out to the Myriad during the Kymal guild war. Fetch's account is that he was framed by an internal rival via forgery. Both cannot be fully true.
Appearances
- Session 69 — Consulted about the old drow cult leader through Dusty's brokerage
- Session 77 — Met by Bohdi at the Underweave Haberdashery; revealed the forgery framing him on Myriad letterhead, named the Remnants location (Shadebarrow), and confirmed Bohdi is now in the Clasp's inner circle
Notes
The party's hostile opinion of Fetch may indicate the meeting went poorly, Fetch was unhelpful, or he has a reputation within the Clasp that precedes him. Outcome of the drow intelligence request is not yet fully detailed.
Fetch's "I was framed internally" story directly contradicts the Kymal Clasp's "Fetch sold us to the Myriad" belief. Tracked under the forgery mystery. The long thin dagger by the ledger was flagged but unused.
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Gaggle Thunderfist
Occupation: Clasp operator / business partner, Kymal · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Clasp · Location: Kymal
Description
Business partner of Katalina Caines, tied to the Slithering Fang Clasp establishment in Kymal. Referenced (not met on-screen) during the party's stop at the Saddled Planes Cow.
Known Information
- Partnered with Katalina Caines in the Kymal Clasp / Slithering Fang
- Part of the faction run out of Kymal when the Myriad won the guild war
- Among those who believe Fetch sold the Kymal Clasp out to the Myriad
Appearances
- Session 77 — Named alongside Katalina Caines in the account of the Kymal guild war
Notes
Minimal detail; surfaced only as context for the Fetch betrayal accusation.
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Galdrick
Race: Wolf · Status: alive
Description
A wolf that Imdra d'Vadalis knows about, described as "demigod material."
Known Information
- Raised in Session 76 after-session discussion as a potential demigod essence candidate for Magnus Wilds' theory that the Weave must be repaired with divine essence from many demigods
Relationship to Party
- Known to Imdra; not yet encountered in play
Appearances
- Session 76 — (Referenced only, after-session discussion)
Notes
Not yet met in play. All information comes from table discussion.
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Finn's Patron
Race: [Devil-aspected, feminine] · Occupation: Patron · Status: [Active] · Affiliation: [Unknown — likely Hells / Mawl-adjacent] · Location: Planar
Description
The patron entity backing Finn's Illrigger power. First seen on screen in Session 72 when she manifested in a fireplace in Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion the night Andreas and Gully were guests.
Appearance (Session 72)
- A feminine face appears in the flames of the fireplace
- Finn does not recognize the face itself
- Finn does recognize the voice
- The voice is described as belonging to a devil lady
- Erratic shadows on the wall preceded her arrival
Known Information
- She is keeping tabs on Finn
- She does not appreciate Finn keeping secrets from her
- She is uninterested in platitudes or small talk
- She frames the Umbra Hills target as "my cousin" — implying a planar/familial relationship between herself and whatever waits at the Lord of Hells anchor site
Quotes (Session 72)
"You march to meet my cousin. I would like to know your plans."
"When you fail, what will you do?"
"Never plan for death, let it take you by surprise."
Relationship to Party
- Knows about the Umbra Hills march
- Expects Finn to report to her
- Tone: demanding, intimate, faintly fatalistic
Mysteries / Open Questions
- Who is she? (No name given)
- Who is "my cousin" in the Umbra Hills?
- What were the secrets she resents being kept?
- What is her relationship to The Mawl?
- What is her relationship to Liora?
Appearances
- Session 72 — Manifested in the mansion fireplace; demanded visibility into Finn's plans
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Gilmore
Occupation: Merchant · Status: alive · Affiliation: Gilmore's Glorious Goods · Location: Emon
Description
Talented merchant and craftsperson operating Gilmore's Glorious Goods in Emon. Capable of repairing complex magical curses and purchasing exotic items.
Services Provided
Item Repair:
- Fixed Bohdi's marble hand (Prince Windybranch's curse)
- Demonstrates ability to undo powerful fey magic
Buying/Selling:
- Purchased 2 Stuffy Familiars for 150 gold each (300g total)
- Fair prices for magical goods
Relationship to Party
- Status: Ally, trusted merchant
- Provides reliable services
- Emon hub for party transactions
Appearances
- Session 61 - Repaired Bohdi's hand, bought Stuffy Familiars
- Session 76 — Invited the party to his shop for discount goods; sold them six magic items (mostly Griffon's Saddlebag), taking all their money
Notes
Ability to remove Prince Windybranch's curse suggests significant magical expertise. May be more powerful than initial merchant appearance suggests.
Name recognition ("Gilmore's Glorious Goods") implies established reputation in Emon.
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Golesh
Occupation: Clasp Shadows Leader · Affiliation: The Clasp
Description
A senior leader of The Clasp's Shadows branch, alongside Zeloah. Known only by name from the Clasp hierarchy briefing.
Known Information
- Co-leads the Shadows branch of The Clasp with Zeloah
The Clasp Hierarchy (as known)
Appearances
- Session 69 — Named as Shadows branch co-leader in Clasp hierarchy briefing
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Gopey
Race: Donkey (magical) · Occupation: Family animal — Mossglow household · Status: alive · Affiliation: Mossglow family · Location: Westen
Description
An ancient magic donkey, at least 51 years old, that has always looked old. Named Gopey — short for something "wizardy." Originally belonged to a wizard who was a member of the Cobalt Soul, kept at the wizard's inn as a work animal. Described as the worst work donkey the wizard had. Stolen by young Finn and Faith Mossglow when they were approximately 10-12 years old. Officials came to retrieve it; the wizard was Cobalt Soul and was not happy. The family kept the donkey anyway. It is magic, which explains its unusual longevity.
Known Information
- Stolen roughly 40 years ago from a Cobalt Soul wizard's inn
- Has always appeared elderly — the magic is likely why it is still alive
- Currently in the possession of Faith Mossglow, who rode it into Westen
- The wagon at the Mossglow home was present but Gopey was not (Faith had it)
Appearances
- Session 70 - Faith arrived riding Gopey; backstory of the theft explained
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Gresh
Occupation: Shade Watch · Status: alive · Affiliation: Shade Watch · Location: Jorenn Village
Description
A member of the Shade Watch in Jorenn Village. One of the gray-cloaked guards. First contact at the gates of Jorenn. Caught up with the party again after they secured rooms at the Shady Tap Room — purpose of the second interaction unrecorded.
Known Information
- Wears the gray cloak of the Shade Watch
- Reports to Arhana Lewyn, the Shade Master
Appearances
- Session 73 — Met at the Jorenn gates; followed up with the party at the Shady Tap Room
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Griselda Cassius
Race: Half-Dragonborn · Occupation: High Curator, Cobalt Soul · Status: alive · Affiliation: Cobalt Soul · Location: Cobalt Reserve
Description
The High Curator of the Cobalt Soul, based at the Cobalt Reserve in Westruun. Griselda Cassius has a striking appearance: despite being half-dragonborn, she reads as very human-looking — bald, with silver-slitted eyes and silvery scales. She carries herself with deliberate authority and is described as very lawful in disposition.
Known Information
- High Curator rank within the Cobalt Soul organization
- Already aware of Cressida's situation when the party arrived
- Has access to broad intelligence network — but currently all resources are tapped
- Gave the party their clearest strategic directive yet: go to Umbra Hills immediately
Intelligence she shared:
- Cressida cannot reach the Chained Oblivion altars in Gap Shadow — and neither can anyone else currently; the site is effectively inaccessible
- The Vecna temple in Whitestone is well in hand — Vex has confirmed this
- No Cobalt Soul eyes are on Umbra Hills — the critical intelligence gap
- All Cobalt Soul resources are currently tapped
- The Arcana Pansophical sent the party to Umbra Hills
- Someone named Rothtree is doing most of the anchor research — but findings are withheld even from him by High Archivist Westborn
On Abyssal Anchor mechanics:
- Anchors require a full year to set up and attune
- The cult is attempting to short-circuit this process
- Function: hold the veil at its thinnest point on a ley line spoke, enabling easy planar summons
- Residuum has no role in the attunement process
- Whitestone is the best source for residuum if needed for other purposes
Relationship to Party
- Ki Nightwhisper — Ki gave her the full briefing on the Vecna plot; she responded with strategic direction
- Treats the party as trusted agents capable of handling the Umbra Hills assignment
Appearances
- Session 69 — Met at the Cobalt Reserve; received Ki's briefing; directed party to Umbra Hills
Notes
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Gully
Race: Dog (basset hound / golden retriever mix) · Occupation: Bunk mate · Status: alive · Affiliation: Andreas Du Vavier · Location: Mobile, with Andreas
Description
A mut, part basset hound and part golden retriever. Companion to Andreas Du Vavier, who calls him his "bunk mate." Traveled with Andreas on the road to the Umbra Hills.
Appearances
- Session 72 — Met at Andreas's pavilion; dined in the mansion with Andreas
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Jekt Pennyworth
Race: Flesh golem (finely crafted) · Occupation: Butler at Slaterock Tower · Status: alive · Affiliation: Eskil · Location: Slaterock Tower (Westruun)
Description
The butler of Slaterock Tower, Eskil's home. Appears as an ordinary servant but is in fact a finely crafted flesh golem. He told the party that Eskil was away, and seemed to be keeping the group away from Eskil — though the party read him as genuine rather than deceptive.
Known Information
- A flesh golem, exceptionally well made
- Serves as butler/gatekeeper at Slaterock Tower
- Claimed Eskil was away; the party judged him sincere
- Kept the party from reaching Eskil during Session 77
Relationship to Party
- Polite but obstructive; the group could not get past him to Eskil
Appearances
- Session 77 — Met at Slaterock Tower; reported Eskil absent; revealed (to the party's perception) as a flesh golem
Notes
Eskil later proved unreachable even by Sending (alive but not responding). Whether Jekt was covering for Eskil or genuinely unaware is open.
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Katalina Caines
Occupation: Clasp operator, Kymal (former) · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Clasp · Location: Kymal
Description
A Clasp figure out of Kymal, associated with the Slithering Fang (a Clasp establishment there) alongside her business partner Gaggle Thunderfist. Referenced (not met on-screen) during the party's stop at the Saddled Planes Cow in Westruun.
Known Information
- Ran Clasp operations out of the Slithering Fang in Kymal with Gaggle Thunderfist
- The Kymal Clasp was run out of Kymal in a guild war — "the Myriad won"
- Believes Fetch sold them out to the Myriad; suspects the Myriad's war chest came from Fetch
- Notably could have run Kymal but chose not to
Appearances
- Session 77 — Named by Sable and Kellen at the Saddled Planes Cow while recounting the Kymal guild war
Notes
Her belief that Fetch betrayed Kymal to the Myriad conflicts with Fetch's own account (he blames an internal forgery framing him). One of the two is wrong, or both were manipulated.
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Kellen
Occupation: Clasp member · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Clasp · Location: Westruun
Description
A Clasp member at the Saddled Planes Cow in Westruun, with Sable. The two shaved Bohdi in Kymal previously and gave him the rundown on the Kymal guild war — the Clasp run out, "the Myriad won," and suspicion falling on Fetch.
Known Information
- Clasp member, present at the Saddled Planes Cow in Westruun
- Previously shaved Bohdi in Kymal
- Source (with Sable) of the Kymal guild-war account and the Fetch betrayal rumor
Appearances
- Session 77 — Met at the Saddled Planes Cow; recounted the Kymal guild war to Bohdi
Notes
"Sable" and "Kellen" may be aliases. Roles within the Clasp undocumented.
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Magnus Wilds
Occupation: Arcana Pansophical, Professor at the Lyceum · Status: alive · Affiliation: Lyceum · Location: Cloudwatch / Lyceum
Description
A scholar described as an Arcana Pansophical and a Professor at the Lyceum, encountered in connection with the Council leads at Cloudwatch. Referenced alongside Brom Goldhand.
Theory of the Weave
Magnus offered the campaign's working hypothesis for repairing the planar damage:
- When the Archeart created the [unspecified — "something"], the Archeart wove the Weave from part of their own essence
- Therefore, repairing it requires divine essence
- The proposed fix: patch the hole with the essence of many demigods
Relationship to Party
Appearances
- Session 75 — Introduced at Cloudwatch; presented the divine-essence theory of repairing the Weave
Notes
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Mama Mara
Race: Goliath · Occupation: Proprietor, Shady Tap Room · Status: alive · Affiliation: [None known] · Location: Jorenn Village
Description
Goliath woman, proprietor of the Shady Tap Room in Jorenn Village. Described as large, wears makeup, doing well for herself. Came to Jorenn with her family during the Silver Rush.
Known Information
- Goliath, female
- Owns and operates the Shady Tap Room
- Brought to Jorenn during the Silver Rush, with family
- Source of the Temple of the Dawn Father reference — confirmed there is a church up in the hills
- Took a 1 gp tip from the party in Session 73
- Currently in a relationship with Bohdi (Session 73)
Relationship to Party
- Bohdi Shadowtwist — Romantic partner as of Session 73
- General party — Welcoming proprietor; primary social anchor in Jorenn
Quotes
Confirmed a "church in the hills" — the Temple of the Dawn Father.
Mysteries / Open Questions
- What is her standing with the Shade Watch?
- Does she know more about what is happening in the hills than she lets on?
Appearances
- Session 73 — Hosted the party at the Shady Tap Room; began a relationship with Bohdi; provided lead on the Temple of the Dawn Father
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Maylis
Occupation: Cultist Scientist · Status: dead · Affiliation: Morgranth · Location: Morgranth Estate
Description
Research scientist working for Morgranth on planar conduit experiments. Underwent transformation that left her "not right" - corrupted by planar energies or Mind Flayer influence.
Known Activities
Research Work:
- Writing mathematical equations for ley line conduit
- Conducting experiments on planar manipulation
- Working on Abyssal Anchor activation
- Maintained personal observational notes
- Achieved "first success" several months before death
- Achieved "second success" 7-10 days before party assault
Corrupted State:
- No longer "right" (transformed/corrupted)
- Found chanting in Zarga Lab
- Working with non-euclidean mathematics
- Notes later written by Intellect Devourer in Maylis's hand
Combat
Session 65:
- Began monologuing
- Party attacked immediately
- Defeated by party
Loot
- Alhoon spellbook
- Mind Lash (alien flesh whip) - taken by Grai
- Personal observational notes
Relationship to Party
- Status: Defeated antagonist
- Party killed her to stop conduit activation
- Her research data crucial to understanding Abyssal Anchor threat
Plot Significance
Maylis's research provided the mathematical framework for weaponizing ley lines. Her notes (including those written by Intellect Devourer) revealed the scope of the Abyssal Anchor conspiracy. Her death disrupted Morgranth's timeline but did not stop the threat.
Appearances
- Session 57 - First referenced as grad student
- Session 65 - Confronted in Zarga Lab, defeated
- Session 66 - Notes discovered revealing full extent of research
Notes
The Intellect Devourer writing in Maylis's notebook suggests either: possession, cooperation with Mind Flayer thralls, or Maylis herself being replaced/controlled.
Success timeline suggests Morgranth's project has been ongoing for months with recent acceleration.
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Melquior
Occupation: Clasp Blades Leader · Affiliation: The Clasp
Description
A senior leader of The Clasp's Blades branch, alongside Morin. Known only by name from the Clasp hierarchy briefing.
Known Information
- Co-leads the Blades branch of The Clasp with Morin
The Clasp Hierarchy (as known)
Appearances
- Session 69 — Named as Blades branch co-leader in Clasp hierarchy briefing
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Morgranth
Race: Mind Flayer · Occupation: Planar Researcher · Status: alive · Affiliation: Unseelie Court · Location: Yug Voril
Description
Tall Mind Flayer of arresting presence with ebony skin, ram horns, and black robes. Eyes glow like hot coals. Member of the Unseelie Court with deep knowledge of planar manipulation.
Appearance
- Ebony skin
- Ram horns
- Black robes
- Hot coal eyes
- Commanding presence
Known Activities
Morgranth Estate Operations:
- Controls mithril core ley line conduit in Yug Voril
- Operates non-euclidean Zarga Lab for planar research
- Employed Maylis and three apprentices for conduit experiments
- Maintains correspondence with Hag (unknown identity) — both halves now recovered by party (first half: session unknown; second half: Session 67)
- Possesses Resource Acquisition Permit for Yug Voril operations
- Has mithril diorama connected to magical relay network
Abyssal Anchor Project:
- Researching ley line destruction methods
- Working on weaponizing mithril core as planar conduit
- Connected to larger conspiracy involving Hell, Abyss, Far Realm
- All three Abyssal Anchors confirmed deployed as of Session 67
Mind Flayer Background:
- Fey creature (unusual for Mind Flayer)
- Member of Unseelie Court
- Yug Voril was once controlled by Mind Flayers (historical connection)
Relationship to Party
- Status: Primary antagonist
- Party disrupted operations by defeating Maylis and apprentices
- Party damaged magical relay network in estate
- Full Hag/Morgranth correspondence now in party's possession (Session 67)
- Still at large and dangerous
Plot Significance
Morgranth represents the intellectual architect behind the Abyssal Anchor threat in Yug Voril. His combination of Mind Flayer intelligence, Unseelie Court power, and planar research makes him exceptionally dangerous. Unlike Maylis (corrupted scientist), Morgranth appears to be fully in control of his faculties.
Appearances
- Session 63 - First encountered in Yug Voril
- Session 65 - Party assaulted Morgranth Estate (Morgranth not directly encountered)
- Session 66 - First half of Hag/Morgranth correspondence discovered
- Session 67 - Second half of Hag/Morgranth correspondence recovered from lab; full correspondence now in party's possession
Notes
Name variations: Morganoth, Mogranth (same individual, different spellings in notes).
Still at large. Party has not directly confronted him. Expected to be significant threat when encounter occurs.
The full Hag/Morgranth correspondence (both halves recovered) may shed light on the larger conspiracy. Contents to be detailed when transcribed.
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Morin
Occupation: Clasp Blades Leader · Affiliation: The Clasp
Description
A senior leader of The Clasp's Blades branch, alongside Melquior. Known only by name from the Clasp hierarchy briefing.
Known Information
- Co-leads the Blades branch of The Clasp with Melquior
The Clasp Hierarchy (as known)
Appearances
- Session 69 — Named as Blades branch co-leader in Clasp hierarchy briefing
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Mrs. Mossglow
Race: Gnome · Occupation: Cult leader, The Mawl · Status: Unknown (dead or on another plane per Session 71 scry) · Affiliation: The Mawl Cult · Location: Unknown — last seen Dimension Door'ing out of Mossglow Cult Headquarters in Session 71
Description
Finn's mother. First name confirmed in Session 71: Liora. Fanatical leader of The Mawl, the cult operating out of a limestone sanctum beneath the old tannery in Westen. Found chanting above a massively deformed humanoid figure in chains in Session 70; her husband Orin describes her as fanatical and "die-hard" in her pursuits. She has taken over leadership of the family and the organization.
Status (as of Session 71)
She Dimension Doored out of the sanctum combat at the start of Session 71 and was not recovered. The party pursued her to the Mossglow Family Home but found only food set out and a teleportation circle in the back yard. Eskil's Scry, performed using a hairbrush taken from her room, was inconclusive — she is either dead or on another plane.
Known Information
- Runs the Mossglow Cult Headquarters beneath the old tannery in Westen
- Entry to the headquarters requires a blood sacrifice — she set this up
- Left a manic inscription in purple pigment: "The anchor is dropped, the anchor is unbarred, the weaver's threads is ours to cut." — connecting her operation to the Abyssal Anchor conspiracy and possibly the Hellchain Weaver
- Was previously in contact with or operating alongside Zarissa (drow cult leader); neither Finn nor his mother know where Zarissa is now
- Runs what appears to be a dedication chamber (obsidian plinth with cult member names), holding cells, and a 7-pointed star sanctum
- Finn's name appears on the obsidian plinth — and has been scratched out
- The Mawl's working method was confirmed in Session 71: an Abyssal Anchor was embedded inside the deformed humanoid; Zelthrax confirmed the device "used to be an Abyssal Anchor"; a portal to the Abyss sat in the room and dissipated when the device was removed
- A teleportation circle in the back yard of the Mossglow home was likely her egress route
Active Mysteries
- Is Liora alive or dead? (See Liora's Fate)
- Where did the Mossglow home teleportation circle lead?
- What was the food at the family home set out for, and for whom?
- What is her specific role in The Mawl's wider structure?
- What is her relationship to Zarissa and to Finn's patron?
Relationships
- Finn — Son; scratched his name from the cult plinth; confronted by him across Session 70 and Session 71
- Orin Longspike Mossglow — Husband; remains devoted despite being sidelined by her fanaticism
- Faith Mossglow — Daughter; some distance maintained; sent Finn a Sending in Session 71 redirecting him to the family home
- Zarissa — Drow associate; was at this site; current whereabouts unknown
- Finn's Patron — Potential planar tie; the patron's tone toward Finn's secret-keeping in Session 72 is consistent with a faction-level grievance
Appearances
- Session 70 — Found chanting in the sanctum; confronted by Finn; hit with Synaptic Static (28 damage); combat ongoing at session end
- Session 71 — Dimension Door'd out of combat at the start of the session; not recovered. First name confirmed: Liora. Scry inconclusive — dead or on another plane.
- Session 72 — Eskil confirms the scry remains inconclusive
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Orin Longspike Mossglow
Race: Gnome · Occupation: Unknown (formerly active; currently idle) · Status: alive · Location: Westen
Description
Finn's father. Found at the West Gate Inn losing at cards, very drunk, carrying a long spiked polearm (halberd or pike). A weathered gnome who has clearly seen better days. Deeply in love with his wife and historically devoted to her goals — but her fanaticism has left him without a role, and he is not handling it well.
Known Information
- His full name is Orin Longspike Mossglow — "Longspike" appears to be a middle name or nickname tied to his weapon of choice
- His drinking has gotten progressively worse
- He is entirely dedicated to his wife and has always organized his life around her pursuits
- Described his situation as trying to "stay out of the way" — and it's not going too well
- Described mom as "so busy" and "a little fanatical, a little die-hard"
- Mom is now in charge; the household defers to her
- Was escorted home by the party after the inn
Relationships
- Mrs. Mossglow - Wife; deeply loves her; dedicated to her goals even as her fanaticism consumes him; currently being left behind
- Finnick Beatrice Marigold Mossglow - Son; Finn liked his dad but is troubled by the state he's in
- Faith Mossglow - Daughter
Appearances
- Session 70 - Found at the West Gate Inn; spoke privately with Finn outside; escorted home by party
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Oz
Description
Named only in passing by Father Abraham: Oz was at the Bastion of the Fading Dawn and traveled North West. No further detail recorded.
Appearances
- Session 74 — Referenced by Father Abraham as having been at the Bastion and gone North West
Notes
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Pip
Status: dead · Location: Jorenn Village (body disposed)
Description
A body named Pip, disposed of by Finn, Grai, and Bohdi in Session 73 in Jorenn Village. Circumstances unrecorded — Pip's identity, cause of death, relationship to the party, and how the body came into the party's possession are all open questions.
Open Questions
- Who was Pip?
- How did Pip die?
- Were the party involved in Pip's death?
- Why was the disposal handled by three specific PCs?
- Did anyone in Jorenn notice? (Gresh caught up with the party after rooms were taken — possibly connected)
Appearances
- Session 73 — Body disposed of by Finn, Grai, and Bohdi
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Prince Windybranch
Race: [Likely Elf] · Occupation: Deal-Maker, Teleportation Specialist · Status: alive · Location: Syngorn
Description
Powerful magical entity capable of teleportation through celestial bodies and extracting unusual prices for services. Appears in Syngorn but true nature and allegiances unclear.
Known Abilities
Teleportation:
- Can teleport groups through Katha (the moon)
- Assigns magical costs/curses as payment
- Deals are binding and prices are thematic
Deal-Making:
- Negotiated party's escape from Syngorn
- Primary price: Ana's origin story
- Secondary prices (magical costs to each party member)
Deals Made
Session 54 - Party Teleportation:
| Party Member |
Cost/Curse |
| Ana |
Traded origin story + figurine of herself (extremely heavy) |
| Finn |
Rune placed on hand |
| Imdra |
Hocrux + must bond with Zelthrax for 8 days |
| Grai |
Received frogs (for poison-making) |
| Bohdi |
Left hand turned to marble (later fixed by Gilmore) |
Grai Connection:
- Has undefined relationship/connection to Grai
- Nature of connection [TBD]
Relationship to Party
- Status: Neutral, transactional
- Helped party escape Syngorn (for price)
- Unknown if ally, enemy, or truly neutral force
- Deals made cannot be easily undone
Plot Significance
Prince Windybranch's magical costs have had lasting effects on party - Zelthrax bonding led to planar knowledge crucial for Abyssal Anchor quest. His ability to extract payment in forms like "origin stories" suggests reality-warping power.
Appearances
- Session 54 - Appeared to negotiate escape, teleported party
Notes
Name suggests elvish nobility. Syngorn location supports this. True power level unclear but appears capable of casual plane-shifting and curse-laying.
The thematic nature of costs (Imdra bonded to dragon knowledge-keeper, Ana lost her story, etc.) suggests fey-like logic and bargaining.
Unknown whether he will appear again or if deals are complete.
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Quash
Race: Gnome (middle-aged) · Occupation: Scholar / Researcher; Tinkerer · Status: alive · Affiliation: [Unknown — wizards' council orbit; anchor coordination] · Location: Emon
Description
Full name: Quash Dentdruggle. Middle-aged gnome, described in the older raw note as "uncomfy, socially awkward" and as a tinkerer. A knowledgeable contact who bumped into the party at Gilmore's Glorious Goods in Emon. Quash carries detailed technical understanding of Abyssal Anchors — their mechanics, dangers, and countermeasures. Relationship to the party appears friendly and collaborative.
The full name is confirmed in the older raw note Session 2026-02-24 (an unprocessed background file at the root of the vault); the wikilink target file remains Quash to preserve existing references.
Known Information
On Abyssal Anchors:
- Their purpose is to sunder the space between planes
- They cannot be safely teleported — bringing something designed to break space near a teleportation effect causes exponential mishap risk
- Intercepting one with magic is relatively safe; teleporting is not
- Dispel Magic can suppress an anchor temporarily but cannot permanently end it
- The correct counter is an Unmake Magic spell — the party already has enough research notes to craft one
- Recommended approach: capture an anchor device and bring it to the Arcana Pansophical for proper neutralization
Relationship to Party
- Ki Nightwhisper — Ki gifted Quash a sachet of soothing tea during their meeting
- Encountered the party by chance at Gilmore's; interaction was warm and informative
Appearances
- Session 68 — Met party at Gilmore's Glorious Goods in Emon; provided full Abyssal Anchor mechanics briefing
- Session 71 — Notified by party (alongside Drake) that an Abyssal Anchor had been recovered from the Mossglow sanctum and was inbound to the Cobalt Reserve vault; arrived to coordinate the vault placement
- Session 72 — Vault placement executes at session open (Quash's involvement assumed given his coordination role)
- Session 77 — Reported (table talk) to have attempted to disintegrate the vaulted abyssal anchor, blowing a hole in the floor of the Cobalt Reserve. Griselda Cassius is deeply disturbed by his methods. The party also notes the anchor needs to be moved out of Westruun.
Notes
⚠️ Quash previously stated (Session 68) that anchors cannot be teleported safely. The S71/S72 vault placement involved a teleport from Westen to Westruun. Either the device is no longer a functional anchor (consistent with Zelthrax's "used to be" comment in S71), or the mishap risk was knowingly accepted. Worth raising with Quash on-screen.
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Rothtree
Occupation: Anchor Researcher
Description
A researcher who has been doing most of the work studying the Abyssal Anchors. Remarkably, certain research findings are being withheld from Rothtree — even he is not privy to the full picture. This was noted by Griselda Cassius during her briefing at the Cobalt Reserve.
Known Information
- Has been the primary researcher on Abyssal Anchor mechanics
- Certain findings and information are being kept from him — suggesting someone above him is controlling what he knows
- Connection flows up to High Archivist Westborn
Appearances
- Session 69 — Referenced by Griselda Cassius during briefing at the Cobalt Reserve
Notes
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Sable
Occupation: Clasp member · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Clasp · Location: Westruun
Description
A Clasp member the party found at the Saddled Planes Cow (the Clasp bar in Westruun), together with Kellen. The two are the men who shaved Bohdi in Kymal — a prior acquaintance. They briefed Bohdi on the Kymal guild war: the Clasp was driven out, "the Myriad won," and many blame Fetch for selling them out.
Known Information
- Clasp member, present at the Saddled Planes Cow in Westruun
- Previously shaved Bohdi in Kymal
- Source (with Kellen) of the Kymal guild-war intelligence and the Fetch betrayal rumor
Appearances
- Session 77 — Met at the Saddled Planes Cow; recounted the Kymal guild war to Bohdi
Notes
"Sable" and "Kellen" may be aliases. Roles within the Clasp undocumented.
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Sevil Howthess
Occupation: Baron (historical) · Status: dead · Location: Shadebarrow (Ebonroot)
Description
An old baron (canonically Baron Sevil Howthess) whose bloodline runs through Camilla Tenver and Buddleia Austan. His name is attached to the Baron's Vault and the Shadebarrow near Ebonroot, where the party has been told his ancestors are waking since the planar tear.
Known Information
- Long-dead noble; his bloodline is the thread connecting the party to the Shadebarrow
- The Baron's Vault lies within or near the barrow; Camilla Tenver died screaming about it
- The barrow is reached past a Shattered Monolith shaped like a split tongue, through an iron gate beyond the mud opened by Buddleia Austan's signet ring
- The Remnants are said to be located at this barrow (Shadebarrow), per Fetch; the Remnants cult appears holed up inside
- Per an intercepted letter, the barrow is older and darker than a noble tomb: Orcus is said to have sealed a "terrible dark power" beneath it before the Calamity. The Baron's interment may sit atop that vault. His grandchildren (Camilla Tenver, Buddleia Austan) were targeted by Blaine Kraverrogg to find the way in
Appearances
- Session 77 — Named as the bloodline ancestor tied to the Shadebarrow and the waking ancestors
Notes
Name corrected from the earlier "Sevil Howthess." The tie between Sevil Howthess's barrow, the waking ancestors, and the Remnants / third Abyssal Anchor lead is the spine of the new arc. Blaine Kraverrogg is also digging for relics in this area.
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Shen
Occupation: Clasp Secrets Leader · Affiliation: The Clasp
Description
Leader of The Clasp's Secrets branch. Known only by name from the Clasp hierarchy briefing. Notably, Fetch — the Spireling of Secrets the party dealt with in Westruun — operates under this branch.
Known Information
- Leads the Secrets branch of The Clasp
The Clasp Hierarchy (as known)
Appearances
- Session 69 — Named as Secrets branch leader in Clasp hierarchy briefing
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Skitter
Occupation: Operative / Surveillance · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Clasp
Description
A party operative sent to conduct surveillance on Ana's family home. Unlike Tyce, Skitter is literate — making them a more reliable source for intelligence involving written materials. No physical description provided.
Known Information
From Session 68 Surveillance:
- Ana's father is a barrister
- Ana's mother is a high-end scribe
- Ana has two siblings — one attending the Lyceum, one at a boarding school across town
- The siblings are rarely home
- Ana has just the two siblings (confirmed count)
Relationship to Party
- Operative in the party's intelligence network
- Reports directly to the party on surveillance tasks
Appearances
- Session 68 — Delivered surveillance report on Ana's family home
Notes
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Solomane
Race: Half-Elf / Half-Orc · Occupation: Arcanist · Status: alive · Affiliation: Cobalt Soul · Location: Cobalt Reserve
Description
An arcanist present at the Cobalt Reserve during the party's meeting with Griselda Cassius. Solomane is half-elf and half-orc. No further personality or appearance details are known beyond racial background and occupation.
Known Information
- Present at the Cobalt Reserve when the party met High Curator Griselda Cassius
- Arcanist role — likely involved in magical research at the Reserve
Appearances
- Session 69 — Present at Cobalt Reserve during Griselda briefing
Notes
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Spoons
Race: Human (presumed) · Occupation: Spoons player · Status: alive · Location: Shady Tap Room, Jorenn Village
Description
An old man who plays the spoons. Joined Ki at the bar during drinking songs in the Shady Tap Room. Not great at it.
Appearances
- Session 73 — Joined Ki for drinking songs; was not great
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The Chain Mother
Race: [Unknown — presumed fiend] · Status: unknown · Affiliation: The Hells
Description
[Details not recorded.] Discussed in Session 76 after-session conversation as a figure in the infernal hierarchy.
Known Information
Relationship to Party
- Not yet encountered in play
Appearances
- Session 76 — (Referenced only, after-session discussion)
Notes
All information comes from table discussion; nothing confirmed in play.
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The Demon Prince of Indulgence
Race: Devil (Prince/archfiend) · Occupation: Demon Prince of Indulgence · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Hells · Location: Umbra Hills / Bastion of the Fading Dawn
Description
True name: Graz'zt (revealed Session 76). An archfiend titled the Demon Prince of Indulgence, a prince of the Hells. He entered the Prime Material through a divine gate that tore open the sky above the Bastion of the Fading Dawn — heralded by gold raining from the sky and an enormous dark-iron trident splitting the heavens. Charcoal-black feet broke through the plane first. Zelthrax the Folded Promise identified the rift as a divine gate.
Known Information
- A devil (the fiends seen in the region were devils, not demons)
- Arrived via a divine gate opened when an explosion broke Father Abraham's wards
- In the Session 74 combat, he was destroying the party — a serious power-tier threat
- The party fled from him in Session 75
- Named as Graz'zt in Session 76; he was a prince of the Hells
- The Chain Mother would be a subject of his (per Session 76 after-session discussion)
Relationship to Party
- Active antagonist; the party could not stand against him and retreated, warning Jorenn Village to evacuate
Appearances
- Session 74 — Broke through the divine gate at the Bastion of the Fading Dawn; began overwhelming the party
- Session 75 — Party fled the combat; Jorenn evacuated by Skywrite
- Session 76 — (Referenced) Identified by name as Graz'zt
Notes
Possible connection to "the cousin" referenced by Finn's Patron (Session 72) and to the Lord of Hells anchor site. Unconfirmed.
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The Farmhouse Ghost
Race: Ghost (Human male) · Occupation: [Unknown — appeared to be returning home] · Status: Banished (Session 73) · Location: Abandoned Farmhouse (Umbra Hills approach)
Description
A translucent human male encountered at the Abandoned Farmhouse in the Umbra Hills approach. First seen by Ki and Grai approaching the farmhouse from outside. At the door, he paused to pet a dog that was not there, then entered.
Once the party engaged, he magically hanged the group. Bohdi cast Banishment on him. He was removed from the encounter.
Known Information
- Translucent — clearly incorporeal
- Behaviorally pre-occupied with the routine of returning home, including a phantom dog
- Effect: magical hanging (mechanic unspecified in notes)
- Vulnerable to Banishment
Open Questions
- Who was he in life?
- What is the history of the farmhouse?
- Where is the dog he keeps petting?
Appearances
- Session 73 — Approached the farmhouse, hanged the group, was banished by Bohdi
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The Gypsy Woman
Race: [Unknown — eyes melt; presentation human] · Occupation: Roadside fortune-teller · Status: alive · Location: Mobile, on the road into the Umbra Hills
Description
A gypsy woman encountered on the road into the Umbra Hills. Her eyes melt. She delivered short prophecies to Finn and Imdra, accepted a copper from Finn and 10 gp from Imdra, then left. After she departed, the weight of inspiration rolled over the party.
Quotes
"I see a child in your future." — to Finn
"You will find your vindication if you seek it. It will cost you more than you're willing to pay." — to Imdra
Known Information
- Eyes that melt (visual phenomenon; unsettling rather than threatening)
- Delivered prophecies to two PCs specifically
- Left the party feeling inspired
Open Questions
- Was she sent? By whom?
- Are her prophecies binding, predictive, or transactional?
- What is the cost Imdra will refuse to pay?
Appearances
- Session 72 — Single roadside interaction
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Thrack
Race: Dwarf · Status: alive · Affiliation: Party · Location: Emberhold
Description
Dwarf who joined party after Bohdi saved him from magical door trap. Familiar with Yug Voril slaver operations and serves as local intelligence source. Originally from Emberhold. As of Session 67, his debt has been paid and he is a full party companion.
Known Details
Door Trap Incident:
- Triggered magical trap known as being "Thracked"
- Saved by Bohdi's Greater Restoration
- Joined party afterward in gratitude
Deal with Party:
- Shares in party loot
- Owed 2 gold per night NOT spent in Mordenkainen's Mansion
- Convinced to stay with group
Debt Resolution (Session 67):
- Party paid off Thrack's outstanding debt — 200gp
- Thrack formally joins party as companion NPC
- Background of the debt unknown
Knowledge:
- Familiar with Yug Voril
- Knew slavers were heading there
- Helped party navigate underground city
- Originally from Emberhold
Activities with Party
- Attempted to pull down mithril diorama at Morgranth Estate
- Participated in estate investigation
- Staying in Mordenkainen's Mansion as base
- Badly hurt in demilich skull spider combat (Session 67)
- Travels with party to Emberhold (Session 67)
Relationship to Party
- Status: Full party companion (as of Session 67)
- Reliable companion
- Local guide for Yug Voril and Emberhold
Appearances
- Session 55 - Trapped by door, saved by Bohdi, joined party
- Session 63 - Deal finalized, confirmed slaver intelligence
- Session 66 - Helped at Morgranth Estate; attempted to pull down Mithril Mobile
- Session 67 - Took heavy damage in skull spider combat; debt of 200gp paid by party; formally joins as companion; travels to Emberhold
- Session 73 - Has gained 15 pounds since joining the party. The mansion lifestyle agrees with him.
Notes
"Thracked" door suggests either personal curse or location-specific trap. His survival and willingness to join suggests gratitude and trustworthiness.
Knowledge of Yug Voril implies prior experience in underground city — background unclear. His hometown of Emberhold is described as a hot, volcanic town with lava flows, a smithing culture, and a brutalist society.
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Tobias Tubs Thorn
Occupation: [Unknown — cult associate] · Affiliation: [Unknown cult — Mossglow headquarters] · Location: [Unknown — departed before party arrived]
Description
Referred to as "Tobias 'Tubs' Thorn." Was at the Mossglow Cult Headquarters prior to the party's arrival — ate an enormous spread of food left on the abandoned table in the antechamber and played a game of cards. Had departed by the time the party arrived. Identity and role in the cult unclear.
Known Information
- Was in the headquarters antechamber at some point before Session 70; ate a large meal and played cards at the abandoned table
- Had left by the time the party arrived; no confrontation
- The volume of food consumed was notable ("a shitload of food")
Appearances
- Session 70 - Referenced via the abandoned food and cards; not directly encountered
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Tyce
Occupation: Lyceum Cleaning Staff (operative) · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Clasp · Location: Lyceum
Description
A young operative — eager and good-natured — placed on the Lyceum's cleaning staff as an intelligence asset. Tyce is illiterate but compensates with an extraordinary talent for theft. He has been described as a savant at stealing things and is in need of refinement and training.
Known Information
- Illiterate — cannot read what he steals
- Infiltrated Dean Damill's study and stole what he believed was a personal diary
- The stolen item is in fact Dean Damill's spellbook
- Tyce uses daily-use spells (suggesting some innate magical ability or training)
- Is being described as needing refinement — raw talent without discipline
What He Stole
Dean Damill's spellbook — containing Modify Memory, additional enchantment spells, and a custom 9th-level Modify Memory. Tyce did not know what he had taken.
Relationship to Party
- Placed as operative by the party (or The Clasp) inside the Lyceum
- Reports back to party; trusted for fieldwork despite illiteracy
Appearances
- Session 68 — Reported on his infiltration of Dean Damill's study; delivered stolen spellbook intelligence
Notes
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Ulysses the Apothecary
Occupation: Apothecary · Location: Jorenn Village (presumed)
Description
Named at the close of Session 73 with no context attached. Presumed to be an apothecary operating in or near Jorenn Village. Likely upcoming as a contact or shop in the Umbra Hills arc.
Known Information
- Title: "the Apothecary"
- Named: Ulysses
- Context: pending
Appearances
- Session 73 — Named only; no interaction yet
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Vespera the Dream Stitcher
Race: Moonstone Dragon · Occupation: Dream Stitcher · Status: alive · Affiliation: [Unknown — explicitly not from this world] · Location: Vespera's Grove (Umbra Hills)
Description
A moonstone dragon, encountered in a star-saturated clearing in a deep, dark thicket on the road to the Umbra Hills. Initially appears small or young — a "ribbon of starlight" phasing into reality — and later expands to huge. Self-describes as a "dream stitcher" and explicitly says she is not from around here.
Appearance
- Scales: polished mercury
- Body: runs a few seconds behind the present moment
- Wings: shimmering
- Initial impression: small or young; later seen as huge
Known Information
- Self-identifies as Vespera the Dream Stitcher
- Made the Quill of Preservation, an artifact gifted to Ki in this session
- The quill plays a melody she has "given" to children to sleep; the quill "remembers the melody"
- Asks for trades of tangible sensation; Imdra shared the feel of standing in a red wood forest with her
- Recognizes the "roots of the world" deeper than most
- Repeatedly emphasizes she is not from this world
The Quill of Preservation
See Quill of Preservation. Vespera frames it as an anchor if the world begins to unravel. It pins a non-sapient, non-conscious thing in its current state.
Relationship to Party
- Friendly, cryptic
- Gifted Ki the Quill of Preservation
- Knows Imdra by the sensation she shared
Mysteries / Open Questions
- Where is she from?
- What does "the world starts to unravel" mean to her — connected to the anchors?
- What does it cost to use the Quill?
Appearances
- Session 72 — First encounter; gave Ki the Quill of Preservation
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Vex
Status: alive
Description
[Details not recorded in session notes.]
Known Information
- Gave the party 18 healing potions in Session 76: 5 healing, 7 greater, 4 superior, 2 supreme
- Previously referenced in Session 69 intelligence: Vex confirmed the Vecna Temple anchor site in Whitestone is "well in hand" (see Stop the Abyssal Anchors)
Relationship to Party
- Benefactor — the potion gift suggests goodwill and significant resources
Appearances
- Session 76 — Gave the party 18 healing potions
Notes
How and where the party met Vex was not recorded. Context suggests this happened around the Cloudwatch/resupply period.
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Washboard Player
Occupation: Washboard musician · Status: alive · Location: Shady Tap Room, Jorenn Village
Description
Local musician at the Shady Tap Room. Plays the washboard. Unlike Spoons, the washboard player is great.
Appearances
- Session 73 — Played at the Shady Tap Room; complemented Ki's set
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Westborn
Occupation: High Archivist
Description
The High Archivist referenced as the authority above Rothtree in the anchor research chain. Griselda Cassius mentioned Westborn in the context of information being withheld from Rothtree — suggesting Westborn has some control over what research is shared and with whom.
Known Information
- Holds the title High Archivist
- Connected to the anchor research chain above Rothtree
- Is involved — directly or indirectly — in deciding what information Rothtree receives
Appearances
Notes
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Zarissa
Race: Drow · Occupation: Cult leader · Affiliation: [Unknown cult — Chained Oblivion connected] · Location: [Unknown — was at Mossglow Cult Headquarters]
Description
Old drow woman. Confirmed in Session 70 as the drow cult leader the party had Fetch investigate in Session 69. She was previously operating out of the Mossglow Cult Headquarters beneath the old tannery in Westen, alongside Mrs. Mossglow. Her current location is unknown — neither Finn nor his mother know where she went. Faith Mossglow is not a fan and declined to discuss her in mixed company, but offered to investigate independently.
Known Information
- Confirmed as the "old drow cult leader" the party sought information on via Fetch in Westruun
- Was operating at or from the Mossglow cult headquarters in Westen
- Her departure from the site was unplanned or at least unannounced — neither Mrs. Mossglow nor Finn have information on where she went
- Faith Mossglow has heard of her and has a negative impression; will look into her status independently
Relationships
- Mrs. Mossglow - Cult associate; was working together at the Westen headquarters; current relationship unclear given her unexplained departure
- Faith Mossglow - Knows of her; actively disliked; offered to investigate independently
Appearances
- Session 69 - Referenced as "old drow cult leader"; party consulted Fetch for intelligence on her
- Session 70 - Confirmed by name as Zarissa; confirmed to have been at the Mossglow headquarters; current location unknown
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Zeloah
Occupation: Clasp Shadows Leader · Status: alive · Affiliation: The Clasp
Description
A senior leader of The Clasp's Shadows branch — one of the three divisions of The Clasp's hierarchy. Zeloah has been out of town for at least a week as of Session 68, making contact impossible during that window. Also referenced in the context of the "new master of Arcana" — whether Zeloah holds an arcane academic position in addition to her Clasp role is unclear.
Known Information
- Shadows branch leader within The Clasp (alongside Golesh)
- Has been absent from her usual location for at least a week (Session 68)
- Referenced in context of notifying The Clasp about the new master of Arcana at the Lyceum
The Clasp Hierarchy (as known)
Appearances
- Session 68 — Referenced as out of town; discussed as potential contact re: Arcana Pansophical/Lyceum developments
- Session 69 — Named as Shadows branch leader in Clasp hierarchy briefing
- Session 75 — Gathered by Bohdi during the retreat and brought to Cloudwatch
- Session 77 — Sent Bohdi a note summoning him. Offered him a promotion — a leadership position within The Clasp referred to as "Spooks" — with a fine black cloak draped across a chair as the token of the role
Notes
The "Spooks" promotion places Bohdi in the Clasp's inner circle (later confirmed by Fetch). Whether the black cloak is merely ceremonial or a magic item is unconfirmed.
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Zelthrax the Folded Promise
Race: Velum Dragon (Tiny) · Occupation: Knowledge Keeper · Status: alive · Affiliation: Party · Location: With party (bonded to Imdra)
Description
Tiny dragon made of vellum/parchment, created by elven wizard Arandor. Was sealed inside "The Remembrance of Fragility of Knowledge and What Has Been Lost" until party broke the seal.
Abilities & Knowledge
Consumed Knowledge:
- Ate entire planar travel treatise that was The Remembrance's contents
- Knows about Abyssal Anchors at Frostwield and Gap Shadows
- Can cast last spell he consumes/eats
- Repository of planar lore
Physical Nature:
- Made of vellum (specially created)
- Tiny size
- Dragon type but constructed/artificial
Bonding Requirement
Prince Windybranch's Magical Cost:
- Must stay close to Imdra d'Vadalis for 8 days
- Bonding period to establish connection
- Imdra given hocrux as part of this arrangement
Relationship to Party
- Status: Ally/Companion
- Currently bonded to Imdra
- Provides crucial planar knowledge
- Source of information about Abyssal Anchors
Plot Significance
Zelthrax is the party's primary source of intelligence about Abyssal Anchors. His knowledge of Frostwield and Gap Shadows (the other two anchor locations) will be crucial for preventing remaining planar bombs.
His consumption of the planar travel treatise means the Shadow Masters lost access to that knowledge when party stole the book.
Appearances
- Session 53 - Sealed in The Remembrance book
- Session 54 - Released from book, bonded to Imdra
- Session 66 - Knowledge about Abyssal Anchors confirmed
- Session 71 - Appeared in the Mossglow sanctum after the mutant was killed; confirmed the platinum device Ana extracted from the body used to be an Abyssal Anchor; had Bigby's Magic Hand prepared; was present as the portal to the Abyss in the center of the room dissipated
- Session 74 - At the Bastion of the Fading Dawn, identified the rift in the sky as a divine gate (the dark-iron trident through which the Demon Prince of Indulgence entered)
Notes
Creator Arandor (elven wizard) - motivations for creating Zelthrax unknown. Why seal dragon in book? Was it imprisonment or protection?
"The Folded Promise" - name suggests unfulfilled obligation or prophecy. Nature of promise unknown.
Seth found Zelthrax "adorable" and bounced (identity of Seth unclear - "Who's Seth?" noted in session).
"The Boldest of the Helveticas"
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Locations
Bastion of the Fading Dawn
Status: visited
Description
A temple to the Dawn Father, known as the Bastion of the Fading Dawn, standing roughly 30 miles north of Jorenn Village in the Umbra Hills. It appears as a stark, solitary monolith of alabaster stone that pushes back the surrounding darkness, ringed by a "defiant garden" amid barren, volcanic, devil-haunted waste.
Crossing the threshold feels like stepping out of a storm into a sun-drenched library. The interior is markedly quiet, scented with burning incense, and filled with a floating, honeycomb-like lattice of magic. At its heart, a crystal channels a pillar of concentrated sunlight over the praying Father Abraham.
Known Information
- A sanctuary to the Dawn Father
- The cathedral is 200+ years old; Father Abraham has tended it 18 years
- Its magic holds back the infernal residue of the Battle of Umbra Hills
- The veil between this place and the Hells is thin; the site is supercharged for blood magic
- Oz was here and went North West
Events Here
- Session 74 — The party arrived, learned the Battle of Umbra Hills / Drasig history from Father Abraham, and was present when an explosion broke the wards, opening a divine gate through which the Demon Prince of Indulgence entered
Notes
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Cloudwatch
Status: visited
Description
Seat of the Council, an assembly of various "Masters" of their respective fields. The party teleported here after fleeing the Demon Prince of Indulgence in the Umbra Hills. It functions as a strategic hub where the campaign's endgame leads were laid out.
Known Information
- Home of the Council the party consulted in Session 75
- Reached via Bohdi's Teleportation Circle
The Council's Leads (Session 75)
Events Here
- Session 75 — Party regrouped, met the Council, and received the anchor-endgame leads; Magnus Wilds presented the divine-essence theory of repairing the Weave
Notes
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Westruun
Status: visited
Westruun
Description
A major city in Tal'Dorei, visited by the party in Sessions 16–17. Westruun has a clear district structure and serves as a hub for academic institutions, Clasp operations, and Cobalt Soul presence. The party has noted they have been here before, though prior visits preceded recorded sessions.
Districts
Scholard's Ward
The academic district of Westruun. Home to the outer buildings of Westhall Academy, which maintains the city's teleportation infrastructure. The teleporter for the city is located at the boundary of this ward.
Opal Ward
The administrative and organizational heart of the city. Houses powerful organizations and official institutions, including the Cobalt Reserve.
Underwalk Gates
A district built into or around the city's sewer and underground infrastructure. Home to Dusty's fence operation — a stout stone building constructed from reclaimed underground materials.
Notable Locations
- Westhall Academy — Eskil's school; maintains the city teleporter (Scholard's Ward)
- Cobalt Reserve — Cobalt Soul research library (Opal Ward)
- Dusty's Shop — Clasp fence operation (Underwalk Gates)
- College of the Savvy — Referenced as located in Westruun; details unknown
NPCs Associated
- Dusty — Dwarf Clasp fence, Underwalk Gates
- Echo — Human Clasp operative
- Fetch — Spireling of Secrets, The Clasp
- Griselda Cassius — High Curator, Cobalt Soul; based at Cobalt Reserve
- Solomane — Half-elf/half-orc arcanist, Cobalt Reserve
- Eskil — Old academic; helped Vox Machina; runs Westhall Academy; not Clasp
Factions Present
- The Clasp — Active presence; Dusty, Echo, Fetch all operating here
- Cobalt Soul — Cobalt Reserve; Griselda Cassius
Party Activities
Session 68:
- Party arrived from Emon
- Connected with Clasp contacts Echo and Dusty
Session 69:
- Navigated city districts (Scholard's Ward, Opal Ward, Underwalk Gates)
- Met with Fetch via Dusty for intel on old drow cult leader
- Visited Cobalt Reserve; Ana researched pre-Calamity cities; Ki briefed Griselda Cassius
- Received directive from Griselda: get to Umbra Hills immediately
Notes
The party has been to Westruun before the recorded sessions began. Eskil is confirmed to be not a Clasp member — merely an old academic who aided Vox Machina.
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Mossglow Cult Headquarters
Status: visited
Description
A subterranean cult headquarters concealed beneath the old tannery in Westen. Entered via a secret door hidden under rock-hard hides; access requires a blood sacrifice. Once inside, a spiral staircase descends into limestone caverns carved by magic, not tools.
Layout
Approach
A pile of rock-hard hides in the tannery conceals a secret door. Blood sacrifice required to open. Spiral staircase descends.
Upper Tunnels
- Ceiling: 8 feet
- Walls: wet with oily moisture
- Ceiling lined with cold iron chains as the path descends
- Air: an inaudible hum
- Smell: stale incense, copper tang of old blood, ozone
- Pressure builds as the party descends — like being underwater
Antechamber
Opens into a chamber shaped like the back of a colossal throat — sculpted, wavy, wet. An oil slick floats on standing water. Contains:
- Abandoned table with an enormous spread of food and playing cards (left by Tobias Tubs Thorn)
- Archway leading deeper
- Purple inscription on the stone in mom's manic handwriting: "The anchor is dropped, the anchor is unbarred, the weaver's threads is ours to cut."
Dome Room (Dedication Chamber)
Beyond the arch. Floor: violet-tinted glass with thousands of unblinking eyeballs floating beneath, staring upward. Hum builds to a thrum. Standing in this room feels like being on a stage — exposed, laid bare.
Contains:
- A 5-foot obsidian plinth, surface carved with cult member names (Finn's name present and scratched out)
- A localized rift in reality, fist-sized, hovering above the plinth; air tastes of copper and ozone; temperature cold
- This room is described as where dedications are made
Two passages lead off from this room:
- Holding cells (left path)
- Sanctum (right path / stairs down)
Holding Cells
- Scent of vinegar and rusted iron
- Iron-forged isolation cell doors
- Most cells appear unoccupied
- One cell contains a corpse
- One cell has the oily wall coating wiped away with script: the name "Finnick" written there — author and purpose unknown
Sanctum (7-Pointed Star)
Stairs lead down 120-150 feet to a chamber shaped like a 7-pointed star. The center appears to be a bottomless pit, but can be walked on. Contains:
- Mrs. Mossglow chanting at center
- Many chains of varying lengths
- A massive, deformed humanoid figure suspended in chains:
- Bloated, enormous
- Arms bulbous and longer than they should be
- Legs also malformed
- A large gash on the stomach, sewn shut
- Ambient violet light; no visible source; described as sickening
- Tendrils of lightning (slow motion, white-hot arching energy) running through the chains — the source of the ozone smell
Mysteries
- What is the deformed humanoid? What is being done to it or with it?
- Who wrote "Finnick" in the holding cell, and why?
- What does the rift above the plinth connect to?
- What is the ritual Mrs. Mossglow is performing?
- Where did Zarissa go?
Appearances
- Session 70 — Party descended and explored; combat began at session end; still mid-combat at close of session
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Emon
Status: visited
Description
Major trading hub and commerce city. Home to Gilmore's Glorious Goods. Party visits for supplies, item repair, and recuperation.
Overview
Type: Trading city
Climate: Warm sea breeze, transitioning to fall during Session 61
Economy: Major commerce hub
Notable Locations
- Gilmore's Glorious Goods - Magic item shop, repairs, buying/selling
- Azalea Park - Park where party picked up Inspiration
- Laughing Lamia - Tavern visited by party
NPCs Associated
- Gilmore - Merchant, craftsperson, capable of removing powerful curses
Services Available
Gilmore's Glorious Goods:
- Item repair (including curse removal)
- Magic item sales
- Buys exotic items at fair prices
Azalea Park:
- Source of Inspiration (bardic/morale boost)
- Recreational space
Party Activities
Session 61:
- Arrived from Southern Trade Route
- Bohdi had marble hand curse repaired by Gilmore
- Sold 2 Stuffy Familiars for 300 gold total
- Purchased Cottage Chest
- Picked up Inspiration at Azalea Park
- Visited Laughing Lamia tavern
Plot Significance
Emon serves as party's safe haven and resupply point. Gilmore's ability to remove Prince Windybranch's curse establishes him as powerful ally. City provides neutral ground between dangerous locations like Yug Voril and Syngorn.
Notes
Canon Tal'Dorei capital city. Center of commerce and civilization.
Warm sea breeze suggests coastal location. Fall transition noted during visit indicates seasonal progression in campaign.
Gilmore's canonical character from Critical Role campaign - powerful spellcaster disguised as merchant.
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Abandoned Farmhouse
Status: visited
Abandoned Farmhouse
Description
A long-abandoned farmhouse on the foothill approach to Jorenn Village, in the Umbra Hills. The kitchen is the only room left in decent shape. The structure has been abandoned for decades. Dark inside.
Encounter Summary
In Session 73, Ki and Grai watched a translucent human man approach the farmhouse from outside. At the door, he paused to pet a dog that was not there, and entered. He then magically hanged the party. Bohdi cast Banishment on the ghost; the encounter resolved.
Ki's painted portrait — gifted by Andreas Du Vavier in Session 72 and placed in Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion — survived the banishment effect intact.
NPCs
Open Questions
- Who was the man in life?
- Where is the dog he keeps petting?
- Why decades-empty in a foothills approach to a populous town?
- Is this related to "things that take your children"?
Appearances
- Session 73 — Farmhouse approached; ghost encountered and banished
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Andreas's Pavilion
Status: visited
Andreas's Pavilion
Description
A small pavilion on the road into the Umbra Hills, serving as a mobile studio and shelter for Andreas Du Vavier and his dog Gully. The flaps were closed when the party came across it on the fifth day of travel from Westruun.
Appearances
- Session 72 — First meeting with Andreas and Gully; Ki agreed to be painted; Andreas and Gully were invited into Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion for dinner
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Cobalt Reserve
Status: visited
Cobalt Reserve
Description
The Cobalt Soul's research library and institutional hub in Westruun, located in the Opal Ward (the city's administrative and organizational district). The Cobalt Reserve is where High Curator Griselda Cassius operates and where significant research into planar history and Abyssal Anchors has been conducted.
Also referred to in party notes as "Cobalt Research."
What the Party Found Here
Ana's Research Discovery
Ana located an in-progress research section containing a map populated with data. Through that, she found records of pre-Calamity sister cities with identical maps — unnamed in the records. The research revealed:
- Avolere — A floating city atop Mount Ygora on the continent of Dominas; ring-shaped city surrounding the mountain's peak
- Cathmoira — Ana's home city; the sister city to Avolere; located on Dominas
- Dominas is now sunk beneath the ocean; only the scattered islands of the Shattered Teeth remain above water
- Ana's city (Cathmoira) is fully submerged somewhere in the Shattered Teeth
Morgranth Revelation
Research here confirmed that Morgranth was an Illithiliche — a Mind Flayer who achieved lichdom. A spider wore his skull, transforming itself through that connection. The trail went cold after Morgranth's apparent death.
High Curator Briefing
Ki briefed Griselda Cassius on the full Vecna/ley line plot. Griselda directed the party to Umbra Hills — the one location with no Cobalt Soul intelligence — as the critical next step.
NPCs Associated
Party Activities
Session 69:
- Ana discovered pre-Calamity research on Avolere and Cathmoira
- Uncovered the Morgranth Illithiliche revelation
- Ki gave Griselda the full strategic briefing
- Received Umbra Hills directive
- Imdra's summoned creatures provided planar intelligence (Jangling Hells, Hellchain Weaver, Mammon)
Notes
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Mossglow Family Home
Status: visited
Description
The Mossglow family home in Westen. Built into a hill, two or three doors down from the old tannery (the front entrance to Mossglow Cult Headquarters). Smells of wet leather and acrid tannery chemicals from the neighboring building.
Notable Features
- Back yard teleportation circle — Discovered by Ki in Session 71. Destination unknown. Almost certainly used by Liora to escape after the sanctum fight.
- Kitchen — Liora left food set out the back; the meal was meant for someone
NPCs Associated
Open Questions
- Where does the back yard teleportation circle lead?
- Who was the food meant for?
- Has Liora returned since Session 71?
Appearances
- Session 70 — Party escorted Orin home; Finn entered with Faith
- Session 71 — Bohdi, Ki, Grai, Imdra Dimension Door here in pursuit of Liora; food set out, teleportation circle in the back yard; Finn takes Liora's hairbrush as a scrying focus
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Shady Tap Room
Status: visited
Shady Tap Room
Description
A tavern and inn in Jorenn Village run by Mama Mara, a Goliath proprietor. Functional; doing well; clearly the social hub of the town. The party took rooms here on arrival in Session 73.
Staff and Regulars
Party Activity
- Rooms taken on arrival
- Ki played drinking songs; Spoons joined; the washboard player was the highlight; Ki rocked the house
- 1 gp tipped to Mara
- Bohdi got drunk; Mara and Bohdi are now in a relationship
- Gresh caught up with the party here after rooms were taken (purpose ambiguous)
- Body of Pip disposed of in some adjacent activity by Finn, Grai, and Bohdi
Rumors Picked Up Here
- "You will die if you go north."
- A church in the hills: the Temple of the Dawn Father (Mara as source)
- Mara's family came in with the Silver Rush
Appearances
- Session 73 — First visit; rooms taken; music night; relationship started
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Underwalk Gates
Status: visited
Underwalk Gates
Description
A district in Westruun built into and around the city's underground sewer and tunnel infrastructure. The area is characterized by repurposed underground construction — buildings assembled from reclaimed sewer stonework and subterranean materials. It is the base of operations for Dusty, the Clasp fence.
Notable Locations
- Dusty's Shop — A one-story stone building that is taller and sturdier than it appears; built from reclaimed sewer infrastructure; serves as a Clasp fence operation
NPCs Associated
- Dusty — Dwarf Clasp fence; operates his business here
Party Activities
Session 68–17:
- Party visited Dusty's shop; used him to broker a meeting with Fetch, Spireling of Secrets
Notes
The Underwalk Gates district's underground character makes it a natural fit for Clasp operations — discreet, accessible via multiple underground routes, and below the notice of official Opal Ward authorities.
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West Gate Inn
Status: visited
Description
The inn in Westen, situated near the town's western gate. A gathering spot for old, crusty regulars. It was here that the party found Orin Longspike Mossglow very drunk and losing at cards to unknown players.
Notes
- Gopey (the Mossglow family donkey) was originally stolen from a wizard's inn. Whether that inn was the West Gate Inn or another location is not confirmed.
Appearances
- Session 70 — Party entered to find Finn's father losing at cards; conversation moved outside
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Westhall Academy
Status: visited
Westhall Academy
Description
An academic institution located in the Scholard's Ward of Westruun. Westhall Academy is the school run by Eskil and is responsible for maintaining the city's teleportation infrastructure — the Westruun teleporter is housed in the academy's outer buildings.
Known Details
- Located in Scholard's Ward, the academic district of Westruun
- Maintains the city teleporter in its outer buildings
- Run by Eskil — an old man with no Clasp affiliation; known for having assisted Vox Machina in the past
- Also referred to in party notes as "Westfall Academy"
NPCs Associated
- Eskil — Academy head; not Clasp; old-timer with history connected to Vox Machina
Party Activities
Session 69:
- Party passed through Scholard's Ward and noted the academy's teleporter infrastructure
Notes
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Syngorn
Status: visited
Description
Elven city where campaign began. Site of Order of Desolation cultist activity and The Remembrance book theft. Caught fire during party's escape.
Overview
Type: Elven city
Population: [Unknown - likely elven majority]
Notable Feature: Library containing occult texts
Notable Locations
- Library - Contains/contained The Remembrance book and cultist materials
- Streets and buildings (caught fire during Session 53-2)
NPCs Associated
- Prince Windybranch - Appeared here to negotiate party's escape (likely resident or frequent visitor based on name)
- Vagrant Cultist - Shadow Masters member followed by Finn
- Order of Desolation cultists - Active in city
Events
Session 53:
- Party infiltrated Library
- Stole The Remembrance book from cultists
- City caught fire (cause unclear - party escape or cultist response?)
- Split party: some fought fires, others fled with book
Session 54:
- Cultists attempted to reclaim book
- Book's seal broken, Zelthrax released
- Prince Windybranch appeared
- Party teleported out through Katha (the moon)
Current Status
Party has not returned since escape. Current state of city unknown. Fire damage extent unknown. Cultist response to book theft unknown.
Notes
Elven architecture and Prince Windybranch's presence suggest traditional elven city-state. Order of Desolation operating here indicates either infiltration or corruption of elven authorities.
Fire during escape could have been:
- Accidental (chaos of theft)
- Cultist retaliation
- Distraction created by party
- Unrelated coincidence
Name "Syngorn" is canonical Tal'Dorei elven city in Vesper Timberland.
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Emberhold
Emberhold
Quick Reference
- Type: Town
- Region: [Unknown]
- Population: [Unknown]
- Danger Level: Moderate
- First Visited: Session 67
Description
Overview
Emberhold is Thrack's hometown — a hot, volcanic settlement defined by its proximity to lava flows and a culture built around smithing and industry. The society has a distinctly brutalist character.
Atmosphere & Mood
Hot and oppressive. The air smells of sulfur and hot metal. The architecture is heavy and utilitarian — built to last, not to impress.
Sensory Details
- Sights: Lava flows visible in and around the settlement; heavy stone construction; forge fires burning at all hours
- Sounds: Hammering, the hiss of hot metal meeting water, the low rumble of volcanic activity
- Smells: Sulfur, scorched stone, hot iron
- Feel: Intense heat; the ground is warm underfoot
Geography
Physical Layout
[TBD — first visit in Session 67, details limited]
Points of Interest
Inhabitants
Demographics
- Likely dwarven-majority given Thrack's origins
Notable NPCs
- Thrack - Native of Emberhold; party companion
Government & Leadership
Ruler/Leader
[Unknown]
Laws & Customs
- Brutalist social structure — function over form, strength valued
Economy & Trade
Main Industries
- Smithing and metalwork (primary industry)
- Volcanic resource extraction (likely)
History
Current Situation
- Party arrived after paying off Thrack's debt and traveling from Yug Voril
Session History
- Session 67 — Party's first visit; arrived after long rest following demilich skull spider combat; paid off Thrack's debt (200gp) and he formally joined the group here
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Jorenn Village
Status: visited
Jorenn Village
Description
A silver mining boom town in the Umbra Hills foothills, east of Westruun. A collection of timber and stone, considerably larger than the party's maps suggest. Mountains rise to the east; mines visible in the distance.
Atmosphere
- Mostly human population
- Rhythmic thud of silver mills as constant background
- Narrow, crowded streets
- Everyone keeps to themselves — "minding their own business" was the party's first read
- Air smells of metal and charcoal smoke
Defenses
- Town has a well-reinforced wooden palisade at the gates
- The town has clearly seen attacks
- Security is provided by the Shade Watch — gray-cloaked guards, run by Arhana Lewyn (Shade Master)
- No Tal'Dorei Council presence — conspicuously absent
History
- Founded or massively grown by the Silver Rush (date undocumented in party knowledge)
- Mama Mara and her family came in with the Rush
Notable Locations
- Shady Tap Room — Tavern run by Mama Mara; party's rooms here
- Temple of the Dawn Father — A church up in the hills; location TBD
- Silver mines — East of town; the economic base
- Town gates — Palisaded; well-reinforced
NPCs Associated
Factions
- Shade Watch — De facto local authority
- Tal'Dorei Council — Absent
Rumors
- "You will die if you go north." (See North-of-Jorenn Warning)
Threats
Appearances
- Session 73 — Party arrives; checks in at the Shady Tap Room; briefed by Arhana Lewyn; Bohdi and Mara begin a relationship
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Westen
Status: visited
Description
A small town of roughly 1,000 people situated on the Silver Cut Roadway, south of Westruun. Somewhere between a hamlet and a village — "two stoplights at best." Home to the Mossglow gnome family.
Notable Locations
- West Gate Inn — The town inn; a gathering spot for old regulars
- Old Tannery — A former tannery on the edge of town; now a cult front with a subterranean headquarters beneath it (see Mossglow Cult Headquarters)
- Mossglow Family Home — Built into a hill, two or three houses down from the tannery; has a teleportation circle in the back yard (discovered Session 71)
Culture
Gnomes in Westen are notably trans-affirming. Gnomes as a people place significant weight on names.
NPCs Present
Notes
The tannery area smells of wet leather and acrid chemicals. The "grounds have gone sour" near the old tannery, per family accounts.
Appearances
- Session 70 — Party arrived en route to the Umbra Hills; Finn's hometown visit; cult headquarters discovered beneath the old tannery
- Session 71 — Sanctum combat resolved; an Abyssal Anchor recovered from a deformed body; Liora Mossglow Dimension Door'd out and disappeared; teleportation circle discovered in the back yard of the Mossglow family home; cult identified as The Mawl
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Umbra Hills
Status: visited
Umbra Hills
Note: The canonical name is Umbra Hills. Earlier vault entries had used "Umber Hills"; active vault files were standardized during the Session 71/20/21 ingest. Archive files (System/Archive/) retain the older spelling.
Description
A hill region in Tal'Dorei, east of Westruun, home to Jorenn Village and the silver mining operations that fuel it. The third Abyssal Anchor site — tied to the Lord of Hells — is somewhere within this region. As of Session 69, the Cobalt Soul had no surveillance presence here; Griselda Cassius's directive to the party was to get here. The party reached the region in Session 72 and the foothills proper in Session 73.
Atmosphere
- Cold winds come down from the mountains; weather is unseasonably wintry in what should be late fall
- Grass in the foothills that even Imdra does not recognize
- Smell: metallic tang, deep-earth mining tank smell, and the charcoal smoke of a few thousand hearths
- The thicket on the approach to Jorenn opened into a star-saturated clearing — Vespera's Grove
Travel
Notable Locations
NPCs Associated
Threats
- "Things that take your children" — per Arhana Lewyn in Session 73
- Bar rumor: "You will die if you go north" — see North-of-Jorenn Warning
- The Lord of Hells anchor site (location within the region not yet identified)
Faction Presence
- Shade Watch — Effective security force in Jorenn under Arhana Lewyn
- Tal'Dorei Council — Notably absent in Jorenn
Appearances
- Session 69 — Identified as critical destination (referenced as "Umber Hills"); no Cobalt Soul coverage; Griselda directive
- Session 70 — Party preparing to travel here, detoured to Westen
- Session 72 — Party crosses the region en route to Jorenn; gypsy and Vespera encounters
- Session 73 — Foothills crossed; Jorenn Village reached
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Vespera's Grove
Status: visited
Vespera's Grove
Description
A clearing inside a deep, dark thicket in the Umbra Hills. The clearing is super-saturated with light; the stars are out and visible even when local conditions should obscure them. A log around a fire sits at the center. A silver quill stuck into the log was playing a melody when the party arrived.
The clearing is associated with Vespera the Dream Stitcher, a moonstone dragon who is explicitly not from this world.
Atmosphere
- Star-saturated light, even when the surrounding road is dark
- A persistent melody from the silver quill
- A sense of present-time slippage (Vespera's body runs a few seconds behind the moment)
NPCs
Significance
- The party received the Quill of Preservation here
- The clearing is described in Vespera-anchor terms: an anchor if the world starts to unravel
Appearances
- Session 72 — Party enters the grove; Imdra trades a sensation with Vespera; Ki receives the Quill of Preservation
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Yug Voril
Status: current
Description
Massive underground city built around mithril core ley line conduit. Once controlled by Mind Flayers, now has complex free/slave caste system.
Overview
Size: Fuckoff big and orderly
Population: [Unknown - massive]
Government: [TBD - has bureaucratic registry system]
History: Formerly Mind Flayer controlled
City Features
Social Structure:
- Free caste vs. Slave caste system
- Slavery permitted outside city limits
- No one can be taken as slave within city proper (protected zone)
- Day/night cycle is reversed from surface
Notable Locations:
- Central Guild Registry - Bureaucratic center (Gorthrock Stonehand)
- Hall of Worn Chains - Slave registry
- Morgranth Estate - Mind Flayer's research facility
- Old Mithril Mine - Contains ley line conduit (Abyssal Anchor location)
- Marketplace - Where party met Silvanae (drow with drider attendant)
- Library - Noted for having "no smut"
Infrastructure:
- Secret knock system (3 Sharps, Pause, Soft)
- Resource Acquisition Permits for operations
- Weekly Sacrifice ritual to Chain Mother (gong signals)
The Mithril Core
Critical Feature:
- Perfect sphere of mithril serving as ley line conduit
- Located in old mine tunnels
- Covered in fine, strong spiderwebs
- Guarded by intelligent spider
- Currently site of Abyssal Anchor (planar bomb)
- Rumbling indicates imminent activation
NPCs Present
- Morgranth - Mind Flayer researcher (Unseelie Court)
- Maylis - Cultist scientist (defeated)
- Silvanae - Drow merchant with drider attendant
- Zylem - Client purchasing Blasting Cord
- Gorthrock Stonehand - Infrastructure & Security official
- Vona - Gorthrock's assistant
- Thrack - Familiar with city (now with party)
- Spider Guardian - Protects mithril core
Plot Significance
Yug Voril is ground zero for one of three Abyssal Anchors. The city's mithril core is being weaponized as planar conduit. Success or failure here determines whether catastrophic planar breach occurs.
Mind Flayer history suggests city may have original purpose related to planar manipulation - Morgranth could be reviving ancient technology.
Party Activities
- Session 63 - Arrived, explored, purchased gnomes, witnessed sacrifice
- Session 65 - Assaulted Morgranth Estate
- Session 66 - Descended into mines, confronting spider guardian
Notes
Weekly Sacrifice to "Chain Mother" suggests deity or powerful entity controlling slavery mechanics. Nature of Chain Mother unknown - could be devil, demon lord, or unique entity.
Reversed day/night cycle may be magical effect or natural result of underground location.
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Kymal
Status: known
Kymal
Description
A city referenced (not visited on-screen) in Session 77 as the site of a recent Clasp guild war. The Clasp was driven out of Kymal and "the Myriad won." Bohdi has prior history here — Sable and Kellen shaved him in Kymal.
Known Information
- Former Clasp stronghold, lost in a guild war to the Myriad
- Home of the Slithering Fang, run by Katalina Caines and Gaggle Thunderfist
- The Kymal Clasp believe Fetch sold them out to the Myriad (funding "came from somewhere")
- Katalina Caines could have run Kymal but chose not to
Appearances
- Session 77 — Backstory for the Kymal guild war and the Fetch betrayal accusation
Notes
City vs. town classification uncertain from notes; tagged city pending confirmation.
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Gilmore's Glorious Goods
Status: visited
Gilmore's Glorious Goods
Description
Magic shop in Emon run by Gilmore — talented merchant and craftsperson capable of repairing complex magical curses and buying/selling exotic goods.
Notable Visits
- Session 61 — Repaired Bohdi's marble hand (Prince Windybranch's curse); bought 2 Stuffy Familiars for 300 gp total
- Session 68 — Quash briefed the party here on anchor mechanics
- Session 76 — Discount shopping spree; party spent all their money on six magic items
NPCs Present
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Saddled Planes Cow
Status: visited
Saddled Planes Cow
Description
The Clasp bar in Westruun — a front and meeting spot for The Clasp. Bohdi came here after porting to Westruun and found two Clasp men, Sable and Kellen, the pair who had shaved him in Kymal.
NPCs Present
- Sable — Clasp member; shaved Bohdi in Kymal
- Kellen — Clasp member; shaved Bohdi in Kymal
What Happened Here (Session 77)
Sable and Kellen briefed Bohdi on the Kymal guild war:
Notes
Naming/spelling per raw notes ("Saddled Planes Cow"). A Clasp safehouse/bar in Westruun parallel to the Slithering Fang in Kymal.
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Slaterock Tower
Status: visited
Slaterock Tower
Description
Eskil's home in Westruun, staffed by the finely crafted flesh-golem butler Jekt Pennyworth. When part of the party came here in Session 77 hoping Eskil could help locate the Remnants, the butler reported Eskil was away and (gently) kept the group from entering. The party judged Jekt genuine.
NPCs Present
- Jekt Pennyworth — Flesh-golem butler
- Eskil — Owner; absent during the visit, later unreachable even by Sending
What Happened Here (Session 77)
The group failed to reach Eskil. Ki later tried to Sending him and got no answer — Eskil is alive but not responding.
Notes
Eskil is tied here to the Arcana Pansophical (which Finn dismisses) and is floated in the raw notes as "a vampire?" — unconfirmed.
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Slithering Fang
Status: known
Slithering Fang
Description
A Clasp establishment in Kymal associated with Katalina Caines and her business partner Gaggle Thunderfist. Referenced (not visited on-screen) during the Session 77 briefing at the Saddled Planes Cow. The party has not been here; it is known only through Sable and Kellen's account of the Kymal guild war.
Known Information
- Clasp-affiliated; run by Katalina Caines and Gaggle Thunderfist
- Caught up in the Kymal guild war in which the Myriad won and the Clasp was driven out
- Its operators blame Fetch for the betrayal
Appearances
- Session 77 — Named as the Kymal Clasp's base during the guild-war account
Notes
An earlier note in The Clasp lore file also flags "Slithering Fang" in Kymal as a possible Clasp safehouse/meeting point — now confirmed as Katalina Caines's operation.
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Underweave Haberdashery
Status: visited
Underweave Haberdashery
Description
Fetch's headquarters in Westruun, operating as the Underweave Haberdashery and Textile Import — a busy storefront that smells of cedar. Behind a secret door (reached by going in for a "fitting" and asking to "speak to a manager") is Fetch's office, where he sits behind a large desk with a long thin dagger beside a ledger.
What Happened Here (Session 77)
Bohdi met Fetch here. Fetch revealed the forged-signature plot framing him on Myriad letterhead, confirmed Bohdi is now in the Clasp inner circle, and gave up the Remnants location: the Shadebarrow near Ebonroot, routed through Sevil Howthess's bloodline (Camilla Tenver, Buddleia Austan) in the Cobalt Reserve / Hall of Reason records.
NPCs Present
- Fetch — Spireling of Secrets, The Clasp
Notes
Spelling per raw notes ("Underweave Habidashery"); standardized to "Haberdashery." A textile-import front is fitting cover for a Clasp Secrets operation.
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Hall of Reason
Status: known
Hall of Reason
Description
A records hall associated with the Cobalt Reserve / Cobalt Soul in Westruun. In Session 77, Ki (the Cobalt Scholar) used the Hall of Reason / Cobalt Reserve records to locate the surviving members of Sevil Howthess's bloodline — Camilla Tenver, and Buddleia Austan — and through them the route to the Shadebarrow.
Known Information
- Holds genealogical / civic records, including Sevil Howthess's bloodline
- Accessible to the Cobalt Soul; Ki used it to find Buddleia Austan's address
Appearances
- Session 77 — Records here led the party to Buddleia Austan and the Shadebarrow
Notes
Relationship to the Cobalt Reserve (same building, a wing, or a separate hall) is not specified in the notes.
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Shadebarrow
Status: known
Shadebarrow
Description
The barrow of Sevil Howthess in Ebonroot (northeast of Westruun) — named by Fetch as the location of the Remnants. Also called simply "the Barrow" or the Baron's Vault. Since the planar tear, the ancestors interred here are waking. The Remnants cult appears to be holed up inside the barrow, and an intercepted letter from Blaine Kraverrogg reveals it is not merely a tomb but an Orcus vault.
The Orcus Vault (per the intercepted letter)
Blaine Kraverrogg's letter to Cult of Vecna claims that long before the Calamity, the demon prince of undeath Orcus (then a servant of the Betrayer Gods) marched across these hills and, deep beneath the roots of the barrow, sealed away a "terrible dark power" behind layers of primordial abjuration and iron gates, hiding it from the gods. Blaine calls it a "vault of pure, unadulterated malice" and intends to claim it as a weapon to bring the Republic to its knees. He is en route to oversee the excavation personally, with cult faithful staged at the site.
How to Reach It
- Look for a Shattered Monolith shaped like a split tongue
- Beyond it, past the mud, an iron gate
- The gate's key is Buddleia Austan's signet ring (now carried by Ki)
- Fetch has no map; directions come from Buddleia Austan
Known Information
- Holds the Remnants (per Fetch) — the lead the Council wants prioritized for the third Abyssal Anchor
- The Baron's Vault is here; Camilla Tenver died screaming about it
- Rivals are also after it, including the relic-hunting fanatic Blaine Kraverrogg
- The party's task per Buddleia Austan: kill whatever is keeping Camilla Tenver around
Appearances
- Session 77 — Located via Fetch and Buddleia; not yet entered
Notes
Spelling "Shadebarrow" inferred from raw notes. The split-tongue monolith and iron-gate-past-the-mud are the on-the-ground landmarks for next session. The "iron gates" Orcus used to seal the vault may be the same iron gate Buddleia's signet ring opens. The Remnants cult holed up here and Blaine's incoming Whispered Truth excavation set up a likely three-way collision: party vs. Remnants vs. Blaine.
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Ebonroot
Status: known
Ebonroot
Description
A region to the northeast of Westruun, named in Session 77 as the area where the Shadebarrow and the Baron's Vault lie, and where Sevil Howthess's ancestors are waking since the planar tear. It is Bohdi's former home. Finn believes the "bad dude" behind the disturbances can be found in Ebonroot, per the document Fetch provided — and that document (an intercepted letter from Blaine Kraverrogg) confirms it: Blaine is heading to Ebonroot to personally oversee the excavation of the Shadebarrow for Cult of Vecna.
Known Information
- Lies northeast; contains the Shadebarrow (the Remnants location per Fetch)
- The ancestors are waking out there (per Buddleia Austan) — tied to the death of Camilla Tenver
- Marked by a Shattered Monolith shaped like a split tongue, beyond which an iron gate (opened by Buddleia's signet ring) sits past the mud
- The suspected antagonist ("the bad dude") is Blaine Kraverrogg, confirmed by his own letter to be en route here to excavate the barrow
- Bohdi's former home — a personal connection for the party heading into the arc
- The Remnants cult appears to be holed up in the Shadebarrow here
Appearances
- Session 77 — Identified as the destination region for the Remnants / Baron's Barrow lead
Notes
Relationship between Ebonroot, the Shadebarrow, and the broader Abyssal Anchors / Remnants plot is the new arc's focus.
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Lore & Factions
Cobalt Soul
Status: active
Overview
Organization of historians and knowledge-keepers dedicated to preserving truth and uncovering secrets. Ki Nightwhisper serves as historian member.
Members
Purpose
- Historical preservation
- Knowledge gathering
- Truth-seeking
Activities
Known Operations:
- Historical research
- Intelligence gathering (Ki uses sending spells)
- Academic/scholarly work
Ki's Role:
- "Historian of CW" (likely "Cobalt Wardens" or similar)
- Uses network of contacts (like Oestra, Voice of Memory)
- Provides party with research capabilities
Party Relationship
- Status: Allied through Ki
- Organization likely neutral or positive toward party
- Provides intelligence resources
Plot Significance
Cobalt Soul's knowledge network may be crucial for understanding:
- Abyssal Anchor history
- Planar lore
- Historical precedents for current threats
- Yug Voril's Mind Flayer past
Notes
Canon Tal'Dorei organization dedicated to exposing corruption and preserving knowledge. Monastic order with martial and scholarly branches.
Ki's sending spell network (contacting Oestra, others) suggests Cobalt Soul maintains communication infrastructure across regions.
Organization may have information about:
- Kalnicos the Unbroken
- Morgranth's operations
- Abyssal Anchor precedents
- Soul-stealing magics
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Chained Oblivion
Status: active
Chained Oblivion
Quick Reference
- Type: Cult
- Alignment: Chaotic Evil
- Leader: [Unknown]
- Headquarters: [Unknown]
- Status: Active
Overview
Cult devoted to the Chained Oblivion, an Elder Evil of annihilation. Members seek to serve and potentially free this imprisoned entity.
Known Members
Relationships
Connected Factions
Session History
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Iron Authority
Status: active
Overview
A faction working to bring back the god Bane (confirmed Session 75). The Adamantine Dragon Paladin Calmyros the Unbroken is opposed to them, making him a potential ally of the party.
Known Information
Appearances
- Session 53 — Referenced (early-session mention tied to the Shifting Keep area)
- Session 75 — Named as working to bring back Bane; Calmyros opposes them
Notes
- Leadership and membership of the Iron Authority itself are not yet established in the notes.
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League of Miracles
Status: active
Overview
A mage mercenary group. The Council at Cloudwatch flagged them as a needed ally for the Stop the Abyssal Anchors endgame: the party needs their wizard. There is an envoy to the Palace of Wonder associated with reaching them.
Known Information
- Mage mercenary organization
- The party's objective: recruit/secure their wizard
- Contact path runs through an envoy to the Palace of Wonder
Appearances
- Session 75 — Named by the Council as a recruitment lead
Notes
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Remnants
Status: active
Overview
A faction the Council at Cloudwatch identified as able to help place the third Abyssal Anchor where it needs to go. As a bonus, they may be able to recover the soul of Alorah Vasorin. The Council told the party this is the lead to prioritize, with the biggest concern being securing the device (currently tied to Westruun).
Previously referenced in Session 69 in connection with the Vecna Temple at Whitestone (Remnants / Cult of Vecna), reportedly "well in hand." This Vecna link now connects directly to Blaine Kraverrogg's Cult of Vecna and its hunt under the Shadebarrow — see below.
Known Information
- Can route the third Abyssal Anchor to its needed destination
- Potential to recover Alorah Vasorin's soul (Investigate Alorah's Death)
- Tied to the Whitestone / Vecna Temple anchor site (Session 69)
Appearances
- Session 69 — Named with the Vecna Temple (Whitestone) anchor site
- Session 75 — Council names them as the priority lead for the third anchor and Alorah's soul
- Session 77 — Fetch pins the location to the Shadebarrow in Ebonroot; party obtains the key (signet ring) and route
Location (Session 77)
Fetch provides the Remnants' location: the Shadebarrow — Sevil Howthess's barrow in Ebonroot, northeast of Westruun. There is no map. Access runs through Sevil Howthess's bloodline (Camilla Tenver, Buddleia Austan) and is reached past a Shattered Monolith shaped like a split tongue, through an iron gate beyond the mud opened by Buddleia Austan's signet ring (now held by Ki). The party is not the only group searching — the relic-hunting fanatic Blaine Kraverrogg is also after it.
The Remnants Cult Is Holed Up in the Shadebarrow
The Remnants cult appears to be holed up inside the Shadebarrow. An intercepted letter from Blaine Kraverrogg (a devotee of Cult of Vecna) reframes the barrow as an Orcus-sealed vault of "pure malice." Since the Remnants are themselves tied to a Cult of Vecna at Whitestone (above), Blaine's cult and the barrow's Remnants are very likely the same Vecna faith — possibly the same organization. Whether they are identical, allied, or rival Vecna cells racing each other is unconfirmed; either way, party, Remnants, and Blaine's cell are now pointed at the same crypt.
Notes
Relationship between the Session 69 "Remnants/Cult of Vecna" reference and the Session 75 ally framing needs reconciliation on-table.
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Order of Desolation
Status: active
Overview
Devil-worshipping cult seeking to influence the Prime Material Plane through planar manipulation and forbidden knowledge.
Structure
Known Sects:
- Shadow Masters - Sect serving "Lady of the Shadow"
- Active in Syngorn
- Attempted to protect The Remembrance book
- Quotes: "She who watches in silence, guides us" / "The widow weaves a tangled veil"
Goals
- Influence Prime Material Plane
- Collect and protect occult knowledge
- Serve devil patrons
Known Activities
Syngorn Operations:
- Possessed The Remembrance of Fragility of Knowledge and What Has Been Lost
- Vagrant cultist patrols
- Library infiltration
Post-Theft:
- Attempted to reclaim The Remembrance book
- Unknown current operations
Connection to Other Threats
Relationship to Abyssal Anchors: [Unknown]
- Book contained Zelthrax who knows about anchors
- May be separate conspiracy or connected
Relationship to Kalnicos: [Possible]
- Iron Authority mentioned alongside Order
- Both connected to cultist activity
NPCs
- Vagrant Cultist - Shadow Masters member (Syngorn)
- [Unknown leaders] - Organization hierarchy unclear
Party Relationship
- Status: Hostile
- Party stole their primary artifact (The Remembrance)
- Finn specifically targeted to prevent Shadow Masters from obtaining knowledge
- Expect retaliation or ongoing conflict
Notes
Devil worship (Lawful Evil) vs. demon worship (Chaotic Evil) distinction important. Order of Desolation serving devils suggests organized, contractual evil rather than chaotic destruction.
"Lady of the Shadow" identity unknown - could be:
- Archdevil
- Powerful shadow entity
- Lolth (Spider Queen mentioned in Session 53 but she's Chaotic Evil demon, not devil)
- Unknown shadow patron
The "widow weaves a tangled veil" suggests spider imagery - possible Lolth connection despite devil/demon distinction.
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Bane
Status: referenced
Overview
A god referenced in Session 75: the Iron Authority is reported to be working to bring back Bane. Calmyros the Unbroken is described as opposed to this effort.
Known Information
- Subject of an Iron Authority revival effort (Session 75)
- No further in-campaign detail recorded yet
Appearances
- Session 75 — Named as the deity the Iron Authority seeks to return
Notes
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The Clasp
Status: active
Overview
Criminal organization operating across multiple regions. Involved in smuggling, creature trafficking, and illicit trade.
Members
- Bohdi Shadowtwist - Party member, uses Clasp sign for identification
- Sylas - Black pudding smuggler, hostile encounter with party
Known Activities
Creature Trafficking:
- Sylas transporting barrels of black puddings on Southern Trade Route
- Destination unknown
Criminal Operations:
- Smuggling
- [Other operations unclear]
Identification
- Members use secret hand sign (Clasp sign)
- Bohdi flashed sign to Sylas - not well received
- Suggests internal hierarchy or factional disputes
Party Relationship
Through Bohdi:
- Bohdi is member
- Party benefits from his membership (potential contacts, safe houses)
Sylas Incident:
- Party shook down Sylas for 10 platinum
- Hostile encounter despite Bohdi's membership
- Sylas rode off "to murder guards" (alleged)
- Suggests party/Bohdi not in good standing or Clasp has internal conflicts
Plot Significance
Clasp provides party with underworld connections but also complications. Bohdi's membership is asset and liability.
Black pudding smuggling suggests organization trades in dangerous goods - monsters, poisons, exotic creatures.
Notes
Canon Tal'Dorei criminal organization. Operates in shadows of legitimate society.
Sylas's hostile response to Clasp sign despite being member suggests:
- Bohdi not recognized/trusted
- Factional split within Clasp
- Clasp code doesn't protect against all members
- Sylas was rogue operative
"Slithering Fang" tavern in Kymal may be Clasp safehouse or meeting point.
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Adamantine Dragons
Status: reference
Overview
Reference notes on adamantine dragons, compiled by Ki. Adamantine dragons are celestial dragons that hail from the plane of Bytopia, a "twin world of pristine and enigmatic beauty." They see themselves as protectors of those who can't protect themselves and intervene by any means to stop harm to innocents.
Traits
- Role: Master tacticians and seasoned generals in grand conflicts against villainous forces; happy to organize allies but always first into battle
- Powers: White-hot flame and the ability to influence other creatures' perception of time
- Lairs: Fortified constructions built alongside those they protect — a young dragon might hold a fortified keep as a last line of defense; an ancient one a grand citadel acting as a central bulwark for surrounding lands
- Hoard: Magical weapons, armor, and implements of warfare, which they use to outfit their allies against dark forces
Adult Adamantine Dragon
Adult adamantine dragons often serve as master tacticians or generals against villainous forces, leading allies while relishing the chance to cast down the wicked.
Notes
Ingested from "Ki's Notes on Adamantine Dragons." Sourced from a published bestiary excerpt (matches Tal'Dorei Reign of Vengeance / adamantine dragon lore). Why Ki is researching these is not stated in the note. See Calmyros the Unbroken.
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Cult of Vecna
Status: active
Overview
A secretive doomsday cult of Vecna, the Whispered One — god of secrets and undeath. Within the intercepted letter the cult refers to him by his in-world epithets: the "Whispered King" and "the maimed one" (Vecna, who lost an eye and a hand). Known to the party through an intercepted letter passed on by Fetch, written by the cultist Blaine Kraverrogg to its leader, the "Keeper of the Whispered Truth."
The Vecna identification is grounded in the letter's own signature line — "The eye sees all, the hand takes all" — a direct invocation of the Eye and Hand of Vecna.
Known Information
- Worships Vecna — venerated here as the Whispered King / "the maimed one" ("His ascending shadow," "His holy name")
- Led (at least locally) by the Keeper of the Whispered Truth, Blaine's superior and correspondent
- Operates through cover organizations: Blaine Kraverrogg uses the League of Miracles to fund his digs while hiding his true aims from them
- Pursuing a power Orcus is said to have sealed beneath the Shadebarrow — they intend to use it to bring the Republic to its knees in the Whispered King's name
- Has faithful staged at the Shadebarrow excavation site in Ebonroot
- Methods include psychic torment — Blaine broke Sevil Howthess's grandchildren with "waking nightmares" to extract the barrow's location
Relationship to the Remnants
The vault already ties the Remnants to a Cult of Vecna / Vecna Temple at Whitestone (Session 69). With Blaine's cult now confirmed as Vecna worshippers — and the Remnants reportedly holed up in the same Shadebarrow — these are very likely the same faith, possibly the same organization. Whether Blaine's group and the barrow's Remnants are allied, identical, or rival Vecna cells racing each other is unconfirmed.
This also sharpens the open tension on Remnants: the Council (Session 75) framed the Remnants as a potential ally for placing the third Abyssal Anchor. A Vecna cult as "ally" warrants suspicion.
Appearances
- Session 69 — (As Cult of Vecna) named with the Vecna Temple at Whitestone via the Remnants
- Letter from Fetch (ingested) — Blaine Kraverrogg's correspondence to the Keeper, exposing the cult's existence, leadership, and goal
Notes
Vecna = the Whispered One (per Jeremy, 2026-06-27). "The maimed one" = Vecna's lost eye and hand; sign-off "The eye sees all, the hand takes all" = the Eye and Hand of Vecna. "The Whispered Truth" is the cult's doctrine/title element, not retained as the faction name.
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Myriad
Status: active
Overview
A rival criminal organization to The Clasp, surfacing in Session 77. The Myriad won a guild war in Kymal, driving the Clasp out of the city. Their war chest "came from somewhere" — the Kymal Clasp believe Fetch sold them out and funded the Myriad.
Known Information
- Won the Kymal guild war; the Clasp was run out of Kymal
- Katalina Caines, Gaggle Thunderfist, and others of the Slithering Fang blame Fetch for the betrayal
- Someone forged Fetch's signature on Myriad letterhead; Fetch calls the Myriad "cutpurses playing in the mud" — too dumb to have framed him, in his view
Appearances
- Session 77 — Named as the victors of the Kymal guild war and the faction on whose letterhead Fetch's signature was forged
Notes
Canon Exandria criminal syndicate, rival to the Clasp. Whether the Myriad is actually behind the forgery or is itself being used is unresolved.
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Vecna
Status: active
Overview
Vecna, the Whispered One — a god of secrets, undeath, and forbidden knowledge. In the intercepted letter from Fetch, his cult names him the "Whispered King" and "the maimed one" (Vecna famously lost an eye and a hand). The letter's sign-off, "The eye sees all, the hand takes all," invokes the Eye and Hand of Vecna.
Worship in the Campaign
- The Cult of Vecna (the "Whispered Truth") serves him; Blaine Kraverrogg is a devotee seeking the Orcus-sealed power beneath the Shadebarrow in his name
- The Remnants are tied to a Cult of Vecna / Vecna Temple at Whitestone (Session 69) — likely the same faith
- Mentioned across Session 68 / Session 69 in connection with the Whitestone temple site
Notes
Identification provided by Jeremy (2026-06-27): the Whispered One / Whispered King = Vecna. Created to give the deity a home distinct from the cult faction file. Other deity files live in Lore & Factions (e.g. Bane).
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