July 1, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: The Curse of the Hells · Date: 2026-07-01 · In-Game Year: 1836

Session 78 — The Curse of the Hells

Quick Summary

The dead of Buddleia's townhouse learn why you don't haunt a party of level 11 adventurers. Murder ghosts and their ghoul rearguard are destroyed — Ki finishes the wall-hiders by pounding the floor with thunder. Then the bill comes due: Grai has carried the Demon Prince's Curse of the Hells since the Bastion, and removing it costs her 4d10 psychic damage at the end of every long rest, forever. Camilla Tenver's second family ring is missing from her unclaimed body — Blaine Kraverrogg almost certainly holds his own key to the Shadebarrow.

The Battle of Buddleia's Townhouse

• Session opens on rolled initiative; the DM opens with an act of spousal warfare, crowd-controlling his own wife's artificer
• Imdra unleashes her unicorn of reverse hurting (healing spirit); Grai tears into the ghosts with the Greatsword of Wounding
• Bohdi goes full elemental: Freedom of the Waves sends a column of water crashing through the room, then he teleports into the melee and detonates a blast of cold
• Finn debuts the Magentan Sun-Saw — magenta, mechanical, immediately blastin'
• The ghosts flee through the party, then through the walls, leaving ghouls — Grai murders the shit out of them
• Ana, finally free of her husband's crowd control with one monster left standing, casts See Invisibility
• Bohdi Fire Bolts the babbling green thing; Finn finishes it
• Ki pounds the floor with a thunderous blast that kills the murder ghosts through the walls. The haunting ends not with an exorcism but with a bard hitting the building until the dead stop moving

The Curse of the Hells

• The Demon Prince (Session 74, Bastion of the Fading Dawn) left something in Grai: subtract 1d4 from every attack roll and saving throw, anchored by the "Barbs of Hell"
• High Scholar Lyra Finch (Order of Mages, Westruun library) casts Legend Lore from an oak case of ivory strips and incense — her eyes go stark white, and Finn sees hellfire burning in them; she is out for ten minutes
• The verdict: only Wish removes the curse cleanly. Anything lesser leaves "echoes" — the curse lifts, but 4d10 psychic damage strikes at the end of every long rest, forever
• Grai takes the echoes. Every morning, hell gets one more swing at her — and every morning she gets up anyway
• Meanwhile Ki has started molting, courtesy of his new cursed cloak

The Missing Ring

• Finn questions the undertaker: Camilla Tenver's body is unclaimed and the second family ring is missing
• Her townhouse shows a noble house in slow decline since her husband's death years ago
• Conclusion: Blaine Kraverrogg has solid directions to the Shadebarrow — and likely a key of his own. The race is no longer against his head start; it's against a man holding the same ring

Quash and the Wrecked Laboratory

• Quash's laboratory is wrecked from experimenting on the captured abyssal anchor; he claims to be "almost done"
• Finn attempts to talk him into carrying the anchor to Emon himself, and is, by unanimous account, not doing a convincing job

Loot & Rewards

• None recorded. The session's ledger was paid in the other direction: Grai now owes 4d10 psychic per long rest.

Next Session Preview

Northeast to Ebonroot and the Shadebarrow: find the split-tongue monolith, cross the mud, and beat Blaine Kraverrogg to the iron gate — with Buddleia's ring in Ki's pocket and, possibly, its twin in Blaine's.

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June 24, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: The Remnants Lead · Date: 2026-06-24 · In-Game Year: 1836

Session 77 — The Remnants Lead

Quick Summary

The party works the Remnants lead in Westruun. Zeloah promotes Bohdi into the Clasp's inner circle ("Spook"), and Fetch gives up the Remnants' location: the Shadebarrow in Ebonroot. The group finds the haunted Buddleia Austan, takes her cursed signet ring (the barrow's key), and the session ends mid-fight against "murder ghosts" in her townhouse.

Major Events

• Party rests at the park; everyone gains inspiration.
• Zeloah promotes Bohdi into the Clasp inner circle as a "Spook" (a black cloak marks the role).
• At the Saddled Planes Cow, Sable and Kellen recount the Kymal guild war: the Clasp run out, "the Myriad won," and Fetch blamed for selling them out (Katalina Caines, Gaggle Thunderfist, Slithering Fang).
• At the Underweave Haberdashery, Fetch reveals a forged signature framing him on Myriad letterhead and names the Remnants location: the Shadebarrow in Ebonroot, reached via Sevil Howthess's bloodline (Camilla Tenver, Buddleia Austan). Rival hunter Blaine Kraverrogg is also after it. Year is 1836; Fetch has been Spireling 24 years.
• The group fails to reach Eskil at Slaterock Tower (flesh-golem butler Jekt Pennyworth turns them away); Ki's Sending to Eskil goes unanswered — alive but silent.
• The party finds the haunted Buddleia Austan, takes her cursed signet ring (the Shadebarrow's iron-gate key); learns Camilla Tenver died nine days prior and the ancestors are waking at Ebonroot.
• Off-screen: the Westruun anchor needs moving; Quash tried to disintegrate it (hole in the Cobalt Reserve floor), upsetting Griselda Cassius.

Loot & Rewards

• Buddleia Austan's cursed signet ring (Shadebarrow key) — carried by Ki.
• Black cloak — token of Bohdi's "Spook" promotion.
• Inspiration for all party members.

Next Session Preview

The session ends mid-initiative against the murder ghosts in Buddleia's townhouse. After the fight, the road points northeast to Ebonroot and the Shadebarrow.

Previous Session: Session 76 Next Session: Session 78

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June 10, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: Shopping with Gilmore · Date: 2026-06-10

Session 76 — Shopping with Gilmore

Previous Session Recap

Session 75 ended at Cloudwatch, where the Council laid out the leads: recruit the League of Miracles wizard, turn Calmyros the Unbroken's forces, and work the Remnants angle to place the third anchor and recover Alorah Vasorin's soul.

Session Info

• Date: 2026-06-10
• Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis
• Players Present: Ana, Bohdi, Finn, Grai, Imdra, Ki

Quick Summary

A resupply and shopping session. Vex gives the group 18 healing potions. Gilmore invites the party to his shop for discounted goods, and they spend all their money on six magic items, most from the Griffon's Saddlebag catalog. The Demon Prince of Indulgence is identified by name: Graz'zt. The session ends with the party heading out to find Calmyros the Unbroken.

Detailed Summary

Graz'zt Named

The Demon Prince of Indulgence — the archfiend who broke through the divine gate at the Bastion of the Fading Dawn — is named: Graz'zt. He was a prince of the Hells.

Vex's Gift

Vex gives the group 18 healing potions:

• 5 Potions of Healing
• 7 Potions of Greater Healing
• 4 Potions of Superior Healing
• 2 Potions of Supreme Healing

Gilmore's Discount Shopping Spree

The party meets Gilmore, who invites them to his shop for discount goods. The group spends all their money on the following (most from Griffon's Saddlebag):

Items sold: Grai sold Mind Lash, Pride Mace, and Battle Tax; proceeds went into the spree.

Next Move

The group sets out to find Calmyros the Unbroken, per the Cloudwatch Council's leads. (Post-session, the table changed course: the party is now following the Remnants lead first — deal with the remnants, recover the bomb, and potentially rescue Alorah's soul.)

After-Session Discussion (Table Talk)

The Celestia Counter-Ritual Idea

The group theorizes they could tear a hole in the heavens and release angels to fight the devils:

1. Create a new bomb and attune it to Celestia
2. Find a spot where the veil is thin
3. Perform some sort of ritual and detonate

Important: This mirrors exactly what the enemies would need to do to release the devils.

Infernal Hierarchy

• Graz'zt was a prince of the Hells
• The Chain Mother would be a subject of his

Demigod Candidates (for Magnus Wilds' Weave-repair theory)

• The party previously passed a shrine to a demigod on the way to the Throne of the Archheart
• Galdrick — a wolf that Imdra knows about — is "demigod material"

Calmyros Research (Ki)

Ki is researching Calmyros the Unbroken:

• Calmyros is singularly focused
• The Tal'Dorei Council's biggest concern is avoiding a monarchy — a Master of War is basically a monarch
• Ki's two options for the approach: convince Calmyros to focus on another target (Tal'Dorei helps him crush the Iron Authority), or help him crush the Iron Authority outright

Loot & Rewards

• 18 healing potions (party shared): 5 healing, 7 greater, 4 superior, 2 supreme — from Vex
• Six magic items purchased at Gilmore's (see table above)
• Sold: Grai's Mind Lash, Pride Mace, and Battle Tax
• Gold: Party spent all their money at Gilmore's — party gold now 0

Key Decisions

• Spending all party money on magic items at Gilmore's discount
• Post-session: following the Remnants lead first (Calmyros deferred)

Quotes & Memorable Moments

"This has turned into a shopping session."

Next Session Preview

The party, freshly stocked with potions and magic items, follows the Remnants lead: take care of the remnant problem, recover the bomb, and potentially rescue Alorah Vasorin's soul.

Previous Session: Session 75 Next Session: Session 77

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May 27, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: Retreat to Cloudwatch · Date: 2026-05-27

Session 75 — Retreat to Cloudwatch

Previous Session Recap

Session 74 ended with the party mid-combat against the Demon Prince of Indulgence, who broke through a divine gate at the Bastion of the Fading Dawn and was overwhelming them.

Session Info

• Date: 2026-05-27
• Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis
• Players Present: Ana, Bohdi, Finn, Grai, Imdra, Ki

Quick Summary

Losing the fight, the party flees. They warn Jorenn Village to evacuate via Sending and Skywrite, regroup at the Shady Tap Room, and Bohdi opens a Teleportation Circle to escape. The group reaches Cloudwatch and meets with the Council, who lay out the leads needed to resolve the anchor crisis: recruit the League of Miracles' wizard, turn Calmyros the Unbroken's forces to help, and engage the Remnants to place the third Abyssal Anchor and possibly recover Alorah Vasorin's soul. The party also learns the Iron Authority is working to bring back the god Bane, and that the scholar Magnus Wilds theorizes the weave can only be repaired with divine essence drawn from many demigods.

Detailed Summary

Escape from the Demon Prince

The group begins the session still in combat and flees.

• A Sending is cast to the "top three" [recipients not specified in the notes]
• Skywrite is used to tell the villagers of Jorenn Village to flee

Back at the Shady Tap Room

At the Shady Tap Room, Spoons and the Washboard Player are still playing — but everyone else is gone. The town has emptied.

• A 20 gp bottle of liquor is found
• Grai finds a great club wrapped in barbed wire that grants advantage on Intimidation checks
• Bohdi casts Teleportation Circle
• Bohdi gathers Zeloah and they head to Cloudwatch
• The rest of the group is also at Cloudwatch

The Council at Cloudwatch

The party speaks with the Council at Cloudwatch — described as an assembly of various "Masters" of their fields. The Council lays out the leads:

• League of Miracles — A mage mercenary group. The party needs their wizard. There is an envoy to the Palace of Wonder.
• Calmyros the Unbroken — His people need to be turned around to help.
• Remnants — May be able to find a way to get the third Abyssal Anchor where it needs to go.
• Bonus: they might be able to recover the soul of Alorah Vasorin
• The party is told this is the one to get on
• The biggest concern is securing the device
• Get the device out of Westruun

Factional Intelligence

• The Iron Authority is working to bring back Bane; Calmyros the Unbroken is against them
• Brom Goldhand is referenced in connection with the scholarly leads
• Magnus Wilds — Another contact; an Arcana Pansophical, Professor at the Lyceum

Magnus Wilds' Theory of the Weave

Magnus hypothesizes about repairing the damage:

• When the Archeart created the [unspecified — "something"], the Archeart wove the Weave from part of their own essence
• Therefore it will take divine essence to fix it
• The plan: patch the hole with the essence of many demigods

Quest Progress

Active Quests

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — Council frames the endgame: secure and place the third anchor (currently tied to Westruun); recruit the League of Miracles' wizard; turn Calmyros's forces
• Investigate Alorah's Death — A concrete path to recovering Alorah's soul now exists via the Remnants

New Threads (Faction-tier)

• League of Miracles — recruit their wizard via the Palace of Wonder envoy
• Remnants — placement of the third anchor and Alorah's soul recovery
• Iron Authority — actively working to return the god Bane

NPCs Encountered

• Magnus Wilds — Arcana Pansophical, Professor at the Lyceum; theorizes the Weave must be repaired with divine essence from many demigods
• Zeloah — Gathered by Bohdi and brought to Cloudwatch (referenced)

Locations Visited

• Jorenn Village — Evacuated by Skywrite as the party fled
• Shady Tap Room — Emptied except for the musicians; departure point
• Cloudwatch — Seat of the Council; party regroups here

Loot & Rewards

• Barbed-wire great club (Grai) — grants advantage on Intimidation checks
• 20 gp bottle of liquor
• XP Awarded: [Not recorded]
• Level Ups: None recorded

Key Decisions

• Fleeing the Demon Prince rather than continuing the fight
• Warning Jorenn to evacuate (Sending + Skywrite)
• Teleporting to Cloudwatch to reach the Council
• Prioritizing the Remnants lead (third anchor + Alorah's soul) per Council guidance

Plot Threads

Advanced

• The anchor endgame now has named factional steps: League of Miracles, Calmyros, Remnants, and securing the device out of Westruun
• A path to recovering Alorah Vasorin's soul exists

Introduced

• Cloudwatch — Council seat; new hub
• League of Miracles — mage mercenary group; Palace of Wonder envoy
• Remnants — faction tied to anchor placement and soul recovery
• Magnus Wilds — Lyceum professor; the divine-essence / demigod theory of repairing the Weave
• Bane / Iron Authority — Iron Authority is trying to return the god Bane; Calmyros opposes them

Unresolved

• Who received the Sending; fate of Father Abraham and the Bastion
• The exact identity of the "device" and its current location in Westruun
• Carry-overs: Liora, Zarissa, Pip, the children taken in the hills

Quotes & Memorable Moments

Spoons and the Washboard Player keep playing in an empty, evacuated tavern.

Grai's new argument: a barbed-wire great club.

Next Session Preview

Three Council leads are open: recruit the League of Miracles' wizard via the Palace of Wonder, turn Calmyros's people, and run down the Remnants angle to place the third anchor and recover Alorah's soul — starting with securing the device out of Westruun.

Previous Session: Session 74 Next Session: Session 76

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May 20, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: The Bastion of the Fading Dawn · Date: 2026-05-20

Session 74 — The Bastion of the Fading Dawn

Previous Session Recap

Session 73 brought the party to Jorenn Village, the silver boom town with no Tal'Dorei Council presence. They met the Shade Watch and Shade Master Arhana Lewyn, learned that "complications in the Hills" are taking children, and at the Shady Tap Room picked up two leads from Mama Mara: a warning that going north means death, and a Temple of the Dawn Father up in the hills.

Session Info

• Date: 2026-05-20
• Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis
• Players Present: Ana, Bohdi, Finn, Grai, Imdra, Ki

Quick Summary

The party goes north despite the warning, crossing 30 miles of devil-haunted wasteland to reach the Temple of the Dawn Father, the Bastion of the Fading Dawn. Inside they meet Father Abraham, who has spent 18 years holding back the infernal residue of the historic Battle of Umbra Hills. While the party searches his belongings, an explosion breaks his wards, a divine gate tears open the sky, and the Demon Prince of Indulgence descends and begins overwhelming the party.

Detailed Summary

Correction: Grai's Bracelet

A DM note here originally claimed Grai does not have a Bracelet of Blur. This has since been reversed (2026-07-01): Grai does have the Bracelet of Blur — it was crafted for her by Ana (party Artificer).

Heading North

Against the Jorenn warning, the party heads north roughly 30 miles. The land is barren, as if a titan had stomped it flat. They see numbers of fiends traveling in packs — these are devils, not demons. The terrain turns to dunes, rocky and volcanic.

The Monolith

A stark, solitary monolith of alabaster stone rises ahead, pushing back the darkness, ringed by what the notes call a "defiant garden." This is the Bastion of the Fading Dawn — the Temple of the Dawn Father that Mama Mara described.

Crossing the Threshold

Stepping inside feels like stepping out of the storm and into a sun-drenched library. A floating, honeycomb-like lattice of magic fills the space. It is markedly quiet, and the scent of burning incense drifts from the chapel.

Father Abraham

In the chapel, an older, very tan man kneels in prayer, eyes closed, beneath a crystal, bathed in a pillar of concentrated sunlight.

• Ki tries to break his concentration and fails
• The prayer is in a language no one recognizes
• Ana joins him in prayer

When the priest finally stops, the chapel becomes "infested again" and the lattice quivers. He looks annoyed: "Can I help you?"

He is Father Abraham. This is a Sanctuary to the Dawn Father, the Bastion of the Fading Dawn.

What Abraham Knows

The party explains the Abyssal Anchors and the ley-lines. Abraham, in turn, lays out the history and stakes:

• He references the Battle of Umbra Hills
• The chapel's magic is holding back infernal residue from that battle
• He has been here 18 years; the cathedral itself is 200+ years old
• The fall of Drasig (a dictator) and the rise of Tal'Dorei: the Battle of Umbra Hills is when the people of the Umbra Hills defeated Drasig
• The space between here and the Hells is thin — the place is supercharged for blood magic
• Oz was here, and went North West

While Abraham finishes praying, the party rifles through his belongings. Contents not itemized in the notes.

The Gate Opens

An explosion breaks the protective magic; it then returns. The sky rains gold. A dark-iron spike — an enormous trident — splits the sky.

Zelthrax the Folded Promise identifies it as a divine gate.

Charcoal-black feet break through the plane. It is the Demon Prince of Indulgence.

The Fight

The party engages the Demon Prince. Per the notes, he is destroying them. The session ends mid-combat. (Continues in Session 75.)

Quest Progress

Active Quests

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — The Umbra Hills are revealed as ground zero of an old planar wound; a divine gate has now opened and a Demon Prince has crossed over
• North-of-Jorenn Warning — The warning is borne out: going north led directly to devil packs and the gate
• Complications in the Hills — Context deepens; the infernal residue Abraham holds back is the backdrop to the region's troubles

NPCs Encountered

• Father Abraham — Priest of the Dawn Father; 18 years tending the Bastion, holding back the infernal residue of the Battle of Umbra Hills
• The Demon Prince of Indulgence — Crossed through the divine gate; overwhelming the party in combat

Locations Visited

• Umbra Hills — 30 miles north into barren, volcanic, devil-haunted waste
• Bastion of the Fading Dawn — Alabaster temple to the Dawn Father; sanctuary warding back infernal residue; 200+ years old

Loot & Rewards

• Grai's Bracelet of Blur — reinstated (2026-07-01). The earlier retraction was reversed; the bracelet was crafted for her by Ana.
• The party searched Father Abraham's belongings (contents not recorded)
• XP Awarded: [Not recorded]
• Level Ups: None recorded

Key Decisions

• Going north despite the explicit "you will die if you go north" warning
• Disturbing Father Abraham's prayer (Ki's failed Concentration break; the chapel "infested again" when he stopped)
• Rifling Abraham's belongings during his prayer
• Standing to fight the Demon Prince rather than immediately fleeing (the flight comes in Session 75)

Plot Threads

Advanced

• The Umbra Hills crisis is tied to a centuries-old planar wound from the Battle of Umbra Hills
• A divine gate has opened and a Demon Prince has entered the Prime Material

Introduced

• The Battle of Umbra Hills / Drasig — Historical defeat of the dictator Drasig that birthed Tal'Dorei; the residue lingers
• Father Abraham — Long-term warden of the Bastion
• The Demon Prince of Indulgence — New, immediately dangerous antagonist
• Oz — Was here, went North West; identity and significance TBD
• The divine gate / trident in the sky — Mechanism of the Prince's arrival

Unresolved

• Whether Father Abraham survives the breach
• What the party took from Abraham's belongings
• The "defiant garden" around the monolith
• Carry-overs: Liora, Zarissa, Pip, the children being taken

Quotes & Memorable Moments

"Can I help you?" — Father Abraham, interrupted at prayer

The sky rains gold, and a dark-iron trident splits the heavens.

Charcoal-black feet break through the plane.

Next Session Preview

The party is mid-fight with a Demon Prince that is winning. Survival, then flight, is the immediate problem.

Previous Session: Session 73 Next Session: Session 75

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May 13, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: Arrival at Jorenn Village · Date: 2026-05-13

Session 73 — Arrival at Jorenn Village

Previous Session Recap

Session 72 put the captured Abyssal Anchor in the Cobalt Reserve vault, set the party on the road to the Umbra Hills, gave them a roadside painter and his dog, a fireplace visitation from Finn's patron, a gypsy woman with melting eyes, and the Quill of Preservation from Vespera the Dream Stitcher. Session 73 picks up the morning after the dragon encounter.

Session Info

• Date: 2026-05-13
• Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis
• Players Present: Ana, Bohdi, Finn, Grai, Imdra, Ki

Quick Summary

The party leaves Vespera's grove and presses into the Umbra Hills proper. They survive a haunting at a long-abandoned farmhouse, where a translucent man enters, pets an unseen dog, and magically hangs them; Bohdi Banishes the ghost. They arrive at Jorenn Village — a silver-mining boom town considerably larger than the maps suggest, with no Tal'Dorei Council presence. The local order, the Shade Watch, runs security under a leader called the Shade Master, Arhana Lewyn. She warns of "complications in the Hills" — "things that take your children." At the Shady Tap Room, the party meets proprietor Mama Mara (Goliath), picks up a north-of-Jorenn death rumor, hears about a Temple of the Dawn Father in the hills, disposes of a body named Pip (unexplained), and Bohdi ends the night drunk and partnered with Mama Mara.

Detailed Summary

Leaving Vespera's Grove

The party leaves the grove and continues into the Umbra Hills.

The Abandoned Farmhouse

The party comes across an Abandoned Farmhouse.

• The kitchen is the only room left in decent shape
• The farmhouse has been abandoned for decades
• It is dark inside

Ki and Grai are the first to see the figure: a human man approaches the farmhouse, translucent — the party can see through him. He stops at the door, pets a dog that is not there, and enters the house.

The ghost then magically hangs the group — the mechanic is unspecified but the effect is severe enough that Bohdi takes immediate action. Bohdi casts Banishment on the ghost.

The ghost is removed. The party survives.

Curio: Ki's painted portrait — placed by Andreas Du Vavier in Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion in Session 72 — remains in the mansion intact through the banishment effect. The painting persists when the haunting is pushed out. Implication TBD.

Thrack Has Gained 15 Pounds

Tracked here for posterity. The mansion lifestyle is having its expected effect on Thrack.

The Foothills

Late into the evening, the party is now thoroughly into the foothills. Conditions:

• Grass that even Imdra does not recognize
• Smell: metallic tang, the deep-earth scent of mining tanks, and the charcoal smoke of a few thousand hearths

Reaching Jorenn Village

The party reaches Jorenn Village.

• A collection of timber and stone structures, far larger than the maps the party has show
• Mountains rise to the east
• Mines visible in the distance
• A mining boom town; mostly human
• The town mines silver; the rhythmic thud of silver mills is constant background
• Streets are narrow and crowded
• People mind their own business

The Palisade and the Missing Council

At the village gates, the party finds a wooden palisade, well-reinforced. The town has seen attacks.

There is no trace of the Tal'Dorei Council in Jorenn. Notable for a frontier silver town this large.

The Shade Watch

Security in Jorenn is run by gray-cloaked guards — the Shade Watch.

• Gresh is the Shade Watch member who first interacts with the party
• Arhana Lewyn is the Shade Master and runs the Shade Watch

Arhana's briefing to the party:

"Complications in the Hills." "Nasty things — the type of things that take your children."

This is the first concrete framing of what is going on in the Umbra Hills.

The Shady Tap Room

The party checks into the Shady Tap Room for rooms.

Proprietor: Mama Mara, a Goliath woman.

• Large
• Wears makeup
• Doing well for herself
• Brought to Jorenn by the Silver Rush along with her family

The party tips her a gold piece.

Music Night

Ki plays drinking songs. An old man on spoons joins him at the bar — Spoons is not great. The Washboard Player is great. Ki rocks the house.

Rumors

• "You will die if you go north." — Bar rumor, source unattributed; logged as North-of-Jorenn Warning
• Temple of the Dawn Father — A church up in the hills. Mama Mara is the source on this one.

Pip

Finn, Grai, and Bohdi dispose of a body named Pip.

The notes do not specify Pip's identity, how Pip died, who Pip was to the party, or where the body came from. This is being logged as an open mystery and will need on-table clarification.

Gresh Catches Up

Gresh catches the party after the rooms are sorted — purpose unspecified in the notes. This may be the Pip body work being noticed; flagged for resolution.

Bohdi and Mara

Bohdi gets drunk. Mama Mara is now his girlfriend. This is now load-bearing information.

Ulysses

Ulysses the Apothecary is named — no context yet. Either passing reference or upcoming hook.

Quest Progress

Active Quests

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — Party now physically at the Umbra Hills site; Jorenn established as base of operations
• Complications in the Hills — New quest; introduced by Arhana Lewyn; "things that take your children"
• North-of-Jorenn Warning — Rumor-tier hook; "you will die if you go north"
• Liora's Fate — No new progress

Tied-In

• The Mawl Cult — No direct mention this session; relevant only insofar as the Umbra Hills are the next anchor site

NPCs Encountered

• The Farmhouse Ghost — Translucent human male; petted an unseen dog; hanged the party magically; banished by Bohdi
• Gresh — Shade Watch member; first contact at the gates; caught up with the party after they took rooms
• Arhana Lewyn — Shade Master, runs the Shade Watch; warned of "complications in the Hills"
• Mama Mara — Goliath; proprietor of the Shady Tap Room; came to Jorenn with family during the Silver Rush; informed party of the Temple of the Dawn Father; now Bohdi's girlfriend
• Spoons — Old man who plays spoons; not great
• Washboard Player — Local musician; great
• Pip — Dead; body disposed of by Finn, Grai, Bohdi
• Ulysses the Apothecary — Named; context pending

Locations Visited

• Umbra Hills — Foothills and proper crossing
• Abandoned Farmhouse — Decades abandoned; haunted; site of the ghost encounter
• Jorenn Village — Silver-mining boom town; no Tal'Dorei Council presence; gates palisaded; Shade Watch security
• Shady Tap Room — Tavern in Jorenn; Mama Mara's establishment; party rooms

Loot & Rewards

• No new magic items
• No gold loot (1 gp tipped to Mama Mara)
• Rumors and intelligence gathered (north warning, Temple of the Dawn Father, Shade Watch context, missing Council)
• XP Awarded: [Not recorded]
• Level Ups: None

Key Decisions

• Engaging the farmhouse ghost rather than retreating (resulted in the magical hanging but also confirmed the Banishment works on it)
• Stopping in Jorenn and taking rooms rather than pushing further into the hills
• Disposing of Pip's body (whoever Pip is)
• Tipping Mara — building the relationship that ended the night

Plot Threads

Advanced

• The party is now in Jorenn; the Umbra Hills anchor site is within reach
• The Shade Watch is the local power; the Tal'Dorei Council is conspicuously absent
• Children being taken — a concrete shape for the "complications" in the hills

Introduced

• The Farmhouse Ghost — Identity unknown; the dog he petted is not there; what happened in this farmhouse?
• Shade Watch / Shade Master — Frontier security order under Arhana Lewyn
• Why is the Tal'Dorei Council absent? — Notable for a town this size
• Temple of the Dawn Father — A church in the hills, location and significance TBD
• "You will die if you go north" — Rumor with no attached origin
• Pip — Whose body, why, and how did it get to the party?
• Ulysses the Apothecary — Named, role unclear
• Mama Mara / Bohdi — Inter-PC-NPC relationship now in play
• Ki's portrait persistence — The Andreas painting survives effects that should remove it

Unresolved

• Zarissa's whereabouts (carry-over)
• Liora's status (carry-over)
• Eskil's crib (carry-over)
• The Mawl's full structure
• The cousin Finn is marching to meet

Quotes & Memorable Moments

"Complications in the Hills. Nasty things — the type of things that take your children." — Arhana Lewyn, Shade Master

"You will die if you go north." — Bar rumor, Jorenn Village

Mama Mara is Bohdi's girlfriend.

The ghost pets a dog that isn't there, then walks into the house.

Next Session Preview

Jorenn is the staging ground. Whatever takes the children is presumably north. The Temple of the Dawn Father is up in the hills. Ulysses the Apothecary is on the list. Pip is unresolved.

Previous Session: Session 72 Next Session: Session 74

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May 6, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: Road to the Umbra Hills · Date: 2026-05-06

Session 72 — Road to the Umbra Hills

Previous Session Recap

Session 71 resolved the Mossglow sanctum: mutant killed, anchor extracted from its body, Liora escaped via Dimension Door, the cult named (The Mawl), Faith's Sending sent the party to the family home (food left out, teleportation circle, hairbrush taken), and Eskil's scry on Liora returned an inconclusive "dead or on another plane." The party agreed to vault the captured anchor and then make for the Umbra Hills.

Session Info

• Date: 2026-05-06
• Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis
• Players Present: Ana, Bohdi, Finn, Grai, Imdra, Ki

Quick Summary

The party levels up, teleports the captured Abyssal Anchor to the Cobalt Reserve vault in Westruun, then begins the overland push to the Umbra Hills. The road is colder than it should be. They meet an obsessive painter and his dog at a roadside pavilion, host them for dinner in the mansion, take a visitation from what is probably Finn's patron through a fireplace, get cryptic prophecies from a gypsy, and end the night with a moonstone dragon named Vespera the Dream Stitcher gifting Ki an artifact called the Quill of Preservation — explicitly described as an anchor if the world begins to unravel.

Detailed Summary

Leveling Up

The session opens with the party spending an hour leveling up. Party level is now 11. (Corrected 2026-06-10: an earlier ingest recorded level 13, and a prior level of 12 at Session 70, in error — per Jeremy the party is level 11.)

Anchor in the Vault

The party teleports back to Westruun and places the captured Abyssal Anchor device in the Cobalt Reserve vault.

⚠️ This is the "bomb placement" referenced at the end of Session 71. Quash previously warned (Session 68) that anchors cannot be teleported safely. Either Zelthrax's "used to be an anchor" note in Session 71 means the device is now inert, or the party accepted the mishap risk. The vault placement was clean. Aaron the Page is involved in the vault logistics.

Scry Confirmed Inconclusive

Eskil confirms the prior session's scry on Liora — she is either dead or on another plane. No further targeting possible. See Liora's Fate.

Grai's New Bracelet

Grai now has a bracelet that allows her to cast Blur. (Source not specified in notes; assumed acquired during the leveling/Westruun stop. To be confirmed.)

Setting Out for Jorenn

Destination: the Umbra Hills, specifically Jorenn Village. Expected travel time: about three days.

The weather is wrong. Cold winds come down off the mountains. It feels like winter rather than late fall — which it should be.

Day 5 — Andreas and Gully

By the fifth day of travel, the party comes across a small pavilion with the flaps closed.

Inside is Andreas Du Vavier, an artist, and his dog Gully — a mut, part basset hound and part golden retriever. Andreas calls Gully his "bunk mate."

Andreas's biography (volunteered):

• Comes from a wealthy-ish merchant family
• His wife passed somewhat recently
• He was a merchant while she was alive; retired after she died
• Painting started as a hobby and has now become an obsession

Ki agrees to sit for a portrait. The party invites Andreas and Gully into Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion for dinner. Group leaves the pavilion out the next morning.

Two Uneventful Days

Two further days of travel pass without incident.

Mansion Evening — Finn's Patron

The party sleeps in the mansion that evening. Finn experiences the following:

• Weird, erratic shadows on the wall of Finn's room
• A feminine face appears in the flames of the fireplace
• Finn does not recognize the face, but does recognize the voice
• The voice is described as belonging to a devil lady — likely Finn's patron / god

She does not like that Finn is keeping secrets from her. She is uninterested in platitudes and small talk.

Direct quotes:

"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."

This is logged as the visitation by Finn's Patron. The reference to "my cousin" is significant — it implies a planar/familial relationship between Finn's patron and whatever waits in the Umbra Hills, which the campaign frames as a Lord of Hells site.

The Gypsy Woman

The next day, the party runs across a gypsy woman on the road.

• Her eyes melt
• She leans in to Finn: "I see a child in your future"
• Finn passes her a copper
• Imdra gives 10 gp
• To Imdra: "You will find your vindication if you seek it. It will cost you more than you're willing to pay."

She leaves. The group feels a weight of inspiration roll over them. (Mechanically: party inspiration / similar effect.)

Into the Gloom

The party continues. They approach a band of woods — a thicket much deeper and darker than anything they have seen on this road. They press in.

The thicket opens into a clearing super-saturated with light — the stars are out, fully visible, even in conditions where they should not be. A log around a fire. Stuck into the log: a silver quill.

A song is playing from the quill.

Vespera the Dream Stitcher

Imdra sees something phase into reality — like a ribbon of starlight. A peculiar dragon, either small or very young.

• Scales: polished mercury
• Body: running a few seconds behind the present moment
• Wings: shimmering
• Eventually scales up to huge in the encounter
• Species: moonstone dragon

Imdra engages. Ki plays a tranquil song. The dragon asks Imdra to share a moment of tangible sensation.

Imdra shares: standing in a redwood forest, towering trees, sunlight filtering through, the feel of red wood under her hand.

The dragon smiles. She knows the roots of the world deeper than most.

The Quill

• The quill has an eye on top, a 10-inch fine needle beneath
• The dragon asks Ki if he likes it
• "It's a melody that has brought many a child to sleep."
• "It remembers the melody."
• "I've given it that dream."
• "I'm a dream stitcher."
• She names herself: Vespera the Dream Stitcher
• "I'm not from around here."

Function of the quill:

• The pin/quill will allow you to pin something in its current state
• Targets are limited to non-sapient, non-conscious things
• "If the world starts to unravel, this is an anchor."
• Called the Quill of Preservation

The quill is given to Ki.

Quest Progress

Active Quests

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — Captured anchor delivered to the Cobalt Reserve vault; party now moving toward the last unmapped anchor site (Umbra Hills / Lord of Hells)
• Liora's Fate — Scry confirmed inconclusive; status: dead or planar
• The Mawl Cult — No new direct progress, but Finn's patron's reference to "my cousin" in connection with the Umbra Hills march hints at planar structures the cult may be entangled with

New Quests / Threads

• Finn's Patron — Visitation in the fireplace; demanding visibility into Finn's plans; suggests planar kinship with the Umbra Hills target
• The Gypsy Woman — Roadside prophecy delivered to Finn ("a child in your future") and Imdra ("vindication... will cost you more than you are willing to pay")
• Vespera the Dream Stitcher — Not from here; gifted the Quill of Preservation; describes the quill as an anchor if the world unravels

NPCs Encountered

• Andreas Du Vavier — Retired-merchant-turned-obsessive-painter; widowed; painting Ki
• Gully — Andreas's mut (basset hound / golden retriever); Andreas's "bunk mate"
• Finn's Patron — Feminine, devilish, voice familiar to Finn; demands visibility; references Umbra Hills as the seat of her cousin
• The Gypsy Woman — Eyes melt; roadside fortune-teller; delivered prophecies; left the group inspired
• Vespera the Dream Stitcher — Moonstone dragon; not from this world; gifted the Quill of Preservation to Ki

Locations Visited

• Westruun — Anchor vault placement; Cobalt Reserve
• Cobalt Reserve — Captured Abyssal Anchor secured in the vault
• Umbra Hills — Approached and entered overland
• Andreas's Pavilion — Small pavilion on the road; first meeting with Andreas and Gully
• Vespera's Grove — Star-saturated clearing in a dark thicket; site of the dragon encounter

Loot & Rewards

• Quill of Preservation — Vespera the Dream Stitcher's gift to Ki. Pins a non-sapient, non-conscious thing in its current state. Described as an anchor if the world starts to unravel. Has an eye atop, 10-inch fine needle, plays a sleep melody.
• Bracelet of Blur — Grai. Casts Blur. Crafted for her by Ana (party Artificer), not looted this session (corrected 2026-07-01).
• Inspiration — Party-wide, from the gypsy woman
• XP Awarded: [Not recorded]
• Level Ups: Level 11 reached at session open

Key Decisions

• Vaulting the captured anchor rather than carrying it onward
• Inviting Andreas and Gully into the mansion (resulted in the patron visitation that night)
• Imdra paying the gypsy 10 gp (Finn paid only a copper)
• Imdra sharing the redwood-forest sensation with Vespera (built trust; led to the Quill)
• Accepting the Quill of Preservation

Plot Threads

Advanced

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — Captured anchor secured; world-anchoring theme reinforced by Vespera's gift
• The Lord of Hells anchor site (Umbra Hills) is now clearly named as the destination of an antagonist planar power's "cousin"

Introduced

• Finn's Patron — Confirmed presence; demanding visibility; planar kinship with the Umbra Hills target
• The cousin — Patron's "cousin" awaits in the Umbra Hills (likely the Lord of Hells site)
• Vespera the Dream Stitcher — Moonstone dragon; not from this world; cryptically helpful
• The Quill of Preservation — World anchor in dragon-artifact form
• The Gypsy's prophecies — A child in Finn's future; vindication at unbearable cost for Imdra
• Unseasonable cold — Winter-like weather in late fall; environmental signal of something wrong

Unresolved

• Zarissa's whereabouts (carry-over)
• Liora's status — dead or planar
• The crib at Eskil's

Quotes & Memorable Moments

"You march to meet my cousin. I would like to know your plans." — Finn's Patron, in fire

"Never plan for death, let it take you by surprise." — Finn's Patron

"I see a child in your future." — The Gypsy Woman, to Finn

"You will find your vindication if you seek it. It will cost you more than you're willing to pay." — The Gypsy Woman, to Imdra

"I'm a dream stitcher." — Vespera

"If the world starts to unravel, this is an anchor." — Vespera, of the Quill

Next Session Preview

The party continues into the Umbra Hills toward Jorenn Village. The cold is not letting up.

Previous Session: Session 71 Next Session: Session 73

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April 15, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: Westen — The Mawl Cult Sanctum · Date: 2026-04-15

Session 71 — The Mawl Sanctum

Previous Session Recap

Session 70 ended mid-combat in the Mossglow sanctum: Finn confronting their mother, Bohdi having just landed a 28-damage Synaptic Static. A deformed humanoid hung in chains above a seeming bottomless pit, lightning ran through the iron, and a fist-sized rift hovered above the obsidian plinth one floor up. The session ended cold. Session 71 picks up exactly there.

Session Info

• Date: 2026-04-15
• Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis
• Players Present: Ana, Bohdi, Finn, Grai, Imdra, Ki

Quick Summary

The party finishes the Mossglow sanctum combat. The deformed humanoid is killed and reveals an Abyssal Anchor device inside its chest. Mrs. Mossglow — first name now confirmed as Liora — Dimension Doors out and is lost. The cult's name is revealed for the first time: The Mawl. The party recovers significant ritual loot, follows Liora to the family home (food left out, teleportation circle in the back yard, hairbrush taken), and resolves to deliver the captured anchor to the Cobalt Reserve vault in Westruun. A Scry by Eskil indicates Liora is either dead or on another plane.

Detailed Summary

Resolving the Cliffhanger Combat

Combat continues from Session 70's cliff. The figure at the center of the sanctum — the deformed humanoid suspended in the chains — is now active and has a gaping maw in its chest that releases an AoE frontal-cone of horrors. The party works it down and kills it.

Liora does not stay to finish the fight. She casts Dimension Door out of combat. The party loses her in the sanctum.

What Was Inside the Mutant

Ana cuts the mutant open and finds a solid platinum object with a chaotic orb at its center, four crystals surrounding it.

This is one of the Abyssal Anchors. The Mawl had embedded it in a living body.

Zelthrax Appears

Zelthrax the Folded Promise makes himself known. He confirms the platinum device used to be an Abyssal Anchor. He has Bigby's Magic Hand prepared.

A portal to the Abyss sits in the center of the room and is slowly dissipating as the anchor is removed.

The Cult Is Named

Finn's old cult is identified for the first time: The Mawl. This names the local Westen chapter the party has been chasing since Session 70.

Sanctum Loot

• Two ritual daggers — one gold, one silver, both magical (unassigned, party loot)
• Bag of residuum — 500 gp worth (party loot)
• Six 500 gp diamonds — 3,000 gp total (party loot)
• The captured Abyssal Anchor device (held by party for delivery to the Cobalt Reserve vault)

Earlier in the session, before the platinum device was recovered:

Finn tied themself to Grai and investigated the magic circle in the middle of the domed room (the rift/plinth from Session 70).

Faith's Sending

Faith Mossglow reaches Finn via Sending: Liora is likely at the family home.

Pursuit to the Family Home

Bohdi, Ki, Grai, and Imdra Dimension Door to the Mossglow family home.

What they find:

• Faith tells them mom has left food out the back
• Ki spots a teleportation circle in the back yard — Liora's likely exit route
• Finn enters the house and grabs their mother's hairbrush (Reason not stated but the implication is a scrying focus)

Liora is gone.

Liora — First Name Confirmed

Finn's mother's first name is Liora. The Mrs. Mossglow file is updated to reflect this.

Plan: The Anchor Goes in the Vault

The party resolves to deliver the captured anchor to the Cobalt Reserve vault in Westruun — described in-session as the "bomb" placement. Drake and Quash are notified that the anchor has been dropped off and they arrive to coordinate. Aaron the Page is named in connection with the vault placement.

⚠️ DM note: Quash said back in Session 68 that anchors cannot be teleported safely. Either Zelthrax's "used to be" comment indicates the device is now inert, or the party is accepting the mishap risk knowingly. Vault placement actually executes at the start of Session 72.

Finding Eskil and the Scry

The party seeks out Eskil in Westruun — an old academic, formerly aided Vox Machina, has Scry prepared. He is located with a crib (the meaning of the crib is unclear and is being tracked as an open mystery).

Eskil casts Scry on Liora using the hairbrush. Result: she is either dead or on another plane. The result is inconclusive — the scry was unable to lock on, which is consistent with both outcomes.

Quest Progress

Active Quests

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — Major progress. The party has recovered an actual anchor device from the Mawl sanctum; ready to attempt vault containment. Zelthrax's "used to be" comment suggests the device may be in a transitional state.
• The Mawl Cult — New named quest/mystery. Cult identified by name for the first time. Sanctum infrastructure mapped, anchor weaponization technique witnessed.
• Liora's Fate — New open mystery. Scry inconclusive: dead or on another plane.

Carry-Over

• Investigate Alorah's Death — No progress
• Investigate Dean Damill — No progress
• Investigate Morgranth's Conspiracy — No progress

NPCs Encountered

• Liora Mossglow — Cult leader; first name confirmed; Dimension Doored out of combat; scry result indicates dead or on another plane
• Faith Mossglow — Cast Sending to Finn; redirected party to the family home
• Zelthrax the Folded Promise — Appeared in the sanctum; confirmed recovered device used to be an Abyssal Anchor; had Bigby's Magic Hand prepared
• Aaron the Page — Named in connection with the Cobalt Reserve vault placement
• Drake — Notified of anchor recovery; arrived to coordinate
• Quash — Notified of anchor recovery; arrived to coordinate
• Eskil — Old academic at Westhall Academy; cast Scry on Liora using the hairbrush; found with a crib

Locations Visited

• Mossglow Cult Headquarters — Combat resolved here; anchor device recovered; portal to Abyss dissipated
• Mossglow Family Home — Liora gone; food left out; teleportation circle in back yard; hairbrush taken
• Westen — Westen as a whole, in transit between sites
• Westruun (implied) — Eskil sought here; Cobalt Reserve vault placement planned (executes start of Session 72)

Loot & Rewards

• Gold equivalents (party loot, undivided): 500 gp residuum + 3,000 gp diamonds = 3,500 gp party fund
• Magic items (unassigned, party loot): Gold ritual dagger, silver ritual dagger (both magical, properties [TBD])
• Plot artifact: Captured Abyssal Anchor device (platinum, chaotic orb, four crystals) — destined for Cobalt Reserve vault
• XP Awarded: [Not recorded]
• Level Ups: None this session (party levels at start of Session 72)

Note: Per discussion before the session, the 3,500 gp in cash-value loot is being recorded as undivided party treasure rather than split per PC. Jeremy to adjust if the table decides to split.

Key Decisions

• Killing the mutant before pursuing Liora (chose containment of the anchor body over chasing the caster)
• Splitting the party: 4 PCs Dimension Door to the family home, leaving 2 in the sanctum
• Finn taking the hairbrush (scrying focus for later)
• Resolving to put the captured anchor in the Cobalt Reserve vault rather than carry it
• Using Eskil's Scry rather than waiting for the party to recover a spell slot

Plot Threads

Advanced

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — Anchor device captured; weaponization technique (anchor implanted in living body) now confirmed
• Liora's motivation and current status — closer to clarity but still inconclusive (dead or planar)
• Zelthrax the Folded Promise — Direct involvement; "used to be an anchor" comment expands his knowledge base

Introduced

• The Mawl — Cult is named. The portal in the sanctum opened to the Abyss specifically
• Anchor-as-implant — The Mawl is implanting anchors into living bodies; the deformed humanoid was a vessel
• The teleportation circle at the Mossglow home — Where does it go?
• The crib at Eskil's — What is the crib? Whose? Why?
• Aaron the Page — Surfaces in connection with the vault placement

Unresolved

• Zarissa's whereabouts (carried from Session 70)
• The full nature of the rift above the plinth
• Is the captured anchor truly inert? Can it be safely transported and vaulted?
• What was the food set out for at the family home? Who was expected?

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The cult is named: The Mawl
• Mrs. Mossglow has a first name: Liora
• An Abyssal Anchor pulled from a body, still warm
• Faith's Sending reaching Finn mid-pursuit
• Eskil and the crib

Next Session Preview

The party teleports to Westruun, takes an hour to level up, and places the captured anchor in the Cobalt Reserve vault. Then they begin the overland trek to the Umbra Hills and Jorenn Village.

Previous Session: Session 70 Next Session: Session 72

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April 8, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: Westen — The Mossglow Family · Date: 2026-04-08

Session 70 — The Mossglow Family

Previous Session Recap

The party wrapped Session 69 in Westruun after a full day of intelligence gathering at the Cobalt Reserve and meetings with Fetch and Griselda Cassius. The revelation: Morgranth was an Illithiliche, Ana's home city of Cathmoira is submerged in the Shattered Teeth, and Griselda's directive was blunt — get to Umbra Hills. It is the only anchor site with no coverage.

Session Info

• Date: 2026-04-08
• Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis
• Meal: Curry and Clay

Quick Summary

The party detours through Westen before pushing to Umbra Hills — Finn's hometown, a modest town of roughly 1,000 on the Silver Cut Roadway. What they find there is anything but routine. Finn's father Orin is a drunk mess, his sister Faith Mossglow has been holding the family together, and his mother is not home — because she is underground, running a cult. The old tannery conceals a limestone sanctum with cold iron chains, floating eyeballs under violet glass, a plinth carved with cult members' names (including Finn's, now scratched out), and a manic inscription referencing the anchors. The session ends mid-combat as Finn confronts his mother above a deformed humanoid suspended in chains.

Detailed Summary

Departure from Westruun

The group heads out the morning after Session 69 ends. Travel along the Silver Cut Roadway to Westen takes one day.

Arriving in Westen

Westen sits south of Westruun — a small town of roughly 1,000 people, somewhere between a hamlet and a village. Two stoplights at best. The town inn is the West Gate Inn.

On the road in, Finn is stopped cold by a voice.

Faith Mossglow

Faith Mossglow — Finn's sister rides up on a donkey. She is weathered, smiling, and uses a "mom voice." She has been running family affairs in Finn's absence. She has not been home herself in a while, but their father's situation brought her back.

The donkey: Named Gopey (short for something "wizardy"), the donkey is at least 51 years old and always looked old. It was stolen from a wizard a member of the Cobalt Soul when Faith and Finn were 10 to 12 years old. The donkey originally belonged to the wizard's inn and was his least useful work animal. Officials came to retrieve it; the wizard was Cobalt Soul. Their mother was not pleased. Gopey is magic; that is why it is still alive.

On gnome culture: Gnomes in Westen are notably trans-affirming, and gnomes in general place significant weight on names. This is relevant given Finn's full name: Finnick Beatrice Marigold Mossglow — the "Beatrice Marigold" middle names revealed here for the first time.

On the old drow: Finn asks Faith about an elf woman — old drow. Faith is not a fan. She says she has not seen the drow, citing mixed company. She offers to look into the drow's status independently.

Finding Orin at the West Gate Inn

West Gate Inn is full of old, crusty regulars. Finn spots a man with a long spiked polearm losing at cards to unknown players — his father, Orin Longspike Mossglow.

The two speak outside.

What Orin reveals: - Mom is "so busy" - Mom is now in charge of the family's affairs - Mom has become fanatical, die-hard in her pursuits - He is trying to stay out of the way; it is not going well - He is very much in love with her and has always been dedicated to her goals - His drinking has gotten worse

Finn does not care for his mother. He had liked his father but Orin appears to be a mess. The group escorts Orin home.

The Mossglow Home

The house is built into a hill, two or three doors down from the old tannery. The area smells of wet leather and acrid chemicals from the tannery. Orin puts his pike down and enters. Grai and Bohdi wait outside.

Faith is inside wearing just a towel. Mom is not home.

The group gets directions to "mom's office" — which is the old tannery. Which is, as it turns out, also a headquarters. The grounds have "gone sour." A wagon sits outside; the donkey is gone.

Mossglow Cult Headquarters — Tannery Level

Beneath a pile of rock-hard hides in the tannery is a secret door. Entry requires a blood sacrifice. Finn performs it. A spiral staircase descends.

Atmosphere: - Limestone caverns, sculpted by magic — not tools - Ceiling: 8 feet - Walls wet with oily moisture - Ceiling lined with cold iron chains extending further in - Air: inaudible hum - Smell: stale incense and copper tang of old blood - New smell (to Finn): ozone - As the party descends, pressure builds — like being underwater

Finn's Arcana check on the environment is poor; the nature of the magic is unclear.

The Antechamber

The passage opens into a chamber shaped like the back of a colossal throat — sculpted, wavy, wet. An oil slick sits on top of standing water.

To the left: an abandoned table with an enormous spread of food. Someone ate a massive amount and left a deck of playing cards. This was Tobias Tubs Thorn — a cult associate who has since departed.

Beyond the table: an archway leading deeper into darkness.

The Inscription:

Scrawled into the stone beside the archway, still wet, in purple pigment — in mom's handwriting but manic:

"The anchor is dropped, the anchor is unbarred, the weaver's threads is ours to cut."

This is a significant find. The phrasing connects directly to the anchor conspiracy and to the Hellchain Weaver referenced in Session 69 — the enormous spider that prowls the chains in the Jangling Hells.

The Dome Room — Plinth and Rift

Beyond the arch: a domed room. The floor is violet-tinted glass. Beneath it, thousands of unblinking eyeballs float, staring upward. The hum builds to a thrum.

Bohdi casts Light on Ki's skull object (not Ki's actual skull). The room reacts — the group feels exposed, laid bare, as if standing on a stage.

At the center: a 5-foot obsidian plinth, surface carved with the names of cult members. Finn's name is there — and it is scratched out.

Hovering above the plinth: a localized tear in reality, fist-sized. The air around it tastes of copper and ozone; the temperature is cold. This rift is stable but clearly unnatural.

Finn feels seen.

Note: This room is described as where dedications are made. Two additional passages lead off from here: - One to holding cells - One to the sanctum

Charisma Saving Throw

The rift exerts a pull. Ki, Bohdi, and Finn save. The three who fail hear the voice of a loved one emanating from the rift. Ki and Bohdi immediately dispel magic on the three affected.

Holding Cells

• Scent of vinegar and rusted iron
• Iron-forged doors; isolation cells
• Most appear unoccupied
• One cell contains a corpse
• One cell has the oily coating on the wall wiped away in script: the name "Finnick" has been written there

Who wrote it and why is unknown.

The Sanctum

Bohdi goes in under Greater Invisibility. The sanctum stairs descend 120-150 feet, opening into a space shaped like a 7-pointed star. The center appears to be a bottomless pit — but it can be walked on by anyone brave enough.

What Bohdi sees:

• A short person chanting — Finn's mother, Mrs. Mossglow
• Lots of chains, some longer than others
• Suspended in the chains: a massively deformed humanoid figure
• Enormous, like the fattest man imaginable
• Arms bulbous and wrong — longer than they should be
• Legs also malformed
• An enormous gash on the stomach, sewn shut
• Ambient violet light fills the space; no discernible source, the light is sickening
• Tendrils of lightning in slow motion — white-hot arching energy running through the chains
• The lightning is the source of the ozone smell

The eyes on the glass floor above have noticed Bohdi and/or the group.

Combat Begins

Bohdi sneaks left, Finn goes right and engages his mother directly.

Neither Finn nor his mother know what has become of Zarissa — the drow who was previously at this site. Zarissa's whereabouts are unknown to both.

Bohdi casts Synaptic Static on Mrs. Mossglow: 28 damage.

Session ends mid-combat, cliffhanger.

Quick Reference — Tea

A tea was prepared during the session with the following effects: regain 1d6+2 hit points plus the same as temporary hit points, charmed and frightened conditions suppressed for one hour. Takes one minute to drink. Cool tea is half as effective.

Quest Progress

Active Quests

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — Major update: mom's inscription ("the anchor is dropped, the anchor is unbarred, the weaver's threads is ours to cut") confirms local cult knowledge of and involvement in anchor deployment; the rift above the plinth may be a Far Realm bleed point; Hellchain Weaver connection in the inscription; Zarissa (drow cult leader previously sought) confirmed as having been at this site
• Party still has not reached Umbra Hills; this detour has yielded unexpected anchor-related intelligence

Unresolved

• Investigate Alorah's Death — No new progress
• Investigate Dean Damill — No new progress
• Investigate Morgranth's Conspiracy — No new progress

NPCs Encountered

• Faith Mossglow — Finn's sister; weathered, capable, holding the family together; not fond of the old drow (Zarissa); offered to investigate drow's status
• Orin Longspike Mossglow — Finn's father; drunk, losing at cards; long spiked polearm; very in love with his wife; dedicated to her goals even as they consume him
• Mrs. Mossglow — Finn's mother; fanatical cult leader; runs the underground headquarters; not home when party arrives; chanting in sanctum above a deformed humanoid; took 28 damage from Synaptic Static
• Zarissa — Drow confirmed as the cult figure previously sought via Fetch in Session 69; was at this headquarters; current location unknown to everyone
• Tobias Tubs Thorn — Cult associate; was at the headquarters, ate an enormous spread of food and played cards, then left before the party arrived
• Gopey — Magic donkey, 51+ years old; stolen from a Cobalt Soul wizard when Faith and Finn were children; Finn's family's donkey; always looked old

Locations Visited

• Westen — Finn's hometown; roughly 1,000 people; on the Silver Cut Roadway; south of Westruun
• West Gate Inn — Westen's inn; where Orin was found drunk and losing at cards
• Mossglow Cult Headquarters — Underground sanctum beneath the old tannery; entered via blood sacrifice; limestone caverns, cold iron chains, obsidian plinth, rift in reality, holding cells, 7-pointed star sanctum

Loot & Rewards

• No loot distributed
• Intelligence: anchor inscription, cult structure (obsidian plinth with member names), rift above plinth, Zarissa confirmed as drow cult leader, deformed humanoid of unknown nature

Key Decisions

• Party chose to detour through Westen before Umbra Hills
• Finn performed the blood sacrifice to open the headquarters
• Bohdi deployed Greater Invisibility for reconnaissance before combat
• Ki and Bohdi immediately dispelled magic on the three party members affected by the rift's pull

Plot Threads

Advanced

• Zarissa confirmed as the drow cult leader the party had Fetch investigate in Session 69
• The anchor conspiracy has a direct local chapter in Westen connected to Finn's family
• The purple inscription directly references anchor deployment and the Hellchain Weaver

Introduced

• The deformed humanoid — Suspended in chains in the sanctum; malformed, sewn-shut gash, connected to violet light and lightning tendrils; identity and purpose unknown
• "Finnick" scrawled in the cell — Who wrote it? Why is it in a holding cell?
• The rift above the plinth — Localized tear in reality; fist-sized; copper/ozone; cold; what is it, and is it connected to an anchor site?
• Mrs. Mossglow — What exactly is she doing? What is the deformed humanoid?
• Zarissa's location — Drow cult leader has left the site; no one knows where she went

Unresolved (Carried From Previous Sessions)

• Is Morgranth truly gone or does something persist?
• What is being withheld from Rothtree?
• What lies in Umbra Hills?
• Who holds the deformed humanoid, and what is it?

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gnomes are very trans-affirming — and they take names seriously
• Finn's full name revealed: Finnick Beatrice Marigold Mossglow
• The inscription, still wet, in mom's manic hand: "The anchor is dropped, the anchor is unbarred, the weaver's threads is ours to cut."
• Finn's name on the plinth — scratched out

Next Session Preview

Combat is ongoing in the Mossglow sanctum. Finn faces his mother. A deformed humanoid hangs in chains above a seeming bottomless pit. The rift, the eyeballs, the cold iron chains, and the lightning all suggest something very wrong is happening here — and it connects to the anchor conspiracy. The party needs to resolve this fight, figure out what the humanoid is, and then still make it to Umbra Hills.

Previous Session: Session 69 Next Session: Session 71

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March 11, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: Westruun — The Cobalt Reserve · Date: 2026-03-11

Session 69 — The Cobalt Reserve & Umbra Hills Directive

Previous Session Recap

The party ended Session 68 newly arrived in Westruun after a full day in Emon — shopping, meeting Quash at Gilmore's Glorious Goods for anchor mechanics intel, and uncovering the bombshell that Dean Damill used a 9th-level Modify Memory on Ana. Tyce and Skitter both delivered operative reports. The party is now embedded in Westruun's Clasp network.

Session Info

• Date: 2026-03-11
• Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis
• Meal: Jersey Mike's

Quick Summary

The party moves through Westruun's districts — making contact with Fetch (Clasp Spireling of Secrets) through Dusty, visiting the Cobalt Reserve, and uncovering a massive revelation: Morgranth was an Illithiliche whose skull was taken and worn by the demilich spider the party defeated. Ana also discovers pre-Calamity research pointing to her home city, Cathmoira, now submerged in the Shattered Teeth. The session culminates with High Curator Griselda Cassius of the Cobalt Soul directing the party to Umbra Hills — all other resources are tapped and time is critical.

Detailed Summary

Westruun — City Layout

The party navigates Westruun's districts:

• Scholard's Ward — Academic district; contains the outer buildings of Westhall Academy, which maintains the city's teleporter
• Opal Ward — Administrative district; home to powerful organizations and official institutions
• Cobalt Reserve — The Cobalt Soul's research library, visited later in the session
• Eskil is confirmed to not be Clasp — he is simply an old man who once helped Vox Machina

Meeting Fetch via Dusty

Dusty's shop is a stout stone building, one story but unusually tall and sturdy — built up from reclaimed sewer infrastructure in the Underwalk Gates district. Through Dusty, the party connects with Fetch, the Clasp's Spireling of Secrets — the party needs him for intelligence on the old drow cult leader.

• Dusty openly calls Finn a dickhead (established history between them)
• Fetch and the drow matter are discussed; the party's impression of Fetch is unfavorable

Ki and His Old Professor

Ki takes time to speak with an old professor of his — a personal connection within Westruun's academic community.

The Cobalt Reserve — Research & Revelations

At the Cobalt Reserve, multiple threads converge:

Ana's Missing Books

Ana discovers she is looking for books that are not there — their absence itself is the clue. She locates an in-progress research section containing a map populated with detailed data, then finds records of pre-Calamity sister cities with identical maps but no names.

What she uncovers:

• Avolere — A floating city that rested atop Mount Ygora, with a ring of city encircling the mountain's tip. Continent of origin: Dominas (now sunk into the ocean; only its scattered remains exist as the Shattered Teeth).
• Cathmoira — The sister city to Avolere; Ana's home city. Cathmoira is now fully submerged somewhere in the Shattered Teeth.

These cities are thousands of years old, predating the Calamity.

Morgranth Revelation — Illithiliche

Research at the Cobalt Reserve yields a devastating and clarifying revelation about Morgranth:

• Morgranth was an Illithiliche — an Illithid (Mind Flayer) who achieved lich-hood, making him one of the most dangerous forms of undead
• A spider wore his skull and transformed itself into a lich through it
• The trail went cold after the apparent "death" of Morgranth — suggesting the party may have encountered the remnant of his consciousness or transformation, not Morgranth himself
• The desiccated headless body found in the mithril mine lab now makes sense: it was Morgranth's corpse, skull already removed

Planar Intelligence — Imdra's Creatures

Imdra's summoned creatures (rats and minor demons, which dissipate after summoning ends) provide planar intelligence:

• Jangling Hells — A city hanging from the second layer of Hell
• Hellchain Weaver — An enormous spider that prowls the chains in the Jangling Hells. Chain devils are generally fearless, but this creature is the exception
• A creature from the Endless Bog is referenced
• Mammon rules the layer of Hell where the Jangling Hells hangs; he forbids great ones from coming there
• Asmodeus has influence primarily over the Quatwal Swamp region
• K'varn the Mad is referenced in passing

Clasp Internal Structure

The party learns the internal hierarchy of The Clasp in more detail:

• Shadows — Led by Zeloah and Golesh
• Secrets — Led by Shen
• Blades — Led by Morin and Melquior

High Curator Griselda Cassius — Cobalt Soul Briefing

At the Cobalt Reserve, the party meets the High Curator of the Cobalt Soul: Griselda Cassius.

• Half-dragonborn, very human in appearance; bald, silver-slitted eyes, silvery scales
• Solomane (half-elf/half-orc arcanist) is also present
• Griselda was already aware of Cressida's situation

Ki gives Griselda the full briefing:

• The plot to destroy the ley lines to open the gate and bring back Vecna
• The party is investigating killings of cult leaders

Griselda's intelligence and directives:

• Cressida cannot reach the altars of the Chained Oblivion in Gap Shadow — and crucially, no one else can either. The Gap Shadow location is effectively inaccessible for now (good and bad news)
• There is information about a temple in Whitestone — Vex has confirmed it is well in hand
• No eyes on Umbra Hills — this is the critical gap
• All Cobalt Soul resources are currently tapped
• The Arcana Pansophical sent the party to Umbra Hills
• The order of which anchors/nukes were made is still unknown
• Gap Shadow = Chained Oblivion anchor site
• Vecna Temple = Vecna anchor site
• Umbra Hills = Lord of Hells anchor site

On the Abyssal Anchors (technical briefing):

• Anchors take a full year to properly set up and attune to a location
• The cult is attempting to "short-circuit" this process somehow
• Their function: take a spoke where the veil is thin and hold it at its thinnest point, allowing for easy planar summons
• Residuum (powerful magical reagent) has nothing to do with the attunement process
• Whitestone is the best source for residuum if needed
• Someone named Rothtree has been doing most of the research — but certain findings are kept under wraps, even from him
• The connection goes up to High Archivist Westborn

Griselda's directive:

GET TO UMBRAL HILLS.

She is described as deliberate and very lawful. The directive is clear.

Quest Progress

Active Quests

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — Major update: Umbra Hills is the critical next target; three sites confirmed (Gap Shadow/Chained Oblivion, Vecna Temple, Umbra Hills/Lord of Hells); Cressida cannot reach Gap Shadow; Whitestone temple well in hand; anchors take 1 year to attune but cult is short-circuiting the process; Rothtree is a key researcher with info being withheld even from him
• Investigate Morgranth's Conspiracy — Major revelation: Morgranth was an Illithiliche; a spider wore his skull and became a lich; trail went cold post-"death"; party may have already destroyed this form in Session 67

Unresolved

• Investigate Dean Damill — No new progress; urgency remains
• Investigate Alorah's Death — Griselda aware of Cressida situation; no new Alorah info this session

NPCs Encountered

• Dusty — Clasp fence; shop in Underwalk Gates; called Finn a dickhead
• Fetch — Clasp Spireling of Secrets; consulted about old drow; party unimpressed
• Griselda Cassius — High Curator of Cobalt Soul; half-dragonborn; briefed by Ki; directed party to Umbra Hills
• Solomane — Half-elf/half-orc arcanist present at Cobalt Reserve

Locations Visited

• Westruun — Scholard's Ward, Opal Ward; teleporter maintained by Westhall Academy
• Westhall Academy — Eskil's school; maintains city teleporter in Scholard's Ward
• Cobalt Reserve — Cobalt Soul research library; Ana's research on Cathmoira/Avolere; Morgranth revelation; Griselda meeting

Loot & Rewards

• No loot this session
• Intelligence acquired: pre-Calamity city research, Morgranth Illithiliche revelation, Clasp structure, Umbra Hills directive

Key Decisions

• Party accepted Griselda Cassius's directive to go to Umbra Hills
• Ki chose to fully brief Griselda on the Vecna gate/ley line plot
• Party engaged Fetch through Dusty for Clasp intel on the drow

Plot Threads

Advanced

• Three anchor site locations confirmed with faction alignments
• Morgranth's true nature (Illithiliche) revealed — the demilich fight may have been his skull
• Ana's home city Cathmoira identified as submerged in the Shattered Teeth

Introduced

• Umbra Hills — Critical next destination; no intelligence on it yet
• Rothtree — Anchor researcher; information withheld even from him
• Hellchain Weaver — Enormous spider in Jangling Hells; chain devils fear it
• Mammon rules the relevant layer of Hell; Asmodeus connected to Quatwal Swamp
• K'varn the Mad referenced

Unresolved

• Is Morgranth truly dead or does something persist?
• What exactly is being withheld from Rothtree?
• What is High Archivist Westborn's connection to all of this?
• Who holds the Vecna temple and is it truly secure?
• Can the Hellchain Weaver be relevant to the anchor plan?
• What lies in Umbra Hills?

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Fuck Fetch" — party's collective opinion of the Spireling of Secrets
• Griselda's single, unambiguous directive: Get to Umbra Hills
• Ana realizing her city is at the bottom of the ocean in the Shattered Teeth

Next Session Preview

The party has a clear directive: Umbra Hills. The Lord of Hells anchor site is the one gap in coverage — no Cobalt Soul eyes, no Pansophical presence, and no time to spare. The cult is short-circuiting the year-long attunement process. If there's a site to investigate before it's too late, it's Umbra Hills.

Previous Session: Session 68 Next Session: Session 70

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March 4, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: Emon & The Road to Westruun · Date: 2026-03-04

Session 68 — Emon Intel & The Road to Westruun

Previous Session Recap

The party ended Session 67 in Emberhold — Thrack's volcanic hometown — having just paid off his debt and officially welcomed him into the party. The demilich skull spider was defeated in the Yug Voril mithril core chamber, and the second half of the Hag/Morgranth correspondence is now in party hands. All three Abyssal Anchors are confirmed deployed.

Session Info

• Date: 2026-03-04
• Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis

Quick Summary

The party resupplies in Emon, gaining critical intelligence about the Abyssal Anchors from a contact named Quash and learning that Alorah Vasorin was buried at the cemetery district with her chosen deity, the Arch Heart. A devastating revelation surfaces: Dean Damill, the enchanting Dean of the Lyceum, used a 9th-level Modify Memory spell on Ana. The party then travels to Westruun to connect with Clasp contacts.

Detailed Summary

Opening Scene

The session opens with the party shopping in Emon. Two significant purchases are made: Bohdi Shadowtwist acquires an Elemental Essence Shard-Water for 2,400gp, and Imdra d'Vadalis picks up a Couatl Herald's Guard for 500gp. Several organizations and institutions relevant to the coming arc are named and clarified:

• Remnants — the name used for the Cult of Vecna
• Arcana Pansophical — a group of wizards (allied organization)
• Westfall Academy — Eskil's school
• College of the Savvy — a college in Westruun
• Cobalt Reserve — the Cobalt Soul's library in Westruun

Bohdi also notes he needs to visit The Clasp while in the area.

Quash at Gilmore's

Quash runs into the party at Gilmore's Glorious Goods, bringing valuable intelligence about the Abyssal Anchors:

• The anchors' purpose is to sunder the space between planes — they cannot be safely teleported
• Using magic that breaks space (like teleportation) near the devices would exponentially increase the risk of mishap
• Dispel Magic can suppress an anchor temporarily but cannot end it permanently
• What is needed is an Unmake Magic spell — and the party has enough research notes to craft it
• The recommended strategy: capture a device and bring it back to the Arcana Pansophical for study and neutralization

Ki gives Quash a sachet of soothing tea.

Alorah's Burial — Gilmore's Account

Gilmore shares what he knows about Alorah Vasorin's death and burial:

• A procession took her body to the cemetery district
• There was disagreement among council members about where she should be interred
• It was ultimately settled: she would be laid to rest with her chosen deity, the Arch Heart
• Gilmore notes he does not deal in souls — he is focused on living his life
• This was the first time a sitting council member has died — a historic and sobering event

The Drake Connection

The party gets the sense that Drake and Alorah were very close friends — in a different life, they would have been romantically involved. The nature of this connection and who Drake is remain to be explored.

Operative Reports — Tyce and Skitter

Two operatives the party sent out report back with significant intelligence:

Adomas also ran into an opportunity (details unclear).

Tyce was placed on the cleaning staff at the Lyceum. He is illiterate but a savant at stealing. He infiltrated Dean Damill's study and took what he believed was the Dean's personal diary — it is, in fact, the Dean's spellbook. Contents of the spellbook include:

• Enchantment magic
• Modify Memory
• A number of other spells in that vein
• A custom 9th-level Modify Memory spell — indicating Dean Damill has altered someone's memories at the highest possible level of power

The implication is chilling: Dean Damill has tampered with Ana's mind.

Skitter staked out Ana's family home. Findings: - Her father is a barrister; her mother is a high-end scribe - She has two siblings — one currently at the Lyceum, one at a boarding school across town - Skitter is literate, making them a reliable source for written intelligence - The siblings are rarely home

The new master of Arcana at the Lyceum is also a topic of discussion — Zeloah has been out of town for a week.

Travel to Westruun

The party heads to Westruun. Two Clasp contacts are established:

• Echo — a human Clasp operative the party connects with
• Dusty — a dwarf Clasp fence operating out of the Underwalk Gates district

Additional intelligence about Finn's background surfaces: - Finn is originally from Hawthorn - Members of his family were part of the Chained Oblivion cult - When Finn left, someone filled in for him in the cult's ranks - The group needs to find out who replaced Finn within the cult

The leader of the cult being investigated is described as an old drow, approximately 460 years of age.

Quest Progress

Active Quests

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — Critical update: anchors cannot be teleported; Dispel Magic only suppresses; party needs Unmake Magic spell (notes sufficient to craft it); plan is to capture a device and bring it to the Arcana Pansophical
• Investigate Alorah's Death — Alorah buried at cemetery district with the Arch Heart; first sitting council member to die; Drake connection noted
• Investigate Dean Damill — NEW — Dean Damill's spellbook recovered by Tyce reveals 9th-level Modify Memory; strong indication Dean has altered Ana's memories

New Quests

• Investigate Dean Damill — Introduced this session via Tyce's theft of Damill's spellbook

NPCs Encountered

• Quash — Met at Gilmore's; provided crucial anchor mechanics intelligence
• Gilmore — Shared account of Alorah's burial; noted he doesn't deal with souls
• Tyce — Operative placed at the Lyceum cleaning staff; stole Dean Damill's spellbook
• Skitter — Operative who surveilled Ana's family home; reported on family members
• Echo — Human Clasp contact in Westruun
• Dusty — Dwarf Clasp fence at the Underwalk Gates

Locations Visited

• Emon — Party shopped, met Quash at Gilmore's, learned of Alorah's burial
• Westruun — Party arrived; connected with Clasp contacts Echo and Dusty

Loot & Rewards

• Elemental Essence Shard-Water — Purchased by Bohdi Shadowtwist (2,400gp)
• Couatl Herald's Guard — Purchased by Imdra d'Vadalis (500gp)
• Dean Damill's Spellbook — Stolen by Tyce from the Lyceum; contains Modify Memory, enchantment spells, custom 9th-level Modify Memory

Key Decisions

• Party chose to have operatives (Tyce, Skitter) gather intelligence covertly at the Lyceum and Ana's family home
• Decision to travel to Westruun and engage Clasp network for intel on the drow cult leader
• Ki gave Quash soothing tea (light moment but builds relationship)

Plot Threads

Advanced

• Abyssal Anchor mechanics now fully understood — Unmake Magic is the solution
• Alorah's burial and circumstances confirmed
• Finn's hometown (Hawthorn) and family connection to Chained Oblivion revealed

Introduced

• Dean Damill modified Ana's memory with a 9th-level spell — massive personal threat for Ana
• Ana's family details now known (barrister father, scribe mother, two siblings)
• Finn's Chained Oblivion replacement — an unknown cult member now filling his former role
• Old drow (460 years) leads the cult being investigated
• Zeloah (Clasp Shadows) has been absent from town for a week

Unresolved

• What memories did Dean Damill modify in Ana?
• Who is the old drow cult leader?
• Who replaced Finn in the Chained Oblivion?
• What opportunity did Adomas run into?
• What is Drake's full connection to Alorah?

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ki teabagging Quash with a sachet of soothing tea
• The quiet horror of learning Dean Damill has tampered with Ana's mind

Next Session Preview

The party is in Westruun with Clasp contacts in place. Dusty and Fetch (Spireling of Secrets) are to be consulted about the drow cult leader. The Cobalt Reserve holds research relevant to Ana's mysterious ancient city — and High Curator Griselda Cassius of the Cobalt Soul awaits.

Previous Session: Session 67 Next Session: Session 69

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February 18, 2026

Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis · Chapter: Yug Voril · Date: 2026-02-18

Session 67 — The Demilich Falls & The Road to Emberhold

Previous Session Recap

The party ended Session 66 mid-battle against an intelligent, invisible spider in the Yug Voril mithril core chamber — the creature had spoken in a feminine voice asking "Why have you come?" before combat erupted. Ana had cast See Invisibility to reveal it, and Ana struck it with a Branding Smite just as the session closed.

Session Info

• Date: 2026-02-18
• Campaign Arc: Abyssal Anchors Crisis

Quick Summary

The party finishes the brutal fight against a demilich riding a skull spider in the Yug Voril mithril mine. With the fight concluded and the second half of Morgranth's hag correspondence in hand, the group recovers the Mithril Mobile, takes a long rest, and travels to Emberhold to pay off Thrack's debt — who then joins the party permanently.

Detailed Summary

Opening Scene

The session picks up in the heart of the Yug Voril mithril mine, combat already underway. The mithril core chamber is thick with webs, tunnels branching off in all directions. Grai Malin opens with a low charisma roll — but rather than panic, a wave of eerie calm washes over her.

Major Events

• Grai Malin remains supernaturally calm throughout the fight and smashes the demilich skull spider, ending it.
• Ana throws a Molotov cocktail at the webs, burning through the worst of them.
• The party is swarmed by numerous smaller spiders throughout the fight — a defensive measure of the skull spider.
• Thrack takes significant damage and is badly hurt by session's end.
• After combat, the party discovers the skull the spider was carrying is a powerful, gem-encrusted arcane focus that enhances Necromancy. Ki Nightwhisper claims it and attunes to it.

Discoveries & Revelations

• Second half of Morgranth/Hag correspondence recovered from the lab — the first half was found in a prior session (exact session unknown).
• Desiccated headless remains found in the lab — large, unidentified, missing its skull.
• Mithril Mobile recovered: a three-dimensional continuation of the map the party has been carrying — the "diorama" Thrack had tried to pull down. It had been previously mistaken for a fixed fixture; it was removable and is now with the party.
• Duergar and monstrosity remains: 9 duergar, 8 monstrosity corpses found in the area.
• Two Abyssal Anchors have already been set out. The party was too late to prevent the third from being made. Three total anchors are confirmed deployed.

Roleplay Highlights

• The party debates their next steps: with anchors now out in the world, urgency is higher than ever.

Quest Progress

Active Quests

• Stop the Abyssal Anchors — Two anchors already set. Third also confirmed deployed — party was too late. All three are out. New focus: locate and defuse them.
• Investigate Morgranth's Conspiracy — Second half of Hag/Morgranth correspondence recovered. Full correspondence now known to party.

NPCs Encountered

• Thrack — Was badly hurt in combat; his debt of 200gp paid off by the party. He officially joins as a party companion. Originally from Emberhold.

Locations Visited

• Yug Voril — Mithril mine / core chamber. Combat concluded here.
• Emberhold — Thrack's hometown. Party's first visit. Hot, volcanic environment with lava flows, smithing culture, and a brutalist society.

Loot & Rewards

• Demilich Skull (arcane focus, gem-encrusted, enhances Necromancy — attunable by spellcasters) — acquired by Ki Nightwhisper
• Mithril Mobile — 3D map continuation artifact — acquired by party
• 300gp in gemstones — found in the area
• Net gold after paying Thrack's debt: Party spends 200gp on Thrack's debt, leaving approximately 100gp from the gemstones

Key Decisions

• Party chose to pay Thrack's debt (200gp) and formally bring him into the group.
• Party elected to take a long rest before traveling to Emberhold.

Plot Threads

Advanced

• Morgranth/Hag conspiracy: second half of correspondence in hand
• Thrack formally joins party

Introduced

• All three Abyssal Anchors are now deployed — the race is on

Unresolved

• What does the desiccated headless body in the lab belong to?
• Full contents of the Morgranth/Hag correspondence (second half)
• Emberhold — why is the party here, and what will they find?

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Grai rolling low on Charisma — and an eerie calm flooding over her instead.
• Ana Molotoving the webs while surrounded by spiders.

Next Session Preview

The party is in Emberhold — Thrack's brutalist volcanic hometown. With all three Abyssal Anchors now deployed, the clock is ticking. The full Morgranth/Hag correspondence may shed light on the next target.

Previous Session: Session 66 Next Session: Session 68

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January 14, 2026

Date: 2026-01-14

General Notes

Morgranth Estate Investigation

Thrack's Activities: - Attempted to pull down mithril diorama - Diorama made of pure mithril with many objects around it - Connected to sensors throughout estate

Grad Students: - Were enthralled, no longer under control - Body hanging from ceiling with wires draped over shoulders - Party freed them and teleported back to Lyceum

Critical Discoveries

Maylis's Personal Notes: - Handful of notes from several months ago - Quote: "Finally had a success!" - Observational notes written in Maylis's hand but different script - Later notes written by Intellect Devourer (not human script)

Data on Ley Line Destruction: - Instructions on "How to" destroy ley lines - Yug Voril Mithril Core confirmed as ley line conduit - Second success noted 7-10 days ago

Abyssal Anchors: - Confirmed as bombs with 10-fold energy release of artifact explosion - Anchored to Hell, Abyss, and Far Realm (Astral Sea) - Connection to being with three eyes "out there and it's smiling"

Communications: - Found notes from Hag to Morgranth - Suggests larger conspiracy beyond Mind Flayer's solo operation

Urgent Message from Brom

Brom Goldhand's Sending to Finn: - Alorah Vasorin is dead - Her soul was taken (not natural death) - Finish mission and return ASAP

Long Rest

Party took long rest in mansion.

Ana's Actions: - Wrote letters to send across region (warning about Abyssal Anchors) - Placed The Remembrance book in wardrobe with Alarm spell - Wardrobe began shaking (cultists attempting retrieval)

Mithril Mine Descent

Journey: - Perceptible rumbling in ground as party exits mansion - Rumble fading as they approach - Group heads into old mithril mine

Mine Description: - Low ceilings - Tunnels sound but show signs of disuse - Increasing number of spiderwebs - Webs are fine but extremely strong

Important Clarification: - Morganoth = Mogranth = Morgranth (same Mind Flayer, different spellings)

Tracks: - Following tracks until they vanish - Party takes most direct path to core

Mithril Core Chamber

The Sphere: - Perfect sphere of mithril covered in webs - Cylinder distortion at top (5' circle) - Visual distortion at bottom (5' circle)

Spider Guardian Encounter: - Small creature in webs speaks: "Why have you come?" (feminine voice) - Ana casts See Invisibility, revealing spider - Spider hit with Branding Smite (radiant damage normal) - Initiative rolled - combat begins - Session ended mid-battle

Loot

• Mithril Diorama (attempted recovery by Thrack)
• Three slave contracts (signed by Finn but apprentices freed)
• Resource Acquisition Permit (Mogranth's permit, "does us little good")
• Mind Lash (exotic whip) - Grai

Combat

Spider Guardian Battle (ongoing) - Intelligent spider creature - Speaks Common - Takes radiant damage normally - Currently invisible until revealed - Location: Mithril core sphere top in webs

Notes

This session revealed the full scope of the Abyssal Anchor threat - bombs capable of 10-fold artifact-level energy release tied to three planes. Alorah's death (soul stolen) introduces urgent new quest thread. The spider guardian's intelligence and questioning ("Why have you come?") suggests it may be more than simple monster - possibly ancient guardian, corrupted protector, or Morgranth's ally.

Party is literally standing on top of an active planar bomb. Next session will determine whether they can defuse the Yug Voril anchor.

The three-eyed smiling being remains mysterious - possibly archdevil, demon lord, or Far Realm entity orchestrating the entire conspiracy.

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December 3, 2025

Date: 2025-12-03

General Notes

Morgranth Estate Assault

Party infiltrated Morgranth's estate to stop his planar conduit experiments.

Zarga Lab

Non-Euclidean Architecture: - Wet membrane surfaces - Silvery sinew structures - Floor covered in biofilm - Mathematical charts everywhere - Obsidian work table - Cranial tissue visible - Entire house pulses with energy

Maylis Encountered: - Writing mathematical equations for conduit - No longer "right" - transformed or corrupted - Was chanting ritual - Began monologuing but party immediately attacked

Magical Relays

Party damaged the magical relays throughout the lab, causing disruptive chaos to Morgranth's experiments.

Loot

• Four spell books total:
• One from Atarah
• One from Jax
• One from Teyeres
• One from Maylis

Combat

First Battle

• Opponents: 3x Void Wraiths
• Three apprentices: Atarah, Jax, and Teyeres

Second Battle

• Opponents:
• Earth Elemental
• Pitch Tyrant
• Brain Devourer

Notes

Major assault session. Party disrupted Morgranth's operations significantly by defeating his apprentices and damaging the relay network. Maylis's transformation ("isn't right any longer") suggests corruption from planar energies or Mind Flayer influence. Zarga Lab's non-euclidean nature indicates advanced planar manipulation.

The party's decision to attack Maylis immediately rather than listen to monologue shows tactical thinking - villain speeches buy time for reinforcements.

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November 19, 2025

Date: 2025-11-19

General Notes

Investigation and planning in Yug Voril. Party likely gathering intelligence on Morgranth and slaver operations.

[Detailed notes not available]

Notes

Session details to be added if additional notes surface.

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November 12, 2025

Date: 2025-11-12

General Notes

Yug Voril Arrival

Party arrived at the massive underground city of Yug Voril.

City Details: - Fuckoff big and orderly - Once controlled by Mind Flayers - Free vs. Slave caste system - Slavery permitted outside city limits; no one can be enslaved within city proper - Day/night cycle is reversed - Library has no smut (noted with disappointment)

Thrack's Deal

• Finalized arrangement: owes 2 gold per night not spent in mansion
• Convinced to stay with party for share of loot
• Confirmed slavers head to Yug Voril

NPCs Met

Silvanae: - Drow woman in marketplace - Accompanied by "swole" drider attendant

Zylem: - Client in shop purchasing Blasting Cord

Ki's Background: - Confirmed as "historian of CW" (likely Cobalt Soul reference)

Kivam: - Referenced as a Beholder

Slave Purchase

Hall of Worn Chains: - Gnomes were just registered when party arrived - Purchased three gnomes for 135 gold total - Grizzle (ran away immediately after purchase) - Bink (stayed with party) - Flicker (stayed with party)

Central Guild Registry

Officials Met: - Gorthrock Stonehand (Infrastructure and Security) - Vona (assistant) - Secret knock learned: 3 Sharps, Pause, Soft

Missing Journal

Intelligence gathered: journal with art taken by "sandy-haired" grad student from library.

Weekly Sacrifice

The Chain Mother Ritual: - Gong signals sacrifice - Weekly tariff to appease the Chain Mother - Party witnessed ritual

Loot

• Grizzle, Bink, Flicker (gnomes - purchased for 135g total)
• Lost 135 gold for gnome purchase

Notes

First major session in Yug Voril. Introduced Morgranth as key antagonist and established the city's complex social structure. Slave mechanics and Weekly Sacrifice hint at dark powers controlling the city. Morgranth's connection to Unseelie Court and Mind Flayer heritage make him formidable threat.

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November 5, 2025

Date: 2025-11-05

General Notes

Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion

Party operating from extradimensional mansion base.

Thrack Incident: - Door triggered trap (known as being "Thracked") - Bohdi cast Greater Restoration to save Thrack - Established Thrack's connection to party

Emberhold Reference

• Mentioned as location
• Ruler: Liansale Thrangle III

Lava Tubes Exploration

Party descended into lava tubes below their current location.

Combat: - Killed two elementals (types not specified)

Discovery: - Spotted slavers on crossroads edge taking gnomes prisoner - Slavers heading underground

The Remembrance Book

Important discovery: The book bears the sigil of the Lyceum, suggesting academic origins.

Frog Poison

Analysis of Grai's frog poison (from Prince Windybranch's frogs): more lidocaine than paralytic - numbing agent rather than poison.

Loot

[None recorded]

Combat

• Two elementals (defeated)

Notes

This session revealed the slaver operation that would lead to Yug Voril in subsequent sessions. Thrack's survival established him as party ally. Lyceum sigil on The Remembrance book suggests connection between academic institution and cultist knowledge.

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October 29, 2025

Date: 2025-10-29

General Notes

Southern Trade Route

Party traveled south as fall arrived. Warm sea breeze noted.

Encounter: Mud - Stranger entered camp - Ana attacked/insulted Mud - Mud disappeared, causing giant windstorm

Encounter: Satyr - Halfling wanderer claimed to have partied with Ki - Mentioned enormous creature outside Kymal - Offered to gamble (Ki refused) - Gifted Ki his pipes

Encounter: Giant Slugs - Imdra partied with Barnacle Beard's crew - Gained ability to wildshape into giant slug

Emon

Party arrived at major trading city Emon.

Azalea Park: - Party picked up Inspiration

Gilmore's Glorious Goods: - Gilmore repaired Bohdi's marble hand (from Prince Windybranch's curse) - Sold 2 Stuffy Familiars for 150 gold each (300g total) - Purchased Cottage Chest with proceeds

Laughing Lamia: - Party visited tavern

Loot

• 300 gold (from selling Stuffy Familiars)
• Cottage Chest (purchased)
• Ki's pipes (gift from satyr)
• Inspiration (from Azalea Park)
• Giant slug wildshape ability (Imdra)

NPCs Introduced

• Barnacle Beard - Pirate slug leader
• Gilmore - Merchant at Gilmore's Glorious Goods

Notes

This session introduced Emon as a key city and established Gilmore as an ally. Imdra's slug wildshape became a unique party asset. Multiple mysterious encounters (Mud, Satyr) suggest larger forces at work.

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October 15, 2025

Date: 2025-10-15

General Notes

[Minimal notes available for this session]

Notes

Session details to be added if additional notes surface.

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October 8, 2025

Date: 2025-10-08

General Notes

[Minimal notes available for this session]

Notes

Session details to be added if additional notes surface.

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October 1, 2025

Date: 2025-10-01

General Notes

[Minimal notes available for this session]

Notes

Session details to be added if additional notes surface.

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September 24, 2025

Date: 2025-09-24

General Notes

[Minimal notes available for this session]

Notes

Session details to be added if additional notes surface.

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September 10, 2025

Date: 2025-09-10

General Notes

[Minimal notes available for this session]

Notes

Session details to be added if additional notes surface.

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September 2, 2025

Date: 2025-09-02

General Notes

Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion

The party established an extradimensional safe house. Thrack joined the party with an agreement: 2 gold per night NOT spent in the mansion.

The Thracked Door

• Thrack triggered magical door trap ("Thracked")
• Bohdi cast Greater Restoration, saving Thrack
• Thrack joined party afterward

Lava Tubes Exploration

Party descended into lava tubes below their location.

Combat: - Encountered and defeated two elementals

Discovery: - Slavers operating below, taking gnomes - The Remembrance book has sigil of the Lyceum - Alorah (from Lyceum) sent message requesting aid (not urgent)

Emberhold

Reference to Emberhold, ruled by Liansale Thrangle III (likely location context).

NPCs Introduced

• Thrack - Dwarf who joined party after being saved
• Alorah Vasorin - Sent message from Lyceum requesting aid

Notes

Thrack's knowledge of Yug Voril slavers would prove valuable in later sessions. Alorah's "not urgent" request for aid becomes tragic when her death is revealed in Session 66.

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August 27, 2025

Date: 2025-08-27

General Notes

Zelthrax's Release

The party encountered cultists attempting to reclaim The Remembrance book. During the confrontation, the book's seal was broken, releasing Zelthrax the Folded Promise - a velum dragon created by elven wizard Arandor.

Zelthrax Details: - Tiny velum dragon that had consumed planar travel treatise - Knows about Abyssal Anchors at Frostwield and Gap Shadows - Can cast last spell he consumed

Prince Windybranch's Deal

Prince Windybranch appeared to negotiate the party's escape from Syngorn. The price: Ana's origin story.

Teleportation Costs (Magical Prices): - Ana: Figurine of herself (extremely heavy) - Finn: Rune placed on hand - Imdra: Hocrux; must stay close to Zelthrax for 8 days (bonding) - Grai: Received frogs (later used for frog poison) - Bohdi: Left hand turned to marble (later fixed by Gilmore)

The party was teleported through Katha (the moon) to safety.

Southern Trade Route

On the Southern Trade Route, the party encountered Sylas, a member of The Clasp.

Sylas Encounter: - Was transporting barrels of black puddings - Bohdi flashed Clasp sign (not well received) - Party shook down Sylas for 10 platinum - Sylas rode off, allegedly to murder guards

Loot

• 10 platinum (from Sylas shakedown)
• Zelthrax the Folded Promise (companion)

Combat

Black pudding incident on Southern Trade Route

Notes

This session established Prince Windybranch as a powerful but enigmatic force, with the magical costs hinting at consequences to come. Zelthrax's knowledge of Abyssal Anchors became crucial plot thread.

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August 20, 2025

Date: 2025-08-20

General Notes

The party initiated their campaign by infiltrating the Library in Syngorn to steal a book from the Order of Desolation cultists. The book, titled "The Remembrance of Fragility of Knowledge and What Has Been Lost," was being guarded by cultists known as the Shadow Masters, a sect serving the Lady of the Shadow.

The Heist

• Cultist's notebook located and hidden by Finn in the Library
• Finn followed a vagrant cultist down an alley
• Vagrant shared cryptic quotes:
• "She who watches in silence, guides us."
• "The widow weaves a tangled veil."

Fire in Syngorn

The city of Syngorn caught fire, forcing the party to split: - Fire Team: Ki, Bohdi, and Imdra fought the blaze and returned to inn - Theft Team: Grai, Ana, and Finn met at Library, stole book, fled to inn

Aftermath

• Ana placed The Remembrance book in wardrobe
• Ana cast Alarm spell on book - it began shaking (cultists attempting retrieval)
• Party learned: Lolth (Spider Queen) is a Betrayer God

Loot

• The Remembrance of Fragility of Knowledge and What Has Been Lost - Cultist grimoire containing planar knowledge (later revealed to contain Zelthrax)

Organizations Introduced

• Order of Desolation - Devil worshippers influencing Prime Material Plane
• Shadow Masters - Sect of Order serving Lady of the Shadow
• Iron Authority - Cult led by Kalnicos the Unbroken at Shifting Keep

Notes

First session established the central conflict with the Order of Desolation and introduced the mysterious book that would lead to Zelthrax's release.

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