Final game is virtual and on 11/6
Wha Happen?
"Tamaris Khan, an immortal wizard from the Spine of the World, was in league with Zariel to take as many souls as possible from the different planes. These souls were sent to Avernus to fuel Zariel's side in the Blood War. Tamaris eventually betrayed Zariel and is now allied with her bitter enemy Baphomet. The Blood War goes badly for Zariel... Tamaris is also partnered with Zapranoth, a powerful demon, who commands his own small army. Their relationship is long, mysterious, and complicated.
Tamaris uses summoning crystals to move souls to the different planes to satisfy whoever or whatever he is dealing with. This is a painful and violent process for the victim but brings Tamaris enormous influence and power with his allies. His armies are slowly pushing south to conquer the region. Local armies hold them at bay but for how long?
The party became involved by chance after hearing rumors of a haunted house in Saltmarsh that once belonged to an alchemist, now dead, with an extensive library and a potential fortune worth of collectables. In the end, the party discovered the house was not haunted but instead being used by a smuggling ring with ties to a dark brotherhood intent on destabilizing the region and assisting Tamaris with his quest for power.
The party spent time in Saltmarsh, acquired a ship and used the alchemist's house as a base, before moving on to Baldur's Gate after a harrowing encounter with Granny Nightshade in the Dreadwood. Along the way, they picked up what would become their most influential member, Pottery Shard. From there they went to Candlekeep, a city of towers, upper learning, and trading.
The group was plane shifted to a burning Loftwick in Avernus where they escaped and eventually met with Zariel and her deputies to discover that neither Tamaris nor Zapranoth were truly immortal! Their souls were located on a hidden island and destroying those souls will make them mortal. Zariel gave the party obscure directions in return for them bringing her the souls. They also reunited with Granny Nightshade under slightly different circumstances, allied with Peregrin, Zariel's old war steed, and had a chance meeting with Mordenkainen and his flying tower.
Two years had passed on the material plane (only a month or so had passed in Avernus for the group) before the party returned to find the world a different place. The casualties have been high. Two entire cities have been transported from the material plane, killing most of the inhabitants and causing chaos and a refugee crisis in the region (Loftwick was never saved). The party travelled back to Baldur's Gate, repaired their ship. and headed west to find the souls"
And find the souls they did (but sadly, they may have lost their ship)! After returning to Candlekeep and discussing with Sylvira, the party decided to give the souls to a lich, who would find them invaluable as they would mean immortality.
The lich was convinced and the souls were destroyed. After a quick jaunt to Warlock's Crypt, the adventurers were ready to face Tamaris Khan.
They were teleported to a forest near his castle and began a covert invasion. An elite force had jumped in before and cleared out most of the guards so it was mainly mopping up and finding Tamaris, which they did! They chased him through the castle and to the very back of his hidden underground cavern, where he summoned Zapranoth. Just as they were ready for the final showdown, something unexpected occurred. The entire castle was pulled down to Avernus. By who and for what purpose remains to be seen ...
It was Zariel herself who brought the fortress to Avernus and proceeded to battle Baphomet and his scattered horde. It was an epic battle with demon versus devil. There could be only one winner and it would be Zariel. With the party's help she laid waste to the enemy and ended one part of a long and bloody 'Blood War' while dealing a huge blow to the demon horde attacking on the material plane. Tamaris, also at the battle but mainly hidden throughout, would face defeat as a coward, the strength and bravado leaving him as he realized he had lost his immortality, his army, and his demon backer. In gratitude, Zariel offered her prize sword to any from the party willing to take it. The day also saw the appearance of Mordenkainen, who helped with aerial support.
This was only one of two battles, however. The party still had to stop the attacks from the demons and humanoids on the material plane. Zapranoth was still a great threat and commanded the last of the demon hordes, who were still a powerful and unpredictable force. The status of that battle was unknown to the party. Zariel teleported the them back to the material plane.
Important Links
Roll20 Game Link (Follow the Crystals)
Roll20 Game Link (Zariel's Sword)
Loot log can be found here
Players:
- Briar Elsbane - Lvl 10 CG Half-Elf F Rogue
- Horc Barbarian - Lvl 10 CG Half-Orc M Barbarian
- Norman Bookman III - Lvl 10 CG Human M Warlock
- Walnan Giantcrippler - Lvl 10 NG Dwarf M Cleric
- Ursos - Lvl 10 CN Half-Elf M Druid