V3 Session Sixteen -- 5 March 2010 -- "Scepter Tower of Spellgard" (Tower 5)
Story
September, 1119
Clean out the tower. Find the alabaster pillars and some cool loot:
- 1,680 gp (or equivalent)
- 1 Level 5 Magic Item: ???
- 1 Level 6 Magic Item: Amulet of Protection +2 (Oin)
- 1 Level 8 Magic Item: Resplendent Cloak +2 (Imbo)
In addition, in Thoran's room there are found dozens of scribbled arcane notes that (after some study) reveal his specific ritual to enslave the ghost of Lady Saharel. Unfortunately, it is not clear what he was going to/with her once she was bound. That detail seems to have died with him.
Thoran was also found to have a scroll containing a crude map of the catacombs showing their link to the tower dungeon. On the back is a message directing the recipient (presumably Thoran) to travel to Spellgard, occupy the tower, and “unlock its secrets”. While the message is unsigned, there is a (broken) wax seal on the scroll with a signet that could possibly be used to track the message's source.
After ensuring that the tower has been cleaned out, the party returns to the “Arcane Armory” and uses the alabaster pieces to open its arcane locks. Inside, a series of ornate chests are found. However, all but one are open and empty. The remaining sealed chest sits in the center of the room and as soon as the party approaches it, the ghost of Lady Saharel appears – seated on it.
As far as ghost appearances go, this is a good one. She appears in a way that is both startling, but also makes the party believe she had been sitting there waiting when the door was first opened.
Her first words are a warning about this room. “Be careful. This armory has long since been stripped of value - but a deadly trap remains on this chest. Open it only if you are tired of your life.”
The rest of her speech is a prophetic warning…
| In this age of new gods, an old enemy is returning with dreams of toppling an empire to build a new one. But beware the hidden threats, for the coming wars are mere distraction. From those fallen in shadow, the quest will lead to the puppet master's master, hiding deep behind the warriors. If you accept the clues, walk a Djinni carpet to wake the sisters. Asleep since the end of the world, they wait to serve the cause. |
Game
This adventure is the conclusion of the module “Scepter Tower of Spellgard” by David Noonan and Greg A. Vaughan.
Rules change
Since loot in general (and magic items in particular) had been lacking in the adventures so far, we decided to implement a flexible treasure allocation system based on the “Treasure Parcels” system as described in the DMG (pp 125-129).
In addition, this system was made retroactive by handing out a big pile of magic items and cash (covering levels 1-3). The treasure listed earlier on this page represents the first batch of treasure to be assigned for level 4.
After much deliberation, the party decided to spread the retroactive treasure out as follows:
-
- Level 7 Magic Item: Dwarven Finemail +2
- Level 4 Magic Item: Avalanche Hammer Mordenkrad +1
- Level 2 Magic Item: Badge of the Berserker +1
- Oin:
- Level 6 Magic Item: ???
- Level 5 Magic Item: Bashing Shield Heavy Shield
- Level 3 Magic Item: ???
-
- Level 6 Magic Item: Amulet of Protection +2
- Level 4 Magic Item: Wavestrider Boots
- Level 3 Magic Item: Sanguine Vestments Cloth Armor +1
-
- Level 5 Magic Item: ???
- Level 4 Magic Item: ???
- Imbo:
- Level 5 Magic Item: Chainmail of Sacrifice +1
- Level 5 Magic Item: Resplendent Gloves
- Zim:
- Level 4 Magic Item: Frostwolf Pelt +1
- Level 3 Magic Item: Orb of Unlucky Exchanges +1
| # | Challenge | Type | XP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bound Oni Night Haunter | Elite Controller/10 | 1,000 |
| 4 | Deathjump Spiders | Skirmisher/4 | 175 |
| 1 | Ettercap Webspinner | Controller/5 | 200 |
| 7 | Dark Creeper | Skirmisher/4 | 175 |
| Total XP | 3,125 | ||
| (5 PCs) | 625 | ||