As I mentioned yesterday, the group was very entertaining and the story very engaging during this last session. Previously, having finished the Shimmering Veils of Pride, the group had obtained the magical components, as well as a detailed plan on how to use those to create Dominating weapons to eventually face Karzoug. As a convenience for the group, I allowed each to imbue their chosen attack style with the magic, giving everyone the bonuses, defenses, and associated drawbacks – if desired.
The first challenge came as soon as they started the enchantments, as one of the grand statues animated by the will of Karzoug, to try to stop the group. This was rather handily nullified by the group with the quick placement of a Wall of Force, sealing the Golem away from the group. As the magical animation faded a few rounds later, the group otherwise just ignored the threat.
The second challenge came as the group entered the Halls of Wrath – now armed with Dominating weapons and seeking an exit from Runeforge. The guardian of the Halls, an advanced Iron Golem archer, engaged the group from a high ledge where he guarded the hallway leading further in. Although the group had some challenges reaching the Golem (the walls were un-climbable without magic, and it was too high to jump), they eventually managed to use a ramp from a Wall of Stone to reach the ledge. In the meantime, a well timed Greater Dispel Magic and a Hungry Pit, sent the construct tumbling out of reach of the group. Unfortunately, the golem was nearly immune to everything thrown at it, and after a few rounds, its natural Air Walk ability returned, allowing it to quickly climb out of the pit. The group opted for a quick retreat rather than continued combat, and fled further into the complex, the wizard using a second Wall of Stone to seal the tunnel behind them.
However, this trapped them in the next chamber, with no clear exit, and a pursuing powerful Golem working his way thru the stone wall. The only options they had were a pair of large magical runes on the group, one red and one blue, which the wizard quickly identified as teleportation rings (though he could not tell where they went, or how to activate them). The group frantically worked to come up with a plan – should the fight the archer, should they flee thru the teleport to places unknown, or was there something hidden in the room they were missing? Meanwhile, the sorcerer placed down a Wall of Force after Wall of Force, giving a few more precious minutes until the Golem could reach the group.
Through experimentation (rain of frogs), they discovered that the rings would only activate if something living was present, and then only in the red rune. When that happened, there was a flash of fire, the smell of burning, and then nothing remained but a small pile of ash from each creature. If there was a teleport, it was not apparent – to the group it appeared that anything living entering the red ring was simply disintegrated. However, with time running short, they did not have enough time to search the room for further clues completely, and had to make a snap judgement.
Eventually, pair by pair, the group stepped into the red ring and was incinerated. After each case, the remaining survivors became a bit more frantic. At one point, the sorcerer offered a very solid suggestion – perhaps a True Resurrection case on the ashes would give a clue? Success would indicate the character was in fact dying, failure would imply they were alive somewhere. Unfortunately, that suggestion and idea came up right after the Cleric and Druid (and the last ones with the option) had already made the leap. But it was very creative problem solving.
Finally, with the last Wall of Force starting to fail, the sorcerer and last member of the group jumped into the ring. With a flash of flame the group was reduced to ash.
And circling back to the thoughts from yesterday, we ended the session here, on the cliff hanger of the group not knowing their fate. Either they guessed correctly, and they are now somewhere else, or they all guessed incorrectly, and the next session will be a campaign wrap up and start of a new game. With both options, the group was at the edge of their seat for much of the session.
