Party Roster

Puck Ever-Hard
Lore Bard
Marc
Penelope
Druid
Sam
Orimene Silentvale
Wild Magic Sorcerer
Allison
Anar the Woodsman
Gloom Stalker Ranger
Chris Smith

Scene-by-Scene Breakdown

00:00

Scene 1 — Introductions & The Standoff

Party stands 5 feet from the ritual circle. Markos continues the ritual. Large tentacles visible, forming a writhing mass approximating a head.

  • Anar communicates with Puck in Gnomish only; reveals he has something glass in his pack with a plan.
  • Puck attempts Persuasion on Markos: if the ritual finishes, his daughter Gertie dies. Markos wavers but is pulled back by the ritual.
  • Puck casts Suggestion on Markos (Markos failed his Wisdom save).
  • Slam heard from upstairs — doors closing above.
  • Initiative rolled. Combat begins.
00:10

Scene 2 — Combat Begins

  • Puck opens with Mirror Image (defensive copies active).
  • Penelope shifts to wild shape: bear form.
  • Orimene notes Markos appears to be another sacrifice, not a willing caster.
  • Guard attack on Anar: 34 damage. Anar drops to 0 HP.
  • Anar begins death saving throws.
00:24

Scene 3 — Anar Downed / Spirit Plane

  • Anar enters the spirit plane. He observes his own body from outside it.
  • Spirits of previous adventuring party present: Elra (named), a barbarian, a halfling, a rogue.
  • Spirits direct Anar to four Far Realm crystals in the spirit plane. Anar smashes all four.
  • Death saving throws: 1 failure, 2 successes. Stabilizes.
  • Puck casts Healing Word on Anar. Anar returns to material plane.
00:47

Scene 4 — The Ritual Breaks

  • Ritual disrupted. Markos freed. Hands injured from the demonic book.
  • Codex disappears into the circle. Entity retreats.
  • Puck drops Disguise Self (had been wearing Gertie's face through the fight).
  • Zala arrives from her room; curse lifted; human form.
  • Guards neutralized.
B 00:15

Scene 5 — Post-Combat & Zala

  • Loot recovered: smudge sticks, leather-bound tome, 4 summoning crystal fragments.
  • Coins missing from expected location.
  • Zala offers a meal and drink to help the party recover. The party declines — Anar wants to leave. Later, Gertie refills Anar's wineskins at the guest house; he accepts.
  • Entity whispers to Anar alone: "I won't forget you, Anor. I'll always be here."
  • Anar warns Zala. Zala commits to following up.
B 00:53

Scene 6 — Zala Takes the Codex

  • Zala wants the Codex. Party has it. Strength contest — Zala wins.
  • Zala commits to locking the Codex away. Party accepts without confrontation.
B 01:00

Scene 7 — Exiting the Manor

  • Party departs. Nature returned to the grounds: birds, sunlight visible.
  • Seelie Market visible from estate grounds.
  • Long rest discussed.
B 01:15

Scene 8 — Rewards, Wagon & Seelie Market

  • Gertie pays: 250gp each.
  • Penelope inspects wagon: cotton, three bundles of human skin, five-pound bag of thumbnail pearls. Covered before party arrived. Penelope alone has this information.
  • Gnome bard encountered at Seelie Market — valedictorian of Puck's bardic college.
  • Orimene mentions Riley; something "undone."
B 01:36

Scene 9 — The Missing Mentor

  • Puck asked about mentor; deflects with "Fred" as placeholder.
  • Gnome bard implies mentor is missing from Rift Canyon bardic college.
  • Rift Canyon: weeks away by boat.
  • Session ends at ~01:42:36.

Roll Log

CharacterRoll TypeResultOutcome
PuckPersuasion (Markos)Not recordedMarkos wavered; ritual pulled him back
MarkosWisdom save vs. SuggestionFailedSuggestion from Puck landed; effect on outcome unclear
GuardAttack vs. AnarHit — 34 damageAnar dropped to 0 HP
AnarDeath save 1Failure1 failure accumulated
AnarDeath save 2Success1 failure, 1 success
AnarDeath save 3SuccessStabilized (2 successes)
ZalaStrength contest (Codex)WonZala took the Codex from party

NPC Status

NPCStatusNotes
MarkosFreedHands injured from the book; last seen in manor; no longer a threat
ZalaCurse liftedHuman form; holds the Codex; committed to follow up on entity.
The EntityStill activeWhispered to Anar post-ritual; ritual disrupted but entity not destroyed
Elra (spirit)Spirit planeDirected Anar to crystals; fate after crystal-smashing not confirmed
Gnome BardEncounteredAt Seelie Market; knows about Puck's mentor; name not recorded
Puck's Mentor ("Fred")MissingGone from Rift Canyon bardic college; weeks away; no plan to investigate

Items and Resources

ItemWhoStatus
250gpEach PCAcquired — from Gertie
Smudge sticksPartyAcquired — spirit-cleansing herbs
Leather-bound tomePartyAcquired — contents unknown from transcript
4 summoning crystal fragmentsPartyAcquired — from ritual chamber
Wine skins (Delphi estate)Party (Anar)Gertie refilled Anar's wineskins at the guest house; others had declined the earlier offer.
5lb bag of thumbnail pearlsPenelopeAcquired — from wagon; others unaware
The CodexZalaTransferred — Zala won strength contest; will lock away
Mirror ImagePuckExpended — combat
Disguise Self (Gertie)PuckExpended — sustained through fight, dropped post-ritual
Healing WordPuckExpended — cast on Anar
SuggestionPuckExpended — cast on Markos (failed Wisdom save)

Mechanics Established

Spirit plane transit on death

When Anar dropped to 0 HP, he entered the spirit plane and could act there independently. He smashed four Far Realm crystals. The mechanism for this — whether it's a class feature, a location-specific effect, or something else — was not stated explicitly.

The entity survives ritual disruption

Breaking Markos's ritual and smashing the spirit-plane crystals did not destroy the entity. It remained active enough to whisper to Anar after the room had gone quiet. Zala stated she would investigate.

Zala in human form

Zala's curse appears to have lifted when the ritual ended — she arrived post-combat in human form, which had not been the case in prior sessions. The mechanism was not explained.

Smudge sticks

Identified in the transcript as spirit-cleansing herbs. The specific mechanics of their use were not stated.

Active Story Hooks

The Entity

Whispered to Anar: "I won't forget you, Anor. I'll always be here." Still active. Zala will follow up — no timeline or method confirmed. The entity used Anar's name.

The Missing Mentor

Puck's bardic college mentor has gone missing from Rift Canyon. Gnome bard implied awareness of this. Rift Canyon is weeks away by boat. No plan established.

Penelope's Wagon Find

Three bundles of human skin and thumbnail-sized pearls. Penelope alone knows. Not yet shared with the party or acted upon.

Orimene — Riley & Undone

Orimene referenced Riley and something described as "undone" at the Seelie Market. No further elaboration in the transcript. Adelaide family signet ring remains in play.

GG Mark

GG mark appeared on Penelope's hand. Not addressed this session.

The Codex

Zala holds it. She said she'll lock it away. Where, and whether it stays locked, is not confirmed.