Session Date: 24 April 2026
Players: Janette, Jeff, Landon, Stuart, Kyle, Jenny
Scribe: Kris (DM)
Location: The Unnamed Tavern
Valecar Date: 700 AC (Ascendant Cycle)
Session Table of Contents
Summary of Prologue Part 1 of 2
- The party met with Myrick Gloomvein who set them on their path to delve into the depths underneath the Blackbriar Guildhall...or at least that is what is officially called. It was derived from Myrick that the party is to investigate his supply lines beneath the Guildhall., The supply lines run in an intertwining cavernous stretch that is uncomfortably close to The Scar. Myrick insisted the party bring back proof of eliminating whatever is killing his men, specifically shredding them into pieces, and they will be paid 100 gold pieces each or be allowed to sift through his vault of treasures and pick an item of their choice.
- After some discussion and some questionable activities from the Rogues in the party, to include Janette's character potentially seducing a Aurelian Forged (Marbleborn) - the party set off with little to no guidance...into the depths of the Scar beneath the guild hall.
The Gloomvein Transport Supply lines
- The party immediately discovered a thrashed mine cart with its supply barrels and crates (empty) scattered about along with the body parts of what seemed the be dwarven workers.
- The deceased dwarves were chopped into pieces by something large, possibly with pincers or similar.
- The waters beside the minecart rails seemed to have something living in them.
- The minecart rail led to a recently collapsed tunnel. Targoth attempted to dig through to the other side, but was unsuccessful.
- The supplies from the cart were gone. However a remnant of metallic dust was found, just a trace amount.
- Targoth decided after some time to push the cart in the waters. After pushing the cart in, two large tentacles emerged from the water and pulled the cart underwater. The party decided to just take the other route the Marbleborn enforcers deemed as "the dangerous route".
- The party crossed the old rotting bridge without any issue.
- The party came to a room which had a stone spiral staircase leading into the ceiling and another pathway that led into another room but it was partially blocked by broken wagons and minecart debris. Targoth started to move some of the debris but awoke 3 zombies who converged on the party. The party defeated the zombies with ease and pressed onward into the next room. This room has a collapsed floor that fell into the running sewage water below. Each of the characters crossed the opening in the floor with ease.
- Janette's character, Smoke, detected a sweet aroma in the air which grew increasingly potent as the party continued forward.
- The party also noticed a sheen of something glossy on the floor, walls, and ceiling. They came to a fork in the hallways that was preceded by a cut out opening to their right (west facing) which revealed a body of water and an opposing shore. On the shore was a forge and anvil, along with some supplies and a statue which the party was unable to identify its significance.
- Targoth and Kyle's character (name?) turned left down the hall which had a docked boat at the end of it, however Targoth triggered a trap on the floor which opened the ceiling up and down fell a gelatinous cube.
- The majority of the party fled at the sight of the Cube, except Targoth who bravely stood his ground, or stupidly, guess we'll find out. Some party members attempted to re-cross the crag in the floor. Merric ended tripping and falling into the waters below but was rescued by Smoke and Bulger Cuttlefish.
- After realizing they could easily outrun the cube and that they may have left a party member or two behind, they returned to the battle and ultimately defeated the Gelatinous Cube.
- Part 1 of the Prologue Ended with a choice...down the pathway to where the boat is docked where the Gelatinous Cube came from, or straight into a new pathway?
Summary of Prologue Part 2 of 2
The party continued down the pathway where the Cube emerged from, leading them to a docked boat full of barrels. They pried open the barrels which were full of Scardust, an illegal hallucinogenic drug. The party determined this was the cargo that Myrick Gloomvein was having moved beneath the surface of Blackreach Causeway.
After much debate, it was decided (barely) to not steal the Scardust for leverage or some personal gain, but rather dump it overboard. Collin, playing Leah Gyver, elected to keep some in a flask.
The party moved down the hall and around the corner that led to a stairwell and then a long narrow corridor which eventually opened up to a courtyard-like scene of an ancient civilization...possibly and underground city that had long fallen.
In this underground courtyard, a faint light can be seen emitting from several bioluminescent crystals which painted the outlines of a gruesome scene. Several pile of bones and decomposing flesh were strewn about. Additionally, several large 10-12 foot diameter burrowing holes were in this large room. Finally, a few foreign-looking plants were seen growing in here. There were two archways leading into other rooms, one to the north and the other to the southwest.
After some debate, Targoth grew restless and lit two flasks of oil and threw them into the nearest burrowing hole. A gutteral screech let out as a massive creature emerged from the hole and attacked the party. Bulger Cuttlefish identified this dual pincer'ed creature as an "ACT - Armored Claw Tunneler" also known as 'Gummy Worms' in the Underscar.
In a fearsome battle, their stalwart fighter, Targoth nearly tasted death itself - they were barely victorious in the end. Leah Gyver was more interested in the foreign plants, collecting some while her comrades fought this monstrous beast. Tossing a small healing spell, almost inconvenienced that she had to pause the collection of the plant.
The party was then struck with a moral dilemma -
- They could sever the head of this beast, and convince Myrick Gloomvein that this was what was disrupting his supply lines knowing that this was not it...there was something else clearly within these tunnels that had played a part. But...this would yield them a reward and glory, as initially intended, and potentially continue to hinder the supply lines of the illegal drug, Scardust.
- They could continue delving and find the true source of what was causing the supply line disruption. This would yield them the same reward and glory, but potentially restore illegal drug flow trade to the citizens of Blackreach Causeway and potentially other parts of Valecar.
The party erred on the side of good, leaning toward option 1 - Gain the glory and reward but secretly hinder the flow of Scardust and leave whatever was truly disrupting the supply lines alive and unhindered. They severed the ACT's head off and tended to their wounds.
Content with their decision, they backtracked the way they came - dumping the rest of the Scardust aboard the docked boat overboard into the waters below.
They were greeted in the basement of the Blackbriar Guildhall by the Marbleborn Enforcers and escorted to Myrick Gloomvein's lavish gold and plush chambers where he sat atop his jewel-embedded golden chair puffing on his obsidian pipe. With a warm greeting and a hint of disbelief, Myrick welcomed the party. He inspected the severed head of the ACT, blowing smoke in its face and yelling out 'That's what you deserve, you Scar-dwelling scum!'
He retreated to his golden throne, and insisted that he is a dwarf of his word. The choice was up to the party, 100 gold pieces or an item from his 'Mystical Vault of Wonders', as he calls it.
Everyone in the party elected the Vault, and acquired 1 item each.
Treasure from the "Vault of Wonders"
**Note: Treasure in the prologue can be carried over to campaign characters. It doesn't have to be the same character who received it in the prologue, but must be the same player. E.g. - if Janette participated in the prologue, she can keep her bone on her campaign character even if its a different character.
Landon: A small crystal vial with strange markings containing what looks to be humanoid blood. It contains more than a small vial should. If emptied, it refills the next day at sunrise. This can activate blood magic.
Kyle : A set of lucky playing cards. Non-magical, but gives the owner advantage.
Colin: A pair of metal cylinders which when aligned properly create a cipher (DC 25 to decode without the key).
Stuart: A pair of decorative mirrors which can scry in one direction at a range of 25 feet.
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Jeff: A goblet that removes non-magical poison effects from any liquid.
Janette: A small length of bone that can convince a single tame beast- or if wild or hostile on a failed WIS saving throw (of 8+Animal Handling Mod)- of INT 4 or lower that you and your allies are not a threat. The beast must remain in possession of the bone for at least 1 minute for the effect to last. The effect lasts 1 minute after retrieving the bone or 1 hour whichever comes first.
This concluded the Prologue, and after a short break we embarked on the beginnings of the Campaign itself. The ambience was set and a great adventure lie ahead...below lies the narration of the opening scenes to what I hope will be a Legendary campaign;
===
Date: Ashfall 27th, 701 AC
Intro - "Your day started like any other day. You go about your normal errands and tasks, mundane as they are. Something feels...different about today. You have a little more pep in your step as you chop away at the list of things you must accomplish. Then you hear it, the bells chiming from the watch tower followed by shouts. "Golden riders approach!" Signifying white robed riders from the Capital City of Solgrim are approaching astride their golden-armored horses. This has only happened one other time in your life cycles. You drop what you're doing and run home, barreling through the door to the wash room. You scrub the dirt from beneath your nails, your hair, your...everything."
*"I must be...perfect...just in case." you think to yourself.*
Then you pause a moment, sighing in disappointment thinking..."Why would they choose me?" You go back and forth in your mind, lost in thought. The waging war in your mind is quickly interrupted by the thudding of the gate's counterweight slamming on the ground, knocking free dust and debris from the rafters in your small home. You run out the door and the courtyard before the gate is filled with the peoples of your village. The crowd is pushed about and parted like river around rocks as the Solgrim Sentries make way for the Golden Riders, the ones who hold the letter...the invitation to the "Calling of Ascendants."
Your thoughts are whisked away as they prepare the small platform which the Golden Orator will stand on to announce the next Champion of Valecar to be invited to the Capital.
*"Seven forbid they get a little dirty..."*
The sounds of the crowds murmur's and shuffling fade away to nothingness as your thoughts trace back to your childhood, the moment you first heard of the Calling of Ascendants. Since then, its all you ever strived for. With each passing day, you've honed your skillsets in combat with fervor and tenacity. Each and every day getting better and better in hopes of being selected. The Champions of Valecar have the most prestigious mission, to eradicate the world of the Monoliths of Olde. Monoliths that, for too long, have plagued Valecar - casting a shadow upon the land and bringing the evil that dwells in darkness. To this day only one of the five monoliths have been destroyed. But with its destruction, the Champions of that cycle disappeared with it...likely buried in the rubble. Four monoliths remain...and whoever should be able to destroy these monoliths will be etched in eternity as a hero. They will be forever showered in riches and glory...at least that is the rumor.
"HEED! Heed the word and will of the Grand Vizier Taezyth!" the piercing words of the crier yelled out before a white-hooded Golden Orator slowly dismounted from her horse, gracefully stepping onto the creaky wooden platform. She pulled the hood from her brow, revealing her elvish ears and sharp facial features crowned by flowing golden locks. She pursed her lips, and tilted her chin up as she eyed the crowd - who stared in complete silence in awe of her beauty and grace. A sight out of place in a town such as this...
"One of you...has been chosen." She paused for a moment as her words echoed off the town's crumble-stone walls. Your heartbeat quickens and small lump builds in the base of your throat. This moment feels like an eternity. The Orator then pulls a gold-wax sealed scroll from the inner linings of her robes. She shows the scroll to the crowd, showing the seal intact. She turns to show it to another hooded rider, a male, astride his horse. The hooded man nods slowly - acknowledging the seal.
The Orator pulls the page to break the golden-wax seal and unfurls the parchment. The rider looks at the crowd once more before pausing, then reading the words of the Grand Vizier Taezyth himself.
**"This cycle marks the twenty-second Calling of Ascendants. 22 cycles of Champions who have pledged their life and service to that of a greater calling. A calling of which nothing stands higher, one of glory and honor. I, Grand Vizier Taezyth, have scoured the historians, archives, legends, stories, taverns, word of mouth and more and have chosen ____# Champions for the 22nd Calling. # Champions...#. Know that your life will be forever changed and will unfortunately be potentially forfeit if you are to follow the steps of your predecessors. As you know, the 14th cycle Champions felled the Crownwood Monolith. But with it, they were lost. Their names carry the weight of ten thousand men. They feast amongst the Seven. Their heirs will live long and prosperous, showered in the glory of their bloodline.**
**As times get harder, I assure you the resources for the Calling and its subsequent mission will not waiver. For this, I bear no apologies. This is the most important task of our age. We mustn't fail. Before the shadows fall on my eyes forever, I will see it done - no matter the cost. Your bellies may grumble a bit longer, your grain stores may be a bit more empty, the word 'taxes' may incite anger...but know this. Your sacrifices only further this monumental task - and are not in vain.**
**The time is nigh, I will now speak the name of the next Champion of Valecar. I ask that you show your respect and let this Champion step forth without hesitation, without dissonance. Failure to obey these words will be met with fatal opposition.**
The Orator rolls the parchment back up and stows it away - then looks to address the crowd.
**I ask, in the name of His Radiant Eminence, the Grand Vizier Taezyth, will YOU step forth as the next Champion of Valecar."**
In place of "You" each of your names are announced in your respective towns/settlements. A this time please prepare a d20 for the first roll of the campaign.
As you hear your name called, the world became suddenly still. The crowd slowly turns around, locking onto your eyes. **Constitution check for nausea** You expel your breath that you held from the first words of the letter. The crowd, starting nearest you, begins to kneel - almost as if a tidal wave emitted from your very presence.
"Seven's Blessings!" the crowd repeats as you make your way to the platform. Townsfolk who had previously not even known of your existence suddenly worshipping your very presence. People reaching out to touch you as you walked by. Children screaming with joy to see a Champion of Valecar.
The next thing you know, you are standing before the platform. You look up at the blinding sun above, shifting your body to place the sun behind the Golden Orator. You get a good look at her face up close, her beauty is truly unrivaled. She looks down upon you and kneels until her face is level with yours.
"Your chariot awaits, Champion." As she gestures to the white and gold carriage behind her.
_Solgrim._
_The Golden City does not emerge from the land so much as it declares itself above it._
**Before you, vast white walls of marble and polished stone stretch outward in perfect symmetry, their surfaces catching the light in a way that almost hurts to look at. Veins of gold run through the architecture—not garish, not crude—but precise, deliberate… as though every line was placed by a guiding hand that understood both beauty and power.
**Towering spires rise beyond the walls, each crowned with gilded accents that shimmer like distant fire. The city gleams, not just from the sun above, but as if it holds its own quiet radiance.**
**The gates stand open—but not welcoming.
**They are immense, framed in white stone etched with intricate, repeating patterns. Gold-inlaid symbols run along their edges, catching your eye in ways that feel… intentional. Watching.
**As you approach, the air changes.
**The sounds of the road—wind, birds, distant chatter—begin to fade beneath something else: the low murmur of a city alive. Not chaotic. Not wild. Ordered. Measured. Controlled.
**Armored figures stand watch at the gates—**Shieldwardens of the Aegis**, **their polished plate gleaming beneath cloaks of muted gray that fall like ash behind them. Their presence is heavy. Not just protective… but observant.
- Players will be searched upon entering the capital city, the guards only seizing any books, scripture, literature, scrolls, or similar.
After the checkpoint, the players enter the Golden City of [[Solgrim]].
**Beyond the gates, the city unfolds in layers of immaculate design. Broad avenues stretch inward like arteries, lined with towering white structures adorned in gold tracery. Balconies overlook the streets in perfect alignment. Arches frame distant plazas. Every corner of Solgrim feels planned—intentional—_perfected._
**A river cuts through the city’s heart, its waters reflecting the marble and gold in rippling light. Bridges cross it at exact intervals, each one identical in shape yet distinct in detail, as though crafted to be admired as much as used.
**And then, above it all—you see it.
**The Grand Palace.
**Rising higher than anything else, its white marble walls gleam with radiant gold inlays that catch the light like a second sun. Its symmetry is absolute. Its presence undeniable, and looming over the Golden City.
After what feels like only a few seconds, the carriage stops in front of the Grand Palace and the carriage door is opened revealing a velvet carpet draped over white marble stairs leading to the massive double doors of the palace. A crowd of onlookers flank the stairs on either side, with Aegis Shieldwardens keeping them at bay. They cheer and scream, some of them already know your names.
"Merric! Merric! Take me as your wife!"
"Targoth!"
Each of your names can be heard randomly in between the cheers and screams. You look up to see prominent figures scatters about over looking the balcony, their children dumping baskets of flower petals over the edge, you watch in awe as the petal dip back and forth, left and right descending ever slowly until one lands on your shoulder. You grab it, and sniff it - taking in every sense of this wonderful and overwhelming moment.
You are quickly ushered up the towering staircase and into the palace. You are brought into the grand foyer, where dueling ornate gold and marble staircases swirl up to a massive balcony. At the edge of that balcony, looking down is [[Grand Vizier Taezyth]] with a smile strewn across his wrinkled face.
"Welcome 22nd cycle ascendants...from this day onward, you will be revered as heroes of Valecar and your lives will be forever changed...I hope you are ready."