Ep 37: The Wizard's Tower in the Woods

This episode is the first using Fandom & was written as part of the finale arc.

Current Secrets

## Start of Episode

The PCs have recovered a mystical compass by indebting themselves to an ancient dragon far beneath Stromis. The compass will lead them, somehow, to the burial chamber of the King, rumored to be in the Blackleaf Vale. The PCs made their way beyond the warfront to Edgewood, where they met Karen’s parents and some old friends in a local bar. They heard about a ruined wizard’s tower in the forest and bought a map from a rather shady character.

They wake up the next day and get ready for an expedition into the Blackleaf Vale.

## Relevant Locations

* Blackleaf Vale Wizard's Tower (likely destination)
* Edgewood
* Marshwood (start)

## Happenings / To Do

**7/12/2020**

The PCs say goodbye to Karen's parents, who wish safe travels and look forward to their return. They set off into the forest as their own party and quickly arrive at the Blackleaf Vale Wizard's Tower.

After spending some time scouting the surrounding area and poking for traps, the PCs decide to bust in by climbing over the wall. They trigger the alarm and have to fight the golems & swords, which they do somewhat haphazardly while Rimi & Karen break in to the second floor.

The PCs don't kill the golems but run into the house instead.

**Looted:**

* **Eli loots a few books from the library on ancient religions (11 investigation) and one on demonology. They're all books he's already read.**
* Rimi looted all the gems from the second floor (100g worth of gems)
* Hayama looted potions of animal friendship
* All PCs discussed summoning and demonology, learning that the demon Mozol is a Glabrezu & killed the wizard. They're gathered in the wizard's tower.

**7/26/2020**

* Baron realizes he can summon the demon and decides to do it
	+ PCs realize that the demon did not leave the room and cannot teleport
	+ Conversation
		- Mozol killed the wizard
		- The Tyrant King is Orcus, Demon Lord of the Undead
			* He has been slain many years
			* The Wand of Orcus is in the tomb
			* Lolth created the compass in secret, since she was allied with Orcus
			* Bahamut killed Orcus and locked him away
		- The demon asks a price for information: killing the proprietor of Redwood's Rest and take the treasure.
			* PCs must pluck out Iriedhen's eyes before killing her
			* In return, the demon offers The Book of Vile Darkness and its secrets (the unbinding ritual, how to unbind Orcus, how to slay a deity)
		- Kanchelsis (deity of vampires, Baron's patron) used to serve Orcus but has forged its own kingdom
	+ PCs accept the deal and take the Book of Vile Darkness
		- Baron is carrying the book. Progress is 20 of 800. Currently translating an enchantment that empowers the caster (by sacrificing a friend or loved one with an object of shared significance, requires 50 progress).
	+ At the rest:
		- Hayama breaks in to the office and searches the desk and library
			* Finds two copies of records that are different, one in a locked drawer
			* Folder of upcoming caravan movements and raiding targets
		- Baron and Karyn attend the evening services at the chapel
		- Some characters go to steal from the innkeeper's cottage
			* Break in through the back door and discover the extra room through a false wall
			* They steal the crystal ball and sneak out of the cottage back to the inn
		- Karyn and Cayden listen at the inn for chatter
			* Cayden sings a song about Seabiscuit's return
			* Karyn learns that there are large payments going from the caravans to the inn, the dwarves are disappearing from their mines, and the wood elves are being more protective of their territory
		- Baron, Rimi, and Baron ambush Ireidhen and her lover (a barmaid)
			* Baron banishes the barmaid to another dimension while Rimi kills Iriedhen
			* They hide the body in the secret room and Iriedhen's eyes in a bag in the kitchen
			* Rimi casts Darkness around where the barmaid will return
			* The barmaid comes back from banishment in the nether planes and screams for help as the PCs slip away unnoticed

TODO:

* who is hunting the Book of Vile Darkness?
* WRITE UP SECRETS TO BE SCRYED ON