Session Logs 2026

2026

5/30/2026 Episode 151

"I like to think of it as one of the reasons we work well together," said Earl Rollo Thistletop. "Bailey and I are rather different. But we can help each other see different perspectives. She will have a hard time convincing me, however, that hated rivals do not deserve cordial treatment, even when they arrive unannounced. That issue may never settle between us. Part of me hopes it never does." He grinned slyly.

Recap:

  • Zorah felt reasonably confident, on paper, about the hag-skewering song she wrote.
  • The party gathered names and locations of watering holes in the region, whose patrons might enjoy a ribald song or two.
  • The party considered what "special effects" from magical cantrips might enhance the performance.
  • At a small roadhouse named Ye Olde Dogs Bar, Zorah led the party's inaugural performance set and earned a little money for helping draw in more customers.
  • At a larger roadhouse named Big Branch, at the intersection of two major roads, the next performance was solid, the special effects more refined, and the post-entertainment compensation slightly greater.
  • In the town of Orotiva at the raucous working-class Clumsy Swan, Zorah's flow during the hag-slaying song was briefly interrupted by a well-timed heckle. Zorah recovered and finished the song.
  • Tristan noted that the heckler was likely carrying a magical weapon upon her person.
  • During the last song of the set, the heckler continued to express her disapproval, with words and with gestures.
  • At the end of the set, the heckler chugged the rest of her drink and approached the stage with intent…

The song:

A Song of Sinking Crones (Part one)
Chorus
[Catchy, upbeat, and easy for a tavern crowd to stomp along to]
Oh, the sea is deep, and the swamp is vile,
But a hag’s worst trait is her crooked smile!
They think they're clever, they think they're grand,
Till the Paragons sweep them from the land!
One by one, the sisters fall,
Soon the greenest witch will lose it all!

Verse 1: The Sea Hag (Sister Urdia)
Sister Urdia, a horror of the deep,
With a face so foul it would make you weep!
Sent by her Mother to sink our ship,
Where storms were unleashed and the currents rip.
She thought her deathly gaze would strike us dead,
But we answered with sorcery and prayer instead!
With a word from this cat, a great spell took flight,
And a mighty Bigby's paw crushed her into the night!
(Shouted) That’s ONE!

Verse 2: The Brine Hag (Mother Celeste / Countess Bileweed)
Then Mother Celeste, the Brine Hag queen,
The bitterest monster you’ve ever seen!
As "Countess Bileweed" she put on airs,
With Black Serpent pirates and guarded lairs.
A "monument to folly" made of sunken wood,
But we ended her scheming for the public good!
(Shouted) That’s TWO!

Verse 3: The Green Hag (The Secret Verse)
[Tempo slows slightly, becoming pointed and mocking]
Now a third little sister is playing a game,
Whispering poison in a house of high name.
A Green Hag advisor to a halfling crest,
Stirring up war where there should be rest!
She broke a sweet marriage with a bloodless strike,
To make noble houses bleed alike.
(Shouted) We see you, THREE!

Bridge
[Dramatically shifts to target her psyche and ego]
Hey, green-skinned sister in your web of lies,
Are you the puppet before the puppet dies?
We found your letters in the salty muck,
Are you the master… or just out of luck?
For the artist’s diary told the tale,
Of the curse he bore and his desperate trail!
He sought a "wise woman" to end his strife,
But your twisted "cure" was to take his life!
Did you kill him to fulfill a dark design,
Or are you just a tool for a worse mind?
Did someone trick you to take the fall?
A brainwashed pawn who will lose it all?
Your sisters are dead, they aren't coming to try—
Did your master breed you just to watch you die?

Chorus
[Explodes back in, triumphant and loud]
Oh, the sea is deep, and the swamp is vile,
But a hag’s worst trait is her crooked smile!
They think they're clever, they think they're grand,
Till the Paragons sweep them from the land!
One by one, the sisters fall,
Soon the greenest witch will lose it all!

5/23/2026 Episode 150

"And in light of that," continued Marchioness Eglantine Undervault, "Lady Bailey's behavior in that moment — threatening to expel guests by potentially lethal force — was simply beyond the pale." She raised her voice to be intentionally overheard. "I would hate to seek even more compensation from Your Grace on account of this, but it appears that I must." She turned to face Earl Rollo Thistletop. "It is commendable that you are far more reasonable than your wife."

Recap:

  • The party considered how one might use a being's true name against it.
  • Zorah discovered an old journal of Castemont Undervault tucked away in a moldering mattress.
  • Thistle discovered that Castemont had been keeping a brave face about their emotional struggles in the wake of some art and money deals gone sour.
  • Castemont had heard, through an acquaintance of an acquaintance, that there was a wise-woman living deeper into the wilderness who might be able to help them.
  • Back at Goldenglow, Zorah discussed with Earl Rollo Thistletop the hypothesis of a hag influencing the Undervaults — and that the hag was likely Reverie, the advisor to Borlin.
  • Elam encouraged Rollo to share a lot that was on his mind, giving insight into the recent behavior of his wife Countess Bailey Thistletop and the various stresses and expectations burdening her.
  • Zorah and Elam collaborated on a song about slaying hags, with the intent of performing in front of some local folk, and perhaps eventually ruffling some extremely specific feathers…

The party also finally named themselves, in the service of the song: The Paragons.

5/16/2026 Episode 149

"How shall I appropriately address…you lot?" The butler Barrowes gestured as he tried to make measure of shiny soldier, an errant heir, a scruffy sailor, a laconic landgrave, and a twitchy-tailed tale tailor.

Recap:

  • Elam intercepted Marchioness Eglantine Undervault as she tried to exit Goldenglow Estate after meeting with Earl Rollo Thistletop.
  • Elam explained the party's role in freeing Burgravine Borlin Undervault from prison, and shared a letter describing hag schemes involving halfling noble families with Eglantine.
  • Zorah explained the kerfuffle in Orotiva earlier in the day, where a carriage hastily took a spy away from the party's meeting with Burgrave Saarn Undervault.
  • Eglantine said she wanted to prevent bloodshed between Undervaults and Thistletops, and that neither she nor her families knew much about Reverie or the Nightshade Circle.
  • Eglantine demanded that the party stay out of family-internal business. She expected the party's eventual and unwanted disobedience.
  • Zorah asked Goldenglow servant Tosh Mossfoot about dress and behavior for servants in noble households. (Absolutely nothing to do with spying whatsoever.) She modified some clothes accordingly.
  • Elam reviewed The Swamp of Strife, a book about hags, and suggested that others in the party do the same.
  • Elam studied Agents of Perfection and Destiny, absorbing more knowledge about divine messengers.
  • Tristan deciphered arcane lock from a recovered spellbook.
  • The next day, the party journeyed to the bungalow where Thistle once cohabitated with Castemont Undervault.
  • The party found many things abandoned or decaying and being reclaimed by nature.
  • Elam discovered one of Castemont's old sketchbooks. Within it Zorah found "Phthunxuna" written in an unfamiliar hand.
  • After consulting The Swamp of Strife, the party wondered if that was a true and secret name holding power over someone.
  • Tristan wondered if the gods of luck and (mis)fortune might be messing with the owner of that name by leaving it somewhere it could be found…

5/9/2026 No game

5/2/2026 No game

4/25/2026 Episode 148

Saarn scanned over the letter that Elam handed him. He looked confused for a moment, turned it upside-down, and tried to read it again. He gestured to one of his attendants that cleared the restaurant earlier. They walked over, mumbled something, gestured, placed a hand briefly on his shoulder, bowed, stepped away. "That's better," he said, finally finding which way was up on the letter. "Now let's see how dreadful this really is."

Recap:

  • At dining establishment Spring Boulevard in the Town of Orotiva, Saarn Undervault confirmed he did not know the surname of Reverie, advisor to his sister Borlin.
  • Elam warned Saarn that Reverie was most likely a hag planning on killing him and his family. Saarn found it difficult to believe.
  • Saarn deduced that the party were communicating silently among themselves in his presence.
  • Elam discussed how true sight could reveal Reverie's true form, but with hazardous consequences.
  • Elam requested a meeting with Borlin and Reverie, in a place not controlled by Undervaults. Saarn thought it was unlikely and foolish but said he would ask.
  • A noise in the kitchen alerted Tristan and Elam to a possible spy; they gave chase. Kitchen staff gave conflicting reports about appearance, but agreed that the spy went into the street.
  • Zorah relayed to Saarn that her comrades saw a non-Thistletop carriage trying to skip town in a hurry. Saarn sad he could vouch for those present in the restaurant, but that the carriage occupants might demand heads on pikes as compensation for interfering with travel.
  • Tristan and Elam let the carriage escape, and returned to the restaurant. The rest of the meeting had only a little awkward interrupting an otherwise pleasant meal.
  • Elam presented Saarn with a sending scallop, advising to only use it where Reverie couldn't observe.
  • Elam left some extra money for the restaurant staff; they thanked her profusely.
  • Back at Goldenglow, Elam asked gardener Nina about the unfamiliar halfling noblewoman meeting with Rollo Thistletop in the parlor. Zorah asked the same question of butler Barrowes and found she was Eglantine Undervault, mother of Saarn and Borlin.
  • Elam considered intercepting Eglantine after her meeting with Rollo, to discuss hag shenanigans.

Things to do:

  • Find out if anyone has heard of Liberty Council, Iron Conclave, or more details about Reverie's "Nightshade Circle."
  • Investigate the Undervault estate (probably Zorah as Thistle should not go near)
  • Talk to Eglantine when she comes out of Goldenglow, what she knows about the situation, what details she knows about Reverie, and then show her the letter and explain we think Reverie is Mother Never Fruit, probably under the anagram Reverie Muntforth.
  • Talk to Thistle about: What is up with her mother, what happened with her husband, did she live in the house they talked about, did she know about the anti-nobility leanings.

4/18/2026 Episode 147

Bailey sat quietly. The hubbub of her child's return after too many years was barely noticeable when compared to the several facets of herself vying for control of her outward manner in this moment. Maybe there would be time to let one of those facets win later. In the shorter term, at least, Diayola could be an important piece to a vexing puzzle.

Recap:

  • Tristan enjoyed halfling cuisine, courtesy of Thistle, Rollo Thistletop, and the kitchen staff at Goldenglow Estate.
  • Saarn Undervault used sending to accept the proposed meeting with Thistle and associates, choosing a specific time and urging punctuality.
  • Zorah and the Thistletops caught each other up on events in the recently-renamed Barony of Vouniki Ellisia.
  • Bailey Thistletop remained mostly quiet during the small talk, looking like she had a lot on her mind.
  • Elam asked the Goldenglow staff about the relations between the Thistletops and Undervaults. The staffer related an event where the Undervaults visited unannounced, made outrageous accusations, and nearly provoked bloodshed.
  • The party considered back roads into Orotiva, and telepathic back channels in case the planned meeting got out of hand.
  • Overnight, Thistle continued to study Zelen's journals, and Elam the book on divine messengers.
  • The party set out early and took less-traveled paths to reach the northern gate of the Town of Orotiva.
  • Well-dressed halflings arrived at Spring Boulevard to encourage other patrons to leave before Saarn himself entered.
  • Saarn stated his concerns and his goals, explaining what he knew about the circumstances around the death of his cousin and Thistle's spouse, Castemont Undervault.
  • Elam showed Saarn a letter describing schemes of Mother Neverfruit towards an unnamed halfling noble family and its mercurial scion.
  • Elam asked Saarn if he knew the surname of Reverie after playing anagram games with "Mother Neverfruit."

Saarn's exposition:

Castemont was our cousin, only child of our Uncle Durn and Aunt Myrtle. Borlin and Reverie brought them back to us after exhuming their remains from a plot near a residence somewhere in the general vicinity of Yuplad, far off the beaten path, that we had no idea even existed. Borlin said that the residence, as humble as it was, was clearly meant for two, that being two of approximate physical stature such as myself.

Castemont is now buried in the family plot near their great-grandparents. No parent should have to bury their child. My uncle and aunt took it harder than most, I think. Aunt Myrtle still hasn't recovered from the shock yet, I think; she is rarely seen outside her estate, let alone her usual rooms. She eats little and speaks less. Uncle Durn is quite the opposite, having found a partner in rage in my sister Borlin. The two have become a terrible pair.

Durn's brother, my father Tramo, encourages Borlin's behavior, possibly even enabling it. Perhaps he thinks that after Borlin has finished her duties as incendiary device and wrecking ball, he can sweep up what remains to his profit. Our mother Eglantine protests, questioning whether the ends justify the means, but her words cannot seem to penetrate her husband's opportunism or her daughter's zeal.
I was raised to occasionally question and challenge traditions, but even I found it beyond the pale for Borlin and Uncle Durn to storm into Goldenglow and threaten Their Graces — Your Eminence's parents — with bloody vengeance for an event in which I believe they took no part. Your father was too flabbergasted to respond to such an affront in the moment, from what I hear. Your mother, however, seemed to have queued up her best impression of an orcish berserker approaching the precipice of frenzy. Uncle Durn's description, not mine.

This scene has repeated a couple of times since. On its most recent occurrence, Borlin said she had employed outside help to speak with the departed spirit of poor Castemont. She said that the answers she received were quite shocking, painting the Thistletops in general and Your Eminence in particular in quite the harsh light. I find it a minor miracle that the obstinacy of your mother has forestalled bloodshed for this long.

Other notes:
Thistle's mule is now named Wolf
Tristan's phantasmal camel is named Objective

4/11/2026 Episode 146

The retired businessman stepped out into the shared courtyard and looked up. "When you said you were going to plant a tree," he said loudly to nobody in particular, "I wasn't expecting you to transplant it whole!" "If you keep finding things for me to do around here," the handywoman shouted from inside his house, "I might have to take an extra nature appreciation break or two, especially in summer!"

Recap:

  • Thistle chose some plants to enhance the area around the baobab tree in the courtyard.
  • Zorah deciphered the last spell in Liraz' smaller spellbook, discovering absorb elements.
  • Tristan couldn't make much progress on the "sealing" abjuration spell in Liraz' larger spellbook, but did enjoy a beer while studying.
  • The bastion's artisans produced some more useful items, and engaged in mildly profitable commerce.
  • Thistle cast transport via plants to lead the party from the courtyard baobab to a weeping willow upon Goldenglow Estate. A gardener was quite surprised to see five strangers having suddenly appeared behind her!
  • After Thistle introduced themself, the gardener hustled inside to alert the sovereigns of the estate. A few moments later, after some considerable hubbub inside the main building, Bailey Thistletop, Countess of Goldenglow and Rollo Thistletop, Earl of Goldenglow, parents of Diayola "Thistle" Thistletop, emerged and looked upon their grown child for the first time in several years.
  • Inside the estate, Rollo shared that Borlin Undervault, Burgravine of Marshborough and her uncle Durn Undervault, Marquis of Marshborough had infringed upon Goldenglow more than once, breaching the laws of hospitality and accusing the Thistletops of all sorts of clandestine skullduggery related to the death of Durn's child and Borlin's cousin.
  • Elam asked Rollo if he knew anything about the improper influence of Borlin's advisor Reverie or the Nightshade Circle over the Undervaults. He seemed unfamiliar with the names.
  • Elam suggested a meeting with Borlin's brother Saarn Undervault, Burgrave of Marshborough — hopefully the more reasonable sibling. Zorah suggested finding a place that could reasonably be considered "neutral territory" between the Thistletops and Undervaults.
  • Thistle used animal messenger to invite Saarn to a meeting at Spring Boulevard in the nearby town of Orotiva.

4/4/2026 Episode 145

Nearly as soon as it had delivered the last word of the message that a distant druid had ritually sent, the pint-sized stray scruffy mutt was poking its nose around in the garden. It apparently found what it was looking for. It turned around a couple of times this way and then that, and bedded down upon a particularly comfy patch of earth next to a halfling.

Recap:

  • Elam planted the Quaal's feather token in the courtyard, and within a few minutes it had become a fully-grown baobab tree. A local pint-sized scruffy mutt watered it.
  • Mrs. Jade Castagna dropped by the bastion in the morning to drop off some tokens of gratitude for the party's service, and extend an invitation to join the Duke's Gate Society for Horticulture. Thistle seemed quite eager to join.
  • As Mrs. Castagna departed, Thran Redhide from the local office of Great Tazieu & Eastern Co. visited to show the company's gratitude for information about the location of the wreck of the Silent Duchess, as well as the return of her bell and binnacle. He hoped that the company could work with the party on a more intentional and mutually beneficial basis in the future.
  • After Mr. Redhide departed, Old Man K visited the bastion to speak with Aki and their associates about the ilsand of Alysidon and the cantankerous, loathsome apex predator that dwelled there. He confirmed it was indeed an amphibious dragon that could spew acid, and that the lizardfolk on the island worshipped or revered it. He estimated that if one were to take away its ability to act through others, it would have to engage in risky behavior to increase its wealth. He said he could offer Aki a scroll that might help in dire circumstances, but only with commitment to face the dragon. He requested that the party set aside some items from its hoard for him, should they defeat it.
  • Tristan analyzed all the day's visitors with true seeing and noted that Old Man K was most likely a shapeshifted dragon; his glassy green eye strongly suggested to Thistle that he was most likely bronze.

Loot:

  • 50 pp
  • A fancy leather pouch embossed with the GT&E logo of Great Tazieu & Eastern Co.
  • Art objects, each approximately 100 gp:
    • A heavy bronze goblet engraved with an image of a pomegranate, several fine charms of silver and gold with small gems around its stem
    • A polished black marble statuette of a bare-chested warrior standing at attention
    • A gold locket engraved with a flower on the outside; inside are engraved images of a honeybee and a locust (Thistle)
    • An oval brooch of ivory, with a delicate carving of a flowering plant, set in a fine silver frame
    • A silver letter opener with polished lapis lazuli handle (Elam)

Other items:

  • A handwritten scroll describing the Duke's Gate Society for Horticulture to prospective members, including benefits, expectations, and obligations

3/28/2026 No game

3/21/2026 Episode 144

Somewhere at the edges of his hearing, Tristan thought he heard someone speaking. Then he thought he heard someone else responding. He looked around and saw nobody, except for the smiling caricature of a kicking mule engraved upon a recently-acquired battleaxe.

Recap:

  • Elam sought and received neighbors' permission to plant a Quaal's feather token tree in the shared courtyard, making a particularly strong impression upon local retired businessman Giuzeppi Raggi and handywoman Christina Tarroglia.
  • At The Seeking Caravan Zorah purchased a dark riding horse with a white star upon its muzzle, and Thistle purchased a mule less obstinate than most. Stable master Geofred Levett ordered his staff to corral the animals and some other useful gear.
  • At The Blind Minotaur intense and persuasive bargaining produced only a modest discount in the purchase of a scroll of revivify.
  • Tristan discussed the return of the bell and binnacle of the Silent Duchess with a local representative of Great Tazieu & Eastern Co.
  • Aki found themselves in conversation with Old Man K about their true aims on the island of Alysidon, and their possible distant shared ancestry. He saw through Aki's evasions of some of his questions, and offered to converse again when they were feeling more forthcoming.
  • Several of the party spotted a pigeon whispering a message to a stray dog. Thistle explained that it was likely the result of an animal messenger ritual for a particularly valuable message. Elam warned her bastion's watchperson Amber Borabar to be on the lookout for weird animal behaviors, or suspicious figures casing the joint.
  • As they were winding down for the day, speaking with the plants in the garden, Thistle found a different stray dog getting their attention, and delivering an ominous message in the voice of their father Rollo Thistletop, Earl of Goldenglow.

3/14/2026 Episode 143

The serpent-snails impatience in catching meals was being rewarded by adventurers' overwhelming force and persistence in extracting the thing they cared about — some inanimate object that was utterly uninteresting to the slimy creatures.

Recap:

  • The party dispatched the remaining serpent snails without much fuss.
  • Under the tangle of corpses of several lizardfolk and one human, the party found an axe with some amusing engravings on the blades.
  • Elam attempted to bury the lizardfolk respectfully. Tristan did so for the human, a former officer aboard the Golden Goose for whom he had no great love.
  • Tristan and Elam pondered what temptations could pull a dragon out of its lair, and what sorts of force could be brought to bear upon it.
  • The party returned to the City of Parteca via word of recall, arriving back at the Church of the Strand.
  • Elam delivered the news of the deaths of Palm Queen Lea Oletta and Palm King Gejtan Parnis to Jade Castagna, the vice-chair of the Duke's Gate Society for Horticulture.
  • Elam, Zorah, and Thistle observed the families' very different reactions as Mrs. Castagna brought unwelcome but not entirely unexpected news to their doorsteps.

Loot:

3/7/2026 Episode 142

The serpent-snails, keeping their eye stalks just above the surface of the water while their shells remained submerged, had lost patience. They had hidden their sticky tendrils among the half-buried bodies under the pale willow tree. They had wanted to entangle something fresh and drag it back for a meal. But these adventurers operated at a distance, not risking their own necks for whatever prize it was they wanted. If they would not approach, they could endure volleys of spittle until either they fled or they withered.

Recap:

  • Serpent snails threatened to entangle Thistle and Aki with their sticky tongues, and chow down upon them with venomous bites.
  • Zorah enthralled two of the snails with hypnotic pattern while insulting other snail's substandard shells with vicious mockery.
  • Elam inflicted severe damage to snail and snail tongue alike with sharp weaponry.
  • Tristan made snail life difficult with spirit guardians and spiritual weapon.
  • Thistle conjured nature's fury repeatedly with call lightning.
  • Aki squirmed out of a sticky situation or two.

2/28/2026 Episode 141

From five heads (all alive) to six heads (four dead), the swamp-dwelling hydra endured an assault from elemental evocations and magical manifestations of will. It was looking quite a lot worse for wear, thoroughly discombobulated, and not entirely in control of itself. However, it looked neither motionless nor dead.

Recap:

  • Elam finally flew into melee range to deliver more trauma to the hydra with a magical maul, bludgeoning one of its heads senseless.
  • Aki called down yet another ice storm from the sky, reducing the hydra to a squirming mess of uncoordinated limbs.
  • The hydra's monstrous biology struggled mightily but it finally succumbed to the many varieties of abuse that the party had dished out.
  • The froggy water spirits fled under cover of swamp water, having seen their "lord and master" or "deity" slain.
  • The party investigated the area for hidden treasures, noting not only some hidden sacks containing magic but also another source…buried under some half-buried corpses in another part of the swamp.
  • Various shenanigans involving mage hand were employed to try to extract the magical item without disturbing the nearby serpent-snails.
  • The serpent-snails got impatient and started spitting venom at the party…

tavella — We also cleaned all the corpses [animal corpses] out of the tree and put them in the water, which the tree spirits seemed happy about.

Loot:

2/21/2026 Episode 140

Encircled by a wreath of flames, imperiled by a highly localized storm cloud, the hydra thrashed its multiple necks about, looking many directions at once for a target to assault with its caustic spittle, or better yet, to bite.

  • Tiny froggy water spirits appeared and began to harass the party with fog clouds and a wall of ice.
  • The hydra continued to thrash about, biting and spitting blindly at foes, scoring a few minor hits.
  • The hydra gained 2 heads but lost 4 as the party mixed and matched many varieties of damage.
  • The voices of the nature spirits in Thistle's head sounded anxious and distressed but defiant, and possibly more optimistic as the hydra sustained more and more damage.
  • The hydra fell prone and began acting confused and discombobulated…

2/14/2026 Episode 139

The most recent entries in the journals of Zelen Barishka were about a year ago. Despite being made of actual dust, the dust mephits did do a good job of maintaining the place. And the ice golem was doing a good job of preserving that little plant in its storage compartment. Would their missions ever end? Even the mightiest fortress, left unattended, eventually crumbles under nature's subtle but relentless pressure.

  • Tristan surmised that Zelen Barishka was probably not evil, and advised leaving the building to its own devices until the druid's return…or proof of inability to return.
  • Zorah surmised that Fredegar Chubotyn, author of Practical Chimaerics, was from the Vrothian Republic, and at least misguided and unwilling to ethically or morally constrain his curiosity. Aki thinks Chubotyn was a human wizard who operated about a century ago…?
  • Overnight, Aki watched an increasing number of dust mephits grow agitated about the Leomund's tiny hut in the laboratory. Nothing came of it other than a ring of dust where the hut used to be.
  • The party used minor illusions and various modes of flight to escape the druid's sanctum without enduring the business ends of three vine-covered owlbears.
  • The party flew to the swamp where they had previously observed the hydra. Zorah built up the party by being an inspiring leader.
  • Nobody was surprised when the opening salvos were launched against the hydra, which could spit acid from a distance.
  • Thistle proceeded to call lightning upon the hydra, while Aki wrapped it in a wall of fire, Zorah threatened it with Bigby's hand, Tristan menaced it with a spiritual weapon, and Elam swore a vow of enmity against it.
  • Something bubbled and frothed menacingly in the water near the hydra shortly after the combat started…

DM's Errata: I made an error in reading the hydra's stat block, mistaking round (which wasn't there) for turn (which was). The upshot is that the hydra can lose more than one head in a round. After reviewing the attacks that hit the hydra (thank you D&D Beyond Game Log) it still lost only one head that round, after Thistle's call lightning struck it. Aki's wall of fire damaged it, but it did not lose another head before the opaque flames obscured clear views of it. (You still can see where it is and target it; it's huge and its heads are sometimes visible above the top of the wall.) So rewrite whatever memories you need to make it work. Please accept my apologies for the confusion.

2/7/2026 Episode 138

The ice golem stood passively against the wall. It did not seem to know nor care that lumbering hulks of plant matter had just been turned into compost.

  • In the inner sanctum of Zelen's laboratory, Thistle noticed the telltale signs of an oaken sentinel, and asked it what it was guarding; it silently indicated the ice golem with a sample of the alaguara plant.
  • The party explored the remaining domed room, finding that someone intentionally chilled the place to arctic temperatures.
  • Ice willows ambushed the party with a volley of icicles.
  • Thistle tried to plead for de-escalation but Aki's vitriolic sphere made negotiation difficult.
  • Advancing ice willows thumped Zorah severely before the party disengaged and fled.
  • The party returned to the laboratory where more dust mephits pressed them into menial tasks in exchange for undisturbed rest.
  • Thistle got familiar with Zelen's journals, learning that she discovered the curative properties of the alaguara and was trying to make a less invasive version of it through experimentation.
  • While resting, the party examined some of the recent loot more closely, learning some of its secrets.

Loot:

1/31/2026 Episode 137

Four vortices of dust swirl in the corners of these living quarters, coalescing into small winged humanoid figures with exaggerated noses, ears, and claws. They do not look like they were expecting visitors, and they do not look pleased.

  • Dust mephits appeared in Zelen's private chambers, demanding to know what the party were doing there.
  • With interpretive dance and some magical assistance from Tristan, Zorah convinced the mephits to allow the party access, at least for a while.
  • Zorah also warned the mephits about the black dragon on the island.
  • Aki stumbled into some hostile spore-puffing lichens.
  • Aki's fireball damaged the lichens severely, but the building zapped him with frosty magical fire suppression.
  • Dust mephits again interrogated the party about their violent ways, and Zorah again convinced them to not eject the party from the premises.
  • Elam left offerings at a shrine to nature gods Zetton and Shaïdaa.
  • Tristan spotted a secret door into a laboratory, and dispelled a magical trap upon the door within to the inner sanctum.
  • Zorah picked the lock to the inner sanctum, and Elam barged through, noticing a previously-seen ice golem and two shambling mounds.
  • Elam played the role of hazardous immovable object while the party defeated the shambling mounds.

Loot:

  • heavy cloak, sized for a halfling
  • goggles of night
  • Zelen's most recent journal, covering late summer to mid-autumn (late Dendara, Arbasut, early Sekhma) of 852, mentioning a plant called alaguara and a thorn-spitting orchid
  • 3 potions of greater healing (4d4+4)
  • potion of superior healing (8d4+8)
  • 2 flasks of a viscous, sludgy green substance
  • 2 flasks of a thinner, runnier clear green liquid
  • a magical book depicting beasts and birds being combined into single creatures…?!

1/24/2026 No game

1/17/2026 Episode 136

This year's Palm King and Palm Queen of Parteca would finally return home after their voyage. Their friends and family would not be happy to see them. Even the wealthy, well-groomed, and well-connected sometimes ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Recap:

  • The party bore the temporarily-preserved bodies of the Palm King and Palm Queen back to the Cutlass Radiant, ordering the crew to set sail back to Parteca and leave the deceased at the bastion.
  • The party hiked down to the odd glass-domed stone building on an island in the middle of a river, arriving in late afternoon.
  • Thistle and Zorah used a variety of magical/psychological techniques to hoodwink and hornswoggle the owlbears guarding the entrance.
  • Much written material about nature and plants was discovered, including the journals of a druid calling themselves Zelen who specialized in the subject.
  • Thistle thought that Zelen's journals could be sold for profit to the right buyer, or studied for long-term personal enrichment.
  • Among the various papers and journals Thistle discovered command words for an ice golem that was visible under one of the glass domes.
  • The party found that Zelen's personal chambers were not completely unguarded…

1/10/2026 Episode 135

The sheaf of papers in the chest appeared undamaged by being underwater for so long. Each leaf was no worse for wear than an ordinary epistle that had never been near the sea.

Recap:

  • Zorah reviewed Mother Celeste's cache of correspondence and found reference to Mother Neverfruit perpetrating schemes upon a halfling family who could very well be the Undervaults.
  • Aki noticed that rearranging the letters of Countess Bileweed yields "Celeste de Bouwnis."
  • Tristan wondered how long it would be before Mother Celeste's correspondents would notice her demise.
  • Tristan reviewed the ship's logs and manifests of the Silent Duchess to find details of Mother Celeste's scheme to sink a bunch of ships and arrange them into an undersea monument.
  • Thistle saw a dragon turtle swimming around out in the ocean after sunset, before it was fully dark.
  • Aki tried to cast blindness on an old man who approached the party's tiny hut but it did not seem to discourage him.
  • Aki woke Elam and Zorah, who had a cordial conversation with the old man and eventually got a fragment of a name out of him: K.
  • Zorah and Elam noticed that one of K's eyes was green and glassy; Aki noticed something that could have been metallic scales on the back of his hand.
  • Elam disturbed a marid who was trying to enjoy a sunrise.
  • The following morning, Tristan and Elam retrieved the bodies of the dead from the wreck of the Silent Duchess.
  • Tristan performed rites for the crew of sailors.
  • Elam and Tristan collaborated to preserve the bodies of the two well-dressed civilians for eventual return to the City of Parteca.

1/3/2026 Episode 134

Polluted water, smelling of fish kill and polluted harbor, billowed forth from the hideous eel-tailed mockery of a mermaid emerging from the sterncastle of the capsized and sunken Silent Duchess. "Your bloated corpses will take pride of place in my monument commemorating your collective arrogance and persistent idiocy," she declared, wrath bristling from every sibilant.

Recap:

  • Elam inflicted a terminal case of hostile paladin upon Mother Celeste.
  • Thistle, once again in wild shape as a giant octopus, intimidated several other giant octopuses into fleeing, some leaving inky clouds behind.
  • Tristan and Zorah collaborated to bring a magically-locked chest to shore and eventually unlock it.
  • As it was opened, the chest let out a deep and horrible noise that could have alerted something…if it were underwater.
  • Inside the chest were found some coins, a wand, a familiar-looking scallop shell, a cache of correspondence, and the Silent Duchess ship's manifest and log.
  • The party also worked, with magical assistance, to bring the heavy ship's bell and compass to shore.

Loot:

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