This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. # Session 11: The Drowning Star ## The Manor and the Grave ### A Night in Blackreef Following the battle at the docks, the party’s ship remains heavily damaged. Seeking a place to rest, the party returns to the tavern. A local **Lord of the Manor** offers to host the group at his mansion for a fee; however, only **Solara** agrees to the arrangement, ultimately securing her stay for free. While **Jin** remains outside the mansion, he observes the **Lord of the Manor** through a window. The man removes a bandage, revealing a grievous stab wound on his back. Inside, the **Lord** questions **Solara** regarding their business in Blackreef. She reveals their destination: the Drowning Star. Outside, **Jin** notices shifting shadows and a strange mist seeping into the house. As he attempts to warn **Solara**, **Glasya** manifests behind her. **Glasya** presents a dire ultimatum: **Solara** must choose between her or the Flame. The **Lord of the Manor** is seen floating beyond **Jin’s** position, remarking on the presence of an "uninvited visitor." > "You should always be wary of things you don't understand" The party remains split as the night deepens. ### The Sinister Serenade **Vesper** returns to the graveyard. Finding the graves uncovered, they begins to play their viol. The spirit of a little girl appears, delighted by the music, though a spirit boy nearby remains unimpressed, claiming he has heard better. > "What kind of music do you like?" **Vesper** asks. "Scary music," the girl replies. **Vesper** obliges with a more sinister melody. As the child’s smile grows, she invites them to return the following day, promising to bring her friends. ## Morning Developments ### The Theft Morning arrives, and the **Lord of the Manor** is absent, reportedly out on errands. At the inn, **Moss** wakes to find his window slightly ajar. His pack has been rifled through; **Gimbol’s** sword and all of the late gnome's belongings have been stolen. At the graveyard, **Vesper** finds the site has returned to normal, the graves sealed once more. ### Gathering the Crew The party reunites at the tavern where **Cranky One Eye** (**Willy**) informs them he has secured a few crew members but requires more, including a mage. He explains that he cannot take the ship all the way to the Drowning Star and will have to drop them offshore. While **Moss** searches for **Varnus Dreg**, suspecting him of the theft, **Solara** and **Jin** head to the docks. They encounter two sailors who claim to know a mage capable of assisting. **Solara** hires them, completing the ship's crew. > Yarp ## Shadows of the Past ### Business with Varnus Dreg At the tavern, **Moss** observes **Varnus Dreg** entering with a dwarf named **Bullog**, who is unarmored but carries an axe and shield. **Varnus** instructs **Bullog** to watch over **Gimbol**, threatening consequences if the debt isn't paid. When **Moss** reveals **Gimbol** is dead, **Varnus** pivots, ordering **Bullog** to bring back meteorite metal instead. **Varnus** provides **Bullog** with a diamond—which the dwarf promptly eats—and sends him to join the party’s expedition. As the day ends, **Moss** and **Bullog** head to the boat, where **Moss** spots a massive, watery apparition beneath the surface. ### The Graveyard Ghosts and the Black Moon Circus At the manor, **Jin** is invited to dinner, where a roasted boar is served. Meanwhile, **Vesper** returns to the graves. The spirit girl and her friends appear, including the boy who remains critical of the music. > "I used to be in the circus, I think," **Vesper** notes. "Bad things happened the last time the circus came. That's why we're here," the girl responds. The spirits ask if **Vesper** can set them free. **Vesper** suggests it may be possible when the circus returns, though the boy scoffs before disappearing. The remaining ghosts hand **Vesper** a flyer for **The Black Moon Circus**, and **Vesper** promises to try to return at the time of the circus to fix things. ### The Mark of the Vampire In the manor, the **Lord** offers **Solara** some of the glowing Moon Wine as previously seen at the New Moon Festival, they talk for a while, he reveals he deals in "antiquities" before they retire to his chambers to totally bang a lot. During the night, the **Lord** reveals his true nature, biting **Solara’s** neck. ## The Voyage to the Star ### The Silvery Wave The following morning, **Vesper** informs the party of their findings, and the party departs on **Willy’s** ship. As they sail, a wave with a strange silvery glow strikes the vessel. While most remain steady, **Moss** is knocked overboard. **Bullog** pulls him back up, but **Moss** feels as though the island itself recognized his arrival. **Solara** finds herself plagued by a new hunger and hears the voice of the **Lord of the Manor** in her mind. > "You said you'd still be here." "I'll be back after the job is done," **Solara** replies. ### The Star’s Defense A storm breaks as they approach. Two water elementals with stars embedded in their faces rise from the sea, crashing walls of water against the boat and knocking the mage from the crow's nest. As they attempt to outrun the storm, massive tendrils emerge from the depths, dragging sailors under and grabbing both **Bullog** and **Solara**. **Solara** strikes back with *Eldritch Blast*, which appears darker and more flame-like than usual. A voice echoes through the waves: > "You belong to the star." ## The Leviathan and the Void ### The Heart of the Star The fog breaks as the ship stops. The party takes a smaller boat toward the island, feeling a powerful gravitational pull that tugs at their very bones. A rhythmic, heartbeat-like thumping shakes the area as they dock as they hear a voice in their minds. > "Come back to me" A void opens in the center of the island, and a massive **Leviathan** rises from the hole. A fierce battle ensues as the creature fires beams of starlight at the party. ### The Return of the Rogue As the **Leviathan** retracts and the star begins to fold, the void spins violently, pulling the party toward the center. The **Leviathan** is eventually slain, and a glowing orb floats upward. 🗝️ [[note:coronation_scroll|Orb of the First Dawn]] **Moss** transforms into a shark to help the party escape the current. As they struggle, a spectral hand reaches out—it is **Gimbol Hearthseeker**, manifesting his *Mage Hand*. Having mysteriously taken the place of **Bullog**, **Gimbol** grasps the orb, sealing the gravity void at the cost of being momentarily lost within the artifact. In the aftermath, **Gimbol’s** shadow now takes the form of the dwarf barbarian, **Bullog**, and the barbarian’s axe has been transformed into **Gimbol’s** shortsword. {{tag>session}}