Centrum Glacies 2021 Session 24: Extinguished Flame
Week 24 in 2021 of this Dungeons and Dragons Campaign in Centrum Glacies continues as the party encounters an extinguished flame.
Like my other campaign, I’m turning this one into a book series. However I’m still working on that project. Give it some time.
Anyway, just like my other campaign, there is a whole lot going on and I don’t want to elaborate on every moving piece in the story. You can see the whole thing once the book series starts hitting virtual and real shelves.
!!!Trigger Warning!!!
This story deals with a cruel world with some horrific twists. So far, this campaign has featured: Animals getting killed, Genocide, lots of body horror, evil cults, brainwashing, torture.
Most recently one of the party members had an eye gouged out and lost an arm. Not exactly the way it happens in Berserk, but that might have been the inspiration for it. The group at large is currently succumbing to magical wounds that appear to be turning them into Demons.
!!!Final Trigger Warning!!!
Though he presented a brutal challenged to the group, the Party earned Gor-Venal’s respect. At least enough that he decided not to kill them. Still he prepared to leave and told them a cryptic warning. The others were watching and they wouldn’t be as nice.
Trent asked him to join them. They both clearly saw Zyn as an enemy and Gor-Venal seemed like an honorable man. He declined. The Monk stated that he preferred to work alone and left. At least the party had Adrenne to back them up.
With the Platinum Adventurer gone, Party rode an elevator up the cliffs. The Cult of Obsidian Base was situated right here. They could almost see the Orc encampment in the distance. It was truly mind boggling how close enemy and ally were on the Abyssal Continent.
Naturally, the Obsidian Base was guarded. And by not so unexpected foes either. Naturally, a group that worshipped fire was capable of summoning Fire Elementals as guards. But after the other monsters the party had battled against, this was hardly a threat to them.
Trent turned into a water elemental and extinguished flames. He had fought as an Earth Elemental already. The Druid found it fitting to take an aquatic form now. He intended to stay in this shifted state as long as he could.
After elementals fizzled out, the party found entrance to Cult of Obsidian Base. It wasn’t hidden very well. Perhaps few people thought to attack this place. Fewer still could even get onto the Abyssal Continent much less walk in this valley.
Into the Base:
As they entered the base, the group heard a Dark Elf talking about Jarrar. Notably they were praising him. None of the group liked that. So they sprang into action. They quickly grabbed the youngster. Trent Interrogated and traumatized the teenage guard. He wouldn’t be warning the others of the intruders.
A bit further in, the party avoided some traps. Naturally such a place had protection outside of teenage guards. But the way things were set up, it was almost like the dangerous corners were not to keep intruders out, but to deal with unruly people who were supposed to be here.
The deeper the group moved into the base, the more perplexed they grew. In one open room, Adrenne found a switch in an obvious location. Trent thought it was a trap, but she suspected something else. A good thing she went with her instincts. The party finally found some treasure including a magic rod. They had been broke for a long time.
Unfortunately, stealing from the Cult of Obsidian triggered an immediate reaction. One room over, a couple Demon Dogs sniffed the party from afar. And the alerted Cult Initiates prepared for battle.
Wrap Up:
The group does have the element of surprise. And these Cultists seem weak. Is the party about to get a much deserved break?