Centrum Glacies Session 134: An Unlikely Conversation
Week 134 of the Dungeons and Dragons Campaign in Centrum Glacies continues as the party has an unlikely conversation with an even unlikely monster.
Like my other campaign, I’m turning this one into a book series. You can check out the first one here.
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 in the book series.
!!!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, psychological warfare, child abuse, and slavery.
Most recently, the party helped cause a complete planetary genocide. Save a few survivors, no one remains from that world. They are still grappling with this unfathomable loss of life and their role in making it happen. It is clear that their suffering is far from over. They can only hope they don’t cause untold pain to an even more untold more.
!!!Final Trigger Warning!!!
The party realizing that letting a mind controlled Spore Druid cast spells was dangerous clash. And so they quickly dispatched Annalissa. But Trent and Zinbella didn’t want to kill her.
Teztcal had other plans though. He cast a firebolt spell with every intent to leave her as ash in her own Druid Circle. Trent shouted as a last ditch attempt to interrupt him. And it worked. Though the Dragon was upset by the distraction.
Jyona quickly rushed in to knock her out. She understood the significance of letting the Druid live. Not to mention she was always supportive of letting people live. She blocked the way so no further harm would come to her from Teztcal or anyone else.
Finding the Culprit
Trent asked Zinbella to peer into Annalissa’s mind. The Psychic Vampire scoffed as she had intended to do so from the start. As she assumed a stance that required concentration, she attracted unwanted attention. Specifically attention from a problematic Dragon.
Teztcal was puzzled by what the Psychic Vampire was up to. And even more annoyed that the others seemed to be in the know. The rest of the party had gone completely silent. And that silence gave way to boredom. He chose Obrom as the target of his attention, but the Bard did not react to his rude actions.
Jyona aided Zinbella in trying to help the other Archdruid by summoning a shimmering barrier. Her spell functioned as an Anti Magic shield to keep external magic from interfering. It also helped in keeping a certain Dragon distracted on other matters.
In the end, it didn’t take Zinbella long to complete her telepathic probe. With her work finished, the Psychic Vampire asked Jyona to lower her barrier. She had something important to tell the group. Specifically that the mastermind behind this attack was not nearby. Not in the grove at least. Instead, they had to be elsewhere in the graveyard.
Of course Teztcal believed Annalissa was the one who attacked the party. But Zinbella was done with his shit. She didn’t try to insult or entertain him. Instead she looked towards Trent thanking him for not killing Annalissa.
The Next Step
The next step was clear. They needed to hunt down the other psychic vampire and Olanna the commander of the Cult of Obsidian . Likely both would be near each other.
Vitality’s goal was achieved and she left after a quick goodbye. She didn’t even ask the group if they knew how to get out of this place. As soon as she was out of earshot, Zinbella told the party that Vitality was messing with dangerous Magic far beyond Spore Druid craft. Considering who was telling them this, that seemed significant.
As Zinbella explained some of her thoughts on Vitality, it clicked for both Jyona and Obrom that their Tiefling friend likely had a clear goal with her pets. Vitality’s name started to make sense given she was trying to revive her companion animals without them being zombies. Something beyond Necromancy and true resurrection, especially involving Spore Druid power was dangerous indeed.
Jyona laid a hand on Zinbella’s shoulder and essentially told her that she was glad that they could be friends rather than enemies. However the Psychic Vampire felt about this compliment was left unsaid. Instead, she urged the party to continue looking for their enemies. She intended to stay here and help Annalissa.
The Enemy’s Magic
Upon exiting the enclave, the party noticed a dome of magic to the east. That hadn’t been noticeable before which made it clear that it was related to the attack they had just fought off. Jyona versed in understanding different types of magic quickly realized that this same spell was what was keeping them trapped here. Most likely Olanna and the Psychic Vampire were lurking there too.
Unfortunately when they drew close to this place, they sensed a second source of magic. One that barred their way in. And that one originated to the north. But not too far away from their location. Close enough that they could spot something that stood out against the countless graves and rotting soil: Another crypt.
As they traveled through the graveyard an towards their next destination, Obrom’s brand started burning furiously. There were many undead about. Probably in the crypt itself. But as they approached, none made themselves known.
The Mimic
The party cautiously descended into the tomb. This time almost complete darkness greeted them. There were no torches or signs that anything alive remained in this place. Except there was at least one living thing in here. Slime dripped on the walls, and when Jyona’s Golem drew near it, the construct was attacked. The slime was a Mimic!
Before the party could finish it off, they had a most unlikely conversation. With the mimic that was. I claimed it surrendered. And it hadn’t meant to attack. It asked for their forgiveness and promised to not try and hurt them anymore. This threw most of the party off. But not Teztcal who moved to threaten it.
The Dragon was overruled though. Jyona was too excited by the potential conversation to be cautious. Instead, she approached it wanting to know how it was able to have a conversation or talk at all for that matter. It didn’t answer that question. Instead, it explained that it had attacked them because it was starving. Admittedly no one living had come into this place for some time.
The half-elf fed it some of her rations. An action that placated the Mimic immediately. It appreciated this kindness and in return warned them that there were tons of ghosts in this crypt that ha met a cruel end. And it mentioned something worse deeper in this place. Happy to be alive, the Mimic made due on its promise and changed forms before leaving.
Beyond the Mimic
Trent stated that he could learn a thing or two from Jyona and her friend-making ways. But s she did not take the compliment in stride. Instead, she reminded him that that her last act of kindness had ultimately been a catalyst in the Feywild disaster. Midnight and Violet both exchanged sorrowful glances from the two Adventurers’ shoulders.
The party marched deeper into the tomb, being led by Trent’s flame spirit in case enemies attacked. It had been a good idea, but Obrom’s brand glowed even brighter. And the party felt a cold chill in the air and down their spines. There were ghosts about.
Wrap Up
While an odd warning, the Mimic had been here a long time. Likely there are terrible creatures in this tomb. And the party has their undivided attention.