Centrum Glacies Session 147: Felfire
Week 147 of the Dungeons and Dragons Campaign in Centrum Glacies continues as the party fights Felfire Elementals.
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 arrived back at the Hidden Village deep in the Abyssal Desert. Once situated, they found Nimdrar, the former Cultist who helped run the town and assist runaways acclimate back to a normal life. But their freedom wasn’t fully assured when an Obsidian Base was so near. Not even an hour away and on a clear day, visible even from here.
Nimdrar suggested that the group go talk to Jarar for aid in their endeavor. Not something they were eager to do given their history. Even though he was not with the Cult of Obsidian anymore, the group knew he still viewed them with contempt. And it was mutual from their end.
As a former arch nemesis, Jarar easily picked up on what the party wanted to talk to him about. They sought a Frozen Flame for Obrom so that he could revert to his Human form. He played dumb for a second, but Trent saw through him immediately. The Druid had seen enough of his lies to know his mannerisms by now.
After some effort, the group managed to convince him begrudgingly to assist them. When asked what he wanted in return, the Dark Elf admitted he would need some time to think on it. Jarar then pointed them towards a newcomer in town. And he claimed they would be eager to meet this stranger.
Areuh
Trent greeted the High Elf with a bow. The High Elf admitted he was a bit displeased that the party talked to him last As it turned out, he was a bard who liked attention. A flaw for sure, but he didn’t seem keen on working on it.
After that admission, he introduced himself as Areuh. And he had an idea that he chose to share with the party. The people living here, Dragon and Dark Elf needed art to lift their spirits. And he wished to help solve that problem by opening up a music school. It would give the downtrodden and depressed within the town something to look forward to and to work towards.
Jyona was so impressed by this idea that she offered him gold to help his endeavor. He declined it, stating he was well off enough to fund this on his own. Still, he appreciated the gesture and asked for her name. Once he learned it was Jyona, he promised to remember it.
Areuh points out Trent’s hypocrisy that his racism is steeped in. Notably when the Druid mentioned Jarar. And yet, the High Elf who was raised on the same racism as Trent pointed out that Jarar is doing his best to repent for his sins. A little more effort each day wouldn’t erase the past, but it would help lead to a better future.
Like Jarar he also brought up the Obsidian base nearby. Areuh pointed out that as long as it stands this place could never truly be safe. Little did he know that the party had already accepted a commission to deal with this problem. Little did the party know as well, though it crossed Jyona’s mind.
Towards the Volcano
In a rare moment of compassion for Teztcal, Trent suggested that Kisara remain behind to avoid danger. Specifically because the volcano would likely force them into their Demon forms, and there was no sign that Kisara would survive being exposed to such extreme temperatures.
Nimdrar piped in, revealing he had been listening to all this. He swore on his life that he would ensure Kisara’s safety will the rest of the group fought against the Cultists. Surprisingly Teztcal did not object to any of this.
Areuh warned them that the base was heavily guarded by Felfire elementals. The group did not worry though as they had fought these monsters before. Instead they made a couple preparations before setting out. Specifically Jyona handed Kisara a bunch of personalized notes for her to study and learn from while they were gone.
Felfire Elementals
The party reached the outskirts of the volcano within an hour. The base truly was near the encampment.
Jyona handed out runestones to the party. Her aim was to ensure that the group would be better equipped to deal with the enemies ahead.
Teztcal of course threw a wrench in that plan immediately. He used his it on Obrom and immediately tried to turn him to stone. Luckily for the Bard but not so for the Dragon, it failed to work.
There were other petrified statues nearby. And these had been here for a long time. Something Teztcal knew since he lived here most of his life. He said nothing though, still upset over his own failure to add another statue to the desert.
Rather than worry about the statues, the group focused on the Felfire Elementals. From as far back as they could. The creatures had no ranged attacks and so chased after the group to attempt to burn them away.
Obrom absolutely annihilated several of the Felfire Elementals without the aid of the rest of the group. The constant damage from being within their flames enraged him in his Demon Form allowing for a berserk display of carnage. Jyona cast haste on him to increase that damage potential even further.
Basilisks
The rest of the party focused on cleaning up the remaining Felfire Elementals. Which was a problem since they ignored another approaching threat. The noise from this fight had attracted the curiosity of several hungry Basilisks.
Teztcal, knowing that these are the creatures responsible for turning travelers in the Abyssal Desert to stone, tried to get Obrom to look at them. But the Bard ignored him Instead, Jyona took an interest in his calls. She made the mistake of looking at the Basilisks. Creatures whose gaze were capable of turning their victims to stone.
Obrom ditched the party and headed into the volcano alone. He was compelled forward even though his friends needed his help behind.
Wrap Up
Obrom has left the others behind. Left to fight off the Basilisks and once again question his loyalties, what will they do when they catch up to him?