HOUSE RÆVAN

Session 03

4 min read

Session Overview

In their exploration of Château Amber, the party (minus Selnove who was absent) experienced an otherworldly feast with tangible magical consequences and encountered a group of Rakasta warriors who revealed they’ve been trapped in the château for months by a deadly mist.

Thal’s Journal Entry

A feast of phantoms - that’s what my companions walked into tonight. Ghost servants dishing out real food with real consequences. Hawthorne and Grok dove in like sailors hitting port after months at sea. At least I had the sense to keep my distance, though watching my companions undergo their “transformations” was certainly… educational.

Then we stumbled into a pride of Rakasta warriors led by one Dale Gentry. Been here for months, they say, trapped by the mist that surrounds this place. Lost half their numbers trying to leave. Hawthorne nearly jumped out of her skin at the sight of them - turns out our shapeshifting friend has a rather severe aversion to anything feline.

Crew Assessment:

  • Combat Capability: Yet to be tested against corporeal threats
  • Reliability Factor: Declining - consuming mysterious food is rarely wise
  • Spiritual State: Varied, from Hawthorne’s feline-induced panic to Grok’s poisoned contemplation
  • Sea-Worthiness: Would need serious lessons in what not to eat
  • Notable Moments: The entire ghost dinner debacle

Attendees & Status

Present:

  • Jinks (Thal) - Half-elf Rogue/Monk, Level 3
  • Sidney (Hawthorne) - Changeling Bard, Level 3
  • Justin (Grok) - Half-orc Cleric, Level 3

Absent:

  • Ryan (Selnove) - Deep Gnome Barbarian, Level 3

Setting & Atmosphere

  • Ornate dining hall with ghostly inhabitants
  • Phantom servants carrying real food
  • 80’ x 80’ room serving as Rakasta camp
  • Persistent, deadly mist visible through windows
  • Marble fireplace and iron-bound chest in Rakasta room

Key Events

  1. Phantom banquet with real food served
  2. Multiple courses with magical effects consumed by Grok and Hawthorne:
    • Soup and wine (no negative effects)
    • Salad (altered Hawthorne’s abilities)
    • Roast beef (granted starvation immunity)
    • Mushrooms (poisoned Grok)
    • Apple strudel (granted magical abilities)
  3. Discovery of dozen Rakasta warriors
  4. Learning of the deadly mist and trapped status

Character Moments

  • Hawthorne revealed severe feline aversion
  • Thal maintained cautious distance from phantom feast
  • Grok and Hawthorne experienced magical transformations
  • Hawthorne attempting diplomacy despite physical discomfort

Important NPC Interactions

  • Dale Gentry (Rakasta leader)
    • Revealed their group has been trapped for months
    • Originally twice their current number
    • Lost many to the mist attempts
    • Maintaining civil but cautious attitude

Loot Acquired

Magical Effects

  • Hawthorne:
    • Permanent immunity to starvation
    • +1 to poison saves
    • +2 Wisdom, -2 Dexterity
  • Grok:
    • Permanent immunity to starvation
    • Ability to cast Detect Thoughts once per week
    • Temporary poisoned condition

Relationship Web

graph TD
    DaleGentry[Dale Gentry] -->|Leads| Rakasta[Rakasta Warriors]
    Rakasta -->|Trapped by| Mist[Deadly Mist]
    
    Hawthorne -->|Severe Aversion| Rakasta
    Grok -->|Cautious of| Rakasta
    Thal -->|Tactical Assessment| Rakasta
    
    GhostlyServants -->|Serve| Feast[Phantom Feast]
    Feast -->|Changed| Hawthorne
    Feast -->|Poisoned| Grok
    Thal -->|Avoided| Feast
    
    ChateauAmber[Château Amber] -->|Contains| Feast
    ChateauAmber -->|Houses| Rakasta
    Mist -->|Surrounds| ChateauAmber

Emotional Highlights

  • Tension during phantom feast consumption
  • Hawthorne’s visceral reaction to Rakasta
  • Unease about being potentially trapped
  • Concern over feast’s transformative effects

Narrative Consequences

  • Party members permanently altered by magical feast
  • Discovered others trapped by the mist
  • Potential allies/conflict with Rakasta
  • Confirmation of château’s supernatural nature

Player-Specific Notes

Hawthorne

  • Revealed severe aversion to feline races
  • Underwent permanent stat changes
  • Gained magical immunities

Grok

  • Gained divination ability
  • Currently poisoned
  • Showed trust in magical food

Thal

  • Maintained cautious approach
  • Avoided magical food effects
  • Observed phantom feast from distance

Notable Quotes

  • Hawthorne: “Well, I think we should set up camp literally anywhere fucking else.”
  • Dale Gentry: “We’ve been here for many months”
  • Grok: Description of mushroom effects
  • Thal: Observations about feast safety

Cliffhanger/Unresolved Questions

  • Nature and extent of the deadly mist
  • True purpose of the phantom feast
  • Rakasta warriors’ ultimate fate
  • Possibility of escape
  • Long-term effects of magical food

Next Time

  • Potential exploration of further château rooms
  • Navigation of Rakasta relationship
  • Investigation of escape possibilities
  • Recovery from feast effects

Graph View