Session Overview
The party continued exploring Prince Stephen’s tomb after taking a short rest to tend to Cabbage’s injuries from their previous encounter. They navigated through a dangerous fire corridor and defeated a fire salamander through coordinated combat tactics, with the session ending as they discovered their next challenge: a 14-foot stone humanoid guarding another treasure chest.
Thal’s Journal Entry
Written during their brief respite before the next chamber, with margin doodles showing Cabbage being pampered with treats while flames dance around the corridor walls, a detailed sketch of the fire salamander with crossbow bolt protruding through both sides like a “shish kebab,” and Selnove gesturing dramatically as the “third base coach” directing everyone to safety
Well now, that’s what happens when you let a deep gnome play nursemaid to an oversized mastiff, aye. Watched Selnove fuss over Cabbage like she was made of spun glass, feeding her treats with the precision of a ship’s surgeon. Can’t fault the care though — that dog’s proven her worth more times than I can count, sure enough.
Hawthorne’s clairvoyance proved its worth again, letting us scout ahead through that blazing corridor before committing ourselves to the flames. Smart thinking, that — always better to know what you’re walking into, especially when the walls are trying to cook you alive.
The fire corridor was exactly as pleasant as it sounds, to be sure. Walls and ceiling ablaze, forcing us down the center like rats in a burning maze. At least the salamander had the courtesy to wait until we were committed before showing itself. Massive serpentine thing wreathed in flame — reminded me of the stories old sailors tell about sea serpents, except this one was trying to cook us alive instead of drowning us.
Between Hawthorne’s charm magic laying it prone and Selnove’s positioning giving me the perfect angles for my shots, we made quick work of it. That crossbow bolt went clean through — like skewering a fish, though considerably more dangerous. The coordination’s getting better, I’ll give them that. Even had Selnove playing traffic controller afterward, waving us all toward safety like some enthusiastic dock foreman.
Now we’re facing down what appears to be a stone giant with a treasure chest for company. Because of course we are.
Crew Assessment:
- Combat Capability: Excellent tactical coordination, magic and mundane weapons working in harmony
- Reliability Factor: Strong protective instincts, especially regarding animal companions
- Spiritual State: Focused and determined despite exhaustion from previous encounters
- Sea-Worthiness: Would make solid crew with this level of teamwork under pressure
- Notable Moments: Selnove’s mastiff devotion, successful salamander skewering, growing tactical sophistication
Attendees & Status
Present:
- Jinks/Jinks (Thal) - Half-elf Rogue/Monk, Level 6
- Sidney (Hawthorne) - Changeling Bard, Level 6
- Ryan (Selnove) - Deep Gnome Barbarian, Level 6
- Erik as Dungeon Master
Absent:
- Justin (Grok) - Half-orc Cleric, Level 6 (expected to return next session)
Setting & Atmosphere
- Interior of Prince Stephen’s tomb following successful ritual completion
- Room 62 transitioning to Room 63 through dangerous fire corridor
- 50-foot high burning hallway with flames on walls and ceiling
- Center passage safe but requiring careful navigation
- Stone chamber beyond with imposing guardian
Key Events
- Party took short rest to heal Cabbage and recover from previous encounter
- Selnove used cooking abilities to provide extra healing for Cabbage via treats
- Navigated treacherous fire corridor with flames threatening from walls and ceiling
- Encountered fire salamander - large serpentine creature immune to fire damage
- Engaged in tactical combat using coordinated positioning and magic
- Hawthorne successfully incapacitated salamander with Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
- Thal delivered killing blow with crossbow sneak attack piercing completely through creature
- Discovered next chamber containing 14-foot stone humanoid guarding treasure chest
Character Moments
- Selnove demonstrating devoted care for Cabbage, using treats and hit dice healing
- Hawthorne effectively using battlefield control magic to incapacitate the salamander
- Thal maintaining tactical positioning and delivering precise killing shot
- Party showing improved coordination and communication during combat
- Selnove acting as “third base coach” directing everyone to safety after combat
Important NPC Interactions
Fire Salamander
- Large serpentine creature from elemental plane of fire
- Immune to fire damage, resistant to non-magical weapons
- Hostile elemental force with no diplomatic options
Loot Acquired
Party Treasure
N/A - Fire corridor room contained no treasure
Magical Items
N/A
Personal Acquisitions
N/A
Notable Item Details
- Treasure chest visible in next chamber guarded by stone humanoid
- Contents unknown pending next encounter
Relationship Web
N/A - Combat and exploration focused session
Emotional Highlights
- Concern and care for Cabbage’s wellbeing during rest
- Tension navigating the dangerous fire corridor
- Satisfaction in successful coordinated combat tactics
- Thal’s pride in the precise crossbow shot
- Relief at avoiding fire damage through careful positioning
Narrative Consequences
- Party demonstrated improved tactical coordination
- Successfully overcame environmental hazard (fire corridor)
- Eliminated elemental threat blocking their progress
- Positioned to face next guardian challenge
- Continued progression through Prince Stephen’s tomb toward campaign conclusion
Player-Specific Notes
Thal
- Delivered killing blow with perfectly aimed crossbow shot
- Maintained tactical awareness throughout encounter
- Showed appreciation for improved party coordination
Hawthorne
- Effectively used battlefield control magic (Tasha’s Hideous Laughter)
- Coordinated spell timing with party tactics
- Contributed to successful incapacitation strategy
Selnove
- Showed devoted care for Cabbage companion
- Used cooking abilities to enhance healing during rest
- Directed party to safety after combat with enthusiasm
Decisions Made
- Took short rest to heal and recover before proceeding
- Chose to navigate fire corridor carefully down center path
- Engaged salamander in direct combat rather than attempting to bypass
- Coordinated tactical approach using magic and positioning
- Proceeded toward stone guardian rather than retreating
Notable Quotes
Selnove: “Go home. Go home. Everyone, just run. Get out of this hell.” (Acting as “third base coach” directing party to safety after defeating the salamander)
Hawthorne: “It’s like some freaky snake man, dude, to think that’s on fire.” (Describing the fire salamander to the party after scouting with clairvoyance)
Thal: “I think they revel in all this, so it seems like negotiation is out of question.” (Assessing the salamander’s nature)
Cliffhanger/Unresolved Questions
- Nature and capabilities of the 14-foot stone humanoid guardian
- Contents of the treasure chest it protects
- Whether this guardian can be reasoned with or must be fought
- Party’s condition for next encounter without their cleric
- How many more challenges remain in Prince Stephen’s tomb
Next Time
- Confrontation with stone humanoid guardian
- Grok’s return to provide healing support
- Investigation of guarded treasure chest
- Continued progression through Prince Stephen’s tomb
- Potential final challenges before campaign conclusion
Meta-Session Information
Scheduling Updates
- Justin (Grok) will return next week after being absent
- Players discussed September availability for future game nights and social gatherings
- Erik mentioned potential travel plans but no firm dates
Campaign Planning
- DM noted this is near the campaign’s end with no more long rests until conclusion
- Party approaching final stages of the Castle Amber module
- Resource management becoming critical factor
Player/Character Development
- Party coordination and tactical thinking continues to improve
- Characters showing care for companion animals and each other
- Combat effectiveness increasing as players master their abilities
Table Notes
- Discussion of Ryan’s magic performances in Chicago and upcoming Speakeasy show in NYC
- Erik’s 54th birthday mentioned
- Players expressing mutual appreciation and making social plans
- Conversation about Chicago as potential future home for Ryan