[DM: our 1st in person session in a very LONG some time! 😄👇 Was great to sit at the table together, roll dice!]
12th of Planting
When we last left our heroes, the majority of the group were in the Githyanki Commander's bedroom looking for the amulet, Overlord Romack had tasked the party to find to save Royce - whom was trapped in the Abyss. [DM: Link to blog entry]
Faust, Skrit and Roxx all are nursing drinks in the nearby tavern awaiting a signal, while Vencer, Pyra, Irakul with Vencer's familiars - spider forms - and Faust's familiar Mephisto the imp are in the bedroom
Faust's imp flew about the room cackling and then in a very deep voice, belying its size, “If something happens, my master should be able to cast invisibility on Pyra.” Mephisto says, communicating what Faust is saying
“I remember seeing the githyanki do something with that shelving over there. Perhaps she used a cloaking spell to hide the magic?”
All eyes turned to the wardrobe. Looking at the wardrobe, it is intricately carved a scene of what looks like a strange ship..(?) in a swirling sea. Vencer thinks back to his training and realizes this is the Astral sea.
Irakul continues to look over at the blade sitting above the fireplace on the mantle.
mock the guard and they have some words back and forth.
The drow moves over to the side table and pulls out a small leather bound tome. Mehpisto tries to see what is written on the binding, but cannot make it out. Leaving the room the door is locked again.
"That was close!" The demonic statue says with a chuckle.
Out in the main rooms, there is some shouting and more going on, it seems the forces of IUZ will be conscripting 14 to 40 year old males for demigod's horde-army.
This looks to be keeping the guests - and hosts - busy so taking advantage of this, the wardrobe is looked at. Pyra determines there are two traps, a mechanical and a magical trap.
The party noted the majority of rooms, doors and much of the furniture were made for a smaller stature person - this had been the mayor's mansion whom was a dwarf, before being commandeered by the Githyanki leader and her retinue.
1st floor
2nd floor
After some thievery including: disarming traps, and lockpicking, Pyra was able to successfully unlock the wardrobe - the right door, the left had the magical trap - still enabled - an acid spray that would go across the room.
Vencer and the party were unsure of the exact phrase for the command word. So he goes over and starts to negotiate with the demonic statue. To give the password, it desires to be placed - secretly - in a holy place of the demonic's choosing. The word is "Aucskoriykawn".
Pyra then Vencer try using the command word - they think the Githyanki used. The glyph glows and then fades away around the two door handles.
As Vencer looks about with a light spell, a rune burns into his hand of 3 crossed swords. The same one on the demonic statue that was on the mantle. Looking troubled at this, the wizard continues. Some jackets - assumedly the Commander's - as well as a small chest are found in the bottom of the wardrobe.
Pyra, investigating notes the small chest slightly shiver.. a mimic! Vencer takes out some dried 
salted venison. The chest shivers again but does not move. Then Vencer pours a little wine - Three Crescent vintage - on the venison. As he does this, Pyra looks up. someone is unlocking the door! The party realize there has not been any noise - music, or shouting or announcements - for a while now..
Pyra closes the wardrobe door and hides in corner - invisible. Mephisto goes invisible. Vencer and Irakul go into the bathroom - leaving the door slightly ajar. All holding their breath..
In steps the Commander. She walks over and sits on the bed. Mephisto notes the Githyanki raise an eyebrow as she looks at the mantel. Then Pyra looks at the mantle -the demonic statue is no longer there - Vencer has it.
The githyanki walks over to the wardrobe mumbles a word and then taking out a key from around her neck, uses it in the lock. She starts to walk to the door to the room.
Faust directs Mephisto to attack - poison sting! Mephisto appears above her head, and the stinger tail comes down but she is able to dodge, then again - hit.. the poison is resisted
Then Pyra - the assassin sniper, fires her crossbow. Critical Hit.
Battle starts.
The battle rages in the mansion, then as more and more drow and mercenaries appear, the party starts a fighting withdrawal out the window - with Vencer acquiring the mimic.. and its precious cargo..?
At this point, Faust, Skrit and Roxx join in as a relief force. Irakul goes down multiple times, with Roxx and Skrit healing him up again and again. Vencer launches a fireball and catches most of the
commander's forces dealing massive damage. Faust kills one creature and able to extract a shard of its soul or spirit. With most of the party heavily wounded, they are able to make their escape. Taking back alleys and using all their skills (DM: party had to pass 4 different skill rolls to avoid patrols) to get to the slums and then to 'acquire' a rowboat. Taking it out on the lake they avoid a final mounted patrol - Vencer, Pyra and Faust using illusory magics to make the boat not there! (DM forgot to take photos of battle with minis! 😔)
Finally reaching shore South of Rastor, they are able to meet up with Heste on his wagon and head up into the mountains taking back roads and paths. One patrol is persuaded by Vencer to allow them to pass.
Finally making camp in the early morn, all rest and heal up wounds. At this point Agent V - Overlord Romack's contact appears. Overjoyed at the party's success, a large bag with some unique items is provided as well as pouches of platinum and a diamond each. Vencer speaks with Roxx to ensure this V is whom he says he is. She thinks back to her time as a courier and whom she may know in the intelligence arm of the army..
Agent V seems to be AND acknowledges the smart move to do this.. "Quite right my good man! One can never be too careful in this world!"
Taking his leave, the party has to decide where to go next. Off to gather kobolds or to the Monastery of the Three Crescent Moons..
Until next time!
P.S. the magic items provided for the Mission Impossible..
