D&D Campaign One: Scalebreakers - 006
Calven's story
At the Ghost Estate, the adventurers met Calven Drevok, who led them through the dilapidated upper floor, only to reveal an impressive surprise behind a magically hidden door: Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mansion. A magnificent estate with over 900 spectral servants, customizable rooms, and safe havens opened up to the group.
Even before they rested, Calven explained the true reasons behind his "kidnapping": He had intentionally allowed himself to be taken into custody by the Clasp to evade the growing interest of the Myriad. Unlike Ebram Karr, he had suspected he was being watched and decided to take action. He was particularly worried about the change in his former butler, Rupert, who had once turned against his heritage from a Myriad founding family to seek a quieter life in the service of scholars, but had lately been spreading noticeably Myriad-friendly statements, possibly under foreign influence.
Calven then spoke of the Relics of the Lost Ways, a collection of powerful artifacts: The Sextant of Night’s Escape, the Keystone of Transformation, and the Veil of the Boundary Skin. Together, they could isolate cities, alter landscapes, and threaten the balance of the world, which is why they had been scattered across Exandria in the past and were lost ever since. But with the appearance of the Sextant, Calven was starting to worry that the other artifacts might show up too. Or worse: were being looked for.
In the end, he asked the group for a favor: Hidden in his old villa lay Lyra’s Fragment Loupe, an artifact belonging to his grandmother, Lyra Drevok. A chest in the cellar held the loupe and the adventurers were free to keep whatever else was inside. Their guide for this mission was the newly joined ally Jebeddo, a cautious and clever Earth Genasi with deep knowledge of Stilben.
After a long rest in the Mansion, the group set out under Jebeddo’s leadership. On their way through the Run-Offs, they narrowly avoided a massive, indefinable creature in the dark canals at the last second. A first sign that they were not alone. Arriving at Calven’s villa though, they realized it had apparently been searched; furniture had been moved, and some items seemed to be missing. Jebeddo activated a secret stone door with the password "LOCUS," and the group descended into the secret cellar.
In the first room, they encountered a group of Giant Rats, which were quickly overwhelmed. They then discovered a switch with two labels: "PART" and "DRAWNO." They chose "DRAWNO," when suddenly a voice rang out from an adjacent room. An allegedly imprisoned dwarf warned them of an attacking statue and offered help, but only in exchange for his freedom. The group was not deceived, ignored the offer, and entered the next room, where they were promptly attacked by a magical statue. When they broke open the door to the adjoining room, the "dwarf" revealed himself to be a Gray Slaad carrying the controlling amulet. In a clever maneuver, Jebeddo snatched the amulet from the creature using their Mage Hand, causing the statue to calm down.
After a short but intense fight, the group explored the room, finding a treasure chest containing 900 gold per person, as well as Lyra’s Fragment Loupe. Yet the adventure was not over: A fresh brick wall behind the chest turned out to be a newly erected barrier. The group tore it down and discovered a secret path leading deeper into the cellar…
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