Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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<looks down at it from above>
Starker (to himself):”I’ll be damned … I was standing right on it.
(aloud) has anyone seens runes that might allow us to indicate Origin, Intent, or Destination?
arcana = 14
investigation = 24
searches mind for histories mentioning Usidore
history = 16
Chadwick shrugs in response to Starker's question.
"I'm going to check the trap door." He tries to open it.
Usidore the Blue was mentioned in stories about an inquisitor/bard from another plane. The bard collected tales of Usidore and his compatriots, adventures and derring-do.
Chadwick finds himself on the roof of the tower. The outer wall is crenelated. A great view of the Demi-plane is provided by his position.
Sariel speaks up, “Time draws short. We must exit the Ethereal. Mere minutes remain.”
Starker:”Xymox, encourage me.”
pulls out Gate Scroll, waits for Xymox to encourage, then attempts to cast Gate from scroll. If first roll fails, use Heroic Inspiration for second attempt.
(what is the roll, with what plus from Xymox)
if fail, go down to ground floor and cast about for runes
Xymox: "You can do it, mage Starker!" /BA.
Trolkarl will try to push himself back down the free fall area toward the floor.
Will go out the front door. To see if it is sealed after leaving.Then tries repeating the word spoken by Starker “Chunt”, to see if he can open the arcane lock.
Starker nods at Xymox, holds scroll, hangs over edge and pushes hard down to head down to ground floor, stands in circle, and shouts
”I am Starker Future Destroyer of the Universe through the Mutual Annihliation of Uldrak and Tiamat!
My true origin is Pure Intellect honed by study!
My destination is the shore of the Soulsease river before the Citadel of Axion on Dothion!!!!”
If fail, try Gate scroll.
Trolkarl floats down easily upon desiring to do so. The outer door is not locked after he exits and closes the door. It opens normally.
If gate scroll then name the shore of the Soulsease river before the Citadel of Axion on Dothion
arcana check = 9
(Sorry, Aftet I entered intent to try gate scroll i was inspired to try pattern. Steve will judge which. If first fsils will try other)
Each of you is suddenly jerked sideways, pulled through the membrane and emerge. A wide, placid river flows to your left. You are standing upon the grassy shore. Several fishing boats are working their nets out in the center. Downstream you see an ornate, golden brigantine with long streamers flying from the two masts. It sails upstream.
The sky is a pleasant golden glow. Suspended above you is a great forested mountain range. You look down upon it as it fills the sky above you. Towns can be seen as well as rivers, farmlands and castles.
The blare of horns behind you snaps you around. A great citadel of white marble gilt with gold dominates the hills. It is built into the side of a high plateau with mountain beyond. Sariel stands and looks upon the great fortress. “The Citadel of Axiom,” simply stated by the Deva. “We are safe now. Raguelion awaits me,” said looking towards the Citadel. Another deafening blast of horns, “The thrones summon me. I will escort you to the sally force.” The gates of the Citadel swing open and a force of a dozen warriors in golden half-plate with pikes and six knights on horseback with lances flying white streamers with a golden flame emerge and head your way. “Raguelion cannot be lied to. Do not try,” Sariel states and starts walking towards the Citadel.
Starker, exhausted:”Please. … Let us rest.”
The sally force arrives, meeting you well away from the Citadel of Axiom. They are moving at a much greater pace that any of you are at this point. Sariel greets them and one of the riders pulls closer to him. They speak quietly and briefly. Sariel turns to you, "Raguelion awaits. I must depart and attend. These Servants of Axiom will guide you to the citadel. I have informed them of the dangers you carry. Please turn them over to the Stewards upon your arrival, the ring, the staff, the phylactery, the crown, and the titan shard. You have been granted surcease at the Citadel." Without waiting for response, Sariel takes wing and flies off towards the Citadel of Axiom.
The commander of the guards looks you over and sends another back to the Citadel. The other Servants offer you water from their flasks along with dried fruits, nuts and dried meats for nourishment. Shortly, a wagon approaches from the Citadel and you are all placed within. Your journey to the Citadel is shortened and made much easier. The Stewards greet you and the Servants depart. ((Assuming you will hand over the items.))
Rooms are ready for you. Warm baths (for those who take them) are already drawn. Your gear and clothing are taken for cleaning with assurances you will have them again shortly. Each of you is provided a white silk robe with a golden flame sigil on the left sleeve cuff.
Long Rests are achieved.
And, you are now 9th level.
Huzzah!
(Sorry in advance for the long post...)
As The Company enjoys down time, Xymox can be found at the nearest Inn performing his latest tune. Something that he has obviously been working on for quite some time...
Xymox lifts The Twisted Tune, draws the bow once, and lets the first note hang like breath before a plunge.
“The Night the Lich Lost His Name”
—as sung by Xymox Xel’Mizzrym
Verse I
We walked where stone forgot the sun,
Where oaths went cold and prayers were thin,
A wizard dead but not yet done
Still counting souls he’d stitched within.
His halls were traps, his floors were lies,
His walls could hear you breathe—
And somewhere in the dark, unseen,
A ruby heart refused to leave.
Chorus
So drink with me, you living few,
Who bled and laughed and would not kneel,
For death itself blinked first that night
When The Company made the lich feel fear.
Verse II – Chadwick
Sir Chadwick stood where lightning fell,
Halberd high, a stubborn grin,
“Not today,” he told the Abyss,
“And not while I’m still standing in.”
He roared, he bled, he joked with fate,
Dared titans, spirits, gods above—
And somehow made even horror pause
Out of sheer, infuriating love.
Chorus
Steel rang loud and louder still,
When courage chose a mortal heel,
For death itself blinked first that night
When The Company made the lich feel fear.
Verse III – Kragen
Old Kragen spoke with Tyr’s own voice,
Hammer raised, eyes hard with truth,
Healing hands, relentless choice,
Justice sharp as dwarven youth.
When hope ran dry and spells ran thin,
He prayed—and prayer replied,
Dragged us bleeding from the brink
And would not let us die.
Verse IV – Trolkarl
Trolkarl flew where reason balked,
Blade of shadow, shield of will,
Celestial chains he questioned first,
Then broke with honor, calm, and skill.
When demons tempted, visions burned,
He chose the harder, cleaner way—
And carved a path through fear itself
Without a boast, without delay.
Verse V – Starker (and Cyrus)
Ah Starker, mind like broken glass,
Brilliant, mad, exact, and true,
Counting runes while chaos screamed,
Doing what only he could do.
He rang the dead, he bent the air,
He dared a Gate beyond his place—
And through it marched a spider monkey
Named Cyrus, grinning in death’s face.
(spoken aside)
Never trust a wizard with a plan.
Especially when it works.
Verse VI – Yartol
Silent Yartol, glacier-eyed,
Marked his foes and never rushed,
Each strike a promise kept to loss,
Each breath a memory hushed.
Dragons took what he once loved—
He answered not with rage, but aim,
And every arrow whispered back
That vengeance is a patient flame.
Verse VII – Serethia & Kellen
Serethia, sharp as winter’s wit,
Fire held tight when fire was wrong,
Unbowed by lich or monster’s gaze,
Too stubborn still to not belong.
And Kellen, worn but standing fast,
Sword and faith both cracked but sure,
Held the line when bodies failed—
Because dawn endures.
Verse VIII – Sariel
Then wings of gold cut poisoned air,
Sariel, watcher, judge, and guide,
No savior’s boast, no mercy speech,
Just: “Move now, or you all will die.”
Through Ethereal mist and borrowed time
He led us where the Abyss could not—
A reminder that even angels know
When hope must be fought for, not sought.
Verse IX – Xymox
And I—well, I wore a dead man’s crown,
Held a soul that screamed my name,
Walked on hands of buried sins
And smiled like I’d done this before the same.
I sang to locks, lied to wards,
Let recognition open doors—
Because sometimes the trick
Is sounding like you belong in hell.
Final Chorus
So remember us, you planes unseen,
You liches counting cycles deep—
We broke the box, we stole the soul,
And kept the promises we keep.
Names were earned, and debts were paid,
And death learned something new that night—
The Company does not end.
The Company survives.
Xymox lowers the bow, lets the last note fade, and—only if someone’s watching—gives a small, satisfied bow.
“Encore’s later. Preferably somewhere without a phylactery.”
At first, Xymox's performance gathers only passing notice. As he sings and coaxes music from his fiddle the crowd grows more attentive. Flagons thump at the end of each chorus, urging on for more. His tale reaches a crescendo followed by rapt silence.........before the inn erupts in cheers and others resinging favored lines. A crystal goblet of deep purple wine is handed to Xymox by a passing server. The Company eats and drinks well that night and into the wee hours of the new day.
The Citadel of Axiom is large. You are housed in one wing that seems to be mostly used for visitors of low rank. It is comfortable, the Stewards take care of any physical needs you have and you are welcome in the dining hall at all times. This coverts to a drinking hall in the evenings. All of you are more recognized after Xymox's stirring performance. Even many of the monks nod in greeting to you.
There is a large armed force here, The Servants of Axiom. Knights as cavalry, pikemen, bowmen, spearmen and swordsmen are represented in this fighting force of about 2000 men. The Aspirants of Axiom are a militant order of monks. They number around 250. Their headmaster is a genasi, you suspect attuned to fire. He appears to be ancient but moves like a man in his prime. The Call of Axiom are the priests. Many different deities are worshipped by this order. Each priest following a single patron. It is an alliance of religions in appearance. You recognize holy symbols of Garl Glittergold, Gorm Gulthyn, Ilmater - the Morning Lord, Gaerdal Ironhand and Flandal Steelskin. Many dwarves and gnomes are represented in the number of priests you encounter.
Kellen and Serethia regain their strength over several days of rest. Serethia's regimen also involves many baths and massages. Kellen recovers physically, but you can still see that he is broken by the experience at the hands of Illiandil. He spends most of his time in prayer in the chapel of Ilmater.
Overseeing all of this is the Lord of Axiom, the Solar Raguelion. It was this entity that summoned Sariel upon your arrival to Dothion. Sariel has not been seen since you parted by the shore of the Soulsease river.
All of your equipment is returned to you the second morning; clothing is washed and mended, armor is repaired and polished, arms are honed and oiled. All is in pristine condition upon its return to you. The custom in the Citadel is to wear the white robes of guests. A single weapon is allowed. Walking about in armor is frowned upon unless for a military parade or ceremony.
On the morning of the third day a Steward greets each of you as you exit your room for breakfast. The Lord of Axiom will hold Presence at High Sun. You are expected to attend.
During the days, Starker tries to find a metalsmith tontake one or more of the Illiandal circlets and affix them like a crown around the skull of the mindflayer atop his staff, EmFer’s Chastisement. He will catalog the reagent’s Cyrus grabbed from the tower and all the tomes. He will also attempt to Identify the “Collection of cords and wires” taken from Illiandal’s hoard.
Chadwick spends time in quiet prayer and reflection with Kellen. He doesn't push it, but offers an ear of he wishes to talk.
Since he's Chadwick he also can't still for very long. He inquires about the possibility of training with the monks. He is perplexed yet fascinated that anyone would willing give up a good steel weapon to fight only with their fists and feet.
In the evenings while recovering from his beatings by the monks he reads through Illiandil's journal (assuming he can read it). If not he'll sit annoying close to whoever is reading it asking them to translate.
He inquires how far they are from the Tomb, he's still worried about Freya.