Session 21 — Eldritch Explorations
The Blades of Strangeways descend deeper into the Sunken Observatory, where the silence grows heavy and the sense of being watched becomes impossible to ignore.
Almost immediately, Zel Cunningham feels it—her ring thrums with warning. Something below is aware of them.
The Descent
At the edge of a vertical shaft, strange markings circle the stone floor. Mol Potts studies them closely: pictograms of a hippopotamus, wizard, alligator, and broomstick, arranged not as decoration, but instruction.
The meaning becomes clear through discussion and insight:
- Observation
- Containment
- A system designed to stabilize what lies beneath the Observatory
The system is broken.
As Torvold Alric peers into the darkness below, he feels the unmistakable sensation of attention—something watching from within the hole, unseen but present.
The party descends.
The Chamber of Paths
At the bottom lies a circular chamber, untouched for an age. Amber and gold inlay the walls, echoing the glyphs above. A mosaic of stars illuminates three possible paths, each corresponding to symbols carved into nearby doors.
Zel, drawing on her arcane understanding, recognizes the mosaic as guidance, not warning—a method of safely navigating the passages ahead.
Corwin Thorne sketches the pattern, poorly but earnestly.
After Mol administers an antidote to Corwin—with no effect—Zel touches the symbols in the correct order.
The stone door slides open.
The Thing in the Light
Beyond waits a nightmare: a writhing eldritch mass of tendrils, teeth, and hunger, barely contained within the chamber.
Combat erupts.
Torvold advances and anchors the line. Leda Gebhart shifts into a wolf and charges. Corwin fires from the rear. Mol experiments with alchemical solutions. Zel studies the interaction between the creature, the chamber, and the lingering light.
The creature enthralls, restrains, and crushes—grasping Torvold and Leda in constricting coils, warping attention and will. Attempts to repair the central circle only empower the horror.
Eventually, Mol discovers the truth:
Void and cold damage to the circle critically harms the creature.
Zel channels that knowledge. Corwin’s arrows fly true.
The creature falls.
Aftermath
In the ruined chamber, the party recovers:
- An oddly shaped piece of metal
- Five alchemical spores
The group tends wounds and gathers themselves. It becomes clear the creature had not come here willingly—it was held, bound by a failing effect.
A new door opens.
The Watcher
Beyond lies a ritual chamber: a wide arcane circle, a cluttered desk, star charts, and depictions of celestials. As Leda Gebhart approaches the desk, a figure manifests—
An ancient elven being of starlight, eyes glowing blue.
He speaks calmly, but with exhaustion.
“No. I will not begin again. Ask properly, since you are here.”
He is not a priest. Not a prophet.
He was a watcher—appointed, funded generously, tasked with observing consequences.
Through careful questioning, the truth emerges:
- The seal is not a door — it is an agreement
- There were no sacrifices, except one who was willing
- The willing is sealed beneath the Observatory
- Mercy requires witness, and so one must remain
- The being below is not mad—only consistent
When asked about the Crown of Iron, the watcher grows angry.
The Observatory existed for one of its purposes.
What lies beneath is one of seven sources of the Crown’s power.
Releasing it would likely weaken the Crown—but at terrible cost.
To do so would require overcoming three principles.
A Message Sent
Corwin uses a sending stone to contact Duke Elric Strangeways (Noble):
At Sunken Observatory. Found one source (of seven) of power for Crown. Might cost party member life or can pursue Chandler. Please advise.
The response is swift:
Please do not use this stone, Corwin. Give it to Leda.
Note the location. Return when you are stronger.
Obtain the piece first.
Corwin’s summary: “Mark it. Come back when we git gud.”
Zel is granted an item by the watcher and permission to take her ring.
The party withdraws to rest.
Threads Beyond the Fen
A trail is found leading south—to Driftmark, a lawless port and hive of opportunity and danger. The party instead chooses to return to Stonewake Crossing to recover their horses.
Sleet falls as they arrive.
Waiting are Nazyn the Mage Hunter and Calen Veylin, invoking authority under Valin. Before violence can erupt, Lord Aderic Fenrow intervenes, ordering them to leave. Calen breaks down in tears as they retreat across the river.
The party is invited to dine with Lord Aderic Fenrow.
The Observatory waits.
What lies beneath remains sealed.
For now.