Session 2025-08-30 — Age of Ashes

Narrative Summary

With the vrock defeated and the party reunited, they turned their attention to dismantling the Cinderclaw mining operation completely. The first priority was destroying the violet dragon pillar—the last major magical construct maintaining the protective barrier around the Fortress of Sorrow. Theo targeted the pillar with his magic, and the result was immediate and dramatic. The pillar's carved dragon head went dark, its glowing eyes dimming to lifeless wood. The wisps of smoke rising from its mouth ceased, and the oppressive magical aura dissipated. Most notably, the voidworm proteans that had been swarming around the pillar in a display of planar instability let out alien shrieks of distress as the magical conditions that allowed them to manifest suddenly collapsed. The chaotic creatures were pulled back to the Maelstrom in wet popping sounds, vanishing from the Material Plane entirely.

With the pillar destroyed, the party could safely examine the mine more thoroughly. The mining pit itself plunged 50 feet deep, its yellowish walls streaked with muddy water from the jungle's constant rain and crude sluices. A large pond of muddy water lay to the north, its surface slicked with a sickly oily sheen. The party dispersed to search the mine's remaining structures.

Nadira investigated Hezle's laboratory hut and made significant discoveries. Among the alchemical supplies and treasures, she found four greater antidotes, two white dragon's breath potions, three lesser elixirs of life, and various other alchemical items. More importantly, she uncovered a detailed map showing the locations of the Cinderclaw fortress and all remaining dragon pillars throughout the jungle—a document that could have saved them considerable time hunting. The documents revealed Hezle's meticulous role in the operation: testing mined gold samples for what she called "divine purity," separating them for shipment to the Scarlet Triad. The notes indicated the Triad's specific interest in the Ekujae gold due to "its resonance with ancient draconic magic," and mentioned the Triad's discovery that "the old Ekujae legends were more accurate than initially believed." The documents raised troubling questions about the Triad's ultimate intentions with the cursed gold but provided no clear answer.

William and Theo examined other areas, with Theo attempting (and failing) to climb down into the mining pit, face-first into the mud. William noticed signs of systematic environmental destruction throughout the area. Frazzle assisted by casting Helpful Step to create a ladder spanning from the pond's edge to higher ground, enabling easier access to the mining pit while avoiding direct contact with the contaminated water.

Nadira discovered a makeshift hospital—a crude lodge with reed mats where the Cinderclaws' sickest followers had been left to die. Four boggards and two charau-kas lay motionless on the beds, their gaunt forms showing the final stages of arsenic poisoning. The scene spoke to the Cinderclaws' callous disregard for even their own followers. Inside the bunkhouse, she found seven sleeping mats arranged around a dry interior that reeked of musk, fur, and smoked meat, with personal belongings hastily abandoned by fleeing workers.

At the firepit to the south, Nadira discovered a covered bamboo trapdoor concealing a valuable storage pit. Inside were smoked meat in various stages of preparation, mashed yams in clay containers, and several pots of uncontaminated drinking water—a precious resource given the arsenic contamination elsewhere in the camp.

The situation near the pond grew complicated when Theo attempted to retrieve a partially submerged corpse (a charau-ka priest clutching prayer beads) that lay in the contaminated water. Using a rope lasso, he managed to snag the body and signal William to haul it ashore. However, this intrusion into their territory awakened two naunet proteans that had been hiding beneath the murky surface of the pond. These serpentine creatures of primordial chaos—their forms constantly shifting and flowing—erupted from the water in fury, shrieking that the party were "thieves and defilers" disturbing their sanctuary.

Combat erupted between the party and the two naunets. The battle proved relatively swift despite the proteans' dangerous nature. Theo slowed one of the creatures with magic. Nadira, positioned at range, took pot shots from a safe distance rather than risk climbing down the slippery pit walls. Frazzle cast his most reliable damage spell (Radiant Torrent) but expressed frustration at having to rely on it constantly given the enemies' high AC values. William engaged in close combat, grappling with one of the proteans and disrupting its attacks when it attempted to strike him. Renali, having been caught off-guard by the initiative roll, spent a hero point to take effective action. Throughout the battle, Theo's focus spell (Thunderstrike) proved devastating, with the party joking that he should shout "Ka-Me-Ha-Me-Ha" when casting it.

One naunet was killed, and the second naunet was badly wounded as the party pressed their advantage. Theo continued using his cantrips and spells to whittle down the creature's health until it finally fell. The combat was less intense than the earlier vrock encounter, though the party noted the proteans were still dangerous opponents.

After the combat, the party finished looting the mine. Nadira used her mage hand to fish up three additional gold nuggets from the water (worth 150 gp), bringing the total arsenic-laced gold count to 23 nuggets. They also discovered a high-quality scale and weights on a table near the fire pit—additional alchemical equipment worth 100 gp. The party also claimed the charau-ka priest's prayer beads from the pond.

The session ended with the mining operation fully secured and looted. The party noted several loot items that Frazzle could benefit from (particularly the white dragon's breath potions as consumable alternatives for high-AC enemies), and the DM indicated plans to work with Frazzle's player on optimizing either his combat capabilities or support-oriented role, depending on player preference. The primary issue identified was Frazzle's difficulty hitting high-AC enemies with spell attacks, forcing him to rely on a limited set of reliable spells.

Session Notes

Key events:

Violet dragon pillar destroyed by Theo; voidworm proteans displaced to the Maelstrom
Party thoroughly searched the mining operation's structures
Found Hezle's laboratory containing alchemical supplies and a crucial map showing all remaining dragon pillar locations and the Cinderclaw fortress
Discovered documents connecting the Scarlet Triad to the mining operation and revealing interest in the cursed gold's "draconic resonance"
Found Hezle's makeshift hospital with six dead cultists from arsenic poisoning
Discovered the bunkhouse with abandoned worker possessions
Located the storage pit with uncontaminated water and food supplies
Two naunet proteans attacked from the contaminated pond
Combat against the naunets; both creatures defeated

NPCs/Creatures encountered:

Hezle's remains and laboratory — Found supplies, alchemical items, and crucial documents
Two naunet proteans — Chaotic elemental creatures claiming the pond as their sanctuary; killed in combat
Charau-ka priest corpse — Found floating in pond; claimed prayer beads
Renali — Aided by taking action after poor initiative roll

Combat:

Encounter: Two naunet proteans defending their pond territory
Outcome: Party victory; both naunets killed
Notable: Theo's Thunderstrike spell proved powerful; Frazzle frustration with spell attack rolls against high-AC enemies; William successfully grappled and disrupted attacks

Party decisions:

Systematically searched all mine structures for items and information
Prioritized retrieving the corpse from the pond despite the danger
Chose to engage the naunets rather than retreat

Unresolved threads:

Hezle's final fate remains unknown (escaped earlier); still at large
Scarlet Triad's true intentions with the cursed gold remain unclear
Map shows additional dragon pillars and the fortress location; next session likely involves travel to these locations
Party needs to decide whether to address the Ekujae about the cursed gold being mined from their lands
Broader questions about the Scarlet Triad's role in the Age of Ashes conspiracy

Rewards/loot:

Hezle's laboratory: four greater antidotes, two white dragon's breath potions, three lesser elixirs of life, grim trophy, striking snare, traveler's anytool
20 arsenic-laced gold nuggets (50 gp each) initially, plus 3 additional from pond (total 23 nuggets = 1,150 gp)
Gold scale and weights: 100 gp
Charau-ka priest prayer beads
Prayer beads (additional item from corpse, available from party vault)
Uncontaminated water and food supplies from storage pit (restocked party supplies)

Rules/Technical notes:

Discussed Pathfinder 2e differences from earlier editions: no universal Attacks of Opportunity (specific reactions required); no 5-foot step rule; must use specific movement actions to avoid AOOs
DM discussing rule adjustments for player benefit (e.g., free first gun reload in combat)
Party identified need to adjust Frazzle's spell selection or approach to improve combat effectiveness against high-AC enemies
Network connectivity issues noted but appear resolved
Foundry resource usage caused performance issues earlier in session

Out of character notes:

Frazzle player expressed frustration with spell attack mechanics and low hit rates against high-AC enemies; considering whether to focus on support-oriented abilities instead
Players discussed optimization of loot selection and benefits
DM and players discussed character optimization and balance issues in the campaign