Short

The party battled through the Lost Library of Lethchauntos, with Vagnfríður using her ancestral power to grow enormous and devastate cultists with her great axe. Maelra Szandru, the Red Wizard of Thay, callously unleashed a cone of flames that engulfed both the party and her own bodyguard Aglana, who looked at her mistress with absolute betrayal before Shane struck her down. With Aglana's death, the paralyzed paladin Seris was freed and immediately struck Maelra, forcing the Red Wizard to reassess the battle. After teleporting around the chamber and watching her forces crumble—including pirates who surrendered when faced with Vagnfríður's massive form—Maelra pragmatically offered to leave gold behind if the party would take the Nathlum to Saresha and let her escape. The party agreed, and Maelra teleported away, ending the confrontation.

After looting the library and claiming various magical items including a sentient great axe for Vagnfríður, a cloak of protection for Seris, and a disguise-creating rapier for Shane, Velessa examined the Nathlum and discovered its dark secret. By applying blood to its pages, she revealed hidden infernal text describing a world-shaping ritual drawing power from the Nine Hells to draw power from something powerful. The party also found an unsent letter from Maelra to Saresha and a sealed invitation to an Eomane family gathering. After a moral debate led by Vagnfríður, they returned a platinum wedding band to a grave they had disturbed. They delivered the Nathlum to Saresha at the Imravel Exchange, where she revealed she was Thayan herself—part of the merchant class opposing the wizard-dominated regime that Maelra supported. Intrigued by the invitation to the Eomane gathering, Saresha offered the party a deal: attend the high-society event in Maelra's place, keep anything interesting they found, and report back what they learned. She paid them their fee in platinum and promised to provide appropriate clothing for the infiltration.

Classic

Last we left off, our adventurers delved deep into the Lost Library of Lethchauntos, where they confronted the Red Wizard of Thay, Maelra Szandru, and her forces in a desperate battle for the mysterious tome known as the Nathlum. Vagnfríður's ancestral rage transformed her into a towering force of destruction, carving through cultists and pirates alike, while Shane struck from the shadows with deadly precision. When Maelra unleashed a cone of flames that consumed friend and foe without hesitation—her own bodyguard Aglana meeting a fiery betrayal—the tide turned decisively against the Red Wizard. Recognizing her defeat, Maelra made a pragmatic offer: gold in exchange for safe passage and the party's agreement to deliver the Nathlum to Saresha. The party accepted, and the Red Wizard vanished into the shadows.

With the battle won, the party explored the ancient library's hidden chambers, discovering magical treasures and dark secrets. Velessa's scholarly curiosity led her to unlock the Nathlum's true nature—a blood-bound tome containing infernal rituals of world-shaping power, detailing the five seals of the drow and drawing energy from the Nine Hells itself. Meanwhile, Vagnfríður claimed a sentient great axe that whispered emotions not her own, and the party uncovered an unsent letter from Maelra that hinted at a deeper history between the two Red Wizards. A heated debate erupted when Quillbit retrieved a platinum wedding band from a grave marker, with Vagnfríður's conviction about respecting the dead ultimately prevailing.

Returning to Baldur's Gate, the party delivered the Nathlum to Saresha at the Imravel Exchange, where truths began to unravel. Saresha revealed herself as a Thayan merchant opposed to her homeland's wizard-dominated regime, her political rivalry with Maelra rooted in their conflicting visions for Thay's future. When presented with the invitation to an exclusive gathering at the Eomane estate—addressed to Maelra herself—Saresha offered the party a new opportunity: infiltrate the high-society event in the Red Wizard's place and report what they discover. Now, with platinum in their pockets and the promise of fine clothing befitting Baldur's Gate's elite, our adventurers prepare to navigate the treacherous waters of Patriar politics, where the dangers may prove far more subtle than any blade or spell...

Shane lands a critical sneak attack on Maelra's bodyguard Aglana, defeating her and breaking the Hold Person spell on Seris.

A pivotal moment in combat where Shane's attack turned the tide of battle

Maelra casts a fiery cone spell that hits her own bodyguard Aglana, who looks at Maelra absolutely betrayed.

Maelra shows her ruthless nature by not caring about her own bodyguard's safety

"You really want me to fly across all the way over there? Turning fucking visible?"
— Quillbit

Complaining about being asked to investigate the grave across the chasm

The party debates the morality of taking a platinum ring from a grave, with Vagnfríður strongly disapproving and ultimately forcing Quillbit to return it.

A moral conflict within the party about desecrating a grave for treasure

Battle in the Lost Library: Initial Skirmishes

The party continues their battle against Maelra Szandru and her cultists in the Lost Library of Lethchauntos, with Vagnfríður growing to a large size and engaging enemies.

• Vagnfríður swings her great axe, splitting a cultist in half.
• Vagnfríður uses her racial ability to transform into a large form, occupying four squares on the battlefield.
• Quillbit, Velessa's imp familiar, moves across the room carrying caltrops.
• Séantal moves past an ally and casts Eldritch Blast at a cultist but misses.
• Vagnfríður attacks Aglana, Maelra's bodyguard, with her great axe, landing a solid hit.
• Aglana maintains her concentration on the spell holding Seris despite the attack.
• A cultist attempts to attack Vagnfríður with a sickle but misses wildly.
• Another cultist falls due to the party's coordinated attacks.
• The Spirit of the Land, a spectral wolf, maintains its position.

Maelra's Fiery Betrayal and Aglana's Fall

Maelra casts a devastating fire spell that hits her own bodyguard, and Shane delivers a critical blow that defeats Aglana.

• Maelra addresses Seris, acknowledging Saresha's involvement and the party's progress.
• Maelra casts a fiery cone spell, hitting her own bodyguard Aglana, who looks betrayed but resists the full effect.
• Shane uses Steady Aim to attack Aglana with advantage, landing a critical hit with sneak attack damage.
• Aglana falls from Shane's attack, breaking Maelra's concentration on the Hold Person spell affecting Seris.
• Séantal casts Guiding Bolt at Maelra, but it goes wide and misses.
• Vagnfríður attacks a cultist, severely wounding them.
• Seris, now free from the Hold Person spell, attacks Maelra and hits her.
• A cultist attacks Seris with a sickle but misses.

Maelra's Retreat and Pirate Reinforcements

Maelra uses Misty Step to retreat and calls for her remaining pirates to engage the party.

• Maelra, seeing her forces dwindling, uses Misty Step to teleport across the room and through a door.
• Maelra shouts at her remaining men to engage the party.
• Quillbit flies over and drops caltrops in the doorway.
• A pirate dashes into the corridor, crossing the caltrops, failing a Dexterity save, and taking damage.
• Velessa stabs the injured pirate with a ghostly blade.
• Shane attempts to hide behind Vagnfríður.
• Séantal casts Darkness into the room Maelra fled into, plunging it into magical darkness.
• Vagnfríður moves towards the pirate, who immediately surrenders upon seeing her large size.
• Vagnfríður smashes open a door, revealing a privy.

Final Skirmishes and Maelra's Escape

The party defeats or accepts the surrender of the remaining pirates, and Maelra escapes after offering a deal.

• Seris dashes towards the door where Maelra fled.
• Two pirates emerge from the dark room, attacking Vagnfríður with daggers, one landing two hits.
• The Spirit of the Land dashes towards the combat.
• Maelra uses Misty Step to reappear in the main room and casts an ice bolt spell at Seris, hitting her.
• Quillbit flies into the dark room.
• One pirate surrenders and sits down.
• Velessa fires her crossbow with True Strike, landing a critical hit on a pirate.
• Shane attempts to stealth and attack but misses.
• Séantal blasts a pirate and moves.
• Vagnfríður cleaves through one pirate and wounds another, who surrenders.
• Seris attempts a charge attack but misses due to Maelra's blur spell, then uses Healing Hands on herself.
• The remaining pirates surrender.
• Maelra offers the party gold to take the Nathlum back to Saresha and leave her be.
• The party agrees to Maelra's deal.
• Maelra uses Misty Step to teleport to the top of the stairs and vanishes, ending the combat.

Looting and Discovering the Nathlum

After Maelra's retreat, the party secures loot and Velessa begins investigating the Nathlum.

• The party finds 102 gold coins dropped by Maelra.
• Loot is found on Aglana's body, including a sealed invitation, a dice set, a grappling hook, a broken harper pin, and various coins.
• Velessa finds the Nathlum on a shelf and immediately opens it.
• Velessa reads the Nathlum, noting its description of poisons and spells (Glyph of Warding, Maze).
• Velessa performs an Investigation check on the Nathlum, noticing its inconsistent page count and unusual weight.
• Velessa attempts to physically manipulate the book, observing that its content changes.
• Velessa ritual casts Identify on the Nathlum, learning that it is 'thirsty' and requires a drop of blood.
• Velessa applies blood to a page, causing thin red script to appear and the book to separate into two halves, revealing hidden infernal text.

Exploring Lethchauntos's Library

While Velessa investigates the Nathlum, the rest of the party explores other rooms in the library.

• Seris distributes healing potions to Séantal, Shane, and Vagnfríður.
• The pirates are allowed to leave the library.
• The Spirit of the Land dissipates.
• The party searches previously explored rooms, finding signs of Maelra's crew's short-term habitation.
• Velessa ritual casts Comprehend Languages to read the infernal script in the Nathlum.
• The hidden pages are revealed to describe an intense infernal ritual drawing on the Nine Hells.
• Shane quickly realizes the text describes a ritual of world-shaping proportions.
• Velessa opens a door to a long, narrow forge room with an anvil and tools.
• Vagnfríður finds a magnificent great axe on the anvil.
• Vagnfríður touches the axe and experiences emotions—curiosity, trepidation, excitement, and remorse—that are not her own.

Lethchauntos's Bedchamber and Private Quarters

The party discovers Lethchauntos's bedroom and private chamber, finding valuable items and a letter.

• Shane opens a door to a handsome bedchamber decorated entirely in black.
• The party finds a rapier that allows casting Disguise Self, fine clothes, a cloak of protection, and Heward's Handy Spice Pouch.
• Seris takes the cloak of protection, and Shane takes the rapier.
• Another door is opened to a small room with a bed, chest, and desk, smelling of ink and stale perfume.
• The chest contains a spell scroll of Identify, a scroll of Locate Object, a pearl, and an unsent letter from Maelra to Saresha.
• A book on infernal contracts is found on the desk.
• Quillbit materializes on Velessa's shoulder after the letter is found.

The Chasm and the Grave

The party discovers a chasm with a grave on the far side, leading to a moral debate about taking a platinum ring.

• The party opens a door to a wide ledge overlooking a dark chasm with circular platforms and a headstone on the far side.
• Seris uses darkvision to see thick, sticky webs 50 feet below, suggesting spiders.
• Quillbit flies across the chasm to investigate the grave.
• A small platinum ring is found on the gravestone, which reads 'Ona, beloved wife'.
• Quillbit retrieves the ring, leading to a moral debate among the party about taking it.
• Vagnfríður expresses strong disapproval of desecrating the grave.
• Quillbit returns the ring to the gravestone at the party's insistence.

Return to Baldur's Gate

The party retrieves their belongings, releases the goblin, and returns to the surface.

• The party returns to the barracks to retrieve the goblin they left tied up.
• Velessa unties the goblin to retrieve her chain.
• The goblin expresses relief and a lesson learned about shady jobs, then goes back to sleep.
• The party makes their way back through the sewers and emerges into the Wide district of Baldur's Gate.
• They arrive at Eomane Manor, Velessa's family home.
• Velessa's family members greet her: Danil, Vilvra, Sarra, and Telenna.
• Telenna comments on Velessa's smell.
• Velessa and Telenna use Prestidigitation to clean themselves.
• Quillbit flies off to the kitchen, causing a scream, and returns with a large roll.
• The party takes a long rest at the manor.

Meeting Saresha at the Imravel Exchange

The party meets Saresha Imravel to deliver the Nathlum and discuss Maelra and the party invitation.

• The party arrives at the Imravel Exchange in the evening.
• Saresha greets them warmly and invites them to her office.
• Saresha changes into more comfortable clothes while discussing the library experience.
• The party delivers the Nathlum and confronts Saresha about Maelra and the book's infernal content.
• Saresha expresses disappointment that the party encountered Maelra and that she is still alive.
• The party presents Saresha with the letter from Maelra, which Saresha quickly reads and puts away.
• Velessa uses Insight, gaining a strong feeling that Saresha is genuinely sad and earnest.
• Séantal realizes Saresha's office decor and clothing are Thayan.
• Saresha confirms the Imravel Exchange is a sanctioned Thayan enclave.
• A servant brings charcuterie and wine.
• Quillbit appears and makes herself a large sandwich from the charcuterie board.

The Eomane Party Invitation

The party informs Saresha about the invitation to the Eomane party and negotiates a new job.

• The party informs Saresha about the invitation to the Eomane residence, which was addressed to Maelra.
• Saresha expresses curiosity about the Eomanes' invitation to Maelra.
• Saresha offers the party the ability to keep anything of interest they find at the party in exchange for information.
• The party negotiates for payment, and Saresha agrees to provide fine clothing for the party to attend.
• Saresha pays the party 100 gold each (in platinum) for retrieving the Nathlum.
• Saresha discusses her political differences with Maelra regarding Thay's leadership and merchant class.
• Saresha orders more strong drinks for the party.
• Quillbit falls asleep on the charcuterie tray, and Velessa uses Unseen Servant to feed her.
• The session ends with the party planning to attend the Eomane party.

Maelra Szandru

A Red Wizard of Thay with a bald head and elaborate branching tattoos. During the battle in the library, she showed no concern for her own bodyguard when casting a fiery cone spell. She is cunning and pragmatic, using Misty Step to retreat when the battle turned against her. She offered the party gold to take the Nathlum back to Saresha and leave her be, then escaped. She was the intended recipient of an invitation to a party at the Eomane residence.

Aglana

Maelra Szandru's bodyguard who maintained concentration on a Hold Person spell affecting Seris. She looked betrayed when Maelra's fiery spell hit her, and was ultimately defeated by Shane's critical sneak attack.

Cultists

Mercenaries hired by Maelra to loot the library. They fought the party with sickles, with several being defeated during the battle.

Pirates

Reinforcements for Maelra who emerged from a side room. Some engaged in combat with daggers, while others surrendered when faced with the party's strength, particularly after seeing Vagnfríður's large form.

Goblin

A goblin previously tied up by the party in the sewer barracks. When freed, he expressed a newfound aversion to 'shady bitches in red robes' and went back to sleep.

Telenna

Velessa's younger sibling at Eomane Manor who greeted her upon return, commented on her smell, and used Prestidigitation to clean herself.

Danil

The sole male member of Velessa's household at Eomane Manor.

Vilvra

A woman in a darker dress from Velessa's family at Eomane Manor, who likely gave Quillbit a roll from the kitchen.

Sarra

A woman in a green dress from Velessa's family at Eomane Manor.

Saresha Imravel

The public face of the Imravel Exchange who hired the party to retrieve the Nathlum. She is Thayan and runs a sanctioned Thayan enclave. She expressed genuine sadness about her past rivalry with Maelra and admitted to not being entirely honest about the book's contents. She is earnest in her desire to prevent infernal summonings. She offered the party the ability to keep anything they find at the Eomane party in exchange for information, and paid them 100 gold each in platinum for the Nathlum. She has political differences with Maelra regarding Thay's leadership and treatment of the merchant class.

Servant

An employee at the Imravel Exchange who brought charcuterie and wine to Saresha's office during the party's meeting.

Lost Library of Lethchauntos

A hidden library beneath Baldur's Gate, created by the orc arcanist Lethchauntos. It features a circular rotunda, various chambers including a forge, bedrooms, and a privy, and connections to the Underdark's shrieking abyss. The party battled Maelra Szandru and her forces here.

Forge Room

A long, narrow room within Lethchauntos's library that was once a functional forge, now cold. It contains an anvil, hammers, tongs, and other tools, with a magnificent great axe resting on the anvil.

Lethchauntos's Bedchamber

A handsome bedchamber within the library, decorated entirely in black with black tapestries, a black canopy over a large enclosed bed, a black bedstand, and a black armoire. The party found valuable items here including a rapier, fine clothes, a cloak of protection, and Heward's Handy Spice Pouch.

Private Chamber

A small chamber within the library with a narrow bed, a travel chest, and a desk cluttered with notes and writing tools. It smells faintly of ink, stale perfume, and something warmer. The party found scrolls, a pearl, an unsent letter from Maelra to Saresha, and a book on infernal contracts here.

Chasm Room

A room within the library featuring a wide ledge overlooking a dark chasm with two circular platforms suspended by chains. On the far side is a rocky ledge with a small headstone. Thick, sticky webs are visible 50 feet below, and the chasm leads to the Underdark.

Sewer Barracks

A makeshift resting area within the sewers beneath Baldur's Gate where the party had previously left a goblin tied up.

Baldur's Gate

The bustling city on the surface where the party emerges from the sewers into the Wide district, enjoying fresh air after their dungeon delve.

Eomane Manor

Velessa's family home in Baldur's Gate, a grand residence where her drow family resides. It features a kitchen and baths, though no guest rooms. The party rested here after their mission.

Imravel Exchange

A sanctioned Thayan trade enclave in Baldur's Gate, run by Saresha Imravel. It serves as a meeting place where the party delivered the Nathlum and discussed future plans.

Saresha's Office

An office within the Imravel Exchange, decorated with Thayan artifacts, maps, books, and wall hangings. It contains a desk, couches, and a bell for summoning servants. The party met here with Saresha to report on their mission.

Caltrops

Small, sharp objects carried by Quillbit that were dropped in doorways to impede enemy movement. A pirate stepped on them, taking damage and being slowed.

The Nathlum

A nondescript book with a gray canvas cover and parchment pages, written by Lethchauntos. It contains two spells (Glyph of Warding and Maze) and recipes for various poisons. Velessa discovered its pages shifted and content changed when manipulated. After applying blood to it, hidden infernal script was revealed, separating the book into two halves. The hidden pages describe an intense infernal ritual of world-shaping proportions drawing on the Nine Hells, the five seals of the drow, and a final note. It was the primary objective of the party's mission and was delivered to Saresha.

Coin Purse

A purse containing 102 gold coins, dropped by Maelra Szandru upon her retreat from the library.

Sealed Invitation

An invitation found on Aglana's body, addressed to Maelra Szandru, for an amusement night at the Eomane residence. It states that the holder will be accepted without questions and mentions a 'party favor' that the hosts are interested in.

Dice Set

A set of dice found on Aglana's body.

Grappling Hook

A grappling hook found on Aglana's body.

Broken Harper Pin

A broken and bloodied Harper pin found on Aglana's body, appearing worse for wear.

Great Axe

A magnificent-looking great axe found resting on an anvil in the forge room. When Vagnfríður touched it, she felt emotions—curiosity, trepidation, excitement, and remorse—that were not her own, emanating from the axe itself.

Rapier

A very fine-looking rapier found in a dresser in Lethchauntos's bedroom. It allows the wielder to cast Disguise Self. Shane took this item.

Fine Clothes

Very nice clothes found in a dresser in Lethchauntos's bedroom.

Cloak of Protection

A magical cloak found in a dresser in Lethchauntos's bedroom, offering protective qualities. Seris took this item.

Heward's Handy Spice Pouch

A magical pouch found in a dresser in Lethchauntos's bedroom that can produce any spice or herb a few times a day.

Spell Scroll of Identify

A spell scroll found in a chest in a private chamber within the library.

Scroll of Locate Object

A spell scroll found in a chest in a private chamber within the library.

Pearl

A pearl found in a chest in a private chamber within the library.

Unsent Letter

A letter found in a chest in a private chamber, addressed to Saresha from Maelra. Saresha read the first lines and quickly put it away, indicating a personal and sensitive nature.

Book on Infernal Contracts

A book found on a desk in a private chamber within the library, containing information about infernal contracts.

Platinum Ring

A small platinum wedding band found on a gravestone in the chasm room, inscribed 'Ona, beloved wife'. Quillbit initially retrieved it but returned it at Vagnfríður's insistence.

Gin Bottle

A three-quarters empty bottle of mediocre gin found in a private chamber. Velessa took it and drank from it in Saresha's office.

Chain

Velessa's chain, described as 'pretty damn decent', which was used to tie up a goblin and retrieved from the sewer barracks.

Steaming Roll

A large, steaming roll obtained by Quillbit from the Eomane Manor kitchen, almost as big as she is, which she ate smugly.

Charcuterie Board

A platter of various meats, cheeses, and crackers served by a servant in Saresha's office. Quillbit made herself a large sandwich from it.

Wine

A beverage served by a servant in Saresha's office during the party's meeting.

Gold Coins

Currency paid by Saresha to the party. Each party member received 100 gold pieces in platinum for retrieving the Nathlum.

Hold Person

A spell cast by Aglana that incapacitated Seris, holding her in place with spectral hands. The spell was broken when Aglana was defeated by Shane's attack.

Eldritch Blast

A warlock cantrip cast by Séantal multiple times during combat, though it missed its targets in several instances.

Fiery Cone Spell

A powerful fire spell cast by Maelra Szandru that emitted a cone of fire, hitting her own bodyguard Aglana along with the intended targets.

Guiding Bolt

A spell cast by Séantal at Maelra, which unfortunately went wide and missed its target.

Misty Step

A teleportation spell used by Maelra Szandru multiple times to quickly move across the room and escape from the party.

Darkness

A spell cast by Séantal into a room, creating an area of magical darkness that obscured vision and disoriented the pirates within.

Ice Bolt

A spell cast by Maelra Szandru where her fingertip turned to ice and shot a bolt of ice towards Seris, hitting her.

True Strike

A spell used by Velessa before firing her crossbow, resulting in a critical hit on a pirate.

Healing Hands

An ability used by Seris to heal herself for a small amount after taking damage and missing an attack.

Identify

A ritual spell cast by Velessa on the Nathlum to discern its magical properties and true nature, revealing its 'thirst' for blood.

Comprehend Languages

A ritual spell cast by Velessa to understand the infernal script revealed within the Nathlum after applying blood to it.

Disguise Self

A spell that can be cast by wielding the magical rapier found in Lethchauntos's bedroom.

Prestidigitation

A minor magical effect used by Telenna and Velessa to clean themselves after emerging from the sewers.

Unseen Servant

A spell cast by Velessa to create an invisible, mindless force that picked up Quillbit and fed her from the charcuterie tray.