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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Celtavian" data-source="post: 6839758" data-attributes="member: 5834">GRAVENHOLLOWSince this is more of a campaign log, I'm going to discuss how I ran this section rather with occasional excerpts from the players. I did the majority of this section over email. It is mainly comprised of exposition and role-playing. The chapter is meant to reveal what summoned the demon lords to the Underdark. The PCs gain a substantial portion of experience for learning this information. To ensure full participation I required each player to submit questions referencing the past, present, and future. I answered each question according to the information I believed may be present in the library including no information if the information requested was something stone giants would not concern themselves with even tangentially. Six players asking questions was enough to garner the major plot points described in the chapter such as learning who was behind the summoning and some of the major events that occurred in the Underdark. The second major point of this chapter was to introduce Vizeran DeVir, an ancient drow that has a plan to rid the Underdark of the Demon Lords. In my particular version of this campaign, two of the starting drow are from House DeVir and another that joined later is Vizeran's son. Vizeran had his son guide the PCs to Gravenhollow so that they might learn who summoned the demon lords, so that he would not have to spend time convincing them that is plan to banish them would work. He also wanted to ensure they knew the summoner was a Lolth-manipulated Gromph Baenre. Vizeran approached Tytus first. Tytus was initially wary and displayed his usual violent rudeness towards Vizeran. Vizeran remained calm and told the boy to research him if he doubted his ancestry. Tytus was able to determine using the Archives of the Past that Vizeran DeVir was his uncle and a member of House Devir. Once he was convinced, a private meeting between Vizeran, Tytus, and Apothicas occurred where they agreed to ensure the Dark Heart Talisman was placed in Menzoberranzan. The intent was to allow the demon lords to destroy most of the city including the ruling houses, from that destruction Vizeran intends to build an order of magi with himself and his son as ruling members to lead Menzoberranzan into a new age and avenge House DeVir. This plan was relayed to the rest of the party. They agreed to carry out the plan including placing the dark heart without any thought as to the consequences to Menzoberranzan. I'm hoping at least a few of the players wake up to what they'll be doing. We shall see.On a side note, Darcain learned more of his past. He learned he was a king that ruled an ancient kingdom known as the Empire of Diabolus Rex. When he sat on the The Ruby Throne, he wielded a ruby-bladed longsword with a gold hilt that was his pact with Asmodeus. He beseeched Hell to return his blade to him, so that he could fulfil his contract to slay the Lords of the Abyss. Asmodeus, not caring about such trifles, did so. Darcain again possesses The Devil King's Blade and has started relearning his sorcerous power. Vizeran gave to Apothicas the Spellsong Whip. It is a powerful magical weapon created by Vizeran for his son at a time when they might be able fulfill his lifelong quest for vengeance against Menzoberranzan. That time has come. The whip is quite potent. I'll post it and the sword in the character summaries.This wasn't the most active chapter, but it was necessary. It provided a good chunk of experience and filled in the backstory for the PCs.I also reordered when the players go to Vizeran's tower and how he instructs the players to complete his plan:Vizeran’s Plan: Vizeran outlines who he is and what he knows as outlined in the Tower of Araj section. He lays out his plan except where he plans to lay the Dark Heart Talisma and enact the ritual. Only Tytus and Apothicas know where this will occur.Vizeran gives the players a map. He instructs them on the plan and location of each object.First, I recommend you go to the Labyrinth given its distance from Gravenhollow. There you will acquire the six angel feathers we need and the demon heart. You will find a place known as the Gallery of Angels for the angel feathers. My divinations tell me there are goristro in the Labyrinth following their lord Baphomet. Obtain one of their hearts. You may also be able to cut one of the demon lords there for there are two. Baphomet and his enemy Yeenoghu, Demon Lord of Gnolls. Perhaps cut one of them with one of your blades or an arrow, obtain the blood that spurts forth from the wound. And always be looking for the thirteen timmasks or “Devil’s Mushrooms." There are so many demons in the Underdark at the moment, you should be able to find some.I don’t know if this is true, but there is rumor of a Maze Engine in the Labyrinth. This is an artifact of extreme power created by the Lords of Order. If you can find it and activate it, it may be useful. Maze Engines are powerful weapons against chaos. If you come upon one, do what you can to benefit. Please remember the location. I would like to study it.Once you collect the items from the Labyrinth, you’ll traverse the Wormwrithings to collect the intact egg of a purple worm. There are many nests of them in the Wormwrithings, which should be obvious given the name. There is also a Beholder or two within the Wormwrithings that I know of. We will need one of their central eyes to create the Dark Heart. Once you have acquired what we need, return to my tower. My son knows where it is. He will lead you here. Once that is complete, I will reveal the remainder of the plan. Vizeran gives the map to Apothicas with all the places he needs to go marked and containers necessary for preserving and carrying the items. You all understand the importance of what you do. I will not emphasize the need for haste.</blockquote>

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