Session 23 (The Pirates of Atlas)

 

"Session 23"
The Pirates of Atlas episode
Episode no.	Episode 23
Original air date	March 17, 2024 (2024-03-17)

"Session 23" is the twenty-third and penultimate session of the campaign The Pirates of Atlas.

Synopsis

In the events after the Labyrinth of Madness, the crew finally makes the decision to take their fated voyage directly to the Dreamwell. They do not know how to get there safely but have Alicia who claims to know someone in the Navy who is responsible for guarding the path to the Dreamwell. A black portal emerges as Death shows up and swaps Maren for Zosteif. Reyen offers clarification on casting a wish at the Dreamwell. Durgl asks if Ren could cast one of his consumable spells to allow him to grow in height to 10 feet permanently without any negativ, drastic effects. Nothing happens.

Reyen asks if the crew should recruit any additional people. They believe their numbers are sufficient enough. Willem asks for Alicia to answer him a question. She comes out of her cabin and he asks her if it is possible she could use her time magic to accelerate Chowder's mastery of knowledge under the tutelage of Dr. Beyond Say. Astonishingly as they summon Chowder, they see that he has become quite refined in both speech and mind. He shares with them his research on the Dreamwell and the effects of the Blight, as well as its relation to dragons. There is one particular ancient dragon as old as the world itself, perhaps from another dimension. Chowder says that both the dragons and the Zodiac signs pose dual yet separate dangers, but both must be taken out.

Kal'un proposes that could destroy the dragon's lair by using the dragonsoul amulets they were given by the Lich, and casting all of the dragons within these amulets all at once. Willem, having not been there to know about the amulets, realizes he could consume the souls within from the dragons and could enhance his powers. Willem takes his hands as he forcefully sucks in the souls from the necklaces. He consumes them and his power greatly strengthens, and resists the transformation into a dragonborn, retaining the powers of a great dragon, whilst retaining his human appearance.

The crew splits up. Kal, Durgl, Maren, and Reyen go to Atlas to buy goods and invest in some diamonds. Willem and Pravuil go to a religious building to obtain holy water. Durgl tries to pawn off the necklaces. The Atlas team are whisked away to Atlas and split up to purchase their particular goods.

Kal, Durgl, and Maren goes to Potions N' Lotions shop. There are mixtures of potions and lotions. Durgl shows Kal the "Rizzless Royale", a cologne which spells remarkably just like Kal. Sir Gator E. Raid welcomes the crewmates to his shop. He offers them a special lotion which allows them to change into a different race in appearance. Durgl asks for it. Sir Raid presents him a rainbow-colored lotion and Durgl applies it on him. He turns into a miniature version of Kal. Sir Raid says he will revert back naturally to his normal self in six months. However, he wishes to revert back to his true self, he can purchase a cleansing lotion for only 150 pieces of gold. They decide to purchase some legendary healing potions from Sir Raid. Meanwhile, Durgl sneakily applies the appearance-changing lotion onto Sir Raid. His legs change into the appearance of grung legs. Durgl presents an excellent counteroffer to Sir Raid, swindling the gator off with five legendary potions for the consumed necklaces. The gator gives Grungin' on the Beach to Durgl on the house.

Pravuil and Willem are transported to Parakis as they step into the temple. Pravuil sees one particular paladin who took Akula with him. The paladin greets Willem, acknowledging that they worship the same god. The paladin asks if they are heading for the Dreamwell and they say they are affirmatively. The paladin requests if they could take something from him to be casted away into the Dreamwell. He reveals them darkened angel wings, saying he has received a vision saying if such wings were cast into the Dreamwell, a new temple will be conjured. Once the Blight is destroyed, a temple will be constructed for each known deity. The paladin says he and Willem share only the same god. A cleric gives him a tray with jugs of holy water. The paladin says he knows Pravuil is seeking to reassemble the Order of the Magi and Pravuil affirms this. They give the call to Reyen to transport them back to the ship.

The Atlas team goes to find a place to buy diamonds. They enter a fine jewelry store which is right across Logon's store. They see a goblin storeowner greet them. They ask for a diamond worth 25,000 pieces of gold. He uncovers them various diamonds. One diamond he presents is ruby-colored. They ask for another one. It is a literal blood diamond and they debate how jewelry is priced. Durgl says he does not believe in blood, saying it is a conspiracy and demonstrates to the goblin that his "blood" is not blood. He does a little slit, revealing white liquid instead of red liquid. They decide to purchase the first diamond. They then leave after they browse for several more items.

The crew reconvenes and begins discussing their gameplan once they arrive to the Dreamwell and fight the menaces awaiting them there. They are teleported to the dragon's lair. Most of the crew are brought into the center of the lair or perched on its walls, while Willem is the only one cast outside of the lair.

They feel the overwhelming fire, discomforting to all except for Kal. The dragon locks its eyes on Kal.

Durgl casts Bardic Inspiration and casts Enhanceability on Pravuil. The dragon veers to its right and takes notice to Durgl and Pravuil. Pravuil casts Death Ward on Durgl. Both Pravuil and Durgl slide further down the slope into the cavern towards the obsidian-scaled dragon.

Kal casts fireborne spells at the dragon but they take no effect as it has natural immunity. It laughs mockingly.

Willem continues to climb.

The dragon approaches Durgl and Pravuil within striking distance. It scorches Pravuil and Durgl. Pravuil uses Absorb to take double damage to increase his power, while Durgl casts fire resistance spell on him to reduce the damage.

Maren transforms into a blue young dragon and tries to talk the dragon down. The dragon takes offense to Maren, "how dare you mimic my kind".

Pravuil stands up and casts his Sword of Zariel as it shines brightly and slashes at the dragon, dealing significant damage and casts Branding Smite on the dragon.

Kal'un and Durgl are knocked out of consciousness as a sudden gas of sulphuric acid erupts within the chamber. Kal'un is able to break free from this shock. He sees Durgl, knocked out cold, and casts a teleportation spell, which hovers Durgl somewhere else out of harm's way.

Willem finally makes his way into the lair. He spawns his clone, gives it his weapon, and sends him 15 feet ahead, and spikes down the ice mace, striking against its scales.

Maren snarkily screams at the dragon and casts spells against the dragon. She uses her Conqueror's Haki impose on the dragon and slashes at him with her fangs and claws. She then tries to cast a healing spell on the felled Pravuil and is able to revive him.

The dragon makes his way towards the incapacitated Durgl. Kal casts his lesser restoration spell to cleanse the poison afflicting Durgl. He then uses sunburst to hit the dragon. He then uses haste to charge closer towards the dragon.

Willem charges towards the dragon and deals a flurry of hits. The dragon retaliates with his tail and misses. Willem tries to take an opportunity attack but fails as well.

The dragon casts its breath towards Kal, Willem, and Maren. It casts another breath. Dr. Said, who was with them and assisting, is also hit, and takes critical damage. Maren quickly extinguishes the flames burning on the book and it lives.

Pravuil uses his smite and attacks the dragon. The dragon, enraged, does a retaliatory attack and knocks everyone within radius at prone.

Kal casts a spell on Durgl to transform into a planetar. He uses deals a volley of fearsome damage in this form. The dragon, downed, with its dying breath, sees Durgl approach it slowly before he deals the mercy shot. A trove of treasure remains. They hoard themselves with their treasures in the bag of holding.

They return to the ship and are greeted by Reyen who says they are ready to see the navigator from the Navy. They decide to rest for the night.

Featured characters

Player characters

• Anradeem Pravuil
• Durgl
• Ryul Vidro
• Maren
• Willem