November 10, 2026

The Adventurers

  • Demetrios, Human Paladin
  • Eridános, Human Cleric
  • Theodosius, Human Magic-User
  • Beiro, Half-Elf Ranger (new to the expedition)

More Kobolds, More Mysteries

Returning to the mysterious caves near Brandonsford, the Redmark Expeditionary Guild welcomed a new companion, Beiro, a half-elf ranger. The four adventurers resumed their exploration of the ancient dungeon, beginning with the kobold chamber they had discovered during their previous expedition.

Seven kobolds occupied the cavern, busily brewing a strange concoction from glowing purple moss. Rather than fight, the adventurers negotiated with the creatures, trading a gold piece and some “majestic bread” for a Scroll of Hold Person.

The kobolds also revealed that the snaggletoothed kobold encountered during the previous expedition was apparently a traitor. They remained frightened of the mysterious black-robed figure seen wandering the caves. Before leaving, the party persuaded the kobolds to make monkey noises should the stranger return.

One adventurer even sampled the kobolds’ stew, discovering that it tasted rather like seaweed and caused his lips to glow faintly purple!

The Masters of Ooze

Beyond the kobold chamber, the party entered a corridor lined with five ancient stone doors. Brass plaques identified chambers belonging to the Master of Ooze, Master of Dissolution, and Master of Slime. Another plaque was missing, while the final inscription was only partly legible.

Peering through the partly opened doors, Beiro discovered unsettling sights: a grotesquely bloated, rotting giant rat whose body seemed to move from within, and another chamber containing a great ring of purple slime surrounding six smaller gelatinous shapes.

At the end of the corridor, the adventurers discovered a chamber with swirling purple floor tiles and two remarkable guardians: human skeletons encased in translucent green and pink jelly.

To everyone’s surprise, the creatures could speak! They complained bitterly of boredom after centuries guarding their mysterious master. Negotiations were going reasonably well until the adventurers began testing the guardians with holy water and fire.

Combat erupted. One gelatinous skeleton exploded in a shower of slime and bones, while the other pursued the party into the corridor. Sling bullets, a thrown dagger, and a carefully placed fire finally reduced the creature to a flaming heap.

Each guardian wore a valuable gold necklace adorned with green crystals, worth 200 gp apiece.

The Eye of the Faceless Lord

Searching beyond the guardians, the party discovered a secret chamber containing dusty shelves and a ceiling decorated with a great staring eye.

Among the debris lay a black silk robe embroidered with golden runes proclaiming the Dominion of the Faceless Lord. A concealed lever triggered a magical flash that briefly filled its victim with murderous rage toward his companions.

Undeterred, the adventurers investigated the eye itself, eventually prying its pupil-like center from the ceiling. The object bore sinister magical inscriptions and appeared capable of producing the same berserk compulsion.

Further exploration revealed an ominous door inscribed with a command to submit to the Faceless One’s will and the riddle: “What remains after utter acquiescence?”

Several attempted answers produced magical reactions before the party finally said the answer — “A Skull” — and gained access to the chamber beyond.

The Prisoner of Chaos

Inside waited a nightmarish creature imprisoned within a circle of pink slime. Its putrid green body was covered with writhing tentacles, shifting mouths, and staring eyes. It spoke through multiple mouths, continuing sentences from one grotesque orifice to another.

The creature claimed to have been imprisoned for centuries and promised to serve whoever released it for 101 days.

The adventurers were understandably suspicious. Unfortunately, suspicion proved insufficient protection against its formidable powers of mental domination.

Beiro fell under its influence and was compelled to break the slime circle, freeing the monstrosity. As it escaped, the creature began speaking in the ancient language of Chaos, a terrifying reminder of the dark powers from Redmark’s First Age.

Fortunately, the party discovered a hidden cabinet containing magical supplies apparently intended to imprison creatures of uncertain form. Its treasures included a jar of the same binding slime, magical items, and a ritual dagger.

The horror’s influence soon struck again, through its mind-control forcing Beiro to attack Demetrios with his spear. Thankfully, the blow missed, and the party managed to free the ranger from its control.

Meanwhile, the adventurers used the recovered binding slime to recreate the prison circle. A magical mirror helped Beiro avoid looking directly at the creature, though a blast of supernatural energy forced the mirror from its wielder’s hands.

The monster was finally trapped again, but its wounds regenerated almost as quickly as they were inflicted.

Then came the decisive discovery: holy water harmed the abomination faster than it could heal. The party emptied six vials onto the trapped creature, eventually destroying it in a final, terrible convulsion.

The Redmark Expeditionary Guild had survived another expedition, recovered extraordinary treasure, and destroyed a creature of ancient Chaos. Yet the true nature of the Faceless Lord and the secrets of the remaining chambers were still waiting to be discovered.

Unresolved Mysteries

Who or what is the Faceless Lord? Was the imprisoned monstrosity connected to that ancient power? What became of the black-robed stranger, and what other horrors await behind the doors of the Masters of Ooze, Dissolution, and Slime?

Most importantly, how many more terrible secrets from the First Age remain buried beneath the grottoes underneath the Dragon Ridge Mountains?

Treasure and Rewards

Coins and Valuables

  • Two gold necklaces with green crystals, worth 200 gp each (400 gp total).
  • Curved black-metal ritual dagger set with 17 garnets, worth 1,500 gp.
  • Total treasure value: 1,900 gp, or 475 gp per adventurer.

Magic Items and Curiosities

  • Scroll of Hold Person, acquired from the kobolds.
  • Scroll of Cure Light Wounds, recovered from the hidden cabinet.
  • Black silk robe embroidered with golden runes reading “Dominion of the Faceless Lord.”
  • Magical eye-shaped plate capable of inducing violent compulsions.
  • Obsidian amulet, possibly providing protection against mental domination (unconfirmed).
  • Potion of Gaseous Form, identified and used during the encounter.
  • Ornate vessel containing magical binding slime, some of which was used to imprison the Chaos creature.
  • One flask of corrosive gelatin collected from a defeated guardian, later used to break the original containment circle.

Experience Points

  • Gelatinous skeletons and their treasure: 113 XP per character.
  • Ritual dagger treasure: 375 XP per character.
  • Chaos creature defeated: 438 XP per character.
  • Total: 926 XP per character.