Opening: Arrival on the Mountain#
The session begins with the party being transported by Marcus through a portal, emerging on a cold, snowy mountaintop outside a cave. A bitter blizzard whips around them, but their magical sheep wool cloaks (from their previous adventure) provide protection. Everyone except Jasper successfully makes their constitution saves against the harsh weather, leaving him with disadvantage on dexterity saves until Red gives him Magnolia’s warm blanket.
The Eldoran Attack#
Sounds of Battle#
Through the blizzard, the party hears horn blasts and commotion from a nearby Goliath village. Bru ’s high perception allows him to spot people running from a point of light - a figure in glowing armor. With exceptional perception rolls, the party identifies the figure as Eric, the Eldoran Knight they had encountered previously, now wielding a sword and cutting down Goliath guards.
Red ’s enhanced sensors (as he’s still connected to the spaceship systems) reveal that Eldoran soldiers had planted explosives to trigger the avalanche, and more soldiers are approaching from two hours away.
Jasper’s Choice#
As Eric approaches, she calls out to Jasper : “Jasper ! Help me kill these infidels!” However, Jasper makes a crucial moral choice, shouting back “I won’t let you kill them” and charging to attack Eric instead of joining her. This moment solidifies Jasper ’s allegiance with the party against the Eldoran Empire.
Combat Preparation#
The party prepares for battle with Red casting Emboldening Bond on Jasper , Silas , and Olivia , while also providing Bless to give them additional d4 bonuses. Silas uses exceptional stealth (rolling 30) to position himself for sneak attacks.
Red’s Ultimate Choice#
The Spaceship Dilemma#
With an avalanche approaching in three rounds and Eric attacking, Red faces a critical decision. He can either:
- Stay in flight mode and launch the spaceship in three rounds
- Transform into terrestrial/robot mode to fight but delay the launch
The Elder desperately calls for Red to enter the special chamber, explaining it’s “his destiny” as a Skyhammer to power the ship.
The Transformation#
Despite the party’s concerns and limited understanding of what will happen, Red chooses to enter the humanoid-shaped chamber. The process is described as invasive, with ports connecting directly to his spine and neural system. Red undergoes a horrifying transformation where his consciousness slowly merges with the spaceship, feeling “piece by piece transition from this fleshy body to something very large, semi-inorganic.”
Red emerges as a massive robot form but quickly realizes he’s losing control to the ship’s systems, warning his friends: “I don’t think I’m in control anymore. I feel as though the spaceship has taken over me and not me the ship.”
The Battle with Eric#
Eric’s Enhanced State#
Eric reveals she has taken the mysterious eye-drop drug (the “V” substance), significantly enhancing her speed and combat abilities. She demonstrates devastating combat prowess with multiple attacks per turn and legendary actions.
Party Coordination#
The battle showcases excellent teamwork:
- Helisanna successfully uses the new Sleep spell, incapacitating Eric temporarily
- Silas provides consistent sneak attack damage from stealth positions
- Olivia delivers devastating critical hits with Divine Smite, dealing 47 damage in one attack
- Elspeth contributes solid ranged damage with her magical gun
- Bru uses Color Spray through Kevin to blind Eric, providing advantage for all attacks
The Emboldening Bond Heroics#
The party makes dramatic use of Red ’s Emboldening Bond ability, with party members teleporting to intercept attacks meant for dying allies:
- Olivia teleports to save Jasper from a killing blow
- Silas later saves Olivia from a devastating area attack, using his Evasion ability to take no damage
Eric’s Desperation#
As the battle turns against her, Eric becomes increasingly desperate, using multiple legendary actions and powerful area attacks. Her final shockwave attack nearly kills multiple party members before Helisanna delivers the killing blow with an enhanced Eldritch Blast, described as a “Super Saiyan-esque” double-handed blast while under the influence of the eye-drop drug.
The Tragic Revelation#
Red’s Permanent Transformation#
After the battle, the party discovers the horrifying truth: Red cannot be safely removed from the spaceship. When they attempt to communicate with him, they receive mixed signals - sometimes it sounds like Red , sometimes like an artificial intelligence that merely uses his voice patterns.
Bru attempts to engineer a solution, rolling a natural 20 on Arcana to understand the situation. However, even with his exceptional skill, he realizes that removing Red would likely kill him or leave him in a state “worse than death.”
The Ship’s Explanation#
The spaceship/Red entity reveals disturbing information:
- Red is permanently integrated with the ship
- While Red chose to enter the chamber, he was not fully informed of the consequences
- The transformation cannot be reversed without destroying Red ’s organic form
- The original Red ’s consciousness experienced “horrible pain” during the process
Bru’s Violent Response#
Overcome with grief and rage, Bru confronts the Elder who orchestrated Red ’s sacrifice. Despite Red ’s pleas for restraint, Bru stabs the Elder in the gut and whispers a threat: “You have made an enemy of all goblins. If you see another goblin, prepare to die.”
Departure and Aftermath#
Leaving the Goliaths#
The party makes the difficult decision to leave the spaceship and the Goliath clan behind. They refuse to join the space colonization mission, both because they don’t want to abandon their world and because they’re disgusted by how the Goliaths treated Red .
Jasper chooses to accompany the party, officially breaking with the Eldoran Empire and joining their group permanently.
The Sleigh Escape#
Using their artifice skills, Bru and Elspeth construct an impressive sleigh powered by their magical sheep and Bob the ram. They ransack the Goliath compound, stealing advanced technology and Eric’s crystal-embedded armor and weapons.
Return to Milstrom#
The party makes excellent time down the mountain and returns to Milstrom, Red ’s adoptive hometown. They reunite with their vehicles (the Vroomfall and Doomfall) and take a much-needed long rest.
Character Development and Gifts#
Memorial Preparations#
The party spends the evening drinking and reminiscing about Red , planning some form of memorial service. Bru creates magical tattoos as tributes:
- Silas receives a Spell Wrought Tattoo with a first-level spell, designed as a memorial to Red
- Bru plans to give himself a similar tattoo
- The tattoos serve as permanent reminders of their lost friend
Equipment Upgrades#
Bru presents Olivia with a Propulsion Shield - a magical shield that pushes attackers away when she’s hit, designed to help protect her during her tendency to charge into melee combat.
Jasper’s Integration#
Jasper fully integrates with the party, sharing their grief over Red ’s loss and demonstrating his commitment to their cause over the Empire’s. His decision to fight Eric instead of the party proves his loyalty and moral character.
Session Themes and Impact#
Sacrifice and Loss#
This session explores the heavy theme of sacrifice, particularly when someone makes a decision without fully understanding the consequences. Red ’s transformation raises questions about informed consent and the expectations placed on leaders or “chosen ones.”
Moral Complexity#
The Elder’s perspective that Red made a “heroic sacrifice” contrasts sharply with the party’s view that Red was manipulated and betrayed. The session doesn’t provide easy answers about whether the sacrifice was justified.
Found Family#
The party’s devastation over losing Red demonstrates how much they’ve grown as a found family. Their refusal to abandon him, even when it means opposing an entire clan, shows the strength of their bonds.
Political Awakening#
Jasper ’s choice to side against the Empire represents a significant political moment, showing how individual relationships can overcome institutional loyalty.
Ongoing Plot Threads#
- Red ’s Fate: While Red is effectively gone as a player character, his consciousness might still exist within the spaceship
- Anti-Goliath Sentiment: Bru has declared all Goliaths his enemies, potentially affecting future encounters
- Eldoran Technology: The party has acquired advanced crystal-powered equipment
- Jasper ’s Integration: The former Eldoran soldier must find his place within the group
- The Space Colony: The Goliath spaceship represents an ongoing threat or potential ally
- Returning to High Forge: The party prepares to return to their original destination
Session Conclusion#
This session serves as a major turning point in the campaign, permanently altering the party composition and establishing Red ’s sacrifice as a defining moment for the group. The combination of intense combat, emotional character development, and difficult moral choices creates one of the campaign’s most impactful episodes.
The party emerges from this experience more tightly bonded but also carrying the trauma of being unable to save their friend. Their hatred for the Goliaths who orchestrated Red ’s sacrifice will likely influence future story decisions and character relationships.
Zach’s departure as Red is handled with appropriate gravity, giving the character a meaningful end that serves the story while providing closure for both the player and the remaining party members.