Session Overview#
The party returns to Milstrom to process Red ’s loss and discovers disturbing information about bounties on their heads, Helisanna ’s supernatural influence over her fans, and a dangerous underground racing event that could be their next challenge.
Examining the Rocket Schematics#
The session opens with the party studying the rocket ship blueprints they acquired from the Skyhammer clan. Silas raises concerns about whether the technology requires human sacrifice to power it, similar to what happened to Red . Bru and Elspeth examine the schematics to determine if they can modify the power source.
The party discusses using their abundant crystal collection as an alternative power source, including:
- Crystals from Eric’s Eldoran armor
- Interdimensional crystals from Marcus
- Various other magical crystals they’ve accumulated
Memorial for Red#
The party decides to hold a memorial service for Red at his childhood home in Milstrom. However, upon arrival, they discover the house occupied by adults playing what appears to be strip Twister. After some awkward investigation (including insight checks to determine the exact nature of the game), the party evicts the squatters and sets up the memorial outside instead.
The Memorial Service#
- Olivia creates a makeshift headstone and lights a small fire
- Silas retrieves symbols of Tyr from the underground tunnels
- Bru crafts a commemorative figurine of Red using his artificer skills
- Jasper offers simple but heartfelt words: “Wish we could have known you a bit longer there, pal. Hope you rest easy here in the earth and live free among the stars.”
- Bru remains silent but emotional, still clearly angry about Red ’s sacrifice
Silas receives a magical tattoo from Bru - a Spell Wrought Tattoo that allows him to recover one expended spell slot (3rd level or lower) once per day.
Roscoe’s Return#
After the memorial, the party encounters Roscoe, the eccentric warforged, who joins them for drinks at the Milstrom Inn while singing Piano Man.
The Bounty Hunter Encounter#
Meeting Roger#
At the tavern, Bru overhears a suspicious conversation between a man and the barkeeper. The stranger, Roger, is asking about Bo Dega and offering a reward for information. When the party confronts him, Roger attempts to flee but is caught using Helisanna ’s Levitate spell.
Intelligence Gathering#
Under interrogation (enhanced by Olivia ’s Zone of Truth), Roger reveals crucial information:
The Iron Claws Takeover:
- After the dragon attack on High Forge two weeks ago, the Iron Claws gang moved in and took control
- They now control the gates and monitor tunnel traffic
- The gang has established bounties on numerous people
Active Bounties:
- Silas has the largest bounty on his head
- Bo Dega also has a significant price
- Several other associates including “Victor” and “Lenny”
The Ravers Phenomenon:
- Groups of people with purple eyes have been gathering in High Forge
- They’re described as “zombie-like” teenagers and young adults
- They spend time in the “under lake” area and are obsessed with music
- Their behavior began after Helisanna ’s concerts
The Drug Connection#
The party realizes the purple-eyed “Ravers” may be connected to:
- The drug-contaminated water they created when dumping Bo Dega’s substances in the lake
- Helisanna ’s supernatural musical influence
- A combination of both factors
Helisanna’s Supernatural Influence#
Testing the Effect#
Helisanna performs for the locals and demonstrates her supernatural influence:
- Purple mist emanates from her performance and spreads through the area
- Local residents, including Roger, develop purple eyes and join in the musical performance
- The effect appears to primarily affect teenagers and young adults
- The party members themselves are unaffected
Investigation into Her Patron#
Under questioning from Olivia , Helisanna reveals limited information about her warlock patron:
- She made a pact in a dark place with purple flames or smoke
- The entity was described as androgynous with an otherworldly presence
- She received her magical abilities and instrument through this pact
- The supernatural effects on her audience appear to be automatic and uncontrolled
The Underground Race#
Race Announcement#
Elspeth discovers her car radio has been activated remotely, announcing an underground race:
- Meeting time: Midnight at the Milstrom Inn
- Race start: 1 AM
- The announcement uses the same voice as Roger’s radio contact, suggesting coordination
Race Rules and Dangers#
The race organizer, The Warden, explains the simple but deadly rules:
- Racers must drive up a mountain
- Grab a “crest” at the summit
- Return without getting eaten
- Only rule: the driver must personally retrieve the crest
- High likelihood of death for participants
Participants#
The race includes several familiar faces from Elspeth ’s racing background:
- Alesso
- Thelvolt
- Racecar
- Lazarus
- The Warden (organizer)
Pre-Race Preparations#
Sabotage Operations#
Silas successfully drugs Thelvolt and another racer’s drinks using a substance from their previous adventure with Marvin, hoping to impair Elspeth ’s competition.
Intelligence Gathering on The Warden#
Bru conducts surveillance on The Warden and makes several discoveries:
The Radio DJ Revelation:
- The Warden operates a radio station from his RV
- He plays music including songs by “Doomfall” (the party’s band)
- His show includes commercial breaks and music programming
- He plays an eclectic mix including “Dixie Chicks” and Maroon 5
Stealing Contracts: Working with Silas as a distraction, Bru breaks into the RV and steals:
- All killer contracts (organized alphabetically)
- Racing contracts (the thickest binder)
- The theft reveals organized criminal activity beyond just race organization
Equipment Upgrades#
Elspeth acquires new racing modifications:
- Wheel spikes for offensive capability
- Spoiler for improved aerodynamics
- Plans to use their crystal collection to power the vehicle
Character Development and Relationships#
Helisanna’s Growing Concern#
The revelation of her supernatural influence on teenagers creates moral concerns for Helisanna , though she maintains it’s unintentional. Her advice to a young fan to wait until 18 before doing drugs shows some responsibility, though the fan interprets this as permission.
Silas’s Criminal Past#
The session reinforces the ongoing threat from Silas ’s theft of the dragon orb from the Iron Claws, with his bounty being the largest among the party members.
Team Coordination#
The party demonstrates improved coordination during:
- The interrogation of Roger using multiple skills and spells
- The heist operation at The Warden’s RV
- Preparation for the upcoming race
Ongoing Plot Threads#
- Iron Claws Control: The criminal organization now controls High Forge and actively hunts the party
- Purple-Eyed Ravers: Helisanna ’s supernatural influence creates concerning followers
- The Mountain Race: A dangerous competition with unknown creatures threatening participants
- Stolen Contracts: Evidence of organized criminal activity involving races and assassinations
- Bo Dega’s Safety: Their friend remains a target for bounty hunters
- Crystal Technology: Potential for modifying the rocket technology using their acquired crystals
Session Themes#
This episode effectively balances grief processing with escalating external threats. The memorial for Red provides emotional closure while new dangers emerge through the bounty hunter encounter and race preparation. Helisanna ’s supernatural influence introduces moral complexity about unintended consequences of power, while the criminal contracts suggest the party has stumbled into a larger conspiracy involving underground racing and assassination networks.
The session sets up the dangerous mountain race as the next major challenge while establishing the Iron Claws as an ongoing antagonist organization with significant resources and reach.